War God Long Ao

White hair, black robes, and a resolute face etched with the hardships of time.

Long Ao left the cave and sprinted through the Thunder Forest. Whenever he encountered a target, he showed no mercy, striking to kill and seize their Soul Order.

BOOM.

Just as Long Ao was about to rest, he suddenly sensed an earth-shattering sound from up ahead. Curious, he immediately dashed toward it.

Kuang Ao was besieged by three men. He was already covered in wounds, his face was pale, and his body was teetering on the verge of collapse. It looked as if he could fall at any moment.

"Kuang Ao, I'm here to help you!"

Long Ao truly considered Kuang Ao a friend. How could he stand by and not help a friend in need?

Before he even arrived, a terrifying sword aura shot forth. The three men were forced back by the attack from Long Ao's saber and ceased their assault, choosing to stop.

"Brother Long, thank you."

Forcing his faltering body to obey, Kuang Ao managed to stay on his feet, refusing to fall.

Seeing Kuang Ao in this state, Long Ao's expression turned grim. He glared at the three men before him and demanded, "What kind of trash are you three, daring to harm my friend?"

"And what kind of trash are you?"

An Evolutionary Martial Artist?

Sensing that the youth was actually an Evolutionary Martial Artist, the three were somewhat surprised. However, Ye Bing and his companions didn't take him seriously. Ye Bing said coldly, "Ye Bing, Baofeng, and Du Jianhao of the Thunder National Protection Hall."

The Thunder National Protection Hall?

Hearing their identities, Long Ao was also a bit surprised. After all, his relationship with the Third Prince of the Thunder Royal Family was on very bad terms.

"Kid, who are you?"

"Long Ao of Red Fire Town."

Long Ao of Red Fire Town? Hearing Long Ao state his name, odd expressions appeared on the three men's faces. Ye Bing, one of the three, suddenly sneered. "So you're Long Ao. We searched high and low for you, only to have you fall right into our laps. Kid, are you going to kill yourself, or should I help you?"

"Are you three out of your minds?" Long Ao had already guessed that the three were connected to the Third Prince, Zhao Hao. 'It seems Zhao Hao has no intention of letting me go. Trouble has arrived.'

"Long Ao, you offended the Third Prince. Did you really think you could leave the Thunder Forest alive?"

"Hmph, hmph. Long Ao, don't say I didn't warn you. The Third Prince has not only issued a kill order within the Thunder National Protection Hall, but he has also had all the National Protection Halls of the thirty-two Kingdoms issue one for you. Did you think you could escape?"

A kill order?

Long Ao didn't doubt it for a second. After all, Zhao Hao was the Third Prince of the Thunder Empire; his status and position were undeniable.

The thirty-two Kingdoms were all Vassal States of the Thunder Empire. If Zhao Hao issued a kill order against him, would the members of the National Protection Halls in those thirty-two Kingdoms dare to refuse?

If it were just Zhao Hao acting alone, probably no one would pay him any mind. The problem was that Zhao Hao had issued the kill order in the name of the Thunder Empire. Even if the thirty-two Kingdoms were unwilling, they would never risk provoking the Thunder Empire over this matter.

Thirty-two Kingdoms, plus the Thunder Empire, meant a total of over three hundred people—in other words, more than three hundred Innate Martial Artists. 'Zhao Hao really thinks highly of me. An ordinary person truly couldn't withstand such a kill order.'

But would Long Ao be afraid?

With a cold snort, Long Ao said nonchalantly, "I don't care about any kill order. All I know is that you hurt my friend, and for that, you will all die."

It had to be said, Kuang Ao's strength was truly impressive. In just five days since entering the Thunder Forest, he had broken through from the Peak of One-Line Heaven to the Fusion Realm. The fact that he could fight three opponents at once and hold on for so long was a testament to his power.

"Hahaha, just you?" Hearing Long Ao's words, the three men laughed maniacally as if they had just heard the most ridiculous thing in the world. At that moment, all three attacked simultaneously. They were all Evolutionary Martial Artists and also National Protection Masters in the Thunder National Protection Hall.

The three were used to being high and mighty and didn't give Long Ao a second thought.

It was precisely this arrogance that directly affected the duration of the battle. Seeking a swift victory, Long Ao immediately unleashed the Soul-Sealing Seal the moment he attacked. Then, he swung the Blood-Drinking Mad Saber in his hands, instantly layering the Netherworld Nine-Link Strike and Ice-Sealed Heart Devourer. A terrifying sword aura slashed down viciously.

At the Peak of the Evolution Realm, the power of the Soul-Sealing Seal had increased once more. It silently invaded the bodies of the three men. Before they could even react, the Soul-Sealing Seal had already begun to corrode their souls.

Greatly alarmed, the three men, with shocked expressions, immediately tried to circulate their power to resist this mysterious and strange force. But because of this distraction, the terrifying sword aura slashed down. The three didn't even have a chance to fight back before they were cut down by the single strike.

Killing three Evolutionary Martial Artists with a single strike?

Kuang Ao swallowed hard, a look of utter shock on his face. He had never imagined that Long Ao's strength was so immense that he could actually kill three Evolutionary Martial Artists with a single slash.

What did that even mean?

Kuang Ao knew very well in his heart that with Long Ao's current strength, he would likely never meet a worthy opponent among Martial Artists below the Fusion Realm. Didn't that mean Long Ao was the number one person beneath the Fusion Martial Artist level?

"Brother Long, you're too powerful."

Long Ao just smiled. He took ten Soul Orders from the three bodies. Besides their own three, he assumed the remaining seven were ones they had obtained by killing other Martial Artists.

"Brother Long, what those three said just now wasn't a lie. I also received news that the Third Prince of the Thunder Empire, Zhao Hao, has issued a kill order for you. Not just in the Thunder Empire, but all the Martial Artists in the other thirty-two Kingdoms will be trying to kill you. It's said that whoever brings him your head will receive a great reward."

Long Ao smiled, choosing to completely ignore the kill order.

"Kuang Ao, I already know about this. Whether Zhao Hao issued a kill order or not, to me, it only means one thing: whoever provokes me will pay the price, and that includes the Third Prince, Zhao Hao."

Kuang Ao was very familiar with Brother Long's domineering personality and his strength. Because of this, he didn't say anything more.

After a moment of thought, Kuang Ao said, "Brother Long, I'm also participating in the Thunder Battle this time. I just knew I would run into you."

"It must be fate."

"Right, it's fate. Brother Long, since we've met, why don't we team up for the Thunder Battle? What do you say?"

Waving his hand, Long Ao of course disagreed. It wasn't that he was unwilling to team up with Kuang Ao for the Thunder Battle—after all, Kuang Ao and Hao Chao held a special place in his heart. The reason Long Ao refused was simple: the kill order Zhao Hao had issued for him.

If Kuang Ao really teamed up with him for the Thunder Battle, wouldn't Kuang Ao be in constant danger of being killed?

As a friend, he would never do that to him. That's what being a friend meant.