The first to arrive at the training grounds were the servants and attendants who lived within the Long family estate.

Most of them were young, securing advantageous spots and waiting with keen anticipation. Many were whispering amongst themselves, speculating on who would ultimately claim victory in the Long Family Grand Competition.

The Long Family Grand Competition operated on a principle of elimination for the weaker participants, but the victors received substantial rewards. The prize for the first-place winner was a Spirit Herb. While the Long family possessed far more celestial treasures than Zhang Yang, they also had greater numbers, meaning each herb consumed was one less for distribution. The rewards were scarce.

Gaining a Spirit Herb through the competition was not just a matter of honor for the Long family disciples; it was also a powerful incentive. With a Spirit Herb, they could further advance their cultivation in the future.

If not for this, Long Feng would never have been interested in the wager proposed by Zhang Yang. Even serving as Zhang Yang’s bodyguard for three years would have been a decent deal for him; a Spirit Herb required winning the Grand Competition, but serving for three years guaranteed a similar benefit, so Long Feng was naturally willing.

Aside from the Spirit Herb reserved for the champion, other rankings also came with varying rewards, though none held the same allure for the disciples as the herb itself.

For this year’s Long Family Great Examination, several well-prepared disciples were already brimming with resolve, eager to display their skills on the stage.

“If you ask me, it has to be Young Master Long Sheng; he was the champion last year!”

“I agree with Young Master Long Sheng. He’s nearly thirty; this is his last Grand Competition!”

Some people continued to murmur their predictions, debating who the ultimate victor would be.

Many had high hopes for Long Sheng, who was the most distinguished and strongest disciple among the younger generation. He had won the last competition when his cultivation stood at the mid-second layer. Three years had passed, and Long Sheng must surely be even more formidable; many predicted his victory.

“Young Master Long Qiang has a chance too! After losing last time, Young Master Long Qiang has worked incredibly hard!”

Someone else interjected. Long Qiang was also a standout among the younger generation. He had been at the mid-second layer during the last competition, tragically losing to Long Sheng. These past three years of arduous training were solely aimed at defeating Long Sheng and reclaiming the top spot.

“I think Young Master Long Feng also has a great chance. Young Master Long Feng has returned completely changed; I heard his progress has been immense!”

Others favored Long Feng. He was slightly weaker before, but he was younger than both of them and his rate of improvement was rapid.

Many people were engaged in this discussion. Several hundred people like them had gathered around the training grounds, creating a lively atmosphere—a level of excitement the Long family hadn't seen in a long time.

“The Clan Head is here!”

Someone shouted, and quickly everyone fell silent, turning their gaze towards the distance. Long Haotian was leading a contingent of Long family members towards the arena.

Among this group, Long Haotian was not at the forefront; two white-haired elders led the procession.

“The Second Elder and the Third Elder have both come!”

Someone whispered quietly. The Second and Third Elders were both masters of the Inner Strength Fourth Layer. They usually remained in seclusion, never involving themselves in mundane affairs. Even at previous examinations, at most one elder would appear, sometimes none at all. Their simultaneous presence today was unusual.

The very few who understood the situation realized that the two elders were there to lend gravitas, especially since the guests included Fourth Layer elders from the Li and Hu Yan families.

The two elders spoke little, proceeding directly to the highest row of seats, which had been prepared with the finest silk, complete with pastries, fruits, and wine.

After they were seated, Long Haotian took a seat beside them. The rest of the Long family members followed in order. Before they could settle fully, people from the Long, Hu Yan, and Hua families arrived together. They were led by a steward-elder of the Long family, whose cultivation was not at the Fourth Layer, but he managed many affairs, giving him sufficient standing.

The three great families—over twenty individuals—approached the stage area together.

Following them were Zhang Yang, Long Cheng, and Long Feng, walking separately from the contingent of the three families.

The fact that the Medical Sage Zhang Family branch had sent representatives to observe surprised both the Li and Hu Yan families; they hadn't expected the Long family to align with the Medical Sage lineage.

In truth, they had barely considered the Medical Sage lineage at all. With only three or five members, despite being a millennium-old family, the Zhang branch rarely drew attention. They lacked the standing to contend for the position of the foremost family. The Hua family was already playing a peripheral role; to them, the Zhang family probably didn't even count as peripheral.

Though they weren't taken seriously, the Zhang Family was still a thousand-year lineage with an established reputation. Their orthodox status was unshakeable. Having the support of the Zhang Family meant the Long family was no longer fighting alone. The Zhangs’ formidable medical arts, combined with their family’s unique nature, demanded careful consideration even from major powers like the Hu Yan and Li families.

