Eternal Heavenly Emperor

Luo Ping nodded and said, "If you can clear two truly hidden proper veins, not only will your combat power surge, but it will also be greatly beneficial for your future cultivation, allowing you to achieve twice the result with half the effort."

"I reached the Eight Meridians Peak two years ago, but despite the long time passed, I haven't resonated with the ninth proper vein, nor have I resonated with the first reverse meridian. I merely refined my Star Force to become more substantial. Though my combat power improved significantly, it still doesn't compare to clearing the ninth proper vein."

"Chu Hao, I advise you not to rush to break through to the Martial Sect. If you can clear the ninth proper vein, it will be immensely beneficial for your future growth. Only then will you have the qualification to oppose Cao Jingwen."

Chu Hao nodded. This is the foundation of a large family. Although not necessarily achievable, it is clear how the path of martial arts should be pursued. He said, "Has anyone been able to clear the tenth proper vein?"

"Maybe, maybe not." Luo Ping gave an ambiguous answer, "I have never heard of anyone clearing the tenth proper vein. If such a person exists, they would undoubtedly be invincible in the Martial Master Realm. They might even transcend realms and fight against low-tier Martial Sects."

Chu Hao thought for a moment and agreed. Cao Jingwen is already considered invincible in the Martial Master Realm just by clearing the ninth proper vein, with only Jin Yunlin and the other Three Talented standing in his league. If someone were to go even further and clear the tenth proper vein, it wouldn't be surprising for them to challenge low-tier Martial Sects.

That would be a true leap in challenge.

And as for him, by some stroke of luck, he achieved what Luo Ping dreamed of—to sense the ninth proper vein, making the subsequent task a matter of time before it is cleared.

"Chu Hao, I have high hopes for you," Luo Ping said seriously.

This guy probably doesn't know the eventual fate of the disciples entering the Lower World of the Yunliu Sect.

But then again, not everyone from the Sixth Rank Noble Families is necessarily a bad person. At least now, Luo Ping's whole mind is focused solely on martial arts. If he ever hits an insurmountable bottleneck in his cultivation, perhaps he may turn his thoughts to power, and his mindset would change.

Chu Hao smiled and said, "Thank you." He certainly wouldn't reveal to Luo Ping that he had already started impacting the ninth proper vein and would see results within four or five days.

After exchanging a few more words, they went back to their tents to rest. Chu Hao naturally continued to cultivate, as he had no time constraints while impacting the ninth proper vein.

The next morning, they continued their journey.

After six days of travel, they finally reached Guangyuan City.

"We'll find an inn to stay first—Chu Hao, later, take us to the Bingyuan Pavilion to see if there are any suitable Treasure Artifacts for purchase." Elder Cao said blandly. He was trying to verify whether Chu Hao truly knew Feng Yezi.

If it were true, then the Ling Family would be in trouble and couldn't force Chu Hao anymore, though they might preemptively eliminate him to prevent retaliation.

Chu Hao knew what they were thinking. Without hesitation, he nodded and said, "Alright."

The five of them found an inn because this was the triennial Martial Arts Tournament, and the younger generation talents from all over Tianhe County flocked to participate. Some sought fame, while others wished to challenge true geniuses and gauge their own gaps.

Due to the large number of people, almost every inn was full. They finally found some vacant rooms in a small inn. This didn't matter to them, as it was just a temporary stop. With Yunliu Sect's status, going to the Sky Heart Sect would ensure a grand reception, alleviating any worries about accommodation.

Elder Cao and Elder Luo's purpose was to verify Chu Hao's relationship with Feng Yezi.

Once they settled down, they couldn't wait to go to the Bingyuan Pavilion, clearly not wanting to give Chu Hao the chance to fabricate stories—such as only knowing a minor assistant yet boasting extravagantly.

Cao Jingwen and Luo Ping didn't accompany them, so Chu Hao went to the Bingyuan Pavilion with the two elders.

"Young Master Chu."

"Young Master Chu."

"Young Master Chu."

As soon as Chu Hao entered, the assistants warmly greeted him. Feng Yezi's appreciation for Chu Hao was not a secret within the Bingyuan Pavilion, and since Feng Yezi had no descendants, anyone might possibly inherit the pavilion, perhaps even Chu Hao.

Thus, their attitudes were naturally enthusiastic.

Chu Hao smiled and nodded, then asked an assistant, "Is Master Feng in?"

"Unfortunately, Master Feng went out with a senior from the Sky Heart Sect to collect Seven-Glass True Water." The assistant said, pausing briefly, "However, Master Wang is here."

Master Wang was Wang Hong, Feng Yezi's top disciple.

