Chapter 80: Unconvinced
Ouyang Fei and Tang Lin had both insisted. 'Can I really refuse?'
Shrugging helplessly, Long Ao finally agreed.
"Brother Long, for this trip to the Thunder Empire to participate in the Thunder Battle, I will send Luo Cheng to assist you."
Luo Cheng, the Vice Hall Master of the National Protection Hall, was also an Evolutionary Martial Artist. His status in the National Protection Hall was second only to Tang Lin.
This whole situation felt strange. Long Ao had only just joined the National Protection Hall, yet Luo Cheng was the Vice Hall Master. And now?
Tang Lin had made it clear that for this trip to the Thunder Empire for the Thunder Battle, Long Ao would be in charge of everything. Luo Cheng would merely be assisting. Of course, Long Ao wouldn't agree to such an arrangement.
But Tang Lin was unusually firm and gave Long Ao no chance to object, continuing, "Brother Long, the Thunder Battle will officially begin in a month. We were originally going to set off immediately, but—"
"Hall Master, let's set out for the Thunder Empire at once."
At that moment, it seemed Long Ao couldn't wait another second. The Thunder Empire had the Thousand-Year Thunder Fruit, and only by obtaining it could he save Yuyin.
Although the Thunder Fruit wouldn't be ripe for another month, no one knew if it might ripen early. Long Ao didn't dare to take that chance. Yuyin only had one year left. If he missed this opportunity, he would have to wait another thousand years. Even if he could wait, Yuyin couldn't.
For this reason, Long Ao had already made a vow to himself. 'No matter the danger, no matter what happens, I must seize the Thunder Fruit.'
"Alright, then we'll set off immediately."
Long Ao found his grandfather, Long Haoshi, and after a few brief words, he left Red Fire Town with the group.
The Nebula Royal Family showed no displeasure at all over Long Ao killing Liu Mu and Liu Ji. In fact, they had given the position of City Lord of Thundercloud City to Long Ao's father, Long Yi. This made the Nebula Royal Family's stance perfectly clear.
With the Nebula Royal Family acting as a deterrent, Long Ao knew the Liuyun Sect wouldn't dare to make a move against his family.
That was why Long Ao could leave without worry.
「Two days later.」
The group had returned to Nebula City. News that the Nebula National Protection Hall would be participating in the Thunder Empire's Thunder Battle had already spread throughout the entire city. Regardless of their usual rivalries, the various major families still hoped the Nebula National Protection Hall would be victorious. After all, only when the Kingdom grew stronger could their so-called families grow stronger along with it.
「Inside the National Protection Hall.」
"Absolutely not, Hall Master! If you do this, I won't stand for it, and I'm sure no one else here will either!"
Yu Wei was practically roaring. He had held a grudge ever since Long Ao defeated him. And now, before he could even get his revenge, the Hall Master was telling them that Long Ao would be the leader for the trip to the Thunder Empire. How could he possibly accept that?
It wasn't just Yu Wei; none of the other National Protection Masters agreed. Every single one of them was furious.
The ten people heading to the Thunder Empire for the Thunder Battle were Long Ao, Luo Cheng, Yu Wei, Mao Feng, Tong Bo, Hao Jiangjun, Hao Chao, Ye Rong, Lin Yiyi, and Wang Huan.
As the Vice Hall Master, Luo Cheng should have undoubtedly been the leader for this expedition. But what was the outcome instead?
There was another point that made everyone indignant: among the ten, Long Ao's strength was the lowest. He might have defeated Yu Wei, but what about the others? It was common knowledge that there were plenty of people in the National Protection Hall stronger than Yu Wei.
Tong Bo, one of the more powerful members of the National Protection Hall, also spoke up, clearly displeased. "Hall Master, I'd like to ask, what qualifications does Long Ao have to lead us in the Thunder Battle?"
"Brother Tong is absolutely right. The way I see it, Long Ao isn't even qualified to participate in the Thunder Battle, let alone lead."
They were all unanimously targeting Long Ao. In their opinion, even though he had defeated Yu Wei, he still hadn't earned everyone's approval. One by one, the National Protection Masters voiced their complete opposition to Long Ao even participating in the Thunder Battle.
A One-Line Heaven Martial Artist might be normal in the National Protection Hall of a Small Kingdom. But for the powerful Nebula Kingdom, there wasn't a single One-Line Heaven Martial Artist in the entire National Protection Hall. If Long Ao represented the Nebula National Protection Hall in the Thunder Battle, they would become a laughingstock to the other Kingdoms' National Protection Halls.
Tang Lin sat quietly in the head seat. He waited until everyone was arguing heatedly before suddenly speaking, "Everyone, calm down."
As the National Protection Hall Master, Tang Lin's status and strength were undeniable. Seeing him speak, everyone fell silent.
Glancing around, Tang Lin asked, "What will it take for you all to accept Long Ao's participation in the Thunder Battle?"
Although he was the National Protection Hall Master, Tang Lin didn't use his authority to suppress the dissent. After all, the National Protection Hall was built on unity. These masters were talented enough that even if they left, they could easily thrive elsewhere.
"Hall Master, you understand what the Thunder Battle signifies better than any of us."
"That's right. The Thunder Battle represents the honor of our Kingdom. If Long Ao participates, won't we become a joke?"
Sitting off to the side, Long Ao hadn't said a single word from beginning to end. He couldn't even be bothered to look at the crowd. 'If it weren't for Tang Lin and Ouyang Fei,' he thought, 'I wouldn't even be participating in this Thunder Battle.'
It was precisely this dismissive attitude from Long Ao that made everyone even more furious. However, many were also surprised by his full head of white hair. After making some inquiries, they learned about what had happened between Long Ao and Wang Yuyin.
Although they looked down on Long Ao's strength, everyone admired such a devoted man. After all, how many men in the world would have their hair turn white overnight for the woman they loved?
Black robes, white hair, a cold and stern face.
"Hall Master, it wouldn't be hard for us to agree. As long as he can defeat Brother Hao, we won't object."
Hao Chao. Besides the three Hall Masters, he was the publicly acknowledged number one expert in the National Protection Hall—a Peak of Evolution Martial Artist. 'Could Long Ao defeat Hao Chao? Is that even possible?'
Tang Lin wasn't a fool. He knew they were just trying to make Long Ao back down from an impossible challenge. He sighed inwardly. Although he was starting to get annoyed, he couldn't force the issue. It would do no good and might even cause turmoil within the National Protection Hall.
"We agree with Brother Yu's suggestion. As long as Long Ao can defeat Brother Hao, we won't have the slightest objection. However, if Long Ao loses, not only will he be barred from participating in the Thunder Battle, but he must also withdraw from the National Protection Hall and never set foot in here again!"
"Fine. I accept."
Before Tang Lin could even speak, Long Ao accepted the challenge. He had no desire to listen to them any longer. He continued, "Tomorrow, outside the National Protection Hall, I will fight Hao Chao. If I win, I expect all of you to shut your mouths."
White-haired and dressed in black, he stood there, aloof and radiating a powerful self-confidence. Ignoring everyone else, he simply nodded to Tang Lin, turned, and left. Without sparing anyone a second glance, Long Ao vanished in the blink of an eye.