The person speaking to Long Ling'Er was none other than her eighth uncle, Long Ting. Several years ago, he had failed in his bid to wrest the Clan Leader position from her father, Long Xiaoyun. After Long Xiaoyun ascended to the position of Clan Leader, he could not bear to see brothers fighting, so he banished Long Ting from the Long Family, forbidding him from ever setting foot in the family grounds again.
Yet now he appeared here in the courtyard of the Long Family, showing just how dire the situation in the Long Family had become. A traitor had appeared in the Long Family; could it possibly be anything but severe?
If her father, Long Xiaoyun, were still in his peak state, perhaps Long Ting would not dare return to the Long Family, even if he had ten bits of courage.
Indeed, Long Ling'Er suspected that the situation in the Long Family was likely under Long Ao's control.
Thus, Long Ling'Er fixed her gaze on Long Ting and asked, "How can you be here?"
"This is the Long Family. Is it not normal for me to return?" Long Ting gave a slight smile. "Furthermore, seventh brother is critically ill, possibly ready to pass away at any moment. Out of brotherly affection, is it wrong for me to come send him off for the last time? Rest assured, I am not one to hold grudges. Even though he ruthlessly expelled me from the Long Family twenty years ago, I've let go of that."
"You..." Long Ling'Er trembled with anger and said, "My father will not die so easily!"
"Then all the better!" Long Ting smiled slightly, "And yet, he vomited quite a bit of fresh blood this morning. I'm afraid..."
"Afraid of what?"
"Afraid it might be difficult for him to last through the day. But you needn't worry, as the Butterfly Valley Medical Immortal is personally treating him now, perhaps extending his life for a few days more." Long Ting laughed indifferently.
"Move!" Long Ling'Er shouted coldly.
Long Ting glanced at her and said calmly, "You can go in; no one would dare stop you. But those servants behind you don't have the qualifications to enter the Long Family hall. So..."
"Even a traitor like you is qualified; why can't they?" Long Ling'Er shouted. "Besides, this is my elder brother!"
Hearing this, Long Ting's gaze suddenly turned cold. A traitor of the Long Family—those are the most humiliating words of his life. As a proud bloodline inheritor of the Long Family, he too had a right to succession. Why was Long Xiaoyun's rise to Clan Leader not seen as treachery, while his defeat and expulsion branded him a traitor?
Victory brings honor while defeat brings disgrace. Had he been the Clan Leader this day, Long Xiaoyun would have been the traitor. Sadly, he failed and was cast out by Long Xiaoyun.
Moreover, the Long Family's patriarch, Long Tianxiang, was in seclusion at Dragon Garden, no longer involving himself in family affairs. Thus, Long Xiaoyun wielded immense power within the Long Family.
"Stand guard outside!" Long Ling'Er directed the guards and then spoke to Xiao Tianyu, "Brother Xiao, let's proceed inside!"
With that, Long Ling'Er took the lead towards the Long Family hall, Xiao Tianyu followed, never even glancing at Long Ting from start to finish.
As he watched their retreating figures, coldness flashed in Long Ting's eyes.
The Long Family guards did not stop them. After all, Long Ting had been obstructed, so how could they dare intervene?
Driven by concern for her father's safety, Long Ling'Er headed directly to the backyard of the hall. Upon entering, she noticed many powerful figures from the Long Family gathered there — every one of them had reached the Celestial Realm.
Scanning the crowd, she saw a young man with sharp eyes and a cold demeanor, dressed in a black suit, extraordinarily handsome. Beside him stood several peers, outstanding youths of exceptional talent.
"Heaven Slayer Academy's prodigy disciples?" The thought struck Long Ling'Er, making her heart jump. Among them was Long Family's foremost prodigy, Long Ao, a renowned genius of the clan.
Had Long Ao already arrived with Heaven Slayer Academy's people? Such quick actions—they must indeed be supported by Heaven Slayer Academy sooner than expected.
"Sister, you truly came back at the perfect time!" The youth in black stepped forward and stood before Long Ling'Er. "Long Ao, step aside!" Long Ling'Er gazed momentarily before speaking.
With a laugh, Long Ao said, "The Butterfly Valley Medical Immortal is administering poison to seventh uncle right now. Might your abrupt entrance not be misguided?"
"My father is gravely injured; how can I stand here and wait?" Long Ling'Er snorted coldly.
"To bid farewell?" A youth at Long Ao's side chuckled softly.
"You're courting death!" Long Ling'Er's demeanor turned cold as her aura spread while Long Ao stepped forward to gesticulate. "My senior brother speaks without restraint; I hope my sister does not take offense!"
"Unrestrained words deserve a slap!" At that moment, Xiao Tianyu's voice echoed calmly, stunning the youth who had uttered them. Here was someone daring to speak like that; he must have grown tired of life.
The youth took a step forward, coldly eyeing Xiao Tianyu, and said, "What did you just say?"
"Brother Xiao, let it go!" Long Ling'Er interjected.
"Let it go?" The youth sneered, "You say let it go and it will? Treating Heaven Slayer Academy's members like they're nonexistent?"
In the Imperial Capital, their Heaven Slayer Academy representatives always held their heads high; who would dare offend them? Yet, now someone commanded him to slap his mouth—how laughable!
"He Kun!" Long Ao spoke, "Let us not demean ourselves with this, in my stead; let the matter rest for now. Besides, given the Butterfly Valley Medical Immortal's presence inside, you wouldn't want to tarnish your reputation with her, would you?"
He Kun's eyes brightened at those words. The Butterfly Valley Medical Immortal, one of the four beauties of the Imperial Capital, famed for her miraculous medical skills, was lauded as a modern Hua Tuo. Who wouldn't desire to win her heart?
Consequently, He Kun snorted coldly, "In honor of my junior brother, I'll overlook this!"
Xiao Tianyu paid no heed, showing disdain, and turned to Long Ling'Er, "Let's go inside together!"
"Indeed!"
"Wait!" Long Ao turned his gaze to Xiao Tianyu and spoke, "You, sir, are not of the Long Family, are you?"
"What do you mean?"
"The Long Family doesn't welcome outsiders!"
"Ridiculous!" Long Ling'Er swept her gaze over Heaven Slayer Academy's disciples, continuing, "They are Long Family members?"
"..." At this, Long Ao's expression froze, while Long Ling'Er continued, "They can come; why can't my friends?"
"Can he compare to us? We are of Heaven Slayer Academy, each of us notable individuals, but him? Let's say it plainly; insignificant!" mocked a Heaven Slayer Academy disciple. "Doesn't even know his standing!"
"Let them in!" At this moment, a robust voice was heard. Long Ao turned to greet the unexpected arrival, "Father!"
Indeed, the newcomer was Long Ao's father, Long Cangjue, the eldest of Long Family's eight brothers, possessing unfathomable cultivation.
Long Ling'Er cast a glance at Long Cangjue, her expression showing a flicker of coldness, but she said nothing more as she led Xiao Tianyu towards Long Xiaoyun's bedroom. Shortly, the two arrived inside.