With a word, Zhang Yang fished out another notebook from his person and handed it directly to Zhang Pinglu.

Before the Pitian Sword Art was fully mastered, he needed the sword manual to cultivate it. However, once cultivation was successful, especially after the system formed a new capability, this manual became obsolete.

The entire sword art was now etched completely into his mind.

Looking at the seemingly ordinary manual, Zhang Pinglu's brow twitched suddenly. Unlike the previous Zhang Yang, or Zhang Yuan'an, or Zhang Daofeng, he recognized the extraordinary nature of the sword art on the first viewing.

After all, he was a powerhouse at the Great Perfection stage, the apex existence among human cultivators.

“This is no ordinary sword art. If I’m not mistaken, this is a technique that only a cultivator at the Fifth Level can practice. Every stance here channels the energy of heaven and earth. Only a true Fifth Level expert can unleash its full might. Yang Yang, although you’ve mastered the first stance, you haven't even tapped half of its potential!”

After reading through it, Zhang Pinglu closed the manual and stated softly.

Hearing Zhang Pinglu’s assessment, Zhang Yang paused slightly, his eyebrows involuntarily twitching.

“Old Sir, the first stance has immense power, and I have truly mastered it!”

Zhang Yang couldn't help but argue. He already understood the devastating power of this sword art; the first stance alone had vastly augmented his strength. With this art, he was confident no one at the early Fourth Level could match him. If he mastered the second stance, he might even be able to fight someone at the Great Perfection stage.

Yet, unexpectedly, Zhang Pinglu claimed he hadn't reached even half the power. This left him feeling somewhat unconvinced.

“You have achieved mastery, but the method is incorrect. This requires someone who can truly command the energy of heaven and earth. You are merely borrowing the energy mobilized by the sword art itself. Never mind half—I doubt you’re reaching thirty percent of its power!”

Zhang Pinglu’s eyes widened sharply, then softened into a look of deep contemplation. He spoke again, “I don't know who created this sword art, but I dare say the creator must have been a Fifth Level expert. And one of the most formidable among them!”

As a Great Perfection expert, one foot already crossing into the pinnacle of the Fifth Level, their understanding of that tier far surpassed that of others.

Fifth Level cultivators also possessed degrees of strength.

Just like the Phantom Rat in Yinlong Mountain, it was not comparable to ordinary Fifth Level cultivators; it was far more powerful than them. It was the same among humans; some powerful individuals were even stronger than the Yinlong Mountain Phantom Rat.

It was a pity that these cultivators had vanished into history. Even Fifth Level experts did not possess eternal life, ultimately unable to escape the laws of nature and turning to dust.

“I understand!”

Zhang Yang slowly lowered his head. As expected of a Great Perfection expert, a single sentence had illuminated everything.

Zhang Yang was indeed merely borrowing. No matter how he manipulated that heavenly and earthly energy, the sword art was the intermediary; it required the technique as a conduit to be used.

Strictly speaking, that energy was mobilized by the sword art, not by him.

This sort of heavenly and earthly energy naturally couldn't compare to power truly commanded. Although the Great Perfection realm didn't equate to absolute command over heaven and earth's energy, the degree of control they exerted far surpassed his reliance on the sword art. Zhang Pinglu instantly perceived the deficiency in Zhang Yang's use of the technique.

“Don’t be discouraged, though. Cultivate this sword art diligently, and even a mid-stage Fourth Level expert won't be your match!”

Zhang Pinglu returned the manual to Zhang Yang. He perceived things most clearly; if Zhang Yang truly mastered the technique through and through, even by merely borrowing the energy, he could still defeat a mid-stage Fourth Level expert. This was ultimately an insight into the Dao of Nature, something only Fifth Level experts possessed.

The reason Great Perfection experts vastly overshadowed late-stage Fourth Level cultivators was precisely because they had comprehended much of the Dao of Nature.

Watching the manual in Zhang Yang’s hands, Zhang Yuan’an on the side grew envious. He couldn't help but take a few steps forward and ask softly, “Old Sir, may I cultivate this Pitian Sword Art? If I master it, can I also manipulate the energy of heaven and earth through the sword art, like Yang Yang?”

Manipulating the energy of heaven and earth! Even just using that energy to directly absorb and convert it into inner strength would save a huge amount of cultivation time.

After entering the Fourth Level, cultivation became exponentially harder, requiring vastly more inner strength. Relying solely on his own strenuous effort, it would take him countless years to advance.

If it weren't so difficult, every family wouldn't have so few Fourth Level masters, and most would remain in the early or middle stages.

“You cannot!”

The smile Zhang Yuan’an had just begun to form froze on his face. Zhang Pinglu’s single sentence poured cold water on him.

“Why? Yang Yang succeeded, why can’t I?”

Zhang Yuan’an asked, genuinely unwilling to accept it. He truly desired to practice that sword art; everyone wanted to enhance their strength.

Zhang Yang also looked up at Zhang Pinglu. He vaguely understood why Zhang Yuan’an couldn’t practice it.

The crux of this sword art lay in the Dao of Nature. Comprehending the Dao of Nature was the process of controlling heavenly and earthly energy. Zhang Yuan’an knew nothing of the Dao of Nature, and thus could not practice this art.

“I said it earlier: this sword art was created by a Fifth Level expert. Let alone you, even I cannot casually practice it. If one fails, it won't just be that they can't cultivate it; a mishap could lead to qi deviation and madness. His success is purely down to his luck. Had I seen this manual earlier, I certainly would not have agreed to let him practice it!”

