“Get up, everyone, all of you! Long Yao, show them immediately!” The fleeing disciples of the Long family, having recovered from the initial panic, finally came to their senses. Long Haotian shouted loudly.

Long Yao was currently bleeding from all seven orifices, but he had already taken a pill, allowing him a slight recovery. Hearing Long Haotian’s command, he slowly stood up and began examining everyone one by one. Long Haotian and another mid-stage Fourth Layer Protector from the Long family, Long Yao, also dragged their injured bodies to check the identities of the Second Layer disciples.

Zhang Daofeng, Ouyang Jiankang, and others hesitated for a moment before joining in. They were allies of the Long family and could not stand idly by. Moreover, none of them had brought Second Layer disciples this time, so at least they didn't have to work so exhaustively checking their own people.

While helping, Zhang Daofeng also kept looking into the distance with a worried expression. He knew this strike had been unleashed by Zhang Yang, and he was incredibly shocked by the immense power Zhang Yang could wield. However, he was even more concerned about Zhang Yang’s current condition. He understood clearly that such a powerful attack was beyond the capability of a Fourth Layer expert, or even someone at the Great Perfection stage. Zhang Yang’s realm was only mid-stage Fourth Layer, possessing only the strength equivalent to Great Perfection. Such an attack, arguably, exceeded his capacity to endure. As a descendant of the Medical Saint lineage, Zhang Daofeng understood much. He wondered if such an attack would inflict self-harm upon Zhang Yang.

The Long family quickly finished checking their disciples, and Long Haotian finally let out a breath. All the Second Layer disciples of the Long family were injured, but none of the injuries were too severe; they would recover after a period of recuperation and would not cause lasting negative effects on their bodies. The situation for the Third Layer disciples was even better; they would fully recover within a few days. This finally eased the anxiety in Long Haotian’s heart. If so many of them suffered serious harm, the Long family would truly be finished; these disciples were the true future of the family.

With his mind relaxed, Long Haotian looked toward the center of the area. He had never imagined that Zhang Yang could unleash such a devastating attack. Just sensing it from a distance had sent shivers down his spine. He fully believed that facing Zhang Yang’s blow, no one in their Long family could have possibly stopped it. No one could have foreseen that an ally they once didn't value—and whom they had even sought to undermine for selfish reasons—had become this powerful. “Heaven does not wish for my Long family to perish!” Long Haotian consoled himself. This was unequivocally good news for him; the stronger Zhang Yang became, the more likely the Long family was to escape this catastrophe.

On the other side, the Five Great Factions were conducting the same assessment. They had very few Second Layer disciples, so their checks were completed quickly. However, worry clouded every face, especially among the Demonic Sect disciples, who stood forlornly to the side, their countenances utterly bleak. Though the Five Great Factions called themselves allies, they were merely bound together temporarily for mutual benefit; there was no true affection between them. Even if there were affection, what good would it do in this age where everything could be abandoned for profit? The Long family had once shown kindness to the Li family and the Hua family, yet now, seeing the Long family weakened, the Li and Hua families were raising their butcher knives. They seemed to see that today’s Long family was their own tomorrow. However, while the Long family had a young powerhouse to protect them, their Demonic Sect lacked such fortune. No one knew what their ultimate fate would be. Zhang Yang’s last strike had dealt them too heavy a blow. The Demonic Sect now only had disciples from the Second and Third Layers remaining. Some were unaware of the Great Perfection realm, and those who were had lost all confidence in their Ancestor’s ability to withstand the recent attack; that single strike had been too overwhelmingly powerful.

Six figures stood near the massive central crater. On one side of the pit was Zhang Yang, facing Hua Feitian and his group. Hua Feitian’s confusion had vanished, but a deep current of worry remained in the depths of his eyes. It was the same for the five people standing opposite Zhang Yang.

“Brother Zhang, that massive disturbance last time, that was your doing as well, correct?” After a moment, Hua Feitian asked softly. The Great Perfection expert from the Zhou family beside him slowly pulled Di Wanfang back to one side, creating a noticeable distance between them and Hua Feitian’s group. The Zhou family’s Great Perfection expert understood clearly: the strength Zhang Yang displayed had stripped them of any desire for confrontation. Their alliance against the Long family had yielded nothing. With the Long family protected and aided by Zhang Yang, none of them dared to make a move now. These greedy individuals, hesitant to challenge the Long family, would inevitably turn their attention to the Demonic Sect next, as the latter had suffered too great a loss this time. The two Elders and the Sect Master—three Fourth Layer experts—were all wiped out, and even the Great Perfection expert had suffered grievous injuries. The Demonic Sect was now at its weakest, perhaps even worse off than the Hu Yan family had been previously. If the three families truly united, the Demonic Sect would surely perish, and a freak like Zhang Yang would not be there to assist them. If the Demonic Sect were destroyed, it would bring nothing but harm to the Zhou family. The Demonic Path only had these two largest factions, and they had always been at odds; strictly speaking, the two were rivals. But having a rival wasn't necessarily a bad thing; it provided a form of fierce competition. If the Demonic Path truly became dominated by the Zhou family alone, their own demise might not be far off. Not to mention that the Righteous and Demonic Paths had been enemies for years. If the Demonic Path were reduced to just one remaining force, who knew if the Righteous Path experts would seize the opportunity to eliminate the Zhou family as well, eradicating the Demonic Path entirely? This possibility was not negligible; he understood the principle of 'when the lips are gone, the teeth feel cold.' Therefore, the Zhou family’s Great Perfection expert was determined to protect Di Wanfang’s life, no matter what. Even if Di Wanfang was heavily wounded, he was still a Great Perfection expert, possessing a degree of deterrent power.

