Feeling the difference in Zhang Yang, both Chase the Wind and Shadowless were pleasantly surprised. Unlike the parrots, the stronger Zhang Yang appeared, the happier they became; only by following a more powerful master could they feel greater pride and prove they hadn't followed the wrong person. It was the same with these two parrots; having served a Fifth Layer master before, they hadn't given Zhang Yang a second glance, even harboring a degree of contempt for him previously.

"Whoosh!"

A sudden gust of wind swept through the cave—a wind of pure energy, born from Zhang Yang rapidly absorbing the ambient energy of the world and converting it into inner force. At this moment, Zhang Yang’s dantian was like a sponge, greedily soaking up the surrounding world energy.

In a short while, the energy wind subsided, and Zhang Yang shook his head with a hint of regret. His strength was still somewhat lacking; being only at the mid-Fourth Layer, he couldn't convert as much world energy into his own inner force. This was the gap between him and those at the Great Perfection stage.

This gap lay in the inner force itself. While his foundational strength was fixed for the moment, the amount of world energy he could mobilize differed. Overall, Zhang Yang still couldn't command the same volume of world energy as the established Great Perfection masters. However, he still possessed the Heaven-Breaking Sword Technique. With the aid of this technique, he was already comparable to those veteran Great Perfection experts. Coupled with his ability to materialize energy, Zhang Yang currently felt no fear, even when facing a true Great Perfection master. All he lacked was this subtle difference in inner force reserves, yet his energy materialization skill was more than enough to compensate for this weakness. If Hu Yanfeng were still alive, the current Zhang Yang could engage him in a genuine battle, and the outcome—who would emerge victorious—would be uncertain.

"Human expert, congratulations!"

Seeing Zhang Yang cease absorbing the world energy, the parrots spoke first. They understood that the young man before them had achieved another breakthrough, becoming even stronger. If they were outside the Savage Mountain instead of here, even working together, they might not be a match for this human cultivator.

"Human expert. You are formidable. You are the only one to have gained such substantial benefits before your master's inheritance. May we know your name?"

The other parrot chimed in. The attitude of the two parrots toward Zhang Yang had finally shifted. They now recognized him as a genuine powerhouse. This recognition wasn't solely based on his current strength. In terms of raw power, Zhang Yang surpassed them, but here, he posed no real danger to them. Their master had left behind various esoteric formations in this place; activating even a few could delay Zhang Yang significantly. If they triggered some of the core killing formations, they could even dispatch a true Great Perfection master. The primary reason for their altered attitude was Zhang Yang's potential. Reaching the Great Perfection stage at the mid-Fourth Layer was unprecedented. Such an individual virtually guaranteed future success in breaking through to become a true Fifth Layer expert. They might disregard Fourth Layer experts, but against a Fifth Layer master, even the proud parrots had to bow their heads. They clearly understood the immense power of the Fifth Layer; even a newly ascended Fifth Layer expert could deal with them effortlessly.

"My name is Zhang Yang, a successor of the Medical Saint lineage. I thank you both!"

Zhang Yang turned around, offering a slight smile. Feeling the world energy under his command gave him a delightful sense of fluidity, like a fish in water. He finally understood why the Great Perfection masters were so powerful, why even late-Fourth Layer experts seemed weak before them, and why, even after mastering the Heaven-Breaking Sword Technique and borrowing world energy through it, there remained such a vast gap between him and the Great Perfection realm.

The Great Perfection masters truly controlled the world energy themselves. World energy was more abundant and potent than inner force. With this foundation, even late-Fourth Layer experts were like children facing a Great Perfection master. Furthermore, the Great Perfection masters controlled world energy with far greater proficiency, as naturally as using their own hands to grasp an object—effortlessly achieving their intent. Whereas his previous control over world energy, though functional, always involved an intermediary layer. Using the Heaven-Breaking Sword Technique felt like operating another object via a mechanical hand to manipulate something else; such indirect control could never match direct mastery.

"Zhang Yang, you are excellent. We believe you will, like our master, become a true Fifth Layer expert!"

The interrogating parrot spoke again, this time with firm conviction. The parrot beside it nodded in agreement, clearly concurring with the sentiment. Both parrots now firmly believed Zhang Yang had the prospect—a high prospect—of advancing to the Fifth Layer.

"Zhang Yang, how old are you? At what age did you advance to the Second Layer, and at what age did you reach the Third and Fourth Layers?"

The parrot asked another question. While intelligent and capable of verbal communication, they were, after all, spirit beasts. Unlike human cultivators, they couldn't discern true age through details like teeth or hair. They sensed Zhang Yang was young, but they knew human cultivators could use spiritual elixirs, such as the 'Youth Preserving Pill,' to maintain their appearance. Their master had once consumed such a pill, appearing quite youthful.

This question made Zhang Yang's expression slightly odd. After a moment's thought, he replied, "I am twenty-one this year. I advanced to the Third Layer at twenty, and I also reached the Fourth Layer when I was twenty!"

