"You're improving quite quickly, Junior Brother."
Shu Yu was amazed at the speed with which Yang Chan found, weighed, and arranged the herbs, and her expression turned complicated.
Most new Pharmacist's Assistants were flustered and clumsy, usually taking a month or two to settle in.
Generally, as long as an assistant didn't make mistakes, the Pharmacists would tolerate a slower pace.
Furthermore, their assignments tended to be easier.
But Yang Chan was completely different. The tasks he was assigned now were the same as those given to veteran Pharmacist's Assistants like them. Even so, he handled them with practiced ease. This took Shu Yu and the others by surprise; his rate of learning was a little too quick.
Even Pharmacist Xu Gaocen had offered rare praise, which made Shu Yu wary, as this would affect her chances of obtaining the Pharmacist training slot she wanted.
Only Yang Chan himself knew that, aside from his usual hard work, this was mostly because he had added three Potential Points to his Pharmacist profession. His Pharmacist skill had now reached Tier One Initial Glimpse 77%, and he was mastering more and more related knowledge.
Although the Qi Nourishing Soup he had recently concocted was still a bit inferior to a Pharmacist's, one bowl could already provide a boost of around 0.15. With just a bit more improvement, it could rival a proper Pharmacist's brew.
This was only part of it. His understanding of various medicinal herbs, Medicinal Qi, and Medicinal Properties had also increased greatly, and this improvement made his work as a Pharmacist's Assistant all the more effortless.
During this time, he had also attended a lecture by Xu Gaocen on Medicinal Properties, pharmacology, and medicine concoction. It was quite profound and had also greatly boosted his Pharmacist profession.
"It's only because Senior Sister is a good teacher that I've improved so quickly."
Yang Chan said with a smile.
Shu Yu had been very meticulous when she taught him, and Yang Chan had taken it to heart, which naturally helped him avoid many pitfalls.
"Oh, stop. I've taught more people than just you, but you're the only one to have reached your level in such a short time."
"Although your Martial Arts Talent is average, your talent for being a Pharmacist is extremely high. But..."
As Shu Yu spoke, she suddenly stopped—not of her own accord, but because she was interrupted by Yang Chan.
"Please, Senior Sister, don't flatter me so much, or I'll get a big head. I just have a decent memory, and I had some prior exposure to this stuff. That's the only reason I'm progressing a little faster."
Yang Chan didn't let Shu Yu continue because he could already guess what she was about to say—words that would only bring him trouble.
The concept of being 'praised to death' surfaced in his mind. Whether Shu Yu's intentions were malicious or not, he wouldn't allow this to happen.
After he rapidly became a competent Pharmacist's Assistant and received praise from Xu Gaocen for his performance, he had aroused the jealousy and even apprehension of the other assistants. All of them were vying for a single training slot, and one more person meant one more competitor.
Yang Chan had no intention of competing for this slot. It wasn't of much help to him—not as valuable as a single Potential Point. The great opportunity in the eyes of the other Pharmacist's Assistants was, in his opinion, nothing special.
As an Intermediate Pharmacist of the Cyan Yuan Sect, Xu Gaocen had one Pharmacist training slot to give out. This was an opportunity for a Pharmacist's Assistant to become a Pharmacist, and undergoing the training would greatly increase one's chances.
The Pharmacist training was conducted by three Intermediate Pharmacists and five Basic Level Pharmacists. Each would set aside a day to provide targeted training for those who received a slot, increasing their likelihood of becoming a Pharmacist.
Since Xu Gaocen was an Intermediate Pharmacist, he naturally had a slot to offer.
As for the Basic Level Pharmacists, several of them had to pool their influence for a single slot.
In total, twenty Pharmacist's Assistants could ultimately participate.
For the many Pharmacist's Assistants, this was an excellent opportunity.
Previously, when Chu Mo was still around, people like Shu Yu and Li Junhao naturally had no chance to compete for it. But now that Chu Mo had become an Elite Disciple and left, a position had opened up, and naturally, everyone wanted to claim the slot.
