The appearance of the Golden Great Perfection Three-Eyed Beast in the Southern Border meant that Di Wanfang and Zhou Gu would inevitably link it to Zhang Yang, believing it was Zhang Yang's retaliation against their two families. Thus, Zhang **had no need to accept the apology from the Zhou family and the Demonic Sect.

But those present knew nothing of this; they perceived it entirely as a warning from Zhang Yang. If he refused the apology from the Zhou family and the Demonic Sect, his next move would naturally be to seek retribution against them.

Given the current strength of the Medical Saint Zhang Family, could the Zhou family and the Demonic Sect withstand their reprisal? Astonishment flickered across everyone's faces, coupled with the silent question of whether they should sympathize with those two factions. However, without exception, no one felt any pity for them.

The Zhou family and the Demonic Sect were already rooted in the Southern Border, scorned as heretical cultivators by the Central Plains. They had never been well-regarded to begin with, and now, having been in the wrong for attempting to kill Zhang Yang, there was certainly no reason for sympathy.

The representatives of the Zhou family and the Demonic Sect stood frozen in the hall. Elder Zhou Qi of the Zhou family, in particular, had a face reddened like pig's liver, shaking slightly with rage.

Though he was obscure in the Huaxia cultivation world with only mediocre inner-force cultivation, he only held the position of Elder in the Zhou family due to a thin thread of direct blood relation to a Great Perfection master. Accustomed to wielding petty authority, he had never endured such cold treatment. After all, the Zhou family was a major aristocratic house; their personal visit to apologize was already a grand gesture showing respect to the Medical Saint Zhang Family.

"Insolent whelp, I, speaking for the Zhou family and the Demonic Sect, have already shown ample respect to your Medical Saint Zhang Family. You..."

Zhou Qi suddenly sprang to his feet, but before he could finish his tirade, Zhang Yang frowned faintly and casually cast a mere glance in his direction.

Boom!

A burst of Heaven and Earth energy erupted directly in front of Zhou Qi. The massive concussive force sent him flying outward, vanishing from the hall like a meteor in the blink of an eye, shattering the main doors and landing outside in the courtyard.

Thud!

Outside in the courtyard, Zhou Qi crashed onto the ground, his fate unknown.

As for the old man from the Demonic Sect remaining in the hall, his legs buckled. He collapsed to his knees with a thump, trembling uncontrollably. He stared at the downed Zhou Qi outside with his mouth agape but utterly speechless.

Silence descended upon the hall once more, the onlookers too stunned to speak!

No matter how unknown Zhou Qi was, he was still an Elder of the Zhou family, a prominent demonic lineage from the Southern Border. Yet, with just a casual glance from Zhang Yang—without any discernible attack or even a trace of Heaven and Earth energy being mobilized—the competent Zhou Qi was sent flying. What level of power was this?

"Zhang..."

The Huajia Patriarch opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing. He finally bowed his head, daring not to make any further rash movements. As for the Shushan Li Family Patriarch, Li Wenruo, and the Wudang Sect Master, they exchanged another look before immediately lowering their heads, avoiding direct eye contact with Zhang Yang.

"Does my Medical Saint Zhang Family require the deference of your Zhou family?"

Zhang Yang swept his gaze across the room and questioned them with a sharp, clear voice.

Not only did the old man from the Demonic Sect dare not utter a word, but even the various Sect Masters and Family Patriarchs present hung their heads low, equally afraid to look directly at Zhang Yang.

As for the Sword Hero Sect Master who had previously held Zhang Yang and the Zhang Family in contempt, he was now drenched in sweat, sitting as if perched on thorns, continuously wiping his brow. He remained unaware that, just moments before, his sect's disciples had been disparaging Zhang Yang right in front of him, or he would surely have been even more wretched.

Now, everyone understood: from this day forward, the Medical Saint Zhang Family reigned supreme in the Huaxia cultivation world. The Medical Saint Martial Sect was likewise the premier sect in Huaxia, without further dispute.

Just then, a young servant—identifiable by his attire as belonging to the Southern Border Zhou family—ran into the courtyard outside the manor. Upon entering the main yard, he discovered his own Elder lying there, his condition unknown.

"You still haven't left? What are you waiting for?"

Zhang Yang looked at the Demonic Sect elder and asked softly. The elder suddenly understood, scrambled to his feet, and bolted, nearly tripping over the threshold in his haste as his weakened legs gave way. The Zhou family servant, recognizing the elder who arrived with his own master, started to speak, but the elder from the Demonic Sect, having already regained his footing, slapped him across the face.

"Stop talking nonsense now! Forget about your clueless elder, pack your things immediately, and get back to the Southern Border!"

The Demonic Sect elder showed no pity for Zhou Qi's plight. He grabbed the Zhou family servant and they both fled the premises!

Zhang Yang let out a soft chuckle and shook his head.

A burst of laughter immediately erupted within the assembly hall. Even Li Wenruo, the Huajia Patriarch, and the Wudang Sect Master forced strained smiles and joined the others in loud merriment.

This was the result of Zhang Yang displaying such overwhelming power. Had he been killed by the combined forces of the five Great Perfection masters back then, the Medical Saint Zhang Family would surely have fallen, and perhaps today, they would have been the ones suffering such humiliation.

It was not just the Spirit Beast world where the strong preyed on the weak; the cultivation world was no different.

