Chapter 18

Half a month ago, everyone knew he was at the third level of the Dragon Vein Realm. Breaking through two levels in half a month, such talent had never been seen in Baiyang County since its inception. If the old ancestor of the Yang family didn't go to great lengths to protect Long Chen's life, it would truly be strange!

Long Chen was absolutely certain that his performance today had already been breathtaking. In the coming period, he would undoubtedly be the hottest topic in Baiyang County!

This time, breaking through to the fifth level of the Dragon Vein Realm went surprisingly smoothly. Everything seemed to fall into place, even easier than breaking through to the fourth level. The medicinal power of the two mountain demon ginsengs was completely refined by Long Chen. In less than a quarter of an hour, the long and winding fifth dragon vein was actually unblocked!

A dragon's roar shook the heavens and earth!

Under the nourishment of the mountain demon ginseng, his injuries were mostly healed. Long Chen suddenly stood up, and everyone noticed that at this moment, he exuded a powerful aura, his eyes shining with divine light. It seemed that defeating Yang Lingyue would now be effortless for him!

"This guy... is really going to defy the heavens..."

Chen Liu, who had once bullied him, hid behind someone else, his legs trembling uncontrollably...

Those who had once mocked Long Chen and given him cold looks swallowed their saliva, their faces pale.

Seeing Long Chen truly break through to the fifth level, the old ancestor of the Yang family's face remained cold, but he was inwardly very pleased.

In the crowd, Yang Lingqing's gaze caught Long Chen's attention. Her eyes were complex.

Long Chen originally thought the matter was over. He looked at the old ancestor of the Yang family, about to ask for the Dragon Seal, when several people from the Bai family actually walked onto the martial arts platform, their eyes filled with cold intent.

The old ancestor of the Yang family was slightly taken aback and asked, "Why have you all come up?"

Bai Zhanxiong's gaze was already filled with killing intent as he looked at Long Chen. He took a step forward and respectfully said to the old ancestor of the Yang family, "Uncle Yang, I have no intention of disrupting the Yang family's family assembly, but there is something we must ask him clearly."

When his gaze fell on Long Chen's ear, Long Chen already knew it was bad.

"Half a month ago, my son encountered a disaster, which I believe you all know about. The culprit was so ruthless that I wish to cut him into a thousand pieces!"

"According to Shixun, at the time he went to chase a black iron sword but unexpectedly encountered a masked person who took it, causing him to end up like this. What I want to say is, the black sword that previously rescued him matches the description given by my son!"

"Boy, that masked person was you, right!"

"At such a young age, to be so ruthless, your heart is truly despicable!"

Bai Zhanxiong's accusations made everyone focus their attention on Long Chen.

The matter of Bai Shixun had long been known throughout Baiyang County, but since the Bai family was the dominant force in Baiyang County, most people only dared to whisper about it and never speak out loud. However, they all knew that Bai Shixun, the young master, was probably ruined for life.

Long Chen thought to himself, "If discovered, the old ancestor might not want to provoke a conflict between the Bai and Yang families and might abandon me. Since they have no evidence, I'll just deny it!"

So he raised his head and said coldly, "I have no idea what you're talking about. What happened to your son has nothing to do with me. Besides, weapons in this world are all similar. How can you determine that my sword is the one that belonged to your son?"

Seeing Long Chen deny it, Bai Zhanxiong was very angry and said coldly, "There are many weapons in the world, but a black iron sword that is seventy centimeters long and two fingers wide is rare. Are you going to keep lying?"

Long Chen said calmly, "You saw the sword just now, so you can describe it now. As a prominent figure in Baiyang County, why are you trying to frame me, a small person?"

Seeing their endless arguments, the old ancestor of the Yang family directly said, "Chen, can you swear to me that you didn't do it?"

Long Chen nodded and said, "I truly didn't. I still don't know what happened to his son. Was he maimed or had his dantian destroyed?"

Lying in front of the old ancestor of the Yang family required a certain amount of courage. His performance earlier was good, and the old ancestor was a talent lover. Although Bai Zhanxiong had come up with this, the old ancestor was still unwilling to let go of the meat in his hands and let the Bai family cut it up, so he asked the question earlier.

