War God Long Ao

Clenching his fists, Yu Wei glared viciously at him.

「In the main hall of the National Protection Hall.」

"Hall Master, I'm ready to set out for the Thunder Empire immediately."

Tang Lin, of course, knew why Long Ao was in such a hurry. Normally, they would have had to wait another ten days before departing. But to accommodate Long Ao, Tang Lin had no choice but to move the date forward.

For this trip to the Thunder Empire to participate in the Thunder Battle, the Nebula National Protection Hall dispatched ten members: Long Ao, Luo Cheng, Yu Wei, Mao Feng, Tong Bo, Hao Jiangjun, Hao Chao, Ye Rong, Lin Yiyi, and Wang Huan.

Two Vice Hall Masters and eight National Protection Masters.

Long Ao was a One-Line Heaven Martial Artist. Based on the power rankings of the National Protection Hall, it was impossible for him to become a Vice Hall Master, let alone the leader for the upcoming Thunder Battle.

But what was the result?

An Innate Martial Artist had become a Vice Hall Master and the leader of the ten-person team. At least eighty percent of the group was resentful, but they dared not voice their anger. After all, who could possibly be a match for someone who had even defeated Hao Chao?

After explaining a few matters, Tang Lin arranged for the ten members, along with Ouyang Fei, to officially depart from Nebula City. They set out for the Thunder Empire to participate in the so-called Thunder Battle.

As Long Ao was leaving Nebula City, assassins from the Miao Family, as well as Long Ming, also set out. Long Ao was completely unaware of the moves being made by the Miao Family and the Long Family.

As one of the Thunder Empire's Affiliated Kingdoms, the Nebula Kingdom had to pay tribute every year. The amount increased annually, and even though the Nebula Kingdom and others were unwilling, they could only endure it silently under the Thunder Empire's oppressive might.

The distance between the Thunder Empire and the Nebula Kingdom was vast. At the group's pace, it would take them at least ten, maybe even fifteen, days to arrive.

「On the road to the Thunder Empire.」

"Brother Long, I have something I'd like to discuss with you. Do you have a moment?"

"Brother Luo, please say what's on your mind."

As a Vice Hall Master of the National Protection Hall, Luo Cheng's strength and status were self-evident. Furthermore, from start to finish, he had not shown even the slightest hint of disdain, contempt, or condescension toward Long Ao.

"Brother Long, I'm afraid this Thunder Battle won't be as simple as it seems."

Seeming somewhat surprised, Long Ao asked, "Brother Luo, is there trouble?"

Luo Cheng nodded, his expression grave. "Brother Long, according to a reliable source, the Thunder Empire intends to completely eliminate the potential threats posed by the kingdoms. All ten members they've dispatched are said to be supreme geniuses. Therefore, we must be extremely careful during this Thunder Battle."

"Brother Luo, please just say what you mean."

Long Ao was no fool. He knew Luo Cheng hadn't sought him out just to tell him this.

"Brother Long, in that case, I'll get straight to the point. Your talent and potential are plain to see. With your qualities, you're certain to rise to prominence in the Thunder Battle. When that happens, the Thunder Empire will almost certainly try to recruit you. So, I'm asking you, Brother Long, please don't accept any offer from them."

'So that's what this is about.'

Long Ao gave a helpless smile. "Brother Luo, rest assured. I've already given my word to the Nebula Royal Family. No matter what the Thunder Empire offers, I won't be tempted. Is that answer to your satisfaction, Brother Luo?"

"Satisfied, very satisfied." Luo Cheng was, of course, extremely pleased. Just like that, the large group continued on its way to the Thunder Empire.

The Thunder Empire was one of the two hegemons of the Celestial State, which itself was one of the nine provinces of the Celestial Martial Continent known as Kyushu. The Empire was surrounded by many Affiliated Kingdoms.

Thunder City was the capital of the Thunder Empire. It was the center of its politics, economy, and military, and it was also where the greatest number of Martial Artists gathered. Experts from all over the Thunder Empire, including its surrounding territories, congregated here.

After thirteen days of travel, Long Ao and his group finally arrived in Thunder City.

Staring at the massive city gates, Long Ao was taken aback. Strength aside, the sheer magnificence of Thunder City was on a level that Nebula City couldn't hope to match.

As one of the Thunder Empire's Affiliated Kingdoms, the Nebula Royal Family had its own dedicated post station in Thunder City. There were thirty-two kingdoms and thirty-two post stations, with representatives from all of them now gathered in Thunder City, awaiting the start of the Thunder Battle.

Of the Thunder Empire's thirty-two Affiliated Kingdoms, twelve were staunchly loyal. The remaining twenty, however, were all ambitious, hoping to rise up and break free from the Empire's control.

It was for this very reason that the Thunder Empire was using the Thunder Battle as an opportunity to weaken the thirty-two kingdoms. If they could eliminate the members of each kingdom's National Protection Hall, the kingdoms themselves would no longer be a threat.

The Nebula Kingdom's strength ranked among the top three of all the kingdoms, yet the post station assigned to them by the Thunder Empire was far from the best. This was a clear message of the Empire's attitude, a fact understood by the Nebula Royal Family and the other kingdoms alike.

「Inside the Nebula Post Station.」

After getting everyone settled, Ouyang Fei found Long Ao and got straight to the point. "Brother Long, according to a reliable source, the Thousand-Year Thunder Fruit has already been taken. We're too late."

"What did you say?" Long Ao's main reason for coming to Thunder City was to obtain the Thousand-Year Thunder Fruit. But now, Ouyang Fei was telling him it was already gone, taken by someone else. 'How could he not be furious?'

If he couldn't get the Thousand-Year Thunder Fruit, Yuyin couldn't be saved. She only had one year. In other words, if he couldn't find it within a year, the Thousand-Year Thunder Fruit would be useless even if he did manage to obtain it later.

"Brother Long, it's my fault for not investigating this thoroughly. I apologize."

Reason suppressed emotion. Long Ao knew this wasn't Ouyang Fei's fault. Ultimately, Ouyang Fei helping him was a favor, not an obligation. He couldn't blame him.

"Brother Ouyang, don't say that. I just want to know, are there any leads? Who took the Thousand-Year Thunder Fruit?"

"Mm, don't worry, I've already sent people to investigate. I'm sure we'll have results soon. The Thunder Battle will officially begin in twelve days. Brother Long, use this time to rest. I don't care if you win or lose; I only have one requirement: you must come back alive."

With Ouyang Fei's help, Long Ao knew he would soon have news about the Thousand-Year Thunder Fruit. He nodded and said, "Don't worry. I'll keep myself alive."

"Brother Long, since we just arrived in Thunder City, why don't we go out and have a look around?"

Long Ao hadn't wanted to go, but seeing the eager look in Ouyang Fei's eyes, he could only agree. Just like that, the two of them got up and left the Nebula Post Station.

As the capital of the Thunder Empire, Thunder City's prosperity was far beyond anything Nebula City could compare to. Because of this, everyone from the thirty-two kingdoms who entered the capital reveled in its splendor. There were even some who couldn't resist its allure and directly joined Thunder City's own National Protection Hall.

"Brother Long, Thunder City's most famous local snack is the 'Rolling Donkey.' They used to rush it by courier to the Nebula Royal Family, but the flavor was always off by the time it arrived. Since we're here now, why don't we go try the real thing? What do you say?"

"Sounds good."