Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

Yao Yin said: "The terrain of Willing Death Valley is unique, and if someone enters the valley, it must be that they have some backing. Is this credible or not?" Yao Baishun nodded and said, "Indeed, it is. Such a talent, if you need assistance, you might gain from further contact with them."

Upon hearing this, Yao Yin’s pretty face blushed as she scrutinized Li Xian again, her delicate brows sometimes stretched, sometimes relaxed. At times she nodded slightly, at other times her brows slightly raised.

The medical competition quickly began, with the first round titled "Identifying Herbal Properties." Yao Baishun had prepared ninety-four herbs in advance, each processed in various ways, making the change in their properties unpredictable. Medicinal practitioners must discern the herb properties within three breaths through "touch," "smell," "observe"...

Subsequently, the properties of the ninety-four herbs are meticulously recorded on paper, handed to Yao Baishun for evaluation. Each correct identification earns one point. If one can clearly articulate the process of property transformation, they earn two points.

Upon reviewing the scores, it becomes clear which physician holds the most profound expertise. Observing physicians were all tongue-tied, deeply feeling the difficulty of the competition, with those having shallower skills and experience only identifying a dozen herbs.

Among the crowd are not a few foreign physicians, who were amazed and watched attentively. The environment of a place breeds its herbs. Physicians are quite ’regional’ in their practice, hence medical schools are often divided by region.

Physicians of the Jade City lineage are known as the "Jade City School." Their methods of practice and application of herbs form a unique style. Therefore, foreign physicians who do not blend into the local style are far less familiar with the properties and states of local herbs compared to Jade City physicians.

Participating in this competition, they surely suffer hardships.

Recognizing herbal properties requires long-term experience as support. An elderly physician "Liu San," hands behind his back, was the first to take the test. The ninety-four herbs were arranged in eleven rows, nine herbs per row, with the eleventh row containing four.

Liu San began with the first herb, lightly rubbing it with the hand, then closely smelling it, followed by a raised brow, immediately jotting down the herb properties and processing method. He then strode confidently to the next herb.

Each herb must be clearly identified within three breaths; otherwise, no score will be counted. Yao Baishun, usually benevolent, demands extreme rigor during medical exams and trials. He instructed the apprentice doctors to watch everyone closely without a moment’s slack.

Once Liu San had continuously identified several herbs, the next physician would then follow, stepping into the trial zone to touch, smell, sniff... to discern the herbs.

Thus, one after another, the physicians proceeded in an orderly fashion. Soon it was Li Xian’s turn; he took a white paper sheet and a wolf-hair brush. Standing before the first herb, he thought: "In this round, I’ll definitely suffer a disadvantage. The herbs here are mostly from Jade City; their properties and names are more familiar to Jade City doctors. But I’m a carrier of the four absolutes of the Ghost lineage, how could I possibly disgrace the Ghost Doctor lineage."

The two medical classics, Medical Ethics and Medical Heart Sutra, serve as medical standards. Coupling this with Ghost eye diagnosing illness, Ghost ear diagnosing illness, Ghost hand retaining soul, and Ghost speech curing illness, along with the medical teachings transferred by Wen Caishang, recently gained experience.

Before the three breaths passed, he wrote down the herb properties, then the process. Li Xian had an air of ease, a serene demeanor beyond worldly concern. Although many were on the medical test, once he took his turn, everyone’s gaze gathered toward him, constantly attracted by his movements.

Yao Yin thought: "This young man seems very confident; whether he’s pretending to be profound or if it’s true remains to be observed." Watching attentively.

After a stick of incense burned, eighty-five physicians had all handed in their paper rolls. Yao Baishun reviewed them on the spot and announced the scores obtained. The first physician to take the test, Liu San, scored two hundred and forty-three points.

This prompted exclamations of surprise. Yao Yin cupped her hands in congratulations: "Physician Liu’s skills are far deeper now, and his fame will surely rise soon. On behalf of my family, I offer early congratulations."

Liu San was flattered and said: "Miss Yao, your words are too kind. If I am where I am today, it’s thanks to the Yao family’s nurturing. If Yao doesn’t abandon, then Liu will pledge lifelong loyalty."

Yao Yin smiled and said: "Physician Liu, please have a seat." She shifted to make room for a wooden chair. Yao Baishun nodded secretly, recognizing Yao Yin as the gem of the Yao family, adept in interpersonal relations, naturally winning hearts.

This competition involved a total of "ninety-four" herbs. Clearly identifying the properties earns one point, articulating the process earns two additional points. Hence a single herb can earn three points, bringing the total possible score to two hundred and eighty-two.

Liu San’s score of "two hundred and forty-three" is remarkable. If Yao Yin didn’t flatter and retain him, soon he’d be poached by another medical school. Yao Baishun reviewed several more paper rolls thereafter.

Most medical scores fluctuated between "one hundred and ninety-seven" to "two hundred and thirteen." Each time scores were announced, the physicians were tense, and so were the spectators. As time passed, three individuals emerged with notably high scores.

Tie Yuanwang, scored two hundred and fifty-seven points. He Jin, scored two hundred and forty-nine points. Jin Wanquan, scored two hundred and sixty-one points.

Tie Yuanwang, middle-aged, was proud, holding his head high. Jin Wanquan, very young, had a notable background, his medical talent was impressive. He Jin with a nondescript appearance, but his demeanor was extraordinary.

These three physicians displayed remarkable medical prowess. Spectators all complimented and congratulated them, seizing the opportunity to curry favor.

Very soon, Li Xian’s paper roll was read aloud.

Yao Baishun, after looking at it, raised his brows and handed it to Yao Yin to look. Upon seeing it, Yao Yin gazed at Li Xian. Li Xian, feeling the gaze, nodded slightly. Yao Yin returned the nod in kind.

Yao Baishun said: "Li Xian, scored two hundred and sixty-seven points!"

The crowd was in uproar, voices rising like waves. All eyes focused on Li Xian, yet he remained unfazed, nodding towards the crowd. Yao Baishun softly remarked: "He isn’t startled by praise or humiliation, how is this young man?"

Yao Yin responded: "After all, coming out of Willing Death Valley, if startled by praise or humiliation, that would be a surprise." Yao Baishun chuckled.

Liu San, He Jin, Tie Yuanwang, and others directed their gaze towards him.