The slight delay in Zhang Yang’s departure was due to the addition of Qu Meilan. Qu Meilan said a brief farewell to her sisters; truthfully, there wasn't much to say. Under the 'deliberate tutelage' of the old crone, the bonds between these sisters were hardly close. After packing her things, Qu Meilan left with Zhang Yang. Some of those remaining mocked her foolishness, while others envied her, for Zhang Yang was a powerhouse, and the desire to attach oneself to strength was common in the hearts of many, especially women. The delay meant that when they returned to the town, it was already evening.

On the way back, they passed close to Yinlong Mountain once more, and Zhang Yang gazed up at the peak for a long time. The spirit beast residing there was so powerful that not only had he never encountered anything like it, but even his ancestors hadn't. Indeed, rumors had circulated in the cultivation world long ago: if a spirit beast could push past its limits and survive for over a millennium, it would become an object of terror.

Such a spirit beast would possess highly developed intelligence, nearly equivalent to that of a normal person. This gave rise to a common saying among cultivators: "A thousand years makes a demon," referring to how a spirit beast crossing the thousand-year mark transforms into a far more formidable and powerful monstrous beast (Yao Shou). Even Fourth Layer cultivators dared not face such Yao Shou lightly. Previously, Zhang Yang had dismissed Yao Shou as mere legend, but now he understood that these spirit beasts truly existed.

“Zhi Guo, you’re awake!” Just as they arrived in town and were setting up tents, Long Cheng suddenly shouted with delight. Qu Meilan hurried over as well. The task of looking after Wu Zhi Guo had fallen to her upon their return. Long Cheng had just carried Wu Zhi Guo down, intending to settle him first, when he happened to discover the man was conscious. Wu Zhi Guo slowly opened his eyes, still looking somewhat dazed: “Where... where is this?” “This is the Southern Border. You collapsed on the road when the Gu poison flared up. Zhang Yang used his Breath-Holding Technique to bring you into the Southern Border, and ultimately cured your Gu poison. You’re fine now!” Long Cheng laughed heartily; Wu Zhi Guo waking up was the best news for him. “The Gu poison is cured?” Wu Zhi Guo was slightly taken aback, his mind mostly recovered now. His face held a mix of surprise and joy, coupled with immense relief. When he’d come to resolve the Gu poison, he hadn’t been entirely hopeful. He’d heard whispers of the poison’s severity. Furthermore, he’d assumed that even if it could be cured, it would involve another agonizing process. He had steeled himself to endure the pain, yet the poison had acted up prematurely, and he’d cleared it hazily while unconscious. Though his body felt somewhat unwell now, he had bypassed the torment he had anticipated.

Long Cheng nodded rapidly. “Yes, it’s gone. Don’t worry. This time, you truly must thank Zhang Yang profusely. Without him, your little life would have been forfeit!” “Zhang Yang, thank you!” Wu Zhi Guo managed to prop up his head, looked at Zhang Yang, who was approaching to examine his condition, and spoke softly. “We’re brothers, why be so formal? If you want to thank me, treat us all when we get back!” Zhang Yang checked his pulse, chuckling lightly. His words were simple and direct. Wu Zhi Guo looked at him and nodded heavily, saying no more. Zhang Yang’s phrase ‘we’re brothers’ was enough for him. Some friendships, regardless of status or standing, are worth forging with a lifetime, even with one’s life. Zhang Yang was precisely such a person. Long Cheng watched Zhang Yang, feeling a surge of gratitude himself.

Zhang Yang’s status was indeed high, though its impact on the Long family wasn't overwhelming. The Long family’s inner circle cooperated directly with top officials, while the outer circle maintained close ties with many influential figures. To Long Cheng, Zhang Yang’s most crucial aspect was his Inner Strength (Neijin). Long Cheng fully understood that Zhang Yang was undoubtedly a Neijin master hailing from an established clan. Such masters were often recluses, and they shared a common trait: disdain for ordinary people. Differences in status created differences in interaction. Many Neijin masters considered themselves superior, viewing the common populace as mere specks. Long Cheng himself, before entering society and dealing with so many people, had harbored a trace of that sentiment. It was only after long immersion in worldly affairs, managing the family’s secular businesses, that his attitude shifted. For Zhang Yang, so young yet so much stronger than him, to behave even better in this regard made Long Cheng deeply admire him.

Long Feng also watched Zhang Yang with a degree of surprise. His thoughts mirrored Long Cheng’s, perhaps even more thoroughly. His attitude toward ordinary people was already quite cold; even Mi Xue rarely received more than a few words from him, solely due to his connection with Zhang Yang. For Zhang Yang to do what he did for a commoner struck them as truly difficult. Never mind that Wu Zhi Guo was an heir to a powerful house; in the eyes of these Neijin masters, he was just an ordinary person. Zhang Yang then gave Wu Zhi Guo a prepared tonic—the same kind of pill that Shan Dian and Wu Ying often consumed as snacks. After taking it, Wu Zhi Guo’s complexion improved noticeably shortly thereafter. He could move slowly and feed himself. Qu Meilan remained diligently by his side, perhaps as a form of atonement, given her direct responsibility for Wu Zhi Guo’s previous predicament.

