The three great families brought a total of twenty-five people—a significant number. Every single one who attended was a cultivator at or above the second level of Inner Strength, and among them were numerous shining talents from the younger generation. The objective of these three families was glaringly obvious.

While hosting them, the Long Family simmered with barely concealed irritation.

Anyone would be displeased to have visitors arrive at their home with such ill intentions.

“It’s been quite a while since the Long Family has seen this much excitement, hasn't it?”

Inside the room, Zhang Yang poured a pot of tea for Long Feng, saying with a smile.

After handing a cup to Long Feng, Zhang Yang poured two more for Lightning and Shadow who stood nearby. Swift Wind lay beside them, simply breathing heavily, not sparing the tea a single glance.

Swift Wind consumed a great deal of food and even drank alcohol; it was hardly like a common steed. However, this tea was its most detested substance. After trying it once, it steadfastly refused to touch it again.

“Not for a century, never before!”

Long Feng gave a wry smile. The continuous arrival of the three families over the last two days had indeed brought a bustling atmosphere to the Long Family.

This was the greatest number of outsiders Long Feng had ever seen visit. Unfortunately, their intentions were impure; such excitement was something the Long Family could certainly do without.

Zhang Yang set the teapot down and asked with feigned surprise, “A century? You mean it happened before?”

Long Feng nodded, slowly saying, “Yes, a hundred years ago, when the nation was in turmoil, the four great families gathered at the Long Family to discuss whether or not to emerge and offer aid!” He then took another sip of tea.

“What was the result of that discussion?”

Long Feng’s words piqued Zhang Yang’s curiosity. A hundred years prior was the darkest period for the nation. Western powers were carving up the land of Huaxia, and many Inner Strength cultivators had stepped forward to resist the invasion.

“They emerged, but not all of them. Each family sent out a portion. The foundation of every great family had to be preserved!”

Long Feng spoke slowly. In the discussions of a century ago, the four great families ultimately sent out over forty individuals. This coalition army of Inner Strength cultivators wielded immense power and made indelible contributions during the subsequent War of Resistance.

Zhang Yang nodded gently, “That makes sense. If the nest is overturned, how can any egg remain intact? The nation’s demise would benefit us Inner Strength cultivators none at all!”

During the War of Resistance, many Inner Strength cultivators did indeed throw themselves into the conflict. In fact, it wasn't just the War of Resistance; in every instance throughout history when the Chinese nation suffered invasion, the Inner Strength cultivators would stand up.

Many renowned families were extinguished during these times. No matter how powerful the Inner Strength cultivators were, their numbers were too few to contend with the true armies.

The most telling example was the Tang Family, possessing formidable strength and the most advanced forging techniques, which perished precisely this way.

The Zhang Family had few members, but they would always intervene during times of upheaval, using their own methods. In his previous life, Zhang Daoqian, the heir of the Zhang Family, died while saving others during the War of Resistance, causing all the relatives connected to Zhang Yang in that life to vanish.

“The four great families played a significant role that time. But afterwards, when the nation fell into civil strife, everyone was unwilling to participate and returned to their families, only emerging again for the War of Resistance. After the war, internal conflict arose again, which disheartened everyone, and they never stepped out again!”

Long Feng sighed. In truth, the sacrifices made by the four great families back then were substantial. Experts at the third level of Inner Strength were fine—ordinary bullets couldn't harm them—but they faced immense danger when confronted by machine guns and artillery.

Every time they emerged to fight, many were lost upon their return. These individuals had sacrificed themselves for the country, dying on the battlefield.

Yet, their names were never known, and to this day, the outside world remained unaware of the contributions they once made.

“I understand. They are all heroes!”

Zhang Yang nodded silently. Long Feng’s face again showed a trace of helplessness as he continued, “At that time, the four great families were very united. Facing external enemies, they rarely banded together like that. The guests who came that time were numerous, but the atmosphere was harmonious, unlike this time. Peace has lasted too long, and people’s hearts have begun to change!”

Long Feng’s words contained an unmistakable note of complaint. The reasons why the three families had come this time were obvious even to Zhang Yang, let alone the Long Family.

When the nation is stable for a long time, these few families develop well. Under such comfort, they naturally begin to think of other matters.

Now, they were vying for ranking. The Long Family had held the first position for two thousand years—a tall tree catches the wind. The Li Family and the Huyan Family, resentful of this dominance, had joined forces, hoping to usurp the Long Family’s top title.

No matter who came in first, it was better than being perpetually suppressed by the Long Family.

Zhang Yang smiled and poured Long Feng another cup of tea, remaining silent.

Looking at Zhang Yang, Long Feng spoke again, “Zhang Yang, the Patriarch asked me to relay a message: our Long Family has prepared an Observer Seat for you from the Medical Saint Zhang Family. You will be the representative of the Zhang Family!”

“An Observer Seat? You prepared that for me alone?” Zhang Yang was slightly taken aback, immediately asking.

Long Feng nodded gently. “Of course, we prepared it. Though you are one person, your status as an inheritor of the Medical Saint lineage is real. The Medical Saint lineage inherently has few members; having even one person attend is quite excellent. It’s impossible for you to bring as many people as they have. The Patriarch said since the five great millennium-old families are gathered after such a long time, we should make this event lively!”

“Very well, suit yourselves!”

Zhang Yang paused for a moment, then smiled, nodding lightly.

