War God Long Ao

"As for the third point, once we replace the Nebula Royal Family, the Long Family will not interfere in the affairs of the Royal Family."

Now, everyone was utterly confused. If the Long Family wouldn't interfere in the Royal Family's affairs, then what was the point of replacing the Nebula Royal Family?

"Ao'Er, just tell us what you mean directly."

Nodding, Long Ao knew that things had reached a point where he no longer needed to be so reserved. He said, "Grandpa, my meaning is simple. The Wang Family will replace the Nebula Royal Family and take control of the Nebula Kingdom. As for us, we will continue to preside over Red Fire Town."

No one there was a fool; they instantly understood the meaning behind Long Ao's words.

Wang Yidao and his son, Wang Han, shot to their feet, their faces filled with excitement and exhilaration. Both of them knew exactly what it meant for the Wang Family to replace the Nebula Royal Family.

The Wang Family was just a minor family in Red Fire Town. They might be powerful within the town, but compared to a behemoth like the Nebula Kingdom, they were nothing.

"Ao'Er, isn't this a bit… inappropriate?"

"Uncle, this is perfectly appropriate. Leaving my relationship with Yuyin aside, just based on the Wang Family's support for the Long Family this time, the throne belongs to the Wang Family."

Neither Wang Han nor Wang Yidao said anything more. After all, with a pie falling from the sky like this, who knew when such an opportunity would ever come again if they let it slip by?

Long Haoshi still wore a solemn expression. He asked, "Ao'Er, with our current strength, can we really replace the Nebula Royal Family?"

On this point, Long Ao was completely confident.

The Nebula Royal Family's dominance over the Nebula Kingdom wasn't due to their million-strong army, but because they had the National Protection Hall and Ouyang Zhong presiding over them.

But now?

Eighty percent of the National Protection Hall had already been wiped out. As for Ouyang Zhong, he had been severely injured by him. It would be nearly impossible for him to recover his strength in a short amount of time.

In any case, the Thunder Tribulation Power was one of the mightiest forces between Heaven and Earth.

It was precisely for this reason that Long Ao was fully confident he could break through to the Transformation Realm before Ouyang Zhong recovered from his injuries. When that time came, as long as he killed Ouyang Zhong, annihilating the Nebula Royal Family would be a matter of minutes.

Long Ao didn't voice any of this, however.

"Grandpa, even if we are to replace the Nebula Royal Family, it won't be right now. There's only one thing we need to do at present: develop Red Fire Town's strength."

"Grandpa Wang, from this moment on, the Wang Family must develop its power. In a year at most, perhaps even less, the Wang Family will replace the Nebula Royal Family. No matter who you rely on, your own strength is what matters most."

Nodding, Wang Yidao suppressed the excitement in his heart and said, "I will see to it."

If the Long Ao of before had said such a thing, Wang Yidao would never have believed him. But after witnessing the terrifying slash Long Ao had unleashed, Wang Yidao believed with absolute certainty that he could do it.

After seeing the members of the Wang Family off, only three people remained in the main hall: Long Haoshi, Long Yi, and Long Ao.

"Ao'Er, are you really sure about this?"

"Grandpa, the only trouble now is the Nebula Ancestor. But don't worry, leave this matter to me."

The Nebula Ancestor?

A worried look appeared on Long Haoshi's face. "The Nebula Royal Family's ancestor, Ouyang Zhong, was a heaven-defying genius in his time. Not only was he ranked in the top thirty of the Hundred Battles Ranking, but he was also the one who developed the Nebula Kingdom to its current scale. Ao'Er, are you confident you can deal with someone like him?"

Even now, Long Haoshi didn't have a clear understanding of his grandson's strength, but he knew a great deal about the Nebula Ancestor.

"Grandpa, trust me."

Long Ao didn't waste any more words. Just two words: "Trust me."

Gazing deeply at his grandson, Long Haoshi suddenly smiled. He nodded and said, "Of course Grandpa trusts you. Ao'Er, now that you're back, when are you planning to leave again?"

It seemed everyone in the Long Family had long since grown accustomed to Long Ao's departures.

"Grandpa, I will leave the family in three days."

「One hour later.」

In the Long Family's Forbidden Land, also known as the rear courtyard, no one dared to enter besides Long Ao.

"Kid, is everything settled?"

Long Ao felt no anger at all that the Fire Qilin hadn't helped Red Fire Town. After all, his agreement with the Fire Qilin was only to protect the Long Family, not Red Fire Town.

Smiling, Long Ao nodded and said, "It's handled. Brother Qilin, I'd like to ask, what Realm has your Cultivation reached?"

Having already learned of the Five Transformations, Long Ao was very curious. What Realm was this Fire Qilin before him truly at? 'Could it be a Taoist Ancestor?'

With a cold snort, the Fire Qilin replied, clearly displeased, "Kid, you are not yet qualified to know of my strength. But I can tell you this: your current power is pitifully weak. You might be strong in Red Fire Town, or even the Nebula Kingdom, but on the scale of the entire continent, your strength is insignificant."

Nodding, Long Ao naturally chose to believe the Fire Qilin's words.

In any case, compared to the entire Celestial Martial Continent, the Nebula Kingdom was truly insignificant.

Since the Fire Qilin was unwilling to say more, Long Ao didn't press the issue. Instead, he asked, "Brother Qilin, how are your injuries?"

Long Ao was very concerned about the Fire Qilin's injuries. After all, they had a three-year agreement, and the Fire Qilin's recovery would also be a good thing for the Long Family.

"Kid, your return is well-timed. My injuries are too severe, and I need your help."

"Brother Qilin, just say the word. As long as it's something I can do, I won't refuse."

Seemingly appreciative, the Fire Qilin's tone softened slightly. "Long Ao, I need some Spirit Grass for my injuries. I will now transmit their names into your mind. Memorize them."

Instantly, Long Ao felt a list of many Spirit Grass names appear in his mind—about a dozen or so. He was no stranger to these Spirit Grasses; after all, as an Alchemist, he had to be knowledgeable about them.

"Brother Qilin, there's something I want to talk to you about. I hope you can give me a drop of your blood."

The moment Long Ao finished speaking, a powerful Momentum erupted from the Fire Qilin, pressing down on him from all directions. But Long Ao did not retreat a single half-step. He stood his ground firmly, staring intently at the Fire Qilin before him.

The Momentum vanished. The Fire Qilin said coldly, "I'll give you one chance to explain."

Long Ao didn't hide anything, recounting the matter concerning himself and Ao Xue from beginning to end. He didn't even conceal the Nine Needle God-Sealing. After hearing everything, the icy aura around the Qilin vanished without a trace.

Just as the Fire Qilin was about to say something, it suddenly let out a sound of surprise. "Kid, someone with considerable strength has arrived. You should go take a look. Just say the word if you need me to act."