It wasn't that Zhang Yang intentionally made things difficult for the cultivators belonging to the affiliated states; it was simply that their previous inaction had left him deeply perplexed.

He had just thwarted Park Seung-eun's conspiracy, and the moment he returned from Zijin Mountain, they showed up. This proved they had known about the Koreans hunting spirit beasts in Huaxia for a long time, yet they had done absolutely nothing.

While he understood the difficulties they might face, that didn't mean Zhang Yang would forgive their complacency.

In his demeanor and tone, Zhang Yang naturally showed them disdain. If the opportunity arose, he genuinely wanted to give these bystanders a beating to teach them a lesson.

Zhang Yang’s gaze never rested on the three individuals whose faces were half-obscured by silver-robed cloaks. He had discerned their true nature the moment they entered—three initial-stage Neijin cultivators whom, at his current strength, he could entirely disregard.

These three must have spent too long within national institutions, growing accustomed to comfort and luxury, which is why they showed anger upon noticing Zhang Yang's dismissiveness.

Among the people present, the only one who truly drew Zhang Yang's attention was the mysterious figure in the black robe before him. However, just like their previous encounter, Zhang Yang could not discern the black-robed man's true power.

Yet, as they stood so close, Zhang Yang sensed that familiar resonance shared between cultivators at the Great Perfection stage.

“Heh heh…”

The black-robed man let out a chuckle, instantly shattering the strange atmosphere in the living room. The subtle pressure inadvertently emitted by the three silver-robed figures was effortlessly dispersed by that laugh.

“It seems you already know who we are. Old Senior Zhang Pinglu must have told you?”

Studying Zhang Yang with keen interest, a sharp glint flashed in the black-robed man's eyes. Zhang Yang’s current weakness was completely visible to him. It seemed Zhang Yang must have just come from a fierce battle. Recalling the words spoken by the person in the cave, the black-robed man had likely already guessed what had reduced Zhang Yang’s strength to less than half of its usual level.

After the black-robed man spoke, the three silver-robed figures, whose status and standing were clearly inferior to his, snorted and retreated, allowing the atmosphere in the living room to slightly ease.

“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Huang Longshi, code name [Redacted], from the Heavenly Character unit of the Huaxia State Security Bureau. It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Zhang Yang, heir to the Medical Sage Zhang family, and master of the Martial Sect of Medicine.”

The black-robed man extended his hand toward Zhang Yang. His initial voice had been like a synthesized electronic sound, slightly husky and echoing faintly, completely devoid of emotion. Now, however, his voice was perfectly normal, suggesting he had been using a false voice before.

The cloak obscuring the side of his face lifted slightly, revealing most of his features. He was an ordinary middle-aged man, appearing to be in his late thirties or early forties, with resolute facial contours—a man exuding a distinct military bearing.

Zhang Yang nodded and smiled, then extended his hand to shake the man’s.

The man clearly knew everything about him; Zhang Yang was not surprised by this. However, this meant that the Ouyang family, serving the nation, had no idea that such a group existed within the State Security Bureau. Huaxia’s control over the cultivation world wasn't weak; it was just that the state didn't rigidly control it, allowing the cultivators to develop independently.

The contact between Zhang Yang and Huang Longshi’s hands was momentary, and they quickly separated. Both felt a jolt in their hearts from that brief clasp.

Taking advantage of the handshake, Huang Longshi carefully probed Zhang Yang’s body. He was startled to find that the empty Neijin within Zhang Yang’s body was recovering at a shockingly rapid pace. He suspected that before nightfall, Zhang Yang could recover to the mid-stage of the fourth level of Neijin, reaching Great Perfection strength. What stunned him most was the subtle sign of impending breakthrough within Zhang Yang’s Neijin.

Zhang Yang was already at the mid-stage of the fourth level. Once he broke through, he would reach the late fourth level—a true Great Perfection cultivator. Given Zhang Yang’s natural talent, it was easy to imagine that once there, he would become the foremost among Great Perfection cultivators; even those who had reached that realm much earlier might not be his match.

Truly, the most outstanding cultivation genius from ancient times until now…

With such ability at such an age, it was no wonder he had attracted that person’s attention. Zhang Yang was becoming increasingly astonishing… Huang Longshi looked at him with a complex expression.

On one hand, he was intensely envious of Zhang Yang’s talent; on the other, he secretly felt fortunate that such a young genius had appeared in Huaxia—a blessing for the entire nation. Huaxia had successors!

And from that handshake, Zhang Yang was even more certain that Huang Longshi was also a Great Perfection cultivator, and the man's ability to conceal his power surpassed even that of Shi Fang from Shaolin or Hua Feitian of the Hua family.

