The Legend of Min Hong

"Elder Jun, what's causing the delay?" Long Sha spoke with a slight frown when he saw the amount of attention and different sort of gazes that were converging on him.

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This was one of the reasons why he disliked stepping out of the Clan.

He held strong belief that fame was only a fickle thing in life; That when you rising prominently to your peak, people will praise you and sing your stories to their children.

But when one falls along the way, it is the same set of people who had once fanatically spoken about one that will begin to sneer and speak foul things about one.

Thus, he held fame and popularity in no regard at all, and he also disliked those who love it.

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"Young master, this kid is not alone. He came with these three, and I don't think he would appreciate it if we allowed his Clan members to die while we rescued only him." Elder Jun turned around as he replied Long Sha with a slight bow.

"What do you want to do about this? We can either leave him here with the others or take them all with us. At least that is what I would have wanted…" Elder Jun added respectively.

Elder Jun understood fully well that, though he could be free and unrestrained when he was with young master Long Sha were in private, he would not dare try to act it when they are in public, only if he feels he has already seen and achieved all there is to life.

He would be brutally executed should the Clan ever find out that such a thing happened.

Furthermore, though his family might not get killed, the level of disrespect that the other clan members would show them, would make them wish they had died along with him. 

The Long Super Clan had always been a clan of warriors from their inception to date, and just it depicts, they take hierarchy and respect very seriously.

If a vice-captain within the Clan should disrespect his captain, he might have his arm get chopped off.

They were that serious.

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"We have been together for a very long time and I take your advice with as much regard as my father's. So, if you say he has the potential to be the one I am looking for… Then I will take them all…" Long Sha gazed towards Elder Ning provocatively as he spoke with an overbearing tone.

"Hmph! You little punk, you had better watch your tone when speaking to your elders. Don't think because you have a strong power backing you, that you can just do as you wish. Most people who had done that have suffered tragic fates and some are even no more."

"Moreover, you should tread carefully. This is not your Long Clan, and unfortunate things befalling heirs to different thrones is a common thing once the heir is out of the influence of his clan."

Elder Ning threatened with some hidden meanings within his statements.

"You don't need to lecture me about such things Elder Ning, I am well brought up. But there's one thing I am extremely confident about… and that is the fact that, no one here can stop me from doing whatever I wish…" 

Long Sha, who clearly noticed the hidden threat within Elder Ning's statement, responded with an even more blatant and overbearing statement.

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The Long Clan was far stronger than most Super Clans, and in fact, there were amongst the Top Ten strongest Super Clans within the entire Dogon Empire.

Furthermore, all the Clans within this list was only a tiny bit inferior to the Imperial Clan when it comes to power. 

There were only three differences in power between these top ten Super Clans and the Imperial Clan;

The first was that, the Imperial Clan was only a step away from becoming an Ancient Clan, due to the presence of a Peak level Saint Stage expert within their ranks.

Whilst the rest of these Super Clans only had ordinary Saint stage experts who had either recently merged all their nascent souls into one saint soul, or they have comprehended their Daos past the Intent level and have reached the Law level. 

The second was the fact that, the Imperial Clan had a certain percentage of ownership within every Sect, Factions and organizations present all over the Dogon Empire.

Then lastly, was the rally power of the Imperial Clan; they posses a very far and wide area of influence.

From the descendants of the Clan itself who had gone to other regions to establish themselves, to others who are very valuable members of some powers that were greater than the Imperial Clan itself outside of the Empire. 

These three reasons along with the immensely vast pockets and resources of the Imperial Clan, is what cemented their dominance and superiority over these top 10 Super Clans.

Thus, the Imperial Clan of the Dogon Empire were stable overlords of the entire region.

In this part of the region, the only thing that was required for a Clan to be ranked as an Ancient Clan was for it to either possess a Nirvana or Samsara Stage expert or an expert who had the potential to still ascend into the Nirvana or Samsara stage in their entire lifetime. 

Then to be ranked as a Super Clan, one must have an expert who was either in the Saint stage or an expert who has the potential to do so within their lifetime.

So, to be ranked as a Clan of any kind, one must possess an expert who has a Nascent Soul stage cultivation. 

