"Brother Zhang, regarding this matter targeting the Long family, I sincerely apologize. Please forgive the offense caused to you and any mistakes I have made. I will immediately instruct my disciples to withdraw from the Long Family Plain right now. As for the losses incurred by the Long family this time, we will offer compensation!"

The Martial Arts Great Perfection master opposite Zhang Yang suddenly cupped his fists and spoke to Zhang Yang with extreme deference.

"Old fox!"

Staring blankly at the Martial Arts Great Perfection master, Hua Feitian and Li Jianyi couldn't help but curse him inwardly.

Given Zhang Yang's display of immense power, coupled with the arrival of Zhang Pinglu, they understood that resistance was futile today. Their scheme to seize the Long family’s territory had utterly failed.

At this juncture, taking the initiative to apologize and show weakness to Zhang Yang would naturally leave a slightly better impression in his mind.

Hua Feitian and Li Jianyi also wanted to do the same, but they were a step too late.

"Brother Zhang, I am also deeply regretful about this incident. If you have the chance, please visit Changbai Mountain; we can share a taste of our most famous Three Springs Tea together!"

Hua Feitian managed to get ahead of Li Jianyi and offered his apology to Zhang Yang, complete with an invitation.

As soon as he finished speaking, those around him cursed him silently in their hearts.

This alliance of the five major powers, though never officially dissolved, had effectively ended at this moment—existing only in name.

"Changbai Mountain?"

Zhang Yang’s eyes narrowed slightly. Hua Feitian's words brought back the warnings from the two parrots.

The parrots had explicitly told him never to go to Changbai Mountain for any reason, and absolutely not to approach Tianchi (Heavenly Lake), or he would meet his doom immediately.

He understood the origin of the parrots well, so he kept those words firmly in mind.

For a forbidden land that rivaled Yinlong Mountain in prestige, the power of the spirit beasts there could only be imagined. The moment he recalled the terror of the Phantom Rat, Zhang Yang completely dismissed any thought of visiting Changbai Mountain.

"Yes, the scenery in Changbai Mountain is quite beautiful. If Zhang Yang has time, you are welcome to visit for a gathering!"

Hearing Zhang Yang question him with just a single phrase, Hua Feitian immediately nodded and reiterated his invitation.

At this point, the idea of eliminating Zhang Yang had completely vanished from his mind. For the sake of the Hua family, and for himself, he had to maintain a good relationship with Zhang Yang.

Fortunately, he hadn't made any rash boasts earlier, nor had he committed any unforgivable offenses against Zhang Yang. As long as he could smooth over the friction caused by attacking the Long family this time, he believed Zhang Yang wouldn't make things too difficult for him.

Unconsciously, Hua Feitian had already begun to regard Zhang Yang as someone occupying a higher echelon than himself.

"Brother Zhang, my Li family possesses an even finer Monkey Wine, which takes a century to yield a single jar. If Brother Zhang has time, you could visit Mount Shu; we can admire the flowers and drink together. Mount Shu holds a paradise on earth; I believe you will certainly love it when you see it!"

Since Hua Feitian had already declared his stance, the Li family could not remain silent.

Li Jianyi now also extended an invitation. They had always prioritized their relationship with Zhang Yang, consistently sending disciples to maintain ties, meaning their connection wasn't irreparably damaged.

Although they became adversaries over the Long family this time, it was only a matter of opposition, not true enmity.

No one from the Zhang family was harmed in this conflict, and no one from the Li family had uttered any deliberate insults toward the Zhang family. It was purely hostility based on differing factions, making reconciliation easy.

"Fine Monkey Wine that takes a century for one jar—you shameless old scoundrel, you’re quite generous this time!"

Before Zhang Yang could speak, a hearty shout rang out from a distance. Before the voice faded, two figures swiftly approached and arrived at their location.

Upon reaching the scene, the first thing the two saw was the enormous, deep pit. Seeing it, both froze momentarily.

The hurried arrivals were Zhang Pinglu and his companion. Zhang Pinglu had been deeply worried about Zhang Yang’s safety and felt a wave of relief upon seeing him unharmed.

Looking up, Zhang Pinglu quietly asked, "Yangyang, what happened here?"

He was referring to the massive pit. He didn't know the exact sequence of events, but he could sense residual energy swirling around the crater. This residual energy told him the pit was man-made, caused by an exceptionally powerful individual. Connecting this to the energy fluctuations he’d felt earlier, Zhang Pinglu urgently questioned Zhang Yang.

"Old Master, I have mastered the second form of the Heaven-Shattering Sword Art. This pit is the demonstration of that second form's might!"

Zhang Yang answered without hesitation, choosing to share this good news directly with Zhang Pinglu. He would never conceal anything from him, and even if Zhang Pinglu hadn't asked, he would have told him so his elder could share in his joy.

He didn't know why Zhang Pinglu hadn't arrived sooner, but the old man's frantic rush and the look of profound relief upon seeing him safe confirmed that the elder still cared for him deeply.

"The second form!"

Zhang Pinglu's eyes lit up with surprise and delight as he looked at Zhang Yang.

Zhang Pinglu was no stranger to the Heaven-Shattering Sword Art. He was certain it was a potent technique only accessible to cultivators at the Five-Layer realm. The first form had already brought significant changes to Zhang Yang; he knew then that the subsequent forms would be even more formidable. To think the second form already possessed such devastating power made the potential of the third and fourth forms almost unimaginable.

