The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

Chapter 1906: Chapter 2003: Cleansing the Stain

"Qi Liansheng?" When Fang Lin heard this name, he was taken aback. He never imagined that Qi Liansheng was still alive and had come to the Ancient Demon Ridge at this time.

"What? You know this person?" The Great Sage Equal to Heaven saw Fang Lin’s reaction and guessed that Fang Lin might know him.

Fang Lin nodded and said, "He was my fellow disciple at the Pill Saint Palace in the past."

Calling them fellow disciples, there was actually another layer of relationship. Fang Lin was also Qi Liansheng’s master, but no matter how you looked at it, this relationship was quite awkward, even Fang Lin himself felt it was weird. After all, they were both fellow disciples and master and disciple, which was indeed a bit messy.

"Since he is your former fellow disciple, I will have the little demons below bring him in." The Great Sage Equal to Heaven said.

Fang Lin frowned and said, "I’d better go see him."

After speaking, Fang Lin went to the entrance of the Ancient Demon Ridge, where the demon beasts were already familiar with Fang Lin. Knowing that he was a friend of the Demon Saint, they were quite polite, without the hostile scene from when he first came to the Ancient Demon Ridge.

Outside the entrance, Qi Liansheng was waiting quietly, with no impatience in his expression, seeming quite calm.

When Fang Lin appeared, a glimmer of light appeared in Qi Liansheng’s eyes. When their eyes met, many things seemed to be understood without the need for words.

Qi Liansheng smiled and saluted with clasped fists towards Fang Lin, "Fang, it’s been a while."

Seeing Qi Liansheng’s gesture, which was the ritual of fellow disciples of the Pill Saint Palace, Fang Lin was quite moved and returned the gesture the same way, "Qi, I never thought I would see you here."

Qi Liansheng smiled slightly, "Is Fang planning to keep me out?"

Fang Lin made a gesture of invitation and led Qi Liansheng into the Ancient Demon Ridge, but deep down, Fang Lin was still a bit wary of Qi Liansheng. After all, according to Yu Cuilian, who survived the Pill Saint Palace, after Fang Lin fell while refining the Life and Death Reincarnation Pill, it wasn’t long before Qi Liansheng betrayed the Pill Saint Palace and even stole the remaining two sacred cauldrons, being chased by the Pill Saint Palace for many years.

Although Fang Lin was somewhat doubtful about the truth of it, since Yu Cuilian had said so, Fang Lin naturally remained wary of Qi Liansheng. After all these years, who knew if Qi Liansheng was still the same person as before?

People change. Fang Lin introspectively realized that compared to ancient times, he had changed significantly, let alone Qi Liansheng. Who knew what he had gone through over the years?

Qi Liansheng followed behind Fang Lin, the two walking silently through the Ancient Demon Ridge.

After a long time, Fang Lin finally asked, "Why are you still alive?"

Qi Liansheng was stunned, then laughed, "Does Fang think I should be dead?"

The look on Fang Lin’s face was not pleasant, staring directly at Qi Liansheng with a palpable coldness in his eyes.

Qi Liansheng sighed softly, "It seems Fang knows what I did in the Pill Saint Palace back then. This means there are other survivors from the Pill Saint Palace, which comforts me somewhat."

Fang Lin asked directly, "You betrayed the Pill Saint Palace back then? Stole the sacred cauldron?"

Qi Liansheng acknowledged with a sound, not providing any explanation, just directly admitting it.

Fang Lin took a deep breath, anger boiling inside, itching to punch Qi Liansheng in the face.

This was his fellow disciple, his best friend from old times, and his taught disciple. Yet, this person betrayed the Pill Saint Palace, committing such treacherous acts. If it wasn’t for the fact that Fang Lin was no longer the impulsive person he once was, he might have made a move already.

"Why did you do it? Was it because back when you couldn’t achieve the Pill Sovereign status, you held a grudge against the Pill Saint Palace?" Fang Lin questioned with a dark face, unable to believe Qi Liansheng would do such things, hoping he had an unspeakable reason.

Qi Liansheng said casually, "To be honest, when Fang achieved the Pill Sovereign status, it was hard for me to accept. I always wondered why it wasn’t me who became the Pill Sovereign, but you?"

Fang Lin said nothing. It was a question he couldn’t answer and didn’t need to. Achieving the supreme position wasn’t something anyone could attain, whether in martial arts or alchemy.

Back then, the Human Clan saw two Martial Lords, Fang Qingye and Hou Yi, consecutively, which was unusual. It was because Xuanyuan Ya willingly fell, leaving the Human Clan with boundless fortune, allowing Fang Qingye and Hou Yi to reach the Martial Lord status consecutively, producing many strong beings on earth.

In alchemy, there wasn’t someone like Xuanyuan Ya leaving such fortune for alchemists, so only one could achieve the Pill Sovereign status.

Fang Lin was the successful one. Though Qi Liansheng had always kept pace with Fang Lin, he ultimately fell short. A single step was the distance between heaven and earth.

"Is that why you betrayed the Pill Saint Palace? I don’t believe that’s the whole truth." Fang Lin said coldly.

Qi Liansheng suddenly laughed, "I actually already knew that back then, the one who taught me the Alchemy Tao in the Abyss Dungeon was you."

Fang Lin was a bit surprised, not expecting Qi Liansheng already knew this. If so, Qi Liansheng probably knew a lot, but how did he find out?

With some things clarified, Fang Lin had no more reservations. He said directly, "It was indeed me, but I didn’t expect you’d become like this."

Qi Liansheng smiled wryly, "When I realized the person in the Abyss Dungeon was you, it was hard to believe. I thought, how could it be possible? But eventually, I believed it and finally knew where I lacked."

Fang Lin furrowed his brows, "You still haven’t answered why you betrayed the Pill Saint Palace back then?"

Qi Liansheng looked directly at Fang Lin, his expression becoming serious, "I came wearing the clothing of a disciple of the Pill Saint Palace, considering myself as one, and came to see you. Do you think I betrayed the Pill Saint Palace?"

Fang Lin said angrily, "Yu Cuilian is right here. You want me to let her come out and confront you?"

Qi Liansheng pursed his lips and said, "Before you achieved the Pill Sovereign status, the Great Elder summoned me alone and instructed me that if the person achieving the Pill Sovereign status wasn’t me but you, I would become a hidden piece, preserving a glimmer of hope for the Pill Saint Palace."

Upon hearing this, Fang Lin was stunned.

"I betrayed the Pill Saint Palace, stole the remaining two sacred cauldrons, becoming a scapegoat hunted by everyone in the world. If that were really the case, do you think I could have survived until now?" Qi Liansheng said.

A hint of doubt flashed in Fang Lin’s eyes, "What proof do you have for what you say?"