The Hua, Li, Zhou, Demon Sect, and Wudang clans—each one a preeminent super-faction or great family in Huaxia today—had once again gathered in the Kunlun Mountain Range, entering the Dragon Family Plain. Their purpose was singular: to present themselves, offer apologies, and seek forgiveness from the Medical Saint Zhang Family, or at the very least, to mitigate the blazing fury of the Zhang Family’s wrath.

Though the five powers sent representatives simultaneously, each harbored hidden agendas; their motives beyond the primary objective were evident in the caliber of the individuals they dispatched.

The Zhou Family and the Demon Sect had been the most overtly eager to eliminate Zhang Yang during the underground struggle for the Ten Thousand Year Peach. Therefore, their intention in coming to apologize was clearly not to seek absolution. They sent only an obscure elder from the Zhou Family named Zhou Qi, followed by an old man from the Demon Sect who trailed him almost like a servant.

In contrast, the Li Family, the Hua Family, and Wudang had sent individuals carrying significantly more weight—though not their ultimate Great Perfection masters, they were the respective patriarchs and clan leaders of their factions.

Only once the five parties had assembled did Long Feng usher them into the Dragon Family Plain. Upon realizing their collective mission was to humble themselves before the Medical Saint Zhang Family, Long Feng immediately dispatched messengers to notify the Old Master Zhang Pinglu, who was staying in a separate residence. As for Zhang Yang, they couldn't locate him at all. Unbeknownst to Long Feng, however, other arrangements had already been made to summon Zhang Yang.

This was the third time these five factions had entered the Dragon Family Plain, and on all three occasions, their ventures had become entangled with that young man, resulting only in bitter defeat. That young man… was simply too terrifying.

Li Wenruo, the Patriarch of the Shu Mountain Li Family, could not help but sigh mournfully. He felt a hand clap him on the shoulder from behind.

Li Wenruo turned to see the Wudang Sect Master, who was also shaking his head with a wry smile, clearly sharing the same sentiment as Li Wenruo.

The Wudang Sect Master had already learned the truth from Zhang Hefeng. Unlike the others, his sincerity in coming to apologize was genuine, hoping to finally earn the Medical Saint Zhang Family’s forgiveness.

"Brother Li, there’s no need to sigh. While the Zhang Family is formidable, and we certainly behaved improperly in this recent affair, surely the Medical Saint Zhang Family wouldn’t seek to annihilate all five of us, would they?"

This came from the Hua Family Patriarch, who felt deeply aggrieved by the necessity of this apology, prompting his remark.

As for the representatives of the Zhou Family and the Demon Sect, they maintained a noticeable distance from the other three factions, avoiding extensive contact. Similarly, the Hua, Li, and Wudang groups made no move to engage closely with the Zhou and Demon Sect members this time.

News that the five premier super-factions and great families had personally arrived to offer amends to the Medical Saint Zhang Family immediately caused a stir among the various clans and families who were assisting the Dragon Family in rebuilding the Dragon Palace.

The simultaneous gathering of the five powers in the Dragon Family Plain confirmed the rumor: Zhang Yang had indeed defeated the Great Perfection masters of all five factions, compelling them to come and beg for mercy.

"Did you hear? The gifts these five families brought for their apology filled several entire carts."

"Of course, I heard. I just came from that direction; it took their convoy quite some time just to enter the Dragon Family Plain."

"Hey, hey, do you think we’ll finally get to see that person from the Medical Saint Zhang Family this time?"

"Exactly! He should show his face now, shouldn't he? To defeat the Great Perfection masters of five families before even turning thirty—I wonder if he truly has three heads and six arms."

The patriarchs and leaders of the assembled factions muttered among themselves, their tones laced with envy. Just then, someone rushed over.

"Stop gossiping here! Someone from the Dragon Family just arrived and said they’re inviting all of us to come over together."

The messenger gasped out the words. The patriarchs of the great clans and families, however, saw their eyes light up. They had long been eager to witness how these five usually arrogant super-factions would perform their act of contrition.

The Dragon Family’s invitation to the gathered patriarchs was entirely the will of Old Master Zhang Pinglu.

Although the Old Master had already resolved to forgive these factions, he certainly wouldn't let them off lightly. By inviting everyone, he intended to have the five families apologize publicly before the entire assembly, holding a clear intent to make an example of them—to kill the chicken to frighten the monkeys.

The Medical Saint Zhang Family would never actively bully the weak, but anyone who dared to provoke them would surely reap a bitter harvest!

The Dragon Palace was not yet fully completed, but all disciples had ceased work; such a momentous event—the arrival of five super-factions to apologize—left them with no inclination to continue construction.

Long Feng escorted the five parties to a pre-arranged separate residence, the largest courtyard in the Dragon Family Plain, featuring expansive halls suitable for serving as a temporary council chamber.

Upon entering, the representatives of the five families noticed that the leaders of the other major clans and families were already seated, engaged in hushed discussions.

The Hua Family Patriarch’s face instantly darkened. He had not expected the Dragon Family and the Zhang Family to orchestrate matters this way!

Li Wenruo’s expression turned ashen; he had already guessed the Zhang Family’s intentions.

