Eternal Heavenly Emperor

"He challenges me," a young man jumped out. He joined the Yunliu Sect twelve years ago, a disciple of the Cao family, same generation as Cao Jingwen. Three years ago, he was a Core Disciple but was squeezed out by the new generation.

In these three years, he had been cultivating bitterly in silence, waiting for today's opportunity to make a stunning comeback and reclaim his position as a Core Disciple.

Although the sect had no such rule, the family had strict orders that every member over thirty had to leave the Yunliu Sect and return to serve the family—unless they could become a Core Disciple, which would not only make the sect invest heavily in their training but also the family.

He was now twenty-nine years old. If he couldn't become a Core Disciple this time, he would have to return to the Cao family next year.

Therefore, he had to do his utmost to fight.

Among the Top Ten Core Disciples, Ke Jiren, ranked tenth, stepped out with folded arms and said indifferently, "I'll defeat you within three moves."

The challenge had to and could only start from the tenth rank, so Ke Jiren was very displeased. Every year, it was always him who fought while the others just watched. But who told him to be the last in rank?

The Cao family member was furious. They were all at the peak of the Eight Meridians. Why did Ke Jiren look down on him? He snorted, "I'll make you pay for your arrogance."

Whiz, he lunged at Ke Jiren.

Bang, bang, bang.

The two figures entangled. Within just a breath's time, one was sent flying and landed with a thud on the ground, none other than the Cao family member.

Three moves, indeed defeated in three moves.

Hiss.

The onlookers gasped, this was a Core Disciple, what incredible strength. Although their realms were the same, their combat power was worlds apart.

Their gazes involuntarily moved to Chu Hao. Earlier, Chu Hao had also defeated Wan Yanliang within three moves; now, perhaps only he could match Ke Jiren.

But after all, Chu Hao was merely in the Six Meridians, a whole two levels below Ke Jiren. It wasn't rare to challenge higher levels, but to challenge a genius would drastically reduce the success rate.

"Next." Ke Jiren waved his hand, speaking casually with disdain.

These foolish people had no idea how terrifying the combat power of the Core Disciples was.

Except for Chu Hao, the other eight exchanged glances, showing fear.

The difference was too great.

They thought another year of hard cultivation would close the gap with the Top Ten Core Disciples, but now it seemed the gap had widened instead.

Never mind, better to honestly remain in the top ten of the Inner Sect. Their status was already high enough.

"Is there no one?" Ke Jiren sneered. As expected, just like last year and the year before, he only needed to make one move.

Chu Hao finally moved. He stepped forward and stopped in front of Ke Jiren, "I'll take you on."

"You?" Ke Jiren snorted, "A mere Six Meridians, can you withstand three moves from me?"

"Try and you'll see," Chu Hao said indifferently.

Ke Jiren snorted, his eyes flashing with sharp cold light. Among the Top Ten Core Disciples, only he wasn't from one of the Ninth Rank Noble Families, so compared to people like Cao Jingwen, he had far fewer cultivation resources.

This made him very dissatisfied, believing that if they had the same conditions, he wouldn't be ranked at the bottom, at least top three, maybe even replacing Cao Jingwen.

He was very conceited and had a twisted pride. Chu Hao's challenge with a Six Meridians level made him extremely angry.

"Ten moves," Ke Jiren raised a finger, "I'll defeat you within ten moves."

From three moves to ten moves, it showed he still took Chu Hao seriously, at least believing Chu Hao was much stronger than the Cao family member earlier.

Chu Hao smiled faintly, crossing his hands, "Please."

Ke Jiren took a deep breath, positioning his hands one forward, one back, one yin, one yang, precisely Yunliu Sect's top-grade Human Level Martial Technique, Minor Yin-Yang Punch.

Around them, everyone held their breath; the battle was on the verge of breaking out, destined to be intense.

"Who do you think will win?" Gu Zi asked.

"It should be Ke Jiren. Like us, he reached the peak of the Eight Meridians two years ago. Though he hasn't broken through, his Star Force is exceptionally solid, at least twice as powerful as an ordinary Eight Meridians," Zhao Jian speculated.

Xue Li smiled, "Didn't you see Chu Hao defeat Wan Yanliang within three moves earlier? Wan Yanliang is also in the Eight Meridians."

"Wan Yanliang probably hadn't reached the peak," Chi Kuan interjected. He disliked Chu Hao, and hearing Xue Li's words made him even more displeased.

"Indeed not, but it shows Chu Hao has the power to fight," Xue Li supported Chu Hao.

Chi Kuan snorted, "Even if Chu Hao wins, I'll let him know what true Core Disciple strength is." He always looked down on Ke Jiren, thinking nine Core Disciples were enough.

