Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Playing Rogue
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The gleam arrived fast and left just as quickly. It only lasted a few breaths, yet the whole Pill Sect was shaken once more.
Shen Fu’s face was pale with beads of sweat on his forehead, his heart filled with unwillingness and fear.
The former disciples that had just insulted Fang Lin were silenced, overwhelmed by the radiance of the Four Saints, unable to utter a single word.
The other disciples looked at Fang Lin in surprise, with envy and jealousy in their hearts.
The two black-clothed figures sitting on the stone statues were also unable to maintain their composure, their amazed gazes falling on Fang Lin.
Xu Shangao, standing beside Fang Lin, was also quite surprised – even more so, he was elated.
Fang Lin glanced disdainfully at Shen Fu and his people, speaking out loud, “Did you see that? I have the special favor of the Four Saints. They heard everything you said before, so you better be careful. The Four Saints will not let you off so easily.”
The people around Shen Fu were taken aback by this, although they didn’t entirely believe it. But the spectacle of the Four Saints manifesting their power was terrifying, and it seemed safer to believe it than not. Those who had insulted Fang Lin earlier were left feeling somewhat uneasy.
Shen Fu clenched his fists. He didn’t believe in any punishment of the Four Saints, yet their divine light appeared because of Fang Lin, leaving him unable to do anything against Fang Lin.
Shen Fu’s heart was filled with intense jealousy. Why had the Four Saints bestowed their favor on Fang Lin? What virtue or ability did he possess to deserve such favor?
“Let’s go!” Shen Fu roared with resentment and hastily departed. His followers also hurried after him, not daring to spare another glance at Fang Lin.
The other disciples chuckled. Shen Fu had come with malicious intentions, only to end up shooting himself in the foot. He was completely crushed by Fang Lin.
“Xu, let’s go in as well,” said Fang Lin.
Xu Shangao nodded rapidly, and under the watchful eyes of the other disciples, they both entered the Pill Pavilion.
The Pill Pavilion was three stories high. The first-floor area was vast, and once Fang Lin and Xu Shangao had entered, they saw row after row of neatly arranged shelves filled with various items.
At the entrance, an old man in green robes, who appeared sleepy, was sitting.
Xu Shangao whispered into Fang Lin’s ear: “That is Elder Gu, who is in charge of the first floor.”
Fang Lin nodded in acknowledgement. Turning towards Elder Gu, he respectfully bowed and greeted, “Disciple Fang Lin, here to purchase some medicinal herb seedlings.”
Elder Gu opened his cloudy eyes slightly, glanced at Fang Lin, and then pointed to a row of wooden shelves not far away.
“Thank you,” Fang Lin responded. He and Xu Shangao immediately went over to that row of shelves and, sure enough, they were all medicinal herb seedlings. Each variety was clearly marked, making the selection process quite easy.
Fang Lin quickly selected two types of seedlings and then moved to the other side of the shelf and picked up three more.
Across seven rows of shelves, all filled with medicinal herb seedlings, Fang Lin selected more than a dozen. Believing it was near enough, he returned to Elder
Elder Gu examined the herbs Fang Lin had chosen and queried, “What do you plan to exchange for these?”
Fang Lin replied with a faint smile. He took out three bottles of Qi Nurturing Pills that he had prepared earlier and placed them in front of Elder Gu.
“I’d like to exchange these three bottles of Qi Nurturing Pills. Please inspect them, Elder.”, Fang Lin said.
Elder Gu sneered at this, revealing some disdain on his face. “Qi Nurturing Pills are common, and you, a low-ranked disciple, can make them? Trying to fool me, are you?” he responded.
As he said this, he promptly opened the bottle and dumped out several pills. His disdain instantly evaporated.
Elder Gu stared directly at the pills in his palm. They were round and smooth with no impurities, and a strong, appealing fragrance. Just from their appearance, they were incredibly attractive.
“These are high-quality!” Elder Gu held the pills in admiration.
Elder Gu eagerly opened the other two bottles. They too contained high-quality Qi Nurturing Pills, every single pill identical. There were seven pills in a bottle, making a total of twenty-one high-quality Qi Nurturing Pills.
After examining each pill, the astonishment on Elder Gu’s face intensified. When he looked at Fang Lin again, his eyes appeared different.
“Were these all made by you?” Elder Gu asked skeptically, a look of disbelief in his eyes.
Fang Lin smiled and said, “All twenty-one Qi Nurturing Pills were made by me. If Elder doesn’t believe me, I can make some on the spot.”
Elder Gu waved him off. “I believe you. These three bottles of Qi Nurturing Pills are of excellent quality, more than enough to exchange for these medicinal herb seedlings,” he said.
Fang Lin suddenly laughed and said, “Does Elder Gu feel like he is taking advantage of me and wishes to offer me something extra as compensation? I am sure an Elder with such high morals would never let a disciple suffer a loss, am I right?”
After hearing him speak, even Xu Shangao was stunned and didn’t have time to intervene.
Elder Gu was also taken aback, then looked at Fang Lin with an amused expression, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
“I’ve heard about a newly-promoted disciple named Fang Lin making a stir recently. The Four Saints even showed a sign, and more recently their divine light shone once more. I’m guessing that was because of you?” Elder Gu said meaningfully.
Fang Lin nodded and replied, “I am indeed Fang Lin.”
Elder Gu hummed in acknowledgement, stealthily pocketing the three bottles of Qi Nurturing Pills and said, “Although these three bottles of Qi Nurturing Pills are excellent, the medicinal herb seedlings you chose are quite valuable as well. We can consider this a fair trade.”
Fang Lin realized that this old man was also shameless. He rolled his eyes and said, “Elder, you’re wrong. If the word got out about my Qi Nurturing Pills, countless Martial Sect disciples would come to exchange for them. With just these few medicinal herb seedlings, you’ve managed to obtain three bottles of my Qi Nurturing Pills, isn’t that taking advantage of me?”
Xu Shangao stood on the side, cold sweat trickling down his forehead as he listened. He had never imagined that Fang Lin would haggle with Elder Gu.
If it were anyone else, they wouldn’t dare attempt such a thing – only a weirdo like Fang Lin would.
Seeing that Fang Lin wouldn’t let it go, Elder Gu immediately glared, his authoritative aura as an Elder making its presence known.
“Fang Lin, in the Pill Pavilion, I have the final say. Take your stuff and leave at once,” Elder Gu said impatiently.
Fang Lin curled his lip and said, “Then I won’t make the exchange. Return my items to me.”
Elder Gu was rendered speechless. Come on! I am a dignified Elder of the Pill Pavilion, a figure of authority. How come this lad fears me not in the slightest and is now even acting unreasonably!
Seeing Elder Guts grim expression, Xu Shangao thought he was furious and quickly interjected, “Elder Gu, please calm down. Fang here has just become a regular disciple and doesn’t know the rules of the Pill Pavilion. I’ll take him away immediately.”
After saying this, he began dragging Fang Lin away from the Pill Pavilion.
Elder Gu snorted softly, about to reveal a smug expression, but then noticed that Fang Lin had returned and quickly straightened his face again.
“Elder, I truly won’t exchange it. Return my Qi Nurturing Pills, or else I’ll report you for extortion!” Fang Lin said, putting on an innocent face.
Elder Gu’s face turned red with anger. He desperately wanted to leap up and boot Fang Lin out of the Pavilion..