Chapter 321: Chapter 321: Killing Intent
Translator: 549690339
Turns out, the Pill Refining Conference happening two months from now seeks not only to establish the alchemic skills of Pill Refiners from Yun Country, Meng Kingdom, and Qian Country, but also to determine the three that will proceed to train in the Pill Pole Tower.
These three spots are not quotas to be divided among the three nations. Only the three most talented individuals at the Pill Refining Conference will earn the right to proceed.
In other words, if the Qian Country members of the Pill Alliance are remarkable enough, they might secure all three spots. Conversely, all three spots could also be taken by the participants from the other two nations.
In previous conferences, the Yun Country Pill Alliance has always dominated, usually snagging two to three of the spots. The Qian Country and Meng Kingdom Pill Alliances have displayed similar skill levels.
That’s why Elder Su has always been restless, desiring to surpass Yun Country and make the Qian Country Pill Alliance the strongest among the Lower Three Kingdoms.
This upcoming Pill Refining Conference presents an excellent opportunity to showcase their capabilities. Of course, Fang Lin’s participation is crucial. Without him, the chances of Qian Country Pill Alliance’s victory would still be slim.
Upon hearing this, Fang Lin furrowed his brows tighter. He was already involved in the inter-nation competition, and now he had to participate in the Pill Refining Conference, too. This was getting ridiculously busy.
“Elder Su, what’s the deal with the Pill Pole Tower?” asked Fang Lin. He had no knowledge of the tower Elder Su had mentioned, hence his confusion.
“The Pill Pole Tower contains numerous Ancient Alchemy Skills and insights of legendary alchemists from the ancient times. Possessing access to train within the tower will offer significant assistance to an alchemist,” replied Elder Su.
Upon hearing this, Fang Lin’s interest waned. Which Ancient Alchemy Skills didn’t he know already? As for insights from legendary alchemists, they held little attraction for him.
After all, he had been a Pill Sovereign in his past life. Having reached his level of mastery, he could hardly benefit from anyone else’s insights into alchemy.
In short, Fang Lin was utterly disinterested. Joining the conference seemed pointless, save for protecting the pride of the Qian Country Pill Alliance.
“Elder Su, I have to participate in an inter-nation competition as well. I don’t think I can attend this alchemy conference before then,” Fang Lin flatly refused.
Elder Su was taken aback and looked at Fang Lin quizzically. “Did this lad actually refuse? Was he not interested in the Pill Pole Tower at all?”
Elder Su was puzzled. According to logic, any young alchemist should be eager to train in the Pill Pole Tower, but this logic seemed to hit a roadblock with Fang Lin.
After pondering for a moment, Elder Su counteroffered: “In addition to the Pill Pole Tower, you will also receive rewards from the Alliance’s headquarters. These rewards are no triflings; they often include ancient medicinal herbs that are at least a thousand years old.”
At Elder Su’s words, Fang Lin’s eyebrow twitched slightly. Having caught this reaction, Elder Su quietly marveled at how Fang Lin was interested in the thousand-year-old medicinal herbs but not the unique opportunity to train at Pill Pole Tower.
“So it’s actual thousand-year-old herbs? You’re not fooling me, are you, Elder Su?” Fang Lin seemed skeptical.
Elder Su impatiently answered, “Why would I lie to you? As long as you’re one of the three selected to train in the Pill Pole Tower, you’ll be rewarded by the Pill Alliance Headquarters. Moreover, if you outshine the competition from the other two countries, the reward will be even more generous. Additionally, I’ll offer a thousand-year-old medicinal herb from my personal stock.”
“Really?” Completely convinced, Fang Lin’s heart skipped a beat. The thousand-year-old medicinal herb would be much more beneficial to him than some legendary insights or ancient alchemy skills.
Elder Su smiled gently and reassured Fang Lin, “If you make it into the top three, obtaining at least two thousand-year-old herbs is a sure thing.”
Fang Lin nodded, “Alright, I’ll participate. But, Elder Su, you must keep your word. Please have those thousand-year-old herbs ready beforehand.”
Elder Su laughed heartily, “Don’t worry, you’ll get anything that is rightfully yours.”
After a pause, Elder Su continued, “However, you should try to elevate to a Three Cauldrons Pill Refiner as soon as possible. Participating at the level of a Second Cauldron Pill Refiner would be somewhat subpar.”
Fang Lin chuckled, “That’s why I came today—to advance to a Three Cauldrons Pill Refiner. I am just waiting for my turn to appear in the public assessment.”
Elder Su nodded and patted Fang Lin’s shoulder. His face turned serious as he cautioned, “You should be careful around Qi Sanxuan. He holds a significant position in the Pill Alliance.”
Fang Lin, puzzled, inquired, “Isn’t he just an elder from the Xuan Country Pill Alliance?”
Elder Su shook his head, “You know very little about the Pill Alliance. Although Qi Sanxuan is only an elder of the Pill Alliance from Xuan Country, he’s connected to the Lineage of Poison Pill Masters. The Poison Pill Masters are gaining power within the Alliance constantly. If they intend to complicate things for you, it could get tricky.”
“What?! He’s a Poison Pill Master?” Fang Lin was startled, his face clouding over.
Fang Lin finally understood why he’d always felt something off about Qi Sanxuan—it was because Qi Sanxuan was a Poison Pill Master.
Elder Su continued, “The Poison Pill Masters have become a force to be reckoned with in the Pill Alliance. They’ve infiltrated and acquired high-ranking positions, and Qi Sanxuan would likely use his connections to retaliate against us after his public humiliation. I can manage to handle him, but you may be an easier target. I’m afraid I might not be able to protect you.”
Fang Lin fell silent. He believed Elder Su wasn’t merely exaggerating. If Elder Su was being so cautious, Qi Sanxuan was evidently a serious problem.
Now that Qi Sanxuan was a part of the Pill Alliance, it would be difficult for Fang Lin to get ahead. So, should he seize this opportunity, while Qi Sanxuan was still in Qian Country, to eliminate him?
The more Fang Lin mulled it over, the heavier his intentions to kill became—especially once he learned that Qi Sanxuan was a Poison Pill Master.
“Elder Su, what is Qi Sanxuan’s level?” inquired Fang Lin.
Elder Su answered, “He’s likely a Pill Refiner of the Five Cauldrons level.”
Fang Lin shook his head, “I was asking about his level of Martial Arts.”
Elder Su, taken aback, still answered accordingly, “He is probably around the sixth stage of Heavenly Origin.”
Upon hearing this, Fang Lin’s eyes flickered with seriousness. With Qi Sanxuan at the sixth stage of Heavenly Origin, Fang Lin didn’t stand a chance against him. If he went looking for trouble, it would be unclear who’d end up dead.
Elder Su figured out what was running through Fang Lin’s mind and was astonished. He asked, “You’re not thinking of killing Qi Sanxuan, are you? Have you lost your mind?”
Fang Lin shook his head. He was indeed harboring the intention to kill, but given Qi Sanxuan’s strength, Fang Lin had no chances.
“Actually, there might be a way to kill Qi Sanxuan, but the difficulty level would skyrocket.” Elder Su’s sudden statement shocked Fang Lin.