After leaving the Pill Sect, Fang Yang followed silently behind Ouyang Cheng without saying a word. His fists were tightly clenched, and his eyes were filled with fury and hatred.
"Are you hating me?" Suddenly, Ouyang Cheng's voice rang out.
With a shudder in his heart, Fang Yang bowed his head and responded, "I dare not."
Ouyang Cheng stopped in his tracks, turning to look at Fang Yang and inquired, "Do you want to avenge yourself on Fang Lin?"
Fang Yang was taken aback for a moment, then he nodded emphatically.
A cold smirk appeared on Ouyang Cheng's face. "Go ahead and do it then. As long as you don't get caught, I'll stand by you."
Hearing this, Fang Yang was overjoyed. Having Ouyang Cheng's support was like having a strong backing.
"Thank you, Brother Ouyang!" Fang Yang clasped his fists in salute, but a chilly look flashed in his eyes, a look that Ouyang Cheng could not see.
···
In the blink of an eye, six months passed. During these six months, Fang Lin had refined the Qi Nurturing Pill twice more, raising his own realm to the Fourth Layer of Human Origin.
With the Fourth Layer of Human Origin, Fang Lin was considered to be in the middle amongst the Pill Apprentices. Although it wasn't very high, at least he was ahead of a portion of his fellow apprentices.
Through the constant companionship of six months, Fang Lin and Xu Shangao had developed a deep friendship. Their relationship could be described as both teacher and friend.
"Brother Fang, you're returning home tomorrow. I wish you can become a formal disciple soon. Then, we can meet again," Xu Shangao and Fang Lin sat opposite each other, using tea as a substitute for wine, and had a great time talking.
Fang Lin raised his teacup and laughed, "I also wish Brother Xu to become a middle-level disciple this year. Then, when I become a lower-level disciple, you can still be my support."
Xu Shangao shook his head with a bitter smile, thinking that considering Fang Lin's potential, he would most likely surpass him soon.
Xu Shangao then seriously warned, "Brother Fang, there's something I have to remind you about. Be careful of Kang Lu, he's not simple."
Fang Lin inquired, "Tell me, how is he not simple? I don't want to be dumbfounded if something happens."
Xu Shangao looked solemn and explained, "Although Kang Lu is just an apprentice, his elder brother is a True Disciple in the Martial Sect, and his position is not low."
Hearing this, Fang Lin was somewhat surprised. This was news that he was not aware of.
Having a brother who was a True Disciple in the Martial Sect, it was no wonder that Kang Lu acted like he had nothing to fear in Pill Sect. He didn't even take many of the formal disciples of Pill Sect seriously.
Xu Shangao continued, "In addition to his ties with the Martial Sect, Kang Lu also has extensive contacts in the Pill Sect. Many of the formal disciples have close relations with him. It seems that Qiufan, one of the Four Elites of the Pill Sect, also thinks highly of Kang Lu."
"What's this 'Four Elites of the Pill Sect'?" Fang Lin asked, puzzled.
Xu Shangao felt helpless but since it wasn't the first time, he patiently explained, "The Four Elites of the Pill Sect are the standout figures among the upper-tier disciples. They're the four who are most likely to become True Disciples in recent years. Each of them has a lofty position. They are the bigwigs of our Pill Sect."
"Sounds like they're pretty powerful," Fang Lin nodded, not fully understanding.
Seeing that Fang Lin seemed not to care much, Xu Shangao couldn't help but warn again, "Brother Fang, if Kang Lu has indeed developed ties with Qiufan, it's better not to offend him any further. When the time is right, it wouldn't hurt to back down in front of him, to prevent him from targeting you in the future."
Fang Lin smiled, "Thanks for the reminder, Brother Xu. If it really comes to a point when I can't bear the humiliation, I guess I'll just have to back down."
Although he spoke so, Xu Shangao still knew well about Fang Lin's character. It probably wouldn't be easy for him to back down.
They spent the rest of the night without any words.
The next day, Fang Lin packed up his things. After bidding farewell to Xu Shangao, he returned to his dwelling in the Pill Apprentice district.
When he arrived, he discovered that his little house had been completely demolished.
His once humble little house was now only two broken walls standing. Several of the Pill Apprentice disciples around him wore sympathetic expressions.
Shaking his head with a bitter smile, Fang Lin wasn't angry. If it's destroyed, it's destroyed. After all, he didn't care much about it.
"Fang Lin, come with me!" Lu Xiaoqing suddenly appeared. Upon seeing the state of Lin's house, she immediately became enraged.
Fang Lin was stunned, "Where are we going?"
Lu Xiaoqing rolled her eyes at him and retorted, "Of course, my place. Since you don't have a house, you can stay with me."
Upon hearing this, the surrounding Pill Apprentice disciples instantly became envious and jealous. Several looked at Lu Xiaoqing in surprise.
Although Fang Lin was embarrassed, he joked, saying that if he moved into her room, he would probably be mobbed by a bunch of male disciples.
Lu Xiaoqing seemed to realize the implications as well. Her face turned a bit red, but stubbornly stamping her feet, she said, "You live at my place, and I will live with Sister Zhou. Don't think too much."
