As he departed, he waved towards Zhang Yang, a look of profound understanding on his face that left Zhang Yang unsure whether to laugh or cry, and even Huang Jing, standing nearby, felt her cheeks flush at the sight.

"My professor must have misunderstood!"

Zhang Yang felt a touch of awkwardness. Dean Zhu was a renowned scholar on campus, and he never expected him to have such a side to his personality.

"It's alright, as long as you have the time!"

Huang Jing regained her composure and nodded with a gentle smile. Zhu Daoqi was already walking away, so Zhang Yang could only nod in return.

Seeing Zhang Yang agree, Huang Jing’s smile blossomed even brighter, and she immediately led him away.

Huang Jing took Zhang Yang to a small, private room. The room wasn't large, but it was exquisitely furnished, exuding a warm atmosphere. Tea sets and refreshments were already laid out.

Upon entering, Huang Jing picked up the superior tea leaves from the table and prepared the brew with her own hands.

The Huang family had once been a lineage dedicated to Inner Strength cultivation. Although no one practiced it now, the heritage had not been severed; the foundational depth remained. Families with generations of heritage often possessed a richer cultural foundation than ordinary households.

Huang Jing’s skill in brewing tea was excellent. Before long, a delightful aroma filled the room.

Zhang Yang maintained a pleasant smile. This Huang Jing was a clever woman, and Zhang Yang understood her objective clearly. The fact that she hadn't immediately demanded to purchase the Zhuyan Dan upon entering had slightly improved his opinion of her.

Frankly, the man named Li Hua just moments ago, who had directly offered ten thousand per pill for his Zhuyan Dan, had genuinely irritated him. Setting aside its efficacy or the rarity of the primary ingredient, the value of the precious auxiliary herbs alone in each pill exceeded ten thousand.

"Mr. Zhang, please have a cup of this tea. I also wish to apologize for the incident this morning."

Huang Jing brought over a cup of tea and handed it directly to Zhang Yang. The previous matter was not truly her fault, and handling it this way was an easy way to win favor. At the very least, Zhang Yang no longer held any displeasure toward her.

"That had nothing to do with you!"

Zhang Yang accepted the tea and took a small sip. The tea tasted excellent; these were top-grade leaves, clearly valuable and likely difficult to acquire.

"Mr. Zhang, I'm just glad you aren't angry anymore. What are your thoughts on what I mentioned earlier?"

Huang Jing poured a cup for Ren Lijuan before sitting down herself, looking at Zhang Yang as she spoke, a hint of longing still visible in her eyes.

"I do have the Zhuyan Dan, but as you must understand, there won't be many of them. To be honest, I have no immediate plans to sell them externally."

Zhang Yang smiled and shook his head. He actually possessed quite a few Zhuyan Dan; he still had surplus Yinlong Grass and could concoct more whenever he wished.

However, he genuinely had no intention of selling. Zhang Yang knew too well the immense attraction these pills held for women. If he opened that door, once people set their sights on him, even if he uprooted every piece of Yinlong Grass on Yinlong Mountain and converted it all into Zhuyan Dan, it probably wouldn't be enough.

This world held far too many fanatical women.

Zhang Yang’s words made Huang Jing anxious, and she immediately spoke up, "Mr. Zhang, please rest assured, I will certainly offer you a satisfactory price. How about this: for every Zhuyan Dan, I will give you two million—no, three million?"

Ren Lijuan suddenly turned her head, staring at her blankly.

Three million for one Zhuyan Dan—an astronomical price! Three million! This was 1999; in major cities like the capital or Shanghai, that money could buy a villa.

And this was for just one pill; three pills would equate to nine million.

Nine million—for many college students today, this was an impossible, unimaginable figure.

Zhang Yang's lips gradually curved upward into a smile, one that was bright and carried a distinct kind of allure.

"Miss Huang, I recently purchased a plot of land in Changjing and am in the process of building a large manor. Additionally, I am preparing to buy a lakeside villa in Hangcheng, and in Shanghai's Baotuo District on Junshan Road, I own a decent house. If you are ever interested in the future, you are welcome to visit any of these places."

Zhang Yang spoke slowly with a slight smile. He hadn't answered Huang Jing's question; instead, he was listing his properties.

Ren Lijuan's eyes widened again. She wasn't aware of Zhang Yang buying land in Changjing for a manor, but given the term "manor," it surely wouldn't be small.

However, she knew something about the lakeside villas in Hangcheng and the property on Junshan Road in Shanghai.

The lakeside villas in Hangcheng were the most exclusive cluster, boasting beautiful scenery and prime locations; a house there cost a minimum of several million, with the better, larger ones nearing the ten-million mark.

In essence, only the exceptionally wealthy or powerful could afford property there.

As for Junshan Road in Shanghai, it was even more prestigious—a district of grand mansions, the residence of nobility. Furthermore, properties there weren't simply purchasable with money; Zhang Yang owning real estate in these locations was sufficient proof of his substantial net worth.

Ren Lijuan felt somewhat dazed. Her family was wealthy, but that wealth belonged to the lineage, not to her personally.

Even her father lived on his salary. The pocket money she received monthly made many classmates envious, but compared to Zhang Yang, it was like a drop in the ocean, utterly incomparable.

Her small allowance probably didn't even amount to a fraction of a fraction of his casual spending money.

