Chapter 1 - Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Fang Lin

“Your Root Bones are too poor, unqualified!”

The loud voice echoed in the ears of many young people, causing some of them to wince in pain.

A middle-aged, burly man with a stature like a bear and a waist like a tiger was standing in front of these youngsters, examining their Root Bone qualifications.

By the side of the middle-aged man, there was another old man dressed in grey, smiling and nodding approvingly at the youngsters from time to time.

Most of the young people present wore expressions of apprehension and trepidation, while only a handful remained calm and composed.

“The bone testing is so rigorous, probably only Young Master Fang Yang among us can pass the test.”

“Indeed, Young Master Fang Yang has the best qualifications in our Fang Family. He’s sure to enter the Purple Mist Sect.”

“As long as Young Master Fang Yang becomes a disciple of the Purple Mist Sect, our Fang Family’s status will also rise.”

···

In the crowd, several youngsters were huddled around a handsome youth, flattering him with their words and actions.

The youth, listening to the words of those around him, had a smug smile on his face, evidently enjoying the attention.

Next to them, another boy, somewhat lean, was silently observing the scene, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“A bunch of brats!” The boy observed the youth called Fang Yang and the sycophants around him in disdain.

The boy’s name was Fang Lin, a member of the Fang Family. He had come to the Purple Mist Sect for the disciple selection examination along with Fang Yang and the others.

However, aside from Fang Lin, all the other Fang Family members were clustered around Fang Yang, which made Fang Lin appear somewhat alone.

Fang Lin had no desire to mingle with these Fang Family members; as far as he was concerned, they were all immature kids.

Fang Yang, buoyant from the constant flattery, also noticed Fang Lin standing aside, smiling faintly.

Seeing this, Fang Yang became displeased, and snorted lightly.

Once the other Fang Family members noticed Fang Yang’s discontentment, their attention shifted to Fang Lin.

“What are you smiling at, Fang Lin? Are you under the illusion that you can enter the Purple Mist Sect?”

“Exactly, you, Fang Lin, are merely here to make up the numbers. Yet you’re behaving as if you’re something special.”

“Young Master Fang Yang is the talent of our Fang Family. What are you, Fang Lin?”

···

Many members of the Fang Family began to attack Fang Lin. Fang Yang did not intervene, he simply stood there watching Fang Lin with cold eyes.

Fang Lin, still with a faint smile, seemed as if he hadn’t heard a word from the other Fang Family members.

Fang Yang grew increasingly displeased when he saw this.

Fang Yang’s grudge against Fang Lin stemmed from his observation that among all the Fang Family members, only Fang Lin didn’t ingratiate himself to him.

Fang Lin’s attitude irked Fang Yang. To Fang Yang, Fang Lin was just a mediocre member of the Fang Family, while he himself was the family’s top talent, and the most likely candidate to become a disciple of the Purple Mist Sect. Fang Lin should have been over himself with trying to curry favor with him like the others were.

But he did not. Fang Lin did not fawn over Fang Yang or try to fit in with the other Fang Family members, resulting in him being ostracized by them.

However, Fang Lin didn’t seem to care. In his eyes, Fang Yang and the other family members were just a bunch of immature kids.

“Hehe, maybe I can also join the Purple Mist Sect,” Fang Lin said with a smirk.

Hearing Fang Lin’s words, Fang Yang just sneered, his smile full of contempt.

The rest of the Fang Family members burst into laughter, spouting various remarks of ridicule and scorn.

Fang Lin just smiled, not bothering to argue with them.

The bone examination was still ongoing. Only those who passed this test would be eligible to become a disciple of the Purple Mist Sect.

Many of the youngsters, who had originally arrived full of confidence, were left discouraged after witnessing the harshness of the bone examination.

It was too difficult!

Most of the people who had undergone the examination had been eliminated leaving fewer than ten who had passed.

Even among these select few, most had just barely scraped through. It seemed if they had performed even slightly worse, they would have been disqualified too.

At this point, the middle-aged man was using one hand to press down on a young girl’s shoulder. The girl’s face was extremely tense, her forehead covered in sweat, and her body was shaking slightly.

The middle-aged man’s face was emotionless, his eyes indifferent, just as if he was looking at a lifeless stone instead of a delicate girl.

“Your Root Bones are too poor, unqualified,” the middle-aged man said, his voice devoid of any emotion.

Hearing his words, the young girl turned ashen and almost fainted, her legs buckled.

Just as the middle-aged man was about to call out for the next person, the elderly man in the grey robe spoke up, “Girl, come to me.”

The middle-aged man glanced at the old man but didn’t comment. The girl, overwhelmed with excitement, approached the old man and respectfully bowed to him.

The old man smiled kindly and raised his hand, revealing three withered medicinal herbs.

“Little girl, place your hand on top of them,” the old man said kindly.

Upon hearing his words, the girl placed her hand on the three medicinal herbs.

A moment later, the old man asked, “Do you feel anything?”

The girl showed a look of hesitation and was a little afraid to answer.

