There was no time to lose.
After making the necessary preparations, Yin Zhang took Hu Liena and left Spirit City early the next morning. Their destination was clear—the Star Luo Empire.
This journey was undertaken specifically for the Yang Family of the Breaker Clan.
More than two years ago, during the Elite Tournament in Heaven Dou City, Yin Zhang had learned from Qiangu Yunying that in this world, the Yang Family had not suffered devastating losses during Spirit Hall's purge, unlike what had happened in the original course of events.
Because of the intervention of Qian Jun and Jiang Mo, the Yang Family of the Breaker Clan had remained intact.
Qiangu Yunying had once visited the Yang Family, and since both sides possessed spear-type spirits, she had gained significant inspiration from their techniques. However, due to the influence of the Clear Sky Sect, the Yang Family had never fully aligned itself with Spirit Hall.
When Spirit Hall sought to recruit them in the past, Bibi Dong had been firmly refused.
To the Yang Family, Spirit Hall was a source of complicated feelings.
Spirit Hall's actions had forced the Clear Sky Sect to seal its mountain, leading to catastrophic losses for the other three affiliated clans. Yet the Yang Family had been spared. This caused the other clans to believe that the Yang Family had secretly defected to Spirit Hall, betraying both the Clear Sky Sect and the four single-attribute clans.
No matter how the Yang Family tried to explain themselves, no one believed them.
In truth, they themselves understood why they had survived—because of the protection offered by two Consecrated Elders of Spirit Hall, or more precisely, because of their granddaughter, Qiangu Yunying.
When Qiangu Yunying was young, she had studied spear techniques with the Yang Family. Later, she entered Spirit Hall Academy, where she met Yin Zhang after several years of training.
As dusk settled over a vast plain, Yin Zhang and Hu Liena stopped to rest. They pitched a tent, gathered firewood, and lit a campfire.
"Brother Zhang," Hu Liena asked curiously as she watched the flames, "is this Yang Family the same Breaker Clan that was once affiliated with the Clear Sky Sect?"
Yin Zhang nodded.
"Yes. More than a decade ago, the Yang Family of the Breaker Clan was indeed one of the Clear Sky Sect's four single-attribute affiliated clans. Later, after the previous Supreme Pontiff was killed by Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Sect, Spirit Hall launched a purge."
Hu Liena listened attentively as Yin Zhang explained the deeper reasons behind the conflict—the existence of a Limit Douluo whose strength rivaled the High Priest, the long-standing agreement between Spirit Hall and Tang Chen, and why the Clear Sky Sect had ultimately survived while its affiliated clans were destroyed.
"The Yang Family was spared," Yin Zhang concluded, "because of the guarantee given by the Sixth and Seventh Consecrated Elders—Sister Yunying's two grandfathers. But that protection also caused the other clans to isolate and distrust them."
"That's why their feelings toward Spirit Hall are so complicated," Hu Liena said softly. "And why they refused recruitment."
"Exactly," Yin Zhang replied. "That's also why our goal this time is the Yang Family. We need them to join Spirit Hall—or more accurately, the Hall of Worship."
"I understand now," Hu Liena said, nodding.
Night deepened, and the camp grew quiet.
As Yin Zhang tended the fire, Hu Liena sat beside him, uncharacteristically silent. After a long moment, she finally spoke.
"Brother Zhang… I've known you since I was eight years old," she said softly. "Back then, you had just entered Spirit Hall Academy, yet everyone already spoke of you. I admired you from the very beginning."
Yin Zhang turned to look at her, surprised by the seriousness in her eyes.
"For years, because of Teacher, I kept my feelings hidden," Hu Liena continued. "But I didn't want to hide them anymore."
She took a deep breath, her voice trembling but resolute.
"I like you."
The crackling fire was the only sound between them.
Yin Zhang was silent for a long time before gently reaching out and resting a hand on her shoulder. His expression was complicated, but his gaze was steady.
The night wind swept across the plain, and the tent's entrance fluttered softly.
Under the starlit sky, the two figures moved into the tent, leaving their unspoken emotions to the quiet of the night.
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