War God Long Ao

Moon Gazing Tower.

Moon Gazing Tower was Thunder City's most famous attraction. Every year, countless people were drawn by its reputation, all hoping to witness its splendor.

Long Ao arrived at Moon Gazing Tower and gazed up at the nine-story-tall structure. Even now, he couldn't figure out who would have asked to meet him here.

'Is it really the Third Prince, Zhao Hao?'

Long Ao had been pondering this question the entire way here and had concluded it was almost impossible.

'After all, if it were truly the Third Prince, Zhao Hao, why would he send a little girl?'

The nine-story Moon Gazing Tower.

Since he was already here, Long Ao didn't hesitate any longer. He started walking, climbing one floor after another. A few minutes later, he reached the top of Moon Gazing Tower.

At that moment, Long Ao finally realized something was wrong. As Thunder City's most famous attraction, Moon Gazing Tower was normally packed with people, to the point of being crowded.

But now?

The entire tower, from the first floor to the ninth, was completely empty. In all of Thunder City, only two people had the power to accomplish such a feat: one was the Emperor of the Thunder Royal Family, Zhao Mang, and the other was the Hall Master of the Thunder National Protection Hall, Gu Bai.

"Since you summoned me here, why not show yourself?"

No one answered.

"If you're still not coming out, then I'll be leaving," Long Ao said, turning as if to depart. This tactic of feigning retreat was often effective.

PFFT. With a soft giggle, Ao Xue stepped out slowly, covering her mouth.

Seeing Ao Xue, Long Ao was stunned for a moment before he, too, smiled. Her appearance was a welcome surprise. After all, she was the woman who had taken his first time. For that reason alone, he would never be able to forget her for the rest of his life.

"Long Ao, you were just about to leave the moment you saw me?"

"How was I supposed to know it was you?"

Walking over to Ao Xue's side, Long Ao asked with great curiosity, "Ao Xue, how did you manage this?"

Ao Xue naturally understood what Long Ao meant. She gave a mysterious smile and said, "Don't worry. Although the Thunder Empire has the Thunder Sect backing it, they still have to give my Ghost King Sect some face. I'm just borrowing the Moon Gazing Tower for a day. The Thunder Royal Family wouldn't refuse."

This was power. This was influence.

Long Ao knew in his heart that Ao Xue alone could never have accomplished this. It was all because of the Ghost King Sect behind her.

Long Ao was about to say something more, but Ao Xue shushed him. After that, neither of them spoke, simply standing quietly on the ninth floor of Moon Gazing Tower, watching the distant sun set.

The setting sun left a crimson glow across the horizon. The afterglow scattered across the tranquil landscape below, which shimmered with a brilliant radiance.

A gentle breeze swept by, sending ripples across the land. Each ripple seemed to dance, like countless golden eyes blinking—a truly beautiful sight!

Dusk finally faded, and darkness gradually descended.

Ao Xue stretched languidly and sighed. "Sunsets are the most beautiful. Long Ao, I heard you're going to participate in the competition between the two Empires?"

Long Ao didn't hide anything from Ao Xue. He nodded and said, "Yes."

"Listen to me. Withdraw from the competition immediately. There's no benefit in this for you at all."

Seeing Ao Xue's solemn expression, Long Ao grew very curious and asked in confusion, "Ao Xue, why is that?"

"Long Ao, there's something you don't know. Both the Flame Empire and the Thunder Empire have Sects supporting them. This competition between the Empires is, in reality, a battle between the Flame Sect and the Thunder Sect. If you lose, your life will be in danger. If you win, you'll not only offend the Flame Empire but also the Flame Sect. It's a thankless task, no matter the outcome. Why would you do it?"

So that was how it was.

Thinking about Ao Xue's words, Long Ao felt that this matter was indeed very troublesome. After all, the competition between the Flame Empire and the Thunder Empire concerned the pride of two Major Sects. Whether he won or lost, it would be a hassle.

Before this, Long Ao truly hadn't considered these issues. If he had known how troublesome this would be, he would never have agreed, no matter what.

But Long Ao knew very well that since he had already given his word, he had to see it through. A person must have integrity.

Because of this, Long Ao said, "Ao Xue, my mind is made up. No matter what, I will participate in the competition between the two Empires ten days from now."

Ao Xue knew Long Ao's personality well. She was a little worried, but what she said was, "Long Ao, you have to remember: don't be reckless, don't try to be the hero. Hide your true strength as much as you can, understand?"

Long Ao, of course, knew Ao Xue was looking out for him. He nodded and promised, "Don't worry. I'll protect my life."

And with that, Ao Xue and Long Ao left Moon Gazing Tower. The very next minute, the previously empty tower was once again packed with people. Eighty percent of them were grumbling and cursing, but they didn't dare to speak their anger aloud. After all, it was the Thunder Royal Family that had sealed off the tower.

Long Ao was very surprised by Ao Xue's sudden appearance, but more than that, he felt a sense of warmth.

Returning to the inn, Long Ao didn't wander around anymore. Instead, he stayed in and focused on his Cultivation. In the blink of an eye, two days had passed.

「On the evening of the third day.」

Long Fu had successfully completed the Refinement of the one hundred Soaring Dragon Pills and the Ten-Thousand-Year Blood Ganoderma, converting them into powerful streams of energy that flowed ceaselessly into Long Ao's and Long Qiang's bodies.

The frantic influx of power made Long Ao and Long Qiang not dare to be the slightest bit careless. Both of them knew clearly that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Long Ao and Long Qiang both possessed the Desolate Sacred Body, which required a terrifying amount of energy. However, the power refined from one hundred Soaring Dragon Pills and the Ten-Thousand-Year Blood Ganoderma was immense, more than enough for them to absorb.

But Long Ao and Long Qiang were no fools. They certainly knew it was impossible to absorb it all. If they tried, the ceaseless flood of energy into their bodies would not only be unhelpful but also extremely harmful. For this reason, they only absorbed a third of it, using it for their respective Cultivation to prepare for a breakthrough.

In just five short days, both Long Ao's and Long Qiang's Cultivation broke through to the Peak of Fusion Realm. They were just one step away from officially breaking into the Unity Realm, but time was running out. After all, the competition between the two Empires was tomorrow, and the Envoys from the Flame Empire would be arriving in Thunder City today.

On the ninth day, with only one day remaining before the competition between the two Empires, Long Ao, as an Envoy for the Thunder Empire, was summoned to the Imperial Palace by the Thunder Royal Family. Inside the grand hall, Zhao Mang sat on the dragon throne with Gu Bai seated beside him. Below them, aside from a few Princes, were the twenty members participating in the competition. Long Ao stood at the very back, observing the nineteen people before him and getting a rough idea of the group.

Of the nineteen others, ten were from the Thunder Royal Family, and the remaining nine were from the three great families. Including him, there were twenty in total.