Chapter 461: Long Ming’s Moment of Life and Death

Chapter 461: Chapter 461: Long Ming’s Moment of Life and Death

「Ten days later.」

Long Ao sighed to himself.

He had been in Cultivation for a full ten days, but there was still no sign of a breakthrough.

He was a Void Peak Realm Emperor, just one step away from breaking through to the Semi-Saint Realm. But that single step was like an insurmountable chasm, incredibly difficult to cross.

Long Ao knew in his heart that it was impossible to break through from Void Realm Emperor to Void Semi-Saint relying on power alone.

Opportunity and enlightenment were the only ways to break through to the Semi-Saint Realm.

But Long Ao knew that neither opportunity nor enlightenment could be forced. Such things depended mostly on luck.

Shrugging helplessly, Long Ao stood up and gave a long, hard stretch.

’Since I can’t break through to the Semi-Saint Realm, I shouldn’t force it. The more I try to force it, the harder it will be.’

So far, the Four Great Forces had yet to attack the Sect, but Long Ao didn’t dare let his guard down. After all, no one knew when they would make their move, so Long Ao remained ever-vigilant.

「Dragon Sect, Main Hall.」

"Sect Leader, we have already spread our influence throughout Kyushu. I believe that at this rate, our Dragon Sect will be able to take complete control of Kyushu in less than three years."

Long Ao nodded, quite pleased. The Dragon Sect was finally on the right track. ’The Snake Emperor truly lives up to his reputation as the former Palace Master of Piaomiao Palace,’ he thought. ’In terms of sheer competence, no one in the entire Dragon Sect can match him.’

Long Ao said appreciatively, "Three years is more than enough. Thank you for your hard work, Elder She."

"You’re too kind."

No one was jealous of the Snake Emperor, as his ability and strength were plain to see. The Dragon Sect was developing well, free from the backstabbing and internal strife common in other sects.

Dugu Bai and the others then gave their reports one by one. Although Long Ao didn’t typically handle day-to-day affairs, he was still the Sect Leader of the Dragon Sect. No one’s status could ever surpass his.

After listening to everyone’s reports, Long Ao nodded.

The Dragon Sect was now completely on track. At this rate, it wouldn’t even take three years; two and a half at most would be enough to reach their goal.

’But,’ Long Ao thought, ’even with two and a half years of development, our strength will hardly be enough to stand against the Four Great Forces: the Third Level Long Family, the Netherworld Mansion, the Imperial City, and Piaomiao Palace.’

’The Corpse Slave Army.’

’Ultimately, if I want to lead the Sect against the Four Great Forces, the Corpse Slave Army is the quickest and most effective way. That’s why I’ve decided, no matter what, I must forge an invincible Corpse Slave Army as fast as possible.’

’The entire Corpse Slave Army would possess Undying Bodies. Once it’s forged, even if our foundation and power can’t match the Four Great Forces, they wouldn’t dare to act rashly against me or the Dragon Sect.’

Just then, Long Ao’s expression changed abruptly. "I’m leaving things here in your hands," he said. "Remember, if there’s anything you can’t make a decision on, just ask Elder She."

No one knew what was happening. ’Why is the Sect Leader leaving so suddenly? Did something terrible happen?’

Long Ao’s heart was filled with worry. He immediately got up and left, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.

「Dragon Sect, Back Mountain.」

Long Ao tried to communicate with Long Ming, but couldn’t get through. He had just received a distress call from Long Ming that sounded like a matter of life and death, which was why he was so tense and worried.

Long Ming had gone to the Nine Nether Space alone to deal with the so-called Eight Great Royal Families. If they only had Realm Emperor Spirit Beasts, then things would have been simple.

The problem was, no one could guarantee that the Eight Great Royal Families didn’t have any Void Saint Spirit Beasts. After all, given Long Ming’s strength, ordinary Void Spirit Beasts were no match for him.

Long Ao could guess what had happened. ’The Eight Great Royal Families must have a Void Saint Spirit Beast, and Long Ming ran into it.’

If he wasn’t mistaken, Long Ming must have been targeted by the Void Saint Spirit Beast. His life hung in the balance.

Long Ao was utterly distraught. Without Long Ming’s power inheritance to open the passage, he had no way of entering the Nine Nether Space. He paced back and forth like an ant on a hot skillet.

"Long Ming, are you there?"

"Long Ming, Long Ming, Long Ming."

He shouted the name over and over. Just as Long Ao was about to accept the grim reality that Long Ming had already fallen, a faint aura reached him. However, it was far too weak to open the passage.

Even so, Long Ao couldn’t contain his delight.

’As long as I can sense Long Ming’s aura, I’m confident I can force my way into the Nine Nether Space.’

He didn’t have time to worry about the consequences. Long Ao was too concerned for Long Ming’s safety to care about the trouble that forcing open the passage to the Nine Nether Space might cause.

Activating his Divine Dragon Arm and using Blood-Drinking Devouring, Long Ao unleashed all his power. Merging it with Long Qiang’s strength, he blasted out an unstoppable Fist Force.

Long Ao and Long Ming shared a special connection. The punch landed squarely on the passage.

The surrounding space trembled violently. Long Ao had put 120 percent of his strength into that punch, and it smashed the entire passage open. Unlike before, this time it had been ripped open by brute force.

This meant that if Long Ao didn’t repair the passage soon, the two realms would remain connected. Then, anyone could travel freely between them. Spirit Beasts from the Nine Nether Space could enter Kyushu, and Martial Artists and Spirit Beasts from Kyushu could enter the Nine Nether Space.

Long Ao had no desire to upset this balance, but the situation was too urgent. He couldn’t worry about the passage now. Following the faint connection, he shot forward.

Long Ao was moving incredibly fast, but it still wasn’t enough. Long Ming’s life was on the line, and God only knew what had happened. If he arrived too late and Long Ming was hurt, he would never forgive himself.

For this reason, Long Qiang’s body materialized. Long Ao stood atop him, and man and dragon tore through the void at their top speed.

The surroundings were a desolate wasteland.

Long Ming stared intently at the throng of Spirit Beasts before him—the forces of the Eight Great Royal Families. All eight of their Clan Leaders were present, along with eight Void Saint Spirit Beasts. Without the Void Saint Spirit Beasts, the eight Clan Leaders alone would have stood no chance against Long Ming, given his formidable power.

"When your parents sent you away all those years ago, I thought I’d never get the chance to kill you. I never imagined you’d walk right into our trap. Heh, you’ve got guts. But you’re going to die here today, one way or another. Still, we can offer you a chance."

"To hell with your chance."

The words had barely left his mouth when, before the Spirit Beasts of the Eight Great Royal Families could react, a Dragon’s Roar echoed. It was immediately followed by a terrifying Heaven-Shocking Blade Aura that cleaved down from the sky. The Spirit Beasts scrambled to dodge, none of them daring to face the attack head-on.