Eternal Heavenly Emperor

"""

Because the New Year was approaching, some disciples had already started returning home, making the mountaintop much quieter. Fu Xue returned two days later. When the three of them met, there was naturally a lot to talk about. On the third day, the Ling Family deacon from the Yunliu Sect, Ling Yuanfeng, appeared, ordering Chu Hao, Fu Xue, Tang Xin, Le Deqing, and Yu Wenjing to return to the Ling Family with him.

They did not travel with Ling Tianhe, probably because Ling Yuanfeng knew that the contradictions between people from two different worlds were quite large. It was best for each to go their own way.

Along the way, Tang Xin, Le Deqing, and Yu Wenjing were very curious. Since arriving in Tianhe County, they had stayed in the Yunliu Sect and had not gone out to see much. Therefore, everything they saw felt quite interesting.

Fu Xue was always a restless person. After advancing into the sect, she eagerly went out on missions to see the world, so naturally, she wasn't like the three of them.

After four days of travel, they arrived at Ling City.

Because it wasn't suitable to unblock his meridians while on the road, Chu Hao's cultivation was still stuck at the fifth-tier peak. He spent his rest time on the Jade Wall Technique, striving to break through to the Second Layer realm.

This wasn't something that could be completed in a short time, and Chu Hao didn't have such luxury. His goal was simple, to strengthen his meridians as much as possible, allowing him to use the Sky Wind Eight Styles without limitation.

This goal was not extravagant. With each passing day, his meridians strengthened a bit.

At this time, the New Year had technically passed, but various celebrations were just beginning and would last for half a month, making the city atmosphere even more lively.

Ling City was the ancestral land of the Ling Family. Unlike the complex powers of Yunliu Sect with various families occupying different areas, Ling City was the Ling Family's domain. Here, they were like heaven and earth, possessing absolute control.

Chu Hao and his party arrived at a palace-like building, which was the Ling Family's ancestral land, occupying about one-fifth of Ling City and hosting tens of thousands of servants.

It was the first time entering the Ling Family, and without someone to lead the way, one would undoubtedly get lost.

Fortunately, they followed Ling Yuanfeng, and after passing through halls and corridors for over ten minutes, they arrived at a courtyard, where they would be staying for the next few days.

After arranging for their accommodation, Ling Yuanfeng left promptly. As a Martial Sect, he belonged to the second-tier strength in both the Ling Family and Yunliu Sect and couldn't waste time on Chu Hao and his group.

The courtyard was large, with eight rooms, enough for each of them to have one. The two women chose their rooms first, then it was the turn of the three men.

Settling in, Tang Xin and Le Deqing couldn't sit still and wanted to explore. Yu Wenjing also wished to see the city and buy some new clothes and jewelry—women love beauty, even martial artists.

Tang Xin and Le Deqing dragged Chu Hao along, while Yu Wenjing took Fu Xue. The five of them, relying on their memory, walked out of the Ling Residence.

Their memory was undoubtedly good, especially Chu Hao. Once he activated his derivation ability, he formed a complete map in his mind, ensuring they didn't take a wrong step. Soon, they were out of the Ling Residence and strolling through the city.

Yu Wenjing and Fu Xue made large purchases, and the things they bought were all stuffed into Chu Hao's hand—the fact that he now owned a Mustard Seed Ring was no longer a secret, given its legitimate origin.

However, the Mustard Seed Ring Chu Hao wore was obtained from Luo Ba, and he kept another from the old mummified Lv Congwen hidden, never showing it.

Because the space in the Mustard Seed Ring was limited, after it was filled, the two women reluctantly stopped. The five of them then went to a restaurant for a feast before heading back to the residence.

At the entrance of the Ling Residence, they were stopped.

—The guards at the gate had changed shifts and naturally didn't recognize the five new guests.

Fortunately, they had the Blood Wolf Order and took it out.

"You all came from the Lower World, didn't you?" a guard asked suddenly. There were a total of eight, an impressive display.

Chu Hao and the others looked at each other. How could they have the words "Lower World" engraved on their faces? It didn't make sense. They had been here for a year already. Their behavior and speech should have been well integrated; how could they be recognized at a glance?

"Lower World scum, you can just smell the stench." The guard who spoke earlier sneered.

Immediately, Chu Hao and the others' expressions became sullen.

Discrimination against the Lower World not only existed in the Yunliu Sect but also here. Even a mere gate guard dared to insult them to their faces.

"Kneel and apologize," Chu Hao said coldly, his anger rising.

"A few dogs from the Lower World think they deserve my kneeling?" The guard who had insulted them earlier sneered, turning to his companions and saying, "Brothers, these dogs from the Lower World seemed to have forgotten their place. Should we give them a good beating?"

"Absolutely."

