Zhang Yang had just turned around, before he could take a step, he whipped his head back for another look. Behind him was the street, filled with people coming and going, but they were all ordinary folk. After a close inspection, Zhang Yang shook his head again. "What's wrong?"

Long Feng asked in a low voice. He sensed something amiss with Zhang Yang and followed his gaze, scanning their surroundings, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. "Someone might have been watching me just now, but it’s clear now!" Zhang Yang shook his head lightly and then headed straight into the guesthouse.

Long Feng’s eyes widened slightly, and he followed Zhang Yang in, shaking his head in confusion at such a strong reaction to merely being looked at. As Zhang Yang entered the guesthouse, a tiny, inconspicuous thing slipped down from the cuff of his trousers. It was Wuying, who Zhang Yang had deliberately dispatched. In that split second when the car passed, Zhang Yang was suddenly struck by the sensation of being stared at, of being tailed.

That was why he had reacted that way, attempting to locate the pursuer. Unfortunately, the feeling vanished the moment he turned around. He had scrutinized numerous spots but could not find anyone secretly following him. Just as he was wondering if his feeling was mistaken, the sensation returned the instant he turned to leave, prompting him to look back again. Experiencing the same feeling twice in quick succession, Zhang Yang could not dismiss it as a mere illusion. He was almost certain someone was tracking him. Yet, no matter how hard he looked, he couldn't find them.

This result secretly shocked him. He was currently a master in the late Third Layer, and with the system’s assistance, his acuity was immeasurably high. Even an ordinary master of the Fourth Layer of Internal Strength might not escape his notice. What startled him even more was the reaction of Shandian and Wuying.

He subtly conveyed his feeling to the two little creatures. After careful probing, they too reported finding nothing at all. Even a Fourth Layer Internal Strength master could potentially evade him, but they absolutely could not escape the diligent search of these two. Spirit beasts possess an innate advantage in acuteness over humans. If the two little ones found nothing, there were only two possibilities: either the tracker was immensely powerful, or he had genuinely mistaken the sensation. The latter outcome was preferable. If the former was true, their journey ahead might not be as smooth as anticipated, and a faint anxiety settled in Zhang Yang’s heart.

Rooms were quickly arranged—a single room for each of them. This was the County Committee Guesthouse, which also catered to the public, considered quite decent accommodation locally. After locking the car and taking the valuables and the hunting rifle inside, Long Feng emerged.

Zhang Yang was still awaiting news from Wuying. He had secretly sent Wuying out specifically to search for the hidden follower. Zhang Yang refused to believe his prior sensations were consecutive errors. "Wu Zhiguo once mentioned that the lamb trotters at the intersection near Gao Family Village in Gaocheng County are delicious. I just asked, and Gao Family Village is right next door. Want to go try some together?" Arriving beside Zhang Yang and the others, Long Cheng inquired directly.

Wu Zhiguo knew everything about the good eats in any locality. His former reputation as a glutton wasn't earned for nothing; his prior bulk was accumulated precisely from such indulgences. Zhang Yang smiled and said softly, "Anything Wu Zhiguo remembers fondly must be good. It wouldn't hurt to taste it!" Wuying was already trailing them secretly. Its body had natural camouflage, making it easy to remain unnoticed. Zhang Yang was confident that with Wuying watching, if the person dared to show themselves again, Wuying would certainly spot them. By sending Wuying out, they could casually go eat, which also served as a good way to lure the hidden person out.

After Zhang Yang agreed, Long Cheng looked at Long Feng. Long Feng nodded immediately. He intended to cultivate by immersing himself in the world anyway, so visiting a strange city and sampling local snacks sounded like a fine experience. The three reached an agreement and soon left the guesthouse.

This was Long Cheng’s first time in Gaocheng County, and he was unfamiliar with the area. Fortunately, Gao Family Village was well-known, and a quick inquiry revealed its location. After walking for about ten minutes, they arrived at the place Wu Zhiguo had described.

It was a simple storefront, yet quite large, featuring ten wide glass panels through which one could see the interior already packed with patrons. Along the street side outside the entrance, a long wooden board had been set up. A crowd had already gathered in front of the board, which was piled high with steaming lamb trotters. It was dinner time, and many people were queuing to buy them. "The smell is amazing; just smelling it, you know it must be good!" Long Cheng remarked with a smile. They could smell the rich aroma from a distance. The shop’s booming business was no accident; the fragrance alone was enough to draw many customers.

Zhang Yang smiled and nodded, but a hint of perplexity crossed his face. Wuying had already returned. During the time they were walking, Wuying confirmed that no one was following them. It had screened every person within a radius of several miles and detected no practitioners of Internal Strength. Internal Strength practitioners were different from ordinary people; it was difficult for them to escape Wuying’s incredibly sensitive nose. Since Wuying reported this, it meant no such individuals were nearby.

