Chapter 137: And What Are You?
The Celestial Martial Continent consists of Kyushu.
In the Celestial State, six great sects vied for supremacy: the Ghost King Sect, the Blood Sea Sect, the Wind and Thunder Sect, the Golden Sun Sect, the Flame Sect, and the Thunder Sect.
Among them, the most powerful were the Thunder Sect and the Flame Sect, which dominated the entire Celestial State Mortal World, each controlling half of the territory.
Below those two major sects was the Golden Sun Sect. There were even rumors that after years of development, the Golden Sun Sect's power and foundation had faintly begun to surpass that of the Flame Sect and the Thunder Sect.
In a pavilion on the rear mountain of the Golden Sun Sect.
"Father, no matter what, I must have Ao Xue."
This was Zhang Zhihang, the Young Sect Leader of the Golden Sun Sect and also its number one genius. At a young age, he had already broken through to the Earth Emperor Realm and was also ranked third on the Wind and Cloud Ranking.
As for Zhang Zhihang's father, Zhang Mo, he was the Sect Leader of the Golden Sun Sect. His strength was unfathomably deep, and his personality was insidious and cunning, yet on the surface, he always wore a smiling expression.
"Zhihang, the rumors spreading from the Ghost King Sect about Ao Xue and Long Ao make it clear they no longer want this marriage arrangement."
Before Zhang Mo could finish, Zhang Zhihang said angrily, "Hmph. Back then, this marriage was personally arranged by the Ghost King and you, Father. It's not something the Ghost King can just back out of because he feels like it."
"Zhihang, the Ghost King Sect will be destroyed sooner or later. Even if you marry Ao Xue, you will become enemies. Why bother?"
"No! I swear I will marry Ao Xue, even if it costs me my life."
Sighing deeply in his heart, Zhang Mo said, "Zhihang, let your father think this matter over carefully."
"Father, I'll resolve my own affairs. I'm leaving for the Thunder Empire shortly. I'd like to see for myself just what kind of person this Long Ao is."
Zhang Zhihang was naturally confident. After all, to be ranked third on the Wind and Cloud Ranking at his age was a testament to his strength.
The Wind and Cloud Ranking was a list that stood above the Hundred Battles Ranking.
Only those from the Mortal World could pursue a spot on the Hundred Battles Ranking; disciples of the Six Great Sects were not eligible.
But the Wind and Cloud Ranking was different. Anyone from the Celestial State under the age of thirty could compete for a spot on it. In terms of age restrictions alone, the Wind and Cloud Ranking was in a different league from the Hundred Battles Ranking.
「Nebula City.」
Long Ao and Ouyang Fei drank for the entire night before parting ways. To Ouyang Fei, Long Ao was not merely a friend; there was a large element of self-interest in their relationship. Although he was the Crown Prince of the Kingdom, it was still uncertain whether the Emperor's throne would truly be his. For that very reason, Ouyang Fei needed to make plans for himself.
Night fell, and the sky was filled with twinkling stars. In the pitch-black darkness, one could only hear the occasional croak of a frog, yet Nebula City remained as bustling as ever. A big city was a big city, after all.
Long Ao, who had just been preparing to begin his Cultivation, suddenly had his expression change. Surprised, he didn't hesitate for a moment, leaping out and swiftly following a dark figure.
One after the other, the person in black and Long Ao instantly vanished into the dark night. In the blink of an eye, they had already left Nebula City.
「On a secluded mountaintop.」
"Who might you be?"
On full alert, Long Ao realized that the aura emanating from the black-clothed person before him was incredibly powerful, seemingly on par with the two Elders from the Blood Sea Sect he had met before.
'An Earth Emperor?'
Although he was reluctant to admit it, Long Ao knew with certainty in his heart that the person in black before him was, without a doubt, an Earth Emperor Martial Artist.
An Earth Emperor Martial Artist. Long Ao grew even more vigilant. 'Could this person be an expert from the Blood Sea Sect, here to deal with me?'
"You are Long Ao."
"I am."
"Nothing but a waste."
'Waste?' Hearing the other party call him a waste right from the start, Long Ao's expression instantly turned cold. He didn't act rashly, however; after all, his opponent's strength was plain to see.
"I thought you were some big shot, but it turns out you're just a measly Unity Martial Artist. Long Ao, tell me, if you're not a waste, what are you?"
"And what are you?"
Faced with the man's unprovoked mockery, Long Ao's patience finally snapped. 'So what if you're an Earth Emperor Martial Artist?' he snarled coldly. 'Worst comes to worst, we fight.'
Sensing the powerful momentum and fighting spirit emanating from the other man, Zhang Zhihang seemed somewhat surprised, yet his expression was still full of disdain. He nodded and said, "My name is Zhang Zhihang, from the Golden Sun Sect."
'Zhang Zhihang?'
Long Ao didn't know anything about Zhang Zhihang. After all, in the Mortal World, people paid attention to the Hundred Battles Ranking, not the Wind and Cloud Ranking.
However, he was not at all unfamiliar with the Golden Sun Sect. As one of the Six Great Sects of the Celestial Martial Continent, one could well imagine the Golden Sun Sect's power and foundation.
For this very reason, Long Ao was quite curious. He didn't know why this Zhang Zhihang from the Golden Sun Sect was looking for him, as he seemingly had no connection to the Golden Sun Sect.
As if sensing Long Ao's confusion, Zhang Zhihang sneered and said, "Long Ao, I don't care if you're a toad lusting after a swan, but let me give you a piece of advice: stay away from Ao Xue. Otherwise, I'll make you wish you could neither live nor die."
'Ao Xue?'
Long Ao finally understood why this person had sought him out. It was because of Ao Xue.
"What I have with Ao Xue is none of your business."
"Hahaha! Long Ao, you surely don't know, do you? I am Ao Xue's fiancé. Now do you understand my relationship with her?"
"Zhang Zhihang, the marriage arrangement between us was the result of your father's trickery back then! I never agreed to it!" At that moment, Ghost King Ao Tian and Ao Xue suddenly appeared, Ao Xue's face filled with fury.
Walking to Long Ao's side, Ao Xue gave him an apologetic smile and said, "Long Ao, I have never acknowledged the marriage arrangement between him and me."
Taking Ao Xue's hand, Long Ao smiled as well and said, "I know. You are my woman. No matter who it is, they can't even dream of snatching you from me."
"Let go of Ao Xue."
The aura released by Zhang Zhihang was instantly suppressed by the Ghost King. His face turning grim to the extreme, Zhang Zhihang asked, "Uncle, what is the meaning of this?"
"Zhihang, as for the matter between you and Ao Xue, I will give you an explanation later. But Long Ao is a guest of my Ghost King Sect. I hope you will not cause him any trouble."
Zhang Zhihang was very surprised. He couldn't understand why a mere Mortal Disciple, someone who hadn't even reached the Transformation Realm, could win the Ghost King's favor. Although he himself was an Earth Emperor Martial Artist and ranked third on the Wind and Cloud Ranking, when compared to the Ghost King, the two of them weren't even in the same league.
"Uncle, no matter what happened back then, you were the one who personally agreed to the marriage between me and Ao Xue. Furthermore, in three months, it will be the day of our wedding. I hope you have not forgotten that."
'Getting married in three months?' Hearing this, Long Ao was stunned.
Before Long Ao could say anything more, Zhang Zhihang spoke up. "Long Ao, I'm telling you, a waste will always be a waste. A toad lusting after a swan is destined to remain a dream. Today, out of respect for Uncle, I'll spare your life. If you dare to pester Ao Xue again, I will definitely kill you."