In addition, the Ao family operates pawnshops in every city in Zhongzhou. Through generations of accumulation, the entire Ao family has a strong foundation and a complex network of connections.

The usually arrogant Young Master Ao, relying on his family's immense power and his own strength and methods, can always reveal his trump card at the last moment, even if he accidentally runs into a brick wall, and has the capital to negotiate with his opponent in the end.

When weighing the pros and cons, most people will have some reservations and will not want to completely offend the Ao family, so they will choose to stop there.

Therefore, in everyone's mind, it was impossible for Young Master Ao to be killed after revealing his identity and trump cards.

But this time, Young Master Ao happened to run into Li Yu.

Li Yu acted completely unpredictably, not even asking questions, and didn't even care about the Tianlong Card, forcing Young Master Ao into a near-death situation.

It was only through the personal intervention of the Heavenly Dragon Phantom that Young Master Ao's spiritual body was preserved.

The news that Li Yu had replaced Young Master Ao in the popularity rankings spread quickly, and those who closely followed the rankings had already guessed that Li Yu had killed Young Master Ao.

This news was like a bombshell. They all found it hard to believe that Li Yu actually had the guts to kill Young Master Ao.

The crowd, who were discussing the matter, sighed in dismay. In their view, Li Yu's provocation of the Ao family would inevitably lead to endless trouble in the future.

After all, it would be incredibly easy for the Ao family to take revenge on Li Yu, and it would only be a matter of time before they avenged their son.

It all depends on whether the Ao family uses daytime or nighttime methods.

The fact that Li Yu actually possessed the strength to defeat Young Master Ao was like a resounding slap in the face to those who had once doubted Li Yu's abilities.

You should know that if Young Master Ao were even slightly weaker, those he insulted would have beaten him so badly they wouldn't recognize their own mothers.

The rumors that Li Yu was a paper tiger disappeared immediately after Li Yu defeated Young Master Ao and reached the seventy-fourth place on the popularity list, and no one mentioned it again.

After all, if Li Yu could kill even Young Master Ao, why would he be afraid of those who spread rumors?

However, only a minority of people are concerned about the conflict between the Ao family and Li Yu.

Nowadays, all factions only have the dragon vein in their eyes.

Those important figures who knew about the rise of the dragon vein had just learned that Lei Xiao, the son of Lei Zhanyong, the director of the Thunder Bureau, had actually become the First Star Lord.

Everyone exclaimed in admiration, "Truly worthy of being the disciple of the strongest sword immortal!"

First Star Lord.

Since he is number one, even if Lei Xiao is not the strongest Star Lord, he definitely has the strength to firmly hold the title of number one Star Lord.

What worries them is that the Central Plains has experienced three consecutive dragon roars and earthquakes, indicating that three immortal lords have already settled there, but the true identities of the other two are still unknown.

Recently, this unusual activity does not seem to be limited to the Central Plains; it seems that all continents have fallen into a state of turmoil and activity.

Even those with blond hair and fair skin seem to have greatly increased their strength and have begun to frequently test the limits of harassment in Zhongzhou.

The situation became increasingly tense, and the officials of Zhongzhou realized the seriousness of the matter.

They must hurry up and conduct a thorough investigation to bring all twelve constellations under official control in order to deal with the impending overseas crisis.

......

On the other side.

On his return journey, Li Yu was riding Xiao Hei at high speed across a vast plain.

The clouds were dark, the sky seemed about to fall, and the inky clouds surged.

The waters flowed endlessly, the land became deep pools, and floods raged.

The heavy rain stretched as far as the eye could see, and Li Yu galloped wildly on horseback beneath the clouds.

After becoming the tenth star lord, Li Yu seemed to have gained a greater awareness of his surroundings.

As the surrounding energy was continuously absorbed by the cyclone, Li Yu's mind became as still as water, as if she had merged with nature, and she slowly felt the power of nature.

Every drop of rain falling from the sky, every gust of wind blowing, the pattering sound on the ground—everything can be clearly felt.

Heaven and earth are natural, and humanity and nature are in harmony.

Standing alone under the vast sky.

Li Yu had never been so calm before; all the pent-up emotions in her heart seemed to have been completely washed away at this moment.

A feeling of natural comfort welled up inside me.

"ah--"

Xiao Hei suddenly let out a loud cry, startling Li Yu.

Even though he had ridden Little Black all the way here, this was the first time he had ever heard Little Black make such a tragic neighing sound.

When Li Yu opened her eyes, she saw that Xiao Hei, who had shouted, seemed very happy and was panting and letting out a joyful neigh.

Seeing this, Li Yu didn't slap down his raised hand. He was also amused by Xiao Hei's unexpected cry and helplessly lowered his hand to gently stroke Xiao Hei's mane.

Through the brief experience of being in harmony with nature, Li Yu had already sensed that the enormous energy underground was quite abundant, and the heavy rain in the sky was no less so.

Li Yu had a vague feeling that if the rain continued indefinitely, the entire land would be submerged sooner or later.

Suddenly, a cold wind blew by.

Li Yu looked up and was surprised to find a large group of ghosts wandering together in the rain in the distance, accompanied by eerie low murmurs.

"Nightmare Beast, your chance to shine has come," Li Yu immediately teased from his mental sea.

He guessed that the Nightmare Beast could increase its strength by devouring ghosts, and he figured it wouldn't let this opportunity pass.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing Li Yu's voice, the Nightmare Beast abandoned its usual arrogant and carefree attitude, replying respectfully:

"Greetings, Tenth Star Lord."

Li Yu: "???"

Li Yu was a little unaccustomed to the Nightmare Beast's sudden change in attitude.

Li Yu repeated incredulously, "I said, your chance has come. Didn't you repeatedly tell me to kill more ghosts?"

The Nightmare Beast immediately widened its eyes, looking at Li Yu in disbelief and asking:

"Why do you say that, Star Lord? I have always done things according to your requirements."

Li Yu was stunned. It was as if this was a different Nightmare Beast.

He asked one last time, with a look of doubt:

"Just tell me if you want these ghosts or not."

"Yes!" the Nightmare Beast readily agreed, not forgetting to flatter it:

"How could I possibly pass up an opportunity to enhance my Star Lord strength?"

However, the flattery was a bit too forced, making both parties feel somewhat awkward.

However, since he had encountered so many ghosts, Li Yu figured that every bit of improvement in his strength was worthwhile, so there was no reason for him not to go.

However, this Nightmare Beast seemed to have taken the wrong medicine today, speaking in roundabout ways, which made him quite uncomfortable.

Ignoring the Nightmare Beast that was acting erratically, Li Yu pointed in a direction for Xiao Hei and quickly ran towards the place where the ghosts were wandering.

As the distance gradually closed, the scene ahead slowly came into view.

Li Yu looked over and saw a large group of ghosts wandering around a disabled man.

These ghosts surrounded the man, as if they were telling endless grievances, or as if they were guarding something.

The man was kneeling on the ground in devout worship, his clothes soaked through by the rain.

He kept praying, his voice so faint in the wind and rain:

"Gods, Buddhas, demons, and monsters from all sides, please save my mother. I am willing to pay any price."