Chapter 204: Chapter 204: Cyan Yuan Pavilion, Tier 4 Wind-Stepping Technique

Yang Chan noticed that when Elder Ji Feng made his move, he had struck to kill. Under normal circumstances, if he didn’t want to get involved with the Six Gates, all he had to do was unleash his aura, and they wouldn’t have approached.

The whole incident seemed exceedingly strange. However, if it was all a deliberate plot, then that would explain a few things.

Having just entered White Jade City, Yang Chan could already sense that the situation in the Capital City was complex. Given the circumstances, he decided to be even more low-key and go out as little as possible to avoid getting dragged into other affairs.

He didn’t know the details of the situation in the Capital City, nor did he want to. His plan was simple: finish the triennial Pharmacist Exchange Conference over the next ten-odd days and then return to the Cyan Yuan Sect.

The Cyan Yuan Pavilion wasn’t particularly large in the Capital City; it was nothing compared to the Pharmacist Alliance. It was the Cyan Yuan Sect’s official, public outpost in the capital.

The Cyan Yuan Pavilion in the Capital City was a combination of a restaurant and an inn—restaurant in the front, inn in the back.

The wines served were all specialties from Qing State and had earned a bit of a reputation in the Capital City.

The Cyan Yuan Pavilion’s Steward was a member of the Cyan Yuan Sect with an External Refining Copper Skin cultivation. When he grew older, he was assigned a mission to go to White Jade City and had remained here ever since.

There were also several Honored Guest Elders, all experts at the External Refining Iron Bone Level, to deter troublemakers.

The Cyan Yuan Sect’s name was known to all in Qing State, but it didn’t carry nearly as much weight here in White Jade City.

Moreover, Direct Disciples and Stewards from the Cyan Yuan Sect at the External Refining Iron Bone Level generally didn’t accept missions to White Jade City. They were more focused on breaking through to the Inner Refining of the Lungs and Spleens Realm to become Grandmaster Level experts.

And that went without saying for Elder Level experts.

However, the situation in White Jade City still required people to investigate, which was why the Cyan Yuan Pavilion existed. The Sect also recruited some Honored Guest Elders at the External Iron Bone Refining level. Even if these people died in White Jade City, it would have little impact on the Cyan Yuan Sect; one could even say the Sect was indifferent.

Of course, every year the Cyan Yuan Sect would also arrange for an Elder at the Inner Refining Grandmaster Level to undertake a mission in White Jade City. This served as a warning to the Honored Guest Elders while also signaling to other powers that the Cyan Yuan Sect was keeping a watchful eye on this place.

Destroying this place wasn’t an issue, as long as one could bear the full force of the Cyan Yuan Sect’s retaliation.

At this moment, Yan Jinfeng, Xu Gaocen, and Yang Chan arrived before the Cyan Yuan Pavilion in a horse-drawn carriage, while Elder Ji Feng and his men were on horseback.

Upon seeing the Cyan Yuan Sect’s distinctive insignia, an attendant inside the Cyan Yuan Pavilion rushed to inform the Steward.

"Zhang Qiang, Steward of the Cyan Yuan Pavilion, greets Pharmacist Yan, Elder Ji, Pharmacist Xu, and Pharmacist Yang..."

The Cyan Yuan Pavilion’s Steward, Zhang Qiang, hurried out from inside and bowed upon seeing Elder Yan and the others. Zhang Qiang and his men had already received a message when Yang Chan’s group set out for White Jade City, so they were able to recognize them.

He especially recognized Yan Jinfeng and Xu Gaocen, as they had visited three years prior. As for Yang Chan, he was even easier to identify—the youngest Pharmacist, who was also accompanying Elder Yan and Xu Gaocen.

As for Elder Ji Feng, Zhang Qiang had seen him last year. It was this very Elder who had accepted the mission to White Jade City last year, and he had done so again this year.