The greater the power of the Heaven-Shattering Sword Art, the greater the benefit to Zhang Yang, and Zhang Pinglu was naturally thrilled.

"Brother Pinglu, you know that my Li family’s premium Monkey Wine yields only one jar per century. I currently have three jars in stock. If Brother Pinglu is willing to grace us, we can finish all three jars together!"

Li Jianyi said this with a slight look of helplessness, addressing Zhang Pinglu again.

Zhang Yang might not understand the significance of this premium Monkey Wine, but Zhang Pinglu was perfectly aware. Li Jianyi also knew that Zhang Pinglu had long coveted that very wine, yet he had always refused, regardless of what items Zhang Pinglu offered in trade.

The ingredients for the premium Monkey Wine included treasures of the Heaven and Earth rarity. Such a wine was not only exquisitely mellow but also immensely beneficial to inner-force cultivators. Even a Great Perfection master would gain considerable benefit from consuming it.

Furthermore, cultivators below the Third Layer were strictly forbidden from drinking it. A Third-Layer cultivator could manage at most one cup at a time, and those with initial cultivation levels could only sip a tiny mouthful. Even those at the Fourth Layer could only handle three to five cups; even they, at the Great Perfection level, could not finish an entire jar in one sitting.

Li Jianyi's current offer was tantamount to presenting their entire reserve of truly precious liquor for them to consume freely.

"Shameless old scoundrel, we'll discuss the wine later. What exactly happened here?" Zhang Pinglu pointed to the surrounding devastation and pressed again.

"Master Shi Ming, long time no see!"

The Great Perfection master from the Zhou family, who had remained silent until now, cupped his hands together and bowed slightly to the person who had arrived with Zhang Pinglu.

"Benefactor Zhou, indeed, it has been a long time. I did not expect our next meeting to be here!"

The man accompanying Zhang Pinglu returned the greeting with a cupped hand. He wore a simple monk's robe and bore a conspicuous monastic scar on his head. He appeared to be around sixty, slightly portly, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, resembling a Maitreya Buddha.

The person beside Zhang Pinglu was the Great Perfection master of Shaolin—Master Shi Ming.

Zhang Pinglu had been outside earlier and had made a few trips out during that time, where he unexpectedly obtained some intelligence. The Shaolin sect had indeed emerged, but they weren't heading to the Long Family Plain; they were heading to another location entirely. Reportedly, they were there because they had discovered a crucial item, an endeavor for which Shaolin had already lost several members, including an elder-level expert at the Fourth Layer. Ultimately, protection required Master Shi Ming himself to personally intervene to secure the item.

Upon learning this, Zhang Pinglu made a swift decision: he would persuade Master Shi Ming of Shaolin to join them. Previously, Zhang Pinglu had worried that just the two of them, being Great Perfection masters, might not be enough to drive away these greedy wolves. However, with a third Great Perfection master present, the outcome would be entirely different. With three Great Perfection masters holding the line, the Long family would be impregnable. Those greedy parties would not risk thoroughly offending them for the sake of the Long family’s wealth. With that assurance, Zhang Pinglu was 100% certain he could protect the Long family.

Once the idea took hold, Zhang Pinglu immediately acted upon it. Since Shaolin hadn't come to the Long Family Plain, it suggested they weren't excessively covetous of the Long family’s riches. Furthermore, Zhang Pinglu and Master Shi Ming already shared a decent rapport, giving him confidence in persuading him.

This confidence was bolstered by a significant factor: the current relationship between the Zhang family and Shaolin was exceptionally close—specifically, Zhang Yang’s relationship with Shaolin. Zhang Pinglu had witnessed firsthand the high regard in which Zhang Yang was held by the entire Shaolin sect. Now that Zhang Yang was defending the Long family, and he himself was personally seeking help, he trusted Master Shi Ming would grant him the courtesy. Even if he didn't offer wholehearted assistance, he would at least accompany him for a visit. With his presence, standing on their side, Zhang Pinglu was fully confident in his ability to force the five major powers to retreat, thus achieving his objective.

Alas, Zhang Pinglu hadn't anticipated that while he succeeded in inviting Master Shi Ming, Zhang Yang had already resolved most of the situation before they even arrived, creating such a massive commotion in the process.

Leveraging his familiarity and acquaintance with Master Shi Ming, the Great Perfection master of the Zhou family also offered his apologies to Zhang Yang. Their plan had failed, and the alliance was dissolved; offending Zhang Yang further now would be irrational and foolish. While others apologized, the Zhou family could not be an exception.

After apologizing, the Zhou family's Great Perfection master departed with Di Wanfang. Protecting Di Wanfang was his most crucial mission. With so many righteous Great Perfection masters present, even if the Hua and Li families and Wudang decided to discard all pretense and turn against them, Di Wanfang's defensive retreat technique would be useless—he would surely die today. To prevent such a scenario, they could only retreat first.

However, before leaving, the Zhou family's Great Perfection master sent a message to Zhang Yang via voice transmission. He stated that once this entire affair concluded, he would personally visit to apologize and beg for forgiveness.

Second update! (To be continued)