The mockery from outside the door rendered the Divine Doctor speechless.

Just when Shen Qiang thought that the Divine Doctor would storm off in anger, sleeves flapping with an air of arrogance, something astonishing happened.

The Divine Doctor's face alternated between pale and flushed as he suddenly fell to his knees before Shen Qiang and pleaded urgently, "Shen Qiang, I was wrong, I truly realize my mistake. I shouldn't have mocked you for being a chef, nor should I have derided your qualifications to join the ranks of medical practitioners."

"Because after examining the old lady, I now understand that you are the one who truly possesses divine-level medical skill, standing at the peak of medical expertise!"

"So I beg you, teach me, even if it's just a few pointers, I will be eternally grateful for your kindness!"

This scene unfolded before everyone's eyes.

All were astonished.

The sound of autumn rain was now accompanied by a buzzing of discussion.

"Hahaha, this is so damn funny, does this Divine Doctor have a problem in his head? Just now he was boasting about being a revered Divine Doctor and now he's kneeling before Shen Qiang, asking for advice—has he lost his mind?"

"Alas, if I were a doctor and I encountered someone capable of rejuvenating a dying elderly person, I would surely seek guidance as well."

"Indeed, we can't blame the Divine Doctor for being fickle. If anything is to blame, it's just that Shen Qiang's medical skill is too strong. He has grasped the mysteries of life. If you really learned that, it would be like becoming a god. Not just kneeling, if Shen Qiang were willing to teach me, I'd even offer my wife to him."

Amidst the crowd's discussion,

Shen Qiang shook his head with a smile, "Heshenghe does not accept mediocrity, and I personally do not take disciples. Moreover, don't think that by kneeling before me and presenting a wish to be guided, I would treat you with courtesy."

"Do you think that by this one act of kneeling, I could forget everything?"

"Do you think that by this one act of kneeling, I would no longer remember the hideous way you pressured me to reveal the Jiazi Pill formula?"

Looking at the Divine Doctor whose face turned red in an attempt to explain, Shen Qiang calmly said, "Leave now of your own volition, and I won't kill you, otherwise, I might change my mind and take care of you myself."

With that, Shen Qiang glanced at Bai Shiyi with a meaningful look and added, "I guess for someone like you who doesn't honor agreements, the Bai Family wouldn't mind either."

Upon hearing this, Bai Shiyi stood up, glared at Shen Qiang, then approached the Divine Doctor, pulled him up without a word, and then sighed, "Old Hu, you're also a renowned figure in the medical community of the Cultivation World. Why lower yourself like this?"

"Don't pull me, I want to become his disciple!"

As he held back the Divine Doctor still trying to kneel, Bai Shiyi said, "Forget it, Old Hu. You're not young anymore. It's better to rely on oneself than to ask others. With your solid foundation, study by yourself and you will eventually figure it out. It's getting late now; I'll have someone escort you. Go back for now, stabilize your emotions, and then come back another day."

With these words, several powerful members of the Bai Family entered from outside.

They were not as smiley as Bai Shiyi; though they spoke politely, they pushed and shoved the Divine Doctor and the others out.

Once they had gone far,

An elder in the living room was the first to speak, his eyes shining as he said, "Mr. Shen, you are young, but your medical expertise and alchemy skills are incredibly refined. May I ask, who is your esteemed master?"

Upon hearing the old patriarch of the Bai Family trying to fish for information,

Shen Qiang responded with a slight smile, "My master said that my level of cultivation is shallow, and my technique is crude. To have people know that I am his disciple would bring him shame, thus he has forbidden me from mentioning his esteemed name."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall exchanged curious glances.

"Mr. Shen, the pill you refined is so miraculous. If my master knew about it, he would definitely take pride in it. You really don't need to be so modest,"

Shen Qiang just smiled, not taking the bait.

After all, there wasn't much to say. He couldn't simply tell them that his teacher was the Medical Saint of the Central State in the Immortal Realm.

