Zhang Yuan'an had broken through, surprisingly reaching the Fourth Layer; that Fourth Layer was a crucial step, and he was one step behind Zhang Yuan'an at this stage, and whether he could clear this hurdle himself remained uncertain.

To see an old rival now stronger than oneself struck Long Haotian quite hard, leaving him with a distinctly unpleasant feeling.

"Senior, your cultivation is nearing the critical point of the Third Layer; the breakthrough should be imminent!"

Zhang Yang spoke with a smile. While Zhang Yuan'an's breakthrough was a blow to Long Haotian, he wouldn't need much longer to reach that same realm.

Zhang Yang was well aware of the purpose of the Saintess Pill that Long Feng had been holding onto—it was preparation precisely for this man.

With the Saintess Pill, Long Haotian's breakthrough would naturally encounter no further obstacles.

"My apologies, I lost my composure just now. Zhang Yang, please extend my congratulations for me as well. He has moved faster than me again this time, but since you are from the Lineage of the Medical Sage, your skills in compounding medicine are inherently powerful; taking the lead is only natural!"

Long Haotian recovered quickly, and as he spoke this time, a surge of heroic spirit returned to his tone.

Long Feng breathed a slight sigh of relief; he knew his father wouldn't be so easily defeated, it was just the sudden shock of hearing his old opponent had surpassed him that he found hard to accept immediately.

A faint smile touched Zhang Yang's lips; he detected the underlying defiance and sourness in Long Haotian's words.

By mentioning the Zhang family's medicine compounding skills, he was clearly implying that Zhang Yuan'an's breakthrough relied on the power of spiritual medicine, suggesting that without such aids, Zhang Yuan'an might not have surpassed him.

It was true that Zhang Yuan'an utilized the medicinal effects of spiritual herbs for his breakthrough to the Fourth Layer, yet it seemed many in the Long family had done the same during their advancements; as long as strength was improved through the breakthrough, the process itself held little consequence.

Regarding Long Haotian's envy, Zhang Yang merely considered it briefly and paid it no mind.

"Zhang Yang, I must also thank you for looking after Long Feng. I have arranged for a separate courtyard for you. You must be tired from your journey; please rest for a while, and Long Feng will host a proper banquet for you this evening!"

Seemingly sensing his earlier lapse, Long Haotian quickly added this, motioning for Long Feng to lead Zhang Yang away to rest.

After Zhang Yang and Long Feng departed, Long Haotian cautiously touched his face, feeling a sting of heat. Speaking with such bitterness in front of the younger generation had certainly been inappropriate. The usual Long Haotian was not like this; at this moment, he could only blame the news of Zhang Yuan'an's breakthrough for unsettling his state of mind, causing such words to slip out.

"Lightning!"

Upon exiting the rear courtyard gate, Zhang Yang immediately called out. Lightning and its two spirit beast companions had been obediently waiting outside, amusing themselves.

Hearing Zhang Yang's summons, Lightning instantly leaped onto him, using gestures and pointing to indicate that Shadow had been bullying it and Chasing Wind again, and it intended to join forces with Chasing Wind to seek revenge.

Its report made Zhang Yang chuckle. Shadow was the smallest of the trio, and its combat style the simplest; for it to be bullying Lightning and Chasing Wind was the last thing Zhang Yang would believe.

Indeed, as soon as Lightning finished speaking, Shadow scampered over, letting out a sound of grievance, while Chasing Wind also approached, standing beside Zhang Yang and issuing a soft whimper.

Zhang Yang shook his head and smiled at them, reaching out to stroke Chasing Wind's head, then looked up again without a word.

Besides the three spirit beasts, there was another person standing some distance away.

The man standing afar appeared to be around sixty years old, observing Lightning and Zhang Yang with a look of surprise. The three small beasts would occasionally glance at him, even glaring.

"Second Uncle!"

Seeing the man, Long Feng quickly stepped forward to greet him.

This Second Uncle was not Long Feng's direct uncle; strictly speaking, he was a paternal cousin once removed. The Long family was deeply rooted and ancient, with many descendants; any direct-line descendant held a certain status within the clan, and they were all considered family.

"Long Feng, you've returned. And who is this?"

Only after Long Feng spoke did the sixty-year-old man turn his head, his gaze falling once more on Zhang Yang.

This man's hair was entirely black, yet he already looked somewhat aged. Generally, the true age of an Internal Strength cultivator would appear slightly older than their outward appearance, a discrepancy that became more obvious the older they got.

However, Zhang Yang had a distinct feeling that this man was exactly sixty years old; this was his real appearance, though Zhang Yang couldn't pinpoint why he felt this way.

Furthermore, Zhang Yang perceived his Internal Strength cultivation: Second Layer Mid-stage, which was even lower than Long Feng's. In such a large clan as the Long family, to be at the Second Layer Mid-stage at sixty years old suggested either poor talent or a lack of diligence in cultivation.

Typically, individuals in large clans who were elderly but possessed low cultivation levels did not command much respect.

"This is my friend, Zhang Yang, a successor of the Medical Sage Lineage, who has come as an invited guest." Long Feng nodded respectfully. A flicker of surprise crossed Zhang Yang's eyes; judging by Long Feng's deference, he seemed to hold this Second Uncle in high regard.

"The Medical Sage Lineage?"

This Second Uncle also showed a degree of astonishment, examining Zhang Yang up and down. He paid less attention to Lightning in his arms now, appearing intensely curious about Zhang Yang himself.

