Yang Chan had applied the Bear Gallbladder Skin-Toughening Ointment to his body. He had concocted this medicated ointment not long ago, remaking it after arriving in White Jade City. It couldn’t be stored for too long, or its efficacy would diminish, which would in turn affect his daily gain of Potential Points.

He had verified this through experience. At first, he’d nearly thought he was developing a resistance, but he later discovered it was because the Bear Gallbladder Skin-Toughening Ointment had been stored for too long. Therefore, Yang Chan only ever prepared a few days’ worth for his personal use, concocting a new batch whenever he needed it.

It hadn’t been suitable to concoct it on the road, but after arriving in White Jade City, he naturally got back to his old trade. It didn’t require Earth Fire, so the process was relatively simple.

After this application was finished and its effects had mostly worn off, Yang Chan switched to the Cold Fragrance Bone Nourishing Ointment and continued the process. These ointments were a source of Potential Points, so naturally, he couldn’t skip any.

Once all this was done, Yang Chan set up numerous traps and other precautions around his room before finally lying down on his bed to sleep in peace.

Even during the day, he remained ever-vigilant. After all, it was a good habit—a good habit for staying alive.

...

"I told you Qingxuan Fanlou would never agree to an alliance. Those people are holier-than-thou. Plus, with Ming Zen Temple and Celestial Heart Temple already allied, they definitely wouldn’t choose to join us."

An Inner Master from the Brahma Sound Battle Pavilion spoke with a grim expression. Qingxuan Fanlou had been one of the factions they proposed allying with last night. However, the relationship between the Brahma Sound Battle Pavilion and Qingxuan Fanlou wasn’t good, and the person sent to negotiate the alliance had been flatly rejected.

That was why the Inner Master from the Brahma Sound Battle Pavilion was now speaking up to complain.

"It’s alright. Although Qingxuan Fanlou refused, Qingyou Pavilion has agreed. So we’ve still achieved something."

Ji Feng spoke up to smooth things over. This group of Inner Refining Elder Level figures from the Major Sects each had their own agendas. If not for this life-or-death crisis, they would never have united.

Even now that they were allied, their hearts and minds were not in sync. The alliance was loose, with each group essentially managing its own affairs—a situation everyone tacitly accepted.

After all, no one present could command the absolute obedience of everyone else. For this Pharmacist Exchange Conference, the strongest individuals sent by the various Major Sects had a cultivation at the Inner Refining of the Lungs and Spleens Realm. This was a show of respect to the Imperial Family, a gesture to demonstrate that they had no ulterior motives.

Consequently, there was no supremely powerful expert who could take control of the situation here, and everyone was looking out for their own interests.

"Moon-locking Tower has also agreed, but we need to send people to escort them over."

Good news came from the Celestial One Water Palace as well. At a time like this, every additional faction was a blessing. Although they didn’t have any experts at the Inner Refining of the Five Viscera Level, the combined force of so many Inner Masters was not to be underestimated.

In fact, when the chaos first erupted, the various Major Sects had all approached the Pharmacist Alliance. After all, the Pharmacist Alliance had two Bone Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster experts presiding over it. Unfortunately, the Pharmacist Alliance refused them.

Even requests just to send their Pharmacists to take refuge there—including Advanced Pharmacists, who held the rank of Honorary Elder in the Pharmacist Alliance—were denied. This naturally left many Sects disgruntled, and they also sensed that something was very wrong.

The Pharmacist Alliance’s actions were bound to alienate many of the Sects. After all, they had come to participate in the Pharmacist Exchange Conference hosted by the Alliance; one could say they had all come out of respect for the Pharmacist Alliance.

Although they also desired the Cultivation Resources held by the Pharmacist Alliance, the event was still led by the Alliance. Given the Alliance’s attitude, those who sensed trouble left immediately.

Yan Jinfeng and Qi Yuansheng were among those who fled White Jade City on the second day of the chaos. There had been no news from them since, and their current situation was unknown.

"The Carefree Sect..."

More good news continued to pour in. The Sects that had refused were simply ignored. All told, the number of people who agreed was quite substantial, but there was still plenty of room in the Cyan Yuan Pavilion to accommodate them.

As they learned that more and more Sects were joining, smiles began to appear on the faces of Ji Feng and the others.

They extended an invitation to every Sect that hadn’t been wiped out and hadn’t been an aggressor. Among these, any that had ties to the powerful and wealthy within White Jade City were immediately excluded. Even so, that still left a considerable number of Sects.

Most agreed, and only a few refused. These few had also formed their own alliances, clearly having the same idea, but they generally only allied with Sects they trusted.

In the end, the result was satisfactory to everyone. This coalition represented a powerful force. Even if someone wanted to target them, they would have to consider the subsequent retaliation from so many Sects.

Even the Court would have to consider how to appease them. They represented not only themselves but also the Sects behind them. If they all rose up in turmoil, the entire Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty would descend into chaos, and it could even lead to a change of dynasty—a truly disastrous outcome.

...

’Can’t even get a peaceful sleep anymore.’

Yang Chan heard footsteps outside his door. There was no knock yet, but they were heading toward his room. Clearly, someone was looking for him.

He had slept for at least a little over two hours, but he still didn’t feel like it was enough. Sleeping during the day just made him more tired; he could never get enough rest.

He stretched, glancing at the window. There was still a pale yellow sunlight, and the temperature hadn’t dropped. Under normal circumstances, it should be just a little past noon, as the sun only shone on his window around midday.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

"Pharmacist Yang, you’re needed in the infirmary. Two heavily injured disciples are in critical condition, and Pharmacist Xu can’t handle it alone."

The knocking on the door was followed by a voice that reached Yang Chan’s ears.

"Alright, I know. I’m on my way."

Yang Chan called back and began to change his clothes. His loose garments weren’t suitable for the infirmary.

He changed clothes as quickly as he took them off—especially when he was undressing a beautiful woman, revealing a plump and delectable lamb in an instant.

Yang Chan pushed open the door to see an Elite Disciple from the Cyan Yuan Sect. He recognized him. The disciple was wounded, but they were only light injuries, and he seemed to be in stable condition.

"I can go by myself. You should get back to your duties."

Yang Chan said over his shoulder as he began walking quickly, noticing the disciple was still waiting.

"Pharmacist Yang, Senior Brother Cai Kun’s condition has taken a turn for the worse. Please, take a close look at him." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Senior Brother Cai Kun is a good man. He always looked out for us and protected us like an older brother. Please, Pharmacist Yang, you have to heal him."

The Elite Disciple didn’t leave right away. Instead, he spoke with a solemn expression; this was the reason he had waited.

"Senior Brother Cai Kun’s condition has worsened? Alright, I’ll head over right away to check on him."

Yang Chan knew Cai Kun’s injuries were serious, as he had participated in his treatment. He had even checked on him that morning, and his condition had been stable. He should have been fine, so it was unexpected to hear he’d had a relapse.

A relapse was not a good sign. It meant he was walking the Yellow Springs Road once more. If he couldn’t pull through, his body would perish and his spirit would scatter.

He knew Cai Kun. The man had a good heart—not a lot of it, but a little bit, at least.