The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

“Go, Lu!”

“Teach that arrogant Fang Lin a lesson!”

“Lu, don’t you dare hold back!”

As soon as Lu Jiuhe appeared, he was greeted by the enthusiastic shouts of many regular disciples, showing that many people supported him.

Lu Jiuhe smiled and made his way to the center of the Pill Array in a calm and relaxed manner amid the crowd, bowing to the Zhou Elder on the stage.

The Zhou Elder merely nodded, saying, “Fang Lin is not here yet, let’s wait a little longer.”

Hearing this, a wave of commotion swept through the crowd. Many people felt that Fang Lin was going too far. Both the Elder and Lu Jiuhe had arrived, yet him, a lower ranking disciple, was nowhere in sight – they felt this was completely unacceptable.

The smile on Lu Jiuhe’s face faded as he asked the elderly Zhou, “Elder, what if Fang Lin continues to not show up?”

Zhou looked at Lu Jiuhe, saying lightly, “We’ll wait for two more incense sticks.

If Fang Lin still doesn’t show up, we’ll take that as his concession.”

Lu Jiuhe was somewhat dissatisfied. Why did they have to wait for two incense sticks? Why not just one?

But this was Elder Zhou’s decision, and Lu Jiuhe could only grumble inwardly.

Soon, the time for one incense stick had passed, and Fang Lin had not yet appeared. The murmuring crowd grew louder, and even those Pill Apprentices who quietly supported Fang Lin began to wonder if Fang Lin had developed cold feet.

Lu Jiuhe stood on the Pill Array. The smile on his face gradually became stronger. If Fang Lin still hadn’t appeared after one more stick of incense, he would win without even fighting.

Although winning without a fight would be a bit disappointing, at least it would preserve his dignity and the Hundred-year Ganoderma. At that point, Lu Jiuhe was hoping that Fang Lin wouldn’t show up.

Elder Zhou was secretly puzzled. Where had this Fang Lin run off to? Why hadn’t he arrived yet? Could he have backed off? But that didn’t seem likely.

Meng Wuyou and Mu Yan, who were watching this competition from afar, were also secretly anxious. Meng Wuyou even wanted to go find Fang Lin in his courtyard.

In contrast, Zhao Dengming and Wu Zhen, who were also hiding in the shadows, were smiling. It suited their purposes perfectly for Fang Lin not to appear.

The second stick of incense was slowly burning, and more than half of it had passed. It was almost noon, and Fang Lin still had not appeared.

One after another, people left the area, believing that Fang Lin would not appear and seeing no need to stay any longer.

Just as everyone thought that Fang Lin wouldn’t dare to appear, he came running into the crowd.

“I’m sorry! I overslept, I’m not late, am I?” Fang Lin said with a grin.

Everyone was speechless. Even Elder Zhou on the stage looked a bit strange. “Is he kidding? We’ve all been waiting for him, and he was sleeping?” “He obviously doesn’t regard us at all, this is such a disrespect!”

“This guy should just admit defeat straight away, why bother coming here to embarrass himself?”

Because of what Fang Lin said, a lot of people vented their anger on him, one after another, as if they felt humiliated.

Lu Jiuhe looked sullen and said, “Fang Lin, everyone was waiting for you, yet you came so late, what do you think your punishment should be?”

Fang Lin glanced at Lu Jiuhe and replied with a dismissive wave of his hand, “Brother, why did you come so early? It was agreed that we would start at noon, but you showed up so early, are you purposely trying to embarrass me?”

Lu Jiuhe’s expression was priceless. Of all people, you were the one who was late, but you’re turning it around and blaming others. How shameless can a person be?

Elder Zhou couldn’t stand it any longer. He coughed and pretended to scold,

“Fang Lin, I’ve been waiting here for you so long, it’s truly a shame.”

Fang Lin quickly apologized to Elder Zhou who did not dwell on it any longer, turning a blind eye to Fang Lin’s tardiness.

Lu Jiuhe snorted but didn’t challenge any further. The true challenge was in pill refining, not in a war of words.

Elder Zhou looked around to signal everyone to calm down.

When the noise of the Pill Array gradually subsided, Elder Zhou declared loudly, “Today, I preside over the pill refining competition between Lu Jiuhe and Fang Lin. If Lu Jiuhe wins, Fang Lin will apologize. If Fang Lin wins, the Hundred-year Ganoderma goes to Fang Lin. Are you two clear on this?”

Both Fang Lin and Lu Jiuhe nodded. There was no question about it, it had already been clearly explained.

Elder Zhou continued, “This competition will be based on refining Blood Coagulation Pills. I will provide you with the materials, but you must prepare your own pill furnaces. You have six hours. Begin now.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Jiuhe patted his Nine Palace Bag and a light blue pill furnace landed in front of him with a bang.

“That’s the Green Rock Cauldron, only high-ranking disciples can own it.”

“No, not all high-ranking disciples possess a Green Rock Cauldron, it has to be exchanged at the Pill Pavilion.”

“That’s right, the Green Rock Cauldron is quite expensive in the Pill Pavilion, so only high-ranking disciples with a rich family background can afford it.”

“It seems that Brother Lu is taking this competition seriously, even bringing out the Green Rock Cauldron.”

“Fang Lin has just become a lower-ranking disciple, I estimate he can only use the most common Black Stone Cauldron for refining pills.”

“He’s sure to lose. There’s nothing left to discuss.”

As soon as Lu Jiuhe’s Green Rock Cauldron was brought out, many people began to feel sorry for Fang Lin. But most of them were making fun of Fang Lin. You, a mere lower-ranking disciple, dare to challenge a higher-ranking disciple, then aren’t you a lamb walking into a slaughterhouse when Lu Jiuhe brings out the Green Rock Cauldron?

But Lu Jiuhe was rendered speechless by what he saw next.

In front of Fang Lin, there appeared a gleaming golden pill furnace. Its dazzling glow almost blinded Lu Jiuhe’s eyes.

Around him, the crowd let out exclamations of shock. Those who had just been discussing the Green Rock Cauldron were completely stunned by the Golden Flame Cauldron produced by Fang Lin, and they couldn’t say a word.

“Wha… why is that pill furnace so shiny?” a Pill Apprentice said dumbly.

A regular disciple beside him sneered at him, “It’s shiny, is it? That’s a Golden Flame Cauldron. ”

After he finished speaking, his face revealed an envious look.

“This is the Golden Flame Cauldron, there are only five in the Pill Pavilion. Even high-ranking disciples can’t exchange it. I heard before that Fang Lin was rewarded with an exceptional pill furnace from the First Elder. I never thought it would be the Golden Flame Cauldron. I’m so envious!” The regular disciple mumbled to himself.

Lu Jiuhe stood there, looking at the Golden Flame Cauldron in front of Fang Lin, then looking back at his own Green Rock Cauldron. He felt a rush of disaDD0intment and felt like burrowing into a hole.

This was infuriating. He had brought out the Green Rock Cauldron to put you, Fang Lin, down. But you have counterattacked with the Golden Flame Cauldron. This was like a slap in his face.

Lu Jiuhe was very upset, but more than that, he was filled with envy and jealousy. Why did you, a mere lower-ranking disciple, have a Golden Flame Cauldron while he, who had been toiling for many years to become a high-ranking disciple, only had a Green Rock Cauldron?

Fang Lin rubbed the Golden Flame Cauldron, deliberately sighing loudly, “Alas,

I don’t have a good pill furnace, so it seems I’ll have to make do with this

Golden Flame Cauldron..”