War God Long Ao

White hair, black robes.

Long Ao emerged from Heaven-Devouring Valley step by step, dragging the Heaven-Devouring Python by its tail with his right hand.

What was going on?

Everyone was stunned speechless. The facts were right in front of them. Long Ao hadn't killed the Heaven-Devouring Python, but subduing it was a far greater feat than slaying it. That was precisely why no one could understand just how he had managed it.

"Long Ao, you have passed the second trial."

Although Ghost King Ao Tian was a million times unwilling to admit it, he ultimately nodded. For some reason, he always felt that Long Ao was full of secrets. 'Did I really make the wrong choice this time?'

Seeing Long Ao successfully subdue the Heaven-Devouring Python, Zhang Zhihang's and Zhang Mo's expressions turned impossibly grim.

Zhang Zhihang kept asking himself, 'If I had entered Heaven-Devouring Valley, would I have been able to subdue the Heaven-Devouring Python?'

Without a doubt, the answer was no.

"Now that two trials have passed, when does the third trial begin?"

"One month from now, at Ghost Cry Ridge. The Venerable Golden Core will be placed in the deepest part of the ridge. As long as you can retrieve the Venerable Golden Core, you can take Ao Xue away."

Without giving Long Ao the slightest chance to speak, Ao Tian continued, "During this month, Ao Xue must remain at the Ghost King Sect."

"In one month, I will retrieve the Venerable Golden Core from Ghost Cry Ridge."

Without another wasted word, Long Ao turned and left, appearing solitary and coldly proud.

From start to finish, Long Ao hadn't exchanged a single word with Ao Xue. In his mind, actions always spoke louder than words. 'If I want to take Ao Xue away, I have to win the contest between the Six Sects in one month.'

The Xia Army was a little worried and hurried out after him.

It was only then that a buzz of discussion erupted from the crowd. The day's events had been completely unexpected. Ao Xue and Zhang Zhihang were supposed to have been married, but Long Ao had appeared out of nowhere to stop it.

At first, everyone had looked down on Long Ao. But now?

Long Ao's strength, persistence, and sincere love had deeply moved everyone. Furthermore, by defeating Zhang Zhihang, Long Ao had not only made a name for himself throughout Celestial State but had also claimed the third spot on the Wind and Cloud Ranking.

With such an achievement, it was clear that Long Ao was no longer the man he once was.

"Father."

"What you choose to do is no concern of the Sect. Just remember: do not disappoint me."

Overjoyed, Zhang Zhihang's eyes instantly turned cold. He also turned and departed quickly. With the wedding now impossible, the Five Great Sects and the Two Great Empires all took their leave. Long Ao's rise was a resounding slap in the face to both the Golden Sun Sect and the Ghost King Sect; they had been utterly humiliated.

「Dusk.」

The scenery on Ghost King Peak was unique, especially at dusk, when the entire mountain seemed to be floating in a sea of clouds.

「By the lotus pond.」

"Ao Xue, do you hate your father?"

Ao Xue said nothing. She simply sat quietly by the lotus pond, lost in thought.

Seeing his daughter this way, Ao Tian sighed deeply. "Ao Xue, I'm sure you know what the Venerable Golden Core represents. If I can obtain it, I can definitely break through the Venerable realm and reach the rank of Supreme Venerable."

Ao Xue still said nothing.

"As the Sect Leader of the Ghost King Sect, I must put the Sect's interests first. Long Ao's talent is immense, and he is bound to soar one day. But the Golden Sun Sect's power is undeniable, and our Sect cannot afford to have a complete falling-out with them. Do you understand my difficult position?"

Her body trembled slightly. Ao Xue suddenly spoke. "I don't blame you for considering the Sect's interests as the Sect Leader of the Ghost King Sect. But have you ever considered my feelings or my situation? I really have to ask... are you even my real father?"

"Of course I am."

"I'm not so sure. Forget it. There's nothing more to say. In one month, at the contest of the Six Sects, if Long Ao can obtain the Venerable Golden Core, I will leave the Ghost King Sect and sever all ties. And if he can't, I will still go with him."

"Ao Xue, listen to me. Even if Long Ao manages to get the Venerable Golden Core, he might not live long enough to reach his potential."

"Why?" Leaping to her feet, a frigid aura exploded from Ao Xue as she stared daggers at her father.

The Ghost King sighed again internally. "Long Ao has angered the Golden Sun Sect this time. Do you think they will just let him go? What's more, there's bad blood between him and the Blood Sea Sect. Regardless of his talent and potential, if he doesn't get the chance to develop, it's all for naught."

"I'm going to find him."

"You can't."

"Why!?" Ao Xue practically screamed. She had never been like this in her entire life. In her heart, her father had always been a towering figure. But now?

"Ao Xue, if you dare take a single step out of the Sect this month, the agreement between me and Long Ao will be void. Even if he obtains the Venerable Golden Core, I will not permit him to take you away."

She didn't speak. She showed no anger, not even the slightest flicker of emotion.

Ao Xue sat down again, quietly watching the lotus pond before her. The Ghost King seemed to have no desire to say more and turned to leave.

'If you live, I live. If you die, I die. Long Ao, I will wait for you.'

On the road, Du Yunxuan spoke with a grave expression, "Sect Leader, this boy's potential is too great. If we let him continue to grow, he will become a huge problem for us in the future."

Waving his hand dismissively, Guan Feng's expression was just as grim. The enmity between him and Long Ao might have seemed minor, but it was utterly irreconcilable. He was certain that once Long Ao became powerful, he would undoubtedly come after the Blood Sea Sect.

'Long Ao.'

After a moment's thought, Guan Feng suddenly said, "The two of you will take care of this. Remember, don't act rashly. Make sure the Golden Sun Sect isn't making a move first. Only then will you act. Understand?"

"Understood."

Both Du Hexuan and Du Yunxuan understood clearly that their Sect Leader had also started to fear Long Ao. It was understandable, they thought. After all, the potential and talent Long Ao had shown today were beyond their wildest imagination. No matter what, they could not allow such a person any opportunity to grow stronger.

It wasn't just the Golden Sun Sect and the Blood Sea Sect. Even the Flame Sect dispatched masters to hunt down and kill Long Ao. While there was no enmity between Long Ao and the Flame Sect, they saw him as a dangerous wild card. If Long Ao were to truly reconcile with the Ghost King Sect, it would be like handing them a supreme expert on a silver platter.

The Flame Sect, the Blood Sea Sect, and the Golden Sun Sect—three major sects were simultaneously sending experts to assassinate Long Ao. If this were to become public knowledge, they would be utterly disgraced. But the three major sects were no fools; they wouldn't be so stupid as to try and kill Long Ao openly. Thus, their shameless, underhanded tactics would forever remain a secret.