Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Atoning Through Meritorious Deeds
Translator: 549690339
There are many alchemy sects in Qian Country, but only three or four of them are esteemed and reputable.
The Purple Mist Pill Sect is one, the Ten-thousand Medicine Sect is another, and the royal family of Qian Country counts as one. The rest ranks lower.
Among these, the Ten-thousand Medicine Sect is the undoubted number one alchemy sect in Qian Country.
This number one title is not self-proclaimed by the Ten-thousand Medicine Sect, but acknowledged by all martial artists in Qian Country.
Perhaps a long time ago, the Purple Mist Pill Sect slightly surpassed the Ten-thousand Medicine Sect. But today, the Ten-thousand Medicine Sect is in its heyday, while the Pill Sect is slightly weakening. Therefore, the Pill Sect has naturally been exceeded.
Although the Pill Sect was unwilling to accept this, after repeatedly losing against the Ten-thousand Medicine Sect, they had to admit that the Ten-thousand Medicine Sect was indeed thriving.
What’s more critical is that the Ten-thousand Medicine Sect and the Purple Mist Pill Sect have some deep-seated grievances. In a competition, a once leader of the Pill Sect was defeated tragically by the number one Pill Refiner of the Ten-thousand Medicine Sect and died on the spot out of anger.
The leader of the Martial Sect then killed the Pill Refiner of the Ten-thousand Medicine Sect in retaliation.
However, from then on, both sects harbored deep hatred toward each other and remained enemies at all times.
And now, the Ten-thousand Medicine Sect seizes every opportunity to suppress the Pill Sect.
However, this direct challenge was the first of its kind. To the elders of the Pill Sect, this was the greatest provocation toward them, and everyone was furious.
The recent remarks from Gu Daofeng left everyone silent. The expressions on everyone’s faces were somewhat grim.
Especially the senior elders, who bore a mix of unwillingness and helplessness.
“The Ten-thousand Medicine Sect wants to engage in three matches of Pill Refining competition with our Pill Sect. Their intention is certainly not benign. Our Pill Sect has a wealth of talents, but among our lower-ranked disciples, there’s hardly any notable talent who can compete against the Ten-thousand Medicine Sect.” An elder expressed his worries.
Three matches of Pill Refining meant that each sect would send three representatives to compete against each other, with the winner determined by winning best two out of three matches.
The chosen competitors would be selected from the ranks of the upper, middle, and lower-tier disciples of each sect.
The Ten-thousand Medicine Sect had a large number of disciples, teeming with talent. Even among the lower-ranked disciples, quite a few outstanding talents had emerged in recent years, gaining fame far and wide.
On the contrary, the Pill Sect might have some decent candidates among the upper and middle-ranked disciples. However, there weren’t any notable talents among the lower-ranked disciples.
Even if they chose someone reluctantly, they were likely to lose the match among the lower-ranked disciple competitors.
With these conditions, they had already conceded one match before the competition even began. This was a source of great distress to the Pill Sect elders.
“Who said there are no outstanding individuals among the lower-ranked disciples? Have you all forgotten? There is still one person. If he were to join the battle, why should we fear that we cannot win against the Ten-thousand Medicine Sect?” At this point, Elder Mu Yan stood up and spoke aloud.
Mu Yan’s words stunned all the Elders present while many began to understand her point, their expressions turning quite peculiar.
Meanwhile, Zhao Dengming, Yu Zhen, Elder Gao, and others looked rather somber.
Everyone understood who Mu Yan was referring to.
Fang Lin!
Just half a month ago, Fang Lin who was a lower-ranked disciple and was confined in the Demon Suppressing Cave was a true Pill Refining prodigy who couldn’t be described by common sense.
Whether it was his big win over Lu Jiuhe in the Pill Refining competition, his superior use of Ancient Skills, or his improvement of the Pill Formula, his expertise in Alchemy Tao was distinctly exceptional.
