The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron - Chapter 506:
Chapter 506: Chapter 506: Heavenly Stone
The people present were essentially the talent of Xuan Country, each with substantial strength.
Each person had varying amounts of unique Martial Arts Divine Powers, but Zhou Yishui aimed to gain ownership of the Martial Arts Divine Powers of everyone present, demonstrating an audaciousness of a monumental degree.
If it wasn’t for the warning from the Demon Saint, Fang Lin would most likely have fallen for Zhou Yishui’s scheme.
Instantly, Fang Lin hurriedly said to Dugu Nian and Gongsun Xiao who were beside him, “Don’t try to understand that stone, something’s not right about it!”
Upon hearing this, Dugu Nian immediately retracted her gaze. She had quite a bit of trust in Fang Lin, even though she was puzzled.
On the other hand, Gongsun Xiao was hesitant. He was very interested in the Heavenly Stone and wanted to comprehend its secrets, but Fang Lin’s words cast doubt in his heart.
“Fang Lin, why can’t we try to understand this Heavenly Stone?” Gongsun Xiao asked.
Fang Lin whispered, “I have a secret technique which allows me to see the true nature through the falsehood. There’s nothing extraordinary about this stone, instead, it’s a trap. We simply cannot try to comprehend it.”
Hearing what Fang Lin said, Gongsun Xiao no longer paid attention to the Heavenly Stone. In comparison to the so-called chance of fortune, Gongsun Xiao preferred to avoid any risks.
After reminding these two, Fang Lin didn’t pay attention to anyone else. After all, only Dugu Nian and Gongsun Xiao were worthy of his attention. The actions of the others had nothing to do with him.
Essentially, everyone at the scene had focused their attention on the Heavenly Stone, hoping to comprehend its secrets and seize its opportunities.
Zhou Yishui wore a light smile, a faint glimmer in his eyes, looking extremely satisfied.
However, he realized soon enough that Dugu Nian, Gongsun Xiao, and Fang Lin weren’t looking at the Heavenly Stone, causing his brows to furrow slightly.
According to Zhou Yishui’s logic, this so-called treasure from the royal family of Xuan Country should have greatly interested these supposed geniuses, yet there were those who could resist the allure.
Especially Fang Lin, who seemed uninterested in the Heavenly Stone in the room. Instead, he was enjoying his food, currently devouring a big pork knuckle, with oil dripping from his mouth.
Dugu Nian glanced at Fang Lin with distaste. Was he a hungry ghost reborn? Why were his eating manners so terrible? I would have never sat beside him if I knew earlier. He’s so embarrassing.
Also, Gongsun Xiao’s mouth twitched slightly and he turned to look away from Fang Lin, quietly drinking his wine.
Zhou Yishui came over and said with a smile, “Are the three of you not interested in the Heavenly Stone?”
Gongsun Xiao respectfully said, “I am not very bright, I don’t think I would be able to understand anything, hence I didn’t attempt to.”
“What about Miss Nian? With your qualifications, Miss Nian, you might gain some insights if destiny is on your side,” Zhou Yishui said to Dugu Nian.
Dugu Nian, with a calm expression, replied, “Thank you for your kindness Crown Prince, but I am only interested in Pill Refining. As a Pill Refiner, I am not interested in martial arts opportunities.”
This statement, however, felt like a deliberate jab at Zhou Yishui. After all, Zhou Yishui had previously belittled Pill Refiners, and Dugu Nian claimed to be one, implying a disagreement.
Zhou Yishui seemingly didn’t pay it any mind, as if he didn’t catch the underlying implications in Dugu Nian’s words. He then turned his attention to Fang Lin.
“Crown Prince, the food here is delicious, can you send me a few more pork knuckles?” Fang Lin mumbled through mouthfuls of the greasy pork knuckle.
Dugu Nian and Gongsun Xiao both turned their heads, pretending not to know him.
Zhou Yishui was taken aback for a moment, then laughed, “Of course.”
Upon saying this, Zhou Yishui instructed his attendants to bring a few more tubs of pork knuckles for Fang Lin, who was overjoyed, grabbing one in each hand, and savored them as though he had never tasted such delights before.
Zhou Yishui did not have much to say to the three of them. He returned to his main seat but his expression seemed a little off.
The fact that the three of them showed no interest in the Heavenly Stone was unexpected for Zhou Yishui. He did not believe their explanations and felt that there must have been some problem.
At this point, almost everyone else was immersed in trying to comprehend the Heavenly Stone. Many expressions of revelation and fascination appeared on the faces of the crowd, as though they had gained something from the process.
The only exceptions were Fang Lin and his two companions, who were drinking and eating, chatting and laughing heartily, without showing the slightest interest in the Heavenly Stone. They stood out dramatically and oddly among the rest.
Zhou Yishui observed the three of them several times, and it became apparent that they were indeed completely ignoring the Heavenly Stone, causing growing suspicions in his heart.
After a short while, someone suddenly roused from his contemplation, looking somewhat lost.
“How is it? Did you gain anything?” Zhou Yishui asked, with a smile.
The person shook his head. It seemed that he had previously understood something, but ended up gaining nothing, appearing somewhat unwilling.
Zhou Yishui lightly smiled, not asking anything more.
More and more people regained their senses, all shook their heads with a sigh of dismay, none of them had deciphered any so-called secrets.
“It seems that your fortune is still not ripe yet,” Zhou Yishui said with tangible disappointment.
Fang Lin scoffed inwardly. So, Zhou Yishui was a good actor, indeed. By this point, the Heavenly Stone must have been able to imprint the Martial Arts Divine Powers of most of the people present inside it, waiting for a member of the royal family of Xuan Country to learn it.
In this way, the royal family would hold the Martial Arts of all the forces of Xuan Country. If these forces were to become aware of the situation, it would certainly cause an uproar.
After all, every sect had their unique Martial Arts, the tightly guarded secrets. Yet now, the royal family possessed them. This, for any sect, would be unbearable to accept.
What’s funny was that these so-called geniuses were completely ignorant, foolishly falling right into Zhou Yishui’s trap, not realizing that their Martial Arts were being pilfered.
One could only imagine, the royal family, armed with these Martial Arts, would undoubtedly become much stronger.
“This stone will remain here all throughout the banquet, it will only be removed after the banquet is over. You all can constantly meditate upon it,” Zhou Yishui said.
Many people, still unwilling to give up, continued to meditate upon the Heavenly Stone.
“Apart from that, the Hundred Beast Mountain of our Xuan Country will open in six months. The children of our country can enter the Ferocious Mountain to seek fortunes and ancient treasures,” Zhou Yishui said.
Upon hearing this, all the people present exhibited expressions of shock.
“What? The Hundred Beast Mountain is opening?”
“This is a huge opportunity indeed!”
“I must go! I absolutely cannot miss this!”
“Rumour has it that there are treasures left by ancient masters in the Hundred Beast Mountain.”
“I’ve heard from my elders that the Hundred Beast Mountain is dangerous, but it’s filled with treasures!”
…
Fang Lin didn’t know what the so-called Hundred Beast Mountain was, but he assumed it must be similar to the Endless Dungeon of Qian Country.
