War God Long Ao

In the Long Clan, only families at the Third Level and above are permitted to enter Dragon Valley to find partners.

The Fifth Level Long Family has absolutely no qualifications to enter Dragon Valley.

Long Ao was also surprised by Long Ying's luck. To think he had actually found a passageway into Dragon Valley.

Long Ao understood what Long Ying was thinking. After all, the allure of a place like Dragon Valley was simply too hard to resist. Once a disciple became a Dragon Martial Artist, not only could they themselves soar to new heights, but they could also lead their family to a higher rank.

Opportunity and risk coexist. The slightest misstep could lead to a point of no return.

"Long Ao, long ago, due to a fortuitous encounter, the ancestor of our Long Clan made a pact with the progenitor of Dragon Valley. Any disciple with the Long Clan bloodline will not be attacked upon entering Dragon Valley. As for anyone else..."

Long Ao, of course, understood this point.

"Senior, I'd like to ask, how many Dragon Valleys are there on the continent?"

"Only one. I have also studied this passageway meticulously. If I'm not mistaken, it was forcefully opened by someone long ago. After all this time, the passageway will only permit three people to enter."

"Senior, forgive me for being blunt, but since only three people can enter Dragon Valley, why would you give one of the spots to me?"

Long Ao never believed in free lunches. He knew just how precious a spot to enter Dragon Valley was. 'Would the Fifth Level Long Family really just hand one over so easily? If I choose to believe that, I'd truly be a fool.'

"Long Ao, I believe you're a straightforward person. Since that's the case, I'll be frank with you."

'Here comes the real reason.'

"I'll give you one of the only three spots. Once you enter Dragon Valley, your survival is your own concern. The fate of the three of you has nothing to do with me or my family. If you manage to become a Dragon Martial Artist, you just need to promise me one thing. How about it?"

'Straight to the point.' Although Long Ao disliked such a pragmatic answer, he had to admire Long Ying's directness.

"Let's hear it."

"If you become a Dragon Martial Artist, no matter how far you go in the future, you must not forget my Long Family. You must find a way to help us advance—at the very least, help us become a Third Level Long Family. How about it? As long as you agree, I'll give you a spot to enter Dragon Valley."

Long Ao didn't answer immediately. As for Long Ying, he didn't press him.

'Help the Fifth Level Long Family become a Third Level Long Family?'

"Oh, and if we're in trouble, you must help us."

Staring intently at Long Ying, Long Ao knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him. If he passed this up, who knew how long it would be before he got another chance to enter Dragon Valley.

"Senior, I have one more question. This passageway to Dragon Valley—if the three of us enter, will it close permanently afterward?"

Long Ao was no fool. He knew that if the passageway could remain open, the Fifth Level Long Family would have no reason to give him a spot.

"That's right. This is our only chance. We can only succeed; failure is not an option."

"Alright, Senior, I promise you. As long as I can leave Dragon Valley alive and become a Dragon Martial Artist, I will step in if the Fifth Level Long Family is ever in trouble. As for helping you become a Third Level Long Family, I can't make any guarantees, but I will do my best."

"No problem."

And just like that, Long Ao secured a spot to enter Dragon Valley. He knew this was his chance, and he had to seize it no matter what. After all, besides this passageway, trying to enter Dragon Valley through other means was exceedingly difficult. The Long Clan itself was the greatest obstacle.

"Long Ao, you must remember: absolutely no one else can find out about the passageway to Dragon Valley. Otherwise, we will all die."

"Understood."

"Ten days from now, after you've dealt with Miao He, I will arrange for you to go to the passageway into Dragon Valley."

"No problem. I'll be back in ten days." With that, Long Ao stood up and left.

"Patriarch, giving one of the only three spots to this person... is it really worth it?"

Waving his hand, his face a mask of indifference, Long Ying said, "This boy is no ordinary person. A good-for-nothing who was stagnant for ten years actually broke through to One-Line Heaven in just a few short months. The more I think about it, the stranger it seems. So, I have to take this gamble. As for Dragon Valley... even for a Long Family of the Third Level or above, success is never guaranteed."

"But what if the boy actually succeeds? Won't we be left with nothing?"

"Mm. It's better to rely on ourselves than on others. You can only truly trust what is your own. I've already made the necessary arrangements. I hope this will be an opportunity for us."

After leaving the Long Family estate, Long Ao found a tavern and sat quietly by a window, mulling over what had just happened. 'Dragon Valley... Dragon Martial Artist...' It all seemed to have come too easily, like a free lunch.

'Is the Fifth Level Long Family plotting something?'

For some reason, Long Ao had a bad feeling about it all. But the matter was settled, so all he could do was be cautious. Perhaps this truly was an opportunity for him. If he succeeded, he could become a Dragon Martial Artist.

「Ten days later.」

Long Ao knew that the only thing that mattered now was the battle in ten days. If he won, he could proceed to the passageway into Dragon Valley.

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, a massive crowd gathered outside the Royal Family's domain, all eager for a good show. After all, both combatants were figures from the Hundred Battles Ranking. Miao He, in particular, was hailed as the strongest in the One-Line Heaven realm, his power immense when using Human-Beast Integration.

Sometime before, a large Life and Death Arena had been erected outside the Royal Family's grounds. Not only was the Royal Family present, but the other Four Great Clans had also arrived in full, all wanting to witness this battle. The members of the Miao Family wore confident expressions, as if they didn't even see Long Ao as a threat.

「On the Life and Death Arena.」

Long Ao and Miao He stared intently at each other, both emanating a powerful battle intent. Before the fight had even begun, their auras were already clashing fiercely.

Beside Miao He stood a large Black Wolf—a Wind Demon Wolf, an Innate Spirit Beast. Its speed and attack power were formidable. It was precisely because of this Wind Demon Wolf that Miao He had been able to remain undefeated among those in the One-Line Heaven realm.

On the Royal City Wall, a majestic, middle-aged man in yellow robes asked with an unreadable smile, "Fei'Er, is this the Long Ao you so strongly recommended?"

Ouyang Fei stood respectfully and replied, "Father Emperor, that is indeed Long Ao. After ten years of perseverance, he finally made a comeback through sheer effort. To have grown this strong in just a few short months... Father Emperor, this boy's talent and potential are truly incredible. If we could recruit him, I believe he would be a great asset to our Royal Family."

"'An asset?' The Nebula Emperor smiled, his expression unreadable, and Ouyang Fei dared not say another word.