Elder Jiu couldn't discern his true strength, but Zhang Yang could certainly gauge the elder's. Elder Jiu was slightly stronger than Long Feng, a master who had entered the third layer of Inner Strength, though only just barely—he was at the early stage of that layer.

Advancing beyond the second layer was significantly harder. Zhang Yang had only reached the mid-stage of the third layer thanks to the System, and then, through the accidental convergence of resolving his inner demons and accumulating potent spiritual elixirs, he stumbled into the late stage.

No one could replicate his path unless they possessed a Divine Physician System of their own.

“Elder Jiu, Zhang Yang is not an outsider. He is the current successor of the Divine Physician lineage, and furthermore, he saved my life!”

Long Feng added the final four words with great emphasis, signaling that Zhang Yang held a profound debt of gratitude owed by the Long family. To treat such a benefactor this way was surely improper, especially considering the Long family was a major clan.

Moreover, Long Feng knew something else: Zhang Yang had brought a weapon, and not just any weapon, but a top-tier divine implement. The Cold Spring Sword, an artifact ranked high on the Divine Weapon Ledger, was accompanying him. Zhang Yang had no idea what reception awaited him at the Long residence, so naturally, he had to be armed to the best of his ability.

Handing over this divine weapon was simply out of the question for Zhang Yang.

“Long Feng, I am acting according to the rules. Do not interfere!”

Elder Jiu glanced lightly at Long Feng and spoke softly. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried immense authority.

Long Feng opened his mouth but ultimately held his tongue, his face etched with helplessness.

Long Cheng appeared anxious, attempting to speak several times but failing. His status was too low; if even Long Feng couldn't help, his words would be entirely useless.

“If this is how the Long family welcomes guests, then perhaps I shouldn’t have come at all!”

Zhang Yang smiled faintly. These words were admittedly sharp, yet they were the honest truth. He was an invited guest, not someone begging entry. To face unfair treatment upon arrival made staying pointless.

And one other thing: Long Feng hadn't guessed wrong. Zhang Yang absolutely would not surrender the Cold Spring Sword to this Elder Jiu. This was the ninth-ranked artifact on the Divine Weapon Ledger. If the Long family members took a fancy to it, there would be no way to get it back. The Long family was large and powerful; they wouldn't fear making an enemy of the Divine Physician lineage, especially since that lineage was thin on numbers, with him being the sole young successor.

“Zhang Yang!” Long Feng called out, his mouth wide with concern.

“Brother Long. My apologies, I must take my leave now!” Zhang Yang clasped his hands in a bow, then turned to depart immediately.

“Halt!”

Elder Jiu suddenly called out again. He hadn't expected Zhang Yang to leave so decisively; the reaction was completely outside his anticipation. He had demanded the weapon for two reasons: first, to display the Long family’s authority, and second, to gauge the young man's response. His objective was achieved, but the outcome was not what he imagined. He hadn't intended for Zhang Yang to leave just yet, and Zhang Yang’s reaction sparked a flicker of anger within him.

“Is the Long family a place where one can come and go as they please?”

Elder Jiu roared, his tone laced with challenge. Zhang Yang was just a young man, remarkably young at that, yet in his eyes, he was acting insolently, which deeply displeased him.

“Elder Jiu, Zhang Yang is a guest personally invited by the Patriarch. He represents the Divine Physician lineage!”

Long Feng couldn't help but interject again, feeling a growing dissatisfaction with his elder’s attitude. Elder Jiu was named Long Jiu, not because he was the ninth son, but because he favored the number nine and subsequently changed his name. Being Long Jiu and ranking ninth carried the implication of 'nine-nine returning to one.' Usually, Long Feng held this elder in high regard, but today, Elder Jiu’s aggressive pursuit of Zhang Yang left Long Feng in an awkward position; Zhang Yang was a guest, and one he had vouched for. Out of respect for Long Jiu being an elder, he could only offer a reminder and invoke the Patriarch's authority.

Long Jiu gave him a cool glance and repeated, “I am merely adhering to the rules. Regardless of who enters, they must follow the regulations of our Long family!”

Zhang Yang let out a sudden scoff. “Rules? Is the Long family's rule one of coercion? Is this the standard operating procedure for the foremost great family? Is the foremost great family nothing more than a den of thieves?”

Long Jiu was momentarily stunned, then his anger flared. He shouted, “Insolent boy! The Long family’s rules are not for you to malign. If you refuse to surrender your weapon, then you may defeat me!”

Though angry, Long Jiu hadn't made the first move. After all, he was an elder, and striking first against a junior was something he wouldn't do. Furthermore, Zhang Yang was the Patriarch’s guest, and any aggressive action could lead to reprimand from the Patriarch. His current actions, at least, followed established protocol, giving him a plausible defense if questioned.

“Defeating you will be simple!”

Zhang Yang smiled faintly, a hint of disdain in his expression. Long Jiu paused again, his anger intensifying. He forcefully suppressed his rising temper and stated coldly, “Arrogant whelp, if you can withstand ten of my moves, I will permit you to enter with your weapon!”

“Ten moves? One move is all it will take to defeat you!”

