Fang Lin lazily reclined in a bamboo chair, watching Xu Shangao by the pill furnace breaking into a sweat, occasionally offering some advice.
Ever since Xu Shangao accepted Fang Lin's guidance, his pill refining skills have improved greatly. The pills he refined for the Martial Sect disciples, apart from a few that were made by Fang Lin, were all made by Xu Shangao himself.
Puff
With a muffled sound, a cloud of black smoke rose in front of Xu Shangao. With just a glance, Fang Lin knew that he had failed in refining the pill.
Far from being discouraged, Xu Shangao cleaned out the blackened residues in the pill furnace and started refining again.
"Focus, don't be distracted. When refining pills, concentrate solely on that and don't think about anything else," Fang Lin reminded him.
Xu Shangao nodded, his focus significantly sharpened without a trace of distraction. This time, he successfully refined the pill that had previously failed.
Happiness spread across Xu Shangao's face. In the past, his pill refining success rate was pitifully low, with many newer disciples already surpassed him.
Now, Xu Shangao was no longer the same Xu Shangao, and at least among the lower-level full-fledged disciples, he was no longer bottom-ranked.
Xu Shangao already had plans to compete for a position among the mid-level full-fledged disciples during the end-of-year disciple examination.
Although unsure if he would succeed, Xu Shangao still wanted to give it a shot. If he managed to succeed, it would be a great turnaround for him among the full-fledged disciples.
In the past, Xu Shangao would not dare to dream of such a feat as becoming a mid-level disciple seemed too far-fetched.
"Fang, what are your plans for this year? I think you could become a full-fledged disciple after two assessments, just like that prodigy from the Pill Sect," Xu Shangao engaged in chit-chat with Fang Lin once he finished refining his pill.
Resting his eyes on Xu Shangao, Fang Lin asked, "Why can't I become a full-fledged disciple after just one assessment?"
Xu Shangao shook his head, seriously replied, "Even though you are extremely gifted, Fang, the Pill Apprentice assessment is very difficult. The most outstanding person in the history of Pill Sect also took two assessments to become a full-fledged disciple. There are various reasons, which I can't fully explain to you as the assessment differs every year."
Fang Lin's interest was piqued, so he asked, "How many became full-fledged disciples last year?"
Xu Shangao replied, "Only seven."
"What about the year before?"
"Five, the year before."
"When did you become a full-fledged disciple, Brother Xu?" Fang Lin asked curiously.
Xu Shangao's face flushed with embarrassment. "I became a full-fledged disciple three years ago. Including me, there were nine in total that year, which was known as a lenient examination."
Fang Lin looked at Xu Shangao knowingly, a playful smile on his face.
Xu Shangao faltered under Fang Lin's gaze and quickly changed the topic. "Fang, you shouldn't entertain the notion of becoming a full-fledged disciple after just one assessment. It's simply impossible."
Fang Lin chuckled, "There are no absolutes in this world. Didn't you also used to think that Pill Apprentices couldn't refine pills?"
Hearing this, Xu Shangao grinned helplessly. In his view, Fang Lin was a unique case, utterly beyond normal comprehension.
"Brother Xu, you've been full-fledged for three years, and still you're in this state. It's a little hard to excuse," Fang Lin said, shaking his head.
Shame and embarrassment crossed Xu Shangao's face. Indeed, it was a matter of disgrace. In three years, he was still a lower-level disciple. Other disciples who became official at the same time as him had mostly progressed to the intermediate level. Only Xu Shangao was still lingering among the lower ranks.
"I was an apprentice for five years before I passed the last assessment and became a full-fledged disciple during an easy year. If I had failed that last time, I would have been relegated to the various industries of the Purple Mist Sect," Xu Shangao wistfully said.
Fang Lin glanced sympathetically at Xu Shangao, realizing that his becoming a full-fledged disciple was more by luck.
As the two were engrossed in their conversation, a forceful voice echoed from outside, "May I ask if Brother Xu is here?"
On hearing this, both Xu Shangao and Fang Lin understood that there must be another Martial Sect disciple here hoping Xu Shangao would refine a pill for them.
Xu Shangao answered, and then stepped out of the Pill Refining Room. Fang Lin, having nothing better to do, followed him out.
Two young men were standing in the yard. One in a red robe stood in front, and another in a blue robe stood behind him. The young man clad in blue appeared younger and his face was filled with reverence.
The red robe was the symbol of official disciples of the Martial Sect, and the blue robe was the symbol of Martial Sect's sword-bearing disciples.
Upon seeing the young man in the blue robe, Fang Lin was taken aback, followed by a playful smile, it turned out the young man in blue was an acquaintance.
Upon seeing Fang Lin, the young man in blue was dumbstruck, followed by a complicated look, faintly overcast with hostility.
The red-robed young man greeted Xu Shangao with a warm smile and bowed, "Brother Xu, I am Ouyang Cheng. I would like to request your help with refining a batch of pills."
Knowing better than to delay, Xu Shangao also offered his respects in return while laughing, "May I know what kind of pill? If it's within my capability, I won't refuse to help, Brother."
The red-robed youth smiled and said, "Yes, it's the Autumn Dew Pill, I came here with admiration. If it's difficult for you, let's drop it."
