War God Long Ao

「The next morning.」

「Outside the inn.」

Long Ao gave a long stretch. As he stepped out of the inn, he saw four figures approaching in the distance. Two of them were none other than the Third Prince, Zhao Hao, and Jiang Jun.

As for the remaining two, Long Ao briefly sensed their power and determined that they were both One-Line Heaven Martial Artists.

As the undisputed hegemon over thirty-two kingdoms, the Thunder Empire's strength was undeniable. To the Thunder Royal Family, two One-Line Heaven Martial Artists were nothing.

"Long Ao, I have to admit, I'm impressed you actually left the Nebula National Protection Hall. But all the better. I'll make you understand the consequences of provoking the Third Prince."

Long Ao wasn't the least bit surprised that the Third Prince Zhao Hao and Jiang Jun already knew he had left the National Protection Hall. After all, with their influence in Thunder City, investigating his affairs would be trivially easy for them.

"Long Ao, I'll give you one last chance. Hand over the Thousand-Year Thunder Fruit and kneel to admit your mistake. If you do, I might spare you. Otherwise, it won't just be you—your entire family will suffer along with you."

At Zhao Hao's words, a terrifying killing intent suddenly erupted from Long Ao, pressing down on them with overwhelming force.

'My family is off-limits. I don't care who you are, not even if you're the Crown Prince of the Thunder Royal Family.'

"Zhao Hao, you're courting death."

"Hahaha! Long Ao, you dare to threaten the Third Prince? Who the hell do you think you are? Let me make this clear: kneel and hand over the Thousand-Year Thunder Fruit, or your family will pay the price for your actions."

Jiang Jun's face was filled with contempt as he continued, "Long Ao, don't think the Fourth Level Long Family will help you. Let me tell you, in the face of the Thunder Royal Family, you aren't shit, and neither is your family."

His fists clenched and his face darkened. At that moment, Long Ao was practically seething, his body suffused with a palpable killing intent.

'It's only now that I finally understand what Hao Chao said,' Long Ao thought. 'Whether it's Ouyang Fei or the entire Nebula Kingdom, they're all insignificant before the Thunder Empire. Even if Ouyang Fei wants to help me, he's willing but powerless to do so.'

Because of this, Long Ao now felt more keenly than ever that his own strength was still far from sufficient.

'As long as my family isn't completely safe,' he realized, 'my hands will always be tied.'

Seeing Long Ao's silence, Zhao Hao sneered and said, "Long Ao, I know you're feeling defiant, but let me offer you a piece of advice: a wise man knows when to yield."

"Shut up and die."

An overwhelming killing intent erupted as Long Ao shot into motion.

Jiang Jun and Zhao Hao were stunned. They had never imagined he would attack so suddenly. The two One-Line Heaven Martial Artists behind them shot forward in response.

Under normal circumstances, facing two One-Line Heaven Martial Artists at once, Long Ao should have been completely outmatched.

But this time was different. Long Ao struck with both palms, unleashing his Netherworld Nine-Link Strike, Ice-Sealed Heart Devourer, and even the Soul-Sealing Seal. He was clearly going for the kill.

CRACK! CRACK!

Long Ao moved so fast that the two Innate Martial Artists didn't even have time to react before he slapped each one dead with a single palm strike.

"Ah!"

Seeing the two One-Line Heaven Martial Artists killed in a single exchange, both Jiang Jun and Zhao Hao were utterly shocked. They didn't dare to linger, immediately turning to flee.

But would Long Ao let the two of them escape?

"Brother Long, let it go."

His killing intent already roused, Long Ao was forcefully intercepted by Liu Feng. He could only watch helplessly as the two fled and disappeared into the crowd.

The surrounding onlookers watched the sorry figures of Zhao Hao and Jiang Jun flee. They were all thrilled, and some even began to clap and cheer. This was what happened when you acted like a public menace.

"Brother Liu."

"Brother Long, come with me."

Looking at the man before him, Long Ao was inwardly stunned. He could clearly sense that Liu Feng's strength far surpassed his own. 'He's not at the Evolution Realm, or even the Fusion Realm... could he be a Unity Powerhouse?'

Long Ao had a gut feeling that if he were to fight Liu Feng, he wouldn't stand a chance of winning. Such was the immense gap between their Realms.

「Inside the auction house.」

"Brother Long, you were far too reckless. Provoking Zhao Hao and Jiang Jun was not wise. Even if you don't care about your own safety, you must consider the family that supports you."

Long Ao nodded. He knew he had been impulsive. If he had actually killed Jiang Jun and Zhao Hao, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

"Brother Liu, Zhao Hao and Jiang Jun threatened my family. That is something I cannot tolerate. If I don't kill them, who's to say they won't make a move against my family?"

"Brother Long, I understand your concern. You have already left the Nebula National Protection Hall. If the Thunder Royal Family and the three great families decide to move against you or your family, you will be too far away to help. If something were to happen..."

Liu Feng didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was perfectly clear.

Long Ao was no fool; he understood completely. After a moment's thought, he asked, "Brother Liu, do you have a way to help?"

Liu Feng nodded. "Brother Long, I was hesitant to bring this up again, but given the circumstances, there is only one solution. You must join our auction house. With the auction house's influence as a deterrent, I believe even the Thunder Royal Family won't dare to move rashly against you or your family."

'Join the auction house?'

After his experience with the National Protection Hall, Long Ao was reluctant to join another faction. 'Even if the Thunder Royal Family is wary of the auction house now, what about in the future?' he thought. 'If I run into another major power, or if the Royal Family becomes determined to deal with me, will the auction house still have my back?'

'The answer is almost certainly no.'

For this very reason, Long Ao replied without hesitation, "Brother Liu, to be honest, I don't plan on joining any faction from now on. I hope you can understand. Still, I will never forget the kindness you've shown me."

As if he had already guessed the answer, Liu Feng simply smiled. "Brother Long, rest assured. Even if you don't join the auction house, I give you my word: I will ensure the Long Family's safety. I won't let the Thunder Royal Family harm a single hair on their heads."

Hearing this, Long Ao said gratefully, "Thank you, Brother Liu."

With the help of Liu Feng and the auction house, Long Ao could finally breathe a sigh of relief. He wasn't worried about himself, but about his family. If Zhao Hao and Jiang Jun became desperate enough to go after them, the consequences would be dire.

After chatting briefly with Liu Feng, Long Ao left the auction house. Just then, a young man who appeared to be a servant strolled over and asked, "Are you Long Ao?"