Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Pill Forest Academy
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The Pill Forest Academy consisted of four buildings – A, B, C, and D buildings, each representing a different rank.
The lower-ranked disciples could only study in D Building, middle-ranked disciples could access C Building, and the upper-ranked disciples had the privilege of studying in B Building.
The highest-ranking building, A Building, was reserved exclusively for a handful of True Disciples.
Apart from these four buildings, the academy also comprised several other temples and annexes. However, the four main buildings were the most significant in ranking and hierarchies.
Fang Lin had the privilege to access the Pill Forest Academy freely for a year, but since he was merely a lower-ranked disciple, his limitations meant he could only stay in D Building, his status did not qualify him to enter the other three.
At the start of the month, Fang Lin arrived at the Pill Forest Academy along with his fellow lower-ranked disciples like Xu Shangao. They paid their respects to the Pill Furnace statue at the academy’s entrance, then proceeded to D Building.
“Fang Lin, this is your first visit to the Pill Forest Academy, and there are some rules you may not know yet. Be careful not to wander around recklessly in D Building, and try not to offend anyone here,” Xu Shangao quietly advised.
Upon inquiring, Fang Lin found out that D Building housed ten Pill Refining Rooms that were specially reserved for formal disciples to practice alchemy. They were free to use any medicinal materials provided by the academy.
The key point was that each of these rooms contained an array which enhanced the success rate of pill refining, as well as deepened the comprehension of the alchemy technique.
One could say that after refining pills in those rooms a few times, one’s alchemy technique can improve significantly.
Theoretically, the ten Pill Refining Rooms in D Building were accessible for all lower-ranked disciples.
However, the reality was different. There also existed Pill Refining Rooms in C and B buildings, but there were only ten rooms in each building, not enough for all formal disciples to have their turn to refine the pills.
And so, those who couldn’t enter the Pill Refining Rooms in B and C Buildings would come to D Building and occupy the rooms here.
Currently, of the ten Pill Refining Rooms in D Building, eight were occupied by middle and upper-ranked disciples, leaving only two rooms for lower-ranked disciples.
The reason there were at least two rooms left was because these middle and upper-ranked disciples didn’t want to appear too oppressive. Otherwise, they could have monopolized them all, leaving the lower-ranked disciples helpless.
This order of things was left unchecked by the elders of the Pill Sect. It had even become an unwritten rule at the Pill Forest Academy.
Therefore, the majority of the lower-ranked disciples had rarely entered those Pill Refining Rooms. Even if they had, after refining a few pills, their places were taken over by other formal disciples.
The lower-ranked disciples could only bottle up their resentment. They were very dissatisfied deep down but were utterly helpless and had no choice but to bear it reluctant acceptance.
After hearing this, Fang Lin was also quite annoyed. However, he soon thought, “How does this affect me? I have no interest in entering those Pill Refining Rooms anyway.”
Xu Shangao sighed, “I’ve been a lower-ranked disciple for three years, and I haven’t set foot in the Pill Refining Room of the academy even once. I guess I
must wait until I become a middle-ranked disciple before I get a chance to see it.”
Fang Lin jeered, “You failed your promotion exam to become a middle-ranked
disciple this year. I guess it will take you a few more years to become one.” With a helpless expression, Xu Shangao said, “Can you stop discouraging me?”
When Fang Lin participated in his promotion exam this year, Xu Shangao also took his exam to become a middle-ranked disciple but failed.
Although it was expected, he was still a bit depressed. After all, he had been a lower-ranked disciple for three years. If he didn’t seize the opportunity to rise soon, his best years would go to waste.
The group entered the Lecturing Hall where an elder was already waiting.
The Lecturing Hall was where lessons were taught to lower-ranked disciples. Lessons lasted a day, anyone could leave during this period, but if one was absent for more than an incense stick’s burning time, they would not be allowed to re-enter the hall.
As Fang Lin and Xu Shangao took their seats, Fang Lin noticed that someone seemed to be staring at him. He turned around and saw Kang Lu.
Seeing that Fang Lin had noticed him, Kang Lu quickly retracted his cold gaze and kept his head down, not looking at Fang Lin again.
Fang Lin smirked, thinking that Kang Lu just wasn’t ready to give up yet and wondered what he was plotting.
The lecture began, and everyone listened attentively. However, Fang Lin quickly lost interest. After telling Xu Shangao, he was about to get up to leave.
Seeing this, the lecturing elder frowned, clearly displeased.
“Hold up, the lecture just started, are you already planning on leaving midway through?” the elder in black robes said.
Fang Lin paused and looked back at the elder, asking in confusion, “Are you talking to me, Elder?”
The crowd couldn’t help but chuckle at Fang Lin’s audacity.
The elder in black robes was even more infuriated. He retorted, “Is anyone else standing up to leave except for you?”
Xu Shangao gently tugged Fang Lin, signaling him not to argue with the elder.
Fang Lin didn’t want any trouble either. He immediately clasped hands in a gesture of respect and said, “I’m sorry Elder. I indeed have something to attend to and must leave. Please forgive me.”
However, the elder responded without any intention of letting Fang Lin off easily, “What is so important that it can’t wait? Is it more important than listening to the lecture?”
Fang Lin sighed, “Elder, it is the rule of the Lecturing Hall that the disciples can leave. Why do you have to make things difficult for me?”
At Fang Lin’s words, the elder’s expression soured even more. His words were a
cautious balance of humble plea and firm defiance, invoking the rules of the Lecturing Hall to counter the elder.
“Very well, leave if you must. But remember, if you ever attend my lecture again, I will exclude you and refuse to teach you a word,” retorted the elder in the black robe.
Fang Lin just waved his hand dismissively, turned and left without giving two hoots about it.
The black-robed elder was fuming. He slammed his hand on the stone table in front of him and glared at Fang Lin as he left.
After Fang Lin left the Lecturing Hall, he began wandering around D Building casually without dwelling on what had just unfolded.
Suddenly, he found himself in front of an isolated temple inscribed with the words “Pill Formula”.
“This seems to be where the Pill Formulas are stored, but it appears I can’t go in.” Fang Lin looked at the temple and noticed the faint flickers of light on the entrance, indicating the presence of an array.
Just as he was about to turn around and leave, he saw a woman approaching slowly.
Fang Lin was momentarily stunned when he saw the woman, and then a look of surprise washed over his face.
His surprise was due to the woman’s extraordinary beauty. She appeared to be
a goddess who walked right out of a painting, so alluring that everything else around seemed dull in comparison.
Fang Lin considered himself quite experienced in life and even he had to admit that very few women could match the splendor of the woman standing before him.
The woman was clothed in a pristine white robe, without a speck of dust. Her raven-black hair, smooth as satin, cascaded down her back, creating a stark contrast against her snow-white skin.
While Fang Lin was still lost in admiration, the woman in the white skirt had already reached him..