Since both sides now knew the essentials about the other, there was no need for further concealment. However, seeing the power Zhang Yang displayed, Huang Longshi suddenly felt an urge to test him.

After reaching the Great Perfection stage, he had dedicated himself entirely to national service, letting his cultivation stagnate. He hadn’t made any breakthroughs for a long time. But seeing Zhang Yang made his whole body tremble with excitement, as if something deep within him wanted to break free, sending out an incomparably sharp cry.

After joining the State Security Bureau, even with his Great Perfection cultivation, Huang Longshi could not reveal his identity. For years, he had observed the Huaxia cultivation world with cold detachment, perpetually shrouded in the black cloak that hid most of his face. This feeling was new to him.

Cultivators all possess their own pride. Huang Longshi thought that his years within the State Security Bureau had long eroded this arrogance, but seeing Zhang Yang now, he realized his pride had never been worn away; it had simply been buried deep in his heart. It was Zhang Yang’s exceptionally outstanding talent that had successfully ignited this long-dormant pride.

A fighting spirit was something these people absolutely could not possess. But now, was this an opportunity? Huang Longshi did not want to let it pass.

After all, although that person had expressed curiosity about Zhang Yang, he hadn't forbidden Huang Longshi from testing him. Perhaps sparring with Zhang Yang wouldn't lead to any severe consequences… Huang Longshi suddenly displayed a look of hesitation.

Zhang Yang had long sensed the fighting intent emanating from Huang Longshi, yet he couldn't understand why the man was suppressing it so stubbornly—wanting to fight but hesitating to act.

It seemed that although Huang Longshi lived in the secular world, his state of mind was insufficient. He worried too much, making his words and actions tentative and indecisive. Even with Great Perfection strength, his effectiveness was significantly diminished.

In terms of mental fortitude training, Zhang Yang far surpassed Huang Longshi. He could see that if Huang Longshi continued to suppress the urge to spar with him, it would affect his future cultivation. Achieving the Great Perfection realm was hard-won, and even the slightest flaw could cause cultivation to regress instead of advance.

Since Huang Longshi couldn't voice his desire, Zhang Yang took the initiative.

“Let’s go outside. My villa courtyard is large enough for us to have a spar.”

Sparring with Huang Longshi wasn't like sparring with Hua Feitian, where the line between friend and foe was unclear. Given Huang Longshi's status, this would inevitably be a controlled exchange, stopping before true harm. Thus, even though Zhang Yang's strength hadn't fully recovered, he wasn't afraid of the fight. Moreover, he was eager to gauge the actual combat capability of this Great Perfection cultivator affiliated with the state.

“A spar?!”

Zhang Yang's words struck Huang Longshi right where he felt it most. Last time at Yanming Mountain in the northern suburbs, he was on a mission and eager to return, leaving no time for deep exchange. Now, however, he was specifically ordered to establish contact with Zhang Yang.

“Insolent! Who do you think you are, daring to spar with our superior!”

“You little brat, you have no idea how high the sky is!”

“I knew why he looked down on us; he’s just an arrogant narcissist swollen with undeserved fame!”

The three silver-robed mysterious figures immediately began to mock and sneer upon hearing Zhang Yang propose a spar. They couldn't gauge Zhang Yang’s true strength, but they were intimately aware of Huang Longshi’s power. In their view, Zhang Yang absolutely stood no chance against Huang Longshi; proposing a spar was simply asking for trouble.

“Silence!”

Huang Longshi abruptly turned around and glared fiercely at the three silver-robed men. A sharp light flashed through his eyes. The three silver-robed figures instantly felt as if a massive hammer had struck their hearts, causing their faces to pale and sweat to drench them.

It was fortunate that Huang Longshi acted first. If Zhang Yang had intended to teach these three a lesson, a mere glance from him, releasing his pressure, would have inflicted far greater harm than Huang Longshi’s action. Huang Longshi did this partly to protect them.

Turning back, Huang Longshi looked at Zhang Yang with an extremely serious expression, straightened his posture solemnly, nodded, and said, “Back in the northern suburbs, I mentioned that a battle between us was premature. While the timing still isn't perfect now, it is close enough. Very well, before we discuss business, a spar would be beneficial.”

Huang Longshi hesitated no longer. A surge of heroic spirit swelled within him, his internal energy erupting fiercely. It was clear that sparring with Zhang Yang held immense allure for him.

“Good. Please, outside.”

Zhang Yang nodded, made a gesture inviting him forward, and turned to walk out.

Even though his current recovery hadn't reached half of his peak strength, Huang Longshi's state of mind was unstable, causing him to be constrained, meaning his strength couldn't be fully utilized. In a fight between the two, Zhang Yang still had a good chance of winning.

Zhang Yang certainly wouldn't pass up such a clear opportunity to put these people in their place.