Eternal Heavenly Emperor

Chu Hao and Su Wanyue both fell into silence.

The situation took a sudden turn, becoming even more confusing.

"Could it be that there are other ancient clans with the surname Chu, but due to their long history, they have gradually declined and are no longer well-known?" After a while, Chu Hao speculated.

Su Wanyue nodded, saying, "It's possible." After all, no one knows how long the Sky Martial Star has existed. Many ancient clans have even gone extinct. Who knows, maybe one or two branches became mundane groups, but a bloodline reversion suddenly appeared in Chu Hao.

"Train well. With your talent and physique, you will shine one day." She nodded, turned around, and left.

After this farewell, who knows how long it will be until they meet again.

Chu Hao couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

The next morning, Feng Yezi finally decided to take a rest, and Chu Hao quickly went over to bid farewell.

"Mm, be careful on your journey," Feng Yezi nodded. "Study that secret technique well. If you have any questions, you can come here anytime to see the old man—or go to see my senior instead. He lives closer to you."

"Yes," Chu Hao nodded, standing respectfully, a feeling of admiration rising in his heart.

Feng Yezi had recorded everything he had learned throughout his life, and every one of his ten disciples had a copy. Now, Chu Hao also received a handwritten copy. It was centered on Tian Chengzi's legacy, combined with Feng Yezi's own understanding and experience, making it an invaluable treasure.

Yet such a treasure was given to him freely, how could he not feel respectful?

Chu Hao bid his farewell and left, while Guo Zhen would stay a few more days until the Xuanyin Sword was completed before returning—this was a major event for the Bingyuan Pavilion, as they had never forged a third-rank treasure artifact before.

Going back, of course, there wasn't a Fiery Flame Horse to ride, which was why Chu Hao set off ten days earlier, expecting to spend five or six days on the road. Fortunately, his broken bones did not affect his travels.

Every place he passed through, he would visit the local jade shop to buy jade stones, which did not add any burden to his Mustard Seed Ring, as the jade he purchased wasn't enough for half a day's cultivation.

On the fourth day of his journey, he finally mastered the First Layer of the Jade Wall Technique.

This was an Earth Level Middle-Grade Martial Skill.

Even without using Star Force, Chu Hao's skin had become extremely tough. When using Star Force, his skin would emanate a jade-like glow, smooth and slippery, which could disperse the force of sharp weapons.

The hardness of his skin now was comparable to Thousand-layer Iron forged from fine iron.

Chu Hao couldn't help but sigh. If he had the Earth Attribute, the hardness would increase by another level.

For example, if his current skin hardness was comparable to 128 layers of fine iron, with the Earth Attribute, it would increase to 256 layers, even 512 layers.

There are no perfect things in the world, but his flame physique wasn't weak either, capable of turning his body into a furnace to refine everything. Wasn't that awesome enough?

One shouldn't be too greedy.

Moreover, the Jade Wall Technique was just a transitional skill. As his body's elemental transformation increased, he wouldn't need to use the technique anymore, and his defensive power would far exceed its current state.

However, reaching the First Layer of the Jade Wall Technique brought a significant change—his meridians were greatly enhanced, allowing him to use the Sky Wind Eight Styles continuously.

Though if he used it too often, his meridians would still feel intensely swollen and painful, as he had just reached the First Layer realm.

He traveled by day and rested by night, practicing for three hours each evening, then another three hours for the Jade Wall Technique, and two hours of sleep to keep his energy levels optimal.

On the seventh day, he finally returned to the Yunliu Sect.

Upon passing Thousand Jun City, he made a large purchase, spending 5,000 jin of fifth-grade Star Stones to buy about 200 jin of advanced jade, rich in Jade Essence.

Jade Essence could be used for tool-forging and alchemy when refined. The jade shop owner even thought Chu Hao was a buyer for some artifact or pill workshop, which was why he bought so much. He tried to befriend Chu Hao, even inviting him to a feast so that he would keep coming back for more purchases.

Chu Hao didn't mind spending the money because he had won 6,000 jin of Star Stones from Ge Kui and Shao Rui. After all, martial skills were supplementary, and cultivation was paramount. He wouldn't impoverish himself for a martial skill and run out of Star Stones for cultivation.

He hadn't missed a day of cultivation, and now he had reached the fifth-tier peak. But it seemed unlikely he'd open the sixth proper meridian and step into the Sixth Tier before the New Year.

Chu Hao arrived at the River Down Courtyard, and fortunately, there was no scene of injured disciples this time.

"Senior Brother Chu."

"Senior Brother Chu."

Seeing Chu Hao enter, the disciples sparring in the yard stopped and greeted him with respect.

Even if some weren't there at the time, they heard about it later, naturally feeling inspired and filled with admiration for Chu Hao. That battle had won respect and dignity for the Lower World.

