Eternal Heavenly Emperor

"It seems like a rat has mixed in among us." As soon as the Martial Sect announced the start of the fight, someone on the stage spoke with disdain, directing their gaze at Chu Hao.

"Why don't you hurry and get lost?" A woman scolded Chu Hao, looking to be around 23 or 24 years old. She was fairly good-looking but had very thin lips, giving her a mean appearance.

Chu Hao smiled faintly and said, "I'm not going anywhere. How about I make all of you get lost instead?"

"Audacious!" Six people simultaneously shouted.

"Let's all take action and drive this rat away first."

"Sounds good."

The six nodded in agreement. Though they were from different branches of the Ling Family, they naturally formed a united front when facing an outsider from the Lower World. They moved their steps and surrounded Chu Hao.

The Martial Sect by the edge of the stage pretended not to see this. He only needed to ensure no one got seriously injured; whoever won or lost was irrelevant since it was just the top 32.

Chu Hao stood with his hands behind his back and said, "If any of you can make me move a step, I'll admit you have some skill."

"Hahaha, such an ignorant rat." A young man suddenly leaped out and attacked Chu Hao from behind, aiming a punch straight at his heart.

Without even turning around, Chu Hao reached out at the last moment as the punch was about to land.

Despite his seemingly slow movements, the young man's wrist already fell into Chu Hao's grasp. With a swift motion, Chu Hao flung him away—whizz—sending the man crashing into one of the stage's pillars before he fell to the ground.

He fell quickly and got up just as fast, but now he looked at Chu Hao with wary eyes, not daring to attack rashly again.

This single move already revealed Chu Hao's strength.

The other five were the same, each mobilizing their Star Forces, causing their bodies to shine with colorful lights as they stimulated their physical attributes.

Initially, they targeted Chu Hao together simply because he was from the Lower World. They naturally disregarded the idea of standing on the same stage as a rat from the Lower World. But now they realized that without teaming up, they couldn't possibly be a match for Chu Hao.

Chu Hao still stood with his hands behind his back, as if he didn't see the six as a threat at all.

"Kill!" The six shouted simultaneously, launching their attack on Chu Hao.

Chu Hao moved his hands casually, his formidable derivation analysis in full swing, countering their attacks effortlessly. This was also because the strongest among them was only at the mid-fifth tier; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so relaxed.

The six from the Ling Family grew increasingly alarmed as the fight went on. Not only did Chu Hao block all their attacks, but he also hadn't even moved a step.

This was the most terrifying aspect.

How much stronger was this rat from the Lower World compared to them?

They couldn't accept being surpassed by a rat, so they gritted their teeth and intensified their attacks. Now, they didn't even hope to defeat Chu Hao but just wanted to make him move a step; otherwise, they'd utterly lose face.

But that was destined to be a vain hope.

Even when they unleashed their ultimate moves and their attack power surged, Chu Hao remained unbothered. Using the Jade Wall Technique, his body was as smooth and indestructible as jade.

If any among the six had more power than Chu Hao, they could rely on raw strength to push him back. But the problem was, in this regard, they couldn't compete.

Chu Hao smiled slightly, "Any more ultimate moves? If not, it's my turn."

"You're too arrogant!" Someone couldn't help but shout.

"So what if you can beat us? There are many in the Ling Family stronger than we are."

"Clan Brother Tianhe, Clan Brother Tianyun, and Clan Sister Yueying could all crush you with one hand."

"What are you so proud of?"

The six shouted indignantly.

Chu Hao shrugged, "Beating a few small fry is indeed nothing to be proud of—just consider it a warm-up."

"What?" The six were livid. They hadn't meant to belittle themselves, but Chu Hao treating them as mere warm-ups was too insulting. Fueled by anger, their combat power surged somewhat.

Chu Hao counterattacked, finally moving. And once he moved, it was as unstoppable as a tiger descending the mountain.

Bang, bang, bang.

The six from the Ling Family were repeatedly knocked away by him, yet none of them were flung off the stage.

This was, of course, intentional on Chu Hao's part.

He wanted to make them endure a few more beatings.

According to the ring rules, falling off the stage meant defeat; voluntarily surrendering meant defeat; losing combat power meant defeat.

But none of them had fallen off, none had lost combat power, and with their anger fuelled by Chu Hao, none were willing to surrender. They kept getting up and attacking Chu Hao again, yelling angrily.

Bang, bang, bang, bang, they kept getting thrashed.

Chu Hao held little affection for the Ling Family, so he didn't mind using the opportunity to take out a few people and vent his frustration.

