BXBX NOVEL Chapter 316: Master Qi
With Elder Su’s appearance, all the stewards of the Pill Alliance present, including the Pill Refiners, left the hall with Elder Su to welcome the so-called Master Qi.
Fang Lin, being a Second Cauldron Pill Refining Master of the Pill Alliance, was no exception. After giving a quick greeting to Zhong Siblings, he too left the hall.
Outside, Elder Su was seen exchanging greetings with an elder dressed in black robe, who was not alone but accompanied by two young men also dressed in black robes. Their faces were expressionless but their eyes revealed a certain arrogance.
This arrogance was like that of city folk looking down on country bumpkins when they visit the countryside.
“It’s an honour to have Master Qi here. We apologise for not being able to welcome you at a greater distance,” Elder Su said cheerfully to the man in the black robe.
The man in the black robe waved his hand and said lightly, “No matter, today you have a public test, naturally there are a lot of matters to attend to. If you can’t spare time to greet us, it is understandable.”
His comment made many of the Pill Alliance members frown slightly. Despite the casual tone of the black-robed elder’s words, it wasn’t difficult for discerning people to detect that he was slightly dissatisfied.
“Hehe, Master Qi, please come in.” Elder Su, still beaming, welcomed the trio in black robes.
As soon as the black-robed old man entered the hall, he turned his gaze towards the youths in the corner. After a brief glance, he looked away, showing no interest.
On the other hand, these youths were rather intimidated by this grandeur and barely dared to breathe.
Elder Su and a few Pill Alliance stewards took the three guests into the inner hall, where Elder Su and Master Qi took their seats by the host and guest, and early tea was brewed and served.
“Master Qi’s visit has brought honor to the Pill Alliance of Qian Country. During the test, I hope Master Qi will guide the juniors a lot,” Elder Su said with a smile.
Master Qi nodded slightly: “Naturally.”
After saying this, he took a sip of the tea, only to raise his eyebrows afterwards.
Seeing Master Qi’s frown, Elder Su immediately turned to one of the stewards and said, “Bring out our best tea quickly.”
The steward looked embarrassed and replied, “This is the best tea we have in the Pill Alliance.”
Elder Su was taken aback by the steward’s reply. He rarely drank tea on regular days and didn’t know much about it.
Master Qi waved his hand and put down the tea cup, “Well, I am not here for tea, let’s get down to business.”
Elder Su began, “We should have more than three hundred participants in this public test, which will officially begin in the afternoon. Master Qi doesn’t have to be present for the initial plant assessment and Pill Formula examination. But when it comes to Pill Refining in the third round, we hope Master Qi will give guidance.”
Master Qi nodded in response, not saying much.
“Elder Su, I heard there is a prodigy named Fang Lin here who took promotion tests twice in one day and passed both with perfect scores. Is this true?” The black robed young man standing behind Master Qi asked.
Elder Su frowned slightly, annoyed in his heart. How dare this junior speak to me in this tone?
“Elder Su, my disciples are always very curious about prodigies. If Fang Lin is in Pill Alliance’s headquarters, why not let us meet him and see if he is as talented as the rumors suggest?” Master Qi said unhurriedly.
Well, now that this has been suggested, Elder Su could only begrudgingly smile and ordered one of his subordinates to fetch Fang Lin.
Earlier in the hall, Elder Su had already seen Fang Lin but hadn’t spoken to him because he was busy welcoming Master Qi.
As Fang Lin, who was chatting with the Zhong siblings outside the hall, heard that Master Qi wanted to see him, he was somewhat surprised. He then followed the steward into the inner hall.
Upon entering the inner hall, Fang Lin saw the two men in black robes scrutinizing him from head to toe, as if they wanted to examine him closely.
Master Qi took a glance too, but it was very casual, as if he was observing an insignificant person.
As a matter of fact, in Master Qi’s eyes, Fang Lin was indeed nothing more than a minor figure. No matter how gifted the rumours might make him appear, he was at best a local genius, nothing to be excited about.
“Fang Lin, come pay your respects to Master Qi,” Elder Su called out, secretly signaling Fang Lin to behave appropriately.
Understanding Elder Su’s hint, Fang Lin stepped forward and respectfully greeted Master Qi.
“Junior Fang Lin, pays respect to Master Qi,” Fang Lin said, eyes lowered, without giving Master Qi another look.
Master Qi only responded with a ‘hmm’, whereas the two men in black robes wore smirks and disdainful expressions on their faces.
“So, you’re Fang Lin?” The man on the left in black robe asked.
Fang Lin started to feel irritated, “Indeed,” he replied in a serious tone.
The man in black robe on the right shook his head slightly, “Seems like the rumors were not that believable.”
Master Qi ordered, “Do not be presumptuous!”
No matter how it looked, Master Qi didn’t seem to be reprimanding them at all.
The two men in black robes laughed off, seemingly indifferent.
“Elder Su, my disciples are always very naughty; you must forgive their behavior,” Master Qi said implacably.
Elder Su waved his hand and said, “Being the disciples of Master Qi, they must be geniuses and their behavior can be justified.”
Master Qi continued his introductions, “This is my eldest disciple Sun Kai, and this is my second disciple Zhang Tiande.”
Saying this, Sun Kai and Zhang Tiande reluctantly bowed to Elder Su. It was obvious that they were just going through the motions, their behavior lacking any respect.
The stewards of the Pill Alliance present felt annoyed. These two were too disrespectful. Even if they were Master Qi’s disciples, Elder Su was their senior. Their casual and nonchalant bows showed complete disregard for Elder Su.
In his heart, Fang Lin laughed bitterly. He could guess the characters of this master and disciples. Master Qi was likely a chip off the old block, considering the behavior of his disciples.
“Fang Lin, is it? I heard you have a technique called Shaking Three Mountains. You say it, I simply do not believe it. Show us said Sun Kai, laughing.”
Zhang Tiande gave Fang Lin a mocking look. He did not believe that someone from such a small place could master such an ancient method of pill refining. It must be a rumor.
This annoyed Fang Lin. What did they think he was? A monkey performing for them?
At that moment, Fang Lin lifted his head, revealing his usual demeanor, “I don’t mind displaying the technique, but I’m afraid both of you lack the depth of understanding required to appreciate the subtleties of Shaking Three Mountains.”