They fell silent as the fight between Chu Hao and Ke Jiren began.

Bang, bang, bang.

The two sides clashed fiercely, gusts of wind swept in all directions like a thousand arrows in flight, terrifying in power. Fortunately, several deacons were standing by, casually dispersing the excess energy, or it would cause great damage.

After three moves, Chu Hao secretly nodded. Compared to Wan Yanliang, Ke Jiren's power was at least doubled.

Was his cultivation technique higher? Or his physique better?

Never mind, it didn't matter.

Today, he aimed to sweep all opponents and become the top Core Disciple.

Sky Wind Eight Styles.

Chu Hao roared, his palms flying, Gathering Wind already unleashed.

"Hmph, I concede this move is powerful, but you used it once before. Do you think it will work on me again?" Ke Jiren snorted, somersaulting to dodge the strike.

—Seeing it once was one thing, but neutralizing it after one glance was wishful thinking. Was an Earth Level martial art so easy to counter?

So, he could only retreat.

Fortunately, having seen Chu Hao use the technique, his retreat was timely.

Ling Tianhe's eyes darkened with intense surprise. He realized the power of Chu Hao's move had significantly advanced from the fight at the Ling Family.

This kid was terrifying.

But then he thought again and smirked coldly.

So what if he was terrifying? He was still just a slave to the Ling Family. He didn't know the details, but after entering the Martial Sect, everyone from the Lower World would submit to various families, obeying like dogs.

Because of this, the Native Faction despised the Outsider Faction, as the latter would ultimately become the dogs of the families. Was there a need to be courteous to them?

No matter how strong Chu Hao was now, he'd eventually become a slave to the Ling Family.

Well, let him win a few more times. If he could even defeat Cao Jingwen, then later, as Chu Hao's master, he'd suppress all the young talents of this generation—You can't even beat a dog of mine, how could you compete with me?

Wonderful.

Luo Ping and others were equally shocked, knowing they wouldn't dare to directly face this move.

"Is this an Earth Level martial art?" Jin Wuxiang frowned.

"Most likely, otherwise it couldn't suppress Ke Jiren's Minor Yin-Yang Punch," Luo Ping nodded.

"This kid is lucky to have acquired an Earth Level martial art," Xue Li laughed.

The Sixth Rank Families had Earth Level martial arts, but they hadn't been taught, fearing they'd be captured and forced to reveal the secrets due to inadequate cultivation levels.

To learn Earth Level martial arts, they needed to reach the Martial Sect.

However, if they found Earth Level martial arts or techniques while exploring, they could begin cultivating on their own.

It's said that Cao Jingwen cultivated an Earth Level Technique, making his strength far surpass other Core Disciples.

In the arena, Ke Jiren dodged the move and immediately counterattacked.

Chu Hao smiled, pushing his palms, Breaking Wave unleashed.

"Damn." Ke Jiren grunted, retreating again from his forward lunge.

Having seen Chu Hao use this move before, he knew it couldn't be confronted head-on.

When he launched another attack, he was forced to retreat by the third move, Cloud Dispersal.

His face turned grim. A dignified Core Disciple, being chased around by an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple?

"Oh, looks like ten moves are up." Chu Hao suddenly stopped.

Ten moves?

Ke Jiren was initially stunned. Calculating in his mind, his face changed again.

Indeed, ten moves were up.

They had exchanged seven moves, probing each other, then Chu Hao consecutively used three moves, and he had consecutively dodged three times, making ten moves.

He boasted about defeating Chu Hao within ten moves. But in fact, he failed. Not only did he not defeat Chu Hao, but he also ended up being on the defensive, running around the arena. What a disgrace!

Ke Jiren said with a solemn face, "I miscalculated. But, this is as far as you go because now, I will get serious. Chu Hao, do you know why I am a Core Disciple?" He looked at Chu Hao, not waiting for a response, "In these two years, though stuck at the peak of the Eight Meridians, I have condensed my Star Force to an exceptional degree, its quality at least doubled."

Chu Hao was enlightened, understanding why Ke Jiren's power was far superior to Wan Yanliang's.

"Do you really think I dare not face your palm technique?" Ke Jiren clenched his fists, his gaze firm. A buzz, he activated his eight meridian patterns simultaneously, his fists turning silver-white, like metal, "Come, let's fight."

Gold attribute physique.

However, an ordinary physique didn't significantly impact combat. Even if Chu Hao could partially elementalize his body, the might of the flames was still weak—winning or losing depended on combat ability.

It was a mere embellishment, not a game-changer.

But the fact that Ke Jiren activated his physique's power showed he was giving his all.