"Autumn Dew Pill? Brother Ouyang, have you been injured?" Upon hearing this, Xu Shangao frowned and asked.
The Autumn Dew Pill is a healing medicine that has a good effect on meridian injuries. When Xu Shangao heard that the other party wanted to refine the Autumn Dew Pill, he guessed that Ouyang Cheng might have been injured in his meridians.
Ouyang Cheng shook his head and said, "It's not me, but a good friend of mine."
Just as Xu Shangao was about to speak, Fang Lin next to him said, "Brother Xu, the Autumn Dew Pill is a top-grade pill. You can't refine it, can you?"
When Fang Lin spoke, Xu Shangao paused slightly and then hurriedly said, "Yes, my abilities are limited, and I'm afraid I can't refine the Autumn Dew Pill."
Ouyang Cheng immediately frowned, glanced at Fang Lin, saw that he was dressed as a Pill Apprentice, and immediately showed a hint of displeasure.
"What do you mean by this, Brother Xu?" Ouyang Cheng asked with some dissatisfaction. They had been speaking amicably until the Pill Apprentice next to him spoke, then his attitude changed immediately?
Although Xu Shangao wasn't sure why Fang Lin wanted him to say this, he still had great trust in Fang Lin.
"This person behind you, Brother Ouyang, has some grudges with me." Fang Lin said.
Ouyang Cheng's brows furrowed deeper as he turned to look at the blue-robed youth behind him.
"Brother Fang Yang, do you know him?" Ouyang Cheng asked.
This blue-robed youth was Fang Yang, a genius of the same clan as Fang Lin. During the entrance exam, because of his fit Root Bone, he became a disciple of the Martial Sect.
Fang Yang's face looked a bit ugly, but in response to Ouyang Cheng's question, he couldn't hide it and said, "Brother, this person is called Fang Lin, we belong to the same clan."
Ouyang Cheng was even more confused upon hearing this. Since they were clan members, both surnamed Fang, why did Fang Lin say they had a grudge?
Xu Shangao also didn't know about this relationship, so he looked curiously at Fang Lin and Fang Yang.
Without saying a word, Fang Lin started, "Although he's from my clan, before joining Purple Mist Sect, he bullied me."
"···"
Xu Shangao and Ouyang Cheng were speechless, and Fang Yang glared at Fang Lin. He didn't expect Fang Lin to say this.
"Fang Lin, you dare to talk nonsense in front of the two brothers!" Fang Yang was immediately angry and said loudly.
Fang Lin curled his lip and said, "You often bullied me before, and you still want to bully me now? I have Brother Xu backing me up now; you can't bully me."
Fang Yang was infuriated and was about to get angry, but when he saw Ouyang Cheng's face, he was immediately terrified.
Xu Shangao understood. It turned out that Fang Lin was at odds with this Fang Yang, and he was using his position as an official disciple to intimidate Fang Yang.
Although being used as a human shield was not a good feeling, Xu Shangao had nothing to say. If he was a human shield, then so be it.
"Brother Ouyang, brother Fang Lin is like a brother to me. Since he was bullied by this Fang Yang, I can't refine the pill for you." Xu Shangao said.
Ouyang Cheng's heart was filled with anger; he looked at Fang Lin and then at Fang Yang.
Slap!
Ouyang Cheng fiercely slapped Fang Yang. This slap was quite loud and immediately stunned Fang Yang, who fell to the ground.
Fang Yang stared blankly as his right cheek swelled up, and blood trickled down from the corner of his mouth.
"Apologize to Brother Fang Lin!" Ouyang Cheng said coldly.
Fang Yang clenched his fists and bore a deep grudge inside his heart. But Ouyang Cheng's command was something he couldn't refuse. Lowering his head and gritting his teeth, he said to Fang Lin, "Fang Lin, I was wrong!"
Fang Lin nodded with a smile, patted Fang Yang on the shoulder, and said, "It's good to realize your mistake; don't be arrogant."
If Xu Shangao and Ouyang Cheng hadn't been there, Fang Yang would have definitely jumped up and struck Fang Lin. He hated Fang Lin deeply.
Ouyang Cheng coldly asked, "Now Brother Xu, can you refine the pill for me?"
Xu Shangao looked at Fang Lin, and with a slight nod from Fang Lin, Xu Shangao said with a smile, "Of course, I can. As for the Autumn Dew Pill, I haven't refined it many times, Brother, could you kindly wait a few more days? How about picking up the pill in seven days?"
"That's fine, I'll pick up the pill in seven days." Ouyang Cheng didn't waste any words, finalized the matters and then turned to go, not caring about Fang Yang.
Fang Yang didn't utter a single word, trailing behind Ouyang Cheng. As he left, he glanced at Fang Lin with a deeply resentful and cold look.
After the two left, Xu Shangao gave a wry smile and said, "Brother Fang, in the future don't use me as a shield, I can't afford to offend those people from the Martial Sect."
Fang Lin waved his hand and said, "It's only an occasional use. Besides, this is our Pill Sect's territory. Even if a dragon comes here, it will have to coil up, and if it is a tiger, it will have to crouch."