Even those without internal energy could see the gulf between the two men; Li Changfeng stood no chance against Long Sheng. Long Feng tossed his long sword directly off the arena platform and swiftly moved to seize Li Changfeng.
On the stage, Li Changfeng could only rely on his movement techniques to spar with Long Sheng.
While Long Sheng was powerful, his speed was not, which was Li Changfeng's only advantage; otherwise, he wouldn't last at all.
However, for now, all he could do was endure.
Li Changfeng had a plan. No matter how long he persisted, conserving some of Long Sheng's internal energy would ease the pressure on the next participant. Defeating Long Qiang was already a victory for him; he held no hope of defeating Long Sheng.
Upon engaging, he immediately understood: his opponent was a late-stage second layer cultivator, possessing superior internal energy.
Many had discerned Li Changfeng's objective, and Long Zheng, standing on the platform, was livid.
Although other disciples remained, Long Sheng was their strongest, and he absolutely could not lose to the opponent. If Long Sheng expended too much internal energy in this bout, he would have to be pulled out and replaced.
He thought this because he was unaware of Long Feng’s true capabilities.
The same was true for Long Haotian; they had been preoccupied with the family examination and hosting the three great families, leaving no time to inquire about Long Feng.
Long Haotian knew Long Feng had undergone the experience of re-cultivation, but he did not know his current realm.
Five minutes later, capitalizing on a mistake made by Li Changfeng himself, Long Sheng finally grabbed him and threw him clear off the platform.
Long Zheng let out a small breath of relief; Long Sheng’s victory meant he wouldn't have to substitute him yet.
He was aware that Zhang Yang was stronger, but Zhang Yang was, after all, a member of the Zhang family. If the Long family could win without needing him to fight—ultimately prevailing against three major families—it would become a glorious tale, their pride.
This competition, at this juncture, was not just about the young generation; it was a contest for the future.
If the Long family triumphed, the three great families would naturally cease such audacious behavior, and the Long family's status as the foremost clan would remain unshakeable.
Long Sheng’s victory elicited another roar of cheers from the Long family’s side.
With this result, the three great families had lost nine matches, and the gap between the two sides had narrowed further.
Of course, true experts understood that strength could not be measured merely by headcount; only those less informed or merely seeking entertainment would think so.
Li Liang and Huyan Peng lowered their heads to confer for a moment, and finally, Huyan Peng looked up.
“Huyan Qing, you go!”
From the Huyan family’s seating area, a figure immediately stood up. This person was under 1.7 meters tall and looked quite thin.
However, as he stood, the Huyan family members immediately displayed expressions of reverence, proving this person was no simple figure.
In the world of internal energy cultivators, if you possess no strength, don't expect admiration.
Huyan Qing also stepped forward, but his speed was considerably faster.
Watching him, Zhang Yang frowned slightly, then shook his head gently.
Huyan Qing’s age was similar to Long Sheng’s, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, but his skill was not trivial; he was a late-stage second layer cultivator.
His late-stage second layer was different from when Long Sheng had just entered that stage; it was evident Huyan Qing had maintained this level for some time.
At least in terms of raw power, Huyan Qing was undoubtedly equal to Long Sheng, perhaps even slightly superior.
The match between the two began quickly. Huyan Qing used no weapon, while Long Sheng removed his gloves, which were forged from the hide of a Nasal Bear—a powerhouse spirit beast with peak strength reaching the fourth layer. Its hide was impervious to ordinary divine weapons and offered immense defense.
This armor was crafted from the most resilient part of an adult Nasal Bear slain incidentally by a fourth-layer ancestor of the Long family—a true divine weapon.
Strictly speaking, Long Sheng’s previous victory had an element of trickery, as he employed a divine weapon, whereas Li Changfeng did not.
But even if Li Changfeng had used a divine weapon, Long Sheng likely still would have won. His gloves resisted common divine artifacts; only Zhang Yang's Cold Spring Sword might have the hope of cutting through them.
Both were late-stage second layer cultivators, and the fight was ferocious.
Despite the difference in their builds, their strength was nearly equal. They exchanged fist for flesh-crushing punch, a pure test of power.
The seemingly weaker Huyan Qing matched Long Sheng blow for blow in brute force, leaving many onlookers stunned.
The Huyan family members now showed traces of pride.
Huyan Qing was their senior disciple. Though short, he possessed considerable might. He also cultivated a strength-based technique, and matching others in sheer power was his favorite pursuit.
The current confrontation was essentially two individuals cultivating power techniques clashing head-on; whoever could last longer would win.
Long Haotian and the others suddenly felt a jolt. Although their current strength appeared equal, they clearly perceived that Huyan Qing’s power was still climbing.
Huyan Qing belonged to the type who grew stronger the longer they fought—a 'the stronger you are, the stronger I become' opponent, the most difficult to handle.
While Long Sheng was strong, having only recently entered the late second layer, his stamina could not match Huyan Qing’s.
A feeling of foreboding settled in Long Haotian’s heart. If Long Sheng lost, they might truly have to place their final hopes on Zhang Yang.
