Chapter 551: Chapter 551: I Want to Live

“A-hem, let’s not make a scene here.” Fang Lin appeared, visibly embarrassed.

Seeing Fang Lin, Dugu Nian instantly flew into a rage, pointing at Fang Lin’s nose and asked, “Did you kiss Dream Falling Flower or not?”

Hearing the accusation, Fang Lin displayed an innocent look. “As my divine witness, I swear I didn’t kiss him! If you don’t believe me, ask them.”

Dugu Nian immediately looked around at the Pill Alliance crowd but they all stared at Fang Lin with ambiguous glances.

Corner of Fang Lin’s mouth twitched, “What are you all looking at? I swear there’s nothing going on between Dream Falling Flower and I. Didn’t any of you see that?”

“Fang Lin, don’t bother explaining, your explanations are just an attempt to conceal the truth.”

“Indeed, we all saw it. You and Dream Falling Flower…ahem.”

“We can’t forget it now, it was too juicy.”

····

Many folks were snickering openly. Hearing these comments, Fang Lin was at a loss for words.

“Fang Lin, who knew you were such a pervert?!” Dugu Nian mocked. She was fuming with her teeth clenched, wishing she could scratch Fang Lin’s face with her fury.

Fang Lin was at his wit’s end in trying to explain himself. These members of the Pill Alliance were absolutely hateful. They were refusing to vouch for him.

With no other options, Fang Lin walked over to Dugu Nian without a word and picked her up.

“Let me go, you jerk!” Dugu Nian screamed. This reminded her of the time when she was hung from a tree by Fang Lin at the Purple Mist Sect. It was a terrifying experience.

The crowd watched, stunned. Fang Lin was really too audacious. They could hardly believe he would dare treat Dugu Nian, the young miss of Dugu Family, so disrespectfully.

Of course, they had no idea Fang Lin had done much worse things than this.

“What are you staring at? Never seen a master discipline his student?” Fang Lin retorted at the crowd. He then carried Dugu Nian off to a secluded spot.

After setting Dugu Nian down, before Fang Lin could speak, she kicked him right in the thigh.

“What the hell?” Fang Lin rubbed his thigh and said, perplexed.

Dugu Nian glared at Fang Lin, “Tell me, did you or did you not kiss Dream Falling Flower?”

Fang Lin rolled his eyes, “I’ve said it so many times, I did not kiss her.”

Pausing for a moment, Fang Lin looked at Dugu Nian with a teasing expression, “Why do you seem so upset?”

Dugu Nian huffed, “I’m worried you’re messing with Zhou Yishui’s woman. You’ll die without knowing what hit you.”

Fang Lin was speechless. Was this really the case?

“The Hundred Beast Mountain is about to open. Are you planning on going?” Fang Lin changed the subject.

Upon hearing this, Dugu Nian nodded, “Yes, I’m going in. Not only me, other talents from the Dugu Family will be going in too.”

“I heard your family has such a person called Dugu Ruoxu. Is he that strong?” Fang Lin asked curiously.

Dugu Nian gave Fang Lin a glance and said contemptuously, “Well, he’s certainly stronger than you.”

Fang Lin was offended by this. Just because Dugu Ruoxu was a genius of the Dugu Family, was there really a need to belittle me like this?

Seeing Fang Lin’s defiant look, Dugu Nian scoffed, “Let me put it this way, if you face Dugu Ruoxu now, you’d be defeated in three moves.”

Fang Lin glared back, “Am I that weak?”

Dugu Nian blinked, a serious look on her face, “Perhaps one move would be enough.”

Fang Lin didn’t want to ask any further. Was this girl intentionally trying to undermine his confidence? Although he knew Dugu Ruoxu of the Dugu Family was very powerful, he couldn’t possibly defeat him in just one move, right?

Dugu Nian didn’t further undermine Fang Lin, she said earnestly, “I’m not exactly sure how strong Dugu Ruoxu really is, but my grandfather once said that Dugu Ruoxu is a once-in-a-millennium talent for the Dugu Family. Not many in the entire Xuan Country could rival him.”

After a pause, Dugu Nian continued, “You’ve seen Zhou Yishui’s strength, haven’t you?”

Fang Lin nodded, recalling the day at the Crown Prince’s mansion where he was about to defeat Qin Tianchuan. Zhou Yishui had intervened, effortlessly dismantling his attack. Zhou Yishui was unfathomably strong, which deeply impressed Fang Lin.

Dugu Nian continued, “Dugu Ruoxu’s strength should be on the same level as Zhou Yishui.”

Fang Lin’s heart sank upon hearing this. Dugu Ruoxu was that strong? On the same level as the Crown Prince, Zhou Yishui? This could mean he really could be defeated in one move.

After all, Fang Lin’s current strength was indeed not that formidable. He could take on a beginner level master of the Heavenly Origin Realm, but would be at his wits’ end when dealing with an intermediate level master.

Whether it was Zhou Yishui or Dugu Ruoxu, they had clearly been at the Heavenly Origin Realm for many years. Their actual level of mastery was unimaginable.

“Are there any other talents in Xuan Country who could rival these two?” Fang Lin asked.

Dugu Nian considered it for a moment, “Yes, there’s Undefeatable Naughty Man from the Five Elements Sect who is extremely formidable. He has remained unbeaten since his rise to fame.”

Undefeatable Naughty Man? Fang Lin twitched at the corner of his mouth. Just that title alone revealed everything – to bear the ‘undefeated’ title, one needed to possess solid strength.

“Also, there’s Chi Yunxiao of Shenxiao Sect, and Mei Yingxue of the Heavenly Fragrance Valley. They are all very formidable figures and are the most likely ones to compete for the title of the most powerful genius in Xuan Country,” said Dugu Nian.

Fang Lin felt immense pressure. The Xuan Country was a minefield of hidden talents. He had originally thought that there would only be one freakish talent like Zhou Yishui. He hadn’t expected there to be so many. Any one of them could have easily made his life miserable.

“Actually, you shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. You are a Pill Refiner, comparing yourself with these individuals would just embarrass you,” Dugu Nian patted Fang Lin’s shoulder with a mock consoling tone.

Fang Lin wasn’t disheartened, instead, he had an even stronger resolve to improve.

When he was in Qian Country, Fang Lin was also very weak initially but progressively climbed up to the top tiers of young talent.

Now in the vast Xuan Country, although there were many talented individuals and even more powerful ones, Fang Lin had the confidence that sooner or later, he would reach Zhou Yishui’s level or even surpass him.

“I think it may not be wise for you to participate in the Hundred Beast Mountain trial,” Dugu Nian said, her words tinged with a hint of worry.

Fang Lin frowned, “Are you worried that once I step in, I’ll be targeted by others?”

Dugu Nian nodded, “Everybody in the Xuan Country will be participating in the Hundred Beast Mountain trial this time, including the individuals I previously mentioned. I have heard some news; there will be a lot of people targeting you once you step into the Hundred Beast Mountain.”

Fang Lin smiled, “Regardless, I must go in.”

“Why?” Dugu Nian was puzzled and anxious. She knew that venturing into the Hundred Beast Mountain was like walking into the jaws of death. Why would he still want to go? Was he joking with his life?

Fang Lin looked at Dugu Nian, “Because I want to survive. That’s why I need to go to the Hundred Beast Mountain, kill Zhou Yishui, and vanquish all who wish me dead!”