Yet, his body remained still, seemingly oblivious to the danger Zhang Yang currently faced.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"

Lightning cried out loudly, swiftly circling the leg of Elder Huyan, leaving behind deep teeth marks before retreating. The biting attack from the Fox-tailed Sable seemed entirely unnoticed by Elder Huyan, who paid it no mind as his entire palm pressed down toward Zhang Yang's head.

At this moment, Zhang Yang's Cold Spring Sword was still extended forward, leaving him no time to retract it for defense; he could only use his arm to brute-force the impact.

"Boom!"

A heavy thud resonated, and Zhang Yang staggered several steps back. His arm felt numb, and when it dropped, it was difficult to lift again.

A full-force strike from a master in the mid-stage of the Fourth Layer was enough to injure him. Fortunately, the injury wasn't severe, and no bones were broken; the inability to move was due to the residual, overwhelming force still surging within, leaving his arm aching intensely.

Elder Huyan's eyes held a flicker of surprise; Zhang Yang had actually managed to withstand his full-power blow head-on.

Zhang Yang was only in the late-stage of the Third Layer. How could an ordinary late-stage Third Layer possess such might? This realization only strengthened his resolve to utterly destroy Zhang Yang.

Elder Huyan's hand did not pause; he lunged again with another strike.

Wuying's potent inner strength finally erupted, and Lightning darted forward once more, snapping at the elder. Wuying's internal energy struck Elder Huyan’s back, causing him to stagger slightly, but the blood-red palm still descended heavily.

The duration of his secret technique was nearly up; he could only focus desperately on killing Zhang Yang now, disregarding everything else—even risking injury to achieve the kill.

"Boom!"

Another resounding crash echoed. Zhang Yang’s other arm drooped uselessly. Both his arms were now throbbing with pain, and even the Cold Spring Sword slipped from his grasp onto the ground.

Seeing this scene, many onlookers were stunned and instinctively glanced toward the mysterious old man.

For their own disciple to be beaten to this state, and for him to show no concern whatsoever, defied all reason.

With no one coming to his aid, facing an enemy determined to end his life, Zhang Yang’s mind achieved a surprising state of calm.

This was, arguably, another life-and-death juncture for him—such moments were rare. The only previous one was when he faced the Golden-Crested Python, nearly being bitten to death outright.

The Elder Huyan before him was undoubtedly far stronger than that Python.

"Whoosh~"

A gust of wind swept past as Pursuit Wind’s hooves slammed viciously into Elder Huyan’s body. However, the beast immediately let out a mournful cry, struck by the elder’s counter-swinging arm, and collapsed heavily to the side.

This single attack injured Wind. It also compromised its speed.

But Elder Huyan was hardly unscathed. Pursuit Wind’s kick carried immense power; had he not possessed the current strength of a mid-stage Fourth Layer expert, he too might have suffered a serious injury.

His eyes were now bloodshot, and fresh blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, making his appearance even more ferocious.

Elder Li nearby, along with the three assembled elders of the Long family, exchanged uneasy glances.

One person facing three beasts—and managing to push a mid-stage Fourth Layer master to this degree—was beyond their wildest imagination, especially Zhang Yang’s performance. A late-stage Third Layer successfully enduring the full force of a mid-stage Fourth Layer; although disadvantaged, it was astonishing.

This implied that if Zhang Yang were only in the early-stage of the Fourth Layer, he wouldn't even fear a mid-stage Fourth Layer master.

The power Zhang Yang displayed today truly shocked everyone, particularly considering his age—he was only twenty. It was hard to fathom what he might become in the future, which explained why the Huyan family was so determined to eliminate him.

If Zhang Yang had challenged someone from their own family back then, perhaps they would have done the same.

The group looked again toward the mysterious old man.

They realized with a jolt that they had been profoundly mistaken before, and spectacularly so.

Previously, they had paid little attention to the Zhang family, never even classifying them among the Thousand-Year Aristocratic Families. Now, they understood the absurdity of their past judgment.

A Thousand-Year Family was indeed a Thousand-Year Family. To endure for over eighteen hundred years, surpassing even the longevity of other such families, the Zhang family must possess unique attributes.

Especially since they thrived within the mortal realm; to persist for so long in the secular world suggested an advantage they could not match.

This single battle involving both Zhang Yang and the mysterious old man completely altered everyone’s perception of the Medical Saint Zhang Family. The name of the Medical Saint Zhang Family would now spread, demanding respect from every faction.

In future discussions of the Thousand-Year Families, no one would speak solely of the 'Four Great Families'; the true count would be five.

This was the manifestation of power. The Zhang family now possessed the strength to etch themselves into everyone's memory.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Zhang Yang’s eyes also reddened. Pursuit Wind’s injury ignited his fighting spirit. With no external help, and his opponent intent on his death, he had to rely solely on his own efforts.

The Cold Spring Sword was lost, but he still had the Dragon Devourer Dagger, which now materialized in his palm.

This divine weapon also possessed considerable might; Elder Huyan had been wounded by it before.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Heavy impacts followed one after another. Having suffered once by the Dragon Devourer Dagger, Elder Huyan constantly evaded it during their skirmishes. Now, Zhang Yang and Elder Huyan resembled two brawling children in the mortal world, locked in a chaotic melee.