“Long Feng, come with me!” After the tents were pitched and everything was organized, Zhang Yang hesitated slightly before calling out to Long Feng. Long Feng glanced at him, nodded silently, and followed him out. When Zhang Yang led him away, he took the Han Quan Sword with him. However, the sword was wrapped in a thick layer of temporary scabbard made of vines, making it look like a silly club.

“Look at this!” The two reached a secluded spot, and Zhang Yang handed the Han Quan Sword to Long Feng, a smile playing on his lips. Zhang Yang had no intention of hiding the matter of the Han Quan Sword; he could also tell Long Feng about certain aspects of Yinlong Mountain. However, he decided against mentioning the terrifying spirit beast. Revealing it served no purpose and would expose the relationship between Wu Ying and the mountain spirit beast. Zhang Yang subconsciously treated the connection involving Wu Ying as a secret, his own secret. But this didn't imply distrust toward Long Feng; after sharing life-and-death situations multiple times, Long Feng was the person Zhang Yang trusted most, second only to Mi Xue.

Unwrapping the vines, Long Feng’s eyes suddenly lit up. He recognized the sword’s extraordinary nature. He had seen the vine-wrapped object since Zhang Yang’s return but hadn't asked, as Zhang Yang hadn't mentioned it. “Han Quan Sword?” After studying the blade closely, Long Feng gasped in astonishment. He, too, had heard the legends of the Han Quan Sword. He could name every divine weapon on the Divine Armament Ranking; these tales were the most captivating topic for children of cultivation during their spare time. Back then, Long Feng, like many other children practicing Inner Strength, dreamed of one day possessing a Divine Armament Ranking weapon himself. “This is the genuine Han Quan Sword?” After observing for a while, Long Feng gripped the hilt. He froze again, looking up at Zhang Yang with unconcealed shock. The true Han Quan Sword differed vastly from its counterfeits. Many imitations existed for Divine Armaments, especially the Top Ten Divine Weapons; the Dragon-Devouring Dagger Zhang Yang held was one such fake. Replicas possessed some power, but they could never compare to the real thing. At first, Long Feng assumed this sword was an ordinary replicated divine weapon, but after carefully sensing it, he immediately knew it was no imitation—it was unquestionably the Han Quan Sword. A counterfeit could not impart that cool, refreshing sensation he felt.

Zhang Yang smiled and nodded. The Han Quan Sword was a major reward from his climb up the mountain. Though he had suffered a terrifying scare on the peak, such a gain made the risk worthwhile. “You got this sword from Yinlong Mountain?” Long Feng asked, looking at Zhang Yang. The only time they had been separated was during that trip to Yinlong Mountain, and this was the only new item Zhang Yang possessed since his return from there, which prompted the question. “Yes, I stumbled upon a skeleton on the mountain, and the sword was beside him!” Zhang Yang replied with a smile. “A skeleton?” Long Feng studied Zhang Yang, then nodded thoughtfully before adding, “Legend says the Han Quan Sword was taken from the Central Plains by the Gentleman Sword, Xiao Rang. It seems the legend wasn't false. I wonder if the skeleton you saw was Xiao Rang himself or one of his descendants!” “I feel it was him, personally,” Zhang Yang said slowly after a moment of hesitation. “Himself?” Long Feng was momentarily stunned. He turned his head back toward Yinlong Mountain, his face etched with profound shock. The difference between 'himself' and 'a descendant' was vast. When Xiao Rang left, he was already a Fourth Layer master, rumored to be at the middle stage. He left specifically to break through to the late Fourth Layer and become a truly top-tier expert. Whether Xiao Rang succeeded in breaking through or not, he was still a peak expert of the middle Fourth Layer—someone who could practically walk roughshod over most. He might not defeat a late Fourth Layer master, but escaping would pose no issue. At the Inner Strength Fourth Layer, one’s physical potential is developed to an extremely high degree; everyone is swift, and if one truly wishes to flee, most people truly cannot stop them. For such a master to die on Yinlong Mountain explained Long Feng’s expression. It confirmed that the female disciple he interrogated earlier had not lied: Yinlong Mountain truly harbored an exceptionally powerful spirit beast, one capable of killing a Fourth Layer master. Now, he understood why Zhang Yang insisted on going alone—he didn’t want Long Feng accompanying him into that danger. Against a spirit beast capable of slaying a Neijin Fourth Layer expert, the outcome would have been the same for both of them, whether together or alone: utterly defenseless.

“Zhang Yang, congratulations!” After processing all this, Long Feng felt a touch of warmth. Regardless of the circumstances, Zhang Yang had acted with his well-being in mind by deliberately leaving him behind. This was care, genuine concern. “It’s a pity my cultivation hasn’t reached the Fourth Layer yet!” Zhang Yang’s face showed joy mixed with a touch of regret. Long Feng paused briefly, then immediately understood, letting out a soft laugh. He understood Zhang Yang’s meaning: since he hadn’t reached the Inner Strength Fourth Layer, the news of the Han Quan Sword being in his possession had to remain a secret for now, hidden from others.