The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

Chapter 377: 377: Doubting Everything

Seven-Pointer Tempering, another ancient pill refining technique that has been lost to the sands of time!

Among those present, only a small number of Pill Refiners, like Zhuge Cang, recognized what Fang Lin was demonstrating at the moment was indeed the Seven-Pointer Tempering Skill.

“What’s Fang Lin’s background? Not only he knows Shaking Three Mountains, but he even knows the Seven-Pointer Tempering Skill?” Lu Wuwei exclaimed in astonishment.

Everyone looked towards Elder Su, but even he appeared perplexed and surprised, clearly unaware of when Fang Lin learned the Seven-Pointer Tempering Skill.

“Don’t look at me, it’s the first time I’ve seen it being performed,” Elder Su stated oddly.

Old Woman Gu and the stern old man exchanged extremely ugly looks. Fang Lin took them by surprise, his abilities were almost uncanny.

Knowing one type of Ancient Alchemy Skill was already remarkable, but the fact that Fang Lin knew a second one, and performed it so easily, was an indication of his utmost proficiency.

But where did he learn this exceptional skill of Seven-Pointer Tempering?

“I once came across this technique in an old text, the description was incomplete, but it seemed capable of maximizing the potency of medicinal herbs while minimizing their loss,” Chen Mu said with a stern voice.

There was no need for him to speak further, those who recognized the Seven-Pointer Tempering Skill were naturally aware of the power of this ancient technique.

Simply put, mastering this ancient skill would undoubtedly raise the quality of pills by at least one level during refining.

If Shaking Three Mountains is an ancient alchemy technique that focuses on efficiency, then Seven-Pointer Tempering is all about precision.

Using seven fingers to draw out the utmost properties of medicinal herbs with flames requires a deep foundation in Pill Refining Skills.

Especially the subtlety of these seven fingers, which can only be understood by the Pill Refiner himself. Others simply cannot teach it.

“Could it be that there’s some sort of ancient manuscript in the Purple Mist Sect that teaches the Seven-Pointer Tempering Skill?” suggested Zhuge Cang.

Elder Su shook his head. “Even though I don’t know much about the Purple Mist Sect, even during its most glorious era of the Four Saints, I’ve never heard of anyone among them who knew how to apply the Seven-Pointer Tempering Skill, so it seems unlikely that it would be a part of the sect’s inheritance.”

Lu Wuwei then interjected, “Then, does Fang Lin’s family have the inheritance of this ancient skill?”

Elder Su shook his head again. “That’s even more improbable. The Fang Family, where Fang Lin comes from, is just a minor clan in Qian Country, with insignificant strength. They hardly have any Martial Artists, let alone Pill Refiners.”

“That’s bizarre then, where did this brat learn the Seven-Pointer Tempering Method?” Lu Wuwei queried, clearly confused.

“So what? We’ll capture him later and interrogate him thoroughly,” the stern old man sarcastically remarked, his eyes revealing a murderous intent.

Old Woman Gu echoed coldly. “I’ve refined a batch of Mind-Bewildering Dan. Once he consumes this pill, he will lose himself and do whatever we command. With a pill in him, I guarantee all of Fang Lin’s secrets will be exposed.”

Elder Su rolled his eyes at the two of them and retorted irritably, “I’d like to see who dares to lay a finger on Fang Lin.”

Zhuge Cang also found it amusing. Presumably, these two were overcome by greed when they found out Fang Lin could apply the Seven-Pointer Tempering Skill. They sought to extract the method of practicing this ancient alchemy technique from him.

However, this was only common human behavior. Even he, Zhuge Cang, his heart pounded when he saw Fang Lin using the Seven-Pointer Tempering Skill, and he wished to master it.

The value of an ancient alchemy technique far outweighs any extraordinary treasure. Even some great figures in Pill Dao would certainly be tempted if they saw it.

Who would deny feeling such temptation? In this world, who could truly claim to be free of desires?

“Since Fang Lin is a part of our Pill Alliance, then this Seven-Pointer Tempering Skill should naturally be handed over to us,” the stern old man declared, seemingly righteous.

Elder Su frowned. “We still can’t confirm that it’s the Seven-Pointer Tempering Skill. So what’s the rush? Besides, even if it is, we can’t force Fang Lin to hand it over to the Pill Alliance if he doesn’t want to.”

Zhuge Cang nodded in agreement. “Elder Su is right. As this Seven-Pointer Tempering Skill belongs to Fang Lin, our Pill Alliance shouldn’t forcefully seize it. Otherwise, wouldn’t that disillusion all the Pill Refiners in the world?”

“Heh heh.” Upon hearing this, the stern old man no longer argued, but smirked knowingly.

Everyone understood that the Pill Alliance was not as pure as it appeared. All sorts of filthy dealings happened behind the scenes. Despite their respectable facades, any one of them present could have engaged in unspeakable activities.

Even Su Jianchuan, after seeing Shaking Three Mountains in action for the first time, was tempted to learn the skill.

However, Elder Su chose a more moderate approach and did not seize it forcefully.

If it were some other ruthless people, they’d have exploited all possible means already.

“By the way, I forgot to tell you. Although Fang Lin is from a small family, when he was a child, he received guidance from a Pill Dao high expert. Maybe this Seven-Pointer Tempering Skill was taught by that expert,” Elder Su abruptly revealed shocking news.

At this remark, there was a noticeable change in the faces of all present.

“What Pill Dao high expert? Don’t tell me you, Su Jianchuan, are trying to deceive us by concocting a story,” the stern old man questioned skeptically.

It was not just him, none of the others believed it either. After all, a Pill Dao high expert sounded too far-fetched and unrealistic.

Elder Su didn’t expect them to take his word for it, and simply shrugged, “Believe it or not, I heard this myself from Fang Lin. Whether it’s true or not, only he knows. But if true, this Pill Dao high expert might not be so easy to provoke.”

“Feigning mystery.” The stern old man snorted. Though skeptical, a touch of apprehension was visible in his eyes.

Things that were completely unknown often incited paranoia. Although nine times out of ten it might be false, what if it was true?

If true, wouldn’t there be a mysterious and formidable figure in Pill Dao standing behind Fang Lin? It might even be a hidden powerhouse.

That would be terrifying.

While the old men were filled with suspicion and unease, on the stage above, Fang Lin, employing the Seven-Pointer Tempering Skill, had extracted the full medicinal properties of the herbs, optimizing their usage to the fullest extent.

In a single medicinal herb, useable medicinal properties accounted for only a small proportion, with the majority being difficult to utilize and was only incorporated into the pills a little.

What a Pill Refiner should do is to extract as much as possible the medicinal properties.

The Seven-Pointer Tempering Skill was a pill refining technique that could extract even more medicinal properties.

It was not surprising for Fang Lin, a formidable Pill Sovereign, to be proficient in this method. If he wasn’t even capable of that, he might as well be considered dead.

Li Jianlong watched with a dumbfounded expression. As the first Pill Dao genius of the Li Family, having perused all the ancient texts of the family, he seemed to have seen the method Fang Lin was using at the moment in one of them.