Chapter 332: Chapter 332: Fu Haixin
Translator: 549690339
“Who are you?” Han Luoyun asked, looking at the woman.
The woman responded neither humbly nor arrogantly, offering a slight bow, “This one is Fu Haixin, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Sect Master Han.”
No one present recognized the name Fu Haixin. Fang Lin furrowed his brows, as though he couldn’t recall seeing Fu Haixin on the Qian Country’s Three Cauldrons Pill Refiner leaderboard.
“Fu Haixin? Are you also a disciple of the Ten-Thousand Medicine Sect?” Han Luoyun inquired.
Fu Haixin answered calmly, “Indeed, I am a disciple of the Ten-Thousand Medicine Sect. I was, however, fortunate to have been taken under the wing of a senior in the Pill Alliance in my younger years. I was taken to Ling Country, only returning to the Ten-Thousand Medicine Sect recently.”
Upon hearing this, everyone present shifted slightly. Fu Haixin was returning from the Pill Alliance in Ling Country— that was no common feat.
Ling Country was one of the Middle Three Countries, vastly more powerful than Qian Country. Moreover, Ling Country was an Alchemy Tao powerhouse and sought-after destination for many Pill Refiners from the Lower Three Countries who were desirous of furthering their Alchemy Tao.
No wonder Fu Haixin was not on the Qian Country Pill Refiner leaderboard; she had, all along, been in Ling Country.
Realizing this, many within the Purple Mist Sect wrinkled their foreheads, worry brewing within their hearts.
The Ten-thousand Medicine Sect was fully prepared this time—the prodigal Fu Haixin, who had hurriedly returned from Ling Country, was their trump card. She had come specifically to help the Ten-thousand Medicine Sect reclaim the Nine Treasure Luminous Cauldron.
The pressure that a Pill Refiner returning from Ling Country posed was indeed substantial. Even the Purple Mist Sect, with prodigy like Fang Lin in their ranks, still harbored unease.
Regardless of how skilled Fang Lin was, he had only proven himself in Qian Country. His capabilities in Ling Country remained unstudied.
On the other hand, Fu Haixin, who had spent numerous years in Ling Country, undoubtedly had extraordinary Pill Refining abilities and was blessed with a gifted disposition, as evidenced by the senior from the Pill Alliance who had taken notice of her.
“Heh, it seems Palace Master Gong came well-prepared this time,” Han Luoyun remarked.
A hint of smug satisfaction played across Gong Wuliang’s face. “You flatter me, Sect Master Han. Though, I wonder if your Sect is willing to meet this challenge?”
“Why not? You from the Ten-thousand Medicine Sect have already put forward the Ancient Alchemy Scripture, so we happily accept,” Han Luoyun replied with a smile.
Gong Wuliang’s face soured. What did he mean by happily accept? Had he already decided the victor before the start? Was he not giving them due regard?
Fu Haixin spoke up, “If we’re to compete, let’s do so decisively. I will represent the Ten-Thousand Medicine Sect. Who will stand against me from the Purple Mist Sect?”
Fu Haixin’s voice was indifferent, betraying an unwavering confidence.
It was rare for a Pill Refiner, especially a woman, to display such confidence.
Yet, Fu Haixin was exceedingly self-assured, showing not the slightest regard for the Purple Mist Sect’s Alchemy Tao.
It was not surprising, however, given that Ling Country was a major Alchemy Tao country. Qian Country and the Lower Three Countries were more pedestrian in comparison. After spending numerous years honing her skills in Ling Country, Fu Haixin naturally held little regard for the minor practices of a minor sect in the trivial Qian Country, so her supreme confidence was somewhat justified.
If someone from the Upper Three Countries had arrived instead, they would’ve probably been looking down their noses, their eyes filled with arrogance.
Within the grand hall, many from the upper echelons of the Purple Mist Sect, including Han Luoyun himself, were fixed upon Fang Lin, their collective gaze pregnant with expectation.
Fang Lin felt resigned. It seemed the brunt of the work was once again going to fall to him. Was he experiencing a bout of bad luck? Why did it feel like so much was happening all at once?
