Chapter 286: Chapter 286: Heading to the Imperial City
Translator: 549690339
Fang Lin was taken aback, and Elder Qian was also confused.
Pill refining failed!
The billowing black smoke engulfed the area, and Elder Qian, who was closest, was immediately enveloped by it, causing him to cough violently.
Fang Lin really didn’t expect that Elder Qian, who was known as the best pill refiner of the Purple Mist Sect, would actually fail in refining the pill.
Elder Qian walked out of the black smoke, his face covered in soot, looking as if he had just climbed out of a chimney.
Elder Qian’s expression was also exceptionally interesting. He didn’t show any disappointment or frustration, but instead, his spirits were high, and he laughed heartily.
Fang Lin looked at him strangely, wondering if the elderly man had gone mad due to the severe setback?
“I’m thrilled! Absolutely thrilled! I have been refining pills for my entire life, but I have never felt such excitement before!” Elder Qian laughed loudly, showing no signs of concern for his failed attempt at refining the pill.
Fang Lin paused and then also let out a smile.
He somewhat understood Elder Qian’s state of mind now. After several decades of research on a pill formula, he finally saw hope and found a way. Despite the failure of the pill refining, his mood was still pleasant.
“Fang Lin, you truly are a good disciple!” Elder Qian came over, heavily patting Fang Lin’s shoulder, leaving a few pitch-black handprints on him, causing Fang Lin to roll his eyes.
“Master, you should care more about your image.” Fang Lin couldn’t help but say.
Elder Qian glared at Fang Lin and disdainfully said, “Image? What does a pill refiner need with an image? A good pill refiner is one who can refine good pills. I despise those people from the Pill Alliance who dress elaborately but barely have any real skill.”
Fang Lin agreed with this. Those people in the Pill Alliance all dressed cleanly and neatly, none of them looking like a real pill refiner.
“Fang Lin, you must be like me in the future, carefree and dedicated to the Alchemy Tao. Everything else is irrelevant.” Elder Qian laughed heartily.
Fang Lin made a face. Of course, he would be dedicated to Alchemy Tao, but he had no intention of becoming unkempt like this old man. He believed that he should at least care a bit about his image.
“Master, can you refine that pill?” Fang Lin asked.
As soon as Elder Qian heard this, his face filled with confidence, “Even though I failed this time, I’ve figured out the way. I should be able to refine it within three attempts.”
Fang Lin’s eyes immediately lit up, “When that time comes, Master, don’t forget to share some with me.”
Elder Qian slapped Fang Lin’s head and laughed, “Of course! You are my first disciple, and probably my last. If I don’t give to you, who would I give it to?”
Fang Lin immediately showed a touched expression on his face. However, Elder Qian, who was full of worldly wisdom, immediately recognized Fang Lin’s feigned expression and gave him a heavy knock on his head.
“Alright, your talent is too high, even though I’m your master, I’m afraid there’s not much I could teach you. You need to be responsible for yourself and don’t neglect the Alchemy Tao,” Elder Qian said with complex emotions.
Elder Qian did have mixed feelings. Despite naming Fang Lin as his disciple, there was no doubt that Fang Lin’s potential far exceeds his own. Not to mention, Fang Lin has received the inheritance of the Four Saints, making him like a disciple of the Four Saints.
Although Elder Qian is currently the highest achieving Alchemy Tao practitioner in the Purple Mist Sect, there really isn’t much he can teach Fang Lin, other than giving pointers here and there.
“Also, I heard you are participating in the Tri-Nation Tournament?” Elder Qian suddenly asked.
Fang Lin was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Elder Qian to know about this too, so he nodded, a troubled expression on his face.
“Master, tell me honestly, with my current strength, can I participate in that Tri-Nation Tournament?” Fang Lin asked.
Elder Qian glanced at Fang Lin, “With the Seventh Layer of the Earth Element strength, I’m afraid it’s not enough.”
Hearing this, Fang Lin wasn’t surprised. After all, this was a competition among the top talents of three countries. The participants were probably as powerful as Han Xiaoxing.
If he had to confront Han Xiaoxing, Fang Lin estimated that he wouldn’t last ten moves before being thrown to the ground.
“However, it seems you are only a substitute, and there shouldn’t be any chance for you to confront the prodigies of Yun Country and Meng Kingdom. So, don’t worry about it.” Elder Qian laughed.
Fang Lin was distressed. That might not necessarily be the case. What if Han Xiaoxing’s eyes weren’t healed in time for the Tri-Nation Tournament? In that case, he would have to fight on behalf of Han Xiaoxing. Being beaten to a pulp was a minor matter, but losing face would be a major problem.
“Master, why don’t you talk to the Sect Master and tell him not to make me a substitute anymore?” Fang Lin tentatively asked. If Elder Qian could speak on his behalf, maybe he could avoid being the substitute.
However, Elder Qian shook his head immediately, “This isn’t something I can meddle with. The Sect Master has already discussed this with the Emperor of Daqian. Your name has been added to the list. You will be participating in the substitute selection next month. It’s better to prepare yourself. If you can’t even get the substitute position, that would be truly humiliating.”
Fang Lin had a bitter expression on his face. It seemed there was no room for reversal on this matter.
“Do you know who else is participating in the substitute battle with me, Master?” Fang Lin asked again, hoping to get some information.
Elder Qian wrinkled his brows, “I’m not so sure about that. But in our Purple Mist Sect, you are the only one competing for the substitute position. The imperial family and the Li Family will probably have a few more participants.”
Fang Lin was somewhat surprised, “Isn’t Qing Jianzi participating?”
Elder Qian replied, “Qing Jianzi is in seclusion and is not likely to come out in the next six months.”
Fang Lin was taken aback. He initially thought that Qing Jianzi might also participate in the substitute selection. After all, Qing Jianzi was the top disciple of the Martial Sect and was extremely powerful.
But he didn’t expect that this guy would go into seclusion at this time. In this case, Fang Lin would have to compete alone.
After leaving Elder Qian, Fang Lin immediately returned to his residence and began to push his own strength to the limit.
The Seventh Layer of the Earth Element was indeed insufficient for the Tri-Nation Tournament, but to compete for a substitute position, it was just barely enough.
In just half a month, Fang Lin prepared as much as he could and felt confident that he could handle opponents at the level of Qing Jianzi.
Half a month later, Han Yinyue arrived. The pills Fang Lin had given were all consumed by Han Xiaoxing.
Fang Lin immediately handed over another kind of pill and asked about Han Xiaoxing’s condition. Knowing that Han Xiaoxing’s eyes were gradually regaining a faint light-sensitivity, Fang Lin immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Although it was just the beginning, there were indeed signs of gradual recovery in Han Xiaoxing’s eyes.
One day, Fang Lin went to the Purple Mist Great Hall to meet the Sect Master, Han Luoyun.
“Today, come with me to the imperial city. The people from the imperial family and the Li Family should already be there,” Han Luoyun said indifferently.