Zhang Family Clinic
The sign above the entrance displayed elegant calligraphy, its strokes weathered but still clear. Though modest in size, the clinic had built a solid reputation in Baishan City. In recent weeks, however, something had changed—the number of patrons had surged noticeably.
A young man in his early twenties stepped through the entrance. His arrival drew immediate attention. Tall and composed, he moved with quiet confidence. His facial features were sharp, almost refined, and his dark brown eyes gleamed with intelligence. Clad in a simple yet pristine dark green robe, he didn't resemble the usual clientele—there were no visible signs of illness or injury. If anything, he looked too healthy to be seeking medical care.
An employee hurried over, bowing slightly. "May I help you, Young Master?"
The young man inclined his head politely. "Yes, I heard this clinic can help assess my physique."
The employee's face brightened. "You heard correctly, Young Master! Please, this way." With practiced efficiency, he guided him toward the preliminary examination area.
"Please be seated here, Young Master," the employee gestured to an empty chair positioned across from a waiting doctor.
The young man sat down, his movements measured. Without a word, he extended his arm across the table, wrist turned upward, offering his right hand for examination.
The doctor nodded, reaching out to place two fingers against the pulse point. His face remained expressionless as he focused on the examination. "May I know your name?" the doctor asked without looking up.
"Li Tian," the young man answered smoothly.
"Which family do you belong to?" the doctor continued, his tone flat.
"I'm from out of town," Li Tian replied, emphasizing his words with calm certainty. "I came here specifically to assess my physique."
The doctor finally looked up, locking eyes with him. For a brief moment, silence stretched between them. Then something shifted—the doctor's gaze lost its sharpness, his pupils dilating slightly. His posture slackened, movements halting mid-examination. "You are perfect," he murmured, voice dropping into a monotone, robotic cadence. His previously measured tone now sounded eerily devoid of emotion.
The young man's mouth corner lifted a little. Success. Good.
Turning to his assistant, the doctor instructed, "Bring him inside."
The assistant, unaware of the odd change in the doctor's demeanor, nodded briskly. "Yes, doctor. Please follow me, Young Master."
Rising from his seat, Li Tian fell into step behind the assistant. As they walked through the hallways, the clinic's ambient noise of hushed conversations and shuffling footsteps faded with distance. Approaching a less-traveled corridor, he placed a hand on the assistant's shoulder. His grip was firm but non-threatening.
"Take me to Dr. Zhao," the young man said quietly, his voice laced with subtle hypnotic power that seeped into the assistant's mind.
The assistant blinked, his footsteps faltering for a split second before he nodded, face slack. "This way, Young Master."
Step one—done.
Reaching Zhao Zhi's room, Li Tian entered and sat in front of him. The assistant gestured and said, "Please, Dr. Zhao. This is your next patient. His name is Li Tian." Then, with a respectful nod, the assistant turned and left the room.
Zhao Zhi looked at Xuan Tian, a mix of awe, worry, and excitement flashing across his expression. Regaining his composure, he reached out and checked Xuan Tian's pulse. Still locking gazes, Zhao Zhi said in his normal voice, loud enough for the assistant outside to hear, "Congratulations, you're perfectly healthy."
He stood up and exited the room, following Zhao Zhi's assistant out into the hallway. As they walked, Xuan Tian's voice, imbued with a faint trace of Spirit Energy, traveled to Zhao Zhi's ears alone. "I'll try to come back to the inn tonight. If I don't, please don't assume I'm in trouble. I'll be fine."
Zhao Zhi, keeping his expression neutral, responded in a normal tone, "Yes, General."
The assistant continued leading Xuan Tian toward the restricted area. They soon arrived at a modest courtyard entrance, its appearance unassuming. The employee retrieved a token, briefly glanced at Xuan Tian, then took his hand and guided him forward. The barrier at the entrance rippled like disturbed water as they passed through, sealing shut behind them.
