Having just broken through to the next level, Tang Yan didn’t rush into further training. Instead, he pondered the current state of the Tang family.

With the incentive of rewards and the aid of medicinal pills, a significant number of the 120 Tang family guards had successfully advanced to the second tier of the Yellow Rank. If this information were to spread, it would serve as a formidable deterrent to their enemies.

Yet, Tang Yan still felt that this wasn’t enough.

The true deterrence of a family lay in its top-tier power.

For instance, among the four great families of Cloud City, the Tang family was the weakest in overall strength. However, the Tang family patriarch, Tang Ling, was a peak ninth-tier master at the Profound Rank, on par with the Liu family’s Liu Wuhui.

It was precisely because of this that, despite their weaker overall strength, the Tang family had not been easily targeted by the other three major families.

But even with Tang Ling holding the fort, the Tang family was far from being truly safe.

If the other three families formed an alliance and launched a combined assault, the Tang family would still be doomed.

So far, the other families had hesitated due to mutual distrust and disputes over potential spoils.

However, with the Tang family’s recent rise to prominence, the longer they were left to grow, the harder they would be to deal with.

The likelihood of an alliance forming among the other families was increasing.

The Tang family had to seize every moment to strengthen itself. Maintaining the training resources for over a hundred warriors was an immense financial burden.

Even though the collaboration with Miao Dan Pavilion was bringing in wealth, spending it all on third-tier beast cores was not sustainable.

"My cultivation speed is still too slow. If I were at the Profound Rank already, I could refine pills that would be useful for Grandfather and Uncle Mo." Tang Yan sighed.

If Zi Yun heard this, she would likely explode with frustration. In Zizhu City, she had never encountered anyone advancing as quickly as Tang Yan—yet he still found it too slow?

To become a true expert, one had to endure countless life-and-death trials.

The comfortable environment of the Tang estate wasn’t enough for rapid improvement.

Tang Yan gazed out the window and suddenly recalled his previous encounter with the Phantom Panther outside the city.

Cloud City was a small and remote place in the Tingxiang Kingdom. Traveling a few dozen miles north led to the Cangyun Mountain Range—a vast, treacherous wilderness filled with ancient pines and bizarre rock formations, untouched for countless years.

Rumors said that due to the lack of human activity, the area was home to many spirit beasts. These creatures hunted within their territories and would attack any intruder with full force.

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For Tang Yan, this was the perfect training ground.

Having made up his mind, he headed straight for his grandfather’s study. He knew that Tang Ling usually spent his mornings there.

As expected, when Tang Yan entered, his grandfather was slightly surprised. His grandson rarely visited unless summoned.

“Come in, Yan’er. Have a seat. I was just about to speak with you.” Tang Ling smiled warmly.

“What is it, Grandfather?” Tang Yan asked curiously.

“The Eastern Region Tournament will be held in two months. Cloud City has three available spots for participants. If you perform well, you may earn the opportunity to enter the Azure Dragon Academy, which provides exceptional cultivation resources. Would you like to participate?” Tang Ling asked.

Tang Yan had heard of the Eastern Region Tournament.

The Eastern Region consisted of five cities: Cloud City, Yu City, Song City, Qing City, and Fang City. Cloud City was the weakest among them, with the fewest participant slots and the worst track record.

The Azure Dragon Academy would send representatives to observe the tournament. Those with exceptional talent could be selected for further trials to gain entry.

The academy was the premier martial arts institution in the Tingxiang Kingdom, a place where the most gifted young warriors trained.

“Of course I’ll go. How could the Tang family be absent from such an event?” Tang Yan said with a confident smile.

Seeing his grandson’s self-assured expression, Tang Ling felt a surge of pride but still offered a reminder.

“Cloud City only has three slots. One will certainly go to Lin Dongxue, the City Lord’s daughter. Another will likely go to Liu Zhi of the Liu family. The final slot will be determined through a selection process. Don’t neglect your training.”

“I won’t, Grandfather. In fact, that’s why I came to see you.” Tang Yan nodded.

“Training?” Tang Ling was intrigued.

“My strength is improving every day, but the pace is still too slow. I want to go to the Cangyun Mountain Range for some real combat training. I’ll return in two months, just in time for the tournament,” Tang Yan explained.

“This…” Tang Ling hesitated.

He knew Tang Yan’s reasoning was sound. Training in the family estate would never compare to real battle experience. However, the Cangyun Mountains were full of spirit beasts. A single encounter with a high-level one could spell disaster.

Tang Yan was the family’s only heir. If something happened to him, Tang Ling would never forgive himself.

Sensing his grandfather’s concern, Tang Yan quickly added, “Grandfather, don’t worry. I’ve already discussed this with my master. He will also be heading to the Cangyun Mountains to gather herbs. He has promised to scout ahead along my path and eliminate any high-tier threats.”

Tang Ling visibly relaxed at this. If Tang Yan’s mysterious master was watching over him, the danger would be significantly reduced.

“Since your master is aware of your plans, you may go. But be extremely cautious. The world outside is unpredictable, and you must never lower your guard,” Tang Ling warned.

“I understand, Grandfather.”

“When will you leave?”

“Tonight.”

“Tonight? Why not wait until morning?” Tang Ling was surprised.

“Training must not be delayed,” Tang Yan explained. “The sooner I start, the stronger I’ll be. Right now, I’m only at the seventh tier of the Yellow Rank. Even if I secure a spot in the tournament, without a significant breakthrough, I won’t stand a chance. Also, traveling at night will help me avoid unwanted attention.”

“You’ve advanced again?” Tang Ling was momentarily stunned.

“A lucky breakthrough,” Tang Yan said vaguely.

“Excellent! Very good!” Tang Ling beamed. His grandson’s talent was truly astonishing. After a moment of thought, he nodded.

“Go then. Before you leave, inform Miss Zi Yun. And if you need any supplies, take them from the storeroom.”

Tang Ling gave him numerous words of caution—most of which were familiar—but Tang Yan listened patiently. The warmth of family care was something he deeply cherished.

Returning to his courtyard, Tang Yan entered his alchemy room.

He couldn’t take the Cauldron of Creation with him, which meant refining pills on the road would be difficult.

He spent the entire day preparing various pills, filling several bottles and jars with them.

There were hemostatic pills, antidotes, high-grade energy pills, meridian-purifying pills, and even a few poisons for self-defense.

When he finally emerged, night had fallen.

Standing outside his door was a graceful, slender figure.

In the soft moonlight, Tang Yan immediately recognized Zi Yun.