In truth, Chasing Wind disliked city life; it felt like being caged there. It loved the freedom to gallop and soar, to live beneath the vast blue sky.

Just like now, running unrestrained across the plains was its favorite way to live.

Under Zhang Yang’s appeasement and the lure of the little pill, Chasing Wind finally relented, agreeing to carry Long Feng along. Long Feng thus became the third person permitted to ride on the back of the Celestial Steed spirit beast.

Carrying two people had no perceptible effect on Chasing Wind; for a fourth-tier spirit beast, this was practically negligible.

Battling the fierce headwind, feeling Chasing Wind’s incredible speed, Long Feng’s mood lifted slightly, no longer steeped in the gloom he had carried before.

Having learned of the immense trouble back home, Long Feng had been deeply troubled.

Furthermore, he was no longer the arrogant youth who had just set out, who once believed the Long Family was the apex of all existence.

He clearly understood the significance of the Great Perfection realm to the family, and the vital role of the Guardian for a lineage such as theirs. Without the Guardian, no matter how long the Long Family’s heritage spanned, it could no longer claim the status of a top-tier family.

Possessing the wealth of a premier family without the means of protection—the outcome was easy to predict.

When he first received the news, Long Feng remained silent for several minutes, lost in a stupor. At that moment, he genuinely felt as if the sky itself had collapsed.

The Long Family was his root; without the family, there would be no him.

“Long Feng, don’t worry. With Chasing Wind’s speed, we can reach the Long Family Plains tonight!”

Seeming to sense Long Feng’s mood, Zhang Yang laughed heartily. Chasing Wind was exceptionally fast, and they were now passing through the sparsely populated Mongolian territories; from here, heading west and then crossing Weijiang would bring them directly to the Kunlun Mountains.

The journey looked long, but at Chasing Wind’s pace, it certainly wouldn’t take a full day; riding relentlessly, they could indeed arrive tonight.

“I understand!”

Long Feng nodded slightly, glancing again at Zhang Yang.

At that very moment, a decision, unknown to Zhang Yang and utterly reckless, was solidifying in his heart.

The night sky was beautiful, and galloping at top speed with Chasing Wind, traversing mountains and waters, gave both Zhang Yang and Long Feng a profound sense of merging with nature. If not for the urgency of returning to the Long Family headquarters, Zhang Yang would have wanted to let Chasing Wind circle a few more times just to savor the feeling.

Zhang Yang and the others had set out in the afternoon; having abandoned the carriage, dusk was approaching. However, before midnight, Chasing Wind had already entered the territory of Weijiang Province.

Fixing their bearing, Chasing Wind accelerated again. With fewer people out at night, even if someone noticed them, it would only be a fleeting glimpse.

Around three in the morning, Chasing Wind plunged directly into the Kunlun Mountains. Upon reaching this area, Long Feng’s heartbeat noticeably quickened.

This was not the apprehension of returning home, but anxiety. Long Feng did not know the true state of affairs at home; the closer he got to understanding it all, the more worried he became—a natural human reaction.

“We’re here!”

Arriving at the familiar clearing, Long Feng softly uttered a few words. The gateway to the Long Family Plains was before him; he would soon learn the current condition of the Long Family.

“Go on,” Zhang Yang nodded toward Long Feng.

Long Feng hesitated no longer, stepping forward to open the cavern entrance himself.

“Who goes there?”

Before the door was fully open, a sharp shout erupted from within, the voice resonant and carrying profound inner strength.

Immediately, two figures leaped out. Initially, both wore expressions of vigilance. Seeing Long Feng and Zhang Yang under the cover of night, their alertness vanished instantly, replaced by astonishment.

“Feng’er, why are you back?”

The speaker was Long Zheng, and beside him was Long Jiu. Long Zheng looked upon Long Feng with joy.

Previously, only a second-tier disciple guarded the entrance to the cavern; only upon entering would one find disciples at the early third-tier level. Now, there were two men guarding the exterior, and even Long Zheng, who was late third-tier, was present.

This clearly indicated that the internal situation within the Long Family was indeed fraught with tension, a state of high alert.

“Uncle Zheng, I’ve returned. How is the Patriarch?”

Long Feng nodded. Long Zheng grasped his arm, his face quickly breaking into a look of pleasant surprise mixed with agitation.

“The Patriarch is fine. Feng’er, you—you’ve broken through again?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Long Jiu instantly spun around, staring at Long Feng in shock. When Long Feng departed, he was also at the early third-tier. If he had broken through, didn't that mean Long Feng was now at the mid-third-tier?

Having reached the mid-third-tier so quickly—while Long Jiu himself had remained stagnant for years in the early stage—his nephew had suddenly surpassed him, and by a significant margin at that.

This realization was difficult for him to accept, and his eyes widened considerably.

Long Feng smiled and nodded. He had only informed his father of his breakthrough, not revealing it publicly.

This was a good thing. If not for the sudden massive upheaval at home, perhaps by the time he returned next, he might have achieved yet another breakthrough, which would have been enough to stabilize everyone within the family.

“It’s good that you broke through, very good! If this were in the past, it would be cause for great celebration, but now… alas!”

Long Zheng spoke slowly, letting out another sigh at the end.

