Eternal Heavenly Emperor

"Lose to me." Ke Jiren shouted, stomping his foot and unleashing a terrifying power as he charged at Chu Hao. His twin fists traced an extremely intricate path, delivering the most powerful strike of the Minor Yin-Yang Punch.

Chu Hao also pushed his power to the limit, all six meridian patterns lighting up simultaneously. He didn't activate his special physique, knowing that the flame slash was useful in the Martial Disciple Realm, but martial masters had Star Force protection, which the flames couldn't penetrate.

So, it was best not to use it.

The seventh form, Stimulating Moon.

Boom.

Both collided head-on, fiercely exchanging blows.

The terrifying force materialized like waves, rippling outwards. Chu Hao's figure was driven back, but a jade-like brilliance flickered on his body. After retreating eleven steps, he stood firm, showing almost no signs of injury other than a slightly pale face.

Ke Jiren didn't take a single step back, but his face alternated between red and white, and frequent "crack, crack, crack" sounds came from within him, as if his bones were violently colliding.

And that was exactly what was happening.

The strike Chu Hao delivered used Shocking Force, and the terrifying power erupted within Ke Jiren. How could that power not be strong?

Ke Jiren looked at Chu Hao in terror. He knew the power of Chu Hao's palm was immense, but his punch wasn't weak either. Why did Chu Hao only retreat a few steps and seem unscathed?

What kind of defensive power is this, damn it?

If even his strongest strike couldn't injure Chu Hao, then who in the Martial Master Realm could challenge Chu Hao unless they attained Starlight?

"I lost." Ke Jiren gritted his teeth. Though unwilling, his strongest strike had failed. Fighting longer would be futile.

Lost.

This defeat was not just about losing a match; it signaled a shift in the core disciples.

"He did it."

"Senior Brother Chu really did it."

"A core disciple."

The people from River Down Courtyard were ecstatic, but Fu Xue was unimpressed. During the Ling Family's New Year martial arts competition, Chu Hao had already defeated Ling Tianhe, who ranked fourth among the core disciples.

So, defeating Ke Jiren shouldn't be surprising.

"What a monster," Xue Li admired. "Beating an Eight Meridians expert with six, and it's Ke Jiren. Once he reaches Eight Meridians, who can be his match?"

"Hmph. Ke Jiren is the weakest among us. Defeating him proves nothing," Chi Kuan coldly remarked. The stronger Chu Hao became, the more Chi Kuan wanted to belittle him, feeling an inexplicable disgust.

Xue Li just smiled, disdaining to argue with Chi Kuan.

Outside the ring, Mo Guxin clenched his fists tightly. Not only had he lost to Chu Hao, but also to Fu Xue. Once the top of the Outer Sect, hailed as the next Cao Jingwen, he had been surpassed repeatedly, and all by people from the Lower World, which he couldn't tolerate.

He must become stronger. He would never lose to someone from the Lower World.

"This match, Chu Hao wins," Zhao Hongtu announced. After a pause, he added, "Chu Hao replaces Ke Jiren as the new core disciple. Other Inner Sect disciples can challenge him, but must wait half an hour."

Chu Hao smiled faintly and said, "No need. Anyone who wants to challenge me, feel free."

This wasn't arrogance but confidence.

The crowd exchanged glances, but no one stepped forward.

Jokes aside, no one dared challenge Ke Jiren before, let alone Chu Hao, who had just defeated him.

"Since no one is challenging, the core disciples for this year are decided," Zhao Hongtu nodded. "Now, for the core disciple ranking matches. Each can challenge someone ranked higher, but only once and only the person directly above them."

"Who wants to challenge?"

"I will." As Zhao Hongtu finished speaking, Shi Lingyue stepped forward, drawing her longsword. "Xue Li, today we settle this."

"Yueyue, how many times must you taste defeat to realize you'll never beat your sister?" Xue Li leapt into the ring, her slender hands flourishing two curved blades.

Shi Lingyue said no more, rushing forward.

The battle of two stunning beauties was a visual feast, enhanced by their fierce combat. Inevitably, their clothes tore, revealing glimpses of skin.

This time, Shi Lingyue had prepared well, wearing a vest woven from Purple Jade Silkworm Thread. Though faintly revealing her arms, it didn't expose her body, preventing a repeat of past embarrassments.

Chu Hao sat aside, recovering his Star Force. His next challenge would be Chi Kuan.

He once said he would make Chi Dao kneel and apologize. Though he couldn't do that now, he could start by defeating Chi Kuan. Plus, Lin Cheng had been forced by the Chi Family, so Chu Hao harbored a deep grudge.

Shi Lingyue was strong, but Xue Li was no slouch, and their battle grew more intense.

"As expected of Senior Sister Xue, so powerful."

"Senior Sister Shi is also very strong."

"When can I have the strength of Senior Sister Xue?"

"Keep dreaming; she's a core disciple."

