Dustin and the rest took a boat into Stoneray Valley after registering themselves. They passed by green mountains, clear blue waters, and lush trees. The scenery was beautiful. After traveling about ten miles, they reached their destination and got out of the boat.There was a huge building that looked like a palace. It was majestic and breathtaking. They followed the crowd and went up a flight of stairs. Then they entered a lavishly decorated hall.There were already many people gathered in the hall. Everyone hoped they would be chosen by Dr. Watkins and be accepted into the Stoneray Order.The Stoneray Order was famous and distinguished in Millsburg. Even the Fabulous Five and the Tremendous Three had to show them respect. To be accepted into the Stoneray Order was the same as making it big in life. But Dr. Watkins was strict when choosing his students. And he would only accept ten students each year. It was almost a one-in-a-million chance to be his student.As Dustin admired
"Does it matter to me who you are?" Dustin shrugged."You insolent bastard! I am the leader of Asclepia, Dr. Bruce Darby's best student! Your disrespect toward me is a direct disrespect toward Asclepia! Just a word from me is enough to make you vanish from the medical field! Don't test me!" Preston threatened.The people who showed up were people involved in the medical field. Asclepia's power stretched across the nation. And all prestigious entities in the medical world respected them. It was easy for them to wipe out a small fry."Oh, I'm so scared. Well, go ahead and do as you wish, then," Dustin replied dismissively.His unconcern attitude and disregard fueled Preston's anger. "Y—yo—you bastard! Just wait!""Are you done yet? If you are, please get lost." Dustin waved his hand impatiently as if he was driving a bug away."You—!" Preston gritted his teeth.As he was about to get violent, Miranda tugged on his arm. "Preston, there's no need to stoop to levels of such lowlife.
"Silence!" As everyone got into a heated discussion, a loud voice roared. Then, a group of elders of the Stoneray Order entered the hall.Dr. Linden Watkins, leader of the Stoneray Order, walked before the group. Several other elders and some of the administrative disciples followed behind him."Is that Dr. Linden Watkins? He has such a grand aura coming from him!" "Whoever does well in the examination today will be chosen as Dr. Watkins' student. And will be learning from Dr. Watkins himself. The chosen one will have a bright future ahead!"The mood turned serious when Linden entered. Everyone looked at him with respect in their eyes.Linden was the best of the great three doctors in Balerno. Not only was he a skilled doctor, but he also had many students in the entire country. Everyone respected him. It would be a big achievement to become his student."We have some interesting candidates here today." He looked at the crowd, briefly focusing on Preston and Miranda.Asclepia h
Preston smiled faintly after taking three sips of the medicine and wrote on the paper. He listed down all the herbs in the medicine. When he was halfway through, he took another sip to ensure he did everything correctly. When he was sure of his judgment, he listed the rest of the ingredients. It took him less than 10 minutes."I'm done." Preston raised his hand to inform the invigilators that he finished. Although he spoke softly, he managed to attract the attention of everyone in the hall."Is he serious? He's finished already in such a short time?" "Hmph! I don't believe he's that good. I bet he just guessed the herbs!" The crowd whispered among themselves. Some were amazed, while some were doubtful."Let me check." The invigilator went to Preston and took his answer script. His eyes immediately lit up after going through the list. "Not bad at all. Your answers are all correct. There's not a single mistake. Perfect score." The invigilator praised.An uproar broke out amon
"Zero?" Everyone was shocked before they burst out in laughter. They looked at Dustin like he was a fool."Hahaha … How hilarious! The audacity he has to act so arrogantly when he got zero marks!" "He looked so certain of himself that I had begun to think he was all that. In the end, he was just pretending!" "Even I could at least get a few points if I simply wrote some herbs. How did you manage to get zero points? What a joke!" Everyone started to ridicule him.They initially thought Dustin was an expert when he wrote confidently and quickly. But in the end, the zero he received said a lot about him and exposed him as a fool."Rascal, I must say, you sure are shameless. How can you behave so arrogantly when you're getting zero? I am amazed." Preston sarcastically gave him a thumbs-up."If you don't have the ability, then admit that you don't. You are humiliating yourself if you insist on being arrogant!" Miranda looked at him like he was an idiot."Zero?" Dustin ignored t
"He said nothing wrong. There is aconite in the medicine." Linden's words shocked everyone."What?" That invigilator froze in disbelief. "Dr. Watkins, you must be mistaken. I remember that aconite wasn't listed in the recipe."The elders beside Linden did not say anything but had puzzled expressions. The medicines were brewed according to a recipe, and no one would dare to change it. How is it possible that it contained aconite?"Originally, Aconite was not included. But I just felt like adding it, so I did," Linden said casually,"You felt like it?" When the crowd heard that statement, they exchanged looks with each other. Wasn't Linden too carefree?"Dr. Watkins, when aconite is combined with the Fritillaria bulb, it becomes poisonous. Why would you add it?" The invigilator frowned.He had said the same thing just now to criticize Dustin. Now, Linden had confirmed that there was really aconite in the medicine."It's to test everyone, of course," Linden said casually. "If we st
"What?" Everyone shouted in shock. A bottle fell out of someone's hand and broke into pieces as it crashed to the ground.Nobody expected the medicine they tasted to be poison!It was supposed to be just an easy examination to identify the components of the medicine. How did it turn into a life-threatening situation? Was it necessary for the examination to be so extreme?"Dr. Watkins, isn't this going too far?" The invigilator frowned. Linden had always done his best to save lives, so using poison to test them seemed unusual."There is a fine line between medicine and poison. There are times when poison can also be used to save lives. It all depends on how someone uses them. As long as it's effective, it doesn't matter how it's being used," Linden said seriously."But—" "Enough."The invigilator was about to say something when Linden raised a hand and cut him off. "The Stoneray Order does not accept incompetent students. Anyone who isn't confident in your own skills, you may ch
Right then, many of them began showing signs of poisoning. Some felt dizzy, and others experienced severe abdominal pain. Some even had cramps.Although their symptoms were different, it would affect their production of the medicinal pill. But giving up was not an option. They could only grit their teeth and continue."Who do you think will be number one today, Dr. Watkins?" an elder with a white beard asked."Preston and Miranda are performing well and gifted in the medical field, so they are considered geniuses. But I think the young man will do better." Linden looked at Dustin."Him?" The elder followed and looked at Dustin too. Then, he asked, curious, "But Dr. Watkins, he's a nobody. Maybe he was lucky in the previous round. He's still not on the same level as Preston and Miranda."No matter their family background, talents, or medical accomplishments, they were not on the same level. And Dustin's good luck would not change anything."Hahaha … We'll find out soon enough."