“Don’t be afraid, just speak up what you feel,” the elderly man chuckled.

Gathering his courage, the boy murmured weakly, “I feel like there’s a very faint breath moving in the palm of my hand.”

Upon hearing this, the elder nodded and put the herbs away. “Little girl,” he said, “I’m Meng Wuyou, you can choose to join the Pill Sect Lineage.”

Whoosh!

At these words, all the youths present showed expressions of surprise and envy.

Overwhelmed with excitement, the girl hurriedly nodded and said, “My younger self is willing to be part of the Pill Sect Lineage!”

Meng Wuyou, the elderly man, nodded and had her stand behind him.

In the crowd, Fang Lin witnessed all this and his smile became even broader.

The Purple Mist Sect’s entry assessment consists of two parts. Those who pass the root bone examination conducted by the middle-aged man can become disciples of Martial Meridian within the Purple Mist Sect.

If one fails the root bone examination, it doesn’t matter, there is still another chance, that is to be tested again by Meng Wuyou.

However, what Meng Wuyou tests is not root bone potential, but Pill Refining aptitude.

Even without root bone potential, if one has Pill Refining aptitude, one can also become a disciple of the Purple Mist Sect, but not of Martial Meridian, but rather of Pill Pulsar.

Even if one cannot become a disciple of Martial Meridian, becoming a disciple of Pill Pulsar is still excellent.

But in reality, becoming a Pill Pulsar disciple is more demanding than becoming a Martial Meridian disciple.

As long as one has suitable root bone potential and meets certain standards, one can become a Martial Meridian disciple.

But to become a Pill Pulsar disciple, one must have Pill Refining aptitude, and such aptitude, which cannot be improved by acquired endowments, is something one is naturally born with.

While root bone potential can be refined and enhanced with precious gems and ores, Pill Refining aptitude is innate. Either one has it, or one doesn’t.

In the following assessments, several people were chosen by Elder Meng Wuyou to join the Pill Sect.

However, without exception, these individuals had all failed the root bone examination. In their hearts, they actually still wanted to become Martial Meridian disciples, after all, Martial Arts is the mainstream.

After a long while, it was finally Fang Yang’s turn to undergo the root bone examination.

Fang Yang’s face was as calm as usual, he even had a faint smile on his face as he walked over to the middle-aged man.

“Go for it, Young Master Fang Yang!”

“You can definitely pass!”

A few disciples of the Fang Family shouted out, drawing sidelong glances from bystanders.

“Shut up!” The middle-aged man shouted, glaring at the shouting disciples of the Fang family.

The man’s glare immediately silenced them. Each of them, trembling with fear, didn’t dare to breathe heavily.

Fang Yang was also very displeased with the disciples of the Fang Family. What are you all shouting about in this situation? You’re really making a spectacle of yourselves.

Ignoring the blundering fools, Fang Yang stood respectfully in front of the middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man extended his hand and rested it on Fang Yang’s shoulder. Immediately, Fang Yang felt a sense of heaviness, as if a huge rock was pressing on him.

But Fang Yang wasn’t panicked, he was confident in himself.

A moment later, the middle-aged man raised his hand and announced in a heavy voice, “Root bone qualified.”

Upon hearing, Fang Yang couldn’t help but feel a bit excited inside, but he managed to keep composed, giving a slight bow to the middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man waved his hand, indicating Fang Yang to stand behind him.

Standing there, Fang Yang was wearing an extremely smug expression on his face. As he glanced towards Fang Lin in the crowd, a smirk appeared at the corner of his mouth.

“Fang Lin, I’m destined to soar into the sky while you can only end up like your father, doing nothing for your entire life within the family,” Fang Yang quietly muttered to himself.

“See? Young Master Fang Yang passed the exam, he’s destined to become a disciple of the Purple Mist Sect. This is the greatest glory for our Fang Family!”

“Even if we can’t be like Young Master Fang Yang, we’re already very proud.”

“Fang Lin, don’t bother looking. Even though you are Young Master Fang Yang’s cousin, he’s destined to be outstanding among mortals. You should just go back and take over your father’s family business.”

···

The Fang Family Disciples mocked Fang Lin mercilessly. It seemed they were even more thrilled by Fang Yang becoming a Purple Mist Sect disciple than if they had become one themselves.

Fang Lin merely smirked and ignored their taunts.

The examination continued, with one disciple from the Fang Family after another coming up for their root bone examination. Yet none of them passed. Despite their disappointment, they quickly accepted their fate, for they had been prepared mentally when they came.

The last one from the Fang Family to undergo the root bone examination was Fang Lin himself. Standing in front of the middle-aged man, he wore a smile and showed no signs of nervousness.

The middle-aged man frowned slightly, his displeasure showing at the smile on Fang Lin’s face. The man felt his authority was being challenged.

Thump!

The middle-aged man’s hand pressed heavily on Fang Lin’s shoulder, almost knocking him over.

“This guy!” Fang Lin gritted his teeth and cursed inwardly, what are you using so much force for in the examination?