MMORPG: War God, You are Invincible Again
Chapter 362 - 117: Pyrrhic Victory

Chapter 362: Chapter 117: Pyrrhic Victory

Dust settled as Lu Hong knelt on the shattered ground, gasping for breath. His right shoulder was pierced by a dark long spear—a counter-attack from Zun Long, a strange force inveaded Lu Hong’s body, not belonging to Magic Power nor a curse’s force. Lu Hong could still muster the strength to contend with it.

Struggling to pull out the spear, Lu Hong rose to look towards the chaotic other half of the continent.

In the billowing dust, Zun Long’s figure reemerged.

"I take back my previous slights against you," Zun Long, disheveled, said under the crimson onslaught, injured in multiple places, his bloodstains mottled.

His abdomen, though, had been torn open by a dreadful gash, his intestines most likely pushed back by Zun Long himself, and fixed in place using the power of space—an emergency measure.

"Pity, I couldn’t kill you."

Zun Long pondered briefly before speaking, "Your strength has earned my recognition. Now, on behalf of Duke Xin Lei, I formally extend an invitation to you. If you’re willing to give up your Baron status of the Empire, Duke Xin Lei is willing to accept you and designate you as the ninth honoree of the Xin Lei family. Though the ninth, the honor is second only to me."

"Honor?" Lu Hong chuckled, "I’ve seen you under the tournament stage many times. Not once did you not look like a loyal dog guarding in front of Xin Lei, wagging your tail, trying to please her."

Facing Lu Hong’s mockery, Zun Long didn’t get angry and candidly said, "In this world, no one can live in isolation and practice alone. Support from a family is much faster than pursuing alone. Our lifespans are finite, and if we cannot advance within the limited time, we will age and die with regret. Only by advancing and becoming a Heavenly God can one attain eternal life and transcend the mortal plane. If being a loyal dog for a hundred years can exchange for immortality, then who will remember that I was once a dog for some family after a thousand years?"

Zun Long was very straightforward, without any concealment—unexpectedly, the Duke’s top assassin was also a person of true character.

"Sorry." A true scoundrel is more respectable than a hypocrite: "I cannot accept your request."

"Are you really not considering it?" Zun Long expressed his admiration for talents, especially after seeing Lu Hong’s terrifying destructive power, he believed that if Lu Hong could survive a hundred years undiminished, he would surely become a peerless prodigy under the Star Sea.

"You just need to put down the status of Imperial Baron, never to mention it again, then you can obtain supreme honor in the Eagle Alliance. The title of Earl from Fan Ping is a way out given by the four Dukes and also a recognition of your strength. If you refuse, you will undoubtedly die!"

Despite Zun Long’s earnest persuasion, Lu Hong was completely unmoved, "Enough, I will not join any family of the Eagle Alliance."

"In that case," Zun Long gripped his Magic Wand, "I’m sorry then, I must kill you today!"

As soon as he had spoken, Zun Long vanished from the spot.

Lu Hong suddenly realized the urgency; the rhythm of war instantly activated.

Relying on the rhythm’s detection, Lu Hong could predict his opponent’s attack in advance.

What Zun Long thought to be an instant strike, was perfectly blocked by Lu Hong.

But the price of blocking Zun Long’s attack was being hurled a hundred meters by the huge impact.

Lu Hong furrowed his brow, adjusted his stance, and again blocked a sneak attack from behind, simultaneously managing all the blood energy in his body. This collision was an even match.

"This isn’t space Magic Power?" Logically, Lu Hong, clad in divine light, was completely immune to magic; even the highest quality space Magic Power should have no effect under the shine of divine light.

Zun Long stepped back half a step, explaining, "Indeed, it’s not Magic Power, but Fighting Spirit."

"Fighting Spirit?" Lu Hong thought of his past battle with Bo Ge, Zun Long’s Skill was very similar to his.

"Yes," Zun Long confirmed Lu Hong’s guess, "Bo Ge’s father disappeared in the Anxi Yearly Plane ten years ago, captured by me. From him, I obtained the Bo family’s legacy Skill of converting Demonic Qi to Fighting Spirit."

Zun Long’s judgment was very accurate. Once Lu Hong’s arm could pass through the spatial barrier, Zun Long knew about Lu Hong’s magic immunity and thus transformed all his space Magic Power into Fighting Spirit, colliding intensely with Lu Hong.

Zun Long might have aged, but his skills were not weakened. Being a Third Transition Peak strongman for a hundred years, he had breakthroughs in many areas, and his total Magic Power was frighteningly high. Therefore, the converted Fighting Spirit was incredibly abundant, fully supporting him to withstand Lu Hong’s brute force, even slightly surpassing.

