Gao Long's Plan, the Central Continent!

Gao Hu struggled to his feet from the cold arena, his face so dark it could drip water. He looked at his trembling followers below, their eyes darting around, and felt an even greater surge of anger.

"A bunch of useless trash!" Gao Hu growled through gritted teeth, "You just stand there like wooden blocks when you see me being humiliated?!"

The henchmen trembled with fear, quickly lowered their heads, and dared not meet his gaze, barely daring to breathe.

"Get out!" Gao Hu roared, jumping off the stage first. "All of you, get back to your seats!"

The followers, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, hurriedly followed Gao Hu and slunk away from the training ground.

Back at the Gao Family mansion, Gao Hu's resentment and bitterness intensified. He thought of his elder brother, Gao Long —the family's pride who had returned from the Martial Arts Holy Land! 'Yes! Find my elder brother! He can definitely avenge me!'

He stormed angrily toward Gao Long's courtyard, but was stopped outside the room by a stern-faced guard.

"Young Master, Young Master Long is discussing important matters with the Patriarch and several elders, and has instructed that no one should disturb him," the guard said expressionlessly.

"Important matters? Are they more important than my business?!" Gao Hu roared. "Get out of my way! I need to see my elder brother!"

The guards stood their ground, their tone still icy. "No one is allowed to enter without Young Master Long's order."

Gao Hu's face flushed with anger, but he knew that Gao Long's guards only obeyed Gao Long's orders. He was both angry and anxious, but there was nothing he could do. He could only stand outside the door, gritting his teeth and waiting.

Inside the room, however, the atmosphere was completely different.

Gao Long sat at the head of the table, beaming with pride, and spoke eloquently, "My uncles and elders, do you know what the Central Continent is like? There, rare treasures abound, and cultivation techniques and secret manuals are as plentiful as forests! The resources needed to break through to the Qi Refining Realm are nothing rare there!"

As he spoke, a powerful aura suddenly erupted from his body, far surpassing that of everyone present! That aura was condensed and pure, carrying a touch of otherworldly charm, which was the mark of the Qi Refining Realm expert!

"Hiss!" The elders and patriarch of the Gao Family inside the room gasped as they sensed this aura, their eyes filled with shock and envy! This was the power of the Qi Refining Realm!

Gao Long looked at everyone's reaction with satisfaction and continued, "I have returned this time with the intention of leading a group of elites from our clan to venture into the Central Continent! My master has already made all the arrangements for us there. Once we go, our future will be limitless!"

Upon hearing this, the elders of the Gao Family inside the room became immediately excited. The Central Continent! That was the legendary holy land of cultivation!

Only the head of the Gao Family frowned slightly, feeling that this matter was not so simple.

Gao Long's gaze swept over the crowd, and he said in a deep voice, "However, the Central Continent is a long and dangerous journey. If you want to come with me, your strength must be at least at the Blood Replacement Realm! Otherwise, you'll struggle even to travel!"

"We are willing!" Several elders who had already reached the Blood Replacement Realm immediately expressed their agreement, their expressions filled with excitement.

"Alright!" Gao Long nodded. "Not only that, we must also gather as many Blood Replacement Realm experts as possible! Regardless of whether they are members of the Gao Family or not, as long as they have reached the Blood Replacement Realm, they can come with me. After all, there is strength in numbers. Once we reach the Central Continent, our Gao Family will be able to better establish itself and have more say!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the elders quickly nodded in agreement, "Absolutely! We are naturally willing to follow your arrangements!"

Although they did not want outsiders to enjoy such an opportunity, Gao Long's explanation was reasonable and well-founded, and everything still depended on the other party, so the elders had no reason to oppose him.

Seeing this, Gao Long's lips curled into a smile.

Time passed, and after a passionate speech, the elders at the Blood Replacement Realm remained immersed in their beautiful visions for the future.

The head of the Gao Family looked at Gao Long and asked in a low voice, "Long'er, is this matter... truly safe?"

"Father, rest assured, everything will be perfect!" Gao Long replied confidently.

Looking at the elders who were already too excited to control themselves, the head of the Gao Family knew that further persuasion would be useless, so he could only shake his head helplessly.

Soon, the elders happily took their leave and prepared to return to gather their men.

Gao Hu, standing outside the door, watched as the usually aloof Blood Replacement Realm elders left, seemingly energized and excited. His admiration for his elder brother, Gao Long, reached its peak! 'My brother is truly amazing! A single sentence from him can excite Blood Replacement Realm experts like this!'

At this moment, Gao Long came out and happened to see Gao Hu waiting outside the door.

Gao Hu hurriedly stepped forward, about to ask Gao Long to help him teach Dongfang Yueming lesson.

Gao Long frowned, giving him a cold look. "I don't care what trouble you've caused before, just behave yourself for the time being and don't cause me any more trouble!"

Gao Hu felt a chill run down his spine under Gao Long's icy gaze, and swallowed the rest of his words, only able to nod stammeringly, "Yes... Big Brother..."

Gao Long ignored him and left.

Watching Gao Long's departing figure, Gao Hu clenched his fists again, the resentment and humiliation in his heart almost consuming him! 'Why... why even my elder brother...'

Just as his mind was racing, a strange and alluring voice suddenly rang in his mind:

Do you want to... become stronger?

Gao Hu was startled and looked around warily, but there was no one there!

"Do you crave power? Do you crave revenge?" The voice seemed to possess a magical power, continuing to tempt him.

Gao Hu's heart began to race involuntarily! He suddenly realized that the sound... seemed to be coming from the room where his older brother had just been!

"Who... who are you?" Gao Hu asked in a dry voice.

"Come here..." the voice was full of seduction, "Come here... and you will get everything you want... power... revenge... even to trample your elder brother under your feet!"

An irresistible desire surged wildly within Gao Hu! As if possessed, his steps moved uncontrollably, slowly making his way towards Gao Long's room...

The room was empty except for a desk in the center. On the desk lay a small, rusty, broken piece of iron, about the size of a palm.

At this moment, the iron plate was emitting an eerie dark red light!

Gao Hu's gaze was instantly drawn to the piece of iron, as if it contained boundless magic. He reached out with trembling hands and picked up the piece of iron.

The instant his fingers touched the metal piece, a strange change occurred! The metal piece seemed to come alive, its edges suddenly becoming incredibly sharp, and it actually cut his palm!

Blood gushed out, but instead of dripping, it was greedily absorbed by the broken piece of iron as if drawn by a magnet!

Gao Hu felt a strong sense of weakness wash over him, and he felt dizzy, but instead of fear, he felt an indescribable bloodlust rising from the bottom of his heart!

"Hehehe..." A chilling laugh echoed from within the metal plate. "That's right, that's the taste—your blood... your resentment... absolutely delicious..."

"From this moment forward, you, Gao Hu, are my true master! Let us begin this grand hunt together!"

A strange and fanatical smile slowly appeared on Gao Hu's face...

The metal piece trembled violently, seemingly excited. 'I also have a blood puppet now! Once I've developed, I'll prove that I'm the one who should dominate all the fragments!'