Chapter 617: Nether God

Chapter 617: Chapter 617: Nether God

Long Ao knew perfectly well what Duan Kai was implying.

He sneered inwardly, but his expression was indifferent as he said, "Brother Duan, I think it’s utterly impossible for the Third Level Long Family to stay out of this."

"Sect Leader Long, what do you mean by that?"

"It’s simple. The Third Level Long Family wants to sit on the sidelines and watch the fight. When we’ve crippled both the Netherworld Mansion and Piaomiao Palace, they’ll swoop in and reap all the benefits."

Duan Kai saw it now.

In truth, he had already considered this possibility, but if the Third Level Long Family were to join the battle, it would be extremely disadvantageous for them.

"Sect Leader Long, if the Third Level Long Family, Piaomiao Palace, and the Netherworld Mansion team up, we’ll be in deep trouble."

With a snort, Long Ao dismissed the concern.

"Brother Duan, the Four Great Forces—the Eastern Emperor City, the West Third Level Long Family, the Southern Netherworld Mansion, and the North Piaomiao Palace—have always schemed against each other, both openly and in secret. They are as incompatible as fire and water. Let me ask you, when have the Four Great Forces ever truly united?"

Duan Kai was left speechless. Just as Long Ao said, it was fundamentally impossible for the Four Great Forces to truly unite.

If the Four Great Forces were willing to cooperate, the Dragon Sect would have been annihilated long ago.

Long Ao knew this, Duan Kai knew this, and the other three great forces knew it just as clearly.

In that instant, Duan Kai understood Long Ao’s plan. He had to admit, Long Ao was a remarkable man; an ordinary person would never dare to attempt something like this.

’Never mind anyone else, if our roles were reversed,’ Duan Kai asked himself, ’would I dare to do the same?’

’The answer was no.’

For this very reason, Duan Kai couldn’t help but admire Long Ao. However, he was also keenly aware that while the Imperial City was currently allied with Long Ao, and they likely wouldn’t be turning on each other any time soon, a battle to the death between them was inevitable.

’Never mind that one mountain cannot house two tigers; he killed my grandson. That debt could never be forgotten.’

How could Long Ao be unaware of what was on Duan Kai’s mind?

Long Ao and Duan Kai could be said to be harboring their own ulterior motives, yet on the surface, they appeared to be the best of friends.

Next, Long Ao and Duan Kai discussed how to deal with the three major powers.

Just as Long Ao had guessed, while the Netherworld Mansion, Piaomiao Palace, and the Third Level Long Family appeared to be on the same front, in reality, all three were on guard against one another. This gave Long Ao and the Imperial City an opening.

Long Ao did not directly participate in attacking the three powers. He remained hidden in the City of Sin, where his days were spent either comprehending the Divine Calculation Dao or seeking enlightenment from the Chaos Stele.

「Somewhere on the Celestial Martial Continent.」

An old woman in black robes brought Wang Yuyin to an exceptionally mysterious place. Gazing at the black entrance before them, she said, "Yuyin, once you enter, your chances of survival are slim to none. I will ask you one last time: are you certain you want to go in?"

Staring intently at the black passage, Yuyin showed not a trace of fear. Without a second thought, she nodded and said, "Master, I have no objections. I’m willing to enter."

"Senior Nether God, by letting Yuyin enter that place, aren’t you sending her to her death?"

Just then, a voice suddenly echoed from nearby. If Long Ao had been there to see the person who appeared, he would have been stunned, for it was none other than Shi Potian.

Nether God was Yuyin’s master, the old woman in black.

"Young Master Shi, you and I are both keenly aware of Yuyin’s condition. Under normal circumstances, it would take her at least twenty years, if not longer, to break through to the Divine Dao. We simply can’t wait that long."

Although Yuyin had no interest in Shi Potian, he was completely infatuated with her. He gave her an affectionate look and asked softly, "Yuyin, are you really going to go to that place?"

Nodding, Yuyin’s voice was firm. "I must go. Thank you for your concern, Young Master Shi."

With a deep sigh, Shi Potian said resignedly, "Yuyin, I know how stubborn you are. Since you insist, I won’t try to stop you. I only ask that you let me accompany you. What do you say?"

"No."

"Absolutely not."

Not only did Yuyin refuse, but Nether God also objected. "Young Master Shi, this is no joking matter."

"And why not? I went in there all by myself and came back out just fine, didn’t I? I’m confident that with me looking after her, Yuyin will make it out safely as well."

It would be a lie to say Nether God wasn’t tempted. She knew perfectly well that if Shi Potian accompanied Yuyin, her chances of success would increase dramatically.

’But if anything happened to Shi Potian, how could I possibly answer to the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect?’

After weighing the options, Nether God was still unwilling to take the risk.

"Young Master Shi, I need you to understand that Yuyin is my disciple. I don’t want anyone else interfering in this matter, and I hope you will respect that. As for what’s between you and Yuyin, I don’t wish to meddle, but it must wait until she has broken through to the Divine Dao Realm. Otherwise, there is nothing to discuss."

Shi Potian gave Nether God a deep look; he was clearly wary of her. In the end, he had no choice but to back down.

"Yuyin, I will wait for you here."

"Young Master Shi, I need you to understand. I already love someone else. There’s no future for us."

"HAHAHAHA! So you have someone you love? That’s fine. I’ll just have to compete for you fairly. In all of Heaven and Earth, there is no one I cannot compete against!"

Shi Potian radiated immense confidence. As the strongest disciple of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect and wielder of the Ten Thousand Beasts Order, he had every right to be arrogant. Nether God knew this, and Yuyin knew it even more so.

For this very reason, Yuyin didn’t dare to offend him lightly. Even Nether God, despite being far more powerful than Shi Potian, remained polite. Against anyone else, she would have likely made a move long ago instead of wasting time with pleasantries.

"Young Master Shi, as I’ve said before, any matter between you and Yuyin must wait until after she breaks through to the Divine Dao."

Before Nether God could finish, Yuyin, looking extremely impatient, cut her off. This was the first time Yuyin had ever interrupted her master. Nether God seemed a little surprised, but she ultimately let the matter drop.

Nether God understood her disciple well. ’For Long Ao, she would do anything. Otherwise, she never would have been able to endure for ten years. Ten whole years... how many girls could manage that?’

"Master, if there’s nothing else, I’m going in."

Nodding, a look of genuine concern finally crossed Nether God’s face. "Yuyin, be careful," she said, her voice filled with worry. "No matter what happens, your first priority is to come back alive. Understand?"

Yuyin nodded. "Master, you take care as well."

With that said, without even a parting word for Shi Potian, Yuyin plunged into the black passage and vanished without a trace.