"Ah, I didn't expect the two of you to have the leisure to join the mundane world in such a festive manner…"
Yang Fan's gaze flickered, a faint smile playing on his lips as he looked at the two figures seated across from him—one stout and the other slender. They sat beside Hu Banjian, engaged in hushed whispers, their expressions shifting when they saw Yang Fan and Lin Zhong enter.
"Junior Brother Yang, it has been a while; I trust you are well," the younger of the two stood up, exuding a warm familiarity. He appeared to be in his late twenties, dressed in a purple robe, with thick brows and a square face, radiating an air of gravitas. This was Yang Guang from Yang Family Fortress, a prodigy among the third-generation disciples, who had reached the pinnacle of Qi Refinement.
"Tsk tsk… Yang Fan, after two months away, you've returned to the realm of cultivation from being a waste, and even become an Apothecary, opening a medical clinic in Wuliu Town. You truly impress me," the rotund figure of Li Pangzi spoke loudly, his voice sharp and unrestrained.
As a grandson of the clan's ancestor, he often behaved arrogantly, believing that Yang Fan, appearing merely as an early-stage Qi Refiner, could not command his respect.
Yang Fan cast a dispassionate glance at the two before replying blandly, "Yang Guang, you remain as illustrious as ever."
With that, he and Lin Zhong settled into the row of chairs opposite them, deliberately ignoring Li Pangzi's taunts, choosing instead not to lower himself to a verbal spar. Such disregard was a raw form of contempt and the ultimate insult. No matter how loudly Li Pangzi ranted, Yang Fan's indifference made it clear he was not worth his notice.
"Y-you…" Li Pangzi felt a surge of humiliation, his teeth gritting in frustration.
However, Yang Fan didn't spare him a glance, treating him as if he were merely air.
Yang Guang narrowed his eyes slightly, scrutinizing Yang Fan for a moment. He sensed a profound change in the latter's temperament since his return, as if he had undergone a significant metamorphosis after his ordeal.
"Could he truly be just an Apothecary dedicated to healing?" Yang Guang pondered, his mind racing with schemes. Much like Yang Lei, he questioned Yang Fan's current identity as an Apothecary. He thought to himself, *Let me observe his medical skills. If they are indeed remarkable, it's unlikely he would have attained notable proficiency in other areas…*
It was true that mastering the art of medicine alone required immense dedication. Should one delve deeply into this path, it would inevitably hinder their progress in cultivating the Dao of immortality.
This was one of the reasons Yang Guang had come to Wuliu Town.
In this elegant secular lounge, several cultivators had gathered.
On one side, there were Yang Fan and Lin Zhong, and on the other, Yang Guang, Li Pangzi, and Hu Banjian, along with a few others.
Among them, Yang Fan spotted an elderly cultivator in his seventies, clad in simple garb, with a gentle expression and bright, keen eyes. He wore several storage pouches at his waist and had a medicinal basket slung over his back.
Yang Fan gazed at the old man, a flicker of recognition dawning on him. The elder clasped his fists together and chuckled, "Young Master Yang, do you not recognize this old man?"
Suddenly enlightened, Yang Fan sprang to his feet and offered a slight bow. "So it is Master Zheng!"
"Indeed, young master, you've greatly impressed this old man. Although your spiritual power has waned, in just two months, you have returned to the world of cultivation and delved into the art of healing. I look forward to witnessing your skills shortly," Master Zheng beamed warmly at Yang Fan.
Master Zheng was a distinguished guest of Yang Family Fortress, possessing late-stage Qi Refinement and extraordinary medical prowess, as well as proficiency in alchemy. Even the second-generation elders who had reached the Condensing Spirit stage regarded him with great respect.
"Master Zheng is too kind; how could I dare to show off in your esteemed presence?" Yang Fan replied, filled with humility.
He understood that Master Zheng was not affiliated with Yang Guang's faction. His status as a guest allowed him to maintain a neutral stance, steering clear of the secular intrigues and conflicts.
