Unfathomable Mortals !!

Young Lady Qi's eyes widened in genuine surprise as she beheld the young man standing before her. "Young Master Yulong, I didn't expect you to have returned so soon," she exclaimed, her voice tinged with a mix of astonishment and delight.

After all, Young Master Yulong was the sole scion of General He, a renowned military leader, and was typically engaged in battles across the Central Land. His presence here was unexpected, to say the least.

Their nation, a vast and sprawling empire, was divided into five distinct regions: the Eastern Plain, the Western City, the Northern Territory, the Southern Haven, and the Central Land. The Central Land, the imperial heartland, was ruled by the illustrious Imperial Huang Family.

As the son of General He, Young Master Yulong was usually occupied with defending the Southern Border of the Central Land, a critical stronghold against the threats that lurked beyond the nation's borders. Yet, here he was, standing before them with an enigmatic smile, his presence a mystery waiting to be unraveled.

His father, General He, was a formidable Void Realm lord, renowned as one of the top warlords of the Soaring Heaven nation. His prowess on the battlefield was legendary, striking fear into the hearts of his enemies.

Young Master Yulong himself was a scion of unparalleled talent, hailed as one of the Seven Young Warlords of the Soaring Heaven nation. His exceptional abilities had earned him the distinction of being a national treasure, a prodigy destined for greatness.

Furthermore, Young Master Yulong had already attained the esteemed Primordial Spirit Realm, a testament to his remarkable cultivation prowess. This accomplishment solidified his position as one of the top geniuses of the Soaring Heaven nation, a country celebrated for its rich heritage of producing exceptional talents.

The Soaring Heaven nation, after all, was a top-notch nation, revered for its impressive legacy of cultivating remarkable individuals who would go on to shape the destiny of their world.

Young Master Yulong's smile was as radiant as the sun, illuminating his entire being. "This time, I had to return," he said, his voice warm and inviting.

As he turned to face the trio, his eyes sparkled with curiosity. "And who are these young heroes?" he asked, his tone friendly and inquiring.

First Disciple Guan stepped forward, his movements fluid and confident. "Greetings, Young Master Yulong. I am Guan Yonghai, and these are my younger brothers, Jiang Hao and Jian Tiansheng," he introduced, his voice clear and respectful.

Young Lady Qi chimed in, her voice melodious and helpful. "Young Master Yulong, they are from the Ancient Heaven Trampling Sect and are currently on a mission to recruit disciples for their sect."

Young Master Yulong's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his eyes widening in astonishment. "Oh, Heaven Trampling Sect?" he repeated, his tone laced with a mix of shock and intrigue.

The name "Heaven Trampling" was not something a small, insignificant sect could ever hope to claim. If they were still using that name and were alive to tell the tale, then these people indeed had some powerful background, some hidden strength that commanded respect.

Cao Man, however, was not convinced. He snorted in derision, his voice laced with scorn. "Humph, these people are just bluffing. They must be scammers trying to deceive us with their lies." He spoke his mind, but his words were met with silence.

Even Young Master Yulong simply smiled and said nothing, his expression neutral, as if he were reserving judgment. Instead, he gestured graciously, inviting everyone to follow him. "Please, follow me," he said, acting as a host, guiding them deeper into the Ancient Long Family's estate.

*****

As they stepped into the majestic palace, the atmosphere inside the hallway leading to the main hall struck them like a palpable force. The air was heavy with tension, weighing upon their shoulders like an unseen burden.

Young Lady Qi's eyes clouded with concern, her brow furrowed in distress. "Young Master Yulong, it seems the situation is more critical than I thought," she said, her voice laced with a deep sigh. The oppressive atmosphere seemed to have taken its toll on her, suppressing her usual radiance.

Young Master Yulong's expression turned solemn, his eyes gleaming with a serious intensity. Gone was the calm and gentle bearing he had displayed earlier; in its place was a dignified and resolute demeanor. "Yeah, at the beginning, the battle for the Seat of Authority was limited to cold wars, but now it has escalated to brutal murders and cold assassination attempts."

Young Lady Qi's eyes revealed her helplessness, her gaze beseeching the heavens for a resolution. "The battle for the position of family head is truly not good for either faction. Why don't they just stop this meaningless violence?" Her words hung in the air, a poignant plea for peace in the face of escalating conflict.

As one of the most powerful families in Great Radiant City, the Ancient Long Family wielded significant influence, controlling numerous elite families and clans within the city. However, beneath the surface of their grandeur, a cauldron of internal strife was brewing.

The Ancient Long Family was currently torn asunder by a bitter power struggle between two factions vying for control. On one side was Madam Meng Du's faction, while on the other was Lady Leng Yi's faction.

Madam Meng Du, the first wife of Patriarch Long Rui, hailed from the powerful Ancient Meng Family. She was determined to see her eldest son, Long Tian, ascend to the position of family head, thereby securing her own influence and power within the family.

