War God Long Ao

Slaying the Black Demon left Long Ao's expression grim.

Regardless of whether the Black Demon's words were true, Long Ao knew the enmity between him, the Imperial City, and the Third Level Long Family had become a matter of life and death.

As for the Netherworld Mansion, since he had already offended the Imperial City and the Third Level Long Family, making an enemy of one more faction didn't seem to matter.

With a helpless shrug, Long Ao said coldly, "Evil Demon, you keep haunting me like a lingering ghost. What is it you want?"

Just then, Long Jing's figure suddenly appeared. However, Long Ao knew with absolute certainty that the person standing before him was not the real Long Jing, but simply the Evil Demon.

"Hehehe, boy, with the Fire Qilin protecting the Long Family, I couldn't touch you. But now that you've left, do you really think you can escape my grasp?"

"You can try."

Hearing this, the Evil Demon's expression instantly tightened.

He had never imagined Long Ao would be so unyielding. 'Does he have some ace up his sleeve?'

'After all, Long Ao is full of secrets. It's always best to prepare for the unexpected. If he really does have something to fall back on, won't I be the one to suffer a great loss?'

Suddenly, the Evil Demon burst out laughing. Waving a hand dismissively, he sneered, "Boy, don't try to scare me. You alone aren't qualified to speak to me this way. You—"

Before the Evil Demon could finish, a terrifying Heaven and Earth's Momentum erupted from Long Ao, instantly enveloping the demon. A fierce assault began, wave after wave, giving the Evil Demon no chance to even breathe.

"Heaven and Earth's Momentum!"

Feeling the pressure, the Evil Demon's expression changed in an instant. He unleashed his own Heaven and Earth's Momentum, brutally forcing back the one Long Ao had released.

Long Ao's eyes narrowed. He hadn't expected the Evil Demon to possess Heaven and Earth's Momentum as well. That alone proved just how formidable an opponent the demon was.

"Long Ao, tell me, how in the world did you obtain Heaven and Earth's Momentum?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"Hahaha, Long Ao, you truly haven't disappointed me! To have already formed Heaven and Earth's Momentum at your current Realm... I can say with certainty that as long as you continue to grow, achieving Nirvana Rebirth will be well within your reach."

'Nirvana Rebirth?'

'Is Nirvana Rebirth a state of existence even higher than the Void Realm?'

Long Ao had always believed there was a higher state of existence beyond the Void Realm.

"Evil Demon, what is Nirvana Rebirth?"

"Nirvana Rebirth... With your current strength, you aren't yet qualified to even glimpse its secrets. But I'll repeat my offer: take me as your master, and I can shorten the time it'll take you by a factor of ten. How about it?"

The temptation was immense.

After all, the Evil Demon was a master among masters. One could only imagine the benefits of becoming his disciple. But would Long Ao agree?

"Evil Demon, there's no shortage of talented people in the world. I don't get it, why do you insist on pestering me? Leave Long Jing's body, and we can wipe the slate clean between us. How about it?"

"Hehe, hehe... you make it sound so simple. Fine. Since you refuse to become my disciple, then hand over the Dragon Seal and the little guy. After that, I'll stop pestering you. How about it?"

'Those words again.'

First, there was no way Long Ao would ever agree to become the Evil Demon's disciple. Second, he would never hand over the Dragon Seal and the little guy. That left only one solution: to have a complete and total falling out with the demon.

"Long Ao, don't you worry. I have some urgent business to attend to for a while. When I'm finished, I'll be back for you. I hope you won't disappoint me then. Hehehehe."

The Evil Demon turned and left, but Long Ao didn't pursue him.

It wasn't that Long Ao feared the Evil Demon. The problem was that the demon's soul was occupying Long Jing's body. If he attacked with force, he was afraid he would harm Long Jing.

Just a moment ago, Long Ao had considered using a Soul Attack, but ultimately decided against it. Even if he succeeded in striking the Evil Demon, what would happen to Long Jing?

Staring coldly at the spot where the Evil Demon had vanished, Long Ao still had no idea what the demon's true level of strength was.

But he was certain of one thing: the Evil Demon's power was extraordinary. After all, possessing Heaven and Earth's Momentum spoke volumes.

Long Ao knew perfectly well that at his current level, he was no match for the Evil Demon. A head-on confrontation would be counterproductive and bring him no benefits. Besides, he didn't just have to defeat the demon; he also had to ensure Long Jing's soul remained unharmed.

「Ghost King Sect.」

Huo Fen's sudden arrival gave Ao Tian a fright. The Imperial City, after all, was utterly unreasonable and would kill at a moment's notice. His grandfather's fate was a grim precedent.

'Is the Imperial City planning some new trick?'

"Senior Huo Fen, may I ask what business brings you here today?"

Huo Fen seemed very happy, smiling as he said, "You did well. Ao Xue has agreed to marry my Young Master. From now on, you and the Ghost King Sect belong to the Imperial City."

Hearing this, Ao Tian felt a surge of joy, but it was tinged with sorrow. He knew that the one and only reason he and the Ghost King Sect were being accepted by the Imperial City was Ao Xue. Without her, there was no telling how the Imperial City would have treated them.

"What? You're not pleased?"

"Not at all, Huo Fen. I was just thinking... now that Ao Xue is marrying the Young Master, Long Ao surely won't let the matter rest. Take what happened to the Blood Sea Sect..."

Waving a dismissive hand, Huo Fen cut him off. "How can the Blood Sea Sect possibly compare to my Imperial City? Long Ao's massacre of their sect was nothing but a stroke of dumb luck. Ao Xue has been in the Imperial City for a long time now, and has Long Ao even shown his face?"

Ao Tian was puzzled by this as well. Given Long Ao's personality and the connection between him and Ao Xue, it seemed impossible that he would wait this long. 'Has Long Ao really given up on Ao Xue?'

'If that were true, he never would have massacred the Blood Sea Sect.' For some reason, Ao Tian had a persistent feeling that Long Ao wouldn't let this matter rest. Sooner or later, he would come to the Imperial City.

As if he could read Ao Tian's mind, Huo Fen suddenly burst out laughing and said mockingly, "He's just one insignificant Long Ao. Nothing to worry about."

Ao Tian sneered inwardly. He knew Huo Fen wouldn't dare go to the Dragon Sect alone. After all, Long Ao was someone who could even obliterate a Great Venerable. 'Would Huo Fen dare face him?'

'He's just putting on a brave face here.'

Ao Tian was deeply conflicted. On one hand, he hoped Long Ao would come to the Imperial City and rescue his daughter, allowing the Ghost King Sect to ally with the Dragon Sect. Yet, he couldn't stomach the thought of submitting to Long Ao. On the other hand, he didn't want Long Ao to come, because he knew exactly what siding with the Imperial City entailed.

Just then, a voice rang out before anyone appeared. "You're Huo Fen? Were you the one who took Ao Xue?" Hearing that voice, Ao Tian's expression changed, but Huo Fen was merely puzzled.

(PS: I finished three chapters last night but couldn't log into the author portal. I waited until after 1 AM, but no luck, so your pal Xiaojiu had to go to sleep. I got up this morning, contacted my editor, and just uploaded the three chapters. The fourth will be up after 9 AM, and then I'll get to today's ten chapters. I'll do my best to post earlier from now on; updating late at night is a real pain.)