Master Shi Cheng readily agreed upon hearing this. The Long Family had already invited Shaolin to relocate their camp to the Long Family Plains, solidifying the alliance; only the murder of Long Jiu had caused a delay. Now was the perfect time to proceed to the Long Family Plains.

Ouyang Jiankang certainly had no objections. The Ouyang family served the nation, and furthermore, he was aware that Zhang Yang possessed an identification token from the National Security Bureau. This implied that the relationship between his Ouyang family and the Zhang family of the Medical Sages had advanced in a certain respect. This was precisely the moment to seize the opportunity to interact more closely with the Zhang family.

Qiao Yihong laughed heartily, feeling completely relaxed. He had successfully resolved the task Zhang Yang had assigned him, and naturally, he was in high spirits.

"Please!"

Qiao Yihong cupped his hands and walked toward the camp exit alongside Abbot Shi Cheng and Ouyang Jiankang. Behind them, Shi Fang, Ouyang Hao, and others kept a tight escort on Long Shousi, who was still struggling and refusing to be subdued.

The crowd instinctively parted a path for them. Most gazes were fixed on Qiao Yihong, eyes filled with envy for his status as a Martial Sect Master of the Medical Sages.

"If only I could join the Medical Sage Martial Sect, how wonderful that would be?"

Someone muttered softly. For anyone present—be they leaders of major first-tier sects, heads of influential families, or at least cultivators at the Third Level of Internal Strength—such a statement would normally be deeply embarrassing.

Yet, as the words faded, they were met instead with a chorus of quiet sighs, as if everyone present harbored the exact same desire.

No one mocked the speaker, nor did anyone feel that person was shamed. At this moment, the Medical Sage Martial Sect held an irresistible allure for everyone; the temptation to join the sect was likely as potent as the allure of the Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach that was about to ripen and emerge.

"A moment, sirs..."

Just as Qiao Yihong, Abbot Shi Cheng, and Ouyang Jiankang were about to leave the Northwest Zhao Family camp, a loud, clear voice called out from behind them.

The source of this rugged voice was naturally Xin Tianfeng from the Xin family of the Northeast. He had recovered from his prior shock and strode toward Qiao Yihong, cupped his hands, and bowed deeply.

"What is the meaning of this, Head of the Xin Family?"

Qiao Yihong recognized him as the head of the Xin family, but he was unsure of Xin Tianfeng’s intent.

"I am a rough man and cannot speak elegantly, so I shall be direct, Brother Qiao. I hope Brother Qiao will permit me to enter the Long Family Plains as well. Rest assured, I will not bring anyone with me; I only wish to personally visit your sect leader. Should fate allow me to witness the imminent emergence of that miraculous Ten Thousand Year Treasure, my journey to Kunlun would not have been in vain."

Xin Tianfeng’s words were coarse, but his meaning was sound. Among those leaders and family heads still remaining at the Zhao family camp rather than rushing to leave Kunlun, who among them did not wish to pay respects to the Medical Sage Martial Sect and build rapport with Zhang Yang?

This was an excellent opportunity. Those who were not as swift as Xin Tianfeng revealed expressions of annoyance, regretting not stepping forward sooner to voice their requests to Qiao Yihong.

"Abbot Shi Cheng, this humble nun shares the same desire. Might I request Abbot Shi Cheng to speak a few words before the leader of the Medical Sage Martial Sect, allowing this humble nun to enter the Long Family Plains and call upon the leader who managed to overcome the combined might of five Great Perfection experts?"

Abbess Juechen of the Mount Putuo Sect of the South Sea was not familiar with Qiao Yihong, and seeing Xin Tianfeng act first, she felt awkward speaking up. Turning instead to Abbot Shi Cheng, her eyes lit up, and she immediately spoke.

"Abbot Shi Cheng, I have the same request. Could you possibly convey it to the leader of the Medical Sage Martial Sect on my behalf?"

"Yes, Abbot Shi Cheng, could you also put in a word for me?"

"Ah, Brother Ouyang, it has been quite some time since we last met. Might you consider..."

"Ah, Brother Ouyang, Brother Ouyang, and me too! Don't forget me!"

...

Suddenly, the sect leaders and family heads who had some prior connection with Ouyang Jiankang or Abbot Shi Cheng all began to speak. Their intent, veiled though it was, was singular: they hoped to enter the Long Family Plains to visit Zhang Yang. Even if they couldn't witness the full maturation of the Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach, merely establishing a sliver of a connection with the Medical Sage Martial Sect would greatly benefit their future development.

"This..."

Abbot Shi Cheng and Ouyang Jiankang felt dizzy. Among these supplicating leaders and heads, many were close personal friends. Refusing them would inevitably damage goodwill, but they lacked the authority to grant permission. The two men found themselves in an extremely difficult position and turned their gazes toward Qiao Yihong.

Qiao Yihong knew few people here. Only Xin Tianfeng of the Northeast had boldly approached him without fear of public rejection. Everyone else was attempting to employ the strategy of leveraging their existing relationships with Abbot Shi Cheng and Ouyang Jiankang.

"Everyone, please cease the clamor!"

Qiao Yihong frowned, then shouted, bringing silence back to the momentarily chaotic Zhao Family camp.

