Three individuals, towering figures in the medical community of Xia Country, all went out to welcome this woman who seemed like a Heavenly Immortal, which astounded everyone.
However, the middle-aged man leading them was flanked by the three elders, walking parallel to the woman into the inner hall, leaving people puzzled.
At this moment, someone suddenly whispered with uncertainty:
"This middle-aged man, doesn't he look a bit like Master Jiang?"
"Master Jiang? Which Master Jiang?" People around blinked in confusion, seemingly perplexed. "Have you ever heard of this person in the medical community?"
A man following Elder Li, who was currently amidst the crowd, suddenly exclaimed:
"Lin Jiang from Xuzhou!"
"Hiss!"
At those words, everyone gasped in shock!
Xuzhou is the biggest prefecture-level city in Lingnan Province, surrounded by oceans on all sides and possessing numerous ports, making it one of Xia Country's top economic cities, often referred to as the number one city in Lingnan!
Lin Jiang is the Family Head of the Lin Family in Xuzhou, possessing immense influence not only locally but throughout Lingnan. Owning vast wealth, he also controls most of the underground forces in Lingnan, hence being known as the most powerful person in the province!
"Who is that fairy-like woman? Why has even Master Jiang come out to personally welcome her? Could she be from a prominent family in Yanjing?" someone wondered.
"You really are ignorant, to think you all operate in the medical world. Haven't you heard of the Mo Family?" a thin man disdainfully remarked.
Someone caught on, asking with some disbelief, "She… is she from the Mo Family?"
"Exactly, she is the current heir of the Mo Family, Mo Qingrou."
"Not long ago, Divine Doctor Mo cured the Wang Family's old master of his chronic illness in Beijing. I happened to be present," said the thin man, his face proud as though he had cured the old master himself.
There was an uproar among the people, who then understood why there were so many prominent figures at this summit, even Lin Jiang coming out to personally welcome her.
The Mo Family, established for over four hundred years, is one of the few ancient families in Xia Country, with an unknown true foundation. Only since a hundred years ago, every generation of heirs had walked among the common folk, though the earlier ones were too distant to be known.
The last two generations of heirs, however, had made significant names for themselves in medicine and were esteemed as Heavenly Persons, and thus the heirs of the Mo Family were known as the Divine Doctors.
Mo Qingrou, in these past two years, not only earned a station among various major figures with her medical skills but also because of her mysterious aura and her unique demeanor, attracted many chases from young masters of important families.
However, nobody had ever seen what she truly looked like, as she had never removed her veil.
At this point, all the key figures for this summit had arrived.
Since Mo Qingrou had entered, the gentlemen inside the hall hadn't taken their eyes off her, causing discontent among the other ladies present. However, upon learning of her identity, they could only look on with envy.
Fu Xiaoqing saw the young men who had been surrounding her all staring at Mo Qingrou, a hint of jealousy flashing in her eyes, "Hmph, there's not a single decent man here; Brother Han is the best."
She then glanced at Chen Yuan nearby, noticing he was intently watching Mo Qingrou's departing figure, and scoffed, "Chen Yuan, you should look in the mirror. Stop daydreaming! A back-door Pharmacist with questionable ethics, do you really think you can aspire to a swan?"
After seeing today's significant figures, Fu Xiaoqing understood that this summit was more important than previous ones, and remembering that Chen Yuan had taken Han Xiao's spot made her even more irritated.
Chen Yuan ignored Fu Xiaoqing's mocking, only looking at her because, for the first time since his rebirth, he had seen a person with True Yuan flowing within them, albeit faint, it was genuinely circulating.
'Interesting, a cultivator, it seems I should find a chance to understand this better.' Chen Yuan thought to himself.
At this moment, the atmosphere of the banquet peaked with the arrival of Mo Qingrou and Lin Jiang.
Just then, Elder Yang waved his hand in the center of the hall, and once the crowd quieted down, his slightly authoritative voice slowly spread throughout the hall.
"Today's summit is different from previous ones, and I believe everyone has a rough idea already. This meeting includes a competition to identify outstanding talents in Chinese medicine, contributions to our country's medical endeavors. In addition to us old folks, we are fortunate to also have invited Divine Doctor Mo as a judge."
"Now, please, the participating Pharmacists, submit your competitive entries."
