Ming Mei narrowed her eyes. "That's unusual. Was it some kind of cultivation technique?"
Physician Hong shook his head. "No, it wasn't a technique, he is still in Mortal Initiate. It was as if his body had an inherent ability to recover at an accelerated rate, far beyond what conventional medicine or cultivation methods could explain. I observed this phenomenon in him, and it intrigued me as if it had his own mind."
Ming Mei nodded.
"Later, I left the Eternal Life Core Elixir's initial Breathing Method and the core principle behind the method to him, to test if his body can take advantage of it or not." Physician Hong squinted his eyes as if trying to convince himself of something absurd.
"It seems he not only understood the core principle but figured out the logical next step, the wounds he had would have taken any other mortal at least three months to recover, and his unique physique would have taken at least 1-2 weeks but he healed in a day. That can only be attributed to his comprehension of the Eternal Life Core Elixir Method."
"Junior Brother is marvelous!"
Physician Hong smiled at Ming Mei's praise for his junior brother.
"Here, take this ring, it has my entire studies, my entire comprehension written on the Eternal Life Core Elixir Method. Give it to him, I hope he can achieve what I failed to do in my entire life." Physician Hong's words got softer, carrying a mix of hope and a tinge of regret.
Ming Mei was surprised, her eyes wide at her Master's gesture. She felt the immense trust he was putting in the new junior brother.
"Master," she asked, her voice showing disbelief, "you really believe in him? The Senior Sister once said how a sudden epiphany of yours gave birth to this Eternal Life Core Elixir, how you worked your whole life on perfecting it... and now you're giving it all to a new junior?" A bit of jealousy sparked, but she quickly felt proud of her junior brother.
"I'm not giving up," the Physician Hong corrected, a hint of frustration softening his voice. "I simply haven't made any progress in years. But this method found its true spark in him. He's accomplished what I couldn't despite my efforts. He is a gift from heaven, a sign that it's time for me to release this knot in my heart and accept that guiding it was my destiny, not achieving it. I can now have peace."
"Show him to the Martial Pavilion," he ordered, then turned and left. Watching him, embrace his new disciple's achievements with a mix of pride and a sigh of relief, Ming Mei couldn't help but feel a profound respect for her master. She just witnessed a unique event of the passing of knowledge and legacy.
Ming Mei looked up towards Lu Sheng far in the eastern field, confidently answering the questions. She decided to give the spatial ring now when she noticed a group coming towards them.
"What is this?" A loud, mocking voice broke their attention as everyone looked toward the source. "This fat trash has become your Senior Brother?" Lu Sheng recognized it; it was Lu Zhan with his lackeys.
"Did you all turn buffoons suddenly? Did he spread his foolishness to you all?" Lu Zhan's lackeys laughed mockingly at everyone as they came shoulder-to-shoulder with Lu Sheng.
Lu Zhan was much taller, muscular, and intimidating in comparison to everyone. In broad comparison, all of them were thin and slender except Lu Sheng, who was fat, round, and a little smaller than others. He needed to look up at Lu Zhan to meet his gaze.
Lu Zhan with his bullish demeanor overshadowed everyone on this bright sunny morning. His face held ridicule for everyone, but his target was Lu Sheng.
"Senior Brother Lu Sheng! How are you doing? Congratulations on your promotion! I heard you become a Personal Disciple of a Beggar Physician Hall." Lu Zhan's words dripped with sarcasm, and his lackeys snickered beside him.
Lu Zhan's mockery of their revered Hall struck a nerve with everyone from Physician Hall, an open insult of their home ignited a fury in them but they felt powerless against the stature of Lu Zhan.
Far in the corner Ming Mei also tightened her fist in fury but she stopped herself, not because she also felt powerless but because she was curious how Lu Sheng would respond.
"SHUT UP! SHUT UP YOUR MOUTH!! YOU LOW LIFE THUG!! HOW DARE YOU INSULT MASTER HONG AND OUR HOME??!!!" However, instead of Lu Sheng, someone else shouted out in anger.
It was Tu Peng, unable to contain his rage, who erupted with fiery indignation. His face reddened with fury, and he stepped forward, pointing accusingly at Lu Zhan. Tu Rong beside him hissing and growling like a cat ready to pounce at Lu Zhan.
Watching these two younger disciples bravely standing up stirred a deep sense of shame among the Physician Hall disciples.
Their anger and frustration grew, not just from the daily insults they faced but also from regret for enduring such insults.
Like a spark igniting their strong determination, they all roared, ready to defend their Master and the sanctity of their home against the insults.
Lu Sheng stepped forward, raising his hand to calm everyone. He then placed his hand on Tu Peng's shoulder, soothing him.
Turning to Tu Rong, who was still hissing, he gave her a head pat, calming her down as well and receiving a smile in return.
"What do you want?" Lu Sheng asked rudely to Lu Zhan, without looking at him while head patting Tu Rong as if he wasn't worth his attention.
In his mind, he foresaw the consequences if this escalated into chaos. Lu Zhan was fierce in a brawl, willing to harm everyone, even if he got injured in return.
Being part of a Martial Clan, Lu Zhan and his lackeys regularly engage in brawls, fights, and even some clan-related missions.
They are seasoned fighters, all of them. Even if they are low in numbers, they would be able to deal serious injury if a fight breaks out.
This emotional brawl would result in serious harm, both physically and psychologically, leaving deep scars and instilling a profound fear of confrontation in Physician Hall.
"Oh! Look at this king of the trash taking command of other trash? What do I want? I want my prize money, the money you owe me for not showing up for our duel, pay up now or I will come daily and beat you daily in front of everyone and there is nothing you will be able to do unless you run back to your father or your new beggar Master." Lu Zhan's disrespectful words triggered Tu Peng's rage again but Lu Sheng's hand was still on his shoulder.
"Fine, then how about another duel in three days, I will pay double if I lose." Lu Sheng calmly suggested.
"Triple and now!" Lu Zhan smiled in ridicule, he loves cornering his prey as evident on his face.
"Now?" Lu Sheng raised his eyebrow.
"Yes, now. Why? Are you afraid? Afraid of losing your fragile face in front of your new trash followers?" all of Lu Zhan's lackeys snickered.
"Funny, I was just giving you some time to prepare so that later you do not cry that I cheated or bullied you." Lu Sheng confidently countered.
Ming Mei from the far was ready to intervene but hearing the confident words of Lu Sheng raised her curiosity.
Lu Zhan narrowed his eyes. "You? Bully me? If you can bully me then I will kowtow to you and accept you as my grandfather. But if you…"
Lu Sheng quickly cut Lu Zhan's next words. "Fine, my dear grandson. You make a very convincing argument. I agree to the duel right now. Do not go crying to your grandmother later that this Grandfather bullied you." This time it was Physician Hall's disciples' turn to snicker.
Seeing his domineering effect losing due to a few clever words from Lu Sheng made Lu Zhan furious. His face turned red with anger as he clenched his fists.
"Alright, you fat fool! Let's see how long you can keep that smug face," Lu Zhan growled.
The atmosphere tensed as the two groups faced off. The Physician Hall disciples stood behind Lu Sheng, their determination to defend their honor was clear in their eyes. On the other side, Lu Zhan's lackeys also prepared themselves for chaos like a trained squad.
All of them stepped back to give some space for the duel leaving only Lu Zhan and Lu Sheng in the middle. Lu Zhan was scowling as he studied the Lu Sheng, he found lots of sudden changes in him to make him a little vary. He was not sure why Lu Sheng looked so confident.
However, inside Lu Sheng was panicking but he was trying his best not to show it for the sake of others who had high hopes for him.