Long Nian looked puzzled.
As a child of the Long family, he had never heard of these techniques being part of their legacy.
With doubtful thoughts circling his mind, Long Nian took the manuals and began skimming through them.
Very quickly, he was drawn in by the intricate theories and mysterious diagrams. His eyes widened, his breathing grew rapid, and he found himself immersed.
Is this real...?
Just a few breaths later, Long Nian's eyes opened wide in shock. His arms trembled slightly from the sheer impact of what he had seen, nearly causing the books to slip from his grasp.
He could hardly believe it.
These two techniques—one was clearly a peak-grade Earth-level manual, and the other, although its rank was not specified, was at least Earth-level or even higher!
Long Nian's heart was in turmoil.
At that moment, he suddenly realized how little he truly understood the Long family.
What other secrets does my clan hide? What unseen treasures lie beneath the surface?
As the shock settled, Long Nian also began to understand the clan leader's confidence.
No wonder he spoke so boldly earlier.
Even a single Earth-grade technique could dominate the entire heritage of the Dragon Kingdom. Two of them together? It was unimaginable.
Calming himself, Long Nian looked at Long Chen again and swallowed hard. "Clan leader... are you really giving these to me?"
Although he already held the manuals in his hands, he couldn't help but question it. It seemed too generous, almost unreal.
As a member of the Long family, his standards were naturally high. He understood the significance of such techniques.
If word got out, not just in Nanshang Province, but across the entire kingdom and beyond, powerful forces would descend like vultures, tearing the Long family apart to seize these treasures.
He felt a surge of emotion in his chest.
The clan leader was clearly aware of the risks, yet he passed the manuals to him without hesitation.
That kind of trust burned deeply in Long Nian's heart.
"Why should a child of the Long family settle for human-grade techniques? That's an insult to your bloodline. Just take them. I do not take back what I have given."
At this moment, Long Nian was finally convinced.
He's truly giving them to me...
Overwhelmed by gratitude, he fell to his knees with a loud thud.
"I, Long Nian, will never forget the clan leader's kindness! I swear I will live up to your expectations!"
Long Chen nodded in satisfaction, then unsheathed a sword and handed it to him.
"As a genius of the Long family, how can you be without a proper weapon?
"This sword will help you on your journey. Let it also remind you that the Long family stands behind you—always."
Long Nian looked up unconsciously, trembling slightly as he gazed upon the silver-white blade.
He instantly recognized it.
It was the sword personally crafted by the clan leader, forged with great effort and precious resources.
A high-grade human-level weapon—perhaps the only one in the entire Long family.
And it was being given to him...?
Was this truly not a dream?
His heart surged with joy, but he didn't take the sword immediately. Instead, he looked at Long Chen and asked softly, "What about you?"
The clan leader had reached the Innate Realm, true, but losing this sword would surely impact his strength and expose him to danger.
Long Chen, standing with hands behind his back, replied calmly:
"When I tell you to take something, you take it. Since when does a Long family member hesitate? Don't worry. Now that I've broken through to the Innate Realm, I won't lack such things."
Feeling shy, Long Nian scratched his head and finally took the sword, clutching it tightly to his chest like a precious treasure.
He bowed his head and smiled: "Thank you, clan leader."
Never in his dreams did he expect so many blessings in a single day—his cultivation restored, two rare manuals, and now a legendary weapon.
As Long Chen watched him with satisfaction, he was about to speak again—when the sound of hurried footsteps interrupted.
He turned.
The great elder, Long Otian, approached quickly.
Sensing his aura, Long Chen immediately noticed something different.
He's stronger. Much stronger.
It seemed the great elder had broken through—his aura now at the peak of Body Tempering.
After taking the Celestial Body Tempering Pill, all the internal damage caused by past failed breakthroughs had been completely healed. Using the pill's powerful medicinal strength, he had reached a realm he had long dreamed of—overnight.
Although excitement bubbled in his heart, the elder remained composed.
He bowed respectfully. "Clan leader, the city lord has arrived. He's been arranged in the main hall."
Long Chen nodded calmly.
He had expected this visit. After all, he had stirred the city not long ago. The city lord's response was inevitable.
However, compared to external matters, letting the great elder advance was far more important.
Without hesitation, Long Chen retrieved a Perfect Spirit Cleansing Pill and handed it to the elder.
"Now that you've perfected Body Tempering, it's time you stepped into the Spirit Cleansing Realm."
The elder blinked in surprise. His foundation wasn't even stabilized, yet the patriarch wanted him to push forward?
He looked down at the pill.
A shock ran through him.
Even the finest Spirit Cleansing Pills he had seen had no more than three medicinal patterns. But this one had four!
Could it be...?
A Perfect Spirit Cleansing Pill?
His mind reeled. Such a pill existed only in legends—guaranteeing breakthrough into the Spirit Cleansing Realm regardless of stability.
It was said to open the gate without fail.
The elder's hands trembled as he clutched the pill tightly.
He looked up, about to speak—but caught the look in Long Chen's eyes.
No words were needed.
He understood.
Long Chen then turned to Long Nian.
"Nian'er, come with me. Let's go meet the city lord."
Long Nian straightened up, his expression solemn.
"Yes, clan leader."