When Felix entered the room, he noticed a pale-faced young man slumped over a table, fast asleep. Nearby, a middle-aged man was engrossed in a book,
seemingly unaware of Felix''s presence.
"Hello," Felix greeted, drawing the man''s attention.
The middle-aged man looked up, smiled, and stood. "Are you here to learn pill cultivation?"
Felix nodded. "Yes, I am."
"Prepare your silver needles," the man instructed.
Felix was not entirely sure why butplied without hesitation.
The man then woke the young man, who groggily grabbed a ss of water, took a sip, andy on a bed in the corner. "You have ten minutes to cure him. If you seed, you''ll pass the preliminary assessment. Otherwise, you''ll have to leave."
Felix approached the young man and immediately realized the issue. Though the man appeared healthy, his internal organs were rapidly deteriorating-a clear effect of whatever was in the water he had just consumed.
The symptoms were so severe that even a master healer would likely find themselves helpless. The test was indeed tough, just as Laura had warned him, and many would have already failed at this stage.
After carefully administering acupuncture, Felix sessfully treated the young man in seven minutes and 30 seconds. Of course, he had held back to avoid drawing too much attention.
He knew standing out too much in Martial City could attract trouble, whether from the Maximus family or powerful figures like the Grand Elder. Felix preferred to stay low-key, using the clinic as a front while discreetly working to increase his strength.
Laura had mentioned that Harmony Clinic valued talented individuals. However, Felix was not one to ce his trust in organizations.
If he encountered an enemy too powerful to handle or became a liability, Harmony Clinic would not hesitate to cut ties. With that in mind, he decided to prioritize caution above all else.
"Not bad—seven minutes and 30 seconds. You''ve passed the preliminary assessment. See that elevator over there? Go up to the fifth floor," the middle- aged man instructed.
"Thank you," Felix replied before heading to the elevator.
After Felix left, the young man stretched and yawned. "Do you think this guy has a real chance of seeding?"
"Hard to say," the older man admitted. "Pill cultivation and healing are rted, but they''re not the same. We haven''t found a better way to test aptitude over the years, so this is all we''ve got."
One thing that set Harmony Clinic apart was its strict neutrality. They did not care about a person''s background-even murderers or criminals could join as long as they followed the rules. As a result, no one had even asked Felix for his name or any personal details.
When the elevator doors opened on the fifth floor, Felix stepped into a spacious hall where another woman was waiting. She smiled and said, "Congrattions on passing the preliminary assessment! Please follow me."
She led him to a desk near a window, where an elderly woman sat with her eyes closed, seemingly deep in thought. After gesturing for Felix to sit, the beautiful woman left without saying another word.
The old woman opened her eyes,
and for a brief moment, they gleamed with a sharp, intimidating light. Felix''immediately recognized her as a True Blood Realm expert, a testament to Harmony Clinic''s formidable resources.
"Making it this far means you''ve got some talent," the old woman remarked, her voice calm butmanding. "This is the final stage. If you pass, you''ll be allowed to learn pill cultivation. Are you ready?"
"I''m ready," Felix replied confidently.
The old woman did not stand.
Instead, she gestured for Felix to sit across from her. "Before we begin, there are a few things you need to understand. Listen carefully, as this will help you make an informed decision-and ensure you have no reason to hide your true abilities."
Felix''s heart skipped a beat as he thought, "Hide my abilities? Did she notice
something? Did I slip up somehow?"