However, Du Heng paid no mind to any of this and asked directly, "Professor Ding, you just mentioned that ’kidney opens at the ears’ because during fetal development, the kidneys and ears develop from the same neural system."

"That’s right. When I first learned about this, I was quite shocked. But for the sake of rigor, I didn’t simply believe it because of one report."

"After that, I contacted several top Gynecological Hospitals in the Capital, reviewed a large amount of material on fetal development and Neurology, and even sought advice from experts in Obstetrics and Pediatrics in the Capital before I became convinced."

Professor Ding proudly looked down at Du Heng from the stage.

What are resources? What is background? This is it!

However, Du Heng just chuckled lightly and continued to ask, "In the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, it’s said that ’kidney opens at the ears.’ This means that generally, in cases of non-organic lesions—such as tinnitus, hearing loss, deafness, and earaches—we can carefully consider focusing on kidney essence and kidney qi. The aim is to treat ear problems by treating the kidney."

"Yes, that’s correct." Professor Ding smiled in agreement with Du Heng. However, her smile, combined with her expression, seemed a bit condescending.

"So, according to your theory just now, Professor Ding, treating the kidney to treat ear problems is because they both belong to the same neural system?"

Professor Ding’s smile faded slightly; she felt that something was off. This didn’t seem like a question, but rather the beginning of an interrogation.

However, she couldn’t figure out what Du Heng was getting at, so she could only maintain her smile and say, "Yes, that’s the reason."

"If that’s the case, during the first stage of fetal development, it’s just a fertilized egg. In the first cycle of development, the first three months, the fertilized egg undergoes multiple divisions to form a cell mass. Part of this becomes an embryo, and another part forms neural tissue."

Du Heng stared intently at Professor Ding and said, word by word, "This means that all the neural tissues of a fetus, or a person, originate from the same cell mass. So, according to your theory, Professor Ding, if they originate from the same cell mass, can ear diseases be treated not only through the kidney but also through other organs like the heart, liver, spleen, and stomach?"

As soon as Du Heng finished speaking, the Academic Affairs Director, who was sitting in the front row on the side, quickly turned his head and whispered, "Xiao Du, let’s discuss this later, offstage."

Du Heng was about to shake his head in refusal when, unexpectedly, the Dean—who had glared at him earlier—suddenly said with indifference, "What’s there to discuss later? Now is a good time. Questions should be resolved on the spot; that’s the proper attitude towards scholarship. Xiao Du, continue asking what you think. Don’t mind anyone else."

Hearing this, Du Heng immediately felt immensely pleased and couldn’t help but grin at the Dean.

Unfortunately, however, the Dean didn’t turn to look at him this time. Instead, he maintained his smile and continued to watch the stage.

At this moment, Professor Ding Yuxue on stage no longer wore a smile. Her guess had been correct: Du Heng was deliberately trying to cause trouble.

However, while she had encountered such provocateurs at other schools before—though rarely—none had ever caused any significant trouble.

"Doctor Du, your understanding is incorrect." Professor Ding Yuxue’s smile returned, though it was less kind than before. "During fetal development, the nervous systems related to the ears and kidneys develop concurrently. Their neural development is not the same as that of other visceral organs."

Du Heng gave a slight smile. It seemed as if Professor Ding had answered his question, but in reality, she hadn’t answered anything and had instead sidestepped the core of his inquiry.

So Du Heng asked again, "Indeed, these nerves are not the same, but they all originate from the same cell mass. Therefore, based on your theory, Professor Ding, can treating other visceral organs also cure ear problems? In other words, can ailments of the other features also be resolved by treating the other five viscera?"

Professor Ding Yuxue looked down at the Institute’s leadership, but the group, headed by the Dean, all smiled and looked up at the stage.

Who was Du Heng? They had a good idea.

If Professor Ding Yuxue had just given her lecture properly, everyone would have happily played along. But now that Du Heng was openly raising questions, it clearly indicated the issue was not insignificant.

Those seated below were new students from their School. If her reputation led these students to develop misguided notions, it would undoubtedly cause problems.

Therefore, when choosing between a local Star Doctor with a seemingly secure position and a visiting teacher from a distant, unrelated place, they could still discern who held more weight.

Seeing that the Institute leadership below remained unmoved, Professor Ding Yuxue dropped her smile and said coldly, "Perhaps Doctor Du is unfamiliar with the process of fetal development. We can discuss this issue after you’ve gained a better understanding."

Her wishful thinking was that once this lecture concluded and she returned to the Capital, who would Du Heng even be? Just a minor teacher from a medical Institute in some remote mountain area. There was no need for her to contend with him, was there?