This result confused Zhang Yang yet again. Could he really have been mistaken both times? He found this outcome hard to accept, almost giving him a headache. If he couldn't figure it out, he wouldn't dwell on it. Whether someone was following them or not, caution was the best policy—he just needed to be careful himself. If someone was indeed tailing them, there was nothing he could change right now. He couldn't just turn back; besides, going back wouldn't solve anything, as the pursuer could still follow him home.

The trio entered the restaurant hall, only to find every seat taken. Unlike Wu Zhiguo, they didn't know the owner personally and had to wait. After about ten minutes, they finally secured a spot at one of the temporary outdoor tables, ordering two plates of lamb trotters and a few other dishes. Long Cheng also bought a carton of Wuliangye, the best liquor available at the nearby liquor store.

The lamb trotters were truly excellent; even Long Feng offered a few compliments. The first two plates were quickly devoured, so they ordered two more. In that moment, the three individuals possessing Internal Strength were just like ordinary people, eating delicious food outdoors, drinking wine, and completely blending into the lively crowd around them. Long Feng was thoroughly enjoying the experience; the feeling was comfortable and utterly natural for him. He could even sense that under these relaxed circumstances, the circulation of his Wushang Zhendian (Supreme True Canon) was faster than usual.

"Kid, you’re eating well, while I have to starve here!" About five hundred meters away, next to a three-wheeled cart, an old man was sweeping the ground with a broom. He kept glancing toward Zhang Yang's group. His eyes looked cloudy, devoid of any light, and his entire demeanor appeared utterly unremarkable—just an ordinary old sweeper. Someone like this, Zhang Yang probably wouldn't even notice if he walked right past him. Yet, this very man held a strange, subtle smile on his lips as he swept the ground, occasionally looking at Zhang Yang, then paying attention to Shandian and Wuying beside him. After Zhang Yang's group finished eating and left, the old man vanished without a trace. His appearance and disappearance were so seamless that not a single person paid him any mind.

"We stay in Gaocheng tonight. Tomorrow evening, we should reach Ezhou Lake, where we can rest for a full day before continuing our journey the day after tomorrow!" After dinner, the three didn't return but instead went for a walk in the unfamiliar city. While strolling, Long Feng took out the map again, looked it over, and stated softly. Gaocheng County was on the edge of Jiangdong Province. After crossing two more counties, they would exit the province. Ezhou Lake, which Long Feng mentioned, was located in the neighboring Ebei Province. Ezhou Lake was vast, a famous natural lake in the interior, and a notable tourist spot. Unlike many other lakes, Ezhou Lake lay close to the mountains, abutting Mount Wu, a medium-sized mountain range stretching over two hundred miles, which also held many well-known scenic spots. However, tourism development at that time was not extensive; only a small part of Mount Wu had been developed, leaving most areas untouched. Long Feng planned to stay at Ezhou Lake for a day specifically to admire the mountain and lake scenery and experience the beauty of the landscape.

This kind of activity would have been unthinkable for the Long Feng of the past; he would have preferred using that time to cultivate more Internal Strength. This renewed practice of the Wushang Zhendian had truly changed him in many ways. After wandering around Gaocheng County for over an hour, the trio returned together. Long Feng now held a small sandbag—a toy made of cloth filled with sand. Earlier, while walking down a main road, a speeding motorcycle had zipped along the pedestrian path, nearly hitting a little girl who was playing with her sandbag near the curb. It was Long Feng, passing by at the right moment, who pulled her back, averting the accident. The little girl was sensible and, knowing Long Feng had saved her, insisted on giving him her sandbag. When Long Feng declined, she pushed it into his hands anyway. This small sandbag was, frankly, worthless, something any household could make with scraps of cloth. Yet, Long Feng clutched it as if it were precious jewelry, a smile remaining on his face.

In fact, in Long Feng's heart, no piece of jewelry could compare to this sandbag. This was his first time paying attention to ordinary people, and his first time saving one. These things he used to ignore, but now he felt the joy derived from them. It was the genuine happiness that came from helping another, a pleasure completely incomprehensible to the man who had only known cultivation before. Experiencing these emotions, Long Feng’s insights seemed to deepen, and his state of mind cultivation was slowly growing.

They returned to rest; the night passed without incident. The next morning, the three rose early. Neither Zhang Yang nor Long Feng went out to cultivate; finding a suitable training spot in an unfamiliar environment was difficult, so they decided to stay put in the hotel. After a simple breakfast, the three immediately set off. Long Cheng topped off the car’s fuel tank. They planned to drive straight through today, stopping only when necessary, expecting to reach Ezhou Lake by evening. Not long after their car departed, an old man sitting outside the guesthouse sunning himself looked up and gave a cryptic smile in the direction of their departure. He slowly rose, moved deliberately, and within moments, he had disappeared. His vanishing act was as unnoticed as the day before. Even Shandian and Wuying, who were explicitly instructed by Zhang Yang to remain highly alert before leaving, failed to notice this person.