"Chu Hao fought his way up. He only joined the sect last year and became an Inner Sect disciple six months ago."

"If even someone from the Lower World can do it, why can't we?"

"Exactly."

The disciples around were filled with high spirits, making the Yunliu Sect's higher-ups nod approvingly. Though Chu Hao was unruly, he served as an inspiring example.

Xue Li and Shi Lingyue fought for nearly an hour, ending with Xue Li winning by half a move, showcasing their closely matched strength.

Next was another main event, with third-ranked Jin Wuxiang challenging second-ranked Luo Ping.

Men's battles weren't as visually pleasing as those between beauties, but their sheer masculinity made hearts race. In the end, Luo Ping narrowly won, retaining his rank.

Chu Hao had rested enough and leapt out, pointing at Chi Kuan, "Do you dare to fight?"

Here it was, just as expected.

The onlookers thought. Clearly, they didn't believe Chu Hao would settle for tenth rank. After all, Ke Jiren was unlike the other nine, who all hailed from Sixth Rank Noble Families, their foundations incomparable.

Defeating Ke Jiren didn't prove much.

Chi Kuan was undoubtedly stronger than Ke Jiren, and not by a small margin.

Chi Kuan smiled haughtily, "A weed from the Lower World? I'll reluctantly deal with you." But for the sect's rules, he wouldn't deign to fight someone from the Lower World.

It was beneath him.

"Let's fight then." Chu Hao didn't waste words, attacking with his palm.

Boom, boom, boom.

The fierce battle began immediately. Chi Kuan was indeed stronger than Ke Jiren, his power more substantial, his mastery of Martial Techniques higher. Crucially, he also had a Treasure Artifact.

His weapon, a saber, embedded with two ferocious beast inner cores, not only increased his combat power by twenty percent but also generated gravity to slow his opponents.

An earth attribute weapon.

This was the foundation of a Sixth Rank Noble Family. Though Ke Jiren wasn't untalented, he couldn't afford an eighth rank Treasure Artifact.

"Hahaha, how many moves can you withstand against my earth saber?" Chi Kuan laughed, his saber swings producing chaotic gravity.

Chu Hao laughed, "Who's stronger, you or Ling Tianhe?"

Obviously, one was ranked ninth, the other fourth. Though Chi Kuan felt he'd made great strides and could even fight Luo Ping, he wouldn't admit to being weaker but also wouldn't boast victory.

So, he chose silence.

"Ling Tianhe also wasn't my match. If you can't beat him, how will you fight me?" Chu Hao said while using the Sky Stepping Technique to dodge.

What!

These words shocked everyone. They all looked at Ling Tianhe, even the core disciples.

He was ranked fourth, after all.

Ling Tianhe's face darkened, but this truth would come out eventually. Even if Chu Hao didn't say, he'd still lose in the end. Since it was bound to be revealed, there was no need to hide it.

He nodded grimly, "Indeed, he beat me during the family competition."

Too strong.

Even the fourth-ranked Ling Tianhe had been defeated. Chi Kuan didn't stand a chance.

Chi Kuan, hearing this, laughed loudly, "That only means Ling Tianhe's regressed, losing to a mutt from the Lower World. Hmph, it's time for him to yield his fourth rank."

Chu Hao shifted his palms, "Then try me."

"Take this." Chi Kuan charged, his earth saber slashing with domineering force.

Becoming a core disciple indeed required extraordinary skill.

Chu Hao acknowledged this inwardly but showed no fear. He had fought Ling Tianhe when Tianhe had used a Three-Hole Treasure Weapon. Chu Hao had also advanced from Five Meridians Peak to Six Meridians Early Stage, with a deeper mastery of the Sky Wind Eight Styles.

He had grown stronger, while his opponents seemed weaker. How could he lose?

Within a few moves, Chi Kuan was at a disadvantage, completely overpowered by Chu Hao. Under the Shocking Force, he couldn't deflect the power, his face turning increasingly unsightly.

After seventy moves, he had to abandon his sword and concede, otherwise, he'd be utterly humiliated.

"Chu Hao wins, replacing Chi Kuan as the ninth core disciple. Chi Kuan drops to tenth," Zhao Hongtu declared.

Another victory.

Everyone thought, though the outcome less surprised them, knowing Ling Tianhe had lost to Chu Hao before, unlike Chu Hao replacing Ke Jiren as a core disciple earlier.

After just ten minutes of rest, Chu Hao challenged the eighth-ranked Zhao Jian, who surprisingly conceded directly.

Following that, Gu Zi, Shi Lingyue, Xue Li, and Ling Tianhe all conceded, lifting Chu Hao to fourth rank.

"I'll play with you." Jin Wuxiang stepped forward. The previous concessions were understandable; challenging Chu Hao after Ling Tianhe's defeat would only end in public failure for them. But Jin Wuxiang was ranked third.