The place where the Long family hosted Zhang Yang was still in the rear hall, though this time it was a different area.

This was a chamber specially reserved for distinguished guests in the Long family residence. Attending Zhang Yang this time, besides Long Haotian, were the Second Elder, Long Yi, and the Third Elder, Long Jiang, of the Long family.

These two individuals had acted quite improperly during the last Long family assessment, and they took this opportunity to offer their apologies.

Were it not for the Long family's pressing need for the Zhang family's assistance, and Zhang Yang’s own recent promotion to the Fourth Layer, getting these elders to adopt such a humble demeanor would have been extremely difficult.

“Brother Zhang, may I inquire if you have been able to contact the esteemed Senior Zhang Pinglu?”

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Long Haotian got straight to the point. For them, Fourth Layer experts were not scarce; the Long family alone possessed six of them, a formidable force. However, what they desired most was the protection of a Great Perfection expert.

“I contacted him once before I arrived, but I haven’t been in touch recently!”

Zhang Yang smiled faintly. He was perfectly aware of why these people were asking about the old man; since the senior was going to come anyway, there was no harm in telling them.

“You say you contacted him before you arrived? What did Senior Zhang Pinglu say?”

Long Haotian’s eyes lit up, and he pressed again with urgency. It was a relief that Zhang Yang had made contact; regardless of the specifics, Zhang Yang was nominally aligned with their side.

Zhang Yang chuckled wryly. “Our old man, naturally, will help me!”

“Senior Zhang has agreed to help you? That is wonderful news!”

Long Haotian slapped his thigh forcefully; even the Clan Head of the Long family appeared somewhat agitated at this moment.

They had been contemplating how to persuade Zhang Yang, how to ask Zhang Pinglu to intervene, and were prepared to pay a price for it. After all, the Zhang family was unlikely to be as malicious as the Li family. Moreover, Zhang Yang genuinely had a good relationship with Long Feng.

“Zhang—Brother Zhang, did Senior Zhang mention when he might arrive?”

Long Jiang, standing nearby, also asked urgently. Long Haotian and Long Gao both turned their heads, staring intently at Zhang Yang. While it was excellent news that Zhang Pinglu had agreed, his absence rendered that promise somewhat moot. They desperately hoped the senior could arrive soon. With him present, they could deter the petty scoundrels outside.

“He should be arriving soon. You all know his temperament; perhaps he is already here!”

Zhang Yang smiled gently. Long Haotian and the others paused slightly, nodding in agreement. Zhang Pinglu’s temperament was indeed such that during the last Long family competition, he had already infiltrated the area but deliberately remained hidden until Zhang Yang faced danger, at which point he made a powerful entrance that instantly silenced everyone. It was plausible that he had arrived already.

However, only Zhang Yang knew that Zhang Pinglu had not yet arrived. He was saying this deliberately. If the old man were present, he would certainly have contacted Zhang Yang, and his presence could never be hidden from him. Zhang Yang felt a slight puzzlement as to why the old man hadn't arrived yet.

“I understand, Brother Zhang. If Senior Zhang has any news, you must inform us immediately!”

Long Haotian clasped his fists and said with sincerity. Long Feng, standing beside him, secretly shook his head. Even if Zhang Pinglu did not appear, Zhang Yang’s presence alone was sufficient. It was a pity that he had promised Zhang Yang to keep silent; otherwise, the elders of the Long family would likely have rejoiced.

“Rest assured, the old man will definitely be here this time!”

Zhang Yang nodded again. Just as he smiled, his brow twitched slightly, and a flicker of surprise vanished across his face. Outside, he detected a familiar aura—someone he had only met a few times before, yet here they were as well.

Long Haotian noticed the subtle shift in Zhang Yang’s expression but could not fathom its cause.

Soon after, Long Haotian rose to escort Zhang Yang out.

“Clan Head, Ouyang Jiankang of the Ouyang family has arrived!”

As soon as they stepped out, Long Zheng hurried over and whispered into Long Haotian’s ear. The person who felt familiar and caused a slight shock in Zhang Yang was none other than Ouyang Jiankang. Zhang Yang quickly realized that the Ouyang family had deep ties with the Long family, and their arrival here likely meant they were here to offer assistance.

“Clan Head Long, Brother Long Gao, Brother Long Jiang, long time no see!”

While Zhang Yang was still contemplating, Long Jiu outside brought in another individual. The newcomer cupped his fists from afar, greeting them with a hearty laugh.

The arrival was Ouyang Jiankang, followed closely by Ouyang Hao; the Ouyang family had only sent these two.

As they walked, Ouyang Jiankang and Ouyang Hao abruptly stopped, looking at Zhang Yang with considerable surprise. Neither of them had expected to run into Zhang Yang here. From their demeanor, it seemed Zhang Yang enjoyed quite a favorable relationship with the Long family as well.

“Keep this confidential for me—do not tell them I am Great Perfection level. Once this matter is concluded, my Zhang family agrees to your Ouyang family’s request for an alliance!”

Zhang Yang’s voice reached both their ears simultaneously; this was internal energy transmission, undetectable by anyone else.

