The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

Chapter 1747: Chapter 1844: Where to Return

The leader of the Pill Alliance?

Fang Lin was taken aback for a moment, then frowned.

"Could it be that you want to target the Pill Alliance?" Fang Lin asked.

Dugu Nian chuckled softly, "Of course not."

Fang Lin was puzzled, "Then why do you ask if I’m willing to become the leader of the Pill Alliance?"

Dugu Nian looked at Fang Lin and said, "The Eastern Sky King once confided in me that once the Pill Alliance is truly reborn anew, he’d be willing to step down from his position as Heaven King and let you take over the Pill Alliance."

Upon hearing this, Fang Lin was utterly surprised, not expecting that the Eastern Sky King would actually want him to take over the Pill Alliance and become its leader?

"Really?" Fang Lin was somewhat skeptical.

Dugu Nian gave a snort, "Believe it or not, I’ve told you already. If you’re willing to take over the Pill Alliance, then after the Eastern Sky King retires, you can become its leader."

Fang Lin smiled wryly, "This is something without rhyme or reason, it’s too early to discuss it now."

Dugu Nian said, "It’s not that early. Right now, the return of the Long Family to the Pill Alliance is inevitable. With the decline of many Alchemy Tao families led by the Ling Family and Wu Family, the Pill Alliance will be unhindered, united, and likely stronger than ever before. When the time comes, the Eastern Sky King will surely step down, and such a vast Pill Alliance will need someone to oversee things."

Fang Lin laughed, "Isn’t Dragon Haotian still around?"

Dugu Nian glared at Fang Lin, "You should be aware that anyone can be the leader of the Pill Alliance, but Dragon Haotian cannot."

Fang Lin nodded, speaking casually, just as Dugu Nian mentioned, anyone in the future could take on the position of the leader of the Pill Alliance, but specifically, Dragon Haotian could not, nor could anyone from the Long Family.

Because once someone from the Long Family became the leader of the Pill Alliance, would it really be the Pill Alliance of all pill refiners, or just the Long Family’s Pill Alliance?

The Pill Alliance removed other Alchemy Tao families but left the Long Family because the Eastern Sky King knew Dragon Haotian wouldn’t let the Long Family dominate and dictate the actions of the Pill Alliance.

Yet, pill refiners across the world wouldn’t understand this; if Dragon Haotian became the leader, they would assume the Pill Alliance was still just like before, dominated by the Alchemy Tao families, rather than belonging to all.

So it’s impossible for Dragon Haotian to be the leader of the Pill Alliance. In other words, no one with ties to the Alchemy Tao families can become the leader.

"To be honest, in the past, I would’ve been quite interested in becoming the leader of the Pill Alliance," Fang Lin muttered.

"What about now?" Dugu Nian asked.

Fang Lin laughed, "Now, I don’t really care."

Dugu Nian understood Fang Lin’s mindset at that moment. Although he seemed relaxed and carefree, she could see the worries and anxieties hidden in his eyes, which were apparent to someone as familiar with him as she was.

Various signs suggest the ancient calamity might return, many mysteries needing unveiling, yet Fang Lin had his cultivation sealed at this crucial time. How could he not be anxious?

Dugu Nian even tried using her Immortal cultivation to forcibly unseal Fang Lin’s powers, but upon trying, she abandoned the attempt, realizing it would cause severe harm to Fang Lin and might cost him his cultivation entirely.

Other methods had also been tried, all ending in fruitlessness.

"Anyway, I’ve told you about the leadership of the Pill Alliance. As for what to decide in the future, it’s up to you," Dugu Nian said, not persuading Fang Lin to become its leader, as it was unimportant to her.

"Hmm," Fang Lin responded, and perhaps even he wasn’t sure of what he thought deep down.

"As for your cultivation, maybe you might consider seeking help from the Great Sage Equal to Heaven," Dugu Nian suggested.

Fang Lin nodded, "I’ve thought about it, but the Great Sage has helped us many times already. If I ask for his help again, I worry about owing him too deeply."

"Why? Are you afraid of owing people favors?" Dugu Nian teased.

"Sigh, three days later, I’ll take a trip to the Ancient Demon Ridge. No matter what, I have to give it a try," Fang Lin said.

"I’ll go with you," Dugu Nian expressed, unwilling to let Fang Lin go alone to the Sky Swallowing Palace.

Fang Lin didn’t refuse, even if he did, Dugu Nian would insist on accompanying him to the Ancient Demon Ridge.

At that moment, Fang Lin suddenly had the impulse to reveal his greatest secret to Dugu Nian.

Fang Lin’s greatest secret, naturally, was his experience of living dual lives. Yet, revealing it would be too astonishing, and with too many implications, Fang Lin had never told anyone, including Dugu Nian.

However, there’s no perfectly sealed secret, and when the time comes for some secrets to be known, they will be.

After a brief hesitation, Fang Lin dismissed the thought, feeling that now wasn’t the right time to tell Dugu Nian everything.

Or rather, Fang Lin himself didn’t know when would be best to tell Dugu Nian.

Looking at Fang Lin, Dugu Nian suddenly smiled, "Play the flute for me once more."

Fang Lin blinked, "You still have the leisure for this?"

"What? You’re unwilling? I remember when you played the flute to bid me farewell in the bamboo grove of the Purple Mist Pill Sect," Dugu Nian teased with a charming smile.

Fang Lin was embarrassed; it was true. Back then, when he was still at the Purple Mist Sect, Dugu Nian spent some time with him. Although he didn’t deeply feel about this girl then, he felt reluctant at parting, and thus, on a whim, played the flute for her farewell.

"Okay, since there’s nothing else to do, I’ll play a tune to show off my skill to you, the contemporary Zither Saint," Fang Lin joked, producing a bamboo flute from somewhere.

The melodious flute sound echoed amidst the snow and within the Sky Swallowing Palace, heard by everyone inside.

Dugu Nian, with her hands supporting her chin, quietly watched Fang Lin play the flute. No wind or snow could disturb their surroundings.

Juechen leaned against the icy palace gate with his cloth-wrapped blade, a cold expression as he looked up at the snow.

Cao Xuesheng strolled leisurely in the snow, hands behind his back, with a gentle smile, reminiscing about the grandfather who brought him in from the snowy wilderness.

Zhong Wuwei sat cross-legged before the Pill Furnace, listening to the flute’s gradual tune, peaceful in heart with a faint smile.

Nangong Shoujian polished his Bamboo Shadow sword, listening silently, speaking softly to the famous blade as if conveying something.

Han Xiaoxing stood on the peak, looking toward Qian Country, reminiscing the land he once belonged to.

A large golden-haired dog yawned on a plush carpet within the hall, appearing quite lazy and sleepy.

An old ginseng resembling a large radish waddled around the hall, shaking its head.

"In such a vast world, where is the place my lord resides?"

ps: The second update is here, continuing to write, remember to vote for recommendations on Monday.

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