The smile perpetually fixed on Li Jianyi’s face vanished entirely. He stared at Hua Feitian, utterly astonished.

If he hadn't genuinely and verifiably sensed the Great Perfection aura emanating from Hua Feitian, he would have suspected the man beside him was an impersonator in disguise, or perhaps not Hua Feitian at all. Among the current crop of Great Perfection masters, Hua Feitian was the newest arrival, and by far the youngest.

Furthermore, Hua Feitian had reached Great Perfection through self-realization of the Way of Nature. This meant that among the established Great Perfection veterans, Hua Feitian possessed the highest level of enlightenment and the greatest hope of breaking through to the Fifth Layer.

Of course, it was only hope. Breaking through to the Fifth Layer was excruciatingly difficult; even a self-realized Great Perfection expert would struggle to ascend further.

To find even one or two out of a hundred such individuals would be sheer fortune. It wasn't just him; the Patriarch of the Hua Family, along with the elders, also watched Hua Feitian with profound shock.

The Hua Family had only sent one elder this time, the smallest contingent among the Fourth Layer experts present, which was precisely why Hua Feitian had been so conspicuously leading the charge himself. “Brother Feitian, you were correct: caution ensures a long voyage.

But the current situation is overwhelmingly in our favor. You aren't suggesting we retreat just because the lineage of the Medical Sage has shown up, are you?

As far as I know, Old Man Zhang was injured in his battle with the Madman; he can’t exert more than eighty percent of his strength now. Even if he comes, with so many of us Great Perfection masters here, would he dare attack an egg against a rock?” Li Jianyi was essentially telling Hua Feitian not to worry about the Zhang Family’s appearance.

Even if someone from the Zhang Family arrived, even if Zhang Pinglu truly intended to aid the Long Family, it would only be one Great Perfection master—and one whose strength was already diminished. There was another point he deliberately omitted, yet everyone understood: Zhang Pinglu was not a Long Family Great Perfection master; he would never sacrifice his life for them.

If one of their Great Perfection masters could keep him occupied, another could enter the Long Family compound and wreak havoc. This was why, even after the Zhang Family showed up, he hadn't displayed much anxiety, choosing instead to press the attack on the Long Family first.

Hua Feitian looked at him and shook his head again, a gesture heavy with resignation. If it were truly only Zhang Pinglu, he wouldn't be this worried and would readily agree with their assessment.

But the opposition was not singular. They had another, even younger and more terrifying individual possessing Great Perfection strength: Zhang Yang.

Moreover, Zhang Yang’s concealment techniques were so masterful that even Hua Feitian deeply admired them; despite the presence of so many Great Perfection experts, none had detected his existence. With a wry smile, Hua Feitian spoke again, “Brother Li, some issues cannot be viewed only on the surface.

As I stated earlier, unless the Five Families truly unite, there is absolutely no hope of taking down the Long Family if they act separately. Separation means dispersal!” Seeing Hua Feitian’s unyielding stance, Li Jianyi’s brow furrowed deeply.

He suddenly asked, “Brother Feitian, do you have some apprehension? Is there something you haven't told us?” These veteran Great Perfection masters were seasoned strategists; Li Jianyi had already discerned that Hua Feitian was withholding vital information.

After a moment of hesitation, Hua Feitian’s lips finally moved slightly. “What?

Are you saying that’s true?” Li Jianyi shot to his feet abruptly, his eyes wide, staring at Hua Feitian with utter disbelief painted across his face. The other members of the Li and Hua families watched them, thoroughly confused.

Hua Feitian had used voice transmission just now, so they had no idea what the two were discussing. “Absolutely true.

I verified it personally!” Hua Feitian nodded again. This statement was also transmitted via sound wave.

He had just privately informed Li Jianyi that the Zhang Family had more than one Great Perfection master—that Zhang Yang already commanded such strength. This matter was too critical; revealing it openly could shatter morale, which was why he had used voice transmission.

Besides, this was a matter concerning the Great Perfection realm; there was no need to inform others. “Impossible!

How old is that boy? It hasn’t been that long since he broke through to the Fourth Layer.

How could he ascend so quickly?” Li Jianyi was profoundly shocked, his lips barely moving as his voice traveled directly into Hua Feitian’s ear. He maintained his distracted, lost appearance, an expression rarely elicited from a Great Perfection master.

“I find it hard to believe myself, but it is fact. I clashed with him; his power is not inferior to mine!” A hint of helplessness touched Hua Feitian’s lips.

Zhang Yang was simply too monstrous. His last foray outside the mountains had been precisely because of Zhang Yang, attempting to gauge whether this young prodigy was as formidable as rumored.

If he were truly that potent, perhaps he would intervene to eliminate this looming threat early. Unfortunately, he was too late.

The moment he encountered Zhang Yang, the youth already possessed strength comparable to his own. This realization confirmed for Hua Feitian that this genius was truly as legendary as the tales suggested—perhaps even surpassing legend.

With Zhang Yang possessing such power, he no longer posed a direct threat that Hua Feitian could neutralize. The notion of eliminating Zhang Yang completely vanished from his heart.

Even now, with five Great Perfection masters present on the Long Family plains, he didn't consider that path. Five Great Perfection masters would never be of one mind; without unity, Zhang Yang might be defeated, but killing him would be difficult.

And if a true falling out occurred, the Zhang Family, boasting two Great Perfection experts, would become their nightmare. “Brother Feitian, I believe you.

