But compared to Long Daozhi and Chu Feng, the others showed little surprise.
After all, among all those present, the Nine Paths Dragon Gate was the strongest. If anyone were to obtain the Dragon Vein Origin Stone, they were indeed the most likely candidates.
This outcome, however, only made those who had previously mocked Long Daozhi even more smug.
"As expected — they've gone mad wanting to return to the Dragon Clan."
"I said it, didn't I? These trash were lucky just to enter the Endless Abyss. How could they possibly obtain the Dragon Vein Origin Stone?"
"What a joke."
At this point, those who had been worried moments ago now began mercilessly mocking Long Daozhi and the others from the Ancestral Martial Dragon City.
But Long Daozhi no longer cared about such venomous words.
Only one thought filled his mind right now.
Why?
Why?
Why was he the one who had handed the Dragon Vein Origin Stone to Lord Tonghe?
But then why was it the Nine Paths Dragon Gate who received the qualification to return to the Dragon Clan?
This wasn't right. It shouldn't be this way.
A mistake?
Perhaps there had been a mistake.
"My lord — Lord Tonghe."
"No, this isn't right."
With that thought, Long Daozhi shot into the air and flew toward Lord Tonghe.
He wanted an explanation.
Hummm—
But before he could even get close, a wave of oppressive aura surged forth from within the war chariot, blocking his path.
That pressure was immense — even Long Daozhi could not push through it.
Then, two figures descended from the war chariot.
They were members of the Dragon Clan.
Not only did they land in front of Long Daozhi, they drew their blades and pressed them against his neck.
"Your status does not entitle you to approach Lord Tonghe."
"Fall back immediately, or we'll take your wretched life."
Those two Dragon Clan members spoke with cold menace.
And Lord Tonghe merely glanced at Long Daozhi — his gaze filled with indifference, even alienation.
As if he didn't know Long Daozhi at all.
This scene confirmed for Chu Feng that they had indeed been deceived.
But the one who deceived them was none other than this very person: Lord Tonghe.
Now everything made sense.
Lord Tonghe had secretly met with Chu Feng and Long Daozhi in private, taking the Dragon Vein Origin Stone from them.
That way, apart from him, no one else could prove that the Dragon Vein Origin Stone had been obtained by Long Daozhi.
And now, this Lord Tonghe had granted the qualification to return to the Dragon Clan to the Nine Paths Dragon Gate.
Most likely, the Nine Paths Dragon Gate had offered Lord Tonghe benefits — or perhaps they already had an extraordinary relationship with him.
After all, Long Xiaoxiao and her grandfather had told Chu Feng before: the Nine Paths Dragon Gate had unusual ties to the Dragon Clan.
As for Chu Feng and Long Daozhi — they had simply been used.
So Chu Feng quickly sent a voice transmission to Long Daozhi.
"Senior Long, forget it. Don't argue with them."
"The Dragon Vein Origin Stone is in Tonghe's hands now. With no proof, anything you say — no one will believe you."
"Besides, this Dragon Clan is far too despicable."
"They're not worth you doing this."
Chu Feng was trying to persuade Long Daozhi.
The Dragon Clan was too overbearing, and Long Daozhi had no way to prove that he had been the one to hand the Dragon Vein Origin Stone to Lord Tonghe.
Under these circumstances, insisting on demanding an explanation would get him nowhere — it would only bring suffering upon himself.
But Long Daozhi did not step back. His face was filled with a sense of injustice, and tears welled up in his eyes. He could not accept this outcome.
After all, returning to the Dragon Clan had been his lifelong dream.
So, gazing up at Lord Tonghe high above in the sky, Long Daozhi spoke once more.
"Lord Tonghe, this shouldn't be how it is."
"That Dragon Vein Origin Stone — I was the one who gave it to you."
"Shouldn't it be my Ancestral Martial Dragon City returning to the Dragon Clan? How did it become the Nine Paths Dragon Gate instead?"
"Has there been some kind of mistake?"
"Lord Tonghe, did you make an error in your announcement?"
Long Daozhi kept pressing for answers.