The Long family had invited the esteemed guests staying in their guest rooms, as the family now stood at a moment of life or death, requiring the crucial assistance of these honored guests.

Merely contemplating the convergence of the five Great Perfection experts brought a suffocating sensation to each of them.

And the fact that the Zhang family's Great Perfection expert, their sole reliance, had failed to appear only deepened their pessimism.

Long Yi, Long Gao, and Long Jiang, the three great elders of the Long family, were present. Beyond them were two unfamiliar faces whom Zhang Yang saw for the first time, yet whose auras he had previously sensed.

These were the two hidden Fourth Layer powerhouses of the Long family.

In addition to them were Ouyang Jiankang and three other honored guests of the Long family. Counting Zhang Yang and Zhang Daofeng, the twelve individuals currently seated in this reception hall were all Fourth Layer experts.

Twelve Fourth Layer experts—not even counting Zhang Yang's three great spirit beasts—this force alone was capable of earth-shattering feats wherever it manifested.

"Brother Daofeng, is there still no word from Senior Zhang?"

As soon as everyone was seated, Long Yi, the Great Elder of the Long family, urgently inquired. Long Haotian and the others also looked towards Zhang Daofeng; this question was something they asked almost daily now.

"I trust the old man has arrived, but where he is, I truly do not know!"

Zhang Daofeng shook his head again. His words were truthful; Zhang Pinglu had indeed come, but he was outside the plains, and his exact current location was genuinely unknown to him.

"Very well, let us hope the old man can arrive at this critical juncture!"

Long Yi nodded in a strained manner, a profound bitterness and desolation swirling within his heart.

The Ancestor’s unexpected passing—the Long family had no idea why—but before they could properly investigate that matter, the Long family's greatest crisis had already arrived, leaving them no time to look into it.

Five major factions had descended upon the Long family plains, coercing the Long family—an unprecedented occurrence.

He even wondered if, had the Ancestor still been alive, any of these factions would have dared to act this way. Alas, there were no 'ifs'; the guardianship of the Long family had indeed suffered a discontinuity—that was a fact.

"Esteemed sirs, thank you for offering your aid during the Long family's most perilous moment. Should we overcome today's adversity, from this day forward, we shall be brothers bound by life and death. Should any of your houses face peril, the Long family will assuredly aid you unto death!"

Long Haotian stood up, clasping his fists and speaking with utmost sincerity.

Ouyang Jiankang and the other three exchanged glances, concern etched in their eyes.

They had rushed here upon receiving the Long family's plea for help, but before arriving, they were unaware that the Long family was facing a combined force of five great factions.

Had they known this, they would surely not have come.

While they maintained good relations with the Long family, they were not of its bloodline. Each was a crucial figure in their respective families, tasked with preserving themselves and their clans.

Regrettably, they had already reached the Long family plains and crossed the threshold of the Long family gates; it was too late for regrets now. At this moment, all they could do was pray that the Long family could survive this crisis.

"Patriarch, Great Elder, something terrible has happened!"

The door to the reception hall was suddenly banged upon insistently. Long Haotian’s brow twitched sharply as he personally went to open it.

The one knocking was Long Jiu, another Third Layer expert.

"What is the matter, why are you rushing so?"

Long Haotian asked with displeasure. This was the time they were meant to be hosting esteemed guests and strategizing their joint course of action; such an untimely interruption could only make the Long family look weak.

"The Hua family, the Li family, the Zhou family, the Demonic Sect, and the Wudang Sect—their people have all gathered at the main gate, specifically demanding that you and the Great Elder step out!"

Long Jiu disregarded Long Haotian’s expression and spoke hastily. As soon as he finished, many in the room froze.

"What did you say? The five major factions have come together?"

Long Haotian asked after his moment of shock. Long Jiu nodded heavily, and Long Haotian’s face immediately turned utterly grim.

The five great factions gathered together—they were preparing to strike. It could be said that today was the day of the Long family’s survival or demise; their fate rested on whether they could overcome this crisis today.

"Let us go and meet the forces of the five factions; let us see what they can do to my Long family!"

After a brief pause, Long Haotian announced loudly. At this moment, he had regained his composure, and his words carried the noble spirit of an ancient lineage.

The five factions had allied and marched to their gates; evasion was impossible. They could only face them head-on. Deep down, Long Haotian had never considered running. He was the Patriarch of the Long family; even in death, he would die within the Long family, sharing its fate.

"Third brother, go activate the great formation and guard the array cores!"

Long Yi, the Great Elder of the Long family, also stood up and commanded softly. Long Jiang, the Third Elder, nodded and swiftly left the room.

"Esteemed guests, please accompany me," Long Haotian said, turning back to them calmly. All the Long family members rose, and Ouyang Jiankang and the other three could only follow as they walked toward the exit.

Zhang Yang appeared remarkably composed, showing no tension. He and Zhang Daofeng followed slowly behind Long Haotian toward the outside.

Outside the Long family palace stood a layer of city walls. Beyond these walls, the forces of the five factions were arrayed in separate groups. Among these five clusters, there was a luxurious wooden platform for each.

