The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

Chapter 436: The New Head

Qing Jianzi forced a bitter smile: “We must declare a winner. If I conceded, I would lose face.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Qing Jianzi attacked. His sword strike was as sharp as ever.

Fang Lin was not at all intimidated. He defended every attack with extraordinary strength, which caused the people under the stage to be astounded.

“This boy is limitless!” Xing Tianxiao looked at the competition on the stage and commented sincerely.

Everyone could tell that Xing Tianxiao was talking about Fang Lin.

“I didn’t expect Fang Lin to be so powerful. I fear that in the future, the position of leader in the Purple Mist Sect may be his.” said an elder from the Martial Sect.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, he closed his mouth, realizing that he had misspoken.

Xing Tianxiao glanced at him and smiled slightly: “It’s too early to discuss these matters, and they’re not something you should be discussing.”

“Yes!” the elders of the Martial Sect saluted.

Han Yinyue looked at Fang Lin on the Martial Arts Platform, her eyes full of profound depth, as if she was considering something.

“Perhaps, with your current strength, even if Xiaoxing doesn’t participate in the tri-nation competition, you can handle opponents from Yun Country and Meng Country,” Han Yinyue murmured to herself.

Before the result emerged, Han Yinyue left. The match between Qing Jianzi and Fang Lin had no significance; they were just sparring, and would not use their lethal moves.

In a short time and amidst the cheering of the disciples of the Pill Sect, Qing Jianzi chose to concede, admitting in public that he was inferior to Fang Lin.

Compared to the excitement of the disciples of the Pill Sect, the disciples of the Martial Sect were very disgruntled. It was a big blow for them to have their top disciple lose to Fang Lin, who was from the Pill Sect.

“Senior Brother Qing Jianzi, you didn’t go all out, why did you admit defeat?” a disciple from the Martial Sect shouted unwillingly.

“Yes, it’s okay to lose to anyone, just not someone from the Pill Sect!” another disciple from the Martial Sect said.

It was a little awkward. Fang Lin remained expressionless, looking at Qing Jianzi.

Qing Jianzi looked gloomy as he addressed the disgruntled disciples of the Martial Sect: “What does my loss have to do with you? If you’re not content, why don’t you defeat Fang Lin yourselves? If you can’t do it, then don’t scream here. I lost today, but I will win next time. You, on the other hand, can only always look up to others.”

The Martial Sect disciples fell silent, feeling the sting of Qing Jianzi’s words.

“Embarrassing,” Xing Tianxiao commented and left with the elders of the Martial Sect.

Those Martial Sect disciples were unwilling to hang around any longer and quickly left in a disgraced manner.

Qing Jianzi stood on the Martial Arts Platform and said to Fang Lin: “I might have lost this time, but I will win the next time we compete.”

Fang Lin smiled: “That’s not necessarily true.”

Qing Jianzi also laughed: “I heard that you’re going to Xuan Country after the tri-nation competition. Are you going to meet Miss Dugu?”

As soon as Fang Lin heard this, he became exasperated: “Don’t mention it, I’m so bothered. Going to Xuan Country means entering that brat’s territory. I didn’t exactly treat her kindly in the past. I’m sure she wants to get even with me.”

Qing Jianzi laughed loudly: “You, Fang Lin, fear nothing in heaven or on earth. Are you going to be afraid of Miss Dugu?”

Fang Lin rolled his eyes: “Easy for you to say.”

Qing Jianzi patted Fang Lin on the shoulder, showing sympathy. Then he leaned into Fang Lin’s ear: “During the tri-nation competition, beat the crap out of the bastards from Yun Country and Meng Kingdom.”

Fang Lin burst into laughter: “If it ever comes to my turn, I certainly won’t show mercy.”

···

Three days after the sparring between Fang Lin and Qing Jianzi, many elders of the Pill Sect were gathered and discussed for a whole day.

It was said that the Pill Sect elders were looking worried and heavy-hearted when they left the hall.

Two days later, shocking news spread across the Purple Mist Sect.

The head of the Pill Sect, Gu Daofeng’s Soul Jade had shattered, implying that he had fallen.

No one could have imagined that the seldom-seen head of the Pill Sect had fallen. This was a momentous event for the Purple Mist Sect.

He was a Sect Head, holding a position of power and authority in the Purple Mist Sect. His silent fall had taken many Purple Mist Sect disciples by surprise as it had not been foreshadowed in any way.

In fact, the moment Gu Daofeng died, the powerful individuals guarding the Soul Jade Hall in the Purple Mist Sect knew he had fallen. Only a few people knew about Gu Daofeng’s death due to Han Luoyun’s intentional cover-up. The total count did not exceed ten.

When the news of Gu Daofeng’s fall was announced, it completely shook the Pill Sect, and barely anyone could maintain their composure.

Firstly, no one knew why Gu Daofeng had fallen or where his body was. Now the position of head of the Pill Sect had become vacant.

The most pressing matter was to select the new head of Pill Sect. After all, a country cannot be without a ruler for a day. The Pill Sect needed someone to step up and stabilize the situation.

The person who would become the head of the Pill Sect needed to have sufficient qualifications and strength. Among the many Pill Sect elders, only two or three were suitable for the position.

After days of discussion and decision by the high-ranking members of the Purple Mist Sect, Yan Zhengfeng was chosen to temporarily assume the position of head of the Pill Sect.

The reason it was temporary was that while Yan Zhengfeng had enough qualifications and strength to keep the situation under control, his advanced age mandated him to temporarily take charge when the Pill Sect was in turmoil. Once the Pill Sect had stabilized, he would step down.

However, there was currently no suitable person to inherit the position of head, so Yan Zhengfeng may need to stay in the position for a while.

The Pill Sect members did not have many objections to Yan Zhengfeng temporarily taking the position of head. In fact, many people agreed with the decision.

During Gu Daofeng’s term, the Pill Sect appeared to be thriving, but in reality, it was internally decayed. Many members of the Pill Sect had complaints, and Gu Daofeng’s decisions concerning many matters, particularly after the emergence of Fang Lin, had cost him the public’s support within the Pill Sect.

In contrast, Yan Zhengfeng was highly respected in the Pill Sect. Many believed he would do a better job than Gu Daofeng.

Of course, Gu Daofeng’s demise also caused fury among some upper echelons of the Purple Mist Sect, who vowed to find out the truth.

Among these people, Gu Daofeng’s master, Elder Jin, took the lead in launching an investigation.

Somehow, using some seemingly significant circumstantial evidence, they subtly pointed the finger at Fang Lin, who had recently returned to the Purple Mist Sect.

“Even if Gu Daofeng’s fall was not caused by Fang Lin, he certainly cannot be completely exculpated. I propose to suppress Fang Lin and carefully question him.” In the Purple Mist Great Hall, Elder Jin sternly proposed to the gathered attendees.