Because of Chu Hao's deliberate delay, the other 31 arenas had already decided their winners. Only his was still bustling. But seeing it was enough, Chu Hao kicked the six off the stage with six consecutive kicks.

After all, he wasn't yet strong enough to confront the Ling Family directly.

Even so, he had incited their fury, with most Ling Family disciples glaring daggers at him.

"What an arrogant mutt."

"How dare he act so arrogant at the Ling Family."

"Hmph, let me face him next, and I'll return the favor tenfold."

"Hahaha, I'll be the one to stomp this rat to death—it won't be your turn."

The other victors snorted coldly. To have defeated their peers and stood out, their strength was naturally superior.

Ling Tianhe's face was particularly grim. Chu Hao had been exceedingly arrogant at Yunliu Sect, and even here at the Ling Family, he didn't know to restrain himself. Ling Tianhe would ensure this mutt from the Lower World learned his place.

"Ling Tianhe, it seems you're not doing a great job as the Ling Sect leader, letting a dog from the Lower World bark like this." A young man walked up to Ling Tianhe, speaking to him arrogantly, "I'll have to teach him a lesson for you."

He was Ling Tianyun, who had left home at the age of twelve to travel the world with his master, the Old One-armed Blade Man, honing his skills. Now an Eighth Tier Peak martial master, he was at least on par with Ling Tianhe in terms of presence.

"Mind your own business." Ling Tianhe snorted. As the Ling Sect leader, he had authority over all younger members of the Ling Family. Ling Tianyun challenging his authority was not welcome.

Despite their similar names, their familial relationship was distant—going back over ten generations to find a common ancestor.

In large families, sibling rivalry for power was common. In Ling Tianhe's eyes, Ling Tianyun was a competitor first, a family member second.

Ling Tianyun merely chuckled and focused his gaze on Ling Tianhe instead of Chu Hao. He regarded Chu Hao as no more than an ant. "I heard you're ranked fourth among the core disciples of Yunliu Sect?"

"So what?" Ling Tianhe replied coldly.

"That's disgraceful." Ling Tianyun fanned his hand dismissively. "With your strength, can you even withstand three moves of my Tiger-Slaying Saber?"

"If you can make it to the finals, I don't mind letting you taste the might of my Torrential Rain Sword." Ling Tianhe was equally confident.

The two exchanged a look, sparks of rivalry flying.

A beautiful young woman watched their confrontation, a cold smile curling her lips. How powerful could core disciples of a mere Sixth Grade sect be?

She was an Inner Sect Disciple of the Dharma Lotus Hall. Even if she wasn't a core disciple, a Fourth Grade sect's Inner Sect Disciple should be superior to a Sixth Grade sect's core disciple. If the core disciples of Dharma Lotus Hall joined, even their lowest-ranked member could rival the likes of Cao Jingwen or Jin Yunlin among the Four Talented of Tianhe.

She was determined to claim the victory in this competition.

The top 32 were decided, with Chu Hao and Fu Xue both advancing smoothly.

Chu Hao's advancement wasn't surprising, but Fu Xue's was noteworthy, given she was only at the mid-second tier.

Firstly, she had good luck with her separate group, the strongest being only at the early-fourth tier. Secondly, she had cultivated the Minor Formless Mysterious Skill, making her Star Force exceptionally solid. Her natural combat talent also saw her fight through the encirclement.

However, after the top 32, there were hardly any weak opponents left, so Fu Xue's journey would likely end here.

The top 32 required another draw for group allocation, and since all matches were to be completed today, the draw was quickly followed by the start of 16 simultaneous battles.

Chu Hao and Fu Xue were placed in different halves of the bracket, but Chu Hao's luck seemed poor. In his half, he would first face Ling Tianyun in the final eight, then Ling Yueying in the final four, and if he reached the finals, he would face Ling Tianhe.

—Given the strength of these three, they were expected to make it through their matches.

Only a few minutes later, the top 16 matches began.

Chu Hao stepped onto the stage, facing a young man in purple who looked about the same age and sported a look of obvious disdain.

"Insect, kneel and surrender, or your end will be tragic," the young man in purple said arrogantly.

Chu Hao shook his head, "Can you speak properly? If not, I don't mind shoving you back into your mother's womb to let you reincarnate and try again."

The young man in purple was instantly enraged, his face turning red. This insect had a mouth so sharp it stung without profanity. Taking a deep breath, he drew his long sword with a clang, "Since you insist on provoking me, you're inviting your own suffering."

Chu Hao glanced at him with an eager expression—he wanted to test his Jade Wall Technique against sharp weapons.