The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

Chapter 1543: Chapter 1641: Liang Zhiyin’s Request

This sudden and masculine power came most unexpectedly; none of the three, including Fang Lin, had anticipated it.

However, after all, Fang Lin was already an expert of the Minor Longevity Realm. He stood still, unmoved, allowing the force to wash over him.

Unharmed, Fang Lin did not even feel any pain as his physical body completely blocked the force.

Dugu Nian’s elegant brows furrowed, a hint of murderous intent surfacing in her eyes.

Mei Yingxue was also puzzled, wondering why the Valley Master inside the pavilion would suddenly attack Fang Lin. Moreover, it seemed that Fang Lin was not injured in the slightest.

“Is this how Heavenly Fragrance Valley treats its guests?” Dugu Nian stepped forward and glared angrily at the figure within the pavilion.

At that moment, Mei Yingxue felt a terrifying pressure emanating from Dugu Nian, as if her whole body’s blood was about to freeze, extremely uncomfortable and painful.

Fang Lin shook his head at Dugu Nian, who then withdrew her powerful presence, refraining from taking real action.

If Dugu Nian had truly unleashed her anger, the Heavenly Fragrance Valley would probably cease to exist today.

Mei Yingxue gasped for air, her pretty face pale with disbelief as she looked at Dugu Nian.

“She actually has such strong pressure?” Mei Yingxue inwardly felt fear; in that instant, she had felt as if she were engulfed by a massive sea, powerless to struggle, experiencing a despairing suffocation she had never felt in her lifetime.

“Please, come in and talk,” said a woman’s voice from within the pavilion, sounding as calm as a still well, very serene.

“Hmph, I would like to see how you, Valley Master Liang, are going to explain this,” said Dugu Nian as she stepped directly into the pavilion. Fang Lin followed with a helpless expression and entered after her.

Mei Yingxue did not wish to enter, but the situation seemed to be awry, so she followed into the pavilion, worried about what might happen.

The interior of the pavilion was very tranquil, exuding elegance throughout.

A zither, a pot of orchids, a simple longsword hanging on the wall, and that graceful figure standing behind the zither.

Valley Master Liang Zhiyin of Heavenly Fragrance Valley!

It was the first time both Fang Lin and Dugu Nian had seen Liang Zhiyin, the current Valley Master of Heavenly Fragrance Valley, a well-renowned figure in Xuan Country.

Liang Zhiyin’s white hair fell to her waist, but her beauty and elegant demeanor were reminiscent of a young woman.

In fact, in Xuan Country, Liang Zhiyin’s seniority was close to that of Dugu Nian’s grandfather, Dugu Fengyun. She was even a few years older than that old man, Dugu Fengyun.

Moreover, Liang Zhiyin had never taken any Pills that could maintain eternal youth; she had always kept the appearance of a young girl. This fact alone was enough to make countless women envious.

Fang Lin glanced at Liang Zhiyin, his eyebrows inadvertently furrowing slightly.

“Valley Master Liang, why did you attack Fang Lin earlier?” Dugu Nian questioned.

Liang Zhiyin smiled slightly: “Please take a seat first.”

Dugu Nian sat down nonchalantly on a bamboo chair, Fang Lin cupped his fists before sitting down, and Mei Yingxue stood to the side.

Liang Zhiyin looked at Dugu Nian with a slight smile on her face: “You’ve grown up so much already.”

“Valley Master Liang knows me?” Dugu Nian was puzzled.

Liang Zhiyin replied: “Hasn’t your mother ever mentioned it to you?”

Dugu Nian shook her head, wondering what Liang Zhiyin meant by bringing up her mother.

“Your mother, Xu Xiuping, was once a disciple of Heavenly Fragrance Valley,” Liang Zhiyin said.

Hearing this, Dugu Nian was somewhat surprised, as she had never heard her mother mention her identity as a disciple of Heavenly Fragrance Valley.

“Indeed, your mother was a disciple of Heavenly Fragrance Valley, and her name is recorded in our register of disciples,” Mei Yingxue added from the side.

