Chapter 62: Dragon Valley
The National Protection Hall?
Although Long Ao didn't know what the National Protection Hall was, he knew for a fact that it couldn't be simple.
"Uncle Ouyang, what have I done to deserve entering the National Protection Hall?"
"Long Ao, believe in yourself. Don't worry, the National Protection Hall won't restrict your freedom. You just need to be available whenever the Kingdom is in need."
"Brother Long, accept my father's offer."
In his heart, Long Ao was reluctant to join the National Protection Hall. But after a moment of thought, he decided that as long as it didn't restrict his freedom, there was no harm in joining.
"Since that's the case, thank you, Uncle Ouyang."
Ouyang Fei looked very pleased. The two chatted for a while longer before Long Ao stood up and took his leave.
"Father Emperor, Long Ao's talent and potential are quite impressive. But if he joins the National Protection Hall with his current strength, I'm afraid the other National Protection Masters will be very displeased. He could face a lot of trouble."
Seeing the worry on his son's face, Ouyang Feng simply smiled and said, "Long Ao is still young. He can't grow without tempering. Perhaps this man is the future of our Kingdom. Feng'Er, you must befriend him."
"I understand, Father Emperor."
Just after leaving the side hall, Long Ao had no intention of lingering in the Royal Family's palace. Just then, two young women emerged from the side. The one in the lead wore a light purple dress. With her delicate features and stunning figure, she was an absolute beauty, even when standing still without a smile.
"Long Ao."
Hearing someone call his name, Long Ao was quite surprised. He asked in return, "And who are you?"
"Insolent! How dare you not kneel before Princess Zixia?"
Princess Zixia?
He was astonished. Looking at the stunning young woman before him, Long Ao never imagined that she was Princess Zixia—the very same princess who had used a marriage selection to slaughter talented disciples for the Royal Family.
Long Ao held no favorable impression of this Princess Zixia. He asked indifferently, "May I know why Princess Zixia has called for me?"
Seeing his icy expression that kept others at a distance, Ouyang Zixia was very surprised. Given her status and beauty, any other man would have looked at her with a pitiable, fawning expression, as if they couldn't wait to kneel before her.
"It's nothing. I just wanted to get to know you."
"Now we're acquainted. Excuse me, I have urgent matters to attend to. I'll be taking my leave."
Watching the young man's swift departure, Ouyang Zixia's face filled with coldness. Her fists clenched tightly. Suddenly, she let out a cold sneer and muttered to herself, "Truly arrogant. Long Ao, you just wait. One day, I'll make you kneel before me and beg."
Leaving the palace grounds as quickly as possible, Long Ao didn't return to his inn. Instead, he headed directly for the Fifth Level Long Family.
Long Ying was also very nervous. After all, this matter concerned the life and death of his family. If word got out, not only he, but the entire family would face annihilation.
The three people entering Dragon Valley were Long Zhi and Long Ming from the Long Family, and Long Ao. As for Long Ming, he was an Evolutionary Martial Artist ranked seventieth on the Hundred Battles Ranking. One could only imagine how powerful his strength and talent were.
According to Long Ying, those entering the passage to Dragon Valley could not have a Cultivation higher than the Evolution Realm. Furthermore, among the three, there could be at most one Evolutionary Martial Artist. Otherwise, if all three were Evolutionary Martial Artists, they would likely be discovered by Dragon Valley the moment they entered.
In an extremely hidden secret chamber within the Fifth Level Long Family's estate.
Long Ying opened the passage to Dragon Valley and said with a solemn voice, "The three of you are entering Dragon Valley this time. Your life and death are your own and have nothing to do with the family. Remember, if you are discovered by Dragon Valley, you must bear the consequences yourselves."
Hearing Long Ying's words, Long Ao felt displeased, but he knew clearly that this was the cruel reality.
"This passage to Dragon Valley can only be maintained for one month. If you cannot return safely after a month, you will be trapped in Dragon Valley forever. From then on, this passage will be completely sealed, and no one will be able to open it again. The three of you, be careful. Go."
Long Zhi, Long Ming, and Long Ao did not hesitate any longer. Although entering Dragon Valley was fraught with danger, it was also full of opportunity. If they succeeded in gaining a partner, they could become Dragon Martial Artists, leaping the dragon gate and soaring to the heavens in a single bound.
Staring at the black passage before him, Long Ying seemed somewhat expectant. After all, if the family could produce a Dragon Martial Artist, they would have the chance to be promoted to a Third Level Long Family in the future. What an incredible prospect that was!
Inside the black passage.
The black passage was actually a large-scale Teleportation Array. A supreme genius from the Long Clan had created it long ago, using Great Divine Abilities to forcibly open a tear in Space and set up the array. It could cover an immense distance in just about half an hour.
None of the three knew how spatial teleportation worked. After entering the black passage, all they could do was wait quietly for the transport. They only felt a wave of energy fluctuations spread out, and it was as if they were soaring through clouds and mist.
"The Red Fire Town Long Family. Ten years ago, you were their greatest genius. For some unknown reason, you became unable to condense an Inner Strength cycle and fell from a genius to a waste. You endured endless humiliation and ridicule, persisting for ten whole years without giving up. A few months ago, you suddenly rose again. Your journey has been hard to believe, and now you're ranked seventy-eighth on the Hundred Battles Ranking."
Long Ao remained silent, listening to Long Zhi's summary.
Long Ming, who was naturally aloof and always wore an expression that kept others a thousand miles away, spoke coldly, "Long Ao, I look forward to the day you break through to the Evolution Realm. When that time comes, I will formally challenge you. I hope you won't disappoint me."
"Fine."
Long Ao showed no signs of backing down just because his opponent was an Evolution expert. A powerful battle intent rose from him as well, causing Long Zhi to stick out his tongue and quietly stay to the side, not daring to say another word.
Among the three, the strongest was undoubtedly Long Ming, followed by Long Ao, and finally, Long Zhi.
「Half an hour later.」
The three of them had appeared in a vast forest. They all knew in their hearts that they had reached their destination: the so-called Dragon Valley.
"A Purple-Winged Giant Dragon!"
Hearing Long Zhi's cry of alarm, Long Ao and Long Ming looked in the same direction. It was true. High in the Nine Heavens, a massive purple dragon over ten meters long flew past, blotting out the sun. A powerful Dragon Breath swept down over everything. If the three of them hadn't blocked it in time, that Dragon Breath alone would have been enough to crush them to death.
"What a terrifying Giant Dragon."
Eighty percent of the reason the Long Clan became one of the continent's top powers was because they were backed by Dragon Valley, which continuously produced Dragon Martial Artists. This was the true reason the Long Clan had never declined over countless years, as Giant Dragons were the most powerful beings in Heaven and Earth.
"Second Brother, Long Ao, should we split up or act together?"