Not only did Long Haotian and the two elders look grim, but the Long family elders and younger generation disciples seated below also wore looks of deep displeasure.

Even the onlookers gathered around seemed somewhat taken aback by this turn of events. Li Liang's proposition had clearly stunned them; this was the Long family's major martial competition, and as guests, they were merely meant to observe, not stir up trouble.

"Brother Li Liang's suggestion is excellent. Brother Long Zheng, let the younger generation exchange a few moves; it will be a good opportunity for mutual learning and exchange!"

Someone from the Huyan family also stood up to speak. The speaker was Huyan Peng, the main representative of the Huyan family this time. Though only fifty years old, his Inner Strength cultivation had already reached the late stage of the Third Layer. It was his idea for the Huyan family to set out early and circle Kunlun Mountain; it served both to train the disciples and to gain certain advantages, a point he was quite proud of.

"Brother Li Liang, what Brother Huyan says is true; that is precisely my intention as well!"

The leading elder from the Hua family chimed in alongside them. The three major families had now openly expressed their unified intent: to challenge the Long family collectively. Failing to secure an exchange platform earlier, they were now directly proposing a challenge during the Long family's grand competition—their intentions were clearly sinister.

Zhang Yang glanced toward the Hua family side. The elder speaking also possessed considerable cultivation, having reached the late stage of the Third Layer. However, he was older, certainly over sixty-five. To still be under the Fourth Layer at his age, further breakthroughs would prove extremely difficult; in this regard, he could not compare to Zhang Yuan'an or Long Haotian.

After a quick look at him, Zhang Yang shifted his gaze to the other Hua family disciples.

After only a couple of glances, Zhang Yang's eyes snapped shut with sudden intensity, tinged with surprise. He then looked back at the leading Hua family elder. Even though the Hua family usually played a minor role, they were not to be underestimated. If the Long family were to slight the Hua family this time, they might suffer a setback.

"Esteemed guests, today is my Long family's grand competition. If you all possess such enthusiasm, perhaps you could wait until after our internal competition concludes before engaging in matches," Long Haotian said slowly, forcefully suppressing the rage building within him. His voice was resonant, and the anger therein was unmistakable.

"Patriarch Long, since a match is going to happen anyway, why make it two separate affairs? It would be less troublesome to combine them. Furthermore, if we challenge you immediately after your internal matches, we might feel awkward about it; it wouldn't feel like a fair victory for us!" Huyan Peng smiled and shook his head. Li Liang was already seated, a smug look playing on his face. His task was complete; under the pressure of the three families, even if the Long family was reluctant, they would likely have to agree now.

Long Haotian shot a fierce glare down at Huyan Peng, who merely stood there smiling, unconcerned.

"Zhang Yang, you represent the Zhang family of the Medical Saint lineage. What is your view on this matter?" Long Haotian suddenly turned and addressed Zhang Yang on the side. Although young, Zhang Yang represented a family and thus held the right to speak here.

Zhang Yang was momentarily taken aback that Long Haotian would ask him, but since he had identified himself as the Zhang family representative, he truly needed to state his position now.

"Since the Long family competition is to include matches, it makes little difference who the opponents are. I do not object to an exchange," Zhang Yang stated after a brief moment of deep thought. Long Haotian immediately frowned, and both Long Feng and Long Cheng beside Zhang Yang looked visibly anxious. Li Liang and Huyan Peng did not understand why Zhang Yang seemed to be siding with them, but they grinned broadly nonetheless.

Zhang Yang looked up and smiled slightly, then sharply pivoted his statement: "However, for the contest to be fair, it should be so. Three families against one gives the distinct appearance of bullying. Perhaps one family could be selected to compete solely against the Long family. This would serve as practice for their disciples while allowing the Long family to properly test the caliber of their own!"

One family?

Zhang Yang's words stunned everyone. Long Haotian's previously taut expression immediately relaxed. Zhang Yang's suggestion was perfect; it hit the core of his concerns. With the three families ganging up, bringing only their elite disciples, their only purpose in coming to the Long family seemed to be intimidation. Competing against just one family, the Long family certainly did not fear them. The Li family, bringing the most people, had only six young disciples. The Long family had over a dozen experts under thirty at the Second Layer; selecting six outstanding ones to face them would pose absolutely no problem.

This Zhang Yang had initially remained silent, causing them unnecessary worry, making them fear he had also sided with the three major families.

"The proposal from the Medical Saint Zhang family is excellent. I wonder which of the three families would be willing to seek instruction from our Long family?" Long Haotian declared directly. He intentionally addressed the Medical Saint Zhang family rather than Zhang Yang, signaling that Zhang Yang's words carried the weight of his ancient lineage.

Li Liang and Huyan Peng exchanged glances; their expressions now began to sour. Their plan had been to use unified pressure to suppress the Long family. They had not anticipated fighting individually, and they were not confident of handling the Long family alone, nor had they brought only these few disciples for a one-on-one confrontation.

"Zhang Yang, did you mean your statement as a personal opinion, or did you speak on behalf of the Medical Saint lineage?" Li Liang turned back to Zhang Yang and suddenly asked, a faint smile on his face as he spoke.

