<h4>Chapter 545: Chapter 545 Qiao Xi is the Champion of the Needle Testing Conference</h4><h4></h4>


    Lu Bannong felt as if he had swallowed bitter herbs, with a bitterness that he couldn’t express.


    He had nned everything meticulously, but in the end, he had to hand over the fruits of hisbor to someone else.


    Feeling stifled with frustration, he opened his mouth and said, "I have no objections. Since Mr. Huang has already spoken, the result is determined."


    His gaze swept over the woman who had regained consciousness, and he waved his hand to have the staff move the ss sterile room away from the scene to avoid furtherplications.


    "Announce it."


    Mr. Huang urged indifferently.


    After such a longpetition, a result must be given.


    Lu Bannong took the microphone, let out a breath of stale air, and announced, "At this decade’s grand Traditional Chinese Medicine festival, the winner has been decided. The victor of this year’s Golden Needlepetition is... Qiao Xi!"


    Uttering that name felt like cutting his own heart with a blunt knife.


    But now that it hade to this, he needed to maintain hisposure.


    The struggle was far from over!


    It was just a young girl; how much trouble could she really cause!


    "Let’s congratte Qiao Xi. The disciple of National Doctor Cheng Han truly lives up to her reputation! To clinch the top spot in such a dramatic manner is indeed impressive..."


    Lu Yingxue was clenching her teeth so hard they could almost shatter.


    With a forced smile, she looked at Qiao Xi and said, "Congrattions! You’re really lucky."


    Qiao Xi replied softly and calmly, "As Xiang Mingzhu said, luck is also part of strength. So it’s not that I’m lucky..."


    Lu Yingxue’s hand clenched into a fist, deeply embedding into her palm.


    In a low voice, she warned, "This is the Imperial Capital, and we have a long way to go. If you leave now with the top spot, you can still gain some reputation. But if you seek to go further, you will undoubtedly face ruin, and might even lose your life in the end."


    Qiao Xi’s gaze was clear and steadfast: "Then let’s see if you can indeed ruin me."


    Winning the top spot was only the first step!


    She was determined to abolish the rule of division between Southern and Northern Chinese medicine. Chinese medicine can only progress through exchange, not by monopolies and self-admiration like the Lu Family!


    She didn’t want the next generation of doctors practicing Chinese medicine to suffer from these rules.


    To ultimately face a tragic end!


    It was said that when the rule was initially set, some people vited the decision and were consequently banned from practicing medicine for life.


    They died in depression!


    Such harmful practices should not exist!


    Lu Yingxue looked down and scoffed sarcastically, "Qiao Xi, you’re just being stubborn now."


    With an open heart, Qiao Xi responded, "To you Lu Family, I’m not just stubborn; my bones are even tougher."


    The disappearance of Grandpa Cheng is inseparably linked to your Lu Family!


    Lu Yingxue sneered coldly, "Have you forgotten the agony your grandmother suffered when she died? I wouldn’t mind letting you experience the pain of losing loved ones again. Shall I start with Cheng Han, or perhaps Huo Xingzhou and his parents? Or maybe your dear sisters and friends?"


    Having lost the top spot, her heart was filled with extreme annoyance.


    Her words became even colder.


    Hearing her daring to mention her deceased grandmother, a cold light flickered in Qiao Xi’s eyes: "People like you aren’t afraid of losing loved ones, right? So let me think, what do you care about most? Is it your reputation or your power and status? Lu Yingxue, whatever you can do, I can do too."


    "Then let’s wait and see."


    An undercurrent surged between the two.


    The atmosphere was tense.


    Lu Bannong, holding the microphone, gave a grand speech, offering blessings to Qiao Xi and sharing thoughts on thepetition, yet he conspicuously avoided mentioning the great promises made at the beginning.


    In the end.


    He announced the start of the award ceremony.


    The award was personally presented to Qiao Xi by Huang Bingyi.


    Many in the audience were excited, and the people of Haicheng watching on the live broadcast were boiling with excitement!


