Rumors Do Not Arise Without Cause

After watching these people spar, Yang Chan had gained some new insights, but he had not chosen a future direction, because he could choose any direction he wanted.

As he cultivated the Life-Nourishing Technique, his lifespan would only grow longer and longer. Others could only choose one path within their limited time, but he could choose several.

Although changes had occurred within the Medicine Hall Martial Academy, they had little effect on Yang Chan. His efforts differed from those Formal Disciples. In everyone else's eyes, his talent was lacking and he wanted to pursue the path of a Pharmacist, so there were naturally far fewer conflicts.

"Junior Brother Yang, you actually didn't go to the Medicine Hall Library Pavilion to read today?"

Shi Gaojun walked over to Yang Chan. During this period, Yang Chan's activities had naturally not escaped Shi Gaojun's notice. Although he was surprised that Yang Chan had chosen so early to become a Pharmacist, it was not a bad choice.

"Taking a break today. I came to the Training Ground to practice my fists."

As Yang Chan spoke, he began practicing in an open space. He had long mastered the Ox Demon Strength Fist. As one set of punches flowed into the next, the wind roared around them with the might of a tiger, carrying an imposing aura.

Watching from the side, Shi Gaojun was somewhat surprised by Yang Chan's fist technique, for it somewhat resembled the scenes when figures at the level of stewards practiced their fists.

But when he recalled that Yang Chan had only been a Formal Disciple for a little over a month, he dismissed the thought. The fist techniques might share a similar bearing, but nurturing Jing Power required time.

Moreover, even if the fist techniques looked alike, their effect in cultivating Jing Power might not be the same. Similar in form but different in intent, they would also affect the accumulation of Jing Power.

"Mm, studying the Medicine Scripture should also balance work and rest. But if you're relaxing, you come here to practice your fists instead of taking a stroll around Qingyu Street? There are quite a few good things there."

Shi Gaojun spoke up.

Qingyu Street was a place within the Medicine Hall where people set up stalls. Usually, Formal Disciples ran the stalls, selling commonly used items, medicinal herbs, and the like.

Shi Gaojun had brought it up because he also had a stall on Qingyu Street.

"This Junior Brother doesn't have much silver left, so I won't be going."

Yang Chan shook his head. He truly did not have much silver remaining.

Within the Qingyuan Sect, Formal Disciples did not need to take on missions during their first year, but the silver they received was not much either. Of course, if they did not buy cultivation medicine, they did not need to spend money on food and clothing in daily life and could instead save some. But once they bought medicine for cultivation, it was not enough.

They needed to undertake Qingyuan Sect missions to meet their cultivation needs.

"Then does Junior Brother still need Qi Replenishing Body Nourishing Soup?"

Shi Gaojun asked again.

Whenever he encountered a suitable person, he would definitely try to make a sale.

"Do you think I still need it now, Senior Brother?"

Yang Chan countered.

After becoming an Alchemist Assistant, he could receive a portion of medicinal cuisine. That was good stuff, and also the source of his Potential Points. His monthly allowance would increase by quite a bit as well.

"From the looks of it, Junior Brother does not need it for the time being. If you need any rare Medicine Codexes or medical books, you can visit Senior Brother's stall on Qingyu Street. I guarantee you'll get your money's worth."

After saying that, Shi Gaojun left to find another Formal Disciple who had not been in the sect for long. Those were the suitable targets.

Yang Chan continued practicing his fists. Shi Gaojun looked like a profiteer, but his Ox Demon Strength Fist was cultivated quite well and was close to major mastery.

During last month's Formal Disciple competition, Shi Gaojun had displayed considerable strength. Though he had not placed in the top five and received no reward, his strength was still exceptionally formidable, enough to rank among the top ten.

Once more disciples advanced to become Elite Disciples, or once his strength improved a little further, he would be qualified to contend for a top-five position. A man truly could not be judged by his appearance.

Of course, compared to Yang Chan, who was still practicing his fists, he still fell far short.

As Yang Chan cultivated the Ox Demon Strength Fist, the discussion of several people nearby caught his attention.

"I heard that the time for the various aristocratic families to offer up medicinal herbs this year has been pushed back by a month. The tribute herbs that should have been delivered these past few days were ordered by the sect to be sent a month later."

"I heard about it too. Supposedly, several forces under the Qingyuan Sect betrayed the Qingyuan Sect and turned around to send the medicinal herbs they were supposed to offer to other sects."

"Aren't they courting death? There are still people in Qingzhou who dare provoke our Qingyuan Sect?"

"I heard that forces such as Lingyu Palace, Taiyu Valley, and the Nanhua Sword Sect made their move, wanting to seize the Qingyuan Sect's cultivation resources."

"Who gave those three sects the nerve to target even the Qingyuan Sect?"

"This year's drought has left the people destitute and miserable. Supposedly, both the aristocratic families and these forces could no longer hold on, which was why they acted."

"This year really has been far hotter than previous years. Every region has suffered terrible disasters."

"The sect has already issued many notices about dealing with these traitorous forces. They want to wipe out every one of these traitors and let all the forces in Qingzhou know the strength of the Qingyuan Sect."

"No wonder I've seen so many Formal Disciples leaving the Qingyuan Sect lately. So it was for this matter. They acted so secretive before, but now it seems it was all because of this."

"Elders have already left with Elite Disciples. I imagine there will be results before long."

"Can we take part too? My Raging Bull Strength has reached minor mastery, so I have some strength. If I participate, I could earn some merit as well."

"That depends on what happens next. If we clash with Lingyu Palace and Taiyu Valley, we'll definitely have to go out too."

Several Formal Disciples discussed the matter while resting from their fist practice.

In truth, this was not the first time Yang Chan had heard of it. Over the past half month, he had heard it several times, but no one had confirmed it clearly.

Yang Chan knew that rumors did not arise without cause.

One thing was certain: some of the forces sheltered under the Qingyuan Sect had rebelled, and people had already been arranged to deal with them. It was only that the results had not yet returned.

Yang Chan had become an Alchemist Assistant so quickly because of this matter as well.

Unlike the others, who wanted to actively participate in a sect war and even encircle and kill the rebellious forces for benefits, Yang Chan wanted to avoid this matter.

The affairs of the world were unpredictable.

Once war began, Formal Disciples like them would certainly have to fight as well.

Those who had comprehended Jing Power possessed combat strength far beyond ordinary people, and with weapons, their strength would become even greater.

Even so, Yang Chan knew that experts at the Jing Power level were nothing in a sect war. Once both sides began fighting, they were cannon fodder.

If they encountered an External Refinement expert, they would have no way to deal with them, because External Refinement was also an enormous transformation.

The other aristocratic families and sects would certainly have experts of that level as well. If he encountered one, it would mean certain death.

Yang Chan wanted to live forever, so he naturally had to avoid such calamities. After becoming an Alchemist Assistant, he would most likely help Pharmacists prepare medicines and handle related tasks within the Qingyuan Sect. He could provide support from within the main camp and avoid becoming cannon fodder.

Today, he had finally passed the Alchemist Assistant assessment as he wished, resolving part of his troubles. This was also Yang Chan's preparation for the worst-case scenario.

Otherwise, if a problem arose and he only began preparing then, it would be somewhat rushed, and things might not go as he wished.