The difference this time was that they had two more people accompanying them on the return journey—two ordinary folk, which drastically slowed their pace.

Eventually, Zhang Pinglu and Zhang Yang each took one of them along, managing to quicken their speed. Had they continued at the original pace, it would have taken three days just to exit the mountain range; the Li family's location was simply not easily accessible to commoners, and even upon arrival, they would never have located the Li family's main gate.

Even so, by the time they reached the first county town at the foot of Mount Shu, dusk had already fallen, forcing them to stay the night.

“Zhang, Senior Zhang, thank you for saving us!”

As soon as they entered the room, Yan Ye-fei and his wife knelt down together. Yan Ye-fei had won his gamble.

In truth, before calling out to Zhang Yang to request passage, he had felt utterly uncertain when he decided to stop Zhang Yang in front of everyone.

In terms of connection, he hadn't known Zhang Yang for long; there was no deep affection between them. Zhang Yang had treated them well previously, but that was before they had rejected his invitation. For Zhang Yang to still point them toward other paths afterward was already going above and beyond the call of duty.

Moreover, the Li family was no minor sect; they were a millennia-old aristocratic family. Taking them away outright might easily offend the Li family, and Yan Ye-fei had no idea if Zhang Yang would take that risk for them.

It could be said that before calling out, he hadn't just been uncertain; his heart had been filled with apprehension.

Thankfully, the final result was what he desired: Zhang Yang hadn't let them down and had brought them away directly.

The Li family wasn't as obstinate as he had imagined, offering no resistance to Zhang Yang's request and even gifting them some fantastic items they previously wouldn't have dared to dream of.

“Mr. Yan, what are you doing? Please get up!”

Zhang Yang extended his hand, helping both Yan Ye-fei and Li Juan to rise. Zhang Pinglu glanced at them, then left the room with Master Shi Ming.

This was a private matter between Zhang Yang and the couple, which Zhang Pinglu neither wished to pry into nor would he interfere.

“Zhang, Senior Zhang, we were wrong before. We hope you aren’t angry with us!” Li Juan murmured, her voice tinged with timidity.

She was no longer the naive girl who only knew Zhang Yang was somewhat capable but was ignorant of the true extent of his power.

Now, she clearly understood that this seemingly sunny young man could crush them with the mere flick of a finger, and no one would ever seek justice for them should they perish.

“Sit down. Tell me specifically about your experiences these past few days!” Zhang Yang smiled faintly, gesturing for them to take seats on the sofa.

This was a small county town with only one three-star guesthouse. Zhang Yang and the others had requested suites, but they were standard rooms; aside from a larger outer office area, there was nothing particularly special about them.

Simple, yet very practical; at least there was a decent set of black leather sofas.

Yan Ye-fei led Li Juan to sit. Both sat down very cautiously. Their mindset now was completely different from before; they could no longer treat Zhang Yang with the same ease.

Yan Ye-fei cautiously recounted the story of their departure from Zhang Yang’s residence.

Zhang Yang had given them a few addresses then, and they first visited a small sect nearest to them. That sect had once been mid-tier but was now somewhat in decline. They had previously possessed a fourth-level expert, but after that expert perished, the strongest person within the sect was a late-stage third-level master—their sect leader.

Fortunately, they lacked resources and were poor, so they weren't targeted. Otherwise, without strong backing, possessing any treasure would only lead to them becoming victims of the law of the jungle.

The people in that sect were astonished by their arrival.

Upon learning they came from the lineage of the Medical Sage and were introduced by Medical Sage Zhang Yang, they became exceedingly warm, and even the sect leader came out to receive them.

At that moment, the couple thought their fortunes were about to turn.

They laid out their situation directly. The sect leader was also greatly surprised to learn that both possessed special constitutions, sighing in wonder repeatedly.

However, when they requested to formally apprentice and cultivate, the sect leader’s attitude shifted, and he frankly stated he couldn't help them.

They were too old, having passed the optimal age for cultivation, and even their special constitutions wouldn't compensate for that. Furthermore, being a small sect, they possessed no treasures like the Marrow Cleansing Pill.

The couple stayed only one day before leaving. They weren't discouraged and proceeded to visit and seek out other sects. Since they had been members of the Supernatural Research Association and had experience venturing into deep mountains before, finding others wasn't too difficult.

Soon, they visited several more.

The final outcome was the same as before: upon learning they were from the Medical Sage lineage, everyone was enthusiastic, but they all expressed their inability to fulfill the couple's requests.

Finally, they even located the Shaolin Temple and the Wudang Sect in Zhongyuan Province.

Regrettably, the couple couldn't find any way to enter either. After circling the outside a few times, they finally gave up when they couldn't locate the proper entrance.

Following that, during their visits, they encountered a disciple from an Inner Strength aristocratic family in Zhongyuan Province. That disciple informed them that to obtain the Marrow Cleansing Pill, they could only approach major renowned sects or millennia-old aristocratic families. He suggested they try their luck with the millennium-old Li family. They didn't know the Li family's address, but the aristocratic family disciple knew some details and wrote them down for them.

