After Yin Zhang explained the reason for his visit, Qiangu Yuan's jaw nearly dropped to the floor.
"You're saying… you've reached Rank 30 spirit power?"
"Mhm, you heard me right," Yin Zhang said with a grin. "Uncle Qian Gu, I came specifically to find you. I want you to help arrange someone to lead me on a spirit hunt—or you can take me yourself. Either works."
As he spoke, Yin Zhang casually glanced at the deep green tea in Qiangu Yuan's cup.
This tea was made from leaves produced by a former auxiliary-type Spirit Saint whose Martial Spirit had been a tea tree.
That Spirit Saint had passed away decades ago, and the remaining tea leaves were nearly extinct across the continent. They were considered a supreme treasure for aiding cultivation and calming the mind.
Yin Zhang had asked for some more than once—but Qiangu Yuan had always refused without mercy.
Qiangu Yuan took a sip of tea, finally calming himself before speaking again.
"Alright. I'll take you to hunt for a spirit ring myself. But I still need to inform the Second Consecrator—he is your teacher, after all. We'll do it tomorrow. For today, you should stay in the academy—"
He paused midway, then shook his head.
"Actually, forget it. Now that you've broken through to Rank 30, if you go back you'll just get swarmed again. I'll give you a day off. Go back to your residence in Spirit City first. Consider it a reward for reaching Rank 30."
Hearing that, Yin Zhang immediately brightened and gave him a thumbs-up.
"As expected of Uncle Qian Gu—so generous!"
Then, with a completely innocent expression, he added,
"Still… Uncle Qian Gu, don't you think a more practical reward would be even better?"
As he spoke, his gaze "accidentally" drifted toward the tea in Qiangu Yuan's hand.
"…!"
"Take it, take it!" Qiangu Yuan snapped. "You little brat—if you weren't the Second Consecrator's disciple, I'd already be beating you with my Coiling Dragon Rod!"
"Hehe, I knew Uncle Qian Gu was a kindhearted elder who loves helping poor students. Then I won't stand on ceremony with this jar." Yin Zhang smiled brightly.
"Oh? Uncle Qian Gu, why the long face? In the future, when I become famous across the continent, this jar of tea you contributed will definitely count as part of the credit!"
Yin Zhang was now holding a small, exquisitely crafted Glazed Treasure Bottle. After opening it, he saw emerald-green tea leaves inside.
Just from taking a gentle sniff, seventy to eighty percent of his fatigue vanished, and his spirits were instantly lifted.
"This really is good stuff," Yin Zhang said in amazement. "No wonder Uncle Qian Gu drinks this tea all day in his office. In the future, I'll drink this like water too—hehe."
He sealed the bottle again and stored it inside the golden bead chain around his neck.
Strictly speaking, his relationship with Qiangu Yuan was actually rather complicated.
After all, Yin Zhang was Golden Crocodile's disciple.
If they went by status as Consecrators, Qiangu Yuan should call him "little brother."
If they went by Golden Crocodile's age and seniority, Qiangu Yuan would technically have to call him "uncle."
In an excellent mood, Yin Zhang left the academy and returned to his residence in Spirit City.
Once home, he immediately took out a single tea leaf from the Glazed Treasure Bottle and brewed it slowly using freshly boiled mountain spring water.
His technique was extremely crude—but Yin Zhang didn't care at all.
After all, anything obtained for free was worth enjoying, no matter how it was prepared.
If Qiangu Yuan had seen this, he would probably have beaten his chest and cursed Yin Zhang while lamenting that a wild boar couldn't appreciate fine feed.
The moment the boiling water touched the tea leaf, the water instantly turned a deep green, releasing a rich, refreshing aroma.
Yin Zhang took a slow sip. It was a bit hot, but undeniably delicious.
The circulation speed of spirit power within his body increased noticeably, while physical fatigue melted away and his mind became exceptionally clear.
As he drank, Yin Zhang reflected on everything that had happened at the academy over the past month or so.
