Upon hearing what Fang Lin had to say, the expressions of the many Pill Apprentices gathered, as well as Elder Mu Yan on the stone platform, were highly astonished, all of them looking at Fang Lin as if they were looking at a monster.
Just what kind of thick-skinned person would say something so shameless?
Even Lu Xiaoqing, who was worried for Fang Lin, couldn't help but laugh bitterly at his words. For Heaven's sake, the man was clearly napping. Meditating?! His snoring had given everything away.
Even Elder Mu Yan was so enraged that her face turned ugly. She was usually strict, but now she had to deal with Fang Lin, a man with such a nerve, who didn't hesitate to brazenly lie to her eyes. She felt nothing but displeasure towards him.
Nonetheless, Fang Lin's demeanor was surprisingly calm. He faced Elder Mu Yan without a hint of guilt, and his tranquility was somewhat surprising to her.
Despite her surprise, Elder Mu Yan had already made up her mind and said, "Fang Lin, are you saying that you weren't sleeping, but were actually listening to my lecture?"
Fang Lin nodded and said, "Disciple was indeed attentively listening to Elder's teachings and did not lose focus even for a second."
"How utterly shameless!" This was the thought running through the mind of every Pill Apprentice.
The corner of Elder Mu Yan's mouth lifted slightly and she said, "In that case, let me ask you a few questions based on what I just talked about. If you can answer them, I will not pursue this incident. But if you are unable to answer, I will break your limbs and deprive you of one chance to advance!"
When these words were spoken, many people sympathetically looked at Fang Lin. Breaking his limbs was one thing, but depriving him of a chance to advance was a heavy punishment indeed.
Pill Apprentices only had five years, and hence, just five chances to level up; losing one chance meant having one less opportunity.
If Fang Lin were to be punished today, then he would only have four chances left. For a Pill Apprentice, this was undoubtedly the harshest punishment imaginable.
Lu Xiaoqing's face was filled with worry, she wanted to plead for Fang Lin, but considering her status as just an apprentice, how could she possibly defend Fang Lin?
Kang Lu, sitting at the very front, had a look of anticipation on his face. It was as if he was looking forward to seeing Fang Lin's limbs broken.
Just when everyone thought that Fang Lin would hesitate, he decisively and calmly said: "Then please go ahead and ask, Elder."
"This kid, it seems he has given up on himself," Kang Lu shook his head slightly. It was a pity to witness such a character with the Reviving Dead Wood Body gifted with talent, making such disappointing choices.
"Fang Lin, oh Fang Lin, you've been so close to Lu Xiaoqing recently, but I'm keen to see whether Lu Xiaoqing will still want to be close to you after your limbs get broken." Sun Hao looked at Fang Lin with a cruel smile on his face, and was eager to see his miserable downfall.
Elder Mu Yan looked at Fang Lin, slightly confused. Why did it seem like he was so confident with clear eyes that showed no hint of fear? This was highly unusual.
"Listen carefully. I just mentioned the Autumn Moonwhite flower, what effects does it have?" Elder Mu Yan didn't think too hard, and directly asked the first question.
Upon hearing this question, many of the Apprentices already knew the answer, as did Lu Xiaoqing, who wanted to secretly hint at the answer to Fang Lin.
"An easy question. Autumn Moonwhite is a cold-natured medicinal herb. Taking it directly can alleviate symptoms of inflammation, suppress the impetuous qi of a martial artist. However, if consumed excessively, it can cause the blood and qi of the martial artists to stagnate. Serious cases could lead to meridian damage. Autumn Moonwhite can be used to refine Autumn Dew Pill, Ice Face Pill, Mysterious Water Pill, Cold Frost Pill." Fang Lin said unhurriedly.
Upon hearing this, Elder Mu Yan, along with all the Pill Apprentices in attendance, all widened their eyes, staring at Fang Lin in disbelief.
Lu Xiaoqing looked at Fang Lin with surprise and joy; she really hadn't suspected that he could actually have wisely answered the question.
"How could he answer it? Isn't he just a useless person who eats and drinks all day? Could it be that he was actually listening to the lecture?" Sun Hao looked frustrated as the idea of Fang Lin being able to answer correctly never crossed his mind.
Kang Lu had a surprised look on his face, his eyebrows furrowing slightly.
"This boy is somewhat unexpected." Kang Lu said with a smile, leaving others guessing about what was going through his mind.
The most startled among them was Elder Mu Yan. She was sure that Fang Lin was indeed napping and had not listened to her lecture. There was no doubt about that.
However, Fang Lin had calmly answered her question, perfectly reflecting his understanding, it was truly the most flawless answer.
"What's wrong, Elder? Did this disciple not answer correctly?" Fang Lin seeing Elder Mu Yan didn't say anything, asked in confusion.
Coming back to her senses, Elder Mu Yan frowned delicately. It felt to her as though Fang Lin was deliberately trying to antagonize her.
"You answered very well, but I still have two more questions. I hope you'll continue to answer correctly, if not, my punishment for you won't change." Elder Mu Yan said.
