Lin Xiao acted without a moment's hesitation.
He was even more thorough with Elder Yuan.
Elder Yuan's cultivation was similar to Elder Jiang's, but Lin Xiao absorbed ninety percent of the cultivation within Elder Yuan, leaving him with barely anything.
Elder Yuan felt his vital energy almost completely drained. His cultivation level was precariously maintained at the Grandmaster realm, and he could fall below it at any moment.
Yet, he didn't utter a single word, nor did he show any signs of pain. He simply allowed Lin Xiao to absorb his cultivation without even blinking.
"Good."
Lin Xiao withdrew his hand, true to his word that he wouldn't be ruthless.
He was satisfied with Elder Yuan's attitude.
"Divine Doctor, this is what I should bear. As an elder, and as a Heavenly Physician." Elder Yuan's face was deathly pale, but he didn't frown. As Lin Xiao released him, his body swayed, and he nearly stumbled. He lowered his head, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Mmm."
Lin Xiao was quite impressed. There was no doubt the man was unwilling to accept such punishment, but he had no choice.
To bear this burden without complaint, he was a man.
Had it been ancient times, this man would have had the makings of a formidable figure.
Lin Xiao continued the meal with Elder Yuan, even indulging in a couple more cups of the thirty-year-old fine wine before leaving.
After Lin Xiao departed, Elder Yuan sat alone in the reception room, gazing at the spread of food with a pensive expression.
He slowly ran his hand over the table, sitting in quiet solitude for five minutes.
The door to the reception room was pushed open.
"Elder."
The person entering wore a pale moon-colored robe, the standard attire of a Heavenly Physician.
"Mmm."
Elder Yuan responded and then motioned for the person to approach.
"Elder, your cultivation..."
Upon closer inspection, the newcomer noticed the issue.
Elder Yuan's cultivation had significantly diminished.
"It's nothing." Elder Yuan waved his hand. "If no account is given, the Divine Doctor would not let it rest."
"I am the one behind it. This matter has significant repercussions... and I just learned that the scoundrel from Malaysia also laid hands on those on duty." Elder Yuan's emotions seemed to surge as he spoke of this.
"How dare he?"
The Heavenly Physicians had survived to this day. Even if some of their experiments were not humane, they could continue to conduct them. One crucial aspect was that they absolutely could not lay hands on those on duty.
"Indeed... therefore, it is already a great fortune that this old man still has some cultivation left." Elder Yuan knew clearly that if this matter truly blew up and Lin Xiao investigated thoroughly, it would be more than just his cultivation being crippled.
He would have deserved to lose half his life.
Or, spending some time in prison would not have been surprising.
This was already Lin Xiao's leniency.
This warning was meant to tell him not to mess around, and it was also for everyone within the Heavenly Physicians to see.
Killing the chicken to scare the monkeys!
With him as an example, others would naturally not dare to act rashly.
They would not dare to act rashly.
"He is using a stone to shake a tiger..." Elder Yuan slowly sat down, his gaze unwavering. "But for the sake of the Heavenly Physicians, I am worth it."