Chapter 426: Chapter 421: News of the Witch, Elite Disciple Han Bingyu
「Early morning.」
Princess Lan Yue left the study with a look of discontent; she couldn’t believe she had offered herself up yet still hadn’t been "eaten."
Although Yang Chan had already agreed to take her to the Merak Sacred Land, she still felt it wasn’t a sure thing. She knew promises alone weren’t always reliable; when interests clashed, she would likely be abandoned.
Only by deepening their connection could she ensure she wouldn’t be cast aside.
This was especially true for someone like Yang Chan, who wouldn’t easily "eat" what was served to him on a platter.
If the relationship between them grew deeper, it would be much harder for him to abandon her.
On the day Yang Chan left, she had been aware of two powerful auras erupting within the Cyan Yuan Sect, one of which was at the Inner Refining Five Viscera Level.
Thinking back to what Yang Chan had said before he left, that was likely his current Martial Arts Cultivation, and the trouble he mentioned was also at that level.
At his current age, Yang Chan had already reached the Inner Refining Five Viscera Level. He was certain to break through to the Bone Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster Realm in the future. And after going to the Merak Sacred Land and receiving its legacies, he would very likely break through to the National Guardian Martial Saint Realm.
She knew that not only was his Martial Arts Talent extremely high, but his aptitude for Alchemy was also outstanding. His Alchemy Ability was formidable, which meant he wouldn’t lack Cultivation Resources. Coupled with his Martial Arts Talent, his potential was truly limitless.
If she had a National Guardian Martial Saint expert backing her, she was confident she could settle her grievances with the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty. She might even be able to ascend to the throne she had always dreamed of.
Even now, Princess Lan Yue had not given up. Her entire family had been torn apart because of the throne. Naturally, she had to take the throne to justify their sacrifices and fulfill her long-held dream.
Therefore, when Yang Chan returned, she had been even more enthusiastic than before. Even after sensing his rejection, she had proactively offered herself to him in various ways.
In the end, however, she still failed to get what she wanted.
She was feeling utterly resentful as she left, only for Yang Chan to instruct her to call Han Bingyu over.
’This is even more infuriating!’ she thought. ’Although Han Bingyu is quite good, I am superior in every way, be it my cultivation, Alchemy Ability, status, or child-bearing potential. Logically, I should be more to Yang Chan’s liking. I don’t even know how I’m inferior to Han Bingyu.’
Filled with resentment, Princess Lan Yue left Yang Chan’s study.
Not long after Princess Lan Yue left, Han Bingyu arrived.
"Pharmacist Yang!"
Seeing that Yang Chan had come out of seclusion, Han Bingyu couldn’t help but smile, eager to tell him about her recent changes.
"Tell me everything that’s happened recently, since I went into seclusion."
Yang Chan looked at Han Bingyu, who had also finished her seclusion. Her cultivation had broken through to the First Layer Bronze of External Refining Copper Skin.
’By my calculations, Han Bingyu should have been promoted to Elite Disciple by now,’ he thought. ’But it seems she’s done as she said and stayed by my side as my Pharmacist’s Assistant.’
Yang Chan had already noticed the change in Han Bingyu back when he left; you could even say he sensed her breakthrough.
"The night Pharmacist Yang went into seclusion, two Inner Master experts passed through the Cyan Yuan Sect. They were said to be masters at the Inner Refining of the Five Viscera, and both were from a Holy Land. The two of them passed straight through the Cyan Yuan Sect. Afterward, Sect Leader Gu arranged for an investigation, but there’s been no news since. He just tightened security within the Sect and suspended all external missions, ordering all Sect disciples to remain in the Cyan Yuan Sect."
Han Bingyu was recounting the biggest recent event, which happened right as her Martial Arts Cultivation broke through. After her breakthrough, the investigation was ordered.
On the very next day, she passed the Cyan Yuan Sect’s assessment to become an Elite Disciple. The Sect is very short on Elite Disciples right now, so the assessment was much simpler than it used to be.
After confirming she had broken through to External Refining Copper Skin, they just conducted a simple test before giving her an Elite Disciple’s Identity Token and assigning her a private courtyard.
But even though she was assigned a private courtyard, Han Bingyu still lived in Yuanqing Courtyard.
The private courtyard she was assigned wasn’t even as large as a section of Yuanqing Courtyard. Besides, the Elite Disciple residences were a bit far from her current home in Yuanqing Courtyard.
The Pharmacists’ residences and the Elite Disciples’ area are somewhat far apart, which naturally isn’t very convenient.
Besides, she needed a warm embrace at night. Being busy for a little while every evening allowed her to wake up refreshed and invigorated the next day.
Although it was sometimes a bit tiring, it was what made her feel life’s happiness.
Since Yang Chan went into seclusion, she hadn’t experienced that kind of happiness.
"There’s also news that the Witch from the Taiyin Demon Sect was hiding in Qing State before. The auras that appeared in the Cyan Yuan Sect last time might have belonged to the Taiyin Demoness and her pursuers!"
"But now new reports say the Taiyin Demoness has appeared in Yu State!"
