24: Chapter 24 Poaching?

Early the next morning.

A cool breeze brushed across his face, the curtains swayed slightly, and a pale golden light began to dawn on the horizon.

Su Ye slowly woke up.

Last night, he had completed his second full breathing cultivation session, with six wisps of spiritual energy entering his body simultaneously. Although the refreshing sensation of spiritual energy pouring into his flesh and blood was intoxicating, the cost was equally obvious; his Mental Energy was heavily depleted. After finishing the cultivation, he had fallen asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.

However, this sleep was incredibly comfortable.

He felt a sense of relaxation from the inside out, as if every nerve and muscle had been soaked in warm water—light, transparent, and even the gaps between his bones felt an indescribable sense of ease.

Su Ye sat up and first quietly felt his physical condition.

His spirit was full.

His mind was clear.

Deep in his left waist, that Water-element Golden Core was still sitting there steadily like a spring, constantly seeping out a faint coolness that nourished his entire body.

"This state is truly wonderful; cultivation is indeed addictive."

He got up, climbed out of bed, washed up briefly, and then walked to the window.

The morning light spilled onto the back of his hand. His skin was so delicate it almost seemed unreal, with a very faint, thin luster floating on the surface. If one didn't look closely, it was almost undetectable, but with a careful look, one would find that this layer of skin was already different from that of an ordinary person.

Su Ye looked down at his fist, his fingers slightly tightening.

He didn't rush to a conclusion; instead, he took a half-step back, lowered his waist and back slightly, and suddenly threw a right punch!

Bang!

The punch hit the air, unexpectedly causing a faint vibration. The curtains in front of him suddenly bulged as if pushed from the front, followed by a series of pitter-patter sounds as several neatly arranged papers on the desk were sent flying by the wind from the punch.

Su Ye slowly withdrew his fist, a hint of satisfaction appearing in his eyes.

This punch hadn't hit a physical object; it was just a simple swing, yet it could already cause such a disturbance.

The increase in strength was even more direct than he had imagined.

After thinking for a moment, he picked up a small knife from the table that he usually used for peeling fruit.

This time, he didn't press on the back of the blade.

Instead, he used two fingers to pinch the blade directly.

The cold, sharp edge pressed against his skin. Previously, even a little force would have drawn blood. But now, as Su Ye applied pressure with his fingers, the skin only dented slightly; the spot where the blade touched the flesh didn't even leave a white mark.

He added more force.

Crack.

The fruit knife's blade was actually bent and folded by his raw strength.

Su Ye opened his palm and looked at his fingertip.

Completely unharmed.

Not even a scratch.

He stared at his hand for a long while, the light in his eyes growing brighter and brighter.

"Through cultivation, my skin seems to be the first to undergo a change. It's terrifyingly tough—invulnerable to blades and spears? Is this my first evolution point?"

"I just don't know if this is an individual trait of mine, or if it's the first supernatural point for everyone who has begun cultivation."

Su Ye whispered to himself.

There was still too little information available at the moment.

He could only confirm that his skin was becoming tougher and tougher, as if it were the first part to be tempered by spiritual energy. As for whether this was a common feature among all cultivators, he would have to continue observing, comparing, and recording.

Just as Su Ye was preparing to perform more tests, a knock suddenly sounded at the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

Su Ye frowned slightly.

Who would it be this early?

He walked to the door and opened it, seeing a middle-aged man in a shirt and trousers standing outside. His hair was meticulously combed, a briefcase was tucked under his arm, and a professional smile was plastered on his face.

"You are Dr. Su Ye, right?"

Su Ye's heart stirred slightly, but he didn't show it on his face, only nodding: "I am. And you?"

"Hello, hello. I'm from the Personnel Department of Jiangcheng Second People's Hospital, surname Zhou." The middle-aged man immediately extended his hand, his smile becoming even more enthusiastic. "It's a bit presumptuous to visit so early in the morning, but we are eager to recruit talent. I hope Dr. Su doesn't mind."

Su Ye was stunned for a moment.

The Second Hospital?

His thoughts raced like lightning.

A headhunter?

Sure enough, the man named Zhou's next words confirmed his suspicion.

"It's like this. Our hospital already knows that you took first place in the province for the medical licensing exam. This result is truly dazzling, especially since you are still just a Standardized Resident Trainee; your future is limitless." He spoke sincerely. "We at the Second Hospital are very sincere. If you're willing to consider us, once your residency ends, we can discuss things like converting to a permanent position, focused cultivation, and priority allocation of department resources."

"And as you know, although the Second Hospital isn't as famous as The First Hospital, it has been developing very rapidly in recent years. The platform isn't bad. For a young person like you, if you come over early, the space we can give you will actually be even larger."

Su Ye listened quietly.

He wasn't actually surprised.

Jiangcheng wasn't huge, but it wasn't small either. Within Jiangnan Province, it was just a mid-sized city. Its medical resources were far inferior to the provincial capital's, but in such a place, a provincial first-place medical licensing exam score had appeared, and from a resident trainee no less. It would be strange if other hospitals didn't target him.

Talent was something that had to be snatched up.

Looking at the young man in front of him, the man named Zhou was also secretly impressed.

So young.

And even more composed than imagined.

His eyes were bright, his aura was clean, and he stood there with a balanced posture. He possessed a level of calm that didn't quite match his age. Usually, when young people encountered a hospital coming to poach them, they would more or less show some surprise or nervousness, but Su Ye didn't; he just listened calmly.

As expected of someone who could take first in the province.

This temperament alone was not something an ordinary young person could have.

After Su Ye finished listening, he smiled and spoke very politely.

"I'm sorry, I don't have that intention for the time being."

The refusal was very direct.

The man named Zhou was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting Su Ye to be so decisive without any hesitation.

He wanted to say a few more words, but Su Ye spoke first.

"I am currently still doing my residency at The First Hospital, and many things have not yet been settled. Moreover, I personally prefer to focus on the tasks at hand first. I appreciate the Second Hospital's high regard, but in the short term, I don't want to consider these things."

These words were well-rounded, yet the meaning was clear.

The man named Zhou looked at him for two seconds, knowing there wasn't much point in further persuasion. He could only smile and nod: "Alright, it's a good thing for young people to have their own ideas. Keep my contact information; if you change your mind someday, feel free to contact me anytime."

With that, he took a business card from his briefcase and handed it to Su Ye.

Su Ye took it and thanked him.

After the door closed, the room became quiet again.

Su Ye looked down at the business card in his hand and casually placed it on the table.

Is this the sensation caused by being first in the province?

...

At the hospital.

Just as Su Ye arrived at the Urology Department's clinic area, he saw Zhang Yuanping standing at the corridor entrance, his expression looking unusually excited.

As soon as he saw Su Ye approaching, Zhang Yuanping immediately waved to him.

"Su Ye, come here."

Su Ye walked over quickly: "Teacher Zhang, what's wrong?"

Zhang Yuanping lowered his voice, but the fluctuation in his tone couldn't be suppressed.

"The Vice President is looking for you."

Su Ye's heart stirred slightly.

The Vice President?

Was the commotion from just being first in the province really this big?

Seeing Su Ye's surprised look, Zhang Yuanping actually felt like laughing.

"Kid, you really did it this time. It's been many years since Jiangcheng has seen such an excellent medical exam result." He patted Su Ye's shoulder, his tone complex, containing both admiration and sentiment. "Go quickly; they've been waiting for you for a while."

Su Ye nodded.

Then he turned and walked toward the administration building.