War God Long Ao

As an Inner Strength Seventh Heaven Martial Artist, Mu Yihao's strength was only considered average within the Mu Family.

But Mu Yihao had still underestimated his opponent. His own strength was lacking, and coupled with his carelessness, he was sent flying back even faster than he charged forward.

Long Ao sent him flying with a single palm strike. His body, like a kite with a snapped string, crashed violently to the ground. If Long Ao hadn't shown mercy, that one strike would have been enough to take Mu Yihao's life.

"You're courting death."

Seeing his younger brother get hit, Mu Yihang didn't think twice. He shot forward in a lunge, unleashing his martial art, the Thousand-Day Palm. However, his fate was nearly identical to Mu Yihao's. Without even a chance to react, he too was sent flying by a single palm strike.

At this, everyone was completely stunned. One could argue that Mu Yihao was defeated due to carelessness, but what about Mu Yihang?

After all, Mu Yihang was a genuine Inner Strength Ninth Heaven Martial Artist. For his opponent to send him flying with a single palm strike, his power was terrifying to imagine. 'Could he be an Inner Strength Tenth Heaven Martial Artist?'

In that instant, the way everyone looked at Long Ao changed, and even the fat man was no exception.

"I will be back in a month."

Gazing coldly at the two men collapsed on the ground, Long Ao spoke in an icy tone, "Those who humiliate others will be humiliated in turn."

As he spoke, Long Ao sent both Mu Yihao and Mu Yihang flying out of the Pill Alliance with a vicious kick each. The remaining members of the Mu Family cried out in alarm and scrambled after them. By the time Long Ao and his companions went outside, the Mu Family contingent had vanished without a trace.

"They actually dared to provoke the Mu Family. They're dead for sure this time."

"He's young and impetuous. With such talent, it would be a real shame if he gets killed over this."

Ignoring the murmurs from the crowd, Long Ao and his companions quickly departed. They went to a modestly-sized tavern where Long'an recounted what had just happened. Wang Yuyin's expression grew solemn. "Provoking the Mu Family will bring us a lot of trouble," she said.

"Don't worry. We'll deal with whatever they throw at us."

"Long Ao, why don't we leave Thundercloud City for now? We should let your father handle this."

Of course, Long Ao knew what Yuyin meant. 'But if I leave and the Mu Family comes seeking revenge, what will happen to my parents? What about the Long Family? Why should others have to bear the consequences for my actions?'

"That's enough about that. Finish your food. For the time being, none of you are to leave the family estate without a good reason."

"We know, Seventh Brother."

Wang Yuyin looked like she wanted to say something but held her tongue. She knew Long Ao's personality well; once he made a decision, he would almost never change his mind.

"Long Ao," Wang Yuyin asked, "what's your plan for the one-month agreement with the Pill Alliance?"

"I'm going to study the Alchemy Dao. I refuse to believe I can't refine a Spirit Gathering Pill."

Long Ao hadn't acted on impulse. This was also a chance to get some free advertising for the Long Family. After all, the Pill Alliance's influence was undeniable. If he really managed to refine a Spirit Gathering Pill within a month, the Long Family could become famous overnight.

Beyond that, he didn't want his family to be at the mercy of others over a single elixir, forced to endure their condescension and ridicule.

Sticking her tongue out playfully, Long Qianqian said with an admiring expression, "Seventh Brother, you're amazing."

"You guys go on and eat. I'm going to buy some books on the Alchemy Dao," Long Ao said before getting up and quickly departing.

There were many books on the Alchemy Dao. To become a qualified Alchemist, talent was said to be ninety-nine percent of the equation, so most alchemy texts were publicly available. The only exceptions were those detailing the refinement of exceptionally powerful elixirs.

According to legend, Alchemists were divided into nine levels, from First Level to Ninth Level. After spending Ten Thousand Gold Coins, Long Ao successfully purchased a set of alchemy books. They included the fundamentals of the Alchemy Technique, various points of caution, and, most importantly, the refinement method for the Spirit Gathering Pill.

After buying the alchemy books, Long Ao headed straight for an herb shop. He planned to purchase all the herbs needed to refine the Spirit Gathering Pill, as well as those for a few other common elixirs.

Just as he stepped into the herb shop, Long Ao saw a familiar face. 'I don't know if my luck is good or bad today,' he thought. 'First, I run into the Mu Family, and now I run into someone I once saved—the young lady of the City Lord's Mansion, Liu Ji.'

He saw the two women just as they saw him.

"My Lady, it's that good-for-nothing."

'Good-for-nothing?'

Hearing the maid's words, Long Ao's expression remained impassive, but his voice was cold. "If a 'good-for-nothing' hadn't saved you, you would have already been swallowed whole by an Earth Bear."

Hearing this, the maid's expression darkened, and she spoke with even greater contempt, "A good-for-nothing is still a good-for-nothing. Besides running your mouth, what else are you good for?"

"A dog abusing its master's power."

Ignoring the furious pair, Long Ao found the shopkeeper and listed the herbs he needed. Just then, Liu Ji suddenly spoke up. "I heard about your agreement with the Pill Alliance. Trying to refine a Spirit Gathering Pill by teaching yourself? I have two words for you: wishful thinking."

"Liu Ji, there's something I've been wondering about. I hope you can help me understand."

"And what's that?" Liu Ji asked, sounding somewhat puzzled.

"Do people from the City Lord's Mansion not have any manners?"

"What did you say? Say that again, I dare you!"

"A mere maid, throwing her weight around just because she has the City Lord's Mansion at her back. Let me offer you two a piece of advice: it pays to be a decent person. Otherwise, sooner or later, you'll get what's coming to you. I have business to attend to, so I'll be leaving."

Paying no mind to their murderous glares, Long Ao took the herbs he'd purchased and quickly departed.

"My Lady, this person shows such contempt for the City Lord's Mansion. Should we go back and report to the City Lord?"

"No need. I don't want Father to know about this," Liu Ji's lips curled into a cruel sneer as she watched his retreating figure. "Hmph. Let's see if he can withstand it when I arrange for his death by a 'borrowed knife'."

「Back at the Long Family Estate.」

"Ao'er, we heard you had a conflict with members of the Mu Family? And that you also made a one-month agreement with the Pill Alliance to refine a Spirit Gathering Pill?"

The moment he returned, Long Ao was pulled aside for questioning by Long Yi and Mu Lin. This was no small matter. They both knew that as far as the Mu Family was concerned, with Mu Lin around, the Mu Family probably wouldn't go too far. The Pill Alliance, however, was a different story.

"Father, Mother, I'll handle this myself. Look, I'm about to start studying the Alchemy Technique. I refuse to believe I can't refine a Spirit Gathering Pill."

Looking at the alchemy books in their precious son's hands, Long Yi and Mu Lin exchanged wry smiles. 'Refining a Spirit Gathering Pill is hardly that easy. If everyone could do it, Alchemists wouldn't be held in such high regard, and elixirs wouldn't be so expensive.'

"Young Master, Young Madam, the Mu Family just sent over an invitation. They are inviting you and Young Master Long Ao to be guests at their estate."