Chapter 166: Strong Backers

"Uh—" Shangguan Sheng froze for a moment, then chuckled wryly. "Are you afraid I won't be able to take it? Hongyao, don't you know me by now?"

Shangguan Sheng raised a hand, looking up at the sky, and spoke calmly and collectedly. "In the field of medicine, when have I ever been disheartened? My lifelong motto is to rise to the challenge. Even if Jiang Fan surpasses my past achievements, my spirit won't be broken. Go on, tell me. How many people did he diagnose?"

Wen Hongyao still hesitated. Shangguan Sheng was indeed tenacious and never became despondent when facing setbacks. However, this setback today was quite significant. After hesitating for a moment, she cautiously observed Shangguan Sheng's expression and said, "Jiang Fan diagnosed..." She paused, then continued, "Twenty-nine people."

What Wen Hongyao had most feared still happened. Shangguan Sheng's expression suddenly froze, his old eyes widened continuously, and then he stood there, stunned, like a section of withered wood, devoid of life.

She quickly tried to comfort him. "Brother Shangguan, a temporary win or loss is nothing. Perhaps Jiang Fan just got lucky."

Seeing Shangguan Sheng still in such a state, Wen Hongyao said, "Perhaps Jiang Fan diagnosed too quickly, and there might be some misdiagnoses. I'll confirm each one individually."

Only then did Shangguan Sheng's expression relax slightly. How could he possibly accept losing to an unknown young man, when he prided himself on being the foremost divine physician in the Nine Sects' land? He greatly doubted the number of diagnoses Jiang Fan claimed. Perhaps he had made hasty diagnoses without thorough examination, just to inflate the numbers. Only then would it make sense.

Wen Hongyao said, "Jiang Fan, come with me and explain the ailments of these disciples one by one, so I can confirm them." Jiang Fan cupped his hands and replied, "Alright."

"This disciple has overdrawn his life force. This disciple's skin has been damaged by toxins; the parts not exposed to light are turning bluish-green. And this one..." He pointed them out one by one, while Wen Hongyao took their pulses and questioned them individually. She confirmed that their ailments perfectly matched Jiang Fan's diagnoses.

Ultimately, all twenty-nine diagnoses were, without exception, absolutely correct. This left Wen Hongyao wide-eyed with astonishment. Shangguan Sheng's body swayed even more. Unable to withstand such a tremendous blow, he suddenly collapsed onto the stone chair. With his crane-like hair and youthful complexion, he aged several years in an instant. He murmured self-mockingly, "Master, your disciple has shamed you. I have strived my entire life, yet I am not as good as a young junior." His eyes grew dim, filled with deep self-reproach.

Wen Hongyao felt anxious. The consequences were more serious than she had imagined. Shangguan Sheng's Dao Heart had shattered! He would inevitably be disheartened from now on, and might even die from depression.

Just then, Jiang Fan stepped forward to Shangguan Sheng and said frankly, "Senior Shangguan, there's no need to feel this way. This junior's medical skills also originate from your esteemed master, the Undying Physician." Knowing his own capabilities, Jiang Fan no longer concealed it, lest he harm the foremost divine physician of the Nine Sects.

"What? My master?" Shangguan Sheng abruptly raised his aged head, a look of disbelief on his face. Wen Hongyao was also greatly astonished. "Jiang Fan, are you—are you a disciple of the Undying Physician? Wait, no, the age doesn't match." The Undying Physician had passed away decades ago. How old was Jiang Fan?

Jiang Fan said, "This junior inadvertently comprehended the *Undying Medical Tome*, gaining a partial understanding. I apologize for showing my meager skills in front of Senior Shangguan and Elder Wen today."

Their shock, far from subsiding, grew even more intense! Shangguan Sheng suddenly stood up, his two aged hands gripping Jiang Fan's arms, his old eyes gleaming with awe. "What did you say? You comprehended the *Undying Medical Tome*?"

