Kang Lu looked upset. Last time, during the promotion exam, if he had got this question right, he would have passed. Unfortunately, he answered it wrong, missing the chance to be promoted and forced to wait for another year.
Now, Kang Lu had fully understood the answer to the question. Still, thinking about it at this moment made him feel uncomfortable.
"I couldn't answer this question a year ago, and there's no way Fang Lin can answer it," thought Kang Lu to himself.
With an intense gaze, Elder Mu Yan looked at Fang Lin. By asking this question, she had a probing intention. If Fang Lin couldn't answer, there wouldn't be anything wrong. After all, over 90% of the Pill Apprentices wouldn't be able to answer the question.
But if Fang Lin answered correctly, the implications would be quite different.
Fang Lin slightly smiled and answered, "This question isn't difficult. Three-Leaf Sunflowers usually grow in warm places with abundant sunlight, especially areas facing the sunrise. However, there are no absolute rules. As the saying goes, 'extremes lead to the opposite,' Three-Leaf Sunflowers that grow in extremely cold places have even greater efficacy than those in warm places. Moreover, the rare Four-Leaf Sunflowers are grown in extremely cold places. Perhaps even the rarer Five-Leaf Sunflowers could also be found in such places. But the Five-Leaf Sunflowers possess both cold and hot qualities, making them difficult for average people to handle."
As Fang Lin elaborated his answer, everyone looked at him as if they had seen a ghost, their expressions seemingly frozen.
Kang Lu's face was terrible. The question he got wrong a year ago was now perfectly answered by a newcomer who had only joined a month ago—it was like a slap in his face.
"This chap is a genius! Absolutely cannot allow him to grow! Otherwise, even if I become an official disciple, I would end up under his feet!" Kang Lu snarled, considering Fang Lin a threat to his position.
Others agreed after hearing his words. Fang Lin's performance was too dazzling. If this continued, Kang Lu would indeed end up under his feet, and this would inevitably affect those who followed Kang Lu.
Elder Mu Yan, standing on the stone stage, was thrilled.
"Fang Lin possesses such impressive knowledge of plants and herbs, and also has the Reviving Dead Wood Body. He is indeed a rare genius. He is not as helpless as the rumors suggest. It's a pity to have such a genius remain as a Pill Apprentice. I must propose to the head to have Fang Lin directly promoted to official disciple. We cannot let such a talent go to waste," thought Mu Yan. Her attitude towards Fang Lin changed from dislike to appreciation.
Thinking of this, Elder Mu Yan's face broke into a rare smile. She said to Fang Lin, "Fang Lin, you've surprised me. I won't deny it, you are a genius. With your knowledge of plants, you can surely become an official disciple within two years."
Upon hearing this, all the Pill Apprentices present gasped.
Become an official disciple within two years? Isn't this too exaggerating? The fastest record in the Pill Sect was promotion after two exams. Could it be that Fang Lin was going to be the second fastest?
Kang Lu's expression darkened. He had failed twice, but he was sure he would pass the third time. However, Elder Mu Yan's appraisal for Fang Lin ignited envy in him.
Kang Lu's followers were also exchanging glances. It was clear to them that Kang Lu was not in a good mood right now.
However, it was understandable. Among the Pill Apprentices, Kang Lu has been the top talent in both name and status.
But now, out of the blue, comes Fang Lin—an exceptional talent with vast knowledge of plants and herbs who has only been in the sect for a month. Add his rare Reviving Dead Wood Body, and he is destined to surpass Kang Lu.
But how could Kang Lu willingly lose his current status and reputation? He's the top talent among the Pill Apprentices, and even among the formal disciples, he had established connections, laying a solid foundation for his smooth progress once he becomes a formal disciple.
But if Fang Lin continued to outshine others as he did now, who would still pay attention to him, Kang Lu? Who would still consider him the top talent among the Pill Apprentices?
Kang Lu could not tolerate this; he wanted to maintain his position. Everything that he had planned must not be affected.
Regarding Elder Mu Yan's appreciation, Fang Lin was humble, saying, "Thank you for your praise, Elder. I just know a bit more about plants and herbs."
Elder Mu Yan replied seriously, "I heard that you have a Reviving Dead Wood Body and such solid knowledge of plants and herbs, which makes you a real genius. But don't be too proud or complacent. Pride is the biggest enemy in the art of Pill Refining. Always remember that."
Fang Lin nodded and replied respectfully, "Thank you for your guidance, Elder. I will remember it."
Fang Lin respected Elder Mu Yan to some extent. Although she was a bit rigid and stern, she genuinely cared for the Pill Apprentices and was dedicated to teaching, which made Fang Lin admire her.
Even though Fang Lin was a revered Pill Sovereign in his past life, he wasn't arrogantly dismissive towards others like those young geniuses. Instead, Fang Lin was never prideful or arrogant, and he would respect someone from his heart if he found them to be respectable.
