The fight between the two was fierce. Zhang Yang kept one eye on the Boss grappling with Long Feng, while remaining wary of that old hag.

Long Feng’s epithet for her was disturbingly accurate; she truly was an old hag.

While observing the two combatants in the hall, the old hag also kept a close watch on Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang had not made a move until he intercepted the second-in-command’s (Gu worm), at which point he flicked out a silver needle. That single maneuver was enough for her to gauge that Zhang Yang’s strength was considerable.

Just how considerable, she couldn't quite discern.

Though unaware of Zhang Yang’s true prowess, she hadn't been overly concerned, as she still hadn't taken Zhang Yang or Long Cheng seriously up to this point.

In her estimation, these two were mere juniors, unworthy of significant attention; otherwise, she wouldn't have kept sending her disciples forward, nor would she have remained unconcerned even after two of them were captured.

"Crash!"

The Boss suddenly flung her hand, and her long whip finally snapped in two.

A whip, after all, was not a short sword or similar weapon that one could fully infuse with internal energy and meet force with force, even for a master at the third layer of Inner Strength, it would be immensely taxing to infuse the entire length.

This was one of the primary reasons she coveted Long Feng’s whip so desperately.

With her whip broken, Long Feng pressed his advantage. He now knew his opponent's Inner Strength was no less than his own, and defeating her required leaving no room for reprieve.

"Slap, slap, slap!"

The Boss was driven into perilous situations by Long Feng’s whip, forced to roll on the ground to evade the strikes, her appearance utterly pathetic.

The surrounding fellow disciples showed worried expressions. Regardless, this was their Senior Sister. Zhang Yang and Long Feng were their enemies.

"Ah!"

The Boss finally failed to dodge and was struck by Long Feng’s whip.

The next moment, Long Feng’s whip coiled around her, sweeping her towards him. He executed this move just as before—to sweep the target in and knock them unconscious, ending the fight.

The Boss’s body was being dragged straight toward Long Feng. Zhang Yang frowned slightly; he sensed something was amiss.

Unfortunately, it was only a feeling; he couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong.

Before Zhang Yang could process the feeling, the Boss’s body was already reeled in by Long Feng, whose arm swung back, ready to deliver a heavy blow to knock her out as soon as she was close enough.

As she was being pulled in, a sliver of cold light flashed in the Boss’s eyes.

Swiftly, a small, crystalline white moth flew from her hand, darting directly toward Long Feng’s body.

Zhang Yang’s face changed drastically. He recognized the sound of the small moth in flight. He didn't know what it was, but he knew instantly it signaled trouble.

Regrettably, his position was directly behind Long Feng, while the Boss was right in front of Long Feng, dangerously close. He didn't have time to draw his silver needles to intercept and kill the flying object.

He needed to reposition to the side, where he could see clearly enough to fire the needles, but time was a luxury he did not possess now.

Long Feng’s expression also shifted as he spotted the crystalline white moth. However, the distance was too short; evasion was impossible.

The small moth zipped straight to Long Feng’s neck, aiming directly to burrow into his body.

As it burrowed, Long Feng felt nothing at all, not even a slight tingling sensation.

Seeing her (Gu worm) make contact with Long Feng, a smile finally bloomed on the Boss’s face.

She had deliberately allowed Long Feng to hit her, enduring the injury just to be reeled in, all for the sake of this surprise venom attack. It seemed her sacrifice was worthwhile; at least her Gu worm had successfully landed.

Alas, her smile froze before it could fully form.

She saw a white shadow instantly materialize near Long Feng’s neck. It clamped down on the Gu worm that hadn't yet fully entered Long Feng, taking a few swift bites before gobbling it down with a soft crunch, crunch.

After consuming it, the small creature even licked its lips with an expression of unsatisfied yearning.

Long Feng, who had been momentarily stunned, finally reacted, bringing his fist down heavily on the Boss’s head. The Boss fell to the ground with deep reluctance, never imagining that a mouse capable of eating Gu worms existed.

The creature that appeared on Long Feng’s neck was none other than Wuying.

Long Feng now bore a tiny red dot on his neck—the mark left by the Gu worm’s bite. This small spot was merely a pinprick, yet it was through such tiny openings that Gu worms could infiltrate the body, a feature that allowed for undetectable implantation.

This was one of the major characteristics of Gu worms.

Still shaken, Long Feng quickly retreated several steps, moving to stand beside Zhang Yang.

That was a near thing. Had Wuying not suddenly appeared, he would have been successfully poisoned, and his life would have been at the mercy of the other party.

The Xuan Yuan family might have actually been forced to accept the old hag’s ransom to redeem his life.

If that had happened, he would never be able to hold his head up in the family again, a lifetime of shame that would also bring disgrace upon the entire Xuan Yuan lineage.

"Treasure-Seeking Mouse!"

The old hag suddenly stood up, crying out shrilly.

Her eyeballs continued to dart around, fixing on Wuying, who had already hopped back onto Zhang Yang. A whirlwind of emotions played across her face: fear, astonishment, but overwhelmingly, avarice and excitement.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"

Wuying chirped a few times at Zhang Yang, clearly seeking praise.

