War God Long Ao

"Just as I thought. A man of honor."

Guan Feng wasn't the least bit angry. He smiled and said, "It's quite simple. Just do one thing for me, and I'll release your two friends. What do you say?"

"I'm listening."

Long Ao didn't agree right away. He had no idea what Guan Feng would demand. 'What if he asks me to give up Ao Xue? Would I have to do that too?'

"Long Ao, tomorrow, when you enter Ghost Cry Ridge, I need you to retrieve something for me. Remember, don't tell anyone about this. Or else."

Guan Feng didn't finish his sentence, but the threat was clear. Guan Feng's Spiritual Communication then echoed in his mind. Long Ao's expression flickered, but he ultimately agreed. He couldn't let anything happen to his friends.

Watching the young man leave, Du Hexuan said with concern, "Sect Leader, with Long Ao's level of strength, won't he be walking to his death if he enters that place?"

Du Hexuan didn't understand. If they wanted to kill Long Ao, why go through all this trouble? With the Blood Sea Sect's power, they could do it in minutes.

"Long Ao's secrets are far beyond our comprehension. That's why I'm sending him into that place. He might actually be able to retrieve that Treasure. I'm quite looking forward to it."

"Sect Leader, what about Long Ao's secrets? Are we just going to give up on them?"

Du Hexuan was no fool. He knew exactly what the ability to lock onto Martial Artists and alter the flow of Time meant. If the Sect could obtain those secrets, the Blood Sea Sect's overall power would soar.

But Guan Feng just shook his head. "We can discuss that later. As long as our Blood Sea Sect obtains this Treasure, dominating the Celestial State will be well within our grasp."

Although Du Hexuan was still reluctant, he didn't press the matter.

'Du Hexuan had no idea what the Sect Leader was thinking. If Long Ao died in Ghost Cry Ridge, wouldn't the secrets to locking onto Martial Artists and altering the flow of Time be lost forever?'

"Brother Long, did the Blood Sea Sect give you trouble?"

Seeing the concern on Dugu Bai and Xia Army's faces, Long Ao just smiled and didn't tell them what had happened.

"It's nothing. The Blood Sea Sect just wanted to recruit me, but I refused."

Though they were curious, Dugu Bai and Xia Army didn't press him. Xia Army snorted. "Of all the Six Sects, the Blood Sea Sect is the most shameless. Brother Long, you have to be careful."

"I know."

"Let's go. My father is looking for us."

Long Ao, Dugu Bai, and Xia Army went to see Xia Fang. No matter what, the Six Sects Competition would officially begin at dawn, and they would have to enter Ghost Cry Ridge.

"The three of you, listen closely. The Venerable Golden Core has been placed inside Ghost Cry Ridge. This time, as you compete for the Venerable Golden Core, you are not to enter the Forbidden Land. Do you understand?"

Seeing them nod, Xia Fang still looked worried. The Sect could not afford to lose either Dugu Bai or Xia Army.

"No matter what happens, even if you have to give up on the Venerable Golden Core, you must all come out of there alive."

"Don't worry, Dad. We'll definitely make it out alive."

"Alright. Go get some rest. It all begins at dawn."

Long Ao, Xia Army, and Dugu Bai immediately entered a state of rest and meditation. With less than six hours until the Six Sects Competition, they had to be in peak condition. The slightest lapse could mean a point of no return.

「Inside the Dragon Seal Space.」

With Xia Fang standing watch outside, Long Ao had no worries. His soul entered the Dragon Seal Space without reservation.

"Long Fu, can the Dragon Seal Space devour Yin Sha Qi?"

So that was it. Guan Feng was forcing him to enter the Forbidden Land in Ghost Cry Ridge and find a Treasure in exchange for Linghu Ning's and Bing Hun's safety. As their friend, Long Ao knew he had no choice but to agree.

"It can, but Master, the Dragon Seal Space is severely damaged. Even if it could absorb the Yin Sha Qi, I doubt it would be very effective. However, Master, there is someone who can solve this problem for you."

"Who?"

Long Ao was surprised. 'Who could possibly help me with the Yin Sha Qi? Does Long Fu know someone else?'

"Long Ming can help you."

'The little guy?'

Long Ao was even more astonished. "Long Fu, how can the little guy help me?"

"Master, you may not be aware, but the little guy is a member of the Nine Nether Earth Tiger clan. What's more, he's a mutated variant, making him the natural nemesis of Yin Sha Qi. If he can devour enough of it, not only will he be able to use the Venerable Golden Core to rapidly increase his strength, but he can also help you and Long Qiang achieve a breakthrough."

To say Long Ao wasn't thrilled would be an understatement.

"Long Fu, will it be dangerous for the little guy to absorb the Yin Sha Qi?"

"No, it won't."

Hearing that it wasn't dangerous for the little guy to absorb the Yin Sha Qi, Long Ao finally breathed a genuine sigh of relief. For the time that remained, he devoted himself completely to meditation.

The night passed without incident.

The next day, as the first light of dawn broke, the thirteen representatives of the Six Great Sects began to move. They watched each other warily, as if expecting a sneak attack at any moment.

Long Ao's group of three was the last to enter Ghost Cry Ridge. The moment they stepped inside, they all shivered involuntarily. A wave of Yin Sha Qi rushed toward them. If they hadn't defended themselves in time, that blast of energy alone would have been enough to corrode their bodies and souls.

"Brother Long, Xiaojun, both of you must be extremely careful," Dugu Bai warned. "This is just the Yin Sha Qi in the outermost area. As we go deeper into Ghost Cry Ridge, it will only get stronger."

Hearing this, Long Ao and Xia Army didn't know whether to laugh or cry. If this terrifying Yin Sha Qi was only what they faced on the outskirts, they could hardly imagine how dreadful it would be in the depths of Ghost Cry Ridge.

Not daring to let their guard down for a second, the three remained on high alert. They had to resist the surrounding Yin Sha Qi while also staying prepared for an attack from the other Sects' disciples at any moment.

This Six Sects Competition was nominally about competing for the Venerable Golden Core, but the Six Great Sects had no rule against killing each other. Therefore, anyone could kill anyone else.

"Long Ao! Let's see who can help you today!"

Just then, Zhang Zhihang's voice rang out as he, Gui Lie, Gui Tu, and Hao Zheng approached.

Zhang Zhihang and Hao Zheng were from the Golden Sun Sect, while Gui Lie and Gui Tu were from the Ghost King Sect. The two Major Sects had joined forces to kill Long Ao and, if possible, seize the Venerable Golden Core.

As the saying goes, when enemies cross paths, their eyes burn with hatred. Zhang Zhihang had been ranked third on the Wind and Cloud Ranking, only to be defeated by Long Ao in public and drop to fourth. That was a score he was determined to settle. Furthermore, there was his wedding to Ao Xue. If Long Ao hadn't interfered, he would have won the fair lady's hand by now. When it came down to it, the person standing before him was the root of all his troubles.

"Zhang Zhihang, have you no shame?"

Long Ao stopped the furious Xia Army and simply sneered, "Nothing more than a defeated opponent."