68: Struggling internally, I told them frankly.

Inside the bamboo house, a gentle breeze wafted.

Li Yinglong sat cross-legged, the aura around him slowly receding like a tide.

The vibrant life force and faint Dragon might, which had erupted from refining the True Dragon’s essence blood, were slowly drawn, thread by thread, into the deepest parts of his body.

The faint golden glow on his skin disappeared, the sharp brilliance in his eyes transformed back into his usual calm and profound gaze, and even his straight back slightly hunched, reverting from his previous rejuvenated state back into the image of an old man weathered by time, possessing an imposing presence without needing to show anger.

This change was too obvious; he did not want to expose it yet.

The Nine Transformations of the True Dragon was profoundly mysterious; the first transformation, “Water-Wood Dragon Elemental Transformation,” was initially completed.

The True Qi and Spiritual Qi within his body had converted into unique Dragon Elemental Qi.

Although he had not fully mastered its Divine Ability transformations, for him, it was no longer difficult to initially conceal his aura and disguise his appearance.

He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze thoughtful.

Upon returning from Lin Xiaowan, she had inquired about his reason for leaving, but Li Yinglong had brushed her off with the excuse of having gained some enlightenment.

Little Wan did not ask further, only knowing that the Clan Chief had made progress in his seclusion, unaware of the Heaven-Defying Opportunity behind the cave murals.

Li Yinglong remained silent for a moment, ultimately saying no more.

This matter was of immense importance; the significance of the True Dragon’s blood far exceeded imagination.

It wasn't that he didn't trust her, but the fewer people who knew, the safer it would be for her and for the Family.

Some burdens, he alone was enough to bear.

In the following days, he remained in this secret chamber, on one hand, continuing to ponder the various mysteries of the first transformation of the Nine Transformations of the True Dragon, integrating them thoroughly.

On the other hand, a more thorny issue lingered in his mind, making it difficult to decide.

That was—how should he face the Angry Dragon Clan?

Clan Chief Dragon Stone was generous and warm-hearted, Aya was innocent and lively, and Yan Gang was honest and loyal.

They had treated him and Little Wan with utmost sincerity, holding nothing back.

Not only did they escort them all the way, but they also invited them to their Clan Land, treating them as honored guests.

Although the Dragon Scale mural was opened unintentionally, it was, after all, the Foundation of their Clan and a secret of their Legacy.

He, an outsider, by a twist of fate, had obtained the greatest fortune within it.

This matter, should he speak of it or not?

Righteousness weighed on his heart like a rock.

The Jianghu was not just about fighting and killing; it also involved human relations, social etiquette, and clear distinctions between gratitude and grievances.

In his previous life, Li Yinglong had dominated the business world; though his methods were sharp, he valued reputation and promises immensely.

In this life, as the head of his Family, he had even engraved the words “Fairness” into the Family rules.

To leave without a trace, secretly taking the secret, would certainly be the “safest” and most “self-serving” path.

The Angry Dragon Clan might never know, and even if they later noticed something amiss with the mural, where in the vast world could they find him?

However, acting in such a way, what difference would it make from those ungrateful, thieving, and fleeing scoundrels?

The Angry Dragon Clan treated him with sincerity; if he repaid them with deceit, this matter would surely become a Heart Demon.

If his thoughts were not clear, his Dao Heart would be clouded.

He might not feel it normally, but when breaking through a realm, facing a breakthrough, or when a Heart Demon attacked, this thought would be a crack, enough to be fatal to his immortal path!

For the sake of his Family, he needed greater strength; for the sake of his own Dao path, he needed an even clearer, unblemished mind!

However, would it be the act of a wise man to reveal everything, disclosing the matter of the True Dragon’s essence blood and the Nine Transformations of the True Dragon?

No!

Although Dragon Stone was a hero, as a Clan Chief, his primary consideration must be the interests of his Clan!

How precious was the True Dragon’s essence blood? How Heaven-Defying was the Nine Transformations of the True Dragon?

It was a Heaven-Defying secret treasure that could likely incite covetousness and conflict among various powerful beings, even leading to the disaster of Clan extermination!

Once he confessed, how would Clan Chief Dragon Stone handle himself? And how would he view Li Yinglong?

Would he cruelly detain him to prevent the outflow of the Clan’s secret treasure, or even... eliminate future troubles forever?

Even if Dragon Stone, out of consideration for their relationship, couldn't bring himself to act, what about the other Elders in the Clan? What about those old masters who regarded the Clan’s Legacy as their very lives?

Would they allow an outsider to leave safely with the core secret that was the Foundation of their Clan?

Human hearts cannot withstand scrutiny, and the interests of the Clan often outweigh personal friendships.

He could not afford this risk, and the entire Li Family behind him could even less afford it!

For several days in a row, Li Yinglong sat alone in the quiet room, his face as calm as still water.