Apart from Master Zheng, several other guests in the lounge also held the title of Apothecary. It seemed this rare gathering, "A Meeting of Healing Friends," had garnered the attention of many nearby cultivators eager to witness the medical skills on display.
After a brief moment of quiet, the beaded curtains of the side room were parted, and a resplendent middle-aged man stepped in.
It was Liu Degui, the town head of Wuliu Town.
Liu Degui surveyed the dozen or so people in the room, his voice booming, "It is an honor for me and Wuliu Town that all of you esteemed guests have graced us with your presence. This gathering of healing friends primarily features two Apothecaries: Young Master Yang and Master Hu. The other honored guests are welcome to witness as onlookers. The townsfolk outside shall also serve as witnesses."
"Bring forth the doors!" Liu Degui commanded, prompting his servants to open the grand doors of the lounge, allowing the eager townsfolk and various onlookers a glimpse of the proceedings inside.
"This is a contest of healing arts, an opportunity for Apothecaries to showcase their skills…," murmured the crowd.
"I hear that Master Hu is a legendary sage, proficient in the arts of the ethereal and supernatural. Will Young Master Yang be a worthy opponent?"
"I believe Fan Ge will surely triumph; he was once a sage himself. Why would he fear Master Hu?" Iron Bull exclaimed in the crowd, rallying support for Yang Fan alongside Nangong Yu.
…
In no time, the entrance to the VIP lounge was packed, with Liu Degui's residence bustling with a crowd of one to two hundred, most of whom had come merely to witness the spectacle.
Yang Fan and Hu Banjian exchanged glances, both sporting faint smiles at the situation unfolding before them. Their eyes met with a spark of energy, as if igniting a fire in the void.
"Now, I announce the attending Apothecaries for this gathering: Master Zheng from Yang Family Fortress, and three esteemed Apothecaries from the county town. They will each provide their unique insights during this medical contest, and their opinions will factor into the final outcome. Most importantly, the key voice will be Liu's daughter, Liu Manxiang, as she is the patient in this event."
After Liu Degui concluded his speech, he turned to Yang Fan and Hu Banjian, smiling, "Please, Young Master Yang and Master Hu, enter the inner chamber to attend to my daughter's ailment. The esteemed doctors may accompany you, while the rest of the guests may remain in the lounge or outside."
Soon after, a maid moved aside the beaded curtain leading to the inner chamber, revealing a dental bed behind a thin veil.
Yang Fan and Hu Banjian exchanged a knowing glance before stepping into the side room together.
The curtain remained open, allowing the distinguished guests in the lounge only a blurred view of the unfolding scene.
Under Liu Degui's guidance, they quickly arrived at the dental bed, where the figure of a woman could be faintly discerned through the translucent veil.
This veil could not hinder the gaze of cultivators, and Yang Fan smiled as his eyes met Liu Manxiang's.
"Bring forth the silk thread," Liu Degui cleared his throat.
*Silk thread?*
Yang Fan paused momentarily, quickly grasping the situation.
As soon as the words left his lips, a maid brought forth a length of silk thread, deftly tying one end around Liu Manxiang's delicate wrist while passing the other end to Yang Fan and Hu Banjian.
**Suspended Thread Pulse Diagnosis!**
Instantly, the audience erupted into a murmur, particularly the common folk.
"Suspended thread pulse diagnosis—this is a legendary medical technique…"
The townsfolk outside buzzed with excitement and speculation.
This method, typically reserved for individuals of high status, such as noble women, allowed physicians to avoid the complications of social rank and gender when diagnosing ailments.
Of course, this was merely a rumor, one that most commoners had only heard whispers of.
"Yang Apothecary, the success of this medical contest hinges on your ability to heal the young lady. As for me, I possess a degree of confidence, but I am curious about your methods," Hu Banjian said with a smile.
"Very well, allow me to go first," Yang Fan replied calmly, taking the silk thread from the maid.
Immediately, silence enveloped the room, and all eyes turned to the thread in his hands.
"Suspended thread pulse diagnosis…" Yang Fan's lips curved into a slight smile, though he wondered who had devised such a peculiar method.
To be honest, he had never learned this legendary medical technique.