War God Long Ao

The ultimate technique, the ultimate clash. This one move would decide the victor.

Ice-Sealed Heart Devourer transformed into an endless, blood-red Sword Aura, which descended viciously along the edge of the Blood-Drinking Mad Saber.

He had thought his opponent couldn't possibly withstand his Dragon Roar Three Techniques, but the moment they clashed, Madman Long's expression changed drastically. As he retreated rapidly, he desperately tried to dodge the Heaven-Shocking Sword Aura.

But Madman Long knew that with his current strength and speed, dodging was impossible. In other words, he had already lost this exchange.

'Lost?'

Though every fiber of his being refused to admit it, Madman Long knew he had lost. His opponent's technique was simply too powerful. Barring an expert at the Evolution stage, no one in the One-Line Heaven realm could be his match.

Making no further attempt to resist, Madman Long gave up.

"Feng'Er."

"Long Ao, you dare!"

Just when Madman Long thought he was dead for sure, he realized the Sword Aura hadn't struck him. Greatly curious, he opened his eyes, looked at the smiling youth before him, and asked, "You're not going to kill me?"

"Madman Long, I killed your brother. We can settle the score between us later. I'll be waiting for you. I hope you'll keep your promise and not drag our families into this."

With that, Long Ao turned and left. His actions left everyone dumbfounded. They wondered if he had lost his mind, passing up such a golden opportunity to strike.

His eyes fixed on the departing youth, Madman Long clenched his fists. Though he hadn't died, his rank on the Hundred Battles Ranking had fallen from seventy-eighth to seventy-ninth. Meanwhile, Long Ao had ascended to take his place at number seventy-eight.

As Long Ao left, he felt no joy in his victory over Madman Long. He knew that on this continent, Martial Artists stronger than him were a dime a dozen.

If a Fusion Martial Artist or a Unity Martial Artist were to descend upon him, he would have no chance to fight back; he would be a lamb to the slaughter.

"Are you all right?"

Shaking his head, clearly hit hard by his defeat, Madman Long said, "That young man's talent and potential are the greatest I've ever seen. Even in a Major Sect, he would be considered top-tier."

Seemingly surprised, Long Yancheng knew his grandson had a better eye for talent than he did. For even Feng'Er to praise the boy so highly, his talent and potential must truly be of the highest caliber.

'A good-for-nothing?'

In that moment, Long Yancheng cursed the people who had spread those rumors. How could they call someone with such immense talent a good-for-nothing?

"Feng'Er, even if he's powerful, with our combined strength, we can surely kill him. If you don't pull out the weeds by the root, they'll just grow back. We must eliminate this threat for good."

Having witnessed the young man's strength and talent firsthand, Long Yancheng was now truly afraid. It's always the 'what if' that gets you. 'What if this boy really does grow too powerful? What will become of our family then?'

Madman Long was well aware of his grandfather's concerns, but he had no intention of acting on them.

"Grandfather, a Martial Artist must have a code of honor. Since Long Ao spared me, I will not resort to other means to deal with him. Don't worry. I will train hard. One day, I will defeat him with my own Martial Arts and kill him in a fair fight."

Long Yancheng knew his grandson's personality inside and out. Before this fight, he would have believed in his grandson one hundred percent. But now? Did he still have the same faith in Madman Long?

'No matter what, I won't let anyone harm my grandson.'

Leaving the grounds of the Sixth Level Long Family, Long Ao breathed a sigh of relief. His fight with Madman Long had given him a clear understanding of the man's character.

That was precisely why Long Ao had chosen not to kill him—to ensure that the Sixth Level Long Family wouldn't move against his own family after he left Thundercloud City.

With his family's affairs settled, Long Ao could finally leave with his mind at ease. From now on, he would venture out to train, striving to raise his strength to its peak in the shortest time possible. Then, even if Ye Hao came looking for trouble, he would no longer have anything to fear.

On this continent where might makes right and Martial Artists reign supreme, strength was everything.

In a matter of minutes, news of Long Ao's victory over Madman Long had spread throughout Thundercloud City. Everyone who heard it was aghast. No one could believe it. The Long Family's top genius, Thundercloud City's strongest expert, the paramount figure ranked seventy-eighth on the Hundred Battles Ranking... defeated just like that by a disciple from the Eighth Level Long Family.

Although people had grown accustomed to Long Ao's shocking upsets, a comeback this insane was still hard to swallow.

After all, Madman Long was ranked seventy-eighth on the Hundred Battles Ranking; his strength spoke for itself. And Long Ao? Despite his formidable talent, he was still just number ninety-five.

Challenges between ranks on the Hundred Battles Ranking were common, but for number ninety-five to defeat number seventy-eight was practically unheard of. If the news hadn't been confirmed, no one would have believed it.

Long Ao's victory meant the Hundred Battles Ranking would once again be updated. Long Ao leaped from ninety-fifth place directly to seventy-eighth, while Madman Long was pushed back one spot to seventy-ninth.

After the initial shock and disbelief subsided, the people of Thundercloud City began to accept the new reality. And for the rising young man from the Red Fire Town Long Family, their envy was now overshadowed by a profound sense of admiration.

His duel with Long Yulang, his battle with Ye Gucheng, his defiance against Long Yancheng—the young man never gave in. He would rather die on his feet than live on his knees, and for that, he had earned everyone's respect.

Because of this, everyone quickly forgot about the former top genius, Madman Long, and instead remembered the current one, Long Ao. People were like that—they only remember the victors. As for the losers...

The Heaven and Earth Sect promptly updated the Hundred Battles Ranking. From that point on, Long Ao was not only the seventy-eighth ranked prodigy on the list, but he was also hailed as Thundercloud City's number one expert. It was said that even the City Lord might not be his match.

Thundercloud City's number one expert, seventy-eighth on the Hundred Battles Ranking.

Those two titles alone were enough to intimidate anyone. Because of this, the Red Fire Town Long Family began to establish a major presence in Thundercloud City, and not a single power dared to stand in their way.

At this point, the Mu Family's attitude did a complete one-eighty. Not only did they stop obstructing the Long Family's move into Thundercloud City, but they began to offer their utmost support. With the backing of both the Mu Family and the City Lord's Mansion, the Long Family's foothold in Thundercloud City expanded tenfold in just a few short days.

Because of their connection to Long Ao, the Eighth Level Long Family was promoted once more, becoming the Seventh Level Long Family. This was only because the family's own foundation wasn't strong enough; otherwise, the Red Fire Town Long Family would have already been promoted to a Sixth Level Clan.