The Third and Fourth Layers—Zhang Yang had indeed traversed them within a single year. The system had provided significant aid back then; the inner force gained from each advancement was far superior to what he could acquire through consuming elixirs. Combined with his constant, unbroken supply of spiritual medicines, this allowed him to leap two whole layers in just one year.

"What did you say, you are twenty-one?"

The two parrots cried out in unison, their expressions utterly shocked, staring at Zhang Yang in disbelief. Their greatest pride had always been their master, whom they believed to be the most powerful human cultivator in the world, the most outstanding practitioner, incomparable to any other. But Zhang Yang had just shattered that conviction. Advancing to the Fourth Layer at twenty, and reaching mid-Fourth Layer Great Perfection at twenty-one—even their clever minds felt temporarily overloaded. It wasn't that they disbelieved Zhang Yang; it was that what he claimed was simply too difficult to accept. As for the fact that his advancement to the Third and Fourth Layers occurred in the same year, they hadn't even registered that detail, as the first two points had already stunned them profoundly.

"I am indeed twenty-one this year; there is no need for me to deceive you about this!"

Zhang Yang smiled slightly. He felt a small measure of pride. Although Zhang Yang was powerful, he was still young and possessed a young man's heart. He felt a slight smugness at the shock his accomplishments elicited in others.

"Chirp chirp chirp!"

Shadowless suddenly leaped over, landing on Zhang Yang and crying out excitedly. The two parrots looked at Shadowless and suddenly felt a pang of envy. Previously, upon seeing the Treasure-Seeking Mouse accompanying Zhang Yang, they had inwardly lamented Zhang Yang's good fortune in subduing such a rare spirit beast. Treasure-Seeking Mice were scarce, and they were not ordinary creatures; their innate ability to find treasures was the finest gift bestowed by the heavens. Now, they envied Shadowless. Even a Treasure-Seeking Mouse would have difficulty finding a Fifth Layer expert. This mouse had chosen wisely; it had followed the right person. It was imaginable that with Zhang Yang's talent, he would not stop even upon reaching the Fifth Layer. This young man's future might well rival that of their master.

"We believe you. You are a true expert. From now on, you may come here freely!"

The parrot spoke again. These parrots were not fools; they understood Zhang Yang’s immense future potential. Naturally, they sought to establish a good rapport now. The best way to build goodwill was to ensure the other party remembered their kindness; the items they guarded thus became their best bargaining chips.

"Right, I passed through the passageway earlier. What is this 'special reward' you mentioned?"

Zhang Yang asked with a smile. He wasn't truly concerned about the special reward; his study of the Fifth Layer experts' inscriptions on the walls had already yielded immense gains and insights, making any reward seem secondary. He only asked because the matter had slipped his mind, satisfying a mere flicker of curiosity. It was like a merchant running a promotion where completing a task earns a mysterious gift. Even if one didn't highly value the gift, one would still be intensely curious about its nature. That was Zhang Yang’s current state.

"Please wait a moment!"

One parrot flew up and darted toward an inner, smaller cavern that looked like a former sleeping quarter. Soon, the parrot returned, a small booklet held delicately in its beak. This booklet was not made of ordinary paper; it appeared to be bound in animal hide. As the parrot approached, Zhang Yang's eyelids twitched involuntarily.

It was indeed an animal hide booklet, but not just any hide. This was spirit beast hide. Creating a booklet from spirit beast hide was a grand gesture. Spirit beasts generally possessed formidable defenses; even ordinary swords and blades would struggle to wound them, making their hides precious forging materials. They were the premier material for defensive armaments; at least seventy percent of defensive divine artifacts were crafted from spirit beast hide. Zhang Yang could also discern that this hide belonged to a very powerful spirit beast; the faint aura clinging to the skin proved the beast’s rank was not low, making the hide even more valuable. To use such a priceless piece of spirit beast hide to create a booklet—even Zhang Yang felt it was a monumental waste.

"This is your reward. See if you are satisfied!"

The parrot dropped the booklet and flew back, stating its words. Zhang Yang quickly picked it up, and the characters on the cover made him freeze.

The Introductory Volume of Esoteric Gate Escape Arts

These were the words written on the hide. This beast-hide booklet was actually related to the Qimen Dunjia! Zhang Yang's heart rate began to accelerate. This was entirely unexpected for him. It was a bonus surprise. After obtaining the Tang Sect Forging Method, he had developed a profound interest in Qimen Dunjia, but at that time, he only understood simple formations and knew nothing of true Qimen Dunjia. This booklet was a secret manual for Qimen Dunjia—an unforeseen gift. He wasn't merely satisfied; he was overwhelmingly pleased, satisfied beyond measure.

Controlling his racing heart, Zhang Yang gently opened the booklet. Soon, his eyes widened again. Seeing his reaction, the two parrots nodded with satisfaction. As long as this item captivated Zhang Yang, it meant they had earned another favor. When Zhang Yang eventually became powerful and truly reached the Fifth Layer, it would only benefit them, never harm them.

Second update! RS