Snikt.
A small blade opened a cut across the back of Lu Changsheng's hand.
Yet no blood flowed.
Under his conscious control, the wound not only remained bloodless, but also began to heal rapidly. The skin and flesh knit back together in moments, seamless and whole.
In the end, the wound vanished without a trace, leaving behind not the slightest hint that it had ever been there.
"Flesh and blood inherently possess a certain degree of healing capacity."
"Martial artists below the Divine Strength Realm cannot use their conscious intent to actively direct flesh to grow and mend, which is why wounds leave scars."
"If there were a medicine that could stimulate flesh to rapidly grow and heal, wouldn't it accomplish the same thing—leaving behind no scars at all?"
Lu Changsheng's eyes lit up as the idea took shape.
In theory, it was entirely feasible.
Numerous medicinal herbs came to mind, but he would have to test them one by one.
Thus, over the following days, Lu Changsheng busied himself testing various ingredients.
In the blink of an eye, more than a month passed.
"It's done!"
One day, a faint smile appeared on Lu Changsheng's face.
On the table before him sat a verdant ointment with a texture like jelly.
It appeared to be concocted from many finely ground medicinal ingredients.
Lu Changsheng named it "Scarless Ointment."
Formulated from twenty-one different medicinal herbs, Scarless Ointment accelerated the growth of flesh—though strictly on the surface level of the skin.
While it offered some regenerative benefit to deeper muscle and flesh, the effect was modest. After all, a medicine capable of truly mending deep flesh in an instant would be nothing short of a miracle elixir.
With Scarless Ointment successfully developed, Lu Changsheng immediately summoned Lu Yang and Zhang Xuan.
During this time, although Lu Changsheng had devoted most of his energy to perfecting the ointment, he had not neglected their martial training.
Naturally, he taught them only rudimentary Strengthening Blood Realm techniques.
Both possessed decent martial talent; having already sensed their qi and blood, they were steadily nurturing it.
"Lu Yang, Zhang Xuan, starting today, spread the word throughout the Four Seas Gang: tell them I can treat wounds without leaving scars."
"Treat wounds without leaving scars?"
The two stared blankly for a moment.
Lu Changsheng had been occupied day and night, and neither of them had known what he was working on. Now it seemed he had been researching a way to heal injuries scar-free.
"Rest assured, Physician, we will definitely spread the word!"
The pair hurried out to advertise.
Before long, a patient arrived.
It was a man suffering from a blade wound that ran in a long, continuous gash from the back of his hand up along his arm. It had already been bandaged with medicine applied.
"Physician Lu, I heard you can heal wounds without leaving scars?" the man asked.
"Indeed. Would you like to try?"
"Try? Of course! An injury like this isn't much to speak of, but carrying such a long scar would look terribly unsightly."
The man readily agreed.
Lu Changsheng promptly unwound the bandage, thoroughly cleaned the wound, and applied a fresh layer of Scarless Ointment.
A soothing coolness instantly washed over the man's arm.
"Yours is merely a superficial injury, so it will heal very quickly. You should see the results in a few days," Lu Changsheng said.
"Then many thanks, Physician Lu."
The man sounded half-skeptical.
Afterward, more people trickled in, all hoping to avoid scars. Quite a few came in this first wave, each carrying the mindset of giving it a shot.
A few days later, many discovered their wounds had completely vanished, leaving behind not a single mark.
In an instant, Lu Changsheng's reputation soared!
As patients grew increasingly numerous, the merits he earned multiplied as well.
One day, someone of peculiar status entered his consultation room.
It was a young woman clad in black. Her features were exquisite, but her expression remained aloof and cold.
Lu Changsheng glanced at her and asked calmly, "Where are you injured?"
From the moment she stepped inside, she had been quietly observing him.
After a brief silence, she said, "It isn't quite convenient here."
Lu Changsheng understood and led her into the inner chamber behind the consultation room.
After a moment's hesitation, the woman slowly loosened her clothes.
Across her abdomen, back, and other areas were numerous scars. Though long healed, the markings looked savage and terrifying.
Her skin was fine and fair, and her face was delicately beautiful; from her outward appearance alone, one could never have guessed that her body bore so many horrific scars.
"Physician Lu, is there any way to remove these scars of mine?" she asked.
Lu Changsheng pondered for a moment before answering, "There is a way, but I will likely have to cut open the skin along each scar and reapply the Scarless Ointment. Only then is it possible to clear them away."
"However, it will be very painful. Do you require Mafei Powder?"
A flicker of anticipation flashed in her eyes. Gritting her teeth, she said, "No need for Mafei Powder. Begin."
With that, she closed her eyes.
Without hesitation, Lu Changsheng took up a sharp blade and began carefully incising the skin along her old scars.
She had many scars. As each was opened, cold sweat beaded across her forehead from the agony, yet she clenched her teeth and endured without making a sound, revealing remarkable fortitude.
