War God Long Ao

Seeing Xia Jun preparing to strike, Long Ao quickly stopped him.

"Brother Long."

"Brother Xia, just teach them a lesson. That's enough."

"Hmph. For Brother Long's sake, I'll let you two off for now. Remember this, and be more careful about who you cross in the future."

Watching the two terrors depart, the two Thunder Sect disciples remained kneeling, trembling in fear. They had no idea what had just happened; it was as if they had just taken a stroll through the Ghost Gate.

"When did the Young Sect Leader get a brother like that?"

"Wait... 'Brother Long'... That man just said his name is Long Ao. Could he be the same Long Ao who raised hell at the Ghost King Sect?"

At this thought, their faces filled with utter despair. They knew full well what it meant to offend the Young Sect Leader. Although their lives had been spared, any hope of earning the Sect's favor in the future was likely gone forever.

「On the rear mountain of Thunder Peak, inside a beautiful pavilion.」

With no time to admire the scenery of Thunder Peak, Long Ao got straight to the point before Xia Jun could even ask. "Brother Xia, I came to you this time because there's something I need your help with."

"Speak."

Xia Jun, of course, knew that given Long Ao's character, he would never have sought him out unless it was for something important.

"Brother Xia, I've heard that the Thunder Sect has a forbidden land called Thunder Valley?"

In an instant, Xia Jun understood Long Ao's purpose. His expression grew a little serious as he asked, "Brother Long, are you here because you want to enter Thunder Valley to train?"

Now that it was out in the open, Long Ao didn't bother with pleasantries. He nodded and said, "Exactly."

"Brother Xia, I'm sure you know that the Six Sects' Hegemony Tournament starts in twelve days. With my current strength, it will be incredibly difficult to win the Venerable Golden Core. That's why I must rapidly increase my power in the time I have left."

Xia Jun didn't need to be told the reason.

'A man who would dare offend both the Ghost King Sect and the Golden Sun Sect for the woman he loves isn't someone who would give up easily.'

If it had been anyone else asking Xia Jun, they would have been rejected without a second thought. But Long Ao was different; Xia Jun considered him a true friend.

"Brother Xia, is it a lot of trouble?"

"Brother Long, I consider you a true friend, so I'll be honest with you. This is very troublesome."

Xia Jun thought for a moment before continuing, "Thunder Valley is the Thunder Sect's forbidden land. Forget outsiders—even our own disciples can't enter casually."

'Just as I expected.'

Long Ao wasn't the least bit surprised. If the Thunder Sect let just any outsider into Thunder Valley, it wouldn't be a forbidden land.

"Brother Xia, if it's too much to ask, then let's forget about it."

Waving his hand dismissively, Xia Jun said with a determined look, "Don't worry. No matter what, I will get you into Thunder Valley."

Watching Xia Jun leave, Long Ao felt a great deal of goodwill toward him. 'A friend like that is worth having, no matter the circumstances.'

「Ten minutes later.」

Xia Jun returned, bringing the Thunder Sect's leader, Xia Fang, with him. Xia Jun shot Long Ao a meaningful look but remained silent. It was Xia Fang who spoke, smiling. "So, you're Long Ao. I hear from Jun'er that you wish to enter Thunder Valley to train?"

Xia Fang, of course, knew why Long Ao was in such a hurry to enter Thunder Valley, so he didn't beat around the bush.

Long Ao didn't mince words either. He nodded and said, "At the Six Sects' Hegemony Tournament in twelve days, I must win the Venerable Golden Core. That is why I wish to enter Thunder Valley to train. I hope Sect Leader Xia will grant my request."

'If it weren't for Ao Xue, I would never be this forward.'

Nodding, Xia Fang said, "Very well. But you must agree to two of my conditions."

Long Ao didn't answer right away. He had no idea what kind of conditions Xia Fang would propose. 'What if he asks me to commit suicide? Am I supposed to agree to that?'

"First condition: in the Six Sects' Hegemony Tournament twelve days from now, the Thunder Sect will do everything in its power to help you win the Venerable Golden Core. In return, you must coordinate with Jun'er and our other disciples to eliminate disciples from the other sects. What do you say?"

Long Ao was no fool; he understood Xia Fang's meaning perfectly. The man clearly wanted to use this opportunity to eliminate the other sects' forces and, in turn, strengthen his own.

The Six Great Sects were constantly scheming against one another, both openly and in the shadows, each hoping to eliminate the others. This tournament was a golden opportunity.

After a moment's thought, Long Ao said, "I can agree to that condition."

As if he had already guessed Long Ao would agree, Xia Fang simply smiled and continued, "Second condition: I hope you will become an Honored Guest Elder of our Thunder Sect. That way, your entry into Thunder Valley will be perfectly justifiable, and I trust no one will have much to say about it."

As if fearing Long Ao might misunderstand, Xia Jun quickly added, "Brother Long, there are a lot of old traditionalists in the Sect. If we don't do this, I'm afraid they won't agree. Besides, being an Honored Guest Elder won't restrict your freedom. You'd only be asked to lend a hand if the Sect is ever in trouble."

'So that's how it is.'

With things explained so clearly, Long Ao no longer hesitated. He nodded in agreement. "Sect Leader Xia, I agree to both conditions."

"Hahaha, excellent! Long Ao, if you don't mind, you can call me Uncle."

'He's quick to take advantage,' Long Ao thought. Still, out of respect for Xia Jun, he called out, "Uncle Xia."

"Very good. Long Ao, since you've agreed, let me tell you about Thunder Valley."

Long Ao immediately gave him his full attention. He was eagerly anticipating entering Thunder Valley. According to Linghu Ning, one could use the Power of Thunder and Lightning within the valley to temper their body and strengthen its Defense Power.

This was a point Long Ao took very seriously. No matter how strong someone was, they could always have a bad day. If an enemy's attack landed, a sufficiently powerful physical defense could be enough to withstand it.

"Long Ao, Thunder Valley is the Thunder Sect's forbidden land. It contains the most powerful Power of Thunder and Lightning between Heaven and Earth. However, Unity Martial Artists and Taoist Ancestor Martial Artists are forbidden from entering."

"Uncle Xia, why is that?" Long Ao asked, puzzled as to why Unity and Taoist Ancestor Martial Artists were barred from entry.

"Because of the Thunder Tribulation and the Hundred Tribulations. The valley itself is filled with the Power of Thunder and Lightning. If you were to trigger your own Thunder Tribulation within Thunder Valley, it would be extremely troublesome. Besides, once you enter Thunder Valley, not only can you train to increase your strength, but you can also use the Power of Thunder and Lightning to temper your physical body."

Xia Jun, who had been silent until now, spoke up with a smile. "Brother Long, let me tell you a secret. There's a legend in our Thunder Sect that if someone can use the Power of Thunder and Lightning in Thunder Valley to temper their body to the highest Realm, they can achieve the Purple Thunder Divine Body. At that point, their physical Defense Power alone would be enough to rival a Giant Dragon. But in all these years, not a single person has ever managed to cultivate it."