"Tell me, should I report to the former Peak Lord just because I take a disciple?" Yao Xin cast a cold, slightly smug glance at the old man. Standing before him in a blue robe was none other than the current number one of Medicine Peak—Zhou Xingchen.
"I heard the former Peak Lord also took a promising disciple. Could it be that he came to the Medicine God Tower just to see how far his pupil can advance?" Yao Xin's words dripped with mockery as he looked at the old man. After all, as the master of the current top disciple, he had every right to speak so.
"What I do here is none of your concern," the old man replied, scowling, unwilling to entertain Yao Xin's ridicule.
Although he had witnessed Lin Tian's efforts over the past period, he knew that in the study of medicine, talent mattered more than diligence. How far Lin Tian could advance within the Medicine God Tower remained uncertain.
"Master, I'll head to the Medicine God Tower first," Zhou Xingchen said coolly, stepping forward.
"Very well, go ahead," Yao Xin waved him off. Watching Zhou Xingchen depart, he sighed with a mix of pride and wonder. "My disciple… he's not gifted, but he works tirelessly. Nine floors of the Tower already conquered! Who knows—he might even break through the tenth today."
"Old Peak Lord, don't you feel that the younger generation of Medicine Peak is growing ever stronger? I remember in our time, you were the strongest among the outer disciples, weren't you? I vaguely recall that you only reached the eighth floor of the Tower and were already at the top of the outer disciple rankings. Yet now, the top disciple must conquer the tenth floor—times have truly changed."
The old man could only stare, speechless. Though Yao Xin spoke with the tone of reflection, his words betrayed unmistakable excitement.
"Don't get too complacent. One of the outer disciples might suddenly awaken and surpass your precious pupil," the old man said irritably, clearly displeased with Yao Xin's boastful tone.
"Old Peak Lord, that's where you're wrong," Yao Xin replied calmly, offering reassurance rather than anger. "If a disciple surpasses Xingchen, it only proves that our younger generation is brimming with talent. I'd be thrilled by such a development."
The old man inwardly scoffed at Yao Xin's showy words.
At that moment, the rankings on the Medicine God Tower suddenly flickered. The name Wu Xuan leapt rapidly through the floors—first, second, third, fourth… Within half an hour, Wu Xuan had soared to the ninth floor. If he could conquer the tenth, he would claim the top spot in the Tower.
Yao Xin was completely stunned. He had assumed, with certainty, that no one could surpass Zhou Xingchen, yet Wu Xuan's meteoric rise pressed down on him like a mountain, leaving him breathless.
"No… he must not succeed…" Yao Xin muttered, silently praying. But the numbers behind Wu Xuan's name continued to climb, and when they changed yet again, Yao Xin's despair deepened. Seeing Wu Xuan reach the top of the Tower, he was utterly crushed.
"Unbelievable… there really is a disciple capable of surpassing Zhou Xingchen. Medicine Peak truly is full of hidden talent," the old man beside Yao Xin said, elated.
Earlier, as Yao Xin had boasted endlessly about his disciple, the old man had felt a sour sense of irritation. Now, seeing Zhou Xingchen eclipsed, that irritation transformed into a sharp sense of satisfaction, especially as Yao Xin looked utterly deflated.
Before the old man could mock him, the Tower's numbers shifted again. The digits behind Wu Xuan's name rose to eleven.
"Eleven." Both the old man and Yao Xin gaped. In Medicine Peak's history, only one outer disciple had ever reached the eleventh floor—the first Peak Lord, hailed as a once-in-a-century genius. Since then, no outer disciple had surpassed the tenth floor. And now, a disciple had achieved the most legendary milestone in the Tower's history.
"Who exactly is this Wu Xuan?" The old man whispered in disbelief as he stared at the number eleven.
Before he could ponder further, the digits changed again. Eleven became twelve. Over the next hour, both men watched in stunned silence as the numbers climbed steadily.
By the time Wu Xuan's number reached twenty, it finally stabilized. Meanwhile, Zhou Xingchen's number advanced from nine to ten.
Emerging from the Medicine God Tower, Zhou Xingchen's eyes shone with exhilaration. He had devoted every moment of the past period to studying medicine, and at last, he had conquered the tenth floor.
Yet, as Zhou Xingchen exited, Lin Tian walked with his head lowered, lips pouting, and an air of exhaustion hanging about him.
"Disciple, what's the matter?" the old man hurried forward, concern etched across his face.