Chapter 206: Chapter 203: Admiring a Genius_1
It wasn't that Xia Fu Lan's talent wasn't astonishing; it was just that in front of a freak of nature who genuinely overturned conventional thinking, Xia Fu Lan truly didn't amount to much.
The disciple from the Tiandao Sword Sect, observing the expressions on the faces around him, and hearing their words, felt that the scene somewhat contradicted his expectations.
Xia Fu Lan couldn't help feeling slightly uncomfortable. Although everyone present was praising her, the words used always seemed somewhat half-hearted and failed to reach the anticipated effect she had imagined.
Shouldn't they be saying that she is the most gifted alchemy genius in human history since the beginning of the Cultivation Era?
Shouldn't they be saying that the Tiandao Sword Sect has two great geniuses, with Song Mobei representing the sword, and Xia Fu Lan representing medicine?
Why just mention her amazing talent and surpassing the record set by that great being of the past? They should be saying her talent is unparalleled, that she is one of a kind in this world.
Hearing the voices of the people, Song Mobei said with a smile on his face, "There is always someone better out there, and heavens beyond the heavens. Who knows what geniuses will emerge in this Alchemy competition? It's always good for junior Fulan to prefer keeping a low profile."
Upon hearing Song Mobei speak, the Seventh Elder chimed in with a smile, "Princess Fulan's talent rightfully deserves everyone's amazement."
A disciple from the Tiandao Sword Sect also piped up with a laugh, "Big Brother always prefers to keep things low-key in whatever he does, but in the case of junior Fulan, I think the Seventh Elder is right; she deserves the praise."
"Indeed," another female disciple from the Tiandao Sword Sect joined in, "Junior Fulan winning the Alchemy contest is a certainty. Brother Song, you can stop teaching us to be low-key all the time. After all, it's about being humble in demeanor but bold in action."
Song Mobei simply smiled and shook his head, remaining silent as he continued to observe the students who were practicing alchemy on the field.
"What does Young Master Fang intend to do? Is he going to take the stage?"
"He probably wants to say a few words. With Young Master Fang's personality, he'll definitely get along very well with Brother Song and the others."
Accompanied by murmurs from the crowd, Fang Ren had already reached the edge of the examination area and stepped up onto the stage.
Upon seeing this, the Seventh Elder immediately addressed several disciples from the Tiandao Sword Sect, "This old man will be leaving for a short while."
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With that, he turned and walked towards Fang Ren.
This one was, after all, today's main character. If it weren't for him, Xia Fu Lan's achievements announced today would surely have crushed all her peers.
Bai Qi, sitting behind the audience stand, sprang up as soon as he saw Fang Ren boldly taking to the stage and began to move toward the audience stand as well.
The Seventh Elder approached Fang Ren, bowed slightly with a smile, and said, "Young Master Fang, do you also wish to participate in this contest?"
In his view, Fang Ren's approach at this time might indicate a desire to speak with people from the Tiandao Sword Sect and possibly to take part in the final round of the competition as well.
After all, there were still twenty minutes left before the end of the final round, and Fang Ren's arrival at this point could well mean participation in this last contest and the subsequent award ceremony.
Meanwhile, a few disciples from the Tiandao Sword Sect who were standing saw the Seventh Elder suddenly leave them and walk towards a student they had never seen before, addressing him as Young Master Fang.
This caused a sense of discrepancy in their hearts and slight annoyance, for in the current venue, the Seventh Elder was the senior proctor, and they expected him, as members of the Tiandao Sword Sect, to be received with respect.
But now, right in the middle of their presence and discussion, the Seventh Elder had turned and walked towards a student they had never encountered. What was this student's identity?
Upon hearing the Seventh Elder's words, Fang Ren looked towards Xia Fu Lan and said, "No, I've just come to admire an alchemy genius."
"Ah?"
The Seventh Elder was taken aback and then the large beads of sweat hanging on his forehead grew even larger.
This was going to stir up trouble.
It seemed that the recent proclamation from the Tiandao Sword Sect had irritated the Young Master Fang, and although one would reasonably expect Young Master Fang to be more magnanimous, the prickliness in his words came abruptly. Why?
Though the Seventh Elder couldn't make sense of it, this was beyond his control. On one side was the largest Sect outside of Tianjiang, the Tiandao Sword Sect, and on the other was the Tianjiang Fang Family, whose influence was second only to the Bai Family by a hair's breadth. Offending either side wouldn't be good.
After Fang Ren spoke, he bypassed the Seventh Elder and continued walking towards Xia Fu Lan, not glancing at Song Mobei even once—he'd seen enough of the man earlier.
As Fang Ren's figure appeared on the field, the audience in the stands went silent, and the crowd that stretched to the door watched intently, fearful of missing anything.
In the sky, Chen Cheng slightly furrowed his brows, erected a soundproof barrier, and spoke to Lin Bozhong next to him, "Brother Lin, could Young Master Fang be jealous and looking for trouble with Song Mobei?"
"Ah?"
Lin Bozhong's heart skipped a beat. Could the old man know about Young Master Fang's romance with Madame Xuan? Wasn't that supposed to be known only to a few important individuals and the patriarch of the Bai Family?
"When did Young Master Fang become aware of the princess's fondness for Song Mobei?" Chen Cheng asked, frowning.
"..."
Lin Bozhong was stunned again, realizing the man was actually talking about Bai Qi. He breathed a sigh of relief and put on a smile, "The affairs of young people, well, who can truly understand? Ha, hahaha."
...
Bai Qi paused at the bottom of the steps leading to the arena when she noticed Fang Ren didn't head towards Song Mobei, but towards Xia Fu Lan instead.
She didn't understand what Fang Ren wanted with Xia Fu Lan; in her view, he should have approached Song Mobei.
As Fang Ren continued to approach, even Song Mobei, who had been watching all the examinees perform alchemy, turned his attention to Fang Ren.
Everyone noticed the atmosphere of the venue fell silent with Fang Ren's entrance—an extremely abnormal occurrence.
Fang Ren stopped two meters away from Xia Fu Lan, his expression indifferent, and said, "They say seeing is believing. Princess Fulan, your beauty is matched only by your exceptional alchemy talent. It truly is astonishing."
The disciples of the Tiandao Sword Sect remained silent, whereas Xia Fu Lan, after giving Fang Ren a few appraising glances, turned her attention to the approaching Seventh Elder with a smile, "Seventh Elder, who might this be…"
"Princess Fulan, this is the Young Master of the Tianjiang Fang Family, also a contestant in this Alchemy competition," the Seventh Elder quickly interjected.
"The Young Master of the Tianjiang Fang Family?"
Xia Fu Lan recalled the recent news she had heard about "Young Master Fang."
Wasn't he the one born without a Spiritual Root, discarded by the Fang Family for being unable to Cultivate, and then brought out after 22 years by the Fang Family only for a proposed marriage alliance with Bai Qi of the Bai Family?
Otherwise, he would have remained a Mortal, unacknowledged by the Fang Family.
With these thoughts, Xia Fu Lan looked at Fang Ren in front of her with a hint of disdain, yet her face still wore a smile.