The Bigger Your Ambition, the More Thrilling the Stage

The next day.

Since it was the weekend and there were no classes, Yang Ming found some time to visit the infirmary and check on Tang San's condition.

"Yang Ming, wait for me!"

Yang Ming paused and turned around, only to see a lovely figure in red darting toward him like a flickering flame. His head immediately began to ache.

Xiao Wu was dressed all in red today, looking far livelier than usual. She skipped over to Yang Ming's side, her voice full of the resentment of a reader demanding an update.

"Yang Ming, you still haven't finished telling me the story of Dream of the Red Chamber. Where are you going now?"

"I'm going to visit my third brother."

"Then I'm coming too!"

"Oh, for heaven's sake, why are you following me?"

"I don't care. I'm following you!"

Seeing Yang Ming's helpless expression, Xiao Wu wrinkled her delicate nose and gave a smug little hum.

Left with no choice, Yang Ming brought this little burden along to the infirmary ward where Tang San was staying.

The moment he pushed open the door, a heavy medicinal smell rushed at him, thick and pungent.

Tang San lay on the hospital bed. Two people stood beside it: one was Grandmaster, while the other wore a Spirit Hall uniform. He looked unfamiliar, though he somewhat resembled Boss Xiao, whom Yang Ming had met before.

Yang Ming placed the fruit basket he had bought on the bedside table and looked at the Spirit Hall man in confusion.

"And this is?"

Seeing this, Grandmaster smiled and explained.

"This is Doctor Xiao from Spirit Hall. He is an auxiliary-type Soul Grandmaster and the most renowned physician in Notting City."

Notting City lay in a remote border region, where famous doctors were scarce. Finding a physician at the Soul Grandmaster level was already a stroke of immense luck.

Yang Ming suddenly understood. Doctor Xiao was likely from the Notting City lord's family as well, which explained why he resembled Boss Xiao. He then raised the pressing question that had brought him here.

"Doctor Xiao, how are my third brother's injuries?"

The instant Doctor Xiao saw Yang Ming, a sharp glint flashed through his eyes. With a smile that did not reach his eyes, he said,

"The patient's condition is far from good. He has a total of 208 injuries, and even his internal organs have suffered some damage. The poison has also seeped deep beneath his flesh. If he does not receive thorough treatment, he may become a cripple in the future. But with my abilities, curing him will take quite some time."

Yang Ming secretly clenched his fists, guilt rising in his heart.

Tang San had refused to submit to the enemy because of him, and that was why he had been tortured into this state.

"Doctor Xiao, please make sure you cure my third brother."

"Saving lives and treating the wounded is the duty of a physician." Doctor Xiao kept that false smile as he continued, "However, you should know that I am very busy. I cannot stay here every day to treat the patient, so..."

"Doctor Xiao, name your price." Yang Ming immediately cut him off, staring straight at him. "How much will it take for you to treat Tang San?"

Doctor Xiao raised his right hand and spread all five fingers.

"Fifty Gold Soul Coins?" Yang Ming asked doubtfully.

"No." Doctor Xiao looked at Yang Ming meaningfully. "Five thousand Gold Soul Coins."

"Doctor Xiao, that isn't the price you gave yesterday!" Grandmaster said urgently. "Yesterday, you said it would only take 200 Gold Soul Coins. Why has the price suddenly gone up?"

If it were only 200 or 500 Gold Soul Coins, Grandmaster could still afford it with his savings.

But this was 5,000 Gold Soul Coins!

One Gold Soul Coin was enough for an ordinary family to live on for several months. Ordinary Spirit Masters only received a subsidy of one Gold Soul Coin a month.

This was practically robbery!

Even for Grandmaster, coming up with such a huge sum would be extremely difficult.

Seeing the hidden meaning in Doctor Xiao's gaze, Yang Ming suddenly understood and said in a low voice,

"Is this your decision, or Bishop Beska's?"

"I like talking to smart people. A little hint is all it takes."

The corners of Doctor Xiao's lips curled up. Like a fisherman about to reel in a big catch, he said confidently,

"His Excellency the bishop gave orders.

As long as you agree to join his Sotto City Spirit Hall Main Hall, not only will yesterday's promise to you remain unchanged, but His Excellency will cover all of Tang San's medical expenses. On top of that, he will make an exception and take you as his student, teaching you how to become an outstanding Spirit Hall Spirit Master!" It had to be said that Bishop Beska had put considerable thought into recruiting Yang Ming.

An ordinary talented student might very well have yielded.

Unfortunately, Yang Ming would never join any major faction, especially an ambitious organization like Spirit Hall. He preferred to keep his distance from it.

With a sigh in his heart, Yang Ming cupped his fists and said,

"I appreciate Bishop Beska's kindness, but I have already made up my mind. For the time being, I have no intention of joining any organization."

Seeing this, Doctor Xiao stopped wasting words. His voice turned cold.

"Fine. Then let us conduct business fairly. If you want Tang San's injuries completely treated, I will need to use my Martial Soul abilities for thirty consecutive days. Pay me a 30% deposit first—that is, 1,500 Gold Soul Coins. I will treat Tang San for ten days. If you fail to pay the remainder after those ten days, then that would be most regrettable."

A faint sneer hung on Doctor Xiao's lips as he looked at Yang Ming as though he were an idiot.

Originally, Doctor Xiao had been willing to overlook Yang Ming's prank on his nephew, Boss Xiao, out of consideration for Bishop Beska's interest in Yang Ming. But since Yang Ming was determined to court death, he could not blame Doctor Xiao for kicking him while he was down.

"This..."

Grandmaster took out his purse and counted again and again. He only had 420 Gold Soul Coins, along with a few scattered Silver Soul Coins and Copper Soul Coins. It was nowhere near enough to pay the medical fees. His face filled with worry as he said,

"Doctor Xiao, could you give me a little more time for my sake? Just half a month will do. I will definitely gather enough money."

Grandmaster was already prepared to cast aside his pride and beg his family and old friends.

If he did that, he might truly be able to raise the money.

Yet Doctor Xiao turned hostile without warning. He shoved Grandmaster aside mercilessly and said coldly,

"Why should I do you a favor? Who do you think you are? You can't even afford the deposit, yet you want to hire me?"

After saying that, Doctor Xiao fixed Yang Ming with a cold stare and issued his final ultimatum.

"Now, I'll give you one last chance. Will you watch your good friend die before your eyes, or will you leave with me and join Spirit Hall?"

Grandmaster lowered his head in dejection and said nothing.

No matter how broad his knowledge was, it was useless at this moment.

A scholar was good for nothing when faced with reality!

Facing Doctor Xiao's relentless pressure, Yang Ming clasped his hands behind his back. As though he had gained some realization, he sighed.

"The bigger your ambition, the more thrilling the stage!"

After a brief pause, a sharp light burst from Yang Ming's eyes.

"A mere Spirit Hall Main Hall is nowhere near enough to contain this dragon!"