Eternal Heavenly Emperor

Chu Hao finally awoke, not knowing how much time had passed. He touched his head, still feeling a sense of shock.

What he had seen earlier must have been an event from countless years ago. But just witnessing one scene had knocked him unconscious. How powerful must the owner of that sword light be?

Huh?

Chu Hao suddenly felt a jolt. His body was filled with an overwhelming force, surging through him with a palpable energy.

The Eight Meridians in his body had all been fully opened and expanded to their utmost.

Eight Meridians Peak.

Each Meridian had expanded a hundredfold. This was the absolute state of Eight Meridians Peak, at least three or four times stronger than a typical Eight Meridians Peak. Defeating others would be a piece of cake.

Chu Hao was astounded. He had merely experienced a "memory" and a bit of shock, yet he had broken through two minor realms. It was unbelievable.

He carefully recalled everything and didn't sense any force entering his body during the process. Yet, his realm had forcibly advanced by two levels, as if he had consumed a Seven Flower Fruit, instantly boosting his power.

After thinking for a long time, Chu Hao couldn't come up with an answer and could only shake his head, giving up on pondering it further.

Regardless, he had gained immensely.

No one had noticed his unconscious state, indicating that less than three days had passed. Advancing more than two minor realms within three days—who would believe that? Even a Seven Flower Fruit typically required around ten days just to open one Meridian.

Chu Hao couldn't help but laugh. What would the high-ranking members of the Yunliu Sect look like if they knew?

They had placed Chu Hao in the "Holy Land" nominally as a reward but, in reality, as a warning—unless he complied with the sect, he wouldn't benefit from it. But the outcome was entirely opposite. It was like when Chu Hao was punished by being thrown into the Cold Water Pool, only to gain Lin Cheng's relics and discover the Yunliu Sect's true nature.

Clearly, Chu Hao was the only one who had benefited from the meteorite; otherwise, all Inner Sect Disciples would have been flocking over to instantly improve one or two minor realms. Could the Yunliu Sect's strength even protect such a treasure?

Why?

Probably because only Chu Hao could recognize the script on it.

Chu Hao couldn't help but think again, why were there bronze inscriptions here, why the Tao Te Ching?

But even if he wracked his brains, he couldn't find an answer. Perhaps when his power reached the levels of a War Emperor or War God, he would be qualified to retrace history and explore such mysteries.

Chu Hao pressed his hand against the meteorite's inscription again, but this time, no mysterious voice echoed, nor did he see the Divine Palace crumbling. Everything remained unchanged.

He withdrew his hand and suddenly thought, "I am now at Eight Meridians Peak, so I can aim to become a Martial Sect, can't I?"

Once this thought emerged, he couldn't suppress the impulse and quickly sat down again.

To become a Martial Sect, the first step was to resonate the Eight Meridians, leading to the emergence of the first Reverse Meridian which could then be opened with Star Force, forming the characteristic Starlight of a Martial Sect.

Starlight could easily break a martial master's defense. Even Chu Hao's Jade Wall Technique would be as fragile as paper before it. Of course, once he became a Martial Sect, the Jade Wall Technique would also advance.

On Chu Hao's body, eight Meridian Patterns simultaneously began to glow. He activated all eight Meridians, aiming to resonate and lead to the first Reverse Meridian.

Why was opening Meridians split into two major realms: martial master and Martial Sect?

A crucial reason was that the Reverse Meridians were more concealed than the proper Meridians, typically impossible to discover. Only by resonating all eight proper Meridians could the Reverse Meridians be brought forth.

After a while, Chu Hao's expression turned peculiar.

He had indeed brought forth a new Meridian, but it was definitely not a Reverse Meridian.

Its position was wrong.

Though everyone's Meridians had slight differences, they couldn't be this far off.

This Meridian circled from the left side of his waist, around his chest, extending to his neck, differing from any proper Meridian or Reverse Meridian.

What was going on?

Chu Hao was puzzled but too curious to resist trying to open this Meridian with Star Force, as he had done previously.

Little by little, this Meridian opened up.

At this moment, the meteorite's power manifested.

Chu Hao clearly felt the speed of opening this Meridian was significantly faster. At this rate, it might only take three or four days.

But he didn't have that much time.

After completing just a third of the process, a deacon came to inform him that three days were up and it was time to leave.

Chu Hao nodded, stood up, and followed the deacon out.

When they reached the foot of the mountain, they saw Cao Jingwen, Luo Ping, and two elders already waiting there. Seeing him approach, Cao Jingwen snorted, looking displeased.

Making him wait, who exactly is first, you or me?

