War God Long Ao

"Kid, for your courage alone, I will not kill you."

Hearing this, Long Ao heaved a long sigh of relief.

Although he was confident in his own abilities, Long Ao knew his limits. With his current strength, there was no way he could be a match for a Divine Dao Martial Artist—not even one who existed only as a soul.

The Divine Dao was, after all, the Divine Dao. Being the most powerful existence in the world was no joke.

"Kid, since you’re unwilling to become my disciple, you can’t have my inheritance either. Do you not regret that?"

Before Long Ao could speak, the illusory elder continued, "I can guarantee that if you obtain my inheritance, I will ensure you reach the Divine Dao Realm."

"I want to reach the Divine Dao Realm on my own."

Nodding, the illusory elder didn’t press the issue. "In that case, I won’t force you."

"Kid, since you already know of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, I’ll get straight to the point. I am a Celestial Divine Martial Artist from the Snake Totem clan of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect. I fell in an unforeseen battle and, with no other choice, sealed myself here."

’Celestial Divine?’

Hearing the man’s identity, Long Ao jumped in shock. He never imagined that the illusory elder before him was actually a Celestial Divine Martial Artist. It was truly unbelievable.

The Five Realms of Divine Dao were, in order: Void God Martial Artists, Condensing Spirit Martial Artists, Human God Martial Artists, Earth God Martial Artists, and Celestial Divine Martial Artists.

In other words, a Celestial Divine Martial Artist stood at the very Martial Arts Peak, the apex of the continent.

This was why Long Ao was so shocked. The Snake Totem Divine Dao Martial Artist before him was an existence at the Martial Arts Peak—a Celestial Divine Martial Artist.

"Senior, are you asking me to find a successor for your inheritance?"

"That’s right. For many years, I’ve hoped a disciple from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect—especially from the Snake Totem clan—would find their way here. But all these years have passed, and I have yet to get my wish."

Shrugging helplessly, Long Ao remained silent. Something like this was largely a matter of luck.

"Kid, my request is simple. If you can help me find a successor, I’ll give you the Death Bell. What do you say?"

The illusory elder was already compromising. A deal this good was hard to come by.

But Long Ao didn’t agree immediately. Instead, he said, "Senior, if you’re asking me to give this inheritance to someone from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, my answer is no. I can’t do it. I can return the Death Bell to you."

’Although I’m extremely reluctant to part with it,’ Long Ao thought, ’I don’t want to provoke the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect. Besides, this is the inheritance of a Celestial Divine Martial Artist. If the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect found out, it would be very difficult for me to escape the consequences.’

Long Ao was no fool; he wouldn’t play with fire. That was why he reluctantly chose to give up the Death Bell.

The illusory elder seemed somewhat surprised, but he instantly understood Long Ao’s point. He nodded knowingly and said, "I was exiled from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect back in the day. Strictly speaking, I am no longer one of them."

’Huh?’

"Kid, I have only one request: help me choose a suitable successor. It can be anyone."

"Anyone? You mean even a disciple from my Dragon Sect would be acceptable?"

"Yes. I will entrust the inheritance to you. You must find a successor within one year."

"You trust me that easily?"

"I trust you. As for why... you needn’t ask, because I don’t know either. Perhaps this is what they call fate."

’Fate?’

Hearing the word "fate," Long Ao nodded. Without further ado, he said, "Alright, I promise. As soon as I find a suitable successor, I won’t delay."

"You’ve already reached the Peak of Void Realm?"

Long Ao didn’t try to hide it. With the elder’s Divine Dao power, it was impossible that he couldn’t see his true realm. "I’ve been stuck at this realm for a long time," he said with a sigh. "I just can’t seem to break through to the Void Saint Realm."

If anyone else had heard Long Ao’s words, they would have likely drowned him in scorn.

After all, Long Ao’s cultivation speed was widely known; he hadn’t been at the Peak of Void Realm for very long at all.

"I just sensed your body. It’s very strange. I’ve never seen a constitution like yours before, so I have no way to help you break through."

"I understand."

’Long Ao felt no disappointment. He knew his Desolate Constitution better than anyone. Especially since he was cultivating the Ninth Transformation Reincarnation Technique, a breakthrough was impossible unless the technique itself reached the Second Transformation. Otherwise, not even a Divine Dao Martial Artist could help him.’

"Kid, this is my inheritance. I hope you can find a suitable candidate."

Taking the Inheritance Crystal, Long Ao nodded. "Don’t worry, I will."

Even now, Long Ao found it hard to believe. He had actually encountered a Divine Dao Spirit who entrusted him with finding a successor for its inheritance.

’Long Ao had already made up his mind. Once he returned to the sect, he would find a suitable person to receive this Divine Dao Inheritance. If he did, he was confident that in a few years, the Dragon Sect would have its first Divine Dao Martial Artist. When that time came, the so-called Four Great Forces would be nothing but garbage before him.’

"Kid, I’ve given you the Divine Dao Inheritance and the Death Bell. You must see this through for me. Otherwise, the consequences will be more than you can bear."

Long Ao nodded without saying anything more.

Then, Long Ao left the gloomy space. At that moment, the illusory elder suddenly let out a sinister chuckle, a sound filled with coldness and cunning.

"After waiting so many years, I finally have a chance to get out! HAHAHAHA!"

With that, the last remnant of the illusory elder’s Divine Spirit vanished without a trace. A moment later, Long Ao had left the gloomy space and returned to Broken Soul Valley.

The Snake Totem had been destroyed, so the Ghosts would no longer appear. But Long Ao didn’t leave immediately. It hadn’t even been a full day since he’d entered Broken Soul Valley. If he just swaggered out now, the Imperial City would surely not let the matter rest.

’Duan Kai had made it sound nice, saying he was letting me into Broken Soul Valley to seek a breakthrough,’ he mused. ’But if I really did break through to the Void Saint Realm, I’m sure the first person who would come after me would be Duan Kai himself.’

’A Divine Dao Inheritance, and a Celestial Divine Inheritance no less... it would be a lie to say I’m not tempted. After all, a Celestial Divine Martial Artist stands at the Martial Arts Peak. But I’m worried that if I accept this inheritance and then can’t break through to the Celestial Divine Realm, won’t I be stuck, unable to ever reach the true peak in this lifetime?’

Long Ao’s lifelong dream was to reach the Martial Arts Peak on his own terms. That was why he had always refused any shortcuts, be it a Divine Dao Inheritance or a Great Emperor Inheritance. If he hadn’t, he wouldn’t still be where he was today.