Chapter 479: An Unnecessary Move

Chapter 479: Chapter 479: An Unnecessary Move

"Sect Leader Long, Broken Soul Valley is a Forbidden Land of our Imperial City. Even Core Disciples cannot enter as they please."

Hearing what Duan Kai said, Long Ao grew even more curious.

’Since Broken Soul Valley is the Imperial City’s Forbidden Land, why is he telling me about it? Does Duan Kai want me to enter?’

Long Ao felt a growing sense of vigilance. No matter how you looked at it, Broken Soul Valley was the Imperial City’s Forbidden Land. If he entered rashly, God only knew what might happen.

As if reading Long Ao’s mind, Duan Kai smiled and said, "Sect Leader Long, there’s a super weapon and incredibly dense Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power inside Broken Soul Valley. If you can get in, breaking through to the Void Saint Realm should be no problem at all."

"Brother Duan, there’s one thing I don’t understand. Since Broken Soul Valley is the Imperial City’s Forbidden Land, why doesn’t the Imperial City enter it and retrieve this super weapon?"

"Nine deaths, one life."

"What does that mean?"

"To be frank, Sect Leader Long, Broken Soul Valley is extremely dangerous. The slightest misstep will cost you your life."

Hearing this, Long Ao was even more astonished. After all, Duan Kai’s meaning was simple enough: Broken Soul Valley was so dangerous that even people from the Imperial City couldn’t necessarily enter it safely.

"Sect Leader Long, when we discovered Broken Soul Valley, we tried to enter, but ultimately failed to retrieve the Treasure within. However, a few of our predecessors did manage to achieve a breakthrough inside."

"Brother Duan, please just say what’s on your mind."

"Sect Leader Long, I won’t hide it from you. Since we’re now in an Alliance, I hope you’ll become as strong as possible. Frankly, at your current level, you’re no match for a Void Saint Martial Artist."

Long Ao said nothing, sitting in silence.

"That’s exactly why I hope you’ll enter Broken Soul Valley, Sect Leader Long. If you can achieve a breakthrough, nothing would be better."

He scoffed inwardly.

Long Ao knew perfectly well what Duan He and Duan Kai were implying.

’Broken Soul Valley has a Treasure and a chance to break through, but it’s also incredibly dangerous. One wrong move inside, and I’d be doomed beyond recovery.’

’Duan Kai is so cunning. If I enter Broken Soul Valley and survive, the Imperial City and the Dragon Sect continue their Alliance. He might be displeased, but that’s the worst of it. But if I die in there, then all his problems are solved.’

’I have to admit, Duan He and Duan Kai are a pair of wily old foxes. Unable to defeat me in a direct confrontation, they’ve resorted to such a low-down trick.’

Anyone else would have refused, without a doubt. But Long Ao was a madman. He nodded and said, "In that case, it would be rude to refuse. When can I go in?"

"Anytime."

"Alright. Then there’s no time like the present. I’m ready to enter Broken Soul Valley right now."

"Follow me."

A flash of delight crossed Duan Kai’s face when he heard Long Ao wanted to enter Broken Soul Valley immediately. He quickly stood up and led Long Ao toward the valley.

Broken Soul Valley, the Forbidden Land of the Imperial City.

Ever since the Imperial City discovered Broken Soul Valley, few had ever entered. Duan Kai hadn’t told Long Ao the whole truth: once someone entered the valley, it was nine deaths, one life. The number of people who had made it out alive was vanishingly small.

That was exactly why Duan Kai had resorted to such a desperate measure.

Just as Long Ao had guessed, Duan Kai had two motives for sending him into Broken Soul Valley. First, if Long Ao came out alive, their Alliance would continue. Second, if he didn’t make it out, a thorn in their side would be removed.

「Outside Broken Soul Valley.」

Duan Kai struggled to suppress his inner laughter, his face a mask of indifference as he said, "Sect Leader Long, you must be careful entering Broken Soul Valley. I will await your triumphant return right here."

Unwilling to waste time on pleasantries, Long Ao offered a few perfunctory words before heading straight into Broken Soul Valley.

"Father, Broken Soul Valley holds a supreme Treasure and abundant Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi. If Long Ao goes in and gets the Treasure, or actually breaks through to the Void Saint Realm, won’t we have indirectly helped him?"

Even now, Duan He couldn’t understand why his father had done this.

Duan He had already been vehemently against his father’s invitation for Long Ao to enter the Imperial City. And now, he was actually letting him go into Broken Soul Valley! If Long Ao really broke through to the Void Saint Realm and obtained the supreme Treasure, wouldn’t the Imperial City suffer a double loss?

Duan He was extremely wary of Long Ao. Though Long Ao was only a Void Martial Artist, his talent and potential were undeniable.

Duan He had always been a staunch advocate for killing Long Ao. Beyond his wariness of Long Ao’s talent and potential, there was a more important reason: Long Ao had killed his son—his most beloved son. That was a debt Duan He could never, ever forget.

But Duan Kai just waved his hand, his expression turning grim. "You should know full well what Broken Soul Valley represents. I refuse to believe that Long Ao can enter that valley and come out alive."

"Father, I..."

"Enough. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. No one from the Imperial City has ever been able to retrieve the supreme Treasure from Broken Soul Valley, and I doubt Long Ao can either. This time, we’re taking a gamble."

Sighing deeply to himself, Duan He knew that since his father had made up his mind, the matter was set in stone.

Although Duan He also firmly believed that Long Ao would never leave Broken Soul Valley—that he would surely die inside—for some reason, he had a bad feeling, as if Long Ao might actually make it out.

"Father, since Long Ao came here himself, why don’t we just kill him directly?"

Duan He truly couldn’t wrap his head around it. The Imperial City had many Void Saint Martial Artists; killing Long Ao would be a matter of moments. Why go to all this extra trouble?

Duan Kai said with a sigh of resignation, "If we could, we would have killed him long ago. I’ve received word that the Long Clan seems to hold Long Ao in high regard. If we can’t kill him in an open and justifiable manner and instead choose to do it now, the Imperial City will be in deep trouble when the Long Clan comes to assign blame."

The Long Clan.

Duan He jumped in fright when his father mentioned the Long Clan. Now he finally understood his father’s plan: to use Broken Soul Valley to kill Long Ao. That way, even if the Long Clan wanted to hold someone accountable, it would be impossible.

"The reason the Third Level Long Family, Netherworld Mansion, and Piaomiao Palace have been so hesitant to act is because of the Long Clan. If our four powers could just work together, what would a piddling Long Ao matter? But unfortunately, everyone has their own agenda. No one wants to be the one to stick their neck out, and that’s given Long Ao an opening."

Before Duan He could respond, Duan Kai continued, "Broken Soul Valley is a Forbidden Land of our Imperial City. Long Ao entered of his own free will, so we can’t be blamed. When the time comes, even if the Long Clan investigates, they can’t pin this on us. So, do you understand now?"

He nodded. If he still didn’t understand, he might as well just kill himself. And so, Duan He prayed for Long Ao to die inside Broken Soul Valley. If he did, all their problems would be solved.

(PS: I have some great news for everyone. Thanks to Xiaojiu’s efforts, starting today and lasting until next Tuesday, we’ll be having a five-day release burst of ten Chapters per day! Please send your tips and votes, otherwise our rankings won’t climb, and I’ll be out of options in the future. If everyone just chips in a dollar or two, it’s not a lot, but our numbers would be absolutely insane. I’m begging you all!)