Zhang Yang understood the Long Family’s intention perfectly. Were the other three families not here looking for trouble? By bringing him in, they gained at least one extra pillar of support, no matter what.

The Medical Saint lineage might have few people, but they were undeniably a millennium-old family. In terms of hereditary history, they predated the three visiting families. Their orthodox status had to be acknowledged.

Zhang Yang’s current visit also carried the intent to definitively resolve the matter concerning the Zhang Family at Huatuoju from last time. If he could lend the Long Family a hand, Zhang Yang wouldn't mind.

Furthermore, Long Feng was his good friend, his sworn brother.

As for potentially offending the other three great families, Zhang Yang hadn't given it much thought.

The Medical Saint lineage’s lack of numbers was offset by their lack of fear in offending others. Otherwise, Zhang Yang wouldn't have moved against Huyan Aobo last time.

If others offended them, they would not let it go easily—even if the offender was a powerful, influential family.

The advantage of the Zhang Family having few members was that every individual was an expert. Having fewer people meant fewer scruples; if they fixed their sights on you, sleep and appetite would certainly flee.

The Zhang Family excelled in medicine, and medicine could both save and harm. At the very least, when it came to poisoning, the Zhang Family members were no less capable than the Ten Great Poison Beasts. Offending such an enemy would be unbearable for anyone.

History recorded an incident: an Inner Strength sect that had grown strong over three hundred years, boasting over a hundred cultivators of various Inner Strength levels, was utterly annihilated simply because they offended the Zhang Family by causing the death of one direct descendant. In the end, Zhang Family disciples ground down all one hundred cultivators until they died, and the sect vanished completely.

Among those hundred cultivators was a top expert at the fourth level of Inner Strength. He watched his disciples die one by one, only to finally fall by the hand of a Zhang Family heir.

This gruesome example taught many: don't assume the Zhang Family can be bullied just because they are few.

The Long Family recruiting Zhang Yang also had this aspect in mind. Though the Zhang Family is small, few dare truly offend them, especially since the Zhang Family currently possessed a fourth-level Inner Strength expert.

Moreover, Zhang Yang’s personal strength was another factor they valued. To have such a powerful ally by their side would be foolish not to secure.

“Zhang Yang, I won't waste time on pleasantries. I will stay with you tomorrow!”

Long Feng raised his teacup, using tea in place of wine, and clinked it with Zhang Yang. The family sending him to convey this message was tantamount to inviting Zhang Yang into an alliance.

Zhang Yang agreeing to represent the Zhang Family meant agreeing to the alliance.

However, Long Feng knew perfectly well that Zhang Yang agreed purely because of him. If someone else from the Long Family had approached him, he absolutely would not wade into this muddy water—Long Feng understood Zhang Yang’s nature well.

“We are brothers, why are you being so polite with me?”

Zhang Yang smiled faintly. He agreed because of Long Feng, certainly, but there were other reasons as well—reasons Zhang Yang chose not to disclose.

Having secured Zhang Yang’s agreement, Long Feng departed shortly thereafter. He was acutely aware of Zhang Yang’s strength; this was definitely a formidable external reinforcement.

When Long Haotian learned that Zhang Yang agreed to attend the observation representing the Medical Saint Zhang Family, he breathed a small sigh of relief.

The Medical Saint Zhang Family, regardless of their small numbers, were a millennium-old family. Now, they were no longer isolated. It was a two-against-three situation, making the numbers slightly better.

If the Hua Family offered support in name only, it would be two against two, and the machinations of the Li and Huyan families would not succeed so easily.

The Long Family Grand Examination was the most vital competition for testing the younger generation disciples.

It occurred once every three years and directly impacted the future development of the Long Family’s direct lineage disciples.

Within the Long Family, having a good background or being a direct heir did not guarantee a continuous good standing. If one’s talent was lacking, or if one failed to cultivate diligently, there was a real chance of losing the status of a direct disciple.

In other words, failing to meet the family’s required assessment results meant one was no longer a Long Family heir.

Disciples who failed were generally allowed to choose their own fate: live a peaceful life as a commoner, or remain within the Long Family to handle other affairs. The Long Family needed to guarantee the purity of its lineage; the inferior were eliminated.

Typically, those who failed the assessment remained within the family for further cultivation. They had a chance for a second assessment. If they failed that as well, they would only be able to choose to live as ordinary people or transfer to the Outer Sect as Outer Disciples.

However, even in the Outer Sect, they would hold positions equivalent to Outer Sect Managers.

As dawn broke on the second day, the entire Long Family became bustling with activity. Many people gathered at the Long Family’s Martial Practice Ground.

The Long Family Martial Practice Ground was vast, featuring a large square platform in the center, about the size of a basketball court, surrounded by stone tables and benches. Since the Grand Examination was held frequently, this area was built for convenience.

The Martial Practice Ground was usually closed off; only during the Grand Examination did all Long Family disciples congregate here for a test crucial to their futures.

Additionally, other members of the Long Family were permitted to observe. For anyone, observing the Long Family Grand Examination was a form of inspiration, encouraging them to cultivate harder.

In the Long Family, whether servants, menials, or Outer Sect disciples, everyone could cultivate Inner Strength. How far one could advance depended entirely on their own talent and effort, but because they could not access top-tier resources, the results of their cultivation generally did not reach very high levels. (To be continued)RQ