War God Long Ao

The Kyushu Wind and Cloud Tournament.

The Celestial Martial Continent was divided into the Nine States of Kyushu: Celestial State, Di Zhou, Rizhou, Yuezhou, Sunset State, Yunzhou, Chizhou, Illusion State, and Heilin State.

Every ten years, the Kyushu Wind and Cloud Tournament was held.

The meaning of the Kyushu Wind and Cloud Tournament was simple: the figures on each state's Wind and Cloud Ranking would compete for higher placings.

Among the Nine States, Celestial State ranked first in name, yet it placed last every single time in the Kyushu Wind and Cloud Tournament. Precisely because of this, the Six Great Sects placed great importance on the event.

Kyushu had nine Wind and Cloud Rankings in total, one for each state. Each ranking featured one hundred individuals, making for a total of nine hundred participants.

These nine hundred participants would all compete for a spot in the top ten. Those who succeeded would not only receive lavish rewards but also achieve fame throughout the entire Celestial Martial Continent.

In other words, the Kyushu Wind and Cloud Rankings brought together all the top geniuses of the younger generation from across the Celestial Martial Continent.

Dugu Bai and Xia Jun let out deep sighs. They knew full well how important the Kyushu Wind and Cloud Tournament was to the Six Great Sects. If they let their personal sect matters interfere, it would likely cause unnecessary trouble.

"I know you're not willing to let this go, but I hope you can get your priorities straight."

After Xia Fang left, Dugu Bai and Xia Jun looked at each other, seeing the same determination reflected in the other's eyes. Even if they couldn't take revenge for now, this debt would have to be paid.

「Ghost King Sect.」

Long Ao had not come out. Ghost King Ao Tian felt a sense of helplessness; he had truly lost out on all fronts. After all, the Venerable Golden Core had gone into the Ghost Cry Ridge Forbidden Land with Long Ao, meaning he could now never obtain it.

Without the Venerable Golden Core in hand, Ao Tian didn't even dare mention the matter to Ao Xue. He knew his daughter's personality all too well. If Ao Xue learned that Long Ao had died, she would undoubtedly follow him in death.

「By the lotus pond.」

Sitting quietly, Ao Xue stared at the lotus pond before her, her face completely devoid of expression.

"Ao Xue."

Hearing the voice from behind her, Ao Xue's body trembled. Tears streamed uncontrollably down her face as she whipped around. Seeing the young man who had suddenly appeared, she could hold back no longer and threw herself at him.

The person who had just appeared was none other than Long Ao.

Holding Ao Xue tightly, Long Ao naturally understood her suffering. The two didn't say much; everything that needed to be said passed between them in silence.

"Long Ao, let go of Ao Xue."

Seeing that Long Ao was not dead, Ao Tian was stunned. He never would have imagined it. 'How did he enter the Ghost Cry Ridge Forbidden Land and manage to leave safely?'

"Father."

"Ghost King, this is the Venerable Golden Core. I have completed all three of your trials. Can I take Ao Xue with me now?"

The Venerable Golden Core.

Suppressing the joyful surprise in his heart, Ao Tian accepted the Venerable Golden Core from Long Ao. He wished he could immediately enter secluded cultivation, but he knew there were many things he had to attend to. He said, "The three trials are passed. I will not interfere further in your affairs with Ao Xue. As for the Golden Sun Sect, I will speak to them myself. Long Ao, I am relieved to entrust my daughter to you."

"Ao Xue, tell Long Ao what I instructed you to before."

Watching Ao Tian leave, Long Ao felt no resentment. As the Sect Leader of the Ghost King Sect, Ao Tian had to consider the Sect's interests first in everything he did. 'Even so,' he thought, 'I still despise the man.'

Taking Long Ao's hand, Ao Xue sat down with him, and they spoke of how much they had missed one another. After some time, Ao Xue suddenly said, "Long Ao, my father told me before that the Kyushu Wind and Cloud Tournament is set to begin in one month. As third on the Wind and Cloud Ranking, you must represent Celestial State in the competition."

'The Kyushu Wind and Cloud Tournament?'

Ao Xue explained everything about the Kyushu Wind and Cloud Tournament. After listening, Long Ao had a general understanding of the event. It seemed there was no getting out of it.

In truth, Long Ao was quite looking forward to the Kyushu Wind and Cloud Tournament. 'The Celestial Martial Continent is divided into the Nine States,' he thought. 'Under normal circumstances, it would be difficult for me to meet the young Martial Artists from the other eight states. This tournament is a golden opportunity.'

"Long Ao, will you participate in the Kyushu Wind and Cloud Tournament?"

Long Ao smiled and asked in return, "Do you want me to participate?"

"I don't. The Kyushu Wind and Cloud Tournament is very dangerous; the slightest mistake could cost you your life. But I know that a man must do what a man must do. I just want you to promise me one thing: no matter what, you must protect yourself. Remember, I will wait for you forever."

Long Ao was deeply moved by Ao Xue's words.

"Long Ao, I want to ask you for one thing. I hope you can promise me."

"Name it. As long as it's something I can do, I'll do it for you, even if I have to go through hell and high water."

"Even though my father was wrong, he is still my father. So I want to stay in the Ghost King Sect. I'll leave on the day you come to marry me."

'So that's what this was about.'

Although a part of him desperately didn't want Ao Xue to remain in the Ghost King Sect, Long Ao put himself in her shoes. 'What would I do in her situation?' Without the slightest hesitation, he nodded and said, "Of course. When I become powerful enough, I will definitely come to marry you."

Ao Xue smiled, and Long Ao smiled as well.

After staying in the Ghost King Sect for a full day and night, Long Ao left early the next morning.

Long Ao's reasoning was simple. If he wanted to protect his loved ones and his family, he couldn't stop moving forward. His current strength was far from sufficient. Forget the Void Realm—he hadn't even reached the Peak of the Transformation Realm yet.

With a month left before the Kyushu Wind and Cloud Tournament, Long Ao planned to return to his family first.

He was sure his family had already heard about him wreaking havoc in the Ghost King Sect. Because of this, Long Ao knew his parents and family must be worried sick about him.

「Red Fire Town.」

The Red Fire Town of today was a far cry from what it once was. With the strong support of the Thunder Empire and the Thunder Sect, its size had tripled in just a few short months. Even Thundercloud City was dwarfed in comparison.

Under normal circumstances, given its current scale, Red Fire Town should have been renamed Red Fire City. But the Long Family insisted on keeping the name. As the Earth Emperor of Red Fire Town, the Long Family's word was law. Who would dare defy it?

But Long Ao, in both status and other respects, far surpassed the Long Family itself. Everyone knew that the Long Family's meteoric rise was all thanks to one person: Long Ao, a prodigy of immense talent, a living legend.

In Red Fire Town, Long Ao was now a god-like figure. Many people idolized him, even worshiping him as a deity. Because of this, the moment Long Ao set foot back in Red Fire Town, the news of his return spread like wildfire, and the entire town erupted in excitement.