Zhang Pinglu looked at Zhang Yang with excitement, but before he could finish asking, Zhang Yang smiled slightly and took over the conversation, replying, "Late-stage Fourth Layer of Internal Strength, truly at the Great Perfection."
After saying this, Zhang Yang himself couldn't help but tremble slightly with excitement; he hadn't forgotten what that person had just said to him.
That person, based on the skill and power he displayed just now, had definitely reached the Fifth Layer—a Fifth Layer expert. From the perspective of a Fifth Layer master, he must have clearly discerned the effects caused by Zhang Yang employing the offensive techniques of a Fifth Layer expert, which led him to assert that Zhang Yang would be unable to break through to the Fifth Layer in the future.
However, that person had no idea that within Zhang Yang’s body resided the Sacred Hand System. With the Sacred Hand System present, no matter what influence the use of Fifth Layer offensive techniques had on Zhang Yang, as long as he had enough potential points, he still had hope of breaking through to the Fifth Layer!
Although Zhang Pinglu had already guessed the truth, he still needed to hear Zhang Yang say it aloud; only then would he feel utterly elated.
That feeling, that joy, surpassed even his own happiness when he had achieved Great Perfection back in his day.
"Good, good, good!"
Saying "good" several times in a row, the old man seemed to run out of words, his smile incredibly radiant.
"Jiji ji!"
"Zhizhi zhi!"
Wuying and Shandian also noticed Zhang Yang’s breakthrough and immediately came over, chirping happily to congratulate him. Even Zhuifeng walked over and affectionately nudged Zhang Yang with his head, offering his congratulations.
"Mr. Zhang, congratulations!"
"Mr. Zhang, congratulations!"
Yan Yefei and Li Juan, hearing that Zhang Yang had successfully broken through to the late Fourth Layer of Internal Strength—the very peak of the late Fourth Layer—were happy for him. But after the initial joy, neither of them could manage a smile anymore.
Even though they had been knocked unconscious by the energy wave from the Sky-Shattering Sword Technique, Yan Yefei and Li Juan knew it was Zhang Yang who had disregarded his own safety to save them when they were fated to fall off the cliff. Otherwise, they absolutely would not be standing here alive.
If it weren't for them, Zhang Yang surely wouldn't have needed to worry about them and could have long since defeated that Japanese man and rescued the Elder of the Yan family. Therefore, Yan Yefei and Li Juan lowered their heads, sinking into deep self-reproach.
It was their carelessness in underestimating the opponent that led them to deliver themselves into danger and become hostages, causing Zhang Yang unnecessary trouble...
Yan Yefei and Li Juan sighed, exchanging a look. At this moment, their desire to seek apprenticeship under Zhang Yang and join the Medical Saint Martial Sect had completely died. In their hearts, they had already made a choice: once they returned to Changjing, they would pack their bags and leave Zhang Yang far behind, never hoping to pursue cultivation again in this lifetime.
"Yan Yefei, Li Juan, are you two still willing to become my disciples and join my Medical Saint Martial Sect?"
Zhang Yang looked at Yan Yefei and Li Juan and suddenly asked the question.
Hearing Zhang Yang’s inquiry, Yan Yefei and Li Juan abruptly looked up, their mouths agape in shock, unable to utter a word!
Just a moment before, they had both abandoned the idea of apprenticing under Zhang Yang and renounced the path of cultivation. Yet, at this instant, Zhang Yang’s words reignited a spark of hope within them, which instantly flared into an inferno!
This drastic reversal left Yan Yefei and Li Juan almost swooning from sheer bliss. They never imagined that Zhang Yang would ask such a question at this precise moment!
His meaning was clear beyond doubt!
Zhang Pinglu looked at Zhang Yang. He had been present the first time Zhang Yang questioned Yan Yefei and Li Juan about becoming disciples and joining the Medical Saint Martial Sect. Back then, they had been quite hesitant and self-serving, which is why Zhang Yang ultimately did not accept them. But now, Zhang Yang bringing up the matter again surprised him too.
