From the Heavens Descended an Immortal Sister

Chapter 168: Chapter 166: Low-Ability Student (First Update)_1

Watching the mocking faces of the surrounding aristocratic students, Fang Ren could also understand why students like those from Yangming and Baili were reluctant to participate in the competition.

Indeed, no one wanted to be on a playing field where there was not even the slightest chance of victory, endure ridicule, and ultimately have to leave the stage because of their lack of strength.

Coming to the center of the venue, Fang Ren still politely asked the old man holding the microphone, "Excuse me, sir, why haven't the students seen Yangming University's location?"

The elder glanced at the other nobles who were constantly mocking, then looked at Fang Ren and Bai Qi, who were dressed simply, and said, "Are you two students from Yangming University?"

"Yes," Fang Ren nodded.

After listening, the elder immediately turned to a middle-aged alchemist beside him and frowned, "Ah Si, didn't you say that the students from both Yangming and Baili universities had given up their places? What is this about now?"

Seeing the elder frown, the middle-aged alchemist named Ah Si quickly stepped forward and said respectfully, "Seventh Elder, I indeed received news that all the students from both schools gave up their rights to compete."

After speaking, he turned and pointed at Fang Ren and Bai Qi, "You see, although they are wearing the uniform of Yangming University, there are no teachers accompanying them. I think they are not really students from that university. Of course, maybe they are from Yangming, but they are certainly just here to cause trouble."

After hearing this man's words, Fang Ren's gaze became somewhat cold. Although his Teacher Huang at the university usually didn't like him much, and this time also did not bring him along to avoid embarrassment, his name should have still been submitted. It was clear that it was the alchemists here who looked down on the students from Yangming.

The elder holding the microphone frowned even more after hearing what Ah Si said, then turned his head and looked at Fang Ren, "Where are the teachers from your school?"

"Ashamed, they didn't come."

Fang Ren didn't shy away from speaking these words outright.

"Hahahaha... my god, this guy is too straightforward!"

As soon as his words fell, the aristocratic students from various schools burst into laughter.

"Are all the oddballs from Mediocre University like this? Hahaha, how can he say such an embarrassing thing so naturally."

"Oh man, how can he have the face to say that? If it were me, I would have quickly found an excuse to get away."

Some students even shouted at Fang Ren from a distance, "Low-Ability Student! It's not embarrassing to give up now, hurry and run, just afraid you'll try to save face by pretending to be strong, but in the end, find out not only is your face not swollen but you also have to go to the hospital."

"Hahaha..."

"Quiet!"

The old man holding the microphone frowned and shouted at the group of unruly aristocratic students, and after the noise had died down a lot, his gaze returned to Fang Ren, "Show me your proof of participation."

Fang Ren took out his phone at once, brought up his school information, and handed it to the elder.

The elder took the phone and after a while, he nodded and returned the phone to Fang Ren.

"Ah Si, isn't it your job to tally up the participating students from each school?" the elder turned his head looking very displeased at the middle-aged alchemist.

Seeing the elder angry, Ah Si immediately bowed slightly, "Seventh Elder, students from a low-level university like Yangming would mean nothing even if they participate. Not only does it waste time, but their self-respect couldn't endure it either. I was indirectly protecting their dignity."

"Presumptuous!" the Seventh Elder scolded, "This Pill Medicine Competition is unprecedentedly grand, attracting immense attention globally, and here you are, a staff member of the event, privately stripping a student of their right to participate! What is your intention?"

The alchemist named Ah Si looked down with a stunned expression, his gaze fixing fiercely on Fang Ren beside him. He really didn't understand why such a student would still want to join the competition. Idiots like him were just seeking humiliation, and why should he, a dignitary of the guild and a third-order alchemist, help such trash take the exam?

"Seventh Elder, this was my oversight. I will prepare for it immediately."

The Seventh Elder still looked displeased at him, "I will have to criticize you for your attitude. Students need guidance, not everything to be predetermined by talent."

"Yes, Elder. I accept the criticism."

Ah Si glanced at Fang Ren and Bai Qi, then turned and left.

A group of noble youngsters not far away also started whispering among themselves.

"This kid is lucky today, running into the Seventh Elder of the Orchid Bamboo Guild, who takes every assigned task very seriously and is strict. Otherwise, this kid would probably be driven out directly."

"He's just stirring up trouble by participating. It's meaningless to participate. I think what Teacher Ah Si said was right. They didn't save him a spot, considering his pride, otherwise he'd start crying as soon as the alchemy competition begins."

"Disgusting, he doesn't have the strength but still has the courage, just like some people are poor but act so proudly."

...

