The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

After the two left, the atmosphere in the main hall became more peculiar, with some smiling grimly, some cold and indifferent, and others looking at Fang Lin with worry etched on their faces.

Gu Daofeng’s face showed no pleasure or anger, radiating an ever-present gentle demeanor, making him appear like a scholarly gentleman.

Fang Lin stood his ground, managing to keep his calm even with many eyes focused on him.

Time trickled by with no one speaking and no one leaving. Even the sound of breathing seemed purposely muffled.

At this moment, even the drop of a pin to the floor would very likely be heard by everyone.

A hush fell! Audible pin-drop silence!

Fang Lin, amidst this eerie and calm atmosphere, felt no anxiety or pressure. On the contrary, his thoughts wandered, wondering what he should have for a meal later.

“Fang Lin, what are you thinking about?” Gu Daofeng’s voice suddenly echoed out, his tone very gentle, akin to a spring breeze, like a senior conversing with a junior without displaying any aura of superiority.

Without any hesitation, Fang Lin blurted out, “I was wondering what I should eat after leaving. I haven’t had meat for three days; my mouth is really bland.”

Upon hearing his words, Gu Daofeng paused before laughing.

Among the many elders present, some were trying to hide their laughter at the absurdity, while others were simply dumbfounded.

“This lad, he really has no worries.” Meng Wuyou shook his head and chuckled bitterly, Mu Yan beside him, however, nodded slightly, finding Fang Lin extraordinary for being able to joke at such a time.

“Humph! He’s playing stupid even when he’s on the brink of disaster. Truly detestable!” Zhao Dengming scoffed secretly.

Only after Fang Lin finished speaking did he realize his blunder, his face showing signs of bashful embarrassment.

“I misspoke.” Fang Lin cleared his throat and stated.

Gu Daofeng smiled mildly, seemingly in good spirits, he said, “It’s alright. We should eat more meat indeed. After all, even though we are Pill Refiners, we are also Martial Artists, strengthening ourselves is essential.”

This remark left elders chuckling at the irony. The head of Pill Sect advising a disciple to consume more meat was indeed an amusing occurrence.

Fang Lin kept nodding enthusiastically, his face glowing. It seemed that discussing food with the Sect Leader excited him.

Finally, someone couldn’t hold back. He stood up from the crowd and loudly announced, “Reporting to the Sect Leader, this lad Fang Lin had maliciously hurt fellow disciples within the Medicine-Seeking Peak. His actions are heinous. I suggest we bring him to justice and establish his guilt!”

Upon hearing this, Fang Lin looked and recognized the speaker as Elder Gao, one of the three elders who had opened the Medicine-Seeking Peak gate a few days earlier. He had been unwelcoming since then.

After finishing his statement, Elder Gao looked at Fang Lin with cold and gloomy eyes.

Fang Lin saw a trace of contempt and viciousness within Elder Gao’s gaze.

“Sect Leader, Fang Lin has violated a major taboo of Pill Sect, we must investigate this!” Zhao Dengming immediately agreed, rising to his feet.

Naturally, Yu Zhen wasn’t going to lag behind and immediately agreed, “Moreover, his reaching the peak unscathed is highly suspicious and requires thorough investigation.”

It didn’t even stop there. One elder with white hair from the Pill Pavilion calmly added, “Reporting to the Sect Leader, our Pill Pavilion has found Fang Lin privately selling pills, showing sheer disrespect to the rules of our Pavilion. Please take this into consideration.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Lin’s expression remained unchanged, but he sneered inwardly.

“It looks like these people want to ruthlessly suppress me today. But I, Fang Lin, will not let you get your way this easily.” Fang Lin thought.

Gu Daofeng, listening to the several elders accusing Fang Lin, maintained a tranquil expression, as if he was hearing something trivial.

Once the elder of the Pill Pavilion finished, Gu Daofeng looked at Fang Lin. The smile on his face gradually disappeared, replaced by a serious look.

