Chapter 608: Too Late for Regrets

Chapter 608: Chapter 608: Too Late for Regrets

Long Ao had never imagined that Ye Dugu was the Sect Leader of the Heaven and Earth Sect.

The Heaven and Earth Sect was one of the most powerful forces in existence.

The Heaven and Earth Sect, the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, and the Long Clan were all forces of the same caliber. One could only imagine how formidable the Sect Leader of the Heaven and Earth Sect must be.

"Ao’Er, you were absolutely right. Ye Dugu isn’t seeking you out for any good reason. So, unless it’s absolutely necessary, it’s best that you have no contact with him."

Even without his ancestor’s warning, Long Ao already knew what to do.

Now that he knew Ye Dugu’s true identity and that the man had ulterior motives, Long Ao certainly had no intention of seeking him out.

"Ao’Er, although I still don’t know why Ye Dugu is looking for you, I am certain it’s nothing good."

Before Long Ao could speak, Long Batian continued, "Ao’Er, what do you plan to do with this Divine Pill?"

"I plan to perform Refinement on it," Long Ao said, explaining his thoughts in detail.

After listening, Long Batian nodded and said, "Just make sure you know what you’re doing."

Seemingly unwilling to dwell on the issue, Long Batian suddenly said, "Ao’Er, you need to resolve your grievances with the Four Great Forces as soon as possible. I am preparing to undergo my seventh Reincarnation."

"Ancestor, I understand."

Long Ao stayed for an hour, discussing unknown matters with Long Batian before leaving the cave.

News of Long Haoshi breaking through to the Great Emperor Realm instantly spread throughout Kyushu, including the Kyushu Spirit Realm.

Although all the transportation portals had been sealed, the news still seemed to grow wings, silently slipping into the Kyushu Spirit Realm.

The Four Great Forces were all aghast when they received the news, but none of them believed it.

The Four Great Forces knew Long Haoshi quite well. How could he possibly leap from the Innate Realm to the Great Emperor Realm in just a few short months? It was simply a joke.

The Four Great Forces were unanimous in their belief that Long Ao was trying to undermine their confidence. Therefore, no one was willing to believe that Long Haoshi had actually broken through to the Great Emperor Realm.

Each of the Four Great Forces had its own Great Emperor Martial Artist holding down the fort, so they all knew exactly what a warrior of that caliber represented.

The Dragon Sect already had the Corpse Slave Army. If a Great Emperor Martial Artist were to emerge among their ranks, the sect’s power would multiply several times over.

Without exception, all Four Great Forces sent people to the Celestial State Long Family to inquire about Long Haoshi. This time, however, Long Ao had clearly been waiting for them; he annihilated every person they sent.

With their lines of inquiry cut off, the Four Great Forces grew even more uncertain. They had no idea if Long Haoshi’s breakthrough to the Great Emperor Realm was real.

Just as the news of Long Haoshi’s breakthrough to the Great Emperor Realm was spreading, the Dragon Sect released another earth-shattering announcement that threw Kyushu into turmoil once again.

The news from the Dragon Sect was this: the Long Clan had suddenly sent an Envoy to take Long Ao away. Fearing a sneak attack in his absence, the Dragon Sect had recalled all of the Million Corpse Slaves.

The Four Great Forces wouldn’t have believed just any news, but when it came to the Long Clan taking Long Ao, Piaomiao Palace, Netherworld Mansion, and the Imperial City were all convinced it was true.

This was because the Long Clan had an explicit rule: any disciple below Third Level who became a Dragon Martial Artist would be summoned by the clan. If they were lucky, it would be fine. If they were unlucky, they might never return.

Upon hearing that Long Ao had been summoned away by the Long Clan, Piaomiao Palace, Netherworld Mansion, and the Imperial City immediately opened their transportation portals. Of the Four Great Forces, only the Third Level Long Family made no move.

The three great forces looked upon the Third Level Long Family with scorn. It was obvious they had been scared witless by Long Ao.

「Kyushu Spirit Realm, Third Level Long Family Hall.」

"Patriarch, the three great forces have opened their transportation portals. If all goes as expected, they will surely join forces to deal with the Dragon Sect. What should we do?"

Long Mowen’s expression was grave. He waved his hand and said, "I can say with certainty that the three great forces will absolutely not join forces to deal with the Dragon Sect. Do you believe me?"

"Patriarch, why is that?"

Long Yan was curious. He didn’t understand what the Patriarch meant. Under normal circumstances, with Long Ao summoned away by the Long Clan, it was a golden opportunity. The three great forces, including their own family, should join forces and annihilate the Dragon Sect in one fell swoop.

That way, even if Long Ao did return, it would be difficult for him to stage a comeback in a short period of time.

"With Long Ao summoned by the Long Clan, the three great forces will assume the Dragon Sect no longer poses any threat to them. Therefore, they will resume their struggle for control over Kyushu."

"Patriarch, are you saying that the three great forces want to occupy Kyushu to find the Tomb of the Gods as quickly as possible?"

"That’s right. For so many years, we’ve all been searching for the Tomb of the Gods to no avail. Why would the three great forces give up such a golden opportunity now?"

"Patriarch, what should we do then?"

Long Mowen lowered his head in thought. After a moment, he continued, "I don’t know why, but I have a bad feeling, as if something is about to happen. Still, we must make a move. Otherwise, once the three great forces occupy Kyushu, it will be much more difficult for us to get involved."

Long Yan breathed a sigh of relief. He had been genuinely afraid the Patriarch would pass up this chance. After all, Long Ao had been summoned away by the Long Clan, his fate uncertain, and the Million Corpse Slave Army had been completely withdrawn. For the Four Great Forces, this was the best opportunity to vie for control of Kyushu.

The Dragon Sect’s meteoric rise was something the Four Great Forces had never anticipated. Otherwise, they would have used their full strength to eliminate the sect back then and would not be facing this trouble today.

They were filled with regret.

But there was no medicine for regret in this world. Now that Long Ao’s fate was unknown, the remaining Dragon Sect was indeed nothing to worry about.

"Long Yan, contact the Dragon Sect later. If they are willing, their Long Family and the Dragon Sect can become branches of our clan. You can negotiate the terms with them directly."

Long Yan understood the Patriarch’s intentions perfectly. They would take advantage of Long Ao’s absence to seize control of the Dragon Sect. By doing so, the Dragon Sect’s Million Corpse Slaves would belong to their clan.

A million Corpse Slaves! Just the thought of it was thrilling. Long Yan could hardly wait to get his hands on them.

Long Yan could easily imagine it: if their clan truly obtained the Million Corpse Slaves, the other three great forces would no longer be a problem. With that, he immediately turned and left.

In the hall, Long Mowen sat quietly, his expression growing increasingly grave. He muttered to himself in confusion, ’Why would the Long Clan choose to summon Long Ao at this particular time? Something is strange... What isn’t right? What could it be?’

Long Mowen couldn’t figure it out, but he was left with a nagging bad feeling.

(PS: Feeling super frustrated with writing. It’s a feeling you guys probably won’t understand. I’m writing for more than ten hours a day, and when I get frustrated, it feels worse than death. Sigh!)