Zhang Yang nodded again, and a smile finally broke across Long Feng’s face; he let out a breath of relief.

This request, put forward by his father, the Clan Patriarch, had surprised him greatly. He hadn't been shy about voicing his own opinions, but the Patriarch insisted on this course of action.

"Zhang Yang, thank you for this matter. Honestly, you didn't have to come along!"

Long Feng said softly, having agonized over how to bring this up with Zhang Yang since receiving the Patriarch's command.

Zhang Yang had no prior relationship with their family; their first meeting had been adversarial. When the Patriarch made the request, Long Feng genuinely didn't know how to phrase the invitation.

Now that Zhang Yang had agreed, a heavy weight was finally lifted from his shoulders.

"It’s nothing. I’m quite curious about the number one family in the country anyway; it’ll be good to see it for myself!"

Zhang Yang smiled and shook his head. He certainly could have refused Long Feng and skipped the trip.

However, refusing would surely plant some doubt in Long Feng’s mind. Zhang Yang didn't want to disappoint him; judging by how eagerly Long Feng had extended the invitation, he clearly hoped Zhang Yang would accept.

Zhang Yang hadn't guessed wrong. While Long Feng had voiced that Zhang Yang was free to decline, deep down, he desperately hoped Zhang Yang would come.

He wanted his family to know that the person he followed was formidable, superior to any of them. That way, Long Feng himself would feel immense pride. This was, perhaps, a common psychological need for young men.

After all, he had lost a bet to end up by Zhang Yang's side. If he were following someone insignificant, his family would mock him upon his return. Only once they witnessed Zhang Yang’s true power would they cease criticizing his choices.

With Zhang Yang’s agreement, Long Feng settled a major concern.

He quickly returned to his cultivation. The time until year-end wasn't long, nor was it short; he hoped to achieve yet another breakthrough.

After Long Feng departed, Zhang Yang returned to his own home.

Having promised Long Feng he would accompany him, Zhang Yang needed to prepare himself.

The Long family manor wasn't necessarily a viper's nest, but it certainly wasn't a mere tourist destination for him. Zhang Yang remembered clearly that the Zhang family of Huatuo Residence had connections with one of the Long family elders.

An elder—and one at the Fourth Layer of cultivation, no less. Zhang Yang, at his current level, stood no chance against such an opponent.

Fortunately, he still had half a year. He could utilize this time to enhance his strength. Spiritual medicine was one aspect, but he also possessed a secret cheat device.

That cheat device was the Saint Hand System. Completing tasks allowed him to level up, a mysterious system that could boost his internal energy.

Previously, he rarely sought out tasks proactively, causing the system's upgrade to proceed slowly. This time, he planned to actively take on missions. At least with his current stats, failing a mission wouldn't cause him any harm.

Unfortunately, he couldn't summon the system at will; he could only wait for its next automatic appearance.

Zhang Yang wasn't overly worried about when the system would next appear. He had possessed it for quite some time and understood some of its inherent characteristics. The system would always manifest and alert him whenever he increased his pets' loyalty.

To summon the system, he needed to figure out a way to raise the loyalty of Lightning and Shadowless.

However, increasing loyalty wasn't something one could force. Thankfully, he had half a semester left, which seemed sufficient time.

In half a semester, through spiritual medicine and tasks, Zhang Yang was confident he could reach at least the Mid Third Layer, perhaps even the Late Third Layer. If he reached the Late Third Layer, with Lightning's assistance, he would possess the power of self-preservation anywhere.

By then, he would need to weigh the consequences: was it truly worth completely alienating the Long family for the sake of a non-existent Huatuo Residence Zhang family?

As Long Feng absorbed the medicinal power, Zhang Yang did too. The energy contained within the Essence and Blood Pills was truly immense. It was no wonder ancient internal energy masters favored capturing spirit beasts and using their essence blood to refine pills to boost their strength.

This practice, precisely because of this, was why spirit beasts became scarcer, and their relationship with humans grew increasingly strained.

Someone like Zhang Yang, who managed to subdue two spirit beasts at once, was extremely rare even in ancient times.

The next day was the start of the school term. Zhang Yang and Mi Xue woke up quite early.

Hu Xin, Gu Cheng, and even Xiao Dai and Nan Nan had arrived at school. Though their businesses were booming, they made sure to show up on the first day of school.

"Zhang Yang, Gu Cheng, we finally found you!"

As the group walked through the campus, someone ran toward them from a distance, calling out their names. Being seniors in their fourth year, they had experienced numerous opening days; unlike the sophomores and juniors, they felt little excitement.

The runner was Xiao Bin, panting slightly from his exertion.

"Chairman Xiao, I hear your work has been excellent lately; the school even gave you an award!"

Xiao Dai chuckled slyly. Xiao Bin was the Student Union Chairman; he had arrived several days prior to personally oversee and arrange the welcoming activities for the new students.

The student unions of every department were mobilized. Usually, the departmental unions paid only lip service to the main Student Union, but this time was different: the main Union had money, and all the other unions eagerly flocked to its side.

These days, no matter where you are, loyalty follows the benefactor.

With money came authority, and Xiao Bin’s posture was firmer. This year's orientation was flawlessly coordinated; not only were all the new students satisfied, but the school was pleased too, specifically rewarding Xiao Bin.

This reward effectively cemented Xiao Bin's position as Student Union Chairman.