The two froze again, then relief and surprise flooded their faces. After the previous incident, they had thought any alliance with the Zhang family was impossible, never expecting such a sudden turn. Compared to the Long family, the Zhang family, whose strength and prestige were currently soaring, was naturally the best prospective ally; the Long family was facing grave difficulties of its own.

“Brother Jiankang, long time no see. The entire Long family is extremely grateful for your presence this time!”

Long Gao also clasped his fists, returning the salute to Ouyang Jiankang. Ouyang Jiankang’s expression had now returned to normal. He stopped looking at Zhang Yang; since Zhang Yang required secrecy, he surely had his reasons, and Ouyang Jiankang would cooperate fully.

In that moment, Ouyang Jiankang felt he had come to the right place.

Following the great upheaval in the Long family, members of the clan had contacted them, requesting assistance from their ally. Although the Ouyang family lacked a Great Perfection expert, they possessed two experts at the Intermediate Fourth Layer, along with numerous masters at the Third Layer. If they could help, they could certainly add some strength.

Upon receiving the Long family’s request, the Ouyang family was divided. They were unsure precisely what had befallen the Long family, but their intelligence networks were deep, connecting them to many sects and families. They quickly gathered some information. They failed to uncover the news of the Long family’s Great Perfection expert’s accidental demise, but they did learn that the Long family was confronting a massive crisis. Many top aristocratic families and sects seemed poised to descend upon the Long family residence.

The Ouyang family had never considered making enemies of so many major powers, nor would they choose to do so. However, the Long family had been their ally and protector for many years; it would be inappropriate for them not to step forward when the Long family was in trouble. Ultimately, Ouyang Jiankang decided to visit in person first to ascertain the situation. If the Long family’s problem proved too severe, they would be unable to offer aid; the Ouyang family’s capabilities were limited, making them no match for these top aristocratic families and sects.

Upon arriving at the Long family estate and learning that the Li family, the Hua family, and even the Demonic Sect were present, Ouyang Jiankang grew even more concerned; these parties were clearly targeting the Long family. However, all his worries vanished now that Zhang Yang was here—Zhang Yang possessed the strength of a Great Perfection master. Securing the alliance promise from Zhang Yang was his greatest gain from this visit.

Zhang Yang returned to his guest quarters first. After Ouyang Jiankang and his companion spoke with the Long family members, they were also escorted to guest rooms. However, they insisted on staying next to Zhang Yang. Although the Long family members were somewhat puzzled by their insistence, they agreed.

The Long family members were far more cordial toward the Ouyang contingent than they had been when Zhang Yang first arrived. In their eyes, the Ouyang family represented a true ally. The Long family had attempted reconciliation with the Zhang family previously, making efforts such as sending gifts, congratulating Zhang Yang, and fostering better relations with the Zhang family. Unfortunately, time was short, and even they doubted they had earned the Zhang family’s full, immediate support, even questioning the true purpose of Zhang Yang’s visit.

After the Ouyang family arrived, several Fourth Layer experts from ordinary allied families showed up as well. Though their numbers were small, they brought three Fourth Layer masters, raising the Long family’s total Fourth Layer strength to ten. At this moment, the Long family displayed the true might of their status as the premier family. Regrettably, no matter how many Fourth Layer experts they amassed, it meant little without a Great Perfection expert to anchor them. A Great Perfection master was overwhelmingly more powerful than a Fourth Layer expert, and what the Long family truly needed was a genuine powerhouse capable of intimidating everyone else—a true Great Perfection figure.

On the fourth day, another major force from the Southern Border’s Demonic Path arrived on the Long family plains: the Zhou family, the most powerful family within that domain. The Zhou family practiced Demonic Arts and was situated in the Southern Border, sharing the region with the Demonic Sect, two paramount powers there. The Zhou family lineage spanned over a millennium, but they were not recognized by cultivators in the interior regions, hence their exclusion from the list of thousand-year aristocratic families.

Upon arrival, the Zhou family naturally gravitated toward the Demonic Sect members. In truth, the Zhou family and the Demonic Sect often clashed due to their proximity in the Southern Border, leading to numerous minor incidents and several outright battles over the years. Yet, when facing those so-called Righteous Path cultivators, they exhibited remarkable unity, far surpassing the cohesion among the various aristocratic families and sects. Once these two major powers of the Southern Border Demonic Path united, they would truly be difficult to handle.

With both major Demonic Path forces present, the alliance army of the Hua and Li families grew extremely wary, strictly controlling their disciples. The two Demonic Path factions also imposed stringent rules forbidding their members from provoking conflict with the Hua or Li family personnel. Under this mutual restraint, although everyone was housed outside the Long family palace, at least the prior clashes ceased, much to the disappointment of the Long family members who had been hoping to see a good show.

The day after the Demonic Sect arrived, another incredibly powerful force appeared outside: Wudang, which had remained largely withdrawn until now, finally made an appearance. They brought fewer than twenty people, but among them were five Fourth Layer experts. In terms of Fourth Layer masters alone, Wudang outnumbered the combined forces of the Hua and Li families. This veteran sect immediately demonstrated its formidable strength.

After arriving, Wudang also settled outside the main residence, though their position was slightly closer to the Hua and Li families, maintaining some distance from the two Demonic Path factions.

With Wudang’s arrival, Zhang Yang finally received a piece of good news, though this particular development left the Long family somewhat disappointed.