"Go on, say something." The village head urged. Since the young man had treated him, he was automatically his benefactor. Simon watched the men without a word, but slowly shook his head.
"He doesn't have anything to say. I don't know how two siblings can be so different from each other." Sandra cut in just as Simon was about to speak. She hid the smug look on her face. She'd been a bit scared when Simon treated the village head. But that had to be luck. Simon was an idiot. What did he know?
"Is that so? Then pardon us. We will sentence this young boy to death, this instant." Physician Parker declared.
He was the most infuriated. Earlier on, the boy had disregarded his identity, and spoke to him as he pleased. He was happy to teach him a lesson now.
"Explain what?" Simon asked, rolling his eyes. These people were obsessed with death.
"Don't you have any words to say for yourself? Do you understand the implications of stealing another physician's treatment method?" Edward sneered. A physician's treatment method was like a family heritage. It was to be kept a secret and to be used only by one's lineage. Even then, it had to be used with permission.
Simon sighed, and sat on the futon bed that the village head had been lying on moments ago. He couldn't be bothered to explain himself to these bunch of fools.
Guessing that Simon was afraid to defend himself, Clara pressed on. "To think that I cared for you as a brother. I wouldn't have minded if you'd mentioned that I was the owner of the treatment method. Perhaps, I would have begged you to be nominated too." Clara cried.
The hearts of the crowd went to her. Here was a wronged sister, yet she still had the welfare of her brother in mind. Such kindness.
Simon was getting bored. "Can I leave now?" He asked.
Enraged, one of the physicians struck his hand forward to hit Simon, but the boy calmly dodged.
"I was the one who treated the village head. Despite seeing that I was about to, Clara didn't come forward until I was done. Now, she claims she is the owner of the treatment method, and you all believe her. So slow-witted." He shook his head.
Qyler Zhu frowned. The young boy was right. Anyways, regardless of whether he stole the treatment method or not, the fact remained that he was the one who actually treated him. He'd still have to nominate him as one of the participants.
He waved his hand in an attempt to quiet down the crowd. "I thank you all for coming today to treat me," he turned towards the physicians and began. "But this young boy here is still my benefactor, and I still have to nominate him. But if the young lady is certain that she's the real owner of the treatment method, I can nominate her alongside." He decided.
The villagers nodded. That was also acceptable. Clara frowned. She thought that her actions would lead to great punishment for Simon, but it didn't work. She gritted her teeth in anger, but kept her expression neutral, and bowed. "Thank you, Village head."
Simon didn't mind. It wasn't his intention to go to Sanctum of Physicians, but resources were something he lacked at the moment. In order to strengthen himself, he needed to go to a place filled with cultivation energy. If the Sanctum of Physicians was such a place, he had no qualms in being nominated.
"Bring out the others," Qyler Zhu ordered the guards. Soon, sixteen youths were brought forward. They were the other nominees. They stood straight and proud, and couldn't help but eye Simon coldly. They'd seen how fast he'd treated the village head, and couldn't help but feel threatened. One of them went over to Simon.
"Hi, I'm Gabriel. Gabriel Zhao." He introduced, with a smile. He was a shaggy haired boy, and looked to be the same age as Simon. Seeing that the boy bore no ill will, and his eyes were clear, Simon shook his hands.
"Simon Wang." He replied.
"Only four participants will be selected. I know you'll surely clear the examination. I hope I do so too. Or will you give me pointers?" Gabriel asked hopefully. Simon chuckled.
"I could." He replied. They soon got to talking.
Another nominee went over to them. "Didn't you hear that he stole his sister's treatment method?" He hissed, eyeing Simon coldly. He was Gabriel's friend and was a bit jealous that he was speaking to Simon instead of him.
Gabriel shrugged. "I don't care."
Knowing that his friend wouldn't budge, the boy narrowed his eyes. "Well, I hope you don't embarrass yourself later on." Then he left.
"Alright, all nominees should acquaint themselves with each other. The elder from the Sanctum will be arriving soon." Qyler Zhu informed them. Then with a bright smile, he faced the physicians. "I have a banquet prepared for you all. Please, follow me." He was about to lead the way, when a loud gale filled the area. He squinted his eyes and looked up to see a winged beast flying down in their direction. Two figures leaped down, and placed their hands behind their backs.
"They are here." Qyler Zhu said with surprise. He wasn't expecting them so early. Nevertheless, he went over and bowed respectfully. In front of such experts, he dared not pull his weight.
"Where are the nominees?" The first man asked straightforwardly. He was the core elder of the academy— Elder Kelvin Liu. By his side was the elder who'd be personally assessing the nominees— Elder Jacob Xiong.