Fang Lin smiled, "Please ask your questions, Elder."
"He does not know what's good for him!" Many Pill Apprentices couldn't help but murmur in their hearts, thinking that Fang Lin has lost himself in his pride. Did he think that he was just lucky to answer one question correctly, now he believes he can answer everything?
Elder Mu Yan was also a bit vexed, so she pondered a little and came up with a question that was quite challenging.
"Listen carefully, I mentioned the Heart Cleansing Pill earlier, do you know which herbs are needed to concoct it?" Elder Mu Yan asked.
As she asked this question, many of the Pill Apprentices showed signs of struggling, only a small portion of them knew the answer. One of them was Kang Lu.
This question was not something an ordinary pill apprentice could answer. The difficulty level was comparable to that of the questions in the promotion examination.
Elder Mu Yan didn't delve into the details when he was teaching just now, and asking Fang Lin to answer this question now posed quite a deliberate challenge.
Lu Xiaoqing wanted to help Fang Lin with the answer, but she didn't know the answer herself. After all, she had only been a disciple for a month, and this question was beyond her capability.
At this moment, Lu Xiaoqing could only hope that Fang Lin was blessed with good luck. She couldn't help him anymore.
Fang Lin looked at Mu Yan, smiled slightly, and said, "As it happens, I know the answer to this question."
"Oh? Then let's hear it." Mu Yan was surprised but did not entirely believe that Fang Lin could answer the question.
Several of the people present thought Fang Lin was putting on a brave front. How could a neophyte like him, a freeloader at that, possibly answer such a difficult question?
Only to hear Fang Lin say, "The Heart Cleansing Pill is a low-ranked Pill. To be precise, it is a low-class human pill with the effect of calming the heart and improving temper. It's more like a tonic than a pill and has little effect on martial artists. It needs Quiet Secluded Grass, Rootless Water, and Lamp Firefly Flower to refine."
After Fang Lin's answer, the whole Pill Array fell silent. You could hear a pin drop.
All the people present looked at Fang Lin strangely. Everyone's expression was priceless.
Mu Yan's eyes were also full of surprise. Fang Lin's answer was as standard as it could be, but the real question was, how could he possibly know such things?
Lu Xiaoqing opened her mouth in surprise, feeling a mixture of astonishment and joy, while Sun Hao's face was as green as if he had swallowed a rat, and it was a terrible sight.
The expression of Kang Lu, sitting in the front, also changed, becoming more solemn.
As for the people's surprised expressions, Fang Lin didn't take them to heart.
Are you kidding? I, Fang Lin, am a bona fide Pill Sovereign, and asking me such a simple question is an insult. If it weren't for my current circumstances, I would never stoop to answer such a question."
If it were the old Fang Lin from my previous life, I would slap anyone who asked me this question, and then kick him dozens of miles away.
As a Pill Sovereign, being asked about such trivial matters is an insult, no?
When Fang Lin answered the question, he was quite frustrated, but when he saw the shocked and incredulous expressions of the people around him, he felt much better.
Elder Mu Yan was finally moved. He put away his dislike for Fang Lin's selection, replaced by curiosity and suspicion.
"Fang Lin, how many years have you been a disciple?" asked Mu Yan, unable to hold back. If he had been a disciple for three or four years, it was plausible that he knew the answer to this question.
Fang Lin replied, "I've only been a disciple for a month."
Mu Yan's face froze, unable to help exclaiming, "You've only been a disciple for a month? How is this possible?"
Upon hearing Mu Yan's words, many embarrassed disciple faces appeared below. They had been disciples for several years, but they were inferior to a new disciple who had only been there for a month. It was really humiliating.
But it was weird, Fang Lin had only been a disciple for a month, and he had wasted most of that time, so how had he become so powerful suddenly, answering two questions in a row with no errors?
Fang Lin replied with a smile, "Indeed, I've only been a disciple for a month."
Mu Yan suddenly remembered. Meng Wuyou had once mentioned a new disciple named Fang Lin who had the rare Reviving Dead Wood Body. Could this be the same boy?
Upon thinking this, Mu Yan became more astonished. Although the Reviving Dead Wood Body was rare, raising such a considerable foundation of knowledge about herbs and plants within a month of initiation wasn't like someone who was freeloading.
"Fang Lin, you surprised me. I have another question. Even if you can't answer it, I won't punish you," Mu Yan said.
Upon hearing, Lu Xiaoqing was overjoyed, and her worried heart finally relaxed. She immediately gave Fang Lin a look of encouragement.
Seeing this Suns Hao from a distance was very jealous, hating Fang Lin even more.
"Please ask, elder." Fang Lin replied, neither humble nor arrogant.
Mu Yan nodded, didn't underestimate Fang Lin but directly asked, "Where does the Three-leaf Morning Sun Fruit usually grow?"
At this question, Kang Lu sitting in front took a veil of the look.
Seeing his expression, a person at his side cautiously asked, "Brother Kang, what's wrong?"
Kang Lu replied in a low voice, "I got this question wrong in the last promotion examination."
Upon hearing this, everyone expressed surprise.