Duan Clan residence:
An old man was sitting on his throne wearing a sad yet angry look while staring at the soldiers kneeling in front of him and to his sides are the elders and his heartless son and grandson. This old man is the current patriarch of the Duan Clan, Duan Ming.
"It's been three months already, yet, you can't still find Jiang'er? all of you are truly useless! Sigh..." Patriarch Ming takes a deep sigh and shaking his head.
"Father, don't blame them. Searching for a bone in the river is too difficult. My sons are here Duan Chu and Duan Chin, they are blood-related, why bother looking for that trash?"
Duan Ching was not able to hold the disappointment he feels, because even 90 days have left he is still looking for Long Jiang which is already dead, how could a disabled person able to swim in the ravaging lake? That's why he tried to convince his father that he should spend his time with his own family.
"STOP!!!"
Patriarch Duan Ming angrily shouts to his son. He is very upset with his son's action, if not for the fact that Duan Ching is his only one, he already killed this foolish son.
He just takes a deep breath and adds up his patience. "Sigh... That's why I'm hesitant to give my position to you, because of your immature decisions. Now that you've made the biggest mistake you should never do and even invoked the downfall of our clan. Sigh... there is nothing to hide." Patriarch suddenly stops his words.
"Father, what do you mean? are you not giving it to Long Jiang?" He was confused by his father's words, one of the reasons he wanted to kill Long Jiang was to secure his position to be the next patriarch of their clan and not to someone of unknown origin.
When Duan Ming heard his son's question he looks at him seriously and says, "How could a sea dragon stay in a small pond? I'm taking care of him because of my promise! Not for giving my position, his father is my benefactor. His father saved my life multiple times and nurtured me, if it's not for him, we will not attain our status now."
Everyone in the room who heard Patriarch Duan Ming was said, everyone is shocked. They didn't believe what they just heard. But later on, they realized why the patriarch is so fond of Long Jiang, not because he wanted Long Jiang to inherit the position as a patriarch, he is just paying gratitude to his benefactor!.
"Father..." Duan Chin felt guilt and regret in his heart, he was blinded by his desire and committed an unforgivable sin.
"It's okay, although I can't see that boy, I can feel that he is still alive. What I'm regretting right now is I've been too dumb to let him in your care, now that his son is gone and suffered mistreated. I'm afraid we lose such a very strong wall to break the strong wind. Especially now that Bai, Ling, and Lin Clan are getting stronger, our status will be lost someday." Duan Ming while in pain.
* * ******* ***** ****
Long Jiang is striding forward like a boar or rhino running straight forward while his mind is out of nowhere, still thinking about his hardships during these previous months.
During those 3 months, he was developing his martial arts and concocting pills, with the guide from the fire dragon, he easily absorbs and breaks down the mystery of the techniques. He also opened the ring that patriarch Duan Ming gave to him. From the ring, he got a Fist Martial Arts manual [ Brutal Fist ] and some healing pills.
At that time, he was upset because his father did not leave him a very good technique. Luckily, Huo Shen Long teach him a special Martial Arts [ Fire Dragon Physique ]. This technique enables him to withstand heat depends on how high the temperature is, also, this enables him to consume flame, speed up the digestion of pills or beast core and most important is enables him to temper not only his physical body but also his qi or energy.
During those days his cultivation level also leaps from Elite Stage Mid Level to Slayer Stage.
While he is striding forward he saw a lake up ahead, he quickly removed all his wearing and splashed them into the lake like a cannonball. He goes deep down but did not see anything special. After minutes of enjoying himself swimming like a Barracuda in the lake, he goes up and sits on the edge of the lake.
When he felt he is good to go, he quickly stood and put on his pants and while putting on his pants he saw his body reflection in the water and noticed a mark on his right chest with the shape of a black dragon.
Since young whenever he took a bath and see this dragon mark on his chest he caressed it along with a curious question in his mind if this is a coincidence or had meant it.
While contemplating he heard Huo Shen Long's voice in his mind. " He brat! I'm just curious, how come a royal blood dragon like you is playing in this garbage realm? did you run away from your home? or don't tell me you've been abandoned in this shitty place? Because even you have the evidence of royal blood I can't sense the pure dragon essence in you.
"What do you mean pure dragon essence? Royal blood?" This is the first time he heard about this dragon essence thing also it gives him elation because it means this dragon mark is connected to his real family.
"Oh! You didn't know? That's good for you that you didn't understand what it is, with your low cultivation I'm afraid you might do something stupid. Let's set aside this, for now, you need to focus on enhancing your strength."
The excitement he felt quickly drop down when he heard Huo Shen Long. But it still gives him hope, now that he does have a clue or key to find his real origin. "I understand master Huo."
Huo Shen Long did not reply to Long Jiang, instead, his mind is thinking of this weird scenario.
("My guess was right, his dragon essence has been dug out, oh... poor child, this must be so hard for you and your parents. Heaven is very mysterious, taking out your pure blood essence is like taking out your life, yet, why this kid is still alive and kicking?" )
It's already noon yet he still didn't know where he was or if he is on the right path, "Sigh, I hope the old saying is right. If you don't know where to go, keep moving forward." while he is dashing forward his belly complain to him.
Long Jiang stop in the shade of the trees and took out the carcass of the Sabertooth Bear that he killed, he chopped one of the arms grilled it.
While in the middle of eating the meat of Sabertooth Bear. A Group of village hunters suddenly appear in front of him.
"Hey, Kid! Who are you!? What are you doing here alone!?" Asked by the leader of the group, however, even they saw Long Jiang is only young they didn't drop their guards.
"Eh!!!!!" Long Jiang was shocked to see a person in front of him. Suddenly his laugh reverberates "Hahahaha!!! Human! The path is right!! Hahahahaha."