Return of the Immortal Emperor Daddy-Chapter 279 - 281 Eye-catching Contestants

Wu Tian's group was highly conspicuous. There was Wu Tian, a gentleman of distinguished poise; the graceful figures of Qin Yuhan and Xia Qian; Murong Yezi and her captivating charm; Xiao Tianzan, with his handsome maturity; the elegant Xiao Liang; and the imposing Cui Chong. To say nothing of the little one, whose cuteness was universally adored.

They were like magnets, drawing everyone's gaze. Yet, such attention did not affect Wu Tian, whose heart remained calm. Very few things could disturb his inner poise.

Huangfu Jiusi approached, drawing the eyes of many women not only to Wu Tian's group but also to himself. These watchful eyes were precisely what he desired.

"Hello, you must be Wu Tian. Junior Brother Zhang Fengtian has mentioned you," Huangfu Jiusi said with a smile. He was only twenty-five; Zhang Fengtian was old enough to be his grandfather.

Still, Huangfu Jiusi called him Junior Brother. It couldn't be helped, since Zhang Fengtian had chosen to become his grandfather's disciple.

Wu Tian and the others had no intention of bothering with Huangfu Jiusi, who felt a bit awkward. He didn't care, though. The people around them couldn't hear their conversation, and all he cared about was whether their eyes were on him.

"The top three in this competition will be chosen from among my grandfather, you, and me. It's exciting, don't you think?" Huangfu Jiusi said to Wu Tian, unable to stop himself from talking despite the awkwardness. He was simply an impatient man.

When he wanted to speak, he spoke. When he wanted to be famous, he ran straight from his school in Longjing to Yang City.

Wu Tian shook his head with a disdainful smile. He had read their faces; neither Huangfu Huisheng nor Huangfu Jiusi had the look of a champion. The art of face-reading could predict the general outcome of a person's life, as well as events within the next seven days. It wasn't all-encompassing, but it was enough.

Wu Tian had also read the little one's face. The champion wouldn't be her either.

Then who will it be?

Heedless of the crowd's gazes or anything else, Wu Tian stood as serene as an old monk in deep meditation, quietly awaiting the start of the conference.

However, when Huangfu Jiusi, the not-too-distant Huangfu Huisheng, and Zhang Fengtian glanced his way, their gazes were as cold as venomous snakes itching to strike.

Wu Tian was getting annoyed. Should I just finish them off before the conference begins?

At that moment, Huangfu Jiusi could finally no longer contain himself. Not only was Wu Tian ignoring him, but even Xiao Liang, Cui Chong, and the others left him no room to interject. Whenever he tried to speak, they acted as if he wasn't even there.

Huangfu Jiusi lowered his voice, his lips moving as he leaned toward Wu Tian and whispered, "Look down on me all you want. After the conference, I will become an existence far beyond your reach."

After saying that, Huangfu Jiusi turned and left.

Wu Tian was speechless. He hadn't even planned to participate in this Divine Doctor Conference.

Is this man an idiot?

Finally, the crisp sound of a bell filled the air, announcing the official start of the conference. A voice boomed from the loudspeakers set up around the square, echoing across the entire venue. "I hereby announce that the Divine Doctor Conference has now officially begun!"

BOOM!

The venue erupted in cheers that seemed to shake the Nine Heavens!

Murong Yezi's body shuddered. She could never forget that voice. Wu Fa? No, it couldn't be. If he returned to Yang City, why wouldn't he come to see me? She told herself the voice probably just resembled her husband's, but her heart remained filled with doubt.

The sonorous and authoritative voice once again carried from the loudspeakers. "Now, all participants, please enter the arena and take your places."

Enter the arena?

The arena was a wide-open space in the center of the square, where the audience could watch from all sides with a clear, unobstructed view. The physicians participating in the Divine Doctor Conference slowly made their way forward.

Xiao Tianzan had assumed Wu Tian would be competing and had specifically reserved a spot for him in advance. Now, it belonged to the little one. It was a special position at the very front, standing out like a crane among chickens, destined to be the focus of the entire event. It was like the front-row desk right next to the podium in a lecture hall. Good students naturally loved such a spot; bad students found it a headache.

The little one was not afraid.

The spots to the left and right of that special position were just as noticeable. They belonged to Huangfu Huisheng and Huangfu Jiusi, reserved by Huangfu Huisheng using his authority as the president of the Chinese Medicine Association.

Huangfu Jiusi's eyes were full of eager anticipation. He loved having others look at him; the more eyes on him, the happier he was.

As they all took their places, the little one hummed a tune and marched to her spot with a confident swagger.

The entire audience stared, their eyes wide.

The other physicians' eyes went wide, especially those of the nearest contestants: the grandfather-grandson duo of Huangfu Huisheng and Huangfu Jiusi.

What is going on? Wu Tian isn't competing? Why is this little girl taking his place? This has to be a joke, right?

But it was no joke. The little one now stood in the most eye-catching position of all.

In front of each physician was a high platform for their instruments and tools. The little one, perfectly calm and composed, took out her large jar and placed it on top.

The crowd watched the little girl with amazement. A normal child would have been flustered by so many stares. But the little one didn't mind. Go on and stare. It's not like I'll belong to you if you do, and you're definitely not as cute as me.

The judges also took their places on a high platform set before the physicians. Xiao Tianzan, Xiao Liang, Cui Chong, and Zhou Weimou were among them, all of whom were influential figures in the Southern Region.

"What impressive composure," Zhou Weimou praised, his eyes full of surprise as he watched the little one. "I wonder whose child she is."

Cui Chong, Xiao Liang, and Xiao Tianzan simply smiled without a word. Compared to the other judges' surprise, they were unfazed. As far as they were concerned, anything was possible for Wu Tian's daughter. If you were surprised, you were simply behind the times.

The organizers, Wu Fa and Wang Cai, were observing from atop a tall tower in Yang City. Wang Cai squinted, staring at the little girl in the center of the venue. After a moment of astonishment, she said, "I didn't expect your granddaughter would participate. I just wonder how good her medical technique is."

At such a young age, how good could her medical technique be?

Wu Fa simply sighed and said, "Regardless, she's my granddaughter. I think there's some hope she can make it into the top ten."

But his gaze lingered mostly on Murong Yezi in the crowd below. His eyes were filled with guilt.

Wang Cai noticed this, of course, but she didn't know what to say.

Suddenly, a physician discovered there were medicinal herbs underneath the high platform in front of him. What's more, a recipe was etched into the top of the platform.

One person noticed, then another, and soon every participant had made the same discovery.

The organizers hadn't specified the task for this round, but everyone now understood. The task was to follow the recipe etched on the platform and use the ingredients underneath it to create some kind of ointment, concoction, or potion. Presumably, whoever succeeded would be the victor.