The Yu Xiang Bee is not a spirit beast, but it possesses a resilience far exceeding that of ordinary bees; it can survive the blazing heat of the sun and endure the bitter cold of the twelfth lunar month.

These bees possess a singular ability: they can memorize a specific fragrance, no matter how distant, and track it down unerringly.

Exploiting this trait, the Zhang family trained a contingent of Yu Xiang Bees to serve as a tool for locating missing persons.

Unfortunately, the use of the Yu Xiang Bees was strictly limited to direct Zhang family disciples, and only after reaching the third level of Inner Strength. This restriction sidelined many; non-direct descendants and daughters who married out of the family received no access. Otherwise, Zhang Yang’s mother, Zhang Shihua, might not have failed to find her brother and father, ultimately costing them their lives.

"Good, I have brought a few this time; I'll release them immediately!"

Zhang Daofeng nodded instantly. Since the matter involved a Great Perfection expert, Zhang Pinglu had to be brought in to take charge.

The seven small bees were released by Zhang Daofeng. Zhang Yang had only recently learned of the Yu Xiang Bees' existence; in his previous life, his cultivation was too low—below the third level—so he never knew this small secret.

After the seven Yu Xiang Bees flew off, Zhang Daofeng returned and sat down again, saying, "Yangyang, tell me everything that happened this time in detail, leave absolutely nothing out!"

The Huyuan family would certainly seek revenge on Zhang Yang; this was no surprise to anyone in the Zhang family.

But even Zhang Daofeng had not anticipated that the Huyuan family's most crucial figure, their strongest guardian, would act so shamelessly, even pursuing them over such a distance. This clearly showed an absolute intent to kill Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang was the most outstanding successor the Zhang family had seen in over a thousand years. If Zhang Yang died, the Zhang family would certainly exact the most frenzied retaliation. Huyuan Feng could not have been unaware of this; his daring to act this way must have an underlying reason.

Zhang Yang nodded and slowly recounted every detail of the preceding events.

He had gone to gather herbs. After collecting the herbs, he was targeted by Huyuan Feng.

Zhang Yang had no idea when Huyuan Feng had first spotted him.

However, Zhang Yang guessed that Huyuan Feng must have discovered him later; otherwise, the attack would have occurred earlier. At that time, Zhang Yang was still near the valley and the outer cliff, where striking would have been far more convenient and could have been done without a trace.

At that time, Zhang Yang and Zhuifeng were separated. Dealing with them individually would have been much easier.

If that were the case, Huyuan Feng should not know about the Thousand-Year Snow Lotus; this counted as good news.

"Wait a moment, Yangyang, you said you clashed with Huyuan Feng?"

As Zhang Yang was speaking, Zhang Daofeng suddenly interrupted him, asking directly.

"That's right. We were caught shortly after riding away. I was forced to dismount and fight him. But he was overwhelmingly powerful; I was no match, and I sustained injuries within a few exchanges. It was only through Zhuifeng fighting desperately with me that we managed a narrow escape!"

Zhang Yang explained. Zhang Daofeng and Zhang Yun'an exchanged glances, looking at each other wordlessly.

Especially Zhang Daofeng; he understood the might of a Great Perfection expert better than anyone.

Forget antagonism; even in a sparring session, he couldn't withstand three moves from his own clan's ancestor. A Great Perfection expert could manipulate external energy, which represented a qualitative leap compared to ordinary fourth-level cultivators who could only use their own Inner Strength.

This was an insurmountable chasm.

Even though both were considered fourth level, the disparity was immense. Why was it called Great Perfection? Because their cultivation at this level had reached the absolute pinnacle, the state of completeness, awaiting only the next major leap.

Zhang Yang, being only in the early fourth level, not only engaged a Great Perfection expert but also escaped from his clutches—this feat alone was enough to make him proud, something even a late fourth-level practitioner might not achieve.

"Continue!"

Zhang Daofeng didn't press further. Zhang Yang possessing such strength was a positive sign for them; knowing it was enough.

Next, Zhang Yang recounted his plan to flee toward the Long family.

The thought of going to the Long family was raised, but he ultimately abandoned it. Zhang Yun'an and Zhang Daofeng fully agreed with this decision. The relationship between the Long and Zhang families was not exactly harmonious; they could not risk offending another Great Perfection family on Zhang Yang's behalf.

They surmised that if Zhang Yang arrived alone, the Long family might secretly wish for Huyuan Feng to kill him, forcing the Huyuan family to face the Zhang family's retribution.

Following this, Zhang Yang revealed his new plan: heading to Yinlong Mountain.

Mentioning the name Yinlong Mountain caused both men's hearts to skip a beat again. A forbidden ground—one of the three great forbidden zones. Every Inner Strength cultivator reaching the fourth level had been sternly warned against entering.

As for those at the third level, they were forbidden from even entering the Southern Border, as that area was widely considered territory belonging to demonic cultivators.

"Fortunately, we have Wuying. I never imagined that Wuying and the powerful spirit beast of Yinlong Mountain were of the same kind, and that it would show such care for it!"

After Zhang Yang explained the relationship between Wuying and the Illusionary Mouse, Zhang Daofeng couldn't help but sigh.

Zhang Yang’s escape to Yinlong Mountain had a reliance they hadn't foreseen: Zhang Yang had already visited Yinlong Mountain once before.

This was fortuitous, essentially granting Zhang Yang an extra talisman. A fifth-level spirit beast! Currently, the cultivation world could not produce any human cultivator capable of confronting a fifth-level spirit beast.

Even gathering all the Great Perfection experts together would not match the power of that single fifth-level spirit beast.