Qiao Yihong now understood their intentions, but whether he could agree to their entry into the Long Family Plains depended entirely on Zhang Yang's consent. Thus, he did not give a direct answer.

"I, Qiao, fully comprehend the intentions of all of you. Therefore, please remain patient. Upon my return, I shall relay your admiration to our Leader Zhang. If Leader Zhang is willing to meet with you, you will naturally be invited into the Long Family Plains."

Upon hearing Qiao Yihong's words, these leaders and heads all shook their heads. It seemed this was the only course of action available now.

Only after these individuals ceased bothering Abbot Shi Cheng and Ouyang Jiankang were they able to slip away with Qiao Yihong from the Northwest Zhao Family camp and return to the Long Family.

Upon entering the Long Family Plains, Long Haotian, having already received word, personally led a delegation to welcome Qiao Yihong back at the entrance.

When Long Haotian saw Long Shousi, his expression changed drastically. Gritting his teeth fiercely, he waved his hand, immediately commanding Long Family disciples to take Long Shousi away and imprison him in the Long Family dungeon.

Under normal circumstances, he would have already drawn his sword to kill Long Shousi and avenge the Long Family disciples who died unjustly. However, with the Grand Elder Zhang Yang currently residing with the Long Family, and the true culprit, Long Jiang, still at large, Long Shousi was first taken to the dungeon to await judgment.

After settling the people from Shaolin and the Ouyang family, Long Haotian escorted Qiao Yihong, Abbot Shi Cheng, and Ouyang Jiankang back to the Long Family palace.

Previously, after Zhang Daofeng was invited back to the Long Family Plains by Long Feng, Zhang Yun'an, worried, had also followed. At this moment, he was assisting Zhang Daofeng in the Long Family's alchemy room, refining the necessary spiritual herbs; neither of them had yet emerged.

Therefore, Long Haotian led the trio directly to Zhang Yang and the Old Master, who were waiting for the herbs to be completed by Zhang Daofeng.

"You are saying that Zhao Lei of the Northwest Zhao Family and Du Xugang of the Central Plains Du Family betrayed their alliance with the Long Family out of greed for the Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach, and are currently heading with Long Jiang to the location where the peach grows?"

Zhang Yang asked for clarification after hearing Qiao Yihong’s report. He remembered Zhao Lei, the head of the Northwest Zhao Family, who was their only expert at the Fourth Level.

Qiao Yihong nodded. Beside him, Long Haotian sighed mournfully. The facts were now undeniable; Qiao Yihong's suspicions had indeed been correct. His own previous handling of Qiao Yihong had been incredibly reckless. He hadn't expected that in addition to the Long Family traitor Long Jiang, there was also the external guardian Long Shousi, and now the Long Family's allies, the Northwest Zhao Family and the Central Plains Du Family, had all been pulled into the mire.

"It's fine. With Master Shiming guarding that location, even if those three Fourth Level experts go there, they won't gain any advantage. Moreover, the area outside the grove is protected by the Mystic Gate Illusion Array; they will likely expend significant time just trying to enter. We will wait until Grandfather finishes refining the spiritual herbs, and then we will proceed to the location of the Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach,"

Zhang Yang turned and said softly to the Old Master. The Old Master nodded; he held the same view.

"Donor Long, why does the Third Elder of your family, Long Jiang, harbor such intense hatred for your Long Family?"

Abbot Shi Cheng of Shaolin inquired with confusion at that moment. It wasn't just him; Ouyang Jiankang was equally curious, as they had not heard the recording and were unaware of the full context.

"The reasons why Long Jiang and Long Shousi betrayed the Long Family are also contained within the recording, though whether they are entirely true, I cannot say for certain,"

Qiao Yihong took out the recording pen and played the recording of Long Jiang, Zhao Lei, and the others once more. Only then did everyone grasp the full picture and turn their gaze toward Long Haotian.

Long Haotian was momentarily stunned. He frowned, thinking deeply for a long time before addressing the group: "Only the First and Second Elders of my Long Family knew the history of Long Jiang. But since both elders died fighting in the Long Family Plains last time, no one now knows about Long Jiang's past. However, regarding Long Shousi's background, I do know something."

"Long Shousi's family was a collateral branch of the Long Family. Later, after both parents died, leaving the four children uncared for, the Long Family Elders at the time decided to send these four brothers out as external guardians for training. Afterward, it was heard that only Long Shousi among the four brothers survived and cultivated to become a master at the Fourth Level of Internal Strength."

"It appears this is why they are willing to betray the Long Family and attempt to bring ruin upon us!"

Long Haotian looked grief-stricken. He finally understood the deep-seated hatred that the Long Family's Third Elder, Long Jiang, and Long Shousi held for his family.

This tragedy was certainly not what the Long Family wished to see happen. But for a great lineage, especially a super-lineage like the Long Family, certain sacrifices must be made to ensure the continuity of their heritage.

The brilliance displayed by super-lineages masks the hidden bitterness that few understand.

Long Haotian glanced secretly at Zhang Yang and the Old Master, sighing inwardly.

It wasn't everyone who could possess the fortune of the Medical Sage Zhang Family, able to casually cultivate a once-in-a-millennium genius successor like Zhang Yang.