Chapter 679 - 633: The Saintess’s High Regard, Health Cultivation and Longevity

"Pharmacist Yang seems quite humble and has a rather gentle personality," Sikong Qing added from the side.

His impression of Yang Chan was quite good. ’Even though his father is an Elder, he isn’t some brainless fool. He still observes others, at least enough to know what’s going on.’

After all, becoming a Direct Disciple of the Merak Sacred Land isn’t something an ordinary spoiled heir could achieve.

"I understand. I’ll make the necessary arrangements."

"Your mission rewards are on the table."

A look of understanding flashed across the Merak Saintess’s exquisite face. She had met Yang Chan before, and though it was only a brief encounter, she had a general impression of him.

After glancing at the two of them, she lost interest in asking further questions.

Her words at this moment made her intentions clear.

"Thank you, Lady Saintess. We shall take our leave."

Feng Anliang and Sikong Qing exchanged a glance, then picked up the elixirs from the table. They cupped their fists and departed.

Both of them naturally understood the Merak Saintess’s meaning. Feng Anliang, in particular, had grasped it the instant she began to speak.

The matters that followed were not for those of their station to be involved in.

Matters involving figures like the Pavilion Master and Vice Pavilion Master of the Pill Pavilion were far beyond their reach. Only those at the level of a Peak Master, or other influential figures in positions of power, could exert any influence.

’It seems I’ll have to make some further arrangements.’

The Merak Saintess murmured to herself as she watched Feng Anliang and Sikong Qing depart.

The talent Yang Chan had displayed, which surpassed that of an ordinary Pharmacist, was naturally worth her additional support.

Exceptional individuals naturally deserved greater investment, and that was precisely her intention now. Moreover, she didn’t want someone with such remarkable talent like Yang Chan to be poached by others.

Given the talent Yang Chan had demonstrated, which went beyond that of a typical Pharmacist, word would surely spread to others soon. She knew it wouldn’t be long before the Merak Saint Son and his followers heard the news.

The Cyan Yuan Sect was currently a faction loyal to her, and even Chiyu Peak supported her. However, exceptionally talented individuals weren’t always bound by such allegiances. Furthermore, if the price was right, it wouldn’t be surprising for them to switch their loyalty to someone else.

Just as she was now contending with the Merak Saint Son and others for the title of Saint Master, there was no guarantee she would be the one to secure it.

"Deliver this to the Pill Pavilion."

The Merak Saintess took out an object and suddenly spoke.

A graceful figure leaped down from the shadows of the room. After taking the object from the Merak Saintess, she vanished once more.

Within the Merak Sacred Land, figures like the Merak Saint Son and Merak Saintess had not only public supporters but also secret backers. These hidden resources were the foundation of their bids for the title of Saint Master.

To become the Saint Master, one needed not only strength but also sufficient means and resources to secure the position.

Otherwise, even if one were to advance to the rank of Blood Exchange Martial Saint, they might not ascend to the position of Saint Master, instead only becoming a Supreme Elder of the Merak Sacred Land.

A Supreme Elder might seem detached and transcendent, but the power and resources they commanded were far from comparable to those of the Saint Master.

The Merak Saint Master controlled the vast majority of cultivation resources. Therefore, each successive Saint Master was the most powerful individual of their generation and the one with the greatest hope of breaking the Human-God Boundary.

Although no one had succeeded to date, those who came closest could at least glimpse that boundary—an opportunity far beyond the reach of others.

’The rest is up to fate.’

The Merak Saintess wielded immense power within the Merak Sacred Land. However, when it came to figures like the Pill Pavilion’s master, she could only exert some influence, not outright control. The same was true even for the Merak Saint Master, as the Pill Pavilion held a uniquely transcendent status.

The Pill Pavilion Master was someone who wouldn’t even give face to the Saint Master. Despite this, the Merak Saint Master was helpless, because the cultivation resources essential for his training ultimately depended on this very Pavilion Master.

After all, the deeper a Blood Exchange Martial Saint’s cultivation became, the more difficult the required elixirs were to refine. Only the Pill Pavilion Master possessed the supreme alchemy ability to accomplish this. Thus, no one dared to disrespect him.

Even among Top Level Pharmacists, the disparities were immense. In the end, alchemy ability was the greatest asset of all.

