War God Long Ao

Before the Stone Gate.

"Brother Potian, what's wrong?"

"Brother Long, we can't leave like this. According to the rules of the Kyushu Wind and Cloud Battle, the three-month period isn't over. If we leave now, we'll be attacked by the Nine Great Clans."

'Curse them,' Long Ao swore inwardly. But since the Kyushu Wind and Cloud Battle had such a rule, he knew it was unrealistic to think he could take on the Nine Great Sects all by himself.

However, Long Potian said, "Don't worry, Brother Long. I know a secret path we can use to leave. Let's go."

Long Ao didn't ask any more questions. He knew that as friends, there were some things you should ask and some you shouldn't.

Just like that, the two left the Red Heaven Realm at top speed. But they never realized that a human shadow was following them from behind. Even from only ten meters away, they couldn't detect the Evil Demon's presence.

「Outside the Red Heaven Realm.」

The two of them finally breathed a sigh of relief. Long Potian said, "Brother Long, since we left the Red Heaven Realm early, why don't you come back to the Long Family with me? I'll take you to that place later. I believe it will be a great help for you to break through in your Cultivation."

"Alright."

Long Ao was eager to see it. After all, what he needed most right now was strength, and he wouldn't pass up any opportunity to improve it.

Chizhou was a state dominated by the Nine Great Clans and the Four Great Empires.

However, it was common knowledge that the Nine Great Clans didn't interfere in the affairs of the Mortal World. Therefore, the Four Great Empires held sole dominion over it.

In Chizhou, the Nine Great Clans did not openly support any of the Four Great Empires, allowing them to develop on their own. After many years, the Four Great Empires had nearly reached a state of saturation.

In truth, this four-way balance of power was exactly what the Nine Great Clans wanted to see.

Among the Nine Great Clans, the Long Family was considered one of the weaker ones. Even so, the other clans didn't dare to underestimate them. The reason was simple: behind the Long Family stood the Long Clan.

Although the Long Clan wouldn't interfere in the affairs of a lower-level family, there was always an exception to the rule. Moreover, the Long Family had produced a once-in-a-century super genius: Long Potian.

At just twenty-five years old, Long Potian had already reached the Taoist Ancestor Peak Realm and ranked first on the Chizhou Wind and Cloud Ranking.

It was well-known that the Long Clan had a special list, the Dragon Ranking. Anyone who made it onto the Dragon Ranking would see their status skyrocket and could enter the Long Clan to pursue their Cultivation.

With Long Potian's talent and potential, it was only a matter of time before he entered the Dragon Ranking. Because of this, while the Long Family wasn't the most powerful in Chizhou, it was the most well-connected.

Perhaps because he was too impatient, Long Ao didn't return to the Long Family with Long Potian, instead heading directly for the place that could increase his strength.

"Brother Potian, what exactly is this place?"

"Brother Long, you must remember to keep this an absolute secret. This place in Chizhou is known only to the Nine Great Clans; all other clans and sects, including those in the Celestial State, are unaware."

Hearing Long Potian's words, Long Ao grew even more curious, but he still nodded.

"Brother Long, back when Kyushu was first divided, Chizhou came under the control of the Nine Great Clans. They accidentally discovered a place called the Ninety-Nine-Heaven Celestial Ladder. According to legend, whoever reaches the highest step of the Celestial Ladder will cause a rainbow to span the sky and a celestial hymn to resound throughout Chizhou. And the higher you climb on the Celestial Ladder, the more it will help your future Cultivation."

'The Ninety-Nine-Heaven Celestial Ladder.'

Hearing Long Potian's words, Long Ao grew increasingly expectant. Only a fool wouldn't be tempted by such a prospect, and he wished he could go to the Ninety-Nine-Heaven Celestial Ladder immediately.

"Brother Long, the Ninety-Nine-Heaven Celestial Ladder is also known as the Ninety-Nine-Layer Celestial Heaven. With every heaven you ascend, you will experience a different sensation. You should try to sense and experience it for yourself."

"Can I go in?"

'Since the Ninety-Nine-Heaven Celestial Ladder is monopolized by the Nine Great Clans, they surely won't let outsiders enter so easily. In that case, can I really get in?'

"Don't worry, Brother Long. Even though you're from the Celestial State Red Fire Town Long Family, you are still a member of my Long Family. Just don't say anything in a moment. Leave everything to me."

Nodding, Long Ao asked, "Brother Potian, I was wondering, how many heavens of the Celestial Ladder have you climbed?"

At the mention of the Ninety-Nine-Heaven Celestial Ladder, Long Potian's face filled with pride. He said, "In the last thousand years, the highest anyone has managed to climb is the sixtieth heaven. I've only reached the twenty-ninth, but in the last century, I am the first to do so."

'The twenty-ninth heaven?'

Simply saying the Celestial Ladder was difficult to climb didn't give him a real sense of it. But now, Long Ao finally understood what the Ninety-Nine-Heaven Celestial Ladder truly represented. If even Long Potian had only managed to reach the twenty-ninth heaven—and was the first to do so in a century—that alone spoke volumes.

But Long Ao was still incredibly excited to climb the Ninety-Nine-Heaven Celestial Ladder.

「Celestial Heaven.」

Located in the middle of the Qilian Mountains, it was guarded by the experts of the Nine Great Clans. Ordinary people couldn't even dream of entering Celestial Heaven; most had never even heard of it.

If word of Celestial Heaven were to leak and the powers of the other Bazhou learned of it, they would surely flock here in endless streams. At that point, Celestial Heaven would no longer belong to Chizhou alone, but to all of Kyushu.

For this very reason, few people knew about Celestial Heaven—not even the ordinary disciples of the Nine Great Clans. This was part of the original agreement among the Nine Great Clans.

The Nine Great Clans' intention was simple: they wanted to keep Celestial Heaven for themselves. Long Ao understood this perfectly. After all, you always keep the best things for yourself.

"Brother Long, you must seize this opportunity. Each of us only gets one chance per year to enter Celestial Heaven. When I climbed to the twenty-ninth heaven of the Celestial Ladder, the Nine Great Clans rewarded me with two chances per year. I haven't used my chances this year, so now, I'm giving one to you."

"Thank you."

Between friends, some things are best left unsaid. Long Ao didn't say much more; it was enough to remember this favor in his heart.

"Brother Long, with your talent and potential, barring any accidents, you should be able to reach the thirtieth heaven of the Celestial Ladder. You'll surpass me and become the first person to do so in a hundred years."

Long Ao gave a helpless shrug. Although he was confident in his own talent, he didn't dare say much about the Ninety-Nine-Heaven Celestial Ladder. After all, even Long Potian had only reached the twenty-ninth heaven. One could only imagine how difficult it was.

In the middle of the Qilian Mountains, a massive mountain range stretched across the entire area.

Celestial Heaven was located within this central range. From the outside, all one could see were swirling white clouds, making it impossible to glimpse what lay within.

"Brother Long, this is the Qilian Mountain Celestial Heaven. The Ninety-Nine-Heaven Celestial Ladder is inside. In a moment, don't speak carelessly. No matter what happens, just remember one thing: endure. This opportunity is very important to you, so you must not give up."

Nodding, Long Ao said, "I understand."

(PS: Chapter 17 is here. I accidentally fell asleep last night, so the remaining three chapters will be delivered this afternoon. As for today, there will be four new chapters. Starting tomorrow, I will release ten chapters a day for a month. Please support Xiaojiu! Please tip, add to your library, and send monthly tickets!)