The ward felt suffocating.
Vice Director Chen stood at the entrance, his expression cold and authoritative.
"Doctor Lin," he said slowly, "you are an intern. You have no right to perform this level of treatment."
"If anything goes wrong—"
"I'll make sure you take full responsibility."
The atmosphere grew tense.
Dr. Wang's lips curled into a smile.
Finally.
Someone powerful enough to crush this upstart.
Lin Chen, however, didn't even look back.
"Responsibility?" he replied calmly.
He inserted another needle.
The heart monitor flickered violently.
Beep—
Beep—
Beep—
The patient groaned faintly.
Vice Director Chen's face darkened.
"I said stop!"
He stepped forward.
Director Liu immediately blocked his way.
"Vice Director Chen," Liu said firmly, "Doctor Lin is handling this case."
"You're risking the hospital's reputation," Chen snapped.
Director Liu didn't budge.
"And you're risking a human life."
The room fell silent again.
---
Lin Chen's hands moved faster.
Needles descended like silver rain.
Fourth needle.
Fifth needle.
[Divine Needle Technique — Proficiency Increased.]
The system's voice echoed quietly in his mind.
The patient's convulsions stopped.
His breathing stabilized.
The heart monitor's line smoothed into a steady rhythm.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Vice Director Chen's pupils shrank.
"That's…"
He stepped closer, staring at the screen in disbelief.
"This shouldn't be possible."
Lin Chen finally turned around.
His gaze was sharp, calm, and overwhelming.
"You studied textbooks."
"I studied life."
He removed the final needle.
The patient suddenly took a deep breath and opened his eyes.
"I… can breathe…"
The family collapsed to the floor, crying uncontrollably.
Saved.
Completely saved.
---
Silence lasted for several seconds.
Then—
Vice Director Chen swallowed hard.
"Doctor Lin," he said stiffly, "this technique… who taught you?"
Lin Chen replied flatly.
"No one."
Vice Director Chen forced a smile.
"Then you must understand how valuable your skills are."
"We can talk—"
Lin Chen cut him off.
"You tried to stop me."
"If I had listened—"
"He'd be dead."
Vice Director Chen's face stiffened.
For the first time, he felt pressure.
Real pressure.
---
The system interface flashed.
[Task Completed.]
[Terminal Patient Successfully Treated.]
[Rewards Granted:]
• Divine Needle Technique (Intermediate)
• Physique Enhancement (Minor)
• Authority Token ×1
A warm surge flowed through Lin Chen's body.
His senses sharpened.
His breathing steadied.
Power.
Not loud.
Not flashy.
But absolute.
Lin Chen looked around the ward.
"From today onward," he said calmly,
"no one stops my treatment."
Vice Director Chen clenched his fists.
Dr. Wang's face was as pale as paper.
They all realized one thing at the same time—
This hospital…
had just gained a sovereign.