As they left the hospital gates, Long Cheng smiled at Zhang Yang again. This time, it wasn't teasing, but genuine envy. Everyone had a degree of vanity, and Long Cheng was no exception. Who didn't want to be the center of attention, who didn't wish to have numerous beautiful women looking upon them favorably?

Zhang Yang chuckled, "Alright, no problem. With my relationship with the Director, arranging a temporary position here is certainly possible. Brother Cheng, want to come?"

"Temporary staff? Zhang Yang, you're too kind. If a brother comes, you offer a temporary spot? It should at least be a permanent position!"

Long Cheng's mouth dropped open, and he sighed in resignation.

"You don't understand," Zhang Yang laughed heartily. "Temporary staff is great! Didn't you see I'm temporary too? Temporary staff and interns are the closest; we can be together every day from now on!"

Laughing and chatting, the two walked straight out of the hospital entrance.

The moment they stepped outside, Zhang Yang suddenly looked back, his brow tightly furrowed.

"Zhang Yang, what's wrong?" Long Cheng asked in surprise. Zhang Yang kept scanning behind them, as if searching for something.

"Nothing, just felt like someone was following us!" Zhang Yang smiled faintly and turned back around. The instant he emerged, a sharp sense of alertness had flooded his mind. He truly felt someone tailing him, and not just an ordinary person. Unfortunately, when he looked back, he saw nothing, which left him somewhat puzzled.

However, Zhang Yang didn't dismiss the feeling. He quietly patted Lightning in his arms, and the creature immediately zipped onto Zhang Yang's shoulder. Lightning's loyalty hadn't reached eighty yet, so their mental connection wasn't fully established, but simple communication was no issue. He was signaling Lightning to keep an eye on the situation behind them.

He and Long Cheng walked forward, while Lightning lay lazily on Zhang Yang's shoulder, squinting as if dozing off. No one knew that its tiny eyes were cautiously surveying everyone behind Zhang Yang, trying to spot the suspicious individual Zhang Yang mentioned.

Only after Zhang Yang and Long Cheng had gone a considerable distance did Long Feng slip out from the hospital corridor. Members of the Xuanyuan family never used their real surname when traveling outside; they always adopted the surname Long, symbolizing that they were descendants of the Dragon, inheritors of Yan Huang.

"Not bad, a bit stronger than I imagined. This is getting interesting!" A faint smile touched the corner of Long Feng's lips, but his eyes turned even colder. He was truly reluctant about this assignment. The family had actually sent him to capture a single person, someone younger than himself. Even though the young man possessed internal energy, Long Feng felt deeply uncomfortable. He was, after all, among the top three masters of the younger generation in the Xuanyuan family; only two individuals were stronger than him. Men of such standing were inherently proud, and he had absolutely no desire to carry out such a mission. Regrettably, his protest was futile. The family had dispatched him to repay a debt owed by a former elder. Once this favor was settled, they would have no further dealings with that insignificant Zhang family.

Only after Zhang Yang and Long Cheng completely disappeared from sight did he slowly depart.

"Zhang Yang, should we grab a cab?" They had reached a bustling main street after leaving the hospital, and after walking a short while, Long Cheng said softly.

The recent events in Shanghai had certainly forged a good bond among them, especially after Zhang Yang had ultimately saved Wang Chen, earning high regard from everyone. Naturally, Long Cheng was now aware that Zhang Yang was a master even more skilled than himself; alongside his respect, there was a layer of curiosity and apprehension.

"Brother Cheng, I have something else to attend to. Why don't you go ahead?" Zhang Yang shook his head. Lightning hadn't detected anything definitive yet, but that feeling in his gut was growing stronger. At his current level of strength, such feelings didn't appear without reason. Zhang Yang knew something was up, he just didn't know what. So, he didn't want to go home just yet.

"No way, I'll stick with you. I should at least see you home!" Long Cheng shook his head. He was hoping to visit Zhang Yang's place, at least to make it easier to find him later. He harbored immense curiosity about Zhang Yang.

"We aren't going home yet, follow me!" After a moment's thought, Zhang Yang firmly shook his head and led Long Cheng toward a side path. Too many people were here; he couldn't be sure if someone was tracking them. Once they reached the smaller road, he would know. Even if he didn't look back, Lightning was keeping watch. Zhang Yang was certain that if someone were following them, they wouldn't escape Lightning's eyes.

Zhang Yang headed toward a park. This park contained a small hill topped with a rather large patch of woods. Many people milled about the edges of the woods to escape the heat or to stroll, but the deep interior was rarely visited. It was a natural park built against the mountain, and the depths remained undeveloped—entering might pose a risk. Only mischievous children occasionally ventured in groups for exploration. Zhang Yang was now heading for this deserted area. Fewer people meant it would be easier to detect anyone trailing them, and a less crowded location made resolving any issue simpler.

"Squeak squeak!"

