In the room, Zhang Yang carefully took out the Dragon Fruit and placed it inside a larger jade box. Before this, lacking a suitable container, Zhang Yang had only been able to temporarily wrap the fruit in the shell of a large crab. This was not the proper method of preservation; spiritual fruits of this type were best kept in jade boxes, as this alone would minimize the loss of their medicinal efficacy to the greatest extent possible.

“This is?”

Only Long Feng followed him in. Long Feng stared at the fruit with astonishment. Just from its aroma, he could discern that this was a genuine Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fruit.

“This is the Dragon Fruit, the rare treasure whose emergence I sensed earlier!”

Zhang Yang spoke softly. Being at the fourth layer of Inner Strength, his senses were far stronger than those at the third layer. Long Feng had felt it too, but not as distinctly as Zhang Yang. Only upon reaching the fourth layer of Inner Strength, achieving the stage of outward release of internal energy, did one become so acutely ** sensitive to energy.

“A treasure like this… there must have been other contenders, right?”

Recalling Zhang Yang’s wretched state earlier, Long Feng asked in a low voice. Without opponents, Zhang Yang could not have ended up like that. When a Heaven and Earth treasure matures, it possesses no power of resistance whatsoever; it either vanishes or waits to be plucked.

“There were, and two of them!”

A wry smile touched the corner of Zhang Yang’s mouth as he slowly held up two fingers to Long Feng.

He briefly recounted what had happened underground. Even so, Long Feng’s eyes widened. Only now did he realize that Zhang Yang had faced two powerful fourth-layer Spirit Beasts.

Spirit Beasts are inherently stronger than humans. It would have been somewhat easier if Zhang Yang had brought the Cold Spring Sword; the Cold Spring Sword was indestructible, a renowned sharp weapon from the Divine Weapon Rankings. With such a weapon, Zhang Yang’s combat strength would have been greatly augmented. Without such a divine weapon, relying only on the help of Shadowless and his two other Spirit Beasts who hadn't reached the fourth layer, simultaneously fighting two fourth-layer Spirit Beasts would certainly have been excruciatingly difficult, perhaps even perilous. Fortunately, the two Spirit Beasts had not joined forces; otherwise, Zhang Yang might truly have been in grave danger this time. Even if he had gone down with them, it would have been useless.

“You were truly in danger this time, but you managed to turn peril into safety!!”

After hearing Zhang Yang’s account, Long Feng was also rendered somewhat speechless. The fact that those two powerful Spirit Beasts had not cooperated was the greatest stroke of luck for Zhang Yang. With the three Spirit Beasts allied with him, they could, at most, handle one. If the two had joined forces, the ones emerging from underground this time might not have been them. That version of Zhang Yang might truly have been left beneath the earth forever.

“Yes, it was lucky enough. Take a look at this!”

Zhang Yang nodded, a smile appearing on his face as well. Great danger always accompanied great rewards, and this harvest was quite substantial.

Zhang Yang took out seven jade bottles one after another. From the outside, one could see dark liquid contained within the bottles. Long Feng had seen this type of jade bottle before; the bottles containing the essence blood of the Golden Crown Python previously looked exactly like this. However, that time there had only been one bottle; this time there were seven, many times more than before.

“The essence blood of fourth-layer Spirit Beasts is far superior to that of third-layer ones. With this much essence blood, we won't have to worry about Essence Blood Pills for the time being!”

Zhang Yang said with a grin. Such a large quantity of essence blood could certainly concoct over a hundred Essence Blood Pills. This massive supply would be enough even for their large group. Moreover, he still possessed a bottle of the Seven-Crowned Golden Crown Python’s essence blood. With that, the number of Essence Blood Pills in Zhang Yang’s possession would reach a terrifying figure. Perhaps even the major families and sects did not possess as many Essence Blood Pills as Zhang Yang did.

After storing everything, Zhang Yang finally left the room. Mi Xue and Gu Fang were still waiting for him outside, harboring many questions about what he had done previously.

Zhang Yang offered brief explanations, not going into detail. It was inconvenient to tell Gu Fang, and it was not yet time to tell Mi Xue; he would only tell her after she obtained the Marrow Cleansing Pill and truly became an Inner Strength practitioner, when she would be able to accept it all.

After explaining, Zhang Yang quickly dialed Zhu Daoqi’s number.

Professor Zhu had arrived at the hotel that afternoon, but Zhang Yang was still underground then. Zhu Daoqi had called him several times without success and was quite anxious by this point.

Zhu Daoqi was staying at a major hotel in Hangcheng. After confirming the address, Zhang Yang said he would certainly arrive the following morning. It was already late, and he had been fighting for a long time that afternoon; Zhang Yang wanted a good rest.

He didn’t go out that evening. Gu Fang ordered food from a restaurant outside.

Given Zhang Yang’s condition, Gu Fang didn't dare suggest going out to eat. He was deeply puzzled by Zhang Yang’s affairs but was smart enough not to ask anything. He had vaguely gleaned some understanding from his elders and his cousin. He knew Zhang Yang was not an ordinary person. What ordinary student could possess such profound medical skills at such a young age, along with so many other extraordinary qualities? Since Zhang Yang hadn't told him the reasons, he didn't press further. A person like him understood clearly: one must never ask about things one should not inquire about.

After resting for the night, Zhang Yang woke up early the next morning.

