The Dragon Family Plains, the Rear Hall. The secret hall, only activated for important meetings in the Dragon Family, currently held more than a dozen people. The lowest internal energy level among them belonged to Long Yao from the second tier, yet no one dared to slight him due to his unique status. Seated at the head were three elders, with Long Haotian standing nearby. Everyone else present was respectfully observing these three elders—the Dragon Family's Three Great Elders, whose standing surpassed even that of the Clan Leader. The incident on the Dragon Family Plains previously resulted in punishments for the Second and Third Elders; they would not have emerged now unless the matter was grave, as they were supposed to continue facing their penance. The appearance of these two, coupled with the emergence of the Great Elder from seclusion, was solely due to a message just relayed by Long Jiu. The Hu-yan Family was annihilated.

“This is all the information Long Jiu sent back. What are everyone’s thoughts?” Long Haotian repeated Long Jiu’s exact words, which were brief and simple to relay. After finishing, he posed that single question. What were their thoughts? Those seated exchanged glances, eventually fixing their gaze upon the Three Elders. Their individual opinions mattered little; the Elders' counsel was paramount. Even Long Haotian felt the same. For a Millennial Family, the Clan Leader’s authority was not as absolute as in the secular world. Long Haotian managed daily affairs; for major crises or urgent matters, the Elders were the final arbiters. They were the true pillars of the family.

The Great Elder sighed first, speaking softly, “Because of Zhang Yang’s rise, the Zhang Family is also rising. An unstoppable ascent!” He instantly grasped the essence of the issue: the Zhang Family’s destruction of the Hu-yan Family this time was inherently meant to establish their might. The previously low-profile Zhang Family was no more. Soon, every established Inner Strength Family or Sect would receive this news; the Medical Sage Zhang Family would become thoroughly renowned. Yet, even he hadn't anticipated the Zhang Family would announce their rise in such a manner. Annihilating a Millennial Family, one renowned for its deep reserves of strength.

“The Zhang Family did this entirely because of Zhang Yang. They are capable of many drastic actions for his sake!” The Second Elder followed up, his expression tinged with complexity as he spoke. They all perceived it: without Zhang Yang, the Zhang Family certainly wouldn't act this way. Their demonstration of power was purely to protect this genius the Zhang Family hadn't seen in a thousand years. But Zhang Yang was indeed formidable—not just the Zhang Family’s once-in-a-millennium genius, but one unseen across any prominent family or even the entire cultivation world. If such an individual belonged to the Dragon Family, they would be fiercely protected and given every possible support.

“We made a mistake in the past, but fortunately, we have been working to remedy it all this time. The Zhang Family's ascent is inevitable; all we can do is maintain good relations!” The Third Elder sighed, his look equally complex. The mistake he referred to was the Dragon Family’s treatment of Zhang Yang on the Dragon Family Plains previously. The strength Zhang Yang displayed back then had instilled apprehension even in the Dragon Family. They had attempted to leverage the Li and Hu-yan Families to eliminate this genius who didn't belong to them. A single lapse in judgment led to the current unfriendly relations between the Dragon and Zhang Families. The Third Elder felt regret, but what occupied his thoughts more was this: what if they had actually allowed the Hu-yan Elders to eliminate Zhang Yang back then? Without Zhang Yang, the Hu-yan Family’s Guardian wouldn't have relentlessly pursued the chase for a thousand miles, ultimately leading to being severely wounded by a Tier Five spirit beast in Yinlong Mountain. If he hadn't been crippled, possessing full strength, even if the Zhang Family's Great Perfection masters assaulted the Hu-yan Family, annihilating the entire lineage wouldn't have been so easy, or perhaps it would have resulted in mutual devastation. In that scenario, they wouldn't be here discussing and worrying. Alas, these were only hypotheticals; the past could not be undone. Had the Hu-yan Family known the future, they surely would have destroyed Zhang Yang at any cost.

The assembled members fell silent. It was undeniably a mistake, one that left the Dragon Family unable to mend ties with the Zhang Family even now. If not for Long Feng, their relationship might have deteriorated further. Zhang Yang might even forgive the Li Family but never the Dragon Family. Because what they did last time was betrayal—the betrayal of an ally, which is unforgivable, even more so than that of an enemy.

“Let’s settle it for now. Haotian, you will personally make a trip. Offer congratulations on the Zhang Family’s great victory this time, and concurrently scout the current true strength of the Zhang Family. Most importantly, investigate Zhang Yang. This child’s growth potential is immense; I feel he played a significant role in the confrontation with the Hu-yan Family!” The Great Elder spoke softly again, and Long Haotian immediately nodded. The Clan Leader personally offering congratulations demonstrated the Dragon Family’s immense seriousness regarding this matter, reflecting the harsh reality of the Inner Strength Cultivation world, where might makes right. The Hu-yan Family was gone, relegated to history. The Zhang Family were the victors, now basking in the glory of their triumph.