As soon as they reached the park entrance, Lightning let out an urgent cry. Lightning had already spotted the followers behind them. Long Feng was expertly disguised and kept a safe distance, constantly shifting his position. But he could never have imagined that Zhang Yang possessed a spirit beast that was actively scouting for him. Whenever Zhang Yang's back was turned, his mental guard would subtly drop.

"There really is someone!" Zhang Yang secretly sneered, quickening his pace. Though he appeared to be walking slowly, his speed was considerable. Long Cheng was already struggling to keep up, reduced to a brisk jog. He sensed something was off too, wanting desperately to ask what was happening, but Zhang Yang gave him no chance. Zhang Yang had hesitated before deciding to bring Long Cheng along. However, Long Cheng clearly wasn't willing to leave, and Zhang Yang couldn't force him away, so he let him tag along for now. Besides, Long Cheng also possessed internal energy, and he must have understood that his own internal energy had been exposed when Zhang Yang healed Wang Chen days ago, judging by Long Cheng's probing remarks recently. Since Long Cheng knew his identity, bringing him along wasn't a huge deal. Strictly speaking, they were the same kind of person. The most crucial factor was that Zhang Yang still couldn't determine if the person behind them was following him, or Long Cheng. If it was him, it was manageable; but if it was Long Cheng, given Long Cheng's current strength, he would be no match for this pursuer. Anyone capable of tracking Zhang Yang without being noticed definitely possessed considerable ability.

It was quiet within the mountain forest when Lightning suddenly leaped off Zhang Yang's body, darted into a nearby tree in a few bounds, and vanished a moment later.

"Chirp chirp chirp!" Wuying poked its head out of the canvas bag, chirped a few times, and then burrowed back inside. Lightning had leaped out because it sensed something amiss with the person following them; it was hiding to be ready if needed. Lightning possessed definite combat capability, especially after recently consuming spirit medicines, improving even since Zhang Yang first met it. Hiding in the shadows would certainly be better than being on Zhang Yang's body. As for Wuying, its greatest skill was locating treasures; it truly had no combat strength, so staying hidden on Zhang Yang was best.

"Zhang Yang, what is going on?" Upon reaching the deep part of the woods, Zhang Yang finally stopped. Long Cheng was already somewhat breathless. Zhang Yang’s strides weren't overly long, but his pace was very rapid; Long Cheng had to jog to keep up, and even with his good physique and internal energy, he felt the strain.

"Friend, since you are here, why not show yourself for a meeting?" Zhang Yang didn't answer his question, but turned to look around. He could only sense the person nearby but couldn't pinpoint their location. This implied the person was formidable, at least in concealment techniques; someone who could hide so effectively would not have weak personal strength.

Long Cheng started slightly and quickly moved to stand beside Zhang Yang. He finally understood what was happening: someone had been tailing them. Yet, he hadn't felt a thing; he had no idea anyone was following.

Several minutes passed after Zhang Yang spoke, and there was still no sound from the woods. This made Long Cheng look at Zhang Yang with renewed suspicion. If it had only been a feeling, Zhang Yang might now doubt himself, but he had confirmed the presence of someone through Lightning. He knew for a fact the person was hiding nearby.

"Hiding your head but exposing your tail, merely a scurrying rat!" Zhang Yang sneered, his tone decidedly rude this time, directly calling the stalker a rat who only knew how to hide. This was a provocation; since Zhang Yang couldn't locate the opponent, this was the only method available.

"Not bad, quite interesting. I didn't expect you to discover me. You deliberately led me here, didn't you? It's quite quiet and nice here!" A mocking laugh echoed from not far away. Long Cheng’s expression shifted sharply—there really was someone tracking them. As the voice spoke, Zhang Yang finally pinpointed the opponent's location. A tall, slender young man in a white shirt with a golden collar was slowly emerging from beside a tree not far off. He was quite handsome.

Soon, the man stopped about ten meters in front of Zhang Yang and stood there, making no further move. Long Feng stood there, sizing up Zhang Yang with an interested gaze, and Zhang Yang returned the look. Long Feng was taller than Zhang Yang, possessed very fair skin and long hair, and wore a dragon-shaped jade pendant around his neck. Seeing that pendant, Long Cheng's face changed again, this time displaying fear.

"You... you are from the Inner Sect?" Long Cheng whispered, the fear in his eyes undiminished, only intensifying as he looked at the man opposite him.

"You are also from the Long family, aren't you? Which outer sect disciple are you?" Long Feng glanced at him dismissively and spoke softly. His tone was even, yet it carried the inherent authority of a superior. Long Cheng gritted his teeth, slowly bowed his body, and murmured, "Outer Sect, Long Tian lineage, fourth-generation disciple Long Cheng greets the senior. May I ask which esteemed senior you are from the Inner Sect?"

"You don't need to know who I am. Just knowing I am also from the Long family is enough. Today's affair has nothing to do with you; stand aside. I have orders to capture this person!" Long Feng shook his head; Long Cheng was merely an ordinary outer sect disciple whom he didn't take seriously.