Eternal Heavenly Emperor

"I owe my life to Brother Chu for making it out alive this time," Shen Chao expressed his gratitude with a bow as they finally left the island far behind. "Should Brother Chu need anything in the future, just send word to the Green Water Sect, and I shall brave any danger without hesitation."

"Brother Chu, I feel the same," Lv Han said with a smile.

Hu Yan also nodded at the side, believing that words of gratitude need not be overly expressed; remembering it in one's heart was what truly mattered.

"Good," Chu Hao said with a smile and a nod. He didn't mind making a few more friends.

The four of them chatted and laughed, yet none mentioned anything about the Minor Formless Mysterious Skill. Obviously, the technique was of such importance that they preferred to keep to themselves.

After all, the higher one climbs in martial arts, the more resources one needs, and the fiercer the competition becomes, so naturally, fewer competitors was preferable.

It was an unspoken rule; mentioning it would harm the cordial atmosphere, but that didn't stop them from showing their intentions through their actions.

Chu Hao shook his head inwardly. He didn't mind sharing the Minor Formless Mysterious Skill with the three of them, considering they have fought side by side and escaped from desperate straits together. In his view, everyone had a right to the Earth Grade Cultivation Technique.

Regrettably, such thinking did not conform with the behavior norms of the Sky Martial Star.

Due to the long journey, the four split into two groups to paddle and keep watch in turns, switching every three hours, which was a perfect opportunity for cultivation. Of course, one must always be wary as lowering one's defenses during cultivation is too risky, and none dared to do so. It was more about resting with closed eyes, as they would soon reach the shore anyway.

Some people can only share adversity, not wealth. After cultivating the Minor Formless Mysterious Skill, their Star Force would undoubtedly become more solid than others at the same realm, enhancing their combat power accordingly.

Some people are simply narrow-minded and lack magnanimity. Who could guarantee they wouldn't launch a sneak attack?

There's no room for regret in such matters, after all, they had only just met. Who dared claim a deep understanding of the others?

When traveling, one cannot be too cautious.

Obviously, their travel speed couldn't compare to that of a large ship, and their raft was susceptible to attacks from aquatic ferocious beasts. Thus, it took them two full days and three nights before they finally reached the shore.

This was naturally not the same place they had embarked from, but it didn't matter. Once ashore, they were back in their own element.

"Everyone, I take my leave," Shen Chao cupped his hands towards the three.

"I bid farewell."

"I bid farewell."

All four of them bowed to each other. Once ashore, they were bound to go their separate ways, either to return to their respective sects or to find secluded places to intensely cultivate the Minor Formless Mysterious Skill.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, the four figures leaped away, each heading in a different direction.

One day later, Chu Hao returned to Thousand Jun City.

He checked into an inn, planning to stay for a few days to master the Minor Formless Mysterious Skill.

With his exceptional memory, he had managed to recall the entire sequence of the technique, but it was a narrow thing. Had he been any later, he surely would have missed a segment of the chant.

However, that wouldn't have too great an impact as he began memorizing from the second level of the technique, so missing the last part would only affect the first level, which was for the Martial Master Realm.

At worst, he could start cultivating this technique after advancing to the Martial Sect Realm.

If it was this challenging for him, it was likely the others hadn't memorized everything. However, Nangong Rou might have obtained the complete technique, given that they were a group of five. In fact, Chu Hao suspected she might have anticipated such a scenario and had even prepared paper and a pen, clearly fearing that a long recitation could lead to memory errors.

—Next time I encounter this woman, no questions asked, I'll just kill her outright.

Chu Hao refocused on the cultivation technique at hand.

The Minor Formless Mysterious Skill comprised four levels, corresponding to the Martial Master, Martial Sect, Warrior, and War General realms, and it could bring one's Star Force spiral to 101 revolutions at its highest realm—nearly seven times higher than the current Earth Flame Jue he was practicing.

Impressive!

Chu Hao began to switch to this new technique.

Hum, his internal Star Force immediately became chaotic, having grown accustomed to the circulation pathways of the Earth Flame Jue; suddenly changing the "course" naturally caused a rebellion in the Star Force, and the increased speed of the Star Force spiral was another challenge.

Now was not the time for haste. Any rush could drive the Star Force off-course and damage the meridians, leading to dire consequences.

Luckily, he had only been practicing the Earth Flame Jue for a few months. Gradually, under his control, the Star Force began to flow along its new path. His body naturally absorbed the Star Force from the air and ground, from all Six Elements, but once inside, every cell transformed it with a Flame Furnace, converting it to the Fire Attribute.

Naturally, energy already possessing the Fire Attribute was refined fastest, with other elements trailing far behind, hardly comparable.

Gradually, the speed of the Star Force circulation increased.

Chu Hao guided the Star Force as he began to develop his fourth Proper Vein.

He hadn't had the time previously.

As expected of a Middle-Grade Earth Level Cultivation Technique, just one day in, Chu Hao had already pried open a crack in the fourth meridian. At this rate, he would only need five days to fully clear this channel.

And he had only reached 27 revolutions with the technique.

With the ultimate 101 revolutions, the speed would be much faster.

As he stopped for dinner, Chu Hao couldn't help but nod to himself in approval. No wonder martial artists yearned for higher-tier techniques and skills; the difference in rank resulted in vastly different effects and strength.

