C6 Suspicion.

The Blood Tapeworm holds the 183rd spot on the Ancient Worm List. It thrives on blood, prefers darkness, and attaches to humans, feeding on their blood for sustenance.

Hsiao Rann gleaned this information about the Blood Tapeworm from the Pill Sovereign's memories. His face grew more somber, especially after reading the following passage about the creature.

"The Blood Tapeworm is intangible. Once it latches onto a person's meridians, it becomes impossible to dislodge. If someone is infested by the Blood Tapeworm, they must use elemental energy to extract it. Otherwise, if the tapeworm reaches the heart, death is certain."

Such a creature posed a real threat to human life.

Hsiao Rann observed the mark on the young girl's arm, his expression grave.

The ashen imprint on her arm led Hsiao Rann to conclude that the Blood Tapeworm had entered her body there. It had then traveled from her arm to her shoulder.

The disease was notoriously difficult to cure.

Had Hsiao Rann already concocted the Vitality Nurturing Pill and become a practitioner, he could have easily extracted a Blood Tapeworm. However, he had only inherited the Pill Sovereign Lineage and had not even begun the most fundamental practices of cultivation. The task of removing the Blood Tapeworm from Xiao'er's body was daunting.

Furrowing his brow, Hsiao Rann was lost in contemplation.

Everyone is drawn to beauty, and Hsiao Rann was no exception. Having identified the cause of the young girl's ailment, he was determined not to let her succumb to the Blood Tapeworm.

Xiao'er was already weakened by the obstruction in her meridians, often collapsing into unconsciousness without warning. If left untreated, she might indeed face a fatal outcome.

"Perhaps I'm mistaken. What if it's not the Blood Tapeworm?"

Hsiao Rann stepped away from the bed and approached Xiao'er, intent on examining the mark on her arm more closely to confirm her diagnosis. But as he bent over beside her bed, the ward's wooden door burst open, and a booming voice echoed through the room.

"Stop right there!"

"What do you think you're doing?"

Hsiao Rann looked up, startled. The elderly man who had departed moments ago had returned, his offspring in tow. They were glaring at him with visible anger.

"I mean no harm."

As the man in black approached from behind the onlookers, Hsiao Rann quickly raised his hands and stepped back from the young girl's hospital bed.

"I just wanted to check if there's still a chance to save her," Hsiao Rann explained, hoping to avoid any misinterpretation from those before him.

Yet, he hadn't anticipated that his very words would land him in deep trouble.

At Hsiao Rann's statement, the crowd's demeanor shifted to icy hostility, their eyes blazing with rage, some even advancing towards him.

"Are you casting a curse on Xiao'er?"

"You claim you want to treat Xiao'er? Don't bother with excuses. It's laughable. How do we know what you're truly up to?"

Those who remained still clearly harbored a strong dislike for Hsiao Rann.

"Why even bother talking to him? Just call the cops. His behavior earlier was downright sleazy. He's obviously up to no good with Xiao'er. A thug like him should be handed straight to the police."

"They're thinking of turning me over to the police?" Hsiao Rann thought, his expression chilling.

From the instant he laid eyes on the little girl in the bed, his sole intent had been to save Xiao'er. To be met with such suspicion infuriated him.

"You certainly live up to the reputation of a wealthy, noble family—so quick to act."

"Have you considered that by apprehending me, you might be sealing your daughter's fate? You're eliminating her chance at survival." Hsiao Rann's words were pointed and unambiguous.

Having diagnosed Xiao'er's ailment as the work of a Blood Tapeworm, Hsiao Rann knew that modern medicine stood no chance at extracting it. The only remedy was Vital Energy, and he might be the only person in the world capable of cultivating it successfully.

His bold proclamation, laced with conviction, left Xiao'er's family momentarily dumbfounded, wavering in their resolve.

They couldn't be certain whether Hsiao Rann's claims were truth or fiction.

After a tense few seconds of standoff, the previously silent elder finally spoke. Despite his dissatisfaction with Hsiao Rann, suspicion weighed more heavily on his mind.

"Do you truly know what ails Xiao'er?" he asked.

"Absolutely," Hsiao Rann replied, his voice brimming with confidence. He was aware that any hint of hesitation might lead them to carry out their earlier decision without mercy, handing him over to the police. And in that scenario, he would have no chance to defend himself.

Yet, as the group processed Hsiao Rann's confident response, impatience got the better of one individual before the elder could decide.