Welcomed by Zhang Qiang, the group entered the Cyan Yuan Pavilion. The carriage and horses had already been taken care of by Zhang Qiang, who had them brought in through the rear entrance.

As Yang Chan approached the Cyan Yuan Pavilion, he could smell the rich aroma of wine. He didn’t particularly enjoy drinking; he disliked the feeling of being drunk, a state he considered rather dangerous.

’Never mind being unable to fight back during an assassination attempt,’ he thought. ’There’s also the possibility of doing all sorts of irrational things while intoxicated. Both are reason enough for me to avoid alcohol.’

’Even if I do drink, it has to be a controlled amount, just enough to stay sober. Of course, it’s best not to drink at all.’

Mingled with the aroma of wine were noisy voices, clearly from the patrons drinking inside. The sounds were muffled, a result of the distance.

He followed the group into the Cyan Yuan Pavilion. After passing through the bustling restaurant, they entered the inn in the rear courtyard. Here, the group split up, but their rooms were all located near each other, making it easy to find other Cyan Yuan Sect members if needed.

Under Steward Zhang Qiang’s arrangements, he entered the room prepared for him, which was right next to Xu Gaocen’s.

As for Elder Yan and Elder Ji Feng, they went elsewhere. Yang Chan knew what they were up to—they were undoubtedly going to meet with the Honored Guest Elders, handing out rewards where they were due and putting a foot down where necessary.

If anyone wasn’t up to par, they’d be thrown right out of the Cyan Yuan Pavilion.

This was a standard procedure that happened every year.

Yang Chan and the other Pharmacists didn’t go because they simply weren’t needed.

Two experts at the Inner Refining Grandmaster Level were more than enough to keep the Honored Guest Elders at the Cyan Yuan Pavilion in line.

Inside his room, Yang Chan flopped directly onto the bed. The journey by carriage had been far better than riding a horse, but he still preferred living in a proper house. The only shame was that this was an inn, and his room was on the third floor, which immediately put a stop to any ideas of digging an escape tunnel.

’What a pity, to lose a life-saving measure just like that,’ he mused. But he had no intention of asking for a different room. The area where the three Pharmacists were staying was guarded by the largest number of Cyan Yuan Sect Disciples, almost forming a complete perimeter. This was their protection.

With them around, why would he need to find a place to dig a tunnel? These guards were quite powerful. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Besides, the Inner Master who had been lurking in the shadows had also taken up residence in the Cyan Yuan Pavilion’s inn. He was another layer of protection.

On the other hand, if he were to seek out a separate room closer to the ground, it would only draw unwanted attention, which was the last thing Yang Chan wanted. ’Why would I go looking for trouble for myself?’

’I’ve prepared plenty of herbs. Later, I can take a Dragon Bone Medicine Bath and get the other medicines in order. I need to get my Daily Potential Point Collection back to normal.’

Lying on the bed, Yang Chan mentally laid out his plans. This was what he had intended to do during the journey, but it hadn’t been convenient. Now that he had a proper place to stay, he could finally get everything in order.

’Naturally, I should use only the best for myself.’

’I upgraded my Wind-Stepping Technique to Tier Four on the way here. It’s a shame I didn’t comprehend its associated Realm, but then again, already having Sword Intent is an excellent achievement.’

Yang Chan had used Potential Points to upgrade his Wind-Stepping Technique during the trip. Just as he had anticipated, he’d reached Tier Four Masterful on the way to White Jade City. However, he hadn’t yet had a chance to test the changes from the upgrade, as it was too inconvenient inside the carriage.

The accommodations along the way hadn’t been great, either. There were rarely any private rooms, a far cry from the lodgings arranged for them at the Cyan Yuan Pavilion. This was a private room, and a spacious one at that, specially prepared for them.

Now that he was here, Yang Chan felt the urge to test his Tier Four Masterful Wind-Stepping Technique. The thought had barely formed when he leaped from the bed, landing as gently as a falling leaf upon the table.