To travel so far, to deliver such a precious gift, merely for a vegetarian feast—Zhang Yang certainly didn't believe that was the sole reason.

However, the Great Reversion Pill held significant appeal for him. It wasn't just the ability to prevent Qi Deviation; the pill also offered considerable benefits for cultivators at the Fourth Layer seeking a breakthrough.

That is to say, whether at the transition from the early to the middle stages of the Fourth Layer, or from the middle to the later stages, the Great Reversion Pill could expedite the process—a remarkable efficacy indeed.

Zhang Yang stepped out of the room and instructed those waiting outside to prepare a spread of the finest vegetarian cuisine.

The dishes didn't need to be numerous, only excellent and exquisite, as their party was small.

“Esteemed guest, are you from the lineage of the Medical Saint, the honorable Zhang Yun'an?”

While Zhang Yang was issuing his orders, Master Shi Yuan smiled and addressed Zhang Yun'an.

Zhang Yun'an nodded. “Indeed, I am Zhang Yun'an. The Zhang family of the Medical Saint welcomes our two esteemed guests from Shaolin!”

Zhang Yun'an was not overly surprised that Master Shi Yuan knew his identity. Since they had come calling, it was natural they had done considerable research on him.

In fact, this was the case. Shi Fang’s initial solo investigation naturally couldn't uncover Zhang Yang’s specific identity, but Shaolin was different. They were a hidden, major sect; tracing a master within the Inner Strength cultivation world was not difficult for them.

Soon enough, they discovered Zhang Yang belonged to the Medical Saint lineage and learned of the gathering of the Five Great Families. They were aware of Zhang Yang’s awe-inspiring display during the Long Family's Grand Examination, where he had slain a late Third Layer expert and a Fourth Layer powerhouse.

At that time, Zhang Yang had achieved this feat before even reaching the Fourth Layer.

This news had sent shockwaves throughout the entirety of Shaolin, prompting Shi Fang and Shi Yuan to personally visit and present such generous gifts.

“With a peerless genius like Master Zhang emerging from the Medical Saint lineage, your school is destined to unfurl its wings once more, perhaps even forging a new era of glory for the Medical Saint lineage!”

Master Shi Yuan spoke with a gentle smile, which brought a touch of surprise to Zhang Yun'an’s heart, yet his own smile widened.

This old monk knew how to speak; this statement had struck a profound chord within Zhang Yun'an.

Zhang Yang was truly an unprecedented, peerless genius—reaching the Fourth Layer of Inner Strength before the age of twenty. Such a feat had no historical precedent. If allowed to develop fully, becoming a Guardian was not just a hope, let alone breaking through to the Fifth Layer.

If he could become a Guardian on his own merits, it would mean the Zhang family would boast two Guardians, potentially recreating the splendor of the Great Song Dynasty.

If Zhang Yang could truly break through to the Fifth Layer, it would be even more astounding. In the thousands of years of Chinese history, there had only been four or five individuals who reached the Fifth Layer of Inner Strength—an average of one every few centuries. Zhang Yang would undoubtedly be the foremost master of the current age.

In that case, the Zhang family might genuinely usher in an era of glory unique to themselves.

Of course, this glory was not about achieving widespread fame in the secular world. To be too conspicuous in the mundane realm would eventually lead to an end, no matter how brilliant. This glory referred specifically to eminence among Inner Strength cultivators.

Zhang Yun'an maintained a humble demeanor while Master Shi Yuan continued to shower him with praise.

Under his deliberate flattery, their conversation remained exceedingly cordial. After all, Shi Yuan was a Fourth Layer powerhouse, and no one disliked the accolades of such a figure.

Given that they were guests who had traveled far and brought such valuable gifts, when further refusal became impossible, Zhang Yang finally accepted the offering.

Regardless of Shaolin’s ultimate objective, the Great Reversion Pill was immensely beneficial to him. Possessing one pill was equivalent to averting a crisis of Qi Deviation. For Zhang Yang, external threats were negligible; he feared only these latent internal dangers.

The higher one's strength, the greater the probability of suffering Qi Deviation.

Having accepted such a valuable gift, it would have been inappropriate for Zhang Yun'an to leave. After asking Zhang Yang to inform Zhang Keqin, he stayed behind personally to keep the two guests company.

As for Zhang Yang, today was his engagement day, and the ceremony was scheduled shortly.

Time flew quickly. Before long, it was past ten o'clock. According to the original plan, the engagement ceremony would formally commence at eleven, followed by lunch.

The hotel's reception hall was already prepared. Mi Xue had also changed into a pristine white dress, resembling a lovely little princess.

An engagement ceremony was less complicated than a full wedding. Amidst the well-wishes of the gathered crowd, Zhang Yang and Mi Xue drank the ceremonial cup-of-cross-swords wine. Zhang Keqin then presented Mi Xue with an inherited jade bracelet that had belonged to Zhang Shihua.

This was an item Zhang Shihua brought when she married him. He had preserved it for many years, finally passing it down today.

The moment Zhang Yang saw the bracelet, he recognized its antiquity; it was a genuine artifact of considerable value.

Value aside, what moved Zhang Yang most was that Zhang Keqin had kept this bracelet all these years, only presenting it at his engagement to become the token of commitment to his fiancée. This demonstrated that Zhang Keqin still held his mother close in his heart and considered her the only true member of the family.

The engagement ceremony was simple yet lively. After Zhang Yang and Mi Xue drank the wine and formally addressed each other's families, the ritual concluded. Subsequently, everyone retired to their rooms to prepare for lunch.

Liu Ming, Wang Zhi, and Wu Jiang, the three of them, had lost the easygoing air they possessed at the beginning. They appeared quite constrained sitting at the table, especially the timid Wang Zhi, who dared not even breathe deeply.