An oppressive aura descended, causing Fang Lin to tremble slightly. He knew it was Gu Daofeng quietly asserting his authority.

“Fang Lin, do the charges by the honorable elders hold true?” Gu Daofeng inquired, his brows slightly furrowed, and a trace of doubt flashed in his eyes.

Fang Lin bowed, expressing respect. Maintaining composure, he said, “I plead guilty.”

What!?

As these words came out, the entire main hall was immediately sent into a frenzy.

Meng Wuyou and Mu Yan both widened their eyes, finding it hard to believe that Fang Lin had so readily confessed to his guilt.

Conversely, Zhao Dengming, Yu Zhen, Elder Gao, and the elder from the Pill Pavilion showed signs of delight.

Yan Zhengfeng, the elder with the longest tenure, frowned, clearly surprised by Fang Lin’s decisive confession.

“Since Fang Lin has pleaded guilty, I request the Sect Leader to proceed with his punishment, to maintain the discipline of Pill Sect.” Zhao Dengming requested politely.

Fang Lin glanced at Zhao Dengming and said, “The guilt I confessed to is private sale of pills, as for Elder Gao’s accusation of me harming fellow disciples, it’s utterly baseless. They’re trying to sully my name. I request the Sect Leader to investigate this.”

Elder Gao immediately shouted, “How dare you, Fang Lin! You dare argue in front of our Sect Leader and honorable elders. The evidence is solid. You did harm your fellow disciples within the Medicine-Seeking Peak. Your guilt is inexcusable! ”

Fang Lin smiled and replied, “Elder Gao mentioned solid evidence. In that case, please produce this supposed evidence.”

Gu Daofeng nodded and said, “Elder Gao, harming fellow disciples is a grave crime. We must not forget that we cannot falsely accuse any disciple, but we also cannot let go of any offenders. If you have solid evidence, I will definitely deal with Fang Lin. However, if you cannot produce any evidence, it would mean that you’re falsely accusing Fang Lin.”

Elder Gao replied coldly, “I naturally hold the evidence.”

As he finished speaking, someone entered the main hall from outside. As Fang Lin turned to look, he recognized him as Kang Lu.

Kang Lu glared at Fang Lin resentfully. Fang Lin, on the other hand, showed a mocking smile.

“Greetings to the Sect Leader! Greetings to the elders! I am disciple Kang Lu, accusing Fang Lin of poisoning his fellow disciples!” Kang Lu knelt on the ground, pointed at Fang Lin and said with an aggrieved expression.

Fang Lin looked indifferently at Kang Lu and did not respond.

Elder Gao smirked and said, “Sect Leader, Kang Lu is the victim harmed by Fang Lin. Everything that happened within the Medicine-Seeking Peak can be narrated by him.”

After receiving Gu Daofeng’s approval, Kang Lu began to accuse Fang Lin violently. He exaggerated Fang Lin’s deeds and recounted the incident.

Within Kang Lu’s recollection, Fang Lin was made out to be a ruthless and wicked thug. Many elders shook their heads and looked at Fang Lin, their gaze filled with disappointment and anger.

Many others, however, kept frowning and remained silent, well-aware of who Kang Lu was, and his credibility was indeed questionable.

Furthermore, the grudge between Kang Lu and Fang Lin was known by all and sundry. Kang Lu accusing Fang Lin here naturally appeared to have a ulterior motive.

After Kang Lu finished speaking, Meng Wuyou, on one side, immediately stood up and said in a low voice, “Kang Lu’s words alone are hardly convincing. If you decide Fang Lin’s guilt based on this, I would be the first to object!”

Meng Wuyou’s words received many nods and words of support from the other elders.

Even Yan Zhengfeng, the elder with the longest tenure, nodded slightly in agreement.

Elder Gao snorted coldly, not wavering in the slightest, he continued, “Outside the main hall are several people who witnessed the incident, they can testify..”