War God Long Ao

「The Nebula Royal Family」

The Nebula Royal Family had undergone a dynastic change, passing from the former Ouyang Family to the Wang Family of today.

Five great families vied for dominance in Nebula City: the Fifth Level Long Family, the Miao Family, the Cheng Family, the Nangong Family, and the recently added Ouyang Family.

Aside from the Ouyang and Long Families, the other three—the Miao, Cheng, and Nangong Families—all resented the Wang Family from Red Fire Town taking control of the Nebula Royal Family. However, because of Long Ao, they dared not voice their anger.

Inside the great hall of the royal palace.

Although the Wang Family had taken over the palace, Wang Yidao did not become the Emperor. Instead, the one who inherited the throne was Wang Yuyin's father, Wang Han.

"Ao'Er, now that our Wang Family occupies the royal palace, the other families are watching us like tigers. If they manage to turn the tables, I fear we won't stand a chance."

Long Ao was well aware of Grandpa Wang's concerns. After all, the Wang Family was far too weak. Compared to the five great families of Nebula City, they simply weren't in the same league.

"Grandpa Wang, our situation doesn't allow for any more waiting. Since we've already taken over the palace, the Wang Family must start building its power immediately."

"Brother Wang, have you no confidence?" Long Haoshi said with a smile. "If it weren't for the Long Clan's explicit rule forbidding our family from taking the throne, it would be the Long Family in this palace right now, not the Wang Family."

"Brother Long, even you're mocking me now."

Seeing Wang Yidao's dejected expression, Long Haoshi said, "Brother Wang, since things are as they are, you need to show some backbone."

"Brother Long, I have backbone. But I must have your support."

Wang Yidao was a clever man. He knew full well that no matter how powerful Long Ao became or how far he went, he would always have to listen to Long Haoshi. Their respective positions would never change.

Both Long Haoshi and Long Ao understood exactly what Wang Yidao was implying.

Long Haoshi smiled. "The relationship between the Long and Wang Families is plain to see. No matter what happens, the Long Family will stand behind you and support you. How does that sound?"

Hearing Long Haoshi's assurance, Wang Yidao burst out laughing.

Wang Han, Wang Yuyin's father and the current Emperor of the Nebula Royal Family, gave Long Ao a meaningful look. Understanding at once, they both quietly excused themselves, leaving the two elders, Wang Yidao and Long Haoshi, alone.

「Outside the Palace」

"Uncle, you wanted to see me?"

Wang Han nodded, clearly pleased with his son-in-law. "Ao'Er, is there any news of Yuyin?"

'Yuyin.'

Even now, Long Ao had no news of Yuyin. He only knew she had been taken away by a mysterious expert to some unknown location. Even if he wanted to search for her, he had no idea where to begin.

"Uncle, still no news. But I will go look for her soon. I'm sorry."

Wang Han smiled. "Ao'Er, you don't need to blame yourself. I've met Yuyin's master a few times myself. I just never expected her to take Yuyin away so suddenly. Finding her in this vast world will be no easy task."

Long Ao shook his head helplessly, at a loss for words.

The next day, Long Ao and Long Haoshi left the Nebula Royal Family and headed for Red Fire Town. In Red Fire Town today, the Long Family was the sole dominant power, like a local Earth Emperor.

As for the Wang Family's new position in the royal palace, Long Ao was confident. He believed that as long as he was alive, the five great families wouldn't dare to make any rash moves. But if he were to die, it was hard to say what fortune or disaster would follow.

「Red Fire Town, the Long Family Estate」

This time, upon his return, Long Ao spent most of his time with his parents, grandfather, and siblings, aside from his Cultivation.

In just a few short days, Long Ao had Long Fu produce a large number of Spirit Balls. These balls were filled with a power that Long Fu created through Refinement in the Blood Pool. This power was completely different from ordinary Soul Power, and could be absorbed by any Martial Artist.

Counting the days, there were about fifteen days left until Ao Xue and Zhang Zhihang's wedding.

This meant that Long Ao had to set out in five days, or else he wouldn't make it to the Ghost King Sect in time.

'I know this trip to the Ghost King Sect is a matter of life and death,' Long Ao thought. 'If my luck runs out and I die there, what will happen to my family?'

This was precisely why he'd had Long Fu create so many Spirit Balls. He believed that even if he died at the Ghost King Sect, his family could use these Spirit Balls to cultivate for several years, or even decades, until they had the strength to protect themselves.

No one in the Long Family knew what was going on with Long Ao, or why he was staying so quietly at home this time. Normally, he would have been long gone by now.

Everyone wanted him to stay, so no one questioned it.

「In His Room」

"Father, Mother, I'm preparing to leave. I might be gone for a long time. If anything happens, go to the Fire Qilin. I've already spoken with him."

"Ao'Er, you're leaving again?" Mu Lin said, her face filled with reluctance.

But Long Yi just smiled. "Ao'Er is a grown man now. This is how it should be. Go on, don't worry. I'll take care of your mother; she'll be fine."

'My parents... the most important people in the world to me.' Long Ao repeated to himself. 'No matter what happens, I can't let anything happen to them. Not even if I die.'

He didn't say a word about his trip to the Ghost King Sect, not wanting to worry his parents. For the remaining five days, Long Ao stayed by their side, never straying far.

Eighty days had passed. With less than ten days left before the three-month deadline, Long Ao knew it was time to depart. 'If I miss the wedding,' he thought, 'I'll truly lose Ao Xue.'

Long Ao didn't consider himself a womanizer. Even now, there were only two women he truly loved. The first was, without a doubt, Yuyin. The second was Ao Xue.

He couldn't bear to lose either of them.

「The Summit of Red Fire Mountain」

A cold wind gusted around Long Ao as he stood quietly, gazing into the endless void. This journey to the Ghost King Sect would be a brush with death, offering only a slim chance of survival. He could not afford a single mistake; the consequences would be unimaginable.

The Ghost King Sect was a veritable Dragon Pool and Tiger's Den. But Ao Xue was there, so no matter the danger, Long Ao would go. It was as the saying goes: to knowingly walk into the tiger's den. That was his state of mind.

His fists clenched tightly as he stared into the endless black void. Gradually, the first light of dawn broke, spreading across the land. Atop the summit of Red Fire Mountain, Long Ao had stood for an entire night, unmoving, his expression unchanged.

'Ao Xue, wait for me. No matter what, I won't let you marry Zhang Zhihang. You will always be my woman. Ghost King Sect... I'm coming for you.'