Chapter 696 - 640: Late Bloomer, Spirit Medicine Tower Handover

This was all information Yang Chan had later overheard, and it made him reflect on how different circumstances were in different eras.

In years of natural disaster, death was rampant. Survival became everyone’s sole objective, and to that end, people would do anything.

Acts like murder and even swapping children to eat were not uncommon.

Some even rebelled, though they were quickly suppressed.

That things reached the point of rebellion spoke volumes about the conditions of the time.

Even in ancient times, before the rise of Martial Arts Experts, people would not normally rebel unless they had no way to survive. Yet in this age of Martial Arts, where a single expert could hold off a thousand soldiers, rebellion still occurred. It was a testament to just how harsh their environment had become.

Then there were the calamities that followed the natural disasters: conscription, national wars, and more. Had it not been for his powerful cultivation, he likely wouldn’t have survived to this day.

After all, even with his status at the time, he had been forced to participate. What hope did ordinary people have?

Countless people died in the great war between the Jin Meng Empire and the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty. Bones piled high on the borderlands, all for the ultimate prize: the Power of Origin National Fate.

In the end, the Jin Meng Empire was annihilated, the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty saw the rise of a new Martial Saint, and the Rising Sun Empire was established in the aftermath.

In such a chaotic era, cultivation was paramount. This was why, despite knowing his future was destined to be extraordinary, Yang Chan focused on rapidly improving his cultivation while maintaining a low profile. He knew that in the current environment, he was far from safe.

If he encountered some unforeseen and overwhelming circumstances, he could still lose his life.

Yang Chan was a prudent person, which was why he continuously raised his Martial Arts Cultivation and increased his Combat Power—precisely to avoid such a fate.

’When a true crisis hits, the only one you can rely on is yourself. The promises of others are meaningless.’ Yang Chan was keenly aware of this.

"Pharmacist Yang, this is a portion of the Intermediate Pharmacists responsible for the Spirit Medicine Tower. The others are still busy at the moment. Shall I start by familiarizing you with them?"

While explaining his arrangements, Fang Zhi’an made sure to ask for Yang Chan’s input, as he was well aware of the hierarchy between them.

Handling the transition was a chance to get on Yang Chan’s good side, but if he handled it poorly, he wouldn’t be currying favor—he’d be leaving a bad impression. That would be completely counterproductive.

Fang Zhi’an understood this perfectly, so he acted with great discretion. At the same time, he was observing Yang Chan, trying to gauge the personality of this Genius Pharmacist and see if he was an easy person to get along with.

’If he isn’t, I should do my best not to offend him.’ These were the calculations running through Fang Zhi’an’s mind.

"Pharmacist Fang, you are far more familiar with the Spirit Medicine Tower than I am. So, let’s proceed with your arrangements."

Yang Chan was not lacking in social graces; he certainly wasn’t going to force the other man to follow his lead.

Professional matters were best left to the professionals. He had just arrived at the Spirit Medicine Tower and had only a superficial understanding of its operations. There was no need for him to take charge; it was better to follow Fang Zhi’an’s lead.

As for whether the other man might try to sabotage the process, it was of little concern to Yang Chan. His position in the Spirit Medicine Tower was already high. Once he was familiar with its affairs, he could resolve any trouble.

Any traps set for him now could be dealt with at his leisure once he was settled in.

Yang Chan wasn’t worried about his authority being undermined. Once Han Bingyu passed her Pharmacist examination, he would bring her into the Spirit Medicine Tower. He would also transfer a few people over from Chiyu Peak and slowly consolidate the power that was rightfully his.

He didn’t need to control everything personally, but what he didn’t control had to be in the hands of people he trusted.

Seeing Fang Zhi’an act this way, Yang Chan saw no reason to interfere and simply went along with the man’s pace.

Besides, if Fang Zhi’an was up to something, Yang Chan could detect it through the man’s emotional fluctuations. He could then arrange for an investigation and would find out the truth sooner or later.

This was one of the abilities of a Martial Arts Expert, as well as a partial ability of his Soul Body. It made him much harder to deceive.

Take Princess Lan Yue, for example. Yang Chan had initially refused to take her in because he could sense her ill intent. However, after he revealed more and more of his abilities, that ill intent vanished.

It was only after sensing this change, and considering the benefits to himself, that he chose to accept Princess Lan Yue and let her continue to be his useful tool.

Once he was settled in the Pill Pavilion, he could have Princess Lan Yue perform Alchemy in his residence. This would be much more discreet, and no one would be able to find out.

"Everyone, this is Pharmacist Yang. He is the new Steward of the Spirit Medicine Tower and will be your superior from now on. All matters concerning the Spirit Medicine Tower are to be reported to Steward Yang!"

Fang Zhi’an gathered a group of people and announced Yang Chan’s new role.

Work in the Spirit Medicine Tower was done in shifts, so not everyone was busy all the time.

Fang Zhi’an knew Yang Chan was arriving at the Spirit Medicine Tower today—Pavilion Master Bai Keyi himself had informed him. So, he had naturally summoned those who were on their day off to come in. Letting them know Yang Chan’s identity was the first step of the transition.

"Steward Yang has just arrived at the Spirit Medicine Tower and is not yet familiar with our operations. Therefore, I will be working with Pharmacist Yang to handle the transition, and I’ll continue to work alongside all of you for a while. Once the handover is complete, I will return to Steward Qiu’s side!"

"During this period, please bring any matters directly to Steward Yang. This will also be a good opportunity for him to get to know all of you!"

Fang Zhi’an said, looking at the assembled staff.