Strictly speaking, Zhang Yang's lineage of the Medical Saint was a minor family with a sparse line of descendants.

However, they differed from typical minor families; the greatest strength of the Medical Saint lineage lay in their medical arts. Even if a later generation possessed poor aptitude, they could utilize pharmaceuticals to artificially create opportunities for cultivation, ensuring the lineage's continuity.

It was much like the Zhang Yang of his previous life; his own aptitude was quite average. Among ordinary Inner Strength practitioners, whether he could cultivate Inner Strength at all was debatable.

The Inner Strength he cultivated in his past life was achieved because his grandfather used numerous precious medicines to forcibly alter his physique, enabling him to cultivate. Still, his cultivation speed was slow; by his thirties, he had only reached the mid-stage of the second level.

Furthermore, even after Zhang Yang’s grandfather died unexpectedly and Zhang Yang himself possessed mediocre strength, no one dared to scheme against the Medical Saint lineage.

The Medical Saint lineage had never lacked a Guardian. In an era before the existence of fifth-level human powerhouses, the Guardian represented the ultimate force.

It was a pity that in his previous life, his cultivation was too low to ever meet the family Guardian, nor did he know the Guardian’s whereabouts in that life, or how the Zhang family's succession would continue after his demise.

The Medical Saint lineage possessed its own robust assurance, but other minor families did not.

Losing an Inner Strength cultivator meant losing power, inevitably drawing the covetous attention of others. The Huang family was the same; the last Inner Strength cultivator of the Huang family was a remarkably astute man. Realizing the inevitable disaster awaiting his family after his death, he made arrangements long beforehand.

Before his passing, he arranged for his children to relocate overseas, moving to an entirely new environment. While immigration was difficult to adapt to, it was still infinitely better than watching their family destroyed.

It was a correct decision. Although the current Huang family might no longer qualify as an Inner Strength family, at least its members survived, carrying on the legacy. Should an Inner Strength cultivator arise again in the future, the Huang family could re-establish its status as an Inner Strength lineage.

These were all things Zhang Yang only learned later. Currently, he was looking up at Huang Jing.

The ancestral secret codex Huang Jing mentioned had piqued his interest.

Minor families, though small and possessing relatively short lineages—mostly a few centuries—could not guarantee they held no treasures.

Within many minor families lay hidden valuables.

Just like the Phoenix Feather Fan, once ranked third on the lost Divine Weapon Register, which had emerged from within a minor family. Unfortunately, that family lacked the capability to safeguard it, leading to the extermination of their entire clan.

“Tell me first, what is it?” Zhang Yang asked slowly.

Huang Jing looked at him, still appearing slightly nervous, and whispered, “There is a sword technique that only fourth-level powerhouses can cultivate, along with several pieces of secret lore, including insights related to the legendary fifth level of Inner Strength!”

“A sword technique for fourth-level powerhouses, secret lore about the fifth level of Inner Strength?”

Zhang Yang’s brow twitched slightly; Huang Jing’s words had genuinely captured his interest. Generally, martial arts techniques are practiced from the beginning; the higher the level of Inner Strength, the greater the power.

If a technique required a high level of cultivation just to begin practice, it implied the technique itself was profoundly sophisticated, inaccessible without a certain foundational strength.

For the Huang family's sword technique to require a fourth-level powerhouse to initiate training suggested that the sword style itself possessed at least fourth-level capabilities. Such a technique could never be compared to ordinary high-grade methods.

As for the secret lore concerning the fifth level of Inner Strength, Zhang Yang wasn't overly concerned.

He had already learned a great deal about the fifth level, understanding that it truly existed but required a complete comprehension of the Dao of Nature to achieve. In Zhang Yang's estimation, the lore the Huang family possessed likely pertained to this topic.

After all, this was knowledge unknown to many Inner Strength practitioners, making it perfectly suitable as secret lore.

“Mr. Zhang, if you are willing, I can exchange these two items for your Youth Preserving Pills. Just three Youth Preserving Pills will suffice!”

Huang Jing still seemed somewhat anxious; she couldn't help it.

Her proposal was somewhat risky. If Zhang Yang turned out to be a bad person, realizing her family possessed such items, she would have no recourse if he chose to forcefully seize them.

Zhang Yang was an Inner Strength practitioner. If his level was high, ordinary people would stand no chance against him; the bodyguards her family hired were mere decoration in that case.

She was taking a gamble—betting that Zhang Yang was not a man of utterly despicable character, because the allure of the Youth Preserving Pills was too immense, compelling her to take the risk.

Zhang Yang looked at Huang Jing and slowly shook his head.

Huang Jing’s mouth fell open, her face registering clear disappointment. Her family possessed many inherited secret codices, but most were foundational. The truly enticing items were these two.

It was rumored these two items were obtained by an ancestor by chance and were subsequently listed as the family’s highest secrets, known only to the highest-cultivated Inner Strength practitioner.

At that time, the Huang family had hoped that someone would cultivate to the fourth level, then practice that sword technique, wondering if there was a chance to ultimately break through to the fifth level using it. If someone in the Huang family could reach the fifth level of Inner Strength, their family could instantly ascend to the ranks of the most elite great families.

