Chapter 2006 - 1995: Accepting the Trial
Upon hearing people belittle Ao Cangsheng time and again, Nangong Meng finally said angrily, "Grandfather, you’ve never seen Ao Cangsheng’s alchemy. Isn’t it too biased to judge him so hastily?"
"What’s important is to understand that you can’t judge a person by appearances; the seas cannot be fathomed. If he wants to fight for the Golden Palace, he must wait until he is tested!"
Nangong Mengyu’s words were honest, dignified, and unapologetic. Ao Cangsheng listened intently, and even Nangong Shouhong couldn’t help but praise her.
"Disrespectful! You’re becoming more and more unruly. If I speak again now, you cannot interrupt me!"
Unexpectedly, before the voice of Nangong Meng had fallen, an elder’s rebuke came.
Meanwhile, several other elders frowned as they gazed at Nangong Shouhong, full of reproach.
"So, many people here agree that this child should fight?"
Initially, the eagle-eyed elder couldn’t help but raise his eyes after hearing the conversation.
Upon hearing this, many elders nodded in agreement, endorsing the eagle’s opinion.
"Fine! In that case, you’d better step aside, child!"
The eagle sighed bitterly and gestured toward Ao Cangsheng.
"Wait!"
Ao Cangsheng had yet to respond when Nangong Mengyu started again.
"Grandfather, isn’t it unfair to underestimate the younger generation like this?"
"I want to ask, which master from the Golden Core Academy became a master without numerous exams?"
"Who became a master without any exams?"
Nangong Mengyu glared angrily at the elders.
Ao Cangsheng’s alchemy skills had been recognized by many in the Golden Palace.
Moreover, Master Lu, who examined the main hall, had witnessed Ao Cangsheng’s alchemy.
Nevertheless, the elders of the Golden Palace sneered at Ao Cangsheng, who was far away.
If everyone is as arrogant as these elders, is there any talent left to enter the Golden Palace?
Even if geniuses intervene, they might easily be driven away by such disdainful glances.
Nangong Meng’s unexpected fury startled the Qi among the Golden Core veterans.
In their view, Nangong Mengyu had never been so reckless in the Purple Shadow Hall.
But today, it seemed somewhat unexpected.
"Shouhong, is this your daughter? How dare she lecture the elders?"
Slightly stunned, an elder suddenly asked with a frown.
It was clear the elder was truly angry at this moment.
How daring she was to confront all the elders publicly at such a young age. If she succeeded, would she not overturn the Golden Palace?
Being stubborn and willful is something the elders can endure. But this, they cannot abide.
More importantly, Nangong Mengyu’s words seemed to challenge their authority.
If Nangong Mengzi can’t be contained today, how would they continue in the Golden Core Hospital?
Considering this, several senators looked angrily at Nangong Shouhong, eager to see how he would handle the situation.
"You elders, it seems you speak with some sense!"
Everyone fell silent, staring at Nangong Shouhong, not expecting him to say such words.
For a moment, every elder was surprised.
"Shouhong, the young girl is naïve. Why would you follow her lead and embarrass yourself?"
"Remember, the alchemy conference concerns the reputation and honor of our Golden Palace."
"Do you really want the Golden Core Academy’s reputation to be tarnished by carelessly choosing a young lad?"
The elder who initially blamed Nangong Mengyu couldn’t help but comment coldly when he saw Nangong Shouhong agreeing.
Nangong Shouhong smiled gently, not seeming angry at the elder’s reproach. "Uncle Yun’s concerns are known to Shouhong, but he has never witnessed Ao perform alchemy. Why is he so resolute? Ao will not let the Golden Core disappear."
An elder appeared proud, unwilling even to look at Ao Cangsheng’s show.
Hearing this, Ao Cangsheng couldn’t help but sneer coldly.
It’s amusing that these elders have time to chat here, yet no time to witness their alchemy.
"What do you think of Emile’s idea?"
Nangong Shouhong dropped the smile, speaking testily.
He couldn’t understand why the elders showed indifference toward Ao Cangsheng’s alchemy since time was not an issue.
In fact, many were essentially idle people of the Golden Core source.
Perhaps they had contributed significantly to the Golden Core Hospital in their youth. But as they aged, they became sitters, eaters, dying individuals.
Among these people, many disliked Ao Cangsheng.
Ao Cangsheng being young was one reason; primarily, they had already chosen their preferred candidates.
Those candidates were either their favored students or family children.
Due to these nepotistic ties, they continued to exclude Ao Cangsheng.
"Our intention is not to let that child fight for the Golden Core Hospital!"
An elder seated nearby suddenly spoke coldly.
It seemed that he held a higher status among the elders.
As soon as he spoke, other elders nodded to show their support.
Upon seeing the elder’s firm expression, Nangong Shouhong’s face darkened.
He was quite familiar with the elders.
When selecting the new leader of the Golden Core Academy, his son once battled Nangong Shouhong.
But in the final stage of an alchemy competition, his son was defeated by Nangong Shouhong, forfeiting the chance to fight for his master.
Thus, this elder family was rather detached from Nangong Shouhong, begrudgingly sympathizing with him before.
Now, the elder suddenly jumped in. How could Nangong Shouhong not understand this?
Nangong Shouhong knew the elder’s house had two skilled alchemists.
This time, obstructing Ao Cangsheng from fighting for the Golden Core Hospital was primarily to allow family children to occupy these three spots.
With such thoughts, Nangong Shouhong couldn’t help but sneer, "What if Shouhong insists that Ao fight?"
"Why?"
The elder asked coldly.
"Just because I am the head of the Golden Core Hospital!"
Nangong Shouhong raised his head and said, full of dignity.
"The head of the courtyard is truly amazing, can you yell at the elders? Shouhong, do not forget how you became the head of the Golden Core Hospital."
"Without letting all elders vote, do you think you could become the Senate’s master? Now that you are the courtyard’s chief, you’ve become ungrateful and arrogant?"
The elder sneered, sarcastically commented.
"Arrogant? Haha, Shouhong really wonders who is arrogant?"
Nangong Shouhong suddenly laughed, speaking fiercely.
Witnessing Nangong Shouhong and the family elder in conflict, if they continued, they might completely tear face.
At this point, the elder who first spoke suddenly waved and said, "Stop arguing. If you have time to squabble, you’d better weigh that child’s worth."
The person sat at the hall’s apex, evidently the highest-ranking elder.
When he spoke, the hall fell silent once more.
Even if some elders bore grievances, they dared not argue further with Nangong Shouhong.
"Shouhong, do you intend to recommend the boy to fight?"
The elder asked, glancing at Nangong Shouhong.
Nangong Shouhong nodded, "Yes."
"Then, do you have great faith in the boy’s alchemy?"
The elder asked again.
"Indeed!"
Nangong Shouhong nodded once more.
"Alright, us elders can give the boy a chance to fight..."
Hearing this, many elders couldn’t help but express surprise and anger.
Clearly, they didn’t want Ao Cangsheng involved.