Seated upon each platform was a figure, concealed by a curtain, making their presence unseen. However, each of the five released a faint aura—five powerful and terrifying presences coalescing to generate an overwhelming, towering might.

At the main gate of the Long family palace, the lower-level disciples found it difficult to hold themselves upright. Only those at the Third Layer or above could stand firm, yet every face displayed worry and despair. The pressure released by the combined might of the five Great Perfection experts was terrifying.

They were unaware that this was only a fraction of their released aura; if they were to unleash their full combined pressure, even Third Layer experts might not be able to remain standing.

The Long family members looked worried, contrasting sharply with the disciples of the five factions, who stood filled with pride, for this mighty power belonged to them.

At the very front of the five factions stood five individuals: the leaders of the five powers—the Patriarchs of the Hua, Li, and Zhou families, the Sect Master of the Demonic Sect, and the Master of Wudang. The five stood silently, none speaking.

Long Haotian, leading the Long family contingent, finally arrived at the main gate. However, they did not step out from within the gates but ascended the city wall, standing directly atop the rampart.

Zhang Yang and the others followed Long Haotian up there as well.

Long Haotian’s action slightly annoyed the five figures standing below. By refusing to meet them on the ground and instead ascending to the wall, he was clearly attempting to assert superiority.

However, at this moment, they didn't pay it much mind; the Long family would not thrive much longer. With the five factions united, they were certain they could annihilate the Long family today and seize the Long family plains, along with the wealth accumulated over two thousand years.

"Li Wenruo, do you recall that eight hundred years ago, when the Demonic Path invaded, how your minuscule Li family was nearly wiped out by the Demonic Sect? Who was it that ultimately saved you?"

Standing on the city wall, Long Haotian glanced at the crowd below. He seemed to deliberately ignore the five lofty wooden platforms and the figures within them, instead smiling and speaking loudly. A note of derision played across his face as he called the Li Patriarch by his given name.

Patriarch Li Wenruo’s expression stiffened instantly, and he glared venomously at Long Haotian. Eight hundred years prior, the Demonic Sect was extremely powerful, having invaded the Central Plains alone. After fighting the battle against Mount Shu and Emei and failing to defeat Emei, they abruptly turned their focus toward the Li family, which had not yet settled on Mount Shu. At that time, the Li family did have a Great Perfection expert, but they were not as strong as they were now. That campaign by the Demonic Sect involved two Great Perfection experts and nearly annihilated the Li family. In the end, the Li family sent messengers to seek aid from the Long family. Concerned that the Demonic Sect would ravage the Central Plains, the Long family specifically allied with Emei and once again drove the Demonic Sect back. The Li family survived that ordeal entirely due to the Long family’s intervention. Long Haotian deliberately brought up this incident to mock the Li family for their ingratitude, given the life-saving debt they owed the Long family.

Ignoring Li Wenruo’s foul expression, Long Haotian looked toward the Hua family Patriarch and smiled again: "Three hundred years ago, when the Hua family relocated from Mount Taihang, the Huyuan family eyed you covetously and ambushed you en route. Who sent the intelligence that allowed you to successfully slip into Changbai Mountain and stabilize there?"

The Hua family Patriarch’s face flushed slightly, appearing distinctly uneasy. During the Hua family's crisis three centuries ago, it was the Long family who sent word revealing the Huyuan family's ambush points, enabling them to escape disaster and retreat to Changbai Mountain. At that time, it was not only the Huyuan family but also the Li family who harbored thoughts of interfering, reportedly being stopped by the Long family. The Long family had advised them that while ancient lineages must experience cycles of prosperity, it was best to show mercy where possible, but the Huyuan family would not listen, determined to seize the wealth the Hua family had accumulated, leading to the ambush. The Hua family suffered significant losses that time; two Fourth Layer elders sacrificed themselves to cover the retreat of the entire clan, one dying and the other severely wounded. That event was crippling for the Hua family, requiring long recuperation to recover. The Long family also held a life-saving debt to the Hua family for that incident.

"Sect Master Wu, five hundred years ago, the three major powers of the Demonic Path attacked the Central Plains together. The heroes of Wudang fought bravely against the enemy, rallying heroes from across the realm. In that battle, how many heroes perished regretting their fate while protecting their homeland? And how many demonic minions never returned? In that war, the three major powers of the Demonic Path were reduced to two, and they have yet to fully recover hundreds of years later. Regarding Wudang’s performance in that battle, everyone gave a thumbs-up. Yet now, I never imagined Wudang would stand alongside remnants of the Demonic Path!"

Long Haotian continued speaking, his expression now laced with even deeper scorn. The great battle he referred to, five centuries prior, was the most significant clash between the Orthodox and Demonic Paths in recent memory. Rumor had it that the fighting was so fierce it darkened the heavens, resulting in countless casualties. Various orthodox sects were drawn in, and several great ancient lineages dispatched aid. The Long family lost two Fourth Layer elders and seven or eight Third Layer experts in that fight, severely draining their vital essence. Although the losses were tragic, the Demonic Path fared no better; fewer than three out of ten invading demonic experts returned, rendering them incapable of launching another large-scale invasion war for hundreds of years.

Second update, more to follow!