Long Chen had guessed his thoughts, which is why he dared to lie in front of him.

Receiving Long Chen's affirmation, the old ancestor of the Yang family said to Bai Zhanxiong, "Xiong, this matter still needs to be investigated. We can't jump to conclusions. You go back today and report to your father. I and Bai Dage are brothers in life and death. Bai Dage naturally trusts me, and I will give him an explanation. As for the rest, there's no need to say more."

This was the Yang family's family assembly, and the old ancestor of the Yang family had the most authority. The relationship between the two major families in Baiyang County was complex, and Bai Zhanxiong was about to marry into the Yang family. A series of relationships made Bai Zhanxiong frown and could only nod, "Since Uncle Yang has said so, how can I not comply? Since the Yang family started, my father has given a lot of help. Uncle Yang and my father are like brothers. I trust Uncle Yang to handle it..."

As he left, Bai Zhanxiong gave Long Chen a cold look and then departed.

"Yang family... hah, I'll let you off for now, but you, no matter who you are, your days are numbered. The true ruler of Baiyang County is only our Bai family!"

Bai Zhanxiong walked off the martial arts platform, but Bai Shiji remained. He gave Long Chen a cruel smile and asked the old ancestor of the Yang family, "Grandpa Yang, that demon hunting competition, he will surely participate, right?"

The old ancestor of the Yang family's gaze sharpened, but he didn't answer. He knew that this was a warning from the young man in front of him. If Long Chen participated in the demon hunting competition, it wouldn't end well for him.

Then Bai Shiji walked up to Long Chen and said coldly, "There's a demon hunting competition coming up. You'd better not participate, or your life might be in danger."

The aura of the seventh level of the Dragon Vein Realm was fully displayed.

"Intimidation, huh..."

Bai Shiji's eyes were full of provocation. Long Chen smiled coldly, knowing that his next opponent would likely be him.

After the Bai family left, other forces also withdrew, and the Yang family's family assembly finally ended.

However, this incident caused quite a stir.

The old ancestor of the Yang family's eyes were unpredictable.

"Follow me."

Saying this lightly, the old ancestor of the Yang family walked ahead, and Long Chen silently followed him. The others could only watch them leave, including Yang Lingqing.

"Such a big storm, all caused by you. What kind of person are you..."

Today, Long Chen's performance was like a storm, sweeping into the ears of the maids and servants. Those who had once looked at him coldly were now filled with fear.

...

On the way, the gazes were filled with fear and reverence.

Long Chen smiled; this was the life he wanted.

Arriving at the small wooden house in front of the Martial Canon Hall, the old ancestor of the Yang family sat cross-legged and looked at Long Chen calmly.

"First, I have a question for you. Was it you who did that to Bai Zhanxiong's son?"

Long Chen nodded.

This was within the old ancestor's expectations. He carefully examined Long Chen and sighed after a long time, "You, boy, didn't show much spirit before, but your performance today truly surprised me. You used my love for talent to protect yourself from Yun Tian and Bai Zhanxiong, which was very clever but also very risky. But you made the right bet, so you survived."

Having his thoughts read by the old man, Long Chen was not surprised. He could only say, "To save my life, these were just temporary measures. I hope Grandpa won't hold it against me."

He knew very well that although he had no feelings for the old man, he was the first person in the Yang family and the master of the Yang family. He couldn't afford to offend him.

The old ancestor of the Yang family was silent for a moment and said, "With my temperament, in the past, if you had used me like this, I wouldn't have let you off easily. But now there is an urgent matter. If you handle it well, I won't hold it against you. After all, there aren't many people in Baiyang County who dare to use me."

"I wonder what task you have for me?"

The old ancestor of the Yang family looked at him with a gleam in his eyes and sighed after a long time, "Let me tell you about the history of Baiyang County. Thirty years ago, there was no Yang family in Baiyang County, only the Bai family. At that time, I was just a talented martial artist. I met the current head of the Bai family, and we went out to explore together, forming a deep friendship. Eventually, we returned to Baiyang County, and I established the Yang family, having a large family and descendants."

"Even now, my relationship with Bai Dage is still very good. The marriage of Qing'er and Xiong'er was partly due to our efforts. However, recently, something has been troubling me."