Looking at Hua Feitian, Zhang Yang’s mouth curved slightly upward, revealing a hint of a dashing smile. He understood Hua Feitian’s implication. During the incident at Savage Mountain, when he fought the late-stage Fourth Layer Golden Crown Python, he had previously exhibited power not belonging to a Fourth Layer expert. “Brother Hua guesses correctly. Last time I encountered a powerful enemy and was forced to use another formidable attack. However, at that time, my comprehension of the Way of Nature was not as deep. At that time, I hadn't fully attained Great Perfection strength yet!” Zhang Yang nodded as he spoke. The five people opposite him froze, turning to look at Zhang Yang together. Even Di Wanfang stared at him in disbelief. Several Great Perfection experts had sensed the disturbance last time; the power output was not significantly less than today’s. Great Perfection experts were always attuned to energy fluctuations. It was just that they were further away last time, unlike today where they experienced it firsthand. An attack of that magnitude had been unleashed when Zhang Yang hadn't even achieved Great Perfection? Did that mean that before becoming a Great Perfection expert, Zhang Yang already possessed the ability to severely injure or even kill one? This young man was truly terrifying. If they had known this earlier, they certainly would not have voluntarily allied, let alone antagonized Zhang Yang. Especially Di Wanfang, he was regretting this moment the most; if anything happened to him, he would become an eternal sinner of the Demonic Sect.

“Brother Zhang, I am deeply impressed!” Hua Feitian cupped his hands in a salute, a wry smile on his face. He too felt a tinge of lingering fear. Fortunately, his attitude in Changjing last time had been respectful, and he hadn't acted with the arrogance of an established Great Perfection master, nor had he truly intended to kill Zhang Yang. Otherwise, Zhang Yang might have found a way to deal with him back then.

Zhang Yang smiled, just about to speak, when his brow suddenly twitched slightly, and he looked into the distance. Hua Feitian, Li Jianyi, and the Zhou family’s Great Perfection expert all turned their heads and looked in the direction behind them. They sensed two immensely powerful streams of energy entering the area from outside, rapidly approaching. Both energy signatures were overwhelmingly strong and completely undisguised, making it clear to them that two experts of the same rank were arriving—two more Great Perfection masters were on their way. After a short while, a smile touched the corner of Zhang Yang’s eyes again. He was familiar with one of the two incoming energies: the guardian of his own Zhang family, the Great Perfection expert Zhang Pinglu, had finally arrived. With the Old Master here, it didn't matter that he was currently in a weakened state; these people could no longer pose a threat. If they could not threaten them, it meant the crisis facing the Long family was resolved. The promise he made to Long Feng had been fulfilled.

“It’s them!” The Wudang Great Perfection expert suddenly shook his head and murmured, a hint of bitterness on his face. The established Great Perfection experts were well acquainted with one another; the two energy signatures were quickly identified. The fact that these two were arriving together surprised them. Simultaneously, they understood that they had lost this battle, completely and utterly. The arrival of Zhang Pinglu removed any chance they had. Furthermore, there was that other person accompanying Zhang Pinglu. With them both arriving, even a fool could guess they must now be aligned. This meant the opposition now possessed three Great Perfection experts. Zhang Yang alone had already filled them with dread; two more Great Perfection experts meant their alliance could no longer pose any credible threat. Their alliance hadn't officially dissolved, but their morale had already scattered.

“What, who!” On the side of the Five Great Factions, the Grand Elder of the Long family looked up and managed only two words before his third word trailed off, his voice becoming low. Two figures were rushing in from outside, passing right by their location. As soon as he uttered those three words, someone glared at him fiercely, forcing him to swallow the rest of his statement. After glaring at him, that person simply turned and left without saying a word. Seeing them depart, the Li family’s Grand Elder finally looked up and shook his head with resignation. He knew clearly that the day's events would likely have to end here. With those two arriving, their side had absolutely no chance of victory remaining. This expedition had been a complete waste, and they had thoroughly offended the Long family. However, it was fortunate that the Long family had also suffered significant losses this time, removing any threat they posed to the Li family. Most of their own losses had been absorbed by the Demonic Sect, so the Li family’s casualties were not severe—a result they could accept.