War God Long Ao

Survival of the fittest.

After hearing Long Potian's words, something seemed to shift in Long Ao's mind. He had only just broken through to become a Middle Level Earth Emperor, but now he advanced again, reaching the High Level Earth Emperor Realm.

'He broke through?'

Long Potian felt a jolt to his heart, finding it hard to believe. While it was only a single Tier breakthrough, he knew exactly what it signified.

He had only said a single sentence, and Long Ao had an epiphany. Such talent was simply too terrifying.

"Long Ao, are you even human?"

Having smoothly broken through to High Level Earth Emperor, Long Ao felt rather exasperated hearing Long Potian's words. But on second thought, it was completely understandable. His instantaneous breakthrough had probably dealt a blow to Long Potian.

With a helpless smile, Long Ao said, "It was just a lucky breakthrough."

Looking at the innocent expression on Long Ao's face, as if to say, 'I couldn't help breaking through,' Long Potian was tempted to go up and kick the hell out of him.

Shocked as he was, Long Potian felt no envy, jealousy, or resentment. From his perspective, the stronger Long Ao became, the more help he would be to him. People who were envious of others instead of focusing on their own breakthroughs could never reach the Martial Arts Peak.

"With such talent, even in a Third Level Long Family, you could absolutely stand above all your peers."

Long Ao just smiled and said nothing.

"Long Ao, do you know the situation in Chizhou?"

Shaking his head, Long Ao didn't know what Long Potian was getting at, so he didn't ask. He knew that since Long Potian had started the topic, he would continue even if not prompted.

"Long Ao, Chizhou is different from Celestial State. A total of nine great clans dominate the state. These Nine Great Clans are the Wang Family, Hao Family, Duanmu Family, Long Family, Miao Family, Wei Family, Zhou Family, Fang Family, and Yan Family."

Long Potian continued, "Among the Nine Great Clans, the strength of my Long Family can only be considered on the lower end. It won't be easy to rise up."

"What do you have in mind?"

"I want to form an Alliance."

"With whom?" Long Ao was even more surprised. He didn't understand why, if the Chizhou Long Family wanted an Alliance, Long Potian was telling him. He couldn't influence the Chizhou Long Family or the will of any other power.

'Could it be that Long Potian wants my family to form an alliance with his?'

"Long Ao, I believe you've already guessed it. That's right. My meaning is simple. If our two families form an Alliance, we will definitely be able to develop rapidly."

It would be a lie to say he didn't want an alliance. Long Ao was crystal clear about the strength of the Chizhou Long Family.

The Chizhou Long Family was a Fourth Level Peak power. They were just one step away from officially entering the ranks of the Third Level. So why would they choose to form an alliance with his family?

"Long Potian, even if you and I agree, will your family agree?"

Long Ao didn't believe a High Level family would be willing to form an alliance with a Low Level one. It would be good enough if they weren't looked down upon.

As if he had long expected Long Ao to say this, Long Potian smiled and said, "To be honest, your family, on its own, is not qualified to form an Alliance with mine."

Hearing this, Long Ao felt no anger at all, because he knew the other party was speaking the truth—the plain truth. But because of this, Long Ao found it even more baffling. Why was Long Potian so certain that an alliance with his family was possible?

"Long Ao, among all the people I've met, your talent and potential are the most powerful. As long as you can grow, I can assert that your future achievements will definitely allow you to become an overlord of a region. Consider this Alliance my investment. My family and I will do everything in our power to help your family. I only hope that on the day you soar, you can look after my family. How about it?"

Staring intently at the man before him, Long Ao had to admit that this Long Potian was truly a genius to dare make such an investment.

Things having reached this point, Long Ao knew he couldn't refuse.

He nodded and said, "It's a deal."

"A promise is a promise."

Both Long Ao and Long Potian were supreme geniuses in their respective families. Although they were from a younger generation, their words carried more weight than anyone else's, including the Patriarchs. This was precisely why the two dared to privately arrange an Alliance. Otherwise, if they agreed but their families did not, wouldn't it all just be a joke?

The Alliance between Long Ao and Long Potian was an interstate one, as Celestial State and Chizhou were far apart. But Long Ao knew very well that with the start of this Alliance, his family would soon be on the right track and would then begin to develop at a high speed.

Long Ao had always wanted to see his family grow strong. That way, he could venture out and gain experience with peace of mind.

"Brother Long, if you want your family to become strong, remember this: you must first gain the recognition of the Long Clan. Otherwise, for your entire existence, your family will be stuck at the Fourth Level and will never be able to enter the ranks of the Third Level."

"Why is that?"

"Long Ao, you may not know this, but when one of our families breaks through the Fourth Level and reaches the Fourth Level Peak, the Long Clan will assess us. Having a powerful expert presiding over the family is one aspect, but even more important are the talented disciples. If they are not satisfied, the family cannot gain recognition and will be unable to advance."

'So that's how it is.'

Long Ao certainly understood the meaning behind Long Potian's words. In the end, if a family wanted to advance, it first had to gain the recognition of the Long Clan. Otherwise, everything else was just bullshit.

Not advancing meant the family would have no opportunity to enter Dragon Valley, obtain a Dragon Companion, and become a Dragon Martial Artist. According to the Long Clan's regulations, only disciples from a Third Level Long Family had the chance to enter Dragon Valley.

Entering Dragon Valley and becoming a Dragon Martial Artist was something every disciple of the Long Clan dreamed of.

'The family must advance. It absolutely has to advance,' Long Ao told himself with determination.

Before they knew it, the two had arrived in a valley. It was surrounded by colossal mountains, completely obscuring the outside world. Within the valley, a gentle breeze blew and white clouds drifted by, creating a very comfortable feeling.

"Is this the location of the Martial Artist's tomb?"

"That's right. A senior discovered the Martial Artist's tomb here back then, which attracted countless Martial Artists. However, in all these years, not a single other person has been able to find the tomb. But the Celestial Dog has never given up and comes to check every so often."

'Another one who refuses to give up.'

Thinking about it, Long Ao felt as if it had been a lifetime ago. If he hadn't persisted for ten years back then, he believed he wouldn't be who he was today. For a Martial Artist, besides talent, persistence was even more important. Long Ao had always firmly believed in one saying: hard work always pays off.

"It seems the Celestial Dog hasn't arrived yet. Long Ao, I've already explained the Celestial Dog's situation to you very clearly. When the time comes, you must attack with all your strength. It would be best to land a decisive blow on the first strike. We can't give the Celestial Dog any opportunities, or we'll be in big trouble."