Suddenly.
Yun Fang and Wang Yong, along with other fellow disciples, rushed towards the room where the qi explosion had occurred.
That room.
It was where Yun Fang's father, Yun Ying, had been in seclusion for a year.
For this past year, Yun Ying had not left his room, and Yun Fang would place his meals outside the door.
Sometimes Yun Ying would eat, and sometimes he wouldn't.
Yun Ying had been in secluded cultivation day and night to recover from his injuries as quickly as possible.
For those in the True Yuan realm.
The fastest way to recover from internal injuries was to break through a cultivation realm.
Once a breakthrough was achieved, the internal injuries would be healed during the process.
However, Yun Ying had underestimated the difficulty.
Before he was injured, he had just broken through to the True Yuan realm.
With an unstable foundation, coupled with being poisoned and injured, it was extremely difficult to break through again within a year.
"Dad, what's wrong! Wake up quickly, it's me, Fang'er, look at me."
"Master, don't scare us, are you alright?"
Yun Fang and Wang Yong watched Yun Ying, who was unconscious and coughing blood, in a state of panic.
At this moment.
Zhang Yang also caught up.
Glancing at the unconscious Yun Ying, he immediately understood what had happened.
He had been too eager and impatient.
He had forcibly consumed medicine containing Yuan force to break through, resulting in severed meridians and shattered acupoints!
"All of you, move aside, let me take a look," Zhang Yang said.
Yun Fang and the others, who were at a loss, felt as if they had grasped a lifeline and pleaded with Zhang Yang.
"Senior, you have a way, don't you? Please save my father's life, I beg you."
"Senior, please, save my master!"
Zhang Yang nodded at Yun Fang and the others, then squatted down, took Yun Ying's pulse, and pretended to examine him.
He did this to create a disguise.
He didn't want Yun Fang and the others to find it unbelievable, so he had to put on an act.
After checking his pulse, Zhang Yang's palms began to glow with True Qi.
One hand was placed on Yun Ying's shattered acupoints, using his True Dragon Qi to help restore them.
With the fingertips of his other hand, he continuously tapped on the opponent's meridians, reshaping the broken ones.
This process lasted for about an hour.
Afterward, Zhang Yang feigned extreme weakness and collapsed onto the ground.
"Senior, how is it? Is my father alright?" Yun Fang and the others immediately asked.
"He should be fine, just a little tired, completely drained," Zhang Yang said weakly, struggling to stand up from the ground.
Hearing that Yun Ying was alright, Yun Fang and the others were overjoyed.
They bowed to Zhang Yang to express their gratitude.
"You're welcome. It was fortunate that I found out early, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to save him. If there's nothing else, I'll be going back to my room." Zhang Yang pretended to be weak and walked away.
...
One day later.
Zhang Yang remained in his room and did not go out.
Yun Fang brought him food for every meal and chatted with him for a while.
"Senior, thank you so much. Without you, my father might have been completely lost to me," Yun Fang said, still feeling fearful.
Every time she visited Zhang Yang, she would repeat her words of gratitude.
Zhang Yang could only smile wryly and tell her not to be so polite.
"By the way, have you signed up for the Lin Hai martial arts competition?" Zhang Yang asked.
"My senior brother and the others went to register today," Yun Fang replied.
Zhang Yang nodded.
After a moment of thought, he took the opportunity to inquire.
"Your Lin Hai City doesn't seem very united. Why do martial arts schools on the same street engage in internal conflict? And why do so many people like to practice martial arts? What's so good about practicing martial arts? If I weren't forced, I wouldn't want to practice it either."
Yun Fang smiled helplessly.
"Actually, I don't like this kind of life either, but ever since I was born, the atmosphere in Lin Hai City has been like this. Everyone likes to practice martial arts, hoping to soar to great heights."
"Under this influence, I can only follow suit. As for the lack of unity you mentioned, it's all for individual gain."
"The higher authorities hold martial arts competitions every year and give rewards to martial artists. These rewards are not just cultivation resources, but also a lot of money. So, whether it's for status or a better life, we can only choose to practice martial arts."
As expected.
Everything led back to the "higher authorities."
"Who are these higher authorities? Are they the official forces of China? Why haven't I heard of them where I come from?" Zhang Yang asked in surprise.
"I'm not very clear about who the higher authorities are, but they are probably not the official forces of China. However, Senior, don't underestimate the higher authorities. They are very capable; they are the kings here!" Yun Fang said very seriously.
Zhang Yang frowned.
"Lin Hai City is Chinese territory. Is it not right for you to call someone a king here?"
"Senior, you may not know, but there are no Chinese official forces in Lin Hai City. It's all managed by the people of the higher authorities."
"It's clear that the Chinese government has abandoned Lin Hai City, or perhaps they have tacitly accepted the existence of the higher authorities," Yun Fang explained.
"Furthermore, the higher authorities treat us well. As long as you work hard, they provide money and resources, and those who are outstanding in strength will be specially cultivated."
When mentioning the higher authorities, Yun Fang's expression was filled with reverence.
Zhang Yang inwardly felt a sense of foreboding.
It seemed...
The Japanese pirates had deeply entrenched themselves here.
For any external force to eliminate them, they would need to find a way to appease the people here.
"Are the higher authorities really that good? If I want to join them, can I?" Zhang Yang asked.
"Senior, are you serious?" Yun Fang's face lit up with joy.
"Yes, didn't you say the treatment from the higher authorities is very good? I want to join them too. Or is it that they don't accept people who are not from Lin Hai City?" Zhang Yang asked.
"Yes, they definitely do." Yun Fang nodded vigorously, then excitedly introduced Zhang Yang.
"With your strength, Senior, it shouldn't be too difficult to join the higher authorities, but there is a prerequisite: you must join an organization or force in Lin Hai City."
"Then, during the martial arts competition, you need to showcase your abilities and value, and then you will be selected by the higher authorities!"
"At the same time, if Senior is chosen by the higher authorities, we can also benefit. Every organization that is selected will receive generous rewards."
Yun Fang's expression was excited, even somewhat hopeful.
Zhang Yang nodded slightly.
He met both conditions mentioned by Yun Fang.
In terms of combat power, he was already undeniably invincible. How formidable could a mere Lin Hai competition be?
As for joining a local force in Lin Hai City, the Tianying Martial Arts School was perfect.
"In that case, I must work hard to be selected by the higher authorities!" Zhang Yang said with a smile, his eyes filled with longing.
"Senior, keep up the good work! If you can join, we can also benefit, and perhaps our chances of joining the higher authorities in the future will greatly increase," Yun Fang said excitedly.
Her greatest dream in this life was to join the higher authorities and ensure that the Tianying Martial Arts School was no longer bullied by outsiders!
As they were talking, Zhang Yang's food tray was almost empty.
Being alone with a man, Yun Fang felt a bit awkward staying in Zhang Yang's room any longer.
She packed up the tray and prepared to leave.
At that moment.
A man wearing a training uniform suddenly found Yun Fang and said in a panic.
"Senior Sister, something bad has happened! My senior brothers and the others were beaten by people from the Panshan Martial Arts School on East Street!"
"All the disciples and senior brothers who went to register were thrown out of the registration hall!"