Elliott's mentor sighed helplessly. "I can only tell you that this concerns a major figure whom Gerald once saved. To be blunt, if we refused to concede and insisted on a

If

showdown with Gerald's disciple, it would anger him greatly.

"And if that happens, our research funding would likely be slashed by at least half. Is that really what you want?"

Stunned, Elliott fell silent. Losing half of their funding would be catastrophic and was practically a death sentence for their lab-a burden no one could bear.

"Is Gerald really that extraordinary? I just can't believe traditional medicine could be that powerful," Elliott,muttered.

Patting him on the shoulder, the mentor said, "To be honest, I, along with most others, opposed this so-called competition. We've seen firsthand the incredible strength of Dragonia's traditional medicine. It's truly like battling death itself. However, some people just refuse to believe it.

"Well, don't dwell on it. The people of Dragonia prefer to keep a low profile and don't care for competition. Even if they win, they won't make a big show of it. So, you might as well act like this whole thing never happened."

On the other hand, if Guneria had won, they would have surely flooded the media with news. However, having lost, they would remain silent.

"Hold on!" came a voice as they were about to board their vehicle for the airport. Felix suddenly appeared.

"Felix? Are you here to mock us?" Elliott scoffed.

Felix shook his head.

"Not at all. You even brought people who speak fluent Dragonian for this competition, so it's clear you prepared well. I wanted to ask if the early-stage lung cancer patient you brought is still here?" "Yes. Why?" Elliott replied, puzzled.

With the competition over, they certainly weren't going to use their expensive specialty medication on that patient. That was why Felix was looking for them.

"Could you bring him over? I'd like to show you something in person," he asked.

Elliott was about to refuse, but his mentor waved a hand, signaling for him to allow it. The mentor looked thoughtfully at Felix.

"You remind me of another traditional healer Lonce met-focused and unwavering.

The mentor, who had read the note himself, clearly had the wisdom and experience to recognize Felix's abilities.

"Thank you." Felix nodded. "I just want to demonstrate a simple truth to you. That's all."

At that moment, the patient was brought over.

Without warning, Felix flicked three silver needles into his hand and began. In one swift motion, he executed the Pierce of Trinity technique before placing another five needles at an incredible speed. Before anyone could react the patient already had eight silver needles placed along specific points.noveldrama

"What are you doing?" Elliott shouted, furious. He reached out to remove the needles, but his mentor stopped him.

"Felix, is this what you wanted to show us? Are you trying to tell us that we were bound to lose this match from the start? Even without Gerald's disciple, the outcome would've been the same?" "Exactly," Felix replied calmly.

Elliott sneered, his tone dripping with sarcasm "How convenient! With no one paying attention, you get to boast about winning if you succeed, and if you fail, you can simply deny it. Quite the clever scheme! They were right to pull someone as devious as you from the stage."

Felix turned, raising his hand, and all eight needles retracted back to him in one smooth motion. "In Dragonia, we welcome guests, but we show no mercy to adversaries. I don't ever want to hear a single word slandering traditional medicine again, or you'll regret it." Angered, Elliott was about to chase after him when he noticed something strange. The patient was jumping around, full of energy.

"I... I'm cured? My God! I'm actually cured!" the patient shouted.