Stepping into the courtyard, Xuan Tian quickly scanned his surroundings. Multiple rooms lined the perimeter, their doors closed, while a spacious hall stood at the center. The moment he crossed the barrier, he felt a distinct shift—the energy in the air thickened noticeably. His spiritual sense, normally expansive, was dulled, the barrier dampening his perception. Even with his cultivation level, extending his senses beyond the immediate area required more effort than usual. This barrier... His eyes narrowed slightly. High Immortal Stage Five. The realization sent a ripple of tension through him. His decision to act cautiously had paid off—forcing his way through would have triggered defenses he might not have anticipated. Even though he was stronger, confronting someone at that level was no trivial matter; a direct clash, especially within this enclosed space, would be complicated and risky. Engaging in a fight under such conditions would not only jeopardize his mission but risk collateral damage that he wanted to avoid.
He was led directly to the hall where the air felt even heavier, thick with suppressed spiritual energy.
Inside, he found several people scattered throughout—some standing, others sitting on the floor. Their faces were eerily similar: blank expressions, eyes unfocused, their bodies still. The oppressive silence was broken only by the faint shuffling of feet or the occasional shallow breath.
Xuan Tian's gaze sharpened. They've already been affected. His eyes flicked over the individuals, noting the varying degrees of dullness in their expressions and the faint fluctuations in their spiritual energy. They must be in different stages of core formation, he deduced, carefully analyzing the subtle differences. Some had a faint spiritual aura forming around them, while others appeared further along, their bodies exuding an unsettling stillness. He quickly reined in his reaction, remembering to play his part. Turning to the employee, he frowned and feigned confusion and indignation. "What is this? I thought I was coming here to receive an Immortal Core. Why are they just sitting here?" His voice carried a note of betrayal and shock, perfectly matching the role of someone who believed he'd been promised something extraordinary only to be met with unsettling reality.
The employee's hand, which was still holding Xuan Tian's hand, tightened. His gaze shifted, and he turned to Xuan Tian with a smirk. "You will. Just stay quiet and don't struggle." His eyes glinted with a malicious gleam.
Xuan Tian's body tensed, but he deliberately slowed his reaction, playing the part. Before he could respond, two more men approached from the shadows and grabbed him. Their grips were far stronger than those of regular humans. Warriors, Xuan Tian deduced. Not Immortals, but enhanced nonetheless.
He "struggled," twisting in their hold. "Let go of me! Don't you know who I am? I'm Li Tian, son of the wealthiest merchant in the South!" His voice rang with indignation and panic—perfectly acted.
The men didn't react to his claim. If anything, their grips tightened, bruising strength digging into his arms.
Footsteps approached. Another figure emerged—one Xuan Tian recognized instantly as one of the men who had spoken with Zhang De the day before. Without a word, the newcomer forced Xuan Tian's mouth open. The sharp scent of alchemy tickled his senses just before a pill was shoved onto his tongue. Fingers clamped over his jaw, holding his mouth shut.
They're waiting for me to swallow. Xuan Tian hesitated for half a heartbeat, then made a swallowing motion. The pressure on his jaw eased.
The men's grip on him loosened gradually. They watched closely, waiting. Xuan Tian slowed his breathing, his gaze unfocused. His body sagged as if the fight had drained from him. His eyes dulled, his movements becoming stiff.
The men backed away, returning to their previous tasks without a second glance. Only the employee who had led him there remained, face twisted with disdain. "It doesn't matter who you were," he sneered. "You're just another one in the pile now."
He gestured for Xuan Tian to follow. Obediently, Xuan Tian let himself be led to a small, empty room. The door creaked shut behind him, the employee's parting words echoing, "Stay put. You'll have your Immortal Core in no time." His laughter trailed off as his footsteps retreated.
Left alone, Xuan Tian scanned the room with his suppressed senses, ensuring no one lingered nearby. Satisfied, he tilted his head and spat the pill into his palm. Turning it over between his fingers, he brought it to his nose and inhaled carefully. What kind of pill is this? Just one pill can force the formation of an Immortal Core? He narrowed his eyes, committing its details to memory. I'll show it to Zhao Zhi later.