While Shen Ming went to the Martial arts platform to practice his Sword art. 

A group of Elders of the Shen family gathered in a secret room to discuss a major matter concerning their interests.

“Fifth Elder, please tell everyone the news you heard from the spies of the Long Family.” Shen Shiqing, the second son of the current head of the family, asked with a gloomy face.

There are currently Seven Elders in the Shen Family. Among them, two of them are from the same generation of Family Heads, who are in the half-step Expert Rank and serve as the close confidants of the head of the family.

The other Four include Shen Shiqing, his Elder brother, and three other Elders from the same generation of them. All Seven of them lead the Elder council under the leadership of the Family Head.

In addition, there are three knight orders under the leadership of three commanders who only participate in the Clan discussions when there is a major crisis.

Lastly a One Alchemist, Weapon Smith, and Formation Elder with all of them having reached Spiritual Rank High Grade in their professions.

These are the most important and Core strengths of the Shen Family which made them control 30% of the resources of Sun City.

“The Long Family of Glory City, the archenemy of the Shen Family, gave birth to Expert Rank 7th stage Qi Cultivator just yesterday.” Fifth Elder said blandly due to his introverted personality.

But even so, these words still made all faces of the Elders grave, and a hint of panic appeared on their faces involuntarily.

As a member of the Shen family, how could they not know about the hatred between the two families that has lasted for hundreds of years?

In the past, the Long family's strength was weak but now they would definitely retaliate strongly against them in the next city-ranking battle.

Shen Xinlong opened his mouth to break the dead silence in the secret room, sighed deeply, and said

“ You don't need to worry about him! Even if I had to die; I wouldn't let him harm the Clan.”

“ Father!!” Shen Shiqing stood up with a shocked look on his face and said in panic.

“We all belong to the same Empire. There is no way that Imperial Family will not intervene if it comes to total destruction of our Clan.”

“Yes! We all belong to the same Empire” Shen Xinlong said with bitterness in his eyes: “ But what the Empire wants is to have strong people under them and not Strong Clans. They will definitely intervene but by that time, there would be too much damage taken by both the Clans!”

Shen Shiqing was speechless and sat back with a dejected look.

“ Don't be too dejected!” Shen Xinlong reminded: “ We still have twenty years for it to happen and what we have to focus on right now is to grow our strength as much as possible.”

“ Yes! Family Head.“ replied all the Elders in the room and everyone bid farewell in deep worry and numbness and went to carry on their respective duties.

As everyone gradually left, Shen Xinlong slumped down on a wooden armchair with a heavy sigh.

His eyes were staring into the direction of his third son and daughter-in-law's graves aimlessly.

“At least I should not get Shen Ming to get involved in this! I should do at least this much for the mother who sacrificed her own life for the safety of her son..”

Although he had assured them that nothing would happen to the Clan, Shen Xinlong didn't see any smiles on their faces.

And just when Shen Xinlong, the head of the Shen family, was hesitant and wavering.

In the faraway land of the Long family, one of the two major families in Glory City.

Long Wu, the current head of the Long family, and all the elders of the family were in a jovial mood with excited smiles on their faces.

At this time, everyone related to the Long family gathered together in the Clan after they heard the breakthrough of the Ancestor of their Clan.

“Oldman Wang, according to what you saw, how long can that old guy in the Shen family live?”

In the silent and extremely bright hall.

Long Wu, who was sitting quietly on the main seat, faced the old man in front of him who was wearing purple clothes, with a wrinkled face and a long white beard.

Although he looked very old as if he would die from a single breeze, the old man was extremely energetic and spoke in a low voice.

“From what I can see, he would die by 15-20 years due to exhaustion of his lifespan.” Oldman Wang whispered with a smile, stroking his soft white beard confidently.

Hundred years ago, the Wang family was the strongest in Sun City but everything changed after that Old punk Shen Xinlong ascended to the Family head position.

And they had to cede many resources to the growing Shen Family and slowly their Wang family became the weakest among the three families.

And if it weren't for the heavy losses due to the sudden beast tide twelve years ago; the Shen Family would have long become the sole power of Sun City and their Wang family would have been reduced to become a mere vassal of them.

“ 15 - 20 years?”

“ Oldman Wang, are you sure about the information...?”

When Long Wu, who was sitting quietly on the main seat, heard this, his expression gradually became serious and the atmosphere in the room became solemn.

Things like this are related to the subsequent development of the family and Long Wu had to make sure everything.

Otherwise, this matter is likely to affect the future of their thousand-year-old Long family.

“How can you question my master’s information so casually??”

When Oldman Wang Lie’s judgment was questioned. Before he could speak, the disciple behind the Oldman couldn’t help but speak out in anger.

“Shut up!”

The corner of Wang Lie's mouth raised slightly, and he glanced at the sensible disciple behind him with a satisfied expression.

But then pretended to be angry, and reprimanded his personal disciple behind him in a pretentious tone

 

“Don’t you even look at where this place is, and who are the people here?”

“In a place like this, how can a junior like you be able to speak freely?”

After reprimanding his disciple, Wang Lie looked slightly apologetic and spoke to Long Wu,

“Head of the Long family, I offended you because of my disciple ignorance.”

“It’s okay!!!” Long Wu gritted his teeth and suppressed the rising anger in his heart.

“Now that the head of the Long family has got the answer he wanted.”

“If there is nothing, I will retreat first.”

In a room filled with Core members of the Long family, Oldman Wang lowered his head slightly and spoke calmly.

“Okay, please step back.”

Long Wu, who was sitting quietly on the main seat, waved his hand expressionlessly.

In this way, Oldman Wang along with his disciple behind him, gradually exited the room where the atmosphere seemed a little off.

“ Father! Why do we have to put up with the arrogance of that Old fool and his disciple every time they come...”

In the meeting hall, among the elders of the Long family, a Young Elder could not hold back his emotions and slammed the table.

“No problem!” Long Wu shook his head slightly.

After a moment of silence, he continued: “ Until we destroy the Shen Family, we need the cooperation and help of the Wang family.”

“Moreover, that Oldman's disciple is from the Lu family of Glory City. So we shouldn't provoke him right now.”

“So, as long as the Wang family does not hinder the development and growth of our Long family, these trivial things don't matter.”

As soon as Long Wu said these words, the young man Long Chen lowered his head helplessly.

************

Xiao Ning's Past POV

“No, don’t catch me.”

“Dad, please help me.. ”

Suddenly, a little girl’s childish screams rang out from not far ahead.

“Here are the 25 silver coins, for your daughter.”

“Put it away. Don’t come to us if you lose it later.” said a man with a robust body and a fierce look on his face.

He was holding 20 silver coins in a small pouch and handed it to a man wearing shabby clothes, with a pale complexion and a numb face.

“hahaha! Thanks, thanks...”

“With these 20 silver coins, I can get my money back.”

“Ning’er, wait for me. When I get my money back, I will definitely redeem you from this place.”

“I will give you delicious food and we will also live in a big house in the future.”

The man couldn’t bear to look at his daughter who kept asking for help. He gritted his teeth tightly, his eyes turning red, and resisted turning his head.

He slowly walked straight into a gambling shop not far away.

“Hey, little girl, let’s go.”

“I’ll give you everything you need to eat well and live happily.”

“ Hehehe “ The muscular man laughed in a creepy smile as he spoke and the other members of the group also laughed.

And the girl who was tightly tied with the rope couldn’t help but shed a tear of despair from the corner of her eyes.

Even if those men didn’t say it outrightly, the girl knew it very well.

What is the place they are going to take her?