"Squad Leader Zhang, beat this guy."

"Dogs should act like dogs."

"Beat them first, then make them crawl in through the side gate."

"How could dogs use the human path? That would be chaos."

The other seven guards also shouted, seemingly unconcerned about the Blood Wolf Order in Chu Hao and his group's hands.

Chu Hao and the others exchanged glances. The Blood Wolf Order, a symbol of supreme power in the Lower World, had turned into a dog's tag here? Even the gate guards were so arrogant, reflecting the Ling Family's attitude from top to bottom.

Without such an overall atmosphere, how could mere servants dare act this way?

Chu Hao stopped wasting words and directly attacked, grabbing at Squad Leader Zhang.

"Bold!" Squad Leader Zhang's face darkened. He pushed both hands forward to meet Chu Hao's attack.

As soon as they clashed, his cultivation was revealed.

Seventh-tier martial master.

Naturally, he couldn't be a Martial Sect. Those in that category belonged to the second-tier strength and certainly wouldn't be mere gate guards.

"Be careful, Chu Hao," Fu Xue and the others called out. Two months ago, Chu Hao could only fight Sixth-tier Xia Yun to a draw. Now, his opponent was a seventh-tier. Could Chu Hao have improved by an entire minor realm in two months?

Bang.

The two collided, and in a loud crash, Squad Leader Zhang stood his ground, but his entire body was trembling, with the sounds of bones clashing and blood vessels bursting continuously. He fell backward, blood gushing from his mouth.

Chu Hao, on the other hand, staggered backward under the impact, but a jade-like glow appeared on him as if his entire body was made of jade stone. After retreating nine steps, he stood firm, prideful as a mountain.

What? The outcome was decided in one move? And Chu Hao won?

How was this possible?

From the scene, it was evident that Squad Leader Zhang's strength was greater, pushing Chu Hao back nine steps while he stood his ground. Yet, in the end, why did he lose despite having the upper hand?

Not only did he lose, but he lost miserably.

Of course, Chu Hao was now at the fifth-tier peak, only a minor realm more than the opponent. Theoretically, with each minor realm difference, the power would differ by double, making Chu Hao slightly weaker.

However, he practiced a Middle-Grade Earth Level cultivation technique, causing his Star Force to far surpass his opponent's, greatly compensating for the realm gap. Moreover, Chu Hao used the Sky Wind Eight Styles, at least a Lower Grade Earth Level martial technique, with formidable power. Thirdly, Chu Hao employed Shocking Force, maximizing his strength without the slightest waste.

Fourthly, Chu Hao's Jade Wall Technique had reached the First Layer, making his body like jade stone, absorbing a lot of the attack power and being incredibly tough.

This left Squad Leader Zhang with no chance for even a mutually destructive outcome.

—In fact, someone like Squad Leader Zhang was a typical example of being dominated by a genius of the same tier, defeated by a super genius of a minor realm higher, and crushed by a prodigy two realms higher. Without such green leaves, how could the greatness of a genius be highlighted?

Fu Xue stepped forward proudly and said, "Who else wants to fight?"

The remaining seven guards, unaware of Chu Hao's extraordinary strength, assumed all five were equally powerful. The strongest among them was Squad Leader Zhang, a seventh-tier mid-level martial master, while the rest ranged from Third Tier to Fifth Tier. Even with seven against four, their chances weren't great.

Ultimately, they were just gate guards, lacking the pride of seeking a fight regardless of the outcome. Seeing their leader swiftly and decisively beaten, they immediately lost their fighting spirit.

"Apologize," Chu Hao roared, his gaze fierce and commanding.

"You're just from the Lower World. What right do you have to make us apologize?" a guard said boldly.

"Not just apologize but kneel and apologize," Chu Hao stepped toward them, "It's simple, kneel and apologize or end up like him." He pointed at Squad Leader Zhang.

This was too much.

Aren't they just Lower World scum? They only spoke the truth, why apologize? And they had to kneel? The seven were indignant, but seeing Squad Leader Zhang lying unconscious with blood pouring from his mouth, they hesitated.

"We're willing to apologize, but we won't kneel." After exchanging looks, the seven guards decided.

Tang Xin, Le Deqing, and Yu Wenjing inwardly agreed. Forcing them to admit wrongs was already impressive, considering this was the Ling Family, even if the guards were mere watchdogs.

Fu Xue, a battle enthusiast, shouted, "Kneel and apologize or fight."

"You provoked this, we don't start trouble but won't let anyone trample us," Chu Hao added, calmly but firmly.

The seven hesitated, looking between Squad Leader Zhang and each other, before lowering themselves and kneeling, saying, "We spoke wrongly, please forgive us."

Chu Hao and Fu Xue shared a glance, then walked away; these seven were merely dogs, not worth their time.

"""