“Long Feng, I suspect it’s almost your turn!”
Zhang Yang smiled faintly, turning to look at Long Feng. Should Long Sheng fall, only Long Feng could defeat this Huyan Qing.
Long Feng was at the peak of the late second layer, and his internal energy was poised to break into the third layer at any moment. His power surpassed Huyan Qing’s, and as he cultivated a top-tier core art, defeating Huyan Qing should not be an issue.
“I understand!”
Long Feng’s expression turned serious. If Long Sheng truly failed, he had to step onto the stage.
Today’s events concerned the Long family’s dignity; as a disciple, he bore that responsibility and obligation.
“Eat this!”
Zhang Yang subtly handed Long Feng a small jade vial. Long Feng paused momentarily, looking down.
He recognized the vial; it was one of Zhang Yang’s containers for spiritual medicine, certainly holding a pill inside.
“I don’t need to take spiritual medicine to deal with him!”
Long Feng shook his head. He was confident in handling Huyan Qing and saw no need to consume medicine now, lest it be wasted.
“Listen to me, take it, and don’t let anyone else see!”
Zhang Yang shook his head again, pressing the vial into his hand. Dealing with Huyan Qing was manageable for Long Feng, but the opponent’s strength extended beyond just Huyan Qing.
Zhang Yang did not want Long Feng to sustain injuries or harm; preparing early was wise.
Long Feng gave Zhang Yang a deep look before nodding silently.
He secretly placed the vial in his mouth and swallowed the spiritual medicine without letting the scent leak out.
The moment it went down, he felt a surge of heat. He immediately realized it was a Blood Essence Pill made from the essence blood of the Golden Crown Python. Zhang Yang possessed a large supply of these pills, but since they had been continuously taking them, and Lightning Without Shadow and Chasing Wind also needed them, the stock was dwindling.
Without replenishment, every pill taken was one less.
Not long after swallowing the pill, the scene in the arena shifted.
Long Sheng could no longer withstand Huyan Qing’s surging power and was being forced back step by step; defeat was only a matter of time.
“Roar~”
Long Sheng suddenly roared, his face instantly turning crimson, his eyes blazing with fierce resolution.
“Long Sheng, no!”
Long Zheng’s body shot forward instantly to Long Sheng’s side, striking the top of his head with a palm. The flush on Long Sheng’s face quickly receded, and he slumped softly to the ground, regret etched on his face.
The entire audience froze at this sight.
Many Long family disciples showed anger and sorrow. In his desperation, Long Sheng had intended to use the Dragon Transformation Technique, but Long Zheng had intervened just in time.
Even so, forcibly activating the Dragon Transformation Technique inflicted serious harm on his body; this match, in effect, was already lost for Long Sheng.
“Long Sheng loses this bout!”
Dragging Long Sheng, Long Zheng spoke with a blank expression. Since the Dragon Transformation Technique had not been unleashed, his life wasn't in danger, but he would need a period of recuperation.
No one expected Long Sheng to be so fierce as to resort to such an overbearing technique in a simple sparring match.
Even Li Liang and Huyan Peng now felt a knot of tension. Had the Dragon Transformation Technique been used, and Long Sheng died from this match, they would truly become sworn enemies of the Long family.
They had only come to suppress the Long family, not to create an irreconcilable blood feud.
Long Zheng was furious at Long Sheng’s rashness, but now he faced a much greater problem.
None of them had the strength to surpass Huyan Qing. Sending other disciples would be futile; they would likely have to ask Zhang Yang to step in.
The thought of relying on an outsider’s strength to win brought a wave of sadness to Long Zheng’s heart, accompanied by deep resentment toward the three great families.
Long Haotian understood this as well and turned his gaze toward Zhang Yang’s position.
Beside Zhang Yang, Long Feng was now tidying his robes and slowly rising to his feet.
Without any command, Long Feng walked down from the platform, one steady step after another, ascending the martial arts stage. On the stage, Long Zheng, and on the high platform, Long Haotian watched him in astonishment.
“Long Feng, what are you doing?”
Long Haotian couldn't help but call out. Long Feng was his biological son, and he knew about the recent re-cultivation. Seeing him approach the stage filled him only with worry.
Even without the re-cultivation, Long Feng was only at the mid-stage second layer, let alone after only a few months of rebuilding his foundation.
In his mind, there was no expectation that Long Feng could win. For this family examination, he hadn't even intended for Long Feng to participate, given his unique circumstances.
“Clan Head, Long Feng requests to fight!”
Standing on the stage, Long Feng bowed slightly, clenching his fist, and spoke each word distinctly.
The clarity of each syllable proved that Long Feng’s strength was not weak—at minimum, he was a mid-stage second layer cultivator. Long Haotian was momentarily stunned, doubting whether Long Feng had truly re-cultivated at all.
If he had re-cultivated, how could he possibly recover his former strength so quickly?
After declaring his challenge, Long Feng walked over and stood before Huyan Qing, his expression placid, while Huyan Qing’s face showed a trace of gravity.