The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

Chapter 539: Several Dignitaries

“Do you think Fang Lin really is scared of Zhang Wenxuan? Is that why he doesn’t dare to accept the challenge?”

“It’s quite possible. I always thought that Fang Lin winning the Domination Pill last time was pure luck.”

“Right, if Zhang Wenxuan wasn’t injured at the time, Fang Lin wouldn’t even have had a chance.”

“Let’s wait and see. If Fang Lin stubbornly refuses to fight, then there really is a problem.”

“But what if Fang Lin accepts the battle?”

“Even if he accepts, he probably won’t beat Zhang Wenxuan.”

“What if Zhang Wenxuan loses again?”

“…”

…

As for the Pill Alliance’s opinions, Fang Lin didn’t care at all, he simply disregarded them as useless chatter.

As for Zhang Wenxuan’s constant provocation, Fang Lin initially chose to ignore it. After all, he was more focused on breaking into the Earth Element’s tenth level, rather than wasting time competing with a defeated challenger.

However, his attitude of indifference was interpreted as avoidance and cowardice by others. In no time, many in the Pill Alliance were pointing fingers at Fang Lin.

“What’s going on? Has Fang Lin accepted the challenge yet?” Inside Qi Sanxuan’s Pill Refining Room, Zhang Wenxuan stood respectfully in front of Qi Sanxuan.

Zhang Wenxuan shook his head, his face clouded with gloom. “Fang Lin has completely ignored my challenge.”

“Hmph! If he won’t accept the challenge, then we’ll force him to.” Qi Sanxuan said coldly, a sinister light gleaming in his eyes.

That day, several VIPs arrived at the Pill Alliance – all respectable and prominent figures in Xuan City.

Chen Yongnian personally led a group of elders and stewards to welcome them into the Pill Alliance.

These VIPs included princes from the Great Xuan Country, high-ranking representatives from top-ranking forces stationed in Xuan City, and some renowned Martial Arts masters.

Each one of them had high status, so Chen Yongnian had to be careful in dealing with them.

Of course, as the helmsman of the Xuan City Pill Alliance and one of the old generations sent by the higher-ups of the Pill Alliance, Chen Yongnian retained his dignity while treating others politely, making sure not to kowtow to anyone lest he appear too humble.

“Elder Chen, I heard that an extraordinary genius named Fang Lin has joined your Pill Alliance?” A prince from Xuan Country asked.

Chen Yongnian nodded and laughed, “Your highness is well-informed. We do have a Pill Refiner named Fang Lin in our Pill Alliance. However, I wouldn’t say he is a remarkable genius.”

“Elder Chen, everyone knows that this Fang Lin has defeated several geniuses from your Pill Alliance. Isn’t that extraordinary? Quickly bring him out for us to see,” the potbellied prince said.

“Exactly, it’s rare for us to come here. Let us take a look at the talent of your Pill Alliance, so our trip isn’t wasted,” an elder from a top-ranking sect said.

Chen Yongnian thought to himself, you all rarely visit the Pill Alliance, but today you’ve all come together, who knows what you’re up to.

However, Chen Yongnian couldn’t reject them either. Their request wasn’t too excessive, they just wanted to see Fang Lin.

Presently, Chen Yongnian had someone call Fang Lin over.

“Fang Lin, come and pay your respects to the seniors,” Chen Yongnian waved Fang Lin over.

Fang Lin remained calm, but he wasn’t impressed. He stepped forward and bowed to the VIPs.

“Junior Fang Lin greets the seniors,” Fang Lin greeted respectfully.

The VIPs all scrutinized Fang Lin unabashedly, with various expressions. Some looked approvingly, some examined him critically, and others merely glanced at him indifferently, evidently not that concerned.

“He seems very young, hardly even eighteen, right?” The prince asked curiously.

Fang Lin replied, “I just turned eighteen.”

“Heh heh, you look quite fair and tender,” a middle-aged woman said with a laugh. Her gaze on Fang Lin gave him chills.

Then, Chen Yongnian introduced these high-ranking figures one by one.

The prince was a powerful figure in Xuan Country, conferred as a Co-King by the Emperor of Great Xuan. Despite not being of the Zhou lineage, his elevated status demonstrated just how much he was valued and favored by the Emperor. Prior to him, Co-King was the highest title that a non-royal could attain.

However, Fang Lin found it strange to see the prince’s pot-bellied appearance. Is this really the demeanor of the Great Xuan Country’s Co-King?

Of course, his high status must indicate extraordinary merit, and one shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.

The other person’s identity was also significant, he was the Deputy Sect Master of the Shenxiao Sect.

Fang Lin knew a bit about the Shenxiao Sect. Lu Yunfei, who had an issue with him before, was from this sect – one of the top ones in Xuan Country.

The Shenxiao Sect was known for its powerful Thunder Tao technique. Crown Prince Zhou Yishui trained there for a year, making him half a disciple of the Shenxiao Sect and its relationship with the royal family was significant.

Among the other guests, there was an old man in yellow robes. He had an antique air about him, sparse hair, but his aura was particularly long-lasting.

This person came from the Gongsun Family. His name was Gongsun Cheng, one of the elder members of the Gongsun Family. However, he seemed to harbor some disgust and hostility towards Fang Lin.

Naturally, Fang Lin wouldn’t know that this Gongsun Cheng was actually Gongsun Long’s grandfather.

Another guest was a middle-aged man with a longsword strapped to his back. His face was weather-beaten, and his hands were much wider than those of an average person.

This man was evidently a skilled swordsman.

This middle-aged man hailed from Heavenly Sword Mountain, another top-ranking sect in Xuan Country, famous for its sword-making and Sword Tao.

Among the swordsmen in Xuan Country, most hailed from Heavenly Sword Mountain. Even those who did not often wielded swords forged by the Master Swordsmiths of Heavenly Sword Mountain.

The last guest was the most exceptional among all.

A young woman, dressed revealingly with a tall silhouette. Her soft purple hair draped over her shoulders, her every smile and frown oozed charm.

The many young Pill Refiners present couldn’t help but fixate their gazes on her, unable to look away.

Fang Lin also couldn’t resist glancing at her a few times, and inwardly cursed her as a seductress.

The identity of this woman, however, made Fang Lin particularly wary.

This woman, also known as Dream Falling Flower, hailed from the Prince’s Mansion and was one of Crown Prince Zhou Yishui’s confidantes.

Among all of Crown Prince Zhou Yishui’s confidantes, Dream Falling Flower was undoubtedly the most praised, and her beauty was the primary reason for her fame.

At that moment, Dream Falling Flower was watching Fang Lin with a faint smile. It seemed she was interested in Fang Lin. She lightly licked her lips, appearing even more enticing.