As everyone cheered, Long Chen turned to Long Yan, took out a healing pill, and handed it to him.
"Take this," he said calmly.
Long Yan was montarily confused, but trusting that the patriarch ant no harm, he took the pill without hesitation and swallowed it.
Almost imdiately, a warm sensation spread through his lower abdon. The dicinal power transford into streams of energy, flowing through his body and greatly relieving his weakness.
Feeling this miraculous effect, Long Yan quickly bowed in gratitude.
"Thank you, Patriarch, for your generosity!"
Long Chen nodded, then retrieved a copy of the Chaos Art and the Heavenly Body Refining Technique, handing them to Long Yan.
"I've heard about you from your grandfather. But rember this—our Long family has never had a genius who stayed fallen. If you train diligently with these techniques, you will rise again."
Long Yan listened with a faint, helpless smile.
He knew his condition better than anyone. Unless a miracle happened, his path of cultivation was over. He was resigned to living the rest of his life as an ordinary man.
Still, not wanting to waste the patriarch's kindness, he accepted the manuals respectfully.
"Thank you, Patriarch, for this grace."
Clutching the books tightly, he didn't open them yet, planning instead to study them when alone. At that mont, Long Chen turned to the gathered clan mbers and issued a clear command: prepare to leave for Star City.
At his order, the Long family estate burst into motion. People packed their belongings in haste and excitent.
Watching his kinsn move so energetically, Long Yan stood frozen, stunned.
Noticing this, Long Nian approached, carrying a sword.
"What are you still standing around for?"
Long Yan turned and saw who it was. He quickly bowed.
"Brother Long Nian."
Long Nian waved his hand. "We're family, no need for formality. But why the long face?"
"I..."
Long Yan's expression darkened as he lowered his head.
Standing before Long Nian, a recognized genius, a deep sense of inferiority washed over him. Why had fate given him a glimpse of greatness only to snatch it away?
It was cruel to experience what it ant to soar, only to be caged again.
Long Nian looked at him and saw his past self. Before eting the patriarch, hadn't he felt the sa despair?
Sotis, only after standing in the rain do we learn to offer others an umbrella.
Determined to lift Long Yan's spirits, Long Nian gently patted his shoulder.
When Long Yan looked up, he saw a warm smile.
"I heard about you on the way to Cloud City. I understand how you feel. But the patriarch once told —so long as your spirit remains unyielding, you can co back stronger than ever."
"Judging by your eyes, you don't believe . Do you think I'm just trying to cheer you up? Hah! Let tell you sothing—not exactly a secret."
"My situation was once worse than yours. My cultivation stagnated. I needed ten tis the resources of anyone else just to keep going."
"But look at now."
Long Yan's eyes widened in disbelief.
"If that's true... how did you beco so strong?"
Long Nian chuckled.
"It's just like I said: As long as your will is strong, nothing is impossible. A miracle happened to . So, I believe one can happen for you too."
"I'm just passing on what the patriarch once told ."
"It's not others' ridicule that truly defeats you—it's your own surrender."
Those final words hit Long Yan like sunlight breaking through clouds. A warmth spread in his heart, and his eyes began to shine again.
He had thought of Long Nian as soone distant, unattainable. But to hear that he too had fallen before rising again...
It all made sense now. That empathy, that understanding—Long Nian had been there.
At last, Long Yan accepted this proud brother not just in title, but in spirit.
And if Long Nian could wait for his miracle—then why not him too?
Why should he give up?
Reviews
All reviews (0)