Back then, the Undying Physician suddenly foresaw that his destiny was fulfilled and he was about to pass away. Unable to impart all of his lifelong profound medical skills to his disciples in time, he hurriedly compiled the *Undying Medical Tome*. His life's work was contained within it. Before his death, he entrusted it to his disciples, instructing them to comprehend it. If they failed, they were to distribute it to various places so that those with an affinity for it could comprehend its true essence and propagate the Undying Physician's profound skills. However, none of his disciples, including Shangguan Sheng, were able to do so. They ultimately had no choice but to follow his instructions and distribute it to every city. Decades passed, but not a single person managed to fully comprehend the tome. Gradually, it became a common understanding that the Undying Physician's legacy had been severed.

Now, decades later, a young man suddenly appeared, claiming to have comprehended the *Undying Medical Tome*. As a disciple of the Undying Physician, how could Shangguan Sheng not be shocked?

Jiang Fan said nothing, but ran two fingers over his eyes. A wisp of spiritual energy circled his eyes, moving in a mysterious trajectory, as if two lenses had been placed over his eyes. Seeing this, Shangguan Sheng was utterly amazed. "The Aura-gazing Art! My master's unparalleled Aura-gazing Art!" he exclaimed. "This Aura-gazing Art can see through pathologies, aiding diagnosis with divine precision!"

Wen Hongyao was astonished. "The Aura-gazing Art?" she thought. "That was the Undying Physician's unique profound skill from back then! None of his several disciples had learned it." Other than the *Undying Medical Tome*, she couldn't imagine where Jiang Fan could have acquired it.

Jiang Fan said, "Do you believe me now?" Shangguan Sheng still held Jiang Fan tightly, though he was no longer as distraught as before. Yet, his aged cheeks were still flushed with excitement, tears welled in his old eyes, and he choked out, "Master's dying wish has finally been fulfilled. Someone has finally fulfilled it!"

Wen Hongyao also felt a pang of sorrow in her heart. Fearing that Shangguan Sheng might harm himself with excessive grief, she comforted him, "For your esteemed master's profound skills to see the light of day again is a grand event for our medical community, Brother Shangguan. You should be happy."

Hearing this, Shangguan Sheng quickly wiped away his tears. "Yes, why am I crying? I should be happy!" He cast aside his previous dejection and said with relief, "Losing to my master's successor, then my defeat is not in vain, not in vain at all! Hahahaha!"

With the assistance of the Aura-gazing Art, it was perfectly logical for Jiang Fan to diagnose twenty-nine people. Suddenly, he recalled their previous agreement. He pulled out the box of Azure Flame Silver Needles and said with a smile, "A bet's a bet. This item is yours."

Jiang Fan declined. "I merely wished to test my own skill," he said. "The Azure Flame Silver Needles belong to Senior Shangguan; this junior cannot accept them." Shangguan Sheng, however, shoved them into Jiang Fan's arms and said sternly, "Take it if I'm giving it to you! And from now on, you should change how you address me."

Change how he addresses him? Jiang Fan was bewildered. Shangguan Sheng looked at Jiang Fan, a touch of affection in his eyes, and said, "Since you have inherited my master's profound skills, you can be considered half a disciple of his. From now on, you can simply call me Senior Brother."

"Senior Brother?" A sudden, famous Senior Brother appeared; Jiang Fan couldn't adapt to it immediately. Wen Hongyao, however, was overjoyed and quickly poked Jiang Fan's arm. "What are you hesitating for? Quickly call him Senior Brother!" she urged. Shangguan Sheng was an immensely influential figure in the Nine Sects. Having such a Senior Brother meant Jiang Fan had found a powerful patron. For Jiang Fan, who came from an ordinary background, this was the best possible connection.

Only then did Jiang Fan cup his hands and say, "Senior Brother Shangguan!" Shangguan Sheng laughed heartily. "Junior Brother Jiang, come, let's discuss medicine further. Over the years, I've had many unresolved medical puzzles with no one to consult. Today, I ask Junior Brother Jiang to enlighten me."

Wen Hongyao's eyes lit up, and she quickly moved closer. This was a peak medical exchange in the Nine Sects' land; listening for a moment was better than ten years of arduous study! Jiang Fan naturally didn't refuse, nodding, "Alright..."

But just then, a disciple from the Sect Leader's Peak came running over, panting. "Junior Brother Jiang, have you not received the spirit herbs yet?" he asked. "Senior Sister Liu wants you to go to the Immortal's Abode Restaurant in Qingyun City immediately. Don't delay."