To take it, or not to take it? That was the question facing Fang Lin right now.
Everyone present was watching Fang Lin, waiting for his response.
Kang Lu wore a benign expression, yet his mind was scoffing: "Even if you Fang Lin are a genius, once you take this Soothing Pill of mine, you'll be mine. Regardless of how outshining you become in the future, you will ultimately be under my control."
Kang Lu believed, Fang Lin wouldn't be able to resist the temptation of the Soothing Pill.
Fang Lin glanced at the bottle in Kang's hand, only to shake his head subtly, and said in a faint voice: "Brother Kang, your kindness is appreciated, but I cannot accept this Soothing Pill."
Upon hearing this, many people thought that Fang Lin was foolish. This was the Soothing Pill we're talking about! What Pill Apprentice had the right to even get such a pill? He's turning down a **** Soothing Pill?
Some quietly nodded in approval, thinking that Fang Lin was not foolish. If he really took this Soothing Pill, he would be playing right into Kang Lu's trap.
Seeing Fang Lin refuse, Kang Lu's demeanor stiffened. Just as he was about to speak, the young man next to him couldn't resist interfered: "Fang Lin, what do you mean by this? You even dare to refuse the pill offered by Brother Kang? You're really ungrateful!"
Fang Lin just smiled, expressing no anger, responding: "Your grievances against me are misplaced, brother. It's not that I Fang Lin am ungrateful, but that Brother Kang's goodwill is too overwhelming. My feeble frame might not be able to bear it."
His response was soft yet assertive, making his rejection clear. Kang Lu naturally got the message.
The smile on Kang Lu's face gradually disappeared, only to be replaced by a cold demeanor.
"Fang Lin, think it over, will you take this Soothing Pill, or not?" Kang Lu said coldly, his words carrying a subtle threat.
Fang Lin was still all smiles, seemingly oblivious to the threat in Kang's words, replied: "Brother Kang, shouldn't this be considered as putting me in a difficult situation? I absolutely can't accept this Soothing Pill. You better keep it for your own use."
Kang Lu's lips curled up into a cold smirk, nodded, and put away the bottle.
"Brother Kang, this guy is ungrateful, shall we teach him a lesson?" spoke the young man who had commented earlier, looking to impress Kang Lu.
Upon hearing this, many people quickly distanced themselves from Fang Lin, afraid of the incoming storm. Only Lu Xiaoqing stayed by Fang Lin's side, her face filled with worry and apprehension, but she did not leave.
"Brother Kang, what do you intend to do? This is the Pill Array, the statues of the Four Saints of Pill Sect are here. You wouldn't dare to do anything inappropriate, right?" Lu Xiaoqing said indignantly.
Fang Lin was touched to see this young lady standing up for him at this moment.
Kang Lu glanced at Lu Xiaoqing, his ominous gaze filled her with increased fear.
However, Lu Xiaoqing's words were effective. After all, Kang Lu dared not make a scene at the Pill Array, as it was easy to be used against him later, leading to troubles.
Thereupon, Kang Lu coldly smiled at Fang Lin and said: "You rejected me today, I hope you won't regret it."
Having said that, he turned and left. The followers of Kang Lu also left after glaring at Fang Lin harshly.
Those Pill Apprentices who originally wanted to get close to Fang Lin quickly dispersed as well, no longer engaging in any conversation with Fang Lin, not wanting to have any association with him.
Are you kidding? Fang Lin has offended Kang Lu today. Who knows how Kang Lu will suppress Fang Lin in the future. If they associate with Fang Lin, wouldn't that mean they are opposing Kang Lu?
Soon, those Pill Apprentices who were initially surrounding Fang Lin left in a blink of an eye, leaving only Lu Xiaoqing behind.
Lu Xiaoqing showed a disdainful face towards those who left hastily, but the thought of Fang Lin crossing Kang Lu today made her heart heavy again.
Fang Lin sported a smile, gently scratched Lu Xiaoqing's nose and said, "Stop frowning, the sky is not going to fall."
Lu Xiaoqing was irritated seeing Fang Lin's smile, and asked: "Can you still laugh now? Do you know what happens when you offend Kang Lu?"
Fang Lin asked curiously: "What will happen?"
Lu Xiaoqing rolled her eyes at Fang Lin and said: "I heard from a senior sister, someone offended Kang Lu in the past and was suppressed by Kang to the point he couldn't even participate in the exam. You have just joined, and have offended him already. I really don't know how you will manage in the future."
Fang Lin noticed Lu Xiaoqing's worry, he gently patted her shoulder, and said laughingly: "Don't worry, anyway the one who offended him was me. I am not worried, so you also should not worry for me."
Lu Xiaoqing stomped her foot, pushed Fang Lin's hand away, and retorted indignantly: "Who's worrying for you? I can't be bothered about you!"
After saying that, Lu Xiaoqing quickly walked away.
Fang Lin smiled helplessly, but there was a touch of coldness in his smile.
"Indeed, things cannot stay calm." Fang Lin stretched lazily, and headed to his residence.
···
At Pill Sect, in Heaven Sun Hall.
The Heaven Sun Hall, exceptionally magnificent, stood at the very peak of a mountain, majestic and grand.
At this moment, Elder Mu Yan in his green robe stood silently in the hall. At the top of the hall, a middle-aged man with a stern face was sitting upright.
