It was exceptionally rare for commoners and nobility to be treated as equals, yet that was exactly what was happening in White Jade City.
Anyone who refused to cooperate with the Court’s investigation—even dignitaries and nobles—would face imprisonment.
The Great Zhou Imperial Family’s arrangements to guard against the so-called "Dragon Slayer" were truly meticulous; it was rare to see them act with such diligence.
Perhaps after witnessing the fate of the Jin Meng Empire’s Imperial Family, they were desperate to avoid a similar outcome, hence their extreme care.
After all, if they weren’t diligent now, it would be useless to try once the Great Zhou Imperial Family had already lost its power.
This also led to the profligate scions of White Jade City not daring to cause trouble during this period. Many were even confined to their homes out of fear that they might stir up a disaster that would bring ruin upon their families.
Those who disobeyed had their legs broken without hesitation. It was an extremely decisive measure.
Many commoners secretly cheered at the news. Some of those scions were truly terrible people, so seeing them meet with misfortune was naturally cause for celebration.
Although they wouldn’t show it too openly, they celebrated in secret—a rather peculiar phenomenon in itself.
"Come in!"
After watching Han Bingyu leave, Yang Chan’s gaze shifted to the person outside who was about to knock.
He had sensed Princess Lan Yue’s aura the moment she drew near. She had waited outside for a long time, only approaching after seeing Han Bingyu leave.
"Pharmacist Yang!"
At his words, Princess Lan Yue opened the door and came straight in.
"I have some questions about alchemy I was hoping to ask. Is now a convenient time for you?"
Princess Lan Yue asked cautiously, looking at Yang Chan.
"Ask away."
Yang Chan looked at Princess Lan Yue and didn’t refuse.
He was inclined to develop Princess Lan Yue’s skills. She was a tool he intended to bring with him to the Merak Sacred Land, so it was only natural to invest some time in her.
"When you were refining the Essence Condensing and Organ Refining Pill, you added Star Spirit Grass midway through the process. Is there a specific reason for that?"
Princess Lan Yue always reviewed her process after performing alchemy. She had tried to replicate Yang Chan’s method for the Essence Condensing and Organ Refining Pill, but she hadn’t succeeded; the results were even worse than when she focused on refining the Five Revolutions Nourishing Organ Pill.
But a question remained in her mind, because the fusion process was somewhat similar to a step in refining the Seven Revolutions Nourishing Organ Pill. That was why she asked this question first.
"Adding the Star Spirit Grass serves to harmonize the medicinal properties. Under the influence of so many spirit medicines, the properties become extremely unstable, so you need to add the Star Spirit Grass at precisely the right moment..."
Yang Chan explained in great detail, holding nothing back.
Besides, the fact that Princess Lan Yue was asking these questions showed she could improve a great deal, which, for Yang Chan, meant his objective was being met.
"And then there’s the refinement of the Seven Revolutions Nourishing Organ Pill. When adding the..."
Each of Princess Lan Yue’s questions was more profound than the last. It was clear she had pondered them for a long time and had only come to ask after being unable to figure them out on her own.
This was a good quality: to try first, and only ask when she failed.
"That is..."
Yang Chan answered very seriously.
In this exchange of questions and answers, many of Princess Lan Yue’s doubts were resolved, and time slowly passed.
"Someone’s coming. Let’s stop here for today. If you have more questions, come back and ask later when there’s time."
Yang Chan suddenly waved a hand at Princess Lan Yue, cutting his answer short.
He had sensed Han Bingyu’s approaching aura. For her to be returning at this time, it must be an arrangement from Gu An.
"Alright!"
Hearing this, Princess Lan Yue immediately left the study.
What Yang Chan had just told her was more than enough for her to spend some time digesting.
"Pharmacist Yang!"
Not long after Princess Lan Yue left, Han Bingyu arrived outside the study.
"Come in."
Yang Chan sensed a change in Han Bingyu’s aura. It was clear she had hurried over, which explained the fluctuation.
"Sect Leader Gu wants you to go to the Council Pavilion!"
"The Elders and other Intermediate Pharmacists from the Medicine Hall have also been notified. I believe all the Elders and Intermediate Pharmacists in the Sect have been told to go!"
After entering, Han Bingyu quickly relayed the information she had gathered.
The message from Sect Leader Gu had come faster than she’d anticipated. Even with Yang Chan’s instructions, she had estimated it would be a few days before he and the others were called over.
After all, those people should be at the Council Pavilion discussing the situation with the Holy Land. She figured they would first explain things to the Sect Leader, Hall Masters, and the like before appeasing them.
She just hadn’t expected so many people to be summoned.
The Cyan Yuan Sect was no longer at its peak; Former Sect Leader Liu Xuan had taken a group of experts, and many more had been lost in the borderlands. Even so, the Sect still had a considerable number of Inner Masters.
They were immeasurably stronger than the Noble Families.
"Alright, I understand."
"Keep gathering information on the situation within the Cyan Yuan Sect. I’m heading to the Council Pavilion."
After listening, Yang Chan gave Han Bingyu her instructions.
Gu An summoning him so quickly was unexpected, and the fact that so many people had been called was even more so.
But for so many people to be summoned, the matter was likely significant.
Yang Chan guessed it might be related to the Merak Sacred Land, though he couldn’t rule out a connection to the Peng Demon Bone Marrow Cleansing Scripture. After all, if that cultivation technique were complete, it was possible for the Cyan Yuan Sect to produce its own National Guardian Martial Saint.
The reason the Cyan Yuan Sect had previously failed to produce a National Guardian Martial Saint was related to their incomplete Peng Demon Bone Marrow Cleansing Scripture.
Of course, this was just Yang Chan’s own speculation; it was not confirmed.
"Yes, I’ll go right away!"
Han Bingyu had arrived quickly, and she left just as fast after speaking.
Her efficiency was extremely high.
He appreciated that; he found dawdling to be the most irritating trait.
’So many people are being summoned... could Liu Xuan have some other arrangement in mind?’
Yang Chan suddenly recalled the letter Liu Xuan had previously sent to the Cyan Yuan Sect, requesting that they send over a large number of Official Disciples who had comprehended Power. At the time, the Sect’s situation wasn’t good, so they had only sent half.
If Former Sect Leader Liu Xuan had other intentions, it wasn’t out of the question that he had sent Lü Zhenghai to carry them out.
After all, there were two sides to every coin. Assuming things were positive just by looking at the good side was a flawed way of thinking.
By the same token, only seeing the negative was just as one-sided.
However, Yang Chan was accustomed to first considering the worst-case scenario. That way, no matter how badly things developed, it would still be within the scope of what he had anticipated, never catching him completely off guard.
Thus, Yang Chan was now considering the purpose of Lü Zhenghai and his group’s visit—specifically, from a worst-case perspective.
Based on the previous incident, that would mean taking away another batch of disciples. But given the Cyan Yuan Sect’s current condition, such an act would bring the Sect to the brink of collapse.
Even with the Merak Sacred Land as a backer, its decline would be inevitable. If that was their goal, it was certainly not good news.
HUFF!
Yang Chan let out a long breath and strode toward the Council Pavilion.