How could they verify it?

Besides, the Medical Saint didn't leave any superpower here for him to claim, so mentioning it would be nothing more than a laughing matter. It was better to say nothing and let them speculate as they wished.

At this moment, the elder lady laughed, holding Bai Jiao's hand, and said, "Shen Qiang, our Shiyi only has Jiaojiao as a daughter, so we're entrusting her to you as your Daoist couple. Our family will certainly miss her, so I have an unkind request to make. Please, you must agree."

"Mother, what are you talking about?" Bai Shiyi felt awkward.

But Shen Qiang just smiled faintly and said, "Please speak freely, elder lady."

The elder lady laughed and said, "After Jiaojiao follows you in search of the Dao, the boys she bears must carry the Bai surname and they must grow up in the Bai Family."

Shen Qiang was taken aback.

Bai Shiyi's eyes lit up, confidently saying, "Exactly, I have only one daughter, and her sons must bear the Bai surname to continue the lineage of our Bai Family."

Shen Qiang frowned slightly in displeasure, saying, "I bear the Shen surname."

Seeing Shen Qiang's unhappy expression, Bai Shiyi became furious, slamming the table with a bang and said sternly, "Shen Qiang, don't be ungrateful for the good fortune you're in. Our Bai Family was originally set on bringing in a son-in-law. For my mother's sake, if Bai Jiao follows you, then so be it, I won't obstruct. But you have to leave us an heir, don't you?"

Shen Qiang's brows shot up.

Before Shen Qiang could respond, an elder from the Bai Family who seemed about to escalate the tension sat next to Shen Qiang with a hearty laugh and said, "Family Head, please calm down, let's talk this out. Mr. Shen, there is an old saying in Huaxia, 'Every family has its own difficult scripture to chant,' and our Bai Family is no exception."

Glancing at Bai Shiyi and the elder lady who had not expressed their stance, the elder of the Bai Family said, "According to the tradition passed down by our ancestors, the Family Head of the Bai Family must come from the Bai main lineage, and in Jiaojiao's generation, there is only her in the main lineage."

"Therefore, according to the clan rules, she can only bring in a husband and cannot marry out. Additionally, if her child doesn't bear the Bai surname, then the next Family Head must be selected from other branches of the Bai Family."

"Think about it. No matter if the child bears the Bai or Shen surname, they will still call you 'father.' You won't need to worry about anything. Our Bai Family will provide them with the best education and the best living environment. One day, they might even ascend to the position of Family Head of the Bai Family."

"But if you insist on the surname issue and demand the child bear the Shen surname, then to ensure the Bai Family's stability and prosperity, we will do everything we can to separate you and Bai Jiao. We cannot allow Bai Jiao to leave the Bai Family."

"This concerns the Bai Family's legacy and the future of Cheng Xinyi, so Mr. Shen you…"

"I agree," Shen Qiang interrupted coldly. "Whether the child bears the name Shen or Bai, I don't care. However, should they ever be mistreated in the Bai Family one day, don't blame me for not showing any courtesy."

Hearing this, the elder lady smiled, "Rest assured, Shen Qiang. Our Bai Family, already having few people, won't possibly let you and Jiaojiao's child be wronged."

Bai Jiao, hearing this conversation, blushed in embarrassment, too shy to utter a word, her face as red as a ripe apple.

Seeing that Shen Qiang was no longer fixating on the future surname of the child, Bai Shiyi's eyes shone. After pondering for a moment, he probed, "Since that's the case, Shen Qiang, there's no issue with you taking Jiaojiao, but surely the betrothal gift must be of some significance, right?"

Shen Qiang raised an eyebrow, somewhat exasperated with Bai Shiyi, "Alright, state your demand, and if it's within my power, I'll do my best."

"How about five Jiazi Pills?" Bai Shiyi's eyes sparkled, eagerly awaiting Shen Qiang's response.

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