The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

Chapter 1576: Chapter 1674: Dragon Patterned Iron Leaf

In the Tang Capital, amid the bustling prosperity and the well-ordered vibrancy that beckoned many a first-time visitor to linger unabashedly, a scene of thriving splendor was revealed.

Cheng Jinhai followed cautiously behind Fang Lin, not daring to walk beside him, appearing to any uninformed observer as if he were Fang Lin’s servant.

“I have come to apologize to Master Fang,” Cheng Jinhai said with his hands clasped.

Fang Lin shook his head: “I hold no grudge against Master Cheng.”

Upon hearing this, Cheng Jinhai was somewhat relieved. However, he remained overly cautious, fearing that while Fang Lin expressed no blame now, if a Sky Swallowing Palace masked emissary were to descend upon Heng Long Mountain in a few days, it would be too late for regrets.

At that moment, Cheng Jinhai clenched his teeth and drew a certain item from the Nine Palace Bag, presenting it with bowed head before Fang Lin.

“What does this mean?” Fang Lin looked at Cheng Jinhai, his expression a mix of amusement and curiosity.

Cheng Jinhai spoke respectfully, “I implore Master Fang to accept this Dragon Patterned Iron Leaf; without this, I would be ill at ease.”

Fang Lin glanced at the item in Cheng Jinhai’s hand, which was indeed a Dragon Patterned Iron Leaf. The palm-sized object was etched with scale-like patterns, feeling to the touch like a piece of iron.

This Dragon Patterned Iron Leaf was an extremely precious medicinal herb, so much so that even within Fang Lin’s ancient medicine field, there was not one to be found.

The herb was exceedingly rare and difficult to cultivate, growing slowly and with great difficulty. In the realms of the Nine Countries, the Dragon Patterned Iron Leaf was now virtually unseen.

Yet in the locality of Heng Long Mountain, Cheng Jinhai’s ancestors had discovered the Dragon Patterned Iron Leaf early on and had kept it a secret without disclosing it to outsiders.

In Cheng Jinhai’s generation, only two leaves had been harvested.

Cheng Jinhai knew the immense value of this item, aware that if he were to offer it, the Pill Alliance and families of Alchemy Tao would stop at nothing to obtain it. The Dragon Patterned Iron Leaf could bring significant benefits to Heng Long Mountain, or it could bring about calamity.

Thus, over the years, Cheng Jinhai had been troubled by how to deal with the Dragon Patterned Iron Leaf—whether to sell it to the Pill Alliance or an Alchemy Tao family, or to keep it concealed for emergencies.

On his visit to the Tang Capital to attend a ceremony, Cheng Jinhai brought along a Dragon Patterned Iron Leaf, intending to seek an opportunity to gauge the attitudes of the Pill Alliance and Alchemy Tao families before deciding which one to sell it to.

Yet, upon setting foot in the Tang Capital, an incident unfolded—his disciples, blind to protocol, had offended Fang Lin, giving Cheng Jinhai a sense of impending disaster.

There was no choice; not only was Fang Lin renowned, but he was also backed by the formidable Sky Swallowing Palace. Even the colossal Hidden Kill Hall was almost crushed under the Sky Swallowing Palace’s pressure, unable to lift its head. In comparison, his small Heng Long Mountain was like a trivial dog or cat before the Sky Swallowing Palace—utterly insignificant, to be trampled or kicked aside at their whim.

Therefore, Cheng Jinhai steeled himself, set on gifting the Dragon Patterned Iron Leaf to Fang Lin.

If Fang Lin were to accept the Dragon Patterned Iron Leaf, after all, it would mean having taken something of value from him, thus making it less likely for him to seek retribution against Heng Long Mountain come autumn.

Moreover, the wily Cheng Jinhai saw an opportunity, hoping to hitch a ride on the mighty vessel of the Sky Swallowing Palace.

