After everyone else dispersed, about three hundred people remained.

Tangyu looked at them and asked, "Why haven't you left?"

An elderly man with white hair shook his head and said, "I, Gu Yao, am just a loose cultivator, without sect or clan, wandering the world and calling the four seas my home, with nowhere to go. Though I've been proud and solitary all my life, I understand gratitude. I can't repay the life-saving grace I received, so I can only follow my benefactor to repay the great kindness. If it weren't for my pursuit of the Great Dao, I'm afraid I would have perished under the torment of Hongchen Palace long ago."

Tangyu remembered this old Daoist; he was imprisoned in the jail. Surprisingly, he was a Zifu Realm Great Power. However, his aura was too weak for Tangyu to determine exactly if he was a Zifu Realm Ninth Layer cultivator, but his realm certainly didn't seem low. For such a person to want to follow him, it was clear that Tangyu couldn't refuse. After all, it's a time of crisis, and Yanshan Sect needed more strength to defend itself. It wasn't just Yanshan Sect but even Earth that required protection.

Even though all the pathways to the small worlds had been destroyed, there were still ways to reach Earth. Tangyu wanted to establish a force that was entirely his own, and cultivating powerful cultivators was clearly too slow. Having someone willingly follow him was an ideal situation.

Tangyu said, "Gu Yao, these are exceptional times, and if you have no sect or clan, it is indeed dangerous. If you're willing to follow me, I'd be delighted. However, I won't force you; the choice is yours."

Without any hesitation, Gu Yao directly knelt before Tangyu, "Master, Gu Yao is willing to follow you for life."

Gu Yao's allegiance prompted the others who hadn't left to follow suit, all kneeling one after another, including Yan Ru, whom Tangyu also recognized among them. A group of about three hundred people made for a striking scene. However, at the moment, each of these people was emaciated and weak, far from the image of strong individuals.

Tangyu was overjoyed; such a gain was indeed tremendous. With these cultivators joining Yanshan Sect, the sect's strength could be multiplied a hundredfold. This way, Yanshan Sect would have a greater chance of self-defense.

"Please stand up, everyone, there's no need for such formalities, and I don't care much for them," Tangyu said promptly. "Since you've chosen to follow me, whatever benefits come, I will be sure to share them with you. Come with me; I'll first take you to Yanshan Sect. You can stay there for now and assist in its protection."

The group then headed majestically back to Yanshan Sect.

At Yanshan Sect, atop the city gate, the guards had been quite relaxed over the past month, with none of the previous tension and pressure. A month of peace and tranquility had given them a sense of bygone days.

"Not good, someone is coming!" a soldier suddenly shouted, tensing everyone's nerves instantly.

A voice quickly followed, "Don't worry, everyone, Sect Master Tangyu is back. Quickly report to the Sect Master."

Tangyu and his group walked through the air straight in, with no need to open the city gates. Yan Nantian and others quickly received the news, and a group of them went out to welcome them early. When everyone saw Gu Yao and the others, they all frowned slightly, puzzled.

Tangyu said, "Master, these are my followers. They have all been seriously injured and urgently need to recuperate. Please arrange for cloistered rooms for them and provide whatever resources are available."

Yan Nantian, with his sharp eye, could tell that although these more than three hundred people were extraordinary, they were severely wounded. If they could all recover, they would be a tremendously formidable force. And such a force had chosen to follow Tangyu, which was undoubtedly a tremendous blessing.

Yan Nantian nodded promptly, "Very well, I'll make arrangements right away."

Yan Nantian quickly made accommodations for Gu Yao and the others. These people had endured excruciating torture, and even a full recovery would take at least a month and considerable resources. But Tangyu wasn't concerned about resources; having slain so many Zifu Great Powers, he'd amassed significant spoils, and he contributed all of it.

Once everything was settled, Yan Nantian asked, "Tangyu, what exactly happened this time?"

Tangyu concealed nothing from Yan Nantian, recounting the entire incident. After listening, Yan Nantian was repeatedly astonished, "I see, truly incredible. You managed to slay such a Zifu Realm Ninth Layer Great Power and thwarted the major plans of Hongchen Palace. It's likely they won't let this go, but with the imminent war, there's nothing to fear. Haha, having these over three hundred cultivators join Yanshan Sect indeed strengthens us a hundredfold. Excellent, truly excellent."

"Whether Yanshan Sect can survive this catastrophe rests entirely on you, Tangyu. Yanshan Sect is fortunate to have you."

Tangyu smiled wryly and replied, "Master, please don't say that, it's just what I should do."

Yan Nantian looked at Yu Feng beside Tangyu; he didn't have much of an impression of this disciple but knew of his connection with Tangyu and so quickly took his leave to avoid disruption.

Tangyu didn't engage in much chit-chat with the others and immediately took Yu Feng back to his quarters. The others, being considerate, also refrained from disturbing them.

