With Ling Feng's current cultivation, his abilities had long surpassed what they were back when he healed Yue Zhonglian of the Cangqiong Sect.
Moreover, this time, he was merely infusing life force into the grand elder, not restoring his entire vitality diagram. The difficulty of these two tasks was on completely different levels.
Even so, when Ling Feng finally removed the last Regenerative Golden Needle, he was drenched in sweat. He raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, feeling utterly drained, almost to the point of physical exhaustion.
Ling Feng let out a deep breath and said slowly, "Alright, Grand Elder. With this treatment, I have extended your life essence by about a year."
At that moment, the grand elder's complexion indeed looked a bit rosier. Though he still appeared elderly, there was a hint of new vitality in his expression. It was as if a spark of life had returned to his body.
"I..." The grand elder gently moved his fingers. He felt a surge of energy within his body, as though he had regained the vitality he had lost ten years ago.
He moved his feet, attempting to stand.
Ling Feng quickly stepped forward, half-kneeling in front of the grand elder, and said to him through Covert Sound Transmission, "Grand Elder, please do not reveal that you have fully recovered just yet."
The grand elder's pupils shrank slightly as he glanced at Ling Feng in surprise. However, being wise from years of experience, he immediately slumped back into the chair, feigning weakness as he said, "Mr. Ling Feng, your medical skills are truly remarkable! I feel much better already."
Ling Feng smiled faintly. This old man is quite the actor!
Turning to Lay Practitioner Qingling, Ling Feng didn't say anything, but the mockery in his eyes was unmistakable.
"You!" Lay Practitioner Qingling grounded his teeth in frustration and snarled, "You're just a small man who got lucky! Hmph!"
The surrounding Tiance Clan members were all stunned, their eyes wide with disbelief.
Even after taking the Spirit Void Creation Pill in the past, the grand elder had never looked so energetic!
"This is... truly incredible."
"As expected of Master! He's amazing!"
Tuoba Cheng clenched his fists in excitement. If there was a prize for second-guessing after the fact, this guy would definitely win first place.
"Wow, that's really impressive!" Tuoba Yuer exclaimed in awe, covering her small mouth.
"Such a small matter. If he couldn’t handle this, how could he be worthy of being my little brother?" Said the despicable donkey, clearly unimpressed. Having seen Ling Feng's medical skills before, he wasn't surprised.
Tuoba Yuer looked at Ling Feng with her bright eyes, and then glanced at the despicable donkey, her eyes sparkling like little stars. "Wow, does that mean that you're even more amazing, donkey?"
"Of course! I, the divine beast, am..."
The despicable donkey started to puff up with pride, but then realized something and glared angrily at Tuoba Yuer. "Don't call me donkey!"
"But you are a donkey, aren't you?"
Veins bulged on the donkey's forehead as he snorted in annoyance. He then crossed his front hooves over his chest with a proud expression, refusing to engage with Tuoba Yuer any further.
"By the way, what kind of needles was Mr. Ling Feng using? They seemed different from ordinary golden needles."
"Perhaps they're special needles that only high-level physicians can use. Lay Practitioner Qingling certainly didn't use them earlier."
Some of the onlookers, sharp-eyed as they were, noticed that the needles Ling Feng used were not ordinary golden needles, and they began discussing it among themselves.
Hearing this, Lay Practitioner Qingling's face grew darker. Needles used by high-level physicians? Then what am I? A low-level physician?
The thought made his eyes flare with rage.
Suddenly, Lay Practitioner Qingling's pupils shrank as if he remembered something. He couldn't help but blurt out, "Could it be... boy, are the needles in your hand the legendary Regenerative Golden Needles?"
"Legendary?" Ling Feng shrugged. "Are Regenerative Golden Needles that rare? I only have a dozen or so."
Lay Practitioner Qingling's mouth twitched violently. These Regenerative Golden Needles are something every physician in the world dreams of but can never obtain. Yet this boy claims to have a dozen! "Hmph!"
Lay Practitioner Qingling was so frustrated he almost coughed up blood. He flicked his sleeve and, gritting his teeth, cupped his hands in a fist-and-palm salute towards the grand elder. "Since Grand Elder has recovered, I shall take my leave."
"Very well. Thank you for your efforts, Lay Practitioner," the grand elder replied weakly, leaning against the chair.
Lay Practitioner Qingling's eyes gleamed with calculation as he thought to himself: Although that boy managed to extend the grand elder's life essence by a year, in his current state, he surely cannot compete with Elder Hei Yu. Hehe!
With another bow, Lay Practitioner Qingling swept his sleeve and departed. As he passed by Ling Feng, he shot him a venomous glare, clearly seething with hatred towards the young man.
"Mr. Ling Feng, it seems we were too blind to recognize greatness earlier. Please forgive us for our ignorance!"
"Mr. Ling Feng, despite your youth, your medical skills are extraordinary. You’re truly a dragon among men. It’s no wonder you are the prophesied one destined to save our clan!"
Ling Feng couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. Aren't these the same people who just moments ago accused me of being arrogant and ignorant? Now they're falling over themselves to curry favor.
"I understand your concern," Ling Feng said with a polite smile. "But the grand elder still needs to rest. If possible, please refrain from disturbing his meditation for the time being."
Several senior clan members exchanged glances, clearly still uneasy about trusting an outsider like Ling Feng.
The grand elder waved his hand weakly. "Mr. Ling Feng, you and Tuoba Cheng stay."
The clan members looked at one another, but with the grand elder's command, they dared not disobey. After bowing respectfully, they all left the room.
"Donkey, donkey, how about we go out and play?"
Tuoba Yuer grabbed the despicable donkey's hoof and giggled.
"Ridiculous! I am a divine beast of great dignity. How could I possibly—"
Before he could finish, Tuoba Yuer had already dragged him along. Despite his protests, his body seemed quite willing. For a mighty demon emperor, if he truly didn't want to move, would a mere girl be able to pull him?
Ever since becoming the nanny of little Qiongqi, this despicable donkey had grown considerably more gentle.
Before long, everyone dispersed. Ling Feng was about to check if there were any eavesdroppers nearby when the grand elder chuckled. "Mr. Ling Feng, you need not worry. Everyone has left."
As he spoke, the grand elder moved his legs a little, and to Ling Feng's surprise, he actually stood up from his seat.
Although still appearing weak, he was a completely different person compared to the frail figure from moments before.
"Gr-Grand Elder..." Tuoba Cheng's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "How is this possible? You... Weren't you...?"
"That's a question for Mr. Ling Feng," the grand elder said with a smile, narrowing his eyes. "Mr. Ling Feng, care to explain why you asked me to continue feigning weakness?"
"I'm sure that with Grand Elder's wisdom, you don't need me to spell it out," Ling Feng responded with a smile.
"You suspect that Lay Practitioner Qingling intends to harm me?" The grand elder's voice turned serious.
Ling Feng's gaze sharpened as he replied firmly, "Not suspect. I'm certain of it!"