Yang Chan stood watch all afternoon. Just as night began to fall, Xu Gaocen arrived to take over looking after the severely injured disciples. Anyone who had lasted this long had a strong chance of survival. As long as their conditions didn’t relapse, they would pull through. It would only be a matter of a day or two, after which they would no longer need to be guarded.

Just as Yang Chan was about to go back and rest, Elder Yan and Hall Master Qi Yuansheng returned from outside and summoned Yang Chan and Xu Gaocen.

The matter they discussed was partially what Yang Chan had expected: the Cyan Yuan Sect was preparing to leave. But it was only a partial match to his predictions. The Sect planned to first send Elder Yan back to the Cyan Yuan Sect, while the two Pharmacists, he and Xu Gaocen, would not be leaving.

Elder Ji Feng would also be staying behind. In other words, Hall Master Qi Yuansheng of the Artifact Refining Hall would first escort Elder Yan back to the Cyan Yuan Sect. This was because the Cyan Yuan Sect could not afford to lose an Advanced Pharmacist, who represented the Sect’s future.

Of course, this didn’t mean Yang Chan and the others were being abandoned. Their departure was simply being delayed. Arrangements would be made for them to join up with people from other Sects for mutual support.

For Yang Chan, this was undoubtedly bad news.

With Hall Master Qi Yuansheng leaving with Elder Yan, they were effectively losing the Combat Power of two experts at the Inner Refining Grandmaster Level. One of them was even a master at the Peak of Inner Refining of the Lungs and Spleens. This was a significant reduction in their Combat Power.

For this Pharmacist Exchange Conference, Elder Ji Feng was ostensibly protecting them, but in reality, Qi Yuansheng was secretly guarding the Advanced Pharmacist, Elder Yan Jinfeng.

According to Qi Yuansheng, the primary targets of last night’s events—and the main targets for assassination—were the Advanced Pharmacists from the various Sects.

Eight Advanced Pharmacists died last night. The number might not sound like much, but given the stringent requirements to become an Advanced Pharmacist, its true weight becomes clear.

In other words, eight Overlord Level powers from various states had lost their Advanced Pharmacists. These factions might retaliate wildly against other Sects.

The reason Yang Chan and Xu Gaocen were summoned was to tell them to remain calm and act as normal as possible, without showing any emotional changes. It was also to reassure them. Since both had the potential to become Advanced Pharmacists, the Sect couldn’t just have them sneak away.

Doing so would dishearten them.

Faced with this foregone conclusion, the two of them had no say in the matter. Besides, it was impossible to take them along on the departure from White Jade City.

According to Hall Master Qi Yuansheng of the Artifact Refining Hall, if just the two of them—two Inner Masters—left, and left by night, they could escape quickly even if they encountered danger. On the other hand, if they brought Yang Chan and the others along, they might all die on the way.

This was because their Cultivation hadn’t reached the Inner Master level, so they simply couldn’t keep up.

With things laid out so bluntly, the two of them could only accept it.

Yang Chan had no intention of revealing his Cultivation, lest it cause more trouble. Within White Jade City, as long as a Bone Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster didn’t personally attack him, he wasn’t in that much danger. On the contrary, if he were targeted on the road, it would likely be even more perilous.

’It’s a good chance to let those two scout the path ahead. If they can make it back to the Cyan Yuan Sect, it means the way is clear for me too.’

After hearing Yang Chan’s and Xu Gaocen’s replies, Elder Yan and Qi Yuansheng took their prepared supplies and left immediately.

They had already made their preparations and were leaving under the cover of night.

"You two, don’t worry. This Elder will be staying here in White Jade City with you, so things obviously haven’t reached an extreme. Right now, the situation in the Imperial Palace is just unclear, and the various factions in White Jade City are just taking advantage of the chaos."

"Soon, the Taiyi Sword Sect from Yun State and the Celestial One Water Palace from Yan State will come over. The Three Major Sects have already formed an alliance. Everyone will gather here in the Cyan Yuan Pavilion. Those of us who are staying behind will support each other. Our combined Combat Power won’t be weak."

"Once the situation in White Jade City becomes clear, things will return to normal, and we’ll be able to go back to the Cyan Yuan Sect."

Ji Feng comforted the two of them, trying to reassure them that the situation had not yet reached its worst.

Their spies inside the Imperial Palace hadn’t been able to send out any information, which showed how tight security was, but a situation like this couldn’t last for long.

Under normal circumstances, seven days would be the absolute limit. If things moved quickly, it could be over by tomorrow. At that point, White Jade City would return to normal, and they would be safe.

Once the situation in the Imperial Palace stabilized, White Jade City was bound to return to its former tranquility. The nights would surely be patrolled once more, unlike the current chaos.

"Elder, I understand. You don’t need to say more."

Xu Gaocen gave a wry smile, then headed to the rooms of the injured disciples to check on them.

"Elder, I know."

Yang Chan nodded.

’He knew the situation perfectly well. While his expression remained unchanged, his mind was already on continuing to add Potential Points to his Wind-Stepping Technique. Every little bit of improvement counted. If things went south, it would make it easier to make a run for it.’

’That’s right, Yang Chan already had a plan.’

’If the situation turned bad, he would run. He needed a clear escape plan.’

After speaking, Yang Chan walked toward his quarters. He still planned to take his Dragon Bone Medicine Bath. That was worth 0.3 Potential Points, and he couldn’t afford to miss it.

During the day, he had been checking on the injured disciples, so it wasn’t a suitable time for the Dragon Bone Medicine Bath. Now that Xu Gaocen had taken over, he naturally had to complete this final task to keep his daily income of Potential Points stable.

He still had some Potential Points left on his panel. After today’s refresh, he would have four Potential Points to allocate. This was a considerable boost and would surely lead to a significant improvement in his Wind-Stepping Technique.

"Rest assured, the Sect will not abandon you."

Seeing this, Ji Feng offered his assurance once more.

The Cyan Yuan Sect couldn’t afford to lose an Advanced Pharmacist; otherwise, Qi Yuansheng wouldn’t be escorting Elder Yan away. Besides, with Advanced Pharmacists being targeted now, leaving was actually the less dangerous option. So, in a way, this decision also had some benefits for Yang Chan and the others.

Yang Chan nodded upon hearing this and headed straight for his quarters to prepare the Dragon Bone Medicine Bath. After all, it was not long before midnight, and it would take some time for him to absorb the Medicinal Power from the bath.

’Wastefulness isn’t a good habit.’

With the help of the inn’s waiter, Yang Chan’s medicine bath was prepared. He lay back comfortably in the tub, feeling very relaxed. The drowsiness from staying up late slowly began to fade. ’If only a soft, tender beauty were here to help scrub my back, it would be even more comfortable.’

’But at a time like this, just being able to take a bath is already a luxury. Of course, I don’t expect anything more.’

’There are no signs of fighting from the direction of the Imperial Palace right now. I don’t know if it’s over or if they’re in a stalemate. It would be a good thing if it’s over. I’m just afraid they’re still at a standstill.’

Yang Chan thought to himself. According to Ji Feng and the others, they were also unclear about the situation in the palace. He naturally had to analyze the situation for himself, just in case he needed to run.

’The Celestial Sword Sect made a move last night, but there were also other established powers from within White Jade City among the attackers. I need to be wary of that.’

The men in black who had attacked last night had been investigated. They were not all from the Celestial Sword Sect.