Chapter 695 - 640: A Late Bloomer, Handover of the Spirit Medicine Tower

Yang Chan descended from the second floor of the Spirit Medicine Tower, glancing back at the room of Pill Pavilion Master Bai Keyi. He knew Bai Keyi’s words were both a reminder and a restriction, meant to keep him from causing any major trouble in the Spirit Medicine Tower.

Though Bai Keyi hadn’t mentioned the Merak Saintess or the Merak Saint Son, his words clearly implied that Yang Chan shouldn’t get too many people involved.

Bai Keyi wouldn’t stop Yang Chan from replacing personnel in the Spirit Medicine Tower—the people in charge of the Intermediate Pharmacists were only one part of the operation. As long as it didn’t disrupt the tower’s normal functions, Bai Keyi wouldn’t get involved.

But there were limits. Yang Chan couldn’t be too hasty; he had to proceed slowly. Furthermore, any replacements had to come from within the Pill Pavilion; he couldn’t bring in outsiders.

With these restrictions, any trouble that might arise would be confined to the Pill Pavilion, well within the scope of what Bai Keyi could handle.

Yang Chan understood this was why Bai Keyi had summoned him as soon as he entered the Spirit Medicine Tower. It was a reminder.

"Pharmacist Yang, this is the office for those in charge of the Intermediate Pharmacists!"

The man who had previously informed Yang Chan that Bai Keyi was waiting for him was waiting downstairs. When he saw Yang Chan descend, he immediately approached with great enthusiasm.

He had clearly been waiting for a long time.

"So you’re the one the Pavilion Master arranged to help me get acquainted with the Spirit Medicine Tower’s affairs?"

Yang Chan’s mind worked fast. Having figured things out, he looked at the man and asked amiably.

Bai Keyi had mentioned that someone would be assigned to show him the ropes. Since this man was waiting for him, he was the most likely candidate.

After all, he was the one who first notified him upon his arrival and then deliberately waited downstairs. It was almost certainly him.

"I am Fang Zhi’an, an Intermediate Pharmacist of the Pill Pavilion. I used to work under Pharmacist Qiu Feizhang. After Pharmacist Zhu passed away, I temporarily took over his duties. Now that the new Steward has been appointed, I am to handle the handover."

"The Pavilion Master has already made the arrangements. Over the next few days, I will be handing over all related duties to you, Steward Yang!"

Fang Zhi’an cupped his fist and said with a smile.

He showed no sign of frustration at being replaced, perhaps because he knew the position was never truly his to keep.

The Stewards of the Spirit Medicine Tower were all Advanced Pharmacists—and powerful ones at that—or perhaps individuals of exceptional talent. It wasn’t a position an Intermediate Pharmacist could hope to hold.

Besides, many people coveted this position. Without a powerful background and status, one couldn’t hope to hold it securely.

Yang Chan might seem like a newcomer to the Merak Sacred Land who had only recently become a Pill Pavilion Alchemist...

...but he was backed by a figure like the Merak Saintess. Moreover, he had passed the Third Level Alchemist examination by directly concocting a Top Quality pill. His fame had already spread throughout the Pill Pavilion.

The emergence of a genius always draws a lot of attention, and Yang Chan was no exception.

It was just that Yang Chan had been on Chiyu Peak the whole time and was simply unaware of all this.

As someone aware that Yang Chan was the new Steward, Fang Zhi’an had naturally done his homework on him. Even though Yang Chan wouldn’t be his direct superior, they both worked in the Spirit Medicine Tower. Yang Chan was one of the three great Stewards, a position far above his own, so he certainly wouldn’t dare to offend him.

If he could get on Yang Chan’s good side, he would naturally choose to do so.

His current attitude was extremely cordial, a clear expression of his goodwill.

"Then I’ll be troubling you, Pharmacist Fang."

Yang Chan said, cupping his fist.

Although the man’s Pharmacist Level was lower than his, sometimes you had to judge a person on more than just their Pharmacist Ability.

When Pavilion Master Bai Keyi chose someone for a task, he surely considered many factors. For him to have picked Fang Zhi’an meant something, so Yang Chan certainly wouldn’t underestimate him.

At the very least, after Zhu Feiyu’s death, this Fang Zhi’an had managed the affairs related to the Intermediate Pharmacists very well. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be Fang Zhi’an meeting him now. He was chosen for the handover precisely because he had done a good job.

Yang Chan understood all of this perfectly.

"It’s no trouble at all. We all work for the Pill Pavilion and the Holy Land!"

Fang Zhi’an smiled and shook his head, deflecting any credit and redirecting the focus to the Pill Pavilion and the Holy Land.

’He’s at least tactful and knows his place. No wonder he was chosen as the interim Steward of the Spirit Medicine Tower. Even though it was for a short time, that experience is still a valuable part of his record.’

’In the future, once Fang Zhi’an advances to Third Level Alchemist, his chances of directly taking over should a Steward position open up are quite high. Even if it’s not in the Spirit Medicine Tower, the experience he’s gained here would qualify him for another good post.’

’Not everyone could be like me or Yuwen Ze, stepping into an important role right away. Most people have to work their way up slowly, painstakingly building their credentials, just for a chance at the position they want.’

’Of course, some people have the credentials but lack a powerful backer, or have no backer at all, and can never secure their desired role. That’s the harsh reality for most.’

’Everyone wants to be a genius. Geniuses have many paths and many choices; they can take the easiest road. But for most ordinary people, the only option is to fight for a spot on the most difficult path, with no guarantee of success. That is the reality of life.’

’If I didn’t have the panel, with the level of Talent I’ve shown, I’d probably be no different from an ordinary person.’

’Even if I eventually discovered the effects of the Tai Chi Health Cultivation Skill, it would have taken a very long time to mature. I would have been a late bloomer at best, and I might not have even survived long enough to see that day.’

’When I transmigrated to the Great Zhou, Qing State was suffering from a natural disaster. Most of the Servant Disciples who left the mountain back then died. Many starved to death. Others became bandits, only to be killed by passing Martial Artists.’