But compared to Long Daozhi and Chu Feng, the others felt little surprise.
After all, among those present, the Ninefold Dragon Gate held the greatest strength, and if anyone were to obtain the Dragon Vein Origin Stone, they were indeed the most likely.
This outcome, however, delighted those who had earlier mocked Long Daozhi even more.
“As expected, they were mad with longing to return to the Long clan.”
“I said it, this bunch of trash, managing to enter the Endless Abyss was already luck, how could they possibly obtain the Dragon Vein Origin Stone.”
“Truly laughable.”
At this point, those who had previously worried now began mocking Long Daozhi and the people of Ancestral Martial Dragon City without restraint.
But Long Daozhi no longer cared for such venomous words.
His mind now held only one thought.
Why?
Why?
Why was it he who handed the Dragon Vein Origin Stone to Lord Tonghe.
Yet why was it the Ninefold Dragon Gate that returned to the Long clan.
This should not be, it ought not to be like this.
A mistake?
Perhaps it was a mistake.
“My lord, Lord Tonghe.”
“This is wrong, this cannot be right.”
With that thought, Long Daozhi shot into the air, flying towards Lord Tonghe.
He sought an explanation.
Buzz—
Yet before he could draw near, a pressure emanated from the war chariot, halting Long Daozhi.
The pressure was immense, even Long Daozhi unable to breach it.
Immediately after, two figures descended from the war chariot.
They were Long clan members.
Not only did they arrive before Long Daozhi, they drew their weapons, placing the blades at Long Daozhi’s neck.
“Your status does not permit approaching Lord Tonghe.”
“Withdraw at once, or forfeit your dog’s life.”
The two Long clan members said viciously.
Lord Tonghe also glanced at Long Daozhi, his gaze filled with indifference, even unfamiliarity.
As if he did not recognise Long Daozhi at all.
This scene let Chu Feng know they had indeed been deceived.
The deceiver was none other than this: Lord Tonghe.
Thus, everything made sense.
Lord Tonghe had deliberately met Chu Feng and Long Daozhi in secret and taken the Dragon Vein Origin Stone.
In doing so, aside from him, no one could prove that Long Daozhi had obtained it.
And now, Lord Tonghe had granted the right to return to the Long clan to the Ninefold Dragon Gate.
Likely, the Ninefold Dragon Gate had offered Lord Tonghe benefits, or they shared an uncommon connection.
After all, earlier, Long Xiaoxiao and her grandfather had told Chu Feng.
The Ninefold Dragon Gate had ties to the Long clan beyond the ordinary.
As for Chu Feng and Long Daozhi, they had been used.
Thus, Chu Feng hastily transmitted covertly to Long Daozhi.
“Senior Long, forget it, do not argue with them.”
“Now the Dragon Vein Origin Stone is in Lord Tonghe’s hands, you have no proof, no one will believe you no matter what you say.”
“Moreover, this Long clan is too despicable.”
“Such a Long clan is not worth your efforts.”
Chu Feng sought to dissuade Long Daozhi.
For the Long clan was too overbearing, and Long Daozhi could not prove he had handed the stone to Lord Tonghe.
In such circumstances, insisting on an explanation would yield nothing, only inviting suffering.
Yet Long Daozhi did not withdraw, his face now full of grievance, tears welling in his eyes, unable to accept this outcome.
After all, returning to the Long clan was his lifelong dream.
Thus, gazing at Lord Tonghe high above in the void, Long Daozhi still spoke.
“Lord Tonghe, it should not be like this.”
“That Dragon Vein Origin Stone was clearly given to you by me.”
“Should it not be my Ancestral Martial Dragon City returning to the Long clan, how has it become the Ninefold Dragon Gate?”
“Has there been some mistake?”
“Lord Tonghe, have you announced the wrong name?”
Long Daozhi pressed relentlessly.
He still clung to a sliver of hope.
Wrong?
If truly so, then well and good.
But alas, the outcome was not.
“He gave it?”
“This man must be mad.”
At this moment below, a tremendous uproar had arisen.
But soon after, gales of laughter echoed forth.
Earlier, when Long Daozhi told his clansmen he had obtained the Dragon Vein Origin Stone, only those nearby heard.
But now his words reached everyone present.
Yet scarcely anyone believed Long Daozhi, all deeming him to spout nonsense.
In their eyes, Long Daozhi lacked the ability to obtain the Dragon Vein Origin Stone.
Thus, like those before, they thought him driven mad by desire to return to the Long clan.
In the eyes of the crowd, Long Daozhi had become a joke.
“I understand the longing to return to the Long clan.”
“But one must rely on true ability, mere delusion will never bring you back to the Long clan.”
“Withdraw, do not shame yourself further.”
Lord Tonghe said.
His words confirmed Chu Feng’s suspicions.
Deliberate, all of it deliberate.
From the start, everything had been predetermined.
Not only Long Daozhi.
No matter who obtained the Dragon Vein Origin Stone, the result would be the same.
From the beginning, Lord Tonghe had decided.
The Ninefold Dragon Gate’s return to the Long clan was preordained.
Unless no one obtained the Dragon Vein Origin Stone at all.
Otherwise, whoever obtained it would serve as a wedding dress for the Ninefold Dragon Gate.
Long Daozhi was no fool, how could he not grasp this?
Yet he could not resign himself, so he spoke again.
“My lord, it was I who personally handed you the Dragon Vein Origin Stone.”
“Do you not remember?”
Long Daozhi continued.
Hearing this, Lord Tonghe’s gaze turned overtly unkind.
“Your meaning is that I took your Dragon Vein Origin Stone, yet credited the achievement to the Ninefold Dragon Gate?”
Lord Tonghe asked gravely, his words laced with evident malice and fury, audible to all.
At this point, it was not only Chu Feng covertly transmitting to dissuade Long Daozhi.
Master Liang Qiu, and all of Ancestral Martial Dragon City, transmitted covertly to dissuade him.
They all knew Long Daozhi should not continue.
Even if his words were true, he could not go on.
Otherwise, calamity would descend.
Everyone knew, and Long Daozhi understood.
Thus, he hesitated somewhat.
His fists hidden in his sleeves clenched with creaking sounds.
But in the end, resolve surged in his eyes.
“My lord, this subordinate dares not blame you.”
“But that Dragon Vein Origin Stone was indeed found by this subordinate.”
“This subordinate truly wishes to return to the Long clan, and has fulfilled all the Long clan’s requirements.”
“I hope my lord will judge fairly and give this subordinate an explanation.”
With those words, Long Daozhi knelt in the void.
“What explanation does trash like you deserve from this old man.”
“Scram.”
Unexpectedly, Lord Tonghe bellowed in fury.
At the same time, he pointed a finger at Long Daozhi.
Immediately, a streak of light shot forth, a martial power flying sword.
The flying sword tore through the void, hurtling straight towards Long Daozhi.
The martial power flying sword’s speed was extreme, beyond what Chu Feng and the others’ cultivation could discern.
When Chu Feng and the rest reacted.
Long Daozhi’s fleshly body had been pierced, and the pierced spot was none other than his dantian.
