In fact, just as the Third Elder of the Long family, Long Jiang, had predicted, undercurrents surged among the various sects gathered near the Kunlun Mountains. The smaller sects with little strength banded together into small collectives, while the first-rate sects possessing one or several Fourth Layer experts formed larger factions, each demarcating their own encampments.

The truly super sects were stationed closest to the Long Family Plain, maintaining the shortest distances between themselves. The Demonic Sect of the Southern Border and the Zhou family, however, had merged.

These two major powers shared a single camp, suggesting that after suffering heavy losses on the Long Family Plain previously, the Zhou family and the Demonic Sect had temporarily set aside their mutual prejudices, finding common ground in their goal of seizing treasures in the Kunlun Mountains this time, and thus forming an alliance. After these two joined forces, they indeed constituted a significant power capable of choosing a station extremely close to the Long Family Plain.

This time, even Shaolin had not stayed away. The monks clad in saffron robes had arrived at Kunlun quite early.

However, since their arrival, they had remained quietly within their own camp. Apart from sending envoys to the Long Family Plain to deliver a message at the start, there had been no further activity.

Even away from the Shaolin Temple, those monks adhered strictly to their daily routine of chanting scriptures, reciting Buddha's name, and performing their duties three times a day—morning, noon, and evening—without fail. It was the arrival of the Wudang contingent that brought about more frequent visits.

The Li family of Mount Shu and the Hua family of Changbai Mountain maintained even closer contact. Their Great Perfection masters, Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian, often met, either to exchange insights on utilizing the energies of Heaven and Earth or to engage in sparring matches.

Their ability to achieve further progress during this Kunlun expedition was directly related to these exchanges. Surprisingly, the Long Family Plain this time chose to remain closed off, refusing entry to all other sects, including the Northwest Zhao family, the Xixia Liu family, and the Du family from Gongji Mountain in the Central Plains—all of whom were ostensibly allied with the Long family.

Everyone knew this was the will of Zhang Pinglu, the veteran Great Perfection master of the Medical Saint Zhang family, but no one understood the reason why. The fact that the Long Family Plain offered the optimal geographical position for acquiring the soon-to-be-matured Ten Thousand Year Peaches was hardly a secret among these first-tier major sects and aristocratic families.

Zhang Pinglu's immediate refusal to allow them entry inevitably sparked suspicion among some factions. Some first-tier sects even muttered darkly, suggesting the Medical Saint Zhang family was leveraging the advantageous terrain of the Long Family Plain to attempt to monopolize the emerging Ten Thousand Year Peaches.

However, only the most witless second- and third-rate sects would believe such talk if it were spoken aloud. Because even if the Long Family Plain permitted certain sects and families entry, they would lack the requisite qualifications; this was purely sour grapes on their part.

The major sects and families with the true power to contend for the Ten Thousand Year Peaches—such as Shaolin, the Li family of Mount Shu, and others—paid little mind to this restriction, as their entry into the Long Family Plain held little real significance either way. Others might be unaware, but they knew the true Ten Thousand Year Peach was not fixed to a single location.

Before ripening, the actual position of the plant was mercurial. The Long Family Plain was merely the area closest to the Peaches' zone of activity.

When the Ten Thousand Year Peach finally matured, even if it remained within the Long Family Plain, discovering its precise location would still require a search. In that event, everyone’s chances remained equal.

Shortly after Zhang Yang and his companions, along with the Three Great Spirit Beasts, entered the Long Family Plain, the super-sects like Shaolin and Wudang received the news. In truth, the one who truly gave them pause was the young man, Zhang Yang.

The two Great Perfection masters of the Medical Saint Zhang family represented the most formidable force in their pursuit of the Ten Thousand Year Peaches. Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian returned to their respective camps almost immediately following Zhang Yang.

Upon their return, the two Great Perfection masters did not go back to their own families but remained standing together. "Brother Li." "Brother Hua." A moment of silence passed between them, then they spoke in unison, indicating that both men were contemplating the exact same matter.

"Brother Li, you are the elder; perhaps you should speak first." Hua Feitian offered a gesture of courtesy, allowing Li Jianyi to lead the conversation. Li Jianyi accepted without hesitation, nodding, and looked at Hua Feitian to ask, "Brother Hua, what level do you believe Zhang Yang's current strength has reached?" Hua Feitian shook his head and replied, "I can no longer see through Zhang Yang's current strength.

But he is certainly more formidable than the last time on the Long Family Plain." Li Jianyi nodded. Previously, Zhang Yang was only at the Mid-Fourth Layer, but now, according to Zhang Yang himself, he had reached the Late-Fourth Layer, a true Great Perfection.

Although the difference between these stages seems minor, at their level, even a subtle distinction could result in a thousand-mile gulf in power. "If you and I were to join forces today against Zhang Yang, do we have a chance of winning?" Li Jianyi asked, turning back to Hua Feitian.

Hua Feitian frowned in deep thought. After a long pause, his expression grew extremely grim, and he shook his head, saying, "If it were before, with both of us going all out, we would have an absolute chance of victory against Zhang Yang—of course, that would be in a fight to the death.

