266: Chapter 266 I won't do anything that shortens my lifespan.

Haixing Kingdom, Deer Island.

It was still that same bay, but the wind was high and the waves were rough tonight.

Dense clouds covered the sky, and thunder rumbled incessantly.

Tang Long sat on a reef, his hands spread naturally before his knees, with a ball of lightning flickering in each palm.

On the water's surface in front of him, droplets of water continuously floated up and began to rotate slowly around him.

This resonance between thunder and water was the true essence of the first scene of the Eight Scenes of Thunder Brilliance.

As more and more water droplets gathered, they gradually formed a curtain of rain, and sparks of lightning appeared on the droplets.

Immediately after, the water droplets spun faster and faster, sometimes appearing like a hazy wall of water and light, and sometimes like a tornado ready to soar into the sky.

Eventually, these water droplets compressed rapidly, forming a halo of thunder and water that suddenly slashed diagonally into the sea, carving out a massive wave that rolled away.

Tang Long's eyes were burning bright at this moment, and he couldn't help but feel a bit of pride.

"This power is already stronger than the Spirit Blade of an ordinary Blood Refining Lower Realm. But compared to the power, what's even more incredible is how someone in the Qi Manipulation Lower Realm could have such a massive reserve of spiritual energy."

Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao's voice came from behind him; it was a compliment, a question, and also the truth.

Using this Thunderstorm Patrolling the Heavens once consumed over 5,000 units of spiritual energy; even with Tang Long's upper limit of over 30,000, he couldn't use it many times.

An ordinary Blood Refining Lower Realm's spiritual energy limit was only two or three thousand, which couldn't support such a powerful move at all.

Tang Long turned back with a smile, "I think you, Elder Lord Qian, are the one whose vigor in old age is truly admirable."

"Among the people I invited, you were the last to receive the news, yet the first to arrive."

"I even suspect that if you were in the mood to take another concubine, you might still be able to father a son."

Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao was both annoyed and amused, "Brat, stop making fun of this old man."

"If it weren't for you, why would I, an old man, bother running this far in the middle of the night?"

"However, this time we're going to speak plainly; there's no room for ambiguity."

Tang Long chuckled, "Forget about this time, I wasn't being ambiguous last time either, was I?"

Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao's face twitched, "With that mouth of yours, you won't give an inch, will you?"

Tang Long shrugged, "Force of habit."

Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao took a deep breath, "Join the Blasphemers. Name your conditions."

Tang Long shook his head directly, "Cooperation is fine, but I won't join. I want the Power of the Sun and the Blasphemy Power."

"If you don't join, why should I give you any benefits? Besides, you're too greedy. The Power of the Sun and the Blasphemy Power cannot coexist in one person; you'll die more miserably than the Seventh Apostle."

"I could join you, but on one condition: the entire organization must listen to me."

Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao's eyes widened, "What? You want to be the one in charge? Who do you think the Blasphemers are? We might be one thing, but those existences at the top would never listen to you."

"Then I won't join. Being ordered around by a bunch of idiots, acting stupid and seeking death everywhere—if I didn't get screwed over, I'd definitely die of anger. I won't do things that shorten my life."

"Brat! Watch your mouth!"

Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao was so angry that the veins in his forehead were throbbing; he felt like he might faint if they kept talking.

Although the Blasphemers had a poor reputation, their upper echelons had a formidable background; they were the Ten Ancestral Stars, existences nearly equivalent to gods.

If the Alien God wasn't blocking them from above, they could completely break through that barrier as long as they seized some Blood of the Sun God!

Tang Long actually called them...

Forget it, I can't keep bickering with this brat.

Let's talk business.

"You said before that the Blasphemers have taken the wrong path, so what is the right one?"

Tang Long glanced at him sideways, "Old man, you're not being honest. Are you trying to get something for nothing?"

Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao snorted and pointed at the sea.

