Seated at the banquet, Luo Ren and his six disciples took their places below. They deliberately left the main seat empty, insisting that Li Xuan occupy the upper position.
After a round of toasts, Luo Ren began to probe indirectly, naturally inquiring about Li Xuan's origins and the source of his medical skills. Li Xuan responded with a mixture of truth and falsehood to Luo Ren's questions.
"Senior Li, where did you acquire this pill you hold? Such a pill must be sold in pharmacies in those bustling metropolises, I presume?" Luo Ren asked curiously after toasting Li Xuan.
Upon hearing this, Li Xuan couldn't help but smile faintly. Luo Ren still harbored some lingering desire regarding his pills. However, Li Xuan no longer held such a strong prejudice against Luo Ren. He spoke, "If I were to say that I refined this pill myself, would you believe me?"
Luo Ren and his six disciples were all taken aback by this statement, their expressions soon shifting to shock.
"Senior Li is truly a master. To be able to refine such a pill. It seems my addressing you as 'Senior' is indeed fitting," Luo Ren said with a sigh of relief, as if he had realized something.
"These are just simple pills, all that I can refine at present. I dare not accept the title of 'Senior.' Well, thank you for your hospitality today. I, Li Xuan, will take my leave now." Li Xuan smiled, then stood up, heading towards the door.
Seeing this, Luo Ren also stood up. Gritting his teeth, he quickly called out, "Senior Li, please wait."
Li Xuan turned around, looking at Luo Ren with a hint of surprise, and asked, "Is there something else?"
"Senior Li, how many more of these pills do you have on you, the same kind you gave me earlier?" Luo Ren asked.
"You mean the Qi Boosting Pill? I refined a total of ten Qi Boosting Pills. Besides the one I gave you, there are nine left," Li Xuan replied after some thought.
Luo Ren was overjoyed upon hearing this. He excitedly approached Li Xuan and asked, "Senior Li, how would you like to trade for these Qi Boosting Pills? Could I have six of them?"
"Doctor Luo, one pill is sufficient for your body; taking more will not provide any additional benefit. May I ask why you need six Qi Boosting Pills?" Li Xuan asked, looking at Luo Ren with curiosity.
"Senior Li, to be frank, the reason why my pharmacy is the only one in Posuo City is because of an agreement I have with the City Lord. The terms of this agreement are that I must provide the City Lord with herbs that can rapidly heal injuries and enhance strength."
"The deadline is approaching, but I have scoured every herb within a radius of tens of miles around Posuo City and have found nothing that meets the requirements."
"Furthermore, if I fail to fulfill the agreement by tomorrow, I fear the City Lord's displeasure will result in my pharmacy being shut down." Luo Ren sighed helplessly and spoke slowly.
"So, what you said before about knowing the City Lord was true. But what do the City Lord and his people need these for? And you mentioned the deadline is approaching, does that mean tomorrow?" Li Xuan was surprised.
Based on his senses, the City Lord of Posuo City possessed the strength of the Immortal Realm. It seemed unlikely they would need such herbs for cultivation unless they had sustained injuries.
"Precisely. Otherwise, I wouldn't have the audacity to ask Senior Li. Of course, rest assured, you only need to name your price, and I, Luo, will do my utmost to provide it," Luo Ren nodded, looking at Li Xuan with anticipation.
Li Xuan smiled, pondered for a moment, then said, "It's not impossible for me to give you these Qi Boosting Pills. But as you know, refining these things consumes a great deal of time and effort. How about this: tomorrow, you bring me to meet the City Lord?"
"Of course, I will give you the six Qi Boosting Pills beforehand, and I won't mention that I refined them. My purpose in going is simply to meet our City Lord of Posuo City and become acquainted. Doctor Luo, what do you say?"
Luo Ren, who had a hint of worry on his face, felt a slight relief upon hearing Li Xuan's subsequent words and quickly nodded, saying, "Of course. Senior Li, shall I come to your residence tomorrow morning to pick you up?"
"Hmm, I'll come here instead. Rest assured, I, Li Xuan, will keep my word. Doctor Luo, farewell." Li Xuan turned and walked out.
Watching Li Xuan depart, Luo Ren slowly sat down with a sense of relief.
"Master, even if we fulfill the City Lord's request this time, we likely won't be able to satisfy him next year. The herbs within a hundred-mile radius of Posuo City are already scarce, and our harvesting over the past few years has made it even more so. If Senior Li also leaves, won't our pharmacy be finished?" a disciple sitting beside Luo Ren said with a dejected expression after Li Xuan left. The other five disciples also lowered their heads, a hint of helplessness flickering in their eyes.
Luo Ren sighed and replied, "I know all this, but we have no other options at present. While there are many herbs in Hidden Mist Mountain, the ferocious birds and beasts within are not something you few can handle."
"Therefore, I have decided to take Senior Li as my master and have him guide me in refining these Qi Boosting Pills. In the future, you can all study medicine with peace of mind, without having to laboriously search for those herbs."
"What! Master, Li Xuan looks no older than twenty-eight or twenty-nine. How can you take him as your master!"
"Indeed, Master! Even though Li Xuan can refine herbs into pills, it doesn't mean his medical skills surpass yours!"
"Master, if you become Li Xuan's disciple, won't we have to call him Grand-Master?"
"..."
As soon as Luo Ren finished speaking, his six disciples began to chatter, each expressing a degree of rejection.
Luo Ren waved his hand and said, "In our world, there exists a kind of human race that surpasses ordinary mortals. We call them Spirit Masters."
"Among Spirit Masters, seniority is not determined by age. As long as your strength is formidable, even if you are only thirty or forty years old, you can command the respect of those who have lived for decades or even centuries."
"'The capable are respected' – this saying is perfectly applicable to us healers. Li Xuan, at such a young age, can refine pills. His talent is such that even I, at my peak, could not hope to match it. And as for his medical skills, you all know the answer deep down."
"When Senior Li and I simultaneously examined patients, with nearly the same number of cases, and I had you six as my assistants, we finished at the same time. You all know the disparity involved, but perhaps you were hesitant to admit it out of concern for my reputation."
Luo Ren paused for a moment, then stood up and said, "Alright, my mind is made up. For your sake, and to alleviate some of my past guilt, I must take this disciple."
"Master..."
Listening to the conversation between Luo Ren and his six disciples from his hidden position outside the house, Li Xuan was momentarily stunned, then smiled slightly.
It seemed Luo Ren had truly repented. As for Luo Ren's intention to become his disciple, Li Xuan pondered for a moment, then smiled and walked into the night.