The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

In the courtyard, Dugu Nian stood next to a blazing Pill Furnace, looking solemn and serious.

Just as Fang Lin approached the entrance, Dugu Nian suddenly moved. Her white hand, as pale as snow, struck heavily against the side of the furnace.

Boom!

At the first sound, the flames in the Pill Furnace extinguished completely. Seeing this, surprise appeared on Fang Lin’s face.

Following that, Dugu Nian struck the second time!

Boom!

The Pill Furnace began to tremble wildly as if possessed, and from within, continuous, muffled thuds could be heard, as if herbs were vigorously colliding within.

Seemingly oblivious to Fang Lin’s arrival, Dugu Nian slightly parted her lips, and struck for the third time.

Boom!

With this strike, the Pill Furnace suddenly returned to calm, and fell to the ground with a thud.

A rich fragrance of pills wafted from the Pill Furnace, it could be smelt even outside the courtyard.

Fang Lin looked at Dugu Nian, then at the Pill Furnace, his smile broadening.

There stood Dugu Nian, breathing a bit heavily, her face slightly pale from exhaustion, her brows knitted in a complex expression.

Fang Lin walked into the courtyard with a smile, remarking, “Well done. You’ve learned my Shaking Three Mountains technique perfectly.”

Hearing this, Dugu Nian broke into a grin, “Of course, didn’t you know who I am? As if your Shaking Three Mountains technique could stump me.”

Seeing her arrogant manner, he couldn’t help but ruffle her hair, which Dugu Nian responded to with dissatisfaction, swatting his hand away.

“Can’t you stop patting my head? My grandfather said patting someone’s head stunts their growth,” Dugu Nian grumbled discontentedly.

Fang Lin chuckled, “I think you’ve grown as tall as you’re ever going to be.”

At hearing this, Dugu Nian was incensed and swung her fists at Fang Lin.

Fang Lin caught her arm, glaring at her, “You naughty girl, if I don’t discipline you for three days, you forget who your master is. How dare you raise your hand against your master, you’re so disrespectful.”

Dugu Nian snorted, “I don’t acknowledge you as my master.”

Fang Lin was amused by Dugu Nian, and hoisted her up, threatening to throw her out of the courtyard.

Unexpectedly, unlike her usual outbursts, Dugu Nian remained calm.

Fang Lin, puzzled, put Dugu Nian down. She had a complex look on her face, as she stared at Fang Lin.

“What’s the matter? Lost your spirit?” Fang Lin asked, eyebrows furrowed.

Dugu Nian nervously clasped her hands together, biting her lip. After Fang Lin’s persistent questioning, she finally spoke, “I’m going back.”

Now it was Fang Lin’s turn to be taken aback. Going back? Is this girl going back?

“Where are you going?” Fang Lin asked stupidly. He almost laughed at his own question after he said it.

Dugu Nian earnestly answered, “I’m going back to Xuan Country.”

Xuan Country, where the Dugu Family roots lie. When Dugu Nian said she was going back, naturally, she meant she was returning to her clan.

For some reason, there was no joy in Fang Lin’s heart. Logically, he should be dancing with joy at the departure of a troublesome person like Dugu Nian.

But upon hearing that Dugu Nian was leaving, not only did Fang Lin feel no joy in his heart, but he also felt an inexplicable sense of melancholy.

However, Fang Lin managed to put on a smile, and laugh heartily, “You, always tagging along finally decided to leave.”

Seeing Fang Lin actually laughing, Dugu Nian became annoyed and kicked Fang Lin squarely.

Fang Lin was caught off guard when she gave him a swift kick. Although it didn’t hurt, his feelings grew more complex, like a spill from a bottle of mixed flavors, an assortment of emotions welled up in his heart.

“Erm, when exactly are you going to leave?” Fang Lin rubbed his nose, asking somewhat awkwardly.

Dugu Nian glanced at him and whispered, “My sixth uncle has sent me a message asking me to return as soon as possible. I think I will need to leave within a month.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Lin nodded. He was to go to the Endless Dungeon three months later, and it was obvious that Dugu Nian would not accompany him. It would be better for her to return to her own family.

“You’ve had enough fun here. It’s time for you to go home.” Fang Lin said with a smile.

Dugu Nian stared at Fang Lin with a deep gaze, sighed faintly, and somewhat sullenly walked away.

Fang Lin remained unfazed and returned to his room to begin refining the pill.

There were just three months left before he was to venture into the hazardous Endless Dungeon. Fang Lin needed to prepare well, including stocking up on various pills.

Moreover, since Fang Lin had just obtained the legacy of the Four Saints, he wanted to take advantage of his leisure time to effectively absorb the efficacious golden pill, which was still effective.

There was also a mysterious jade box, a part of the Four Saints’ legacy, which Fang Lin could not open. He planned to use his spare time to research and explore its secrets.

Clearly, Fang Lin still had a lot to do, even the process of refining a batch of necessary pills would take quite a bit of his time.

However, in the initial days, Fang Lin couldn’t settle his mind, and kept recalling Dugu Nian’s somber expression. He felt a wave of irritation enveloping him.

Many days passed before Fang Lin gradually calmed himself down. Once he was calm, he found he could complete any task more efficiently.

Dugu Nian had been busy with her own affairs during these days and barely engaged with Fang Lin, appearing to sulk.

Externally, in the world beyond, his immense rise in status had caused quite the stir.

It had already been confirmed that Fang Lin had become a True Disciple of the Purple Mist Sect. Before everyone from the Pill Sect could exit from the state of shock, they learned that he had also accepted Sect Master Han Luoyun and Elder Qian as his mentors.

This news was even more unbelievable than Fang Lin becoming a True Disciple of the Purple Mist Sect. Upon hearing this news, almost everyone’s first reaction was to shake their heads in disbelief.

What a joke! Accepting two people as mentors, and both of them were higher-ranking figures in the Purple Mist Sect. What virtues or abilities did he, Fang Lin, have?

Even after knowing that Fang Lin had received the Four Saints’ legacy and became a True Disciple of the Purple Mist Sect, hardly anyone believed that he could have Han Luoyun and Elder Qian as simultaneous mentors. This was simply too shocking and unconventional.

In the thousand-year history of the Purple Mist Sect, there had been no such precedent.

Moreover, they were unwilling to believe at heart that Fang Lin, who was just an average disciple, had ascended to a status that they could not reach, creating an intense sense of rejection within them.

When the verified news from the Purple Mist Sect arrived, confirming that Fang Lin had indeed accepted the two men as his mentors, those who had refused to believe it all went into a state of shock.

Could it be true?

Everyone, irrespective of being from the Martial Sect or the Pill Sect, even those who previously knew little about Fang Lin, understood one thing.

Fang Lin had ascended to become one of the highest-ranking disciples in the Purple Mist Sect, and he had the most powerful backers.

Fang Lin paid no attention to the external clamor, while Dugu Nian often went out, hearing some discussions about Fang Lin. Her expression was bewildered, as was her heart.

“What’s wrong with me?” Standing in the courtyard and gazing at her own pill furnace, Dugu Nian held her chin and fell into deep thought.

From the back, Fang Lin watched her for a long time, then walked over, offering a smile: “Shall we take a walk in the Green Bamboo Forest?”