If Fang Lin were to participate, there was indeed a great chance of winning a match.
A 70% chance of victory was reasonable if not 100%.
However, the problem was that Fang Lin was still confined in the Demon
Suppressing Cave, as per rules, he shouldn’t be allowed to come out earlier. “Leader, among the lower-ranked disciples, only Fang Lin can represent our Pill Sect in the battle, and he has a very high chance of winning.” Yan Zhengfeng turned to Gu Daofeng and said.
Gu Daofeng frowned slightly, shook his head and said, “Fang Lin is currently confined in the Demon Suppressing Cave. If we let him participate, wouldn’t it be a violation of the precepts that our Pill Sect has been adhering to since ancient times?”
“The Leader is absolutely right. Fang Lin definitely can’t be allowed to come out. He must be confined for a month.” Zhao Dengming quickly chimed in.
“Regardless, Fang Lin is still under penalty. Even without him, our Pill Sect can compete with the Ten-thousand Medicine Sect.” Elder Gao echoed his sentiment.
Meng Wuyou, Mu Yan, and others wore ugly looks, even Yan Zhengfeng’s face darkened for a moment.
The other elders looked at each other, none of them spoke easily.
Fang Lin’s issue was not a minor one, but a focal point of contention between the two factions of the Pill Sect’s elders.
Even Sect Leader Gu Daofeng subtly sided with Zhao Dengming and his group.
“Without Fang Lin, our Pill Sect is equivalent to conceding a match beforehand. For the remaining two matches, are we confident enough to win all of them outright? Is the honor or disgrace of our Pill Sect important or is punishing Fang Lin more important? Can’t we discern what’s more important?” Mu Yan stated angrily.
Her words elicited sighs from some of the neutral elders, and many looked empathetic on their faces.
Indeed when compared to the honor and disgrace of the Pill Sect, Fang Lin’s affairs seems insignificant.
“Mu Yan, are you accusing the leader of not distinguishing the important from the unimportant?” Yu Zhen suddenly seized the loophole in Mu Yan’s words and countered immediately.
Mu Yan looked at him disdainfully and said, “There are too many people like you in our Pill Sect, always engaged in internal conflicts, which leads to the continuous decline of our Pill Sect!”
Yu Zhen was left speechless by Mu Yan’s retort, his face turning as grim as the bottom of a pot.
“Well said!” Meng Wuyou cheered loudly, and many elders on his side also praised in agreement.
“Humph!” At this time, Gu Daofeng snorted softly, and all the elders on Meng Wuyou’s side instantly fell silent.
Gu Daofeng stared coldly at Mu Yan and said, “Elder Mu Yan, you should be cautious with your words in this great hall.”
Mu Yan looked fearlessly at Gu Daofeng and said, “This Pill Sect main hall is precisely the place for us to speak freely. As long as I speak for the benefit of the Pill Sect, there is nothing that cannot be said.”
An expression of anger finally appeared on Gu Daofeng’s scholarly face because of Mu Yan’s attitude.
“Mu Yan, shut up!” A severe rebuke made Mu Yan feel a tightness in her chest. She involuntarily stepped back a few paces, her pretty face turning pale.
“Cough! Cough!” Yan Zhengfeng suddenly coughed twice, dissolving the invisible pressure surrounding Mu Yan.
“Leader, please quell your anger. Elder Mu Yan is young and may have offended the leader out of impatience. I apologise on her behalf.” Yan Zhengfeng said without emotion.
Gu Daofeng’s face was also cold, but he had to give Yan Zhengfeng some face.
“However, considering the rivalry between the Ten-thousand Medicine Sect and our Pill Sect that has continued for many years, if the Ten-thousand
Medicine Sect wins this time, our Pill Sect will be further humiliated by them. Furthermore, other sects in Qian Country will look down upon us. I think we should let Fang Lin participate and redeem his offences with meritorious deeds.” Yan Zhengfeng said with ease..