"Giving the spot for the Pharmacist Exchange Conference, which only happens once every three years, to some wet-behind-the-ears kid... It’s truly hard for anyone to accept."

Gao Yuanlong said this to the other Intermediate Pharmacists who also failed to get a spot. With a look of righteous indignation, he acted as if the stolen spot had been his to begin with.

After giving Yang Chan a hard time during their last encounter, he had resumed his attempts to refine the First Revolution Nourishing Viscera Pill, only to fail again.

The difficulty of refining this Elixir was far greater than that of the Lantian Jade Refining Pill. His own skill in alchemy was mediocre at best; even when refining the Lantian Jade Refining Pill, his success rate was only one in five. A rate like that was average, bordering on poor.

However, the quantity of medicinal ingredients he could use annually was far greater than that of a Basic Level Pharmacist. He was permitted to use the Sect’s ingredients for his alchemy, and he would receive a portion of the benefits upon success. With skills like these, he could only be described as "passable."

While a one-in-five success rate would be considered quite good for a Basic Level Pharmacist, for an Intermediate Pharmacist, such efficiency was rather poor.

There were quite a few Intermediate Pharmacists like him in the Cyan Yuan Sect. Most had reached their rank simply by putting in years of service, not through any particular skill in alchemy.

"Pharmacist Xu, if you can persuade Elder Hua or Elder Yan to intervene, then I can support you. But if you can’t, then it’s useless for you to have gathered us all here."

Intermediate Pharmacist Di Qiu cut straight to the point. He also wanted to vie for the spot at the Pharmacist Exchange Conference. And while he couldn’t refine the First Revolution Nourishing Viscera Pill, his alchemy skills were a notch above Gao Yuanlong’s, so he believed he still had a shot.

If he could attend the Pharmacist Exchange Conference and share knowledge with other Pharmacists, perhaps his own Pharmacist Ability would progress. He might even improve his alchemy skills, which would open up the possibility of a promotion to Advanced Pharmacist.

It was only natural that these Intermediate Pharmacists of the Cyan Yuan Sect wanted to become Advanced Pharmacists. It would be a complete transformation.

Becoming an Advanced Pharmacist greatly increased one’s chances of breaking through to the Inner Master realm, and at that point, one’s Lifespan would also increase considerably. This was a massive draw for all the Intermediate Pharmacists present.

Otherwise, Gao Yuanlong’s words wouldn’t have drawn such a crowd of Intermediate Pharmacists. Every one of them was hoping to see if there was a chance to secure a spot.

Di Qiu’s statement cut directly to the heart of the matter. It was a crucial point that couldn’t be ignored.

To obtain a spot for the conference, they had to sway the two Advanced Pharmacists. Of the two, Elder Yan—Yan Jinfeng—would be extremely difficult to persuade, as he was the one who had made the final decision. The chances of him reversing his own verdict were slim to none.

"If the nine of us Intermediate Pharmacists go see Elder Hua together, perhaps he’ll give us a chance. At the very least, we’ll get to compete with Yang Chan."

"It’s unfair that he was given the spot in advance."

Since Gao Yuanlong had gathered these people, he had naturally devised a viable plan. The plan had a chance of success, but his own influence was insufficient; he needed to rally the other eight Intermediate Pharmacists to his side.

As long as these men wanted a spot at the conference, they would stand with him. Then, once the spot was vacated, their group could compete for it among themselves.

It was an opportunity, and it was worth a shot.

"This decision wasn’t just made by Elder Yan. Hall Master Gu was also involved, and it even concerns a bet between the two of them. If we go to Elder Hua, there’s no guarantee he’ll agree. He might just refuse us outright."

"Besides, even if we do get the spot this way, we’ll completely lose face in the process."

Di Qiu considered it. While the plan seemed to have a chance of success, the probability was extremely low, and he wasn’t optimistic.

Furthermore, he felt that acting this way just to fight over a single spot would reflect poorly on them. He couldn’t stomach the loss of face.

It was like two people in a competition, and when one couldn’t win on their own merits, they ran to their parents or used their connections to interfere. Even if they won, it would be a hollow, dishonorable victory.

As an Intermediate Pharmacist, he still had his pride.

"Di Qiu, if you don’t want the spot, just say so. No one’s forcing you to join in. But if we manage to get the spot opened up, don’t you dare come shamelessly trying to compete for it. That will only make us despise you even more."

Gao Yuanlong sneered. He had expected someone to raise this objection and had a sharp retort ready.

He had known these Intermediate Pharmacists for many years and was well aware of their personalities, with Di Qiu being a prime example.

At the same time, he had also guessed what was truly on the other man’s mind.

’Why else would he have come here today if not to get the spot for the Pharmacist Exchange Conference?’

Sure enough, Di Qiu fell silent. If he truly hadn’t wanted the spot, he wouldn’t have come in the first place. If he genuinely thought the plan was wrong, he would have simply walked out.

Some of the men present had attended the Pharmacist Exchange Conference in the past and had reaped significant rewards, making them all the more eager to go again.

It was a benefit that, naturally, everyone wanted to get their hands on.

Gao Yuanlong’s gaze swept over the other Intermediate Pharmacists. "I’ll make it simple," he declared. "Anyone who wants a spot at the Pharmacist Exchange Conference, follow me to see Elder Hua and have him rule on this. We still have a chance. If you don’t want the spot, you’re free to leave."

Having said his piece, he turned and walked straight out. His intention was obvious.

Those who were willing would follow him; those who weren’t could go home.

In such matters, Gao Yuanlong was a man of action. He made his point through deeds, not just words. It was the simplest and most effective method.

Approaching Advanced Pharmacist Elder Yan or Medicine Hall Master Gu An was a dead end. The other Hall Masters would never meddle in the affairs of the Medicine Hall, as that would mean offending Hall Master Gu An.

And as for Sect Leader Liu Xuan, he was entirely beyond their reach.

While their status as Intermediate Pharmacists in the Cyan Yuan Sect was not low, it wasn’t high enough to command the attention of figures at the level of a Hall Master, the Sect Leader, or a Supreme Elder.

Elder Hua, on the other hand, presented a small opportunity. After all, of the two spots the Cyan Yuan Sect had obtained for the Pharmacist Exchange Conference, one was under Elder Hua’s purview, which meant he had decision-making power.

If Elder Hua spoke up, there was a chance for success. This was precisely Gao Yuanlong’s plan—a straightforward strategy that cut right to the heart of the issue.

As Gao Yuanlong stepped out, the remaining Intermediate Pharmacists rose to their feet one by one and followed him.

Going alone would be pointless, but as a group, they might succeed. Moreover, if they all went together to protest, no single individual would be punished. It was a complaint from a collective, not just one person.

Nine Intermediate Pharmacists of the Cyan Yuan Sect raising an objection together implied that there was indeed a problem with the decision. This gave them a real chance at success. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

As Intermediate Pharmacists, they all understood the situation perfectly. The choice was simple: they would choose the path that served their own interests, the one that offered them a potential benefit.