This was also Ji Feng’s first time meeting Yang Chan. Before this, he had been in secluded cultivation within the Cyan Yuan Sect.

The cultivation for Inner Refining of the Lungs and Spleens was a very long process. Most Inner Refining Elders would choose to enter seclusion to achieve a breakthrough when they were on the verge of one.

And he had just broken through to the third stage of Inner Refining of the Lungs and Spleens. His Martial Arts Cultivation had improved significantly, and only then did he emerge from his seclusion.

Although normal cultivation could be integrated into daily life, something like a breakthrough required a stable environment. Thus, he had not participated in the events at Taiyu City or Tan City, and naturally, had never met Yang Chan.

There were many Inner Refining Elders within the Cyan Yuan Sect whom Yang Chan had never met, and Ji Feng was one of them. Under most circumstances, unless something major occurred, these Inner Refining Elders would not appear.

If all the Inner Refining Elders of the Cyan Yuan Sect appeared at once, it would surely be for a matter of life and death, or a choice that would decide the Sect’s fate. It was like the last time Sect Leader Liu Xuan had called upon the three Supreme Elders, in addition to the many other elders of the Cyan Yuan Sect. Only at times like these could one glimpse these elders, who were as elusive as dragons.

However, Yang Chan hadn’t been qualified to participate in such matters back then. Now, without revealing his cultivation, he was still unqualified and thus had naturally not met many of the Inner Refining Elders.

"Elder Ji, you flatter me. This disciple only has a tiny bit of talent in alchemy, hardly worth mentioning. On the contrary, it is elders like yourself who are the true pillars of the Cyan Yuan Sect, the source of our Sect’s stability."

Yang Chan’s attitude remained very humble. At the same time, he changed the subject to praise Ji Feng.

Yang Chan was well aware of the principle ’you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours,’ and he was adept at using it.

No one disliked hearing praise, including those in high positions.

’Gu An clearly intended to introduce this man to me, so I should naturally leave a good impression. Besides, his cultivation is a bit stronger than mine.’

’It’s always best to show sufficient respect to the strong.’

"Mm, a very fine young man. Hall Master Gu, if there are no other issues, I’ll be on my way."

After nodding, Ji Feng looked at Gu An and cupped his fist to take his leave.

His conversation with Gu An was over, and he had met Yang Chan. Naturally, he wouldn’t stay any longer. What remained was between Gu An and Yang Chan, and he was tactful enough not to intrude.

"Very well. I’ll have to trouble you with the upcoming matter, Elder Ji."

Gu An nodded and rose to see him off.

As the Hall Master of the Medicine Hall, his status was higher than Ji Feng’s, but he still had to show the proper respect. This was true even if Ji Feng was one of his own men.

"Hall Master Gu, there’s no need to see me out. I will take my leave."

Once the group arrived outside Gu An’s courtyard, Ji Feng cupped his hands again and departed.

Watching the man’s retreating figure, Yang Chan had a bad feeling. He sensed that this was all part of an arrangement for him to go to White Jade City for the Pharmacist Exchange Conference.

He hadn’t thought of it at first, but on the way over, he had been mulling over Gu An’s intentions and felt this was highly likely. Otherwise, Gu An wouldn’t have had him meet Elder Ji Feng beforehand, as if he were giving instructions about something.

"Feeling strange? That I specifically had you meet Elder Ji Feng."

Gu An asked as he and Yang Chan walked back to the house.

He had naturally seen the confused look on Yang Chan’s face, which was why he asked. He knew Yang Chan was very capable, but there were some things he wasn’t privy to, so he wouldn’t understand the reasons behind them.

"A little. Actually, this disciple was planning to find you before this, Hall Master. So your summons came at just the right time."

Having already guessed what was happening, Yang Chan didn’t wait for Gu An to speak, instead steering the conversation toward his own agenda.

’I’ve already figured out Gu An’s plan, so I have to put up a bit of a struggle. I really don’t want to leave the mountain.’

Although attending the Pharmacist Exchange Conference was a huge opportunity for others—like Zhao Yi, who had always wanted to go but wasn’t qualified.

It was a great opportunity for others, but it was one Yang Chan didn’t want.

Therefore, by speaking up now, he was making an attempt to avoid going to White Jade City.

"Oh? What did you need to see me about? Do you need some kind of help?"

As expected, Yang Chan’s words caught Gu An’s attention, shifting the topic to his side. This was precisely Yang Chan’s goal.

"After successfully refining the First Revolution Nourishing Viscera Pill last month, this disciple wished to advance to Intermediate Pharmacist, but I feel my accumulation of pharmacist knowledge is still lacking."

"Therefore, I was planning to enter seclusion within the Cyan Yuan Sect for a few months. I should then be confident about advancing to Intermediate Pharmacist. I intended to ask for your permission, Hall Master, to enter seclusion for a period to quickly make up for my lack of knowledge."

Yang Chan’s attitude was very sincere, giving the impression that he was dedicated to preparing for his advancement to Intermediate Pharmacist.

As he spoke of becoming an Intermediate Pharmacist, his eyes even shone with anticipation, looking every bit the part of an ambitious and hardworking young man.

He had guessed Gu An’s objective and naturally wanted to use this as an excuse to postpone it.

If Gu An were the one to bring it up, it would be difficult for him to refuse. It was ostensibly something for his own good, and Gu An had even pulled strings to help him. If he just said he wouldn’t go, it would be asking for trouble. It would also be a complete show of disrespect to his patron.

He wanted to continue living peacefully in the Medicine Hall, so he couldn’t afford to offend its Hall Master, Gu An. Otherwise, if Gu An deliberately assigned him dangerous missions or many tasks that required leaving the mountain, it would have a huge impact on him.

Yang Chan hadn’t forgotten what happened to Lü Zhenghai, and he didn’t want the same thing to happen to him.

Even though his cultivation had broken through to the Inner Master realm, Yang Chan’s attitude hadn’t changed. He still didn’t want to leave the mountain; he just wanted to continue staying safely within the Cyan Yuan Sect.

"That method is too slow. As it happens, I’ve found a much better way for you."

Upon hearing this, Gu An spoke up cheerfully. He also wanted Yang Chan to advance to Intermediate Pharmacist sooner, as another Intermediate Pharmacist would be of significant use to the Cyan Yuan Sect.

"In four months, the triennial Pharmacist Exchange Conference will be held in White Jade City. Pharmacists from all over the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty will be there, and even pharmacists from other Imperial Dynasties will participate. Interacting with them will be far more effective than just reading books."

"I have high hopes for you. I’ve already mentioned you to Elder Yan, the Advanced Pharmacist leading the group this time. After hearing that you can refine the First Revolution Nourishing Viscera Pill, he has already agreed to let you go."

"If you participate this time, you will surely make great progress as a Pharmacist upon your return. It could even lay the foundation for you to become an Advanced Pharmacist."

"You can’t become an Advanced Pharmacist just by reading books. You need to participate in these kinds of Pharmacist Exchange Conferences to achieve significant improvement."

The smile on Gu An’s face grew wider. This was the good news he wanted to share with Yang Chan.

"Didn’t I say last time that I would reward you if you made great progress as a Pharmacist? This is your reward for successfully refining the First Revolution Nourishing Viscera Pill. It’s an opportunity that even Intermediate Pharmacists would fight for."

Gu An continued, the smile on his face growing ever wider.

He had high hopes for Yang Chan and felt that he was very likely to advance to Intermediate Pharmacist after this conference.