Chapter 165: Who Tests Whom

She picked up the prescription Shangguan Sheng had given her, disbelief in her eyes. Then she looked at the one Jiang Fan had written. Her mouth fell open in astonishment, wide enough to fit an egg.

The two prescriptions were remarkably similar.

"Brother Shangguan, you... you need to come see this," Wen Hongyao exclaimed, utterly astonished.

Shangguan Sheng chuckled, "What, can he actually write a decent prescription?" But when he leaned closer and saw it, the smile on his face froze.

He stared, unblinking, as Jiang Fan completed writing the prescription. Over ninety percent of the content was identical. Only one main ingredient and several auxiliary ingredients differed.

Shangguan Sheng snatched the prescription, scrutinizing it repeatedly in disbelief. His old eyes gazed at Jiang Fan with a startling intensity, his breathing slightly ragged as he demanded, "Where did you get this?" His first instinct was that Jiang Fan had stolen his prescription.

However, no one knew this prescription except for himself. Furthermore, there were still some differences between this prescription and his own. But aside from that, how could Jiang Fan possibly possess such a formula?

Being mistaken for a thief was not a pleasant feeling. Jiang Fan frowned and said, "Just tell me, can this prescription cure Elder Wen's heart failure?"

Shangguan Sheng stared intently at Jiang Fan for a long moment. Then, reluctantly, he looked at the prescription and said, "My formula took three years of careful consideration to meticulously combine all the ingredients. It is absolutely the most perfect and flawless combination. Your prescription has three ingredients that differ from mine. Whether it's effective or not, it might even kill someone."

Jiang Fan was speechless. This prescription, after all, came from the 'Immortal Medical Tome'. He cupped his hands and said, "Whether it's effective or not, we'll know after some analysis."

All three present were masters of medicine. They could deduce roughly seventy to eighty percent of a prescription's efficacy just by carefully examining its strengths and weaknesses.

Shangguan Sheng snorted, "Still unconvinced, are we? Alright, I'll take a good look and see the quality of your prescription."

Wen Hongyao also focused her gaze, beginning her own analysis.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Shangguan Sheng held the prescription, remaining silent for a long time. After a while longer, Wen Hongyao finished her analysis, her face showing uncertainty. "Brother Shangguan, why do I feel like this prescription is... comparable to yours?"

Shangguan Sheng's expression was complex. There was shock, reluctance, and finally, a hint of self-mockery. "We're all experts here; don't flatter me. This prescription is far more sophisticated than the one I developed through my research. It seems to have only three different ingredients, but those changes elevate the entire formula to a qualitatively higher level. With my prescription, you'd need three years to heal. With his, it would be three months at most."

Wen Hongyao's lips twitched. She wanted to say something polite, but the difference between the two prescriptions was simply too vast. She didn't know how to explain it gracefully.

Shangguan Sheng looked at Jiang Fan again, his gaze no longer haughty. There was a hint of admiration. He turned to Wen Hongyao and sighed, "No wonder someone as sharp-tongued as you cherishes him so much. Such an exceptional talent, even I can't help but appreciate him!"

Although both his and Wen Hongyao's personalities were somewhat eccentric, it was because they were completely immersed in the field of medicine, with little regard for social niceties. When they discovered a rising star in medicine, they felt more genuine satisfaction than anyone else. He smiled and said, "Young man, who is your master? To be able to train such a brilliant disciple as you. Leaving aside other aspects, regarding this specific formula, I admit I am inferior."

The revered foremost divine physician of the Nine Sects' lands openly admitted inferiority to a young man regarding a medical prescription. It sounded absurd, yet it was truly happening.

Jiang Fan calmly replied, "I'll answer that question later. Before that, I'd like to compare medical skills with Senior Shangguan."

Alchemy was just a part of the 'Immortal Medical Tome'. Being slightly superior in a prescription alone didn't prove much. Medical skills could fully demonstrate the gap between him, who had inherited the 'Immortal Medical Tome', and Shangguan Sheng.

"Compare medical skills? With me?" Shangguan Sheng couldn't help but laugh, and with a touch of appreciation for talent, he patted Jiang Fan's head. "Little fellow, you're quite ambitious. The last time someone challenged me was ten years ago. That person was a renowned master of medicine, but you're just a child."