Recalling the terrifying strength of a fifth-level spirit beast, Zhang Yang inevitably thought of the Changbai Mountain Tianchi. Tianchi was also one of the three great forbidden zones, rumored to house another fifth-level spirit beast.

To obtain the Rootless Water of Tianchi near such a powerful spiritual entity seemed an impossible task.

Finally, Zhang Yang relayed the intelligence he had obtained from Long Feng.

Long Feng had specifically sought him out at the Huyuan family residence. When the bell at the Huyuan family chimed nine times, a major incident had occurred.

According to Long Feng’s news, Huyuan Feng was not dead, but he was severely injured, having lost an arm, rendering him disabled.

"Good, Huyuan Feng is seriously injured—excellent!"

Upon hearing Zhang Yang finish, Zhang Daofeng suddenly burst into laughter, and a smile also spread across Zhang Yun'an’s face.

"Grandfather, Huyuan Feng is injured, but he is still a Great Perfection expert. Even wounded, we are no match for him. It will probably take the Old Ancestor to intervene," Zhang Yang remarked, slightly puzzled by their reaction.

"Haha, Yangyang, you don't understand this. Great Perfection experts are different from ordinary fourth-level cultivators; they cannot afford to be injured. Once wounded, they cannot fully recover; every single one of them treasures themselves immensely!"

Zhang Yun'an roared with laughter, offering Zhang Yang an explanation.

The Great Perfection realm was close to the fifth level, but they were constrained by their physical bodies. Combined with consuming Sustenance Pills, they could only exert less than seventy percent of their actual strength.

If they exceeded seventy percent, their physical bodies would inevitably sustain damage—damage that could not be healed.

Huyuan Feng had suffered such a grievous wound; recovering to his peak was now utterly impossible. Such an injury might even affect his future capacity; he might not even be able to exert fifty percent of his former strength, let alone seventy.

Huyuan Feng operating at less than half strength meant they still couldn't defeat him, but they certainly couldn't match Zhang Pinglu. Given their own Old Ancestor's temperament, learning that Huyuan Feng had pursued Zhang Yang would already have driven him to fight desperately; the chance to face an opponent whose strength was halved would certainly not be missed.

This time, they would not wait for the Huyuan family's retaliation. Once Zhang Pinglu arrived, they could march directly on the Huyuan family's stronghold.

With the full might of the Zhang family retaliating and the Old Ancestor involved, coupled with Huyuan Feng’s severe injury, it was entirely possible to annihilate the entire Huyuan family.

It was no wonder that when these ancient families lost their guardians, they became so cautious. The Hua family was forced to relocate to the Northeast. Guardians were just too vital.

"Yangyang, to avoid any further complications, hand the Snow Lotus Root over to me. I will immediately begin compounding the Sacred Detoxification Pill. You rest and recover first. When the Old Ancestor arrives, we will go to Tianshan Overlord Peak together. Our Zhang family must have this revenge!"

Zhang Daofeng added. This time, even Zhang Yun'an looked at him with some surprise.

The Sacred Detoxification Pill was meant to cure Zhang Keqin, the person Zhang Daofeng disliked most in his life.

The fact that he was now willing to compound the medicine for Zhang Keqin demonstrated Zhang Yang's standing in his heart. Clearly, for Zhang Yang's sake, Zhang Daofeng would assist even someone he disliked.

"That's fine, then I'll trouble you, Grandfather," Zhang Yang replied with a smile, understanding the situation.

Easing the tension between Zhang Daofeng and Zhang Keqin was the best outcome for Zhang Yang. They were both family, and Zhang Yang did not want his grandfather to remain unforgiving toward his father, even refusing to see him.

Now that Zhang Daofeng was willing to compound the medicine for Zhang Keqin, it marked a very good beginning.

After chatting in the study for over an hour, the three of them finally emerged.

Zhang Yun'an had learned that both Wuying and Zhuifeng had broken through to the fourth level and couldn't resist going to see Zhuifeng.

Afterward, he went up the mountain with Zhuifeng. Shandian and Wuying followed, and it was only two hours later that they returned.

Upon returning, Zhang Yun'an went to his room to change clothes, while Zhuifeng stood there immensely proud, holding its head high.

Zhang Yun'an and Zhuifeng had gone out to spar.

It had to be admitted that spirit beasts possessed an innate advantage over humans. Zhuifeng, even having just advanced, was stronger than Zhang Yun'an. Without employing divine weapons or sharp tools, Zhuifeng soundly thrashed Zhang Yun'an.

This outcome left Zhang Yun'an quite frustrated.

However, Zhang Daofeng was even happier. Zhuifeng's increased strength meant the Zhang family's strength had grown, representing an augmentation of their clan's power.

This was beneficial for them, providing an extra asset when seeking revenge against the Huyuan family later.

When attacking the Huyuan family, Zhuifeng would certainly exert its full effort. Having been chased so miserably by Huyuan Feng, it already harbored deep hatred for the entire Huyuan clan. Anyone from the Huyuan family encountering it would face misfortune.

Besides Zhuifeng, Wuying had also seen an increase in power.

Wuying, even at the late third level, could release its Inner Strength externally. Now, its externalized Inner Strength was even more formidable, and its speed was faster, capable of inflicting significant damage upon early and mid-fourth-level experts.

Even late fourth-level experts would struggle to withstand Wuying's externalized Inner Strength head-on.

"Young Master, someone is here looking for you. He says his name is Li Changfeng, and he is waiting right outside the gate!"

Zhang Yang was meditating in his room, tending to his injuries, when Qu Meilan came and knocked on his door, loudly announcing the visitor's name from outside.

Third update, fulfilling yesterday's minimum requirement! RQ