Yuanqing Courtyard.
Listening to Lü Zhenghai’s lavish praise, Yang Chan thought of a phrase.
Killing him with praise!
Because Lü Zhenghai’s words were growing more and more outrageous.
If he hadn’t already confirmed there were no people from other sects nearby, nor any hidden masters from enemy sects, he would have suspected Lü Zhenghai was plotting against him again.
As for the other hidden figure, it was an acquaintance, so he could be ignored.
Since Yang Chan could confirm this wasn’t a case of being set up with praise, it had to be for some other purpose.
The two chatted for a long time, but Lü Zhenghai never got to the point. Seeing this, Yang Chan naturally felt even less of a hurry.
It was highly likely that Lü Zhenghai had sought him out because of the Merak Sacred Land. Since he was in no rush to go there, he didn’t mind beating around the bush with Lü Zhenghai.
He was perfectly capable of making small talk.
He’d studied the art of bullshit, after all.
"Pharmacist Yang, have you ever considered joining the Merak Sacred Land ahead of schedule?"
In the end, it was Lü Zhenghai who had to bring it up. He saw that Yang Chan wouldn’t mention the Merak Sacred Land in the slightest. Even when he tried to guide the conversation, Yang Chan would just steer it back to the Cyan Yuan Sect, proving as slippery as an eel.
And this behavior also revealed Yang Chan’s attitude.
He had no intention of joining the Merak Sacred Land for the time being.
His original plan was to use their chat to guide Yang Chan into bringing up the idea of joining the Merak Sacred Land himself. Then, he could just go with the flow, fulfill Yang Chan’s "wish," and not only take him away legitimately but also give Gu An no chance to back out.
After all, it would all have been Yang Chan’s own initiative.
However, the result was far different from what he had anticipated.
Yang Chan seemed to have no such thoughts at all. Left with no choice, Lü Zhenghai had to bring it up himself, thus losing the upper hand. Still, he wasn’t ready to give up, so he decided to try again.
It was mainly because the Talent Yang Chan had displayed in the field of pharmacy was just too incredible. That’s what drove Lü Zhenghai to this.
The rewards for succeeding would be immense.
"I have considered it. However, I have an agreement with Sect Leader Gu. I’m to stay in the Cyan Yuan Sect for a few years, and when it’s time for him to go to the Merak Sacred Land, I will join along with him."
Yang Chan nodded as he laid out his terms.
The moment Lü Zhenghai asked the question, Yang Chan had confirmed his motive. He really did want to take him to the Merak Sacred Land.
’But Yang Chan knew Lü Zhenghai well. It was better to keep his distance from people like him, because he represented a kind of extremism.’
’He might seem enthusiastic now, but once they were in the Merak Sacred Land and his help was needed, a man like Lü Zhenghai would throw him to the wolves without a second thought. He wouldn’t care if he lived or died.’
’The man had no bottom line when it came to using people, because he had no bottom line even for himself, let alone for others.’
’Joining the Merak Sacred Land with someone like that? He’d have to have a death wish.’
’It might not necessarily happen, but Yang Chan wasn’t willing to bet on those odds.’
Compared to Lü Zhenghai, Yang Chan naturally trusted Gu An more. At least Gu An genuinely considered his well-being, having proactively solved problems for him and helped him avoid several disasters.
"Pharmacist Yang, let me put it this way!"
"Your current Talent for pharmacy is being wasted in the Cyan Yuan Sect. Take the Seven Revolutions Nourishing Organ Pill you’ve started experimenting with. You can’t get many of the materials for it in the Cyan Yuan Sect, but in the Merak Sacred Land, you could be Refining it every single day."
"The Merak Sacred Land also has many Advanced Pharmacists, and even Top Level Pharmacists. With their guidance, the time it takes for you to become an Advanced Pharmacist will surely be shortened. This is something the Cyan Yuan Sect cannot provide."
"After all, you are the Chief Pharmacist of the Cyan Yuan Sect now. There is no one left who can guide you in Alchemy. Even reading the Insights left behind by past Pharmacists won’t help you much anymore."
"But you can get all of this in the Merak Sacred Land."
