The Mighty Cauldron: Extreme Alchemist! - Chapter 2
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Low-grade root bone. You’re disqualified!” declared the middle-aged burly man bluntly without paying any attention to Fang Lin’s agonized expression.
Upon listening to his words, Fang Lin did not display any dejection at all. On the contrary, he turned his head to look to the old man, Meng Wuyou, on the side. Meng Wuyou had the same benevolent expression and smile on his face just as before.
Fang Lin stood on the spot without budging. His eyes were staring straight at Meng Wuyou as he thought to himself, ‘Why hasn’t he invited me to join his side?’
The middle-aged burly man pulled a long face when he noticed that Fang Lin was still standing there without any intention to leave. He shouted, “Why are you still creeping around here!? Why aren’t you leaving yet?”
Nevertheless, Fang Lin did not move. He gazed at Meng Wuyou without blinking and appeared to be oblivious to the middle-aged burly man’s voice.
At last, the middle-aged man’s fury exploded. He roared loudly, “Are you deaf? Do you believe me when I say that I’m going to throw you down the mountain if you still refuse to leave?”
Currently, Fang Yang smirked scornfully as he stood behind the middle-aged burly man. In his heart, he badly wished that Fang Lin would be the one pitched down the mountain instead.
Meng Wuyou was feeling rather confused as well. ‘Why is this youth looking at me like this? Do I have something on my face?’ At the thought of this, he rubbed his cheek subconsciously. There was nothing.
Meanwhile, Fang Lin finally said, “Why aren’t you asking me to go over to your side?”
As soon as the words were spoken, the middle-aged burly man that was about to pick up Fang Lin with his hands was stunned. So was Fang Yang, who stood behind him, and Meng Wuyou. The Purple Glow Sect disciples and the youngsters were astonished too.
“Could this boy be a madman?” The idea emerged in most of their minds as they watched Fang Lin with extremely strange gazes.
Meng Wuyou was excited because it was his first time meeting such an interesting young man. At once, he responded with an amused grin, “Why should I allow you to join my side?”
Fang Lin answered in all apparent seriousness, “Old senior, perhaps you have yet to discover that I’m actually very gifted with a natural endowment.”
Meng Wuyou shook his head with a smile. “Indeed, I haven’t discovered your natural talent.”
A kind and harmless smile appeared on Fang Lin’s face as he said, “Old senior, please take a look once again. Then, you shall be able to see.”
Although Meng Wuyou was feeling slightly frustrated, he was a well-tempered man, so he controlled his emotions so that he was still even-tempered.
“Young friend, I’m the elder of the alchemy division. I possess a specific set of skills to examine a person naturally. It’s true that I can’t see any alchemy natural endowment in you, young friend,” said Meng Wuyou truthfully.
As the elder of the alchemy division, he could tell if a person was naturally gifted in alchemy with his eyes and he could tell that Fang Lin was not. Meng Wuyou was very certain of that.
Fang Lin heaved a sigh and spoke, “The three medicinal herbs you procured earlier were the Frost Star Grass, the Glazed Frost Flower, and the Water Wood Root. Am I right?”
Upon listening to his words, a trace of astonishment appeared in Meng Wuyou’s eyes. “Are you capable of recognizing medicinal herbs?” asked Meng Wuyou.
Fang Lin nodded shyly and said, “Even though I’m young, I’m still capable of identifying some of them.”
Meng Wuyou’s interest was piqued. He waved his hand and beckoned Fang Lin to come over to him.
The middle-aged burly man did not attempt to drive away Fang Lin anymore after noticing the situation. He stole two more glances at Fang Lin before he continued to perform the bone examination for the others soon afterward.
However, there were quite a number of people watching Fang Lin with rapt attention because of his shocking remark, including Fang Yang.
