At this time, those youths who had set out running had reached the third lap.
Their bodies were still weak due to the constant injuries and pain they had endured. Their figures looked strained and awkward, their limbs pumping hard as they forced their way forward. But even willpower has its limits. After running for such a period, a few of them began to fall behind the main group.
One boy turned his head back and shouted, "We won't leave anyone behind! Whoever can endure longer, carry those who can't!"
Their faces were flushed, their mouths open wide as they struggled to breathe.
They hoisted their fallen comrades onto their backs and kept running, but the effects of their physical shortcomings were obvious in the way their steps faltered and their arms wavered as they fought to maintain their pace.
When they reached the hill, Su Ming was standing there with a table before him, cups placed on top. Su Ming smiled gently. "Each of you take one cup, then return to running."
One by one, they stepped forward, drank from the cups, and felt vitality gradually returning to them.
Without hesitation, they resumed running. Su Ming's smile widened as he watched them depart. "Truly, Zhang Yong is sometimes crazy in a reasonable way. They really do have what it takes for this kind of training. I look forward to seeing what they'll become after this."
Su Ming could not deny the results before his eyes. Even if it was something as simple as running, they had indeed run far beyond what their current bodies should have allowed.
But Zhang Yong's plan was to push them past their limits. Normally this was impossible, but with the use of pills and elixirs, the results were extraordinary.
After running for a long time, everyone collapsed to the ground in the courtyard. Su Ming couldn't help but marvel. "They endured far more than we expected."
Zhang yong immediately scoffed, "You mean more than you expected. Now hand over the twenty spirit stones from our bet."
Su Ming snorted coldly, "Tsk, you tricked me."
Zhang yong smiled, stepping forward before the group. "Well done. I admire your perseverance—and even more, I admire that you didn't abandon your comrades. That is something valuable. Now then, the next step is the training array. I've spread a Spirit Gathering Array across this academy, so you'll need to work hard. You must be exhausted now, so return and rest."
The group nodded and began to rise one by one, heading toward their rooms without complaint.
Su Ming looked puzzled. "Is there some trick here? You told them about the array but didn't force them to train?"
Zhang Yong smiled casually. "It's simple. I don't force them to cultivate. You can't force someone to put in true effort. If they seek strength, they will train on their own. Those who work hard will reap the benefits."
Su Ming's eyes glimmered with some understanding. "So, what are the next stages of your training?"
Zhang Yong only wagged his finger. "That will wait until they are ready. Once they're physically prepared, then comes the matter of their mindset."
Just as Zhang yong predicted, the next day Zhang Yong checked the disciples.
Out of twenty-seven, fifteen had already broken through to the first level of the Trainee Stage. Zhang Yong nodded proudly and began another round of the same training, making them repeat yesterday's regimen.
After two months of training, the group had made great progress. For an ordinary human, visible changes wouldn't appear for several months, but this world was different. With cultivation, all it took was meditation—and Zhang Yong had accelerated the process further with the pills he fed them.
Now, it was clear they were no longer the weak and skinny youths they had once been. They had become visibly stronger.
In two months, every one of them had broken through rapidly: the weakest reached the fifth rank, while the strongest reached the seventh.
This miraculous speed even shocked Su Ming, though compared to the outside world, it was still logical. The small world was saturated with spiritual energy, and with the Spirit Gathering Array, it was extremely concentrated. Anyone else would have gained no less than this group.
The current results pleased Zhang Yong even more than he had expected. Smiling, he addressed them:
"You have worked hard these past months. You've done well. But now, things will become more difficult. You all managed to open your Spirit Seas much earlier than usual. So, from now on, you will craft your own pills. Once you've finished, you'll enter the main array in the courtyard."
The group looked at each other, but no one refused or complained.
Zhang Yong turned calmly to Su Ming. "Su Ming, I'll leave teaching them about herbs and pill recipes to you. The array is an Illusion Formation. Inside it, they will fight and gain battle experience. Four hours of teaching, four hours in the formation, four hours of physical training, and the rest will be cultivation. Then distribute these."
He waved his hand, and copies of books appeared in it, which he handed to Su Ming. They were manuals on talisman arts.
Su Ming nodded and asked, "What do you plan to do now?"
Zhang Yong thought for a moment before replying. "Several things. I'll get cauldrons for everyone and the tools needed for the talismans art. Until i send them , teach them herbs and pill-making in theory. I'll also bring seeds for the King of Thieves to plant, since we entrusted him with tending the herbs. And I need to search for some information as well."