"I won't bully you. The thing down there could kill you with a single breath. Tell me, and I'll risk these old bones of mine to go down there with you. Otherwise, I won't bother with the trouble."

"Then you've misunderstood. I'm not asking for your help; I'm giving you an opportunity. There's a Divine Ruins hidden below. Inviting you is a sign of respect, and I'm not adding any conditions. If you don't want to go, there's nothing I can do."

Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao was shocked, "What did you say! A Divine Ruins!"

Tang Long remained calm, "That's right. It's the same Divine Ruins that Xu Chaoyang used to buy your loyalty, and now I'm presenting it to you for free."

"So, stop acting like you're doing me a favor. You guys are so pathetic it stinks."

"Do those ten so-called Ancestral Stars above you still think their identities are some huge secret?"

"The ancient gods back then were stronger than them, right? And what happened to them?"

"I'll leave this here: if they don't listen to me, within a hundred years, they will all follow in the footsteps of the ancient gods."

Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao was both shocked and furious. Shocked that Tang Long knew so much about those existences at the top of the organization, and furious that... he actually dared to curse the Ancestral Stars to death!

If it had been yesterday and Tang Long dared to say these things to his face, he would have killed him without hesitation.

Even now, he was on the verge of exploding, only barely restraining his anger.

But Tang Long seemed not to notice at all and continued.

"Even if I gave you the answer you want right now, you wouldn't understand it, and your organization would never be able to execute it."

"To be honest, exposing your shortcomings makes you feel worse than if your father had died."

"In this regard, none of you are as patient as Xu Chaoyang."

"If I said the way to save the Blasphemers is to disband the Blasphemers and abandon your slogan of eliminating the gods, could you understand that?"

"From that expression of yours that says you want to kill me, I already know the answer."

"So, forget it."

"I want the Power of the Sun and the Blasphemy Power. Name your conditions. If we can agree, we'll cooperate; if not, then so be it."

"Oh, by the way, my eyes are healed. Tell your people not to mess with me; I don't want to go out of my way to target you."

Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao tried his best to suppress his anger.

However, whether it was due to his age or because Tang Long's words were too hurtful, he now felt a bit dizzy and couldn't think of what conditions to propose for a moment.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Tang Long changed the subject.

"You can take some time to consider."

"Next, in my capacity as the President of the White Clothes Society, I wish to report some urgent matters to the Crown Princes Tutor, Lord Qian, and ask his lordship to relay them to Your Majesty and the Crown Prince."

"Xu Chaoyang has already consolidated the military forces of Song City and is about to form an alliance with Sangyu to rebel."

"After they raise their troops, they will place about three divisions of cannon fodder at the front to delay. Their first target is Feng City, in order to isolate Huaidu."

"He has spent heavily to bribe many internal moles in Feng City and Huaidu, including several high-ranking figures."

"I have a list here, specifically the portion for Huaidu. Please let Your Majesty decide..."

As Tang Long listed them one by one, Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao felt his scalp go numb.

Because as a partner of Xu Chaoyang, much of this intelligence was unknown even to them, yet Tang Long already held it in his hands.

This included Tang Long's suspicion that Xu Chaoyang's camp already possessed Huagai Realm-level combat power based on his layout, along with other suggestions for counter-measures.

It was terrifying.

Xu Chaoyang could already be considered quite shrewd, and his planning was very meticulous.

Yet in front of Tang Long, it was as if there were weaknesses everywhere.

With someone like this in his way, how could Xu Chaoyang possibly succeed?

He came today and not only failed to get answers but ended up with even more questions.

But he had no time to ask further because Xie Jin arrived shortly after.

Seeing Xie Jin, Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao naturally understood that Tang Long had already coordinated with Feng City.

Next came High Priest Shang Yuleng and Yun Zhuoyue, and a moment later, Shi Chengyu actually appeared there as well.

Seeing these Spirit Maps from different factions gathered here in the middle of the night, Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao was completely bewildered.