‘Hmph! I’d jolly well like to see what sort of trouble you’ll stir up, Fang Lin!’ Fang Yang scoffed coldly in his heart. Even though he was rather astonished by Fang Lin’s ability to name the three herbs so easily, he did not think that this would qualify him as a Purple Glow Sect disciple.
Fang Lin stood in front of Meng Wuyou and took a deep respectful bow to salute him. “Your disciple, Fang Lin, is honored to meet you, Elder!”
Bewildered, Meng Wuyou said, “You aren’t my Purple Glow Sect disciple yet!”
Fang Lin raised his head and spoke in all apparent seriousness, “Senior, you have a sharp eye for discovering talented people. You’ll certainly allow me to join the sect.”
The corners of Meng Wuyou’s lips twitched involuntarily. He had never met a young man that was so unforgivingly shameless. Despite his ability to control himself, he could not help rolling his eyes.
“Fang Lin, one must possess natural alchemy endowment in order to join the alchemy division. It’s not sufficient to identify a few medicinal herbs unless you can display adequate natural talent,” Meng Wuyou stated. Upon saying that, he stretched his hand out and revealed the three medicinal herbs from earlier in his palm once again.
“Place your palm above them,” he instructed. However, he did not hold any high hopes for Fang Lin in his heart.
The so-called alchemy natural endowment he was referring to was the delicate interaction between a person and herbs. If a person possessed the ability to interact with medicinal herbs, then the person would be deemed to be naturally gifted in alchemy. If there was no such interaction, then the person was not gifted.
In Meng Wuyou’s perception, there was no such interaction emanating from Fang Lin. He was wholly an ordinary person without any natural endowment.
As for the reason behind Fang Lin’s ability to identify the three medicinal herbs in his hand, he considered it a coincidence. After all, these three herbs were rather common plants, hence identifying them was not enough to prove anything.
Fang Lin did as he was told. He placed his palm above the three medicinal herbs while the corners of his lips curled into a subtle smile.
A moment later, there was utterly no response from the medicinal herbs. Meng Wuyou smiled, but he was not disappointed. After all, he did not expect much from Fang Lin.
Just as Meng Wuyou was about to speak, the three medicinal herbs that had not shown the slightest response earlier suddenly began trembling in Meng Wuyou’s hand as if they had come alive.
“Wha—?” Meng Wuyou was beyond astonished. On the other hand, Fang Lin had a confident smile pasted on his face.
Originally, the three herbs were withered. These plants had lost their life force, but at this very moment, it appeared that the plants had taken on a completely new outlook and were misted with a wisp of vitality. It was precisely that wisp of vitality that made them tremble.
Meng Wuyou widened his eyes and looked at Fang Lin incredulously. The few young men behind Meng Wuyou were amazed to witness the scene as well. They began gaping at Fang Lin in succession.
On the other hand, the middle-aged burly man had also noticed the miraculous transformation of the three medicinal herbs from the side. His eyes were filled with astonishment as he took a profound glance at Fang Lin.
Fang Yang frowned deeply upon witnessing the scene. His gaze contained a mixture of shock and surprise as he stared at Fang Lin.
The most excited person of all was Meng Wuyou, of course. He was an alchemist, so he was well aware of the situation at this very moment. “The Withered Tree Revived in the Spring! That’s the vision of the Withered Tree Revived in the Spring!” he exclaimed, his voice jagged with excitement. His eyes were staring fixedly on Fang Lin as if he was looking at a precious treasure.
“What an impressive Withered Tree Revived in the Spring Embodiment! I, Meng Wuyou, never would’ve thought that I’d be able to witness such a rare quality today!” declared Meng Wuyou in surprise.
On the other hand, Fang Lin did not appear to be proud or agitated. He was not smug from Meng Wuyou’s compliment, but the faint smile on his face remained. Much to everyone’s surprise, he was confident yet not arrogant.
Everyone began to regard Fang Lin with special attention after listening to Meng Wuyou’s words. Even though they had no idea about the Withered Tree Revived in the Spring Embodiment, they were certain that Fang Lin was no ordinary person just by judging from Elder Meng Wuyou’s excitement and surprise.
