“Yangyang, what’s wrong? Is this related to that Japanese Great Perfection expert we encountered at Yanming Mountain?”

Hearing Zhang Yang speak, the Old Master immediately knew something must have happened, and his first thought was of the foreign cultivator they had met at Yanming Mountain back then.

Zhang Yang nodded, speaking out, “Old Master, you don’t need to worry. This time, I absolutely won't give them any more chances. The moment I detect their tracks, I will strike directly.”

“Amitabha, this old monk understands...””

Master Shi Ming pressed his palms together in a gesture of assent, but the Old Master still looked concerned watching Zhang Yang, asking with some doubt, “Yangyang, is your body truly alright?”

Although he could clearly sense the unfathomable depth of Zhang Yang's current power, Old Master Zhang Pinglu remained deeply worried, especially since he had just benefited from the Immortal Peach Pill, with one foot already stepping into the fifth layer. He had some understanding of Zhang Yang’s current physical condition and knew Zhang Yang wasn't as overwhelmingly strong as he appeared on the surface.

“Don’t worry, Old Master.”

Zhang Yang was brimming with confidence. That fifth-layer elder had revealed every detail about the Korean fifth-layer expert who infiltrated Huaxia before leaving. Knowing the man’s background, Zhang Yang already had a plan to deal with him.

Since this man was currently hiding somewhere in Huaxia, let him hide. After all, the longer time dragged on, the faster Zhang Yang’s strength would recover.

“Oh, right. The Li family of Shushan has emptied their coffers this time, sending over two jars of their best aged Monkey Wine. Master Shi Ming, today is also the day my Old Master recovers. Why don't the three of us go over and enjoy some?”

Looking toward Master Shi Ming, Zhang Yang said with a smile.

“This old monk couldn’t ask for more.”

Master Shi Ming broke into a smile. After tasting the fine Monkey Wine at Shushan last time, he had been left wanting more. Now, hearing it was the Shushan family’s private stock of long-aged premium Monkey Wine, his craving for alcohol was thoroughly piqued.

The Li family of Shushan had truly brought out their foundational assets this time to smooth over relations with the Zhang family. Previously, no one had ever heard that the Li family secretly possessed premium Monkey Wine aged for many years. According to Li Wenruo, the patriarch of the Li family of Shushan, this aged premium Monkey Wine had been hermetically sealed and stored in the forbidden grounds of Shushan since ancient times; not even the Great Perfection experts of the Li family across generations could open it casually.

When the wine jars were finally opened, Master Shi Ming and Old Master Zhang Pinglu were astonished. The potent kick of this aged premium Monkey Wine was even more formidable than the fine Monkey Wine they had drunk at the Li family of Shushan. Just by opening the jars, the wine's aroma instantly enveloped the entire hall.

Even many people on the Long Family Plain could smell the rich fragrance, but unfortunately, they could only smell it; there was no way they could drink it. This aged premium Monkey Wine was far too potent for them. Even a tiny sip, without sufficient internal energy to support it, would cause them to pass out from the immense alcoholic strength.

Following the scent of the wine, Shadowless Lightning Wind Chaser hurried over with Da Lei and Xiao Lei. The little ones gazed expectantly at Zhang Yang, the Old Master, and Master Shi Ming, their mouths agape, looking as if they were drooling.

“You rascals!”

Zhang Yang chuckled, shook his head, got an empty bowl, and poured a bowl for each of the three little ones. As for Da Lei and Xiao Lei, who were younger, he didn't prepare bowls for them.

“Wuwu...”

Da Lei and Xiao Lei looked displeased. Zhang Yang laughed heartily, casually dipping a finger into some Monkey Wine and feeding it to the two little ones.

The two tiny creatures stuck out their tongues and licked Zhang Yang’s finger clean of the wine. Immediately, they let out two little hiccups, and two streams of lightning shot out!

Crackling!

Two bolts of lightning streaked across Zhang Yang’s body but were blocked by a condensed energy shield, leaving him completely unharmed.

The two little ones seemed to realize they had done wrong, staggering back two steps, their eyes wide as they looked at Zhang Yang and whimpered.

“Haha, still want some more?”

Zhang Yang laughed, then dipped his finger in the Monkey Wine again and brought it in front of the two little ones.

Da Lei and Xiao Lei whimpered twice, then immediately ran over happily, sticking out their tongues to lick Zhang Yang’s finger, appearing utterly adorable.

“Jijiji!”

“Zhizhi zhi!”

Shadowless and Lightning, perched on Wind Chaser’s back, the two little ones holding their wine bowls, burst into laughter seeing the two little ones behaving that way.

Even the Old Master and Master Shi Ming beside them laughed heartily.

This Monkey Wine, aged for many years, truly had astonishing potency. After three rounds, Master Shi Ming and the Old Master already had flushes on their faces, exclaiming how satisfying it was. Even Zhang Yang couldn't help but sigh in appreciation; from now on, perhaps only this aged premium Monkey Wine could allow them to drink to their heart's content.

After the Old Master recovered from taking the Immortal Peach Pill, the Twelve-Crowned Golden Python in Changbai Mountain also quieted down. Conversely, the Korean cultivator who infiltrated Huaxia had yet to show any sign of his presence.

However, all the sects and noble families in Huaxia had already received the first decree from the newly appointed Alliance Leader of the World. It was believed that the moment this man showed his face, news would surely reach Kunlun.

Time flew by quickly. A month passed, and the reconstruction of the Long Family Palace was finally completed, grander than before.

