Long Chen turned slightly and looked at Elder Sai. He said calmly, "While I'm away, the family will be temporarily entrusted to you."
With Elder Sai, a sixth-level Spiritual Purification Realm cultivator, overseeing the clan, there was no need to worry about internal matters for the time being.
Upon hearing the patriarch's instructions, Elder Sai responded immediately, "Understood!"
Long Chen nodded, then turned to Long Hongwen. "I'm afraid there's not much time left before Nalan Yu'er arrives at your residence. We'd better head to Cloud City as soon as possible. You'll lead the way."
"As you command!"
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Long Hongwen quickly turned to lead the way.
As the group passed through the courtyard, a sharp sound slicing through the air suddenly caught everyone's attention.
Long Chen paused and turned his gaze toward the source of the sound. It came from Long Nian.
At that moment, Long Nian was practicing sword forms with an ordinary longsword, his movements fluid and precise.
Despite using basic sword techniques, the power radiating from each strike was anything but basic—it carried a force and intent rarely seen in beginner forms.
He's using foundational sword movements, yet releasing the power of advanced techniques...
Long Chen's eyes narrowed slightly in surprise. I never realized this child had such natural sword talent.
He had intended to teach Long Nian some advanced techniques, but aside from the Ten Thousand Sword Styles, the highest-level sword art in his arsenal, the rest were only Human-grade, barely useful for someone with Long Nian's potential.
Unfortunately, learning Anjian—the key technique of the Ten Thousand Swords—required reaching the Innate Realm. Only with mastery of Innate Qi could one withstand its extreme spiritual consumption and unleash its Earth-grade potential.
Seems I'll need to browse the system shop for a suitable sword technique below the Innate Realm level. Or perhaps… just wait for him to break through.
As the group paused to observe, Long Nian finally noticed them. He stopped practicing, turned around, and upon seeing the patriarch watching him, hurried over and bowed deeply.
"Greetings, Patriarch!"
Long Hongwen was stunned.
The residual aura from Long Nian's movements—it wasn't something a mere Body Refining cultivator could emit. In fact, it reminded him of the aura he had once felt from Elder Sai.
He's in the Spiritual Purification Realm?!
He looks no older than my grandson, Long Yan… This is astonishing!
The contrast was shocking. In their remote branch family, someone like this would be unheard of.
The main family truly lives up to its name.
As he silently reflected on the patriarch's earlier promise, a surge of hope bloomed within him. Once this crisis passes, we might finally rejoin such a powerful lineage… The future is bright.
Meanwhile, Long Chen looked at Long Nian with a frown. "Why aren't you using the sword I gave you? Why practice with a regular one?"
Long Nian scratched his head sheepishly. "Well… the sword you gave me is too precious, Patriarch. I was afraid of wearing it down. Besides, since you once used it yourself, it holds special meaning for me. So I've just been using this ordinary sword for daily practice."
Long Chen sighed, faint black lines appearing on his forehead. He flicked Long Nian's forehead lightly.
"Do you think high-grade weapons wear out like cheap ones? That sword is meant to be used, not displayed. Understood?"
"…Understood," Long Nian muttered as he rubbed his sore forehead.
"Good. Go retrieve your weapon. You're coming with us."
Since this involved the clan's second rising genius, Long Nian might as well witness the unfolding drama himself.
Long Nian didn't ask any further questions. He dashed off to fetch the sword and strapped it across his back before returning quickly to stand beside Long Chen.
"Patriarch, where are we going?"
Long Chen smiled faintly. "A member of the Long family in Cloud City was engaged to the Nalan family's eldest daughter. But now, she intends to break off the engagement. That fiancé… is your clan brother."
"This affects the Long family's reputation, so we're going to handle it. Besides… your brother might interest you."
If Long Yan really is a destined one… then seeing how two such individuals interact could be very interesting.
Long Nian's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Brother?"
"He's about your age and was once considered a genius too. But fate dealt him a cruel hand. His cultivation failed him, just as yours once did. You might find you have more in common than you expect."
"Oh?"
Long Nian's interest deepened. Another in the family who walked through the same darkness?
He suddenly felt a strange kinship with this clan brother he had yet to meet.
Meanwhile, Long Hongwen, who had been quietly observing from the side, was thunderstruck.
This young prodigy… had his dantian shattered? And now he's already in the Spiritual Purification Realm?
In all his knowledge, once the dantian was destroyed, the cultivator's path ended permanently.
Was it the Patriarch who made this miracle happen?
If so, did that mean there was hope for Long Yan too?
The thought electrified him. His heart beat faster.
Long Chen, unaware of Hongwen's internal shock, simply continued, "Also, your brother's fiancée—Nalan Yu'er—is now an inner disciple of the Cloud Sect. And she'll be accompanied by Nu Qing, the sect leader's son."
When Long Nian heard this, his eyes gleamed. "The Cloud Sect? Then I definitely want to see this for myself."