The Master Arrives

Upon hearing that guests from Yang Fortress had arrived, Yang Fan's heart tightened. He immediately employed the *Withered Wood Technique* to suppress his energy and conceal his presence. In truth, in his usual state, Yang Fan already appeared to be nothing more than a frail scholar, easily overlooked.

"I am now more isolated in Yang Fortress than ever," he mused silently. "Aside from my younger brother Yang Lei, I have no friends, no one I can truly rely on…"

Taking a deep breath, Yang Fan glanced at his sister, Yang Huixin, and offered a gentle smile. "Sister, let's return home."

Sensing something unusual in her brother's demeanor, Huixin quickly grasped his hand. Her voice was soft, yet filled with concern. "Brother, could there be trouble?"

"It's unlikely," Yang Fan reassured her, his tone calm. "Your brother remains one of the most outstanding of our generation at Yang Fortress. So long as he holds his place, others would hardly dare provoke me." He then turned to bid farewell to Tie Niu and Nangong Yu.

With his brother, a cultivator at the late stage of Qi Refinement, still present at Yang Fortress, it was improbable that anyone would dare stir up trouble for him.

"Brother Fan, if a master from Yang Fortress has come, why not allow us the honor of meeting them?" Tie Niu suggested, his eyes alight with excitement. Even Nangong Yu seemed intrigued.

However, Yang Fan smiled warmly and declined. "There is a divide between mortals and immortals. Some masters have eccentric temperaments and disdain crowds. They are reluctant to interact with those outside the cultivation world. Allow me to meet them first. If they are familiar, I will gladly introduce them to you later."

Seeing Yang Fan speak so kindly, Tie Niu and Nangong Yu had no choice but to let go of their curiosity. The thought of encountering an immortal left them both feeling reverent and cautious.

Taking his sister's hand, Yang Fan exited Tie Niu's home. As they walked, he noticed her palm was damp with sweat.

"Sister, are you frightened?" Yang Fan paused, gazing at her delicate, refined face. In her intelligent eyes, he saw threads of anxiety.

Huixin shook her head but sighed as she met his gaze. "Brother, I can sense your unease... It's something I've never felt before."

Yang Fan was inwardly startled. That his sister could perceive even the slightest tremor in his emotions was astonishing. As a cultivator at the Qi Refinement stage, his spiritual awareness far exceeded that of ordinary people. If he wished to suppress his feelings, how could a mere mortal detect them?

"Sister, don't worry. There's nothing to fear…" A wave of tenderness washed over him. He wasn't truly concerned for himself, but for his family. A mere flicker of unease had been enough for Huixin to notice.

"Come, let's go inside."

As they stepped into their family's reception hall, Yang Fan's gaze immediately landed on a young man in plain, unassuming robes. Something about this man's face struck Yang Fan as familiar.

"Ah, Brother Lin," Yang Fan exhaled, feeling a weight lift from his chest. Smiling, he stepped forward.

The young man in simple robes was none other than Lin Zhong, who had previously delivered a five-hundred-year-old White Jade Ginseng to Yang Fan.

"Yang Gongzi, it's only been two days, but you look much better already," Lin Zhong greeted warmly, stepping up to meet him.

The two exchanged smiles before taking their seats. Seeing that the pair were truly acquaintances, and with no signs of hostility, Huixin quietly left the room, her worries assuaged.

"Yang Gongzi," Lin Zhong began, his voice sincere, "I know you recently lost your abilities and likely suffered a great deal. So, I've specially prepared a few *low-grade Primordial Restoring Pills* to aid your recovery."

He retrieved a small jade bottle from his storage pouch and handed it to Yang Fan.

Understanding Lin Zhong's intentions, Yang Fan did not stand on ceremony. He accepted the bottle, opened it, and a wave of fragrant medicine filled the air. Having browsed through the "Alchemical Treatises" within his mind, Yang Fan recognized these *Restoring Pills*, a fairly common medicinal item in the cultivation world.

As he observed the elixirs, his thoughts delved into the fragments of knowledge within his mind, recalling the relevant sections from the alchemical writings.

"These Primordial Restoring Pills… You crafted them yourself?" Yang Fan asked.

