The IOU was easy enough to write, and Zhou Yichen quickly composed it, then affixed his thumbprint. However, the fellow was clearly wary of Zhang Yang, writing into the note that it would only take effect once the check cleared, fearing that Zhang Yang’s check might be worthless.

“Zhang Yang, how could you lend money to a person like that? I say he deserves to be forced into a corner until he dies!” Only after Zhou Yichen had left did Mi Xue complain; she held absolutely no positive feelings toward him.

Zhou Yichen had caused Sister Zhou to fall, nearly causing her to miscarry, and then refused to admit it; ultimately, he’d shamelessly hired thugs to beat Zhang Yang up, even intending to break his arm. All of this made Zhou Yichen unforgivable in Mi Xue's eyes; he was, without question, the lowest person she had ever encountered.

“Relax, it’s fine. My money isn't so easily borrowed!” Zhang Yang smiled faintly, not giving it much thought, and led Mi Xue out of the school.

What Zhang Yang said was true; his money was indeed not easy to borrow. It could be taken, but thinking of simply not repaying it was absolutely impossible.

Zhou Yichen, in his cleverness, had added the clause about effectiveness only after the check cleared. Cashing the check left a record, meaning he wouldn’t be able to renege on the debt later.

When the time came and Zhou Yichen genuinely couldn't repay the money, Zhang Yang would ensure the man was utterly ruined. As they left, neither Zhang Yang nor Mi Xue brought up Zhou Yichen again.

Mentioning him made Mi Xue sick, so they simply stopped talking about him. Sister Zhou was inside the noodle shop with her newborn child.

After Mi Xue spent a while entertaining the baby, Sister Zhou brought them their dinner. The chicken feet here were just as authentic as before; Mi Xue could never tire of them.

She demolished the majority of one plate herself, leaving little for Long Feng and Zhang Yang. After dinner, walking home felt like a nice stroll.

Long Feng trailed far behind them, leaving the intimate space for the young couple. Upon returning, Mi Xue quickly settled down to rest.

She had spent the entire day watching over Zhang Yang, worrying all day, and being utterly exhausted both physically and mentally. Zhang Yang massaged her for a while, and she soon drifted off to sleep.

“Long Feng, let’s go out!” As soon as Mi Xue fell asleep, Zhang Yang spoke to Long Feng, who hadn't yet left. Excitement still lingered on Zhang Yang’s face.

Long Feng stared at him in astonishment, then a wry smile slowly spread across his face. He understood; Zhang Yang was looking for someone to spar with.

Those who had just broken through usually felt this urge. When he broke through at home, he would also find his sworn brothers for a few practice rounds.

Zhang Yang had no one else available, so he could only turn to Long Feng. The problem was that Long Feng was only in the early stage of the Second Layer, not yet mid-stage, while Zhang Yang was in the early stage of the Third Layer—a full level separated them.

Long Feng stood no chance against Zhang Yang. Sparring with Zhang Yang would purely be asking for a beating.

But refusing wasn’t an option. Zhang Yang firmly dragged him along to the abandoned factory where they’d sparred last time; it was the quietest and closest spot.

“Long Feng, attack with everything you have. Don't hold back even a sliver!” Standing there, Zhang Yang began adjusting his inner energy.

Ever since his breakthrough, his hands had been itching for action, but with Mi Xue present, it wasn't convenient to call out Long Feng. Now that Mi Xue was finally resting, he immediately pulled Long Feng out.

“Even if I don’t hold back, I can’t win!” Long Feng shook his head helplessly. The gap was truly too vast.

Zhang Yang’s progress was startling even to him. If Zhang Yang had possessed this level of strength back then, Long Feng wouldn't have dared to fight him, much less agree to the wager.

However, looking at it now, losing the bet hadn't been a disadvantage; the four spirit herbs had fully turned into a— “Squeak squeak squeak!” Lightning laughed gleefully beside them, seemingly mocking Long Feng, believing he would only get thrashed in a fight against Zhang Yang. “How about this: you and Lightning attack together, and I’ll face you both alone.” Zhang Yang glanced at Lightning and suddenly said this.

Lightning’s hearty laughter abruptly ceased. It turned back, staring at Zhang Yang in disbelief.

“Lightning, try teaming up with Long Feng!” Zhang Yang said softly. Lightning had also evolved, but Zhang Yang wasn't sure how much, nor did he know its true current strength.

His recent breakthrough was the perfect opportunity to assess Lightning’s power. “Squeak squeak squeak!” Lightning hopped a few times to stand before Zhang Yang, crouching down and chirping incessantly, gesturing with its paws as it spoke.

Its meaning was that it wouldn't team up with Long Feng; ganging up on one person was bullying. Zhang Yang couldn't understand the words, but he could grasp the intent.

