War God Long Ao

"You are Long Ao?"

Ouyang Zhong's voice was exceedingly cold, like ten-thousand-year-old ice.

As a Transformed Martial Artist, Ouyang Zhong was brimming with confidence. His opponent was just a mere Unity Martial Artist; there was no way he could be a match for him.

The Innate Realm and the Transformation Realm were separated by a fundamental gap.

Simply put, even an Innate Unity Martial Artist couldn't possibly defeat someone in the Transformation Realm.

"I am."

"And do you know who I am?"

"Ouyang Zhong, the Nebula Ancestor of the Nebula Royal Family."

A hint of appreciation seemed to cross his face, but Ouyang Zhong suddenly let out a cold laugh. "I've heard about you. I must admit, you're quite impressive. Ten years of persistence, followed by a meteoric rise in just a few months. That tenacity and talent alone are enough for you to look down on your peers."

Long Ao said nothing, his silence a silent answer.

"Ranked eleventh on the Hundred Battles Ranking, Long Ao. You killed Tang Lin and Yang Yi, so I should be killing you. But I have a certain weakness—I greatly admire talent. Therefore, I'm prepared to give you a chance."

Long Ao still said nothing. He wanted to hear what kind of trick the old man was trying to pull.

"Long Ao, as long as you are willing to join the National Protection Hall, the Nebula Royal Family will let bygones be bygones. Furthermore, the position of National Protection Hall Master will be yours."

It had to be admitted that the terms Ouyang Zhong offered were indeed tempting. An ordinary person would surely be unable to refuse. But would Long Ao agree?

The answer was obvious.

"The deaths of the men from the Nebula National Protection Hall were their own fault; they have no one to blame but themselves. I will not be joining the National Protection Hall. I appreciate the sentiment, but I'll pass."

A direct refusal, to his face.

If anyone else had been standing there, they would have thought Long Ao had lost his mind. To dare refuse the Nebula Ancestor to his face—wasn't that just courting death?

Ouyang Zhong didn't get angry at all. Instead, he smiled and said, "Long Ao, a young man with a lot of backbone. I know it wasn't easy for you to achieve what you have today, so I'll ask you one last time: will you join the National Protection Hall?"

"I prefer to be free and unconstrained."

Although Long Ao didn't refuse outright, the meaning behind his words was crystal clear.

The moment his voice fell, a terrifying aura erupted from Ouyang Zhong, pressing down on Long Ao like the sky itself.

A Transformed Martial Artist's aura alone was not something a Unity Martial Artist could withstand.

The inn where Long Ao was staying was the most luxurious in Nebula City. Nebula City was also a gathering place for experts, so in no time at all, the area around the inn was filled with people, all looking up at the two figures on the roof.

Perhaps few people recognized Ouyang Zhong. After all, this Ancestor of the Nebula Royal Family had been in seclusion for a full ten years.

But many people recognized Long Ao. In recent months, his rise had made him a celebrity in the Nebula Kingdom, and an idol in the hearts of countless underdogs.

Whispers spread as everyone guessed at the identity of the old man facing Long Ao.

Members of the Nebula Royal Family, including Ouyang Feng and Ouyang Fei, had all arrived. Ouyang Fei's fists were clenched tightly. In his heart, for reasons both public and private, he didn't want to see Long Ao fall. 'But before our Ancestor, can Long Ao truly survive?'

CRACK.

His bones groaned under the pressure of the aura, but Long Ao still refused to give up. His sheer determination allowed him to stand tall and proud, firmly resisting the powerful aura Ouyang Zhong was unleashing.

'He withstood it?'

Seeing his opponent unexpectedly hold his ground, Ouyang Zhong was quite surprised. The corner of his mouth curled into a cold smirk, and the aura radiating from him grew even stronger, wave after powerful wave, like a surging ocean tide.

A Transformed Martial Artist.

A Transformed Martial Artist had not only been baptized by a Thunder Tribulation but had also undergone a qualitative transformation. In other words, the power Ouyang Zhong now possessed was transformed Spiritual Power. His aura, in particular, having also been tempered by a Thunder Tribulation and transformed, was something an Innate aura could not compare to.

'I have to strike first.'

Long Ao was no fool. He knew perfectly well that with his current strength, trying to withstand his opponent's aura was a fool's dream. That being the case, he was better off striking first—he might just have a chance.

'Long Ao attacked first?'

Watching Long Ao suddenly make a move, never mind Ouyang Zhong, even Ouyang Feng and Ouyang Fei were utterly shocked. They thought he must have lost his mind. Others might not know the extent of Ouyang Zhong's power, but how could they not?

A Transformed Martial Artist, the undisputed number one expert in the Nebula Kingdom. By striking first, wasn't Long Ao just courting death?

With a cold snort, Ouyang Zhong's face filled with contempt and disdain. His figure was a blur, and he appeared behind Long Ao without a sound.

Long Ao had moved first, but he was still no match for Ouyang Zhong's speed.

The Transformation Realm was the Transformation Realm, after all. Sensing the presence behind him, Long Ao was greatly alarmed. Not daring to be the slightest bit careless, he immediately whipped around to counterattack, but he was a step too slow. He was struck hard by Ouyang Zhong, his body sent flying backward.

Spitting a mouthful of blood, Long Ao forced his flying body to a stop. Before he could even regain his footing, Ouyang Zhong charged at him again, giving him no chance to catch his breath.

Soul-Sealing Seal! Nether Burning Seal! He unleashed them in quick succession. Not only that, but the Blood-Drinking Mad Saber in his hand also slashed out. The first three techniques of the Blood-Drinking Eight Techniques—the first, Netherworld Nine-Link Strike; the second, Ice-Sealed Heart Devourer; and the third, Sea of Blazing Flames—were unleashed simultaneously, stacking on top of each other. A terrifying Blade Aura surged forth.

The Heaven-Shocking Blade Aura streaked through the dark night like a shooting star.

Ouyang Zhong, who hadn't taken Long Ao seriously at all, didn't seem to react in time. However, the Transformation Realm was the Transformation Realm. He dodged at the last possible moment, narrowly avoiding the Blade Aura, but the close call left him drenched in a cold sweat.

Only now did Ouyang Zhong finally understand how the young man before him could have risen so quickly in just a few short months. Though he was only in the Unity Realm, his true strength could not be underestimated. Even as a Transformed Martial Artist, if he hadn't reacted so quickly just now, he might have suffered a serious blow.

"Long Ao, I must admit, you truly are a prodigy. I'll give you one last chance. If you are willing to join the National Protection Hall, not only can you become the National Protection Hall Master, but I will also take you as my disciple. In the future, half of the Nebula Kingdom will be yours."

Hearing this, Ouyang Feng and Ouyang Fei were flabbergasted. The others in the crowd now also realized the old man's identity: the Nebula Ancestor of the Nebula Royal Family, a figure whose status surpassed even that of Emperor Ouyang Feng. Because of this, everyone knew exactly what Ouyang Zhong's words meant.

Half the kingdom, the position of National Protection Hall Master, and the disciple of the Nebula Royal Family's Ancestor. With these three conditions combined, the temptation was almost impossible to resist. The people surrounding the inn asked themselves honestly: if they were offered such terms, would they refuse?