In former times, Long Feng’s breakthrough would indeed have been a joyous occasion for the family. Long Feng was not yet thirty, and reaching the mid-third-tier so rapidly meant he held immense potential to advance to the fourth tier.

Moreover, his path within the fourth tier looked longer, essentially meaning the Long Family would gain another Elder—one with boundless prospects.

Unfortunately, the Long Family now faced a devastating crisis. A genius like Long Feng might not even be a benefit; possessing such talent without a Guardian made him a prime target for others seeking to halt the family’s development, someone who must be eliminated swiftly.

Forget lacking the Great Perfection stage; even if they possessed it, it wouldn't be enough to stop others who held such intentions. Zhang Yang was the perfect example: because his growth was too rapid, even the Long Family had harbored such thoughts in the past.

At this moment, Zhang Yang deeply understood Long Zheng’s feelings.

However, Long Zheng overlooked one point: his relationship with Long Feng. Even if the Long Family lost its Guardian, no one could truly threaten Long Feng. Anyone who dared touch Long Feng would certainly receive a harsh lesson from Zhang Yang.

“Uncle Zheng, why are you personally guarding here?”

After a short while, Long Feng finally asked softly. He had noticed this detail earlier but hadn't found an opportune moment to inquire.

“It’s a long story. Let’s go inside first,” Long Zheng said, his eyes flicking toward Zhang Yang with a trace of apprehension.

They had heard Zhang Yang’s name several times recently—he had achieved the materialization of energy, something even Great Perfection masters could not manage, and he had advanced to the mid-fourth tier.

This success made the entire Long Family deeply regretful. If they had known Zhang Yang possessed such potential, they never would have offended him in the first place, nor would they have entertained malicious thoughts toward him.

This was only based on the knowledge they currently possessed. If they knew Zhang Yang was already at the Great Perfection level, they could only imagine their reaction then.

“Uncle Zheng, Zhang Yang is my friend, my best friend. He is here to help us!”

Long Feng noticed Long Zheng’s gaze and quickly explained.

Hearing Long Feng’s words, Long Zheng’s eyes brightened slightly, and he immediately nodded. “Since that is the case, you both should hurry inside. The Patriarch is currently inside discussing matters with the Elders.”

If Zhang Yang was willing to help, Long Zheng’s first thought was the lineage of the Medical Saint.

If they could persuade the Great Perfection expert of the Medical Saint lineage to assist through Zhang Yang, it would be monumental news for the Long Family. Though outwardly calm, everyone knew the underlying currents were turbulent, and crisis could strike at any moment.

Still, this was merely a fleeting thought for him; he didn't hold much hope. He understood that Zhang Yang’s willingness to help stemmed purely from his close bond with Long Feng, but that didn't mean the entire Zhang Clan would intervene.

Of course, if he knew Zhang Yang’s true current strength, he wouldn’t think so conservatively.

Long Feng wasted no time on formalities, quickly nodding and leading Zhang Yang inside together.

Chasing Wind held its head high, following closely behind. For them, this was the second visit to the Long Family Plains, but the feeling this time was completely different from the first.

During their first visit, their strength was insufficient. Even Zhang Yang hadn’t broken through to the fourth tier then, resulting in a degree of restraint, forced to remain hidden in rooms.

This time was different. They now possessed absolute strength, and even Chasing Wind and the others knew that the people here would absolutely not dare treat them as they had previously.

Passing through the cavern, they soon reached the heart of the Long Family Plains.

There was also a guard at the cave mouth—it turned out to be the Third Elder of the Long Family, whom they had met before.

The Third Elder noticed Long Feng and Zhang Yang; he paused only briefly, saying nothing, and simply allowed them entry.

An Elder personally guarding the door confirmed that the Long Family’s affairs were indeed grave.

The Third Elder asked no further questions. Long Zheng and Long Jiu were outside; they must have received their explanation. Since they were allowed entry, it meant the two posed no threat.

Long Feng respectfully greeted the Third Elder, while Zhang Yang made no gesture.

Zhang Yang was willing to help the Long Family entirely because of Long Feng; it didn't mean he held any particular affection for the family members. This Third Elder was one of the central figures who had betrayed allies and repaid kindness with enmity. Zhang Yang had no intention of repaying malice with virtue.

Not bringing up past events in their presence was already an act of restraint on his part.

Upon entering the Long Family Plains, Long Feng broke into a sprint. Since it was the middle of the night, the path was deserted, and they soon arrived at the Central Palace.

Many lamps were still lit inside, indicating that numerous people had stayed up all night.

“Brother Feng, you’re back!”

“Brother!”

As soon as they entered, two people rushed over—both quite young. Zhang Yang recognized them both; they were not strangers.

The two approaching were Long Xiang and Long Jian. Long Jian was Long Feng’s biological younger brother, whom Long Feng looked after dearly.

“I’m back. Why aren’t you resting? Why are you all here?”

Seeing the two, Long Feng was somewhat surprised. The Long Family had designated night watchmen, but they never utilized ordinary disciples below the second tier, nor would they deploy two at once.

“The Patriarch is here. He is in the rear hall. Brother, I’ll take you!”

Long Jian immediately agreed. The Patriarch, like them, hadn't slept. In truth, for the past two days, the Long Family Patriarch, Long Haotian, hadn't closed his eyes; with such a catastrophe hitting the family, he dared not seek rest.