Chapter 351: Chapter 351: Generous Reward

Today was an especially depressing day for Fang Lin.

Returning to their lodgings from the square, everyone from Qian Country felt heavy-hearted, especially Fang Lin. He was almost overwhelmed by his melancholy.

Fang Lin wasn’t too bothered by others’ ridicule and mockery. Still, it was weird that the Gold Testing Stone showed no response at all.

At this point, Elder Su came back. Upon seeing everyone, especially Fang Lin, his eyes reflected a complexity that was difficult to articulate.

Fang Lin understood that Elder Su must have seen everything that happened at the square and was likely very disappointed in him.

However, Elder Su didn’t say much, simply advised everyone to get a good rest and maintain a calm state of mind. He told them not to be overly concerned about others and to give their all in the upcoming Pill Refiner’s convention the next day.

Fang Lin was somewhat surprised; he thought Elder Su would say something more.

In truth, Elder Su wanted to say something. But he discovered that anything he could say seemed futile at this moment. The decline in morale was evident, and he could not possibly boost it simply through his words.

That night, Fang Lin was sleepless, and so was Elder Su.

On the second day, just as the sky started to brighten, the whole of Black Cauldron City became lively.

Because today was the official opening day of the Pill Refiner’s convention. The square was already fully decorated, and many pill refiners in the city gathered there to witness the talents of the finest pill refiners from the Lower Three Kingdoms.

“Look, the people from Yun Country have arrived!”

“That’s Zhao Shenkong, said to be the top talent in this Pill Refiner’s convention.”

“The people Yun Country brought this time are all very talented.”

Under Zhao Shenkong’s leadership, the team from Yun Country arrived at the square with supreme confidence, immediately earning countless exclamations of approval.

Zhao Shenkong and his company appeared relaxed; they seemed fully accustomed to such accolades. Zhao Shenkong even waved leisurely to the crowd.

Almost simultaneously, the people from Meng Kingdom also showed up. Guo Zhen was leading, followed by nine others all dressed in matching black robes.

“It’s the people from Meng Kingdom!”

“Guo Zhen’s talent is said to be not much weaker than Zhao Shenkong’s.”

“I heard he is a Poison Pill Master.”

“What? I despise Poison Pill Masters.”

“Hush, keep quiet! You can’t just say that now.”

Compared to the warm reception the team from Yun Country received, the team from Meng Kingdom instead received quite a few cold glances.

After all, Guo Zhen’s identity as a Poison Pill Master is too sensitive. Everyone present were pill refiners, and most held no good feelings towards Poison Pill Masters.

Guo Zhen didn’t pay any heed to the surrounding comments. Instead, a trace of contempt flashed in his eyes for the crowd.

After the people from Meng Kingdom arrived, the team from Qian Country rushed in.

“Hehe, the people from Qian Country have arrived.”

“I heard that they have someone on their team who doesn’t belong.”

“Ha ha, what do you mean by ‘doesn’t belong’? Clearly, he has an extraordinary talent.”

“Right, right, extraordinary talent.”

Compared to Yun Country’s enthusiastic reception and Meng Kingdom’s cold glances, the arrival of Qian Country was met with considerable ridicule and mockery from other pill refiners.

The reason for this mockery was almost entirely due to Fang Lin.

Apart from Su Xiaotong, eight other people from Qian Country harbored resentment against Fang Lin. Of course, only the two members of the Li Family showed their discontent. Although the others were also dissatisfied, they concealed it well.

The people from Yun and Meng Kingdoms all revealed mocking expressions when they saw Fang Lin in the Qian Country team.

“Today is the day Black Cauldron City hosts the three-nation Pill Refiner’s conference. The talents from the three nations have gathered here, proving the prosperity of our Pill Alliance.” Zhuge Cang stood on the square and addressed the crowd.

As soon as his words subsided, the neatly dressed Chen Mu said: “This Pill Refiner’s conference is an opportunity for the young pill refiners of the three nations to learn and compete. It is also an opportunity to stimulate the further prosperity of the Pill Alliance of the three nations. I hope everyone treasures this opportunity, and brings their best attitude and abilities to ensure the successful completion of this conference.”

After a pause, Chen Mu scrutinized the crowds, his expression becoming severe: “During this Pill Refiner’s conference, I hope you all behave yourselves. Any misconduct will be met with the most severe punishment from Black Cauldron City. We will not be lenient!”

As he spoke these words, Chen Mu’s demeanor changed. Although he usually appeared scholarly and always spoke articulately, resembling a staid scholar, he now seemed completely transformed. His fierce and hostile aura made people awe-stricken, despite him not doing anything.

Pill refiners who had lived in Black Cauldron City for a long time knew that the city’s three ruling individuals were Zhuge Cang, who was gentle and humble, Chen Mu, who was stern and rigid, and Lu Wuwei, who was eccentric. Zhuge Cang held the highest stature and was respected as the City Lord.

Chen Mu was strict and conservative and acted as Zhuge Cang’s right-hand man, managing Black Cauldron City’s penal system. He wielded immense power and always punished those who violated the city’s laws severely, which instilled fear in people’s hearts.

Once, a group of outsider pill refiners with some minor abilities and ample backings caused trouble in Black Cauldron City.

In less than three days, Chen Mu sent people to capture all of them. He then publicly beheaded them one by one in the city and hung their heads atop the city walls.

The scene that day was still fresh in the memories of many in Black Cauldron City. Compared to Zhuge Cang, the pill refiners feared Chen Mu, the Vice-City Lord, even more.

As for Lu Wuwei, he was peculiar. He generally didn’t concern himself with much, only appearing on necessary occasions.

After Chen Mu finished listing the points to note, he stepped back, leaving Zhuge Cang to continue.

“As you all know, this Pill Refiner’s conference will select three individuals for entrance into Pill Pole Tower. In addition, the individual with the most outstanding performance in this conference will receive a Great Essence Pill.” Zhuge Cang said, throwing out another astonishing piece of news.

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback. Even the strict Old Man, Elder Su, and Old Woman Gu all showed surprise.

Clearly, even they hadn’t known about the reward of the Great Essence Pill prior to the announcement.

“My heavens, there’s even a Great Essence Pill as a reward.”

“Since when did Master Zhuge become so generous?”

“A single Great Essence Pill is enough to drive these young people crazy.”

Many people were astonished and envious, all expressing surprise and longing.

The Great Essence Pill was a five-grade pill that only a five-level pill refiner could concoct. This pill could enable the consumption of the taker to immediately break through two minor realms. Furthermore, the pill allowed for a refining of the entire body, making one’s foundation more secure and preventing the issue of realm inflation due to rapid advancement.

“Furthermore, the pill refiner who obtains the Great Essence Pill is entitled to a year of study at the Pill Alliance in Xuan Country.” Zhuge Cang made another astonishing statement.