Seeing Zhang Yang, Wuying and Shandian immediately leaped onto his shoulders, the two little fellows looking extremely pleased, chirping excitedly.

With a slight smile, Zhang Yang reached out to stroke the two small creatures, then glanced behind him.

Following the three great spirit beasts, two powerful auras were closing in; they were almost there.

"Jee-jee-jee!"

"Squeak-squeak-squeak!"

Regarding the two figures following them, Wuying and Shandian instantly knew who they were and informed Zhang Yang: the two accompanying the three spirit beasts were both old acquaintances of his—Li Jianyi, a Grand Perfection expert from the Li family of Mount Shu, and Hua Feitian from the Hua family of Changbai Mountain.

The two Grand Perfection masters walked into the encampment, their gazes immediately fixing upon Zhang Yang.

"It truly is Brother Zhang!"

"Indeed, it is Brother Zhang!"

Seeing Zhang Yang, Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian quickly stepped forward, cupped their fists in greeting.

Zhang Yang smiled faintly. After parting ways with Hua Feitian on the Long Family Plain, he never expected to meet again here, at the foot of the Kunlun Mountains, the former site of the Long Family Plain.

After the initial greeting, Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian both took a longer look at Zhang Yang. As Grand Perfection experts, they could perceive the changes in him much more clearly, instantly recognizing that Zhang Yang was fundamentally different from before.

Yet, even as Grand Perfection masters themselves, they found themselves utterly unable to see through Zhang Yang now. It was as if the present Zhang Yang, standing before them, was hidden behind a waterfall—they could only discern a silhouette but not the true features beneath.

In other words, even with Zhang Yang standing right there, they could not gauge the depth of his current strength.

Were it not for following the three spirit beasts—Wuying, Shandian, and Zhuifeng—and seeing Mi Xue, Qu Meilan, and the others behind Zhang Yang, Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian might have doubted that the person before them was truly Zhang Yang.

Hua Feitian and Li Jianyi exchanged a glance, their brows furrowing. If it really was Zhang Yang, then only one possibility remained: Zhang Yang’s internal energy cultivation had advanced yet again.

And if their own strength was insufficient to discern his current level, there was only one conclusion!

Returning to Simplicity!

Zhang Yang was already at the Grand Perfection stage; to progress to this level of Returning to Simplicity... Could it be that he had already broken through to the Fifth Layer?

The thought struck Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian, causing expressions of profound shock to wash over their faces.

Seeming to sense their astonishment, Zhang Yang smiled faintly and quickly clarified, "A while ago, I experienced another breakthrough; I am now truly at the late stage of the Fourth Layer of Internal Energy—the genuine Grand Perfection. Moreover, I unexpectedly gained further enlightenment on the journey to Kunlun, leading to this state of Returning to Simplicity."

Hearing Zhang Yang’s explanation, Li Jianyi finally understood. He stepped forward, his tone laced with bitterness and a hint of envy, cupping his hands toward Zhang Yang: "Congratulations, Brother Zhang. It seems your internal energy cultivation has made another leap."

Hua Feitian, watching Zhang Yang, allowed a flicker of disappointment to cross his eyes. He recalled their first meeting in Changjing; back then, if they fought at full strength, Zhang Yang would not have been his match. Yet, how much time had passed since then for Zhang Yang to have grown to a level where even he could not fathom his depth?

"Heh heh, just a stroke of luck," Zhang Yang replied humbly with a smile. He observed that Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian had also changed since their last encounter; they too must have improved after their separation, though their progress clearly paled in comparison to his sudden enlightenment.

"Congratulations to Brother Li and Brother Hua as well; your cultivation seems to have advanced too."

Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian forced wry smiles. For those at the Grand Perfection level, advancing their cultivation was already far more difficult than for ordinary cultivators. They would normally be delighted by their own progress, but seeing Zhang Yang now dashed any joy.

"Who are those two?"

Since Zhang Yang had not brought Mi Xue and Qu Meilan when he went to the Long Family Plain to assist Long Feng against the Five Great Powers, taking only the three spirit beasts with the Old Master, Mi Xue and Qu Meilan naturally did not recognize Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian. Thus, seeing them greet Zhang Yang, Mi Xue quietly asked Qiao Yihong and Yan Yefei.

"The one looking to be in his forties, surnamed Hua, seems to be Dr. Hua Tian, the medical expert who recently arrived in Changjing. He studied at MIT in the States and just returned. He’s incredibly knowledgeable; the newspapers even featured him recently. I remember seeing his picture."

Qiao Yihong’s expression was grave. He recognized Hua Feitian but hadn't anticipated meeting him here, especially with an apparent history with Zhang Yang. As for the man surnamed Li, Qiao Yihong had no recollection of him.

Yan Yefei and Li Juan had spent considerable time serving as retainers in the Li family of Mount Shu, so they were certainly familiar with Li Jianyi, the guardian of the Li family. Once Qiao Yihong finished speaking, Yan Yefei immediately stated, "The other one is Li Jianyi, the Grand Perfection guardian of the Li family of Mount Shu."

At that moment, not only Yan Yefei and Li Juan recognized Li Jianyi and his companion, but even Zhao Zhicheng, the currently collapsed Sect Master of the Yitian Sect, recognized Li Jianyi.

The Yitian Sect was located in Mount Emei, very close to Mount Shu, and thus was well-acquainted with the Li family of Mount Shu. In many matters, the Yitian Sect relied heavily on their neighbor, the Li family.

But now, seeing the highest-ranking figure from the Li family conversing warmly with that young man, Zhao Zhicheng suddenly felt as if he had been plunged into an ice cellar.