Lu Changsheng worked for roughly two hours before finally dressing every wound with Scarless Ointment.
"It is done. In a few days, once the wounds have fully healed, the scars should be gone," Lu Changsheng said.
The woman opened her eyes and exhaled a long breath of relief.
She dressed herself and bowed deeply to Lu Changsheng.
"My name is Xu Ling. I may have to disturb you again in the future, Physician Lu, so please bear with me."
"However, if you have any need, Physician Lu, you may also send someone to find me."
With those words, Xu Ling turned and left the consultation room.
Lu Changsheng sensed that this Xu Ling was no ordinary member and likely held a significant position within the Four Seas Gang.
He called Zhang Xuan in to ask about her.
"Zhang Xuan, that woman just now introduced herself as Xu Ling. Do you know of her?"
Zhang Xuan started slightly. "Xu Ling? Could she be Xu Ling, the vice hall master of the Dark Hall? Physician Lu, her background is far from simple—in fact, it's quite complicated. You had better not associate with her too closely."
"What do you mean?"
"Aside from being the vice hall master of the Dark Hall, Xu Ling is the daughter of the previous gang master. The current gang master wasn't the predecessor's designated heir; he climbed to power through underhanded schemes. Consequently, while the gang master maintains an affectionate facade toward Xu Ling in public, he makes things difficult for her behind the scenes."
Lu Changsheng understood.
As the former gang master's daughter, Xu Ling was more or less a latent threat to the current leader. After all, the previous gang master had maintained countless connections. As long as Xu Ling lived, those network ties would rally behind her, naturally drawing the current gang master's wariness.
Anyone who grew too close to her would inevitably fall under his suspicion.
No wonder a woman had been reassigned to the Dark Hall.
The Dark Hall was hardly an enviable assignment. It specialized in undercover operations, assassinations, intelligence gathering, and secretly handling the Four Seas Gang's rivals—underhanded, dirty work that drew deep resentment.
Still, Lu Changsheng paid it no mind.
He was merely a physician, and Xu Ling was nothing more than a patient. There was little between them beyond that.
A few days later, Xu Ling returned.
This time, she was freshly wounded. Her thigh bore a deep laceration, drenched in blood and gruesome to behold.
Yet it was only a flesh wound that had spared the bone, so it was not truly severe.
A few days after that, Xu Ling came back again.
This was the third time.
Only this time, the wound was on her face.
Lu Changsheng could not help but ask, "Is the Dark Hall truly so perilous?"
At this rate of suffering injuries every few days, who could endure it? To survive even half a year would be a stroke of sheer fortune.
Xu Ling glanced at him, fell into brief contemplation, and then said, "I am doing this to earn merits so I can exchange them for a Blood Exchange Pill."
"Physician Lu, I have heard about your trouble as well. You offended Chen Yan, whose elder brother is Chen Shan. Neither brother is known for being generous or forgiving, so you must remain cautious."
"If I am not mistaken, you must also be a Refining Organs martial artist, Physician Lu. If you accrue enough merits, you can attempt to trade for a Blood Exchange Pill. It allows for an immediate single blood exchange—such pills are rare treasures that can only be encountered by luck, never sought on demand."
Having said her piece, Xu Ling took her leave.
"A Blood Exchange Pill that grants an immediate single blood exchange?"
Lu Changsheng began to understand why so many people had been getting injured lately. Most were likely throwing themselves into danger to pile up merits and claim a Blood Exchange Pill.
However, Lu Changsheng was already a Divine Strength Realm martial artist; he had no need for one.
Even so, he was quite intrigued by the pill itself.
He had once consumed a Blood Exchange Bead, but a bead was fundamentally different from a pill. A Blood Exchange Pill could be concocted, whereas a Blood Exchange Bead was a naturally occurring curio.
"Zhang Xuan, look into the matter of the Four Seas Gang's Blood Exchange Pills over the next few days."
"Understood, Physician."
Zhang Xuan was sharp and quick-witted, making him well suited for gathering intelligence.
The very next day, Zhang Xuan returned with information.
"Physician, the Four Seas Gang does indeed possess some Blood Exchange Pills recently. Word is that the gang paid a massive price to invite an immortal master to concoct them."
"Because of that, every Refining Organs Realm martial artist in the gang is putting their life on the line to accumulate merits, all hoping to trade for a single Blood Exchange Pill."
Lu Changsheng snapped his head up.
"Wait. An immortal master? What kind of immortal master?"
"You didn't know, Physician Lu? It's said that over a decade ago, an immortal master arrived in Zhanhai City under the moniker Immortal Master Shangyuan. He established a sanctuary known as the Shangyuan Daoist Sanctuary, located in the northern district of the city."
"Immortal Master Shangyuan excels in alchemy. Many of the finest quality pills in Zhanhai City were concocted by his hands."
This appeared to be common knowledge throughout Zhanhai City.
Yet Lu Changsheng was an outsider and naturally had no inkling of it.
