The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

Chapter 1815: Chapter 1913: Guilt

After five years of journeying, Qi Liansheng returned to the Pill Saint Palace ahead of Fang Lin, having made significant progress in both martial arts cultivation and alchemical skills during these years.𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

However, compared to his somewhat inexperienced self five years ago, Qi Liansheng now appeared exceptionally composed upon his return, exuding an air of mastery.

Upon his return to the Pill Saint Palace, Qi Liansheng immediately underwent the Pill Refiner assessment, smoothly becoming a Seven Cauldrons Pill Refiner, dazzling everyone for a time.

One must know that Qi Liansheng was only in his early thirties at this time and had already reached the Seven Cauldrons Pill Refiner level, which was almost the fastest record of advancement in the history of the Pill Saint Palace.

Many elders of the Pill Saint Palace believed that Qi Liansheng could step into the ranks of Nine Cauldrons Pill Refiners within a hundred years, becoming one of the top Pill Refiners of this era.

Similarly, when Fang Lin returned, he also underwent the Pill Refiner assessment and smoothly advanced to a Seven Cauldrons Pill Refiner.

Furthermore, Fang Lin was even younger than Qi Liansheng at this time, hailed as the most talented and fastest-advancing disciple in the history of the Pill Saint Palace.

Originally, some people thought that after this journey, Fang Lin and Qi Liansheng might widen the gap between them, but who was stronger was difficult to judge.

However, now that the two returned almost one after the other, both becoming Seven Cauldrons Pill Refiners, it was clear that both had made significant progress during these five years and had not widened any gap, remaining evenly matched.

It’s just that no one knew how much these two had grown outside, or whether they had hidden strength yet to be revealed.

At least many astute people in the Pill Saint Palace could see that during their Seven Cauldrons Pill Refiner assessments, both Fang Lin and Qi Liansheng seemed at ease, suggesting there might indeed be hidden strength.

Of course, whether the two were holding back or not, it was a good thing for the Pill Saint Palace, for both were its disciples. The more outstanding they were, the more glorious the future of the Pill Saint Palace.

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In the Sinking Abyss, Qi Liansheng came again to this place and saw Fang Lin still detained in the Array Prison.

"Master, your disciple has returned." Qi Liansheng said respectfully.

Fang Lin opened his eyes and looked at Qi Liansheng, whose face was full of respect, utterly sincere, with no pretense, clearly showing heartfelt respect for Fang Lin.

"Not bad, already a Seven Cauldrons Pill Refiner." Fang Lin said, his voice penetrating through the Array Prison.

Qi Liansheng was shocked, hearing Fang Lin’s voice for the first time, having always been the one speaking while Fang Lin expressed himself through written messages within the Array Prison.

"Master? How can I hear your voice?" Qi Liansheng asked unexpectedly.

Fang Lin smiled: "The Palace Master came to see me once and allowed me to talk with you."

Upon hearing this, Qi Liansheng’s face also showed joy, and he secretly felt surprised that his master’s voice sounded very young.

"Master, I’ve been through many things outside over these five years, let me slowly tell you."

At this, Qi Liansheng began recounting many things he experienced in the past five years to Fang Lin, who listened silently without much comment.

Unknowingly, Qi Liansheng stayed here for several days.

"Your disciple was trapped in Ghost City for several months, finally breaking through cultivation and barely escaping. Otherwise, I might have fallen in Ghost City." Qi Liansheng said with lingering fear.

Fang Lin nodded, saying: "Now you are a Seven Cauldrons Pill Refiner, but your cultivation is still a bit low. Strive to reach the Immortal level soon."

Qi Liansheng nodded: "Your disciple has the same intention, but my martial arts talent is somewhat lacking. My current cultivation has mostly been compensated by pills. Breaking through to Immortal may not be easy."

Fang Lin laughed: "Using pills to compensate is not shameful. As long as your cultivation can be enhanced, it’s good. After all, as Pill Refiners, we prioritize the Alchemy Tao."

"What Master says is right." Qi Liansheng stood up from the ground.

"By the way, have you ever considered competing with Fang Lin?" Fang Lin suddenly asked.

Upon hearing this, Qi Liansheng was momentarily stunned and then shaking his head somewhat bitterly.

"Why? Don’t you want to distinguish yourself from him?" Fang Lin asked with a frown.

Qi Liansheng sighed: "Your disciple knows his limits. Although called a double elite by the people of the Pill Saint Palace, I know I’m not quite as good as Fang Lin."

"You still feel that you are weaker than Fang Lin?" Fang Lin’s expression was somewhat displeased, feeling that Qi Liansheng wasn’t confident enough.

Qi Liansheng shook his head: "It’s not that your disciple lacks confidence; it’s a realization, knowing the actual gap between Fang Lin and me."

"Oh? What do you think your gap with him is? If it’s about alchemical talent, yes, there’s indeed a gap, but it’s not the most important thing." Fang Lin said.

Qi Liansheng smiled helplessly: "The gap between your disciple and Fang Lin lies in destiny."

"Why do you say this?" Fang Lin asked more suspiciously.

Qi Liansheng replied: "Since meeting Brother Fang Lin, I’ve always had a feeling that in the future, I might become a stepping stone for Brother Fang Lin."

Upon hearing this, Fang Lin fell silent, not knowing what to say. After all, Fang Lin was clear about what would happen next, and in a sense, Qi Liansheng truly became a stepping stone for his past self.

It was just that now Fang Lin knew Qi Liansheng was a disciple he taught; this feeling was strange, leaving Fang Lin somewhat reluctant.

"Perhaps it’s just your disciple’s wild thoughts, but no matter what, Brother Fang Lin and I have a good relationship. Whatever he wants to do in the future, I will help him. Even if I become his stepping stone, it’s worth it to see him standing in a higher place." Qi Liansheng said with a peaceful expression, appearing particularly genuine.

"You should go back." Fang Lin waved, expressing disinterest.

Qi Liansheng bowed and then left the Sinking Abyss.

After Qi Liansheng left, Fang Lin’s heart was very unsettled, with a lingering sense of guilt.

This guilt naturally towards Qi Liansheng, who was a disciple he taught, yet lost in the most crucial competition to his past self.

This relationship was extremely nuanced, as if he had created Qi Liansheng’s brilliance with his own hands, only to cruelly destroy it again.

"Who would have thought that I would be Qi Liansheng’s master? This coincidence is too great." Fang Lin shook his head helplessly.

Day after day, year after year.

In the southwest, there is an unusual place called the White Dragon Tomb, where several fallen True Dragon skeletons are buried.

Very few can enter this White Dragon Tomb, even Immortal experts are inexplicably wary of this place.

But on this day, a strong figure stood on top of a white True Dragon skull, letting out a sky-shaking roar.

ps: First Chapter done, writing, writing