War God Long Ao

Dragon's Roar and Tiger's Howl.

A dragon's roar echoed, followed by a tiger's howl.

Long Qiang and Long Ming appeared, giving the Nine Nether Spider no chance to react as the dragon and tiger attacked as one.

Both Long Qiang and Long Ming were at the Human King Realm, but when the Dragon and Tiger joined forces, their power doubled.

Long Ao hadn't expected the two little ones to attack so suddenly. He didn't dare let his guard down for a second. 'What would I do if something happened to them?'

After all, the Nine Nether Spider was a master at the Taoist Ancestor Peak Realm. Its strength was undeniable. Even if the two little ones joined forces, they were surely no match for it.

Before Long Ao could stop them, Long Qiang and Long Ming had already begun their assault on the Nine Nether Spider. In wave after wave of attacks, the Dragon and Tiger crisscrossed, their two different powers layering upon each other. The Nine Nether Spider found itself constrained at every turn, forced back step by step.

The Nine Nether Spider and the Nine Nether Earth Tiger were actually from the same clan, but their auras were completely different. Within the Nine Nether Earth Spirit Beast clan, the Nine Nether Earth Tiger was a King, while the Nine Nether Spider was merely a common clansman.

The innate aura and majesty of a King completely suppressed the Nine Nether Spider, compensating for the difference in their Realms.

Against any other Taoist Ancestor Realm Spirit Beast, the Dragon and Tiger duo probably wouldn't have been able to withstand even three moves. But this situation was completely different. As mentioned, the Nine Nether Spider was already at a disadvantage against the Nine Nether Earth Tiger due to the suppression of its aura alone.

Aura suppression, and a complete one at that. A flicker of joy ignited in Long Ao's heart.

He didn't just stand by and watch the show. Long Ao instantly joined the fight. The man, the dragon, and the tiger joined forces, relentlessly attacking the Nine Nether Spider.

"Brat, I will settle this score with you! We'll meet again."

The Nine Nether Spider didn't press the attack. Its strength was undeniable, but its aura was completely suppressed. If it continued to fight, it knew it would be the one to ultimately lose out.

Watching the Nine Nether Spider and Long Yili flee in a sorry state, Long Ao felt no joy. Instead, his expression grew even more grave.

Even now, Long Ao couldn't understand how Long Yili and the Nine Nether Spider had undergone Rebirth.

A creature with the Nine Nether Spider's strength would always be a threat. Who knew when the two of them would return? In any case, he would soon have to leave Red Fire Town to participate in the so-called Kyushu Wind and Cloud Battle.

'What should I do?'

After driving off the Nine Nether Spider, Long Qiang and Long Ming returned to the Dragon Seal Space to resume their Cultivation.

Long Ao didn't linger either and returned to the Long Family estate in Red Fire Town.

「Within the Long Family's Little Courtyard House.」

Ever since his battle with the Nine Nether Spider, Long Ao hadn't left his residence. His mind raced, constantly trying to figure out how to resolve the situation. He knew with absolute certainty that as long as the Nine Nether Spider was not dealt with, his family would be in constant danger the moment he left.

Even with the Fire Qilin protecting the estate, there was no guarantee it would care about the life or death of a family disciple once they left the grounds.

Although the Fire Qilin's attitude had changed significantly, and it had even helped him rescue Linghu Ning and Bing Hun, Long Ao knew it was impossible for the creature to guard every single disciple of the family at all times.

Because of this, Long Ao was keenly aware of just how much trouble he was in.

'What on earth am I going to do?'

"Ao'Er, what's wrong?"

Seeing his grandfather enter, Long Ao forced a wry smile. He hadn't wanted to tell his grandfather about this, but with things as they were and the Kyushu Wind and Cloud Battle looming, he had to find a way to deal with the Nine Nether Spider as soon as possible.

In the entire Long Family, only three people dared to enter his Little Courtyard House unannounced: Long Haoshi, Long Yi, and Mu Lin.

Holding nothing back, Long Ao gave him a rough account of the situation with the Nine Nether Spider and Long Yili.

After hearing the story, Long Haoshi's expression also grew heavy. He now understood what the Taoist Ancestor Realm signified, and being constantly targeted by a Spirit Beast of that level was indeed a terrifying prospect.

"Ao'Er, you're planning to participate in the Kyushu Wind and Cloud Battle?"

"That's right. The most prominent figures from the Wind and Cloud Rankings of all nine states of Kyushu will be there. As the third-ranked person on the Celestial State's Wind and Cloud Ranking, if I didn't participate..."

Long Ao didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning—and his resolve—was perfectly clear.

Long Haoshi knew his grandson's personality well, so he didn't try to dissuade him. Instead, he said, "Ao'Er, based on what you just said, the Nine Nether Spider certainly won't let this go. It's probably lurking somewhere around Red Fire Town right now, watching our every move."

Long Ao remained silent. He knew his grandfather was far more experienced than he was; perhaps the old man had a way to deal with the Nine Nether Spider.

Long Haoshi thought for a moment and said, "Ao'Er, why don't we try to catch a turtle in a jar?"

"Grandpa, what do you mean by 'catch a turtle in a jar'?"

Long Haoshi smiled and continued, "It's simple. You told me before that Elder Qilin is seriously injured, and that his recovery won't be easy."

"Grandpa, are you saying we should borrow Brother Qilin's power to eliminate the Nine Nether Spider?"

Nodding, Long Haoshi said, "Exactly. As long as we can lure the Nine Nether Spider onto the family grounds, we won't even have to lift a finger. Elder Qilin will take care of it."

"That's what 'catching a turtle in a jar' means."

Long Ao now understood his grandfather's plan. According to his agreement with the Fire Qilin, the creature would protect the family and fight off any powerful enemy that trespassed on their grounds. Therefore, his grandfather's plan was to lure the Nine Nether Spider into the estate. Then, as per their agreement, the Fire Qilin would be forced to act and eliminate the spider.

Grandfather and grandson exchanged a look, each seeing a cunning glint in the other's eyes. Then, Long Ao and Long Haoshi began to plot how they would lure the Nine Nether Spider onto the family's grounds.

「In a cave not far from Red Fire Town.」

The Nine Nether Spider slammed a fist hard against the cave wall. Its expression was utterly grim, the fury in its heart a volcano on the verge of eruption.

"Master."

SLAP.

Long Yili, who had just entered the cave, was immediately slapped hard across the face by the Nine Nether Spider. As if this were a common occurrence, Long Yili simply trembled and looked at the Nine Nether Spider with a fawning expression.

"Speak."

"Master, I just went into Red Fire Town to gather information. Long Ao has already left for the Kyushu Wind and Cloud Battle. This is the perfect opportunity for us. If we go to Red Fire Town now and take control of the Long Family, Long Ao will have no choice but to submit."

"Hmph. Long Ao, you've forced my hand. I'd like to see whether you'll kneel and beg me once your family is in my grasp. And the Nine Nether Earth Tiger... it will be just what I need to break through to the Void Realm."