The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

Chapter 1591: Chapter 1689: Reunion at the East Pole

“There’s no need for that, Cheng, Heaven King has such status, why would he fuss over trifles with you?” Fang Lin said smilingly as he pulled up Cheng Jinhai, who was kneeling on the ground begging for mercy.

Cheng Jinhai didn’t dare even glance at the East Pole Heaven King, feeling a lingering fear in his heart. If the Heaven King were truly angered, not even nine lives would suffice to make up for it.

The disheveled East Pole Heaven King also smiled at Cheng Jinhai as he said, “This old guy here is indeed somewhat negligent in keeping up appearances, can’t blame you for that.”

“Thank you, Heaven King!” Only upon hearing these words did Cheng Jinhai finally relax, bowing continuously to the East Pole Heaven King.

“Keep a good watch here; I have some matters to discuss with the Heaven King,” Fang Lin instructed, then he and the East Pole Heaven King walked into the courtyard together, with Cheng Jinhai promptly agreeing and thoughtfully closing the courtyard door behind Fang Lin.

“This Master Fang is truly no ordinary person; it’s a big deal that the Prince of Tang Country himself paid a visit, not to mention a major figure like the East Pole Heaven King coming personally. For me, Cheng, to even speak with the Heaven King is unexpected.” Cheng Jinhai mumbled to himself, feeling a thrill of delight after his prior scare, as if having a conversation with such an important figure was a great honor.

And indeed it was so. For someone like Cheng Jinhai, who was neither high nor low in status, there were many like him across the Nine Countries. Heng Long Mountain was also an inconsequential place with a minor sect. In the past, the most significant figure Cheng Jinhai had ever met was perhaps an Elder or a Sect Master from some large sects of Tang Country.

To meet someone like the East Pole Heaven King would have been impossible for Cheng Jinhai in the past, let alone having a conversation like he did today.

Cheng Jinhai had already decided that once this affair was over and he returned to Heng Long Mountain, he would boast to the other small sect leaders and heads of the neighboring hills, making them regard him with new respect.

····

Inside the courtyard, the atmosphere was tense yet seemed somewhat unusual.

Fang Lin did not take a seat on the lounging chair but instead sat opposite the East Pole Heaven King by the stone table, courteously preparing a pot of tea for the Heaven King.

The tea was warm, steaming hot, with the delicate fragrance of tea filling the air between the two men.

“Heaven King, long time no see,” Fang Lin greeted casually, his attitude neither particularly good nor bad.

“Indeed, it has been a while,” the East Pole Heaven King replied, lifting the cup and gulping down the tea in one go.

Seeing this, Fang Lin refilled the Heaven King’s tea.

“Fang Lin, regarding this confrontation between the Pill Alliance and the Alchemy Tao families, what are your thoughts?” the East Pole Heaven King asked, looking at Fang Lin.

Fang Lin set down the teapot and smiled lightly: “What thoughts could I possibly have? The contest between your two sides isn’t caused by the Sky Swallowing Palace; this battle was inevitable, it simply arrived a bit sooner than expected.”

Upon hearing this, the East Pole Heaven King sighed softly: “Indeed, a battle was bound to happen sooner or later, it’s either the extinction of the Pill Alliance or the collapse of the Alchemy Tao families; only one can survive. The Alchemy Tao World needs but one leader in Alchemy Tao.”

“Heaven King, your words are mistaken; what the Alchemy Tao World needs is not a colossal entity, but a person who can guide pill refiners everywhere onto the right path, to lead the Alchemy Tao World towards righteousness,” Fang Lin said with a frown.

The East Pole Heaven King paused, looking surprised: “You think the Pill Alliance of the past was not on the right path?”

Fang Lin sneered: “Righteous path? The Pill Alliance of old days, which accommodated even the filthy Poison Pill Masters, what righteousness is there to speak of?”

