Chapter 197: Chapter 197: Failure?
Translator: 549690339
Upon hearing that the ancient cave test was intriguing, Fang Lin’s interest was immediately piqued, and he silently thought, considering his abilities, getting through this test should not be any difficult.
Gu Hanshan looked at Fang Lin, “Fang Lin, aren’t you going to give it a try? But let me remind you beforehand, this ancient cave test doesn’t evaluate your talent. Anyone can possibly succeed, and also possibly fail.”
Fang Lin chuckled, “Then I guess I should be part of the successful ones.”
Dugu Nian also added, “Exactly, this test is so simple, I passed it casually, you’re sure to pass it too.”
Fang Lin gently slapped Dugu Nian’s head, smiling charmingly. He then boldly stepped into the ancient cave’s light curtain. His figure instantly disappeared.
The crowd outside immediately fixed their eyes on the ancient cave, curious to see whether Fang Lin could pass the test. However, many believed that Fang Lin should have no problems passing the test.
Even Gu Hanshan didn’t think that a mere ancient cave test could stop Fang Lin, but deep down, he harbored a glimmer of hope. If Fang Lin returned back as a failure, that would be quite amusing.
Inside the cave, Fang Lin stood in complete darkness, where nothing could be seen even with an outstretched hand, as if he had gone blind.
There were no sounds, only his own breathing and heartbeats could be heard. In this quiet darkness, even these faint sounds seemed incredibly clear.
Fang Lin tried to take a couple of steps forward, the ground beneath his feet was smooth. However, due to the pitch darkness, he dared not move randomly.
After waiting for a while, Fang Lin began to feel strange. Wasn’t the Pill Furnace supposed to appear? Why hadn’t he seen anything yet?
Fang Lin didn’t pay much attention to it and continued to wait for a while longer, but still, he could see nothing.
Meanwhile, the crowd waiting outside began to feel puzzled. Fang Lin was taking unusually long to complete the cave test.
Dugu Nian frowned a bit, mumbling to herself, “What is he up to? Why hasn’t he come out? Is the pitch-dark cave entertaining for him?”
There were strands of bright light in Gu Hanshan’s eyes, and anticipation seemed to be lurking beneath.
The one-eyed old woman glanced at the ancient cave. Her dried and weathered face revealed a touch of surprise.
“Hey, am I not supposed to be tested? Why isn’t anything happening?” Fang Lin shouted out into the darkness.
Suddenly, Fang Lin felt a tremendous force hit his body, catapulting him backward in an instant.
This tremendous force was terrifying. Fang Lin felt as if his body no longer belonged to him. He flew backwards continuously. In a flash, he was ejected out of the ancient cave, landing hard on the ground outside.
Thud!
Fang Lin landed embarrassly on the ground. It was a dramatic fall that almost shattered his bones.
But the pain didn’t last long since the huge force didn’t harm Fang Lin. Despite that, Fang Lin grimaced in pain for a while as he lay on the ground.
The crowd was dumbfounded. They stared at Fang Lin in shock, their expressions were priceless.
Gu Hanshan paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, his laughter full of triumph and disdain.
The other premium disciples also shook their heads in regret. Some expressed disdain, some were incredulous, while some sneered.
Dugu Nian rushed to help Fang Lin to his feet with widened eyes, and asked in confusion, “How did you get thrown out?”
Fang Lin rubbed the spot where he had hit the ground, giving a wry smile, “I have no idea. I was suddenly thrown out. I don’t know if I passed the test.”
Gu Hanshan burst into laughter, his face beaming with derision, “Fang Lin, I didn’t expect that you would meet your Waterloo at this test.”
Fang Lin was taken aback. Did he fail? How was that possible?
Yet, based on Gu Hanshan’s and the other premium disciples’ reactions, it seemed to be the truth. Besides, he didn’t see the Pill Furnace after entering the cave. Instead, he was mysteriously thrown out.
Did he fail? As the regal Pill Sovereign, he had actually failed this tiny ancient cave test? Who would believe this if it were to be known?
Fang Lin even wanted to laugh. This was simply unbelievable. Even he, who possessed the Pill Sovereign Soul, could not pass this test. But Dugu Nian could. What was happening?
Dugu Nian was also dumbstruck How did he fail? How was that possible? Since she passed the test, Fang Lin should have done it as well.
“You failed the cave test, Fang Lin. You are not entitled to enter the ancient cave to challenge the Pill Forest Stone Tablet.” At this moment, the one-eyed old woman, who was sitting beside them, uttered in a hoarse and icy voice, devoid of any emotion.
Fang Lin managed a bitter smile. Since the elderly said so, he must have failed for sure.
Gu Hanshan felt immensely pleased. Finally, he had witnessed Fang Lin’s failure. And it was a catastrophic one at that.
Fang Lin lost even the qualification to challenge the Pill Forest Stone Tablet. His reputation as a genius needed serious reevaluation now.
Besides, challenging the Pill Forest Stone Tablet is tremendously beneficial for Pill Refiners. A Pill Refiner who has not challenged the Tablet and one who has —the gap between them will only continue to widen in future.
Fang Lin might be dazzling now, but he couldn’t challenge the Stone Tablet. That suggests that his future wouldn’t be promising.
“So what if we can’t touch the Pill Forest Stone Tablet? We don’t care about it.’ Dugu Nian indignantly said to Gu Hanshan.
Currently, Gu Hanshan was in high spirits that he didn’t pay much attention to
Dugu Nian’s attitude. He sneered, “Fang Lin, oh Fang Lin, everyone calls you a genius. But to me, you are nothing.”
“Gu Hanshan is right. Anyone who can’t enter the Pill Forest Stone Tablet is not eligible to be called a genius.”
“In our Pill Sect, only Gu Hanshan is a genius. The others are nothing compared to him.”
“Gu Hanshan is undoubtedly the number one genius of our Pill Sect.”
The premium disciples immediately began to flatter, taking turns to butter Gu Hanshan up.
Normally, Gu Hanshan wouldn’t respond to these compliments. But today, he was in high spirits. Even flattery sounded exceptionally pleasing to him.
Fang Lin, on the other hand, was indifferent. Though the word ‘failure’ was somewhat hard for him to accept, he wouldn’t care about these people’s mockery.
Moreover, he quickly adjusted his mentality. It was just an ancient cave. He wouldn’t be affected even if he didn’t challenge the Pill Forest Stone Tablet with his foundation.
At this moment, Dugu Nian noticed that a golden name had appeared on the towering stele..