Chapter 168 - The Mysterious Figure

The heavy bronze doors slammed shut, sealing off the grand chamber.

High above the floor, the spectator galleries were packed with disciples and elders from across the peaks. In the eastern pavilion, Su Ming sat by the stone railing, watching the candidates with great interest. Elder Bai Zhen stroked his beard beside him, while the disciples and Ye Lingxi sat on the floor below.

Footsteps sounded as Elder Lu, the administrative elder of the Medicine Hall, walked over with a broad smile.

"Nephew Su, long time no see," Elder Lu greeted warmly, cupping his hands. "Your recent exploits have reached even our quiet Medicine Hall. Mind if this old man joins you and your disciples to watch the trial?"

"Elder Lu is too generous," Su Ming returned the salute with a polite nod. "Please, have a seat."

The crowd erupted into scattered cheers as each candidate stepped to their stone station.

Bai Qingxian was not the only candidate for this promotion. Four other candidates were participating in this Master rank promotion exam.

***

Senior Physician Fang walked forward in neat scholar robes. A group of apprentices and junior physicians called out his name from the stands, cheering him on.

Senior Physician Shen was the second candidate. Her green robes flowed around her with wide sleeves as she walked forward with steady steps. As she offered a smile and a slight wave to the juniors, another wave of cheers erupted from the gallery.

Veteran Senior Physician Han arrived next with a quiet nod, receiving solemn respect from many in the crowd.

Lu Feng strode to the fourth station with a confident smile. A wave of cheers from female disciples erupted from the gallery, and he raised his hand with a confident smile.

Bai Qingxian was the fifth and final candidate. Her pale green robes fluttered as she walked to her station. Another wave of cheers erupted from all corners of the gallery.

Up in the gallery, Ye Lingxi looked down nervously. Lin Yao nudged her shoulder with a grin. "What are you waiting for, Lingxi? Cheer for Lady Bai!"

Ye Lingxi blushed slightly, then her clear voice joined Lin Yao in an energetic shout across the hall. "Lady Bai, you have got this!"

Wang Tian and young Jiang Chen also joined them, raising their fists in support.

***

On the central platform above the candidates, all four Master rank physicians sat in a row with their hands folded.

As Su Ming surveyed the hall, his gaze drifted toward the high platform above. Seemingly, there was nothing, and it was just an ordinary balcony, but something felt odd. The space seemed to warp around that area, as if something was hidden.

He activated Essence Sight and extended his divine sense. Instantly, the spatial illusion peeled away.

Behind the distortion sat two figures watching the chamber below.

One was the white-haired Grand Elder, stroking his beard. Beside him sat an elderly woman in plain gray robes holding a pristine white teacup.

’Is that Grand Elder Gu?’ Su Ming wondered. ’And who is that other lady?’

The woman’s hand paused. Her gaze shifted across the gallery, looking directly at Su Ming.

The Grand Elder raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.

Grand Elder Gu held the authority second only to the Sect Master. Whenever the Sect Master was absent, he was the one who commanded the entire sect.

Su Ming immediately panicked. He did not dare meet their gaze directly.

After all, how could someone who could casually sit and drink tea with Grand Elder Gu be an ordinary person?

Feeling a little awkward, Su Ming cupped his hands and gave them a polite nod before quickly turning his attention back to the trial.

Inside the hidden platform, Grand Elder Gu noticed it and chuckled softly, giving a slight nod in return.

"The younguns are sharp these days," Grandmaster Yao said, looking across the hall.

The Grand Elder nodded. "That young Peak Master actually managed to sense our presence through the barrier."

***

Noticing Su Ming’s actions, Elder Lu slightly raised his eyebrows and whispered, "Did you just see the Grandmaster?"

"Grandmaster?" Su Ming muttered. Then, as realization struck him, his eyes widened. "You mean that mysterious Grandmaster Yao? What is she doing here? Doesn’t she always stay in seclusion?"

"You are too green, Nephew Su. Though we come under the sect’s administrative branch, she is practically the master of the Medicine Hall. Promotion to a Master rank physician in this Medicine Hall is impossible without her presence. Rumors also have it that she might take a direct disciple this time around from whoever gets promoted."

Elder Lu paused, leaning in slightly. "Until now, she has refused to take any direct disciples. If someone manages to impress her, they basically become the successor of the Medicine Hall. But it is not that easy. She is very strict, so everyone is trying their best. Everyone has their eyes on that successor position."

As Su Ming listened to Elder Lu, he learned more about the Medicine Hall and its internal politics.

***

Back at the hidden platform.

"That’s the young peak master of White Lotus Peak, right? Successor of Elder Xuan? I heard about him a few months ago. He was involved in the demonic sect extermination, was he not?"

"Yes. He identified and killed Demonic Ancestor Mo," Grand Elder Gu nodded. "That is what I learned from the Sect Master before he entered seclusion."

With the Sect Master in seclusion, the responsibility of overseeing the sect now rested with Grand Elder Gu.

"Anyway, whom do you think will pass the trial today?"

"A month ago, I would have said that Bai girl without hesitation," Grandmaster Yao replied with a soft chuckle. "As Sect Master said, her background is mysterious. She possesses profound techniques that are likely not inferior to my own. Her foundation exceeds every candidate on that floor."

Grand Elder Gu was amused. "On par with you? Heh. That sounds interesting."

"But recently, that Lu boy from Green Cloud Peak has caused quite a stir with his mysterious healing technique. Even so, the Bai girl holds the advantage."