Chapter 673 - 630: A Kind Secret Message, Never Weaker Than Anyone

"That will be all. You may leave."

Zhao Yu nodded and waved them away.

"Oh, right. The Pill Pavilion has a Library with many Pill Formulas and the recorded insights and experiences of past alchemists. With your status as a Third Level Alchemist, you can borrow some of them. It will broaden your knowledge as a Pharmacist and help you with your alchemy!"

"Their insights can help you avoid many pitfalls!"

As Yang Chan and the others were leaving the assessment area, Zhao Yu’s voice reached his ears once more.

It was a secret sound transmission. ’A minor technique. I’ve been able to do it myself ever since my cultivation reached the Inner Master realm. But to do it from such a great distance... it’s clear Vice Pavilion Master Zhao’s martial arts abilities are formidable. At the very least, his control is exceptional. He’s not one of those Pharmacists with no combat power.’

’But that’s to be expected. In a place like the Merak Sacred Land, where all sorts of resources are readily available, it would be more unusual for someone to have such a glaring weakness.’

’Especially a Top Level Pharmacist like Zhao Yu. He has access to almost anything he could want, so of course he can compensate for any personal shortcomings.’

’His Martial Arts Combat Power was no exception.’

"Thank you for the reminder, Pavilion Master Zhao. I will take it to heart!"

Yang Chan turned back and cupped his fist toward the assessment area in gratitude.

He was always happy to accept well-intentioned advice.

’When arriving in a new place, the best way to integrate is to find a suitable local to help you settle in quickly.’

’Vice Pavilion Master Zhao Yu was an excellent option, but his status in the Merak Sacred Land was high. I’ll have to take things slow.’

’My original plan was to integrate into Chiyu Peak and associate with Pharmacists like Elder Hua and Xu Gaocen in the Pill Pavilion.’

’Vice Pavilion Master Zhao Yu’s goodwill might not seem very useful right now, but I can nurture it over time. It’s an opportunity to connect with the upper echelons of the Merak Sacred Land, which could at least get me more Top Level Spiritual Materials.’

’From what Zhao Yu said earlier, I’ve gathered that the Merak Sacred Land has some restrictions on Advanced Pharmacists, though I’m not yet clear on the specifics.’

Seeing this, a look of surprise once again flashed across the eyes of Feng Anliang and Sikong Qing. Although they hadn’t heard what Zhao Yu said, they could tell from Yang Chan’s reaction that he had caught the Vice Pavilion Master’s eye.

At the very least, it meant that Vice Pavilion Master Zhao thought highly of Yang Chan.

However, the Vice Pavilion Master was known for his eccentric personality, so they weren’t sure if this was a good thing or not.

"Pharmacist Yang, shall we take you back to Chiyu Peak first?"

Feng Anliang asked, looking at Yang Chan.

He knew Yang Chan was new to the Merak Sacred Land and wouldn’t know the way to Chiyu Peak.

"Thank you, Senior Brothers. I’d appreciate that."

Yang Chan replied, cupping his fist in thanks.

With the two of them continuing to lead the way, the rest of his journey would be much smoother, so he didn’t refuse.

’In a new place, the less trouble, the better. If I wandered around asking for directions while completely lost, someone with ill intent could easily mislead me. That’s a real possibility.’

’Accepting the goodwill of Feng Anliang and Sikong Qing would not only deepen our relationship, but also prevent potential trouble. It was the perfect choice for someone just starting out in the Merak Sacred Land.’

"Don’t be so formal. It’s on our way, actually. Xuanjin Peak isn’t far from Chiyu Peak. When you have time in the future, Junior Brother Yang, you should come visit us!"

Feng Anliang smiled. He finally changed how he addressed Yang Chan, from "Pharmacist Yang" to "Junior Brother Yang," a clear sign he wanted to close the distance between them.

In truth, their mission was complete the moment Yang Chan passed the assessment. The Merak Saintess had only arranged for them to ensure he could take the assessment without a hitch; she hadn’t made any demands regarding the outcome.

After all, success depended on Yang Chan’s abilities, not theirs.

However, Yang Chan’s performance had far exceeded his expectations, so he was naturally willing to spend a bit more time building a good rapport.

Even Sikong Qing, who had originally planned to go pick up a mission, temporarily set aside his plans to escort Yang Chan back to Chiyu Peak first.

Just as Feng Anliang had said, it was on the way.