Fang Lin stepped forward, addressing Fu Haixin, “I, Fang Lin, will represent the Purple Mist Sect. Let’s learn from each other, Miss Fu.”
Fu Haixin cast a glance at Fang Lin, her lips curling into a disdainful smirk, “So you’re Fang Lin?”
She had heard a little about Fang Lin. These stories were more hearsay—a consignment of rumors she had picked up after her return to the Ten-Thousand Medicine Sect. Rumors that he was Qian Country’s number one Alchemy Tao prodigy, the youngest Three Cauldrons Pill Refiner, twentieth on the leaderboard and so on.
But Fu Haixin didn’t think that Fang Lin was all that impressive. At best, he was a bit of a standout in the trivial Qian Country.
Truth be told, Fu Haixin hadn’t wanted to return to Qian Country to aid the Ten-Thousand Medicine Sect with this matter. Having spent many years in Ling Country, she already considered herself a citizen of Ling Country. She had a respectable standing within the Pill Alliance in Ling Country.
If Gong Wuliang hadn’t made a special trip to Ling Country to find Fu Haixin and coaxed her for quite some time, she wouldn’t have agreed to make the trip back.
In Fu Haixin’s eyes, humble Qian Country, despite its geniuses, could not hold a candle to Ling Country’s talents, which were in a class all their own.
In essence, Fu Haixin thought little of Qian Country and even less of its so-called prodigies.
“Heh, seems like Miss Fu has heard of me. Looks like my reputation has reached Ling Country as well,” Fang Lin said, rubbing his nose, appearing somewhat embarrassed.
Fu Haixin sneered, her face bearing an even more mocking expression, “I haven’t heard of you in Ling Country. It was only after I returned to Qian Country that people mentioned you.”
Fang Lin felt a rush of embarrassment. It turned out his fame didn’t extend as far as he’d thought. He’d assumed that his reputation had spread to Ling Country, which had even excited him a bit.
“Let’s get on with it, my time is limited,” Fu Haixin said, sounding rather impatient.
“Let’s proceed to the Pill Array,” Han Luoyun instructed.
The group made their way to the Pill Array. Members of the Ten-thousand Medicine Sect all wore odd expressions. After all, they’d suffered a defeat here last time.
Even though the results of the last competition were a draw, to the Ten-thousand Medicine Sect, a draw was tantamount to defeat.
Fu Haixin looked up at the towering statues of the Four Saints of the Pill Sect, her lips curling slightly in disdain. Though she didn’t utter a word, her demeanor was a clear sign of disrespect toward the Four Saints.
The individuals of the Purple Mist Sect felt incensed. Fu Haixin was but a junior, yet she was so audacious. It was one thing to be cocky in the grand hall, but quite another to dismiss the saints before them in the Pill Array.
Fang Lin was also slightly peeved. He, too, had received the grace of the Four Saints, maintaining his reverence for them. Thus, Fu Haixin’s expression left him rather miffed.
“Decide how you want to compete—I don’t mind,” Fu Haixin stated.
At her words, Gong Wuliang inwardly groaned: how could they cede the initiative to the Purple Mist Sect? Was this not an invitation for trouble?
But Gong Wuliang was left without a choice. If Fu Haixin had said as much, and he contradicted her, would he not be disrespecting her?
Although Gong Wuliang was the master of the Ten-thousand Medicine Sect, Fu Haixin was not someone he could command. He was constantly at the mercy of her mood.
Fang Lin pondered briefly before suggesting, “How about this: since both of us are Three Cauldrons Pill Refiners, let’s limit ourselves to refining third-rank pills. I’ll give you a Pill Formula, you give me one, and whoever manages to refine their respective pill wins.”
“Sure!” Fu Haixin agreed without hesitation.
A cold smile played upon Fang Lin’s lips. If you want to walk into the trap yourself, don’t blame me, Fang Lin, for making things difficult.
“Hold on,” Gong Wuliang quickly interrupted.