However, Zhang Pinglu fully supported Zhang Yang’s idea. Although Yan Yefei and Li Juan were older and had missed the optimal period for cultivation, the special cultivation constitution they possessed would allow them to break through rapidly upon restarting their training, which would greatly aid the propagation and prosperity of the Medical Saint Martial Sect.
As for the Marrow Cleansing Pills required for Yan Yefei and Li Juan to resume their cultivation, while these might be priceless treasures to other sects, they were insignificant to the Zhang family.
"What, you are unwilling?"
Noticing that Yan Yefei and Li Juan hadn't answered immediately due to the shock and excitement from the sudden reversal, Zhang Yang smiled slightly and gently asked again.
"Willing, we are certainly willing!"
Yan Yefei and Li Juan were jolted awake, snapping out of their shock. They nodded repeatedly, their voices thick with tears as they answered Zhang Yang.
"Good. From today onward, I accept you as my disciples. And you, from today onward, are a member of my Medical Saint Martial Sect."
Zhang Yang nodded, stating with satisfaction.
Hearing Zhang Yang’s words, Yan Yefei and Li Juan exchanged another look. They had waited for this moment for too long, and endured too much bitterness! Today, however, dawn had suddenly broken, freeing them from the darkness. Unconsciously, both were weeping uncontrollably.
"Ding-dong!"
The green system interface automatically appeared. In the Sect section, under the name Medical Saint Martial Sect, the names of Yan Yefei and Li Juan, listed after Zhang Yang at the top, and following Qu Meilan and Yan Liangfei, had changed from dim gray to a faint green, proving they had fully joined the Medical Saint Martial Sect and were now its members.
Zhang Yang reviewed the profiles of Yan Yefei and Li Juan and nodded in satisfaction. Their loyalty had reached ninety, second only to the 'Three Great Retailers,' and given their high potential, their future achievements would surely draw the attention of the cultivation world!
"En, Benefactor?"
Just then, the Elder of the Yan family and Tang Xiaolan finally woke up. Looking around, they didn't see Yan Liangfei, which immediately brought them relief. Upon seeing Zhang Yang, Tang Xiaolan instantly understood who had saved her.
"Elder, you are awake."
Seeing the Elder of the Yan family awake, Zhang Yang immediately walked over.
"Benefactor... Esteemed Sir?"
Tang Xiaolan remained frail, her voice soft and sweet like cake, seeming unsure how to address Zhang Yang, who was her son's master. She softly echoed the elder’s address, knowing Zhang Yang must have saved her, and thus felt deeply grateful to him.
"The debt my Yan family owes you is truly one we can never repay!"
The Elder of the Yan family said, attempting to kneel to express her gratitude to Zhang Yang. Zhang Yang quickly helped support the elder to prevent her from kneeling.
Yan Liangfei was Zhang Yang’s disciple and a member of the Medical Saint Martial Sect. If his family was in danger, how could Zhang Yang not come to the rescue? Of course, he had to be the one to save her.
"Elder, you are my disciple’s grandmother. If you were in danger, as his master, I could not let my disciple risk peril. Naturally, I came to save you."
Zhang Yang smiled slightly, subtly infusing a trace of internal energy into his speech. The elder had just woken up and had not yet calmed down from the preceding terror, which was affecting her health. Thus, Zhang Yang needed to use his internal energy to help soothe her.
"Is Fei'er doing well in Changjing?"
Tang Xiaolan stood behind the Elder of the Yan family, supporting her, and asked again, clearly very worried about Yan Liangfei's current condition.
"Rest assured, Yan Liangfei is working extremely hard. He works at the hospital during the day and cultivates with me at night. I am confident that with his talent, he will absolutely break through to the Third Layer of Internal Strength within a year!"
Zhang Yang spoke with immense self-assurance—only he possessed the confidence to guarantee that Yan Liangfei, restarting his cultivation, could reach the Third Layer of Internal Strength in less than a year!
Hearing Zhang Yang’s words, Tang Xiaolan immediately sighed in relief, and a bright smile returned to her face.
"Benefactor, could you come over here? I have something I need to discuss with you privately."
The Elder of the Yan family seemed less than thrilled after hearing Zhang Yang's words. She hesitated for a moment, then quietly said to Zhang Yang.
