Eternal Heavenly Emperor

Chu Hao's rapid cultivation progress is due to his exceptional circumstances.

Firstly, there is a continuous supply of Star Stones; secondly, his Cultivation Technique has progressed from Human Level Lower Grade to Human Level Middle Grade, and now, it has leapt directly to Earth Level Middle Grade. Thirdly, and most importantly, his physique is strong.

His body is like a furnace, melting and refining the energy between heaven and earth for his own use.

With these three factors combined, Chu Hao now manages to fully expand a Meridian in roughly a month. However, if it were someone else, even a typical genius would need half a year's time.

Therefore, for the average genius, a Seven Flower Fruit could save about half a year's hard cultivation. And for common people, the value of a Seven Flower Fruit is even higher.

"You actually ate two Seven Flower Fruits, how can people not be envious, jealous, and hateful?"

"Why is your luck so good?"

"Even if you ate two Seven Flower Fruits, at most you're just at Three Meridians Early Stage," Pang Yi hurriedly sought confidence for himself, "I am at Five Meridians Mid-Period, suppressing you will be more than enough."

Chu Hao laughed and said, "I'm sorry to say, I'm not at Three Meridians Early Stage, but Four Meridians Early Stage."

What?

Pang Yi and the others were startled at first, having advanced a minor realm in just two short months? Then they sneered internally, Chu Hao's first Meridian definitely hadn't been fully expanded; he must have rushed to open the second one and then consumed two Seven Flower Fruits.

Thus, immediately able to break through to the fourth Meridian, he naturally reached Four Meridians Early Stage.

Strictly speaking, such Four Meridians Early Stage might be higher in terms of realm, but in terms of Star Force reserves and surge, it could only compare to a mid or even late stage of the Third Tier.

Mediocrity pursues only realm, but those aspiring to be strong will do their best to fully expand a Meridian before stepping into the next realm. Otherwise, what's the use of an empty realm? Only to be defeated by those of lower levels and become a stepping stone for others.

In fact, expanding a Meridian to its limits is quite difficult. Even geniuses can reach only around 90 percent, which is why some geniuses can only be invincible within their tier, while others can challenge beyond their tier.

"You really have shitty luck," Pang Yi showed a look of disdain. A person who rose in ranks this quickly couldn't possibly have much combat power and simply wasn't worthy of being his opponent.

"All talk and no action. Just come and fight," Chu Hao gestured with his fingers, pointing to the 'human pile' by the door, and said with a smile, "I reserved a spot for you over there."

Pang Yi was infuriated, this damn guy dared to mock him like that, he was absolutely livid.

"Hahaha, Pang Yi, you're quite lively over here," amidst a hearty laughter, a young man with his hands behind his back approached with a face full of glee, "What game are you playing?" He pointed at the conspicuous pile of people.

"None of your business, Liu Guang," Pang Yi said coldly.

The young man called Liu Guang chuckled and, upon getting closer, crossed his arms in front of his chest, looked around at the three of Chu Hao, and couldn't help showing a disgusted expression. "Pang Yi, we can set aside our grievances for now, but if you lose to a dog from River Down Courtyard, then you'll no longer be qualified to be my enemy in the future."

"Bullshit," Pang Yi immediately cursed, "Would I lose to a wretch from the Lower World?"

"Have you guys had enough?" Chu Hao said icily. They were still calling them dogs and wretches right in front of the three of them, showing just how much these Native Faction disciples looked down on people from the Lower World.

"Liu Guang, I'll take care of this kid first, then I'll fight you," Pang Yi pointed at Liu Guang and said.

"Then you better make it quick. If you exhaust too much strength, you won't be my match," Liu Guang snorted.

"Ten moves will be enough," Pang Yi strode towards Chu Hao, "Wretch, bring out your strongest skills, or you won't last ten moves."

Chu Hao shook his right fist and pointed towards the pile of people, "You better just find a spot there and lie down."

"Chu Hao, knock him out," Fu Xue shouted.

"Awoo—" Flying Fire also barked, baring its teeth fiercely. The creature was quite clever, knowing clearly who the enemy and who the friends were.

Whoosh!

Chu Hao made the first move, his figure lunging forward toward Pang Yi with a raised right fist, launching a punch.

Shocking Force.

Bang!

Of course, Pang Yi wasn't about to show weakness and chose to clash fiercely with Chu Hao. A wave of force burst forth, and with a series of snaps, Pang Yi took three steps back, while Chu Hao, on the other hand, was forced back seven steps. However, Pang Yi wasn't pleased with the result; instead, his expression grew somber.

The other's strength... so strong.

This definitely wasn't something achieved overnight. In a head-to-head clash, he had only taken four more steps back than his opponent, indicating that the other's strength was not much inferior to his. And keep in mind, he was at the fifth-tier mid-period.

Such a result should normally be expected of a fifth-tier mid-period against an early period.

Why was this the case?

There was only one explanation: the other's Meridians had expanded more completely, and his Star Force was more condensed than his.

How could this be possible? Absolutely impossible! In the ranks of the Inner Sect Disciples, he might be ranked 98th and not considered a top genius, but his status was certainly linked with the word 'genius.' He had expanded each of his Meridians around 85 times, one even reaching 90 times.

