The harvest Zhang Yang reaped this time was something even Zhang Daofeng couldn't grasp; Zhang Daofeng hadn't yet comprehended the Way of Nature. Perhaps the only one truly capable of conversing with him was Zhang Pinglu.

“The vinegar fish is here!” The waiter’s voice rang out again from outside. This time, three waiters arrived at once.

Li Wei had ordered three more plates of West Lake vinegar fish, mainly because he noticed Zhui Feng and Wu Ying were also eating fish, especially considering Zhui Feng’s physique, which prompted the large order. The arrival of the waiters conveniently diverted some of Zhang Yang’s attention.

Although Gu Fang and the others were somewhat puzzled by Zhang Yang’s long period of staring blankly, they didn't press the issue. The three plates of fish, with their mouths slightly agape, exuded such a concentrated aroma that everyone's appetite was instantly whetted.

Zhang Yang portioned out half of the fish that Chef Shao had personally prepared, and then pushed an entire plate forward. The moment these two portions were presented, Zhui Feng and Wu Ying began to vie for them.

Fortunately, Wu Ying was too small; even if it tried with all its might, it couldn't consume much. In the end, the majority of the delicacy fell to Zhui Feng.

The West Lake vinegar fish prepared by different chefs immediately offered a clear contrast. Zhang Yang finally felt a sense of familiarity.

The West Lake vinegar fish he ate in his previous life was quite good, similar to what Chef Shao's apprentice made. However, the truly most delicious West Lake vinegar fish had to be the one prepared by Chef Shao himself—it was incomparable.

Before long, a significant portion of that one and a half fish had been consumed, while some of the previously served dishes remained untouched. Everyone was quite full.

Gu Fang, Zhang Yang, and Long Feng together consumed three jin of baijiu (white liquor). For men of their tolerance, this amount of alcohol only resulted in a slight dizziness, not outright intoxication.

“Xiao Fang, why don't you and Zhang Yang head back to rest first? I’ll just grab a taxi to the barracks!” Having eaten and drunk their fill, Li Wei said to Gu Fang.

He needed to report to the military camp that afternoon; the military zone was different from other places. “Li Wei, why don't we see you off together!” Before Gu Fang could reply, Zhang Yang interjected.

Zhang Yang wasn't unreasonable. The man had secured lodging for him and invited them to sample local specialties; letting him leave alone by taxi felt wrong.

“No need. You all drove, and the military zone is unlike civilian areas.

It’s better if you don’t come after drinking.” Li Wei smiled and shook his head. Gu Fang understood his situation better and nodded in agreement, saying, “My cousin’s unit isn't an ordinary local military base; it’s probably better if we don’t come!” Since the two of them insisted, Zhang Yang stopped pressing the issue.

Li Wei’s unit seemed to be Air Force, and as an officer, there might indeed be some protocol or sensitivities. “Alright then.

If we aren't leaving in a few days, let’s get together again…” Zhang Yang said with a smile, but before he could finish, his head suddenly snapped backward, staring intently at what was behind them. As he turned, Wu Ying instantly leaped onto Zhui Feng’s head, following Zhang Yang’s gaze in the same direction.

Within seconds, Zhui Feng’s body shuddered violently and it quickly stood up. Lightning rose simultaneously.

The unusual behavior of the three spirit beasts also drew Long Feng’s attention to the area. What they were all looking at was the direction of West Lake, though in the eyes of Gu Fang and the others, Zhang Yang and the beasts were staring at a blank wall.

“Gu Fang, Mi Xue, wait for me a moment!” Zhang Yang stood up abruptly, and by the time he spoke, he was already moving out of the room. Wu Ying had slipped out, with Zhui Feng and Lightning following close behind.

“Look after them; notify us if anything happens!” Long Feng quickly entrusted the instruction to Qu Meilan before rushing out after the others. Qu Meilan could only nod and remain dutifully behind.

If the danger were ordinary, Qu Meilan could handle it. What worried Long Feng were internal energy cultivators.

However, she wore a special alarm device; she only needed to send out a signal if danger arose. Even if he couldn't return immediately, Zhang Yang could get back first if the distance wasn't too great.

Zhui Feng, the spirit beast renowned for having the fastest speed in the world, wasn't called that for nothing. One shadow, one white silhouette, hastily departed the hotel.

The people at the entrance hadn't even reacted before these shadows vanished completely. By the time they emerged, there was no trace left of anyone.

Outside the door, Zhang Yang vaulted onto his horse. Zhui Feng accelerated to its absolute limit, reaching a speed where it was invisible to the naked eye over short distances.

Being small, even if seen from afar by others, it would appear as nothing more than a white blur, its true form obscured. In a few breaths, Zhui Feng reached the other side of West Lake and continued to sprint forward at full tilt.

Long Feng, following behind, could only catch a glimpse of the shadows for a few steps before they disappeared from sight. He eventually had no choice but to drive his car and follow slowly, though thankfully, he could sense Zhang Yang’s approximate location, preventing him from losing them entirely.

In a city, and a renowned scenic spot at that, this kind of unrestrained galloping was a first for Zhang Yang. If someone had actually noticed, it would have been sensational.

Zhang Yang acted this way because he had just experienced a powerful sensation. It was the feeling of the world's energy erupting instantaneously.

