The razor-sharp sword intent surged forth. Ji Xuan instantly felt sharp pain across his body, as if blades were slicing his skin. His eyes burned intensely, forcing him to shut them tight.
The surprise and sudden pain weakened nearly 99% of the strength behind his punch. With a light sidestep, Long Chen easily avoided the attack.
Ji Xuan, stunned by the failed blow, barely opened his eyes when—
Swish—
A sharp sound sliced the air. A cold gust swept over. Before Ji Xuan could react, Long Chen flicked his sleeve and, with extended fingers, slapped Ji Xuan directly across the face.
Boom!
An explosive sound echoed as the terrifying power of Long Chen's innate sacred body erupted. Though the move was simple, Ji Xuan, a first-level innate realm cultivator, was sent flying.
He crashed into the wall over ten meters away. Cracks spread like spiderwebs across the surface.
Ji Xuan slumped to the ground. His face was red and swollen. Pain throbbed through his bones as if they were fracturing.
In a few breaths, his body's energy eased the injuries. He stood up slowly, hands trembling, and looked at Long Chen in disbelief.
"Sword intent?!"
This completely exceeded his expectations.
Long Chen not only had reached the innate realm, but had even grasped sword intent—something many spiritual expansion realm cultivators could only dream of!
In Tiandu Palace, sword cultivators who comprehend sword intent in the innate realm were regarded as true prodigies. Across the Dragon Kingdom, they were rare—almost mythical.
"When did Long Chen become such a terrifying sword talent?" Ji Xuan muttered in disbelief.
Even Long Nian couldn't hide his astonishment.
The family lord had actually mastered sword intent!
Even among nearby cities, this was a rarity. It was said that only the sect leader of the Sky Sect, one of Nanchang Province's most powerful sects, had achieved this.
With innate cultivation alone, Long Chen comprehended sword intent. This was true genius.
Clearly, everyone had underestimated the patriarch's talent.
Long Nian's eyes lit up with newfound admiration.
Standing before Ji Xuan, Long Chen remained composed. "City Lord, do you still wish to test my skills?"
Ji Xuan's expression darkened. Veins bulged on his temples as anger surged.
Though he desperately wanted to retaliate, he knew he stood no chance. He swallowed his fury.
Lowering his head, chest rising and falling, he ground his teeth. "Chief Long is truly impressive. I was wrong. My skills were inferior—I admit defeat!"
A wise man bends before the storm. Ji Xuan chose survival over pride.
He turned to leave but was halted by Long Chen's voice.
"Wait."
Ji Xuan froze, his foot mid-step. He turned back. "What, does Chief Long plan to kill me now?"
Long Chen shook his head. "Did you forget what I asked earlier? I asked if you wanted to die. Do you remember your answer?"
Ji Xuan scowled. "Long Chen, are you threatening to take my life?"
"I don't want your life now," Long Chen replied coolly. "But you know what to do. Open your consciousness—unless you'd prefer death."
"Long Chen, what are you—?"
"3…"
"2…"
"1…"
"…Fine!" Ji Xuan shivered under the icy gaze. If he refused, he would die here.
Long Chen tapped Ji Xuan's forehead, extracting a strand of his soul essence—enough to control his life and death.
"Will the city lord continue demanding business tax from the Long family?"
In the Dragon Kingdom, families running businesses like restaurants, markets, and escort agencies were taxed—usually 20% of their profits.
This tax passed through layers—from local governors like Ji Xuan to the Tiandu Palace and finally to the imperial court. How much of it actually reached the treasury was anyone's guess.
In truth, noble families often escaped these taxes, while the burden crushed weaker ones.
Ji Xuan hesitated, then muttered, "Half…"
But after seeing Long Chen's icy gaze—and remembering he was now at his mercy—he quickly changed his tone.
"No… no need. The Long family is hereby exempt from all business taxes."
Relief washed over him. But as the weight lifted, he also felt regret.
The Feng family's wealth had been swallowed by the Longs, and now they earned astonishing income monthly.
To lose that tax source entirely stung—but survival mattered more.
Ji Xuan turned to leave again.
"Don't forget," Long Chen called out. "You now serve the Long family."
Ji Xuan froze once more, then nodded bitterly. "Yes… I'll remember. I serve the Long family now."
Once he left, only Long Chen and Long Nian remained in the hall.
Long Chen scanned the room and saw the bodies littered around.
Without hesitation, he left to summon the clan. They swiftly moved to purge the remnants of the Sun, Gao, and Luo families—leaving no roots behind.
Faced with overwhelming strength, these once-mighty families were obliterated.
As Long clan members carried boxes filled with gold, silver, spirit stones, and land deeds through the streets, stunned onlookers whispered:
"The Long family again?"
"Just last week they wiped out the Feng family. Now it's the Sun, Gao, and Luo families too?"
"I heard rivers of blood flowed at their estates. The Long family must've done it."
"Weren't all four families once equals? Isn't the Long family going too far?"
"They've killed hundreds in a week… It's like they're possessed by demons. Who dares stop them now?"