Long Yi and Mu Lin stayed at the Long Family residence for three days before leaving to return to Thundercloud City.
In the days that followed, Long Ao became a complete recluse, refusing to be disturbed by anyone.
Long Ao's diligence was famous in Red Fire Town. Because of this, no one paid much mind when he wasn't seen for a month. During this time, however, the Long Family spared no effort in cultivating Long Ao, even wanting to purchase an Elixir for him.
「One month later.」
At the Long Family training ground—a massive field that could hold over a thousand people—the annual family assessment began today. Every disciple of the Long Family would step onto the stone stage to be tested, verifying the results of their year-long Cultivation.
The testing method was simple: one-on-one combat.
Below the stone stage.
"Did you guys hear? Over the past month, the family spent a fortune in Gold Coins on that waste, all to buy him a single Elixir."
"I heard. Grandfather already said they'd spare no expense to cultivate Long Ao for his challenge against Long Yulang. Hmph, I just don't get it. He's just a waste. No matter how much you cultivate him, isn't he still a waste?"
"A waste will always be a waste. No matter how hard he tries, he'll never beat Long Yulang. The family is just squandering resources on him. They'd be better off cultivating someone else; they might actually produce an expert for the family."
"It's a total loss. I don't know if that waste has water in his brain, actually daring to challenge an Innate Martial Artist. He hasn't left his private courtyard at all this past month. He's sure acting diligent."
The disciples of the Long Family mocked Long Ao without restraint, showing no mercy despite their shared blood.
"Look, the waste is here."
Someone shouted, and everyone turned to look toward the entrance of the training ground. Sure enough, a laid-back youth was strolling leisurely toward the stone stage.
"Just seeing him pisses me off."
"That's enough. Grandfather is watching. Be careful or you'll be punished."
"He's just a waste who got lucky. Just wait, Fifth Sister will teach him a lesson."
Long An, Long Zheng, and Long Fang didn't bother to lower their voices. Long Ao, of course, heard every word. A cold smile touched his lips as he said coolly, "If I'm a waste, then you all are probably less than wastes. I really don't know how you have the face to stand here and laugh at others. If I were you, I'd have already bought a block of tofu and gone home to slowly bang my head against it until I died."
"Long Ao, you..."
"Remember this: those who humiliate others will be humiliated in turn."
Those who humiliate others will be humiliated in turn.
The three didn't make a move, proving to be all thunder and no rain. After all, a month ago, they had nearly been slapped to death by him.
"What a sharp-tongued waste. Long Ao, I'd like to see what right you have to be so arrogant."
The trio's older sister, Long Ziyou, let out a cold snort. After all the other family members had completed their tests, she took a single leap and landed on the stone stage.
Her cold gaze fell upon the youth below the stage, and Long Ziyou's voice carried across the entire training ground.
"Long Ao, I now formally issue you a challenge. Do you dare to accept?"
There was no surprise. A month ago, Long Ziyou had already declared that she would formally challenge Long Ao at the family assessment. No one was a fool; they all knew what she meant. Besides avenging her younger brothers, her main goal was to thoroughly humiliate this waste.
A month ago, Long Ziyou's Cultivation had already successfully broken through to the Inner Strength Seventh Heaven Realm. How could a waste possibly be a match for an Inner Strength Seventh Heaven Martial Artist?
Do you dare to accept?
"I accept."
I accept. I accept. I accept. Long Ao's voice spread slowly, and the crowd seemed stunned. No one had thought the waste would actually accept the challenge. What was the difference between this and seeking death?
In an instant, the training ground erupted. A golden light shot from Long Haoshi's eyes as he watched his grandson below the stage with great interest. 'Could it be that Ao'Er's Cultivation has already broken through to Inner Strength Seventh Heaven? That seems unlikely, but I'm certain my grandson is no fool.'
Amidst the scornful and contemptuous gazes of the crowd, Long Ao's body landed lightly on the stone stage. He stood face to face with Long Ziyou.
"Old Qi, if you kneel and admit you're wrong right now, I can let you go."
"Admit I'm wrong?" Shaking his head with a smile, Long Ao suddenly declared, "If I can't defeat you in a single move, I'll cut off my own arm."
A single move? Looking at the waste spouting such arrogant words on the stage, everyone started laughing. No one believed what he said. What a joke. If a waste could defeat Long Ziyou in a single move, then he wouldn't be a waste.
Long Ziyou also found the situation rather amusing. She sneered, "Fine. I'd like to see just how you'll defeat me in a single move."
With that, Long Ziyou moved first. As an Inner Strength Seventh Heaven Martial Artist, she gathered all her Inner Strength into her palms and sent a light-looking strike toward Long Ao. The Palm Force appeared gentle, but everyone knew this palm carried immense power. If the waste was hit, he'd be severely injured, if not dead.
He would let her make the first move.
Long Ao slowly extended his right palm. He used Gale Step, and as his figure blurred forward, he quickly followed with Heart-Locking Palm. At the same time, an extremely harsh and unpleasant Sound Wave suddenly burst from Long Ao's mouth.
Ghostly Wail and Wolf Howl, a martial art Long Ao had obtained from Long Fu. Though it was only a supplementary martial art, its power was not to be underestimated.
In truth, with Long Ao's current strength at the Inner Strength Eighth Heaven, he could certainly defeat her in one move if he used his full Inner Strength. But Long Ao didn't do so. Instead, he forcefully suppressed his own power. In other words, at this moment, his Cultivation was identical to Long Ziyou's—both at the Inner Strength Seventh Heaven Realm.
"What is that sound? It's horrible."
"Inner Strength Seventh Heaven! I never thought Ao'er's Cultivation had also broken through to the Inner Strength Seventh Heaven Realm." Long Haoshi was so excited his eyes seemed to glow. For his grandson to reach such a Realm in just one short month... 'What does this mean?'
His genius grandson from ten years ago had finally returned. Ten years, ten whole years, Long Haoshi had believed his genius grandson would never rise again. It seemed the heavens were still looking out for the Long Family.
The Ghostly Wail and Wolf Howl, a harsh and grating Sound Wave, threw Long Ziyou's mind into chaos. By the time she suppressed the mental disturbance and prepared to press her attack, a powerful force was already upon her. Before Long Ziyou could even figure out what had happened, her body shot backward like a kite with a snapped string.
SMACK! Long Ziyou's body made intimate contact with the stone stage.
Long Ziyou sent flying by a single palm strike? Staring at the youth standing proudly on the stage, everyone was completely dumbfounded. The entire training ground was deathly silent.