"What is it?"
Zhang Yang looked at the Elder of the Yan family curiously, unsure of her intentions, but he still walked over to her side.
The Elder of the Yan family didn't even allow Tang Xiaolan to follow. Once they were to the side, she spoke softly to Zhang Yang, "Benefactor, I have a request. Please promise me you will grant it!"
"What request?" Zhang Yang grew even more puzzled.
"I hope you can let our Fei'er concentrate on studying medicine, and stop cultivating any Internal Strength." The Elder of the Yan family stated resolutely.
Zhang Yang frowned. The Elder of the Yan family's request was to have Yan Liangfei cease the cultivation that ordinary people dreamed of?
Thinking it over, Zhang Yang understood. The Elder of the Yan family had experienced two calamities—once with the Jiang family and once with the Japanese Great Perfection cultivator—leaving her filled with terror regarding cultivation. She now only wished for Yan Liangfei to stay far away from the fighting and killing associated with cultivators and focus on becoming an excellent doctor.
"I apologize, I cannot grant this request."
Zhang Yang replied after a long silence.
The Elder of the Yan family immediately showed a look of disappointment. Zhang Yang shook his head. The elder did not know that Yan Liangfei possessed the Golden Pupil Body of the Single Thread. If he failed to break through to the Third Layer of Internal Strength before the age of thirty-five, he would be unable to overcome the congenital limitation of the Golden Pupil Body of the Single Thread and would die anyway. Therefore, Zhang Yang absolutely could not agree to the elder's request.
"Elder, have you ever heard of the Golden Pupil Body of the Single Thread?"
Sighing, Zhang Yang decided to tell the elder the truth, then asked the question.
"The Golden Pupil Body of the Single Thread?" The Elder of the Yan family was initially stunned, frowned, and thought hard for a long time, but finally shook her head.
"Your grandson, Yan Liangfei, possesses a constitution called the Golden Pupil Body of the Single Thread. Anyone with this physique who fails to break through to the Third Layer of Internal Strength before the age of thirty-five will be subject to the limits of the constitution and die suddenly at thirty-five."
Zhang Yang explained. Upon hearing this, the Elder of the Yan family’s face turned completely pale. She dared not disbelieve Zhang Yang’s words!
"Don't worry. With me here, Yan Liangfei will definitely break through to the Third Layer of Internal Strength before he turns thirty-five. He absolutely will not die suddenly."
Zhang Yang promised with full confidence. Hearing his pledge, a trace of color finally returned to the Elder of the Yan family's face. Three chapters are finally finished, yet Xiao Yu feels no sense of elation whatsoever.
All day today, Xiao Yu has felt a suffocating pressure, making me feel very uncomfortable and sad.
Am I not working hard enough? In the first nine days of this month, I have updated over 100,000 characters, averaging over 10,000 updates daily. This update rate is undoubtedly superior to many others, ranking high on the daily 'Bestseller' list, and finding a name on the total update rankings as well.
Updating over ten thousand words every day—it would be a lie to say it isn't tiring. Hours spent constantly tapping the keyboard, coupled with continuous thought; maintaining this state requires a great deal of motivation.
In these past few days, Xiao Yu has persisted purely on the motivation derived from everyone's support.
But today, I truly felt an urge to weep loudly. Two monthly tickets—only two in an entire day. Every time I check the page, I become agitated, even contemplating only posting one chapter today and finding a place to drink myself into a stupor.
In the end, Xiao Yu persevered and still delivered three chapters totaling over ten thousand words. If for nothing else, it was for the persistence in my heart, and for the over three hundred friends who voted for monthly tickets previously, and for the two friends today, Xiao Yu will strive on. Here, I sincerely thank those two friends; without them, Xiao Yu would be weeping over seeing a zero today.
Tomorrow is the first day of the Dragon Boat Festival holiday. Xiao Yu will not give up the effort and will still update with a minimum of three chapters.
I truly hope, however, that everyone can see my efforts and recognize this hard work. Please don't make me so sad after working hard that I can't sleep, okay? To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian... to cast recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.
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