Zhang Yanquan continued, "However, in the few days I’ve been here, I’ve performed acupuncture on him several times, needling points like Guanyuan and Qi Sea to stimulate the latent Primordial Qi in Elder Wu’s Dantian. The effects have been mediocre at best."

"Moreover, this method of stimulating potential cannot be used indefinitely. After all, Elder Wu is getting on in years. Overstimulation is like draining a pond to catch fish; it will instead deplete his fundamental essence and harm his body."

"It is precisely for this reason,"

He looked at Li Xu and said frankly, "that I was so excited when I heard from Zhu Quanxin that Elder Cheng’s notes had resurfaced. I rushed over hoping to find some inspiration in my grandmaster’s notes, to see if I could find a more effective method. Unfortunately... although Elder Cheng’s notes do record some exquisite methods for treating asthma, they are mostly things I had already learned back in the day. I didn’t find anything new."

After he finished speaking, the atmosphere at the dinner table immediately grew heavy.

Even two top experts like Dean Zhang and Professor Gao were at a loss, which showed just how difficult the situation was.

Li Xu had been listening quietly from the side without saying a word.

But just then, Professor Gao suddenly turned his gaze to Li Xu.

He smiled and said, "Dean Zhang, Old Qian, since we old folks don’t have any good ideas, why don’t we let our young friend here give it a try?"

As soon as he said this, both Dean Zhang and Director Qian were taken aback.

’Is he kidding?’

They subconsciously looked at Li Xu.

Although Li Xu had produced Elder Cheng’s notes and had some insights into acupuncture...

...in their eyes, Li Xu was still far too young, with shallow clinical experience.

Dean Zhang knew better than anyone just how complex and dangerous Elder Wu’s illness was.

He had been immersed in the art of medicine for decades and still felt helpless; what could Li Xu possibly do?

Director Qian also felt that Professor Gao’s suggestion was a bit rash.

Li Xu’s acupuncture might be impressive, capable of even treating snake venom...

...but it relied heavily on the techniques from the notes, falling into the category of "Exotic Techniques."

Elder Wu’s illness, however, required the "King’s Way" of medicine—profound, comprehensive, and built on a deep understanding of the human body’s complex mechanisms.

In his opinion,

Li Xu’s overall skill level was definitely no match for Dean Zhang’s.

’If even Dean Zhang can’t cure him, how could Li Xu possibly succeed?’

Professor Gao saw the doubt written all over their faces and chuckled.

"You two, you shouldn’t underestimate Li Xu."

He took a sip of tea and said slowly, "Don’t be fooled by his youth. His skill is extraordinary. Sometimes, even I feel humbled by comparison."

He began to list Li Xu’s "accomplishments" as if they were family treasures:

"The Clearing Qi and Stabilizing Blood Formula researched by Jinmen University was partly his achievement, and he cured a patient in Feng City with a severe case of ascites from liver cirrhosis..."

"This summer, I had a patient with severe anorexia. I was completely at a loss, but Li Xu ended up curing them..."

"Also, he’s treated Rushing Pig Qi and removed a bone from someone’s throat... He even has his own unique and highly effective treatment plans for mental illnesses, like depression."

Professor Gao looked at Li Xu, his eyes filled with gratification. "Though Li Xu is nominally here to study under me, I know in my heart that we are both teachers and friends to each other. I taught him the Liang’s Pulse Diagnosis Method, and in return, he has given me a great deal of inspiration. I can say with confidence that, to a certain extent, Li Xu’s ability to treat some illnesses is already on par with my own."

"Huh?"

Gao Guanghui’s words left Dean Zhang and Director Qian utterly astonished. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Especially Dean Zhang.

He had thought Li Xu had simply chanced upon Elder Cheng’s notes...

...and learned a few acupuncture techniques from them.

He never expected that acupuncture was just a side skill.

Li Xu’s real strength lay in formulas.

But shock was one thing; deep down, Dean Zhang was still skeptical.

It was just... Li Xu was too young.

Chinese medicine is a discipline that requires time to settle and accumulate knowledge.

’No matter how skilled a young man in his twenties is, how high could his skill level possibly be?’

’Those previous cases... perhaps he was just lucky.’

’Besides, Elder Wu’s status is too distinguished. There’s no room for error.’

He couldn’t just let a young man "practice" on Elder Wu’s body.

’If Li Xu fails to cure him, it’s no big deal. But what if he uses the wrong method and makes Elder Wu’s condition even worse? As the one who recommended him, I would have to bear the responsibility.’

Thinking of this, he let out a dry laugh and changed the subject.

"Haha, Fellow Friend Li is truly a young hero. It really puts us old-timers to shame."

He praised Li Xu while saying, "How about this: I’ll mention it to Elder Wu when I get back and see what he thinks."

But he had already made up his mind not to mention a word about Li Xu when he saw Elder Wu tomorrow.

Li Xu didn’t think much of it and replied with a few humble pleasantries.

The topic was dropped.

The group continued their meal.

After dinner, everyone went their separate ways.

Li Xu returned to the dormitory arranged by the hospital.

Early the next morning, just as the sky was beginning to lighten, Li Xu woke up.

He habitually checked the newly refreshed intelligence.

[Today’s Intelligence: Treatment plan for Wu Yong’s asthma. Pathogenesis: Kidney failing to grasp qi, complicated by intertwined phlegm and blood stasis, with mixed cold and heat. Treatment method: Tonify the kidney to grasp qi, transform phlegm and dispel stasis, balance cold and heat. Core medication: Yabulu...]

’Yabulu?’

Seeing the word, Li Xu was stunned for a moment before it registered.

He had only ever seen scattered mentions of this name in some extremely obscure ancient collections of strange tales.

It was a "medicinal substance" that was almost legendary, shrouded in mystery and strangeness.

The Yuan Dynasty scholar Zhou Mi had recorded detailed descriptions of this strange object in his works, the *Continuation of Guixing Miscellaneous Knowledge* and the *Zhiyatao Miscellaneous Collection*.

He stated that, at the time, "Yabulu" was an exceptionally rare and precious item in the Central Plains.

Although it shared hallucinogenic and highly toxic properties with the Mandala Flower, they were two completely different plants.

This plant was brought to the Central Plains in ancient times from the Central Asia Region, from a place called Yuansha City in the "Hui Country," after a journey of thousands of miles.

This thing was incredibly poisonous.

The root of the plant closely resembled a human form, like a giant Ginseng magnified dozens or even hundreds of times, but it bore no botanical relation to Ginseng.

In the hinterlands of the Central Plains, there was no precise name for it. Based on its form and habits, it was generally referred to as "Corpse Ginseng" or "Ghost Ginseng."

The ancient Hui Country, however, called it— "Yabulu."

This thing grew exclusively in dark, damp, and foul-smelling soil.

Ancient tombs severely eroded by moisture or the bottoms of old riverbeds where silt had accumulated for years were ideal environments for its growth.

Its roots could penetrate many feet deep into the ground.

Though it was a plant, it possessed a brutal, animal-like nature.

It could slowly extend and retract its roots to strangle any human or animal that came near, absorbing their flesh and blood for sustenance, just like a massive, man-eating plant lurking underground.