This sudden shift annoyed the two families, but they could only accept it. They couldn't allow themselves to form alliances while forbidding the Long family from seeking allies. Furthermore, they weren't the established powers dictating terms, and the Long family certainly wasn't a subservient populace.

“Brother Hu Yan, Brother Li, please come this way!”

The Long family steward-elder smiled at the two elders accompanying the guests. Those two glanced with a cold snort at the two Long Family Elders already seated on the high platform, before finally walking toward the premier seating area.

The Long family had dispatched only a Third Layer late-stage elder to greet them, while their own two Fourth Layer Elders were already seated—a clear sign of subtle disrespect. It was no wonder the visitors were displeased. However, they failed to consider that their motives for attending were hardly pure, making it impossible for them to expect lavish treatment.

Once the three were seated, the remaining members began finding their places. The uppermost row of seats was reserved for only a select few—the elders—as it was traditionally their privilege.

Long Cheng followed Zhang Yang, feeling slightly uneasy. He wasn't supposed to be sitting here today; his designated spot was among the servants and attendants standing on the viewing platforms to the side. It was only because Zhang Yang insisted that he was brought over.

Long Feng would soon descend to participate in the competition, leaving Zhang Yang alone, which would be tedious. Lightning and Shadow had been left behind at the villa to keep Chasing Wind company. With so many Inner Strength practitioners and masters present, it wasn't suitable for the small companions to be out.

Zhang Yang’s seat was in the second row of the elevated platform, reserved for the elders of the various families. These individuals weren't formal elders or Fourth Layer masters, but every one of them cultivated above the Third Layer, with several being at the late-Third Layer. They were the leaders of their visiting contingents, so their cultivation naturally couldn't be weak.

Observing so many masters, Zhang Yang couldn't help but marvel at the depth of a millennium-old family. Back outside, encountering a single Inner Strength practitioner was rare, let alone this concentration of experts. Among those present, there were a full four masters at the Inner Strength Fourth Layer, with even more at the Third Layer. Those seated on the platform were, at the very least, above the Second Layer.

Once settled, Zhang Yang quieted his mind. Today, he represented the Medical Sage Zhang Family; he was not just an individual. Though the Zhang contingent was small, they could not afford to be slighted.

“Brother Hua!”

Long Xin of the Long family approached and first greeted the elder from the Hua family. The Hua family elder quickly stood and returned the greeting politely. Long Xin’s face held a radiant smile. After exchanging pleasantries with the Hua family, he moved to the seats of the Li family.

After brief greetings with the Li and Hu Yan families, Long Xin finally approached Zhang Yang. His deference to Zhang Yang was far greater than what he had shown the Li or Hu Yan families, which visibly soured the expressions of those two families. It was the platform reserved for elders, and allowing a youngster like Zhang Yang to sit there was one thing; showing such blatant favoritism during greetings was another. The Li and Hu Yan contingents ground their teeth in suppressed anger, resolving to settle this score later.

After greeting everyone, Long Xin departed. He was acting as the Long family’s representative host, and Zhang Yang could discern from his manner that the three visiting families were not truly welcomed guests. Their intentions were likely not straightforward, suggesting that today’s Long Family Examination might not proceed smoothly.

Thinking of this, Zhang Yang simply shook his head slightly. The discord among the four great families was advantageous to the Medical Sage lineage. If these powerful forces were to consolidate, their ambitions would surely swell, potentially leading to a crisis for the Medical Sage branch as well.

Below Zhang Yang’s seating area were the designated spots for the younger generation disciples of the Long family and the other three families. The four groups sat separately, with the Li and Hu Yan disciples occasionally glancing towards the Long family side. The Long family disciples returned the stares with equal intensity. These Long family disciples understood that the neighbors were not friends; these visitors were likely here to cause trouble.

The surrounding onlookers, however, were thinking less deeply. Seeing more people attending this year’s examination, with representatives from all five millennium-old families gathered, they felt a sense of honor. It had been many years since the five families convened, and having them gather at the Long family residence instilled a feeling of pride in everyone present. They remained unaware of the visitors’ true objectives. These servants couldn't access that level of understanding; only a few perceptive individuals, or those who had overheard rumors, showed a hint of worry on their faces.

While casually sipping the wine on his table, Zhang Yang frowned slightly and suddenly turned his head. On the tier below him, within the Hu Yan family's young disciples, one person had been watching him intently. Seeing Zhang Yang turn, that person immediately looked away.

Looking at the person who had been staring, Zhang Yang shook his head lightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. The one watching him was, in fact, an acquaintance—Hu Yan Aobo, whom he had met in Changjing. The Hu Yan family had only arrived yesterday, and Hu Yan Aobo had indeed heard that someone from the Medical Sage Zhang Family was attending, though he hadn't expected it to be Zhang Yang.

