War God Long Ao

"You don't dare?"

Zhang Mo sneered, his face a mask of contempt and disdain.

At that moment, not a single one of the ten thousand people in the square looked down on Long Ao. Instead, they began to look down on the father and son from the Zhang Family.

But the Zhang father and son ignored the crowd's disdain. Zhang Zhihang said with a laugh, "Long Ao, don't think you're invincible just because you used some devious tricks to beat me. Let me be clear: you're not even worth a fart."

"That's right. I'm not even worth a fart. You *are* one."

Hearing Long Ao's words, everyone roared with laughter. But a single cold glance from Ao Tian was enough to frighten them all into silence. In an instant, you could hear a pin drop.

"Ahem."

Just then, Xia Fang suddenly stood up and said with a smile, "Brother Ao, I'd like to say something in the interest of fairness, if I may."

Xia Fang, the Sect Leader of the Thunder Sect, had reached the level of Venerable Peak, far surpassing Ghost King Ao Tian and Zhang Mo. Furthermore, with the power and foundation of the Thunder Sect laid bare for all to see, even Ao Tian dared not provoke Xia Fang casually.

"Brother Xia, you are too kind. Please, speak your mind."

"Very well, Brother Ao. We have all witnessed the sincerity of Long Ao's feelings for Ao Xue. I would like to ask, could the Ghost King Sect perhaps give Long Ao a chance? A fair chance."

Upon hearing this, the faces of Zhang Mo and Zhang Zhihang instantly darkened, becoming as ugly as could be.

Zhang Zhihang and Zhang Mo had never imagined that Xia Fang would suddenly speak up for Long Ao. The matter instantly became thorny; after all, the Thunder Sect was not to be trifled with.

Ao Tian lowered his head in thought, then suddenly nodded.

'This isn't good.'

Although he was furious, Zhang Mo was helpless. Xia Fang had already intervened, and Ao Tian had already nodded in agreement. If he were to step forward now, it would only escalate the conflict into a battle between the Golden Sun Sect and the Thunder Sect.

Zhang Mo was no fool. If the Golden Sun Sect were to truly fight the Thunder Sect, they would gain no advantage whatsoever.

Zhang Mo would never make a losing deal.

Moreover, as the Sect Leader of the Golden Sun Sect, the first thing Zhang Mo always considered was the Sect's best interests.

"Brother Ao, Long Ao just defeated Zhang Zhihang. That should count as earning his chance," Zhang Mo interjected.

Waving his hand dismissively, Ao Tian said, "Fine. I will give Long Ao a chance."

"Long Ao, I will give you three trials. If you can successfully pass all three, I promise to let you take Ao Xue with you. What do you say?"

"I agree," Long Ao accepted without a moment's hesitation. He knew this was his only chance. With Zhang Mo's power, there was no way he could simply take Ao Xue by force.

Three trials?

Everyone grew expectant, wondering what the three trials set by the Ghost King would be. However, they all knew one thing for certain: any trial devised by the Ghost King would be far from simple.

"The first trial: withstand three of Brother Zhang's moves."

PFFT.

Hearing the Ghost King announce the first trial, everyone was completely stunned. Forgetting the second and third trials for a moment, could Long Ao even survive the first?

Zhang Mo was the Sect Leader of the Golden Sun Sect, an expert at the Venerable Realm. Forget Long Ao; even a Taoist Ancestor might not be able to withstand three of his moves. At that thought, everyone understood. Ghost King Ao Tian was simply trying to make Long Ao back down in the face of an impossible task.

"Brother Long," Xia Jun began.

Waving his hand to stop Xia Jun, Long Ao's expression was firm as he nodded. "I accept. Tell me the other two trials. No matter what, I am taking Ao Xue with me."

Long Ao's persistence, his refusal to surrender, his profound love—it all deeply moved a certain someone watching. For if they asked themselves honestly, could anyone else have done the same in his place?

"The second trial: you must kill the Heaven-Devouring Python."

Hearing the Ghost King's second trial, the crowd was shocked beyond belief. It was common knowledge that a Heaven-Devouring Python lived in the back mountains of the Ghost King Sect. Although it was only at the Earth Emperor Realm, it could draw on the power of the valley, making it a match for even a Venerable.

For this very reason, the valley in the Ghost King Sect's mountains had been designated a Forbidden Land. Ordinarily, Sect disciples were forbidden from setting foot inside on pain of severe punishment.

Giving Long Ao no time to think, Ao Tian continued, "If you successfully pass the first two trials, then one month from now, during the tournament between the Six Sects, you will represent the Ghost King Sect and help me obtain the Venerable Golden Core. If you do that, you may take Ao Xue. It's up to you whether you agree or not."

"Brother Ao," Zhang Mo started.

But after Ao Tian shot him a meaningful glance and they exchanged a Spiritual Communication, Zhang Mo finally understood. He simply smiled and said no more.

The three trials announced by Ghost King Ao Tian were all incredibly difficult. Each was fraught with peril, where the slightest mistake would mean certain death.

But Long Ao didn't even hesitate before agreeing. "Fine," he said. "I agree."

I agree.

To agree to such trials… Everyone immediately began to applaud Long Ao. Whether he could pass or not was another matter entirely; his courage alone was worthy of their admiration.

"I will give you ten minutes to rest."

Long Ao didn't stand on ceremony. Although he had used the Nine Needle God-Sealing and two drops of blood to forcibly enhance his strength, his fight with Zhang Zhihang had consumed too much of his energy. If he didn't rest, he feared it would be difficult to withstand three of Zhang Mo's moves.

The Nine Needle God-Sealing, empowered by the Qilin Blood and Giant Dragon Blood, could be maintained for a full hour, so he had more than enough time.

"Brother Xia, thank you."

The two simple words made Long Ao's meaning perfectly clear. It was at this moment that Long Ao truly came to see Xia Jun as a good friend. Regardless of Xia Jun's motives for helping, the fact that he dared to make an enemy of the Golden Sun Sect for his sake was enough to make him a friend worth having.

"Brother Long, I admire your courage, but I'll say it again: don't be too reckless. And when the time comes, be extremely careful with Zhang Mo's three moves. He is in the Venerable Realm."

Venerable Realm?

Long Ao was so curious that he forgot all about resting and asked directly, "Brother Xia, what exactly is the Venerable Realm? Is there something even higher than the Taoist Ancestor Realm?"

Xia Jun felt no contempt or amusement at Long Ao's ignorance and curiosity. Indeed, the Venerable Realm was unheard of in the Mortal World. Even ordinary disciples of the Six Great Sects were unaware of it.

Xia Jun nodded and explained, "A Martial Artist progresses from the Postnatal Realm to the Innate Realm, and then to the Transformation Realm. Above that is the Void Realm, which is further divided into eight major realms known as the Eight Realms of Void."

The Eight Realms of Void.

'Just as I thought,' Long Ao realized. So above the Transformation Realm were the Eight Realms of Void.