Meng Wuyou said to Fang Lin eagerly, “You’re Fang Lin, aren’t you? Are you willing to join my alchemy division and become my disciple?” Upon saying that, he looked at Fang Lin anxiously in fear that Fang Lin would deny him.
With a smile, Fang Lin said, “I’m willing.” What a joke! I’m not here with those snotty little brats and Fang Yang for sightseeing! I’m here because I want to enter the Purple Glow Sect and become a disciple of the sect.
“Awesome! You are the embodiment of the Withered Tree Revived in the Spring. It’s a rare quality. I believe that you’ll be able to accomplish great success in the alchemy world!” It was apparent that Meng Wuyou was delighted as he spoke while patting Fang Lin’s shoulder.
Fang Lin pursed his lips. His senses were already blunted since he had heard this countless times.
Meng Wuyou then spoke again, “Please stand behind me for a moment. When this is done, I’ll take you over to the alchemy sect.”
“Sure!” Fang Lin answered. Soon afterward, he joined the rest of the few people to stand behind Meng Wuyou.
These people had been chosen by Meng Wuyou earlier and they were naturally gifted in alchemy. Currently, they were eyeing Fang Lin enviously.
The few Fang clan disciples that failed the examination were dumbfounded. What was happening? How did Fang Lin become a disciple of the Purple Glow Sect in such a baffling manner? At this very moment, they were blushing scarlet. They wished that they could bury themselves into the cracks of the ground from the embarrassment after insulting him earlier.
It was terribly embarrassing!
Fang Yang stared straight at Fang Lin with a gloomy expression on his face. He never expected that Fang Lin, whom he had always despised, could actually become a Purple Glow Sect disciple just like himself.
‘Sh*t, Fang Lin. I failed to notice that you’re actually some Withered Tree Revived in the Spring Embodiment! Hmph! Count yourself lucky this time that you made it into the Purple Glow Sect. However, you’ve only managed to enter the alchemy sect while I’m a martial art division disciple. You’re still beneath me!’ said Fang Yang to himself. He was furious about the fact that Fang Lin could become a Purple Glow Sect disciple.
As if Fang Lin could sense Fang Yang’s gloomy gaze, he turned his head to the side just in time to meet the latter’s gaze. The corners of Fang Yang’s lips curled into a grim smile. It was a dismal, cold smile. Fang Lin pursed his lips, not bothered to pay attention to the smirking boy.
The examinations for both divisions continued. A young man with excellent root bone was discovered on the middle-aged burly man’s end which resulted in waves of surprised gasps. The situation was no less intense than Fang Lin’s scenario earlier.
Fang Lin took a glance at that person. He had straight brows and sharp eyes with an impressive presence. It was a rather good-looking person.
‘He’s quite good-looking but still slightly less good-looking than I am,’ said Fang Lin in his heart. He was utterly unimpressed by the person’s root bone quality because there was nothing surprising about such quality in his perception. He had seen way too many of such cases.
Fang Lin was not the real master of this body in reality. Ten days ago, he had woken up in this stranger’s body. He could still remember that he was the first genius of the Alchemy Saint Palace. He was the youngest legendary alchemist that had successfully attained the extreme alchemist position. His alchemy skills were supreme and unfathomable.
It was an accident that happened when he was refining an elixir that would transcend life and death. The alchemy pot had exploded and his consciousness was scattered. By the time he regained consciousness in this body, he had lost count of how long it had been. Whether it was a coincidence or due to some unknown reason, the body also belonged to someone named Fang Lin.
Fang Lin lost his ultra-powerful martial art realm in the past and all his glory. However, it was not all for naught because he still possessed his unparalleled alchemy experience and skills.
In order to regain his prior glory and refine the elixir that transcended life and death, Fang Lin could only start from the beginning. The Purple Glow Sect would be his first stop.