Innumerable thoughts clashed and collided in his mind, deducing various possibilities.

Lin Xiaowan noticed his unease but dared not ask much, merely placing food and tea outside the door, guarding the surroundings with increasing vigilance.

Finally, at dawn on the fourth day, as the faint morning light cast a sliver of brightness through a crack in the secret chamber, the struggle in Li Yinglong’s eyes vanished, replaced by a calm determination.

He had made his decision.

He would take a middle path:

The True Dragon’s essence blood and the Nine Transformations of the True Dragon must never be revealed, but he needed to be honest about comprehending the mural and activating the hidden Dragon Blood within his body.

He would attribute the reason for this to being a “Dragon Clan descendant.”

Who could guarantee that, besides the Angry Dragon Clan, there were no other dragon spirit Bloodlines in this world?

Who could guarantee that this dragon spirit’s blessing could only be obtained by members of the Angry Dragon Clan?

The records of strange tales of the universe also recorded:

Tens of thousands of years ago, True Dragons were not uncommon.

It was just that later, for unknown reasons, they gradually disappeared from the cultivators' sight.

In this way, he fulfilled the duty of informing, did not deceive his true heart, and avoided flaws in his Dao Heart; he also cleverly concealed the most core secret, attributing his gains to “innate Opportunity” and “the mural’s activation,” rather than the theft of a tangible treasure, greatly reducing the Angry Dragon Clan’s hostility and greed.

This explanation was plausible.

The key lay in his sincere attitude.

Actively informing was fundamentally different from being discovered and questioned by the other party later.

Most importantly, Li Yinglong, relying on his judgment of people and behavioral analysis from two lives, determined that Clan Chief Dragon Stone was not a person who was two-faced.

He was willing to take a gamble.

“So be it.”

Li Yinglong murmured softly, a sharp glint hidden in his eyes:

“Whether it brings fortune or disaster, I must eventually face it. If Clan Chief Dragon Stone is indeed a hero, he will surely understand my sincerity; if he... truly cannot tolerate it, then I, Li Yinglong, am not one to wait for death!”

With his mind made up, a sense of openness and clarity spontaneously arose, his Divine Sense became even clearer, and some previously stagnant parts of the Nine Transformations of the True Dragon showed signs of loosening.

Indeed, only with an unimpeded Dao Heart can one make progress.

Two more days passed, and Aya’s cheerful voice came from outside the secret chamber:

“Grandpa Li, Younger Sister Xiaowan! My father and the Elders are back!”

Li Yinglong opened his eyes, tidied his robes, and pushed open the door of the secret chamber.

Outside the door, Lin Xiaowan stood waiting respectfully, and Aya had a joyful expression.

From the center of the distant village, a clamor could be heard, clearly indicating that the team that had gone out to exchange goods had returned fully laden.

“Let’s go.”

Li Yinglong’s expression was calm:

“Follow me to see Clan Chief Dragon Stone, and after that... we also need to leave this place and return to our Clan.”

He did not immediately go to the noisy square but asked Aya to relay a message first, saying he had an important matter and requested the Clan Chief to rest at his residence for a while before meeting.

This action was intended for a private conversation, not in public, allowing both parties room for maneuver.

Although Aya didn't understand, she dutifully agreed and went to deliver the message.

Soon, news came that Clan Chief Dragon Stone invited Old Mr. Li to his bamboo house for a discussion.

Li Yinglong had Lin Xiaowan wait outside, and he, alone, walked with steady steps towards the bamboo house assembly hall located in the center of the village.

Inside the bamboo house, a warm fire burned in the hearth, dispelling the unique humidity of the Southern Border.

Clan Chief Dragon Stone had just returned, dusty from travel but full of vigor.

Seeing his arrival, he laughed heartily:

“Old Mr. Li, Aya said you had an important matter? Is it that you’re not accustomed to living here, or do you need some medicinal herbs? Just say it!”

Li Yinglong bowed, sat opposite the hearth, and looked at Dragon Stone with a calm gaze.

“Clan Chief, was this trip successful?”

“Successful! We exchanged for much-needed salt, iron, and furs for winter, hahaha!”

Dragon Stone was in high spirits.

After a few pleasantries, Li Yinglong changed the subject, his expression becoming solemn:

“Clan Chief, I sought to see you today because there is indeed a matter concerning the secret Legacy of your esteemed Clan. I have been uneasy in my heart, pondering for several days, and feel it is imperative to be honest with the Clan Chief.”

Dragon Stone’s smile did not diminish, still making people feel exceptionally warm:

“Oh? Old Sir, please speak.”

Li Yinglong took a deep breath and slowly said:

“A few days ago, I was recuperating in the village. Led by Aya, I toured the village and happened to pass by the Holy Land stone cave, where I saw a mural...”