Targeted training from eight Pharmacists would undoubtedly be highly effective.
Shu Yu, Li Junhao, and the others had not yet reached Great Success in their Wild Ox Force. If they managed to secure this opportunity, they could potentially become Pharmacists first, then leverage that status to break through to External Refining more quickly and attain the rank of Elite Disciple.
Yang Chan had only learned of this matter recently. Seeing Shu Yu speak up, he knew she was now treating him as a competitor.
Previously, he had been a newcomer and thus no threat. But as Yang Chan's work became more and more outstanding, she naturally began to feel threatened. This was especially true after he received praise from Pharmacist Xu, which made the threat feel even greater.
Yang Chan didn't want to get involved. Even if he didn't get the recommended slot, it wouldn't affect him much. The opportunity that the other Pharmacist's Assistants coveted was, in his eyes, nothing special.
'I can surpass most people just by relying on my own efforts.'
Regardless of whether Senior Sister Shu Yu's words were intentional, Yang Chan had no intention of letting the situation unfold on its own.
"Pharmacist Xu just mentioned the herb Xue Jian. It should be in this room, right?"
Yang Chan asked, turning the question back on her.
'The best way to shut down a line of questioning is to ask a question in return. Seize the initiative.'
"I think so... right?"
Caught off guard by Yang Chan's sudden question, Shu Yu's mind blanked for a second, and she answered with uncertainty.
"Thanks, Senior Sister. I'll go take a look."
Yang Chan said nothing more and went straight over.
He hadn't asked because he didn't know the location, but rather because he didn't want to continue that conversation.
He didn't care how the other Pharmacist's Assistants competed amongst themselves. He would just focus on his work and quietly improve his strength.
Shu Yu watched Yang Chan's retreating figure, a complicated look in her eyes. She hadn't expected him to become one of the competitors.
Not far away, inside the Pharmacy, Li Junhao poked his head out. He had been watching the entire time.
After seeing the two of them part ways, he returned with his medicinal herbs.
And Yang Chan, after both of them had left, walked out of the room and went to the one next door. The herb Xue Jian wasn't in this Pharmacy, but in the adjacent one.
'Sure enough, no matter where you are, as soon as a capable person shows even a little bit of their ability, they'll inevitably attract trouble without even realizing it.'
'I guess I've been a little too outstanding after all. But in order to avoid being sent out on missions, I have to demonstrate exceptional talent as a Pharmacist, otherwise I might get replaced.'
Yang Chan thought to himself.
He actually didn't mind taking things slow, but the situation here was growing increasingly tense. Even though all the news was good for now, Yang Chan still preferred to prepare for the worst.
Therefore, displaying his talent as a Pharmacist was also a way to avoid becoming cannon fodder.
As for attracting the hostility of people like Shu Yu and Li Junhao, he wasn't too concerned. He wouldn't be ostentatious, but he also wouldn't become a pawn for others to use.
If these Pharmacist's Assistants wanted to fight over it, they could do it themselves. They shouldn't try to use him as a stepping stone.
Once he had the herbs, Yang Chan didn't delay. He returned to the room to help Xu Gaocen prepare the Jade Essence Skin Refining Powder. This was an internal medicine for the External Refining of Flesh and Skin that could be used in conjunction with Bear Gallbladder Skin-Toughening Ointment for remarkable results.
Yang Chan had helped Xu Gaocen prepare it once before, but this time the task was a bit larger.
He was fast and meticulous. When weighing the herbs, he always selected the ones with the best Medicinal Properties and Medicinal Qi, a habit that naturally earned him a few words of praise from Xu Gaocen.
This was because it saved Xu Gaocen some time and also revealed Yang Chan's talent as a Pharmacist.
When the day's tasks were complete, Yang Chan was already used to Xu Gaocen being the first to leave with a flourish. He, on the other hand, arranged for the others to deliver the prepared Jade Essence Skin Refining Powder. After all of it was sent off, Yang Chan didn't leave. Instead, he walked around the Medicine Preparation Hall, inspecting and memorizing the dried medicinal herbs.