The matter was so sudden that Zhang Yang didn't have time to wait for Mi Xue and the others to return. Once the major families and sects learned that the Long family's guardian had withdrawn, they would swarm in like sharks smelling blood.

The sooner Zhang Yang could arrive, the greater the safeguard for the Long family.

Even Long Feng hadn't anticipated that they, with their legacy spanning over two millennia, would ultimately have to rely on the protection of someone they had previously offended.

Standing to the side, Zhang Yang was already pulling out his phone to make a call.

He had only been back at his home in the capital for a few days, and now he had to leave. He needed to inform Zhang Keqin and explain the situation clearly.

Although he couldn't disclose the specifics about the Long family, simply stating that Long Feng had an urgent matter should suffice for Zhang Keqin's understanding. Zhang Yang would not choose to leave at this time unless a major crisis had erupted.

Zhang Keqin was out handling business. Upon hearing Zhang Yang's words, he immediately expressed his agreement and asked if there was anything he could do to help, promising his full support if needed.

Zhang Keqin had some understanding of Long Feng; he had even previously commissioned inquiries into him but had obtained no relevant information. Coupled with Long Feng's distinct aura, he had long realized that Long Feng was not an ordinary person but a 'master' of the same caliber as Zhang Yang. Such individuals had their own ways of handling affairs, and Zhang Keqin figured his own assistance would be limited.

As expected, Zhang Yang declined his offer of help. After hanging up, Zhang Keqin lightly shook his head. The areas where he could truly assist his son were becoming fewer and fewer.

After speaking with Zhang Keqin, Zhang Yang called Mi Xue.

He had promised to spend the entire day with Mi Xue, accompanying Yang Wanying for a pleasant outing, but now he had to break his word; Long Feng's situation was far more critical.

Zhang Yang elaborated a bit more with Mi Xue, explaining that she needed to stay home for the next few days to look after Yang Wanying and the others.

After finishing that call, Zhang Yang hesitated for a moment before calling home again, this time in front of Long Feng.

The danger facing the Long family was extraordinary. Even with his intervention, he could, at best, only buy them a few days. Those external parties might even suspect him of having ulterior motives for helping the Long family in such a manner. At this juncture, Zhang Yang could not afford to be without his family's support.

Yet, he had already made his decision: regardless of whether his family supported him, he would help Long Feng this time, giving his utmost effort. For him, aiding the Long family was solely for Long Feng’s sake; were it not for Long Feng, perhaps they themselves would have been among those pressuring the Long family.

Zhang Daofeng showed no surprise at the news Zhang Yang delivered; he had already received similar intelligence. The three elders of the Zhang family were currently deliberating: this chaotic situation was also an opportunity. The massive wealth accumulated by the Long family over two millennia made it impossible for them to remain indifferent. Simultaneously, the decline of the Long family signified the rise of the Zhang family.

As the three began their discussion, Zhang Yang’s call came in, informing them of his decision: Zhang Yang intended to assist the Long family, at least to help them survive this crisis.

“Daofeng, tell Yangyang that our entire Zhang family supports his decision!”

Zhang Daofeng was momentarily stunned while holding the phone when Zhang Pinglu, sitting in the room, suddenly spoke. Zhang Daofeng immediately turned, staring at his own patriarch in astonishment.

“Thank you, Old Man. I will return to the Long Family Plains with Long Feng first. Grandfather, you and Uncle can remain here at home; it’s sufficient if the Old Man comes alone!”

Without Zhang Daofeng needing to relay the message, Zhang Yang on the other end had already heard his words and quickly responded. Having the Old Man’s support meant that Zhang Daofeng and Zhang Yun’an would no longer raise objections, bringing a slight measure of relief to Zhang Yang.

As for the Long Family Plains, indeed, only the Old Man needed to travel there. The lineage of the Medical Saint still held many hidden secrets, and the family required someone to maintain stability. Moreover, this struggle for the Long Family Plains was essentially a contest among those at the Great Perfection realm; sending more experts at the Fourth Layer wouldn't significantly alter the outcome.

Besides his own strength, Zhang Yang was not without backup. He shouldn't forget that Lightning, Chasing Wind, and the third spirit beast had all reached the Fourth Layer. The power unleashed by the three spirit beasts would be far greater than that of ordinary Fourth Layer experts.

After hanging up, Zhang Daofeng turned back, puzzled, and asked, “Old Man, didn’t you just say there are some extremely important items within the Long family that we should retrieve while taking advantage of this situation? Why did you suddenly agree to Yangyang’s request to protect the Long family instead?”

Zhang Daofeng was genuinely confused. They had just been discussing how, because Zhang Pinglu knew certain secrets of the Long family, there were several items there highly valuable to them. Had it not been for Zhang Yang’s sudden call, the Medical Saint lineage would have pressured the Long family; relying on the pressure from two Great Perfection experts, the Long family would have been unable to withhold those items and would certainly have handed them over. Now, agreeing to help the Long family meant all their previous plans were overturned.

Zhang Pinglu glanced at Zhang Daofeng, a slight smile gracing his lips, and said softly, “We overlooked one person, a profoundly important individual!”

Zhang Daofeng and Zhang Yun’an both looked at Zhang Pinglu, and soon their eyes lit up.

