Chapter 200: Revenge
Perhaps from pure grief, the little one gradually fell asleep.
After placing the little one into the Dragon Seal Space, Linghu Ning came over, looking as if he wanted to say something but was holding back.
"Brother Linghu, if you have something to say, just say it."
"Brother Long, forgive me for being blunt. You just obtained a Venerable Golden Core. If you were to devour it, I'm sure your Cultivation could break through to the Void Realm in a very short time. Why did you give it to the little one for nothing?"
Before Long Ao could say a word, Linghu Ning continued, "Improving your strength is what's most important. As for the little one, you can just make it up to him later."
Long Ao knew exactly what Linghu Ning was getting at.
Looking somewhat surprised, Long Ao asked in return, "Brother Linghu, you know about the Eight Realms of Void?"
Linghu Ning nodded. "I found out by accident. It's hard to believe that above the Transformation Realm, there are still the Eight Realms of Void."
Bing Hun had no idea what the two of them were discussing. She asked curiously, "What exactly are these Eight Realms of Void you two are talking about?"
"Bing Hun, above the Transformation Realm we're familiar with, there exist even more powerful Martial Artists. This is collectively known as the Void Realm, and it's divided into eight separate Realms."
"The Eight Realms of Void, from lowest to highest, are the Hundred Tribulations Realm, Venerable Realm, Supreme Venerable Realm, Earth Venerable Realm, Celestial Venerable Realm, Great Venerable Realm, Realm King Realm, and Realm Emperor Realm."
'The Eight Realms of Void?'
Hearing Linghu Ning's words, Bing Hun was astonished. As far as she knew, the Taoist Ancestor stage of the Transformation Realm was the peak of Martial Arts. She had never dreamed that above the Taoist Ancestor, there existed the Eight Realms of Void. It seemed the so-called Innate Realm was truly insignificant on the grand path of Martial Arts.
"When the Nine Nether Earth Tiger died, it gave Brother Long a Venerable Golden Core. A Venerable Golden Core is formed when a Venerable Martial Artist gathers all their power at the moment of death. Once Brother Long consumes it…"
Linghu Ning didn't say more, but the implication was clear.
A Venerable Golden Core—the culmination of a Venerable Martial Artist's entire life force. Bing Hun, of course, knew what that represented.
She looked at Long Ao.
"Brother Long, I think Brother Linghu is right. The Six Sects' tournament is in fifteen days. With your current strength, you have no chance of winning a Venerable Golden Core. That being the case, why not use this one first? You can just help the little one raise his strength later."
Bing Hun and Linghu Ning were in complete agreement.
Long Ao understood perfectly what Bing Hun and Linghu Ning were suggesting.
'But can I agree to this?'
Without a moment's hesitation, Long Ao shook his head and refused. "No matter what happens, I will not use this Venerable Golden Core."
"Why is that?"
"The little one is my brother now, my partner. I can't steal from my own brother. Besides, this Venerable Golden Core is the last thing his mother left for him. How could I possibly use it for myself?"
'Brother?'
Linghu Ning and Bing Hun were stunned. They never imagined Long Ao would consider the little one a brother.
If that was the case, then Long Ao really couldn't take the little one's Venerable Golden Core. It would be dishonorable, no matter how you looked at it.
Still, Linghu Ning and Bing Hun felt a pang of regret. They knew all too well what a Venerable Golden Core represented. To see Long Ao give up such an opportunity felt like a terrible waste.
After all, the Six Sects' tournament was only fifteen days away. It would be no simple task for Long Ao to snatch a Venerable Golden Core from the sixty masters representing the Six Sects.
If Long Ao could just devour this Venerable Golden Core, his strength would increase dramatically, even with only fifteen days remaining. It would be a massive advantage in the fight for another Venerable Golden Core.
Long Ao was well aware of Linghu Ning and Bing Hun's concerns.
With a small smile, Long Ao said, "Brother Linghu, Bing Hun, I know you mean well. But there are lines a person must draw—things you do and things you don't do. You have to be clear on that, or how can you live with yourself?"
Long Ao's words seemed to strike a chord with Linghu Ning and Bing Hun. They both nodded in agreement.
"Brother Long, the little one was so heartbroken. Are you really going to get revenge for him?"
"I must avenge him."
Just as they'd expected.
The two of them knew Long Ao's personality all too well. Since he'd promised the little one, he would certainly seek revenge. If it were just an ordinary Spirit Beast, or even a single Flame Demon Ape, they wouldn't have been worried in the slightest.
But the current situation was entirely different. They were up against more than twenty Flame Demon Apes, and who knew if there were more to come. Once they swarmed him, could Long Ao possibly hold out?
The two of them had great confidence in Long Ao's strength.
But confidence was one thing; reality was another. Fighting one against more than twenty, the slightest mistake could lead to a point of no return.
For this very reason, neither of them wanted Long Ao to take such a risk. But before they could voice their objections, Long Ao spoke. "You two wait here for me. I am going to get revenge for the little one."
They both sighed inwardly. They knew Long Ao's personality all too well.
So they didn't try to persuade him further. Instead, Bing Hun nodded and said, "We won't stop you from getting revenge, but we have to go with you."
"That's right. We live together, or we die together."
Looking at his two friends, Long Ao would be lying if he said he wasn't moved.
And it was because he considered them true friends that he knew he couldn't drag them into this and get them hurt.
Linghu Ning and Bing Hun's strength was no match for the Flame Demon Apes; if they came along, they would just be throwing their lives away. Long Ao smiled. "Don't you trust my strength? I managed to get away from two Earth Emperor Martial Artists. A pack of mere Transformation Spirit Beasts is nothing to worry about."
Linghu Ning and Bing Hun looked like they still wanted to argue, but Long Ao stopped them. "If you're my friends, then trust me."
Finally, seeing they had no other choice, Bing Hun and Linghu Ning had to compromise and agreed to wait for him there.
「Inside the cave.」
Long Ao didn't immediately set out for revenge. Instead, he used his soul to communicate with the Dragon Seal and entered the Dragon Seal Space.
"Long Fu, why were you looking for me?"
"Master, the little one you just acquired is a Nine Nether Earth Tiger."
"I know." Long Ao nodded. He was already aware of the little one's identity. That was why he didn't understand Long Fu's point. 'Why bring him up out of the blue?'
"Long Fu, just say what you mean."
"Master, to an outsider, a Nine Nether Earth Tiger is just an ordinary Spirit Beast. But I have a way to turn the little one into a Mutated Spirit Beast."