Hu Yan Aobo had been resting since arriving at the Long family yesterday morning. The Hu Yan contingent had used this observation opportunity to thoroughly tour the Kunlun Mountains. They claimed it would take seven days, but it stretched beyond that; the Hu Yan members spent a total of fifteen days traversing the mountains. They traveled separately during this period, primarily to search for resources within Kunlun. They were fortunate that the Long family had not sent disciples out due to their own family competition, allowing them to roam the mountains undisturbed for so long.

In those fifteen days, the Hu Yan family’s harvest was considerable: several hundred pieces of useful medicinal herbs, nearly a hundred of which were over a hundred years old, along with other beneficial medicinal fruits and items. Among their findings were even some herbs whose locations were known to the Long family but had not yet matured enough for harvesting. Frankly speaking, the Hu Yan family had acted shamelessly, taking advantage of the situation to plunder the Long family’s resources.

Because the search had been exhausting, the young disciples rested upon reaching the Long family grounds, only emerging for the evening meal. It was then they learned that all five great families were gathered, and the Zhang family had sent a representative. Yet, Hu Yan Aobo hadn't expected that representative to be Zhang Yang.

After glancing at Zhang Yang, Hu Yan Aobo turned back, feeling somewhat unnerved. His previous defeat had been too crushing, leaving a lingering shadow.

As Hu Yan Aobo was lost in his thoughts, his attention was drawn back to the center as Long Haotian stood up.

“Sons and daughters of the Long family, three years of arduous cultivation have passed in a flash…”

Long Haotian spoke slowly. He always presided over the annual Long Family Grand Examination, usually offering a few opening remarks before the competition commenced. This year was different; he made a point of formally introducing the guests from the other four families.

To everyone’s surprise, Long Haotian began by introducing the Medical Sage lineage, praising Zhang Yang profusely before moving on to the others. The Hu Yan family, the Li family, and finally the Hua family followed, their introductions being much briefer. He concluded by urging the Long family disciples to perform well in front of their guests and uphold the family's prestige.

The elders from the Hu Yan and Li families snorted coldly. Being grouped with the Zhang family already displeased them, but being introduced after them only fueled their dissatisfaction. The two Long Family Elders merely sat there, smirking, fully aware of the visitors' true intentions and knowing the Long family was no pushover.

After Long Haotian’s brief address, he immediately announced the start of the examination.

The Long Family Grand Examination was held every three years, and they possessed extensive experience in organizing it. The disciples were unhurried as ten disciples at the First Layer of Inner Strength took to the training stage together to demonstrate their martial arts. These disciples were not competing for rank but allowing the elders to assess their progress.

Disciples at the First Layer of Inner Strength did not participate in the combat portion of the examination; that was reserved for those at the Second Layer. However, most First Layer disciples were quite young, many in their teens. The oldest among them was twenty-six. This man was at the late First Layer, diligently demonstrating his skills on stage. He had worked hard these past three years, but his innate talent was limited. If he failed to break through to the Second Layer by the next examination, his status as a direct descendant would likely be revoked. By the next exam, he would be twenty-nine; reaching the Second Layer at that age suggested his future achievements would be limited, and the Long family would have to let him go. Letting him go didn't mean abandonment; he could still enjoy a comfortable life outside and contribute to the family in other ways, though further advancement in Inner Strength would become significantly harder.

Long Jian and Long Xiang were both among this group, striving hard in their demonstrations. The ten individuals ranged in age from the youngest at thirteen to the oldest at twenty-seven. All possessed Inner Strength, with several already at the late First Layer. Two disciples under the age of eighteen who had reached the late First Layer were key points of focus. Their aptitude wasn't comparable to the geniuses, but they represented future hope. If they could reach the Second Layer of Inner Strength by age twenty, they would already be considered excellent disciples.

Watching the ten exert themselves in demonstrating their martial arts, Long Haotian and the others nodded approvingly. These were the disciples they knew best, and they had all improved considerably compared to before, proving their diligent cultivation.

After the ten had exerted themselves until sweat poured down their faces, they descended, and the next ten took their place. These were also First Layer disciples, performing the same demonstrations. The Long family had over a hundred direct descendants, meaning many First Layer disciples. All disciples under thirty, excluding those twelve and under who did not participate, were required to attend.

Among these twenty, Zhang Yang observed that eleven—more than half—were at the late First Layer of Inner Strength, most of them under twenty. This indicated a high probability that many of these disciples would reach the Second Layer of Inner Strength in the future. Breaking through to the Second Layer granted the ability to stand independently. Even for a great family like the Longs, nurturing so many competent disciples was challenging, requiring a perfect blend of talent, effort, and resources.

