These two people before him certainly looked benevolent, but Ouyang Xuan knew clearly that these were powerhouses who could crush him with a single finger—the guardians of their family, aloof and at the pinnacle: Four-Layer experts.

Ouyang Xuan was merely an outer disciple. At this point, he only knew of the four layers of Inner Strength; the existence of the Great Perfection or the Fifth Layer was completely unknown to him. The Fourth Layer was already the apex, an unimaginable realm.

Slowly, Ouyang Xuan recounted everything he had witnessed.

He concealed nothing, even revealing the burgeoning affection he felt for Mi Xue on the highway.

He understood perfectly that since the family regarded this matter with such seriousness, he could not harbor the slightest concealment, not even a fraction.

“You say you do not know the name of the young man you suspect?”

After he finished speaking, the elder who had first questioned him asked softly. This man was the Grand Elder of the Ouyang family, Ouyang Jiankang.

“I do not know, but I can find out quickly!”

Ouyang Xuan nodded affirmatively. He remembered someone greeting Bai Feng, and that person seemed to be with them. Even if they weren't together, they might have information. Furthermore, Gu Fang was another avenue; if he approached Gu Fang representing the family, he was certain Gu Fang would tell him who received the car.

“Go investigate and report back immediately!”

The other elder spoke quietly. Ouyang Ming immediately escorted Ouyang Xuan from the room to make a call outside.

“Grand Elder, could this young man Xuan’er mentioned be him?”

As soon as Ouyang Xuan left, another, slightly younger-looking man inquired softly. All four figures in the room wore grave expressions.

“Brother, let’s not assume it’s him yet. To silently stir the wind and possess such immense power—neither you nor I could manage that. Even a late-stage Fourth Layer expert couldn't do it. Only one type of person is capable of such a feat?”

The elder who had tasked Ouyang Xuan with investigating Zhang Yang spoke again in a low voice. As he spoke, his brow was deeply furrowed, his face etched with worry. He was the Second Elder of the Ouyang family, Ouyang Jianhua, Ouyang Jiankang’s biological brother. The fact that two full brothers had cultivated together to the Fourth Layer was rare, even in a millennium-old lineage.

“I know what you mean. Only those at the Great Perfection, or perhaps a Fifth Layer expert, could achieve that!”

Ouyang Jiankang nodded silently. It was simple for a Fourth Layer expert to move a vehicle, but to summon such a strong gale soundlessly, using the force of the wind to shift the car—that was simply beyond the capacity of Inner Strength. Thus, their conclusion: only the Great Perfection could accomplish it.

As they were speaking, Ouyang Xuan and Ouyang Ming re-entered together.

Seeing the elders all wearing deep frowns, Ouyang Xuan, who was about to speak, froze once more. He hadn’t expected their expressions to shift so drastically in the short time he was gone.

“Xuan’er, did you find out anything?”

It was Ouyang Jiankang’s question that brought Ouyang Xuan back to his senses. He nodded hurriedly. “I found out. The younger one is named Yang Guang, and the other is Zhang Yang, Yang Guang’s cousin. He came from Changjing and is reportedly still a student, though he has already started a company and possesses some wealth. I have people digging for more specific details!”

Hearing the name Zhang Yang, neither Ouyang Jiankang nor Ouyang Jianhua showed any surprise. The other two also appeared to confirm their suspicions. The person they had been guessing about when Ouyang Xuan left was indeed Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang, possessor of the Three Great Spirit Beasts, who had slain a Fourth Layer elder of the Huyan family on Longjia Plain, the heir of the Medical Saint lineage who reached the Fourth Layer at such a young age—his name had long spread through the great families. Not to mention, not long ago, the Zhang family had annihilated the millennium-old Huyan family solely for his sake. Only someone like him, so young, could possibly possess such strength.

“No need to investigate further. You two stay here for the night!”

Ouyang Jiankang shook his head. Ouyang Ming’s face lit up with joy, and he immediately pulled Ouyang Xuan away from the room.

Ouyang Xuan, however, looked somewhat bewildered. He had learned this information through Bai Feng; Yang Guang’s classmate, Zhu Fang, was with them, making it easy to learn the names. He had already asked Zhu Fang to gather detailed intel and was using other channels to inquire about Zhang Yang, expecting results soon. He hadn't anticipated the elders would stop the investigation.

“What are you standing around for, hurry up and come with me!”

Ouyang Ming smiled, pulling his nephew along toward the front courtyard. Ouyang Xuan, being pulled, was utterly confused and asked, “Uncle, why are you so happy?”

“Silly child, you don’t even realize you’ve hit a jackpot!”

Ouyang Ming looked at him, laughed heartily again, and then continued, “You don’t know, non-direct disciples aren't allowed to stay here. There must be other rewards. Even though you can’t cultivate Inner Strength, the elders might grant you some body-strengthening elixirs, or perhaps miraculous pills that cure all illnesses. Whatever the reward, it’s something priceless outside!”

“There are rewards too?”

“Of course. That’s why you’re blessed, kid. Although our Ouyang family can’t compare to the Medical Saint Zhang family, we started with medicine, and given our advantageous resources, the family possesses many spiritual elixirs!”

