The Hot Springs Palace was located on the eastern side of the entire Qi Emperor’s palace, and under normal circumstances, it was a place only for the royal family to enjoy.

Ever since the present Emperor took power, he partitioned half of the pools specifically for rewarding meritorious officials as an expression of his gratitude.

This time, the three participants of the Yellow River Gathering were indulging in the "Heavenly Bath," which was the highest rank of the spring at the Hot Springs Palace, not to mention the quality of the medicinal herbs used.

Fortunately, there were three separate pools for the "Heavenly Bath," catering to different cultivation levels and physiques, so the potency of the medicine prescribed by the Imperial Medical Bureau would not be the same for everyone. It had to be tailored specifically to the individual.

Otherwise, sharing the bath with Ji Zhaonan and Zhongxuan Zun... would indeed be somewhat awkward.

The three prodigies of the nation had met early outside the Hot Springs Palace, with little to say to each other.

Jiang Wang was not acquainted with Ji Zhaonan, they merely nodded to each other in greeting and had nothing more to say.

As for Zhongxuan Zun, confrontation was inevitable sooner or later. After understanding what had happened during the period of study at Under Jixuegong, upon meeting again, Zhongxuan Zun was not overtly hostile but was no longer as proactive and friendly.

As for Ji Zhaonan and Zhongxuan Zun... they did not seem to get along very well either, treating each other as if they did not exist.

Probably the only upside was that all three individuals were quite able to stay focused; they stood still, able to cultivate in peace. Thus, it wasn’t too unbearable.

It wasn’t until a young eunuch from the Hot Springs Palace came to lead them away individually that Jiang Wang finally felt a bit more at ease.

The "Heavenly Bath" involved nothing indelicate. A young eunuch led Jiang Wang to a pool constructed of azure jade, then bowed and left.

There was an old man with a white beard sitting at a desk by the pool waiting.

He seemed to be a man of swift action. Upon seeing Jiang Wang, he opened his needle pouch and said directly, "We’ll need a drop of fresh blood from a male of Green Sheep Town."

Inside the needle pouch lay a sequence of needles of varying lengths and colors – their purpose enigmatic, which sent shivers down one’s spine.

However, Jiang Wang knew about drawing blood, as the eunuch had already informed him of the procedure. The physician was to examine his blood and, based on the condition of his body, concoct a tailored medicinal solution.

In the past three days at Xia Shan Villa, Jiang Wang had been bathing in incense and medicinal concoctions daily, but naturally, this could not compare to the facilities of the Hot Springs Palace; at best, it was just a warm-up.

Since he was already there, Jiang Wang didn’t question further and sat down opposite the old man, extending his right hand.

With a dry and slightly cold left hand, the old man grasped Jiang Wang’s hand, while his right hand hesitated above the needle pouch, seemingly uncertain about which needle to select.

He began to make casual conversation. "I heard that a few days ago, a man from Qingyang Town struck a patient at the Imperial Medical Bureau?"

Jiang Wang’s heart skipped a beat. It was then he noticed the old man had quite a firm grip – he tried to pull his hand away, but couldn’t...

"How could that be?" Jiang Wang forced a smile, "I just went to visit my friend to express my concern."

The old man lifted his eyelids slightly. "Oh, a friend."

"Yes, that’s right..." Jiang Wang, sweating bullets, watched as the old man pulled out a red acupunctural needle a foot long from the clearly shallow needle pouch—Heaven knows how such a long needle could fit in there!

"Just one drop of blood, right?" Lord Jiang confirmed again.

The white-bearded old man focused on Jiang Wang’s hand as if looking for the right place to insert the needle, his head not lifting. "How do you define one drop?"

Jiang Wang: ...

"I was wrong!" Jiang Wang sincerely apologized, "I promise I won’t cause any more trouble at the Imperial Medical Bureau from now on."

"Tsk!" The white-bearded old man said, "What are you nervous about? At my age, do you think I would bully you youngsters?"

That foot-long red needle lightly tapped Jiang Wang’s finger, vanished without any pain into the old man’s hand.

Not feeling any pain was the most terrifying part.

With Jiang Wang’s current level of cultivation, to have a drop of blood taken from him right before his eyes without him feeling it spoke volumes about the old man’s strength...

Once the old man released his firm grip, Jiang Wang silently withdrew his hand and couldn’t help but ask, "May I know the old sir’s esteemed surname?"

The old master glanced at him. "What, thinking of going back to call a bunch of your riff-raff friends to block this old man’s door? Are young people these days so fierce? I’m getting on in years..."

"How could that be..." Jiang Wang mopped his brow. "I just think that the old master is highly skilled in medicine and I wanted to establish a good connection."

The white-bearded old master, not known from where, brought out a medicine chest and placed it on the long table. After opening it, he began to take out different medicinal powders and put them into a green jade bowl.

Meanwhile, he said, "Oh, my surname is Lei."

Jiang Wang sprang up at once.

So that was why this old master was giving off a vibe like someone named Lei! They were related! That wouldn’t do! He absolutely had to change to a different physician!

"Fooled you!" The old master laughed like a child. "My surname is Wen."

"Oh, Physician Wen." Jiang Wang let out a small sigh of relief.

The old master squinted his eyes while blending the medicinal powders and casually asked, "This surname of mine, you shouldn’t know many people with it, right?"

"Not many," Jiang Wang honestly replied. "I only know one Miss with the surname Wen."

The old master shook the jade bowl in his hand and said indifferently, "Wen Tinglan, you would have to call me Third Grandfather."

Now they were getting somewhere!

Jiang Wang was delighted, his expression warming, "Actually, we do have some connections!"

He had intended to mention how well he got along with Yan Fu, who was Wen Tinglan’s fiancé, which by extension meant that everyone was family.

But Physician Wen suddenly said harshly, "I have a needle that can ensure someone remains impotent for ten years. In the future, whoever dares to make my Ting Lan unhappy, I will certainly require them to try it!"

Jiang Wang silently closed his mouth.

"Right, what were you saying about our connection?" asked Physician Wen.

Jiang Wang, smiling lightly, "What I meant was, from now on, we could say we have a connection. Having the privilege to meet you, Physician Wen, and witness your superb medical skill, Jiang Wang is truly fortunate!"

Physician Wen tapped him with his index finger, smiling, "This kid speaks the truth!"

Please let this end soon... Jiang Wang thought.

But he said with a laugh, "Speak honestly, live sincerely, right?"

Physician Wen had finished preparing the medicinal powder. Flipping his hand, that one-foot-long red-tipped needle appeared again, suspended above the jade bowl. A drop of blood fell from the needle into the bowl, turning into a milky-white medicinal liquid upon contact with the medicinal powder.

Surprisingly fragrant!

Physician Wen nonchalantly tossed the green jade bowl towards the direction of the bath, and it hovered above the green jade pool. The milky-white medicinal liquid cascaded down like a waterfall, mixing with the water in the jade pool.

It became clear and translucent, and the fragrance became subtle, wafting indistinctly.

The old physician beckoned the jade bowl back, closed the medicine chest, and stood up, "There you go. Go enjoy your heavenly bath."

Jiang Wang breathed a sigh of relief, just about to step into the jade pool.

Suddenly, Physician Wen turned back, "Don’t worry, there’s no impotence drug in there."

And then he left with a swagger,

This time, he really left.

And there stood Lord Jiang, by the edge of the green jade pool... his feelings in turmoil.

Unsure whether he should get in or not.