Eternal Heavenly Emperor

Chu Hao first practiced the Sliding Step.

This required an extremely fine grasp of the surrounding airflow, followed by using Star Force to minimize friction as much as possible, in order to increase his speed.

After half an hour, Chu Hao had to stop.

His Star Force was exhausted.

He extravagantly used Star Stones to recover his strength—although Star Force could actually recover slowly except in combat, Chu Hao, eager to master the Sky Stepping Technique as quickly as possible, didn't care about that.

What's more, he was now so poor that he had nothing left but Star Stones.

The next day, he still practiced the Earth Flame Jue in the morning, while the afternoon and evening were devoted to practicing the Sky Stepping Technique, making rapid progress.

Three days later, he reached the 16-turn pinnacle of Earth Flame Jue, greatly increasing his cultivation speed. By his estimation, it would only take two months to fully expand a meridian—a task that typically took a year for most people.

This was the effect of his physique.

"My Star Force is now incomparably solid. Although I'm just at the First Tier Early Stage, I can definitely match someone at the First Tier Late Period. And when I fully complete the First Tier of cultivation, this margin of improvement will be even greater, and fighting across tiers will definitely not be a problem," Chu Hao was full of confidence.

Two days later, he finally reached the first layer of the Sky Stepping Technique, the Sliding Step.

He first returned the copies of "Earth Flame Jue" and "Sky Stepping Technique," then headed to the River Down Courtyard.

"Junior Brother Chu, there's no issue, right?" Zhao Huan asked.

"What issue?" Chu Hao responded blankly.

"The cultivation technique and movement technique you're practicing," Zhao Huan said, "you definitely can't have mastered them in just seven days, and you can't just copy another version. If you remember even a single character wrong, it could cause a major disaster."

The words at the tip of Chu Hao's tongue were immediately swallowed back down. He truly had learned them all, except that the Sky Stepping Technique hadn't reached the highest realm yet, but that was just a matter of time and comprehension. However, if he was to tell the truth, it would probably be a huge blow to the other person.

He nodded and said, "No problem, I have always had a good memory."

"That's good," Zhao Huan nodded, then added, "Come, let me tell you about the situation in the Inner Sect."

He took Chu Hao up the mountain to a large platform.

There was a long stone slab there, and on it were white papers with names, and in front of each name was a number.

"This is the strength ranking list of Core Disciples and Inner Sect Disciples," Zhao Huan said.

Chu Hao looked over and saw that each paper listed only ten names, with a total of 100 sheets, but he did not see his own name.

However, he saw some familiar names on the first sheet.

First was Cao Jingwen. Second, Luo Ping. Third, Jin Wuxiang. Fourth, Ling Tianhe. Fifth, Xue Li. Sixth, Shi Lingyue. Seventh, Gu Zi. Eighth, Zhao Jian. Ninth, Chi Kuan. Tenth, Ke Jiren.

"Only those who make the list are eligible to receive the cultivation resources from the Sect; otherwise, you have to figure out a way on your own. Moreover, if you remain unlisted for three consecutive years, you will be expelled from the Sect," Zhao Huan continued.

"Those who are not on the list can only challenge the last ten names. If they win, they take their place. And if you want to improve your ranking, you need to continue challenging the other nine people on the same sheet. Only those who are ranked first have the right to challenge the preceding ten names."

"Every ten days, you can submit a challenge application to the Sect, to challenge someone within the rules, and the Sect will arrange the fight for you."

"If you are strong enough, you don't need to go through all this trouble. At the beginning of the New Year, there will be an Inner Sect competition, and you can rush into the top ten, or even challenge one of the top ten Core Disciples and take their place! Moreover, it is only at this time that you can challenge the Core Disciples."

"Successful challenges come with point rewards, and the higher the rank, the more points awarded."

"Points can be exchanged for Pills, Precious Materials, Star Stones, and also allow you to borrow Cultivation Techniques and Martial Techniques; they are our most valuable resources."

"Besides challenges, completing tasks for the Sect can also earn you points."

He paused for a moment, patted Chu Hao on the shoulder, and said, "However, you don't have to worry for at least this year. Newly promoted Inner Sect Disciples are not included in the ranking in their first year, so it doesn't matter if you don't squeeze into the top 1000 by the end of the year. But next year, that won't be the case."

Chu Hao nodded. With such a competitive mechanism in place, those below the list, of course, must train hard, while those on the list dare not be negligent, as the ones with lower rankings could be dropped at any time. They must strive in their cultivation to move up the ranks.

This made everyone dare not slack off, toiling in cultivation every day.

"Senior Brother Zhao, what cultivation realm is the person ranked at 1000th?" Chu Hao asked.

"Three Meridians," Zhao Huan answered.

It turned out that one needed to be at Three Meridians to squeeze into the top 1000.

Chu Hao continued to search and quickly found the name Pang Yi, ranked 98th. Just a few names above him was Zhao Huan, ranked 92nd.

Being in the Five Meridians could only rank above 90th; indeed, the competition was fierce.

However, since Zhao Huan was the leader of the River Down Courtyard, this meant—Chu Hao said, "Are all those ranked in the top 90 from the Native Faction?"

"Exactly," Zhao Huan's expression also became serious, "The local disciples have family supports behind them, not only do they receive far more cultivation resources than us from the Lower World, but they also have family heirloom Martial Techniques and Cultivation Techniques. If the talent is equal, they can leave us far behind."

Chu Hao nodded; this was a disparity not to be overlooked.

However, the fact that not a single person from the Lower World made it into the top 90 was far beyond what Chu Hao had expected.

"Chu Hao, in a few days we're planning to go to the Black Jade Pool. Why don't you join us for some training?" Zhao Huan said.

