Peak of the First Order Void Ancestor!
That was precisely the current realm of Long Ao Xuan.
If outsiders were to know of this, it would undoubtedly stir up colossal waves. Beings of such caliber were considered absolute powerhouses even within the Galactic Empire.
Normally, such existences had transcended the ordinary human domain and endured immense spans of time. Their starting point would be at least a thousand years, though the exceptionally gifted might reach it in over eight hundred.
It could be said that individuals like these, barring breakthroughs, rarely concerned themselves with worldly affairs.
Long Ao Xuan clearly belonged to this category. Centuries ago, he had passed the throne of Emperor of Long Yang to Long Ba Ye. At that time, he was already on the cusp of the Void Ancestor realm; to be precise, he could enter it at any moment.
It was for this reason that Long Ao Xuan faked his death and secluded himself in the forbidden area behind the Long Yang Empire's imperial mountain.
And thus, it had been... centuries.
Even so, to reach the peak of the First Order Void Ancestor in just a few hundred years demonstrated that Long Ao Xuan was an unparalleled genius in his youth.
"Heh, a fortunate breakthrough," Long Ao Xuan chuckled softly, then turned his gaze to his son. "What is the current situation of the Long Yang Empire? And has that Zhao clan caused any more trouble?"
"This... Father."
"I have come precisely to discuss this with you. In fact, there is something I have kept from you. Centuries ago, when you arranged my marriage with Zhao Ling Yun to stabilize the Zhao clan, back then..."
Following this, Long Ba Ye recounted the events of that year to his father in full. He understood that to deal with the Zhao family, they had to first address Zhao Ling Yun and the First Prince.
As expected!
Upon hearing Long Ba Ye's words, Long Ao Xuan's expression grew solemn, and threads of killing intent began to emanate from him.
"The Zhao family!"
"Good! Truly good! Their ambition has finally begun to show, hasn't it?"
Long Ao Xuan let out a cold snort, then his gaze fell in the direction of the Zhao family. "Zhao Tian Chou, it's been centuries since we last met, and I never imagined your ambition would swell to such a degree."
"Since that is the case, the Zhao family has no further reason to exist."
Long Ao Xuan looked at his son and continued, "I had intended to tell you certain matters after you reached the Void Ancestor realm. However, given the Zhao family's insatiable ambition, it's time you learned about some things concerning the Long Yang Empire."
"Some things??"
Hearing his father's words, Long Ba Ye's heart jolted. His intuition told him that what his father was about to say was of immense significance.
"Indeed, some matters," Long Ao Xuan nodded slightly, then, with a flip of his hand, produced an ancient token imbued with the aura of Long Yang. Although it was merely a token, it possessed an Ancestral-grade level.
Subsequently, Long Ao Xuan tossed the token towards a specific spot within the cave dwelling, where it snugly fit into a recess.
Immediately, a ripple-like barrier not far from the cave dwelling dissipated. The moment the barrier vanished, a scene that Long Ba Ye would never forget unfolded before his eyes.
A series of terrifying auras emanated from within. Each aura was incredibly profound, with the weakest being at the Void Ancestor realm. In fact, several of these auras sent shivers down his spine.
"Heh, let's go," Long Ao Xuan chuckled, addressing his son. "Come, let us meet the ancestors of our Long family."
"The ancestors of the Long family?"
Upon hearing his father's words, Long Ba Ye's gaze instinctively shifted towards the depths of the dissipated barrier. "Could it be..."
"Father, within here are the ancestors of our Long family!!!"
Undoubtedly, Long Ba Ye was stunned. Even after serving as the Emperor of the Long Yang Empire for centuries, the impact of this revelation was simply too profound.
While Long Ba Ye remained in his stupor, Long Ao Xuan had already led him into the cave dwelling of the Long family ancestors.
Sensing the解除 of the restrictive formation, the various ancestors of the Long family gradually awoke. Their gazes then swept towards the entrance of the cave dwelling.
