Long Haotian blurted out in shock, unable to believe that anything other than the Ten Thousand Year Peaches could incite several Great Perfection masters to fight, resulting in such a dismal outcome.

“The guardians of the Ten Thousand Year Peaches were two Three-Eyed Beasts; one had advanced to the Great Perfection Spirit Beast level, while the other was pregnant. Now, that Great Perfection Three-Eyed Beast has perished, and Master Shi Ming of Shaolin’s Great Perfection level is currently guarding the pregnant Three-Eyed Beast, incidentally helping us watch over the Ten Thousand Year Peaches,” Zhang Yang said softly, brushing over the scene below with a few simple words. He then turned to Long Feng and added, “Alright, don’t be surprised anymore. We need to quickly send someone to Shaolin with a letter, telling them Master Shi Ming cannot return due to matters here, and invite the Shaolin sect to relocate to our Long Family Plains.”

“Yes, that would be best. Right now, Yang Yang, your internal energy is still depleted and not fully recovered, and I am severely wounded. Although those Great Perfection masters have left, Kunlun Mountain is still teeming with numerous sects and noble families. Having Shaolin stationed in our Long Family Plains will offer our family considerable safety,” Zhang Pinglu expressed his full support for Zhang Yang, nodding in agreement. If Shaolin could be garrisoned within the Long Family Plains, it would effectively declare to the other Kunlun factions that the last remaining paramount sect staying in Kunlun was in complete alliance with the Long Family, which would be enough to deter any petty thugs attempting to cause trouble.

“Good, then I will make a trip to Shaolin myself,” Long Feng immediately bowed to Zhang Pinglu and prepared to depart.

“Wait a moment, Long Feng.”

The Old Master suddenly called out to Long Feng, who was about to leave. Long Feng looked back at the Old Master, puzzled as to what other instructions he might have.

“We are in desperate need of some spiritual elixirs right now, and neither I nor Yang Yang are in a condition to concoct them. So, when you deliver the letter, bring Dao Feng back with you to help us prepare some.”

“Grandpa, I can prepare the elixirs myself. There’s no need to invite Maternal Grandfather back,” Zhang Yang frowned, looking at the Old Master. He knew the Old Master was concerned for him, aware that he hadn't fully recovered from his weakness, and thus wanted to bring back his maternal grandfather, Zhang Daofeng, to handle the spiritual elixir preparation. “Yang Yang, listen to me. Focus on your recovery, and just have Dao Feng brought back for the concoction duties.”

The Old Master’s insistence against Zhang Yang preparing the elixirs was rooted in his own worries. Even though their most powerful competitors—Wudang, Shaolin, the Hua Family, and the Li Family—had all withdrawn, he and Zhang Yang were both in a weakened state. The Ten Thousand Year Peaches could mature and emerge at any moment, and at this final critical juncture, there could be no room for carelessness.

Seeing the Old Master's firm resolve, Zhang Yang had no choice but to concede.

“Since the matter is of great importance, Long Feng, you go directly to find Elder Zhang and invite him back to the Long Family Plains. I will order others to send word to the Shaolin encampment,” Long Haotian stood up and addressed Zhang Yang and the Old Master.

“Yes, I will go find Elder Zhang Senior right away,” Long Feng assented, turning and leaving the room.

After Long Feng departed, Zhang Yang left the room along with Qiao Yihong and Long Haotian, allowing the Old Master to rest undisturbed.

After bidding farewell to Long Haotian, Zhang Yang was about to return to his rest when he was stopped by Qiao Yihong, who had not yet left.

Qiao Yihong deliberately waited until the Long Family members were gone before calling Zhang Yang aside.

“Brother Qiao, just say whatever you need to say directly. Everyone here is family; there’s no need for such secrecy,” Zhang Yang said to Qiao Yihong, noting that the Medical Saint Zhang Family and the Long Family were now intrinsically linked, so there was no need for formality.

“Sect Master, I believe the Long Family might truly be mistaken this time. Even if Long Jiang has no other traitors within the Long Family besides himself, he certainly must have other informants within the clan,” Qiao Yihong looked at Zhang Yang, voicing his suspicion. He still firmly believed that someone in the Long Family must be secretly in contact with Long Jiang, aiding him.

Zhang Yang nodded. So, this was what Qiao Yihong wanted to discuss. No wonder he had avoided the Long Family members; they likely wouldn't want to hear Qiao Yihong say such things. What Qiao Yihong suggested was not impossible. Zhang Yang now understood Qiao Yihong's intention; his former identity was that of a private investigator, and it seemed he intended to go out and investigate covertly.

“Sect Master, why don’t you let me leave the Long Family Plains and investigate secretly? Very few people in Kunlun recognize me, and moreover, I have now broken through to the Fourth Layer. My arts of disguise and concealment are even more advanced than before; I will certainly be safe.”

As Zhang Yang had predicted, Qiao Yihong indeed harbored thoughts of investigating externally.

“Alright, but be careful. Regardless of whether you uncover any information about Long Jiang, your primary concern must be your own safety,” After considering Qiao Yihong’s proposal, Zhang Yang agreed. He had witnessed Qiao Yihong’s disguise and concealment techniques back in Changjing, and now that he was a Fourth Layer expert, without Great Perfection power, few could truly challenge his disguised self.

“Yes!” Qiao Yihong nodded and left Zhang Yang.

“Squeak squeak squeak!”

“Chirp chirp chirp!”

