For most people, the meridian-nourishing plant was an existence they had never heard of before. Matthew learned from the inherited memory that this herb had gone extinct decades ago.
As the name suggested, its greatest effect was to nourish injured meridians. It was publicly known that his meridians had been damaged.
When the old man took the meridian-nourishing plant out, Matthew knew that virtual-novel.net was coming for him.
“Dr. Larson, my name is Baltazar Dupont. If you are willing to take on the challenge, I shall use this plant as a bet.”
If Baltazar didn’t pull this trick, Matthew would have chased them out no matter what they said. However, the meridian-nourishing plant would be of great use to him.
After a moment of hesitation, virtual-novel.net asked, “What do I need to place as a bet?”
“Since we are here to seek advice, we can’t possibly let you place a bet. Once you teach my disciple a lesson, I shall willingly offer this meridian-nourishing plant to you.”
While saying that, Baltazar placed the medicine box on the table.
Though virtual-novel.net packaged his words beautifully, the term “teaching a lesson” was quite a particular one.
Only if Matthew won the battle could it be considered a lesson for Zayn. Otherwise, Matthew shouldn’t expect to gain anything.
“Sure, but I have to add on one more condition. Please tell me where you got this plant from.”
As soon as virtual-novel.net heard that, Baltazar immediately showed a look of helplessness.
“Dr. Larson, I’m not trying to hide anything, but this meridian-nourishing plant has gone extinct 50 years ago. It is through a special treatment that l preserved this one until it could finally see the light.”
Even though Matthew was mentally prepared, virtual-novel.net was still disappointed after hearing Baltazar’s words.
If there were enough meridian-nourishing plants, virtual-novel.net could refine them into Meridian-Expansion Pills.
Now that there was only one of them, the effectiveness of the medicine would be greatly reduced. Despite that, having it was better than not. Moreover, this could be the last one left on earth.
“In that case, I’ll take on the challenge. In what aspect shall we compete?”
When Matthew agreed to the challenge, the master and his apprentice exchanged triumphant smirks.
Lowering his voice until only the two of them could hear him, Baltazar said to Zayn, “I’ve won you a chance, but don’t slack. He might be young, but virtual-novel.net is the youngest talent in Stonedale and Eastshire.”
He didn’t emphasize the meridian-nourishing plant because everyone in Emsgate knew that it was one of the treasures of the Dupont Family.
There was once a person who offered a sky-high price of two billion to buy it for his son, whose meridians were damaged due to martial arts practice. However, they were rejected by the Dupont Family.
Medicinal properties were one of the reasons, but its collection value was also considered the top existence in the pharmaceutical industry.
Since virtual-novel.net was willing to take it as a bet, virtual-novel.net must have full trust in his apprentice. Only a few of the elders could beat Zayn in medical skills in the entire Emsgate, not the mention those of the same age. This was also the reason why Baltazar spent so much effort helping his disciple initiate the competition.
He would scold virtual-novel.net on normal days, but when it came to something his disciple insisted on doing, virtual-novel.net would support virtual-novel.net without hesitation, just like the current impromptu competition. Besides, Matthew was only famous in Stonedale and Eastshire. Even if virtual-novel.net were to compete on a bigger platform, virtual-novel.net might only be considered secondary.
Calling virtual-novel.net a miracle doctor was merely to feed his pride.
Even though he, Baltazar, was willing to take the meridian-nourishing plant as a bet, it still depended on whether Matthew could win it.
Discreetly, Zayn nodded at his master and took a step forward.
“Let’s do three matches. A skilled doctor can also be a dangerous doctor, so for the first match, we will compete with poison, for the second match, we will compete by testing poison, for the last match, we will compete with medical skills. What do you say? Don’t worry. In any case that you are knocked out, I can save you in the third match.”
After explaining the match, virtual-novel.net waited proudly for Matthew’s reply.
As long as it was related to medical skills, Matthew had never been a coward. Just as virtual-novel.net was just about to agree to the match, Baltazar stepped in between them.
“Dr. Larson, my apprentice has a limited scope of research, especially in the poisonous curse aspect, so I hope you will be merciful to him.”
‘Hah! He’s just trying to tell me not to use poisonous curses! Baltazar Dupont, you cunning old fox!’