"What's the Black Jade Pool?" Chu Hao was surprised.

"Oh, I forgot you've just entered the Inner Sect," Zhao Huan clapped his hands and explained, "The liquid in the Black Jade Pool can soften the meridians in our bodies, making them easier to expand."

"Then I must go," Chu Hao nodded.

"However, the Black Jade Pool is deep within Gold Peak Mountain. Not only are there powerful ferocious beasts, we also have to share it with the Rain Field Sect and Ten Brocade Sect. If we're unlucky, it could take a long time," Zhao Huan said.

In Tianhe County, there was more than one sect, and the Yunliu Sect wasn't even considered powerful. The Rain Field Sect and Ten Brocade Sect, which were nearby Yunliu Sect, were also formed by many martial arts families. They were like two circles of influence, with strengths no less than Yunliu Sect.

The three factions often clashed over interests, and there was definitely no friendship between them. The Black Jade Pool was in the middle of these three major forces and, though it was an extremely important resource point, it could not be moved. Thus, they had no choice but to continuously fight over it.

"No matter how long it takes, it's worth it," Chu Hao said unconcerned.

Each meridian can only expand during cultivation practice, and once you miss that chance, you lose it. Therefore, even among Third Tier martial artists, the strength of two Martial Artists might differ as much as heaven and earth.

Chu Hao, of course, sought perfection and, before reaching the War God level, the other nine realms could all be considered foundation building. Only if every single layer's foundation was solid could one possibly reach the highest peak.

"Haha, then prepare yourself—too bad, you've just entered the Inner Sect and have no credits. Otherwise, it'd be much more convenient to exchange them for a Mustard Seed Ring whenever you go out," Zhao Huan said.

Chu Hao nodded. A Mustard Seed Ring was indeed convenient, but it wouldn't be good to take it out and use it openly right now, as that would be hard to explain.

The two descended from the mountain peak, but just as they reached the entrance of the River Down Courtyard, they heard groans and whimpers coming from inside. They hurriedly pushed the door open and saw about a dozen people lying in the courtyard, apparently seriously injured.

"What happened?" Zhao Huan hurriedly asked.

"It was Zhang Jian and his group. They took advantage of our boss's absence, claiming to want to spar with us. They forced our hands, and the result—" a disciple struggled to his feet, then said with shame, "I'm sorry boss, we've disgraced River Down Courtyard."

"Zhang Jian." Zhao Huan clenched his fist in hatred, and then smiled, "It's not your fault. Zhang Jian is of the Five Meridians, obviously not someone you can contend with. Damn it, those despicable people."

Seeing the groaning people on the ground, Chu Hao also couldn't help but feel a surge of anger, "Do people from the Native Faction often come to stir up trouble?"

"Yeah." Zhao Huan nodded, "Those ranked in the top 90 basically disdain to take action, but those ranked after 90 often bully the disciples of River Down Courtyard under the guise of sparring."

"Does the Native Faction also have many forces?" Chu Hao asked.

"How could they not? Everyone forms cliques. There are at least 50 forces. Take Cao Jingwen, for example, he's the leader of the Cao Sect. He has Seven Great Generals under his command, each with the cultivation of the Eight Meridians. Just the Cao Sect alone could easily sweep all forces ranked from two to ten when combined," Zhao Huan explained.

"So, what's the rank of our River Down Courtyard?"

"The very bottom," Zhao Huan sighed.

That would mean all the forces could bully the people of River Down Courtyard.

Truly a difficult path.

"How many of us are there in total?" Chu Hao asked again.

"With you included, 252. In terms of numbers alone, we have more people than any other force," Zhao Huan said.

Chu Hao gave a bitter smile. That's because the Native Faction had their own turfs, unlike the people from the Lower World who could only band together. This also implicitly indicated the overall weakness of the disciples from the Lower World—the Native Faction was divided into 50 forces and still managed to suppress easily.

"No helping it, our cultivation resources are too scarce," Zhao Huan said, seeing Chu Hao's expression and also shaking his head in a sigh.

Indeed, to be able to enter the Yunliu Sect meant being a genius, but it was the limitation of cultivation resources that made the gap in the Martial Master Realm glaringly obvious.

"So, should we postpone the trip to the Black Jade Pool?" Chu Hao said.

"No," Zhao Huan shook his head, "In the next two months, many of the powerful beasts in Gold Peak Mountain will enter a dormant period. If we miss this window, the danger of going into the mountains later will increase dramatically."

Chu Hao nodded, "When do we leave?"

"In five days, in the morning."

"Alright."

Chu Hao returned to his place. He had to rush to advance his Sky Stepping Technique to the Second Layer, Space-Condensing— if he could reach the Third Layer, that would be awesome, as he could reverse skyward, which would be an absolute divine skill.

For those five days, he engaged in arduous cultivation, fully committed to the breakthrough.

On the morning of the sixth day, Chu Hao took his Red Shadow Sword to meet up with Zhao Huan and the others. As for Flying Fire, he had sent it to Fu Xue earlier because the little creature had not yet entered the Martial Master Realm. Even if it went to the Black Jade Pool, it wouldn't benefit and would only risk its life in vain.

"Junior Brother Chu!" "Junior Brother Chu!"

Seeing Chu Hao coming over, Zhao Huan and the others greeted him in succession.

Not counting Chu Hao and Zhao Huan, there were six others on this trip, four men and two women, namely Bai Shengjin, Wei Lingyun, Pan Zhengtong, Zhang Yunshen, Mu Xinyue, and Zhan Yaqi.

"Let's set off."

(Thank you to Lao Mao 71255 and Zhang Yu Jian Yu for yesterday's rewards)