The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

In front of the door to the Earth Element Treasury, lied a disheveled old man who was as still as a corpse, his clothes and hair a mess.

Fang Lin furrowed his brow. Who was this unkempt old man, daring to lay here as he pleased? Did the Purple Mist Sect harbor such a character?

Fang Lin smirked, simply sidestepping the old man to approach the Treasury’s enormous entrance.

The Earth Element Treasury was ensconced within a mountain, its grand entrance hewn from mountain stone. Adorned on the doorway were two sword-bearing women, their figures enticingly lifelike. At a glance, it seemed as though the women could leap right off the surface.

Fang Lin marveled at the sculptures, soon realizing that these were no ordinary statues but a Defensive Array.

If anyone dared intrude upon the Earth Element Treasury, this formation would be triggered, and the two sword-bearing women would materialize to eliminate the intruder.

Such an array would be incredibly difficult to arrange, and given the age of this stone door – at least a thousand years old – Fang Lin concluded that this treasury must have been created when the Purple Mist Sect was first established.

In the center of the stone door was a recess. Fang Lin took out the token that Han Luoyun had given him and was about to insert it into the recess.

Suddenly, a withered hand reached from behind him, snatching the token away.

Fang Lin froze, looking back to see that the token had been apprehended by the shaggy old man who, moments ago, was lying on the ground, now studying the token curiously.

Fang Lin was furious but managed to suppress his anger and calmly said, “Old man, give me the token.”

The grimy old man looked at Fang Lin with murky eyes, grinning, “Are you trying to enter the Treasury?”

Fang Lin nodded.

Unexpectedly, the old man tucked the token into his bosom and declared, “Without my permission, no one can enter the treasury.”

Fang Lin rolled his eyes. Who was this man to prevent him from entering the treasury without his permission?

“Old man, quit messing around. Hand over the token,” said Fang Lin, forcing a smile.

The ragged old man responded with a chuckle, beckoning to Fang Lin, “Let’s spar. If you defeat me, you can enter.”

With that, the old man adopted a combat stance, though he resembled more of an old monkey.

Fang Lin sighed in exasperation, “Sir, I don’t know who you are, but I have urgent matters to attend to. I don’t have time to play games.”

Undeterred, the old man threw a punch towards Fang Lin.

Seeing that the old man’s punch was slow and his stance shaky, Fang Lin didn’t take him seriously, stepping back to avoid him.

However, the old man suddenly increased his speed. In an instant, he was before Fang Lin.

In the next moment, Fang Lin was knocked to the ground with a single punch. His insides felt as though they had been jumbled up, and he nearly vomited blood.

“Damn it!” cursed Fang Lin. This old man was more formidable than he seemed. Immediately enraged, he lunged back at him.

And again, Fang Lin found himself knocked to the ground. This time even worse off, his nosebleed splattered all over the place.

Fang Lin held his nose, half his face bloodied, glaring at the filthy old man in shock and anger.

“Youngster, how could you be this weak? Are you saying you can’t even beat an old man like me?” the ragged old man asked Fang Lin contemptuously.

Beyond his rage, there wasn’t a trace of his previous contempt on Fang Lin’s face. The old man might seem like a beggar, but his skills spoke volumes.

Especially his mastery of hand-to-hand combat, it was extremely lethal. The old man didn’t even need to use his Inner Strength to treat Fang Lin like a toddler.

“I ask the wise venerable to enlighten me on your identity. As a True Disciple of the Purple Mist Sect, under Sect Master Han Luoyun, I respectfully ask the venerable elder not to make things difficult for me,” said Fang Lin, cupping his fists in reverence.

Finding himself at the mercy of this old man, Fang Lin had no choice but to submit.

Ignoring Fang Lin completely, the old man plopped back onto the ground.

“You can’t enter the treasury if you can’t defeat me,” the old man muttered before closing his eyes, settling into a nap.

Fang Lin was infuriated. But he wasn’t content with leaving things as they were. He was at the doorstep of the Treasury, it would be too humiliating to be barred entry by an old man.

No wonder Sect Master Han Luoyun wore such a knowing smile when Fang Lin asked for the token. He must have been anticipating this moment.

“Venerable elder, given your capabilities, even if I trained for another ten years, I wouldn’t stand any chance against you. Please stop giving me a hard time,” complained Fang Lin, making a bitter face.

Without even opening his eyes, the old man responded in disdain, “That’s because you’re too weak.”

Fang Lin fell silent. If he was powerful enough, he would’ve buried this old man alive, and there’d be no need to humiliate himself begging like this.

“Without even using my Inner Strength, you can’t even withstand a few hits from me. I’m not sure how disciples from the Purple Mist Sect could be this weak,” the old man taunted contemptuously.

Deciding it was not the time to back down, Fang Lin quietly cursed and said, “I humbly ask the elder for your guidance!”

That day, it was Fang Lin’s most miserable day since his rebirth. He had been battered countless times by the ragged old man.

Passing Purple Mist Sect disciples and elders were shocked and bewildered. What was Fang Lin trying to prove? Seeking abuse?

Only a very few knew who this old man was; upon witnessing the scene, they hurriedly parted with grave expressions on their faces.

But those who didn’t know the truth looked on in curious amusement, especially at the sight of Fang Lin getting bullied by the old man.

“Who’s this old man? He’s quite something.”

“Fang Lin, with his Seventh Order Earth Strength, is no match for this old man.”

“Do we really have someone so powerful in our Purple Mist Sect?”

Everyone was astonished. Fang Lin was among the most powerful disciples within the Sect, but he was nothing more than a child before the old man. The old man hadn’t even used a trace of Inner Strength, it was truly inconceivable.

Once more, Fang Lin was toppled. His appearance battered, bloodied, and bruised.

“Too weak,” the old man said, shaking his head in disapproval.

Fang Lin struggled to his feet, charging once more. Naturally, he ended up sprawled on the ground, yet again.

“Try again in twenty years. Perhaps then you might just bring me down,” the old man suggested leisurely.

Fang Lin looked up, his face was bruised, but he was smiling.

“Kid, has getting beaten jumbled your brain? Why’re you grinning?” the old man asked, watching Fang Lin suspiciously. Then he suddenly froze.

Fang Lin burst out laughing, “Venerable elder, my apologies for the offense!”