As the words settled, there was a stir among the crowd.
In previous medical summits, it was generally about academic debates or awarding medical prizes, without the competition element.
Though winning awards in the medical field can bring some fame, the recognition is limited since these awards lack transparency and people are unsure about their legitimacy.
However, this medical competition, besides having notable figures from the medical community, also includes the heir of the Mo Family. If someone could achieve a startling success in the contest, in addition to the rewards, they would undoubtedly become well-known in the medical community within days, reaping both fame and fortune.
Most participants in this contest were over forty years old, with some even around sixty.
Participants submitted their medicines one by one and then waited nervously for the judges' evaluations.
After all, this was an opportunity to soar to great heights.
Chen Yuan took out the Body-Tempering Liquid he had prepared earlier; his submission attracted quite a few glances.
Most of the pharmacists participating were middle-aged, and there were even some sexagenarians. Each contestant had to submit their medicine in person.
Chen Yuan, dressed casually in sportswear, seemed out of place in such a formal setting; his personal handover of the medicine drew even more attention.
"Who is this young man? Is he here to watch the competition?" someone asked quietly.
"I guess some elder brought him along to broaden his horizons; he's probably not here to compete, just wandered into the wrong place," someone beside chuckled.
"Exactly, he looks about eighteen or nineteen. If he can participate, then what are we, who have studied medicine for so many years, doing? Might as well die! Hahaha."
People nearby chuckled and nodded in agreement.
"Hmph, I don't know how you deceived Grandfather and took Brother Han's slot, even persuading Grandfather to nominate you for the competition. But once the results come out, Grandfather will see, you're just a cheat and a scoundrel!" Fu Xiaoqing clenched her fists angrily, convinced that this young man was no pharmacist.
Chen Yuan smiled lightly, unwilling to engage further with Xiaoqing. He submitted his medicine under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
Elder Yang, president of the Chinese Medicine Association, took the medicine from Chen Yuan and looked up, a bit perplexed, "Young man, are you sure you're here to compete? What is this medicine? What does it do?" His uncertainty was due to Chen Yuan's youthful appearance, prompting him to ask a few more questions.
Chen Yuan nodded slightly, "What effects it has, shouldn't you as a judge test it yourself? I, the Immortal Venerable, crafted this medicine for the competition; do I need to explain it to you? If I were to explain, then what are you judges here for?"
With that, he turned and left the center of the hall.
The crowd in the hall was initially startled, then began to discuss in hushed tones.
"Damn, so he's actually here to compete?"
"Daring to speak to Elder Yang like that, this kid is so arrogant."
"Isn't this just making trouble? Who brought him here?"
Elder Yang didn't expect such a response from the young man, making him feel slightly embarrassed. It wasn't that he underestimated people, but pharmacology was a field typically requiring years of accumulation and trials. Even the most talented individuals wouldn't make their mark until they were over thirty.
Elder Fu quickly came forward, "Brother Yang, Chen Yuan was my recommendation; he's always like this, please don't take offense."
"No worries, no worries, the ways of the young," Elder Yang chuckled, waving it off.
Hearing that Elder Fu had recommended him, the crowd was slightly surprised.
"Elder Fu hasn't attended the summit for years, and now he brings such a young pharmacist; could he truly be a genius?" someone wondered.
"Don't joke; this kid obviously got in through the back door. If he can win this competition, ah no, even place in the top five, I'll eat shit for you to see!"
"Haha, today's youth truly mistake ignorance for bravery; he wants to be famous desperately. Wait until the evaluation is out; he'll indeed become famous but will never make it in this field again," a middle-aged male participant scoffed.
This middle-aged man, Xu Chiyang, had recently won a major medical award in Jiang Province and was personally commended by the Chinese Medicine Bureau. He had become a prominent figure in the pharmaceutical field over the past few years.
Hearing Xu Chiyang speak, others nodded in agreement; no wonder people were so outspoken; they had the merits to back it up.
Upheld by Xiaoqing, irritated by Chen Yuan's nonchalant expression, she eagerly awaited his turn for his medicine to be evaluated, hoping he would embarrass himself soon.
Shortly after, Elder Yang stood up and gestured for silence:
"Please quiet down. We'll now begin testing the medicines and will evaluate based on their effects. In the end, the four of us judges will decide whose medicine ranks first."
...