Only the Wudang Sect Master maintained a better composure. Though bitterness gripped his heart upon seeing the scene, he showed little outward reaction.

The representatives from the Zhou Family and the Demon Sect exchanged glances. They had anticipated difficulty during this apology; the current situation was within the scope of what they could tolerate. Since they weren't the patriarchs or leaders, nor were they famous figures, their low profile meant this public humiliation was arguably an increase in their notoriety.

At this moment, Old Master Zhang Pinglu, supported by Qu Meilan, walked slowly forward. Following him were Master Shi Ming from Shaolin, and even the perpetually unseen Dragon Family Head, Long Haotian.

Seeing Long Haotian emerge beside Master Shi Ming, Long Feng was visibly startled, clearly surprised that his father would appear now.

In the hall, the gathered patriarchs were already in a buzz, having long noticed the grim and trembling faces of the five representatives.

"Alas, if only they had known this day would come, why court disaster in the first place?"

"They deserve it. When the Great Perfection masters of the five families conspired to bully one family, this outcome is entirely self-inflicted."

"Do you think they’ll be unable to endure such humiliation and simply turn to leave?"

"I doubt it. Since the Zhang Family has gone to this length, it suggests they are prepared to forgive and drop the matter, otherwise, the cultivation world of Huaxia would know no peace."

"True. I heard that during the struggle for the Ten Thousand Year Peach, the Zhang Family members were nearly killed by the Great Perfection masters of these five families…"

The murmurs of the onlookers reached the ears of the envoys from the five families, compounding their shame. The Hua Family Patriarch even angrily flicked his sleeve, seemingly ready to walk out immediately.

The Old Master looked toward Long Haotian and asked in a low voice, "Has Yang Yang not arrived yet?"

"Senior Zhang is currently occupied elsewhere, but I presume he is aware of the situation here and will be here shortly."

Long Haotian had not found Zhang Yang, but he trusted that Zhang Yang already knew what was unfolding. As the words left his mouth, a powerful gust of wind suddenly swept through the council hall.

In the blink of an eye, Zhang Yang appeared before everyone, accompanying Mi Xue, standing directly in front of the Old Master.

"Old Master."

Zhang Yang offered a formal salute to the Old Master with clasped hands, calling out with a slight smile, before turning to face the rest of the assembly.

A collective gasp swept through the room. No one had seen how Zhang Yang entered, nor could anyone discern the true depth of his current power.

Silence descended upon the hall; every eye was fixed on Zhang Yang, eyes filled with shock, envy, and jealousy.

At that moment, Zhang Yang stood unconcerned. He didn't need to speak; his mere aura had stunned the entire assembly into submission.

Since Zhang Yang remained silent, no one dared to speak. His sheer power could be felt with just a glance.

With Zhang Yang’s appearance, all previous grievances harbored by Li Wenruo, the Wudang Sect Master, the Hua Family Patriarch, and the members of the Zhou Family and Demon Sect vanished instantly.

Gazing upon the young man, they finally understood why their own guardian Great Perfection masters had been so terrified of him, willing to pay any price for this apology.

Now, no one could doubt the veracity of the claim that Zhang Yang had defeated the combined might of the five factions’ Great Perfection masters.

"What brings you five parties to the Dragon Family Plain to seek my Zhang Family?" Zhang Yang asked slowly, looking down at the assembled representatives of the five great powers.

Only then did the pressure emanating from Zhang Yang slightly recede. The Wudang Sect Master sighed and was the first to step forward. Facing Zhang Yang, he bowed deeply, executing an extremely formal salute.

"Senior Zhang, I am the Wudang Sect Master. I have come specifically on behalf of my sect’s ancestor, Zhang Hefeng, to apologize for the recent incident."

After speaking, the Wudang Sect Master straightened up and said bitterly, "My ancestor, Zhang Hefeng, understands that he was swayed by the temptation of the Ten Thousand Year Peach and committed a grave error. He is currently undergoing solitary reflection at Wudang and is thus unable to come in person. He specifically instructed me to bring Wudang’s specialty spiritual medicines and treasures to personally apologize to you, Senior Zhang, and I sincerely hope you can quell your anger from that day."

As the Wudang Sect Master finished, the Li Family Patriarch Li Wenruo and the Hua Family Patriarch immediately stepped forward, offering amends to the Medical Saint Zhang Family on behalf of their respective guardian Great Perfection masters.

Upon seeing Zhang Yang, all their other schemes evaporated. Their current apologies were utterly sincere. As leaders of major super-factions, they understood that Zhang Yang’s current strength had far surpassed anything they could imagine; even their own Great Perfection experts could not have inspired such overwhelming shock and pressure.

Zhang Yang regarded them but remained silent, his gaze finally shifting to the two figures from the Zhou Family and the Demon Sect.

The Zhou and Demon Sect members snapped back to attention and were about to begin their apologies when Zhang Yang merely raised one hand, stopping them.

"You two parties may return. There is no need for an apology."

Zhang Yang spoke softly. His Golden Three-Eyed Beast, whose strength had just advanced to the Great Perfection realm, was already heading south to exact vengeance; therefore, he had no need to accept the apologies of the Zhou Family and the Demon Sect.

But these simple words struck the entire council hall like a thunderclap, causing every face to change color instantly!

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