Zhang Pinglu glared at Zhang Yuan’an again, who promptly lowered his head in submission.

Since the Old Sir had spoken, it was inappropriate to press further. He could only harbor regret in his heart—it was a pity such a powerful sword art couldn't be practiced, like a starving man gazing longingly at a lavish banquet.

“Yuan’an, listen to the Old Sir. If it were something anyone could cultivate, why would the Old Sir object?”

Zhang Daofeng took it with more equanimity. He understood well that every person had their own destiny; this was Zhang Yang’s fortune.

However, hearing Zhang Pinglu mention the danger, he too was startled. It was a blessing that Zhang Yang had succeeded, otherwise, the most outstanding disciple of the Zhang family would have been ruined.

“Father, I understand!”

Zhang Yuan’an was slightly dejected but quickly recovered.

Regardless, he was a cultivator who had reached the Fourth Level of inner strength; his mental fortitude far surpassed that of ordinary people.

“Yang Yang, stay. The rest of you may return now!”

Zhang Pinglu spoke again, and Zhang Daofeng immediately nodded, leading Zhang Yuan’an back to the villa.

Zhuifeng and Wuying didn’t want to leave, but Zhang Yang eventually persuaded them to go. He would be back shortly.

Presumably, the pets understood that in a direct confrontation, they were absolutely no match for a Great Perfection expert like Zhang Pinglu, so they obediently followed, returning home to wait for Zhang Yang.

The distance was negligible; after advancing, they could sense each other anyway.

“Old Sir, if Uncle [Yuan’an] cannot practice it, does that mean you truly cannot either?” Once everyone had departed, Zhang Yang suddenly asked.

This sword art required comprehension of the Dao of Nature to practice. Zhang Yuan’an and Zhang Daofeng had no comprehension, making success impossible for them. But Zhang Pinglu’s insight into the Dao of Nature was already profound, far surpassing his own. How could he also be unable to practice it?

If Zhang Pinglu could also master this sword art, it would significantly increase their collective strength, giving them greater confidence against the Huyan family.

“No!”

Zhang Pinglu, in a rare moment, showed a wry smile laced with deep regret.

“I said earlier, this sword art was created by a Fifth Level expert, rooted in the Fifth Level. Your success is truly miraculous. You must have sensed it yourself: this technique requires the Dao of Nature as an auxiliary. Yours is self-comprehended; mine was received through inheritance. If I forced myself to practice this art, I would inevitably suffer qi deviation, much like forcefully trying to break into the Fifth Level myself!”

Zhang Pinglu explained slowly. This time, Zhang Yang finally grasped the full picture.

Zhang Pinglu couldn't cultivate it because his understanding of the Dao of Nature came from tradition; forcing the practice would only invite negative consequences.

Viewed this way, this was indeed a sword art only Fifth Level experts could practice. For a Fourth Level cultivator, it was either immensely difficult or required self-comprehension of the Dao of Nature.

Self-comprehension was exceptionally rare; it could be said that comprehending the Dao of Nature was far more arduous than reaching the late Fourth Level. Otherwise, Great Perfection experts wouldn't rely on inherited teachings to sustain themselves.

“Tell me again everything that happened after your fight with the Old Madman—in detail!”

Zhang Pinglu sat down on the ground, gesturing for Zhang Yang to sit as well. The two talked in the desolate wilderness.

Zhang Yang quietly recounted the subsequent events, including his earlier hesitation regarding the Long family.

Finally, he mentioned Yinlong Mountain. Zhang Pinglu’s expression remained consistently calm, showing no surprise.

He looked up at Zhang Yang and said slowly, “The spirit beasts of Yinlong Mountain, the Phantom Rats, have the longest lifespans and have long since broken through to the Fifth Level. Going there was the right choice for you. However, the protection you received there wasn't solely due to Wuying. A thousand years ago, an ancestor of our Zhang family saved that Phantom Rat once. The Phantom Rat absolutely will not kill anyone possessing Zhang family blood. You carry that lineage, and the Phantom Rat’s greatest skill is sensing bloodlines. It must have detected your identity long ago!”

“You mean… our Zhang family ancestor had a prior connection with the Phantom Rat?”

This time, Zhang Yang’s eyes widened in shock. He never knew the Zhang family harbored such a secret.

An ancestor of the Zhang family had actually saved the Phantom Rat, and now the Rat wouldn't harm their descendants.

Zhang Pinglu sighed wistfully and continued, “You must not tell anyone about this. It is one of the most vital secrets of our Zhang family; not even Daofeng knows. We would only disturb it if absolutely necessary; this favor must be reserved for a critical moment!”

Zhang Yang stared at Zhang Pinglu in a daze. He hadn't realized the Zhang family possessed such a hidden card.

A thousand-year lineage was clearly not just a boast; even their Zhang family held numerous secrets.

“Then, in this instance, didn't I essentially use up that favor?”

Zhang Yang suddenly realized something and quickly added. The Phantom Rat had indeed helped him immensely this time, saving him and driving off Huyan Feng, leaving Huyan Feng severely wounded.

Zhang Pinglu smiled and waved his hand, saying lightly, “No. First, you were unaware of this matter. Second, you never declared your Zhang family identity. The Phantom Rat helped you purely out of consideration for Wuying. If that family favor had been truly invoked, the Old Madman would be dead by now; the Phantom Rat would never have let him go!”

Zhang Pinglu was certain of this. That ancestor of the Zhang family had given the Phantom Rat a life-saving grace. With the Rat's intelligence, it naturally understood that such a debt was not to be called upon unless the family faced annihilation.