Yang Chan's answer was different from the others. It was very simple; he didn't discuss his insights into the herbs' Medicinal Properties or Medicinal Qi, nor did he mention pharmacological combinations. He just gave the result directly.
Li Junhao, Shu Yu, and the others had all discussed related knowledge, such as each herb's Medicinal Properties, pharmacology, and Medicinal Qi, to demonstrate their level of mastery before speculating on the final medicinal effect.
The entire process was logical and well-supported, making them seem extremely professional.
It was also a way to showcase their own abilities.
Yang Chan, however, simply gave the result.
"Why do you think it's for heat relief?"
Xu Gaocen inquired again.
"Xue Jian, Jing Tian, Vincetoxicum paniculatum, Zi Xuan, and Paris all have heat-clearing, detoxifying, and circulation-boosting effects. Back when I was a Medicinal Herb Collection Boy, I overheard someone mention these herbs. Considering that, along with the current hot weather, I concluded it must be for heat relief," Yang Chan explained.
He didn't claim to have analyzed the Medicinal Properties, but rather to have made his deduction based on other factors. This was a deliberate choice.
This way, if Xu Gaocen intended for someone else to get the Pharmacist training, it would give him an easy out. After all, Yang Chan himself didn't need it.
He was certain he could become an Intermediate Pharmacist with just a little more effort.
After hearing Yang Chan's explanation, Xu Gaocen fell into contemplation.
He was satisfied with Yang Chan's answer but not with the process used to arrive at it, so he didn't question him further.
"Today's preparations are complete. You may leave after you deliver these medicine packets."
With that, Xu Gaocen turned and left.
He didn't reveal the answer to the question; he was still mulling it over.
Li Junhao, Shu Yu, and the others weren't surprised. Xu Gaocen usually waited until the very end to announce who would be chosen for the Pharmacist training.
They were all mulling over their own answers and the answers of the others.
They had been on edge when Xu Gaocen questioned Yang Chan again, but breathed a sigh of relief after hearing his explanation.
An answer based on guesswork was unlikely to win Pharmacist Xu's favor. Being a Pharmacist was a precise, technical discipline that required a thorough mastery of pharmacology, Medicinal Properties, and more.
Every answer had to be accurate; otherwise, one could end up harming someone.
Some medicines were meant for Strengthening the Foundation and Nourishing the Essence, but adding just one extra tael could turn them into a deadly poison.
After delivering the medicine packets, the others headed to the Medicine Hall Collection Pavilion, clearly intending to look up the answer.
Yang Chan didn't leave with them. Instead, he walked over to the herb storage area within the Medicine Preparation Institute. He observed the various ingredients, inhaled their Medicinal Qi, and committed the information to memory, deepening his recall.
He possessed a vast amount of theoretical knowledge about medicinal herbs, but he had little practical experience. Observing the real ingredients helped bridge that gap.
Of course, the best practice would be to actually compound the medicines.
As Yang Chan was leaving, he purchased the ingredients for Qi Nourishing Soup, Bear Gallbladder Skin-Toughening Ointment, and Jade Essence Skin Refining Powder. Afterward, his silver coins were completely spent, but he would be receiving his monthly stipend in a few more days.
What he had now would be enough to last for several days.
Cultivation Resources were indispensable for Martial Arts Cultivation.
Yang Chan was meticulous with his budget, determined to make the most of his silver coins.
This was why so many disciples volunteered for missions to hunt down traitorous factions. The official rewards were simply too generous, and if one could score some extra loot on the side, they would have more than enough Cultivation Resources. The combined benefits were naturally immense.
Even Yang Chan had considered it for a moment, to say nothing of the others.
'Too few of those who kill for treasure ever make it to the end.'
'It's better to be cautious. If I budget carefully, I won't lack for what I need.'
Yang Chan thought to himself.
No matter how great the rewards for venturing out were, you had to be alive to claim them.
In the past few days, Official Disciples had returned with crippling injuries. They were handed over to the Pharmacists for treatment, but their cases were essentially hopeless.
Medicine capable of Limb Regeneration was extremely precious; it certainly wouldn't be wasted on mere Official Disciples.
Yang Chan had seen an Official Disciple from the Medicine Hall's own Martial Arts Training Ground with both legs crippled. His path in Martial Arts had essentially come to an end. He ultimately chose to leave the Cyan Yuan Sect to guard one of its properties in the outside world.
People like him would likely never return to the Cyan Yuan Sect, spending the rest of their lives at their new post.
He'd also seen others he recognized who had lost their lives completely and were buried.
Compared to the few who profited, the fate of these disciples was the harsher reality and the likely future for most.
Only by distinguishing oneself and becoming an Elite Disciple could things be different, but even then, a severe injury would lead to the same outcome.
Or, if they were lucky, they might be able to remain within the Cyan Yuan Sect, becoming an Inner Steward, a Steward, or some other functionary. That, too, was a possible path.
Elite Disciples were all at the External Refining Level; even if maimed, their Combat Power was far beyond what an ordinary person could match.
Even within the Cyan Yuan Sect, individuals of such caliber were not easily cast aside.
After witnessing all this, Yang Chan's resolve only hardened.
No matter what others said about how great the missions outside were, Yang Chan wouldn't believe them. Only by staying within the Cyan Yuan Sect did he feel safe.
...
「Nightfall.」
A candle flickered in Yang Chan's room.
'The progress on my External Refining Copper Skin is a bit slower than I expected. Tempering the skin covers the entire body, and I'm still a ways off from reaching the level of Bronze.'
When Yang Chan circulated his Power, his skin would take on a faint cyan hue. The skin all over his body was firm, and his ability to withstand blows had increased dramatically. However, it had not yet reached the point where a slash from a blade would only leave a shallow wound.
He hadn't actually tested this, because the cyan tint to his skin wasn't a true Bronze color yet. It meant he still had a way to go.
Besides, testing it by directly cutting himself wasn't a great idea.
Self-mutilation wasn't a good habit to get into.
And Yang Chan had no intention of starting one.
'I'm still a ways off from my skin being as tough as true Copper Skin, impervious to blades.'
'A little more hard work and I should be able to achieve it. I can't rush this.'
Yang Chan mused.
'I'll have to wait a while longer to practice the Silk Binding Force and Calm Cultivation Skill from the Tai Chi Health Cultivation Skill. I can start cultivating them once I've perfected my External Refining Copper Skin.'
Yang Chan's progress in the Tai Chi Health Cultivation Skill had slowed recently. This was because after reaching Tier Two, the technique began to incorporate the cultivation of Power. He had already brought his Wild Ox Force to the Perfection stage, but he was holding off on cultivating other types of Power, planning to do so only after he succeeded in his External Refining Copper Skin.
Although the Dharma Transmission Steward had said it wouldn't cause any issues, Yang Chan decided to wait just to be on the safe side. In any case, successfully completing his external refining wouldn't take much longer.
Now that his Pharmacist skill had reached Tier Two Entry, he wouldn't be investing any more potential into it for the time being.
Instead, he would focus on improving three Cultivation Techniques: Ox Demon's Mighty Fist, Tai Chi Health Cultivation Skill, and Turtle Breath Body Cultivation Skill.
Even without him investing any potential into it, his Turtle Breath Body Cultivation Skill was progressing quickly, and the improvements were significant. It would still take some time to reach Tier Two Entry, but when it did, he would once again experience a boost to his lifespan and Talent.
And increasing his lifespan was something Yang Chan enjoyed most of all.