Hearing this, Fang Lin smiled and replied, "If that's the case, then, of course, I'll follow your command."
Lu Xiaoqing broke into a smile and, not caring about the astonished looks of the others, led Fang Lin to her home.
However, upon arriving, they quickly discovered that Lu Xiaoqing's residence was predominantly inhabited by female disciples. As the only man there, he was indeed a stunning sight.
Many female disciples curiously sized up Fang Lin. After all, very few male disciples appeared here. Especially Fang Lin, who had quite a reputation among the Pill Apprentices, naturally attracted their attention.
Being watched by these female disciples, Fang Lin seemed very calm, while Lu Xiaoqing was somewhat unnatural. After all, she brought Fang Lin to her residence, which could easily lead to misunderstandings.
"Lu, brought your sweetheart home, huh?"
"Don't tell me you and Fang Lin are sharing a room tonight?"
"So shameless!"
Some teased, while others looked down on them. Fang Lin's gaze was slightly cold. Some of the female disciples' words were very grating, even he couldn't stand them.
Lu Xiaoqing seemed even angrier, glaring at those female disciples who were saying nasty things.
"Aww, what's wrong, Lu? Don't be angry. Bringing a man home is no big deal. I think you two make a pretty good match." A female disciple said in a high-pitched voice, her mocking clear in her words.
Lu Xiaoqing was furious, her chest heaved. As Fang Lin looked at the female disciple, he grinned, "Sister, be careful tonight. I might peep at you when you are taking a bath."
The female disciple changed color immediately, huffed, and cursed, "You're shameless!"
Fang Lin laughed and said, "Not only will I peep, but I will also sneak a few snakes into your room."
At these words, the female disciple turned pale and dared not tangle with Fang Lin any longer and turned to leave.
The other female disciples shuddered at Fang Lin's malicious retaliation, imagining a few twisted poisonous snakes crawling out of their room. It was terrifying.
Lu Xiaoqing was also frightened by Fang Lin, and quietly said, "Don't go catch snakes in the middle of the night, it's too disgusting."
Fang Lin laughed and walked into the room with Lu Xiaoqing.
Lu Xiaoqing tidied up the room a bit and then left. She didn't dare to stay with Fang Lin too long in the room to avoid misunderstandings.
"A girl's room always smells nice." Fang Lin looked around the room. There was still a faint scent in the air, and he thought to himself.
At night, Fang Lin was sitting on the ground in meditation.
Suddenly a man's voice came from outside the room. "Qing, it's Sun Hao. Open the door, I need to talk to you."
Fang Lin opened his eyes and showed a surprised expression, then burst into laughter.
Sun Hao stood outside, with a bit of drunkenness on his face, apparently having been drinking.
"Qing, I've been holding back something for a long time, and I hope you can see me." Sun Hao shouted again.
The nearby female disciples came out to watch, seeing Sun Hao's drunken eyes, they were all secretly laughing.
The female disciple who was threatened by Fang Lin in the daytime about catching snakes sneered, "Sun Hao, your Qing is currently cozying up to a vagrant inside."
Upon hearing this, some female disciples looked at her with disgust, knowing that Lu Xiaoqing was not there, but deliberately saying these words, obviously with ill intentions.
Sun Hao was already a bit drunk and hearing the female disciple's words, he was instantly filled with jealousy. He gave a loud shout and actually kicked the door open.
Fang Lin was startled and got up from the ground. Seeing Sun Hao's ferocious look, he silently complained to himself.
"I hate drunks." Fang Lin thought to himself, then sternly yelled, "Sun Hao, what are you trying to do?"
Seeing Fang Lin in Lu Xiaoqing's room, an unknown fire surged in Sun Hao's mind and his eyes turned red.
"I'll kill you!" Sun Hao roared like a fierce ghost, rushing directly at Fang Lin.
Fang Lin made no expression and punched out as Sun Hao rushed over.
Boom!
Sun Hao took a punch to the nose and flew backward, awkwardly falling outside the room.
A stream of fresh blood flowed from Sun Hao's nose like a waterfall, his face twisted in pain as he covered it.
The female disciples outside were all stunned, especially the one who just incited Sun Hao, her face turned pale.
Fang Lin calmly walked out of the room, looking indifferently at Sun Hao on the ground, and amid the astonished gazes of everyone, he went straight up to Sun Hao and stomped him a few more times.
"Take that for kicking my door! You deserve it for your drunken behavior! I'll beat you to death!" Fang Lin was feeling good and gave him a few more kicks, not holding back at all, causing Sun Hao to howl in pain.
The female disciples on the side were silent, their eyes wide with shock as they watched Fang Lin. They could not believe the ordinarily mild-mannered Fang Lin could be so brutal.
"He is murdering someone! Fang Lin is murdering someone!" Suddenly, a female disciple yelled out.
Fang Lin paused, looking at the woman. This was the one who tarnished his and Lu Xiaoqing's reputation earlier in the day.
Fang Lin snorted coldly and slowly walked towards the woman.
"What are you doing? Don't come over!" The woman looked at Fang Lin in terror, retreating continually.