Chapter 302: A Scheme To Strengthen Bond
The moment Hueng finished introducing the elders, the atmosphere inside the grand hall subtly shifted.
What had once been shock slowly transformed into curiosity. No—hunger.
The family head of the Zhong Family stepped forward first, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Logan more closely. "Young Master Logan," Wei Zhong began, his tone polite yet probing, "forgive my bluntness, but I must ask — how did you come into contact with a cultivation technique?"
Murmurs rippled across the hall. Another elder continued where he left off. "After the dungeon era began, spiritual energy almost ceased to exist in the outside world. People turned to magic because it was easier, faster, and more accessible. Cultivation declined to the point of extinction."
All eyes returned to Logan. He inhaled slowly. He had expected this question. And he had already prepared for it. "I was... fortunate," Logan said after a brief pause. His voice was calm, steady, neither arrogant nor hesitant. "By chance, I came across an old manual script."
"A manual?" Mistress Shen Lian asked softly.
"Yes," Logan nodded. "It contained a breathing technique. I didn’t know what it truly was at first. I only practiced it because it felt... exciting."
He allowed a faint, self-deprecating smile to surface. "I didn’t expect it to lead me down this path."
The hall fell silent.
Some elders exchanged glances. A breathing technique. Something so simple, yet so fundamental.
Wei Zhong let out a quiet breath. "To think... the foundation was enough."
Hueng’s gaze lingered on Logan for a moment longer than necessary, but he said nothing.
Another elder stepped forward, this time from the Rui Family. His voice was heavier, cautious. "Then what about the Golden Dragon’s Legacy?" Huan Rui asked. "Do you know anything about it?"
The air seemed to tighten with anticipation.
Logan shook his head. "No," he replied honestly. "I had never even heard about it before. Until I met the two, the long family had sent." Logan now knew which family, chianxu and Xiao were from.
There was no hesitation in his denial. This time, the elders didn’t question him further.
Instead, several of them turned toward Hueng.
"When were you planning to brief him?" Feng Dao asked, his tone mild but carrying undeniable authority.
Hueng folded his hands behind his back.
"Now," he said simply. "The time has come."
A ripple of understanding spread across the hall.
Hueng turned toward Logan and inclined his head slightly. "Come, Young Master," he said. "I’ll take you to the library."
The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere eased.
The elders no longer pressed Logan with questions. One by one, they stepped back, offering nods of respect before turning to leave. They had many more questions. But for now, they decided to wait and to confirm if Logan really was the one they all had been looking for.
Soon, the grand hall began to empty. The representatives of the other Spirit Families returned to their respective territories within Spirit Mountain.
But the calm did not follow them everywhere.
In the Dao Family Residence...
The moment Feng Dao stepped into the main hall of the Dao Family residence with other elders, he didn’t even have time to sit down.
"Master!"
"Has the person really been found?"
"Is it true he awakened the ability?"
"How old is he? What’s his current cultivation realm?"
Voices bombarded him from all directions.
Several Dao Family elders, who hadn’t gone with him, had been waiting impatiently, pacing the hall like restless beings.
Feng Dao raised a hand. Silence fell instantly.
"You won’t believe how young he is," Feng Dao started calmly. "He’s only sixteen. Or maybe even younger."
The reaction was immediate.
"What?!"
"Sixteen?!"
"That’s impossible!"
Even elders who had lived for a long time couldn’t suppress their shock. "Thousands of years..." an elder muttered. "And the one chosen by the legacy is a boy barely past childhood?!"
Another elder’s eyes gleamed with calculation. "Such destiny... What about his strength and talent? Is he a cultivator? If yes then what is his current cultivation realm?"
"Martial saint." Feng Dao waited for a while before finally replying.
A brief silence followed. Everyone was so stunned that they didn’t find any words to express their bewilderment. Then someone spoke words that shifted the entire mood.
"If he’s already a martial saint at the age of only sixteen, then his talent can no way be compared. We must strengthen our relationship with him," an elder said carefully, "should we consider a marriage between him and from one of our family?"
The hall froze. The suggestion was too sudden.
Feng Dao’s brows rose slightly — but he did not dismiss the idea. Instead, he nodded slowly. "A union would indeed solidify relations," he said. "Especially with someone carrying the Golden Dragon’s potential."
The tension thickened.
At that moment, an elder stepped forward, his expression resolute. "Master Feng," he said, bowing slightly, "my daughter could be a suitable match."
It was Jong Dao.
He straightened and continued confidently. "She is eighteen, but her appearance is youthful. Her talent surpasses most of her peers, and her cultivation foundation is the strongest among the younger generation in our family. Not to mention..." A faint smile appeared on his lips. "She is also the most beautiful."
Feng Dao’s gaze sharpened. He considered it carefully. After a long moment, he nodded.
"Lin Dao," he said slowly. "Yes... she would be fitting."
Behind the elders, a young woman standing near the corridor stiffened. It was Lin Dao. Her cheeks flushed red. Her fingers tightened against her robe as her heart began to race.
’Logan.’ The name echoed in her mind.
Before anyone could speak further, a sharp voice cut through the hall.
"That’s not fair!"
All eyes turned. A young man stepped forward, his face tense with frustration.
"Everyone here knows Lin Dao was promised to me!" he protested. "This was agreed upon years ago!"
Jong Dao turned slowly. His expression darkened. "Perk Dao," he said coldly.
The young man stiffened.
"I did give my word," Jong Dao continued, his voice carrying unmistakable displeasure, "back when I believed your character and talent were worthy."
He took a step forward. "But don’t think we are blind."
Perk Dao’s face paled.
"We know exactly what you’ve been doing behind our backs," Jong Dao said sharply. "Running around. Playing with women. Tarnishing the Dao Family’s name."
His eyes burned with anger. "You think I would still marry my daughter to you?" Jong Dao scoffed. "Dream on."
Perk Dao’s face flushed deep red. Humiliation burned across his features, but beneath it, something darker twisted.
Rage.