Alas, this remained wishful thinking. Since that period, no fourth-level powerhouse had emerged from the family, ultimately leading to the severance of their cultivation lineage and their descent into a secular family. These previous secrets were no longer guarded as closely, known by many family members, and thus no longer valued as highly as before.

This time, Huang Jing intended to trade these items for the Youth Preserving Pills. After all, a useless cultivation method and a secret were less tangible than the pills themselves.

Moreover, if no Inner Strength practitioner appeared in the family again, they would have to discard these items anyway. They understood clearly that possessing these things long-term wasn't necessarily beneficial; it might invite disaster upon the household one day.

“Miss Huang, I am very interested in that sword technique requiring a fourth-level powerhouse, but I can only trade one Youth Preserving Pill for it. And the secret lore about the fifth level, that could also be exchanged for one pill. If you are willing, I will exchange two Youth Preserving Pills for your two items!”

Zhang Yang shook his head, speaking slowly. Huang Jing’s disappointed expression vanished instantly, replaced by a flicker of excitement and longing.

“You mean, you are willing to exchange?”

“Yes, but only for two pills.”

Zhang Yang nodded. This wasn't him deliberately inflating the price of the pills. After all, he wasn't certain about the authenticity of the items Huang Jing mentioned. Perhaps he already knew the fifth-level lore, and the sword technique for fourth-level powerhouses might not be as exceptional as he imagined.

This was, in essence, a business deal—a high-risk exchange transaction.

Since risk was involved, Zhang Yang naturally wanted to secure his interests as much as possible. At least if the items turned out to be useless, his loss would be minimal.

“Two it is, Mr. Zhang. When can you give me the Youth Preserving Pills?”

Huang Jing considered it, then agreed through gritted teeth. Two pills were less than she hoped for, but better than nothing.

She would deliberate later on how to distribute the two pills upon her return.

Furthermore, having established this first transaction, there might be opportunities for a second. She now clearly understood that the crucial factor was whether she could present Zhang Yang with something genuinely appealing.

Zhang Yang didn't care for money, but if he had other needs, finding his point of requirement could lead to another exchange for the Youth Preserving Pills.

Zhang Yang smiled faintly. “When you bring the items, and if they are exactly as you described, they will be yours.”

“Agreed, it’s settled. I will immediately arrange for the fastest flight to send them over. If things go quickly, they should arrive tomorrow evening!”

Huang Jing stood up abruptly, her movements once again highlighting her intense craving for the Youth Preserving Pills.

“Sister Jing, I think that’s unfair. You proposed the exchange items, but you don’t even know if Zhang Yang’s Youth Preserving Pills are real yet!”

Ren Lijuan, standing beside her, suddenly spoke up, though she herself didn't know why she said it.

Saying this seemed to question Zhang Yang, to doubt his product. Such doubt, frankly put, was tantamount to implying Zhang Yang was a fraud.

“I trust Mr. Zhang,”

Huang Jing glanced at Ren Lijuan and slowly shook her head.

Zhang Yang had already admitted to being an Inner Strength practitioner, and his demeanor was exceptionally unusual—his bearing and temperament were markedly different, making it easy to trust him.

Coupled with Ren Lijuan’s previous comments, she now felt at least ninety percent certain that everything was genuine. Ninety percent certainty was extremely high. She didn't believe she would be so unlucky, nor did she believe Zhang Yang’s performance was so superb that he could deceive her.

And most importantly, if Zhang Yang truly deceived her, it would benefit him nothing. The two items she offered for exchange were useless to ordinary people and might even bring trouble if known by other Inner Strength practitioners. If Zhang Yang intended to cheat, he should have asked for money, not these seemingly useless things.

“Thank you for your trust, Miss Huang. Old classmate, I didn't realize you doubted me so much,”

Zhang Yang chuckled again. Ren Lijuan’s expression shifted dramatically, and she frantically shook her head, hurrying to explain, “No, Zhang Yang, please don’t be angry. I don't doubt you; I was just curiously asking!”

“It’s fine, I’m not angry. Your suspicion is understandable,”

Zhang Yang said with a light smile. As he spoke, he took out a jade vial from his person, then tipped out several pills from inside, selecting one that emanated a faint cyan glow.

As these pills emerged, a penetrating, sweet fragrance filled the small private room, overpowering the scent of tea.

“This is the Youth Preserving Pill. I only have this one on me. If your items prove true, I will certainly give you the full two pills,”

Zhang Yang said softly, holding the cyan pill. Huang Jing and Ren Lijuan immediately fixed their gaze on the tiny capsule.

This single pill could maintain one’s appearance for twenty years. Just one pill could allow a woman to retain her youth indefinitely without relying on any cosmetics.

Sensing the unique medicinal aroma, Huang Jing’s trust in Zhang Yang increased to a hundred percent.

She had learned from family records long ago that spiritual medicines differed greatly from ordinary elixirs, possessing a fragrance absent in common drugs.

This scent was a unique fragrance she hadn't encountered in her twenty-plus years. Judging solely by this aroma, this pill was extraordinary.

Very sorry, Xiao Yu set an alarm but still overslept. This is the second chapter for yesterday; I finally managed to post it before dawn. (To be continued) RQ