Besides, picking up a mission wasn’t urgent. His ultimate goal for doing those missions was to exchange the rewards for Inner Refining Five Level elixirs. It was also a way to show his father, an Elder, that he could be self-reliant.

He also wanted to prove that a Direct Disciple at the Inner Refining Five Level was not to be underestimated.

He had spent his whole life refusing to be second to anyone, and he certainly wouldn’t be outdone by his own father.

The group continued on their way, talking more and more freely as the atmosphere grew increasingly harmonious.

...

Chiyu Peak was some distance from the Pill Pavilion. Its location was even higher up on Heaven-Reaching Supreme Mountain, and after walking for some time, Yang Chan finally arrived before it.

After pointing out the location of Xuanjin Peak, Feng Anliang and Sikong Qing took their leave, not entering Chiyu Peak itself.

Watching them depart, Yang Chan could feel their goodwill. This had all gone much more smoothly than he had anticipated.

At least he hadn’t been met with looks of indifference, disregard, or even contempt. No one had deliberately tried to suppress him or put pressure on him. While there had been a few minor surprises, they were all within his ability to handle, and he had resolved them perfectly.

’Of course, the fact that I refined a Top Quality Seven Revolutions Nourishing Organ Pill is the source of all this goodwill. It also means my start in the Merak Sacred Land has been excellent, far better than I imagined. A great beginning, indeed.’

After leaving the assessment area, Yang Chan had originally planned to follow Zhao Yu’s advice and head to the Pill Pavilion Internal Affairs Hall Building to collect the items and privileges that came with his new rank as a Third Level Alchemist. However, he was still unfamiliar with the area and was all alone, so that didn’t seem like a great idea. Since he wasn’t settled in yet anyway, he decided it was better to return to Chiyu Peak first, get more information, and then have a disciple from Chiyu Peak guide him later.

’As for asking the two Direct Disciples for more help, I decided against it. Our relationship isn’t that close yet. Besides, constantly imposing on them would only leave a bad impression, and that’s the last thing I want.’

Chiyu Peak was somewhat different from what Yang Chan had imagined. It wasn’t a single, towering peak, but a mountain that had been sliced clean through the middle, revealing a massive, level plateau. Chiyu Peak was built upon this flat summit.

From the scar left by the slash, Yang Chan could still feel a powerful Sword Intent that lingered, refusing to dissipate. It was clearly left by a Blood Exchange Martial Saint from the Merak Sacred Land, though he had no idea how powerful such an expert was compared to other Martial Saints of the same realm.

’Before entering the Profound Void Grotto Heaven, I saw a similar mark on the Holy Mountain Peak. The two scars look alike, but I’m certain they weren’t made by the same person. The Sword Intent left behind is completely different.’

Everyone’s Sword Intent is unique, even when they cultivate the exact same technique. Different habits and personalities result in vastly different expressions of Sword Intent. Even identical twins cultivating the same Sword Intent would only produce ones that were very similar, not identical.

The stronger one’s cultivation and the deeper their comprehension of the underlying Realm, the easier it is to distinguish the differences between these Sword Intents.

As it happened, Yang Chan’s Sword Master path had long since skipped past Sword Intent and Sword Momentum to reach comprehension of the Sword Domain—a Realm that not even all Blood Exchange Martial Saints could achieve. This gave him a significant advantage.

’But to advance my Sword Master path any further would consume an enormous number of Potential Points. I estimated that even earning over twenty Potential Points a day, it would still take decades. That pretty much rules out the possibility of me investing any more points into my Sword Master path for now.’

’After all, in those same decades, I could reach the Blood Exchange Martial Saint Realm, or perhaps go even further. I might even approach the Human-God Boundary and have a chance to break through to the Divine Acupoint Realm.’

’Naturally, continuing to advance my Martial Arts Cultivation is a better investment than my Sword Master path.’

’After raising both the Peng Demon Martial Seal and the Taiyuan Soul Sword to Tier Three Mastery, I switched my focus back to my Martial Arts Cultivation. The gains in combat power from those skills had begun to diminish, and the Potential Point cost was just too high to be worthwhile at the moment.’

’Of course, the main reason is that my Martial Arts Cultivation is already close to breaking through to the Second Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm. Once I get settled, dig a secret chamber, and set up a way to conceal my aura, I plan to attempt my Second Bone Marrow Cleansing. Once I succeed, my cultivation will be considered at an extremely high level, even within the Merak Sacred Land!’