To the east of the entire Qi Wang Palace lay the Hot Spring Palace, a place typically reserved solely for the enjoyment of the imperial family.

However, since the reign of the current emperor, half of its pools had been set aside as a special reward for meritorious ministers, a gesture of imperial grace.

And on this occasion, the three participants of the Yellow River Meeting were granted the privilege of the “Heaven Bath,” the most exquisite spring within the entire Hot Spring Palace. The medicinal ingredients used were, naturally, beyond compare.

Fortuitously, the “Heaven Bath” was divided into three separate pools. Different cultivation levels and physical constitutions required distinct medicinal concoctions, meticulously prepared by the Imperial Hospital. The application of these remedies was strictly tailored to each individual.

Otherwise, sharing a bath with Ji Zhaonan and Chong Xuan Zun… would indeed be somewhat awkward.

The three national prodigies had already gathered outside the Hot Spring Palace earlier, and few words were exchanged between them.

Jiang Wang and Ji Zhaonan were not acquainted. They exchanged a brief nod of greeting, then fell silent.

As for Chong Xuan Zun, he was destined to fight Jiang Wang one day. After learning of the matters that transpired during the period of study at Jixia Academy, when they met again this time, Chong Xuan Zun, though not openly hostile, was certainly not proactively friendly.

As for Ji Zhaonan and Chong Xuan Zun… they seemed to be at odds, treating each other as if the other did not exist.

Perhaps the only benefit was that these three individuals possessed relatively calm hearts. Each stood in silence, cultivating even while standing still. It was not overly difficult to endure.

It was not until a young eunuch from the Hot Spring Palace arrived and led each of them away that Jiang Wang felt somewhat relieved.

The “Heaven Bath” held no hint of amorous affairs. The young eunuch led Jiang Wang before a bathing pool built of green jade, then bowed and departed.

By the side of the pool sat a white-bearded old gentleman, waiting behind a long table.

He seemed to possess a decisive and straightforward temperament. Upon seeing Jiang Wang, he immediately opened his needle pouch and declared directly: “Bring one drop of fresh blue sheep male blood for my use.”

Arranged within the needle pouch were needles of various lengths and colors. One could not fathom the purpose of those multi-hued needles… looking at them sent a chill down one’s spine.

However, drawing blood was something Jiang Wang understood, as the eunuch had already explained the process. This Imperial Physician intended to examine his blood and then formulate a suitable medicinal liquid based on his physical condition.

Jiang Wang had been burning incense and bathing every day at the separate mansion on Xia Mountain for the past three days, which did involve soaking in medicinal liquids. However, those were naturally incomparable to the conditions at the Hot Spring Palace, serving at most as a warm-up.

Since he had already arrived, Jiang Wang did not speak another word. He sat opposite the old gentleman and extended his right hand.

The old gentleman used his dry and slightly cool left hand to grasp Jiang Wang’s hand. His right hand then hovered over the needle pouch, seemingly hesitating over which needle to use.

He began to converse casually: “I heard that a few days ago, the male from Blue Sheep Town injured a patient within the Imperial Hospital?”

Jiang Wang’s heart skipped a beat. Only then did he notice that the old gentleman’s grip was quite strong. He attempted to withdraw his hand once, but failed…

“How could that be?” Jiang Wang forced a laugh. “I only went to see my friend and offer my condolences.”

The old gentleman lifted his eyelids. “Oh, a friend.”

“Yes, yes…” Jiang Wang was sweating profusely, watching the old gentleman draw a sharp red needle, a full *chi* long, from the needle pouch—heaven only knew how such a long needle could be drawn from that seemingly ordinary needle pouch!

“One drop of blood, right?” Jiang Junye confirmed once more.

The white-bearded old gentleman stared at his hand, seemingly searching for a spot to insert the needle. He did not lift his head. “How do you define one drop?”

Jiang Wang: …

“I was wrong!” Jiang Wang honestly apologized. “I will not cause trouble at the Imperial Hospital again. I guarantee it.”

“Tsk!” The white-bearded old gentleman said, “What are you nervous about? At my age, would I still bully you young ones?”