Lady Leng Yi, the second wife of Patriarch Long Rui, came from the Ancient Leng Family. She was equally resolute in her pursuit of power, seeking to install her only son, Long Yang, as the next leader of the family.

Both women possessed tremendous power within the Ancient Long Family, serving as pillars of support for the family's dominance. Losing either of them would be akin to losing a vital limb, crippling the family's ability to maintain its grip on power.

The Ancient Long Family, despite its influence and power, did not possess any Sacred Realm powerhouses within its ranks. In contrast, the Ancient Leng and Ancient Meng families boasted a formidable presence, with a combined total of thirteen Sacred Realm powerhouses.

This disparity in power was a crucial factor in the Ancient Long Family's reluctance to risk losing either of the two factions, as the consequences would be catastrophic.

Young Master Yulong's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he asked, "So, which faction would you support?" His wry smile hinted at the complexity of the situation.

However, before Young Lady Qi could respond, a haughty voice pierced the air, "Look at whom we've got here?" A group of young men and ladies approached, each radiating an extraordinary aura that commanded attention.

One of the young men, in particular, caught Young Lady Qi's attention. His voice was like honey, smooth and seductive, as he said, "If it isn't Young Lady Qi, it's my pleasure to meet a real beauty like you." His words sent shivers down Young Lady Qi's spine, leaving her visibly unsettled.

This young man stood at an impressive 6'5" feet tall, with a slender yet muscular build reminiscent of a bamboo tree. However, a closer look at his neck muscles revealed a powerful physique that belied his lean appearance.

As he approached, his aura of oppression grew stronger, making it difficult for the others to ignore. Even the trio, accustomed to their own formidable strength, found themselves struggling to maintain their calm in the face of this young man's overwhelming presence.

Their eyes widened in astonishment as they realized that this young man was significantly stronger than them. His power was on a completely different level, one that left them feeling inferior.

"What the...?!" The trio's minds reeled in shock as they struggled to comprehend the young man's incredible strength. He was, at the very least, a peak-Dao Apprentice Realm cultivator, a level of power that left them feeling awestruck and humbled.

Young Lady Qi's eyes narrowed slightly as she addressed the young man, her voice tinged with a hint of unease. "Young Demon King, you are here as well?" The uneasiness in her tone was palpable, a testament to the young man's formidable reputation.

This was Yao Kuang, the infamous Young Demon King from the Evil Spirit Demon Sect. His cultivation prowess was on par with Young Master Yulong's, making him a force to be reckoned with. His presence commanded respect, and his reputation inspired fear.

Rumors whispered that Yao Kuang delighted in torturing the souls of the deceased, annihilating them after toying with them like a cat with a mouse. His hands were stained with the blood of countless innocents, earning him a notorious ranking as one of the top Evil Geniuses of the Demonic Sects.

The Evil Spirit Demon Sect, to which Yao Kuang belonged, was aligned with Madam Meng Du's faction, further complicating the already treacherous landscape of the Ancient Long Family's internal power struggle.

Young Demon King Kuang's smile was a masterclass in manipulation, designed to unsettle and intimidate. "Are you unhappy to see me here?" he asked, his voice dripping with sadistic pleasure. He reveled in the fear that radiated from Young Lady Qi, her beauty and elegance only serving to heighten his twisted sense of satisfaction.

Kuang's thoughts, however, betrayed a deeper confusion. He couldn't fathom why anyone would be so enamored with Young Lady Qi, to the point of sacrificing their dignity and self-respect. To him, she was nothing more than a fragile, mortal shell – a mere collection of flesh, blood, and bones.

He imagined peeling away her skin, revealing the crimson flesh beneath, and digging into her bones, exposing the white, calcified structure within. This macabre fantasy only served to reinforce his conviction that Young Lady Qi was nothing special, just another fragile, mortal creature.

Kuang's perspective on the world was warped, his values twisted by his own depraved desires. For him, tormenting Young Lady Qi would be a luxurious indulgence, a pleasure far greater than wasting his time chasing after her like the countless, lovesick fools who had come before him.

Young Lady Qi's voice trembled slightly as she bid farewell, her eyes darting nervously towards Young Demon King Kuang. "We... we will be going for now. Let us hope that we meet again," she stammered, her politeness a thin veil for her eagerness to escape.

Without waiting for a response, she hastily turned to leave, her group following closely behind. The atmosphere had grown increasingly uncomfortable, and Young Lady Qi was desperate to put some distance between herself and the unsettling Young Demon King Kuang.

Kuang's expression twisted into a sneer, but it was quickly replaced by a smile, his eyes glinting with malevolent intent. He was confident that their paths would cross again, and when that day arrived, he would take great pleasure in tormenting Young Lady Qi, savoring every moment of her suffering.

