"I didn't expect to be imprisoned for six years." Long Chen tightened his expression as the ethereal voice of the system rang in his ear.
[Ding!! Latest mission detected.]
Mission: Seize Star City — Reward: ????
Mission: Seize Nannan City — Reward: ????
Mission: Seize Dragon Kingdom — Reward: ????
Mission: Seize Cloud Empire — Reward: ????
Mission: Seize Holy Land — Reward: ????
Mission: Seize Eastern Region — Reward: ????
Mission: Seize Four Territories — Reward: ????
Mission: Seize Central Region — Reward: ????
Mission: Seize the World — Reward: ????
"Oh my god, how many question marks are there?! How long would it take to seize all these regions?" Long Chen exclaimed in disbelief as he looked at the mission board.
Then he smirked. "But these rewards… are too tempting. Let's begin—with Star City."
The disciples of the Long Family looked at Long Chen with eyes full of hope and awe. In that moment, they all knew—the days of humiliation were over.
A new era had begun for the Long Family. Long Chen took a deep breath.
Suddenly, all the members of the Long Family fell to their knees, their bodies trembling, eyes reddened, tears welling up uncontrollably.
"Please, Clan Leader!! Strengthen the Long Family!!"
"Please, Clan Leader!! Strengthen the Long Family!!"
"Please, Clan Leader!! Strengthen the Long Family!!"
Their voices thundered like a storm across the courtyard, echoing with generations of pain and endurance.
For years, their hearts had withered like autumn leaves, drifting without roots. Yet they endured—day after day.
And now, with Long Chen standing before them, many of them who had grown up hearing tales of his legend saw their hero return in flesh. Some had witnessed how the Long Family once flourished under his leadership. The pain of the past years exploded before him like a dam breaking.
Because Long Chen was their pillar.
He was—the sky of the Long Family.
These warriors, known for never bowing their heads even under blades, now wept like children.
"Clan Leader… I, Long Autin, am unworthy. I've failed the Long Family… and I've failed my brother. Please… strengthen the Long Family!" Long Autin's voice was hoarse, his eyes bloodshot, as if his sorrow was leaking through them.
"Enough!!" Long Chen roared, his voice hoarse and icy cold. His aura exploded—a dominating pressure of the World Faerie Realm erupted outward. To everyone present, he now looked as towering and immovable as a mountain.
"You've done enough. I've seen the backbone of the Long Family in each of you!"
"The Long Family's backbone does not bend!"
"And you say the Long Family has fallen?"
"No!! As long as I live, the Long Family shall never fall!!"
His voice was thunder and fire, commanding and absolute.
At that moment, every disciple felt something reawaken within them.
It was…
Confidence.
Long Chen had returned—and with him, the Long Family's spirit had returned.
"Respect to the Clan Leader!" Long Autin stood humbly, then saluted with deep reverence.
The others followed, standing in unison with renewed determination.
Long Chen looked across their tear-streaked, determined faces. He knew—he could not let their hearts grow cold again.
"From today onward, any disciple of the Long Family who displays outstanding talent and makes worthy contributions… shall be granted the Heavenly Meteor Skill!"
"You don't need to be from the main lineage!" Long Chen declared firmly.
"Long live the Clan Leader!!"
"Thank you, Clan Leader!!"
"This means… even we can wield Human-level martial arts!!"
[Ding!! Long Family disciples are brimming with confidence. Morale is high. Clan Luck +100!]
The courtyard filled with celebration and excitement.
A Human-level martial skill could fetch hundreds of thousands of spirit stones at auction. Such techniques were rare, almost mythical—many martial artists never even glimpsed one in their lives.
Now, any disciple who proved themselves could earn this gift.
It was simply unimaginable.
As Long Chen began his plan to seize Star City, news of his return—and his overwhelming strength—spread like wildfire.
Panic stirred in the hearts of rival clans, especially the Feng Family. They knew it was only a matter of time before Long Chen's shadow would fall upon them.
And so, they began to prepare… for war.