Chapter 200: Fire of the Extreme Sea
Though his heart pounded wildly, Fang Lin’s expression regained composure instantly, as if he didn’t understand what the hidden voice was saying. “What Pill Saint Palace? I don’t know.” Fang Lin responded, feigning confusion.
In his heart though, a torrent of questions stormed. How did this woman from the shadows know about the Pill Saint Palace? What were her connections to it? Could she be a survivor from the extinction of the Pill Saint Palace?
The more he thought about it, the more probable it seemed. Fang Lin tried to appear as calm as possible, but his heart was racing.
If this woman was truly a survivor of the Pill Saint Palace, wouldn’t she be his fellow traveler? In this unfamiliar era, to find someone from the same place was extraordinary for Fang Lin.
Of course, doubts lingered in Fang Lin’s mind. Whether this woman was a survivor of the Pill Saint Palace was uncertain and merely speculation on his part.
The woman in the darkness remained silent for a long time before she spoke again, “In the distant past, the Pill Saint Palace was the most powerful force in this land, governing all Pill Refiners. Yet, even this formidable Pill Saint Palace has disappeared with time.”
Listening to her words. Fang Lin remained silent. his heart filled with mixed feelings and sadness.
Yes, he had thought back in the day that the powerful Pill Saint Palace would last forever, never expecting such a formidable force would eventually succumb to the merciless hand of time.
“Though the Pill Saint Palace is no more, I suspect remnants of it might still exist in this world. You will help me find these remnants and eliminate them one by one.” The woman said suddenly, her words filled with murderous intent, as if she held a deep-seated hatred for the Pill Saint Palace.
Startled, Fang Lin sobered up instantly. This woman was not a survivor of the Pill Saint Palace, but bore a grudge against it, which explained her disdain for the Palace and her intentions to kill any survivors.
Coming to this realization, Fang Lin felt a certain disdain for the woman in the shadows. His sense of belonging with the Pill Saint Palace was strong – anyone opposing the Palace was an enemy of his.
“If the Pill Saint Palace was so powerful, its remnants must be formidable too.
How can I possibly kill them? Furthermore, I don’t even know where they are. Isn’t this asking the impossible?” Fang Lin questioned.
The woman snorted, “I’m not asking you to kill them now. Once your power is sufficient, I’ll tell you their whereabouts. Besides, I’m not even sure if any remnants are still alive.”
Rolling his eyes, Fang Lin realized he had been dragged into an uncertain mission.
“Now, I ask you, an artifact or a special technique, what do you choose?” The woman asked.
Nearly without thinking, Fang Lin replied, “I’ll choose the artifact.”
Although this woman was an enemy of the Pill Saint Palace, he wouldn’t turn down a free gift. Fang Lin was desperately seeking to enhance his strength and naturally wouldn’t reject any help.
Moreover, his life was currently at the mercy of this woman. It would be wise to be cooperative. Otherwise, he could be stuck in this cave forever, with a fatal outcome.
Before Fang Lin finished speaking, a deep blue Pill Furnace emerged from the darkness, dropped to the ground in front of him with a thud, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Fang Lin was startled but quickly became captivated by the allure of this Pill Furnace, examining it closely.
“Forged with Sea-Blue Stone from the depths of the Extreme Sea, this Pill
Furnace is not ordinary.” Fang Lin marvelled. Even with his status as Pill Sovereign, the quality of this Sea-Blue Stone Pill Furnace was impressive to him.
“I will give you this Extreme Sea Blue Tripod. Additionally, I will gift you with some heavenly fate.” The woman’s voice echoed, and simultaneously from within the Tripod, a bunch of deep-blue flames arose.
Fang Lin’s pupils contracted. He understood what luck the woman was referring to.
“Relax your mind and absorb the Fire of the Extreme Sea.” The woman ordered seriously.
A hint of hesitation crossed Fang Lin’s face. If he absorbed this Fire of the Extreme Sea, he could use it as the Soul Commanding Pill Fire. Combined with the Extreme Sea Blue Tripod, its effect would be even greater.
But he wondered whether the Fire of the Extreme Sea contained trickery from the woman. If he absorbed it, he might become more manipulated by the woman.
And yet, if he refused, she would likely suspect him.
After a brief consideration, Fang Lin decided his course of action. He stopped hesitating, opened his mind, sat cross-legged, and focused on absorbing the Fire of the Extreme Sea.
The blue flame flickered inconsistently. The wind seemed to be able to blow it out, but it continued burning consistently, showing no signs of weakening.
After pausing for a few breaths, the Fire of the Extreme Sea suddenly shot into his forehead and disappeared.
Fang Lin felt an instantaneous sensation of being in a blue sea of fire. Waves of flame surged towards him, threatening to engulf him.
But Fang Lin, like a tiny boat in a violent storm, despite the overwhelming flames, seemed to be able to navigate freely through the flames.
If someone else were present, they would notice blue flames sporadically emanating from Fang Lin’s face. His breath also fluctuated intensely, becoming unnoticeable at its weakest.
This was a dangerous process. All Pill Refiners who wanted to obtain the Soul Commanding Pill Fire had to undergo this trial.
Those who could endure would obtain a powerful Soul Commanding Pill Fire, while others who could not withstand the process would face a rebound of the Soul Commanding Pill Fire, leading to their eventual demise.
This was a gateway between life and death, determined in an instant.
Only those who dared to refine the Soul Commanding Pill Fire, the ones who disregarded life and death in pursuit of the Alchemy Tao, were truly dedicated to their quest.
Even now, the woman in the shadow was somewhat worried. She had gifted the Fire of the Extreme Sea to Fang Lin but had no certainty that he would be able to absorb it. If Fang Lin failed, she didn’t know how long she would have to wait for the sixth person to arrive.
Fortunately, Fang Lin successfully assimilated the Fire of the Extreme Sea despite some close calls. There was a mark of a blue flame imprinted on his forehead, which soon faded away quietly.
Fang Lin opened his eyes and stood up. As he extended his right hand, a burst of blue flame blossomed, responding to his will effortlessly.
“You truly are extraordinary.” The woman’s voice emerged, carrying a note of satisfaction.
Fang Lin sneered internally. To him, refining the Fire of the Extreme Sea was a piece of cake. In his past life, he had absorbed countless types of flames.
“Keep the Extreme Sea Blue Tripod. Once you leave, do not leak the slightest information about me. Remember, your life lies in a single thought of mine.” The woman said, her words serving as a warning.
Fang Lin didn’t respond. He stashed the Extreme Sea Blue Tripod in the Nine Palace Bag. The next moment, he found himself outside the light barrier of the ancient cave.
Fang Lin composed himself, took a step forward, and walked out of the light barrier. He found himself outside the ancient cave.
The moment he emerged, Fang Lin’s face changed. Gu Hanshan was waiting for him outside the ancient cave. Seeing Fang Lin appear, he launched his attack, his killing intent apparent..