Chu Hao had seen the other two elders before; they were Elder Cao and Elder Luo from within the sect.

"Since everyone is here, let's depart... huh!" Elder Cao started calmly, but his eyes widened in shock when he saw Chu Hao. "You, you've reached Eight Meridians."

"What!" Elder Luo was also startled. They had seen Chu Hao just three days ago; he was clearly at Six Meridians. How could he jump to Eight Meridians in merely two days?

Even with a Seven Flower Fruit, it was impossible. Just opening two Meridians would take at least a month.

"Indeed, Eight Meridians." Elder Luo examined Chu Hao closely and confirmed, but his shock did not diminish.

Cao Jingwen and Luo Ping were also stunned, finding it unbelievable.

"Chu Hao, how did you do it?" Elder Cao and Elder Luo both stared at Chu Hao. If they could grasp this secret, the younger generations of the Cao and Luo families would advance significantly.

"Isn't there a meteorite in the Holy Land? I touched it and fainted. When I woke up, I had gone from Six Meridians to Eight Meridians." Chu Hao spoke "earnestly." This was indeed the truth, though he concealed the fact that he could read the script on it.

Wow, that's possible?

Elder Cao and Elder Luo exchanged glances. The meteorite had been in the Yunliu Sect for countless years. Everyone knew it wasn't ordinary; cultivating near it could hasten one's progress—though the effect was minimal and cyclic.

But because of the inscriptions, the Yunliu Sect had revered it as a treasure, hoping to derive an unparalleled Cultivation Technique from it.

Who would think it could help a martial artist jump from Six Meridians to Eight Meridians.

If Chu Hao had given any other explanation, they wouldn't believe it. But mentioning the meteorite made them convinced; it fit their understanding of the Divine Stone.

But why had no one else benefited similarly over the years?

Luck.

It must only be luck.

Cao Jingwen and Luo Ping both showed envy. This guy's luck was too great: two Seven Flower Fruits, Huayuan Pill, now the Divine Stone's help. How much time did that save him?

Though leading out the Reverse Meridians was challenging and unsure if that could be displayed on the Martial Master Card, for someone newer to stand on equal footing with them was unsettling.

Even for Luo Ping.

Despite his favorable attitude toward Chu Hao, he had always viewed him from a superior perspective, hoping to cultivate him as a follower. Now that this follower had caught up and might surpass him in power, it felt strange and frustrating.

"Let's go," Elder Cao said. Since the benefit was from the Divine Stone, such a miracle was unrepeatable. Otherwise, Chu Hao wouldn't be the only one succeeding after so many years.

They didn't travel on foot; each had a Shadow Wolf to ride. Though not as swift as a Flame Horse, their speed was considerable and endurance high, suitable for long journeys.

Barring any surprises, they would reach the Sky Heart Sect in just four days.

That night, they camped outdoors, each person having a tent, waterproof and warm. For martial artists with Mustard Seed Rings, this was not troublesome.

"Chu Hao, let's talk." After a quick dinner, Luo Ping gestured to Chu Hao.

Chu Hao was initially puzzled, then nodded and followed.

"I thought I'd have this conversation a year later but didn't expect it to come so soon." Luo Ping shook his head, full of emotion. After a day's travel, he felt more at peace.

"Hm?" Chu Hao regarded him, still having a favorable impression of Luo Ping.

"Do you know why Cao Jingwen stands out more than Jin Wuxiang and me? He is one of the Four Talented of Tianhe, but we don't even rank among the Seven Stars?" Luo Ping started with a question.

Chu Hao thought and replied, "Cao Jingwen's Cultivation Technique and Martial Technique are more advanced, and his physique is stronger, enhancing his Star Force?"

"Cao Jingwen's Cultivation Technique and Martial Technique aren't much different from mine. His physique is better but not by much," Luo Ping said calmly.

"Then why?" Chu Hao asked. In terms of battle experience, Luo Ping shouldn't be lacking.

"People say martial masters cultivate the Proper Veins, and Martial Sects the Reverse Meridians. But, in fact, the body contains two more Proper Veins and two more Reverse Meridians," Luo Ping revealed.

"Two more Meridians in each." Chu Hao was astonished, his heart pounding. Wasn't the Meridian he was attempting to open the ninth Proper Vein?

"Exactly," Luo Ping confirmed. "However, these additional Proper Veins and Reverse Meridians are extremely hard to sense. Typically, after opening the eight Proper Veins, one naturally progresses to Martial Sect. Only a rare few can persist and open the ninth Meridian."

"Cao Jingwen has Nine Meridians?" Chu Hao suddenly understood.