Just as the group was awkwardly exchanging pleasantries, the people inside the room also came out.
Although Dugu Xin's earlier slip of calling her "Auntie" had made things a little uncomfortable, Dugu Yan's high emotional intelligence saved the situation. She consistently addressed her as "Sister Yunying," which gradually lifted Qiangu Yunying's mood.
"Sister Yunying, how did you and Brother Zhang meet?"
Dugu Yan linked her arm with Qiangu Yunying's slender one as they slowly walked out together.
Dugu Yan had given it some thought earlier. Calling Yin Zhang by his full name felt too distant, so she decided on "Brother Zhang," which Yin Zhang was more than happy to accept.
"Oh, we met at the academy. Back then, Xiao Zhang had a very good relationship with my grandfather, so he came along with him…"
Qiangu Yunying spoke animatedly as she explained things to Dugu Yan, while Yin Zhang and Dugu Xin exchanged knowing smiles.
Once outside, they finally noticed Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong had arrived.
"Greetings, Sect Master Ning, Your Excellency," Yin Zhang said calmly.
With Tang Zhen and Dugu Bo present, there was no need for him to adopt the deferential attitude he used in the Hall of Worship when facing the many Spirit Hall Elders.
"You must be Yin Zhang. And this must be Qiangu Yunying, correct? One of the only two Spirit King-level experts in the Spirit Hall Academy," Ning Fengzhi said warmly, his face full of smiles.
However, Yin Zhang didn't mistake him for a kind, harmless elder just because of that expression.
In the original records, Ning Fengzhi was famously shrewd and calculating. After transmigrating into the Douluo world, Yin Zhang had also learned more about him through various channels.
That knowledge made it clear to Yin Zhang that Ning Fengzhi was far from the simple Rank 79 auxiliary-system Spirit Saint he appeared to be.
Back then, after the successive deaths of the old sect master and the grand elder, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had nearly lost its position among the Upper Three Sects. It had even faced the danger of having its accumulated wealth carved up by swarming Spirit Masters.
Relying on the sect's old connections and spending vast amounts of wealth to smooth things over, Ning Fengzhi managed to keep the sect afloat until he personally brought back Chen Xin and Gu Rong.
Only then did the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect regain its former prestige—and even surpass it.
With the Clear Sky Sect closing its doors and withdrawing from the world, rumors even spread throughout the Spirit Master world that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had become the number one sect on the continent. Whether or not that was true, it was enough to demonstrate just how brilliant the sect had become under Ning Fengzhi's leadership.
Ning Fengzhi quietly sensed Yin Zhang's aura and couldn't help frowning slightly.
He couldn't detect it at all.
Even though he already knew Yin Zhang's cultivation level, being unable to sense anything at such close range was highly abnormal.
"Fengzhi, this Yin Zhang is strange. I can't sense his spirit power either," Gu Rong transmitted calmly, though inwardly he was deeply curious.
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi immediately began to take Yin Zhang much more seriously.
Yin Zhang merely smiled faintly.
Ever since equipping that item, he had discovered—somewhat to his surprise—that it also had the effect of concealing his aura. It was a simple concealment of his spirit power fluctuations, but as long as he didn't wish it, no one could perceive anything about his cultivation.
After Ning Fengzhi left, everyone stayed behind to continue watching the matches.
During this time, Tang Zhen went to see Xue Ye and spoke to him about Qin Ming.
Xue Ye was quite surprised. He hadn't expected that such a genius had missed the Continental Elite Spirit Master Tournament simply because of his academy.
He immediately summoned Meng Shenji to inquire further and learned that Imperial Dou Team Two had an attack-type Spirit Elder whose performance was dragging the team down.
As a result, Xue Ye had Qin Ming replace that person and continue competing as part of Imperial Dou Team Two.
Although this last-minute change caused some dissatisfaction, Qin Ming's strength was undeniable, so the objections were relatively mild.
Meanwhile, Yin Zhang brought Qiangu Yunying to find Dugu Bo.
"Brother Bo, I heard you have a medicinal garden. May I go take a look?" Yin Zhang asked directly.
Dugu Bo was slightly surprised that Yin Zhang knew about it, but he didn't overthink it or ask many questions.
"Of course. It's in the Sunset Forest," Dugu Bo nodded. "If you want to go now, we can reach it before nightfall. Though I'd suggest going tomorrow morning instead…"
Yin Zhang shook his head.
"Let's go tonight, Brother Bo."
According to Yin Zhang's plan, after absorbing the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Fire Apricot, by the time he woke up, the finals of the tournament would be about to begin. After all, the Elite Tournament was already halfway over when they arrived.
The Heaven Dou division would end tomorrow, and then they'd have to wait several days for the teams from the Star Luo Empire to arrive—leaving a short period of free time.
In the original story, after Tang San absorbed these two immortal medicinal herbs, he remained in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well for half a year to fully refine their medicinal effects.
Although Yin Zhang believed his physical constitution far surpassed Tang San's, he would still need several months in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well to completely absorb everything.
He had already planned this—but it would have to wait until after the Elite Tournament ended.
At that point, he could travel the continent with Qiangu Yunying for a while before returning to Spirit Hall.
Seeing Yin Zhang's determination, Dugu Bo did not refuse.
"Very well," he nodded. "But what about Yunying?"
"That's simple," Yin Zhang replied. "Sister Yunying can fly with me."
As he spoke, Yin Zhang summoned his spirit—Charizard—and gathered Qiangu Yunying into his arms, holding her effortlessly.
To Yin Zhang, Qiangu Yunying's weight was negligible. Whether it was hormones or something else, his heart raced slightly. Qiangu Yunying, meanwhile, said nothing at all, her face flushed as she quietly allowed him to carry her.
Dugu Bo summoned his own spirit, the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, stepped onto its head, and rode off with the wind.
Before coming to see Dugu Bo, Yin Zhang had already informed Tang Zhen and Qiangu Yuan.
When Qiangu Yuan asked where they were going, Yin Zhang simply replied, "You'll know when we get back."
By the time they arrived at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, night had already fallen.
Dugu Bo led the two into the medicinal garden and didn't ask about their urgent purpose. He simply said, "Take whatever you find useful. Consider it a small repayment for the kindness you've shown the Dugu Family."
Yin Zhang guided Qiangu Yunying through the sea of flowers and medicinal herbs.
"Xiao Zhang, what's this?"
Qiangu Yunying squatted in front of a particularly beautiful plant. Yin Zhang stepped closer, took a look, and smiled faintly.
"This is an immortal medicinal herb called Yearning Heartbroken Red. It has a very touching love story. Do you want to hear it?"
"Mmm, of course!"
After Yin Zhang recounted the story from memory, Qiangu Yunying was deeply moved.
He then explained how the herb recognized its master.
Qiangu Yunying didn't hesitate at all. She circulated her spirit power, stimulated her blood essence, parted her lips slightly, and spat a mouthful of fresh blood onto the petals.
In that instant, scenes of her time with Yin Zhang over the past year flashed through her mind—one after another—feeling as though they would last forever.