Inside the room, Yu Feng wore an expression of genuine relief and joy for Tangyu, "Third Brother, they say not to judge a person by three days apart. This really is so true. Who would have thought, who would have thought, that in just under two years apart, the world has changed so drastically. Everything is different. Yanshan Sect has grown to such an extent, even replacing Liang Kingdom. And all these accomplishments are thanks to you alone, Third Brother. Today, seeing your achievements makes Second Brother truly happy yet also ashamed."

"Among us three brothers, in terms of talent, you are definitely the highest. On Earth, you already showed your brilliance. In the Cultivation World, you shone even brighter, and not even the gods could block your path."

Tangyu said, "Second Brother, you shouldn't say that, after all, aren't you at the Golden Core Realm too? You were captured by the Hongchen Palace for a year, which delayed your cultivation, making you stop advancing in your realm. A year ago, my realm might not have been as good as Second Brother's. Second Brother, you're probably at the Golden Core Realm Third Layer, right?"

Yu Feng nodded: "Golden Core Realm Third Layer, unable to progress in a year. But even if I had tried for a year, I might have hoped to break through to the Zifu Realm, but to reach the height of Third Brother, that is obviously impossible."

"Second Brother, when you were transported away in Shi Que Palace, you must have had some good fortune, tell Third Brother about it," Tangyu said.

Yu Feng nodded, and the two brothers continued to converse, sharing all of the events of the past two years with each other, speaking openly with no secrets between them.

"Second Brother, Third Brother!" A figure suddenly walked in, the voice arriving before the person.

Hearing the voice, Yu Feng stood up excitedly. Zi Cang walked in and, upon seeing Yu Feng, immediately embraced him. Zi Cang, usually of a cold disposition, showed a rare display of warmth: "Second Brother, it's great to finally see you."

"Big Brother, I'm sorry for worrying you," Yu Feng admitted heavily.

The three brothers sat down, finally reunited after Yu Feng had been transported away two years ago.

Yu Feng said, "Haha, today is a happy day. It's been hard for the three of us to get this far. Especially Third Brother, you're really like a shooting star, promising and brilliant. We're proud of you. And Big Brother, you're now at the Golden Core Realm Sixth Layer. You may not be able to match Third Brother, the prodigy, but that's quite impressive. Instead, I'm holding us back, being still at the Golden Core Third Layer. Haha, but being the underdog is my role, and I'm just very happy to see Big Brother and Third Brother here."

The three brothers chatted for another day.

Yu Feng's complexion improved significantly, though he hadn't fully recovered, he no longer looked so disheveled.

"Oh, such a wonderful thing!" Tangyu suddenly showed a look of delight on his face, and with a motion of his hand, a human-shaped fruit appeared, exuding a rich Immortal Qi, causing one to desire to devour it.

"This is—"

Both Yu Feng and Zi Cang stared wide-eyed at the human-shaped fruit in Tangyu's hand, their faces full of surprise.

Tangyu laughed joyfully, "Haha, Ginsengfruit, it's actually Ginsengfruit. A Middle Grade Immortal Treasure, who would've thought General Hongye had a Middle Grade Immortal Treasure on him. This is quite a windfall for me. A stalk of Middle Grade Immortal Treasure is invaluable."

Earlier, Tangyu hadn't checked General Hongye's Qiankun Bag, and upon finally doing so, he found such a big surprise.

A Middle Grade Immortal Treasure has great value even for a Zifu Great Power. Immortal Treasure is unlike the Purple Sun Pill; it has no side effects on the human body, so it can be consumed safely. Because Immortal Treasure, born of heaven and earth, inherently contains the Great Dao of the world. Consuming it offers endless benefits, far greater than the Purple Sun Pill.

Yu Feng said, "This is Ginsengfruit, it really does look like a little person. A Middle Grade Immortal Treasure is a priceless treasure indeed. Third Brother, your fortune and destiny are profound indeed. Quickly consume it; it will surely allow you to advance by several small realms."

But Tangyu shook his head, handing the Ginsengfruit to Yu Feng: "Second Brother, although the Ginsengfruit is good, I don't need it. Advancing by a few small realms is meaningless to me. Second Brother, you're seriously injured, and you need it right now. This Ginsengfruit is enough to fully restore you and help you advance."

"No, no, this won't do, Third Brother, you should keep it for yourself. Second Brother's injuries aren't much, rest will heal me," Yu Feng immediately shook his head.

Tangyu pressed the Ginsengfruit into Yu Feng's hand, leaving him no room to refuse, and said with a serious tone, "If you still consider me your Third Brother, don't refuse. The Ginsengfruit is not much of a help to me. If I need it, I still have plenty of the Purple Sun Pill. Right now, the one who needs it most is Second Brother."

"Yes, Second Brother, it's a good gesture from Third Brother, don't refuse it, take it. Right now, you are the one who needs it most," Zi Cang added.

Only then did Yu Feng grit his teeth and nodded: "Alright, Big Brother, Third Brother, I will accept it. Among brothers, there's no need for so much formality."

Tangyu smiled, "That's right, no need for such formalities among brothers. Second Brother, you should start your cultivation, and Big Brother and I will be on our way."

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