If it were merely a spar... given the subtlety Zhang Yang displayed with the second move of his Heaven-Breaking Sword Art last time, I fear we would only have a seventy percent, no, perhaps a sixty percent chance." Li Jianyi nodded, acknowledging that Hua Feitian spoke the truth.

Picking up where Hua Feitian left off, he continued, "But now, Brother Hua, do you think if we joined forces and attacked Zhang Yang with everything we have, we could at least secure a stalemate, but have absolutely no chance of winning?" Sighing deeply, Hua Feitian completely agreed with Li Jianyi, which was the very source of his dim and disheartened demeanor. Both men seemed accustomed to Zhang Yang's terrifyingly swift progress.

After this exchange, they both appeared somewhat lost and dejected. "Brother Hua, this time is… different from the last time." Li Jianyi hesitated for a long moment before suddenly uttering this sentence, and Hua Feitian instantly grasped the meaning behind Li Jianyi's words.

He nodded in concurrence. "Indeed, this time is different from the last." Their statements were somewhat cryptic, yet both understood what the "difference" signified.

"It seems we have no choice but to join forces this time. We have no need to completely alienate Zhang Yang, but we absolutely cannot allow him to obtain the Ten Thousand Year Peach," Li Jianyi said, a trace of resignation touching the corner of his mouth.

This time, he did not say "alliance," but "join forces." Alliance and joining forces carried a significant distinction. For example, during the previous gathering on the Long Family Plain, even though the five major powers formed an alliance, when battle was joined, only Di Wanfang, the Great Perfection master of the Demonic Sect, engaged.

Though they were allies, none had stepped forward to help Di Wanfang against Zhang Yang. But joining forces is different.

If they had chosen to join forces on the Long Family Plain that time, Di Wanfang would not have been the sole combatant against Zhang Yang. They were all Great Perfection masters, possessing the pride of that rank.

Naturally, they were reluctant to gang up on another individual. However, this time, they were forced into it, compelled to choose to fight together.

There was no alternative; after encountering Zhang Yang, Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian realized that Zhang Yang's breakthrough and surging strength were too monstrous. Without joining forces, they could no longer cope.

Hua Feitian felt the same way, understanding that joining forces was the only viable path. He nodded and stated, "Correct.

This time, only by uniting can we prevent the Medical Saint Zhang family from obtaining the Ten Thousand Year Peach. If they succeed...

I fear neither you nor I will have a place in the cultivation world." Finishing his thought, Hua Feitian seemed to make a firm resolution and continued to Li Jianyi, "However, joining forces between just the two of us is not enough this time. We must also unite with Grandmaster Shi Ming, the Great Perfection master from Shaolin, and the Great Perfection master from Wudang to prevent the two Great Perfection masters of the Medical Saint Zhang family from obtaining the Ten Thousand Year Peach.

That is the surest strategy." Li Jianyi considered this, then remarked, "There should be no issue with the Wudang Great Perfection master, but Grandmaster Shi Ming of Shaolin seems unwilling to ally with you and me." "It's alright. I believe that with the allure of the Ten Thousand Year Peach, even Grandmaster Shi Ming of Shaolin will find it hard to resist.

After all, if they truly didn't care, they wouldn't have traveled a thousand li from Shaolin to be here," Hua Feitian was confident he could persuade Shi Ming. Since everyone desired the Ten Thousand Year Peach, their ultimate goal was the same.

If they did not unite, the Peach would undoubtedly fall into the hands of the most powerful faction, the Medical Saint Zhang family, leaving them no chance whatsoever. Furthermore, this time was unlike the last, where their alliance was driven by the Long family's wealth, intended for dividing the spoils of the Xuanyuan Long family.

This time, it was a competition for a rare celestial treasure, where the worthy would prevail through their own divine abilities. They were all Great Perfection masters, the guardians of their respective families, possessed of their own concerns, meaning they wouldn't fight to the death.

Therefore, Grandmaster Shi Ming of Shaolin had no rational reason to refuse the proposal of unification. If the several Great Perfection masters of comparable strength managed to secure the matured Ten Thousand Year Peach, dividing it among themselves would be infinitely better than letting it fall into the hands of the Medical Saint Zhang family.

Moreover, once they possessed the Peach, they would become the undisputed leaders of the cultivation world, and who would dare provoke them then? Soon, Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian secretly invited Grandmaster Shi Ming of Shaolin and the Wudang Great Perfection master to a meeting.

This gathering involved only the four Great Perfection masters; what they discussed and what agreements they reached remained unknown to outsiders. However, after the four Great Perfection masters separated, the looks of helplessness and dejection vanished from the faces of Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian, replaced by visible happiness.

As for the Wudang Great Perfection master, he too returned to Wudang with a smile. Conversely, only Grandmaster Shi Ming of Shaolin showed no sign of joy.

With a darkened expression, he returned to his camp and remained alone in his tent, striking his wooden fish and chanting sutras all night long. (To be continued.

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