Even on his previous visit to Zhanhai City, he had focused entirely on comprehending the Ocean Wave Conception and had stayed for only a short time, never hearing about this "Immortal Master Shangyuan."
"Alchemy?"
Lu Changsheng found himself thoroughly intrigued.
"I will take tomorrow off. No consultations."
He made his decision.
Early the following morning, Lu Changsheng left the Four Seas Gang and headed straight to the Shangyuan Daoist Sanctuary in the north of the city.
Sure enough, an imposing, magnificent sanctuary met his eyes.
However, a long queue stretched outside the sanctuary gates. A brief inquiry revealed that these people were all seeking an audience with Immortal Master Shangyuan.
Yet the immortal master refused them all without exception.
Unless an applicant possessed specific items sought by Immortal Master Shangyuan, he would not grant an audience.
The items he desired were publicly posted by the Shangyuan Daoist Sanctuary, but their names were utterly unfamiliar. To make identification easier, the sanctuary had provided detailed illustrations of each object.
Anyone who brought one of these items could meet the immortal master.
Unfortunately, Lu Changsheng possessed not a single one.
"Time to head back."
Lu Changsheng promptly turned and returned to the Four Seas Gang.
"An immortal master... I wonder if he is the sort of immortal master I imagine?"
Lu Changsheng fell into contemplation.
With memories from two lifetimes, the word "immortal" naturally stirred endless associations. Yet he would have to meet the man in person and question him directly to learn the truth.
Still, without the items the immortal master sought, an audience was out of the question.
Forget Lu Changsheng—even the master of the Four Seas Gang would be turned away empty-handed without what the immortal master required.
Furthermore, a colossus like the Four Seas Gang dared not offend Immortal Master Shangyuan in the slightest, which proved the master was far from simple. Otherwise, an organization like the Four Seas Gang would hardly treat him with such deference.
For them to show such respect, his strength had to be so formidable that even the Four Seas Gang could not afford to cross him.
Lu Changsheng had initially considered slipping into the Shangyuan Daoist Sanctuary under the guise of "Dao Twelve" under cover of night. But on second thought, he decided against taking the risk.
The Four Seas Gang had no shortage of Divine Strength Realm martial artists, yet none dared provoke the sanctuary. If Lu Changsheng rashly barged inside, who knew what consequences might await him?
"No rush. It's better to learn more about Immortal Master Shangyuan and his sanctuary first."
Lu Changsheng set his mind at ease.
Several days later, Xu Ling returned once more.
Though she was wounded again, her face beamed with high spirits, her delight plain to see.
"Hall Master Xu, did you obtain a Blood Exchange Pill?" Lu Changsheng asked.
"Fortune was on my side; I secured one."
"By the way, Chen Shan obtained one as well. With his foundation, there is a strong chance he will use this single blood exchange to break through into the Divine Strength Realm!"
"Even so, rest assured, Physician Lu. I will also attempt to charge into the Divine Strength Realm this time. If I succeed, I will certainly shield you so Chen Shan won't dare act rashly."
Xu Ling spoke with solemn earnestness.
To others, Lu Changsheng might have seemed an ordinary physician, but to Xu Ling, he was entirely different. By clearing away every scar across her body, he had effectively untied a deep knot in her heart. For a woman, calling it a second lease on life was no exaggeration in the least.
Naturally, she felt immense gratitude toward him.
"Then I offer my thanks to Hall Master Xu."
Xu Ling departed the consultation room, well pleased.
"Chen Shan?"
Lu Changsheng shook his head. Whether Chen Shan broke through to the Divine Strength Realm or not was of no concern to him.
If Chen Shan achieved Divine Strength and truly tried to push him around, Lu Changsheng would not mind letting "Dao Twelve" walk the jianghu once more to sever Chen Shan's head.
A trivial matter.
Time slipped by, and another month passed.
Lu Changsheng's reputation as a "divine doctor" gradually spread far and wide.
In truth, he had merely earned immense renown through the Scarless Ointment, which rumors had embellished until he was hailed as a miraculous healer. Even dignitaries and nobility throughout Zhanhai City concocted every possible pretext to visit the Four Seas Gang just to have Lu Changsheng attend to their injuries.
Meanwhile, his master Wu Jing had practiced medicine his entire life, saving countless lives, yet had only ever been hailed as a "famous physician." Compared to Wu Jing's lifelong deeds, a mere Scarless Ointment was not even worth mentioning. Yet now, Lu Changsheng had become a "divine doctor."
Still, it made earning merits vastly easier.
In little over two months, Lu Changsheng had already gathered a substantial hoard of merits.
"The merits deducted for killing Chen Yan's apprentices have been fully paid off, with plenty to spare. I can go exchange them for some martial arts techniques."
One of Lu Changsheng's original reasons for joining the Four Seas Gang had been to acquire martial techniques.
With that in mind, Lu Changsheng headed straight toward the Four Seas Gang's Martial Building.
Chapter 99