The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron Chapter 960

Chapter 960: Chapter 960: The Problem with Frost Fire Grass Chapter 960: Chapter 960: The Problem with Frost Fire Grass The Ling Family Elder, who had been scolded by Fang Lin repeatedly to go home and read some books, was wearing a look of frustration. He hadn't done anything, yet he was still caught in the crossfire. What was this all about?

Xu Zhenliang wanted to scold Fang Lin further, but Master Wen suddenly spoke, “After a long discussion between everyone, I think it's time we wrap it up.”

As soon as Master Wen spoke, Xu Zhenliang forcibly held back the words he was about to say, feeling extremely uncomfortable as he had nowhere to vent his anger.

Everyone quieted down, knowing that the main event was about to start.

Master Wen personally set a challenge to test these Master Alchemists. As long as they solved the problems presented by Master Wen, they would receive a reward.

Although the exact nature of the reward was unknown, since it was a reward from the Pill Alliance represented by Master Wen, they figured it mustn't be anything insignificant.

Master Wen stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his demeanor calm and serene, and he began to speak slowly: “All present here have considerable expertise in Alchemy Tao. However, I'm afraid many among you might not be able to answer the three questions I am about to pose. Perhaps, none of the three rewards will even be given out.”

These words made the Master Alchemists present somewhat unwilling to accept the challenge. Although Master Wen's depth in Alchemy Tao was unfathomable, this didn't justify underestimating them. Unless Master Wen intended to be deliberately difficult and pose questions that even a Master Alchemist couldn't resolve.

“Please present the questions, Master Wen,” said Master Zhong, glancing at Fang Lin as he spoke, seemingly still preoccupied with the contest of controlling fire from earlier.

Master Wen gave a slight smile and with a wave of his left hand, an unusual herb appeared before everyone.

The reason it was called unusual was that this herb was a rare dual-natured herb, possessing two completely different energies within its body.

The herb had one side from which intense heat seemed to continuously emerge, as if flames were about to burst forth, while the other side was shrouded in a cold aura, its branches and leaves frosted over.

“This seems to be the Frost Fire Grass that only grows in extremely hot and cold borderlands, very rare and precious indeed!” exclaimed one of the Master Alchemists, awe in his voice.

It wasn't only him. The Master Alchemists present were experienced and knowledgeable; naturally, they could recognize a plant of Frost Fire Grass.

Master Wen nodded, “This is indeed Frost Fire Grass, and it is the subject of your first challenge.”

Fang Lin had been observing this Frost Fire Grass and quickly noticed the issue with it. Almost simultaneously, Master Zhong and Master Long also focused their gazes, as if they too understood the peculiarity of this Frost Fire Grass.

As for the other Master Alchemists, it took them slightly longer, but they too recognized the problem with the plant shortly thereafter.

“It seems the energies of this Frost Fire Grass are imbalanced, with the cold energy prevailing and suppressing the other side's fire energy,” said Master Long, pinpointing the issue with the Frost Fire Grass.

Indeed, that was the situation. The two energies of the Frost Fire Grass were imbalanced, with the cold being stronger than the fire energy.

Frost Fire Grass, being a plant with unique properties, needed to maintain a balance between these two energies in order to continue growing.

If the energies were imbalanced and one dominated the other, the Frost Fire Grass would wither within a few months.

Now it seemed that the Frost Fire Grass already showed some signs of wilting, but it wasn't too severe, and there was still time and opportunity to save it.

“Is this the first challenge, then? To restore the balance between the two energies of the Frost Fire Grass.” Many Master Alchemists frowned, although they understood the condition of the Frost Fire Grass, how to resolve it was itself a difficult problem.

“I'll give it a try,” said someone eagerly, stepping forward without delay.

This was an elderly man looking very much advanced in years, seemingly a Pill Refiner who had spent a long time in the Five Cauldrons realm.

The elder approached the Frost Fire Grass with a hint of confidence, and with an outstretched hand, he took out a red bead.

“Eh? That's a bead made from the Fire Origin Stone.” Someone recognized the object in the elder's hand, expressing a touch of surprise.

The Fire Origin Stone is an extremely hot celestial stone imbued with the essence of fire. Should a person without Inner Strength touch this Fire Origin Stone, they would be burnt to a crisp instantly.

Even for a Martial Artist, it would take a considerable level of cultivation to handle the Fire Origin Stone.

The red bead in the elder's hand was filled with a scorching aura, and as soon as it appeared, it seemed to resonate with the Frost Fire Grass.

The side of the Frost Fire Grass that was filled with fire energy immediately seemed more vigorous, as if the red bead was providing the grass with its fiery breath.

Seeing this, a look of joy appeared on the elder's face, while the other Masters of Pill showed a bit of helplessness.

Someone else owned a bead made of the Fire Origin Stone, which came in handy, but they didn't have such an object and could only watch helplessly.

However, Master Wen's lips curled into a smile that seemed to carry a deep meaning.

And Fang Lin watched the Frost Fire Grass intently, his eyes as sharp as a hawk's.

“Still not good enough, this is only a temporary solution, not addressing the root cause,” Fang Lin suddenly spoke out.

The crowd around was taken aback, then filled with a mixture of curiosity and surprise, and the elder who possessed the red bead showed displeasure, believing that Fang Lin was envious because he had so quickly solved the challenge posed by Master Wen and was being deliberately contrarian.

It wasn't just him who thought this way; several Masters of Pill also found Fang Lin's statement to be absurd.

Only Master Zhong, Master Long, and a few others with profound understanding of Alchemy Tao refrained from hastily taking a stance, as if they were still observing the reaction of the Frost Fire Grass.

Fang Lin's expression remained unfazed, for he had reasons for his statement and didn't deign to argue with the others.

An old saying goes well, “Actions speak louder than words.”

“It should be about right now.” The elder revealed a smile as he saw the Frost Fire Grass regain its vitality, the two energies reaching balance, and then he put away the red bead.

“Indeed, it has recovered,” many exclaimed, as the Frost Fire Grass truly had returned to normal, the fire and cold energies reaching balance, bursting with life.

“Master Wen, does this count as solving the first challenge?” the elder asked Master Wen, with a mix of joy and pride.

Master Wen offered a faint smile, “Let's wait and see.”

The elder was puzzled; hadn't the problem been solved already? Why did they need to wait and see?

But since Master Wen had said so, the elder naturally wouldn't rush, feeling assured that having solved Master Wen's first challenge, the reward would be his.

Yet, in less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, the Frost Fire Grass underwent a change again.

The once robust fire energy gradually weakened and was suppressed by the cold, reverting the grass to its original, sickly state.

“What's going on?” The elder was taken aback. The Frost Fire Grass had clearly recovered to normalcy, so why had it reverted to this state so quickly?

Chapter end

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