She found it hard to fathom how Zhang Yang, still a student, could possess such vast wealth. Judging by his tone, all this seemed to be his own doing, not reliant on his family.

Huang Jing was also surprised, having a better understanding than Ren Lijuan. The houses in the lakeside development had long been sold out, unattainable even for many wealthy individuals. If Zhang Yang truly managed to acquire one, it implied his own influence was considerable.

Regarding the value of Zhang Yang’s other properties, she instinctively felt the total exceeded eight figures; the exact amount would require an inspection.

But that wasn't the main point. She understood why Zhang Yang was telling her this.

Zhang Yang was making it clear: he didn't lack money and would not sell things just for financial gain, no matter her offer for the Zhuyan Dan.

This realization left Huang Jing profoundly disappointed.

She hadn't considered stopping at increasing the price. If three million wasn't enough, she could offer five; if five wasn't enough, eight—as long as she could acquire the pill.

In her estimation, the Zhuyan Dan was worth that price.

Unfortunately, Zhang Yang’s words completely blocked her path. She wasn't foolish; since he wasn't willing to discuss money, continuing to raise her bid would only look vulgar and cause him to look down on her.

"Thank you for the tea; if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."

Zhang Yang finished his tea, rose with a light laugh. What he had just said was exactly what Huang Jing had concluded.

Currently, Zhang Yang fundamentally lacked nothing in terms of money, nor would he sell anything merely for wealth. If he truly desired funds, whether it was the Zhuyan Dan, other medicines, or spiritual herbs, presenting them to the four great millennium-old families would prompt them to purchase them frantically.

These millennium-old families had not completely retreated from the secular world; their representatives in worldly affairs had accumulated considerable fortunes for them.

If these items could be bought with mere money, they would willingly pay any price, especially the Long family, which owned numerous secular enterprises and could easily produce tens or hundreds of millions without issue. Using money to acquire spiritual herbs or similar medicines would be an excellent deal for them.

"Wait, Mr. Zhang, please wait!"

Huang Jing called out urgently. Zhang Yang turned back, regarding her with a neutral gaze.

Zhang Yang was not heartless, but neither was he a soft-hearted pushover who indulged everyone. He had no existing relationship with this Huang Jing, so he wouldn't gratuitously gift away treasures in his possession.

"Mr. Zhang, I know you don't lack money. May I ask one thing: are you an Inner Strength cultivator?"

Biting her lip, Huang Jing slowly posed the question, appearing somewhat tense afterward.

Ren Lijuan also immediately turned to look; this was a matter she was equally concerned about.

Zhang Yang looked at her for a full two minutes. As Huang Jing waited anxiously, he slowly nodded. "Yes, I am an Inner Strength cultivator. Seeing that you understand the Zhuyan Dan and are aware of Inner Strength cultivators, you must have some knowledge about this matter yourself!"

Zhang Yang admitted it. There was nothing shameful about admitting his status as an Inner Strength cultivator.

Seeing Zhang Yang confirm it, Huang Jing felt a momentary trance.

She hadn't cultivated Inner Strength herself, but she clearly understood the formidable power of Inner Strength cultivators. She also knew that in the eyes of many cultivators, ordinary people were mere mortals, like ants. Many Inner Strength cultivators possessed an inherently superior mindset.

She didn't know if Zhang Yang did, but his attitude seemed fine; at least he had been consistently polite to them, which offered her some small measure of reassurance.

Gritting her teeth, Huang Jing suddenly asked again, "You really are an Inner Strength cultivator? May I be presumptuous and ask, what level of Inner Strength have you reached?"

Inner Strength level?

This was a matter between Inner Strength cultivators. Zhang Yang wasn't arrogant, but he didn't wish to discuss these matters with ordinary people, just as he had never mentioned these topics to Mi Xue. Things that shouldn't be discussed brought no benefit if spoken of too freely.

"Can I keep this question confidential?"

Zhang Yang smiled again. He didn't answer directly but avoided a blunt refusal. His way of responding was one the other party could accept.

"That... of course, you can!" Huang Jing was slightly stunned, feeling a touch of disappointment.

Looking at Zhang Yang, she seemed to make a decision, gritting her teeth as she said, "Actually, I also come from a lineage of Inner Strength. It's just that the family has declined, and for the last few generations, no one has managed to cultivate Inner Strength. However, our Huang family still possesses some ancestral secret manuals that are extremely useful to Inner Strength cultivators!"

After speaking, Huang Jing looked at Zhang Yang with intense yearning.

Her revelation didn't surprise Zhang Yang. For her to know so much implied a deep connection to Inner Strength cultivation, though he hadn't expected them to be a lineage whose practice had been interrupted.

In reality, there were quite a few smaller clans like this throughout history.

Inner Strength cultivation was not easy, and the process of cultivation was even harder. Small families usually had fewer members, and if no one in successive generations possessed the aptitude, a generational gap in cultivation would easily occur.

Once the Inner Strength practitioners ceased, they were no longer truly an Inner Strength lineage, unless a new cultivator emerged later.

However, most small families failed to produce successors, as the lack of an Inner Strength practitioner often invited covetousness from others. Many such minor clans were ruined early on; it was rare for them to manage to pass down anything at all.

The Huang family had been relatively lucky to survive without destruction after their cultivation line broke—such instances were uncommon.