In the distance, the two little ones, Shadowless and Lightning, seemed to have fully recovered from their injuries and were frolicking with Zhuifeng on the Long Family grounds. Seeing the spirits of the little creatures, Zhang Yang couldn't help but smile. It seemed their recovery was nearly complete. After all, most of the spiritual herbs recovered from underground had been fed to them; it would have been strange if they hadn't healed by now. However, precisely because of this generosity, Zhang Yang's own recovery speed was much slower than before. This was understandable; once one reached the Great Perfection realm, injuries required significant time to mend, which was why the previous Great Perfection masters were always reluctant to exert their full strength. Furthermore, in the cultivation world, how many Great Perfection experts would treat treasures like Essence Blood Pills like mere candy, feeding them in abundance to their subordinate spirit beasts? Maternal Grandfather Zhang Daofeng would return soon, and the Long Family’s storerooms contained ample medicinal ingredients for refining elixirs. Preparing some more elixirs with potent recovery effects would only be a matter of time; there was no need to worry.

After parting ways with Zhang Yang, Qiao Yihong quickly packed a few things and left the Long Family palace, finding Long Feng, who was preparing to leave the Long Family Plains, and a middle-aged man as they exited the Long Family barrier formation together. Once outside the formation, the middle-aged man departed in another direction without exchanging a word. Long Feng and Qiao Yihong were traveling the same way, so they proceeded together in a different direction.

“Brother Long, please forgive any offense earlier; I hope you take no offense,” Qiao Yihong had calmed down by now and knew that casting doubt on the Long Family inside the room was unacceptable for Long Feng, a member of that clan. Therefore, he made a point of offering his apology.

“Brother Qiao is too polite. I understand you were acting in the best interest of my Long Family. I was perhaps too hasty earlier; please forgive my impetuousness as well,” Seeing Qiao Yihong specifically apologize, Long Feng understood the earnestness behind his caution and naturally let the matter go.

“By the way, Brother Qiao, where are you heading now that you've come out with me?” Despite resolving their momentary tension, a smile returned to their faces, though Long Feng was still curious about Qiao Yihong’s purpose for leaving.

“Oh, I am leaving to accompany Senior Zhang Yun’an in investigating the recent matters of the Long Family, stepping in for Elder Senior Zhang Daofeng,” After Qiao Yihong explained his intent, Long Feng nodded in understanding.

“Gentlemen, gentlemen, you must be from the Long Family!”

Just then, a man rushed toward Long Feng and Qiao Yihong from ahead. When Qiao Yihong saw this person, he couldn't help but freeze for a moment. This individual was not unfamiliar to him. When he followed Zhang Yang to Kunlun, he had stayed one night at a camp near the foot of Kunlun Mountain and had a minor skirmish there. This man was the Alliance Leader of the several minor sects at that camp—Zhao Zhicheng, the Sect Master of the Emei Yitian Sect.

This man was naturally Zhao Zhicheng, the Sect Master of the Yitian Sect who had offended the Medical Saint Martial Sect at the foot of Kunlun Mountain. For the past few days, he had been lurking outside the Long Family Plains, looking for an opportunity to apologize to Zhang Yang in person. However, the Long Family Plains gates were not easily opened for the leader of a second-rate sect like his. Consequently, Zhao Zhicheng hadn't been able to eat or sleep properly these past few days, his face having visibly thinned out considerably.

“It’s Brother Qiao! Truly Brother Qiao! This is wonderful, truly wonderful!!”

When Zhao Zhicheng saw that among the two men emerging from the Long Family Plains, one was Qiao Yihong of the Medical Saint Martial, he instantly became agitated, feeling as though the clouds had finally parted to reveal the moon. The emotion he experienced upon realizing this man was Qiao Yihong was beyond words. He had deliberately tried to ingratiate himself with Qiao Yihong at the camp, and they had gotten along quite well over drinks. Back then, Zhao Zhicheng had flattered Qiao Yihong purely in hopes of persuading him to join the Yitian Sect. Now, however, Zhao Zhicheng didn't dare entertain such thoughts; he would be profoundly grateful if Qiao Yihong would speak a few kind words for the Yitian Sect in front of Zhang Yang, given their previous acquaintance.

“It seems to be an old acquaintance of Brother Qiao’s,” Long Feng, observing how familiar the man seemed with Qiao Yihong, relaxed his guard. Although he was aware of the incident concerning the Medical Saint Martial Sect, he didn't realize the person before him was the leader of that minor sect.

The moment Qiao Yihong saw Zhao Zhicheng, he suddenly felt as though he had grasped a crucial piece of the puzzle, but exactly what this key detail was, he couldn't recall, and he fell into deep thought. Zhao Zhicheng, caught up in his excitement, didn't notice Qiao Yihong’s distraction and gripped his hand tightly. He had suffered quite a bit these last few days trying to gain an audience with Zhang Yang at the Long Family to offer his apologies.

“Brother Qiao, this is not the time to waste. Brother Zhang is waiting for me to escort Elder Senior Zhang back to the Long Family,” Long Feng said gently to Qiao Yihong.

“Ah, yes, yes, inviting Elder Senior Zhang back to the Long Family is the most important thing,” Qiao Yihong snapped back to attention. He glanced at Zhao Zhicheng, then immediately told Long Feng, “Brother Long, I’ve run into an old friend and need a few words. Why don’t you go ahead and find Elder Senior Zhang first? I will catch up shortly.”