Long Chen quickly asked, "What is it? Could it be the demon hunting competition?"

The old ancestor of the Yang family nodded and said, "The Bai and Yang families have always been close and united against external threats. But ten days ago, a notice came, and everything changed. You, boy, not only crippled Bai Zhanxiong's son but also worsened the relationship. If I hadn't protected you, it would have been better. Now that I have protected you, the relationship has deteriorated further, and Qing'er's marriage might not happen."

At this point, the old ancestor of the Yang family frowned deeply.

It turned out that the marriage was arranged by the old man. Long Chen had already cursed the old man a hundred times in his heart. He wasn't very clear about the relationship between the two superpowers of the Bai and Yang families, but from what the old ancestor said, it should be very good.

"May not happen? That's good, I won't have to worry about it. Should I make the relationship worse? I'm afraid this old man would be the first to kill me..."

Long Chen pursed his lips and said, "Grandpa, what exactly is this demon hunting competition?"

The old ancestor of the Yang family looked at Long Chen with burning eyes and said, "Baiyang County is under the jurisdiction of Yuanling City. Ten days ago, the Lingwu family of Yuanling City sent a message, ordering the young generations of the Bai and Yang families to enter the Great Wasteland Mountains for a demon hunting competition. The side that obtains the most and strongest demon cores will gain the management rights of Baiyang County for twenty years. The next management rights will be decided by the next generation in twenty years."

"For a long time, Baiyang County has been without a master, while other towns nearby have already had managers. This time, it's finally our turn. The management rights for twenty years are significant for any family. Although Bai Dage and I are like brothers, this time I can't easily give in."

The old ancestor sighed and said, "The demon hunting competition will take place on the afternoon of August 10th, and Qing'er's wedding will be on the evening of August 10th. So, the young disciples won't have much time to attend the wedding. During the competition, people from Yuanling City will supervise, and we won't be able to approach the Great Wasteland Mountains."

After hearing all this, Long Chen already knew what he had to do.

"Grandpa, what you want me to do is to cooperate with the Yang family's disciples in the demon hunting competition to obtain more demon cores, right?"

The old ancestor of the Yang family nodded and said, "The young generation of the Bai family, Bai Shiji and Bai Shichen, are both at the seventh level of the Dragon Vein Realm, and there are two at the sixth level. In the Yang family, only Lingyue and Yang Wu can shoulder the responsibility. Your performance today was excellent. You learned the Meteor Fist in three days and used it so well. The Yang family now has a glimmer of hope in the demon hunting competition."

"Although the competition is good, the young generations of the Bai and Yang families have always been friendly and won't kill each other. However, you need to be careful of the Bai family's disciples. When you enter the Great Wasteland Mountains, you should hunt demon beasts on your own and avoid meeting the Bai family. This way, we have a chance to surpass the Bai family."

Long Chen nodded, understanding the old ancestor's meaning. He was to act alone, as a dark horse for the Yang family. It was also a hope for the old ancestor.

However, would it really go as the old ancestor imagined? Would Long Chen not meet Bai Shiji?

Long Chen nodded and said, "I will follow Grandpa's instructions."

The old ancestor of the Yang family chuckled and said, "You have worked for the Yang family, and I won't let you down. I will handle Yun Tian for you, and the Dragon Seal also belongs to you. These few days, focus on practicing and try to break through in fourteen days."

Receiving the long-desired Dragon Seal from the old ancestor of the Yang family.

Seeing the two characters of the dragon and phoenix, Long Chen was extremely excited.

"Having the Dragon Seal, my strength will surge again! Moreover, my father said the Dragon Seal is not a simple secret manual. I want to see what secrets it holds and what the Dragon Martial Artist truly is!"

At this moment, the old ancestor of the Yang family took out a bag and said, "This is five hundred spirit jade. Take it. If you can absorb it all, you should reach the sixth level of the Dragon Vein Realm. However, be cautious and don't rush. You just broke through to the fifth level, so familiarize yourself with the Dragon Seal these few days. Now, go back and rest."

Long Chen then took his leave.

"Half a month, the demon hunting competition, and the wedding. These two events conflict. What should I do? ... Forget it, I'll focus on practicing the Dragon Seal and see how strong I can become!"