"If you join the Merak Sacred Land, I imagine you’ll be promoted to Advanced Pharmacist very quickly!"
Lü Zhenghai said a lot, and every sentence highlighted the benefits of the Merak Sacred Land—all sorts of advantages that the Cyan Yuan Sect couldn’t compare to.
He stopped just short of saying, "Join the Merak Sacred Land, and you’ll instantly become an Advanced Pharmacist."
He had tailored his words specifically to Yang Chan’s age and his extraordinary Talent in pharmacy.
He reasoned that if he were a young Pharmacist, he would surely want to improve his Pharmacist Ability quickly, and to have countless Elixirs to refine every day, allowing for constant improvement.
When stuck on a difficult problem in Alchemy, he would definitely want someone who could provide an answer, which would also save a lot of time.
This was a method of reasoning by putting himself in another’s shoes, and it was also the best way to persuade someone.
By putting himself in Yang Chan’s position, he could figure out what Yang Chan wanted most, and he could then use that to lure him away and have him join the Merak Sacred Land.
"Hall Master Lü, you’ve almost convinced me. Under normal circumstances, I would have taken the initiative to ask for your help in joining the Merak Sacred Land."
"However, my situation is different. Back when I was just a Servant Disciple, it was Sect Leader Gu who gave me a bowl of Qi Nourishing Soup and promoted me to Official Disciple, allowing me to stay in the Cyan Yuan Sect."
"After I became a Basic Level Pharmacist, Sect Leader Gu also took great care of me. He helped me a great deal and proactively fought for benefits on my behalf, which is how I got to where I am today. When we faced the threat from the Imperial Dynasty, Sect Leader Gu also stepped forward to protect me. All of these things have left a deep impression on me."
"I have no way to repay such kindness, so all I can do is follow Sect Leader Gu and remain in the Cyan Yuan Sect at a time like this. Because Sect Leader Gu needs me, and the Cyan Yuan Sect needs me."
"The same goes for the other Inner Refining Elders in the Cyan Yuan Sect. If I were to leave with Hall Master Lü, obtaining the Elixirs they need would become very difficult, and it would even affect the development of the Sect."
"So, for both professional and personal reasons, I cannot leave the Cyan Yuan Sect at this time. To do so would be to betray the Cyan Yuan Sect—it would be an act of disloyalty."
"The right time for us to leave together will only be after the Cyan Yuan Sect has developed and recovered!"
Yang Chan looked Lü Zhenghai straight in the eye. As he spoke, his gaze grew ever clearer, and he transformed into the very image of a just and selfless man devoted to his Sect.
If the Inner Refining Elders, Direct Disciples, and others from the Cyan Yuan Sect were to hear Yang Chan’s words, they would feel as if he were radiating light—the brilliant, dazzling light of a savior.
And in the glow of that light, Lü Zhenghai seemed to transform into a traitor to the Cyan Yuan Sect. By trying to poach their future, he was also trying to poach the futures of everyone else, and they would naturally never agree to it.
Meanwhile, Gu An, who was observing from the shadows, was filled with emotion as he heard these words.
’My choice was right after all,’ he thought. ’Yang Chan is someone who truly understands gratitude. Even with Lü Zhenghai’s temptations, he remains unmoved. More than that, he’s thinking of helping me, staying in the Cyan Yuan Sect to help it grow and develop.’
’He’s willing to do this even if it affects his own promotion as a Pharmacist. Such conduct is truly outstanding.’
’If I hadn’t heard this with my own ears while hidden, I might still have had my doubts. But now, sensing the genuine sincerity in Yang Chan’s words, I’m even more moved.’
’I really am a good judge of character. Only someone as grateful as Yang Chan is worthy of me allocating more Cultivation Resources to him. In the future, if I ever need help, Yang Chan will surely be there for me.’
’Unlike those ungrateful bastards, who would only kick a man when he’s down.’
’Gu An decided that next time, he would increase Yang Chan’s supply of Alchemy Spiritual Materials. At the very least, when it came to Spirit Medicines, he would satisfy Yang Chan’s needs as much as possible.’