The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

Fang Lin lounged on a rattan chair, an expression of laziness etched on his face, his brows hinting at underlying worry.

He had barely returned from the Endless Dungeon when he was off again to participate in the so-called Three Kingdoms Competition, all while serving as a substitute.

Being a substitute was manageable, but what he hadn’t expected was the fierce competition for the position. It wasn’t something you could just declare and land.

This left Fang Lin feeling incredibly frustrated. At heart, he was a laid-back sort who despised inviting trouble. Unfortunately, trouble had a way of doggedly seeking him out.

Honestly, if it were not for the Dragon Blood Spring, Fang Lin wouldn’t give a damn about the substitute role. Anyone else can take it for all he cared.

However, the prospect of bathing in the Dragon Blood Spring as a reward for taking up the substitute role was enough to spur Fang Lin into fighting for the position.

As for Han Xiaoxing’s vision, Fang Lin was not the least concerned. Given his skills, he could surely cure her. It was only a matter of time.

Even if Han Xiaoxing were to lose her eyes entirely, Fang Lin had the means to heal her. Such was the power of the Pill Sovereign, almost divine in scope. Otherwise, in his previous life, he wouldn’t have attempted to concoct the twisted Life and Death Reincarnation Pill in an ill-fated attempt to escape the cycle of birth and death, hoping to achieve true and everlasting life.

In his idle time, Fang Lin slapped the Nine Palace Bag, extracting the thousand-year-old Corpse Ginseng.

“Let me tell you, I am not happy! Don’t keep me inside this rotten bag.” The moment the Corpse Ginseng was released, it glared angrily, expressing its discontent.

Fang Lin broke into a grin, grabbed the Corpse Ginseng, and whacked it onto the ground a couple of times out of habit.

“Tell me, what’s the use of keeping you around?” Fang Lin pondered out loud.

The moment the Corpse Ginseng heard this, it instantly shrank back, “OMG, the purposes I have are innumerable! But if you don’t want me around, let me go and let me taste the beauty of this world, to experience the reality of performance art in human kindness.”

As it spoke, the eyes of the Corpse Ginseng manifested a yearning for freedom.

Fang Lin burst into laughter, “You truly embody performance art, huh? You, a sleazy old radish, let loose, will certainly become a nuisance. Without you causing havoc to others, I’d rather keep you around. Even if I marinate you and turn you into a pickle, it would still be for the best.”

The Corpse Ginseng was instantly enraged, “You plan to marinate me and turn me into a pickle? That’s disgraceful!”

However, right after it finished, the Corpse Ginseng hesitated, “What’s a pickle?”

Fang Lin smirked as he held the Corpse Ginseng close and said, “A pickle is a rare and valuable food item, highly popular among the Human Clan.”

Upon hearing this, the Corpse Ginseng’s eyes instantly brightened, “Really popular, huh? Then I’ll become a pickle. I, too, want to be popular!”

Fang Lin burst into laughter again as the Corpse Ginseng laughed along, henceforth aspiring to be an ambitious, upward, and idealistic pickle.

While Fang Lin was conversating with the thousand-year-old pickle, a Message Transmitting Jade Slip suddenly moved.

Fang Lin picked it up and listened. His face wore an odd expression.

Turned out, Fang Lin’s second master, Elder Qian, had summoned him for a lesson.

Fang Lin couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time. He, as an esteemed Pill Sovereign, was attending someone else’s teachings. It was just too absurd.

However, Fang Lin had no choice but to oblige obediently.

Despite the displeased eyes of the thousand-year-old pickle, Fang Lin tossed it back into the Nine Palace Bag, and set off towards the Elder Qian’s residence.

Elder Qian held a lofty position in the Purple Mist Sect, second only to Sect Master Han Luoyun. When Han Luoyun was not around, Elder Qian had the authority to wield command.

In the Purple Mist Sect, there were less than five of Elder Qian’s standings, each one a highly esteemed elder of advanced age. Even in front of these “Great Elders,” Han Luoyun had to address himself as a junior.

Moreover, Elder Qian possessed the highest level of Pill Refining mastery within the Purple Mist Sect. He was also a direct descendant of one of the Four Saints of Pill Sect.

Even throughout Qian Country, Elder Qian’s reputation was renowned. Wherever he went, he was respected. His position within the Pill Alliance was no less than significant.

Generally speaking, with Elder Qian’s abilities and position in Pill Alliance, he could have established himself within the alliance and left the Purple Mist Sect.

However, Elder Qian had chosen to stay in the Purple Mist Sect, residing as a retired elder, and typically chose not to meddle in affairs.

Elder Qian had his own courtyard, although far from luxurious, it was rather simple. It housed two simple rooms surrounded by a large quantity of medicinal plants. The scents of these plants filled the air throughout the year, becoming a unique sight within the Purple Mist Sect.

Within the Purple Mist Sect, everyone knew Elder Qian cherished his own medicinal field. He spent a considerable amount of time daily in meticulous care. He protected these plants from the rain and snow as if they were even more precious than his own progeny.

Once, a few disciples from Martial Sect accidentally crushed some herbs on the edge while passing by. Elder Qian threw them all into the Pill Furnace out of rage. They were nearly refined by him into Human Flesh Pills.

When Fang Lin arrived, he saw Elder Qian, with a hoe on his shoulder, tending the medicine field. The old man looked nothing like a respected elder and more like an old farmer out in the fields.

If Elder Qian changed into farmer’s clothes, he would indeed look no different from a farmer.

“Master, your disciple has arrived.” From a distance, Fang Lin respectfully greeted and meanwhile observed the medical field with his eyes.

“Come here, see how amazing your Master’s medicinal field is? Nice view, isn’t it?” Elder Qian straightened up, beckoning Fang Lin over, his face glowing with pride as he gestured to the medicinal field beneath his feet.

This was an old habit of Elder Qian. Every time someone visited, he insisted on showing off his medicinal field. If they did not compliment it, Elder Qian wouldn’t allow them to leave.

Fang Lin glanced at the medicinal field and smiled, “Master’s medicinal field is indeed beyond words. Looking at it just once is enough to bring pleasure to the beholder.”

Having heard this, Elder Qian was immediately thrilled. He laughed heartily, patted Fang Lin’s shoulder. However, Fang Lin cringed inwardly. The old man’s hands were all muddy, and the pat left dirt all over him.

“I must say, since you became my disciple, you’ve never visited this place, right? No doubt in your eyes only Han Luoyun is your master, and I, this old coot, have been long forgotten by you?” Elder Qian spoke, feigning dissatisfaction.

Fang Lin scratched his head awkwardly, “Master, what are you talking about? How could I forget about you?”

Elder Qian snorted and walked towards a water vat. He washed his grimy hands.

“What’s your current level?” While washing his hands, Elder Qian casually asked.

Fang Lin candidly replied, “Earth Element Seventh Level.”

Elder Qian paused, then looked at Fang Lin with a shocked expression, “What have you been eating, son? How did you manage to advance so quickly?”