"Pharmacist Yang, this is the information we’ve gathered on Pharmacist Gao Yuanlong."

Han Bingyu handed the collected intelligence to Yang Chan. Although she didn’t understand why he suddenly wanted to investigate Gao Yuanlong, she was tactful enough not to ask.

Yang Chan would naturally tell her anything she needed to know. Since he hadn’t said anything, it wasn’t her place to ask.

"Mm, thank you for your trouble."

"These are the newly refined Lantian Jade Refining Pills. Take one, and you can give the rest to the Han Family."

Yang Chan nodded, pointing to the medicine bottle on the table as he took the report.

He would naturally not go back on a promise. Besides, it was a small matter for him.

"Of course. Do you have any other instructions, Pharmacist Yang?"

Upon hearing this, a joyful expression appeared on Han Bingyu’s face. This was much faster than she had expected, and for her, the sooner she got the pill, the better.

She was extremely eager to try the Lantian Jade Refining Pill. For her, it was a Superior Elixir for External Cultivation, and it meant she was one step closer to breaking through to External Refining Copper Skin.

"Nothing else. You may go."

Yang Chan shook his head, his eyes on the information Han Bingyu had collected.

Hearing this, Han Bingyu quietly withdrew and closed the door behind her.

Yang Chan scanned the papers. It was all common, publicly available information. Han Bingyu could only gather ordinary details; more secretive intelligence was simply beyond her reach, a limitation of her status.

However, this was enough for Yang Chan. One particular detail caught his eye, confirming a suspicion he’d had.

Gao Yuanlong had tried several times to participate in the triennial Pharmacist Exchange Conference but had always failed. He was unable to refine a First Revolution Nourishing Viscera Pill. He was the type of Intermediate Pharmacist who specialized more in healing.

His healing abilities were outstanding, but his Alchemy skills were rather average. Despite numerous attempts, he had never succeeded in refining a First Revolution Nourishing Viscera Pill, which was why he had been repeatedly denied entry to the Pharmacist Exchange Conference.

His recent Alchemy attempts were likely another bid to secure a spot at the conference. As for whether the previous incident was aimed at him, that was also a possibility.

After all, Yang Chan had received his spot in the Pharmacist Exchange Conference ahead of schedule, with Medicine Hall Master Gu An personally approaching Advanced Pharmacist Elder Yan to arrange it. This wasn’t exactly a secret. For someone like Gao Yuanlong, he could surely find out some details if he put his mind to it.

He was, after all, paying very close attention to the slots for the Pharmacist Exchange Conference. He would naturally be aware that one was already taken.

The same likely went for the other Intermediate Pharmacists. After all, everyone wanted to attend the triennial Pharmacist Exchange Conference.

Since Yang Chan had secured a spot early, he was bound to attract some attention.

After reading through Han Bingyu’s report, he stopped worrying about it. Even if this person could target him, an act like taking the herbs he needed for his medicine packs was the most he could do. He couldn’t go any further.

After all, he was now under Gu An’s protection. To openly target him would be a show of disrespect toward Gu An, making an enemy of the Medicine Hall Master. Therefore, any actions had to be kept within certain limits.

An incident like the last one was, at most, a minor annoyance. It had no real effect on Yang Chan. In fact, if his rival could actually manage to take his spot, Yang Chan would have to sincerely thank him.

But judging by the man’s abilities, his chances of success were slim.

To pull something like that off, you needed the backing of either an Advanced Pharmacist or a Hall Master Level figure. Gao Yuanlong had connections to neither.

At most, he could compete for the remaining spot. But seeing his Alchemy skills, Yang Chan felt that Gao Yuanlong would most likely end up empty-handed again.

It was a matter of talent in Alchemy. Hard work alone wasn’t enough.

Having figured out Gao Yuanlong’s situation, Yang Chan paid him no more mind.

He had looked into Gao Yuanlong to see if the man posed a threat to his safety. After reading the report, he could rule that out.

Unless the man was a fool, he wouldn’t dare to target him openly. And even if he was a fool, he lacked the strength to do so. On the surface, his Cultivation at the Early Stage of External Iron Bone Refining was slightly higher than Yang Chan’s, but in reality, Yang Chan was the one who was slightly stronger.

If someone like that tried to attack him, he’d just be serving himself up on a platter. He was no threat.

Ever since his Cultivation broke through to the Inner Refining of the Lungs and Spleens, very few people could threaten him, and Gao Yuanlong was certainly not one of them.

’Hoping this guy can take my spot at the Pharmacist Exchange Conference is less reliable than just improving my own strength.’

Yang Chan thought. He felt that another Intermediate Pharmacist might have a chance, but the probability of success was not high. His spot had been a joint decision by Medicine Hall Master Gu An and Advanced Pharmacist Yan Jinfeng; it wasn’t something that could be changed by one person’s word.

It was far more likely that the other Intermediate Pharmacists would just be fighting over the last remaining spot.

After glancing over the report, Yang Chan tossed it aside. It was of little use to him. He might as well spend the time on his Cultivation.

He sat down cross-legged and began to breathe according to the rhythm of the Flood Dragon Demon Breath Method. His breaths grew long and deep, which was part of the process of the Inner Refining of the Lungs and Spleens.

He had completed one of the Inner Refining of the Six Viscera, with five remaining. Yang Chan naturally needed to continue the Tempering of his other viscera to advance to the Inner Refining of the Five Viscera as soon as possible. At that point, his strength would rise once again.

At a time like this, nothing was more important than increasing his strength. The improvements from Martial Arts Cultivation were significant, and the potential was immense.

After completing a full cycle of the breath method, Yang Chan continued with his Flood Dragon Demon Martial Seal Cultivation. The two techniques worked very well together. Right now, Yang Chan was focused on improving his Flood Dragon Demon Martial Seal, so he practiced the Martial Seal Cultivation right after the Flood Dragon Demon Breath Method to maximize the effects.

He certainly wouldn’t be able to break through his Inner Refining of the Lungs and Spleens in a short time, but he could improve his Martial Seal. This would also increase his Combat Power, so the choice between the two was obvious.

As Yang Chan began his Visualization, a ferocious Flood Dragon Demon appeared in his mind, its savage aura flooding his consciousness. However, Yang Chan was constantly circulating the Meditation and Breath Holding Technique, so the brutal energy had no effect on him.

Each time the aura attacked, he watched calmly, allowing it to run rampant. He observed with cold detachment, like a mountain firm against the wind. No matter how it ravaged his mind, he remained utterly unshaken, an immovable pillar.

After completing this Visualization practice, his Spiritual Power would increase, and his Visualization of the Flood Dragon Demon Martial Seal would also improve significantly. This was the normal process for Flood Dragon Demon Martial Seal Cultivation.

For most people, this process would be quite painful. But Yang Chan had specifically prepared the Meditation and Breath Holding Technique before starting his Cultivation. Naturally, this pain was nothing to him. He could easily ignore it and remain unaffected, allowing his Spirit to be tempered and strengthened.