A figure at the level of the Pill Pavilion Master influenced not only the Saint Master of the Merak Sacred Land, but also the Supreme Elders. Even those in death-seclusion would take notice of his affairs.

If the Merak Saint Master ever dared to move against the Pill Pavilion Master, all these powerful figures would intervene. It was a matter that affected everyone’s interests, so not even the Merak Saint Master would dare to make such a move.

If this was the case for the Merak Saint Master, then the Merak Saintess’s influence was naturally even more limited.

However, the ability Yang Chan had displayed was worth a bit of effort on her part, so she naturally made some preparations.

...

「Early morning.」

’After my Innate Tai Chi Longevity Body absorbed enough Spiritual Qi, my entire body has been strengthened considerably!’

On his first morning at Chiyu Peak in the Merak Sacred Land, Yang Chan did not sleep in, even though he had gone to bed very late the previous night.

A short period of deep sleep could be as restorative as several normal hours of rest. However, entering a state of deep sleep required a few tricks.

Yang Chan’s spirit was powerful enough to have already condensed into a Soul Body, so he could naturally accomplish this. All he needed was a simple mental suggestion to fall into a deep sleep.

Before sleeping, Yang Chan had still set up simple traps around the room—various trigger mechanisms that would wake him at the slightest disturbance.

An hour of deep sleep could replace several hours of normal rest, but it greatly reduced one’s awareness of the outside world. Thus, Yang Chan typically avoided it unless he was in an exceptionally safe environment.

And Chiyu Peak, being a new and unfamiliar place, did not qualify as a safe environment, which was why he had taken these precautions.

However, the result was just as he had expected. No one disturbed him, and his surroundings remained relatively quiet.

The security in the Merak Sacred Land was quite high. Nevertheless, after waking up, Yang Chan began to arrange things inside his room.

He temporarily dismantled some of his traps. His initial setup had been too crude. He needed to take his time and integrate them seamlessly with the environment—that was the best approach.

A crude setup was a poor choice. Only by blending the traps into the surroundings could he ensure they wouldn’t be easily discovered, making them the most effective early-warning system.

By now, Yang Chan had already put his things away. In the open space of his courtyard, he began to slowly practice the Tai Chi Health Cultivation Skill. He practiced this Health Cultivation Technique every day and wasn’t afraid of others learning it. For an ordinary person to reach his level of proficiency, it would take an unknown, and likely astronomical, amount of time.

Besides, very few people were interested in Health Cultivation Techniques. Even the elderly wouldn’t spend much time on them. Progress was incredibly slow, and the physical benefits were difficult to perceive. Only after accumulating effort day after day could one feel even the slightest improvement.

Compared to the gains from Martial Arts Cultivation, this improvement was far too subtle.

It was only because Yang Chan had his panel that he could clearly perceive the benefits the Health Cultivation Technique brought him. Combined with the boost from his Potential Points, he was able to cultivate the Tai Chi Health Cultivation Skill to its current level.

As for anyone else, achieving any real success in it within a lifetime was nearly impossible.

For one, the Tai Chi Health Cultivation Skill progressed slowly. For another, it was riddled with bottlenecks at every stage, which could trap a cultivator for long periods, making any improvement hard to see.

It was only because Yang Chan had no bottlenecks—using Potential Points to break through them directly—that he could cultivate to such a level. Others couldn’t even dream of it.

Perhaps an expert with immense Martial Arts Cultivation—someone in the legendary Divine Acupoint Realm, or even a Great Divine Power User beyond it—might have the lifespan to cultivate it to his level. But with their Martial Arts Cultivation already so advanced, why would they waste time on a technique like the Tai Chi Health Cultivation Skill? Wouldn’t it be more rewarding to practice other Martial Arts Techniques?

Furthermore, when ordinary people practiced multiple Health Cultivation Techniques, the effects would diminish with each one added. Yang Chan, on the other hand, was completely unaffected by this.

In Yang Chan’s case, even after cultivating multiple Health Cultivation Techniques, each one remained effective. Even if he mastered one technique to a profound degree, others would still yield benefits. This was another fundamental difference between him and everyone else.

Therefore, Yang Chan didn’t bother to hide it when he practiced the Tai Chi Health Cultivation Skill, instead performing it openly. Many in the Cyan Yuan Sect knew he enjoyed practicing Health Cultivation Techniques. They simply thought he had a penchant for health and longevity and didn’t give it any further thought.