Could it be that Chu Hao's Meridian expansion had reached 100 times? Having consumed the Seven Flower Fruit, his Meridians could certainly expand 100 times, but as a Four Meridians Early Stage practitioner, one of his Meridians would have needed to be expanded on his own.

It actually reached a hundredfold.

This was something only Core Disciples could achieve, and not every meridian could expand to a hundred times its size. The only person capable of this was one individual.

Cao Jingwen.

That's why he was counted among the Four Talented of Tianhe, the universally acknowledged strongest of this generation's youth.

This lowly wretch from the Lower World, could he possibly possess such potential?

Envy surged within Pang Yi, his eyes unconsciously glinting with malevolence. He had to cripple this potential genius before he had a chance to grow.

"Incredible," Liu Guang muttered, lowering his hands that he had raised in surprise, his face growing solemn. He was ranked 97th among the Inner Sect Disciples, only slightly higher than Pang Yi. The strength of the two was nearly the same, and they often switched places in the rankings.

That is to say, if he had been the one to face the challenge, the outcome would not have been any different.

"Thousand Illusion Hand." Pang Yi let out a low shout, his hands interweaving rapidly, creating what seemed like hundreds of hands, all of them just shadows.

This was the Pang Family's signature secret technique, a High-Grade Human Level Martial Technique.

After all, the Pang Family was but a Seventh Rank Noble Family, capable only of possessing High-Grade Human Level Martial Techniques.

"Within ten moves, I will defeat you," Pang Yi advanced, his hands dancing like thousands of blossoming flowers, attacking Chu Hao with an overwhelming barrage.

He acknowledged Chu Hao's immense talent, but what of it? The latter's strength was still weaker than his. Besides, what advanced martial technique could someone from the Lower World possibly have?

Chu Hao unfolded the triple wave, countering with Shocking Force.

But as soon as the fight began, he was at a disadvantage, forced to dodge continually with the Sky Stepping Technique.

The reason was simple: the triple wave could only bring out the physical strength, unable to harness Star Force—the martial techniques from the Lower World were incomplete, never mentioning how to use Star Force.

How could he play this game?

"Hahaha, the scum from the Lower World is indeed lowly, unable to harness Star Force. Yet you dare to come here for a challenge?" Pang Yi's face was filled with scorn. Today, he not only intended to severely injure Chu Hao but also destroy his confidence.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, the sky was filled with his handprints, creating a terrifying force and launching a frenzied attack on Chu Hao.

Indeed, very powerful.

Chu Hao had to admit, each martial technique was honed through countless refinements; none were just for show. He racked his brains, looking for a counter-strategy. But whether it was Mad Wind Fist, Izumo Sword Technique, or Mad Demon Hammer Technique, although they varied in rank, without exception, he hadn't learned how to harness Star Force with any of them, unable to utilize his Fourth Tier early-stage Star Force.

Only Sky Wind Eight Styles.

Well then, bring it.

Chu Hao's right fist turned to a palm, and with a fierce shake, whoosh, the ground around him, the sand and stones disobeyed gravity and levitated.

"Hmm?" Pang Yi was slightly cautious, the atmosphere of the opponent's move was somewhat alarming.

But so what? The opponent's strength was weaker than his own, and being from the Lower World, what significant move could he use?

"Take this." Chu Hao called out softly, thrusting his palm forward.

"Hahaha, as if I'm afraid," Pang Yi still used Thousand Illusion Hand, launching thousands of palm strikes toward Chu Hao.

In front of Chu Hao, there was nothing but palm prints, but he was completely unfazed, simply pushing his right palm out.

Sky Wind Eight Styles' first move, Gathering Wind.

Bang!

A loud boom, the shockwave shook the heavens, sand and dirt flying chaotically.

"What—!" Liu Guang's eyes immediately widened in shock, disbelief written all over his face.

Pang Yi, actually, was struck, coughing up blood!

And not just that, the clothes on his body were also blasted apart. The power he received was too great, overflowing from inside him incredibly, actually bursting his battle suit.

Chu Hao approached, merely tapped his finger on Pang Yi's forehead, and the latter collapsed with a thunderous thud, already knocked out cold.

Sky Wind Eight Styles, badass.

Chu Hao didn't pile up Pang Yi, which would have been too conspicuous. Knowing he always liked to keep a "low profile," he simply sat down right on top of Pang Yi and said, "Who's next?" while pulling out a Star Stone, immediately beginning to restore his Star Force. The might of Sky Wind Eight Styles was built upon the tremendous consumption of Star Force.

Such arrogance, just a lowly creature from the Lower World, and he doesn't try to keep a low profile after leaving the River Down Courtyard? Moreover, restoring his power with a Star Stone right in front of everyone was utterly dismissive of those around him.

Moreover, he even took the liberty of sitting on Pang Yi, a tremendous insult to the Native Faction.

But since Pang Yi was defeated, naturally, the Pang Sect had no other experts to send into battle. As a result, the remaining few from the Pang Sect all turned their eyes to Liu Guang.

Bro, it's all up to you now.