In the beginning, challengers had come endlessly—including Spirit Elder students from the advanced classes.
It had truly broadened Yin Zhang's horizons, while also giving him the opportunity to fully utilize his abilities: Dragon Claw, Double Team, Flamethrower, Fire Shield Technique, and Fire Dragon Evasion Kill.
Through constant combat, these abilities became second nature to him.
At the same time, they revealed something undeniable—
When fighting without restraint, even against the strongest students from the advanced classes, Yin Zhang could suppress them with ease.
Aside from the few members of the Elite Class who had yet to appear, Yin Zhang could be said to have swept through Spirit Hall Academy without encountering a single true opponent.
It was also worth noting that one year from now marked the start of the quadrennial All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament.
Within the Elite Class, seven students had already been selected as Spirit Hall Academy's team for the upcoming tournament.
One of them even possessed cultivation at the Soul King level.
Beyond his achievements in cultivation and combat, Yin Zhang had also made remarkable progress in his personal relationships.
Over the past month, his follower Yan had personally witnessed Yin Zhang's overwhelming dominance—remaining undefeated throughout the academy as long as the Elite Class didn't step in.
Yan was shaken to the core, his admiration bordering on worship.
Hu Liena, meanwhile, had completely become Yin Zhang's devoted fangirl.
Although they hadn't officially confirmed their relationship, Hu Liena had already mentally placed herself in the role of Yin Zhang's girlfriend.
Xie Yue found the situation somewhat helpless.
In his view, Yin Zhang seemed… a little too much like a scumbag.
Unfortunately, his love-struck sister refused to hear a single negative word about Yin Zhang—and would even accuse her own brother of harboring ulterior motives and trying to sabotage their relationship.
As for Yin Zhang, after Xie Yue personally witnessed his strength, he no longer had any thoughts of interfering.
He only told Yin Zhang one thing: treat his sister well.
Yin Zhang's response was simple.
"Alright."
With Golden Crocodile backing him, Yin Zhang no longer felt the need to keep a low profile.
In fact, the more high-profile he became, the more pleased Golden Crocodile would likely be with his choice of disciple—and the higher Yin Zhang's standing would rise.
That night, Yin Zhang trained shirtless in the courtyard, tempering his physical strength and spirit resilience.
Suddenly, Golden Crocodile descended from the sky.
Different from the last time—
This time, his eyes were filled with approval.
He looked at Yin Zhang's sweat-soaked upper body, the perfectly defined muscle lines, and the clearly contoured muscles of his arms, then nodded in satisfaction.
"Not bad. Not bad at all. Lean when clothed, muscular when bare—not some frail weakling. You truly live up to being my disciple."
Yin Zhang took out a handkerchief, wiped the sweat from his body and forehead, and bowed slightly.
"Greetings, Teacher."
"You've really reached Rank 30," Golden Crocodile said.
"After you absorb your spirit ring and return, I'll take you to the Hall of Worship to formally meet your Consecrator uncles."
Upon learning that Yin Zhang had already reached Rank 30, the Consecrators of the Hall of Worship were secretly delighted by their earlier decision to snatch him away from Bibi Dong.
Golden Crocodile continued,
"Also, I've noticed that your Martial Spirit's tail is exceptionally strong. I'll personally teach you how to use it."
Teach him about tail combat?
Yin Zhang's eyes lit up.
Golden Crocodile's Martial Spirit was the Golden Crocodile King, whose most terrifying traits were its tail and jaw strength.
With Golden Crocodile personally guiding him, Yin Zhang could save himself countless years of arduous cultivation.
Personal instruction from a Rank 98 Peak Douluo, with guaranteed results—
It was an opportunity others wouldn't even dare to dream of.
The next day, Yin Zhang arrived at the academy and joined the already-prepared Qiangu Yuan.
Together, they boarded a carriage, left Spirit City behind, and set off toward the Star Dou Great Forest.