CHAPTER 8 — "LONG CLAN CRISIS"
While the Murong Clan tangled in fear, the Long Clan drowned in chaos.
The main residence was ancient, proud, and enormous — a collection of golden-roofed pavilions reminiscent of past glory. But today, the echoing halls vibrated not with majestic authority, but with frantic arguments.
Elder Long Yanfeng slammed his fist on the jade table.
"He humiliated us! First at the ceremony, then by causing a scene with the guild!"
Another elder shot back, "Causing a scene? He saved those students!"
"That's irrelevant!"
"It's extremely relevant!"
"He is a disgrace!"
"He is our chance!"
The patriarch, Long Tianhai, massaged his temples as the argument spiraled out of control.
"Enough," Tianhai growled, his voice deep and thunderous.
Silence fell instantly.
A servant rushed in, kneeling.
"Patriarch! Footage of Long Hao in the dungeon… it has gone viral. The city authorities want answers. Guild officials want to know if the Long Clan is hiding information about a forbidden-type talent!"
A ripple of panic surged.
"Forbidden?! Impossible!""That boy couldn't awaken a spark!""We removed him from the registry!""He's a walking disaster!"
Long Tianhai stood slowly, eyes dark.
"Play the footage."
The servant opened a projection.
Long Hao appeared on screen — weaving between monsters like wind and shadow. His posture fluid, perfect. His movements sharp, lethal. And then—
The moment he vanished.
The elders collectively inhaled.
"What… technique is that?""No trace of spirit energy…""That footwork… it's from the old texts.""Impossible. It died out centuries ago."
Long Tianhai leaned closer, his expression shifting from irritation to something far more troubled.
"That is not the skill of a child," he murmured. "That is the precision of a trained killer."
Elder Yanfeng sneered. "He disgraced the clan, humiliated the elders, and now he invites guild suspicion. We must detain him!"
Another elder snapped back, "Detain him? Did you see what he did? If we move rashly, we will die."
Arguments flared again.
Tianhai finally spoke, voice quiet but heavy:
"We cast him out. Now he rises without us."
That struck the room like a blade.
"And worse…" Tianhai continued, "if he truly awakened something forbidden—something erased from history—then the Long Clan may become his enemy."
Elder Yanfeng scoffed. "He wouldn't dare!"
Tianhai slowly turned to him.
"You didn't see his eyes."
The room stilled.
Tianhai closed his own eyes briefly.
"I saw the footage. Those were not the eyes of a frightened child. They were the eyes of someone who has already accepted death once."
Elders swallowed. Murmurs spread.
"Patriarch… what shall we do?"
Long Tianhai opened his eyes, gaze sharp enough to cut stone.
"We do nothing."
The elders blinked.
"Nothing?""Patriarch—?"
"Nothing," Tianhai repeated. "Do not provoke him. Do not test him. And do not, under any circumstance, treat him as simple trash again."
"But—"
"Because if he is what I fear he is…" Tianhai whispered, voice chilling,"…then the dragon bloodline we have guarded for generations may run through him more fiercely than any of us."
Elders exchanged terrified glances.
If Long Hao's talent truly defied all measurements…
If his power was not awakening-based…
If he could vanish without a trace…
Then he wasn't a branch member anymore.
He was something far more dangerous.
Something they should have never discarded.
Tianhai clenched his fists.
"Pray he does not turn on us."
No one disagreed.
Meanwhile, miles away, Long Hao stretched lazily on a rooftop, completely unaware of the storm he had created.
Or perhaps… not unaware.
Simply unconcerned.
[CHAPTER ENDS]