The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

Chapter 1641: Chapter 1738: Black Scale Turtle

Ten thousand mountains and rivers. Dugu Nian came alone, searching for Fang Lin’s whereabouts.

That day, Fang Lin was abducted by the Eight Swordsmen. Dugu Nian wanted to intercept them and rescue Fang Lin but was blocked by a middle-aged man with white hair wielding a wooden sword. This man also possessed Immortal-level cultivation.

This was the third Immortal-level Human Warrior Dugu Nian had encountered, after the black-skirted woman and the Heaven King of the East Pole.

The white-haired middle-aged man didn’t engage Dugu Nian head-on; he was merely delaying her, preventing her from stopping the actions of the Eight Swordsmen in time.

Although Dugu Nian was anxious, she had no solution. The white-haired man’s strength was overwhelming, and being of Immortal-level cultivation, he wasn’t someone easy to deal with.

After exchanging ten-odd rounds, Dugu Nian failed to gain any advantage. The opponent also seemed to have no intention of continuing the conflict and withdrew quickly.

Yet, this brief delay allowed the Eight Swordsmen to enter the Ten Thousand Mountains and Rivers with Fang Lin, causing Dugu Nian to miss her chance to intercept them.

“Even if the Western Plateau truly has ten thousand mountains and rivers, I must venture in!” Dugu Nian plunged headfirst into the Ten Thousand Mountains and Rivers, entirely unrestrained.

With Dugu Nian’s cultivation, even though this was the Ten Thousand Mountains and Rivers, it posed little danger to her—unless she encountered certain special places.

However, the sheer range of the Ten Thousand Mountains and Rivers was astonishing. Compared to this place, the Nine Countries were like a minor sorcery confronted by true magic, utterly incomparable.

Furthermore, the terrain here was bizarre and complex. Searching for someone in such a vast expanse could only be described as looking for a needle in a haystack.

Luckily, Fang Lin was abducted by members of the Sealing Sword Pavilion. As long as she found where the Sealing Sword Pavilion was situated, she could find Fang Lin.

“Gracious lady, finding someone is something you can do on your own. Why drag this great lord along? I’m completely unfamiliar with this place!” Dugu Nian grasped a Millennium Corpse Ginseng in her hand. Along the way, the ginseng kept nagging incessantly and was clearly unwilling to be brought out by Dugu Nian.

“Bringing you along naturally has its uses,” Dugu Nian replied casually, her Heavenly Eye opening on her forehead as she focused her attention on the rugged mountain terrain below.

The Millennium Corpse Ginseng snorted, “That kid’s really worthless, getting abducted like that. Truly disgraceful—he’s living backwards.”

Annoyed, Dugu Nian glared at it, which temporarily silenced the ginseng. But after a brief pause, it resumed its nagging again.

····

Deep within the valley, Fang Lin had been here for seven days, thoroughly familiarizing himself with the surroundings. During these seven days, Fang Lin hadn’t been idle, absorbing a substantial amount of Cauldron Qi.

The massive Pill Furnace beneath his feet remained unaffected. The amount of Cauldron Qi Fang Lin absorbed was trivial, like a drop in the ocean, completely unnoticed by anyone.

Precisely because of this, Fang Lin could boldly carry out his secret activities. Within seven short days, Fang Lin distinctly felt his cultivation had progressed. Though he hadn’t yet reached the mid-tier of the Minor Longevity realm, he was not far from it.

As for Xu Yanbing, who was abducted alongside Fang Lin, his situation was far more miserable. Due to the Fire Devouring Beast in his body and his own expertise in fire control, he worked relentlessly, utilizing the beast’s power day and night without rest.

Even the most skilled Pill Refiner couldn’t withstand such conditions. Within mere days, Xu Yanbing’s face turned pale, looking as if he had suffered a serious illness.

Fortunately, all Pill Refiners here were allowed two days of rest every ten days, so they weren’t entirely deprived of a break.

Half a month later, Fang Lin felt his cultivation was on the verge of breaking through. With a bit more accumulation, he would be able to step into the mid-tier of the Minor Longevity realm.

····

Roar!!!

A deafening beast roar emanated from beyond the valley. Most of the Pill Refiners inside were unfazed, as this was the heart of the Ten Thousand Mountains and Rivers, where demon beasts were commonplace. It was normal for beasts to pass through occasionally.

However, the roaring grew closer, signaling that a demon beast had detected the anomaly in the valley and was heading toward them.

From the shadows, several figures leaped out. They were the Swordsmen stationed here by the Sealing Sword Pavilion to guard the Pill Refiners. Nearly all of them emerged to block the approaching demon beast.

Opening his Heavenly Eye, Fang Lin could observe the events unfolding outside the valley, and his expression changed.

Four Swordsmen encircled a demon beast but were clearly being overpowered, teetering on the edge of danger.

The beast’s scales were pitch-black. Its massive figure resembled a small mountain, with stout legs and a tail remarkably long, covered in sharp spikes.

The combined strikes of the four Swordsmen barely affected the beast. Its scales were evidently extremely durable.

The four Swordsmen weren’t weak; they possessed Great Longevity-level cultivation. Yet, even their combined efforts couldn’t threaten this beast, proving how formidable it was.

“The Black Scale Turtle! It seems I’ve found an opportunity to leave this place,” Fang Lin muttered, his mind racing with ideas.

This Black Scale Turtle was no ordinary demon beast. Naturally tough-skinned, its body was protected by three layers of thick, hard scales that grew tougher with age.

Judging by its size, this particular Black Scale Turtle had likely lived for tens of thousands of years. Its Demon Qi was so dense it surpassed Seven-transformations Demon Beasts. Fang Lin estimated it had reached the level of an Eight-change Monster Beast.

An Eight-change Monster Beast was equivalent to a Human Great Longevity cultivator in realm but significantly outmatched them in combat prowess. No single Great Longevity warrior could defeat it.

Even four or five Great Longevity cultivators together would have slim chances against an Eight-change Monster Beast—unless they were exceptionally powerful individuals.

This Black Scale Turtle, in particular, seemed impervious to attacks. The four Swordsmen wore grim expressions, clearly unable to deal with it.

The beast’s repeated assaults were beginning to anger the Black Scale Turtle. As its Demon Qi surged, the Swordsmen felt as though they were trapped in quicksand, unable to move effectively.

With a loud swoosh, the beast’s tail covered in sharp spikes swung horizontally toward the four, its speed startlingly swift.

“Not good!” The four Swordsmen’s faces changed drastically, dodging with all their might. Yet, two of them were directly pierced, their bodies impaled, while the remaining two were left bleeding profusely.

Fang Lin’s eyes sparkled with determination as he discarded all hesitation. The Nine Cauldron Skypassing Spell within him began circulating madly, striving to absorb Cauldron Qi from the Pill Furnace below at an accelerated rate.

Visible to the naked eye, the Cauldron Qi spiraled, converging around Fang Lin, continuously pouring into him.

ps: Third update is here. Might not have updates tonight—I need to visit relatives tomorrow. Really troublesome.

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