Chapter 454: Each with Their Own Ulterior Motives

Chapter 454: Chapter 454: Each with Their Own Ulterior Motives

Kyushu Spirit Realm.

The Third Level Long Family’s great hall.

When Long Mowen heard that a Semi-Saint Martial Artist had been killed, his expression turned utterly grim.

Even for the Four Great Forces, a Semi-Saint Martial Artist was an unbearable loss.

In that moment, Long Mowen cursed eighteen generations of Piaomiao Palace’s ancestors. ’If it weren’t for them,’ he fumed, ’how could my family have possibly lost a Semi-Saint Martial Artist?’

He had no way to vent the hatred in his heart.

Ever since Long Ao’s rise, the Four Great Forces had suffered one heavy blow after another. This was the worst yet—the direct loss of a Semi-Saint. It was truly more than Long Mowen could accept.

Long Mowen’s status in the Long Family was far beyond what the Snake Emperor held in Piaomiao Palace. Otherwise, given the Snake Emperor’s predicament, Long Mowen would have already died countless times over by now.

"Patriarch, what should we do now?"

Long Yan’s expression was also extremely grim, but he didn’t say much. After all, the enmity between the Long Family and Long Ao had reached a point of no return—it was either his death or theirs.

In other words, Long Ao had to die.

But the family had taken blow after blow, and it was becoming too much to bear.

"Things have already come to this. No matter what, we can’t let Long Ao continue to grow stronger. This boy is too terrifying."

Long Yan nodded, completely agreeing with the Patriarch’s assessment.

If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he would have found it hard to believe that such a Demon could exist in this world. In just a few short months—less than a year—Long Ao had already grown to this extent. It was horrifying.

"Patriarch, you mean?"

"Kill him."

"But the Semi-Saint Martial Artists are no match for Long Ao."

The thought gave both Long Yan and Long Mowen a major headache. They had no idea how Long Ao had done it. After all, a Void Martial Artist killing a Void Saint Martial Artist... was that even possible?

Even though it was a fact, the two of them found it hard to believe.

"If Semi-Saints won’t do, then we can only ask the Ancestor."

"Patriarch, please reconsider. Back then, when two Saints from Piaomiao Palace tried to kill Long Ao, they were stopped by a Great Emperor Martial Artist. If we send a Saint after Long Ao and that Great Emperor is displeased, we’ll be in deep trouble."

"I know that. But if a Semi-Saint Martial Artist can’t kill Long Ao, and we don’t ask the Ancestor to step in, who else can deal with him?"

For some reason, Long Yan felt that something was off about this whole situation. But as for what exactly was off, he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

"Don’t worry. I won’t be acting alone this time. Not just us—the Imperial City, Netherworld Mansion, and even Piaomiao Palace must all take part. If they think they can let us bear this burden alone, they’re dreaming."

"Patriarch, Piaomiao Palace has a one-year agreement with Long Ao. Will they really make a move?"

"They will. They have to. If Piaomiao Palace doesn’t act this time, our three families will join forces to condemn them. We can use this as an opportunity to put Piaomiao Palace in its place."

It had to be said, the ambition of the Third Level Long Family and Long Mowen was truly immense.

Even while dealing with Long Ao, they hadn’t forgotten about scheming against Piaomiao Palace.

「City of Sin.」

The successful execution of three Semi-Saints and nine World Emperor Martial Artists was a massive morale boost. Zhou Chen and the other man were now in complete awe of Long Ao. They knew the Sect Leader’s strength better than anyone, but even so, he had still managed to kill Ji Lin.

The two of them knew better than anyone that under normal circumstances, they would have had to pay a certain price to kill the two Semi-Saints from the three great forces.

But thanks to the Sect Leader’s help, that price was reduced to almost zero. They had seized the moment when the two Semi-Saints were stunned and their bodies frozen to instantly annihilate them.

The two of them truly found it hard to fathom the Sect Leader’s power.

"Sect Leader, are you really leaving?"

"Yes. The three great forces failed to crush the City of Sin this time. If I’m not mistaken, their next target will be the Dragon Sect and my family. I have to hurry back. I can’t let them succeed."

’So that’s how it is.’

"After I leave, I’m entrusting the City of Sin to you. Remember two things. First, the Desolate Mountain I just told you about is to be designated a Forbidden Land of the City of Sin. Anyone who dares take a single step into it is to be killed on sight, no questions asked. Second, the City of Sin is temporarily in your care. Remember: resist if you can, but if you can’t, prioritize your own survival."

They nodded. Of course, they understood what the Sect Leader meant.

The three great forces’ foundations and power were plain to see. Trying to rely on the City of Sin to fight them head-on was an almost impossible task.

Because of this, the two Semi-Saints didn’t dare to be the slightest bit careless. No matter what, the Sect Leader had entrusted the City of Sin to them. They had to protect it, whatever happened.

Long Ao had complete faith in the two of them, so he didn’t give any more instructions.

He didn’t dare to linger. Since Long Ao couldn’t be sure whether the three great forces would target his family and the Sect, it was better to be early than late. Returning to the Sect sooner would bring him some peace of mind.

This time, the three great forces had lost three Semi-Saints and nine World Emperor Martial Artists, a serious blow to their Vitality. However, they knew very well that things had reached a point where they had to take care of Long Ao, no matter what.

The three great forces were extremely wary of Long Ao’s talent—that was plain for all to see. If they allowed him to continue developing, the consequences would be unimaginable.

The thinking of the three great forces was simple. They had lost three Semi-Saints this time. If they were going to continue suffering such losses, they were certainly not willing to let Piaomiao Palace get off easy.

And so...

The three great forces joined together and approached Piaomiao Palace, hoping they would help deal with Long Ao. But would Piaomiao Palace agree?

Setting aside the one-year agreement, Piaomiao Palace wouldn’t act rashly simply because they were wary of Long Ao. After all, his talent and potential were there for all to see. They would avoid him if they could, so how could they possibly agree to this?

But could Piaomiao Palace afford to refuse?

The three great forces certainly wouldn’t allow it. Both sides had their own ulterior motives, each wanting to drag the other into the fray. As a result, the three forces, which had already decided to act together, could only put their plans on hold for the time being due to Piaomiao Palace’s refusal to join.

Long Ao returned to the Sect without incident and was relieved to find that the Four Great Forces had not launched an attack.

Long Ao knew perfectly well that by killing three Semi-Saints, he had likely stunned the three great forces. He was almost certain that if they attacked again, they wouldn’t be sending more Semi-Saint Martial Artists, but true Saints.

The thought of Saints gave Long Ao a major headache. Within the entire Dragon Sect, no one could withstand an attack from a Saint except the Fire Qilin. But the Fire Qilin was busy protecting his family and couldn’t leave to come to the Dragon Sect. ’If the Four Great Forces send a Saint, how am I supposed to handle it? How is the Sect supposed to handle it?’