Chapter 374: City of Sin
Long Ao said nothing, simply standing there in silence. He knew Shi Potian must have a reason for seeking him out.
As it stood, Long Ao was extremely wary of Shi Potian.
'He had slipped into the Dragon Sect without anyone noticing. Long Ao couldn't imagine what would happen if Shi Potian decided to massacre the sect. Would anyone here be able to stop him?'
"Long Ao, I won't waste words. I've come to you today about three things."
"Please, speak."
"First, I want to take control of Dragon Valley, and I need your help."
Long Ao held up a hand, cutting Shi Potian off before he could get to the other two matters. "Shi Potian, you overestimate me. The Long Clan and Dragon Valley are far beyond my reach. I can't agree to this."
'Control Dragon Valley?'
Long Ao was completely taken aback by Shi Potian's first proposal. 'If he didn't seem so composed, I'd think he'd lost his mind or been kicked in the head by a donkey. To think someone in this world actually wants to control Dragon Valley.'
It was common knowledge that Dragon Valley and the Long Clan were allies. To control Dragon Valley, one would first have to defeat the Long Clan.
Long Ao was well aware of how terrifyingly strong Shi Potian was, but he would never believe that Shi Potian could defeat the Long Clan and take control of Dragon Valley.
'And what's more, he'd just said he needed *my* help. This was some kind of colossal joke.'
Showing no sign of anger, as if he had expected this reaction, Shi Potian smiled. "Long Ao, once I control Dragon Valley, I can promise you this: your Long Family will replace the Long Clan, and we will share Dragon Valley equally. What do you say?"
"Shi Potian, you truly do overestimate me."
"You're not willing?"
"It's not that I'm unwilling. I simply lack the ability."
Long Ao was vexed. 'Has this man in front of me completely lost his mind?'
'Plenty of people in this world were envious of the Long Clan. Even more wanted to take their place. But no one had ever been so brazen as to openly declare their intent to seize control of Dragon Valley. It was a death wish.'
"Shi Potian, I have to ask, what gives you this courage? Besides, you see my strength for what it is. Do you really think the two of us can control Dragon Valley?"
Shi Potian waved a dismissive hand, his face radiating confidence. "I didn't say we'd take it now. I said in the future. I'll let you know when the time comes. As for whether you're qualified, that's not for you to decide—it's for me. All you need to do right now is tell me if you agree."
'If anyone else had said they wanted to control Dragon Valley, Long Ao would have scoffed. But the man before him possessed unfathomable power. Could he truly be confident in his ability to seize control?'
'The Dragon Race, one of the most powerful races in all of Heaven and Earth.'
'Long Ao was a selfish man. Of course he wanted his own family to supplant the Long Clan and re-establish themselves in Dragon Valley.'
'But he knew, even more clearly, that this was a path of no return. Once he set foot on it, there was no telling whether he would live or die.'
'I have to take this gamble.'
In the end, Long Ao decided to take the risk. He nodded in agreement. "Fine. But I have a condition. If we're to be partners, you must help my Long Family increase its strength."
"No problem. But Long Ao, you should know that the fastest way to grow stronger is through trials of life and death. So, I will not assist you directly. However, I will give you two Realm Emperor Spirit Beasts to help guard the Dragon Sect. How does that sound?"
Long Ao's heart skipped a beat. He knew exactly what two Realm Emperor Spirit Beasts signified.
'This was the extent of Shi Potian's power.'
'To be able to casually give away two Realm Emperor Spirit Beasts... there was no doubt Shi Potian's strength far surpassed the Void Realm. He was either in the Void Saint Realm or the Great Emperor Realm.'
It would be a lie to say he wasn't thrilled.
In any case, if the sect had two Realm Emperor Spirit Beasts standing guard, he would no longer have to fear the Four Great Forces. He could then focus entirely on developing the sect's power.
"Thank you."
"This is merely a partnership. Alright, on to the second matter. Regardless of your methods, I expect you to break into the Dragon Ranking within three years—and make it into the top three. That shouldn't be too difficult, right?"
'Fuck.'
Cursing inwardly, Long Ao seriously began to wonder if this man was out of his mind. 'The first task was crazy enough, but this is just insane. Break into the Dragon Ranking and reach the top three within three years? Is that even possible?'
'Just making it onto the Dragon Ranking wouldn't be that hard, but securing a spot in the top three was another matter entirely.'
"Shi Potian, you really have a high opinion of me."
"Your talent is plain to see. Don't sell yourself short. I'm certain you can break into the top three of the Dragon Ranking within three years."
'If he has this much confidence in me, should I not believe in myself?'
Things had already come to this. Long Ao knew he had no choice. Besides, the man had provided two Realm Emperor Spirit Beasts, solving one of his most pressing problems.
"I'll do my best. Now, what's the third thing?"
"It's too early for the third matter. I'll tell you about it after you've completed the second, and we've handled the first."
Before Long Ao could respond, Shi Potian summoned two Dragon Wolves out of thin air. Their massive bodies radiated waves of bone-chilling cold, and their eyes fixed on Long Ao with an icy stare.
'Two Realm Emperor Dragon Wolves.'
'Dragon Wolves. A branch of the Dragon Race, they possess the Dragon Bloodline and are incredibly powerful.'
This only deepened Long Ao's shock. 'Who in the world is Shi Potian? How can he command Spirit Beasts at will, as if he could control every last one of them?'
Long Ao didn't press the issue. He knew that if Shi Potian wanted to tell him, he wouldn't have to ask.
"Long Ao, even with two Dragon Wolves guarding the Long Family, I must advise you: if you want to make your mark on the continent and dominate the heavens, you can't rely solely on external power. You must develop your own."
Long Ao nodded. He knew this all too well, but rapidly developing his family's strength was easier said than done.
As if reading Long Ao's mind, Shi Potian suddenly smiled. "I have a method that can accelerate your Long Family's growth. It is, however, quite dangerous. I wonder if you'd be willing to try it?"
"Of course."
A jolt of excitement went through Long Ao. Accelerating his family's growth was his most urgent need. If there was an opportunity, he certainly wouldn't pass it up.
"Long Ao, on the Kyushu Continent, there is a mysterious place called the City of Sin. Have you heard of it?"
'City of Sin?'
Long Ao shook his head, indicating that he hadn't. The Celestial Martial Continent was simply too vast, and there were countless places he had never heard of. Not knowing about the City of Sin was perfectly normal, so he didn't think much of it.