Mrs. Jenkins and Barbara warmly welcomed him. They were particularly honored because Mr. Barnes was not just a famed medical expert but also Barbara's mentor.

Mr. Barnes came from the Association of Healthcare Professionals, and interestingly, his brother Fred was a member of the Pill Alchemist Association.

However, their achievements in their fields were starkly different.

Fred, with his average skills and limited influence, was just a mid-level member of the Pill Alchemist Association.

In contrast, Mr. Barnes was a pillar of his field, known for his mastery of secret needle techniques and rare ancient medical practices, including Ancient Martial Arts Organ Transplant Methods.

His exceptional skills made him a standout figure in medicine.

Despite his prestige, Mr. Barnes led a simple life. The Jenkins family would never dream of treating him with anything less than the utmost respect.

His visits were rare, having graced the Jenkins' residence only once in the last decade, but Mrs. Jenkins always regarded him as an honored guest.

Greeting him with a broad smile, Mrs. Jenkins, despite being older, showed him great deference.

“Mr. Barnes, we're truly honored by your visit," she said.

Mr. Barnes was under sixty, still looking youthful due to his diligent self-care.

His appearance was reminiscent of someone from ancient times, with a lengthy beard that cascaded over his chest and hair tied back with a cyan scarf.

His eyes, sharp and discerning, seemed to gaze down at the world.

His presence was so remarkable that it inspired awe in those around him.

Upon his arrival, Mrs. Jenkins herself came out to greet him, to which Mr. Barnes responded with a subtle smile.

“Mrs. Jenkins, you don't have to come out and greet me. Barbara could have welcomed me alone instead."

“Oops! I'm not considerate enough. I apologize, Barbara hurriedly said.

Barbara knew Mr. Barnes well, not daring to play against him. She couldn't help but wonder why Mr. Barnes had come unannounced. Was it for the female healer's unique needle technique that he mentioned last time?

Mrs. Jenkins was also curious.

"Mr. Barnes, you must have something significant in mind. Please, come inside. Our family will assist you in any way we can."

"You're too kind." Mr. Barnes let out a hearty laugh.

“I've just ended a period of intense study and thought I'd take a stroll. I wanted to check in on my talented pupil, who's now a key figure in the Pill Alchemist Association."

Upon hearing this, Barbara felt a deep sense of shame. It appeared she was on the verge of betraying his mentorship, transitioning from medical cultivation to the allure of alchemy.

Yet, alchemy shone with an allure that surpassed medical skills. How could she resist its call?