Although Hu Liena felt a trace of discomfort at Yin Zhang's earlier words, she did not dwell on it.
A teacher was a teacher, and a boyfriend was a boyfriend.
Moreover, that teacher had kept her separated from her boyfriend for several years, which inevitably caused a faint sense of resentment to arise in Hu Liena's heart toward Bibi Dong.
With the Yang Family of the Breaking Clan matter settled, Yin Zhang and Hu Liena naturally prepared to leave.
However, as night had already fallen, Yang Wudi warmly invited the two to stay.
After their battle, Yang Wudi had been deeply shaken by Yin Zhang's strength.
He pulled Yin Zhang aside into a quiet room and sighed sincerely,
"Little brother Yin Zhang, your talent and strength are truly unprecedented. I dare say that no one in the future will be able to match you."
Faced with Yang Wudi's praise, Yin Zhang did not take it too seriously. He smiled lightly and replied,
"Clan Chief Yang, you flatter me. I merely had good fortune on my side. Otherwise, defeating you would not have been easy. If you had insisted on fighting to the very end, I might not have been able to win at all."
Yang Wudi waved his hand, still feeling lingering shock.
"Little brother, excessive humility is also a form of arrogance. Your strength is real. You crossed two major realms to defeat me. During that incense stick, I could clearly feel that if you hadn't deliberately held back, I would have been defeated much earlier."
Yin Zhang nodded but did not continue the topic.
His thoughts drifted to the Immortal Herbs stored within the golden bead chain around his neck.
The Fragrant Silk Immortal Product was still there. Originally, he had planned to use it to win over the Yang Family, since its effect—complete immunity to poison—was a supreme treasure for alchemists. But now, there was no longer any need. The Yang Family had already chosen to join Spirit Hall.
Keeping the Immortal Herb for himself was the better option.
In the original story, the Fragrant Silk Immortal Product had an extraordinary attraction to spirit beasts. Even without knowing its exact effect on them, Yin Zhang was certain that it would be extremely useful in future dealings involving spirit beasts. He even suspected that letting Little Dragon—the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon—absorb it would result in tremendous growth.
Inside the same golden bead chain was another Immortal Herb: the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid.
This herb had remained unused, because Yin Zhang had already decided on its future owner. He originally intended to let Qiangu Yuan absorb it to break through to Rank 90 and become a Titled Douluo. However, since Qiangu Yuan was still in Spirit City and the timing was not yet right, Yin Zhang had kept it with him.
When the time came to enter the Star Dou Great Forest, he would naturally summon Qiangu Yuan.
As for the two hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts, Yin Zhang had no intention of confronting them head-on. If necessary, calling over the Sixth and Seventh Consecrated Elders would be more than sufficient.
With those thoughts settled, Yin Zhang smiled and said,
"Clan Chief Yang, you are too kind. At that time, I simply wanted to see how strong you truly were."
---
Early the next morning, after enjoying breakfast under the Yang Family's warm hospitality, Yin Zhang and Hu Liena departed and headed southwest, toward Fasinuo Province.
Their destination—
Nuoding City.
Seven years had passed since Yin Zhang last left this place.
During those seven years, Nuoding City had continued to develop steadily, no different from how it had been before his departure.
---
Nuoding City Spirit Hall Branch
Ma Xiunuo stepped out of his office, emotion filling his eyes as he looked at the bustling streets outside the window.
"Seven years…" he sighed softly. "How quickly time passes."
"I wonder how Xiao Zhang has been living in Spirit Hall all these years, and what level his spirit power has reached."
"If I hadn't reported his information back then… perhaps he would still be in Nuoding City even now."
Although Yin Zhang had not stayed long in Nuoding City, he occupied a special place in Ma Xiunuo's heart. Back then, Ma Xiunuo had genuinely treated him like his own grandson.
Over the past seven years, Old Jack from Saint Spirit Village had come to Nuoding City more than once, asking Ma Xiunuo for news of Yin Zhang. Each time, Ma Xiunuo could only respond helplessly.
Back then, Bibi Dong, Yue Guan, and Gui Mei had personally come to take Yin Zhang away. They had even allowed him time to say farewell to Old Jack. Yet Yin Zhang chose to leave directly, unwilling to cause Old Jack worry—or perhaps unwilling to face that farewell at all.
---
Meanwhile, within Nuoding City.
Tang San was attending a lesson on spirit theory under his teacher, Yu Xiaogang.
Halfway through the lecture, Yu Xiaogang suddenly said in a solemn tone,
"Little San, after you graduate, you will have to face the cold reality of the world on your own."
"Although spirit masters stand above ordinary people, within the spirit master world, you are still a junior. When facing elders or those stronger than you, you must always maintain respect."
He paused briefly before continuing,
"Just like someone who once came to our Nuoding Academy seven years ago. He was also from Saint Spirit Village—his name was Yin Zhang, or something similar."
"Though he was gifted, he lacked respect for his elders and those stronger than himself."
"Seven years ago, he was taken to Spirit Hall. I don't know how he has been cultivating there or what level his spirit power has reached, but one thing is certain—he cannot be living a happy life."
Yu Xiaogang spoke with absolute certainty.
Although he deeply resented Bibi Dong for betraying him, he also knew that the attitude he had displayed toward Yin Zhang in front of her back then was more than enough to sour Bibi Dong's impression of the boy.
In Yu Xiaogang's mind, that alone was sufficient to ensure that Yin Zhang's days in Spirit Hall would be far from pleasant.