“If not teaming up, then let’s fight first, you and I, and I’ll spar with Long Feng afterward!” Zhang Yang chuckled slyly, causing Lightning to freeze again, looking at Zhang Yang with a pained expression. Lightning was a spirit beast, a venomous one at that, but strictly speaking, it wasn't a combat-oriented spirit beast like the Golden Crown Python, which possessed immense physical power.

Its specialty lay only in its agility and its poison. Zhang Yang, having just broken through, would surely be formidable.

Being forced into a fight where its specialty wasn't key—it wouldn't be happy about that. “If you won’t speak, I’ll take it as agreement.

Here I come!” Zhang Yang chuckled again, and Lightning’s body suddenly—//Fastest text updates at the Fan’s Tower— This time, Zhang Yang could understand its meaning too. It was as if it were saying, Since you insist on a one-versus-two fight, have your wish.

Just don't claim they were ganging up on one person. Lightning had been with Zhang Yang for so long that it had grown clever; knowing that resistance was futile, it quickly chose the arrangement most advantageous to itself.

Long Feng was also surprised by the exchange between Lightning and Zhang Yang, yet not entirely unexpected. He knew that spirit beasts had high intelligence.

His family once had a guardian spirit beast, but alas, that beast had reached the end of its lifespan ten years ago. He had never met it; the Xuanyuan family no longer possessed a guardian spirit beast.

“We’ll team up and strike first!” Long Feng suddenly announced. As he spoke, his Snow Whip was already lashing out.

He knew Zhang Yang was far more powerful than him and that he needed a strategy. A sneak attack was a small strategy.

As soon as he moved, Lightning also leaped up—a white shadow shot rapidly toward Zhang Yang in the darkness. Lightning’s speed was truly much faster than before.

The old Zhang Yang wouldn't have been able to dodge it at all. One side with the Snow Whip, the other with Lightning—though this was their first coordinated effort, the pair worked surprisingly well together, and neither held back.

Zhang Yang bent his body backward, first dodging Long Feng’s attack, then reaching out to grab. If Lightning continued its direct charge, it would certainly be caught.

“Squeak squeak squeak!” Lightning squeaked rapidly, twisting its body impossibly in mid-air. Without landing, it looped around from another direction and charged at Zhang Yang.

Its movement made it look as if it were flying. Zhang Yang froze sharply and turned his body again.

At that moment, Long Feng’s second whip strike was already sweeping toward him. Long Feng knew the gap between them was huge, so he avoided close-quarters combat, focusing entirely on executing his whip techniques.

The coordination between Long Feng and Lightning actually forced Zhang Yang into a continuous retreat, leaving him only enough room to defend. This outcome was somewhat unexpected for Zhang Yang, and even more so for Long Feng.

It wasn't that Long Feng was overwhelmingly powerful, but that Lightning was playing a crucial role. Lightning’s speed was too fast, and its movements too bizarre; it consumed most of Zhang Yang’s energy.

Without it, Zhang Yang would likely have closed the distance and attacked Long Feng directly. This also showed that Lightning’s strength had indeed grown considerably.

“Puff puff puff!” Zhang Yang struck the ground several times in quick succession and leaped sideways, finally evading Lightning’s attack. Lightning, meanwhile, had landed.

“Squeak squeak squeak!” Lightning chirped, pressed its small paw against the ground, and sprang into the air. While airborne, its mouth suddenly began spraying continuously, emitting patches of black toxic mist that sprayed from its mouth.

These mists rapidly diffused and soon vanished into the air. Seeing this mist, Zhang Yang’s expression changed sharply, looking utterly incredulous.

The prior Golden Crown Python had looked exactly like this when spraying its venom. Zhang Yang knew how potent the Golden Crown Python’s toxins were; if he hadn't been bitten by Wu Ying that time, he would have been finished.

“Squeak squeak squeak!” Before Zhang Yang could process why Lightning could spray poison like the Golden Crown Python, Lightning charged at him again. If he tried to dodge by leaping into the air this time, he would inevitably enter the toxic mist zone.

This was precisely Lightning’s intention—to use the mist to lock Zhang Yang down. Its poison was potent, but it wouldn't actually kill Zhang Yang, though being poisoned would certainly be unpleasant for him.

With the surroundings filled with mist and Long Feng constantly attacking from a distance with his Snow Whip, Zhang Yang hadn't anticipated starting the spar with this kind of situation. He had been supremely confident, believing he could handle a two-on-one fight without any issue.

However, he had clearly underestimated Lightning; just Lightning alone could match him evenly. This indicated that Lightning’s strength had also advanced to the Third Layer realm, showing massive improvement compared to before.

“Chirp chirp chirp!” Wu Ying, hiding nearby, cried out enviously. It also longed to possess the high level of strength that could force Zhang Yang into frantic maneuvering.

Unfortunately, it was a purely auxiliary spirit beast and had no hope of ever achieving such power.