Long Feng gave a slight smile and whispered, "Zhang Yang, this is my Second Uncle, Long Yao. Second Uncle is the best at medicine in our Long family, and also the most skilled in compounding formulas!"

A look of sudden understanding dawned on Zhang Yang's face. It explained why, despite his low cultivation, Long Feng showed him such respect—it turned out the man possessed a specialized skill.

The Long family disciples were all masters of Internal Strength, but they were not immune to illness, and when Internal Strength cultivators fell ill, it was invariably serious. The value of someone proficient in medicine became immediately apparent in such circumstances.

Not to mention that Long Yao also possessed superb formula compounding skills. Such a person could prepare numerous beneficial medicinal ingredients, even spiritual medicines, for the family, ensuring that no one would easily offend him, regardless of his low cultivation.

"It has been a long time since a guest from the Medical Sage Lineage visited. Long Feng, when you have a chance, let us converse thoroughly!"

Long Yao kept his eyes fixed on Zhang Yang as he spoke softly, a distinct yearning in his gaze—a desire for professional exchange.

Few in the Long family pursued medicine. In such a large clan, people with this capability were vital. Long Yao's talent for cultivation was subpar, so he immersed himself entirely in this field. Time proved his choice correct; although his cultivation was modest, he was highly respected within the family, treated with courtesy even by the Elders.

"Rest assured, I will definitely find an opportunity for you!"

Long Feng agreed with a smile. He knew his Second Uncle was devoted solely to medicine and compounding, handling perhaps ninety percent of the family's medicinal stores. Facing a master of the Way of Medicine like this, he certainly wouldn't miss a chance to exchange knowledge.

"Is this a Fox-Tailed Marten spirit beast?"

Long Yao nodded, suddenly pointing to Lightning in Zhang Yang's arms, asking softly.

Among the three spirit beasts, Lightning's origin was the easiest to discern. Zhang Yang and Long Feng recognized it instantly; it was hardly surprising that an elder of the Long family could do the same.

Long Yao devoted himself to medicine, and his knowledge of spirit beasts was consequently deeper—the primary ingredient for the Essence Blood Pill was spirit beast essence blood. His recognition of Lightning was therefore unsurprising.

"Yes, your insight is sharp, Senior!"

Zhang Yang nodded slightly. He had no intention of concealing Lightning's identity, nor could he have done so.

Long Yao nodded and said no more, taking a deep look at Zhang Yang before turning and entering the rear courtyard. He had other business in the back courtyard, but seeing Lightning and the others had made him pause. He was well aware of the goings-on in the family, and the sudden appearance of a spirit beast had piqued his curiosity.

When he first saw them, he had actually been startled and considered fleeing immediately. His greatest specialty was medicine, not martial might; dealing with spirit beasts was the job of other family experts.

As he turned to leave, he suddenly recalled that this was the Long family headquarters, their stronghold; it was impossible for a spirit beast to sneak in undetected. This spirit beast must be here for a specific reason. Thus, he paused for a moment, relaxing only when he saw the beasts show no inclination to attack him.

Then Long Feng emerged, and Lightning jumped into Zhang Yang's embrace, making it clear to Long Yao that the Fox-Tailed Marten was a possessed creature, having allied itself with someone else, which explained its presence in the Long family headquarters.

As he departed, he glanced back at Zhang Yang, inwardly feeling a touch of regret.

If the creature had not been claimed, killing it for its essence blood could yield a decent Essence Blood Pill. Even without its essence blood, its venomous fangs and gall were premium materials, holding immense value. Alas, since the spirit beast had an owner, these were mere possibilities he could only contemplate.

"My Second Uncle is a Medicine Obsessive; he's been surrounded by medicinal ingredients since childhood and isn't skilled at socializing," Long Feng explained to Zhang Yang after Long Yao left. Zhang Yang silently nodded, offering no comment.

To merit the title of 'Obsessive' implied a deep, almost singular fixation on one thing. While Zhang Yang's medical skills were high, he hadn't reached that state of obsession. Such individuals were usually defined by singular dedication and grand aspirations, and Zhang Yang held great respect for them. Especially since this man was obsessed with the medical arts, Zhang Yang now looked forward to finding time to converse with him, eager to see how the Long family's thousand-year inherited medical knowledge compared to that of the Zhang family.

Long Feng led Zhang Yang directly past the rear courtyard. The rear courtyard was where the senior members of the clan resided. Behind it were rows of separate villas—the accommodations reserved for guests.

Long Haotian treated Zhang Yang with the utmost respect afforded to an honored visitor, granting him a private, independent villa featuring a main house and side rooms, exclusively for his own occupation.

The courtyard also boasted a huā (flower garden), containing numerous rare and precious flowering plants, many of which were quite ancient.

These herbs were rarely seen outside, thriving only in this perpetually spring-like environment for so long. Some of the older specimens had already acquired considerable medicinal value.

"These are merely for decoration. Our Long family also possesses a dedicated Medicine Garden, which began cultivation the year our ancestor first settled here. It holds countless useful herbs, some nearing a thousand years in age. Believe me, with a few more generations, our Long family will be able to produce our own spiritual medicines, leading to even greater future development!"

Seeing Zhang Yang examining the huā, Long Feng added with a smile. What he revealed touched upon some of the Long family's closely guarded secrets; had his relationship with Zhang Yang not been so close, he would not have disclosed this information.