Chapter 226: Variables
Ghost King Sect. The Great Hall.
"What's your name?"
"Ao Xue."
"Ao Xue? Hahaha! Good. Good. Very good." In that instant, Ao Tian seemed like a different person. He was chillingly cold, suffused with Yin Sha Qi, as if he had emerged from the depths of Hell.
"Brother Ao, this is the Ao Xue I painstakingly crafted with the help of many resources. I can assure you, even if Long Ao himself were standing here, he would never recognize that this Ao Xue is a fake."
"Excellent. Brother Xia, as per our agreement, once Long Ao is dead, we'll each take one of the two treasures. As for the Four Great Sects, we'll split their domains equally between us."
"Then it's settled."
"And it can't be undone."
The agreement between Ghost King Ao Tian and Xia Fang sealed the alliance between the Ghost King Sect and the Thunder Sect. After seeing Xia Fang off, a trace of guilt flashed across Ao Tian's face. He muttered to himself, 'Ao Xue, I've failed you. I would rather you hate me than let you hold onto any hope.'
In truth, everything Ao Tian had just said was a lie. He knew full well how dangerous his next actions were. The slightest misstep would lead to a doom from which there was no recovery.
Teaming up with the Thunder Sect to deal with Long Ao and then move against the Four Great Sects was an incredibly perilous gamble. If he succeeded, Ao Tian would rise above all others. If he failed, the consequences would be unimaginable.
In his heart, Ao Tian felt he had already failed his daughter too many times. That was why he would rather have Ao Xue hate him now than for her to mourn for the rest of her life after he died.
"Guards!"
"Sect Leader."
"Keep a close watch on the Young Miss. If anything happens to her, you'll answer for it with your own lives."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
Only Ao Tian remained, standing alone in the vast Great Hall. Ultimately, it was all for the sake of power and status. For that so-called power and status, he was willing to abandon even his own daughter and risk everything on a single gamble.
Red Fire Town. The Long family estate.
Long Ao had no idea what was happening at the Ghost King Sect. This time, with testimony from the Thunder Sect and the Ghost King Sect, he wouldn't have to worry too much even if the Golden Sun Sect came looking for trouble.
"Brother Long, my father just sent a letter. He's coming to Red Fire Town personally in three days to help you clear this matter up."
Xia Jun was visibly excited. He was relieved that his father was willing to help a friend. Seeing Long Ao's unhappy expression, however, he asked in confusion, "Brother Long, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing. Brother Dugu, Brother Xia, I already know who killed Zhang Zhihang and framed me."
"Who?"
Hearing this, both Dugu Bai and Xia Jun were astonished. They wondered how Long Ao could have possibly found out.
"The Blood Sea Sect."
The Blood Sea Sect. In an instant, both of them understood. They were well aware of the feud between Long Ao and the Blood Sea Sect. Dugu Bai nodded. "The Blood Sea Sect wants to use the Golden Sun Sect to get rid of you."
"The Ghost King came to see me earlier. He said the Ghost King Sect and the Thunder Battle Association would step forward to clear my name. If all goes well, the Blood Sea Sect's plot will not only fail, but backfire on them completely."
The Ghost King Sect?
Dugu Bai seemed to realize something. "Brother Long, the Ghost King was adamant about keeping you and Ao Xue apart. Could he really have had a change of heart in just a few days?"
"Brother Dugu, you're worrying for nothing," Xia Jun interjected. "Maybe the Ghost King realized he was wrong and decided to change for his daughter's sake. In any case, with the Ghost King and my father willing to testify for Brother Long, the Blood Sea Sect's plot will fall apart on its own. This is definitely a good thing for Brother Long."
"Alright, Brother Dugu, Brother Xia. The matter is settled for now. You two should go back and focus on your Cultivation. Get ready for the upcoming Kyushu Tournament of Storms."
Dugu Bai and Xia Jun knew that with the Thunder Sect and the Ghost King Sect intervening, it was unlikely anything would happen to Brother Long or Red Fire Town. Because of this, Dugu Bai nodded and said, "In that case, we'll head back for now. If you need anything, we'll be here in an instant."
After seeing them off, Long Ao immediately entered the Dragon Seal Space. He found Long Fu and got straight to the point. "Long Fu, is there any way for me to break through to the Earth Emperor Realm in the shortest amount of time?"
Long Ao knew that at his current Human King Realm, he would be completely suppressed if he encountered a Taoist Ancestor. But if his Cultivation could break through to the Earth Emperor Realm, then even when facing a Taoist Ancestor Martial Artist, he could at least remain undefeated, even if he couldn't kill them.
Long Fu thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Master, forcibly increasing your strength will be extremely detrimental to your future Cultivation. Therefore, it is absolutely out of the question."
From Long Fu's words, Long Ao knew at once that Long Fu definitely had a way to rapidly raise his Cultivation.
Under normal circumstances, Long Ao would never consider forcibly increasing his strength. He didn't need Long Fu to tell him; he was well aware of the consequences a forced breakthrough would bring.
"Long Fu, you know my situation. I need power now. You have to help me break through to the Earth Emperor Realm in the shortest time possible."
Long Fu knew his master's personality all too well. Left with no choice, he could only nod. "Master, I do have a method that can help you break through to the Earth Emperor Realm in the shortest possible time. But, as I said, the long-term consequences of doing so are severe."
But things had already come to this. Long Ao couldn't afford to worry about the future. Putting aside the imminent Kyushu Tournament of Storms, he had to be fully prepared for the Golden Sun Sect's arrival alone. After all, no one could guarantee that the Golden Sun Sect wouldn't declare war on him the moment they arrived.
Simply put, there were too many variables.
First, what if the Thunder Sect and the Ghost King Sect suddenly went back on their word? With no one to testify for him, wouldn't the Golden Sun Sect still come seeking revenge? Second, what if the Golden Sun Sect simply refused to believe the Ghost King and Xia Fang, and insisted he was the one who killed Zhang Zhihang? In the end, a battle would still be inevitable.
The variables were too great; it was a gamble Long Ao dared not take. If his Cultivation could reach the Earth Emperor Realm, then as long as his opponent wasn't a Void Martial Artist, who could possibly be his match once he used the Nine Needle God-Sealing?
For that very reason, Long Ao had made up his mind. No matter what happened, even if it truly damaged his future Cultivation, he had to increase his strength. He would do it for the sake of his family.
"Master, I cannot stop you. I can only do my utmost to assist you. To advance from the Human King Realm to the Earth Emperor Realm in the shortest time, you must forcibly devour power. I've considered it. Finding souls is difficult right now, and given your current situation, the amount of power you would need is simply immense."