C1 Leader of Flowing Cloud Abbey

Early in the morning at Ashen Cloud Mountain, within the Flowing Cloud Abbey, Qin Tian, clad in a navy blue Daoist robe, was immersed in painting within his study. He was crafting a Mountain and River Diagram, depicting lush trees and lifelike rivers, a piece that even contemporary master painters would struggle to rival.

Suddenly, a Taoist boy hurried in and announced, "Temple Master, the Chairman of the North Country has come seeking medicine. He's gravely ill, barely clinging to life."

Upon hearing this, Qin Tian set his brush aside and instructed, "Fetch a Soul Returning Pill from the Spirit Medicine Pavilion for him. Charge him a hundred million, and remind him that if the North Country ever covets Dragon Country again, his demise is certain."

"As you command," the Taoist boy replied, bowing before exiting the study.

Before Qin Tian could resume his painting, another Taoist boy burst in, his face etched with urgency. "Temple Master, the Shrine's Shadow has arrived. He's grievously wounded after an assassination attempt on a West Country dignitary and is teetering on the brink of death."

Without hesitation, Qin Tian responded, "The Shrine's members are known for their patriotism. Give him a Spirit Yuan Pill, and there's no need to charge him."

With a dismissive wave, Qin Tian indicated that the boy could leave.

Moments later, a third Taoist boy entered the study, not to request medicine but to deliver a purple envelope.

"Master has actually instructed me to descend the mountain and marry. Ah, it seems he has found the Water Spirit Bead and the Pure Yin Body. This is indeed worth a journey."

After perusing the letter, Qin Tian's previously furrowed brow smoothed out. He then extracted a dragon-shaped jade pendant from the envelope, the token of his impending nuptials.

Qin Tian often spoke of his master, the renowned Medicine Saint, Mad Taoist. Five years prior, they had attended a medical convention together. On their return, they were ambushed, resulting in Qin Tian being afflicted with a fire toxin.

Despite their exceptional medical prowess, the toxin remained beyond their ability to cure.

Whenever the fire toxin erupted, Qin Tian felt as though he was engulfed in flames, enduring unbearable agony.

Initially, the fire toxin would flare up only once every six months, but now the intervals had halved, thanks to Qin Tian's inner strength suppressing it.

To eradicate the fire toxin completely, Qin Tian needed to unite with a woman possessing a pure Yin constitution. The Water Spirit Bead served as a catalyst, which she had to ingest beforehand.

Three years prior, the Mad Taoist had entrusted the leadership of the Flowing Cloud Abbey to Qin Tian and descended Ashen Cloud Mountain to seek these two items. At last, there was promising news.

"Relay my instructions: I will no longer attend to any patients. Have my Martial Nephew Ling Zhi assume the role of Temple Master in my stead. I must make a trip down the mountain."

Having instructed the Taoist boy, Qin Tian retreated to his bedroom to change into a simple set of casual attire.

Yet, before he could leave his chambers, a commotion erupted in the courtyard, followed swiftly by a battered Taoist boy rushing in.

"Abbey Master, you said you wouldn't see any more patients, but a girl has arrived demanding to be seen by you personally. I attempted to stop her, but she gave me this beating. Please, Abbey Master, you must uphold justice for me."

The young Taoist boy looked pitiful, prompting a slight furrow in Qin Tian's brow.

"Let's see what's happening outside."

Since Qin Tian had assumed the role of Abbey Master, no one had dared to make trouble within the Flowing Cloud Abbey.

With that, Qin Tian led the way out, the Taoist boy trailing behind him.

In the courtyard stood several individuals, with a young woman in her early twenties at the forefront.

Her ear-length hair framed a pale complexion, and her crescent-shaped eyes sparkled with intelligence.

Even out of uniform, her striking presence was captivating.

Behind her were four muscular men in snug attire, one of whom was pushing a wheelchair. Seated in the wheelchair was a septuagenarian, his complexion deathly pale, clearly in the grips of a terminal illness.

He wore a breathing mask and clutched a palm-sized respirator, which tirelessly supplied him with oxygen.

Despite this, the old man's breaths were shallow and rapid, punctuated by violent coughs that expelled mouthfuls of blood-tinged sputum.

This group was encircled by a band of young Taoist boys, yet they remained utterly composed. It was evident that they were all skilled in martial arts, with the young woman at the forefront particularly standing out.

"Was it you who injured my Taoist boy?" Qin Tian asked, his voice cool and detached. The girl met his gaze and let out a contemptuous snort. "If you get in my way, you'll end up just like him."

"Summon the master of your abbey to treat my grandfather's illness. If he's treated with anything less than the utmost care, I won't hesitate to dismantle this place."

Contrary to the typical image of an abbey master as an elderly man with a white beard, Qin Tian was roughly the same age as the girl, which led her to underestimate him, not recognizing him as the famed healer of legend.

The girl was bristling with aggression, but Qin Tian simply smiled, glanced at the elderly man, and calmly stated, "He's in the final stages of lung cancer, which has spread to his liver and kidneys. At most, he has one month left."

His voice was soft, yet every word was heard clearly by those around him. The girl and the muscular men with her were visibly taken aback, as Qin Tian's diagnosis was spot-on.

Just one look was all it took for him to identify the illness, confirming that the young man before them was indeed Godly Doctor Qin.

"Then please, treat my grandfather immediately. Money is no object. But if you fail to cure him, don't expect me to be gracious," the girl pleaded, her eyes alight with urgency.

Qin Tian, however, let out a cold laugh and retorted, "Given your demeanor, I have no interest in offering a diagnosis. Apologize to him, and then you're free to go."

His gaze never wavered from the girl, his tone utterly impassive.

At his words, the girl's expression turned stormy. She fixed Qin Tian with a steely look and declared, "I'm giving you one last chance to treat my grandfather. If you refuse, this abbey will have outlived its usefulness."

As she spoke, a subtle aura of menace emanated from her. Qin Tian's brow furrowed slightly as he responded, "I am under no obligation to treat your grandfather, and his fate is of no concern to me."

Had she approached him with humility, Qin Tian might have been inclined to offer a medicinal pill to prolong the old man's life.

But faced with her brazenness, Qin Tian was not one to yield to threats.

"You were given a chance to walk away with dignity, but you refused. Now, I'll make sure you regret it."

Her gaze sharpened, and in the next instant, the girl's foot slammed into the ground, propelling her toward Qin Tian like a bolt from a crossbow.

With her fist clenched and trailing a whistling wind, she aimed a blow straight at Qin Tian's face.

"So, you've got the guts to start a fight here because your internal strength has reached the beginner's level."

Qin Tian's lips quirked in a slight smile, showing no sign of evasion. Just as the girl's fist neared his face, he lifted his hand and, with a speed invisible to the naked eye, slapped her incoming fist.

Struck by Qin Tian's palm, the girl recoiled as if electrocuted, her arm snapping back as she staggered in retreat.

It took her more than a dozen steps to regain her footing. Then, with a swift motion, she drew a pistol and aimed its dark barrel directly at Qin Tian's head.