Genius Family Two
Long Daoyun and Nalan Sheng became the heads of their respective families. To strengthen the bond between the two families, they arranged a marriage for their children. Long Yan, Long Daoyun's son, married Nalan Yu'er, Nalan Sheng's daughter.
In the following years, Long Yan demonstrated his strong cultivation talent. He reached perfection in the Body Refining Realm at a young age and was on the verge of entering the Spirit Purification Realm by the age of 18. Seeing Long Yan's immense talent, the Nalan family was very satisfied with the marriage.
However, three years ago, a mishap occurred. For an unknown reason, Long Yan's spiritual energy absorption ceased to work, and any spiritual energy he absorbed disappeared inexplicably. Without the nourishment of spiritual energy, his vitality waned, and his cultivation level began to deteriorate.
Despite the Long family's efforts to find a solution, nothing worked. Witnessing the worsening condition of Long Yan, Long Daoyun resigned from his position as head of the family and left to seek a solution in the capital, a journey that has lasted three years. To this day, the Long family has received no news of Long Daoyun, and Long Yan's cultivation has fallen to below mortal levels, rendering him completely crippled.
In stark contrast, Nalan Yu'er, thanks to her exceptional talents, had risen to the first level of the Spirit Purification Realm and became an inner disciple of the Cloud Sect, even developing a relationship with Nu Qing, the sect leader's only son. Consequently, Nalan Sheng was unwilling to marry his daughter to the now-disabled Long Yan, and Nalan Yu'er herself publicly expressed her disdain for him.
A few days ago, Nalan Sheng informed the Long family in advance that his daughter would soon be coming to break off the engagement to prevent complications for both families. This information alone would not have driven Long Hongwen to seek help from the main Long family.
"What we accidentally learned is that Nu Qing will also visit our family with Nalan Yu'er. It is said that Nu Qing has a perverse character, a narrow mind, and a vengeful nature. If something happens, I fear the Long family in Xuancheng will be in danger," Long Hongwen said anxiously.
He wouldn't have gone to the main family unless absolutely necessary. However, the potential danger posed by Nu Qing could indeed destroy the Long family. He couldn't afford to take such a risk.
Only the patriarch had the power to resolve this crisis. The Cloud Sect was too powerful, and even though the main family had a cultivator at the Inborn Realm, they might not choose to offend the Cloud Sect for a small branch family.
As Long Hongwen bowed his head in worry, Long Chen's expression turned strange. Where had he seen this familiar situation before? Wasn't this scenario similar to a certain novel where the family withdrawing from the marriage was named Nalan? A former genius suddenly unable to cultivate, becoming a useless family member, an engagement being broken...
Wait, does this Long Yan have an old man with a ring? Long Chen raised his eyebrows, becoming interested in the situation. If true, the family might gain another genius. He looked at Long Hongwen and said calmly, "Don't worry, whether it's the branch family or the main family, they are all part of the Long bloodline. As the patriarch, how can I watch you suffer such a threat of destruction?"
"Besides, what is the Cloud Sect? If they want to destroy the Long family bloodline, can they rely on just them? They are not qualified!"
Hearing these words, Long Hongwen looked up in disbelief. He hadn't expected the patriarch to agree immediately without any hesitation, despite the risks he had just listed. He had planned numerous ways to persuade the patriarch, yet the patriarch agreed right away before any of them could be used.
The process was so smooth that he even had the absurd illusion of being in a dream. After a few breaths, Long Hongwen calmed down, his voice trembling: "Patriarch, are you serious?"
Although he heard the exact response he wanted, he instinctively couldn't believe it. Long Chen's eyes moved slightly as he looked toward the distance, as if seeing the Cloud Sect: "Don't worry, I'll handle this matter."
"Thank you, Patriarch, for your assistance!" Long Hongwen, reassured, couldn't help but show a strong look of joy. What he saw on the way to Star City naturally made him understand the strength of the main family's patriarch. With such a powerful figure in charge, Nu Qing would surely restrain himself a bit, right?
"Rise. Once this matter is over, you can leave the Cloud City and settle in Star City."
Long Chen held Long Hongwen's hand and slowly helped him up. "Patriarch..." Long Hongwen was deeply moved, his tears falling uncontrollably as he heard he could return to his homeland.
He never expected that in seeking the patriarch's help, he would encounter such an opportunity. Returning to the main family had been their greatest dream since the family split a hundred years ago. Many elders wished to be buried in their homeland, longing to return to their roots.
"From now on, our families will advance and retreat together, regardless of what happens," Long Chen said firmly.
With this in mind, Long Chen made a secret decision. After resolving these matters, he would take some time to reclaim all the scattered branches. Once these people were united and resources were accumulated, they could become stronger faster.
At this moment, listening to the conversation between Long Chen and Long Hongwen, the grand elder standing aside was surprised but very satisfied with the changes in the patriarch. After all, those branch families in other cities shared the same blood as the main family. They were all part of the Long family. If they were bullied outside, it would bring shame to the Long family. It was better to unite directly and be decisive.
Coincidentally, due to conflicts with the Tang family over the years, the main family had also lost much manpower. They could fully rely on these branch families to quickly replenish the family's strength.