Zhang Yang gently patted the creature. It had indeed been dangerous moments ago, and he hadn't expected Wuying to suddenly dart out and rescue Long Feng.

But then again, Wuying’s speed was far greater than before. The Essence Blood Pill seemed to have benefited it significantly; though it might not boost its fighting power, it certainly enhanced its speed.

"Though you dwell deep in these mountains, your knowledge is extensive. You are correct; Wuying is a Treasure-Seeking Mouse!"

Holding Wuying, Zhang Yang smiled faintly at the old hag. Since she had identified Wuying’s nature, there was no need for further concealment.

"Excellent, excellent! You have managed to subdue a Treasure-Seeking Mouse. I change my mind. If you are willing, I will take you as my disciple—my first disciple. You can enjoy all the resources here, and as for my female disciples, choose any one you fancy to serve you at any time. Here, everyone except myself will obey your commands!"

The old hag spoke slowly, staring intently at Zhang Yang.

Her voice was grating, and the female disciples standing nearby looked on with shock; some showed signs of outright terror.

The old hag held Zhang Yang’s gaze, awaiting his response.

A Treasure-Seeking Mouse—Zhang Yang possessed one. This was indeed beyond her expectation.

Cultivating Gu worms is extremely difficult, but once mature, their power is immense. Yet, Gu worms are not without their natural predators.

One type of spirit beast specifically enjoys consuming Gu worms: the Treasure-Seeking Mouse.

Besides being the nemesis of Gu worms, the Treasure-Seeking Mouse possesses several other valuable traits.

Treasure-Seeking Mice consume numerous heavenly materials, earthly treasures, and other rare delicacies; the essence in their blood is the most potent.

If a Gu worm were fed with the blood of a Treasure-Seeking Mouse, a single drop could nurture a highly potent, top-grade Gu worm. Since a Treasure-Seeking Mouse yields a substantial amount of blood, slow refinement could yield hundreds of top-grade Gu worms.

That was not all. The greatest ability of the Treasure-Seeking Mouse is finding treasure, locating those rare materials that would greatly aid in enhancing her own strength.

These were the factors that moved the old hag, but she understood that spirit beasts are difficult to bond with, and once loyal, they remain with their master, never following another.

If not for this constraint, she wouldn't be attempting to woo Zhang Yang now; she would have already killed him and seized the Treasure-Seeking Mouse.

Zhang Yang stared at her, momentarily stunned by the drastic shift in her demeanor upon seeing Wuying.

His eyes flickered. He considered feigning acceptance, hoping to first compel the old hag to cure Wu Zhiguo.

However, the thought was instantly discarded.

This old hag was clearly no good person. If she were to perform some trickery while attempting the cure, it would only create more trouble. It would be better to defeat her outright or capture her to force the cure out of her.

Since the masks were already off, all pretense was unnecessary.

With this realization, Zhang Yang smiled lightly and said, "Agreeing to your terms is not impossible, but you must agree to one condition of mine first!"

Before Zhang Yang finished speaking, Long Feng turned back in surprise to look at him.

The female disciples also turned, staring at Zhang Yang with astonishment. Some wore expressions of indignation, while a few held a flicker of anticipation.

"Good! As long as you agree, never mind one condition, I will grant you ten!"

The old hag burst into loud laughter, believing Zhang Yang had truly been swayed and accepted her invitation.

Zhang Yang smiled faintly and reiterated, "This condition is simple: cripple your own Inner Strength. Only then can I feel secure staying here!"

The old hag’s laughter ceased abruptly. She glared viciously at Zhang Yang, venom still lingering in her eyes.

She now understood that Zhang Yang’s agreement was merely a tactic to mock her.

Long Feng’s face broke into a smile. Cripple her Inner Strength—only Zhang Yang could utter such a demand. If she were reduced to an ordinary person, anyone here could dispatch her easily.

In that case, agreeing wouldn't matter; they could simply disband the operation afterward. But while they might accept such a term, the old hag certainly would not.

"Boy, I pity your talent, yet you are so ungrateful. Very well, you don't understand the power of this Gu Mother. Today, I shall make you understand it thoroughly!"

As she spoke, the old hag suddenly moved, flying directly toward Zhang Yang.

In her hand, she now held a Ghost Head Staff—only half a staff, usable only as a mace, but it was still a divine weapon, one of the few items they had found through sheer luck.

The old hag chose not to deploy a Gu worm. With a Treasure-Seeking Mouse on Zhang Yang’s side, releasing a Gu worm would be offering free food, incapable of harming him. Yet, even without Gu, she was confident she could capture both Zhang Yang and Long Feng.

Her confidence stemmed entirely from her formidable strength.

"Boom!"

Zhang Yang and the old hag clashed immediately. The old hag’s body immediately recoiled a step, while Zhang Yang’s body retreated a step and a half.

"Late Third Layer!"

Zhang Yang and the old hag exclaimed the same words almost simultaneously, the old hag’s face etched with disbelief.

…………

Fifth update, Chapter 100 bonus chapter, thirty-sixth part. More to come.