After offering a few words of comfort to Mi Xue and the others, assuring them he was fine, Zhang Yang left the room.

The wooden cabin stood alone on the mountain, surrounded by patches of open ground, at the edge of which a figure was waiting.

Seeing the silhouette, Zhang Yang immediately walked over.

In the yard, Zhang Yun’an also noticed Zhang Yang and this person. A flicker of hesitation crossed his face before he eventually turned and retreated into his own room.

“Long Feng!”

Zhang Yang reached the man and called out softly. He had intended to offer some words of solace, but the rest of his speech caught in his throat.

For someone who possessed Neijin (Internal Energy), the sudden loss of it was akin to an sighted person instantly losing their vision, or a healthy individual losing both legs—it was almost impossible to accept.

He feared Long Feng would not be able to bear the consequences.

“You’re awake? Good, that’s a relief!”

Long Feng turned, a faint smile on his lips. Without his Neijin, he was just an ordinary person now.

His expression showed no sign of dejection or despair, yet the calmer he appeared, the more worried Zhang Yang became.

“Don’t worry, you’ve only lost your Neijin temporarily. You can cultivate it back. I’ll pile spiritual medicines high if I have to, to restore your strength. If we don’t have enough herbs, I’ll take Wu Ying, and we’ll find more heavenly materials and earthly treasures!”

Zhang Yang clapped him heavily on the shoulder, speaking with force.

He truly wanted to say that Long Feng had been too rash, but those words wouldn't come out. Long Feng’s decision to use the Hualong Gong (Dragon Transformation Technique) wasn't entirely for self-preservation; it also stemmed from a desire to protect him.

The situation had been dire. He was no match for a master at the fourth layer of Neijin. Regret later seemed less palatable than making a choice in the moment. At that time, Zhang Yun’an was still their adversary, and Zhang Yang had no idea what fate awaited them in Zhang Yun’an’s hands.

Of course, it couldn't be ruled out that Long Feng also harbored an unwillingness to fall into another's control.

The matter involving the old sorceress of Southern Border served as a stark reminder: if captured by a master, they could be used to threaten the Long family, making him a sinner to his clan.

“You don’t need to worry about me!”

The smile on Long Feng’s face brightened further. He turned back, gazing at the forest before them, and continued, “When I first woke up, I was surprised to find myself alive. Only then did I grasp the preciousness of being alive. When I realized my Neijin was gone, I felt fear, but that fear wasn’t as significant as the value of being alive. Regardless, I am alive, and that is enough!”

Pausing here, Long Feng grinned again. “Besides, I’ve only lost my Neijin temporarily; I still have the chance to cultivate again. For me, this is already the best possible outcome. What more could I ask for? So, rest assured, I am absolutely fine!”

Zhang Yang looked at Long Feng in surprise. He hadn’t expected Long Feng to be so philosophical about it.

“But don’t celebrate too soon. I can’t protect you now; it’s time for you to protect me. Also, I won't be polite with you; I’ll call on you when I need something!”

Long Feng added with a smile. Hearing this, Zhang Yang finally believed that Long Feng had genuinely reconciled with his situation, bearing no psychological burden.

Seeing Long Feng handling it better than he had imagined, Zhang Yang’s tension eased.

“Well said. To have such insight at such a young age is rare. Once you resume your cultivation, you are bound to ascend rapidly!”

A voice sounded from behind them as Zhang Yun’an walked over.

“Senior!”

“Uncle!”

Both Zhang Yang and Long Feng called out. Long Feng held no resentment toward Zhang Yun’an.

It had been a misunderstanding, and that misunderstanding was now cleared. Moreover, it was Zhang Yun’an who had interrupted Shi’s Hualong Gong, ultimately saving his life.

“Follow me!”

Zhang Yun’an nodded slightly, then turned and walked not toward the cabin, but deeper into the woods.

Zhang Yang and Long Feng exchanged a quick glance and hurried after him.

Long Feng was without Neijin now, so Zhang Yang deliberately slowed his pace, needing to keep up with him, lest Long Feng fall behind.

Deep in the woods, Zhang Yun’an stopped. He was holding a rolled scroll, which he must have acquired at some point. He turned to face Long Feng and tossed the scroll directly to him.

Both Zhang Yang and Long Feng looked bewildered, bending down together to examine the scroll.

There were a few characters inscribed on it, and upon seeing them, both men froze simultaneously.

“Wushang Zhendian (Supreme True Canon)?”

Zhang Yang had actually encountered this name before; it was recorded in the ancestral secret manuals of the Zhang family. It was an incredibly potent Neijin cultivation manual, even surpassing most advanced techniques. Zhang Yang was simply surprised that Zhang Yun’an possessed it.

“Senior, what do you mean by giving this to me?”

Long Feng held the book but didn't open it, asking in a low voice. The Wushang Zhendian was indeed famous, and he had heard of it, but his knowledge included an extra detail: it was a cultivation manual of the Demonic Sect.

“Your current condition is perfectly suited for practicing this. Take it and train. Once achieved, you will be stronger than you were before. Perhaps this is your destined opportunity!”