Chu Hao nodded and said, "Then, I'll go see Master Wang."

Upon hearing this, Elder Cao and Elder Luo were already convinced of Chu Hao's truthfulness. Bribing one or two people might be feasible, but bribing everyone in the Bingyuan Pavilion was impossible.

Could these two old foxes not see that all the assistants were flattering and fawning over Chu Hao?

"Chu Hao, we don't have any personal ties with Master Wang, so you can go on your own." Elder Cao quickly added, "Remember, we need to go to the Sky Heart Sect tomorrow afternoon, don't be late."

"Yes." Chu Hao nodded.

The two elders left the shop, while Chu Hao entered the inner courtyard. Wang Hong was not in the workshop but was in the study designing something. Seeing Chu Hao arrive, he welcomed him with great joy.

Chu Hao gave a grand salute, as Wang Hong was a senior and deserved respect for his age and steadfast character.

After some small talk, Chu Hao couldn't help but ask, "Miss Su, has she left already?"

"She left right after the sword was forged." Wang Hong said, seeing a hint of disappointment on Chu Hao's face, then teased, "Boy, do you fancy her?"

"But you have good taste. I've seen countless beauties in my life, and none can compare to that girl. Not only is she as beautiful as a Heavenly Immortal, but she also has a fresh and elegant temperament that is pleasing to the eye. If I were a few decades younger, I would definitely compete with you."

Chu Hao couldn't help but laugh heartily, initially thinking Wang Hong to be a rigid traditionalist, not expecting him to have a humorous side once familiarized.

However, missing Su Wanyue made Chu Hao somewhat forlorn. The Sky Martial Star was so vast; would there be another chance to meet her again?

After some more talking, naturally, they discussed Chu Hao's current tool-forging level. But since Chu Hao had spent most of his time on martial arts recently, he hadn't made much progress in forging and was duly scolded by Wang Hong.

Chu Hao didn't mind at all. Wang Hong only scolded out of concern for him. Otherwise, Wang Hong wouldn't waste his time.

They chatted until evening, and Chu Hao decided to stay there. He had lived there for a long time before, finding it much more comfortable than staying at an inn.

After dinner, Chu Hao returned to his room, sat down cross-legged, and continued to clash with the ninth proper vein.

He aimed to clear this vein completely tonight.

Running the Minor Formless Mysterious Skill, every cell in his body transformed into a Flame Furnace, burning the Star Force like fire, launching a fierce attack on the ninth proper vein. Under the burning of the flame-like Star Force, the vein seemed to melt like ice and snow, progressing at an alarming rate.

It typically took a month to clear the first vein, and as one's realm advanced, clearing new veins became increasingly difficult. After reaching the Fifth Meridian, it was common to take two to three months to clear a vein.

But Chu Hao's flame constitution evidently had a remarkable effect on cultivation, making him as formidable as a sharp sword.

Had it not been for the continuous journey over the past few days, he would have cleared the ninth proper vein two days ago.

Chu Hao naturally thought of Su Wanyue, this Heaven Talented from the Gu Clan, clearly more gifted than him. She was about his age yet had already reached the War General level—after these days, who knew how much more she had improved.

Fortunately, her potential had been greatly exhausted after the Ancestral Pool's baptism, and as her martial arts realm advanced, her progress would slow, giving Chu Hao a chance to catch up.

Buzz.

Chu Hao's body trembled as the ninth proper vein finally fully opened.

All at once, Chu Hao felt an indescribable lightness, with his mind seeming much clearer, as if completely reborn.

Nine Meridians.

He ran his Star Force, casually throwing a punch. Bang! The stone slab on the ground was shattered, leaving a hole three feet wide.

How powerful.

Chu Hao couldn't help remarking inwardly. Ideally, after just clearing the ninth proper vein, he shouldn't see much strength improvement.

Yet, in reality, the Star Force flowing through his body mysteriously accelerated within the ninth proper vein, boosting his punches' power by at least thirty percent.

No wonder Cao Jingwen could suppress so many heaven-talented individuals of Tianhe County, standing among the Four Talented.

Chu Hao nodded thoughtfully. He had just cleared the ninth proper vein, already achieving a thirty percent power boost. Expanding this vein to its limit would further skyrocket his combat power.

Moreover, the ninth proper vein didn't reveal itself during full power exertion, keeping only eight meridian patterns glowing.

Chu Hao sat back down, realizing he could cultivate for three more hours to expand this vein further.

Time flew by, and when he felt a slight ache in the meridian, he stopped, knowing further cultivation would be counterproductive.

Yet now, he could fully expand one proper vein in a month, having expanded this one over threefold in a day.