His hand twitched intermittently. Hidden in his pocket was a newspaper clipping he had found in the hotel restaurant during the engagement proceedings.

The clipping contained a news report about Zhang Keqin’s recent inspection tour. Comparing the details, Wang Zhi was even more certain of Zhang Keqin’s identity.

The Provincial Party Secretary—never mind the Provincial Party Secretary, he would have been terrified even standing next to a County Party Secretary. That he hadn't collapsed upon seeing such a high-ranking official was remarkable enough.

The lively lunch eventually concluded, and Zhang Yang once again became busy sending off his friends.

Gu Fang and Cai Zheleng did not leave. They had not planned to return that day; they intended to stay in Changjing for a few more days. Zhang Yang possessed crucial medical knowledge they needed, and Zhang Keqin was a shining new star in the political arena. Maintaining a good relationship with the Zhang family would bring considerable benefits to them personally.

Su Zhantao and the others also remained; they were still celebrating boisterously in a room.

Gu Fang was not with them. Zhang Yang asked Long Feng to host them temporarily. At this moment, Zhang Yang was simply too stretched to manage, so he had to trouble Long Feng.

Gu Fang and Li Wei had previously accompanied them out, so they were already familiar with Long Feng. With Long Feng, their conversation immediately shifted to Heavenly Steed Chasing Wind. Even the usually disgruntled Shao Yuping became more animated upon seeing such a beautiful white horse.

“Yang Yang, come to my room for a moment!”

Just as he finished seeing off the guests and Zhang Keqin, a voice suddenly resonated in his ear.

It was Zhang Daofeng’s voice. He had remained alone in his room and had not come out. Zhang Yun'an could handle the Shaolin guests; there was no need for him to make an appearance.

“Maternal Grandfather!”

When Zhang Yang arrived at the room, Zhang Yun'an was already there. Clearly, Zhang Daofeng had used secret sound transmission to summon them both.

Zhang Yun'an had just escorted Master Shi Yuan and the others out. He had found his conversation with Master Shi Yuan highly congenial and was astonished by Shi Fang’s attainment of late Third Layer strength at less than forty years old. Shi Fang was, besides Zhang Yang, the most formidable genius he had ever encountered.

As he saw them off, Master Shi Yuan had also extended an invitation for him and Zhang Yang to visit Shaolin should the opportunity arise.

These reclusive sects and aristocratic cultivators generally did not maintain the friendliest relations. To receive an invitation for a family cultivator to visit their mountain gate was an unmistakable sign of high regard.

“Father!”

Zhang Yun'an called out as well. The Zhang family now had three generations present—three Fourth Layer masters gathered together.

This fact alone demonstrated that the Zhang family's foundation was not insignificant.

The mighty Long Family had only three Fourth Layer elders. Their Zhang family members were fewer, but every one of them was at the Fourth Layer. Even in a direct confrontation, they would not fear the Long Family.

Furthermore, having fewer members gave them the advantage of maneuverability—this was why Zhang Yang dared to slay the Huyan family elder on the Long Family plains.

The Zhang family might be small in number, but their threat level was higher than that of other families. Unless the Huyan family was prepared for total annihilation, they would not dare seek frivolous revenge against Zhang Yang. The Zhang family was currently in a period of robust strength.

“Sit down, both of you!”

Zhang Daofeng’s expression was somewhat grave as he gestured toward the chairs beside him. Zhang Yun'an and Zhang Yang both sat.

“Father, did you summon Yang Yang and me because of those two guests from Shaolin?” Zhang Yun'an glanced at Zhang Yang and asked first.

Zhang Daofeng nodded slightly and said softly, “That is correct. Yun'an, what are your thoughts on Shaolin sending gifts to congratulate us?”

Zhang Yun'an pondered for a moment before responding, “I sense no malice from the two of them; they genuinely came to offer congratulations. Additionally, they wish to foster a better relationship with our Zhang family. All of this is likely because of Yang Yang!”

As Zhang Yun'an spoke, he looked toward Zhang Yang again.

Shaolin was a renowned sect—not the Shaolin Temple of the secular world. While they followed Buddhist tenets, Shaolin had maintained its lineage since its inception and had survived every major calamity throughout history.

This was unlike some other sects that vanished entirely after encountering disaster.

Such sects inherently carried a degree of pride. Even during the Zhang family’s peak glory in the Song Dynasty, they had never stooped to such overtures. Their current visit led Zhang Yun'an to immediately link it to Zhang Yang.

“You are correct. That is precisely what I believe too. They are here solely for Yang Yang!”

Zhang Daofeng nodded again, looking at Zhang Yang. Zhang Yang, however, knitted his brow, pointing to himself. “Maternal Grandfather, Uncle, I have never had any dealings with Shaolin. Is it necessary for them to present such a valuable gift because of me?”

“Why is it unnecessary? Shaolin are intelligent people; this is advance investment!”

Zhang Daofeng smiled faintly, speaking softly while his gaze remained fixed on Zhang Yang. Although his grandsons had met with misfortune, Heaven had bestowed upon him an incomparably outstanding grandson he had never anticipated.

This was enough to content him. Though Zhang Yang was his grandson through marriage, he still carried the Zhang family bloodline.

As long as the bloodline persisted, the Zhang family's legacy would not cease. And with Zhang Yang being so excellent at such a young age, he was certain to lead the Zhang family toward a different kind of splendor.

“Investment? Investing in me?”

Zhang Yang was slightly taken aback, unable to fully grasp Zhang Daofeng’s meaning. Even if he was outstanding, he was currently only at the early Fourth Layer. A sect like Shaolin, which was a Fourth Layer power, must surely possess many Fourth Layer experts—Shi Yuan himself was one.

Zhang Yang did not understand why Zhang Daofeng claimed they were investing in him.