The Min Clan of the East Wind Empire was on the same level as the Zi and Chu Clan.

Moreover, the clans within the top ten Super Clan list all have several ordinary Super Clans under them. 

For example, the Long Clan had another clan called the; Chun Clan, who had the same power level as the Zi and Chi Clan under their rulership.

Thus, they were the only Nomad Super Clan around the entire Dogon Empire, who was rank within the top ten Super Clan list of the Empire. 

Nomad Super Clans, are clans which exist very close to the border of an Empire or Kingdom, but are still outside the influence and governance of that Empire or Kingdom.

Most times, they are the ones Empires turn to when battles amongst themselves have reached a stalemate, or when an Empire are rallying allies.

This is because, though they are not as strong as the ruling Clan of these Empires, there are not in any way far off from them.

It is this confidence that Long Sha had which permitted him to act and speak overbearingly to Elder Ning, because on a normal day, an expert on Elder Ning's calibre could not even dare to look at him in the eye within their clan. 

Furthermore, they were the one who had the closest relationship with the Imperial Clan of the Dogon Empire amongst all other Nomad Clans even including some internal clans.

The reason this happened was because; THE LONG SUPER CLAN WAS A CLAN OF WARRIORS!

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"It is you who should watch your tone, Chi Ning. If this happened within our clan, someone like you would have had his neck on a chopping block by now!" Elder Jun blew up in rage. 

He obviously got the underlying murderous intent within Elder Ning's statement, and if he took that statement in stride, everyone within the crowd who also got the meaning of his words would think their clan was growing weak.

So, he had to challenge that statement on the spot. 

"Elder Jun, there is no need for much story. Anyone who wishes to challenge the Long Clan can step out and try to stop me from taking them away…"

Long Sha used the power in the name of his clan to cower the entire crowd, and it worked just like black magic. 

"Hmph! All you people know is to oppress and terrorize people with the name of your clan."

Elder Ning who knew he might not get the opportunity to completely vent his anger, should Long Sha be adamant about taking the Min Hong group away, tried to use rally the ire of the crowd in order to achieve his aim.

"He he! True, but I would like to remind anybody who might have forgotten that our Long Clan was never built on unwarranted fame. If anyone disagrees, they can step out and challenge me, even in a two to one battle as long as you two not above the 5-Star Nascent Soul stage."

"I also don't mind dancing with any 6-Star Nascent Soul expert in a duel. To ease your fears, I am only in the 4-Star Nascent Soul stage, with a fourth plane Intent Level of the Metal and Sword Dao. If anyone takes a step before we leave here, I will take it as an invitation to a challenge."

The golden-haired Elder Jun was starting to exude a dominant and overbearing aura as his gaze washed over the entire crowd, even on the two guards who were collecting the entry fee.

The moment his gaze touched some people amongst the crowd, most of them began to sweat subconsciously, and only realized their backs were drenched in sweat when his gaze switched onto another person. 

"Challenging a 6-Star Nascent Soul expert with just a 4-Star Nascent Soul stage power level. The Long Clan is sure overbearing and overconfident. Hmph!" An expert wo was in the 5-Star Nascent Soul stage felt really bitter by the nature of Elder Jun's challenge.

After all, as cultivators, to be unable to even summon the slightest courage in the face of a challenge such as this can birth inner demons within a cultivator's heart.

A cultivator must always brave challenges, even if it meant they might likely not come out of it alive. 

This was the reason why cultivators most often than not experience a breakthrough in their Daos when they have been pushed beyond the limits of what is mentally possible for them to handle.

But at the same time, a cultivator must still acknowledge his own limitations, that is the only thing that can ensure his safety. 

But in the case of Elder Jun, though there were experts within the crowd who were actually within the 7-Star Nascent Soul stage and below, they were just too scared to step out.

This was because every expert within the Long Clan surpassed other experts in three ways; 

Firstly, was their battle experience.

The Long Clan was called a clan of warriors not because they were filled with a few battle-hardened experts, but because they started off as an ordinary clan who set out on a war spree, defeating other ordinary clans and assimilating them. 

As a result, they gradually grew larger and larger till they actually challenged their first Super Clan which they defeated and assimilated under three days and night.