However, Cheng Jinhai was well aware that it was not easy to board the ship that was the Sky Swallowing Palace, but no matter—he figured that forging a connection with Fang Lin, a renowned Alchemy Master across the Nine Countries, would be exceedingly beneficial as well.

Although it pained him to give away a Dragon Patterned Iron Leaf, Cheng Jinhai knew that instead of keeping the leaf and attracting trouble, it was better to deal with it as soon as possible.

Fang Lin smiled and glanced around, then said to Cheng Jinhai, “There are too many people and eyes here, the Dragon Patterned Iron Leaf of Master Cheng might attract unwanted trouble.”

Upon hearing this, Cheng Jinhai was taken aback and then realized the situation, quickly put the leaf away, with an embarrassed expression.

However, in just that brief moment, the Dragon Patterned Iron Leaf in Cheng Jinhai’s possession had still been seen by many people around.

Immediately, several people came over, and from the clothes they were wearing, it was clear that they were a group of Pill Refiners.

The group consisted of three men, all young and with fair and handsome features, appearing to be just over twenty years old.

The young man standing in the middle seemed to have the highest status among the three, as the positions of the other two were slightly behind him.

This person approached and first glanced at Fang Lin, deeming Fang Lin too young to be important, then turned his attention to Cheng Jinhai.

Cheng Jinhai had a rather distinguished appearance, so the young man did not dare to neglect him and clasped his fists to introduce himself, “I am Wu Zhen, a junior of the Wu Family of the Alchemy Tao; these are my brothers. May I have the honor of knowing the senior’s esteemed name?”

Upon hearing this, Cheng Jinhai was inwardly surprised. The Wu Family of the Alchemy Tao? That’s quite a significant background. In today’s Alchemy Families, the Wu Family also holds a vast influence, ranking within the top ten.

Especially recently, a Pill Refining prodigy with considerable fame emerged from the Wu Family, with a rather unusual name: Wu Qiong.

Lately, rumors have circulated that the Pill Refining prodigy Wu Qiong of the Wu Family will participate in the upcoming competition between the Pill Refining families and the Pill Alliance, but no specific details have been revealed yet, so it’s unclear whether this is true or false.

But given Wu Qiong’s current reputation, he indeed has a good chance to join in this contest. If he could win a match, the prestige of both Wu Qiong and the Wu Family would surely rise to a new level.

“So it is the young talent of the Wu Family, I am Master Cheng of Heng Long Mountain,” Cheng Jinhai stroked his beard and said, he could be humble and yield in front of Fang Lin, but in front of these three juniors from the Wu Family, Cheng Jinhai could still put on the airs of a senior expert.

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhen’s eyes lit up, and his face showed additional respect, “So it is Master Cheng of Heng Long Mountain, I have been disrespectful.”

Cheng Jinhai smiled and replied, “Not at all.”

During the pleasantries, Cheng Jinhai sneaked a glance at Fang Lin to see that Fang Lin, showing no reaction and standing aside with a faint smile, caused Cheng Jinhai’s heart to feel quite perturbed, and he did not dare to disclose Fang Lin’s identity.

Wu Zhen hesitated for a moment, then directly broached the subject, “Master Cheng, earlier I saw the item in your hand seemed to be the extremely rare Dragon Patterned Iron Leaf, could I take a closer look at it?”

As soon as Cheng Jinhai heard this, he knew trouble was brewing; it seemed this junior from the Wu Family had taken an interest in his Dragon Patterned Iron Leaf, which would put him in a tough position between two parties.

Cheng Jinhai decided, what does the Wu Family count for, compared to the weight of the Sky Swallowing Palace? After all, even if it were Wu Qiong himself standing here, he would not measure up to Master Fang Lin.

“Young Master Wu must be mistaken; I do not have any Dragon Patterned Iron Leaf,” said Cheng Jinhai cheerily.

ps: Here’s the third update, I’ll continue writing, everyone remember to cast your recommendation and monthly votes!

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