War God Long Ao

The Netherworld Nine-Link Strike against the Heaven-Sundering Eighteen Techniques.

It had to be said, as someone ranked ninety-sixth on the Hundred Battles Ranking, Ye Gucheng was incredibly powerful. Each move of his Heaven-Sundering Eighteen Techniques was stronger than the last, like a monstrous, unending wave crashing down.

Not daring to let his guard down for a moment, he wielded the Blood-Drinking Mad Saber, unleashing the Netherworld Nine-Link Strike and the Celestial Profound Finger simultaneously. The powerful Finger Force seemed capable of piercing through anything.

BOOM...

In the blink of an eye, the two had already clashed for over a dozen rounds with no clear winner. Only now did Ye Gucheng truly take this "waste" seriously. 'No wonder he could break through to the Hundred Scattered Heaven realm in just a few months and even defeat Long Yulang. It seems he really has some hidden depths.'

Even so, Ye Gucheng still didn't truly see Long Ao as an equal. Brimming with confidence, he continuously executed the Heaven-Sundering Eighteen Techniques, his power layering and building with each strike.

His attacks landed like hammer blows, each more ferocious than the last. In addition to their overbearing power, Ye Gucheng's speed was also incredible. However, the crimson Sword Aura from Long Ao's Netherworld Nine-Link Strike was nothing to scoff at either.

"Heaven-Sundering Eighteen Techniques—Final Form: World-Cleaving Blow!"

'Celestial Profound Five Transformations!' With his current strength, Long Ao was simply not strong enough to use the Celestial Profound Five Transformations. However, he knew with absolute certainty that once his opponent unleashed the final form of the Heaven-Sundering Eighteen Techniques, it would be nearly impossible for him to block it. The same was true even if he used the Netherworld Nine-Link Strike.

Forcibly activating the Celestial Profound Five Transformations would surely result in a backlash later, but in this situation, Long Ao had no other choice. Empowered by the transformation, he unleashed the Celestial Profound Five Fingers. A terrifying burst of Finger Force instantly tore through space as his Blood-Drinking Mad Saber slashed out viciously.

The Celestial Profound Five Fingers combined with the Netherworld Nine-Link Strike.

Both Long Ao and Ye Gucheng had unleashed their strongest attacks. Victory or defeat would be decided in this single exchange.

Both knew with absolute clarity that this was a battle neither of them could afford to lose.

As the crimson Sword Aura collided with the World-Cleaving Blow, Long Ao seized a fleeting opportunity. The Celestial Profound Five Fingers shot out from a nearly imperceptible angle, striking his opponent squarely in the chest.

With a muffled grunt, the color drained from Ye Gucheng's face. The Finger Force had blasted a bloody hole through his chest. If not for the powerful Spiritual Power propping him up, he would have collapsed on the spot.

Long Ao won?

Long Ao defeated Ye Gucheng?

Everyone stared at the victorious Long Ao, their faces filled with stunned joy. Although they didn't know that Ye Gucheng was a genius from the Hundred Battles Ranking, they all knew he was a powerful Innate Martial Artist.

"Ye Gucheng, you lost! You couldn't even beat a so-called piece of trash. Looks like you're even worse than trash yourself."

At that moment, Ye Gucheng's expression was absolutely ghastly. He never would have imagined that he would lose to a "waste." Losing this fight wasn't just a blow to his pride. More importantly, now that his opponent had defeated him, he would be replaced on the Hundred Battles Ranking. Long Ao would officially become the new rank ninety-six.

"Long Ao, I won't let this go. One day, I will defeat you."

"Brother Ye, why bother with that? If we team up to kill him and wipe out the entire Long Family, no one will ever know. You'll still be the ninety-sixth ranked genius on the Hundred Battles Ranking." At that moment, Long Yulang walked in from outside, his voice exceptionally cold and sinister.

Ever since his last defeat at Long Ao's hands, Long Yulang had been holding a grudge. But with the City Lord's Mansion backing his opponent, getting revenge was no easy task. The current situation was different, however. If their actions were exposed, he could pin all the blame on Ye Gucheng. He was confident that even if the City Lord's Mansion found out, they would have no choice but to accept it as fact.

"Brother Long, is this wise?"

As a supreme genius ranked ninety-sixth on the Hundred Battles Ranking, Ye Gucheng had his own pride. A loss was a loss. If he teamed up with Long Yulang and word got out, what would become of his reputation?

"Brother Ye, we must pull the weed out by its roots."

"But…"

"No one will know. The Hundred Battles Ranking…" Long Yulang knew that what Ye Gucheng valued most was his position on the Hundred Battles Ranking. After all, losing his rank was a devastating blow.

Sure enough, upon hearing the three words "Hundred Battles Ranking," Ye Gucheng's expression finally changed. Forcibly enduring the stabbing pain in his chest, he finally nodded. "Slaughter them all. Destroy the Long Family."

Slaughter them all. Destroy the Long Family.

Hearing Long Yulang's words, the faces of everyone in the Long Family paled. No one doubted him. After all, Long Yulang and Ye Gucheng were both Innate Martial Artists. If they teamed up, slaughtering the entire Long Family would be a trivial matter.

"You two shameless bastards. To think you call yourselves Innate Martial Artists—you have no honor!"

"Hahaha! Long Ao, I have to admit, your talent and potential are quite impressive. But you were born at the wrong time. If you had been part of a great family, perhaps you could have been a hidden dragon ascending to the heavens. But now…"

Long Yulang's eyes were filled with contempt. On his own, he might not be a match for Long Ao, but teamed up with Ye Gucheng? He was fully confident they could kill Long Ao and slaughter the entire Long Family.

Ye Gucheng staunched the bleeding from his wound and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Long Yulang. A cold Killing Intent emanated from them both as they advanced on Long Ao step by step. As two Hundred Scattered Heaven Martial Artists, their combined Innate Aura pressed down on him, growing heavier with each pace.

Watching the two advance on him, Long Ao's expression grew colder. He had just forcibly used the Celestial Profound Five Transformations. If he were to use it again, he would definitely suffer a backlash, and the consequences would be dire.

'Am I just supposed to stand by and watch them slaughter my family?'

'Master, the soul has been refined into a Soul Slave. You can summon it to face your enemies at any time.'

Just as Long Ao was preparing to fight for his life, Long Fu's voice echoed in his mind. Joy surged through him. According to Long Fu, Gui Lie had been a One-Line Heaven Martial Artist. When his soul was refined into a Soul Slave, its strength would not decrease but would actually increase. In other words, the refined Soul Slave was far more powerful than its original self had been.

'A One-Line Heaven Soul Slave? Didn't Long Fu say it would take a full day to refine it successfully?' But under the circumstances, he had no time to worry about the details.

"You're the ones seeking death. You'll have no one to blame but yourselves."

"Long Ao, still talking tough when you're at death's door? I'd like to see just how a waste like you is going to stop us."

"Brother Long, let's do it!"

Nodding, Long Yulang and Ye Gucheng knew they couldn't afford to delay. If anyone else found out about this, they would both be in serious trouble. But just at that moment, a staggering aura erupted from Long Ao's body, crashing down like a tidal wave and instantly enveloping them both.

"One-Line Heaven!"

Feeling the powerful aura emanating from Long Ao, the expressions on both Long Yulang and Ye Gucheng's faces changed dramatically. They cried out in utter disbelief.

The Soul Slave's Cultivation was at the One-Line Heaven Realm, and the aura it released was that of a One-Line Heaven Master. As Hundred Scattered Heaven Martial Artists, how could they not be terrified of such an expert?