Activating the black token in his hand, Zhang Yong stepped out of the small world. Standing in the courtyard, he glanced at the teleportation array. "It can only transfer tools. I'll deliver the cauldrons later. First, I'll check on Master at the sect."
Zhang yong crouched, gathered power in his legs, and leapt high into the sky. Zhang Yong soared upward with a swift jump, his figure casting a shadow in the blue sky. As he ascended, the world below grew smaller.
"With a hundred percent of my strength in a leap, with my current money , perhaps I could break through to the third layer. No—first priority is Master's injury. I'll try to advance afterward."
Landing, he struck again and leapt upward, quickly reaching the sect and scaling the peak in a flash.
When he landed on the summit again, his pace quickened, steps light as he walked. In the distance, he saw Senior Brother Qing Feng leaving Master's place. Approaching, Zhang Yong bowed. "Greetings, Senior Brother Qing."
Qing Feng waved with a smile. "No need to be formal with me. Just act normally. I'm really not a good example as a senior brother."
Zhang Yong smirked. "Alright, I'll agree with you on that point. How is Master?"
Qing Feng's expression was a mix of worry and tension. He stared at Zhang Yong before answering in a measured tone. "Not in the best condition, but he still has time."
Zhang Yong frowned, processing the words, before replying, "That's reassuring. I have some tasks to do before I return."
Qing Feng's expression shifted into a faint smile. "Tell me what you need. If I can, I'll help."
Zhang Yong narrowed his eyes in thought, then said, "Alright, I'll need some information and a few other tools."
Qing Feng grinned with confidence. "If it's information, I know just the place."
Zhang Yong gave him a strange look, an odd feeling creeping in. "Where exactly?"
With a face straighter than a sword, Qing Feng answered, "The Red Light District."
Zhang Yong smacked his forehead, unimpressed. "Of course. What else would it be if not the Red Light District? Honestly, it's absurdly fitting."
Immediately, Qing Feng leaned in and whispered, "Don't tell Liu Yan. If she finds out I took you there, she'll beat me to death."
Zhang Yong sighed. "Fine. Let's just go."
The two descended the peak toward the sect. As they walked, a voice suddenly called out in front of them.
"There you are. Where have you been hiding all this time?"
Her silver hair cascaded down her back like a river of moonlight, while her piercing blue eyes fixed on them.
Zhang Yong's face paled instinctively upon seeing her. "W–Wu Rushian?"
'oh shit!'
Her sudden appearance shocked them both. Zhang Yong cleared his throat, trying to steady himself and not flee. "Wu Rushian, we don't have time to chat. We have business to attend to." His tone was firm.
At the side, Qing Feng could only smile wryly, his gaze revealing his thoughts.
Wu Rushian stepped closer, closing the distance. "That sounds interesting. I'll go with you."
Zhang Yong nearly coughed up blood on the spot. Impossible! Under no circumstances could he let her come along.
He put on a serious face. "We're going to the Red Light District."
It was his best option—to tell her outright. Any normal girl, no matter how brave, would blush at that and think less of him.
But he was dealing with the Heavenly Demon With absolute calm, she replied, "No problem. I'm coming too."
Zhang Yong and Qing Feng's jaws hit the ground. Zhang Yong cursed inwardly, 'Why are you glued to me, for god sake?!'
Qing Feng coughed lightly and whispered, resting a hand on Zhang Yong's shoulder. "Zhang Yong… you can't refuse her."
In that moment, Zhang Yong looked at her, torn. Deep down, he wished she hated him, but that outcome would be even worse than the current situation. For now, he had no choice but to give in.
The group headed toward Swallow City, reaching it within an hour. The place was relatively quiet.
When they arrived at the Red Light District, Zhang Yong looked around. There was a row of single-story houses, worn down, with dark lanterns hanging above the entrances—it was still early after all. But the area was far from empty. Women in gaudy clothes filled the place, eyeing the three newcomers with curiosity: one was a familiar guest, another was handsome, and the third was a beautiful girl. Their thoughts froze at that sight.
Wu Rushian stepped forward, casting Zhang Yong a sidelong glance with a smile. "You seem used to coming here. Your expression didn't change at all."
Zhang Yong cursed inwardly, 'Damn it, I have to make her think I'm a fool'
Keeping a calm face, he replied, "Well, I wouldn't say I'm used to it, but it's not my first time either. I've long gotten past feeling nervous about places like this."
Rushian's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Is that so? Who would've thought."
