128: Standing in line, the undercurrent of the family

With the powerful return of Dragon Battle, the legendary “First Sequence” of the Long Family, an invisible yet suffocating pressure began to envelop the Long Family headquarters.

Everyone knew it well.

The single spot for the “Ancestral Dragon Pool,” which concerned the Family's direction for the next ten years and determined who was the true “True Dragon” of this generation, hung like a Sword of Damocles over everyone's heads, officially commencing an unavoidable “new king versus old king” struggle that would decide the Family's future.

The entire Long Family, this behemoth standing at the world's Peak, seemingly a monolithic entity to outsiders, began to subtly split into several distinct factions due to the confrontation between these two peerless Prodigies.

A “taking sides” before a major conflict unfolded silently yet intensely amidst the undercurrents… Inside “Qingtian Pavilion,” Long Qingtian's private residence.

A small-scale secret meeting, whose participants' stature was enough to make the entire Long Family take notice, was underway.

Long Qingtian, the former “First Sequence,” Long Ao, the number three heir, and Dragon Snow Phoenix, who played important roles in the War Emperor's Mausoleum and the Qin Family expedition—these core heirs, the most powerful and representative of the younger generation—were gathered together.

“Big Brother's strength is several times more terrifying than it was ten years ago.” Long Qingtian held his teacup, and for the first time, a deep hint of apprehension appeared in his usually calm eyes. “The Ancient Dragon God Art he Cultivates is inherently the most overbearing and Bloodline-focused Cultivation Technique in the Family. Now that he has returned with Major Achievement, has the legitimate status of ‘First Sequence’ to bolster him, and the support of those old geezers… this time, Master, he will likely face real trouble.”

“So what?” Long Ao, beside him, had an almost fanatical look of admiration and confidence on his face. He slammed his hand on the table and said in a deep voice, “Big Brother Dragon Battle is indeed strong, but in my opinion, no matter how strong he is, he is still within the realm of ‘man’! But Lin Tian… no, Master, he has long surpassed the limits of ‘man’! He is a God! He is the only True God who can create miracles and suppress an era!”

His words received Dragon Snow Phoenix's absolute agreement. She recalled Lin Tian's various divine feats in the War Emperor's Mausoleum, purifying War Gods and obliterating Demigods with a single finger, and her heroic eyes sparkled with brilliance.

“I agree with Long Ao's view.” She said firmly, “The Family's future should no longer be bound by so-called ‘tradition’ and ‘seniority.’ Only a king like Master, possessing absolute strength and unparalleled courage, can lead our Long Family to an unprecedented, glorious future that truly Dominates the stars and seas!”

Ultimately, the three reached a consensus.

They, these young Prodigies who had once been “conquered” by Lin Tian's absolute strength and charisma, would unreservedly and firmly stand behind Lin Tian, this “new king,” becoming his staunchest supporters and shield in this internal power struggle!

…Meanwhile, in the “Ancestral Dragon Hall,” which symbolized the status of “First Sequence” and where Dragon Battle temporarily resided after his return, it was a different scene.

Several Elders, highly respected within the Family, holding real power yet extremely conservative in their thinking, were gathered, expressing their “loyalty” to the young king who had just emerged from seclusion, his Aura as profound as the sea.

“Your Highness Dragon Battle, you have finally returned!” The Third Elder, leading the group, said with great excitement, “For the past six months, the Family has been in utter chaos! A mere greenhorn, whose Bloodline origin is unknown, who appeared out of nowhere, has been pushed into the ‘Alpha’ position by a few old fools, simply because he made some so-called ‘contributions,’ elevating him above all of us! This is the biggest joke in our Long Family's tens of thousands of years!”

Another Elder echoed, “Yes! Our Long Family values Bloodline, legitimacy, and seniority! You, Your Highness Dragon Battle, possess the purest Ancestral Bloodline, Cultivate the most orthodox Ancient Dragon God Art, and have toiled for ten years guarding the Family's Forbidden Ground, rendering great service! This position of ‘First Sequence,’ this spot in the ‘Ancestral Dragon Pool,’ should rightfully be yours! What right does that Lin Tian have?!”

Their words were filled with rejection of Lin Tian, this “outsider,” and anger at the disruption of the Family's “traditions.”

Dragon Battle listened quietly, seated cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his handsome face, chiseled like by a knife and axe, full of dominance and majesty, devoid of any expression.

Only after all the Elders had finished speaking did he slowly open his eyes, which resembled two golden suns, filled with boundless Dragon might.

“He is indeed very strong.”

His voice was deep and magnetic, as if resonating with a Dragon's roar.

“But the Long Family only needs one True Dragon, and that is enough.”

He said no more, but the unquestionable dominance and confidence contained in those words caused all the Elders present to tremble in their hearts, then reveal expressions of ecstasy!

They knew that this “old king,” with his impeccable lineage, had made up his mind to launch the fiercest… challenge against the “new king” who was currently enjoying immense prestige!

…More Family members and affiliated forces, in this sudden “new king versus old king” struggle, wisely chose to remain neutral, assisting neither side, and awaiting the final outcome.

They dared not offend Lin Tian, the “new king,” who had achieved great military feats and was at the height of his power.

Nor did they dare underestimate Dragon Battle, the “old king,” with his deep foundations and legitimate standing.

The entire Long Family, due to the confrontation between these two top Prodigies, outwardly remained calm, but internally, it had already split into three distinct factions, with undercurrents surging and tensions running high.

And what first completely brought these undercurrents to the surface was a Family high-level meeting concerning “benefit distribution”… The Long Family's highest deliberation hall.

The meeting's theme was about how to distribute the three S-rank Peak energy ore veins, of inestimable value, compensated by the Qin Family.

The Third Elder of Dragon Battle's faction was the first to make a move. He righteously proposed that the distribution should be based on the Family's “traditional contribution” and “member seniority.” According to his plan, more than seventy percent of these three ore veins would be allocated to their “local faction,” led by Dragon Battle.

“I object.”

A clear and firm voice interrupted his grand discourse.

Long Qingtian, representing Lin Tian at this meeting, slowly stood up, his steady eyes meeting the Third Elder's without yielding.

“According to Article 7 of Chapter 3 of the Family's Supreme Code: The ‘Alpha’ heir possesses absolute, unconditional, and highest priority… full distribution authority over all S-rank Peak and below resources of the Family!”

He spoke each word distinctly, his voice not loud, yet it struck everyone's heart like a heavy hammer!

“These three ore veins are spoils of war that Master, he, won back for the Family through his own efforts! Their ownership, their distribution, can only, and should only, be decided solely by Master, he!”

“You…” The Third Elder's face turned red from being countered by these words. He angrily retorted, “Long Qingtian! Don't forget your identity! You are also an heir born and raised in our Long Family! How can you help an outsider…”

“Silence!” Long Qingtian roared, his S-rank Peak Aura erupting, forcefully suppressing the Third Elder's unfinished words!

“Master is the only ‘Alpha’ of our Long Family! Are you questioning the decision of the Elder Council?!”

For the first time.

For the first time, an open confrontation over “core interests,” triggered by the standoff between the “new king” and the “old king,” completely erupted in this deliberation hall, which symbolized the Long Family's highest authority!

All the neutral Elders and high-ranking officials kept their eyes down, choosing silence.

They knew this drama had only just begun.

And the two true protagonists had not even personally entered the fray yet.