Eternal Life Starts from Tai Chi-Chapter 45: A Pharmacist at Last

Questions about difficult and complex cases were a test of comprehensive ability. One had to not only determine the cause of the illness but also devise a solution. This was simple for an experienced Physician, but quite difficult for a Pharmacist’s Assistant.

Even someone who had read the entire *Medicine Scripture* could make a mistake, as every case required its own specific analysis.

For Yang Chan, however, this wasn’t particularly difficult. After his Pharmacist Ability advanced to Tier Two, new memories flooded his mind, including remedies for all sorts of complex illnesses. While they didn’t cover every possibility, they provided solutions for most common issues. Even for cases without a complete cure, he knew methods of alleviation.

It all depended on the difficulty of the questions asked by the examining Pharmacists. For a highly difficult problem, a method of alleviation was an acceptable answer. For a less difficult one, a complete cure was expected.

The examining Pharmacists had a set standard for the assessment.

"A middle-aged man suffers from hysteria. He also experiences frequent dizziness, his body alternates between hot and cold flashes, and he often retches. How would you treat him?"

A Basic Level Pharmacist posed the question. It was a complex case with mixed symptoms, but not an overly complicated one.

"If the man came to me in person, I would first employ the four diagnostic methods. I’d begin by confirming his pulse, then observe his complexion to see if it was sallow and check if his tongue was pale with a dark, dry coating. If these symptoms are present, he can be treated with the Wumei Pill. All his problems should be resolved within half a month."

"The Wumei Pill is made with Dried Ginger, Danggui, Processed Aconite, Sichuan Pepper, cinnamon bark, Ginseng, Huang Bai, wumei, Wild ginger, and Coptis chinensis."

As Yang Chan spoke, he began to measure out the medicinal herbs.

"Even if the symptoms differ slightly, the Wumei Pill will still have an alleviating effect. In the case of a child..."

Yang Chan analyzed various scenarios in great detail, explaining everything with precision.

"That concludes my analysis."

When Yang Chan finished, he had already finished preparing packets of herbs for each of the situations he described. He then placed the packets on the table for the Pharmacists to inspect.

Each packet was slightly different, with the formula adjusted for different ages and symptoms.

After the Pharmacists finished their inspection, another Basic Level Pharmacist spoke up.

"Then I will ask you about the precautions for decocting medicinal herbs. The Strengthening and Nourishing Porridge is a recipe that every Basic Level Pharmacist must master. To brew it with a half-pound packet of herbs, how many bowls of water do you need?"

The question this Pharmacist asked seemed simple, a matter of common sense, but it was actually a trick question.

When preparing the Strengthening and Nourishing Porridge, the standard recipe called for two pounds of herbs, ten pounds of rice, and two buckets of water.

This question, however, deliberately omitted the rice—that was the first trap. The second trap was that the brewing ratio wasn’t fixed.

It was like cooking rice: making two bowls might require two and a half bowls of water, but making half a bowl required nearly a full bowl of water. There was significant loss with smaller quantities, so the ratio wasn’t constant.

Therefore, the ratio for a half-pound packet of herbs couldn’t be calculated by simply scaling down the standard recipe. Only someone with hands-on experience would know the correct proportions.

As it happened, Yang Chan had personally prepared it before. The correct ratio was part of the memories in his mind, so he naturally knew the answer. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"For a half-pound packet of herbs, it’s best to add three pounds of rice for maximum medicinal efficacy. You should also add about seventy percent of a bucket of water. The brewing time should not exceed one hour, and the heat shouldn’t be too high—medium heat is optimal. Once it’s ready, the porridge is most effective if consumed within four hours."

Yang Chan’s answer was extremely detailed. He supplemented it with additional points, touching upon such fine details that he preemptively answered the questions the Pharmacist had intended to ask next.

After hearing this, the Pharmacist nodded, and then another examiner took over the questioning.

The questions in the Pharmacist assessment were varied, testing one’s comprehensive abilities. A Pharmacist required numerous skills, and a deficiency in any single area was a major issue.

Yang Chan answered in a calm, unhurried manner. Each of his responses was clearly well-considered, and the examining Pharmacists nodded from time to time in approval.

The entire assessment lasted a full four hours before it finally concluded.

During the process, Yang Chan was also tested on heat control, combinations of uncommon herbs, and more. Some of the questions were exceptionally rare.

It seemed as though they were deliberately trying to trip him up, but it was a test of Yang Chan’s true mastery. Some questions even went beyond the scope of what a Basic Level Pharmacist was expected to know.

"Yang Chan, you are very impressive," Lei Jingshan announced after conferring with the others. "After our discussion, the result is in. Congratulations, you are now a new Basic Level Pharmacist of the Cyan Yuan Sect."

Yang Chan’s performance had exceeded his expectations. He had deliberately posed questions beyond the abilities of a Basic Level Pharmacist to test him, yet Yang Chan had answered them. This made Lei Jingshan regard him in a new light.

He felt that with the skills Yang Chan had just demonstrated, he was more than qualified to be a Basic Level Pharmacist. At his young age, it wouldn’t take many years for him to become an Intermediate Pharmacist. It was even possible he could become an Advanced Pharmacist.

The Cyan Yuan Sect had only two Advanced Pharmacists, both of whom were very old; it was uncertain how much longer they could continue their work. These two Pharmacists were the reason the sect was able to continuously produce new Inner Masters.

When a Martial Arts Cultivator reached the Peak of External Cultivation and wished to break through to Inner Refining, they needed the help of a special secret medicine to begin the Inner Refining of the Five Viscera and Six Bowels. Only an Advanced Pharmacist could concoct such a medicine.

In his eyes, a young man like Yang Chan had excellent potential and a real chance of becoming an Advanced Pharmacist one day.

"Thank you, Pharmacist Lei. Thank you, Pharmacist Song, Pharmacist Li, and Pharmacist Dai."

Yang Chan clasped his fists in gratitude toward the Pharmacists. It was a display of proper etiquette and a gesture of goodwill.

People would always rather deal with someone humble than someone arrogant.

"This is a credit to your own outstanding ability. You answered every question flawlessly."

"We are currently in Taiyu City, so we can’t assign you a Pharmacist’s Assistant right away. When you return to the Cyan Yuan Sect, go to the assessment office in the Medicine Hall and let them know. They will arrange an examination for Pharmacist’s Assistants, and you can choose from those who pass."

"Of course, you can also select one personally. For now, however, no special arrangements will be made. When you get back, speak with Pharmacist Xu. He will arrange your work assignments."

"You’ve been shadowing the other Pharmacists for the past few days, so you know what needs to be done each day. Your duties will be basically the same."

Lei Jingshan continued, giving detailed reminders. It was clear he had a good impression of Yang Chan and was willing to offer extra advice.

"Here is your Pharmacist Token," Lei Jingshan said, holding one out. "I will send a report of your assessment back to the Cyan Yuan Sect. Once you return, you can collect the rewards for becoming a Pharmacist. They should help you advance your Cultivation to the External Refining Realm quickly. You will also learn what is required to become an Intermediate Pharmacist."

"Thank you for your help, Pharmacist Lei."

Yang Chan accepted the Pharmacist Token and thanked him once more.