“Disperse for now, and spread this news so that all disciples know!” The Great Elder commanded. The others paused briefly before understanding his intent. The Zhang Family’s power, evidenced by the destruction of the Hu-yan Family, placed considerable pressure on everyone in the Dragon Family. Pressure was the best source for motivation; with this stimulus, the younger generation might cultivate with greater diligence. Furthermore, this matter could not be kept secret; it was better to circulate it sooner rather than later. Long Haotian led everyone out, and only then did the Three Elders exchange glances, solemnity etched on every face. The three also departed, but they proceeded to a different location—a secret chamber situated underground. The trio knelt silently before an old man, who was the Dragon Family’s Guardian, the 'Old Ghost Long' mentioned by Zhang Pinglu.

“Ancestor, this is a piece of intelligence received by our peripheral disciples. Please examine it first!” The Great Elder carefully handed over a slip of paper. This note contained only a few simple words, yet these very words made his heart pound erratically. This message had arrived only recently, delivered via carrier pigeon, and it still bore the Hu-yan Family’s mark. It was the last message the Hu-yan Family had managed to send out before their destruction. Lowering his gaze, a sharp glint erupted in Old Ghost Long’s eyes, but it vanished quickly, and he reverted to his original composure. The small note held only one sentence: ‘Zhang Yang has achieved Energy Materialization.’

Energy Materialization. Others might not grasp its meaning, but they understood it perfectly, especially the Dragon Family’s Guardian, who knew the profound significance of those four words. It meant Zhang Yang’s potential extended beyond the Great Perfection realm; he was a true Tier Five expert, a level unseen for centuries.

“Let nature take its course, observe the changes!” After a moment, Old Ghost Long uttered just those few words. The Three Elders bowed deeply and then retreated together. Observing the changes and letting nature take its course essentially meant the Dragon Family should proceed with their normal affairs. This directive left the Three Elders feeling slightly unwilling, but upon reflection, it was indeed the Dragon Family's best and most correct course of action currently. The Three Elders had considered asking their own Guardian to emerge, uniting with the Guardians of the Li and Hua Families, along with all Tier Four experts, to eradicate the Medical Sage lineage under the guise of avenging the Hu-yan Family. Zhang Yang’s potential was terrifying—Tier Five! That was their immediate thought upon receiving the news. The best way to deal with something that did not belong to them was absolute destruction, eliminating it before Zhang Yang could fully mature. Unfortunately, the Dragon Family was currently in a precarious state: the Great Elder had not yet reached late Tier Four, and the Guardian’s lifespan was nearing its end. Any misstep now could plunge the Dragon Family, a lineage spanning over two thousand years, into irreversible ruin. This critical period allowed no room for error. Uniting the three Guardians was a plausible idea, but the issue was that the three Guardians belonged to three separate families. Even if they allied, true unity would be elusive. Once the Zhang Family’s Guardian fought desperately, coupled with Zhang Yang, who could materialize energy, the three Guardians couldn't eliminate them without incurring heavy costs. But this cost was one no one was willing to pay, least of all the Dragon Family. If that happened, they would surely follow the Zhang Family’s fate soon after. Since unification was impossible, it was better to let things proceed naturally. At least with Long Feng’s connection to Zhang Yang, as long as they didn't commit further egregious acts, Zhang Yang wouldn't seek to harm them. The Three Elders left. Aside from Clan Leader Long Haotian departing with two Tier Three seniors, everything else in the Dragon Family continued as usual. Only an explosive piece of news began circulating internally. The Hu-yan Family, their equal in renown, was gone, utterly extinguished. Their destroyer was the Medical Sage Zhang Family, previously unassuming, only revealing a fraction of its power during the last Grand Competition. The words 'Medical Sage Zhang Family' were permanently etched into the hearts of every Dragon Family disciple. Amidst the shock, every disciple cultivated with increased fervor, fearing that their own lack of effort might lead to the same fate as the Hu-yan Family. The Three Elders had achieved one of their goals. Simultaneously, similar events unfolded in the Li and Hua Families. The Clan Leaders of both families also set out personally to congratulate Zhang Yang and probe the Zhang Family’s true capabilities. The only difference was that when the Hua Family Leader departed, someone covertly slipped away from within their ranks. Meanwhile, the news of the Hu-yan Family’s demise gradually spread across the Inner Strength Cultivation world. In the past few days, communication among Inner Strength Cultivators had visibly increased. Friends who hadn't interacted for years, or representatives from smaller families, were engaging in very frequent exchanges. Representatives from esteemed sects and major clans also ventured out intermittently. The most discussed topic among everyone was the Medical Sage Zhang Family. This Millennial Family, with an inheritance spanning over 1,800 years and almost forgotten until now, had finally achieved widespread fame. For many, the sudden emergence of the Medical Sage lineage was like a thunderclap from a clear sky, reverberating across the Divine Land.