Eternal Heavenly Emperor

Chu Hao even defeated Ling Tianhe, who ranked fourth among the core disciples. Breaking into the top ten of the Inner Sect was certainly no problem.

His target was Cao Jingwen, a super genius far surpassing his peers and one of the Four Talented of Tianhe.

The next day, he, along with Fu Xue, Zhao Huan, and others, arrived at the mountain top.

The Inner Sect competition was naturally only for Inner Sect Disciples; even Outer Sect Disciples did not have the qualification to watch.

"Chu Hao, do you have the confidence to break into the top ten?" Zhao Huan asked, his face full of anticipation.

—The Ling Family had, of course, strictly sealed the news of Chu Hao winning first place at the Ling Family New Year Festival. Though it was said that paper couldn't wrap fire, there was no problem in temporarily concealing it for a while.

Fu Xue covered her mouth and laughed. If Zhao Huan knew Chu Hao had already defeated Ling Tianhe, he definitely wouldn't have asked such a question.

Zhao Huan looked at Fu Xue, completely puzzled. It seemed he hadn't said anything wrong, so why did Fu Xue have such an expression?

Chu Hao just smiled and said, "There shouldn't be any problem."

"Good." Zhao Huan patted Chu Hao's shoulder hard. "Because our Lower World disciples can't compare with the Native Faction in terms of cultivation resources, no one has ever made it into the top fifty. Now you've finally emerged, you're a real monster."

Chu Hao laughed heartily, pointing at Fu Xue. "Senior Sister Fu's talent is no less than mine, it's just that her current realm is a bit lower, otherwise, I wouldn't dare claim I could win against her."

Of course, he was being modest. In terms of battle talent, Fu Xue indeed didn't lose to him, but he had now learned two Earth Level high-grade Martial Techniques. Such ultimate techniques were so rare that even the Fifth Grade sects would be envious, let alone anyone in the Yunliu Sect having the qualifications to learn them.

"Fu Xue, huh!" Zhao Huan looked at Fu Xue and couldn't help but sigh. Fu Xue indeed wasn't as monstrous as Chu Hao, who had reached the Four Meridians stage within just five months—although he didn't know that Chu Hao had advanced two minor realms again—but Fu Xue's combat talent was outstanding enough that even some Four Meridian martial masters wouldn't be her match.

The people from the River Down Courtyard naturally sat together, with just over a hundred people, occupying a corner of the square.

The entire Inner Sect was divided among forty to fifty families. A glance revealed groups of various sizes. The most populous was naturally the River Down Courtyard, but when it came to the quality of the disciples, the River Down Courtyard was at the bottom.

The highest quality was, of course, the Cao Sect.

Cao Jingwen appeared, standing with his hands behind his back, the whole person like a drawn treasured sword, exuding a brilliant radiance. Even if far away and surrounded by many people, he could be easily recognized at a glance.

This was a true genius, shining the brightest light wherever he was, and no one could overshadow him.

Behind Cao Jingwen stood seven young men and women in a row, the oldest looking about 27 or 28 years old. Whenever they glanced at Cao Jingwen, their eyes would become incredibly fervent, clearly his die-hard followers.

"Those are the Seven Great Generals of the Cao Sect," Zhao Huan said, pursing his lips. "All seven ranked in the top ten of the last Inner Sect competition. Just these seven can sweep most forces."

Chu Hao nodded. Cao Jingwen himself was the top-ranked core disciple, and if these seven teamed up, they could sweep the entire Inner Sect, undoubtedly the first force within the Yunliu Sect.

It was because Cao Jingwen was too monstrous, one of the strongest four talents in Tianhe County.

Wearing such an aura, it was natural for many to follow him.

This was a True Dragon. The earlier one clung to and followed him before his rise, the more important they would be. When the dragon soared into the sky in the future, those who followed him would naturally gain countless benefits.

Chu Hao immediately retracted his gaze and said, "What is the reward for winning the first place in the Inner Sect?"

Zhao Huan couldn't help but show a strange expression, thinking this guy was really daring to think, already aiming for the first place? But Chu Hao had only drawn a tie with Xia Yun, ranked 57th, just two months ago. Could he now take the first place?

What a joke.

At that time, Chu Hao was only at the Fourth Tier Early Stage, now at most at the Fourth Tier Mid-Stage, at best the peak, but the problem was, the top ten of the Inner Sect were all Eight Meridians.

"The first place in the Inner Sect only has a Star Stone reward. However, if you can become a core disciple, you can enter the third floor of the Scripture Pavilion for the first time and borrow a Human Level high-grade Martial Technique," Zhao Huan said.

Human Level high-grade.

Chu Hao nodded. He had three Earth Level Martial Techniques, but the more skills, the better. The more ultimate moves, the better. He wanted to upgrade his Sky Stepping Technique, which performed well in combat but wasn't particularly fast in absolute speed.

Having a movement technique known for its speed, if he couldn't win, he could at least escape.

Living on was crucial to becoming stronger.

Chu Hao smiled and said, "Then I must get a core disciple position."

Pfft.