If what you say is true, then the only option is for the Five Families to unite. I see no need for them to send messengers; I will contact the Zhou Family and Wudang myself, and you personally visit the Demonic Sect.

We need to sit down together!” After a moment, Li Jianyi recovered and spoke softly. The elders and patriarchs of the Hua and Li families were now utterly bewildered, unable to comprehend what had happened to their two pillar figures.

The Li Family members, especially, had never witnessed such an expression on their ancestor. “Agreed.

We cannot delay; this matter needs immediate resolution, or this entire endeavor will become a massive farce!” Hua Feitian nodded, concurring with Li Jianyi’s proposal. He was unwilling to return empty-handed, nor did he wish for the five major powers to be intimidated away by a single member of the Zhang Family.

However, to confront the Long Family, now supported by the Zhang Family, required the complete unification of all forces. Separately, the combined strength of the Zhang Family and the Long Family might even surpass any single one of their existing small alliances.

In a scenario where no one was willing to fight to the death, three factions acting independently stood no chance against the Long Family, and might even be driven back, as no one wanted to be the one tying down two Great Perfection masters while others reaped the rewards. Therefore, the Five Families must unite.

Li Jianyi had grasped this reality, which is why he finally agreed with Hua Feitian’s counsel. The two concluded their exchange and departed instantly, leaving the confused elders and patriarchs of the Hua and Li families shrouded in mist.

They didn’t understand the details, but they recognized one thing: the situation had fundamentally shifted, and unification of the Five Powers was now likely necessary. Unification meant benefits would be shared and reduced, but the cost and risk would also lessen significantly.

However, they couldn't fathom why the two guardians who had previously resisted alliance were now suddenly changing their tune. At the Zhou Family residence, within one of the better dwellings, the Zhou Family Great Perfection master, Zhou Wen, personally received Li Jianyi.

Only the two of them were present in the room, and what they discussed remained unknown to others. Li Jianyi arrived swiftly and departed just as quickly.

Subsequently, Zhou Wen issued a directive to the Zhou Family: absolutely no conflict with members of any other faction. Furthermore, the Zhou Patriarch was instructed to contact the Demonic Sect Master to convene a meeting with the Hua and Li Families to discuss the terms of the alliance.

The so-called alliance was fundamentally about pre-determining the division of future spoils. This had to be settled upfront, or the Five Families might turn against each other once the primary objective was achieved.

Following the Zhou Family, the Great Perfection masters of the Demonic Sect and Wudang issued identical orders. The representatives of the Five Families finally convened to discuss a joint alliance targeting the Long Family.

The news that Zhang Yang had achieved Great Perfection strength truly shook them, although only the Great Perfection masters were privy to this fact; the general assembly participants remained unaware. For the three existing small alliances, facing only Zhang Pinglu was manageable; they dared to contend with him.

But with Zhang Yang also possessing such power, they were compelled to reconsider their strategy. Sometimes, one plus one does not equal two; the Long Family, aided by two Great Perfection masters, now possessed a strength greater than any single small alliance they could muster.

Under these circumstances, joint alliance was their only viable path. At this time, Zhang Yang remained oblivious that his mere existence had forced the five external powers into a united front.

Since Zhang Daofeng arrived, he hadn't left his guest room, spending his days reading or savoring the delicacies provided by the Long Family. The Long Family was indeed wealthy and possessed an abundance of fine food; even Zhuifeng had grown spoiled by the fare.

Zhang Daofeng, however, was frequently invited out by the Long Family members for tea and conversation, during which they persistently probed for news of Zhang Pinglu. It was inevitable; without a Great Perfection expert, the Long Family leadership felt deeply uneasy.

Two days passed this way. The major powers surrounding the Long Family plains finally finalized the allocation plan.

Initially, Wudang objected to the idea of the five families dividing the Long Family's wealth equally, given that although they only sent one Great Perfection master, they boasted a greater number of Fourth Layer experts, making their overall strength the most substantial. After prolonged discussion, the four other families conceded slightly: the wealth would be split equally, but the Long Family Plains would be granted to Wudang for the first sixty years, after which rotation would begin.

All five powers coveted the excellent cultivation environment of the Long Family Plains. None were willing to relinquish their claim entirely, yet none were willing to make unilateral concessions, ultimately leading to the establishment of the sixty-year rotational rule.

Each family could allow their disciples to cultivate there for sixty years; after that period, they must relocate to allow another power access, continuing this rotation indefinitely. Any faction attempting to occupy the land illegally would become the public enemy of the other four.

Sixty years was ample time to cultivate two or three generations of young disciples. It was undeniable that the cultivation environment of the Long Family Plains far surpassed their own; young disciples thrived and progressed rapidly there.

The moment the Five Families unified, the situation outside the Long Family Plains immediately transformed. Once the alliance pact was confirmed, the news finally filtered into the Long Family compound.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the Long Family Patriarch, elders, and guardians—who had been relying on the Long Family’s Grand Formation to protect their base—all changed drastically. The outside forces, previously split into three small alliances, were manageable; any one alliance, supported by Zhang Pinglu, could be faced or even countered.

But with the Five Families truly united, this amounted to a combined force equivalent to five Great Perfection masters supported by over a dozen Fourth Layer experts. Such a power represented an existential catastrophe for the Long Family, who currently lacked any Great Perfection experts of their own.

For a time, many of the Long Family's high-ranking members descended into despair, and a chilling atmosphere of desolation slowly permeated the air above the Long Family palace. First Update