"What a splendid performance... Yang Qiangding’s mind is even more agile than Yang Fushuo’s."

Though it brings about some loss of merit, it is indeed effective.

The three from the Gongyang Family came from hell to paradise, experiencing ice and fire, directly kneeling before Yang Fushuo and Yang Qiangding.

"Thank you, benefactor, for saving our lives!"

"This great grace and virtue, we will remember for life!"

"Once we return to our family and retrieve our savings, we will definitely come back to repay benefactor for your kind help today!"

After this series of events, the three innocent Gongyang Family cultivators had no suspicion whatsoever and regarded Yang Fushuo and Yang Qiangding as benefactors.

Whatever intelligence they desired next naturally came easily.

Under the patient guidance of the two, the three almost spilled everything, laying bare their secrets.

The three were members of the Gongyang Family, part of the twelve clans, and were in an uncle-nephew relationship. They received news from the family that the era of great contention had arrived, the outside world had new opportunities, and each family could send out some disciples for training. The three of them, due to their low status in the family and limited cultivation resources, signed up to undergo training.

Because their abilities were insufficient, they did not go around claiming the names of the Ancient Immortal Clan. Usually, they were regarded as ordinary loose cultivators.

However, their cultivation techniques were strong, and among their peers, they were experts. On their journey, the cultivators they met respected them highly. Unexpectedly, due to carelessness, they were captured by ’Demon Cultivators’...

"Ancient Immortal Clan... I’ve only heard of descendants of the Ancient Immortal Clan being born into the world, but never heard of where the Ancient Immortal Clan resides, as if appearing out of thin air. Can the three fellow cultivators enlighten me?"

Facing Yang Fushuo’s inquiry, the three pondered for a moment and then began to speak.

"Because the place we reside in... is a refuge, extremely mysterious. Even we do not understand its mysteries, but outsiders definitely cannot find it, only those with our family’s bloodline can."

"Oh? Does that mean we can’t even visit the Gongyang Immortal Clan family then?"

"Not exactly... those invited by us may enter, but they need the gatekeeper’s consent. Few have been able to enter the Gongyang Family’s residence, and at least we three, uncle and nephews, have never seen it."

"I see... so, even those inside need the gatekeeper’s consent to come out, right?"

"Yes... that’s mostly the case, but there are some... well~ in short, our family rules are strict, we three have a low status in the family, and fear we cannot invite Yang Daoist to visit our family."

Listening to their unfinished words, Yang Fushuo was deep in thought.

"Haha~ it’s no bother, fellow Daoists please rest here. Once your wounds heal, we’ll make plans. I won’t disturb your rest..."

The father and son left, keeping the three Gongyang Family members in the guest room of the Strange Pill Tower.

After coming out, Yang Qiangding said through Divine Sense: "Father, these three are still hiding things from us..."

"Naturally, if family secrets were spilled completely, it would be abnormal."

"Currently, it seems they can’t help us bring someone out from the Gongyang Immortal Clan’s place, they’re merely nameless pawns..."

"Pawns have their own survival tactics; they managed to come out of the Gongyang Family, they must have their ways... they might even bring out the person our ancestor mentioned. In these few days, connect more with them, your cultivation is lower, their guard against you will be lesser."

"I understand, father."

Over here, there’s a bit of progress, while over there, Yang Zhu is seizing time to catch Mushroom Spirits.

Within just a week, only a new Earth-level Mushroom Spirit was captured.

"The speed is a bit slow..."

Though progress is slow, due to Yang Zhu’s constant battles with various Mushroom Spirits, his cultivation has gradually stabilized, and his combat ability has become more apparent.

The strength of the Holy-level Talent is starting to show.

"Yang Zhu’s side cannot be rushed, give him some time to develop..."

On the other side, Yang Minke had already arrived in Guangning City, exchanged a few greetings with Zhong Yi upon entering, but did not offer food, thus no additional plot unfolded.

Instead, Zhong Yi was constantly worried, with a significantly worse temper than when Yang Family members saw him before.

Yang Minke didn’t plan to stay long, intending to cook a meal at the camp to replenish, and then catch up with the group heading towards the Capital the next day.

But at the camp... many unfamiliar faces were encountered.

"Oh? Let’s see who these fellow Daoists are... huh? This cultivation..."

"They are Yang Family members!"

"That’s right... I saw this person a few years ago in Bright City, Yang Minke, isn’t that right?"

Here, there were already many Golden Core cultivators resting at the location, though not as united as the Yang Family, but they clearly had the concept of forming alliances. There were two groups, each with over 30 cultivators.

One of the groups recognized Yang Minke and their group.

And they were all Golden Core Stage cultivators!

Yang Minke’s pressure increased suddenly!

Looking at these 30-plus Golden Core cultivators huddling together, fighting them was absolutely impossible, conflict must be avoided.

But at this moment, any sign of weakness...

Those cultivators stood up, each imposing.

Yang Minke’s talent was passable, but his cultivation was only in the Golden Core Middle Stage, completely overmatched against these people.

Being behind, opposition was encountered.

Yang Minke pondered for a moment: "To meet fellow Daoists here is indeed fated. Once we leave here, we must gather in Bright City, and then I shall arrange the best spiritual meal master to welcome you all."

"Hmm~ don’t you know what your Yang Family’s Family Head did to us?"

Yang Minke showed a face full of confusion.