    It was Haicheng’s Doctor Qiao who had received the highest honor for the younger generation in the Chinese Medicine Community!


    The highest honor!


    This was the pride of Haicheng!


    In the younger generation, only Lu Yingxue had received such an honor. In previous Golden Needlepetitions, there were no age restrictions, and the battles were always among the older generation!


    Before Lu Yingxue, who could have imagined that a young practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine could be so impressive!


    In the ten years following Lu Yingxue, another figure emerged, Qiao Xi!


    Incredible!


    Generation after generation, talented individuals continue to emerge, dominating the scene for centuries.


    Huang Bingyi stood on the high tform, waving towards Qiao Xi: "Girl,e here."


    Qiao Xi’s eyes curved, and she slowly ascended the steps.


    One step.


    And another.


    Climbing the stairs step by step.


    These steps mirrored her journey from Moon Vige to Haicheng, and then to the Imperial Capital.


    The road was full of difficulties.


    Endless schemes!


    Eventually, she reached the top and stood before Huang Bingyi.


    Huang Bingyi, thin and stooped, solemnly handed her the certificate from thepetition, along with a badge shaped like the Golden Needle.


    "If Cheng Han were here to see your performance, he would definitely beforted."


    Qiao Xi smiled, her eyes reddening: "I believe Master is watching mypetition, he can see it."


    "The path of traditional Chinese medicine is dull and mundane. I hope you can stay true to your heart, and never betray your conscience in your lifetime. Power and money are appealing, but they can also corrupt. Remember this. We are old, there are some things we cannot change. The future of Chinese medicine relies on young people like you!"


    "Yes."


    Qiao Xi’s nose tingled, and she nodded firmly.


    "Don’t be arrogant orcent. Being the top in traditional Chinese medicine only proves you’re currently stronger than others. Many are quietly catching up; if you becent, you’ll be surpassed. Understand?"


    "I understand, Mr. Huang."


    She wouldn’t stop moving forward, nor would she give Lu Yingxue a chance to surpass her.


    Huang Bingyi slowly nodded, his gaze shifting impatiently toward Lu Bannong.


    "Chairman Lu, have you forgotten something? The top prize in thispetition includes another reward."


    He didn’t intend to let Lu Bannong gloss over it.


    Lu Bannong’s expression stiffened as he said, "I haven’t forgotten. I was thinking of discussing it with Qiao Xi after thepetition. But Mr. Huang has thought moreprehensively."


    Huang Bingyi reached out his hand to him.


    Lu Bannong hesitated for a moment but ultimately ced the Vice President’s seal of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association into his hand.


    This represented power!


    Huang Bingyi immediately stuffed the seal into Qiao Xi’s hand, "From today onwards, you will shoulder the responsibility of the Vice President of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, and perform your duties well."


    "Alright."


    Qiao Xi’s fingers caressed the jade seal.


    She had been thinking about how to abolish the established rules after winning first ce. Little did she expect that Lu Bannong had prepared so much for Lu Yingxue, even the Vice President’s position was meant for her.


    Now, it fell into her hands.


    She caught a glimpse of Lu Yingxue’s pained and constrained expression from the corner of her eye; losing both fame and opportunity must have been tormenting.


    Qiao Xi removed the needle pack she was carrying and handed it to Huang Bingyi.


    "Old master, returning what belongs to the original owner. You once said this was your regret, and I wanted to return it to you after thepetition."


    This was the decision she made the day she learned Huang Bingyi had specifically treated her right hand at the small vi.


    The Golden Needle should return to its rightful owner!


    She would also have her own set of Golden Needles in the future!


    The camera brightly focused on the old and the young.


    Lu Yingxue thought, Huang Bingyi won’t ept it, Qiao Xi is too eager to please him.


    Returning the Golden Needle in public is bound to be aughing stock!


    Even the audience thought that Huang Bingyi, a man of integrity all his life, wouldn’t casually ept gifts.