The mere thought sent shivers of excitement coursing through his body, his twisted desires momentarily satiated by the promise of future cruelty.

*****

Far from the opulent mansion, a serene private residence nestled amidst a breathtakingly beautiful flower garden. The gentle rustle of leaves and the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers created a tranquil ambiance, a haven from the turmoil that brewed elsewhere.

Inside the residence, a young man sat in quiet contemplation, sipping tea as he basked in the peaceful atmosphere. His tall, statuesque figure and chiseled features evoked the elegance of a celestial being from the heavens. Adorned in luxurious attire and golden bracelets that adorned both wrists, he exuded an aura of refined sophistication.

"Second Brother, what are you doing all alone here?" a voice called out from behind, interrupting the young man's reverie. Without needing to turn around, he knew that the speaker was his elder brother.

Long Ma's smile was a picture of serenity as he replied, "Nothing, brother. I was simply savoring this fleeting moment of peace."

His elder brother's response was tinged with a hint of melancholy. "You are right, Second Brother. Since chaos is poised to devour our peace, we must cherish this moment as much as possible."

The elder brother, Long Tian, stood at an impressive 6'7" feet tall, his majestic figure draped in a long, golden robe. A divine palace rotated slowly behind his head, casting an otherworldly glow around him. His presence was nothing short of divine, as if a supreme god from the heavens had descended upon the mortal world.

Long Tian's looks and aura were truly transcendent, defying the mundane bounds of the world. His ethereal beauty and divine presence commanded reverence, inspiring awe in all who,.

beheld him.

Long Ma's expression turned contemplative as he asked his brother, "Elder brother, don't you think we should intervene to stop this meaningless chaos, this struggle for the position of family leader?"

Long Tian's silence was palpable, his eyes closed in deep contemplation. After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke, his voice laced with a hint of resignation. "You are right, my little one, but unfortunately, we cannot stop this chaos, even if we wanted to."

Long Ma's curiosity was piqued, and he asked, "Why is that, elder brother?" His eyes searched for answers, but he was unprepared for the response that followed.

With a deep sigh, Long Tian's expression turned sorrowful, and his voice was heavy with emotion. "Because someone has already killed you. And now, I, our mother, and the whole faction need to avenge your death."

Long Ma's eyes widened in shock, his mind reeling from the absurdity of his brother's words. "What?" he exclaimed, his voice trembling with confusion. What did his brother mean by saying he was killed? And what was he going to avenge, and against whom?

Long Ma was still alive and healthy, standing right in front of his brother. So, why would his elder brother utter such ominous words?

But before he could process his thoughts, Long Ma sensed a dark, demonic energy erupting from his brother. The holy appearance of Long Tian transformed into a demonic form, his eyes turning a deep purple with flickering flames that seemed to burn with an inner fire.

Long Tian's gaze turned menacing as he fixed his eyes on Long Ma. His voice was low and menacing, sending shivers down Long Ma's spine. "Die for me, my young one."

Without warning, Long Tian's right hand shot out, grabbing Long Ma's neck with an iron-like grip. He lifted Long Ma off the ground with ease, as if he were a mere puppet on strings.

With ease, Long Tian lifted his brother off the ground by the throat, causing Long Ma's eyes to well up with tears. His face turned a deep shade of red as he struggled to breathe, experiencing the mortal fear of suffocation.

"But... but why?" Long Ma's voice was barely audible, his words laced with desperation and confusion. He couldn't comprehend why his eldest brother would want to kill him. They were brothers, born of the same mother, and yet they were now worlds apart.

Long Tian's response was laced with sinister intent, his voice dripping with malevolence. "On the path of greatness, sacrifices are needed." His smile was a twisted, sadistic grin. "And you, my young one, are the greatest sacrifice for my supremacy.

Before Long Ma could utter another word, his soul was brutally extracted from his body and swallowed by Long Tian, ending his life in an instant.

Long Tian callously discarded the lifeless body on the ground, a cruel smile still plastered on his face. "Now that someone has killed my brother," he said to himself, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "shouldn't I be emotional and sentimental?"

His smile slowly twisted, taking on a maniacal quality, as if he had finally unleashed his true nature. The image of the crazed psychopath stood in stark contrast to the holy, divine appearance he had once possessed.

But in a sudden, inexplicable transformation, Long Tian's face contorted, his expression twisting into a mask of sentimental anguish. His eyes welled up with tears, and his face turned red with rage, as if he had truly lost someone precious to him. Grief, sadness, and anger warred for dominance on his face, creating a picture of utter devastation.

The speed and intensity of this transformation were jarring, making it seem as though Long Tian had genuinely been overcome with emotion. His eyes blazed with a fierce anger, and his face was etched with deep sorrow, creating a stark contrast to the cold, calculating demeanor he had displayed just moments before.