The wave of energy that spread out like ripples could be sensed by cultivators throughout the entire city. They trembled without knowing why. But they felt a refreshing sensation as if their bodies had been cleansed by a strange purity that was captivating.
Those at Martial Master level and above felt it especially clearly. They turned in the same direction. There, at the far eastern boundary by the sea, lay the famous "Alchemy Empress's" territory.
The news about Bai Fanxian and the Divine Doctor opening a clinic had already attracted attention. Many of them were planning to go watch for fun. The treatment fee of over ten million seemed too expensive anyway. But when they saw the livestream from just outside the area where so many people had gathered, they were stunned speechless.
More importantly, they could confirm that the violent yet pure wave of energy originated from there. Soon, news from those inside was sent out through each person's channels. Shockingly, they all confirmed with one voice:
The army's General, commander of the Black Hawk Unit, Liu Yianfei, had stepped into the next realm!
Sage-level cultivators became the hottest topic of conversation in every area.
"Sage level?... I've never heard of it before."
"You idiot. It's the level above Grandmaster. It's basically the fifth cultivation level!"
"...Is that really true?"
Many people expressed doubt. Especially cultivators who lived in other parts of the country and didn't experience that "wave of energy" for themselves.
"Someone sent a video from inside the clinic!"
The latest comment came with a clip showing events from the clinic. It started when Liu Yianfei removed his shirt and showed the skin on his chest turning dark purple before he coughed up blood. Viewers were horrified.
Not long after, more videos followed. Wu Jia used qi to control each needle, spinning them around his body before stabbing them precisely and swiftly into Liu Yianfei. This scene created great excitement for viewers. But the next scene stunned them even more with jaws hanging open.
When Bai Fanxian stepped forward to refine each type of pill in less than one minute, alchemists rewound and watched the scene dozens of times. They rubbed their eyes repeatedly as if what they saw couldn't possibly exist in this world.
Then came the highlight of the show. Liu Yianfei stood up and roared. The wave of energy and brilliant white light—so bright you could feel the vibrations—was the best confirmation. They saw with their own eyes the younger-looking appearance he now had and the new power level that had crossed the current peak.
Bai Fanxian didn't intend to hide these things because it would help build fame for her clinic. So even though people raised phones or cameras to film her, she didn't forbid it. She was more than happy if she could attract people to visit and hand over heaps of money.
And it was true. As soon as everyone saw all the videos, cultivators hurried to travel to the eastern region. They knew now that this "clinic" wasn't just good at treating people.
But they might be lucky and receive pills that would make them reach the next level just like Liu Yianfei!
This was Bai Fanxian's true goal. Compared to treatment, she was more skilled at refining pills. She was just returning to her old profession of accepting pill refinement commissions.
Of course, the busiest person in the end was the General, who acted as the opening act. He became the center of attention the moment news spread. A few people tried to contact him for different purposes.
The first official Sage-level being of this era. People still didn't know Bai Fanxian's true level. Right now, only the inner circle and those familiar knew just how unfathomable her true power was.
Many people, especially those outside cultivator circles, tried to approach Liu Yianfei for various benefits. They didn't know the loftiness of the word "Sage" at all.
Many businessmen thought they could hire a being of this level with money alone.
Some young women were also infatuated with his official position and cultivator status. They tried to approach him from every direction. Finally, Liu Yianfei could only sigh heavily and turn off his phone.
"...What's happening?"
Bai Fanxian had been watching Liu Yianfei's flustered state for a while. It had only been a few hours since the incident this morning. Because Wu Jia had used too much power, he needed to rest a bit before starting to treat other patients. And of course, everyone in the clinic had seen the power and wonder of this place. So they sat and waited peacefully according to their queue numbers.
"People won't stop calling me..."
He looked at his phone warily. There were calls from officials, old acquaintances, or even people he didn't know where they got his number from calling him more than ten times already.
"It's nice being famous, isn't it?"
"...Why do I feel like my lady is enjoying this?"
Liu Yianfei looked at Bai Fanxian, who kept a straight face and sipped tea as if nothing was happening. He didn't know if he was imagining it or not, but Bai Fanxian seemed to be in a good mood.
"Is my lady really in a good mood?"
Tang Yeye, who was hugging the Dragon Queen with a sullen expression, spoke up. The little girl sometimes sensed adults' moods and feelings well. She ran off to find Mei Ying and Hui'er, who were busy dealing with more and more people arriving.
At the clinic entrance and a bit farther out, food stalls and food trucks began arriving. They didn't know why these people were gathering. But wherever many people gathered meant potential income.