Seeing Fang Lin's humble reaction, Elder Mu Yan was even more satisfied. She nodded and said, "That's it for today's lesson. Make sure to review what I've taught today and do not slack."
With the end of the lecture, Elder Mu Yan left, with three thousand Pill Apprentices following, leaving the Pill Array.
However, many of them came forward to converse with Fang Lin as they left, their words carrying a hint of friendship.
These Pill Apprentices were not fools. They saw Fang Lin's impressive performance and Elder Mu Yan's appreciation for him. They naturally wanted to seize the opportunity to establish a relationship with Fang Lin.
Fang Lin wasn't cold towards them but wasn't too warm either. He had a brief conversation with these Pill Apprentices.
"Fang Lin, wait a moment." A Pill Apprentice stopped Fang Lin, politely saying.
Fang Lin didn't recognize this person, but someone by his side said, "He's from Kang Lu's entourage."
Fang Lin's face revealed confusion as he asked, "Who is Kang Lu?"
The crowd's expressions froze, with many of them twitching at the corners of their mouths in disbelief.
Even Lu Xiaoqing, standing beside Fang Lin, couldn't hide a look of helplessness on her face and silently berated Fang Lin for his idiocy.
Meanwhile, the young man who was blocking Fang Lin's path wore an embarrassing face and became almost frantic inside.
Was this guy playing dumb, or did he really not know who Kang Lu was?
Looking at everyone's reaction, Fang Lin felt more innocent: why wouldn't he know who Kang Lu was?
The man stared blankly for a moment before saying, "Brother Kang Lu wants to speak with you."
Fang Lin looked at him and asked seriously, "Can you tell me who Kang Lu is exactly?"
The man almost cursed out loud. Was this person taking pretending to be ignorant too far?
However, since Kang Lu had previously instructed him to bring Fang Lin over, the man could only laugh awkwardly and say, "Brother Kang Lu is a distinguished figure among us Pill Apprentices."
Lu Xiaoqing whispered in Fang Lin's ear, "That Kang Lu is quite powerful. It's said that he will become a formal disciple in the next assessment. Be careful around him since we don't know what he wants."
Fang Lin nodded and said to the man, "I don't know any Kang Lu and have nothing much to discuss."
Having said that, he tried to leave.
"Brother Fang Lin, are you still not persuaded?" At that moment, Kang Lu arrived with a group of people not far away. His voice echoed in the air, clear and hearty.
Fang Lin turned around, his gaze meeting Kang Lu's as his eyebrows furrowed slightly.
"This man harbors ill will towards me," Fang Lin thought.
Despite Kang Lu's best efforts to hide it, Fang Lin, as a former Pill Sovereign, was not fooled. His intensive scrutiny allowed him to see through Kang Lu's pretense.
The Pill Apprentices around Fang Lin all bowed respectfully to Kang Lu, including Lu Xiaoqing, who seemed to hold him in awe.
"So you're Kang Lu?" asked Fang Lin.
A fleeting look of annoyance crossed Kang Lu's eyes. Other Pill Apprentices addressed him as their elder brother, but this man dared to call him by name without any form of respect. What did this mean?
However, Kang Lu kept his composure and said with a smile, "It seems the younger brother knows very little about me. I am Kang Lu. After watching you at the Pill Array today, I must say, I am impressed."
Fang Lin laughed, "Thank you for your remarks, Elder Brother Kang. But if you have no other business with me, I will return to sleep."
Everyone present broke into a cold sweat. This Fang Lin was indeed an oddball. From the looks of it, Kang Lu clearly intended to befriend him, yet he was thinking about returning to his room to sleep.
Even Kang Lu, who was normally very composed, was on the verge of losing his temper.
"This place is too noisy. How about we go to the Azure Moon Pavilion for a quieter chat?" Kang Lu tried his best to make himself appear friendlier.
To his surprise, Fang Lin shook his head and said, "Let's not. If there's anything, you can say it here."
Kang Lu felt like slapping Fang Lin away out of irritation. He felt like he was burning his face with cold derision.
"Well then, I'll be frank. Brother Fang Lin, you are terrifically skilled, and you have a bright future in pill refining. But as Pill Refiners, we can't ignore our martial arts cultivation. It seems you are only at the second level of Human Origin. I have a Soothing Pill here that can help you break through to the third level. I hope you won't decline and accept my goodwill," said Kang Lu as he pulled out a jade bottle.
Upon hearing this, envy flashed across the faces of the crowd. This was a Soothing Pill! Consuming one could accelerate the cultivation speed by one to two times. Among the Pill Apprentices, no one could refine such a pill. Only formal disciples could do it.
Kang Lu was willing to offer such a precious pill to win Fang Lin over, demonstrating that he valued him highly.
If Fang Lin accepted this Soothing Pill, he would indeed become a follower of Kang Lu, no matter how gifted he was.