"Absolutely true!"

The Taoist priest said with a strange expression, "Didn't you tell me to keep an eye on that kid?"

"I saw him with his own eyes, legs tucked together, running out of Pharmacist Sun's room in an odd posture."

"Then soon after, rumors spread in the pharmacy that the boy had done a good job in testing medicines and had caught the eye of Pharmacist Sun. Some even said that Pharmacist Sun intended to take the boy under his wing as his alchemy apprentice."

Chen Xunzhao sneered, "I thought that kid had some skills, but I didn't expect him to be just another bastard who got ahead by selling his body."

Despite this, Chen Xunzhao was still agitated.

Regardless of whether they're selling their genitals or not, they've certainly climbed the social ladder.

He had originally thought that Bai Cang was just a mere medicine test subject, and that as a high-ranking dormitory supervisor, he had plenty of ways to manipulate and make things difficult for him.

Moreover, every pair of shoes is guaranteed to be reasonable and compliant, so even if "Zhang Xiuluo" comes forward, he will not be found to have made a mistake.

But he never expected that in the blink of an eye, Bai Cang would climb up to the high branch of "Pharmacist Sun," which would make things difficult.

After all, no matter how notorious Zhang He was or how powerful he was, he could not win the favor of the abbot.

In this Three Yin Temple, the abbot is the heavens. Dragons must coil up and tigers must lie down. No one dares to overstep the abbot's rules and act recklessly.

But Pharmacist Sun is different; he's a veteran pharmacist that the abbot specially invited back from elsewhere.

Not only did he enjoy the deep trust of the abbot, but he was also a naturally strong individual.

Even if he borrowed eight hundred water vats from Chen Xunzhao as courage, he wouldn't dare to provoke "Pharmacist Sun".

But he simply couldn't swallow his anger and let Bai Cang go.

"However, it's not like there's absolutely no way out."

Thinking of this, Chen Xunzhao stroked his smooth chin and thought, "If I were to bully the weak, Pharmacist Sun could make me suffer a terrible fate with just one word."

"But what if it's a conflict between junior disciples? Surely Pharmacist Sun wouldn't stoop so low as to make things difficult for a junior?"

Meanwhile, in the inner courtyard of the refined residence.

Bai Cang, unaware of the damage to his reputation, happily began his monotonous life.

He would give Jiao Fei pointers every day, and every few days he would get a "small health-preserving pill".

They could either sit in on lectures in the scripture hall or study in the medicine hall, and pay their respects to "Pharmacist Sun" every morning and evening without fail.

That attentive attitude was completely different from how he treated Zhang He.

However, Sun Hongbo did not reward Bai Cang with any further benefits because of his "attentiveness".

Moreover, because he was busy improving and promoting "Peiyuan Yangshen Wine", even the promised drug trials were stopped, which greatly disappointed Bai Cang.

However, it wasn't without its advantages: because they had established a relationship with Sun Hongbo, the people in the pharmacy became noticeably more friendly towards Bai Cang.

The most direct manifestation of this is that many precious medicinal materials that were previously forbidden to even be seen are now being processed and prepared by Bai Cang.

Bai Cang also deeply understood the principle of "if you don't use your power, it will expire." Not only did he eagerly study various pharmacological knowledge, but he also occasionally stole some scraps, openly becoming a salary thief and a shameless rat.

Ten more days passed, and with Jiao Fei's "rewards" and the occasional sneaky scraps, Bai Cang managed to maintain his progress of refining a wisp of true qi every day.

175 strands of true energy gathered in his dantian, strengthening his physique every day and bringing him closer and closer to opening the fifth meridian.

Having experienced the joy of rapid advancement, how could Bai Cang possibly endure the torment of such "snail's pace"?

For a normal person, this is already a rocket-like speed of advancement.

But for Bai Cang, this was simply an unbearable "tortoise speed".

With Chen Xunzhao eyeing him from within the temple and the evil sorcerer who committed the massacre of his family threatening him from outside, he simply could not afford to "level up" in such a methodical way.

"Looks like we still have to take the shortcut! If we don't take the shortcut, can we still call it a side path?"

After much deliberation, Bai Cang concluded that exploding Lao Deng's gold coins was the most worthwhile option.

After all, he doesn't dare to go out now, and his "connections" in the Sanyin Temple are limited to only three people at most.

Since they couldn't rely on "Master Sun" and "Brother Jiao" had limited financial resources, they could only squeeze as much money as possible out of "Father Zhang".

"What? Borrow money? No way!"

Upon hearing Bai Cang's purpose, Zhang He immediately wanted to kick him out.

"No, Godfather!"

Bai Cang's words were as sweet as honey: "I'm just trying to pay you back as soon as possible."

"The faster you improve, the sooner you'll have the ability to be independent, and the more opportunities you'll have to make money, right?"

As he spoke, Bai Cang reached out and pressed down, and a faint palm print appeared on the stone table next to him.

"You...you...you..."

Zhang He was dumbfounded. "You've broken through your first meridian and advanced to the second rank?"

Bai Cang smiled shyly, "I am grateful for Master Sun's kindness in giving me some benefits."

With "Master Sun" backing him up, Bai Cang was finally able to reveal some of his "talent".

After all, he was a dignified innate expert and a seasoned pharmacist.

So what if Bai Cang levels up a little faster by following him?

As a car mechanic, isn't it normal for me to carry a wrench with me?

"Heh, then go find your Master Sun. What's the point of asking me for money?"

Zhang He's face darkened, and he turned to leave.

Bai Cang reacted quickly, grabbing his sleeve. "Just one more time, the last time."

"I promise to repay you with interest, no, I mean double the amount."

Zhang He made a mere gesture, then immediately went along with it, asking, "The pills are gone, but will you accept the silver notes?"

Bai Cang chuckled inwardly upon hearing this, "I'll take it! The more the better. I'll write you an IOU right away."

He deliberately brought up "Master Sun" just to arouse Zhang He's "sense of crisis."

If you don't increase your investment soon, your "big son" will be kidnapped.

"Forget the IOU, here's a thousand taels of silver. Take it and get lost." Zhang He glared at Bai Cang with annoyance.

However, Bai Cang's treatment has indeed been improved to a higher level.

He's a bit stingy: a mere thousand taels, is that enough to feed a beggar?

Every time I come here, I don't get a few thousand taels of "gold coins".

However, seeing Zhang He's itchy hands, Bai Cang ultimately didn't dare to say "I have to pay more."

He simply smiled and accepted the silver note, saying, "Thank you for your generous gift, Godfather. I will remember it forever."

"There is one more thing I would like to ask my godfather for guidance on."

Zhang He looked at Bai Cang warily, "What else do you want to do?"

"I'm warning you: Don't be greedy and try to swallow an elephant; a thousand taels is not too little."

Bai Cang chuckled awkwardly, "Father, what you're saying makes no sense. Do you think I'm the kind of unfilial son who only wants money?"

Zhang He sneered repeatedly, "Every time you come here, it's not to ask for money."

"I'll have to put up a sign at the door someday: 'No White Cangs or Dogs Allowed!'"

What you said makes so much sense, I'm speechless.

Bai Cang blushed, but her anger was still strong despite her lack of justification: "Children and grandchildren are all debts. Did I force you to recognize me as your godson?"

I've already been "filial" enough by not asking you to open your heart and confide in me.

Do you understand the significance of "Baotou Lü Bu" (a famous general in ancient China) having a father figure?

"May I ask, Godfather: Has the murderer who wiped out the entire family been brought to justice?!"