Dugu Nian merely uttered an “Oh,” without saying much more.

With a touch of nostalgia, Liang Zhiyin continued, “The year your mother gave birth to you, she brought you back to Heavenly Fragrance Valley. Back then, you were still a baby in swaddling clothes. It’s hard to believe how much time has passed and how much you’ve grown.”

Dugu Nian looked at Liang Zhiyin and asked, “Valley Master Liang has not yet answered me, why did you make a move against my husband just now?”

Liang Zhiyin shook her head slightly, “It was merely to test the strength of you two, that’s all.”

Dugu Nian’s brows immediately furrowed, “For no reason, why test our strength?”

Fang Lin spoke up from the side, “Valley Master Liang, forgive my frankness, but it seems your lifespan is…”

Liang Zhiyin showed a bitter smile, “As you both have seen, my time is running short; I can barely hold on for another year.”

Mei Yingxue was greatly shocked upon hearing this, having had no idea that Liang Zhiyin only had a year of life left.

“Valley Master!” Mei Yingxue called out, her face filled with urgency and sorrow.

Liang Zhiyin shook her head towards her, “It’s alright, you would have learned of this eventually.”

Mei Yingxue felt a pang of distress, “Valley Master, we still have three Essence Continuation Pills.”

Liang Zhiyin responded, “They’re of no use. Essence Continuation Pills can’t save my life. I’ve been stuck at the Ninth Layer of Spirit Bone for too long, unable to step into the next realm. My lifespan is exhausted; unless I achieve a breakthrough, death is certain.”

“Then take a Rushing Source Pill to force a breakthrough to the Spirit Source Realm,” Mei Yingxue suggested.

Liang Zhiyin gave a wry smile, “With my current condition, taking a Rushing Source Pill would only hasten my death.”

Mei Yingxue was truly flustered, as Liang Zhiyin was the pillar of Heavenly Fragrance Valley; nearly all the female disciples of Heavenly Fragrance saw her as a mother figure.

Liang Zhiyin turned to Fang Lin and Dugu Nian, “The two of you have come to Heavenly Fragrance Valley today, and I have an upsetting request to make, hoping you will grant it.”

“We do not wish to be involved in the affairs of Heavenly Fragrance Valley,” Dugu Nian stated, sounding somewhat indifferent.

Liang Zhiyin said, “Heavenly Fragrance Valley possesses an Exclusive Secret Skill that no one other than myself has mastered. Only the Heavenly Fragrance disciple who is to inherit the position of Valley Master can practice it. I am willing to pass this skill on to you both, in the hope that you will agree to become Guest Elders of Heavenly Fragrance Valley and provide assistance when our valley is faced with a crisis.”

Fang Lin and Dugu Nian exchanged glances, both not expecting to encounter such a situation.

They had come to Heavenly Fragrance Valley merely to visit Liang Zhiyin and see the Lovesick Tree; they had not anticipated that Liang Zhiyin would offer the Exclusive Secret Skills of Heavenly Fragrance Valley as a trade-off to persuade Fang Lin and Dugu Nian to become Guest Elders.

“My time is limited; within a year I will decide on my successor. If you agree to my request, today you may take the Exclusive Secret Skills of Heavenly Fragrance Valley,” Liang Zhiyin said earnestly.

Dugu Nian silently looked at Fang Lin, clearly leaving the decision to him.

Fang Lin pondered for a moment and then said, “Is Valley Master Liang not worried that we might take the Exclusive Secret Skills of Heavenly Fragrance Valley and then neglect the valley altogether?”

Liang Zhiyin smiled, “I trust the two of you, and besides, I have no other choice. Heavenly Fragrance Valley may be a first-rate power in Xuan Country, but it’s insignificant on the larger stage of the Nine Countries. If, in these times of chaotic political strife, Heavenly Fragrance Valley does not seek a powerful ally, it will be difficult to maintain our standing.”

ps: The second update is here; I will continue to write. Everyone, remember to cast your recommendation votes.