Zhang Yang’s days were also quite comfortable: taking walks with Mi Xue around Kunlun, guiding the cultivation of Yan Yefei and Li Juan, or utilizing the spiritual herbs and materials currently available in the Long Family to refine a batch of elixirs. As for other trivial matters, they were all handled by Old Master Zhang Pinglu and Maternal Grandfather Zhang Daofeng, saving him any worry.

Having advanced to the fifth layer, Zhang Yang wielded the energy of heaven and earth with ease, and the elixirs he refined were far more effective than before. Qiao Yihong, Yan Yefei, Li Juan, and the others now treated the spiritual elixirs almost like everyday snacks, and even many disciples of the Long Family received a large portion of the elixirs.

It could be said that in just one month, several younger disciples of the Long Family directly broke through from the first layer of Inner Strength to the second. It was likely that in not too long, the Long Family could return to its former peak prosperity, or perhaps even surpass its strength back then.

However, they had consumed too many spiritual elixirs, and their effectiveness for them now was significantly reduced. Future cultivation would rely on their individual comprehension, talent, and diligence.

Yan Yefei and Li Juan proved worthy of their special constitutions—the Tribulation-Crossing Physique and the Shadow-Charm Physique—and their rate of progress was astonishing.

In this short month, the two of them had actually broken through the second layer of Inner Strength and successfully reached the early stage of the third layer, reportedly making them weep with joy several times.

At dusk.

Zhang Yang was walking with Mi Xue on the Long Family Plain. The two sat in a spot offering an exceptionally beautiful view of the sunset.

It was quiet; neither of them spoke. Mi Xue rested her head gently on Zhang Yang’s shoulder, smiling faintly, utterly content.

Behind them, Shadowless and Lightning chased and played with Da Lei and Xiao Lei in the distance, while Wind Chaser strolled leisurely nearby.

Da Lei and Xiao Lei had grown remarkably robust. In just one month, they were a size larger than before, nearly as big as Shadowless and Wind Chaser. It seemed that in a few more months, they would surpass Wind Chaser and Shadowless in size.

The two little ones, Da Lei and Xiao Lei, now seemed capable of controlling their lightning, at least not accidentally electrocuting Shadowless and Lightning until they were charred.

“Husband, have we been out for three months now?”

Mi Xue sighed softly, saying in a low voice.

“Do you miss home?”

Zhang Yang held Mi Xue’s hand. Counting from when they left Changjing, it had been about three months. He wondered how Yan Liangfei, left behind in Changjing, was doing.

“As long as you are by my side, it’s fine.”

Mi Xue replied with a smile, hugging Zhang Yang’s arm even tighter.

“You,” Zhang Yang chuckled, lightly flicking Mi Xue’s nose, “I’ll go instruct Qiao Yihong and Qu Meilan right now. We’ll pack our things tomorrow and return to Changjing.” He certainly understood that Mi Xue missed home. There were no pressing matters at the Long Family Plain now, and there was still no news of that Korean expert lurking in Huaxia.

Zhang Yang had already decided to return to Changjing. The crucial reason was that he needed to visit Wild Man Mountain to help those two parrots leave.

“That’s wonderful, wonderful! I bet Little Yan is eagerly waiting back home for us to send him his gift,” Mi Xue covered her mouth, recalling Yan Liangfei left behind, and couldn't help but giggle.

“Let’s go, we’ll head back now.”

Zhang Yang nodded, taking Mi Xue’s hand as they prepared to return to the Long Family Palace.

“Jijiji!”

Shadowless suddenly stood bolt upright and cried out loudly. Da Lei and Xiao Lei nearby hadn't realized what had happened yet, looking at Shadowless with puzzled expressions.

Zhang Yang paused. Shadowless behaving like this clearly meant it had discovered some treasure!

“Come on, Mi Xue, let’s go take a look.”

Zhang Yang immediately took Mi Xue onto Wind Chaser, and with Shadowless leading the way, they quickly arrived at the great formation guarding the entrance to the Long Family Plain.

The person waiting there was none other than Zhao Zhicheng, the sect master of the Emei Yitian Sect they had met at the foot of Kunlun Mountain. He had brought a few disciples of the Yitian Sect to present their congratulatory gifts.

“Senior Zhang!”

Seeing Zhang Yang, Zhao Zhicheng’s eyes lit up. He hadn't expected that while coming to congratulate Zhang Yang on becoming the Alliance Leader of the World for Huaxia, he would see Zhang Yang immediately upon entering the Long Family Plain.

After seeing Zhang Yang appear before him, Zhao Zhicheng quickly calmed his excited emotions and pointed to the cart of gifts behind him, “These are all famous flora from Emei, uniquely shaped and priceless. Your junior specially brought them to congratulate Senior Zhang on assuming the position of Alliance Leader for Huaxia. I hope Senior Zhang will not disdain them.”

“Jijiji!”

Shadowless rushed toward the cart of gifts behind Zhao Zhicheng and cried out loudly; the treasure that caught its attention was hidden among these items.

Zhang Yang’s gaze passed through the carriage and looked inside, discovering that the cart was filled with oddly shaped plants and flowers. However, in one corner, there was a plant shaped like a pair of goat horns—ordinary and completely unremarkable.

Thunk!

Zhang Yang’s eyebrows couldn't help but twitch slightly, and a jolt of excitement ran through him.

Goat Horn Illusion Grass! (To be continued...)