As Han Bingyu relayed this news, she moved closer to Yang Chan.
"Anything else?"
Yang Chan nodded. He had heard the follow-up news while he was out; the Taiyin Saintess had clashed with someone again.
He didn’t know the specifics of the battle, but since there was no news of her capture, he figured the outcome couldn’t have been too bad.
He hadn’t spent much time looking into it. In any case, as long as the Taiyin Saintess was drawing everyone’s attention away, that was good enough for him.
’As for the rumors I heard on the road about the Taiyin Saintess possessing the legacy of the Taiyin Celestial Tower... all I can say is, "That’s her, please try harder."’ He glanced at the Profound Yin Hanging Bead in his hand, feeling a bit sheepish. ’But for someone destined for greatness like the Taiyin Saintess, one must have their will tested, their body starved, and their actions thwarted to achieve it.’
’What that "greatness" is, well, that’s not important to me.’
At the same time, Yang Chan warned himself to keep a low profile.
’The fact that the tower is inside the Profound Yin Hanging Bead must never be revealed to anyone.’
’Until I’m invincible, no one can know this secret. In fact, it’s best to keep it a secret even after I become invincible. If no one knows, there’s no trouble, which makes things easier for me. Otherwise, getting schemed against would be a terrible choice.’
At this point, all Yang Chan could say in his heart was: ’You’re working hard. Keep it up a little longer.’
"The people from the major Holy Lands have mostly left Qing State. Word in the Sect is that external missions will resume in a while."
"One more thing. The Sect is about to release another batch of previously collected Spirit Medicines. A disciple from the Medicine Hall told me, but knowing Pharmacist Yang was in seclusion, they passed the message to me."
Han Bingyu took another step, speaking as she walked.
"A lot has happened recently, but that’s all the relevant information for now. I’m still trying to find out more."
As Han Bingyu spoke, she sat down right next to Yang Chan.
"Have the Official Disciples from the Sect who are going to the Merak Sacred Land been chosen yet?"
Seeing her move close, Yang Chan wrapped an arm around her, his hand disappearing between the high mountains.
It was easy to climb familiar mountains, for he knew where to stop and rest, and where to resume his ascent. It saved time and energy. When he felt tired, he could pause halfway up the slope to eat some fruit—like a red bodhi, juicy and sweet.
"Mm! They haven’t been chosen yet!"
Han Bingyu felt a slight discomfort and shifted her position before replying.
In the past, she would have naturally wanted to join the Merak Sacred Land with this group. But after learning more, she no longer had any such thoughts.
This batch of Cyan Yuan Sect Disciples joining the Merak Sacred Land would be Outer Disciples at best. Furthermore, with the current situation in the Merak Sacred Land being unclear, these disciples were likely to be used as Pathfinding Stones, or even cannon fodder.
The Merak Sacred Land was not a peaceful and harmonious place. There was strife between the various peaks and competition for Cultivation Resources. However, the resources they fought over were not ordinary ones, but rather those for the Inner Refining of the Five Viscera, or even the Bone Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster Level. Such Cultivation Resources were extremely precious even in the Merak Sacred Land.
Even within a vast Grotto Heaven, Cultivation Resources were not infinite. This was why people were sent out when a Secret Realm emerged. For a Little World like Taiyin Heaven, they had even offered a Peak Master position to the Cyan Yuan Sect, all because Taiyin Heaven held an opportunity to break through to the National Guardian Martial Saint realm.
In an era where reaching the Divine Acupoint was nearly impossible, a National Guardian Martial Saint was already the strongest Combat Power. However, how far one could go in their cultivation still depended on many factors, such as Cultivation Resources, talent, opportunities, and luck.
Even among Martial Saint experts, there were still disparities in Combat Power.
"Let me know when they’re chosen, but don’t go out of your way to keep track. Just tell me if you hear anything."
Yang Chan said after a moment’s thought.
The reason he wanted to know was that by the time the news was announced, the Sect should have received information from within the Merak Sacred Land.
Compared to sending these Cyan Yuan Sect Disciples to the Merak Sacred Land, he was more interested in learning more about the Holy Land itself, to prepare for his own future path.
The Cyan Yuan Sect was decent, but it was a bit too weak and couldn’t withstand a real storm.
If someone from a Holy Land like Baili Star were to move against the Cyan Yuan Sect, his identity would be exposed. He had dealt with that trouble in advance this time, but there was no guarantee there wouldn’t be a next time.
Rather than trusting his luck, it was better to be more prepared. Besides, it was also for the sake of Cultivation Resources.
The highest level of Cultivation Resources the Cyan Yuan Sect could provide was for the Inner Refining Five Viscera Realm, and even those were scarce. If he wanted Cultivation Resources for the Bone Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster Realm, he would have to go to the Merak Sacred Land.
And then there were the other worlds more suitable for cultivation that the Black Dragon had mentioned. He had never forgotten about that. If a suitable opportunity arose, he would naturally join the Merak Sacred Land directly, and all these problems would be solved.
As Yang Chan was thinking this, he suddenly realized he was being squeezed. ’How audacious!’
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