Afterward, they arrived at Mount Shu and managed to enter the mountains through great hardship. They wouldn't have found the Li family gate at all, but by chance, a Li family disciple emerged and, noticing their furtive movements, approached to inquire. Learning their purpose, the disciple escorted them into the Li family estate.

This was the sum of their experiences over these days. Yan Ye-fei had only mentioned it briefly before, but here he detailed everything.

As they spoke, their eyes couldn't help but redden again.

They had intended to seek tutelage, but unexpectedly ended up as servants, almost for their entire lives. If they could cultivate Inner Strength, serving as servants might have been acceptable; however, being unable to cultivate Inner Strength in the Li family and being constantly ridiculed as negative examples made their suffering intense.

These past days had truly been a mix of bitter and sweet experiences.

“I didn't realize you went through so many hardships. Perhaps my initial thought of introducing you around was too simple and reckless!”

After listening to their tale, Zhang Yang nodded slightly, feeling deep sympathy for their plight.

It wasn't just the two of them. Many ordinary people in the past, having learned only a sliver about Inner Strength cultivators, dreamed of becoming apprentices, enduring immense difficulties, only to ultimately achieve nothing.

Of course, there were success stories, but they were exceedingly rare; the vast majority ended in failure. Major sects were meticulous in selecting disciples; they wouldn't just accept anyone who came knocking. They all had strict assessments; otherwise, how could they maintain their legacy?

“Senior Zhang, we don't blame you. Do we... do we still have a chance to join the Medical Sage Martial Sect?” Yan Ye-fei looked up at Zhang Yang, speaking very carefully and nervously.

The desire to cultivate Inner Strength had never left them; otherwise, they wouldn't have gone to the Li family. Moreover, Li Juan's illness could only be completely cured through Inner Strength cultivation.

“You two?” Zhang Yang’s brow twitched. Both watched him anxiously.

They didn't know that a green frame had appeared before Zhang Yang's eyes, checking their respective data.

According to the system prompt, both their loyalty to the Medical Sage Martial Sect had increased. Yan Ye-fei’s loyalty had reached sixty-five. This level of devotion indicated that as long as the Martial Sect treated him well, he wouldn't leave. Li Juan’s was lower, at fifty-seven, but both their figures were far better than before.

However, there was still a large gap from the required ninety for the mission, and this was not the value Zhang Yang desired. Thinking of this, Zhang Yang shook his head slightly.

Seeing Zhang Yang shake his head, both showed disappointment. They understood clearly that Zhang Yang was the only one who could help them now. If Zhang Yang refused, they would never have another opportunity to cultivate Inner Strength.

“Your hearts haven't fully accepted the Medical Sage Martial Sect yet. Now is not the time to join. However, you can stay at my place first, and I'll have Meilan guide you for a while. When you have truly made that resolve and can accept all the conditions, then we can discuss it,” Zhang Yang said. He didn't agree, but he didn't entirely refuse either.

Regardless of the mission requirements, their loyalty scores were currently too low for him to accept them. Zhang Yang wouldn't take them in unless their loyalty was at least seventy. Without that foundation, he wouldn't accept them. This wasn't because Zhang Yang refused to help; a sect needed its own rules to truly establish itself, and the fact that Li Juan still harbored thoughts of leaving after 'completing her studies' meant he couldn't accept them now.

The couple was first disappointed, then hope bloomed on their faces. Zhang Yang was willing to take them back, which greatly surprised them. Even if they couldn't cultivate immediately, there was still a chance later. Zhang Yang himself had said now wasn't the time, and they could be accepted when they genuinely affirmed their commitment.

At this moment, Yan Ye-fei intensely desired to shout out that he already affirmed his commitment and swore loyalty to the Medical Sage lineage and the Medical Sage Martial Sect, but thankfully, he retained enough reason to know that Zhang Yang must have his rationale for speaking this way, or perhaps he had perceived something. Yan Ye-fei now held a blind reverence for Zhang Yang, having heard too many outsiders praising and worshipping him. The current Zhang Yang was evidently the foremost figure among cultivators.

After resting a night in the small county town, Master Shi Ming proposed his departure the next day. He needed to return to Shaolin promptly and couldn't remain outside indefinitely; he had many matters awaiting him back home.

Zhang Yang expressed his gratitude for his assistance during this situation. Although Shi Ming hadn't provided direct combat aid, his willingness to come was a great help. Often, merely showing support from a Great Perfection master was sufficient, let alone his personal appearance at the scene. Master Shi Ming also gained considerably; he had now officially represented Shaolin in establishing an alliance of mutual offense and defense with the Medical Sage Zhang family. In the future, no matter the circumstance, Shaolin and the Zhang family would stand together, mutually assisting each other. The three Great Perfection experts between the two families were enough to ensure no one would dare slight this alliance.