“Long Feng?”

They spoke in unison. They weren't fools; after Zhang Pinglu’s remark, they immediately understood his meaning.

Zhang Pinglu nodded. “Precisely. It’s him. Yangyang and Long Feng share an extremely deep bond, forged through shared hardships and life-and-death battles many times over. Before they knew Yun’an, Long Feng didn't hesitate to use the Long family’s Dragon Transformation Technique to create an escape opportunity for Yangyang, resulting in the complete loss of his inner energy, requiring him to cultivate anew to achieve his current strength!”

Zhang Yun’an strongly concurred with Zhang Pinglu’s statement; he had witnessed that period firsthand and knew that Long Feng had truly risked his life for Zhang Yang back then.

Smiling, Zhang Pinglu continued, “The Long family has encountered a major upheaval, and Long Feng cannot remain indifferent. Given their relationship, Yangyang will inevitably step in to help. If he didn't act, he wouldn't be himself. Moreover, Yangyang acting this way demonstrates his character, and with such character, we should support him!”

Zhang Daofeng and Zhang Pinglu nodded again. What Zhang Pinglu said was correct; Zhang Yang’s actions proved he was loyal and valued relationships. If the Long family ran into trouble and Zhang Yang simply stood by and kicked them while they were down, it would actually cause the elders concern.

“Old Man, what about those few items you mentioned earlier?” Zhang Yun’an asked again. The few items from the Long family the Old Man spoke of held immense attraction for them, being even more significant than the wealth of the Huyan family.

A sharp glint suddenly flashed in Zhang Pinglu’s eyes: “I am determined to have those few items this time. Consider this: we are doing the Long family such a huge favor, saving them. If we ask them to hand over some things, will they refuse?”

Zhang Pinglu chuckled, and Zhang Daofeng and Zhang Yun’an’s eyes widened before they suddenly understood. If they saved the Long family, they would be benefactors. Asking for a few items then would be no trouble at all. They weren't asking for the Long family's entire assets, only those specific items. The Long family, at that point, would have absolutely no way to deny the Zhang family’s request.

Of course, only Zhang Pinglu should be the one to make this request, and it should initially be kept secret from Zhang Yang.

“There is one more point. After receiving this news, I kept suspecting that the old ghost Long was staging a feint, but I couldn’t figure out his motive for doing so. Whether he is truly dead or not, our Zhang family has two Great Perfection experts, and now we have incurred such a great debt of gratitude from them—they will have to surrender those items even if they are reluctant!”

Zhang Pinglu added, and this time Zhang Daofeng and Zhang Yun’an said nothing more; they understood the Old Man’s intent. Their sole objective was those few items; regardless of the method, as long as they secured the items, it was enough. With the Zhang family stepping in to save the Long family, even if the Long family still retained some strength, they couldn't refuse this demand. The deterrence provided by the two Great Perfection experts of the Zhang family was extraordinary, not to mention the life-saving gratitude they would owe.

With the decision made, the three felt a sense of relief and began preparations for their journey.

Zhang Pinglu did not follow Zhang Yang’s instruction entirely; he ended up bringing Zhang Daofeng along, leaving only Zhang Yun’an to maintain stability at home. This matter was critical; all the major families and sects would be involved, so having one more source of strength was beneficial.

On the other side, Zhang Yang and Long Feng had packed their belongings and loaded them into the vehicle. It was impossible to leave the spirit beasts behind this time. Leaving them in the capital would create a massive hidden danger. Even the Ouyang family, the foremost internal energy lineage in the capital, would likely be helpless against those three young creatures; if they ran rampant, the capital would suffer greatly. Furthermore, the three young beasts were Zhang Yang’s formidable assistants.

Driving away, the distance from the capital was significant, but they would pass through the grasslands. Once there, they could abandon the car and proceed on foot, as Chasing Wind’s speed was the best in the world, far exceeding that of a car. This was Zhang Yang’s devised method for reaching the Long Family Plains; he planned to soothe Chasing Wind later and have it carry Long Feng. With Chasing Wind, they could reach the Long Family Plains quickly, their speed matching that of an airplane.

After some simple preparations, the two drove off immediately. Not long after they departed, Mi Xue and Yang Wanying returned. They had heard that Zhang Yang had an urgent departure and lost all interest in continuing their outing, rushing back to see him off, but they missed him.

This time, Mi Xue did not proactively ask to go along. She clearly understood the unique nature of this situation; accompanying him would offer no assistance and might only bring trouble to Zhang Yang. What she needed to do now was cultivate diligently, striving for the day she would no longer be a burden to Zhang Yang and could truly stand up to share his burdens for the man she loved.

Zhang Yang was unaware that, at the very moment they set out, people from Shu Mountain, Changbai Mountain, Southern Border, Central Plains, and Wudang all secretly departed. The destination for all these groups was the same: everyone was advancing in the direction of Kunlun Mountain.

Leaving the capital, before evening fell, Zhang Yang entrusted the car to a small town’s hotel. A Long family outer disciple would drive the car back later and return it for them. Long Cheng had been unavailable these past few days. He had also been in the capital, but with such a massive crisis facing the Long family, he no longer had time to step out. Without the Long family, their outer circle would naturally become meat in the eyes of others, and their fate would likely be tragic.