Zhang Yun’an smiled faintly. In truth, the moment he produced the book, they had guessed his intention; he was merely stating it now.

Hearing this, Long Feng hesitated instead.

After a moment, he said softly, “Senior, I appreciate your kindness, but I cannot practice a cultivation manual of the Demonic Sect!”

Long Feng was a disciple of the Xuanyuan Family, the foremost family in Huaxia and a paragon of the Righteous Path. If his family learned he practiced a Demonic Sect manual, the consequence could range from expulsion to having his lineage purged. No matter how powerful the manual was rumored to be, he dared not cultivate it.

“Nonsense about the Demonic Sect; those are all slanders. The Wushang Zhendian is an authentic Daoist cultivation method. The only reason it was labeled a Demonic Sect manual is because one must cripple their existing Neijin before commencing practice. Your situation is the most suitable for it. If you don’t believe me, look inside!”

Zhang Yun’an shook his head with a smile, unsurprised by Long Feng’s reaction.

Long Feng, with a touch of doubt, opened the scroll.

The very first page read: ‘No destruction, no standing.’ To break before establishing. These words confirmed that the technique required one to voluntarily cripple their Neijin first. Furthermore, before this self-crippling, one’s Neijin had to have already reached the third layer.

No one who had cultivated their Neijin to the third layer would willingly destroy it. This condition caused many to balk, which slowly led to the rumor that it was a Demonic Sect manual. Such an absolute requirement seemed more fitting for the demonic path than the Daoist one.

“Don’t worry. I stumbled upon this book by chance. When I found it, I contended with someone over it and eventually took it back. By giving it to you today, I am returning it to him, in a way. Both he and I have seen its contents, so we know if it can be cultivated!”

Zhang Yun’an chuckled again, marveling at fate.

“Uncle, who did you encounter?”

Zhang Yang inquired. Hearing Zhang Yun’an speak this way, it sounded as if the person he met had some connection to Long Feng.

Zhang Yun’an looked at Long Feng and uttered a few words: “Long Haotian!”

Long Haotian?

Zhang Yang turned to look at Long Feng, guessing from the name that this person must be from the Long family. Zhang Yang remained calm, but Long Feng’s eyes widened abruptly.

He knew this name too well—it was the current Patriarch of the Long family, his own father. Long Feng was astonished that his father knew Zhang Yang’s uncle, and that they had even clashed before.

Zhang Yun’an laughed again. “After I took the book, Long Haotian sought me out several times to reclaim it, but I refused every time. This is truly a Daoist technique, so practice it without fear. If you don’t believe me, go ask him. As a member of the Long family, you should know him!”

Long Feng suddenly bowed deeply, his expression turning solemn.

“Senior, the person you speak of is indeed my father,” Long Feng said quietly. Zhang Yun’an was momentarily stunned, then smiled once more.

“What Long Haotian couldn't reclaim, his son has now taken back. Well, every meeting and every parting is a form of destiny; it seems this book was fated to be yours!”

Zhang Yun’an smiled, admitting he had felt a twinge of reluctance earlier, but now he felt none.

The Wushang Zhendian, as a Neijin manual, undoubtedly ranked among the top three—an extremely powerful, truly supreme-tier technique. When he acquired the True Canon, Zhang Yun’an was also at the third layer of Neijin and had considered re-cultivating from the start. He eventually gave up; starting over was too arduous. No one at the third layer of Neijin would easily abandon their strength. Moreover, he only had the manual; there was no guarantee he could master it. He was unwilling to take that risk, nor could he afford it.

Yet, he hadn't been willing to discard the manual, even refusing Long Haotian's offers to trade for it—this was a genuine supreme-tier technique. He wasn't giving it to Long Feng solely because Long Feng's condition was perfectly suited. Zhang Yun’an felt a degree of responsibility for Long Feng’s current state, and moreover, Long Feng was injured while saving Zhang Yang, sacrificing himself to create an opportunity for Zhang Yang to escape. Zhang Yang was his nephew and currently the successor of the Medical Saint lineage; he could not let his own kin suffer a grievance. Now that Long Feng confirmed he was Long Haotian's son, Zhang Yun’an felt no regret whatsoever.

“Thank you, Senior!”

Long Feng nodded heavily. He did not doubt Zhang Yun’an’s words; if his father knew of it, he could practice it. Zhang Yun’an was a top expert at the fourth layer of Neijin; he had no need or reason to deceive him about such a matter.

The lowest requirement for cultivating this manual was the third layer of Neijin. Long Feng hadn't fully reached it, but during his use of the Hualong Gong, his Neijin had broken through into the third layer, barely meeting the requirement. Having entered the third layer meant he had possessed the strength of that level.

Long Feng wouldn't start practicing immediately; he would consult his father first and only proceed with his permission. However, the thought of possessing a supreme-tier Neijin manual did spark a small thrill within him. The Long family possessed supreme-tier manuals, but their cultivation requirements were extremely strict; no one in his generation had succeeded in mastering one. Only one ancestor had cultivated it, which was a point of regret for the Long family.

Second update; there’s more coming. Next chapter update around 4:30.