Top-tier Unruly Master

Even in his dreams, Tian Mao never could have imagined such an ending to the situation.

A Martial Artist of Human Level Fifth Grade, had his right arm severed by Ding Fan, and left in a sorry state. Tian Mao couldn't hide his astonishment. After all, how old was Ding Fan now? Barely twenty-two or twenty-three, at most. Despite his young age, he possessed such an abnormal movement technique and such formidable cultivation.

Tian Mao glanced at Ding Fan nearby. Although he wasn't clear on the exact level of Ding Fan's cultivation, one thing was certain—Ding Fan's cultivation was definitely higher than his own. That meant the young man in front of him was either at the Human Level Peak or possessed the cultivation of an Earth Level Expert...

If only Ding Fan were given some time to reach his own age...

With this thought, a gleam of admiration flashed across Tian Mao's eyes. If Ding Fan did reach his own age, then perhaps he might have the potential to break through to the legendary Heavenly Level...

Martial Artists of the Heavenly Order were the stuff of legends among Ancient Martial Warriors; to this day, they had only heard about Heavenly Level Martial Artists but had never actually seen one.

"My issues are taken care of. Did you need something from me?" Having dealt with Song Guotao and Qian Jun, Ding Fan spoke to Tian Mao, who was still lost in thought.

Tian Mao, prompted by Ding Fan's question, managed to collect his thoughts. "Ding Fan... I came here this time for the Four Symbols Divine Prescription."

Perhaps because of the shocks that Ding Fan had previously given Tian Mao, he felt somewhat uneasy as he spoke.

Such a feeling of discomfort hadn't been experienced by him in many years.

"Four Symbols Divine Prescription?" Ding Fan was taken aback.

Tian Mao nodded, and then recounted Ding Fan's actions of picking out medicinal herbs at the pharmacy, and how he deduced that they might very well make up the Four Symbols Divine Prescription.

"Ding Fan, I'm obsessed with medicine on usual days. I studied the Four Symbols Divine Prescription without your permission; please, don't take offense..." Tian Mao was quite earnest in his admission.

The Four Symbols Divine Prescription was a precious and legendary medicinal recipe. Ding Fan went to their pharmacy to collect medicine, yet Tian Mao had brazenly researched it—something he indeed felt was improper.

Ding Fan, however, waved his hand dismissively. While the Four Symbols Divine Prescription was an extremely valuable recipe on Earth, in the Cultivation World, it was merely a common fitness and body-strengthening formula, so he really didn't mind.

What was unexpected for Ding Fan was that such a recipe existed on Earth; this further confirmed the past presence of cultivators on Earth.

"Now that you have obtained the Four Symbols Divine Prescription, is there anything else?" Ding Fan asked, looking at Tian Mao.

"I've tried refining the prescription several times, but I always feel like something is missing, so I came for your advice..."

As soon as Tian Mao spoke, Ding Fan understood what he meant.

Although the ingredients in the Four Symbols Divine Prescription were not unusual, every medicinal herb had to be kneaded with True Qi. Especially the Sirius Herb—if True Qi wasn't kneaded into the very essence of the herb, the medicinal properties would disrupt the effectiveness of the entire Four Symbols Divine Prescription.

Ding Fan knew without asking that Tian Mao must have not performed this step correctly, which caused the issues.

"The Sirius Herbal belongs to cold properties, while the rest of the ingredients are warm. If you want to fully integrate the Sirius Herb into the prescription, you must use your Inner Strength to knead the Sirius for three days and three nights..."

Tian Mao was not a foolish man; if he were, he certainly wouldn't be known as a living fossil of Huaxia traditional medicine. Now with just a single hint from Ding Fan, he instantly understood.

"I see, so I need to use Inner Strength to neutralize the cold property..." Tian Mao said, suddenly understanding.

"If there's nothing else, I'm leaving," Ding Fan stated indifferently.

"Ding Fan..." Tian Mao saw Ding Fan was about to leave and hurriedly stopped him. "I feel a kindred spirit in you, young friend. I wonder if you'd do me the honor of joining me for a meal..."

Ding Fan was slightly surprised; he certainly hadn't expected Tian Mao to invite him for a meal.

Ding Fan did have a favorable impression of Tian Mao since the latter had helped him before. "Alright then..."

Tian Mao's face lit up with joy at the response.

If others had witnessed this scene, they would never believe their eyes. They would probably even envy Ding Fan to death.

After all, Tian Mao was highly esteemed in Huaxia's field of traditional medicine. Countless dignitaries sought opportunities to invite Tian Mao to dine, let alone have him invite others.

Following this, Ding Fan accompanied Tian Mao to a restaurant.

The name of the restaurant was quite modest, Kexiang Residence.

The restaurant had only two floors, and its overall architectural style resembled the taverns of the Jiangnan water towns during the Ming and Qing dynasties. As Ding Fan entered, the interior decorations were very elegant—calligraphy, paintings, antiques—it truly seemed like a place where literati and scholars would be entertained.