Therefore, regardless of age, they all called him senior brother.

Chu Hao nodded in acknowledgment as he walked towards the house.

"Chu Hao." Zhao Huan came forward, punching Chu Hao playfully on the chest. "You did great. Now the Native Faction won't dare look down on us anymore."

Chu Hao pretended to wince, saying, "Oh no, you've seriously injured me."

"You brat, even Xia Yun couldn't hurt you, what's my little strength compared to that?" Zhao Huan retorted.

Xia Yun was among the top 57 talents in the Inner Sect.

"Chu Hao, our future in the Lower World depends on you and Fu Xue now." Zhao Huan said seriously.

"What's Senior Sister Fu's current cultivation?" Chu Hao asked.

"That extraordinary person is already at the mid-second tier. She has also entered the top 1,000 in the ranking of strength, currently holding the 788th position," Zhao Huan said with both envy and joy. Having another strong newcomer from the Lower World was a great delight, though he naturally envied her rapid progress.

Half a year to raise a level and a half in cultivation.

Chu Hao nodded inwardly, acknowledging it as the result of the Minor Formless Mysterious Skill and Star Stones. Of course, Fu Xue's innate talent played a crucial role too; otherwise, such remarkable improvement would be impossible.

He wondered if Fu Xue had the Gu Clan bloodline.

As soon as the thought arose, he dismissed it.

Throughout history, while the Sky Martial Star had produced many War Gods, it was unlikely for two descendants of ancient clans to appear in the same city. Fu Xue should naturally be extraordinarily gifted.

Chu Hao smiled, saying, "I won't disappoint your expectations, Senior Brother Zhao."

"It's almost the New Year, and we'll be visiting various families for the celebration. Go and prepare," Zhao Huan patted Chu Hao's shoulder. "However—" he hesitated for a moment, then continued, "I heard that Ling Tianhe has openly declared he will make you publicly embarrassed during the family festival."

That bastard.

Chu Hao nodded, "I'll be careful."

Zhao Huan sighed. Being careful wouldn't help much. Ling Tianhe was the most anticipated youngster of the Ling Family. Who would offend someone destined to become a War General for the sake of an outsider?

Who let them come from the Lower World, alone and without support?

Moreover, Fu Xue was out on a mission and wouldn't return to the Yunliu Sect for a few more days, so Chu Hao went to Weird Claw Peak to find Tang Xin.

"Master Chu, you finally came back," seeing Chu Hao, Tang Xin sighed repeatedly. "Since you became an Inner Sect Disciple, how much time have you spent in the sect? I'm practically Flying Fire's babysitter now."

"Where's Flying Fire?" Chu Hao was curious, not seeing it at the River Down Courtyard or with Tang Xin. Where could it be?

"It's been sleeping for a few days now, with streaks of light flowing over its body. I was afraid of affecting it, so I didn't disturb it," Tang Xin explained.

Was the little guy starting its second transformation?

Chu Hao remembered that Flying Fire had done this once before, entering a deep sleep and awakening with improved skills, especially in absorbing Star Stones. If it's sleeping again, would its cultivation efficiency increase further when it woke up?

The Fire Cloud Leopard was a branch of the Fire Cloud Beast, a famed War General level beast. If Flying Fire's bloodline were pure enough, it could potentially become a War General-level beast in the future.

Chu Hao nodded, "Good thing you didn't disturb it. You might have ruined its fortune."

"...You haven't seen it in a while. Still calling it a little guy? Its appetite is so big now I'm going broke," Tang Xin complained.

Chu Hao couldn't help but laugh, then he asked, "What tier have you reached now?"

"Sixth Tier," Tang Xin replied with satisfaction. In half a year, he had gained 500,000 jin of strength, a significant progress. Before this, he had stagnated for six months, and suddenly rebounding, his progress was swift.

"What tier are you at?" he asked in return.

"A bit less than you, fifth-tier peak," Chu Hao patted his shoulder. "Let's see who hits martial master first, you or me reaching the Martial Sect."

"Can I curse? That's unfair," Tang Xin rolled his eyes.

"Haha, wait a few days. I'll forge a treasure artifact for you," Chu Hao said. They were close enough to joke like this.

Tang Xin was astonished, "When did you learn to make treasure artifacts?"

"You said I disappeared for half a year, didn't you? Do you think I was just playing?" Chu Hao waved his hand.

Learning to create treasure artifacts in six months? What a phenomenon.

"But you might not have enough time. We'll be leaving for the Ling Family in three days," Tang Xin said.

That wasn't enough time.

Chu Hao nodded, "Then after the New Year. Besides, with no Star Force, you couldn't activate the treasure artifact now."

Martial Disciples could only use Ninth-Grade Treasure Artifacts, like the Bone Chain in the Lower World. It required no advanced skill, as most tool-forging masters could easily create one with powerful beast bones.