Chapter 349: Chapter 349: Coward?
“Who are you?” Su Xiaotong asked Zhao Shenkong with innocent eyes, full of suspicion.
The smile on Zhao Shenkong’s face instantly froze, veins throbbing on his forehead.
“I am Zhao Shenkong. We’ve met half a year ago, Miss Su.” Zhao Shenkong tried to appear composed as he spoke.
Even so, Su Xiaotong frowned and started flipping through a small booklet in her hand.
Zhao Shenkong was aware of Su Xiaotong’s weak memory, but he didn’t expect it to be this bad. Had she forgotten him so quickly after only meeting half a year ago?
After a while, Su Xiaotong finally found what she was looking for. She exclaimed in surprise, “So you’re Zhao Shenkong! We’ve indeed met.”
Zhao Shenkong twitched at the corners of his mouth. Even for someone as composed as him, Su Xiaotong had left him at a loss for words.
“Hahaha, Elder Su, your granddaughter is fascinating,” Lu Wuwei laughed.
Elder Su let out a bitter smile and shook his head. Seeing his granddaughter like this, he couldn’t bring himself to feel happy.
“Elder Su, is there a method to cure Xiaotong’s problem?” Zhuge Cang asked.
Elder Su shook his head. “I’ve asked many people, but none had a solution.”
Hearing this, Zhuge Cang sighed.
At this point, Su Xiaotong had walked in front of the Gold Testing Stone. She took a deep breath, her face filled with tension.
Everyone from Qian Country started growing anxious as well. They all hoped that Su Xiaotong could achieve great things and suppress Zhao Shenkong’s arrogance.
Su Xiaotong placed one hand on the Gold Testing Stone and the next moment, a glorious light surged upwards.
As the light danced, it seemed to swallow up Su Xiaotong’s figure.
“Another genius!”
“What’s going on today? So many talents are emerging!”
“Such sleeping dragons and hidden tigers within the three countries.”
The crowd was in an uproar, expressing their astonishment at Su Xiaotong’s talent.
“Alas, she’s still a bit short.” Up in the loft, Chen Mu spoke with a slight frown.
They were all experienced and discerning elders. It was evident to them that although Su Xiaotong’s light was stunning, it was at best on par with Guo Zhen’s. When compared to Zhao Shenkong, there was still a slight gap.
Even though the gap was very slight, it was nonetheless a real and undeniable difference.
“I’ve told you before, Zhao Shenkong is the strongest. Guo Zhen, Su Xiaotong, they’re nothing in comparison,” the Yan elder boasted smugly.
His attitude infuriated both Old Woman Gu and Elder Su, both wishing they could slap him.
Looking at the light, Fang Lin also sighed inwardly. Su Xiaotong indeed possessed outstanding talent, but she fell a bit short when compared to Zhao Shenkong.
However, it wasn’t surprising. After all, Zhao Shenkong was a holder of the Hundred Refining Body and also several years older than Su Xiaotong. It wasn’t unexpected for her to fall short.
If Zhao Shenkong wasn’t present at this Pill Refining Master Conference, Su Xiaotong and Guo Zhen would have been the two most prominent figures.
As things stood, however, Zhao Shenkong’s brilliance overshadowed everyone else, making it hard for people from Meng Kingdom and Qian Country to breathe.
Feeling somewhat disappointed, Su Xiaotong walked back. Even though she couldn’t remember who these people around her were, she knew that she was here to represent the Pill Alliance of Qian Country.
“Don’t worry, our Miss Su is no less than Zhao Shenkong,” said Fang Lin with a smile.
Su Xiaotong looked at Fang Lin, her eyes filled with confusion.
Fang Lin immediately understood that he’d been forgotten by Su Xiaotong again.
“Fang Lin, why don’t you give it a try?” At this moment, Li Jianlong spoke to Fang Lin.
Fang Lin repeatedly shook his head. “I won’t do it, you’re intentionally trying to embarrass me.”
Li Feng huffed coldly from the side. “It seems you’re just lacking the courage.”
Fang Lin chuckled, “What if I am?”
Li Jianlong frowned. “Fang Lin, you’re part of Qian Country too. This time we’re attending the Pill Refining Master Conference, we should be trying to bring honor to Qian Country. We can’t turn tail at the drop of a hat.”
Fang Lin shot Li Jianlong a contemptuous look. “Stop trying to put big hats on me. The Pill Refining Master Conference hasn’t even started, and you’re already accusing me of cowardice.”
Li Jianlong spoke lightly, “Even if you can’t match Zhao Shenkong, you should at least dare to compare your skills. Otherwise, what will Yun Country and Meng Country think of us, Qian Country? Will they believe that we are all cowards?”
Those words made it difficult for the other Pill Refiners from Qian Country to stand their ground. They stepped up one by one to the Gold Testing Stone.
One by one, several lights rose. All these people had decent talent, but compared to Zhao Shenkong, Guo Zhen, and Su Xiaotong, they seemed very ordinary.
Among them, Yun Country had the highest number of talents, besides Zhao Shenkong, the others were also among the best of their generation.
On the other hand, Qian Country seemed weaker. Other than Su Xiaotong’s dazzling performance, the rest were very ordinary, especially Fang Lin, who didn’t even dare to test his talent.
At this moment, all eyes were on Fang Lin. Yun Country and Meng Country looked amused and contemptuous, while Qian Country showed disappointment.
“What are you looking at me for?” Fang Lin asked, somewhat helplessly.
“You’re the only one left, what do you think?” Someone from Meng Country mocked.
“Fang Lin, is it possible that you’re this timid?” Li Jianlong used the simplest method to goad Fang Lin.
Meanwhile, at the loft, Old Woman Gu and Yan elder turned their attention to Elder Su. “Like I said, Fang Lin won’t achieve significant things. He is just lucky to get the ancient alchemy skill. He doesn’t even have the courage to face his own talent. He’s not worth nurturing.” Yan elder stated.
Old Woman Gu didn’t say anything but nodded slightly, seemingly not considering Fang Lin as well.
“What’s wrong with him?” Zhuge Cang and the others were puzzled. Even if Fang Lin knew his talent was inferior to Zhao Shenkong, there was no need for such fear, right? He didn’t even have the courage to attempt the test. Wasn’t that more embarrassing?
Elder Su appeared calm, but felt a bit strange deep down. In his opinion, Fang Lin’s talent should be no less than Su Xiaotong’s. So why would he be afraid to try?
What they didn’t know was that Fang Lin was unwilling to touch the Gold Testing Stone because he was afraid his amazing talent would scare them.
But at this moment, being perceived as cowardly and timid was too much to bear. He was a Pill Sovereign, why would he fear a mere Gold Testing Stone?
Without another word, Fang Lin walked towards the Gold Testing Stone.
“Hahaha, the timid lad can’t resist anymore,” someone sneered.
Fang Lin glanced back at them, “You all, keep your eyes open and watch!”