Long Ziyang won, but the victory wasn’t satisfying.

Because Long Zixuan lost from forcibly executing high-level martial techniques, not from being personally defeated by him.

Actually, looking at it from another angle, using Seal Print Shield to forcibly withstand five strikes and still being perfectly fine—that could also be considered a victory.

As Long Zixuan spoke the three words “You won,” this match was declared over.

All the Dragon Family direct descendants stood frozen in place.

The Dragon Family’s strongest direct descendant executing the Dragon Family’s strongest martial technique still failed to defeat that guy—this was truly too unimaginable!

“Thump!”

Long Ziyang sat down hard on the ground, grimacing: “Eldest Cousin, your Spirit Phantom Dominating Dragon Palm is too strong. I almost couldn’t withstand it.”

Long Zixuan: “…”

This guy was definitely performing, definitely trying to leave him some face.

Yes.

Long Ziyang collapsing on the ground was to save Eldest Cousin’s face.

After all, they were of the same clan with no deep hatred or enmity.

Even those Dragon Family direct descendants who’d earlier been lying together in a neat row—he’d only thrashed them without causing internal injuries.

Long Potian’s tears flowed freely, his hands also trembling violently.

My son won.

Won against the Dragon Family younger generation’s strongest!

In that moment, as his father, he felt both proud and honored!

Jun Changxiao smiled, his sweat-soaked fist also relaxing.

When Long Zixuan executed Spirit Phantom Dominating Dragon Palm to bombard him, he appeared completely calm, but internally panicked quite a bit, fearing his disciple couldn’t withstand it.

The System said: “This disciple of yours has a gap with Long Zixuan in strength, but his physical body strength is far ahead. Combined with executing Seal Print Shield, forcibly withstanding spiritual energy-type illusion techniques is no problem.”

“Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“Letting the host feel nervous is also good.”

“Damn.”

…

The Dragon Family clan competition ended. Long Ziyang seized first place in the strongest group and defeated the Dragon Family’s strongest direct descendant, undoubtedly proving himself with strength.

He also proved Iron Bone Sect’s martial techniques.

Although their levels weren’t too high, at least they weren’t inferior to most Dragon Family martial arts.

“Sigh.”

In the West Garden courtyard, Su Xiaomo rubbed his hands together: “I also wanted to spar with that Saint-grade spiritual root Long Zixuan.”

Li Qingyang shook his head: “This Dragon Family direct descendant’s strength is too powerful. If we don’t rely on the talismans the Sect Master gave us, we’d find it very difficult to win.”

Yes.

They found it difficult to contend with Long Zixuan.

But definitely weren’t completely useless—at least their physical body strength was superior to his.

High defense could sometimes also be considered a type of attack.

Just like Long Ziyang, relying on Seal Print Shield, he exhausted Long Zixuan to complete exhaustion.

“Hmph.”

Sitting in the distance, Ye Xingchen snorted coldly.

Of course you all can’t defeat him, but if this emperor were to spar with him, I’d definitely thrash him so badly he couldn’t find north.

Why was Night Emperor so confident?

Because during this period, he’d not only been comprehending sect martial arts but also cultivating his past life’s martial techniques.

Of course.

High-level martial techniques—due to insufficient cultivation, they were very difficult to execute. But executing Supreme-grade level martial techniques was still no problem.

The Dragon Family had many martial techniques?

Could they have more than our Night Emperor Lord?

If Ye Xingchen had sparred with Long Zixuan earlier, executing various martial techniques could dazzle him dizzy.

Unfortunately, this was the Dragon Family, Long Ziyang’s home field. Night Emperor wanting to come out and show off was difficult.

…

“Son.”

In the study, Long Potian stood with hands behind his back: “Don’t return to Iron Bone Sect. Stay in the family and continue cultivating.”

“Ah?”

Long Ziyang was dumbfounded.

Long Potian said: “Father and the elders are also getting old. You young ones should also have some responsibility.”

“Father, I…”

“Based on your performance yesterday, if you inherit the Family Head position in the future, Father believes no one will object.”

Long Ziyang was stunned again.

Family Head—he’d never even thought about it before.

After all, the gap with Eldest Cousin and the others was too great. He never expected that now, his father would value him so highly!

“If you stay, Father will explain to Sect Master Jun.” Long Potian said.

“Father.”

Long Ziyang said: “Son is a disciple of Iron Bone Sect for one day, will be a disciple of Iron Bone Sect for a lifetime. Please let me follow the Sect Master back to the sect to continue cultivating!”

Not wrong.

The Family Head position was very tempting.