Meng Wuyou was also present, standing to one side, calm and composed.
Mu Yan bowed to the middle-aged man and said, "Sect Master, today in Pill Array, I saw that Fang Lin is indeed a natural talent. His status as a Pill Apprentice is far too wasteful. I hope the Sect Master can make an exception and promote Fang Lin to a full disciple."
Upon hearing these words, Meng Wuyou's eyes lit up, looking at Mu Yan with surprise and joy.
Mu Yan nodded slightly at Meng Wuyou in response.
The middle-aged man, upon hearing this, remained impassive, coolly saying, "The rules of the Pill Sect are never to be broken."
Mu Yan frowned, saying, "Fang Lin has exceptional talent that can be put to great use. His achievements are sure to surpass ours. Promoting him sooner will allow the Pill Sect to have a competent Pill Refiner sooner."
The middle-aged man looked at Mu Yan, his voice still cold, and said, "Mu Yan, aren't you being overly positive?"
Mu Yan responded strongly, saying, "I am not exaggerating in the slightest. The value of Fang Lin is not inferior to that of the Four Elites of the Pill Sect."
The middle-aged man showed a light smile, and said, "Even if it's the Four Elites of the Pill Sect, none of them were promoted against the convention."
Mu Yan's expression turned rigid, and Meng Wuyou beside him quietly sighed in his heart.
The middle-aged man continued, "While it's true that Fang Lin may be gifted, all prodigies need training and trials. Moreover, the rules of the Pill Sect should not be broken. Let him endure more hardships among the other Pill Apprentices."
Mu Yan opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words.
···
Leaving Heaven Sun Hall, Meng Wuyou and Mu Yan walked together with gloomy countenances.
"If the leader is this shortsighted, when will our Pill Sect ever flourish!" Meng Wuyou said angrily.
Mu Yan also wore a displeased frown, showing clear dissatisfaction with the leader's attitude.
"There's nothing we can do about this. We can only look to Fang Lin himself. If he shows potential that surpasses the Four Elites of the Pill Sect, the leader will hopefully stop suppressing him," Mu Yan suggested.
Meng Wuyou furrowed his brow and asked, "And what if the leader still wants to keep him down?"
Mu Yan, showing an air of determination, replied, "We will have no choice but to request the Sect Master to intervene."
Meng Wuyou nodded and said, "That really may be the only way forward. Alas, it's a shame about Fang Lin."
···
A month had passed since the Pill Array lecture, and Kang Lu indeed took action during this time.
He arranged for several people to guard the necessary route to the Herb Garden, prepared to stop Fang Lin from entering as soon as he appeared.
Kang Lu's idea was straightforward: by denying Fang Lin access to the Herb Garden, Fang Lin would be deprived of learning about more herbs, which would prevent him from passing the upcoming examination.
However, Kang Lu's subordinates waited for a full month without catching sight of Fang Lin.
It turned out that Fang Lin had not thought about going to the Herb Garden at all. Except for his attendance at the Pill Array lectures during the middle and end of the month, Fang Lin had hardly left his home. Although Kang Lu's idea was good, it resulted in nothing.
Inside the wooden house, Fang Lin was seated cross-legged, his eyes tightly shut, and beads of sweat on his forehead.
After a long while, Fang Lin opened his eyes, showing weariness and helplessness.
"It's still not working. My root bone is too inferior, and half of the 72 meridians are blocked. With no pills to aid me, these blocks are impossible to clear," Fang Lin sighed bitterly.
During his first two months after joining, Fang Lin might seem idle and indifferent to making progress, but, in fact, he had been constantly trying to unblock the 72 meridians in his body to improve his root bone qualifications.
However, his current level was too low, only at the second level of Human Origin, his inner strength was insufficient, and he was unable to unblock the blocked meridians.
There were ways to remedy this, but it would require the aid of pills. At the moment, Fang Lin was only a Pill Apprentice, and he didn't qualify to refine pills.
Without pills, and relying solely on his own strength, it would take him eight to ten years to unblock the blocked meridians. But how could Fang Lin possibly spend eight to ten years just to unblock his meridians?
"It seems I'll have to find a way to produce a batch of pills." Fang Lin secretly decided, already on the verge of making a decision to refine pills.
Nevertheless, the rules of the Pill Sect were strict. Pill Apprentices mainly learned about plants and didn't qualify to refine pills. They had no access to the Pill Furnace. Only official disciples were allowed to refine pills.
With all his skills, Fang Lin couldn't use them due to this lack of opportunity to refine pills. This was indeed a vexing situation.
Suddenly one day, Fang Lin, Lu Xiaoqing, and the other new disciples who joined the Pill Sect on the same day were all summoned.
They stood inside the Pill Array, a total of nine people, including Fang Lin.
In front of them was a short-figured elder with his hands behind his back, an impatient look on his face.
"You nine, listen up. There will be official disciples coming soon to choose their Pill Apprentices. Each of you will accompany and learn from an official disciple for six months. This is a rare opportunity, so make sure to learn and observe well, understand?" the small elderly figure shouted.
Apart from Fang Lin, the other eight all looked excited at the news.
Despite his calm appearance, Fang Lin was quietly anticipating the occasion.
"If I can get close to an official disciple, I might get the chance to refine pills," Fang Lin whispered to himself.