Fist met flesh, palm struck hard; with every blow, both figures swayed violently.

Zhang Yang swayed the most, feeling as if his body was on the verge of shattering with every heavy punch he absorbed. Blood constantly streamed from his mouth.

"Bang!"

With his arms unable to lift, Zhang Yang’s chest took a direct hit, sending his body flying backward.

The difference between the late-stage Third Layer and the mid-stage Fourth Layer was simply too vast. If Elder Huyan were still only early-stage Fourth Layer, Zhang Yang, benefiting from his body augmented by the system, truly had the capital to match him head-on.

Presently, Zhang Yang still lacked the sheer power to overcome a mid-stage Fourth Layer master.

"Ugh!"

He spat out a large mouthful of blood; this injury was far more severe. Elder Huyan’s face lit up with delight, and he pressed his attack again.

"Foolish boy, wasting such a perfect opportunity! Don't tell me you haven't cultivated the Energy Dissipation Art?"

A voice suddenly echoed by Zhang Yang’s ear—it was the mysterious old man’s voice.

Energy Dissipation Art? Zhang Yang’s eyes tightened sharply. Facing the charging Elder Huyan, a strange, sinister smile suddenly stretched across his face.

The Zhang Family Cultivation Method differed from ordinary techniques; it was an ancestral method only direct lineage members could practice.

Precisely because the cultivation method was unique, it resulted in fewer masters emerging from the Medical Saint lineage, but their potential for breakthrough was slightly higher than other families.

However, this method was not without flaws. The qi generated was excessively forceful, requiring the practitioner to neutralize excess cultivation energy at certain stages to prevent deviation into madness.

This was the Zhang Family’s Energy Dissipation Art, though the process of dissipation was never entirely safe, carrying inherent risks.

Zhang Yang's grandfather in his previous life, whose strength had reached the Fourth Layer of internal energy, had perished due to accidentally falling into a cultivation deviation during a dissipation process. This had left a deep shadow on Zhang Yang, making him painstakingly cautious whenever he used the Energy Dissipation Art.

If he could avoid it, he wouldn't use it.

The mysterious old man's reminder brought the Energy Dissipation Art back to the forefront of his mind.

Strictly speaking, the Energy Dissipation Art was an advanced technique derived from demonic practices. Its function was not merely to dissolve their Zhang family's internal energy but also to absorb the opponent’s internal energy and integrate it for one's own use.

However, absorbing an opponent's energy carried significant hazards. Since it wasn't energy cultivated by oneself, it created a severe internal conflict. If the conflict was too great, unintended consequences could arise.

It was analogous to a person suffering severe blood loss; only blood of a compatible type could be transfused; incompatible blood would trigger a rejection reaction.

When the Energy Dissipation Art absorbed an opponent's energy, this rejection reaction could occur.

But this was not absolute. There was one specific scenario where absorbed energy would not cause rejection: when the opponent had forcefully enhanced their strength using a secret technique.

Energy forcibly amplified was inherently unstable. When absorbed, it could paradoxically be converted into stable internal energy.

It was like 'negative times negative equals positive.' Energy absorbed conventionally was unstable and could even cause backlash. Generally, Zhang family members never used the art this way, as even dissipating the opponent's energy risked deviation.

But when the opponent's energy was inherently unstable, the collision of two unstable forces could actually harmonize the energy, making it gentle enough to be absorbed and integrated as one's own, without the fear of rejection.

At this moment, Zhang Yang finally understood the intent of his Zhang family ancestors.

He was meant to dissolve Elder Huyan’s energy and claim it for himself. Elder Huyan was currently using a secret technique, meaning his internal energy was surging and unstable—the optimal time to deploy the Energy Dissipation Art.

Zhang Yang was now completely certain that the mysterious old man was an ancestor of the Zhang family. The reason for pushing him into direct confrontation with Elder Huyan wasn't merely rigorous training; it was also an act of fulfillment.

The center of Zhang Yang’s palm began to subtly indent. The Energy Dissipation Art was originally a demonic practice, only adapted and applied to themselves after significant modification by the Zhang ancestors.

Even so, it could not shed its demonic nature; otherwise, there would be no risk of deviation when using the technique.

"Bang!"

Zhang Yang and Elder Huyan clashed again. This time, Zhang Yang’s palm met Elder Huyan’s palm directly.

Unlike before, Zhang Yang was not forced back. His palm remained perfectly pressed against the elder’s, refusing to separate.

Elder Huyan, his face entirely crimson, suddenly showed a look of horror. He tried to shout, but not a sound escaped his lips.

Zhang Yang’s complexion grew slightly flushed. Waves of powerful, surging internal energy poured continuously into his body. His previously depleted reserves were rapidly replenished, and then his entire internal energy reservoir began to increase wildly, his meridians becoming completely saturated with this influx.

At this moment, Zhang Yang felt as if every inch of his skin, every fiber of his muscle, was composed of internal energy, a formidable power that seemed to have nowhere to vent.

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