Long Haotian stood up, raised his hand to signal for quiet, bowed respectfully to Zhang Yang beside him, then turned to salute the elderly Patriarch Zhang Pinglu before finally facing the assembled guests.

It seemed Long Haotian had something important to announce, so Zhang Yang subtly stepped aside and fell silent.

Standing at the forefront, Long Haotian cleared his throat. Many patriarchs and masters had already discerned that Long Haotian's current inner-force cultivation hadn't even reached the second layer of the Inner Force realm, though they didn't know why he had fallen to this state.

"Originally, today was meant for the Li, Hua, Zhou, Wudang, and Demonic Sect families to formally apologize to the Medical Saint Zhang Family for past grievances. However, I now wish to use this opportunity to announce three matters to everyone."

Casting his gaze around the hall, Long Haotian beckoned Long Feng forward, calling his son to the front. Long Feng was confused by his father's intentions but obediently complied.

"The first matter: effective today, the position of Long Family Patriarch is formally transferred to my son, Long Feng. From now on, Long Feng will be the sole Patriarch of the Long Family. I will no longer manage any affairs of the Long Family. The second matter is to publicly declare something: the prodigious talent of the Medical Saint Zhang Family, Zhang Yang, has officially become a Supreme Elder of our Long Family."

The first two announcements didn't cause much surprise among the gathered crowd. These two points were essentially open secrets; Long Haotian was merely using this moment to solidify them publicly, effectively binding the Long Family to the Zhang Family and leveraging Zhang Yang's current prestige to warn off any potential troublemakers.

Long Feng was momentarily stunned. In truth, Long Haotian had already passed the patriarch role to him after Zhang Yang forced the five major families to retreat previously, but Long Feng had not fully taken charge of the Long Family’s daily affairs then, leaving management mostly to his father. But starting today, he would fully assume complete control of the Long Family.

Long Haotian patted Long Feng's shoulder, gesturing for him to step aside, then paused before slowly stating the third matter: "This third matter is that our Long Family is willing to nominate the successor of the Medical Saint Zhang Family, the Sect Master of the Medical Saint Martial Sect, Senior Zhang Yang, as the Martial Alliance Leader of Huaxia. What are your thoughts on this?"

The position of Martial Alliance Leader in Huaxia had only seen two holders over millennia: the founder of Shaolin Temple, Master Bodhidharma, and the Grandmaster of Wudang, Senior Zhang Sanfeng—both renowned figures possessing unparalleled virtue. Yet, today, Long Haotian proposed Zhang Yang as the third Martial Alliance Leader of Huaxia!

The requirements for undertaking the mantle of Martial Alliance Leader were incredibly stringent, demanding not only supreme personal strength but also impeccable moral character. Crucially, the nomination had to come from one of Huaxia's thousand-year aristocratic families, require the assent of the two paramount sects, Shaolin and Wudang, and gain approval from ninety percent of the aristocratic families and sects in the Huaxia cultivation world.

The crowd’s gaze toward Long Haotian grew complex. Everyone knew Zhang Yang's current strength likely surpassed the Great Perfection realm, making him the undisputed number one in Huaxia. With Zhang Yang and Zhang Pinglu, the Medical Saint Zhang Family was already the foremost aristocratic house, and consequently, the Medical Saint Martial Sect naturally held the status of the premier sect—so whether Zhang Yang became the Alliance Leader or not seemed immaterial. Who dared oppose the Zhang Family now? Who dared ignore their word?

They were envious of Long Haotian, while simultaneously cursing him inwardly for his cunning—publicly declaring the Long Family’s alliance only to immediately push for Zhang Yang as Alliance Leader, adding glory upon glory. At the same time, they all regretted not having proposed this themselves earlier to curry favor with Zhang Yang.

Shaolin and Wudang certainly would not object to Long Haotian’s proposal, and neither would the Patriarchs of the Li and Hua families.

"I agree! Regarding Senior Zhang Yang taking the role of Martial Alliance Leader, my Northeast Xin Family is the first to agree!"

The burly man from the Northeast spoke up first, echoing the sentiment. Having lost the initiative, they certainly couldn't afford to fall behind others now. Though appearing rough, the Northeast man possessed a degree of shrewdness.

"Indeed, our South Sea Putuo Gate also supports Benefactor Zhang in serving as the Martial Alliance Leader of our Huaxia!"

"Correct, Senior Zhang bearing the title of Martial Alliance Leader is truly deserved!"

... ...

The hall immediately erupted into an excited clamor. Everyone vociferously supported Long Haotian's proposal, with all eyes fixed on Zhang Yang.

Even Zhang Yang was taken aback, feeling a sense of helplessness at the ensuing spectacle. Long Haotian had given him no prior warning; this nomination was essentially presented as a done deal. Looking at the look of bewilderment on the old patriarch’s face, it was clear he was learning of this only now. However, the old man was delighted, showing no sign of opposition. It had been many years since Huaxia had a Martial Alliance Leader, and for Zhang Yang to achieve this status was a matter of bringing immense honor to the Zhang Family, destined to be recorded in history.

But Zhang Yang felt no interest in the title. Having already broken through to the fifth layer, he cared little for mere worldly reputation.

"Kid, listen to me and accept it. This is definitely a good thing for you!"

Just as Zhang Yang prepared to decline, a subtle voice transmission suddenly entered his ear—a technique known as 'Sound Transmitting to the Ear.' Here in Kunlun, only one person could achieve such a feat: that elder who had reached the fifth layer. (To be continued) No Pop-up Novel Network