Wen Hongyao was startled. She quickly said, "Jiang Fan, don't be rude!" Jiang Fan had only just passed Shangguan Sheng's assessment; how could he be so audacious as to challenge his medical skills? Truly, a newborn calf fears no tiger!

"No matter!" Shangguan Sheng's interest was greatly piqued. A long-unfelt desire for competition ignited in his calm eyes. "Since you possess such an extraordinary prescription, your medical skills must also be exceptional. Very well, I shall compete with you!"

But how could they compete fairly? Suddenly, Shangguan Sheng noticed the dense queue of people outside. "Here's an idea," Shangguan Sheng said, pointing to them. "You and I will each choose people among them who are suffering from illness. Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, whoever finds the most people wins!"

Wen Hongyao was dumbfounded. The disciples present all looked vibrant and healthy, stronger than oxen. If they had any illnesses, they might not be outwardly visible. This would severely test a physician's observational skills!

Jiang Fan nodded and said, "Alright, as Senior suggested."

As Wen Hongyao called out "Start," Jiang Fan and Shangguan Sheng each leaped into the crowd. To win, they couldn't take everyone's pulse individually; they had to observe their complexions and judge if they were unwell.

Just then, Shangguan Sheng sprang, landing in front of a female disciple with a rosy complexion. With just a glance, he said, "Although your complexion is rosy, there are lingering blood vessels in your eyes, likely caused by internal fire poison. Step aside; I'll prescribe medicine for you shortly." The female disciple was greatly surprised. Several months ago, during an outdoor training session, she had been poisoned by a fire toad. Because the symptoms were mild, she hadn't paid it much attention. But Shangguan Sheng had seen it at a glance, which filled her eyes with deep reverence. "Truly the foremost divine physician of the Nine Sects! His reputation is well-deserved!"

Jiang Fan caught sight of this scene and immediately felt immense pressure. Shangguan Sheng's reputation was indeed not exaggerated. He immediately scanned the surrounding disciples, his gaze locking onto a male disciple with a full head of black hair. Jiang Fan walked over, used two fingers to grasp a strand of the disciple's hair, and with a gentle swipe, a wisp of black impurity appeared between his fingers.

"Brother, you've recently consumed some rare heavenly treasure that overdraws your vitality to forcibly boost your cultivation, haven't you? If not treated promptly, your life will be at risk. Please step aside; your junior will examine you shortly."

The disciple's face changed dramatically. He had taken the risk to prepare for the upcoming disciple rankings. He had thought no one would know, but unexpectedly, Jiang Fan had seen it at a glance!

And so, amidst gasps of astonishment, Jiang Fan and Shangguan Sheng continuously moved through the disciples, picking out those who appeared healthy but were actually afflicted with illness.

"Time!" Wen Hongyao called out. The two stopped. Wen Hongyao then counted the number of disciples each of them had brought back, one by one. After recording the numbers, she returned to their side, her face troubled. Shangguan Sheng, hands clasped in his sleeves, wiped sweat from his forehead and said, panting, "Read it out."

Wen Hongyao hesitated for a while, then said, "Divine Physician Shangguan, nineteen people." In just the time it took for an incense stick to burn, he had diagnosed nineteen people – only he could achieve this in the entire Nine Sects' lands.

Hearing this, Shangguan Sheng let out a sigh of relief. This was even higher than his record from ten years ago! He glanced at Jiang Fan with a smile and said, "What about Jiang Fan? How many did he diagnose? If he diagnosed five, he'd be considered a master, capable of working independently."

However, Wen Hongyao's eyes flickered, and she seemed hesitant to speak. "What? Not even five?" A hint of disappointment appeared in Shangguan Sheng's eyes. But he still patted Jiang Fan's shoulder comfortingly, "It's alright, work hard, don't let this affect your morale."

Wen Hongyao finally couldn't hold back any longer, hesitantly saying, "Brother Shangguan. I hesitated not because I was afraid of affecting Jiang Fan's morale. What I'm afraid of is that you won't be able to handle it."