Ouyang Ming said with a smile, then paused abruptly, turning his head with a look of confusion. “You said that young man’s name was Zhang Yang? Surely he isn't from the Medical Saint Zhang family? In our entire family, only the Medical Saint lineage is that famous with the surname Zhang?”

“I don’t know. If I had known he was an Inner Strength cultivator, why would I have dared to chase after him?”

Ouyang Xuan offered a wry smile. Ouyang Ming pondered for a moment, shook his head, and led his nephew off to rest. He had no idea that his speculation was entirely accurate.

Not long after, someone delivered two jade bottles to them: one contained Strengthening Pills, and the other, the Feminine Nurturing Pill.

The so-called Feminine Nurturing Pill was intended to enhance one's virility and facilitate the bearing of more children. The Ouyang family was no ordinary household; family planning didn't apply to them. For a family to develop, it needed more and better disciples. Even though they were a branch line, they carried Ouyang blood. Having more children meant that in the future, perhaps one or two with good talent might emerge, who could then be directly accepted into the main line, thus aiding the family’s expansion.

However, this reward still caused Ouyang Xuan to stare wide-eyed for a long time.

After they left, the four figures inside the partitioned room remained silent for a long time.

“It truly is him. I only recall hearing news from Shaolin that he had achieved energy materialization. But I never expected he’d already reached Great Perfection!”

After a long pause, Ouyang Jianhua finally said with deep emotion.

“Not necessarily. He broke through to the Fourth Layer less than a year ago; how could he reach late-stage Fourth Layer so quickly? Whether he is Great Perfection or not, we cannot confirm yet!”

Ouyang Jiankang shook his head, refuting his brother’s claim. However, the refuted brother showed no dissatisfaction, instead nodding in agreement. Zhang Yang, so young and already such a formidable master—they were already envious and jealous. To have reached late-stage Fourth Layer so quickly, perhaps even Great Perfection, was something they found hard to accept.

“Jianhua, you stay here tomorrow. I will take A’He to investigate thoroughly!”

Ouyang Jiankang stated again. Regardless of whether Zhang Yang was Great Perfection or not, now that they knew he was on their territory, the Ouyang family should pay a visit. However, regardless of Zhang Yang’s strength, this person must not be offended. The fate of the Huyan family served as a bloody lesson. This time, Ouyang Jiankang genuinely intended only a courteous visit, with no other thoughts. Zhang Pinglu’s objective in establishing authority had indeed been achieved.

“Brother, perhaps you should stay, and I will go?”

Ouyang Jianhua hesitated. Zhang Yang’s strength was not weak; what they had heard alone suggested great power. Ouyang Jiankang had reached the mid-stage Fourth Layer, but he might not necessarily be a match for Zhang Yang, especially if Zhang Yang had potentially reached the Great Perfection level.

“I will go. Thirty years ago, I shared a drink with Zhang Daofeng; I can speak to him!”

Ouyang Jiankang shook his head again. He had indeed met Zhang Daofeng and shared drinks, but that was all; they had no deep friendship, as their positions were vastly different. There was one thing he did not tell Ouyang Jianhua: if Zhang Yang truly had broken through to Great Perfection, it wouldn’t matter who went; against a powerhouse like a Great Perfection master, they had no power to resist.

Hearing this, Ouyang Jianhua fell silent and could only nod in agreement.

At this moment, Zhang Yang had no idea that people outside were discussing him, nor that his identity had been discovered. The wind that moved the car was naturally his creation—a method of energy manipulation. He was at the Great Perfection stage now; performing such feats was not difficult. If he were a Fifth Layer expert, he wouldn’t need to rely on the wind’s force, but could move the car silently using Heaven and Earth energy directly—though he hadn't reached that point yet.

Returning home, Zhang Keqin and the others had just finished preparing dinner. He hadn't missed the meal. During dinner, Yang Wanying kept recounting the merits of Zhang Yang and Mi Xue, constantly praising the beautiful phone Zhang Yang bought her and adding that her brother had benefited greatly from her presence today. This made Yang Guang blush and shake his head throughout the meal.

It turned out that when buying phones, Zhang Yang hadn't just bought one for Mi Xue; he had bought an extra one for Yang Guang. Since his sister had one, it felt improper not to give one to his brother. Yang Guang was already in college; having a mobile phone was normal. But in Yang Wanying’s telling, it became an instance where Yang Guang gained favor because of her, causing the naturally shy Yang Guang considerable embarrassment. In the end, Zhang Yang had to smooth things over for him.

Seeing how well Zhang Yang got along with her two children, Zhang Aiying felt immense satisfaction. Her expectations were simple: for the family to be together and whole, that was enough.

After dinner, Zhang Aiying’s family left. Zhang Yang and Zhang Keqin chatted briefly before retiring for the night.

Early the next morning, as Zhang Yang and Mi Xue were comfortably sitting under a tree, cooling off and sipping tea, his brow suddenly twitched. He sensed two Inner Strength cultivators approaching his location; both of these individuals possessed no weak strength. One was mid-stage Fourth Layer, the other late-stage Third Layer. Such strength was considered high-tier power in any family or sect.

Third update! RQ