"They are here." He gestured at the eighteen youths who'd now lined up neatly. They bowed.
"Paying my respects to Elder Kelvin." The physicians stepped forward and bowed.
"Oh, you are here? Whatever for?" Elder Kelvin asked with a smile. The physicians were level two, just like him, and they were well acquainted with each other.
"We came to watch the examination." Edward replied. Telling him what'd happened would make them look inefficient. So, he used the examination as an excuse instead.
Elder Kelvin nodded.
"Alright! Listen up, everyone. The examination this year will be swift but efficient. You don't have to display your proficiency in medicine. If you can withstand three blows from Elder Jacob, that's a pass." Elder Kelvin stroked his beard, and turned to his partner. "You may begin."
Elder Jacob nodded, and stepped forward. "Who will go first?"
A boy jumped forward. Brandishing his sword, he drew his might forward. He was at cultivator one realm. He didn't withstand up to two blows, and was soon eliminated. Everyone's faces turned grim. The examination was surely hard. Another girl hesitantly stepped forward. She was defeated after two blows too.
Soon, six participants remained. At this moment, Clara spoke up. "To hide yourself at the back, are you that afraid of participating? If so, you can withdraw now." She pointed at Simon who was actually dozing off. From their point of view however, he was trembling.
Simon chuckled. "Afraid? Maybe I am afraid of defeating this man."
"What did you say?" Elder Jacob's mouth tightened.
"Old man, are you deaf?" He questioned. He stepped forward. "Let's test how strong you are then."
Hushed whispers filled the air. "I know he managed to treat the village head. But that only shows his proficiency in medicine. His actual strength shouldn't be more than cultivator one realm. To utter such arrogant words, isn't he afraid of being killed with a single slap?" Physician Parker whispered.
"Come." Elder Jacob harrumphed. If he didn't teach the boy a lesson, then he wasn't worthy of his position.
"I'm afraid you won't be able to withstand it. Make your move." Simon waved his hand leisurely. He truly looked unbothered. Roaring in anger, Elder Jacob swung his hand. He reined in a bit of his strength though. He didn't want to actually kill the boy. Teaching him a lesson was enough.
His hand struck the boy's face, and everyone looked forward to see the boy begging, but instead, they heard a loud clang like the elder's hand had met with steel instead. With a pale face, he spurted blood, and retreated a few steps away.
His eyes widened as if he'd seen a ghost. Even Elder Kelvin would be injured if he'd been in the boy's place. But not only was the boy fine, he was even able to injure him instead. Worse still, the boy hadn't actually made a move. He couldn't help but recall how the boy had said he didn't want to bully him earlier. His gaze was different when he looked at the boy once more.
"Who are you?" He whispered.
"I am Simon Wang." He replied nonchalantly.
The mouths of almost all the crowd were hung open. Almost too wide that eggs could be stuffed into them. Even Clara was trembling. When had her brother gained such great strength? She studied him. But he didn't actually seem different from before. Then, what had changed?
"Simon, you've cleared the examination with astounding might. Given your level, you're free to nominate someone else." Elder Kelvin smiled. He'd seen how his comrade had been injured from hitting the boy in front of them. If he were to make a move, wouldn't he kill them?
"Nominate?" He turned to the others. Clara was glaring at him.
"You owe me. Won't you nominate me?" Clara asked with a sweet smile. She'd seen how hard clearing the examination was. It'd be better if she could pass without exchanging blows with the elder. That useless brother of hers wouldn't dare go against her will.
Simon ignored her, and walked over to Gabriel. "He's the one I choose." He had a good impression of him. Despite knowing that he was being talked down by others, the boy had insisted on being friends with him. Simon always repaid favors. Good and bad.
"Alright, he has cleared the examination."
Elder Jacob soon recovered from his injury, and got back to testing the others. Soon, four people were selected. Somehow, Clara was among them.
"From now on, you all are disciples of our Sanctum of Physicians. We'll sleep over for the night, and head to the academy first thing tomorrow morning. You can take that time to say your goodbyes to your family and friends." Elder Kelvin announced.
The winners had glowing smiles on their faces. Except Simon of course. He didn't really care.
Clara came over with a sneer. "I don't know how you managed to heal the village head, and clear your examination. But I'm going to expose you soon. You're just a worthless son, and that is all you'll ever be." She hissed.
"Is that so? Yet, you tried to claim my treatment method for yourself?" Simon chuckled.
"Move out of my way." Clara ordered, seeing that some people were looking at them. In her hurry, she stumbled and fell. Infuriated, she glared at Simon.
"How dare you?"