But Long Ziyang had never considered inheriting it. He now only wanted to wholeheartedly follow the Sect Master, follow all his senior and junior brothers and sisters, cultivating and living in the sect.

“Sect Master Jun can certainly cultivate you to success, but my Dragon Family also needs an heir.” Long Potian said in a heavy voice.

“Thump!”

Long Ziyang knelt down: “Father, I only want to follow Sect Master Jun. Eldest Cousin and the others also have the qualifications to be heirs.”

“Nonsense!” Long Potian rebuked.

As a father, he had selfish motives, naturally wanting to pass the Family Head position to his son rather than to his nephew.

Previously, Long Ziyang’s performance disappointed him, so he hadn’t considered it.

Now that his strength had improved and he could even defeat Long Zixuan, naturally he had the intention of establishing him as young Family Head.

Those elders would definitely have nothing to say!

Unfortunately, Long Ziyang didn’t want to take over a family comparable to fourth or fifth-rate.

He was more willing to be at Iron Bone Sect. Although cultivation was very arduous, although occasionally getting hit in the face by balls, that place was warm, loving—it was truly his second home!

“Father…”

“Stop talking.”

Long Potian said: “I’ve already spoken with Sect Master Jun. He’s now already left with his disciples. From today, you’ll stay in the Dragon Family to learn the way of managing family operations from Father.”

“Sect… Sect Master left?”

Long Ziyang’s form trembled. He immediately stood up and rushed out.

Arriving at the West Garden courtyard, he didn’t see the Sect Master, didn’t see his fellow disciples—only saw a piece of paper placed on the guest hall table.

“Ziyang, be a proper Dragon Family direct descendant in the Dragon Family. After you take over as Family Head, this seat will also have something to brag about to outsiders—that the Dragon Family’s current Family Head was cultivated by this seat.”

“Remember.”

“A disciple of Iron Bone Sect for one day, a disciple of Iron Bone Sect for a lifetime.”

“Don’t chase after us. This is a Sect Master’s command.”

Signed, Jun Changxiao.

“Sect Master.”

Long Ziyang clutched the letter in his palm. Tears immediately couldn’t help flowing down.

“Whoosh whoosh—”

Dark clouds gathered. Heavy rain poured down.

Looking toward Longyang City from the wilderness, under the swirling rain mist, it seemed draped in a thin veil.

On the official road.

Jun Changxiao led his disciples walking in the rain.

Because of spiritual energy protecting their bodies, the instant water drops contacted their clothing, they were repelled outward.

“Sect Master.”

Li Qingyang said: “Junior Brother Long isn’t coming back with us?”

“He is, after all, a direct descendant of a great family. How could he stay at Iron Bone Sect forever?” Jun Changxiao said.

“Sigh.”

Su Xiaomo said rather sorrowfully: “I didn’t expect that accompanying Junior Brother Long to the Dragon Family this time would become a farewell.”

Liu Wanshi cried: “Sect Master, I don’t want Senior Brother Long to leave. I want everyone to be happy together forever.”

Jun Changxiao raised his head looking toward the dark firmament, his mood complex: “No banquet under heaven lasts forever.”

Everyone fell silent.

One year’s time wasn’t too long, but these disciples, amid laughter and joy, amid arduous cultivation, had long cultivated very deep fellow disciple bonds.

Now separating from Long Ziyang, their mood was filled with mixed flavors.

“Hmm?”

At this moment, Su Xiaomo raised his head, pointing ahead, exclaiming: “Sect Master, look quickly!”

Jun Changxiao, Li Qingyang, and the others all looked over, seeing ahead on the official road stood a man drenched like a drowned rat.

His hair was soaking wet, water drops stuck to his eyelashes, but his gaze radiated determination.

Who was it?

It was Long Ziyang!

“Sect Master!”

He clenched his fist, kneeling down with a thump, splashing water everywhere, loudly roaring: “Unless you expel me from the sect, otherwise I, Long Ziyang, will forever follow you, forever be a disciple of Iron Bone Sect!”

Li Qingyang, Xiao Zuiji, and the others smiled.

Liu Wanshi, with tears in her eyes, also broke into a smile through her tears.

Jun Changxiao shook his head and walked over, then summoned the Annals Bamboo Scroll, slapping it once on his head: “Iron Bone Sect men have gold under their knees. Stand up for this seat.”

“Whoosh!”

Long Ziyang stood up, straightening his back.

Jun Changxiao turned around, shouting loudly toward Longyang City: “Family Head Long, this is your son’s own choice. I, Jun Changxiao, am taking him away today.”

“Sigh.”

From the city tower came Long Potian’s long sigh.

Son.

Father respects your choice.