Chapter 456: Never Give Up

Chapter 456: Chapter 456: Never Give Up

The Long Family initiated a complete lockdown; no one was allowed in or out.

Everyone was extremely frustrated, not knowing what the family was doing.

In the past, Long Ao would have undoubtedly given everyone an explanation for something like this. But this time, he enforced the lockdown directly, offering no explanation at all.

Long Ao and Long Haoshi had personally announced the order to the clan. Who would dare to disobey? That would be a death wish.

Based on Long Ao’s calculations, after he had killed three Semi-Saints and nine Realm Emperors, the three great powers, given their nature, would surely come seeking revenge.

He expected it would take no more than ten days.

But now?

Ten days flew by, then twenty, leaving Long Ao wondering what had happened.

’Have the Four Great Forces all had a change of heart?’

’Highly unlikely.’

Long Ao knew the nature of the Four Great Forces all too well: they always avenged their grievances. Moreover, for the three powers, the loss of three Semi-Saints was a loss they absolutely could not afford.

’What in the world happened?’

Long Ao sat alone in silence atop a mountain peak.

A cool breeze swept over the peak.

’The three great powers still haven’t come for revenge. There can only be one reason: their negotiations failed.’

After thinking it over and over, this was the only conclusion Long Ao could reach. Even now, he refused to believe that the three powers would simply let the matter drop and give up on this blood feud.

If those three powers had such forgiving natures, he and they would have been coexisting peacefully long ago. There wouldn’t have been so much trouble.

This was precisely why Long Ao guessed that the reason the three powers hadn’t come for him was due to internal conflict. And the crux of that conflict had to be Piaomiao Palace.

Long Ao was well aware that while the Four Great Forces appeared harmonious on the surface, they were actually locked in a constant struggle, each vying to destroy the others and dominate the entire Kyushu Spirit Realm.

He breathed a small sigh of relief, but it was a fleeting one.

Long Ao knew that as soon as the Four Great Forces resolved their internal issues, they would immediately unite to attack the Dragon Sect. When that happened, he would be in real trouble.

Ordinarily, he wouldn’t be this anxious, but the current situation was entirely different.

He had killed three of their Semi-Saints. If things went as expected, once the Four Great Forces decided to attack, they would, without a doubt, send Saints.

Saints—supreme beings who stood above Semi-Saints—had truly entered the Void Saint Realm.

’If the Four Great Forces really send Saints, the family has the Fire Qilin’s aid, but what would the Dragon Sect do?’

’Rely on the arrays alone?’

’It’s impossible to withstand a Saint’s attack with just those.’ Long Ao was pondering this very point. ’Does the Dragon Sect have to retreat again?’

’Foundation. Strength.’

Long Ao knew the root cause of this predicament: the sect’s foundation and strength were simply not great enough. Forget about comparing it to a superpower like the Long Clan; it couldn’t even stand against the Four Great Forces.

With a deep sigh, Long Ao said, "Brother Potian, I’ve lost in the end."

Long Potian, who had just arrived, sighed deeply as well when he saw Long Ao’s dejected state. "If even you have lost," he said, "then everyone else in the world has already lost."

Before Long Ao could reply, Long Potian continued, "Brother Long, think about it. You’ve only been out in the world for a little over a year, yet you’ve already achieved so much. You’ve traveled a path in that time that others couldn’t finish in decades. Who else could possibly do what you’ve done?"

Long Ao said nothing, listening quietly.

"The Four Great Forces’ foundation is much stronger than our sect’s. There’s no doubt about that. But just because they’re strong now doesn’t mean they’ll be strong forever. At your rate of progress, I can guarantee that in less than ten years—perhaps even just five—our Dragon Sect will completely surpass them. At that point, dominating the Kyushu Spirit Realm won’t be an issue."

’That’s easy to say, but what about actually doing it?’

’Never mind the future, the Dragon Sect can’t even withstand the current crisis.’

Long Ao was well aware of his own capabilities; he had no illusions about his strength.

’Against a Semi-Saint Martial Artist, even if I’m weaker, I could use my Talent Divine Ability, Dragon’s Roar, to stun them. Then, while they’re off-guard, I could use the Blood-Drinking Mad Saber for an instant kill. But the odds of success are only fifty-fifty.’

’But against a Saint... I know that even if I use the Blood-Drinking Mad Saber and my Talent Divine Ability simultaneously, I’d be no match for them. That’s the chasm between a Semi-Saint and a Saint. Anyone could imagine how vast that difference is.’

"Brother Potian, are you saying we should settle for the next best thing? Retreat for now, and make a comeback later? ’A gentleman’s revenge is never too late, even after ten years,’ is that it?"

"That’s right, that is what I mean. But Brother Long, I know your personality. You’d never be willing to swallow your pride and retreat. Since that’s the case, why don’t we just go all out and fight? Win or lose, at least we won’t have any regrets later. What do you think?"

He nodded, then shook his head.

Long Ao had never been an indecisive person, but now, he was truly starting to hesitate.

If it were just him, Long Ao wouldn’t even think twice. He’d charge in head-on; the worst that could happen was death. But the situation was completely different now. He wasn’t alone. He had the Dragon Sect, the Long Family, and the City of Sin to think about.

Long Ao knew with certainty that whatever he decided, the Long Family, the Dragon Sect, and the City of Sin could be plunged into an abyss of eternal damnation, leading to countless casualties.

His family, his brothers... Long Ao couldn’t let any of them lose their lives because of him.

"Brother Long, have you made a decision?"

With a bitter laugh, though his heart was filled with reluctance, Long Ao finally made his decision. He said, "We’ll settle for the next best thing. Just as you said, Brother Potian, we’re weaker than the Four Great Forces right now, but that doesn’t mean we can never surpass them. In five years, ten years, or even twenty, as long as we work hard, the day will come when we will completely crush them."

Gazing intently in the direction of the Four Great Forces, Long Ao continued, "One day, I will lead the sect back to the Kyushu Spirit Realm, sweep away the Four Great Forces, and rule over it all."

"Four Great Forces, just you wait. It won’t be for long."

Suddenly, an astonishing aura erupted from Long Ao, his face etched with resolve.

Never say die. This was Long Ao’s creed. No matter the hardship or danger, he would never choose to give up. He would always face the difficulty and push against the tide. This was Long Ao, a young man who never knew defeat.

In just one short year, Long Ao had experienced far too much. Though his cultivation had advanced at a blistering pace, he had faced ten, or even a hundred times more life-and-death situations than anyone else. In a word, effort and reward were always proportional.

This was Long Ao. His epic comeback had begun eleven years ago, starting from the moment everyone mocked him.