Chapter 195: Endure
Somewhere within the Flame Empire, Celestial State.
Long Ao had wreaked havoc on the Ghost King Sect, using the Nine Needle God-Sealing twice in a row. This left him heavily injured, especially from the force of the backlash.
If it weren't for Long Fu's intervention, the backlash from using the Nine Needle God-Sealing twice would have been enough to kill Long Ao instantly. Even so, his body was on the verge of collapse.
"Brother Long, what's wrong?"
Xia Jun was shocked to see Long Ao swaying on his feet, his face deathly pale.
Long Ao waved a dismissive hand. "I'm fine. Don't worry."
Long Ao was very grateful to Xia Jun. He knew exactly why the man was sticking by him. After all, he had just caused an uproar at the Ghost King Sect. Setting aside his injuries, the Golden Sun Sect alone would surely not let him go.
"Brother Xia, thank you for this."
"What's with the formalities? Long Ao, I've never really admired anyone in my life, but I admire you."
"Brother Xia, I need to find a place to recuperate."
Nodding, Xia Jun could also see something was wrong with Long Ao. The two immediately found a secluded spot. Long Ao entered a cave while Xia Jun stayed outside to stand guard.
Inside the cave, within the Dragon Seal Space.
"Master, you've used the Nine Needle God-Sealing twice, and the resulting backlash has reached a critical point. I'm suppressing it for you temporarily, but that's not a permanent solution. Master, you must heal as quickly as possible, or the consequences will be unthinkable."
Long Ao knew all too well that Long Fu was right.
"Long Fu, what should I do now?"
Long Ao knew that since Long Fu had allowed him to use the Nine Needle God-Sealing, he must have a way to deal with the backlash.
After a moment's thought, Long Fu's expression turned grim. "Master, to suppress the backlash and achieve Fusion with its power, there's only one way. You must use the force of the backlash to trigger a Transformation. But it will be excruciatingly painful."
'Use the force of the backlash to break through to the Second Transformation?'
Long Ao was taken aback by Long Fu's method, but things had already reached this point. He had to succeed, even if it seemed impossible.
Following that, Long Ao did as Long Fu said and began to use the force of the backlash to break through to the Second Transformation.
Long Fu's logic was simple. If Long Ao could endure the process, not only would he be safe from the backlash, but his strength would also increase rapidly. However, the pain was beyond what any normal person could withstand.
For three whole days, Long Ao endured this agony.
Such is life. No pain, no gain. Long Ao gritted his teeth, enduring the agony of the backlash and using the power within his body to undergo the Second Transformation.
The Transformation process has three levels, and each one represents a qualitative leap.
"Brother Long, are you alright?"
After three days, watching Long Ao emerge from the cave, Xia Jun asked with some urgency. Although he didn't know what Secret Technique Long Ao had used to actually jump two whole Levels in power, he refused to believe it came without a backlash.
"I'm fine now, Brother Xia. Thank you for these past three days."
Looking slightly annoyed, Xia Jun said, "Brother Long, we're friends. You don't have to keep thanking me. If you thank me again, it means you don't see me as a friend."
Long Ao smiled. "Brother Xia, I wanted to ask—what's the deal with the Six Sects' Hegemony Battle next month?"
The Six Sects' Hegemony Battle.
Right now, Long Ao cared about only one thing: the Six Sects' Hegemony Battle, which was a month away. No matter what, he had already passed two of the three trials. Only the final one remained, and then he could take Ao Xue away with him.
All three trials were fraught with danger, but Long Ao knew in his heart that the third trial, the Six Sects' Hegemony Battle, would be the most dangerous and difficult. After all, he had to snatch the Venerable Golden Core from the hands of the Six Great Sects. One could only imagine how difficult that would be.
"Brother Long, the Six Sects' Hegemony Battle was only recently proposed. Its purpose is to decide who gets the Venerable Golden Core."
After a moment of thought, Xia Jun continued, "You should know what being a Supreme Venerable means in the Eight Realms of Void. When a Venerable Martial Artist dies, all of their power converges into a Golden Core. If a Venerable obtains it, their chances of breaking through to the rank of Supreme Venerable increase dramatically."
"Brother Xia, I heard this Venerable Golden Core was originally in Zhang Mo's possession. Why is he putting it up as a prize?"
Long Ao was very curious about this point. 'Since the Venerable Golden Core is so precious and of such great help to a Venerable, why would Zhang Mo offer it up? Why not consume it himself and break through to become a Supreme Venerable?'
As if reading Long Ao's mind, Xia Jun said, "Of course Zhang Mo wanted to keep the Venerable Golden Core for himself, but he doesn't have the nerve."
"Why is that?"
"This Venerable Golden Core was jointly obtained by the Six Great Sects. Zhang Mo was only holding it for safekeeping. Regarding the wedding, Guan Feng, the Sect Leader of the Blood Sea Sect, objected to the original plan, so they finally decided on the Six Sects' Hegemony Battle to determine ownership of the Venerable Golden Core."
'I see.'
"The rules for the Six Sects' Hegemony Battle are actually quite simple. Each of the Six Sects sends ten disciples, and they all enter Ghost Cry Ridge to fight for the Venerable Golden Core. With you included, there will be a total of sixty people competing for it."
After a moment's thought, Xia Jun continued, "Brother Long, when you participate in the Six Sects' Hegemony Battle, my Thunder Battle Association will do everything in its power to help you obtain the Venerable Golden Core."
Long Ao didn't refuse. After all, everyone participating in the Six Sects' Hegemony Battle would be a prodigy. Relying on his own strength, it would be incredibly difficult to win the Venerable Golden Core.
The Venerable Golden Core.
Determination was written all over Long Ao's face. 'No matter what, I must win the Venerable Golden Core in the Six Sects' Hegemony Battle.'
"Brother Long, there are still twenty-seven days until the Six Sects' Hegemony Battle. What do you plan to do in the meantime?"
"Cultivation."
"Do you need my help?"
"No, that's alright. Let's meet at Ghost Cry Ridge in twenty-seven days."
"Brother Long, forgive me for being blunt, but after the scene you caused at the Ghost King Sect, they definitely won't let this matter rest. So, Brother Long, if you're willing, you could come with me to the Thunder Sect. You could stay there until it's time to go directly to the Six Sects' Hegemony Battle. What do you say?"
How could Long Ao not understand Xia Jun's kind intentions? 'But should I really go to the Thunder Sect for refuge?'
Long Ao knew full well that he could hide for a time, but not forever. Sooner or later, he would have to face his problems. Because of this, he didn't even hesitate before saying, "I'll handle this myself. Brother Xia, you should go back and prepare. I'll be sure to repay this favor one day."
Seeing that Long Ao had refused, Xia Jun didn't press the issue. He just nodded, said, "Be careful," and turned to leave. A moment later, he had vanished without a trace.
The Six Sects' Hegemony Battle. Long Ao didn't dwell on it further. He knew that to have any hope of winning the Venerable Golden Core, his current strength was far from enough. He couldn't rely on the Nine Needle God-Sealing for everything.