The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

In the vast Pill Array, many figures stood together. The disciples from both the Pill Sect and Ten-thousand Medicine Sect chose their respective sides. Each side eyed the other with animosity.

Gu Daofeng and a man named Gong sat at the top of the stone platform, with the elders of the Pill Sect and Ten-thousand Medicine Sect standing below them.

The man named Gong bore a smile on his face, appearing to be in very good spirits.

“Brother Gu, it’s about time for you to introduce your candidates for the duel,” Gong said to Gu Daofeng with a chuckle.

Gu Daofeng replied, in his usual serene manner, “Brother Gong has spoken thus, hence I am curious to know who will be representing your side.”

Gong responded with a hearty laugh before waving at the platform below.

An elder from Ten-thousand Medicine Sect understood his signal and promptly led three individuals to the center of the Pill Array from amongst the crowd of disciples.

As these three figures appeared, they drew the attention of everyone present, including Gu Daofeng, who turned his gaze towards them.

“Chief Gu, esteemed Pill Sect elders, these three individuals are Ten-thousand Medicine Sect’s chosen candidates for the duel.” The elder announced with a sense of pride to Gu Daofeng and his fellow elders.

The three candidates from Ten-thousand Medicine Sect also saluted, displaying a respectful yet somewhat indifferent demeanor.

Among the three, two were males and one was female. The female seemed to be the youngest at about 17 or 18 years old. She was rather alluring and had an air of mischievous charm about her.

Of the two young men, one had ordinary features and appeared to be simple and honest at first glance. However, the sparkle in his eyes betrayed that there was more to him than met the eye.

The other young man was thin and looked weak. He had a pale complexion, and his eyes carried traces of exhaustion.

When the elder named Gong observed these three, a look of satisfaction crossed his face.

“Brother Gu,” he turned to Gu Daofeng, a smirk on his face, “are my disciples up to your standards?”

Gu Daofeng nodded slowly. Rising from his seat, he discreetly examined each of the three.

“The elites of Ten-thousand Medicine Sect indeed live up to their reputations. This has truly been an enlightening experience,” Gu Daofeng casually complimented, though it was clear there was no earnest praise in his voice.

Gong did not pay any heed, waved his hand, and ordered his disciples to retreat to the periphery.

“Brother Gu, you’ve seen my candidates. Where are yours? Surely, they’re not still hiding?” Gong chuckled.

Understanding Gong’s hint, Gu Daofeng nodded to a Pill Sect elder below.

The elder quickly got the message and called out loudly, “You three there!

Come forth and pay your respects to Chief Gu and Palace Master Gong.”

With the echo of his command, an imposing figure emerged from among the disciples of Pill Sect. He walked slowly to the top of the Pill Array. His cold gaze, which managed to even surprise the disciples of Ten-thousand Medicine Sect, was met with respect.

The man was Meng Chaoyang.

Immediately after him, Gu Liuli, clad in a blue robe, appeared from the crowd and quickly fell into place by Meng Chaoyang’s side.

The emergence of these two provoked cheers from the disciples of Pill Sect. With one being among the Four Elites of Pill Sect and the other being of exceptional standard among their peers, their participation immensely boosted the disciples’ confidence and morale.

Meng Chaoyang was meritorious. He had recently reached the peak of

Medicine -Seeking Peak and was the talk of Pill Sect. Having him represent Pill Sect in the duel against Ten- thousand Medicine Sect was universally accepted.

However, among their ranks, someone was still missing.

The Pill Sect elder frowned and thought, “What on earth is Fang Lin up to? Could he still not have arrived?”

Just then, a hasty figure pushed through the crowd. As he sprinted towards the

Pill Array, he called out, “Sorry I’m late!”

As everyone turned to look at the frenzied figure, they were met with an amusing spectacle that even left the elders of Pill Sect and Ten-thousand Medicine Sect with peculiar expressions.

The figure was none other than Fang Lin. In his hand, he held a large bowl of steaming chicken stew which gave off a tantalizing aroma. In his other hand, he carried a chicken drumstick that he had already bitten into.

“Haha! Who’s this guy? Did he get lost on his way to the kitchen?”

“Perhaps, he’s a chef from Pill Sect? But a chef shouldn’t have the right to be here, right?”

“This guy is hilarious. He’s killing me with his antics!”

The absurd spectacle of Fang Lin sparked a series of laughs from the disciples of Ten-thousand Medicine Sect. Mocking comments filled the air. Whereas, the disciples of Pill Sect wore bewildered looks on their faces, finding it hard to accept Fang Lin’s unexpected entrance.

Even Xu Shangao and Wu Mengsheng, who were familiar with Fang Lin, half-covered their faces, unable to watch this comical scene unfold. The elders of the Ten-thousand Medicine Sect found the scene amusing, but those of Pill Sect felt it was a disgrace.

However, Meng Wuyou and Mu Yan—the elders who held a high opinion of Fang Lin—were an exception.

Even so, they had mixed feelings of laughter and incredulity at Fang Lin’s antics.

Meng Chaoyang and Gu Liuli wanted nothing more than to deny knowing Fang Lin, but his presence among them was undeniable, especially with the aroma of the stew wafting towards them.

The stern-faced Meng Chaoyang was left feeling awkward due to Fang Lin’s antics. Gu Liuli gritted her teeth and wished she could smack Fang Lin’s face with his bowl of stew.

Fang Lin took another bite of his chicken drumstick, glanced at Meng Chaoyang and Gu Liuli, and then extended his bowl towards them, asking innocently, “Do you guys want to eat? I still have a lot here.”

Meng Chaoyang stifled a cough and replied in the most composed manner he could muster, “Not necessary.”

Gu Liuli, on the other hand, glared at Fang Lin but otherwise stayed silent.

The trio from the Ten-thousand Medicine Sect across from Fang Lin wore disdainful expressions. Particularly, the young woman looked down upon Fang Lin, evidently considering it beneath her dignity to contend in a Pill Refining competition against someone of his comport.

On the stone platform, Gong broke into roaring laughter after staring blankly for a moment.

“Brother Gu, is this youngster also one of your contestants?” he asked, failing to contain his amusement.

The ever-composed Gu Daofeng responded with a nod and a smile.

Yet who would know that in his heart, Chief Gu had killed Fang Lin countless times? Had he known that Fang Lin would appear in such an unconventional manner, he would have given him strict instructions beforehand. However, since Fang Lin had already appeared, and despite his annoyance, Gu Daofeng could not chastise Fang Lin publicly in front of everyone from Ten-thousand Medicine Sect. He had to maintain his composure.

Gong slapped his thigh and continued to laugh, growing more confident of his victory in the upcoming contest with Pill Sect..