The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

Chapter 396: Stone Tablet Ancient Hall

“Stop it right now! Damn it!”

“You bloody thieving rascal!”

“I’ll fight you to the end!”

Within The Immortal Medicine Pavilion, the wretched cries from the elder in white echoed, as though his house was being burned down.

In reality, the situation was much like a house being ransacked. The golden beast gnawed continuously at jade stones, from which all the medical materials were naturally taken by Fang Lin into his pouch.

“Good boy Jin, keep going. Everything here is for you. I’m just holding on to them for you,” Fang Lin soothingly addressed the little golden beast with cheer.

The golden beast nodded seriously, once again immersing itself fully into the noble and enlightening task of gnawing on the jade stones.

The elder in white was so furious, that his essence seemed to flicker. Only at that moment, he truly realised what kind of creature Fang Lin was. This man was not only a marvel, but also an audacious bandit.

“Ancestors! My ancestors! At least leave some!” the elder in white pleaded bitterly.

Fang Lin pondered for a moment, reckoning that the elder in white’s words held a vein of truth. He prided himself on his principles and reputation, he would not allow himself to cross the boundaries of decency.

“Jin, you don’t need to eat the withered herbs. They don’t taste good.” Hence, Fang Lin advised the golden beast.

The golden beast nodded and focused on gnawing the jade stones filled with vibrant medicinal materials, ignoring the withered ones.

The elder in white’s mouth twitched. It was as if Fang Lin hadn’t spoken at all, leaving a few withered herbs was tantamount to leaving an empty shell of The Immortal Medicine Pavilion.

In fact, the value of the withered herbs was considered high. Though the healing properties were lost, they hold a considerable intrinsic value.

Fang Lin was also observing the withered medicinal materials, noting the decent ones for Jin to gnaw at later and collect.

Hours later, the elder in white left The Immortal Medicine Pavilion in disinterest. His aura was completely shattered.

In contrast, Fang Lin emerged trailing behind with a blooming aura, a chubby golden beast sleeping atop his shoulder.

Both man and beast looked radiant, their moods lifting, forming a remarkable contrast to the disheartened expression of the elder in white.

After eating seven or eight valuable herbs, the golden beast was sated, its belly round and bulging, transforming it into a small round furball.

Fang Lin was also extremely happy, having acquired a myriad of herbs. Among them included the Millennium Fire Ganodorma Lucidum and Thousand-Year Polygonum Multiflorum, rare naturally blessed treasures whose acquisition was like a dream come true for Fang Lin.

Leaving The Immortal Medicine Pavilion, Fang Lin looked back and couldn’t help sighing. What a wonderful place it was.

“This is only the first floor of the Pill Pole Tower. I bet there’s far more to gain on the higher floors and an even greater wealth of opportunities.” Fang Lin pondered, finding a newfound interest in the Pill Pole Tower.

The golden beast seemed to have overindulged, its body brimming with medicinal energy. Exhausted, it took on a sleepy expression.

It had ingested too many herbs with potent medicinal properties, and now it needed to sleep off its surfeit in order to metabolise the medicinal energies.

Fang Lin placed the beast back into the Beast Bag. It seemed like it would be asleep for a while.

“Old man, where should we go next?” Fang Lin asked.

The elder in white grunted, showing no interest in engaging in conversation with Fang Lin.

Undeterred, Fang Lin took matters into his own hands. “We’ve been to the Mural Gallery and The Immortal Medicine Pavilion already. I guess the Stone Tablet Ancient Hall should be our next stop, right?”

The elder in white replied sarcastically, “What’s next? Will you be attempting to dig up all the stone tablets there?”

Fang Lin looked at the elder in white in awe, “Old man, do you have telepathic abilities? How impressive.”

The elder in white:

Zhao Shenkong sat in front of the stele, mixing signs of fatigue and excitement on his face.

He had already comprehended seven steles, and had mastered seven Ancient Alchemy Skills, reaping a great harvest. Therefore, he was eager to delve into the next stone tablets.

In Zhao Shenkong’s eyes, the choice he had made was incredibly wise. What opportunity could be more valuable than these ancient alchemical techniques?

“Fang Lin, no matter how you shine right now, I will not be inferior to you. Once we leave the Pill Pole Tower, I will sincerely challenge you and trample all your glory under my feet!” Zhao Shenkong murmured to himself.

Just then, the grand doors of the ancient hall slowly pushed open. Zhao Shenkong was startled and when he turned around, his demeanor froze. The person who had opened the doors was indeed Fang Lin!

“Why is it you?” Zhao Shenkong exclaimed in surprise, his face now bearing a less favourable expression. Had Fang Lin made the same choice as him, choosing Pill Furnace and thus ending up here?

Upon seeing Zhao Shenkong, Fang Lin let out a cheerful grin and waved, “So, Prince, you are here too?”

Since Zhao Shenkong was the ninth prince of Yun Country, it was only natural for Fang Lin to address him as the Prince, albeit in a taunting tone.

Fang Lin was unconcerned by Zhao Shenkong’s icy expression, and was rather absorbed in all the stone tablets standing in the ancient hall.

“So many of them.” Fang Lin remarked casually.

Zhao Shenkong remained silent. His good mood had vanished the moment he saw Fang Lin. He turned back around and continued to study the stele right before him.

But Fang Lin just shrugged it off and walked over to Zhao Shenkong, patting him on the shoulder.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Zhao Shenkong immediately brushed off Fang Lin’s hand, looking perturbed.

Fang Lin showed a grin, “Could you tell me who Yun Country is sending for the upcoming tri-national competition?”

Zhao Shenkong paused, then sneered, “Why the hell would you need to know that? How does it concern you?”

Fang Lin smirked, “Of course, it matters. Don’t you know that I’m on the Qian Country’s team for the tri-national competition?”

Zhao Shenkong upon hearing this, burst out laughing.

“Has Qian Country run out of capable people? Letting you participate in the tri-national competition? It’s simply ridiculous, hilarious even.” Zhao Shenkong unabashedly taunted.

Fang Lin shrugged, “I wasn’t finished. I’m only a substitute, not a primary contestant.”

Zhao Shenkong scoffed, “if they would even consider using a substitute with your seven-stage Earth Element powers, the three primary contestants of Qian Country must not be very impressive.”

Fang Lin was not in agreement with this statement. He knew from his bout with Yang Xuanfeng, who he had only exchanged fifteen moves with, that other contestants were fierce competitors with tremendous power.

“Who’s Yun Country sending to the tri-national competition?” Fang Lin inquired once more.

Zhao Shenkong grunted, “Let’s leave out the other factions for now. Naturally, my older royal brother, Zhao Shenji, will represent the royal family of Yun Country.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Lin became contemplative, “Zhao Shenji? Don’t think I’ve heard of him before.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shenkong’s expression froze, then he retorted angrily, “Are you belittling Yun Country?”