War God Long Ao

「Inside the great hall.」

Only Zhao Mang and Gu Bai remained in the entire hall.

Zhao Mang's expression was grave. He asked, "Brother Gu, what is the meaning of this?"

Gu Bai, of course, knew what Zhao Mang was asking. He said with an indifferent expression, "Your Majesty, that boy is audacious and reckless. He actually killed Qiao Cheng and his three men. If I don't do something, how can I answer to the National Protection Hall?"

If Long Ao had been present to hear Gu Bai's words, he would certainly have been astonished.

Back when Long Ao killed Qiao Cheng and his men in the Thunder Forest, there were no witnesses. However, every member of the Thunder National Protection Hall shared a special connection. As Qiao Cheng was dying, he had already transmitted the news back to the National Protection Hall.

"Brother Gu, this matter is in the past. Why not just let it go?"

"Your Majesty, I will handle this matter."

Watching Gu Bai leave, Zhao Mang let out a deep sigh. But when comparing Gu Bai and the National Protection Hall to Long Ao, he would definitely choose the former.

No matter how great Long Ao's potential was, he could not compare to a Transformed Martial Artist and the entire National Protection Hall.

Normally, the twenty of them would not have been allowed to leave the Royal Family's grounds today. Long Ao, however, did not want to remain. He glanced at the city walls behind him and muttered to himself, "Gu Bai, I won't let you plot against me."

Long Ao was no fool. Of course he knew that Gu Bai was hostile toward him.

After thinking it over and over, Long Ao could only come to one conclusion: it had to be because of the four members of the National Protection Hall he had eliminated in the Thunder Forest, one of whom was Vice Hall Master Qiao Cheng.

Long Ao was very wary of Gu Bai.

No matter what, Gu Bai was the Hall Master of the Thunder National Protection Hall and a Transformed Martial Artist. If he was constantly targeting him, Long Ao would be in huge trouble.

"Brother Long, I finally found you."

Hearing someone call his name, Long Ao turned around and said happily, "Kuang Ao, what are you doing here?"

The newcomer was none other than Kuang Ao, one of Long Ao's few friends.

"Come on, I have something to tell you."

"Alright." Long Ao was very curious, wondering what Kuang Ao wanted to talk to him about. The two then found a secluded restaurant, ordered a table full of dishes, and had a few drinks before they started talking.

"Kuang Ao, did you need something from me?"

Nodding, Kuang Ao said, "Brother Long, I never would have thought you'd already entered the top seventy of the Hundred Battles Ranking. You're famous throughout Celestial State now."

Long Ao just smiled and didn't say much. After all, in his eyes, placing seventieth on the Hundred Battles Ranking was nothing special. It wasn't seventh, let alone first.

"Brother Long, I'll get to the point. I came looking for you this time for three reasons."

"What three reasons?"

"Brother Long, first, I just wanted to let you know that your family is safe and sound."

It would be a lie to say he wasn't moved. After all, for Kuang Ao to first reassure him about his family's safety—that was a true friend. Long Ao said nothing; everything was understood without words.

"Second, you're now seventieth on the Hundred Battles Ranking, so you need to be careful everywhere you go. Not only will people want to challenge you to take your spot on the ranking, but even those ranked higher than you will challenge you."

Hmm?

Seemingly a bit surprised, Long Ao couldn't quite understand. It made sense that some people would want to challenge him to take his spot on the Hundred Battles Ranking, but why would those with higher rankings also want to challenge him?

"Kuang Ao, why is that?"

"Brother Long, your story has spread throughout Celestial State. From a genius reduced to trash, you persevered for ten years and finally made a powerful comeback. In just a few short months, you've already climbed into the top seventy of the Hundred Battles Ranking. Such an achievement—tell me, how many people in all of Celestial State can do that?"

"Kuang Ao, get to the point." Long Ao had no desire to listen to flattery.

"Brother Long, it's precisely because of your powerful comeback and the fact that you challenged those above your level to enter the top seventy that the people ranked higher on the Hundred Battles Ranking want to challenge you. By defeating you, they can show off their own strength."

'So that's how it is.'

Long Ao wasn't the least bit worried. He said, "I'll deal with whatever comes my way. Whoever wants to challenge me, I'll be waiting."

Kuang Ao wasn't surprised in the slightest, as he knew Long Ao's personality well. Otherwise, there was no way Long Ao could have successfully seized the seventieth spot on the Hundred Battles Ranking in just a few short months.

"Brother Long, the third thing. I've received reliable information that the Fifth Level Long Family of Nebula City has spread a rumor. They're saying you trespassed in Dragon Valley, received the acknowledgment of a Dragon Egg, and became a Dragon Martial Artist, so..."

'A Dragon Martial Artist?'

Hearing Kuang Ao's words, Long Ao was inwardly shocked. He was no fool; of course he knew this was no joking matter. He knew what it meant to have secretly entered Dragon Valley, received the acknowledgment of a Dragon Egg, and become a Dragon Martial Artist.

'The Fifth Level Long Family of Nebula City.'

Long Ao instantly understood the Fifth Level Long Family's intentions. He and Long Ming had both obtained a Dragon Egg at the same time, but he had killed both Long Ming and his Fire Dragon. How could the Fifth Level Long Family and Long Ying possibly let that go?

But with his current strength and status, Long Ying knew it was impossible to kill him. Therefore, his only option was to expose the fact that Long Ao was a Dragon Martial Artist. That way, without having to lift a finger himself, a High Level Long Family would come to deal with him.

Regarding Dragon Valley, the Long Clan had a clear rule: only Long Families of the Third Level and above were permitted to enter Dragon Valley to choose a partner and become a Dragon Martial Artist.

In other words, if a Long Family below the Third Level secretly entered Dragon Valley, they would be annihilated by the Long Clan—no exceptions. Thus, the intentions of the Nebula City Long Family were as clear as day.

"Brother Long, I know I shouldn't ask, but I have to... are you really a Dragon Martial Artist now?"

Since things had already reached this point, Long Ao no longer concealed it. He nodded and said, "I entered Dragon Valley by chance, received the acknowledgment of a Dragon Egg, and became a Dragon Martial Artist."

Receiving confirmation, Kuang Ao was also greatly shocked.

Kuang Ao, of course, knew what being a Dragon Martial Artist meant. He said, "Brother Long, the Long Clan is one of the most powerful forces on the Celestial Martial Continent. I'm sure you know their rules better than I do. Now that this news is out, whether it's true or not, I believe the Long Clan will come looking for you. Brother Long, you're going to be in big trouble."

Long Ao didn't need Kuang Ao's reminder. He was well aware of what it would mean once the Long Clan found out he had become a Dragon Martial Artist.

Endless fury and direct annihilation—of that, there was no doubt.

Long Ao understood even more clearly that the Long Clan would not show consideration for anything. After all, they were one of the most powerful forces on the Celestial Martial Continent. It seemed even the Six Great Sects of Celestial State could not stand against them.

'That ruthless Fifth Level Long Family and Long Ying. I know perfectly well that since I already killed Long Ming and the Fire Dragon, even if I also exposed Long Ming as a Dragon Martial Artist, it would be a case of the dead can't testify. The Long Clan wouldn't believe me anyway. That being the case, saying more is pointless; it's better to say nothing at all.'

"Brother Long, what are you going to do next?"

Long Ao finally understood why Kuang Ao had sought him out. Having a friend like this was truly worth it.