The patients and spectators relied on their food to fill empty stomachs. Even wealthy people and powerful cultivators chose to eat from these stalls if they had to wait until afternoon and didn't want the hassle.
Zhu Jinming, a real estate tycoon, was slurping noodles from a food truck. Beside him, his people including Elder Gao, who was at Martial Master level, ate grilled meat from a nearby stall.
They had no disdainful attitude. Especially Zhu Jinming, who seemed to miss eating cheap food like this from his younger days. Before becoming a wealthy business owner, he had been an ordinary company employee. Having built his success in a single generation, he understood the value of money and young people who worked hard. He always gave opportunities and supported others, just like he did with that young butler.
"The clinic's open again! If you have queue numbers two through ten, please wait inside!"
Hui'er's small but energetic voice rang out outside. The little girl in white clothes held documents and walked around, calling those with queue tickets to wait inside.
"She's really such a cute child..."
Zhu Jinming watched Hui'er's serious manner fondly. He dreamed of having a cute daughter like this too.
"And she's really skilled too." Elder Gao spoke while assessing the little girl. Though she seemed to walk normally, those who had practiced martial arts could notice that this child's movements showed principles and fluidity.
Especially in certain special "states" she had displayed earlier.
"Mr. Gao, you sound like you can't beat this child."
Zhu Jinming laughed lightly, teasing. But he didn't expect Elder Gao's serious expression in response.
"...I really might not be able to beat her."
He watched the little girl's figure disappear back inside, then sighed softly. He might be too old already...
.
.
.
Inside the clinic, Wu Jia sat in the modern examination room. He felt like laughing at himself. Since he started on the cultivator path, he never thought he'd return to work in a place like this.
"Doctor, are you feeling better?"
Lin Xiaoting walked in and asked worriedly. He raised his herbal cigarette and took a puff, then laughed.
"I'm fine... Where's that woman?"
That woman was Bai Fanxian.
"...Do you need me for something?"
Bai Fanxian's calm voice rang out. He jumped. That was when Wu Jia discovered the wall of his side room could slide sideways, opening to the room where Bai Fanxian sat. She was sipping tea, a computer on the table. She didn't look at all like someone working here.
"Nothing... Call in the patient."
Wu Jia held his forehead and sighed. Not long after, the examination room door opened and Zhu Jinming walked in—the man whose first patient position was stolen by Liu Yianfei.
"Hello."
Zhu Jinming greeted politely. He had seen the might of these two people, so he was careful with his actions and words.
"...You don't look very sick?"
Before Zhu Jinming could say anything, Wu Jia looked up first and asked doubtfully. His Heaven Sense had been working since this man walked into the room.
"Eh?"
Zhu Jinming was surprised. He didn't expect Wu Jia would say this without asking him anything.
"Excuse me..."
Wu Jia didn't wait for an answer. His fingers touched the pulse at his wrist. In the blink of an eye, the qi in Wu Jia's body flowed to diagnose throughout his body.
Zhu Jinming felt a strange cool sensation flowing within him. At first he wasn't used to it, so he acted a bit awkwardly. But when Lin Xiaoting beside him told him to just relax, he didn't resist anymore.
"Just stress and minor ulcers... You take good care of yourself."
Wu Jia withdrew his hand and lit up his herbal cigarette to take a puff. Zhu Jinming, who was shocked by his ability, frowned. But when he caught the scent, it was nothing like what he thought at all.
It was both refreshing and cleared the mind. He almost wanted to blurt out asking where he could buy something like this.
But he still had more important things to do.
"Just as you said, Doctor... The one who's really sick isn't me."
Zhu Jinming sighed. He took out an envelope with many papers inside and handed it to Wu Jia.
The doctor had a confused expression. But as he read the information on those papers page by page, his brows furrowed more and more.
What Zhu Jinming sent him was the medical history of a woman. She had all normal symptoms just like an ordinary person. Every system in her body still worked normally. Test results from many famous hospitals domestically and abroad could confirm this.
Except for one thing.
...She was a sleeping princess.
"Mr. Zhu, how is this woman related to you?" Wu Jia asked. Because looking at photos from many angles, he only saw a woman who should be about thirty years old. Though not strikingly beautiful, she had traces of warmth visible on her face.
"She's my wife... She hasn't woken up in fifteen years. It's like her time stopped."
"...I've tried everything. Forget ten million. A hundred million, a billion—I'll pay anything if you can wake her up."
His eyes were pained. He and his wife had faced hardships together. Until the day they started to be comfortable, she couldn't experience it together with him. It was the thing he felt most guilty about toward her.
And his words caught Bai Fanxian's interest. She was sipping tea, but turned to look. The medical records in Wu Jia's hand floated silently into her hands