Chapter 173 - The Fifth Master Physician

Even so, Grand Elder Gu’s gaze remained firmly fixed on Bai Qingxian below as a deep interest appeared in his eyes. Anyone capable of dissolving the centuries-old knot in this old hag’s heart was someone he intended to keep a very close eye on.

Down in the grand hall, the four Master Physicians rose from their seats in unison.

Before the stunned audience, the four masters clasped their hands and bowed toward Bai Qingxian.

"Extraordinary comprehension," Master Lu Song proclaimed, his voice echoing throughout the hall.

Master Gu, Master Yan, and Master Su nodded in agreement with eyes full of praise.

"The dialectic phase of the Master Rank Promotion Examination is concluded. The first rank is Physician Bai Qingxian of White Lotus Peak!"

***

Thunderous applause erupted across the spectator galleries.

In the eastern guest pavilion, Elder Lu turned toward Su Ming and Elder Bai Zhen with a beaming smile.

"Congratulations, Peak Master Su, Elder Bai," Elder Lu said warmly. "With such a flawless display of skill, Physician Bai’s promotion to Master rank is already assured."

Elder Bai Zhen stroked his grey beard, a smile spreading across his face. "I never doubted my niece’s skill, but seeing it firsthand... it is truly a joyous day."

"The live trial is just a formality now," Elder Lu explained with a light chuckle. "Physicians’ practical skills are continually tracked through daily duties in the Medicine Hall. This live demonstration is merely a ceremonial stage for the sect to witness."

Beside them, Lin Yao clapped her hands with excitement. "Lady Bai is amazing!"

Young Jiang Chen nodded vigorously, his eyes wide with admiration, while Wang Tian watched with quiet respect.

Standing behind them, Ye Lingxi bowed respectfully to Su Ming and Elder Bai Zhen.

"Peak Master Su, Elder Bai, I will take my leave now," Ye Lingxi said softly with a bright smile. "I need to go down to the stage to assist Physician Bai with her trial."

"Go ahead," Su Ming replied with a calm nod.

She hurried down the pavilion stairs, eager to join Bai Qingxian on the main platform.

***

Down on the floor, Lu Feng stood rooted to the ground. His face was deathly pale, his fists clenching so hard that his knuckles turned white.

Seeing the four masters bow to her and hearing the entire hall treat her promotion as a sure thing drove him to the brink of madness.

"Now," Master Lu Song waved his sleeve to quiet the crowd. "Bring in the patient for the trial."

Heavy stone doors opened. A stretcher was moved into the hall under stabilizing arrays, carrying a heavily injured disciple.

Master Lu Song pointed to the patient. "This disciple was ambushed on the northern border. He suffers from Scorching Demonic Fire poison and Nether Bone-Freezing rot, trapped together within his meridians. The conflicting poisons have locked his pathways, and his inner organs are bleeding."

It was the exact problem of the first question.

’Theory is just words!’ Lu Feng thought furiously. ’In real treatment, talent is everything!’

He was confident. With his hidden cards, healing this fellow would be as simple as snapping his fingers.

Before Bai Qingxian could step forward, Lu Feng rushed ahead and released his suppressed aura.

A vibrant green glow erupted from his body, filling the hall with rich vitality.

"Respected Masters, those were merely words, but real medicine requires actual skill!" Lu Feng announced loudly.

"I possess the Wood Spirit Constitution. With my innate vitality and the Wood Qi Bridging Art, I can absorb the cold rot and steady the flame to mend this brother’s body directly!"

An uproar broke out among the Medicine Hall elders.

"A Wood Spirit Constitution!"

"A genuine innate spirit body! He must join my peak!"

Several elders called out in excitement, offering to take him as a direct disciple, but Lu Feng paid them no mind. He held his chin high, taking in the sudden praise.

He then turned a haughty look toward Bai Qingxian.

"Unless Physician Bai is afraid of my skill, let me take the first attempt!" Lu Feng sneered.

Bai Qingxian looked at him with calm eyes. "What if you fail?"

"Failure does not exist for me," Lu Feng declared, lifting his chin.

"Then let us make a wager," Bai Qingxian said with a faint smile. "If you succeed, I will gladly serve you. If you fail, you will serve as an apprentice under me."

Lu Feng’s eyes lit up in excitement, already picturing her as his assistant. "A deal!"

In the eastern pavilion, Su Ming’s brow furrowed slightly. He sent a voice transmission across the hall.

’What are you doing?’

Bai Qingxian’s amused voice echoed back in his mind. ’What? Don’t you believe in me?’

Su Ming paused for a moment. ’It’s dangerous—’

He stopped himself, taking a slow breath. ’Fine. Do whatever you like.’

’I really need to teach her about these troublesome Sons and Daughters of Heaven later,’ Su Ming thought, rubbing his temple. ’You can’t reason with them. They defy all common sense.’

A faint smile appeared on Bai Qingxian’s face.

On the stage, Lu Feng stepped up to the patient. He placed his palms over the disciple’s chest and unleashed a massive wave of raw vitality.

He did not check the pulse. He did not test the pathways. He simply flooded the chest with pure life energy.

The reaction was instantaneous.

The heavy frost covering the disciple’s chest began to recede. His shallow breathing deepened, and a faint flush of color returned to his pale cheeks.

"It works!" an elder in the spectator gallery exclaimed. "He is truly suppressing the afflictions with sheer vitality!"

Lu Feng’s smile widened with triumphant grin as he shot a smug glance toward Bai Qingxian.

However, the success lasted only for moments.

The dense flood of Wood energy fed directly into the dormant flame poison. The surge of heat then slammed into the frost rot locked within his meridians.

The fragile balance immediately shattered.

The wounded disciple violently arched his back with a scream, vomiting a mouthful of black blood. The stabilizing formation pulsed with crimson light as the qi within his body went completely out of control.