Chapter 148: Mu Ye Has Arrived!
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
Mu Ye once described Wang Qian as someone with an overinflated sense of self. Wang Qian himself was completely unaware of this perception. So, after visiting Fang Cheng Lang twice and finding him still guarded and distant, Wang Qian was furious and nearly decided to give up entirely.
It was Guo Ming En and Tian Han who painstakingly persuaded him with both emotional appeals and logical reasoning. They eventually convinced Wang Qian to persist and even provided him with a strategy that Fang Cheng Lang would absolutely not refuse.
On the fifth day after Fang Cheng Lang regained consciousness, Wang Qian visited for the third time. This time, he brought numerous healing medicines, each carefully selected for Cui Jue’s injuries.
The saying goes, “One cannot hit a smiling face.” This time, Fang Cheng Lang did not reject Wang Qian’s goodwill. Outwardly, their relationship seemed to have improved significantly.
Thanks to Guo Ming En and Tian Han’s discreet reminders, Wang Qian refrained from mentioning his grudge with Yu Zhao. Instead, he told Fang Cheng Lang to focus on recuperating and even invited him to observe the Young Sect Master examination in half a month.
When Fang Cheng Lang learned that Wang Qian was a strong contender for the Young Sect Master of the Green Wood Sect, his impression of Wang Qian elevated slightly, and he agreed to the invitation. Fang Cheng Lang’s poison had been neutralized; now, he only needed rest to fully recover.
Cui Jue’s poisoning, however, was far more complicated. Elder Lotus opted for a gentler detoxification method to minimize long-term effects, making progress slow. Based on the current trend, Fang Cheng Lang would need to stay in the Green Wood Sect for at least two more months, which gave him ample time to observe the Young Sect Master examination.
Feeling that he had successfully forged a bond with Fang Cheng Lang, Wang Qian no longer visited his room. Instead, he threw himself entirely into cultivation. This time, he was determined to make a stunning impact, seize the Young Sect Master position, and completely surpass Mu Ye.
…
Half a month later, the Pill Hall disciples’ examination proceeded as scheduled.
At the sound of the morning bell, all disciples of the Green Wood Sect gathered in the largest square of the sect. Disciples wearing three distinct colors of attire stood in separate zones, clearly demarcated.
On the high platforms flanking the square, the Sect Master and elders of the Green Wood Sect sat upright with solemn expressions. This was more than just a simple assessment—it directly impacted the sect’s future development, and they dared not take it lightly.
As a guest from afar, Fang Cheng Lang was given a seat at the edge of the viewing platform. Though his long journey and the ordeal of being poisoned had left him thin and visibly fatigued, his unique demeanor and youthful, handsome face still captured the attention of many disciples.
“Is that Master Qing Yan’s eldest disciple? He doesn’t seem all that impressive.”
“Don’t speak nonsense. He’s injured and hasn’t fully recovered.”
“Exactly! Senior Brother Fang is a sword cultivator and is known as the ‘Sword Gentleman.’ Not just any sword cultivator can compare to him!”
The disciples from the Pill Hall and Medicine Hall were mostly filled with curiosity and admiration for Fang Cheng Lang. However, the Martial Hall disciples viewed him with more complex emotions. Some were scornful, others unconvinced, and a few seemed eager to challenge him on the spot.
Martial Hall disciples held the lowest status within the Green Wood Sect. Yet, they never considered themselves inferior to the disciples of other sects. Still, whenever the Green Wood Sect was mentioned externally, the focus was always on the Pill Hall and Medicine Hall disciples, leaving the Martial Hall overshadowed and nearly forgotten.
They couldn’t help but think, “We’re all disciples of the same sect. Why is your reputation so widespread while we remain nameless?”
The unjust treatment made it easier for disciples to develop hostility toward members of other sects, and their attitude toward Fang Cheng Lang was far from friendly.