Zhang Yong's patience began to wear thin. He turned toward Qing Feng. "Senior Brother Feng, how much farther until we arrive?"
Suddenly, Qing Feng stopped in front of a large, spacious building. Written boldly on the plaque above were the words: Red Lotus Pavilion.
"We're here. This is the place."
A girl in a green dress approached from the building, bowing. "Greetings, Young Master Qing."
Qing Feng nodded calmly. "Hello, Mei Mei. I wish to speak with Miss Man Qing."
"No need to look for me. It seems Young Master Qing has graced us with his presence once more."
From behind, a mature woman approached. Her clothes were a light violet, a smoking pipe in her hand releasing purple smoke. Her violet hair flowed behind her, giving off a sly fox-like aura, though her eyes were closed.
Qing Feng clasped his hands in greeting. "Miss Man Qing, we wish to request the 'original service' of this place."
Man Qing smiled faintly and gestured. "Oh, how unexpected. Very well, follow me."
She led them inside.
Zhang Yong couldn't help but ask, "Senior Brother Feng, who is this lady?"
Qing Feng whispered, "She is Man Qing, the head of the Red Lotus Pavilion. A master of dancing, singing, music, calligraphy, tea-making, and many other arts. She also runs an intelligence network. Wherever there is a Red Lotus Pavilion, she will know everything about the area."
The group entered the back, where a small grassy courtyard awaited. A stone table with stone chairs stood beneath a dome covering. Man Qing sat gracefully, gesturing for the others to sit. They did so at once.
She smiled. "So, what matter brings Young Master Qing Feng here to inquire about?"
Qing Feng shook his head and gestured toward Zhang Yong. "It's not me, but my junior brother who has a request."
Man Qing's eyes gleamed with amusement as she looked Zhang Yong over. "Oh, what a delicate face. As expected of the young master's junior. Do you want to give him the premium treatment instead of yourself? I don't mind. After all, we've failed to satisfy you."
Qing Feng waved his hands in alarm. "No, no, it's not like that."
Both Zhang Yong and Wu Rushian turned their blank gazes on Qing Feng.
Man Qing noticed their expressions and explained, "Don't worry. All Young Master Feng does here is sit with our girls, drink wine, and vent his heart. He has never touched a single girl in our pavilion. This made us suspect we had failed to please him, so I thought of compensation."
The two turned their gazes back at Qing Feng again. Zhang Yong could only say, "It seems Senior Brother Feng is still—"
Qing Feng immediately covered his mouth, a trace of embarrassment on his face. "That's enough. Don't spread this around. Didn't you want to ask something? Then do it."
Zhang Yong cleared his throat and refocused on Man Qing. "I was wondering if Miss Man Qing has information on two things. The first is a Heavenly Flame. If possible, I'd like to know the whereabouts of one."
Man Qing rested her hand on her cheek, thinking. "If Young Master seeks Heavenly Flames, why not attend the Alchemy Tournament? It is held once a year, the last one being only a few months ago."
Zhang Yong leaned forward. "Alchemy Tournament? Is that the one organized by the Alchemist Association?"
Man Qing nodded. "Indeed. To my knowledge, the top three ranks gain entry into the Flame Valley. There are types of flames there among the Heavenly Rankings. But obtaining one will depend on you, Young Master."
Zhang Yong asked again, "How long until the next competition?"
"It was held just a few months ago, so there are still several months left. I'll send a message to the branch in the host city to gather details. There's no need to worry."
Zhang Yong nodded, then continued. "The second request: do you know where I can find a Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng?"
Wu Rushian smiled, leaning against the table. "If that's what you're after, I know where it is. In the Decayed Devil Valley."
Zhang Yong glanced at her from the corner of his eye, ignoring her. "And what about you, Miss Man Qing?"
Rushian pouted slightly. "Hmph, ignoring me?"
Man Qing chuckled softly. "It is as the young lady beside you said. A Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng is exceedingly rare, rarer even than the Thousand-Year variety. If there is a place with enough vitality to produce one, it is indeed the Decayed Devil Valley."
Zhang Yong sighed slightly. The Decayed Devil Valley was a burial ground for beasts and martial artists, a place that weighed heavily on the mind—not because of the sight, but because of the strange oppressive force lingering there. Yet such conditions allowed many treasures to emerge.
"Thank you, Miss Man Qing. And the price for this information?" Zhang Yong asked.
"seven hundred spirit stones," she replied simply.
Zhang Yong drew out five hundred spirit stones, placed them on the table, then the group rose and left the Red Lotus Pavilion.