Zhang Yang’s lips curved into a strange, knowing smile. He truly didn't regard this Long Jiu highly. Without relying on the Lightning Step, the Shadowless assistance, or the Cold Spring Sword, he could dispatch this man easily. He was already in the late stage of the third layer; dealing with an early-stage opponent was naturally straightforward. However, claiming victory in a single move was an exaggeration, intended only to deliberately provoke Long Jiu.

Long Jiu did indeed become enraged, his anger morphing into a mocking laugh. He bellowed, “One move? Very well, very well! I’d like to see how you manage to defeat me in one move…”

He only got halfway through his sentence before sheer terror washed over his eyes, cutting off his words.

Zhang Yang, who had been standing opposite him, had suddenly materialized directly in front of him, his hand already gripping Elder Jiu’s shoulder. That location—so close to the neck and head—meant Zhang Yang could easily seize his throat or skull, or deliver a direct strike to his head. Without any exchange of blows, he had indeed lost in a single move. He had lost, and lost miserably. What was most unbearable was that after Zhang Yang seized him, his Inner Strength simply wouldn't respond. He had been completely neutralized by Zhang Yang.

“I concede. May I enter now?”

Zhang Yang released his grip, speaking with a smile. When Long Jiu was angered, he was focused only on venting his rage, which meant his guard was at its lowest. Zhang Yang seizing that moment to strike meant the elder had no time to react. They were close, and striking when the opponent was distracted naturally ensured success. Of course, even if a fight had broken out, Zhang Yang wouldn't have feared Long Jiu; there were plenty of ways to deal with him in one move.

“You… you…”

Long Jiu stared at Zhang Yang in horror, managing only two choked syllables before falling silent. Even accounting for his lowered vigilance due to anger, he was still a master of the third layer of Inner Strength. How could a mere youth control him so easily? This could only mean that this young man possessed strength no less than his own. He could only speculate this far. He still couldn't ascertain Zhang Yang’s true power, just as before with Hu Yan Aobo. Though they had clashed, neither managed to gauge Zhang Yang's genuine capabilities.

“Elder Jiu, do not judge Zhang Yang by common standards!”

Long Feng offered a wry smile. His Elder Jiu had entered the third layer years ago and was one of the clan’s leading experts in that realm, yet he couldn't even weather a single move from Zhang Yang. As a Long family disciple, Long Feng felt a pang of discomfort, yet he knew Long Jiu’s defeat was inevitable. The gap between them was too vast; proposing the challenge sealed the outcome.

“Elder Jiu, let’s go inside,” Long Feng said with a soft sigh, seeing Long Jiu still lost in shock. He led Zhang Yang away.

Long Xiang remained behind to continue his post, but his mouth was equally wide, frozen in disbelief. This person, who looked scarcely older than himself, had defeated Long Jiu in a single move. That was his Ninth Uncle, a second-generation successor of the Long family, a third-layer master! Such an expert was someone he usually looked up to, and now he had been defeated by someone his own age. It was simply too much for him to process.

Only after Long Feng and Zhang Yang were far away did Long Jiu finally react, a look of sheer dread still lingering on his face. A twenty-year-old young man, even a genius, should at best be at the second layer of Inner Strength. No family across history had produced a successor who broke into the third layer by twenty. And the one to shatter this norm was the descendant of the sparsely populated Divine Physician lineage. Breaking into the third layer at twenty—what kind of talent was that? If such a prodigy belonged to the Long family, he would undoubtedly be a top priority for protection. But within the Divine Physician lineage, Long Jiu wondered if this was a blessing or a curse.

“Zhang Yang, couldn't you have just held out for ten moves? Why defeat Elder Jiu in one, making him lose face so completely!”

Walking along the path, Long Feng voiced his concern again, helplessly. The blow Elder Jiu suffered today would likely be significant. Long Feng could only pray that he wouldn't be crippled by this setback, as that would make further progress in his cultivation incredibly difficult, potentially even causing regression.

“My apologies, it was a momentary impulse, and I couldn’t rein in my strength. I promise to be more careful next time!”

Zhang Yang smiled innocently. Long Feng choked slightly upon hearing this. What did he mean, 'a momentary impulse'? A momentary impulse doesn't result in an instant, face-losing knockout. Zhang Yang clearly had some anger of his own and decided to teach Long Jiu a lesson. However, Long Feng couldn't voice these thoughts. Long Jiu had initiated the provocation, and Zhang Yang’s response was actually quite restrained; someone with less patience might have caused a far worse scene.

After a moment, Long Feng shook his head heavily. “Forget it, I didn't say anything. Elder Jiu isn't usually like this; I don't know why his attitude toward you was so different today!”

Zhang Yang maintained his smile and dismissed the previous topic. His eyes were busy scanning their surroundings. Zhang Yang was intensely curious about the Long family headquarters. From the outside, he had only seen the mountain; who would have thought there was a hidden paradise behind that sheer rock face?

“How did your Long family find such a place?”

This plain was vast, complete with several small rivers flowing gently. Such an area would be unremarkable on flatlands, but appearing deep within the Kunlun Mountains was astonishing. Small valleys might exist, but a plain of this size hidden within the mountains was something Zhang Yang had never encountered, nor had he ever even heard rumors of it. (To be continued) RQ