It was at that time that their fame surged from far away into the Dogon Empire. 

When the Imperial Clan heard of their feats, they sent out an emissary to recruit the Long Clan as an ally, but were flatly refuse by the Clan Head of the Long Clan of that time.

The reason was because, that Long Clan ancestor said he didn't want his clan to ever lose its nomadic and conquering nature.

This forced the Imperial Clan to compromise. 

They decided that they would allow the Long Clan to continue on their conquering path but would set their roots just outside the Dogon Empire to ensure a rapid response whenever the Dogon Empire needed help.

But in return, they would receive the treatments and respect of a guest clan of the Dogon Empire. 

This really helped the Dogon Empire Imperial Clan because, the stronger the Long Clan becomes, the stronger they become.

Furthermore, the Imperial Clan still have a Peak Saint stage expert in their ranks, so they still had the ability to curb the Long Clan should the need ever arise. 

Secondly, was their Daos; To become an inner member of the Long Clan, one must have comprehended two different Daos.

To become an Elder, these two Daos must have been comprehended to the Intent level.

These harsh requirements alone, speaks volumes about the type of Super Clan the Long Clan is. 

Lastly, is their training system; within the Long Clan they put their members through the harshest and wickedest of all training.

The sole purpose of this training is to break their will and mental strength.

So, when a battle boils down to willpower and attrition, no other Super Clan related to the Dogon Empire can hold a candle to the Sun which is the Long Clan. 

Even the Imperial Clan of the Dogon Empire would deeply think twice before they think of taking any actions against them.

In fact, as strong an ally as the Long Clan is to the Dogon Empire, they are also a big chink in their armour.

Because should they rebel against the Empire, the Empire would suffer a significant loss before they can uproot the Long Clan.

The moment Elder Jun left this statement, the confidence oozing out of his words spurred Long Sha himself as he added;

"Anyone under the Nascent Soul stage is also welcome to try and stop me from taking them away." He spoke with a straight face, as if what is said wasn't worth mentioning.

"Hmph! Still baring this impetuous attitude of yours. If a few Nascent Soul experts were to gang up on you, would you still have the confidence to remain impetuous." Elder Ning snorted as he continued to try to rally some experts to his side.

"Hmph! That is so despicable. As a cultivator, it is one thing for you to lack the confidence to accept a challenge, but to try to rally others because of your lack of strength and try to gang up on the challenger is a truly disgusting thing to do…" 

One expert in the 6-Star Nascent Soul stage snorted in disgust at Elder Ning's statement.

Several other experts also looked at him with a despicable expression, as they were also put off by such an attitude.

"Young master, let's leave… the three of you should tag along as well…" Elder Jun respectfully bowed slightly to Long Sha before he turned towards the Min Qing trio and beckoned them over. 

Their opponents had long stopped the battle, the moment Elder Jun had stepped into the area.

Then when Long Sha declared his intentions about helping them out, their opponents dare not make another move.

Thus, they can only swallow their grievances and hope to get another opportunity to vent their hatred and anger in the future.

Without wasting another breath, the Min Qing trio moved to the Elder Jun's side, as Elder Yun gently received the unconscious Min Hong from Elder Jun before they all walked out of the area and approached the luxurious jade-green carriage.

The moment they entered the carriage, Min Hong was laid down on one side of the carriage, as Elder Long Jun and Long Sha sat on the second part of the carriage while the shrunk Elder Yun, Little Ming and Min Qing sat on the third part of the squared shaped carriage.

After a brief moment of silence Min Qing went to her knees as she cupped her hands towards Elder Long Jun and pleaded;

"Venerable Elder, I deeply thank you on behalf of our group for lending a hand and rescuing us from our previous quagmire, and I know we have yet to do anything to repay your kindness, but I will have to trouble you once more to help me check on my brother's condition." 

Min Qing then removed her hood as her flowing sky-blue hair fell and flowed down her shoulders.

Then her tender innocent face was revealed, including her clear white iris and bluish-grey pupils.

Then came her beautifully curved nose which only gave more beauty to her little, naturally pouty lips.

All of a sudden, a deafening silence reigned within the jade-green carriage as the air went still.