Zhang Yang was no stranger to this type of energy; it was the signature emission produced when a rare celestial treasure was about to surface. In other words, a celestial treasure had just emerged nearby, and it was fully mature.

Judging by the fluctuations of this energy, this treasure was far greater than the Three-Colored Flower he had encountered before. The more potent the energy surge accompanying the emergence of a celestial treasure, the higher its quality.

This treasure was definitely superior to any precious item Zhang Yang had witnessed previously. While riding on Zhui Feng, Zhang Yang couldn't quite make sense of it and couldn't help shaking his head again.

Typically, celestial treasures emerge deep within primeval forests. Like the previous Three-Colored Flower or the Saintess Flower, they were all found in the mountains.

In cities, celestial treasures rarely existed, let alone in a tourist hotspot famed for over a thousand years—this place was trodden by too many human feet for such treasures to grow undisturbed. But based on the energy fluctuations just now, this treasure was clearly nearby, perhaps not far even with some distance separating them.

This truly baffled Zhang Yang. Regardless of whether he could rationalize it, the fact remained: a celestial treasure was surfacing nearby.

With such an opportunity, Zhang Yang certainly wouldn't let it slip away. As he pondered, Zhui Feng suddenly halted, stopping in a deserted spot.

“Deserted” was relative, as there were still a few scattered individuals not far from them. Fortunately, since it was winter, it wasn't West Lake’s peak tourist season; otherwise, the crowds would have been much larger.

That energy fluctuation originated right here. Dismounting, Zhang Yang stared ahead in astonishment.

Before them lay an old, enclosed area—a complete ruin where structures had collapsed. Beside these ruins stood a few pavilions.

Among the debris of the ruins were scattered, broken pieces of bricks and tiles. Between the decaying walls stood a stone tablet inscribed with several bold black characters: Leifeng Pagoda Ruins.

This was the site of the Leifeng Pagoda, an extremely famous landmark on West Lake, renowned for a legend involving a white snake spirit. The tale of Lady White Snake had become household knowledge due to a hit television series.

“Leifeng Pagoda?” Arriving at this location, Zhang Yang was quite surprised. He had visited this site in his later life, where a magnificent, towering pagoda stood—entirely different from its current state.

After a moment, Zhang Yang recalled that the old Leifeng Pagoda had collapsed long ago. The new structure only began construction in the year 2000 and was completed later.

The site indeed looked exactly like this at present. Before he could dwell on the historical context of the Leifeng Pagoda ruins, his expression shifted again.

Another surge of energy swept over him. This time, it wasn't the energy fluctuation from a treasure’s emergence, but two distinct waves of combat energy.

This meant someone, or some spirit beast, had arrived at this location before them. There were now at least two opponents vying for this celestial treasure.

“Jee-jee-jee!” Wu Ying cried out urgently, hopping restlessly around the ruins. It was signaling Zhang Yang to hurry, lest the treasure be lost.

Wu Ying was a treasure-seeking mouse, inherently attuned to valuables. Zhang Yang had sensed the change here earlier through his connection to the Way of Nature, but Wu Ying reacted purely based on its innate spiritual sense.

In this regard, Zhui Feng and Lightning were inferior to it. “Let’s go down!” Zhang Yang whispered.

He dared not wait for Long Feng; the situation was urgent, and there was no time for delay. The energy fluctuations were coming from underground, very deep down.

Zhang Yang realized there must be an entrance here, though he hadn't spotted it yet. Still, he wasn't worried.

If he couldn't find it, Wu Ying certainly could; finding hidden passages was in its very nature. “Boom!” Zhang Yang struck forcefully with his fist.

Where Wu Ying had been hopping, a deep pit instantly appeared. The massive sound alerted the nearby people.

“Go!” Zhang Yang called softly and jumped in first. Lightning, Wu Ying, and Zhui Feng followed immediately behind.

Thankfully, the opening was large enough; otherwise, Zhui Feng’s bulk might have prevented it from descending. After getting down, Zhui Feng used its hind legs to fiercely kick at the opening, sealing the entrance.

It was clever enough to know that with a treasure appearing below, they couldn't allow more people to enter. The people who heard the noise and rushed over soon discovered the large hole in the Leifeng Pagoda Ruins.

Some of them jumped down cautiously to investigate. Finally, they all climbed back up, disappointed.

The hole was large but not deep; it was likely some kind of collapse that caused the loud noise and revealed the opening. The tourists who gathered there started taking pictures.

They were ordinary people, naturally unable to sense the energy fluctuations, and thus remained unaware that someone had already entered the depths beneath the Leifeng Pagoda before them. Zhang Yang, descending first, quickly arrived at a dilapidated subterranean palace.

This underground chamber wasn't vast and was divided into several rooms, which immediately made Zhang Yang recall that popular legendary drama. In The Legend of the New White Snake, Lady White was suppressed beneath the Leifeng Pagoda, and only after her son moved heaven was she finally released so the family could reunite.

Looking at the appearance of the place, it seemed as if someone had indeed been imprisoned here. Zhang Yang merely spared a thought for this before quickly pushing such stories aside.

The location of the energy fluctuations was still far off, and Wu Ying was already leading the way. He needed to reach the spot where the celestial treasure was emerging as soon as possible.

Second update, more to come. Please forgive the late posting time!

(To be continued) RQ