Soon, the alchemist named Ah Si brought over a sign with Yangming University's emblem and set it up in the center of the venue.

The position where the sign was erected was very conspicuous; anyone in the venue could see it from any position. Obviously, Ah Si intended to embarrass the students from Yangming.

Seeing the sign set up, Fang Ren didn't say much, turned his head, and walked toward where the sign was placed, the mocking laughter still ringing in his ears. He was someone who generally didn't like to compete, and as long as his bottom line wasn't touched, many things could be ignored.

Of course, people like him, once their bottom line was touched, would change their behavior to the other extreme.

Bai Qi had been following him the whole time, witnessing the scornful expressions on many aristocratic students' faces. Her feelings, which had been very complex in the car, became even more complicated.

This complexity was a mix of indebtedness, heartache, entanglement, and irritation...

"I'm sorry..."

Suddenly, Bai Qi spoke up.

Fang Ren looked at her, puzzled, "Why apologize all of a sudden?"

With her head lowered, Bai Qi shook it slightly, her voice very somber, "Just... I'm sorry..."

In her eyes, Fang Ren's participation in the competition was all because he liked her and was willing to endure humiliation just so she could meet the person she admired.

...

The Seventh Elder looked at a sign not far away and frowned slightly, but he didn't say much.

Because in this world, without talent and strength, one would suffer from all kinds of unjust treatment. He could help these two students put up a signpost because it was his duty to assist the participating students.

As for how others belittled these two students, he would not interfere.

"Could the participating students please be quiet for a moment," the Seventh Elder said into the microphone, "Let me briefly explain the rules of this competition. Currently, there are over 7,000 competition sites like ours around the world, and only five students from each site will advance to the Tianjiang Finals.

This means there will be at least 35,000 competitors in the finals, making it an unprecedentedly grand event."

"As for why this year's competition has adopted a random draw for sectional matches, the reason is that during the last pill competition, there was an incident of collusion with cheating, involving local site supervisors fabricating false results. Therefore, we've implemented sectional draws.

This time, any cheating will be severely punished, with a lifetime ban from entering the Alchemist Guild, prohibition from engaging in any pill-related business, and the recording of the incident in their files. I hope the students will not gamble with their future for short-term profit."

As the elder's voice faded, Bai Qi, standing beside Fang Ren, immediately wore a worried look and quickly tugged at Fang Ren's sleeve.

"What's wrong?" Fang Ren looked at her.

"Let's not cheat," Bai Qi whispered into his ear almost inaudibly, "A lifetime ban from the alchemy industry and a record in your files will greatly affect your life in the future."

"I know."

Fang Ren chuckled dryly and nodded twice, having never intended to cheat from the very beginning.

Seeing him nod, Bai Qi felt a little disappointed for not being able to meet Brother Song, but she was much more relieved.

"Either forfeit immediately or compete with your true abilities."

"It's fine."

Fang Ren looked at her with a sheepish face and continued, "That Seventh Elder seems to be a master from the Azure Sky Realm, even if you talk to me in such a quiet voice, he's probably already heard it."

"..."

Bai Qi was dumbfounded, she suddenly looked flustered at the old man with the microphone not far away, realizing that he was indeed watching them with a serious face.

"I'm sorry, I... I didn't realize..."

Bai Qi quickly lowered her head, covering her face with her hands, having forgotten that she was no longer capable of sensing others' realms. Moreover, in the Alchemist Guild, most alchemists don't have particularly strong cultivation levels, and some aren't even capable of cultivation.

Those who are both powerful and have exceptional talent in alchemy are incredibly rare on Earth.

How could this Seventh Elder be so coincidentally...?

...

"I will repeat it once more, cheating will be met with severe punishment! It will greatly impact one's life!"

The Seventh Elder looked at Bai Qi with disapproval and repeated the warning.

People around them noticed how he had deliberately directed this comment towards the two students from Yangming and began to speculate.

"It seems that the Seventh Elder implies that those two low-ability students dared to come here because they had prepared to cheat from the start."

"Wow, I was also wondering, how do two guys with no hope have the nerve to show up here? Kudos to the Seventh Elder for his keen insight!"

"It's really pathetic, they don't have the skills but still try to trick their way into showing off, low-ability students will always be just that, lacking both ability and decency."

"Just leave already, why stick around and lose face?"

...

An alchemist named Ah Si, upon hearing these words, felt immensely relieved and glared viciously at Fang Ren and Bai Qi before loudly speaking out, "Rest assured, Seventh Elder! I apologize for my previous lack of sincerity in my attitude. I will atone through my duty in supervising this exam and will strictly monitor to prevent any cheating!"