The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

Chapter 579: Chapter 579: Fang Lin is Ostracized

In this group, there were only eight individuals, among whom was a strikingly beautiful woman. The other seven were also imposing figures with extraordinary demeanors.

However, at this moment they looked somewhat disheveled, dirt was plastered on their faces with traces of fear still visible. Clearly, they were survivors from the recent wave of beast tide.

The moment the sole woman in the group saw Fang Lin and his companions crawling out from the ground, she released a cry of surprise.

“It seems to be people from the Pill Alliance!” Someone with sharp eyes recognized Fang Lin and Zhou Zhishui.

Fang Lin, seeing that not far away were actual people, immediately crawled out from the dirt, shaking off the mud on him with a burst of Inner Strength.

“It’s Zhishui!” The woman recognized Zhou Zhishui and instantly showed an expression of joy, hurriedly making her way over.

Fang Lin and the others turned to look and were all surprised. It turned out it was a group from the royal family.

Moreover, this woman was someone Fang Lin had met before, it was Princess Xiruo who had appeared together with Dugu Nian and Saintess Han Li in the Crown Prince’s mansion.

As for the other youths, they were clearly also members of the royal family, otherwise, they wouldn’t be accompanying Zhou Xiruo.

“Xiruo!” Zhou Zhishui was also overjoyed upon seeing these individuals, and quickly went to meet them.

The two girls embraced each other. Reuniting in such a place brought an unparalleled sense of joy.

“Zhishui, how did you guys emerge from the ground?” Zhou Xiruo asked curiously.

Zhou Zhishui glanced at Fang Lin: “We encountered the beast tide and used a Secret Skill to hide in the ground.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiruo and the youths were all surprised. Could one actually hide in the ground?

They too had encountered the beast tide, but they were lucky enough to find an abandoned Demon Beast den to hide in and so survived the ordeal.

At this moment, the two groups finally met. Although there was a bit of apprehension between them, with the presence of Zhou Zhishui and Zhou Xiruo, they coexisted in peace.

“Fang Lin?” The royal youths, however, looked at Fang Lin with slight hostility.

This was to be expected. Fang Lin was viewed as an enemy by the Crown Prince Zhou Yishui, and these royal youths who admired Zhou Yishui naturally considered Fang Lin as an enemy as well.

As for Fang Lin, he didn’t care in the slightest. He didn’t have a good impression of the Xuan Country’s royal family in the first place, and naturally felt the same way about these royal youths.

As long as they didn’t provoke him, it was fine. If they dared to provoke him, he’d have no qualms about killing them all.

Zhou Zhishui, Zhou Xiruo, and the three Pill Alliance attendants had all noticed the hostility the seven young royals harbored towards Fang Lin. The stewards of the Pill Alliance naturally sided with Fang Lin, as they had been instructed countless times by Chen Yongnian before their departure to ensure Fang Lin’s safety.

Zhou Xiruo showed a hint of unusual emotion in her eyes. She wasn’t particularly averse to Fang Lin. Moreover, she was close with Dugu Nian, and even though Dugu Nian never admitted it, she could tell that Dugu Nian felt differently about Fang Lin.

“Zhishui, since we’ve met, why don’t you join us,” one of the seven youths proposed.

Fang Lin found the youth somewhat familiar but couldn’t recall his name. He seemed to have been at the Crown Prince’s mansion that day, appearing by Zhou Yishui’s side. He was probably one of the royal offspring who were close with Zhou Yishui.

Zhou Zhishui showed a trace of embarrassment. She did want to join her royal fellows, but she came here as a Pill Refiner of the Pill Alliance. To abandon Fang Lin and the others at this point would be quite inappropriate.

The youth smiled, looked towards the rest of the Pill Alliance: “If you’d like, you can come with us.”

After pausing for a moment, the youth glanced at Fang Lin: “Except for him. The Crown Prince doesn’t like this person.”

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at Fang Lin. The brows of the three Pill Alliance stewards furrowed, and the other Pill Alliance youth seemed somewhat tempted.

“Zhou Ji, if we’re joining you, it cannot be at the cost of anyone,” Zhou Zhishui immediately expressed her disapproval.

The one called Zhou Ji, however, shook his head: “Zhishui, you are a member of the royal family, it is only natural for you to join us. As for the others of the Pill Alliance, our royal family has always been on good terms with the Alliance. As for this Fang Lin, he is not worthy of being with us.”

Fang Lin burst into laughter, it seemed like the royals bore even deeper enmity for him than he thought. They were even going against him at this point.

“I, uh, I will go with you,” the youth from the Pill Alliance suddenly said.

Zhou Zhishui cast a disgusted look at him, and the three stewards of the Pill Alliance remained silent, their expressions sullen.

“Ha ha, friend, may I ask your name?” Zhou Ji slapped the shoulder of the Pill Alliance youth, asking with a smile.

“My name is Ma Mingwen.” The youth from Pill Alliance said quietly, not daring to look at Fang Lin and the others.

“Well done, Brother Ma. I, Zhou Ji, have made you my friend. With us, you’ll definitely be safe,” Zhou Ji said with a hearty laugh.

Ma Mingwen looked extremely embarrassed. He didn’t have a choice. Watching his companions die one after one, he did not wish to be next.

Moreover, traveling with the royal family was the wisest move. Given that every member was powerful and had numerous artifacts, the chances of survival were much greater.

“Ma Mingwen, as a Pill Refiner of the Pill Alliance, you abandon your people at this moment, do you deserve to return to the Alliance?” The steward with the highest Cultivation from the Pill Alliance reproached.

Ma Mingwen lowered his head, unable to rebuke.

Zhou Ji chuckled: “The three stewards are impressive in their Cultivation. Why not join us? There’s a higher chance of survival with more people, isn’t it?”

The three stewards looked at each other. Except for the one with the highest Cultivation, the other two seemed somewhat hesitant.

They were certainly loyal to the Pill Alliance, but in this place, they wanted to survive as well. Seeing Ma Mingwen joining the royal group and Zhou Zhishui most likely joining them, it would be nearly impossible for the three of them, together with Fang Lin, to survive.

Joining the royal group seemed to be the best and wisest choice.

“Fang Lin, Elder Shen, we’re sorry.” The two individuals bowed towards Fang Lin and the elder steward Shen, then moved to join the royal group.

Zhou Zhishui and Zhou Xiruo both showed a complex expression. They didn’t expect things to develop to this extent.

Elder Shen’s face was unsightly. He didn’t expect the other two stewards to make such a choice, and was about to scold them, but on second thought, they were just trying to survive. Who was he to blame them?

“Elder Shen, why don’t you join us as well? As for Fang Lin, let him fend for himself. No need to bother.” Zhou Ji spoke, beaming, but his eyes were filled with disdain and mockery when looking at Fang Lin.