That sharp red needle, a *chi* long, lightly pricked Jiang Wang’s finger. There wasn’t even any sensation of pain; it simply vanished into the old gentleman’s hand.

Not even a sensation of pain – that was precisely the most terrifying thing.

With Jiang Wang’s current cultivation, under his wide-eyed observation, to draw a single drop of his blood and yet leave him feeling nothing. This kind of strength was truly thought-provoking…

The opposite party loosened his grip, and Jiang Wang silently withdrew his hand. He could not help but ask, “Old gentleman’s noble surname?”

The old gentleman glanced at him. “What, do you want to go back and gather your pack of scoundrel friends to block this old fellow’s door? Are today’s young people so ruthless? I am already old…”

“How could I possibly…” Jiang Wang wiped his sweat. “I simply feel that the old gentleman’s medical skills are profound and wish to form a connection.”

The white-bearded old gentleman produced a medicine box from who knew where and placed it on the long table. After opening it, he began to take out various medicinal powders and place them into a green jade bowl.

He then said, “Oh, my surname is Lei.”

Jiang Wang suddenly stood up.

Ah, so that’s why this old gentleman seemed to be sticking his neck out for Lei Xian! They were family! Which branch of the family was this? He had to change Imperial Physician!

“Tricking you!” The old gentleman laughed childishly. “My surname is Wen.”

“Oh, Imperial Physician Wen.” Jiang Wang’s heart, which had been soaring, settled down slightly.

The old gentleman narrowed his eyes, mixing the medicinal powders. He then seemingly asked inadvertently, “You probably don’t know many people with my surname, do you?”

“Not many,” Jiang Wang said honestly. “I only know a girl with the surname Wen.”

The old gentleman shook the jade bowl in his hand and said softly, “Wen Tinglan, well, she must call me Third Grandfather.”

This was much easier to talk about!

Jiang Wang’s heart lit up with joy, and his face bloomed into a smile. “Actually, we have some connections!”

He originally intended to mention his close relationship with Yan Fu, and how Yan Fu was also Wen Tinglan’s fiancé, making everyone essentially family.

But the old Imperial Physician Wen suddenly said fiercely, “I have a needle that can render a person impotent for ten years. Henceforth, anyone who dares to upset my Tinglan must endure it!”

Jiang Wang silently closed his mouth.

“Right, what connection did you just say we have?” old Imperial Physician Wen asked.

Jiang Wang’s face was all smiles. “I was saying that from now on, we can be considered to have connections. To know Divine Doctor Wen today and witness your marvelous medical skills, Jiang Wang is truly blessed three lifetimes over!”

Old Imperial Physician Wen pointed at him with his index finger and laughed. “This child, truly speaks his mind!”

Let it end quickly… Jiang Wang thought to himself.

His mouth, however, was still laughing. “To speak honestly is to be sincere!”

Old Imperial Physician Wen had already mixed the medicinal powders. He flicked his finger, and that sharp red needle, a *chi* long, appeared again, suspended above the jade bowl. A single drop of red blood dripped into the green jade bowl, and upon contact with the medicinal powders, instantly transformed into a bowl of milky white medicinal liquid.

It was unexpectedly fragrant!

Old Imperial Physician Wen casually tossed the jade bowl towards the bathing pool. The jade bowl then suspended above the green jade pool, and the milky white medicinal liquid cascaded down like a waterfall, mixing with the hot spring water in the green jade pool.

It became clear, transparent, and the fragrance, too, became ethereal, as if present and yet absent.

The old Imperial Physician waved his hand, retrieving the jade bowl, closed the medicine box, stood up, and said, “Good. Go and enjoy your Heaven Bath.”

Jiang Wang exhaled, just about to step into the green jade pool.

Old Imperial Physician Wen suddenly turned back and said, “Rest assured, no impotence-inducing drug has been added.”

Then he swaggered away,

This time, he truly left.

Only Jiang Junye stood at the edge of the green jade pool… his mood chaotic.

For a moment, he did not know whether or not he should go down.