"The attending physician at the Provincial Hospital couldn't diagnose Xiao'er's condition. How could a mere student like him possess such extraordinary skill?" The challenger, a robust man in his thirties, was in the prime of his life, exuding youthful energy.

Hsiao Rann, however, paid him no mind, keeping his gaze fixed on the elder. He understood that among all present, only this elder had the authority to make the ultimate decision.

After a prolonged moment of contemplation, the elder reached a verdict. "The countryside is home to many hidden masters. I am not without reason. If you wish to argue your case, then prove yourself."

"Elder Gu will arrive shortly. If you can diagnose Xiao'er's condition before he gets here and earn his approval, you'll be free to go."

It was clear he still harbored doubts about Hsiao Rann.

Though slightly disheartened by the elder's lack of faith, Hsiao Rann empathized with his caution. Given the urgency with which the little girl had been brought to the hospital, it was evident she meant a great deal to the elder. His guarded stance was to be expected.

"Fine. I'll explain," Hsiao Rann said, nodding with self-assurance.

He then turned a calm gaze toward the skeptical crowd gathered behind the elder.

"This young girl's unconscious state is due to an obstruction of her Blood Qi."

"Those familiar with Traditional Chinese Medicine will understand that the human body is comprised of meridians. The girl's meridian pathways are blocked, preventing her Innate Vital Energy from circulating throughout her body, which is the root of her symptoms."

The explanation left everyone befuddled. They were not versed in medical knowledge and found the technical jargon incomprehensible. Indeed, even a competent practitioner of Chinese medicine might struggle to grasp the full meaning of Hsiao Rann's words.

"You're not a college student; you're a con artist, aren't you?"

The speaker was the same skeptic who had previously expressed strong doubts about Hsiao Rann. After listening to Hsiao Rann's explanation, his suspicions only deepened.

Clearly, he harbored a significant prejudice against Hsiao Rann.

Hsiao Rann's mood soured further at the man's words, his expression turning icy. Being doubted repeatedly would put anyone in a foul temper. But before he could respond, a flurry of disordered footsteps approached from outside the ward.

The door burst open, and an elderly man, clearly past his seventies or eighties, stumbled in, followed by a concerned entourage of doctors.

Elder Soong was taken aback by the sight of the old man who had rushed into the ward. He hurried over to greet him, exclaiming, "Elder Gu, what brings you here?"

Worry etched Elder Soong's face, which was also marked by deep respect for Elder Gu. It was evident that Elder Gu held a position of great esteem.

But Elder Gu paid no heed to Elder Soong, brushing aside his hands and brandishing a thick stack of papers. "I've finally pinpointed the cause of Xiao'er's illness! Since you handed me these documents, I've spent days poring over and analyzing the medical records. At last, I understand what caused Xiao'er's collapse!"

A hush fell over the ward as everyone awaited Elder Gu's revelation.

"Her meridians are obstructed, and her vital energy is depleted—that's what caused her fainting spell!" Elder Gu announced.

The room, Elder Soong included, was left in stunned silence. No one had anticipated that Elder Gu's diagnosis would mirror Hsiao Rann's exactly.

Undeterred by their astonishment, Elder Gu pressed on, "The lineage of Meridian Studies has nearly vanished from today's Traditional Medicine World. However, I was fortunate to uncover some leads in my master's notes."

Elder Gu's emotion was palpable, his face flushed with excitement.

Elder Soong addressed Elder Gu with frank concern, "Is her condition difficult to treat?"

For him, the priority wasn't just identifying Xiao'er's ailment, but finding a cure.

At Elder Soong's question, Elder Gu's fervor gave way to a grave demeanor.

"This condition is extremely challenging to treat."

"The legacy of meridian treatment is nearly extinct. If I attempt to heal her, it must be done incrementally, with no room for error. Innate Vital Energy is the essence of one's being; even the slightest damage to it can inflict severe harm on the body."

"Rest assured, though. Given the longstanding friendship between our families, I will take it upon myself to treat her this time."

Elder Gu would personally administer the treatment.

As soon as he spoke, astonishment was etched on the faces of every doctor in the room.

Elder Gu was a veritable cornerstone of the Traditional Medicine World. It was unexpected for him to agree to personally attend to the young girl's treatment.

Nevertheless, with Elder Gu's decision made, no one ventured to challenge it, and a hush once again descended upon the ward.

Yet, at this pivotal moment, an incongruous voice broke the silence. The skepticism in his tone startled everyone gathered.

"Her ailment isn't a result of meridian issues. Resorting to acupuncture will only hasten her demise!"