On the elevated platform, Elder Lotus sat to the right of the Sect Master, her eyes anxiously scanning the area where the Pill Hall disciples were gathered. Her worry was evident—Mu Ye, her treasured disciple, was nowhere to be seen, and the Pill Hall disciple assessment was about to begin. Where could she possibly be?
Whether it was by design or coincidence, Elder Wang, Wang Qian’s father, was seated right next to Elder Lotus. Mu Ye, being a formidable contender against his son, naturally became the focus of his attention. Mu Ye’s absence had not escaped his notice either. A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he let out a soft, ambiguous chuckle.
“Elder Lotus, your beloved disciple Mu Ye hasn’t arrived yet. Is she planning to forgo the assessment altogether?”
His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but it was pitched perfectly to carry to everyone nearby. The other elders immediately turned their attention toward the Pill Hall area. Indeed, Mu Ye’s figure was nowhere to be found, which left them all surprised.
Even though the assessment had yet to start, everyone already regarded the position of Young Sect Master as a contest between Wang Qian and Mu Ye. Regardless of which one emerged victorious, the result wouldn’t be shocking. However, most privately favored Mu Ye. Her ability to shine in critical moments was unparalleled, and her track record in assessments consistently surpassed Wang Qian’s. As long as Mu Ye stepped onto the pill-refining stage, she was halfway to victory.
But nobody had expected her to be absent at such a crucial moment.
Elder Lotus’s heart was gripped with anxiety, yet outwardly, she maintained a composed and confident demeanor. “Mu Ye has always been a calm and reliable child. I have faith in her.”
“If she were truly reliable, she wouldn’t still be absent. Could it be she’s afraid?” Elder Wang countered coldly.
“Afraid?” Elder Lotus chuckled lightly. “Afraid of what? Afraid of defeating her usual rival?”
Elder Wang’s expression darkened, as did that of another female elder nearby. Both were about to retort when Master Wu Sang, the Sect Leader of the Green Wood Sect, intervened.
“There’s no need for disputes. We’ll know the outcome in half an incense stick’s time.”
“Understood,” Elder Lotus and Elder Wang replied solemnly, ceasing their bickering.
Time flew by quickly.
More disciples began noticing that Mu Ye, a strong contender for the Young Sect Master position, had yet to arrive. Speculation and rumors spread like wildfire among the disciples.
Wang Qian, Guo Ming En, and others clenched their fists, silently praying for Mu Ye’s continued absence. Meanwhile, those close to Mu Ye were filled with worry, their eyes scanning the horizon desperately.
“The Pill Hall assessment is about to begin. Disciples whose names are called, please proceed to the assessment area in order,” Elder Luo’s booming voice resonated across the plaza.
Wang Qian pumped his fist in triumph. With Mu Ye absent, the Young Sect Master position was as good as his.
“Refining Platform No. 1: Guo Fang Fei. Refining Platform No. 2: Sun Ming Yu. Refining Platform No. 3: Cheng Dao…”
The Pill Hall had the fewest disciples among the three halls, just over 400 in total. Even if Elder Luo deliberately left Mu Ye’s name for last, there wasn’t much time left to stall.
As the number of disciples in the plaza dwindled, Wang Qian’s confidence grew, a jubilant smile creeping across his face.
“…Refining Platform No. 438: Wang Qian. Refining Platform No. 439: Mu Ye.”
As soon as Elder Luo’s announcement concluded, Wang Qian confidently stepped onto Platform 438. Seeing the empty Platform 439 beside him, he couldn’t help but grin smugly.
“Refining Platform No. 439: Mu Ye? Refining Platform No. 439: Mu Ye?” Elder Luo called out several more times, still unwilling to give up.
“Hahaha!” Elder Wang couldn’t hold back his laughter. He had gone to great lengths to prepare for this day, but it seemed his efforts were unnecessary.
Elder Lotus, furious and on the verge of losing her composure, nearly struck down the arrogant man beside her. Just then, her divine sense detected two figures rushing toward the platform with great urgency.
She shot to her feet, her voice brimming with excitement as she shouted, “Mu Ye is here!”