Chapter 147 - 147: Encounter with the Li Family
“Elder Su is too courteous. I am merely here to bring a group of youngsters from our family for the Pill Refiner assessment,” said the elderly man surnamed Li, stroking his beard.
Elder Su nodded and glanced at the young men and women behind him.
His gaze lingered on a young man who stood out among the rest. Elder Su appeared somewhat surprised, seemingly recognizing the extraordinary nature of this youth.
Noticing Elder Su’s gaze, the youth reduced his arrogant expression and bowed slightly in acknowledgement.
“The Li Family indeed has a plethora of talents. I suspect they have a few gifted individuals among them,” Elder Su said with a smile.
The elderly man surnamed Li seemed in quite a good mood as he engaged in some light conversation with Elder Su.
Fang Lin, tucked away in a corner, listened carefully. Realizing they were from the Li Family, he took special interest.
After all, relations between the Purple Mist Sect and the Li Family were tense at the moment. Disciples of the Purple Mist Sect had to be extremely cautious when navigating outside to avoid falling into the Li Family’s trap.
It seemed that these men and women from the Li Family had come for the Pill Refiner assessment.
At this moment, Ouyang Jing returned, holding a few items in his hand. Seeing the hall full of people, he was taken aback.
However, Ouyang Jing merely frowned and headed over to sit with Fang Lin.
“Everything is settled. As long as you pass the assessment, you can become a
One Cauldron Pill Refiner. Unfortunately, it appears the Li Family is here today. I fear you will have to compete against them in the assessment,” said Ouyang Jing.
Fang Lin did not care who he competed against. He nodded and sat there conversing casually with Ouyang Jing.
Members of the Li Family also found seats in the hall, while Ouyang Jing went up to engage in a brief conversation with them.
Despite the strained relations between the Purple Mist Sect and the Li Family, Ouyang Jing primarily identified himself as a Pill Alliance Pill Refiner, enabling him to engage with the Li Family members.
After some conversation, Ouyang Jing returned to Fang Lin and said, “It turns out the Li Family has brought a prodigy who is aiming to become a Second Cauldron Pill Refiner.”
Fang Lin asked curiously, “Who? They’re so powerful?”
Ouyang Jing replied, “Apparently, someone named Li Chong. I haven’t heard much about him before. I guess the Li Family has been hiding this Alchemy Tao prodigy until today’s assessment.”
Fang Lin looked in the direction of the Li Family members not far away. Li Chong was seemingly meditating, appearing disdainful of everything around him.
“Fang, be careful later. Try to avoid contact with the Li Family members. If they know you’re a disciple of the Pill Sect, they might try to harm you,” warned Ouyang Jing.
Fang Lin responded with a nod, fully understanding the need for caution.
“Ouyang, when did you return?” Suddenly, a man walked out and asked jovially.
Upon hearing this voice, Ouyang Jing’s brow furrowed, and Fang Lin also turned to look at the man.
“Ouyang, how about introducing us to your junior brother? Is his name Fang Lin?” The man suddenly smirked coldly.
Ouyang Jing’s face darkened at his words and he rose to his feet, glaring angrily at the man.
“Zheng Yan!” Ouyang Jing’s face was grim while Fang Lin also revealed a cold gaze. This Zheng was truly treacherous.
The middle-aged man named Zheng Yan acted surprised, “What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?”
The commotion naturally attracted the attention of everyone in the hall.
“Fang Lin?” Upon hearing the name, members of the Li Family all looked over. Even Li Chong, who had been meditating, opened his eyes.
Ouyang Jing was seething with anger. Zheng Yan had been utterly despicable, blatantly exposing Fang Lin before the entire Li Family.
As expected, the elder from the Li Family bore a cold expression. The other Li Family disciples similarly watched Fang Lin with malicious intent.
Ouyang Jing stood up abruptly, desiring very much to punch Zheng Yan to the ground. But at that moment, he had to turn to Fang Lin and say, “Fang, let’s go inside.”
Fang Lin rose to his feet, ready to follow Ouyang Jing away, only to be surrounded by members of the Li Family.
Ouyang Jing and Fang Lin immediately went on alert. They knew the Li Family members were capable of anything.
“So you’re Fang Lin?” Li Chong looked down at Fang Lin disdainfully. After a glance at him, Fang Lin replied, ‘You already knew, why bother asking?”
Li Chong sneered, “Good.”
Fang Lin wanted to retort but held back. Given the current situation, further provoking him could invite trouble.
“What are you all doing? How dare you make a scene in the Pill Alliance’s territory?” Ouyang Jing said with an angry face.
Members of the Li Family all chuckled, considering Ouyang Jing beneath their notice.
Zheng Yan stood to the side, simply observing the scene with a slight smile tugging at his lips.
The elder of the Li Family bore an expression of utter indifference, addressing
Ouyang Jing, “Ouyang Jing, you don’t need to involve yourself in this matter.”
Without hesitation, Ouyang Jing retorted, “Fang is here to participate in the assessment. If you lay a hand on him, you are disrespecting the Pill Alliance.” At this point, officials from the Pill Alliance appeared to intervene.
The Li Family elder snorted, casting a meaningful glance at Fang Lin before his family members dispersed. However, they all maintained an unfriendly gaze towards Fang Lin.
Ouyang Jing breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, they were in Pill Alliance territory. If they were anywhere else, the Li Family members could have behaved even more recklessly.
However, Ouyang Jing was still worried. The Li Family might not dare to act here, but Fang Lin couldn’t hide here forever. Once he left Pill Alliance territory, the Li Family would likely seize any opportunity to strike.
Given their style, the Li Family would certainly attempt to harm Fang Lin, especially given his fame and reputation as a Pill Sect prodigy. It would be worth their effort to take him down.
At this point, the elder surnamed Su approached, looking at Fang Lin with a smile on his face.
“So, you’re the Fang Lin who possesses the Shaking Three Mountains technique?” he asked.
Fang Lin did not understand what this Elder Su was implying, so he replied rather vaguely, “Probably so.”
Elder Su chuckled slightly, “If that is so, it is. What’s there to be afraid of admitting? Rest assured. Within the Pill Alliance territory, no one dares to act against you lacadasically. ”
Fang Lin looked at Elder Su carefully, noting a hint of protection in the elder’s words.
Ouyang Jing reacted quickly, showing his respect to the elder by saluting him,
“Thank you, Elder Su.”
Elder Su waved his hand dismissively, “Your junior brother will soon become part of our Pill Alliance. As the Elder overseeing this area, it’s only natural that I protect him..”