War God Long Ao

If only for his mother's sake, Long Ao nodded and agreed, "No problem. As long as I, Long Ao, am around, the Mu Family will stand."

Hearing this, Mu He breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the Mu Family was one of the three great families of Thundercloud City, it was now facing one crisis after another. Ever since their Patriarch died, the family had been propped up entirely by Mu Wanfeng, but she was, in the end, still a woman.

The other families tolerated the Mu Family for now, mainly because they were still wary of its power. But after so many years, the Mu Family's strength had been slowly depleted. The question was, how many more years could it last?

「Mu Family, Main Hall.」

Mu Wanfeng and her two sons were present. Upon seeing Long Ao enter, the trio's attitude became completely different, as if they were different people. This was the difference that status and strength brought. The three of them understood this, and Long Ao understood it even more clearly.

"Ao'Er, come, sit down."

"Grandmother, how have you been?" To be honest, Long Ao felt quite estranged from this grandmother of his. As far as he could remember, this seemed to be only the second time he had ever seen her.

"I'm doing well. I heard you're now the National Protection Master of the Nebula Kingdom?"

No matter how displeased he felt, Long Ao still nodded and said, "That's right. What is it you wish to discuss, Grandmother?"

"Ao'Er, the Mu Family wronged you in the past, but at the end of the day, we are still family. There is something I need to ask of you."

"Grandmother, you're being too formal. Whatever it is, just tell me. As long as it's something I can do, I will do my utmost."

He had already guessed what his grandmother was about to say, but Long Ao was certain that he had to agree, no matter what. It was a matter of showing respect—if not for her, then for his mother. After all, he couldn't ignore his mother's connection.

"Ao'Er, your status is completely different now. As the National Protection Master of the Nebula Kingdom, you can change our destiny at any moment, as long as you're willing."

Mu Wanfeng was not exaggerating. Every National Protection Master of the Nebula Kingdom was a lofty existence, far above the common folk. Any one of them could easily annihilate Thundercloud City and destroy an entire family.

Mu Wanfeng was keenly aware of the Mu Family's current predicament. As long as this grandson of hers helped, the family would have a chance to continue on. As for what happened after that, well, that was a matter for the future.

"Grandmother, please get to the point."

"Very well. In that case, I won't beat around the bush. Ao'Er, I want you to take over as the Patriarch of the Mu Family."

"What?"

He was stunned. Long Ao had never imagined this was what his grandmother would ask. 'Me? Inherit the position of Mu Family Patriarch? What kind of joke is this.'

"Ao'Er, listen to me."

"Grandmother, you listen to me first," Long Ao had already made his decision. No matter what happened or who asked, he could not possibly agree to become the Patriarch of the Mu Family.

"Grandmother, my mother and I are both of the Mu Family. No matter what, that fact will never change. Therefore, as long as I am here, the Mu Family will be safe. Will that suffice, Grandmother?"

Staring deeply at the grandson before her, Mu Wanfeng waved her hand in resignation. "Since you're unwilling, I won't force you. Come with me."

With that, Mu Wanfeng took Long Ao by the hand and led him from the main hall.

「Inside a secret chamber.」

"Grandmother, what is this?"

Long Ao was very curious as he looked at the Yellow-cover Book his grandmother handed him.

"Ao'Er, the Martial Arts recorded in this Yellow-cover Book was something the Mu Family's ancestor stumbled upon countless years ago. This technique is incredibly powerful, but it's impossible to practice. Ao'Er, you're all alone in the world, and danger is unavoidable. I'm warning you now: unless it is a life-or-death moment, you must never use this Martial Arts. Do you understand?"

"I understand that, Grandmother, of course. I'm just very curious, why can't this Cultivation Technique be practiced?"

"Ao'Er, there's something you don't know. This Martial Arts can instantly increase a person's strength, but it comes at a terrible price. It is for this very reason that the Mu Family ancestor strictly forbade any disciple of the family from practicing it."

'Instantly increase a person's strength?'

Hearing this, Long Ao was rather surprised. He immediately flipped open the Yellow-cover Book. Written on the first page in a large, ancient script were three words: Nine Needle God-Sealing.

'Nine Needle God-Sealing?'

He quickly skimmed through the so-called Nine Needle God-Sealing. When he finished, Long Ao was filled with a mixture of delight and shock. The gist of the Nine Needle God-Sealing described in the Yellow-cover Book was to use the power of nine needles to seal one hundred and eight acupoints in the body, as well as all of one's blood channels. This would stimulate limitless physical potential, thus instantly increasing one's strength.

Although Nine Needle God-Sealing could instantly increase one's strength, its one drawback was that the backlash from using it was incredibly powerful—so much so that one could even lose their life. This was precisely why the Mu ancestor had forbidden his descendants from practicing it. Otherwise, why would such a powerful Martial Arts have been sealed away by the Mu Family?

Just then, Mu Wanfeng retrieved a small box from a hidden compartment. Opening it, she revealed nine azure needles lying inside, each as thick as a finger.

"Ao'Er, these are the nine Divine Sealing Needles our ancestor refined all those years ago. And let me repeat myself: unless it is your absolute last resort, do not use the Nine Needle God-Sealing."

Long Ao accepted the nine Divine Sealing Needles and put them away. "Don't worry, Grandmother," he said. "I won't use the Divine Sealing Needles casually."

"Ao'Er, I truly never imagined the Long Family would produce a peerless genius like you. But I still want to give you a word of warning: don't get too close to Liu Mu, and especially not to his daughter, Liu Ji."

'Liu Mu? Liu Ji?'

Long Ao didn't particularly like Liu Ji, but he had a very good impression of Liu Mu. Still, he wasn't a fool. For his grandmother to say such a thing, there must be something suspicious going on.

"Grandmother, what's wrong with Liu Mu and Liu Ji?"

"Ao'Er, there are things you don't know. Liu Mu and Liu Ji are both naturally insidious and cunning. Don't be fooled because Liu Mu appears to treat you well on the surface; it's highly likely he's plotting against you behind your back. So, you must be on your guard at all times, understand?"

Nodding, Long Ao showed that he understood. "I know, Grandmother. And as I said before, as long as I, Long Ao, am around, the Mu Family will be safe."

Greatly relieved, Mu Wanfeng seemed to age several years in an instant. She sighed helplessly, "I'm old. I don't believe I'll live much longer. I just don't want the Mu Family to be destroyed while in my hands. Alright, since you're here, stay for a few more days. Keep an old woman company."

Long Ao wanted to refuse, but when he saw the deep weariness on his grandmother's aged face, he couldn't bring himself to do it. He had no choice but to agree.

At the Mu Family, Long Ao wasted no time. He threw himself wholeheartedly into the Cultivation of the Nine Needle God-Sealing. He knew that such a powerful Martial Arts might one day save his life. Nine Needle God-Sealing—an instant boost in power.