"Brother Zhang, why are you lodging in a place like this?"

Li Jianyi surveyed the surroundings. The disciples from the minor sects present could not withstand the gaze of a Grand Perfection master sweeping over them; anyone caught in Li Jianyi’s look felt utterly exposed, and they dared not even draw a full breath.

"Yes, Brother Zhang, our Hua family camp is just up ahead. Why don't you bring your sect members and join us at our place for a short stay?"

A sharp glint flashed in Hua Feitian's eyes as he seized the opportunity to invite Zhang Yang.

Undoubtedly, Zhang Yang and the Medical Saint Martial Sect he represented were the most powerful faction in the current cultivation world, especially after the battle on the Long Family Plain, where Zhang Yang and Zhang Pinglu, two Grand Perfection experts, had single-handedly shattered the alliance of the Five Great Powers, even causing serious, lingering injuries to a Grand Perfection master from the Southern Border Demonic Sect. Such a force was worth courting.

Furthermore, there was an even more crucial reason: a ten-thousand-year-old Flat Peach was soon to mature on Mount Kunlun, a fact well-known to Hua Feitian, Li Jianyi, and others. They were certain Zhang Yang had brought his disciples here precisely for this Peach. The location closest to the ten-thousand-year-old Flat Peach was the Long Family Plain, which offered the absolute best vantage point for striking first once the treasure ripened.

The major first-tier sects had all gathered outside the Long Family Plain. Even though the guardians of the Long Family were now depleted, causing the once-super family to decline to a mere peripheral first-tier house, they dared not forcefully enter the Plain. Even super factions possessing Grand Perfection masters, like Hua and Li, were compelled to remain outside.

This was all out of deference to the stance of the Medical Saint Zhang family. It was now common knowledge in the cultivation world that the true masters of the Long Family Plain were, in fact, the Zhang family of the Medical Saint.

This meant that whoever could win over Zhang Yang and secure an alliance with him held the key to gaining access to the Long Family Plain, the optimal position from which to await the ripening of the Flat Peach and, with their combined strength, secure the treasure.

Li Jianyi saw through Hua Feitian's calculation instantly. Without waiting for Zhang Yang's reply, he immediately addressed him: "Brother Zhang, it has been some time since we parted at my Li family estate on Mount Shu. Why don't you come to our camp first? I brought along a jar of exquisite Monkey Wine; I'm sure Brother Zhang hasn't forgotten the taste of good Monkey Wine!"

With that, Li Jianyi glanced at Hua Feitian, his eyes sparkling, and triumphantly added, "Of course, if Brother Hua doesn't mind, you are welcome to join us; the three of us can share a drink and enjoy the fellowship."

Hua Feitian chuckled and politely declined: "No, no, Brother Zhang should come to our Hua family camp instead. After all, we are closer to this location."

Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian exchanged looks. Though their words were courteous, anyone could detect the distinctly competitive edge in their tones.

"Alright, Brother Hua, Brother Li, please stop arguing," Zhang Yang interjected, stepping between the two, and said with a wry smile, "I apologize to both of you. I fear I can visit neither your Hua family camp nor your Li family camp, as I have only just arrived and must first return to the Long Family Plain to see my Old Master."

Zhang Yang's words were diplomatic and preserved the dignity of both Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian by avoiding a direct refusal. This left Hua Feitian and Li Jianyi with nothing more to say.

Logically, since Zhang Pinglu, the other Grand Perfection expert of their Medical Saint Zhang family, was at the Long Family Plain, it was appropriate for Zhang Yang, newly arrived at Kunlun, to see his Old Master first.

"That is sensible. Brother Zhang, then perhaps you should head to the Long Family Plain first, and I can invite you to my Li family for the Monkey Wine afterward!" Li Jianyi immediately abandoned the thought of taking Zhang Yang directly to his camp. After all, the ten-thousand-year-old Flat Peach would not mature for some time yet; there would be plenty of chances later.

"Yes, that makes sense. Brother Li and I discovered Wuying and the others, which is how we learned Brother Zhang had arrived at Kunlun and rushed over," Hua Feitian nodded, letting go of his invitation as well.

"Jee-jee-jee!"

"Squeak-squeak-squeak!"

Wuying and Shandian also chirped now. They had already relayed the Old Master's message: he explicitly requested they bring Zhang Yang back to the Long Family Plain immediately.

"Very well, I shall depart first for the Long Family Plain to see my Old Master. Once I have seen him, I will reconnect with you all for a proper reunion." Zhang Yang smiled faintly, cupped his hands in farewell to Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian, then gestured to Mi Xue, Qu Meilan, and the others, leading them away from the camp.

The two large Hummers they used for transport remained parked outside the camp. Since Zhang Yang’s group traveled by vehicle, it was inconvenient to proceed with Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian, so they left first.

After Zhang Yang departed with Mi Xue, Qu Meilan, and the others, Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian both sighed.

"Brother Li, I never expected..."

"Indeed, I never expected Zhang Yang would reach the level of Returning to Simplicity already."

Both men displayed profound disappointment after this encounter. Being Grand Perfection cultivators themselves, Zhang Yang was far too young, and the speed of his internal energy advancement was too staggering, stirring an undeniable jealousy. This was something even Grand Perfection masters who had grasped the Dao of Nature could not remain aloof from.

"Senior Li, Li..."

At this moment, Zhao Zhicheng, the Sect Master of the Yitian Sect, managed to stand straight, though his body was still trembling. He took a few cautious steps forward, positioning himself behind Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian, and whispered softly, not daring to speak loudly for fear of disturbing Li Jianyi.

"Hmm, is that the fellow from the Yitian Sect on