The Heaven King of East Pole said with a sorrowful expression: “The Poison Pill Masters have been in the Pill Alliance for a long time, involving the ancestors of the Pill Alliance. Discussing right and wrong has become meaningless. The old man has already expelled all the Poison Pill Masters from the Pill Alliance. This could be considered making amends for the Pill Alliance.”

Fang Lin shook his head: “Although the Heaven King has expelled all the Poison Pill Masters, their influence on the Pill Alliance won’t just vanish in a short time. The internal situation of the Pill Alliance is known only to the insiders, but you, the Heaven King, must be aware of it.”

The Heaven King of East Pole gave a wry smile: “The internal situation of the Pill Alliance is indeed not optimistic, which is why the old man decided to engage in this battle with the alchemical families ahead of time; it was all for the sake of seeking change.”

“The Heaven King has taken a risky move, but also a good one. This opportunity can revive the Pill Alliance from the brink, recuperate from its declining trend, and also suppress the arrogance of the alchemical families, letting everyone in the Nine Countries know that, although the Pill Alliance has declined, you, the Heaven King of East Pole, can still make a comeback,” said Fang Lin indifferently.

“How easy can it be to make a comeback? Western Moon is dead, South Zodiac and North Spirit have lost all hope and no longer interfere with the affairs of the Pill Alliance. That guy Dragon Haotian is also treating me like a stranger now, and out of the eight Elders, only two or three are still in charge. The others have all scattered or retired. If the Pill Alliance loses this time, it will truly be defeated.” The Heaven King of East Pole lamented with a weathered and sorrowful look on his face.

Fang Lin remained silent. The decline of the Pill Alliance to its current state involved some of his own deeds, but Fang Lin believed that what he had done was not wrong, for the original Pill Alliance was indeed heading in a wrong direction and had to change.

Any reform or breakthrough must first go through ups and downs. Perhaps the process is very painful, but the result will eventually be better.

“If I were to ask you to return to the Pill Alliance now, you wouldn’t agree, would you?” the Heaven King of East Pole asked with a smile.

Fang Lin did not speak, but just shook his head.

The Heaven King of East Pole did not dwell on the issue too much and brought up another matter: “The Sealing Sword Pavilion has emerged again. Has the Sky Swallowing Palace crossed paths with them?”

Upon hearing the Heaven King of East Pole mention the Sealing Sword Pavilion, Fang Lin’s expression also became more grave.

“We have crossed paths, and we won. A Swordsman from the Sealing Sword Pavilion named Meng Jun Lai died, and the famed sword Supreme Abyss fell into our hands,” Fang Lin said.

The Heaven King of East Pole showed a look of surprise. He didn’t expect that the Sealing Sword Pavilion had already clashed with the Sky Swallowing Palace.

“Meng Jun Lai? I am also aware of him. In his heyday, he was quite the figure, the number one Swordsman in the world. I did not expect he would die at your hands,” the Heaven King of East Pole said.

Fang Lin’s expression was cold: “The Sealing Sword Pavilion did not hesitate to sacrifice several great Swordsmen in an attempt to kill Dugu Nian, but they underestimated him and also underestimated the Sky Swallowing Palace.”

“The Sealing Sword Pavilion is a very frightening force. When it was at its peak, even the Hidden Kill Hall and the Pill Alliance had to bow before it, especially that Pavilion Master of Sealing Sword Pavilion. The old man once crossed swords with him and lost by a move and a half,” said the Heaven King of East Pole, his expression somewhat solemn.

Upon hearing this, Fang Lin’s expression also changed. The Heaven King of East Pole had actually crossed swords with the Pavilion Master of the Sealing Sword Pavilion? And he had lost to him?

“Who is this Pavilion Master of the Sealing Sword Pavilion?” Fang Lin asked, frowning. If even the Heaven King of East Pole had lost to him in the past, this person must be extremely formidable, potentially a formidable enemy for the Sky Swallowing Palace.

“Perhaps he is a survivor from the ancient times, but with so many years gone by, whether he is still alive is hard to say,” the Heaven King of East Pole said.

ps: Here’s the second update; I’ll continue writing, and please remember to vote on Monday.