"Xiao Dai, stop teasing me. I’ve been working non-stop, running around for days..." // Book Fan Tower Fastest Text Update

Xiao Bin shook his head helplessly. That was just Xiao Dai's usual manner of speaking, and he paid it no mind.

"A little hard work is good. It’s your last year; put in the effort and try to secure an on-campus position!"

Zhang Yang said with a smile. Speaking of staying on campus, Xiao Bin's expression became even more resigned.

Xiao Bin sighed. "I inquired about it. There are only five positions available for staying on campus this year, and four have already been allocated to postgraduate students. There's only one spot for undergraduates; I have no chance of getting it!"

Xiao Bin wanted to stay on campus; an on-campus position was essentially a lifetime guarantee, something many students dreamed of in an era before mandatory job assignments.

However, he knew that without connections or backing, securing that spot would be nearly impossible. This year, only one undergraduate would remain, and he had learned that the Dean of Students had already claimed that vacancy.

The Dean of Students was Zhou Yichen's maternal uncle; Xiao Bin had only managed to become Chairman by leveraging Zhou Yichen. How could that uncle possibly leave the spot for him?

"Things are determined by human effort; don't worry," Zhang Yang said with a smile.

Xiao Bin had mentioned the retention issue to him previously, which was why Zhang Yang had kept Zhou Yichen's request for a loan in mind.

He wasn't afraid of Zhou Yichen playing tricks yet. It was still early. If Zhou Yichen dared to scheme later, Zhang Yang would have plenty of ways to deal with the brat and make him deeply regret it.

Xiao Bin chuckled too. "I wasn't thinking that far ahead. Speaking of which, Zhang Yang, there's something I needed to talk to you about!"

"What is it? Go ahead," Zhang Yang prompted.

"Chengzi contacted me a few days ago; he plans to resign as the Head of External Relations at the start of the semester. The External Relations Department has new responsibilities this semester, and I'm worried others won't handle it well. Can you help me find someone?"

Xiao Bin asked, glancing at Zhang Yang's expression.

The Student Union—other departments were manageable, but the External Relations Department was currently the most sensitive.

Previously, Gu Cheng, a staunch Zhang Faction supporter, headed that department. The Zhang Faction was practically his own faction, and they had always cooperated smoothly. Gu Cheng’s sudden resignation caught Xiao Bin completely off guard.

He later learned that Gu Cheng was starting a business and simply didn't have the time.

While wishing his friend well, Xiao Bin began contemplating who should fill the role of the new External Relations Head. This department was different from others; if managed well, it could directly challenge the Chairman’s authority.

When Zhang Yang wasn't around, just he and Gu Cheng could manage this balance. With a new Head, that dynamic would shift further.

Moreover, this position had always implicitly belonged to Zhang Yang. Even though Zhang Yang stepped away, he had appointed Gu Cheng, his absolute confidant. If Xiao Bin appointed someone of his own choosing, he worried Zhang Yang might take issue.

He owed his position to Zhang Yang and understood his influence perfectly. If Zhang Yang voiced disapproval, Xiao Bin’s chairmanship would become precarious. That was why he made a point of finding Zhang Yang on the very first day of school.

This matter couldn't be properly discussed over the phone, nor did Xiao Bin want to use the phone for it.

"This is your Student Union business. Why come to me? You're the Grand Chairman; can't you handle such a small matter?"

Zhang Yang laughed casually, seeing through Xiao Bin’s slight anxiety immediately.

Zhang Yang truly didn't care about the Student Union anymore; it amounted to nothing in his eyes.

He had only stayed involved in the first place to fulfill the dying wish of the body’s original owner. Now that the wish was fulfilled, the Student Union had no further connection to him.

Unless Xiao Bin made a huge mistake and got caught red-handed by the school, Zhang Yang wouldn't intervene.

"I can handle it, but it's about your side of things," Xiao Bin scratched his head sheepishly.

"Don't worry about my side. Remember, that's your territory," Zhang Yang said, waving his hand lightly once more. This time, Xiao Bin understood completely: Zhang Yang genuinely did not intend to concern himself with any Student Union affairs.

With Zhang Yang's affirmative answer, Xiao Bin finally relaxed. It wasn't that he was overly cautious, but one's perspective changes with their position. Zhang Yang’s outlook was vastly broader than his own.

Having resolved that issue, Xiao Bin didn't leave right away; he started asking about what everyone had been doing over the summer break.

He knew Zhang Yang and the others hadn't gone home and that Gu Cheng was starting a business, but he wasn't sure of the specifics. He had been away for a long time and hadn't kept up with things, and upon returning to school, he’d been swamped with Union duties.

Hearing that Hu Xin and Gu Cheng had already established a company with assets nearing a million made his jaw drop.

He finally understood why Gu Cheng was resigning; the man was apparently a burgeoning tycoon and looked down on his small administrative role.

When he learned that Mi Xue, Xiao Dai, and the other two girls had opened a large hotel with assets worth several million, his mouth opened even wider.

In just one summer vacation, he hadn't expected his friends to undergo such massive transformations.

He then pressed Zhang Yang on what business he had started. Zhang Yang said he hadn't done any, which Xiao Bin refused to believe. Under pressure, Zhang Yang reluctantly admitted he had invested twenty million in an investment firm, but nothing else.

Upon hearing Zhang Yang had invested twenty million, Xiao Bin was utterly dumbfounded, staring at them as if they were extraterrestrials.

…………

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