Chapter 271: Chapter 271: Materials for the 3-Refinement Nourishing Organ Pill, Yun City

The recliner was comfortable, but Yang Chan was no hedonist. He was only leaning back because he had just finished practicing his Fist Technique, taking the opportunity to read the Pharmacopoeia and rest a bit. Otherwise, how could someone as diligent as him possibly waste time?

Yang Chan had arranged for people to inquire about Xiaoyu’Er, but unfortunately, she couldn’t be found. This was to be expected. After all, countless people had died in White Jade City. In such a chaotic situation, death was all too common, especially for an ordinary person like Xiaoyu’Er who had no cultivation.

Beside Yang Chan, two maids were helping pour water and fan him. His small courtyard had more than just these two; several more maids had been added, bringing the total to exactly ten.

Yang Chan wasn’t particularly fond of male servants, so he had chosen only women, all of whom had pleasant features, outstanding figures, and exceptional temperaments.

These people were all arranged through the Han Family. He chose one person from the Han Family, while the rest were from various other places in Qing State, sourced through the Han Family’s channels.

Yang Chan had entrusted this matter to Han Bingyu, and the results were naturally to his satisfaction. He had personally selected these ten from among two hundred candidates the Han Family had sent to the foot of the Cyan Yuan Sect’s mountain; all of them were quite outstanding.

When Yang Chan selected these people, he didn’t just look at their appearance but considered multiple factors. For instance, some needed to be strong enough to carry heavy baskets of fruit, while others had to be able to ride a horse. The requirements were naturally numerous and varied.

Having too many of the same type wasn’t ideal. The truth is that each should have their own unique strengths.

These were all ordinary people without any cultivation, but they were very diligent in their work. Just like the two maids behind Yang Chan, they worked in coordination without ever stopping.

Only after Yang Chan waved his hand did the two of them withdraw.

Although these people had no cultivation, Yang Chan still did not let them watch while he was cultivating.

Ordinary people without cultivation might be fragile, but they also made for excellent eyes and ears. Naturally, Yang Chan would not let these people discover the secrets he was hiding.

His perception was very sharp; he would naturally notice if anyone was secretly watching. If they were to discover one of his important secrets, he would have no qualms about being ruthless.

As for unimportant secrets, it wouldn’t be an issue. However, anyone with ulterior motives could certainly not be allowed to stay.

After these people entered his small courtyard, Yang Chan had kept an eye on all of them. So far, there had been no inappropriate behavior, and they were all doing an excellent job with their various chores.

After the two maids left, Yang Chan resumed his cultivation in the courtyard. Besides the Cultivation Techniques and professions he advanced with Potential Points, the proficiency levels on his status panel were the result of his own hard work. He diligently practiced all his various Cultivation Techniques.

Even without Potential Points, his future would be limitless.

Only after he was drenched in sweat from completing his Fist Technique practice did Yang Chan slowly walk out of the training yard. He saw Han Bingyu already waiting for him and knew at once that the information he was waiting for had arrived.

Yang Chan took the towel a maid handed him and wiped the sweat from his face.

"Let’s go. We’ll talk in the study."

Yang Chan said, glancing at Han Bingyu.

Han Bingyu nodded and silently followed at his heels. She knew this wasn’t the right place to talk.

Inside the study, tea had already been set out. The maid was long gone, as she clearly understood Yang Chan’s rules.

"Is there news of the two-hundred-year-old Ghost Spirit Grass and the three-hundred-year-old Fragrant Celestial Flower?"

Yang Chan asked directly, as these were the main ingredients for refining the Three Revolutions Nourishing Viscera Pill.

’The Cyan Yuan Sect will also take some time to collect them. Based on how long it took last time, it will be at least another two months before they can possibly gather everything.’

’Even when they are fully collected, I won’t be able to redeem them immediately. These types of materials are offered to Advanced Pharmacists first, then Intermediate Pharmacists, and finally Basic Level Pharmacists. It could take even longer for them to reach my hands.’

’After all, these precious materials aren’t just for refining the Three Revolutions Nourishing Viscera Pill; they’re also used for the Five Revolutions Nourishing Organ Pill. Although they aren’t the main ingredients for the latter, they are still required, so demand is naturally high. That’s why I’m pinning some of my hopes on the Han Family.’

’If I can’t get them by then, my only option will be to go through Gu An’s channels. I’m sure I could acquire them that way, but I’d probably get an earful, since Gu An wants me to get promoted to Intermediate Pharmacist first.’

’His intentions are good, of course, but I plan to postpone my promotion for a while. Becoming an Intermediate Pharmacist at nineteen will be much less conspicuous.’

’This isn’t just about Qing State, but the entire Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty.’

’One shouldn’t be too famous. It’s better to let other geniuses take the spotlight. Ideally, whenever I’m mentioned, people will say I’m no genius pharmacist and that so-and-so became an Intermediate Pharmacist much earlier.’

’I might just be part of the background, but at least it’s safe!’

’Otherwise, look what happened to Xu Chuan. He reached the level of a Top Level Pharmacist, and now he’s gone. Although he was involved in a rebellion, his fame was inextricably linked to his fate—it might have even been one of the main reasons for his downfall.’

"We have news. Both have been located in Yun City. However, the Han Family can’t acquire them because the conditions for obtaining these two spiritual materials are very demanding. One family has the two-hundred-year-old Ghost Spirit Grass, but they require a Pharmacist skilled in alchemy to travel to Yun City and help them refine a special elixir."

"The other family has the three-hundred-year-old Fragrant Celestial Flower, and they want to trade it for Cyan Spirit Pills—a significant quantity, at that."

"The Han Family can’t meet either of these demands, so they could only pass the information back for you to handle personally, Pharmacist Yang."

As Han Bingyu relayed the news she had received, she knew it was good, but not entirely. She was well aware that Yang Chan disliked leaving the Cyan Yuan Sect, especially after having encountered danger several times.

Valuing one’s life was perfectly normal. After all, Pharmacists rarely lacked resources and enjoyed high status, so it was only natural for them to be protective of their lives.

"Is there any other news?"

Yang Chan’s brow furrowed slightly.

’Actually, trading for Cyan Spirit Pills is within my acceptable range. However, given how Han Bingyu phrased it, "a significant quantity" likely means they’re making an exorbitant demand, treating me like a sucker. She wouldn’t have put it that way otherwise.’

’The other option, requiring a trip to Yun City, is even less acceptable. While Yun City isn’t as dangerous as White Jade City—it’s not even on par with Tan City or Taiyu City, since there are no major factions causing chaos there—the journey alone would take at least three days. That’s six days for a round trip. If I run into trouble on the road, it could take even longer.’

’On the road, my Daily Potential Point Collection would surely decrease. I’d lose about one Potential Point a day, adding up to six Potential Points in total. Factoring in the potential dangers of travel, it naturally gives me pause.’

"That’s all for now. The Han Family is still making inquiries. If any more news comes in, they’ll send it over immediately."

Han Bingyu shook her head.

The two-hundred-year-old Ghost Spirit Grass and three-hundred-year-old Fragrant Celestial Flower were inherently difficult to acquire. As High Tier Spiritual Materials, they were extremely challenging to both find and cultivate.