Chen Feng once again set off on his journey, this time no longer alone—he now had Yu Tianlong by his side.
Along the way, the two shared many conversations. With Yu Tianlong's company, the once monotonous journey gained a touch of liveliness. At the same time, Chen Feng also gained a deeper understanding of Yu Tianlong's tragic past.
It turned out that Yu Tianlong was a collateral descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Unlike Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin, who were grandsons of the current clan leader, Yu Yuanzhen, Yu Tianlong came from a much more distant branch of the clan. Though still considered an inner disciple, he was, at best, a sideline member.
Within the clan, the difference between direct and collateral descendants was massive. Whether in daily life or cultivation, direct descendants received resources that were several times more than those allotted to collateral disciples.
Even though Yu Tianlong's martial spirit was a mutated and potentially superior fire-attribute variant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, he was still at a disadvantage.
He yearned to change his fate, and that opportunity came in the form of the clan's five-yearly Grand Evaluation.
The Grand Evaluation was a competition held near the end of each fifth year, pitting the clan's younger disciples against one another. The champion would receive a generous reward.
Relying on overwhelming strength, Yu Tianlong bulldozed his way to the finals with seventeen consecutive wins, undefeated. His performance gained him recognition from many clan elders.
Also making it to the finals were Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin, the two shining stars of the main branch.
With three of the clan's top young talents meeting in the finals, it should have been a fair competition, based on skill and strength alone.
But the day before the final match, the rules were suddenly changed—on the orders of clan leader Yu Yuanzhen. The format shifted from 1v1 duels to a 1v1v1 triple-threat battle.
"Triple-threat, my ass. They were just afraid I'd beat both of them in fair duels and take the prize away from the main family," Yu Tianlong said through gritted teeth.
Even after almost a year had passed, Yu Tianlong still couldn't let it go.
Chen Feng raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
"What exactly was the prize that made even a Title Douluo resort to such shameless favoritism?"
To change the match format at the last minute, Yu Yuanzhen's bias was simply too blatant.
And for even a Title Douluo to value it so highly, the reward must be something extraordinary.
"In addition to receiving priority in cultivation resources and family support, the winner also gets a Nine-Grade Violet Ginseng," Yu Tianlong said with gleaming eyes. This ginseng held immense importance for him.
"Nine-Grade Violet Ginseng?" Chen Feng rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He had never seen it, but he had heard of it.
Its properties were known to strengthen blood and vitality, rebuild meridians, and enhance physical constitution.
Consuming it would drastically improve one's body—it was undoubtedly a top-tier medicinal treasure.
However, to Chen Feng, the Nine-Grade Violet Ginseng was nowhere near as rare or potent as any of the immortal-grade herbs he had collected from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
"Don't be upset, Tianlong," Chen Feng said, trying to comfort him. "Once we've gathered the rest of our team, I'll gift you a true immortal herb. Trust me—once you've seen what a real treasure looks like, you'll realize the Violet Ginseng is nothing special."
Yu Tianlong looked at him skeptically.
"You must not understand how valuable it is... That's the only reason you're saying this."
"No," Chen Feng replied confidently. "It's because I understand it so well—that's why I can say it's not worth much."
Yu Tianlong gave him a strange look and secretly muttered to himself:
This kid's younger than me, but his words are so arrogant…
But after a moment, he admitted:
Well, he is stronger than I. He has every right to be arrogant…
Yu Tianlong continued recounting his past.
In the final match, Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin immediately teamed up and launched an all-out assault on him. Even with superior combat strength, Yu Tianlong couldn't hold out against two equally talented opponents for long.
But that wasn't what crippled his right arm.
The real culprit, the one who destroyed his arm and damaged his martial spirit, was none other than clan leader Yu Yuanzhen.
Clenching his right arm, Yu Tianlong's eyes burned with bitterness.
"The match was unfair. Of course, I protested. I said a few harsh words to the clan leader, and for that alone, he crushed my arm."
"If it weren't for a few elders stepping in to stop him, I probably wouldn't have left there alive."
Two silent tears rolled down his cheek.
He didn't speak any harsh words, but Chen Feng could sense a deep and irreversible pain in his voice. This genius from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would never return to his homeland.
Chen Feng gently patted his shoulder. He didn't know what to say. He had never experienced this kind of betrayal himself, but he could still feel the weight of it.
After a moment, Yu Tianlong wiped away his tears, forcing a smile despite his reddened eyes.
"So… who's our next teammate?"
He deliberately changed the subject.
Chen Feng replied:
"Have you ever heard of the Po Clan?"
"The Po Clan? You mean one of the four great single-attribute subsidiary clans of the Clear Sky Sect?" Yu Tianlong was startled. That name was from a bygone era. If his elders hadn't mentioned it once, he might never have known they existed.
Chen Feng nodded.
"That's right. After Tang Hao injured Qian Xunji, the Pope returned to Spirit Hall gravely wounded and died shortly after. Spirit Hall blamed the Clear Sky Sect and retaliated."
"But instead of resisting, the Clear Sky Sect vanished into the mountains—and left all their affiliated clans behind."
Yu Tianlong followed the logic.
"Spirit Hall couldn't find the Clear Sky Sect, so they vented their rage on the clans left behind. I imagine the Po Clan must have resented the Clear Sky Sect deeply for that."
Chen Feng sighed.
"Exactly. Some subsidiary clans, like the Li Clan, suffered little damage and still hope to one day return to the Clear Sky Sect's protection. But the Po Clan was nearly wiped out."
"And all of it… was because of the Clear Sky Sect's cowardice."
Yu Tianlong nodded.
"So, our next teammate is someone from the Po Clan's younger generation?"
"Correct."
Chen Feng's eyes sharpened slightly.
The Po Clan's combat power was fierce. Yang Wudi, at level 82, had been able to hold off a Title Douluo head-on. How many others could say the same?
Their signature weapon—the Soulbreaking Spear—was known for overwhelming offense, unrelenting momentum, and lethal precision. It was a style very similar to the Seven Kill Sword—direct, fast, and deadly.
And as it happened, there was someone in the Po Clan's younger generation who was just right for their team.