Long Haotian's face instantly darkened. He had already emphasized that this was the Medical Saint Zhang family's proposal. Li Liang asking again clearly showed disrespect or, more accurately, outright questioning of his authority.

"Any member of the Zhang family, when outside, can represent the family!" Zhang Yang replied calmly. His voice was not loud, but it carried clearly to everyone present. The Zhang family was small, but smallness had its advantages—smallness meant unity. Whoever represented the Zhang family abroad spoke for the entire clan, and there would be no internal dissent. Yesterday, when Long Feng suggested Zhang Yang represent the Zhang family, Zhang Yang hadn't refused precisely because of this qualification; he possessed it inherently.

Li Liang looked at Zhang Yang with slight surprise and nodded gently. Zhang Yang's address had carried a deep infusion of Inner Strength; judging by the sound alone, Zhang Yang's cultivation was at least above the mid-Second Layer. Anything less would make it impossible to project one's voice with such clarity. Zhang Yang looked barely twenty, while even in the Long family, some individuals of that age hovered around the First Layer. His achievement at the mid-Second Layer was truly remarkable.

However, recalling Zhang Yang's background, Li Liang soon calmed his surprise. The Medical Saint Zhang family had few members; even with average foundations, they could use medicinal resources to cultivate a master. The Zhang family's profound medical skills meant they garnered considerable resources through their practice. Concentrating so many resources on one person, unless they were exceptionally dense, would guarantee growth. In a way, this was Zhang Yang's fate in his past life too: his natural talent wasn't poor, but certainly not exceptional, a stark contrast to his current life. Even so, under the continuous medicinal steaming and acupuncture administered by his grandfather since childhood, he had managed to reach the Second Layer. Had the previous Zhang Yang continued cultivating, he might have reached the Third Layer, but that would likely have been his limit, as his natural aptitude dictated his ceiling.

Li Liang ceased looking at Zhang Yang and turned back to Long Haotian, smiling. "Patriarch Long, we have brought too few people; it is better if the three families remain together. If you feel that having only one family is unfair, you can join forces with the Medical Saint Zhang family. The Zhang family is also an ancient lineage, and the two longest-standing families against the three—that should suffice!"

Long Haotian stared blankly at Li Liang, utterly shocked by the audacity of his words. After a pause, he managed to force out two quiet words: "Shameless!" These two words were barely audible, audible only to himself. As a clan leader, he had to maintain strict control over his emotions; he could not display his anger.

"Brother Li's proposal is excellent. It is rare to have five ancient lineages gathered today. We are merely engaging in friendly sparring, not a fight to the death; there is no need to be so rigid!" Huyan Peng immediately followed up. His remark drew renewed, angry glares from many Long family members. Shameless, utterly shameless! The Zhang family was an ancient lineage, but everyone knew they had very few people, and only Zhang Yang had come today. What use was it for the Long family to pull Zhang Yang in? It was just one extra person. Every Long family disciple felt a surge of fury building within them.

Huyan Peng simply sat there smiling. His goal, shared with Li Liang, was to crush the Long family's prestige today. If the Long family wanted to rope in the Zhang family, they would happily oblige. The Zhang family might be formidable, but there was only one of them—a young man of twenty—who posed no real threat to them.

Huyan Peng failed to notice that as soon as he suggested involving the Zhang family, Huyan Aobo, seated below, involuntarily flinched and drew his neck in twice. Among the Huyan family, only Huyan Aobo was truly aware of Zhang Yang's true strength. He had reported Zhang Yang's power to the Patriarch due to his own failure, but the Patriarch had kept the matter from spreading, meaning Huyan Peng remained oblivious that the seemingly young Zhang Yang was actually an immensely formidable expert.

Long Haotian looked at Li Liang and Huyan Peng, then suddenly began to laugh. After a moment, he turned back and spoke slowly: "Zhang Yang, what is your opinion on this?" Long Haotian was soliciting Zhang Yang’s view; the Li and Huyan families were practically asking the Long family to ally with the Zhang family. This move was guaranteed to backfire on them. Li Liang and Huyan Peng were unaware, but Long Haotian distinctly knew that Zhang Yang possessed strength far beyond his years. At barely twenty, he was already a Third Layer expert. If the Long family joined forces with the Zhang family, they would gain a formidable reinforcement. With such an ally, Long Haotian could employ a few tricks—and employing tricks was not difficult when this was their home ground—to ensure the Li and Huyan families suffered a significant loss.

"If the Long family does not mind our Zhang family's small numbers, I have no objection!" Zhang Yang smiled faintly. Having agreed to represent the Zhang family for Long Feng, he was already standing with the Long family. Since that was the case, openly accepting an alliance was not an issue. Moreover, Zhang Yang was now feeling a surge of irritation. The members of the Li and Huyan families were truly shameless, deliberately framing things in a way that implied they were bullying the Zhang family due to their small numbers. Since they wanted to pull him into the fray, he would grant their wish.

With Zhang Yang’s assent, Long Haotian's smile grew even wider. Li Liang and Huyan Peng also wore smiles, though it remained uncertain who would be smiling last. (To be continued)