At this point, the Li and Hu Yan contingents fell silent. Several elders from both families watched the Long family members with a degree of envy. In terms of nurturing younger disciples, the Li and Hu Yan families were undeniably a step behind the Long family. The Hu Yan members looked around again, their jealousy intensifying.

The Long family occupied an excellent stretch of plain, ideal not only for living but also immensely beneficial for cultivation. Unlike the Hu Yan family, whose ancestral home was in the Tianshan Mountains—vast though they were—their family compound was situated atop a harsh, cold peak, making living conditions a hundred times more severe than here. Harsh conditions could forge character, but they also eliminated a large number of people, resulting in their nurtured disciples being far fewer in quantity compared to the Long family.

After the second batch finished, the third group ascended. These were also First Layer disciples, but they appeared younger, the oldest barely fifteen. These were the disciples participating in the family examination for the first time. They lacked late-First Layer cultivators, but all were at the mid-stage, representing the future hopes the Long family was heavily investing in. Many were at the peak of the mid-stage, with a breakthrough to the late stage imminent.

After the three batches of demonstrations, all the senior members of the Long family smiled and nodded. The disciples' three years of diligent cultivation had not been in vain. While there were no outstanding geniuses, none were truly subpar either. Given time, some among these disciples would surely emerge as Second Layer, or even Third Layer, masters. Within this group, there were several disciples with good talent who, if nurtured properly, held excellent prospects for the future.

Long Haotian stood and offered words of encouragement, urging them not to become complacent and to continue striving for an early breakthrough. Following tradition, the Long family elders would usually issue warnings to disciples with poor cultivation, slow progress, or stagnation. However, due to the presence of outside observers today, this step was omitted. Even necessary criticism of their own kin could not be delivered in front of strangers.

Once Long Haotian concluded, Long Zheng slowly walked out from his seat and, with a light leap, landed directly onto the training stage. This marked the focus of the examination, the part everyone enjoyed watching. Second Layer Inner Strength disciples no longer merely demonstrated their skills; they engaged in one-on-one duels, with the victor advancing until the most outstanding disciple was selected. The duels truly revealed their practical strength. In the Long family, real combat experience was emphasized starting at the Second Layer of Inner Strength; this was also why they were sent out on trials to mature.

The first pair to step up were two disciples at the early Second Layer. They both understood that achieving top rankings with their current strength would be difficult; their goal was to perform well and earn recognition from the family elders for their efforts. Both jumped onto the high stage—the height was no obstacle for Second Layer Inner Strength practitioners.

Long Zheng remained on stage to act as the referee, preventing accidents during the disciples’ matches. These were exceptional family disciples, and nothing must go wrong. With his mid-Third Layer cultivation, he was perfectly qualified for this role.

“Long family disciples, Long Zhan, Long Yong, your match begins now!”

Long Zheng spoke softly, yet his voice carried clearly to everyone, clearly utilizing his Inner Strength.

“Please wait a moment!”

Before his words had fully settled, a man from the Li family elders’ seating area stood up directly. Long Haotian and those beside him turned, their expressions turning intensely grim.

“Brother Long Zheng, I have a small suggestion. I wonder if I might offer it?”

The man spoke with a smile to Long Zheng on the stage. His voice was not loud, but everyone could hear him clearly. This man appeared to be in his forties and was named Li Liang. Zhang Yang discerned his strength: mid-Third Layer, the same as Long Zheng. However, Li Liang’s Inner Strength seemed more stable, suggesting he had reached the mid-Third Layer earlier than Long Zheng.

“Brother Li Liang, please do speak!”

Long Zheng’s expression soured. He actually wanted to suggest that if they weren’t sure whether to say something, perhaps silence was better, but in front of this many people, those words were impossible to utter.

To say that outright would completely alienate the Li family; everyone present could tell that the Li family’s offer was merely a courtesy.

“Your Long family’s Grand Examination primarily tests the strength of your disciples. Since that is the case, why keep the joy to yourselves? Why not share it? Let our three families’ disciples spar alongside yours. Not only would everyone gain experience through exchange, but it would also serve as a true test of your disciples' abilities!” Li Liang remarked with a smile, nodding his head slightly as he finished.

There was one unspoken sentiment he held back: this competition would also clearly reveal which family possessed the superior disciples. If he voiced that, the Long family members would likely become even angrier.

Long Zheng was briefly stunned, and a flicker of indignation soon crossed his face. Standing on the stage, he glared coldly at the man from the Li family standing opposite him.

Long Haotian and the two elders seated on the high platform now wore expressions that were equally grim. The very scenario they had feared moments ago had now come to pass.

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