Zhao Huan and several other River Down Courtyard disciples nearby burst out laughing. It wasn't that they underestimated Chu Hao, but how long had Chu Hao been in the Inner Sect? To want to enter the top ten and even replace a core disciple in his first Inner Sect competition?

There was only one person in the entire Yunliu Sect to have achieved such a feat, Cao Jingwen. After being promoted to the Inner Sect, he became the first in the Inner Sect in the subsequent competition and successfully knocked down the tenth-ranked core senior brother.

Apart from him, even geniuses like Luo Ping and Jin Wuxiang were promoted from Inner Sect Disciples to core disciples the following year.

This showed how difficult it was.

More importantly, the core disciples of this generation were stronger than any previous generation, making it even more challenging to dethrone them.

However, if Chu Hao could truly become a core disciple... Zhao Huan and others' breathing immediately became heavy. What a moment of glory that would be.

Did the Native Faction not look down on them?

This would be a slap in their faces.

But of course, Chu Hao had to achieve that first.

On one hand, Zhao Huan and the others couldn't believe it, whilst on the other hand, they were full of expectation, feeling extremely conflicted.

"Ehh, someone from the Cao Sect is coming towards us." A River Down Courtyard disciple suddenly said.

Everyone looked over and saw one of Cao Jingwen's Seven Great Generals indeed walking towards them. Though the person hadn't arrived yet, the terrifying aura already oppressed them, making everyone feel a bit breathless.

Both were martial masters, yet why was there such a huge difference?

"It's Wan Yanliang, ranked sixth among the Inner Sect disciples." Someone gasped.

"Who is Chu Hao?" Wan Yanliang asked coldly.

"Why are you looking for Chu Hao?" Zhao Huan stepped forward. He was the leader of the River Down Courtyard. Even though his current strength was no longer comparable to Chu Hao's, the sense of responsibility still made him step up.

Wan Yanliang casually glanced at Zhao Huan, his gaze like a sharp blade, making Zhao Huan involuntarily lower his head, not daring to meet his eyes.

"He who conquers without fighting."

Not to mention that Zhao Huan's cultivation was already inferior, even if they were at the same realm, Zhao Huan would've already lost on aura alone. If they fought, he would be defeated in one move.

"Where's Chu Hao? My young master says he needs a dog, so you're chosen." Wan Yanliang's gaze swept across the crowd and quickly rested on Chu Hao.

Clearly, he recognized Chu Hao.

Zhao Huan and the others showed signs of anger. Treating their River Down Courtyard genius as a dog was an incredible insult—yet, in Cao Jingwen's eyes, they were less than dogs.

But they dared not utter a word. Wan Yanliang's aura was too oppressive, making them lose the courage to act.

Before this, they had hoped Chu Hao could challenge the core disciples, but now it seemed entirely fanciful. If the seventh-ranked Inner Sect disciple was so strong, how strong would the core disciples be?

Chu Hao looked at Wan Yanliang without anger and said faintly, "Go back and tell your master that I will challenge him soon."

Pfft.

Zhao Huan and the others burst out laughing again. Challenge Cao Jingwen? Even other core disciples did not dare to do that.

Wan Yanliang was initially stunned, then laughed heartily. "A mere dog dares to challenge my master, what a fool. Fine, if you make it to the top, I'll teach you how to be a good dog."

Chu Hao said no more. They would see soon enough who was stronger, no need for unnecessary words.

Wan Yanliang sneered and turned away.

However, his interruption caused Zhao Huan and the others to lose all confidence, feeling foolish for once believing Chu Hao could become a core disciple.

The atmosphere turned cold, and everyone silently waited for the competition to begin.

The Inner Sect had about two thousand people, far more than the Outer Sect Disciples. After all, Outer Sect Disciples could only stay for three years, while Inner Sect Disciples could stay indefinitely. Though, generally, people over 30 would be embarrassed to compete with younger members, making others blush.

With so many people, it was impossible to have one-on-one matches, so previous rankings played a role.

Those not in the top 500 would be grouped into tens, fighting to have one person emerge. After entering the top 500, the competition would be less intense, grouped into fives, then fours for the top 400, and so on.

But the top 100 did not need to participate in the preliminary matches. They would join the winners from the preliminaries for the main event, fighting one-on-one via lots.

All Inner Sect disciples had to participate. Led by Zhao Huan, the River Down Courtyard members went for group assignments. Only Zhao Huan was in the top 100 and didn't need the preliminary matches.

Soon, they dispersed to their respective arenas, starting the first round of battles.

Chu Hao walked casually into one circle. Since it was a prelim, it wasn't formal, just a circle drawn on the ground where ten people fought, and whoever was pushed out lost qualifications.

Among the ten, besides Chu Hao, another person was from the River Down Courtyard, Zhao Hua.

"Senior Brother Chu, I'll try to hold off two," Zhao Hua said. Weapons were banned in the prelims to avoid injuries, so he raised his fists.

Chu Hao smiled slightly and said, "No need."

He looked up at the other eight. "Will you walk out on your own, or should I throw you out?"