"Then let’s fight!" Lu Hong dual-wielded the Blood Holy Sword, fighting furiously against him.

Both sides played a desperate game of chance, and for a while, it was hard to tell who was superior. Thus, a day passed, and the surroundings were shattered beyond recognition, still with no indication of who might win.

Another day went by, still no victor, but the divine light around Lu Hong began to dim. He had never considered where the limit of this state might be; today he came to know it, a knowledge that was utterly deadly.

Zun Long smirked, "Your gold-spent time seems to be coming to an end."

"Rest assured, I will kill you before this ends," Lu Hong once again exerted his full strength, but the more anxious he became, the less effective he was; instead, he was suppressed by Zun Long and forced to retreat step by step.

Half an hour later, the godlight completely vanished; Zun Long immediately transformed his fighting spirit back into magic power and with a strike of Space Sealing, pinned Lu Hong to the ground, rendering him immobile.

Floating over to Lu Hong, Zun Long’s vigilance waned, and a wave of exhaustion washed over him, "You’ve lost."

Lu Hong struggled fiercely, in vain. Without the godlight, he was no longer a match for Zun Long.

"I’ll give you another chance. If you can swear an oath to the Heavenly God and pledge loyalty to the Xinlei family, I will let you go."

"Never!" Lu Hong was unwilling, yet the gap between their levels was like a chasm, impossible to bridge.

"Then die," Zun Long’s eyes turned cold as the space before him shattered, ready to grind Lu Hong into dust.

Just then, a massive dragon eye abruptly opened.

Zun Long was startled; suddenly, there was nothing before his eyes, but he was aware that something had entered his mind.

"Little brother, I’ve just awakened; how come you’re in such a state?" Ancestor Dragon’s voice was deep and angry. So its own brother was being beaten and nearly killed—how could it not be furious?

"Dragon Bro?!" Lu Hong was overjoyed as Ancestor Dragon’s timely awakening couldn’t have been better.

"Lu Hong, brother, watch as I avenge you." As he spoke, a majestic surge of spiritual power burst from within Lu Hong, shattering Zun Long’s spatial lockdown.

Zun Long staggered back, terrified at the sight of the massive Ancestor Dragon.

"You... you’re not an ordinary demon beast?" Zun Long was no fool; he had seen countless demon beasts, but none possessed the suffocating might of Ancestor Dragon.

"I am Ancestor Dragon, the progenitor of the dragon race," Ancestor Dragon growled. "You dared to attempt to kill my brother; today, I shall punish you on his behalf."

As he spoke, the soul form of Ancestor Dragon’s eyes slowly solidified, its ruby-like eyes emitting a terrifying wave of energy.

Zun Long hastily retreated, but it was too late. His magic power seemed frozen. Soon, starting from his feet, Zun Long’s body gradually petrified, and within moments, he was completely turned into a stone statue.

"Dragon Bro! You’re too awesome!" Lu Hong stood up and couldn’t help but give Ancestor Dragon a big thumbs-up.

"Awesome, my foot!" Ancestor Dragon glanced at Lu Hong annoyedly. "I’ve just woken up and you’ve already provoked such a powerful enemy; have you gone mad?"

"Ah?" Lu Hong sensed that something was amiss from Ancestor Dragon’s tone.

"What are you daydreaming for! I can only trap him for a month at most. Did you think I was physical? I’ve just woken up and now I have to sleep again—damn, it’s so annoying!" The grouching Ancestor Dragon suddenly felt a soul trembling in Lu Hong’s Space Ring and bellowed, "Come out!"

The Holy King scrambled out, kneeling on the ground and shaking, "Dragon... Dragon Bro, hello!"

"Stop trying to cozy up to me," Ancestor Dragon turned to look at Lu Hong and said, "Is this soul your little brother?"

"Well... sort of."

"Oh." Ancestor Dragon nodded, then turned to the Holy King. "Since you’re my brother’s little brother, listen up. While I’m asleep, you must take good care of him. Otherwise, when I awaken, if my brother has sustained the slightest injury, I will eat you."

"Yes, yes, yes, I’ll protect Brother Hong with my life."

"Good." Ancestor Dragon nodded. "If you handle this well, when I awaken, I will surely grant you a favor, the chance to reform your physical body."

Having said that, Ancestor Dragon’s soul gradually shrank and retreated into Lu Hong, returning to its slumber.

The Holy King visibly relaxed, while Lu Hong felt a tinge of regret, uncertain how long Dragon Bro would sleep this time.

Looking at the petrified Zun Long, Lu Hong opened the Teleportation Scroll and turned to leave.

With Zun Long defeated, he doubted that Duke Xinlei would dare to make another move rashly. The champion’s seat... here I come!