No matter how much Lin Fang resisted internally, Ling Xuzi's Great Alchemy Cause had still commenced according to the original plan.
Countless rare herbs were thrown into the Alchemy Furnace, followed by Lin Fang's nightmare. With his life on the line, he dared not be the slightest bit lax, carefully controlling the fire, beads of sweat soon covering his entire forehead.
The only thing to be thankful for was that there were no mistakes during the process. As time ticked by, Lin Fang's control over the fire became more adept. He became so engrossed that he almost forgot the threat of death looming behind.
"Haha, once the major task is accomplished, all that's left is to nurture it slowly!" A sudden bout of laughter jolted Lin Fang out of his trance.
It turned out that the most challenging part of creating the Sixth Turn Golden Pill was the beginning—any slight mistake could lead to failure. However, once the hardest part was overcome, the path was smooth, with no significant crises remaining, only a long period of nurturing to enhance the medicinal properties to their ultimate potency.
"You've done very well this time. Take a bottle of wine from the storeroom as a reward later!" Ling Xuzi was overjoyed and even took the initiative to offer a reward.
"Tch! That wine tastes terrible, and it's not a Spiritual Object either. The old freak is really stingy!" Lin Fang complained inwardly but had to thank him with a smile on his face for the reward.
"By the way, Great King, I wonder what amazing effects this Sixth Turn Golden Pill has that makes it worthy of such treatment by you!" Taking advantage of Ling Xuzi's good mood, Lin Fang hastily asked the question that had been on his mind.
"Haha! One pill is the equivalent of one Jiazi of Mana, you tell me if it's worth it!" he said, looking delightedly at the Pill Furnace.
Lin Fang stared dumbfounded at the Pill Furnace, his heart ablaze; he was very eager for that monkey to arrive soon.
Following that day, Ling Xuzi entrusted the important task of guarding the Alchemy Furnace to Lin Fang, while he himself left to travel the mountains and visit friends.
As late spring arrived, Qingfeng Mountain had turned into a riot of colors, with various unknown wildflowers striving to unleash their beauty, and trees thriving lushly, everything so alive and flourishing.
Yet, as Lin Fang looked out at this vibrant land, he felt no joy. With the day of the Elixir's emergence drawing near and Sun Wukong still not showing up, a thick shadow loomed over his heart, though his face could not show the slightest anxiety.
This step was crucial to the path he would take in the future, and inevitably, he felt a sense of apprehension and loss.
Just then, a wind blew by, neither from the southeast nor the northwest, bringing an unyielding will to fight that swept across the land, raising waves of green.
"What's that!" An exclamation drew everyone's gaze to the sky.
The once clear blue sky was now filled with auspicious clouds, the golden light dazzling, surrounding two massive figures.
"Isn't that the Black Wind Great King! Who could be matching blows with him!" The Little demons were familiar with the widely known Black Wind Great King, and what surprised them was that someone could battle the Demon King.
"It looks like a monkey, but I've never heard of such a powerful being nearby!" The Little demons, since birth, had never strayed far from here and naturally didn't know the illustrious reputation once held by the monkey before them.
Lin Fang scrutinized the hero he had learned about since he was a child. Unlike in his imagination, the hero was not tall and mighty. Instead, he was short and thin, but the overwhelming will to fight made one forget his stature, remembering only his domineering and forceful aura.
Wielding an iron rod, clad in a monk's robe, with a tiger skin skirt wrapped around his waist, he fought the Black Wind Monster who struggled to defend himself.
"Bi Mawen, I respect that you were once a valiant hero, but you mustn't bully me to such an extent!" The Black Wind Monster was exceptionally ashamed and annoyed, wielding his iron spear and engaging in a fierce fight with the Great Sage.
The battle turned the sky dark and the sun and moonlight dim, causing the Twelve Divine Protectors, the Four Valued Sergeants, and the Temple Guardian in the sky, and the Earth God and Mountain God on the ground, to flee in panic.
The Great Sage fought with increasing vigor, as if to vent all the resentment from being suppressed for five hundred years in one blow. However, the Black Wind Monster grew weaker as the fight went on, realizing that the monkey on the opposite side was using him as a vent for five hundred years of pent-up frustration.
"Hmph! Dream on if you think you can take out your anger on me." He turned into a gust of black wind and dove into his Cave Mansion.
Sun Wukong, seeing his opponent attempting to flee, naturally would not let him go so easily. Since escaping Mount Wuxing, this was the first time he had encountered an opponent who could match his prowess, and he was naturally eager for a satisfying battle.
But the Black Wind Monster would not let him succeed; he had already activated the formations within the Cave Mansion. Runes danced in the air, sealing off the entire Black Wind Cave completely. Sun Wukong picked up his Jingu Bang and struck hard, and although the barrier flickered, it remained unbroken. After several failed attempts, he realized it was impossible to force his way in.
"You pus-filled coward, come out and face your Grandpa Sun in battle! Hiding in your cave like a shrinking turtle, what kind of hero are you?" the Great Sage goaded with his words.
"The day has already turned to night, and I still need to eat. We can fight another day!" The Black Wind Monster was not so foolish to fall for Sun Wukong's provocation.
"This sly devil is quite shrewd. Seeing that it's getting dark, I shouldn't make Master anxious. Fine, I'll come back tomorrow to challenge him!" Thinking this, he somersaulted back to Guanyin Temple.
Elsewhere, the little demons were still discussing the great battle that had just occurred. Having never witnessed a showdown between great divine beings, they were naturally astounded by today's events. Lin Fang was among them, but his heart was already aflame with anticipation, knowing the moment he had long awaited was soon to arrive.
A gust of wild wind revealed Ling Xuzi, who had previously escaped on a gusting wind. He no longer possessed his usual dignified, immortally graceful appearance and looked utterly disheveled. Panting heavily, he said, "What a villain! He is too vicious. I narrowly escaped death. Sadly, due to one careless move by the white-clad, a thousand years of cultivation was nearly lost."
Seeing that it was their own great king, the little demons dared not mock his disheveled state and hurriedly ushered Ling Xuzi into the Cave Mansion.
"Lin Fang, fetch me two Golden Cores!" Having calmed down, Ling Xuzi suddenly commanded Lin Fang after careful consideration.
It turned out that although the incident had frightened Ling Xuzi, it also allowed him to recognize the Black Wind Monster's true capabilities. Naturally, he did not want to miss out on the opportunity to curry favor; otherwise, with his stingy nature, how could he ever bear to give away such precious elixirs as a birthday gift?
Soon, Lin Fang brought over a porcelain plate. Upon opening it, Ling Xuzi saw two Golden Cores lying quietly within, a refreshing scent immediately enveloping the air, making his heart ache. But thinking about the Black Wind Monster's strength, he grimaced and gritted his teeth.
"Tomorrow, I will go to wish the Black Wind Great King a happy birthday. You watch over these elixirs carefully. If even a bit is missing, I'll take your life!" Ling Xuzi growled his orders at Lin Fang through clenched teeth.
Lin Fang certainly had no intention of ruffling the feathers of this miserly man and promptly agreed.
"You may leave. I need to rest properly!" With a wave of his hand, he dismissed Lin Fang.
What he didn't notice was the cold smile that curled on the lips of Lin Fang as he walked away, for he knew that tomorrow the Demon King would meet his end in the Underworld, and the remaining elixirs would naturally fall into Lin Fang's hands.