Eternal Life Starts from Tai Chi

Chapter 377: Probing, the Two Nations Negotiate Peace

「In the study of Yuanqing Courtyard.」

"Have any major events occurred within the Sect in the past few days?"

Yang Chan had now completed his medicinal bath and changed into a fresh set of clothes. He looked just as he had before within the Cyan Yuan Sect, as if nothing had changed at all.

"During the seven days you were in seclusion, Pharmacist Yang, some strangers arrived at the Sect. Each of them has a very profound Cultivation, and even the Elders showed them extreme respect."

"Right now, they are all in the Sect Leader’s Cyan Jade Hall, but we still haven’t been able to determine their identities."

Han Bingyu reported the news she had received to Yang Chan.

"But there is one rumor I haven’t been able to confirm yet."

Han Bingyu said, looking toward Yang Chan.

Since the news was unconfirmed, she hadn’t stated it outright.

"Go on."

Yang Chan said with a wave of his hand.

"They are rumored to be from a Holy Land."

"Rumor has it that the founder of our Cyan Yuan Sect came from a Holy Land, and that these people have come for the Secret Realm within the Qingyuan River."

"This Secret Realm is no simple matter. It’s said that Taiyin Heaven has emerged. As for the specifics, we haven’t received any clear information and are still in the process of confirming."

As Han Bingyu relayed the information she’d gathered, she noted that much of it was unverified. Still, for such rumors to exist, there had to be some basis in truth.

There’s no smoke without fire, after all.

’A Holy Land, Taiyin Heaven... It seems a great deal has happened while I was in seclusion.’

"Did you come looking for me at all while I was in seclusion?"

Yang Chan reflected for a moment before suddenly asking.

"I came by on the first day of your seclusion, Pharmacist Yang, but Xiaoxiang told me you had entered seclusion for an indefinite period. Following your prior instructions, I focused on investigating the Secret Realm."

"I also continued to collect Spirit Medicines scattered among the populace."

"I only came over just now, after someone reported that you had emerged from your seclusion, Pharmacist Yang."

Han Bingyu didn’t understand why Yang Chan was asking, but she answered earnestly all the same.

"Well done. Continue investigating these matters, and inform me of any new developments as soon as you hear of them."

"If you manage to collect any Spirit Medicines, just send them over. We’ll follow the same arrangement as before."

Upon hearing her report, Yang Chan praised Han Bingyu.

From his conversation with Han Bingyu, he got a rough idea of the events that had transpired during his absence.

’It’s just as I expected. The Secret Realm that appeared above the Qingyuan River is Taiyin Heaven. It couldn’t be a coincidence.’

"Has anyone made it out of Taiyin Heaven yet?"

Yang Chan was very curious about this point.

’According to the Black Dragon, I shouldn’t have been in the same area as the others who entered Taiyin Heaven. The region I went to was special; it could only be accessed with the Taiyin Order.’

"People have already emerged from Taiyin Heaven with Spirit Medicines. However, from what we’ve gathered, they only found them in the outer regions of Taiyin Heaven before returning."

"The Sect should have had some success as well, but there’s been no word of any Spirit Medicines being sent back yet."

Hearing Yang Chan’s question, Han Bingyu assumed he was after the Spirit Medicines from Taiyin Heaven again. She knew how much he loved Alchemy, not just to improve his skills, but also to consume the Elixirs to advance his Cultivation.

She had noticed a change in Yang Chan’s Cultivation after he emerged from seclusion this time; she suspected his Martial Arts Cultivation might have broken through to a new level.

Breaking through from External Refining Copper Skin to the External Refining Steel Realm was an extremely rapid advancement. But considering how many Elixirs Yang Chan had been refining, how he frequently used Elixirs, medicinal baths, and Medicated Ointments to aid his Cultivation, and the sheer amount of time he spent on it, a breakthrough was highly likely.

After all, other people were extremely cautious when taking cultivation-aiding medicines, never using too much at once and generally saving them for critical moments.

Even if they stumbled upon a great opportunity in a Secret Realm, they couldn’t afford to use medicine for Tempering every single day. But this man was different.

By refining all sorts of Elixirs, he must have reaped considerable benefits. It was only natural to convert those Elixirs into personal strength, but that was something no ordinary person could achieve.

"Keep an eye on this for me. When the Spirit Medicines are sent back, we’ll go and stock up. Then we can refine more Elixirs."

’My Profound Yin Hanging Bead contains numerous Superior and Top Level Spirit Medicines from that special space within Taiyin Heaven. But I don’t plan on using them just yet. First, I’ll get my hands on the regular Spirit Medicines from Taiyin Heaven to use as a cover. Only then will I start refining the Elixirs I truly want.’

’I even got more Pill Formulas for Alchemy from Princess Lan Yue. I can refine new Elixirs and continue to increase my daily income of Potential Points.’

’Having a legitimate source for Spirit Medicines will save me a lot of trouble.’

’Especially those Top Level Spirit Medicines... I wouldn’t reveal them even to Princess Lan Yue. I’ll just keep them stored in the space within the Profound Yin Hanging Bead for now. I’m in no rush to take them out.’

’I’ve already treated them specially, so I don’t have to worry about their potency degrading. This gives me more time to experiment with refining Elixirs.’

’Although Princess Lan Yue is under my control, I’ve never considered her one of my own. I’ve always kept things from her and never revealed my deepest secrets.’

’You can’t let a ticking time bomb know too much. If I ever lose control of her, I’ll have to destroy her first to eliminate any chance of her harming me.’

"Understood. I’ll remember that."

"Additionally, the Jin Meng Empire and the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty have declared a ceasefire. Rumor is they’ve negotiated a truce."

"It happened suddenly on the third day of your seclusion, Pharmacist Yang."

"Furthermore, we received news from the Han Family that a group from within the Jin Meng Empire is heading for the Qingyuan River. The terms of the truce are very likely related to this."

Han Bingyu continued to report on the events of the last few days. Yang Chan had been keeping an eye on the border war, as it had dragged on for quite some time. If it continued, it would inevitably involve the Cyan Yuan Sect.

As a Sect within the territory of the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty, the Cyan Yuan Sect naturally couldn’t avoid a war between the two empires. It might even be expected to take the initiative to help the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty defeat the Jin Meng Empire and restore peace to the land.

"The fighting at the border is over? That’s good news."

"Have the armies of both sides withdrawn from the vicinity of Lan State Jinyun City?"

’This is good news for me,’ Yang Chan thought, but then his mind turned to the troops at Lan State Jinyun City. ’That’s the crucial part.’

’If both armies have withdrawn, it means there won’t be a war anytime soon. I’ll have a period of peace, at least. Mobilizing a large army requires extensive preparations, not the least of which is securing enough food.’

"The last report said they haven’t. It’s only a ceasefire, not a complete end to hostilities."

Han Bingyu shook her head.

If the two empires negotiated a peace and didn’t go to war anytime soon, it would benefit the Cyan Yuan Sect and many others, giving them more time to grow stronger.

Merchant families like the Han Family, which depended on the Cyan Yuan Sect, could also earn greater profits and build up their resources—resources like Yang Chan’s Elixirs.