In the past two years, Xie Yue and Yan had also cultivated at an impressive pace. Although they could not compare to Hu Liena, they had respectively reached Level 29 and Level 28, not far from the Spirit Elder realm.
Tang Zhen's spirit power remained at Level 93. His progress had been relatively slow.
Zhou Wu, who was already a Spirit King when he participated in the Elite Tournament alongside Yin Zhang, had improved rapidly over the past two years. He had advanced from Level 51 to Level 57 — an average of more than two levels per year, which was quite commendable.
Two years ago, Yin Zhang had given Dugu Bo the Dragon Flame Venerable Furnace along with the pill formula for the Fire Phoenix Pill. However, due to a shortage of medicinal ingredients, the furnace had remained unused for the entire two years, something Yin Zhang deeply regretted.
Dugu Bo's spirit power had seen some improvement during this period but had not broken through. He remained at Level 92.
In contrast, Dugu Xin and Dugu Yan had made astonishing progress.
After surviving a great disaster two years ago, Dugu Xin had nearly exhausted his foundation. Yet through relentless effort, his spirit power had now reached Level 78. There was still hope for him to break into the Titled Douluo realm. The Dugu Family once again had a chance at revival — or more precisely, it now had worthy successors.
Because Dugu Xin had resolved his long-standing toxin issue, and under Dugu Bo's arrangement, he had married the daughter of a Spirit Douluo from Spirit Hall. This marriage served both to demonstrate loyalty to Spirit Hall and to ensure the continuation of the Dugu bloodline.
In the past, Dugu Bo had grown weary of the Jade Phosphor Serpent Spirit that plagued his family. Not only did it shorten the lifespan of family members, but it also caused women who married into the family to die young after childbirth. At the time, with Dugu Yan paired with Yu Tianheng, Dugu Bo had resigned himself to letting the Dugu Family line end. After all, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit was far superior, and any descendants would likely carry the Yu surname with almost no chance of inheriting the Jade Phosphor Serpent.
However, Yin Zhang's arrival had completely lifted the bloodline curse that had tormented the Dugu Family for generations. With the curse gone, Dugu Bo naturally wished to continue the family legacy. Being advanced in age and with Dugu Yan still young, the responsibility of producing heirs naturally fell on Dugu Xin.
In a recent letter, Dugu Bo had even informed Yin Zhang that Dugu Xin's wife was now pregnant. In a few months, a new child would be born — the fourth member of the Dugu Family.
On the matter of Yin Zhang's own romantic affairs:
Besides his official wife, Qiangu Yunying, the now twelve-year-old Hu Liena had grown increasingly mature and rebellious. She scoffed at her teacher Bibi Dong's repeated admonitions, and her relationship with Yin Zhang had already crossed that final line. Of course, only Yin Zhang, Qiangu Yunying, and Hu Liena herself knew this truth. No one else could even imagine it.
There was also Spirit Kite Douluo, Yuan Qiqi. Two years ago she had been 49; now she was 51. Her relationship with Yin Zhang was likewise known only to Qiangu Yunying.
At first, Qiangu Yunying had felt some grievance, but after learning of Yin Zhang's plans regarding the Supreme Pontiff Palace and understanding their feelings, she eventually accepted the situation. After all, Yin Zhang had become so strong that she could no longer keep up with him alone in that aspect. It was better to have another sister to share the burden and live a harmonious life together.
Spirit Kite Douluo Yuan Qiqi had also received an Immortal Herb from Yin Zhang — the Narcissus Jade Skin Bone that had previously gone unused. After absorbing it, her spirit power rose by one level. Over the following two years, she fully refined the remaining medicinal energy while continuing her own cultivation. Her spirit power had now reached Level 93, putting her on par with Tang Zhen — an impressive achievement.
Yin Zhang had always been generous toward his women.
Currently, the Immortal Herbs in his possession were: Fragrant Luo Immortal Grade (reserved for a future deal with the Yang Family), Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, Narcissus Jade Skin Bone (already given), Dragon Ganoderma Leaf (multiple), and Snowy Swan's Kiss. The Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower previously given to Dugu Bo remained in his hands. Once Dugu Bo successfully refined the pills, their effects might not be inferior to the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower — perhaps even stronger.
Yin Zhang also had his mount, the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon, Xiao Long. Over the past two years, Xiao Long's size had not increased much, but with Yin Zhang's assistance and the growth-type Dragon Pearl he provided, its age had effectively reached the ten-thousand-year level, and its overall strength had improved significantly.
After two years in Spirit City, Yin Zhang and Qiangu Yunying finally decided it was time to leave.
To be precise, it was Yin Zhang and Hu Liena who would depart first, because Qiangu Yunying had made a different decision.
"Xiao Zhang, you two go ahead this time. I have decided to cultivate with all my strength and reach Level 90 as soon as possible. I want to become a Titled Douluo and stand by your side to protect you. I don't want to always be the one being protected. I refuse to be a mere vase!"
Qiangu Yunying looked at Yin Zhang with firm resolution.
"Cultivate? Where do you plan to go? Isn't it better to stay with me?" Yin Zhang sighed helplessly.
"I'm going to Slaughter City. I want to break through myself, obtain the Slaughter Domain, and become a stronger version of me!" Qiangu Yunying declared, her eyes filled with determination. "If you want to persuade me, I suggest you give up. Otherwise, even if I don't leave now, I will find a way to slip away later and go anyway!"
Hearing this, Yin Zhang could only sigh again.
Under Qiangu Yunying's shocked gaze, he glanced at his personal attribute panel and took out a delicate, intricately crafted piece of armor from his chest.
"Xiao Zhang, what is this?" Qiangu Yunying asked in surprise.
Yin Zhang chuckled softly.
"It's called Overlord Reboot. As long as you fuse it with your body, it will continuously restore your injuries and stamina. You won't have to worry about sustaining too many wounds. When I fought my teacher, I relied on this item to remain undefeated."
"Once you reach Slaughter City, although you won't be able to use spirit abilities, with this equipment you won't have to fear any danger!"
Qiangu Yunying hurriedly waved her hands in refusal.
"No, I can't take this. Besides, this equipment is far too precious. What will you do if you encounter danger without it? Moreover, I'm going to Slaughter City to challenge and temper myself, to become stronger through real hardship. If I bring this equipment, what would be the point of this training?"