After coming from the Healing Tower, Tony directly started cultivation to improve his martial ability.

By that time, rumours had already started spreading far and wide inside the Nine Lotus Academy. Many people began spreading them by adding more drama to the actual news.

’Tony Clark had been expelled from the Healing Tower.’ This was the exact truth, but nobody knew the real reason why Tony was sent out. People began assuming their own reasons.

"I heard Peak Master Natasha caught Tony during a wrongful treatment. Apparently, Tony has been pretending to be a real doctor without knowing any healing techniques."

"No, that’s not true. The Clark family is sending outside lady patients specifically for Tony so that he can survive and impersonate himself as a doctor. Lady Natasha finally found the truth, and that’s why she directly removed him from the Healing Tower."

"Hey, that must be wrong. We all saw those videos. Tony Clark really treated patients in the presence of Peak Master Natasha. That means he is a genuine doctor, right?"

"Bullshit! It was all a setup. The Clark family might have pulled strings to clear Tony’s name when he violated that patient."

More and more stories began layering upon themselves as rumors continued spreading about Tony Clark, without anyone knowing the actual truth.

As people became more interested in uncovering the truth, even more rumors surfaced, further tarnishing Tony Clark’s reputation.

The servants of the Imperial Family posted news on the martial channels and added more convincing rumors about Tony killing a few people and hiding the truth.

"Is there any official announcement from the Healing Tower?" a triple-S ranked patient who came for Tony Clark asked in a demanding tone.

"No, madam. Currently, we don’t have any news related to this. We can only say that Tony Clark won’t be available for treatment. There are also other skilled doctors. Why don’t you choose a better one?" the helping nurse politely replied.

"Stop the nonsense! I flew such a long distance just to get treatment from Tony Clark... I never expected the Nine Lotus Academy to become so unreliable! At least you must provide a proper reason for canceling my reservation. This is really an insult to me!!!"

"Yes! How can you cancel the reservation for all of us at once?! Moreover—" other ladies raised their voices as they had all been waiting for Tony’s treatment.

The head nurse politely apologized to everyone, saying that Tony Clark had been removed from the Healing Tower.

But when asked for the reason, even she had no real answer as to why Tony Clark had been expelled.

That only made the women feel even more insulted and furious.

"I will personally write a letter to the Octopus Organization regarding this matter! This is not how you treat donors who support the Nine Lotus Academy!!! I will immediately withdraw my funding!!!" one of the rich ladies in a tight red dress threatened before storming away.

*** 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Meanwhile, inside Tony Clark’s residence...

"Master Tony..." Hank Carter called out while placing herbal tea beside him.

"What is it?" Tony asked with a questioning look.

"People are speaking badly about you and the academy. I also heard that you might be leaving the academy soon..." Hank said in a doubtful tone.

"Don’t worry about all this nonsense. Slowly, you will also get used to it. Focus on your cultivation first. Once you reach Master Warrior, I will provide you with weapon-crafting techniques. Understand?" Tony said calmly.

"Yes, Master Tony. I have already reached the 10th-class Disciple Warrior stage," Hank Carter replied politely.

Tony was shocked for a second!!! It was extremely fast for a normal human to reach the 10th-class disciple stage within just one day.

"Truly... heaven-blessed people are really gifted by nature..." Tony muttered to himself as he handed another bottle of life energy pills to Hank Carter.

***

Next day morning...

By the time Tony woke up, he was already surrounded by three people waiting for him.

Both Lily Frost and Julie Frost stood directly in front of him with serious expressions, while his brother Leo sat to the side with a stoic face.

"We need to talk." Lily said, staring directly into Tony’s eyes.

"Did Peak Master Natasha expel you from the Healing Tower?" Lily asked while folding her arms.

Tony nodded lazily with a sleepy look.

"So the rumours are true???" Lily asked again, her expression turning blank.

"What rumours?" Tony asked with a confused face.

"People are saying you got expelled because you are a fake doctor. They say those videos were staged by the Clark family. Some are even saying you killed patients and hid their bodies inside the Healing Tower to protect your name. Is any of that true?!" Julie, who had been silent until now, asked sharply.

"Nonsense! Don’t believe those useless, blabbering bastards!!!" Tony replied directly.

"Then what is the truth? Why did Peak Master Natasha send you out of the Healing Tower? Tell me the real reason," Leo asked seriously.

"It’s personal," Tony said casually as he kicked off the bedsheet and got up.

But Lily immediately pushed him back.

"Personal?! Tony, do you understand the consequences?! You could be expelled from the academy!!! Can’t you at least tell the truth to me?! I am your wife. Leo is your brother. Nobody here wants to harm you. Can’t you share the truth with your own people?!" Lily demanded with an intense glare.

"Lily, leave it. If I say it’s personal, then it’s personal. In the martial-path, everyone has their own secrets," Tony replied seriously.

"Tony, I am your fiancée. People look at you, and then they look at me. They judge-me based on your-reputation. Every single thing you do reflects on my family as well..." Lily paused, breathing heavily, her anger clearly visible. "Tony, I can’t keep protecting you when you hide everything from me!!!"

Tony looked at her steadily, unaffected.

"I am not asking you to protect me," he said slowly.

Lily’s eyes flashed with fury.

"No, you never ask for anything! You never explain anything! You just do whatever you want and expect everyone around you to accept it!!!"

Leo finally stood up impatiently.

"Brother Tony, be reasonable. At least give us a meaningful answer so that we can trust you!"

"There is no need for trust... I will handle everything. Just wait and see. Leave this matter as it is... I know what I am doing," Tony said in a calm but firm tone as he stood-up and walked into the washroom.

The three of them stood there, staring at each other in confusion.