Lin Zhong blinked in mild surprise. "Indeed. Could it be that you, too, understand the art of alchemy, Yang Gongzi?"

"Only a little. After I left Yang Fortress and wandered the forests in my despair, I happened upon a mysterious hermit. He saw some potential in me, despite my lost cultivation, and lamented my misfortune. Out of pity, he imparted to me some of his knowledge of medicine. Naturally, to be a healer, one must understand the nature of herbs. And in the cultivation world, a healer must also grasp the principles of alchemy."

Yang Fan spoke effortlessly, his face betraying not a hint of deception.

"Yang Gongzi had such an encounter…" Lin Zhong murmured, half believing, half skeptical. "Why didn't such fortune ever come my way?" he thought bitterly. But upon further reflection, he resigned himself—his talent was ordinary. Even if he had encountered a hermit, they might not have been inclined to teach him.

"Perhaps this is heaven's way of compensating me," Yang Fan continued with a sigh, his face taking on a wistful air. "I lost all my power, and the road to immortality is now forever beyond my grasp. So, I must turn to the healing arts. Fortunately, it seems my talent for medicine is even greater."

"Yang Gongzi must not give in to despair," Lin Zhong offered, though inwardly he was filled with pity. Yang Fan had once been the greatest talent of his generation, the only one of the third generation to have reached the Spirit Condensation stage and flown on a sword through the sky. He had been a figure of unparalleled brilliance, admired by all, envied by many, and beloved by countless maidens.

In truth, Lin Zhong harbored a secret. As a humble rogue cultivator, he had once regarded Yang Fan as his idol. And now that this bright star had fallen, Lin's sympathy for him only deepened.

"Brother Lin, I have been reduced to a mere mortal, with none of my former glory remaining. Aside from my family, you are the only one among the cultivators of Yang Fortress who still treats me with kindness. If you ever need assistance, don't hesitate to ask."

Moved, Lin Zhong nodded. "I, Lin Zhong, have long been a solitary cultivator. Ten years ago, I was a mere servant, tending the furnaces of an alchemy master. But due to a mistake, I was expelled from the sect. Afterward, I wandered aimlessly for years, relying on the little knowledge and techniques I had picked up, until I finally broke through to the Qi Refinement stage."

"Without a mentor, your achievement of reaching Qi Refinement on your own is truly admirable," Yang Fan praised, feeling newfound respect for Lin Zhong.

Lin Zhong continued, "As you can imagine, for low-tier rogue cultivators like myself, no established sect would take us in, much less show us any respect."

He hesitated, then, with hope shining in his eyes, he added, "Yang Gongzi, I do not seek to learn your clan's secret techniques, but perhaps you could offer me some guidance in my cultivation?"

Yang Fan considered for a moment before replying, "From now on, you may stay at Yang Fortress."

"Thank you, Gongzi! I will never forget your kindness!" Lin Zhong stood and bowed deeply, his gratitude evident.

Yang Fan smiled. "There's no need for such formalities. Offering guidance in cultivation is a simple matter. I could even teach you a few techniques not bound to Yang Fortress. But, there is one matter in Wu Liu Town where I could use your assistance."

"Please, Gongzi, just tell me what you need," Lin Zhong replied earnestly.

"As a healer, my duty is to treat the sick and injured. At the same time, I must gain experience in the healing arts. Therefore, in the coming days, I intend to open a medical clinic in Wu Liu Town. However, this endeavor will require more than just my efforts. Your assistance comes at the perfect time."

"A medical clinic?" Lin Zhong was momentarily taken aback. "Will it be for mortals or for cultivators?"

There were two kinds of healers: those who served the mortal world and treated ordinary diseases, and those who stood above the secular, treating only the cultivators of the immortal realm.

"I will treat all—whether good or evil, rich or poor, immortal or mortal."

Yang Fan's voice was calm, yet there was an undercurrent of power in his words.

Lin Zhong was startled. "Gongzi is indeed extraordinary, possessing such profound abilities. In that case, I, Lin Zhong, will do everything in my power to assist you."

A faint smile played on Yang Fan's lips. If he could successfully establish this clinic, he would have a steady stream of patients—and with them, endless opportunities to advance his cultivation.