"Greetings to all ancestors!"
Upon arriving at the cave dwelling, Long Ao Xuan displayed utmost reverence, not daring to show any disrespect. He bowed deeply. Behind him, Long Ba Ye dared not even exhale, as the sense of unease intensified with their proximity.
"These are... the Three Heroes of the Long family from two thousand years ago!"
At a certain moment, Long Ao Xuan's pupils widened as he recognized the Three Heroes of the Long family. "This..."
"The Three Heroes of the Long family from two thousand years ago are actually still alive!"
It was well known that the era two thousand years ago belonged to the Three Heroes of the Long family. At that time, the Long Yang Empire had been attacked by a powerful force from the Galactic Empire. In their hour of need, it was these very ancestors who, through their combined combat technique, slew the Void Ancestor realm attacker right before the Long Yang Imperial Palace!
Since that event, no one dared to underestimate their Long Yang Empire, solidifying its status as one of the Ten Super Empires.
"Ba Ye, do not be disrespectful," Long Ao Xuan admonished his son, glaring at him. Such words were disrespectful to the ancestors.
"Heh, it's alright," said Long Ni Xuan, the eldest of the Three Heroes of the Long family, with a gentle smile. "After two thousand years, it is a fortune that someone still recognizes us three."
"Indeed. We three have lingered for over two thousand years, and can barely reach the peak of the Third Order Void Ancestor. I fear we will never become High-level Void Ancestors in this lifetime," the second brother, Long Ni Yu, nodded bitterly. He then turned his gaze to Long Ba Ye. "This should be the current Emperor of our Long Yang Empire, I presume."
"One step away from the Void Ancestor realm. Not bad~"
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Long Ao Xuan introduced him to his son. "Ba Ye, these are the strongest ancestors of our Long clan, and the most senior, Ancestor Long Yan. He is currently at the extreme peak of the Fifth Order Void Ancestor, only one step away from the Sixth Order Void Ancestor."
Sixth Order Void Ancestor!?
Upon hearing his father's words, Long Ba Ye swallowed hard. However, when he considered the name Ancestor Long Yan, his pupils widened even further. This was... the Emperor of the Long Yang Empire from eight thousand years ago. Could it be that Emperor Long Yan was over eight thousand years old?
"Heh, you are Ba Ye, aren't you?"
"A good child~~" Long Yan smiled with satisfaction as he looked upon his descendant. "May I ask, what brings you to seek us out this time?"
Taking a deep breath, Long Ba Ye composed his thoughts. "Ancestor Long Yan, you may not be aware, but in recent centuries, the Zhao clan has become increasingly ambitious, intending to annihilate our Long clan. They even collude with the Lan Ling Empire, plotting to overthrow the Long Yang Empire. Coincidentally, the successor to the Heavenly Breaking Thunder King's legacy from ten thousand years ago has appeared. He is currently an unparalleled genius, and the Zhao family is desperately trying to eliminate him. Therefore, I wish for my father to secretly protect him..."
"This child's name is Ye Xuan. He is less than a hundred years old and has already reached the Third Order Venerable realm. Even the esteemed Heavenly Breaking Thunder King from ten thousand years ago was far inferior. If our Long Yang Empire can form a good relationship with him, the future rewards will be far beyond our imagination..."
Long Ba Ye did not conceal anything, revealing his intentions and strategy. Upon hearing Long Ba Ye's words, a spark flickered in the eyes of all the Long family ancestors. Good heavens, a successor to the Heavenly Breaking Thunder King has appeared, and... his talent surpasses that of the Heavenly Breaking Thunder King himself!?
This was a momentous occasion for their Long Yang Empire and the Long clan. It could not be treated lightly. A genius less than a hundred years old reaching the Third Order Venerable realm was unprecedented in their Long Yang Empire. Perhaps their Long Yang could flourish because of him in the future; even a one-in-ten-thousand chance was worth pursuing.