After finishing their roasted rabbit breakfast, Yin Zhang and Qiangu Yunying returned to Heaven Dou City together with Dugu Bo.
"Uncle Qiangu."
"Dad!"
Yin Zhang led Qiangu Yunying over to Qiangu Yuan. Seeing how close the two were, Qiangu Yuan couldn't help but snort coldly. But when he thought of their identities, he could only wave his hand in resignation.
"Why do you two have the time to come looking for me?"
Yin Zhang glanced at Qiangu Yunying, and she immediately spoke up.
"Dad, it's like this. Didn't Xiao Zhang and I go to the Sunset Forest this time?"
"We had an enormous harvest!"
Qiangu Yuan was just about to ask in surprise when he suddenly sensed the spirit power aura the two of them deliberately released. His expression changed instantly.
"Level 65?!"
(A small adjustment from before: Qiangu Yunying is now Level 65 after absorbing her spirit ring.)
"And you—brat, your spirit power is at Level 42? I remember you were only Level 38!"
Yin Zhang coughed lightly and explained.
"Uncle Qiangu, we really did have a huge harvest this time."
He then explained everything about the Immortal Herbs and the top-grade medicinal herbs, leaving Qiangu Yuan utterly stunned.
Finally, Yin Zhang took out a jade box and smiled.
"Uncle Qiangu, this is a Ninth-Grade Purple Lingzhi I prepared for you. It strengthens the foundation, nourishes essence, improves aptitude, and increases spirit power. I think it suits you perfectly."
"After you absorb this Ninth-Grade Purple Lingzhi, your spirit power will reach Level 80. Once you obtain another spirit ring, you'll be able to advance to Spirit Douluo!"
Qiangu Yuan was completely frozen. There was actually a share for him as well?
Yin Zhang hadn't even specified how many Immortal Herbs and top-grade medicinal herbs he had obtained, but Qiangu Yuan knew such treasures were unimaginably rare—perhaps even extinct elsewhere.
Yet Yin Zhang had still reserved one for him.
Since becoming the principal of Spirit Hall Academy, Qiangu Yuan had been under immense pressure. After all, every previous principal had been at the Spirit Douluo level. Having risen through connections, he always felt somewhat insecure.
Level 80 had been close for a long time, but only now—when the result was laid clearly in front of him—did he finally feel at ease.
He couldn't help but sigh deeply.
"Alright, Xiao Zhang. You're very thoughtful, still remembering an old man like me."
Yin Zhang smiled faintly, then suddenly reached out and held Qiangu Yunying's delicate hand.
"Then… about the matter between Sister Yunying and me?"
Qiangu Yunying's face instantly flushed bright red. Telling her father so suddenly hadn't been discussed beforehand at all!
She tried to pull her hand free and whispered urgently.
"Xiao Zhang, let go first…"
Unfortunately, her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, and neither Yin Zhang nor Qiangu Yuan paid it any attention.
"Hah—"
Qiangu Yuan slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, telling himself to stay calm.
Although he had known about their relationship for a long time, seeing Yin Zhang act so boldly still made a trace of paternal irritation surge up. But when he glanced at the jade box in his hand and at Qiangu Yunying's shy expression…
He turned away and left behind a single sentence.
"Treat Yunying well, or you'll regret it, kid!"
Yin Zhang chuckled.
"Sister Yunying, see? Do you feel relieved now? Uncle Qiangu doesn't oppose us. You can finally put your mind at ease."
Qiangu Yunying rolled her eyes at him and crossed her arms.
"My dad already knew about us long ago and never said he opposed it. You're the one acting recklessly."
Yin Zhang coughed awkwardly. Now he understood—when he had previously tried to ask Qiangu Yuan about Qin Ming and got ignored, it was because the carefully raised cabbage in Qiangu Yuan's garden had already been taken by him.
There was still one Ninth-Grade Purple Lingzhi left. Yin Zhang brought it with him to find Tang Zhen.
"Uncle Tang, how have these past couple of days been?"
Yin Zhang smiled.
Tang Zhen nodded calmly.
"Not bad. As the Titled Douluo representing Spirit Hall here, I've attended several banquets these past few days. I've seen quite clearly the true face of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and the aristocracy of Heaven Dou City."
Yin Zhang couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.
"And what do you think, Uncle Tang?"
Tang Zhen looked out the window and gave a faint chuckle.
"I can't see much from the Heaven Dou Imperial Family itself. But as for these Heaven Dou aristocrats—most of them are extravagant to the extreme and have already sunk into indulgent decadence. Compared to Spirit Hall, they're far inferior."
"As for the younger generation, playboys make up the majority. I truly worry about Heaven Dou's future."
Yin Zhang nodded inwardly. It really was true.
In the original events, when Shrek entered Heaven Dou Royal Academy, they were also deliberately targeted. Those aristocratic playboys led by Xue Beng were especially arrogant and domineering.
Only a few people—like those in the elite classes—could truly be considered talents who hadn't fallen into degeneration.
Yin Zhang recalled his days in Spirit City and at Spirit Hall Academy. There were no aristocrats in Spirit City, and most students at Spirit Hall Academy were earnest and driven.
The experts within Spirit Hall each fulfilled their duties and cultivated diligently.
The most representative example was the Consecrators of the Hall of Worship, who spent the vast majority of their time there. Even knowing how slim their chances of breaking through were, they still chose to cultivate in quiet perseverance.
Only then did Yin Zhang take out the jade box containing the Ninth-Grade Purple Lingzhi and deliberately release his spirit power aura.
"Uncle Tang, take a look at this."
"What is this?"
Tang Zhen was first confused, then startled by the aura radiating from Yin Zhang.
"Am I sensing this wrong? Your spirit power—how did it reach Level 42?"
"I remember just two days ago, you were only Level 38!"
Yin Zhang chuckled.
"Uncle Tang, it's like this…"
After explaining the origin of the Immortal Herbs, Yin Zhang continued.
"What's inside this jade box is a top-grade medicinal herb just below the level of an Immortal Herb—the Ninth-Grade Purple Lingzhi. It strengthens the foundation, nourishes essence, advances cultivation, and improves aptitude."
"If you absorb it, Uncle Tang, I can't guarantee it'll directly raise your spirit power by one level, but it will definitely shorten the time needed for you to reach Level 92. It might even raise your future upper limit."
Tang Zhen couldn't help but feel deeply moved. Before setting out from Spirit City, he hadn't even met Yin Zhang.
He had only come along as team leader because of Golden Crocodile's orders.
Yet Yin Zhang had given him such a tremendous surprise. Still, he asked cautiously.
"Then… does the Second Consecrator have one as well?"
Yin Zhang smiled and nodded, his voice gentle.
"I already prepared an Immortal Herb for Teacher that can help him reach Level 99. Uncle Tang, please accept this Ninth-Grade Purple Lingzhi. I've already given one to Uncle Qiangu—this is the last one."
"Level 99?!"
The words exploded in Tang Zhen's mind like a thunderclap.
He swallowed hard. If this was really true… that would be incredible.
After all, he was one of Golden Crocodile's people and already bore that label. The stronger Golden Crocodile became, the higher his own standing within Spirit Hall would naturally rise as well.
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