Divine Level Witch Doctor

After a few more of these cold receptions, the group from West Hua Medical University couldn't help but notice. They were all baffled.

Yang Jingbo was the one to finally ask, "Zhao Yuan, did you offend these people at some point?"

Zhao Yuan gave a wry smile and threw up his hands. "Director Yang, I've never even met these seniors from the Medical Families before. How could I have possibly offended them?"

"That's true." Yang Jingbo nodded, mulling it over with a troubled expression. "Then what on earth is going on? The men we introduced you to are all famous in the medical community for mentoring juniors. They should be delighted to meet a genius like you, not give you this kind of cold shoulder."

Despite his age, Xiao Xianlin was known for his short fuse. "Guessing isn't going to get us anywhere," he said. "I'm going to go ask them." He immediately stood and walked over to the medical experts they had introduced to Zhao Yuan. After a brief inquiry, he returned, his face grim.

"Elder Xiao, what's wrong?" Ma Guotao asked hurriedly. The others all leaned in, and even Zhao Yuan was curious to hear the answer.

After sitting down, Xiao Xianlin shared what he had found out. "Someone leaked what Zhao Yuan said at dinner last night. Now, everyone at the Chinese Medical Exchange Forum knows he's going to lecture on the *Outer Canon of the Yellow Emperor*. They also know about his bold claim to 'help everyone avoid taking the long way around.' Because of that, a lot of people think Zhao Yuan is arrogant and doesn't know his place..."

The group from West Hua Medical University finally understood the reason for everyone's bizarre behavior, and it filled them with righteous indignation.

"Who leaked this? Can't they keep their mouth shut!"

"Zhao Yuan, arrogant? Doesn't know his place? What a joke! If he's that kind of person, then there are no humble people left in this world!"

"We can't let these people slander Zhao Yuan's reputation. We need to go explain things to them."

Ma Guotao, Yang Jingbo, and the others grew more and more agitated as they spoke. They actually stood up, ready to go and defend Zhao Yuan to each person individually.

In comparison, Zhao Yuan, the person at the center of it all, was remarkably calm and composed. He even tried to stop them, saying, "Principal Ma, Director Yang, and all you professors, please don't get worked up. Sit down, everyone, please sit down."

After getting them all to sit back down one by one, Zhao Yuan spoke again: "They're already biased by their preconceived notions. Even if you go and explain now, it won't do much good. Just let them misunderstand. I'm confident that after I finish my speech today, this whole misunderstanding will naturally be cleared up."

The group from West Hua Medical University had great faith in Zhao Yuan and firmly believed his presentation today would be a success, so they all started to laugh.

Ma Guotao laughed and agreed, "That's right. If we go explain now, they probably won't listen anyway. It's better to let your abilities do the talking!"

Xiao Xianlin added, "I have faith in Zhao Yuan's abilities. His lecture on the *Outer Canon of the Yellow Emperor* today will definitely stun the entire audience! I can't wait to see the looks on the faces of those people who think he's arrogant and ignorant when they're left dumbfounded by his brilliant presentation!"

Yang Jingbo closed his eyes, imagining the expressions on everyone's faces. He burst out laughing. "That'll be quite a sight! I'll have to take a picture of their faces so I can properly mock them later."

Qiu Haogu glanced at the people in the dining hall and said with a sneer, "These guys are giving Zhao Yuan the cold shoulder now, but it doesn't matter. After his lecture, they'll all be fawning over him. Oh, right, Zhao Yuan, when that happens, we should give them a taste of their own medicine and act all high and mighty. That's what you call..."

He paused deliberately here.

Ma Guotao, Xiao Xianlin, and the others played along perfectly, chanting in unison with perfect understanding: "Today you ignore me, tomorrow I'll be out of your league!"

After that, they grinned and laughed, looking incredibly pleased with themselves.

Zhao Yuan and the students who had come with the professors were all stunned. They had never expected these normally serious teachers and experts to have such a mischievous side. They even knew internet slang! They were like a bunch of old-timers trying to be hip.

Just then, Kawashima Haruhiro appeared in the dining hall with Lingzi.

Lingzi wasn't wearing a mask today, revealing her beautiful and enchanting face.

Perhaps because she was well-rested, or perhaps because she had ingested Kawashima Haruhiro's Qi Pearl, Lingzi's pretty face now had the healthy blush of a normal person, unlike the eerie, paper-white complexion from the night before.

Kawashima Haruhiro saw Zhao Yuan and walked up to him. "Mr. Zhao, you seem to be in high spirits. It looks like you're very confident about your speech today."

Zhao Yuan shrugged, his voice cold. "If Mr. Kawashima is hoping to see me make a fool of myself, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you."

But Kawashima Haruhiro shook his head. "Mr. Zhao, you misunderstand. I don't want to see you make a fool of yourself. On the contrary, I sincerely hope your speech is a resounding success!"

Zhao Yuan was a little surprised. Just yesterday, Kawashima Haruhiro had come to aggressively provoke him. Why the complete 180-degree turn in his attitude today? 'This isn't normal.'

He knew very well that Kawashima Haruhiro would never wish him well out of the kindness of his heart. After a moment's thought, he understood the hidden meaning behind Kawashima Haruhiro's words.

With a small smile, he asked, "Is Mr. Kawashima that confident he can beat me?"

"Of course!" Kawashima Haruhiro had no doubt about it.

"Fine." Zhao Yuan nodded, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Then we'll just have to wait and see!"

Kawashima Haruhiro chuckled but didn't continue the provocation. He turned and left.

Watching his retreating back, the group from West Hua Medical University looked like they were about to breathe fire. They seethed, "That Kawashima Haruhiro is just too arrogant!"

Zhao Yuan also narrowed his eyes, observing.

But he wasn't looking at Kawashima Haruhiro; he was looking at Lingzi beside him.

He felt a trace of coldness from this woman. Almost subconsciously, he activated his Qi Observation Technique. What he saw made his eyebrows twitch.

The righteous Qi and life force within Kawashima Haruhiro's body were both in a state of pathological decay. Lingzi, on the other hand, was brimming with vast amounts of Yin Qi and Death Qi!

If he hadn't also seen Life Force within Lingzi, Zhao Yuan would have suspected she was a female Ghost or a corpse! The Yin Qi and Death Qi in her body were simply too dense to be real. It was several times stronger than that of Cultivators from the Witch and Priest School, like Ying Ji.

'This Japanese woman is no simple character!' Zhao Yuan concluded.

At that moment, whether she sensed his gaze or for some other reason, Lingzi suddenly turned and looked at Zhao Yuan. Seeing him watching her, the corners of her lips curved up into a bewitching smile. Her small, delicate tongue darted out to lightly lick her lips.

Her every move was brimming with provocation!