The environment and air quality around West Lake were excellent; cultivating here was better than at home in Changjing. He wondered if the environment at the new villa would be as good. Regardless of whether the new villa could compare, Zhang Yang genuinely contemplated buying a property here. Furthermore, buying now meant only appreciation; it would be completely beneficial even as an investment. The Zhang Yang of his past life loved buying houses everywhere to settle down, and this habit had carried over into this life.

After breakfast, having softly comforted Mi Xue a few times, Zhang Yang drove off by himself.

His injuries yesterday were only minor, nothing serious; one night's rest had essentially healed them. Lightning had suffered internal injuries and required a few more days of recuperation. As for Chasing Wind, he had sustained external wounds. Given its physique and Zhang Yang’s pills, he would fully recover in just a day or two, ready to be as spirited as ever, still the fastest Spirit Beast on land.

The hotel Zhu Daoqi mentioned was a five-star establishment.

The greatest advantage of such a hotel was that it was easy to find. Although Zhang Yang was somewhat unfamiliar with Hangcheng, after asking for directions a few times, he managed to drive there himself.

“Zhang Yang, you’re here!”

After parking, just as he reached the hotel entrance, Zhu Daoqi called out from not far away, waving at him. Standing beside Zhu Daoqi were several middle-aged men, all dressed in suits and looking very formal. They were all looking at Zhang Yang with curiosity.

“Professor Zhu!”

Zhang Yang walked over and called out softly. When outside, Zhu Daoqi preferred being called Professor rather than Dean—a habit of a scholar-leader.

“Old Song, this is Zhang Yang. Currently the greatest pride of our school, and perhaps the greatest pride in the future!”

As soon as Zhang Yang arrived, Zhu Daoqi introduced him to the men beside him, his tone tinged with pride.

“A hero emerging from the youth, Old Zhu, your school is lucky to have such a fine student!”

The man called Old Song was a balding man around fifty, not tall, nor fat. He nodded repeatedly while looking at Zhang Yang. News of the last inter-university exchange had long spread, and these men were not unfamiliar with Zhang Yang’s name. A student presenting a research topic at an exchange conference that major hospitals and research institutes might not even be able to devise was a sensation in itself. Even more sensational was that this topic had already been approved by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, meaning that what this student was researching had instantly become top-tier nationally, perhaps even globally. How could these leaders of medical schools not know about such a sensational event?

“Haha, you aren’t lacking either. I heard you managed to win several major awards this time. Just don’t forget to treat us to a meal when the time comes!”

Zhu Daoqi laughed heartily. Old Song seemed to have a good relationship with him, but unfortunately, Zhang Yang had never met him before.

After pushing Zhang Yang forward, Zhu Daoqi quietly said, “Zhang Yang, this Professor Song is the Director of the Clinical Department at Huadong Medical College, and also an old classmate of mine…”

Zhu Daoqi introduced the four middle-aged men beside him. They came from two schools: Huadong Medical College and Mingyang University School of Medicine. Huadong Medical College was extremely famous and a key national university for medical studies, but they had not sent representatives to the previous event, so it was normal for Zhang Yang not to recognize them. Mingyang University had participated last time, but the team leader was not among these two men; Zhang Yang was meeting both of them for the first time as well.

After exchanging polite greetings, Zhang Yang had made their acquaintance. They were all in the field of medical colleges, people from the same circle. Since these men stood with Zhu Daoqi, their relationship with him must be good. Every circle naturally divides into smaller cliques, and this event was no exception. Changjing University, Mingyang University, and Huadong Medical College—even as acquaintances, they represented distinct smaller circles.

“Zhang Yang!”

Just as they were talking, a pleasant voice suddenly rang out, carrying a hint of surprise.

Zhang Yang turned his head. A tall, beautiful girl was walking toward him from behind, moving quickly, almost jogging.

“Ren Lijuan?”

A hint of surprise flashed across Zhang Yang’s face. The girl who called him was Ren Lijuan, his old high school classmate. Previously, when he went to the Long family, Zhang Yang had been stranded in Xizhou City due to heavy rain, and it was there he had met this old classmate again.

“It really is you! I thought it looked like you just now, so I called out. When did you get to Hangcheng?”

Ren Lijuan reached Zhang Yang, exclaiming excitedly. She was wearing a high-collared small leather jacket, looking somewhat immature yet possessing a different kind of maturity.

“I just arrived yesterday. Why are you here? Where is Xiao He?”

Zhang Yang smiled slightly. Meeting an old acquaintance in a strange city was certainly a happy occasion. No matter what, Ren Lijuan was his old classmate, and running into someone familiar in an unfamiliar city would surely bring joy. Moreover, they were from the same hometown. Zhang Yang wasn't very familiar with the friends around Zhu Daoqi, so he pulled Ren Lijuan aside and asked softly.

“He’s in the Capital, won’t be here for a few more days. You still haven’t told me, why are you here?”

Ren Lijuan smiled sweetly, gently brushing a stray lock of hair away, exuding a different kind of charm. Unfortunately, Zhang Yang paid no attention to this now; her allure was wasted.

“Our school has an event here, and I came along with my professor. What about you? You’re not here for the event too, are you?”

Zhang Yang said with a smile, deliberately cracking a joke. Behind Ren Lijuan, two young men were watching them with puzzled expressions.

First update! (To be continued) RQ