Sky Wind Eight Styles, once performed, immediately surpassed all other techniques he had; just like the Minor Formless Mysterious Skill, it was far more efficient than both Earth Flame Jue and Seven Star Jue.

He thought about the prodigies in the War God families, with their boundless resources, top techniques, strongest combat skills, and guidance from the most powerful martial masters. How terrifyingly fast would they grow?

At his age, could they have already reached the Warrior, War General, or even… War King?

The next day, Chu Hao continued his intense cultivation.

His comprehension was terrifying. Each day, the rotation speed of his Star Force spiral soared, and it was feared that he wouldn't need ten days to reach the maximum speed dictated by the Cultivation Technique.

Five days later, the fourth Proper Vein burst open.

Fourth Tier Early Stage!

Chu Hao decided to return to the Yunliu Sect. Next was the expansion of his Meridians, which simply required time, and could not be rushed.

After leaving the city and arriving in the suburbs, he couldn't help but want to test the power of the Minor Formless Mysterious Skill. He found a large rock, concentrated his right fist, and with a boom, he punched out. Instantly, the large rock developed numerous cracks, spreading out like a spider's web.

With a gentle tap of his finger, the large rock immediately crumbled into countless small stones, scattering on the ground.

Such solid Star Force.

Chu Hao couldn't help but feel overjoyed. Limited by the width of his Meridians, the amount of Star Force he could deliver in each strike was finite. The more solid the Star Force and the fewer impurities it contained, the greater the force and destructive power of the strike.

A good Cultivation Technique signified a faster cultivation speed and stronger combat power at the same level.

Traveling for a day, he passed a small town in the evening and decided to rest in an inn for the night. Why sleep outside when you don't have to?

While downstairs eating, Chu Hao heard people talking about a recent event that had caused a great stir.

Five days ago, Small Absolute Blade Wu Shitong and Blade-Washing Guest Zhou Yang had fought nearby, ending with Wu Shitong's hasty retreat.

At first glance, this seemed normal. Zhou Yang had already stepped into the First Tier Martial Sect, so it was natural for Wu Shitong not to be able to defeat him. But Chu Hao knew that Zhou Yang had made his move because he wanted the Earth Element Blade that Wu Shitong had acquired at an auction.

Engaging in such forceful dealings, Zhou Yang was definitely aiming to silence Wu Shitong, since behind Wu Shitong was the powerful Mad Blade Mountain Villa with Warrior-level fighters, against whom Zhou Yang was no match.

Yet under such circumstances, Wu Shitong still managed to escape.

Very strong.

A martial master escaping whole from a Martial Sect, this strength was truly formidable.

The Four Talented, the Seven Stars, all had reputations well earned.

He had to work even harder.

Chu Hao said to himself, his physique was outstanding, and now he had acquired a Middle-Grade Earth Level Cultivation Technique. There was no reason for him to fall behind these people.

He must catch up as soon as possible.

Another three days passed and Chu Hao finally returned to the Yunliu Sect.

"Rawr!" Flying Fire pounced at his feet upon seeing him, biting furiously at the hem of his pants, as though protesting in this manner against Chu Hao. But after a short protest, the creature leapt onto Chu Hao, happily wagging its tail.

You're not even a dog, why wag your tail?

Tang Xin stood behind, saying, "You're finally back."

"What's the matter? The sky hasn't fallen," Chu Hao said with a smile.

"I have some good news and some bad news. Which do you want to hear first?" Tang Xin asked.

This kid is playing this game too?

Chu Hao teased, "The good news is that you've finally reached Tenth Tier Martial Disciple?"

"As if it could happen so fast." Tang Xin immediately jumped up. It had been only a little over two months since he had started cultivating. How could he possibly have risen from a First Tier Martial Disciple to Tenth Tier in such a short time?

"Then that's the bad news," Chu Hao sighed.

Tang Xin immediately started jumping and yelling, but then said, "The good news is that Senior Sister Fu broke through to martial master a month ago."

That's fast.

Truly a Female Tyrannosaurus with outstanding talent.

Chu Hao nodded, saying, "Then I must go and congratulate Senior Sister Fu."

"Now for the bad news," Tang Xin shook his head, "After Senior Sister Fu became an Inner Sect Disciple, of course, she joined the River Down Courtyard. But a few days ago, River Down Courtyard was challenged and all the Disciples were seriously injured."

"Who did it?" Chu Hao frowned.

"Pang Yi."

It's him again.

Chu Hao remembered the humiliation he received from Pang Yi the first time he went to the Scripture Pavilion, and Zhao Huan was there to stand up for him. Now, with Zhao Huan likely still soaking in the Black Jade Pool on Gold Peak Mountain, naturally, there was no one in River Down Courtyard who could stop Pang Yi.

But Fu Xue really was plagued by constant misfortune. How many times had she been laid low since she joined the Yunliu Sect?

"Let's go see Senior Sister Fu," he said.

The two went together to River Down Courtyard. As soon as they pushed the door open, they saw a row of weapons pointed at them.

They were so on edge that even their shadows seemed threatening.

"It's Chu Hao."

"Thank goodness, with the boss back, we don't have to fear that dog Pang Yi anymore."

"Eh, Junior Brother Chu, why are you alone?"

After recognizing Chu Hao, the group of over a dozen weapon-wielders revealed looks of relief, but their brows soon furrowed again.