Thereupon, Tian Mao picked a private room by the window. After the two men sat down, Tian Mao proceeded to order some drinks and dishes.

"Young friend Ding Fan, because of our Huaxia traditional medicine's heritage, we have an ingrained system of sects... passing down only to males and not females, and only within the family but not outside. Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, through the Republic era, Huaxia has experienced turmoil, and many treasures of traditional medicine have been lost...

Today, for you to so openly share the Four Symbols Divine Prescription with me, it truly reflects your magnanimity..."

After the two of them sat down, Tian Mao exchanged some pleasantries before he sighed and spoke.

Ding Fan nodded in understanding. He was aware of the situation with traditional Chinese medicine; due to a lack of inheritance, many precious medical formulas had been lost. Ding Fan had once read a report stating that the best practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine was now in Japan... This was simply a mockery of China's treasured medical heritage...

Tian Mao continued, "Young friend Ding Fan, your contributions to the Four Symbols Divine Prescription alone are immeasurable... Here, I toast you."

Tian Mao's toast was sincerely offered. Knowing that others in his place certainly wouldn't share details about the Four Symbols Divine Prescription as casually as Ding Fan did. Most people would probably try to make money off it.

Ding Fan raised his glass and drank it down without any pretense.

As for the Four Symbols Divine Prescription, Ding Fan didn't really care much about it; after all, even if he shared the prescription, there were very few who could actually refine it. Tian Mao was currently at Human Level Fifth Grade, and he could just barely manage the refinement.

"My young friend, what do you currently do for work?" After some more casual conversation, Tian Mao asked.

Ding Fan smiled. "At the moment, I am unemployed..."

The term "unemployed" was something Ding Fan had learned recently, but it fit him quite well.

Previously, with Qin Manshu's help, Ding Fan had started working at Qin's Group, but after only a few days, he had been chased down by killers. Up until now, wasn't he still unemployed?

"Oh?" Tian Mao's eyes brightened. "You're really unemployed?"

"Indeed, I am unemployed."

"My Zongfang Hall actually needs a physician. Would you be interested?" Fearing that Ding Fan might decline, Tian Mao quickly added, "You would only need to come a few times a year to see patients. There's no need to come every day."

Ding Fan pondered for a moment. "I still have some unfinished business, so I cannot give you an answer right now. If I truly need a job, I'll come to you."

Ding Fan would indeed be busy for a while; he needed to visit Heavenly Pool near Honggang City, where he had discovered an Azure Flame Beast. Once Lin Yanxi's condition improved, he planned to check out Heavenly Pool.

After Heavenly Pool, Ding Fan had to take a trip to Yanjing.

Back at Changan Ridge, Ding Fan had promised to visit Ye Ningqing on her birthday. Since he had given his word, he naturally intended to keep it. Therefore, Ding Fan truly wasn't able to give Tian Mao an immediate response.

Tian Mao had his own reasons for wanting to hire Ding Fan as a special consultant physician.

In Tian Mao's view, Ding Fan was bound for great things, and it wouldn't be long before he made a name for himself throughout Kyushu.

If you wait until someone like him shines before trying to flatter him, it will be too late. Such a person should be befriended before his rise to prominence, securing oneself a strong ally...

Seeing that Ding Fan did not give a definite response, Tian Mao did not show any disappointment. After all, it was not easy to enlist someone of Ding Fan's caliber.

Tian Mao had decided that during this time, he would provide all the help he could to Ding Fan. As long as Ding Fan remembered this gesture of goodwill, the future rewards could be immense...

Ding ding ding... At this moment, there came a rush of urgent knocking on the private room's door.

Ding Fan extended his Divine Sense and saw that he didn't recognize the person knocking.

"Come in," Ding Fan said indifferently.

"Brother Fan, I'm from Brother Zhunxing's crew; Brother Zhunxing is in trouble..." The visitor said, gasping for breath.

Zhunxing?! Last time, Zhunxing and Scar had come to assassinate him, but afterward, they had joined his side. When dealing with Huang Jian recently, it was Zhunxing who had taken action. Ding Fan appreciated Zhunxing's shrewdness and meticulousness.

Now hearing that Zhunxing was in trouble, Ding Fan's brow furrowed.

Zhunxing was his man, and Ding Fan had one particular flaw: he was fiercely protective of his own.

His people could only be dealt with by him, no one else!

"Elder Tian, I have urgent matters to attend to and must take my leave," Ding Fan said as he stood up slowly. "Another time, it will be my treat."

"Although I am old, Ding Fan, I may still be able to help if I come along..." Tian Mao stood up, his face showing sincerity.

Ding Fan looked at Tian Mao and saw determination in his expression. He could tell that even if he didn't invite Tian Mao along, the elder would have insisted on following anyway.

"Alright, let's go together then," Ding Fan said.