Eternal Heavenly Emperor

Xingfeng County's overall strength ranked fifth among the Middle Nine Counties, right in the middle, neither high nor low.

Tianhe County only had three Fifth Grade sects; although Xingfeng County also didn't have any Fourth Grade sects, it boasted 13 Fifth Grade sects, resulting in 43 slots for the Ancient Trial Ground.

The skyship slowly descended, stopping next to the one from the Sky Heart Sect.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, many people jumped down, both men and women, young and old.

"Brother Zhao, it's been three years, and you look as spirited as ever. How is your progress in the Heavenly Origin Qi Skill, have you reached the Eleventh Layer?" an old man asked Sect Master Zhao Wuxin of the Sky Heart Sect.

Zhao Wuxin smiled faintly and said, "Just reached it two months ago. Brother Qian, would you like to try me?"

The old man named Qian stared at Zhao Wuxin for a moment, then grinned broadly and said, "There will be plenty of chances in the future!"

"That old man is Qian Ruyi. He and Zhao Wuxin are from the same era. They became enemies during the Ancient Trial Ground, competing for over a hundred years! But Sect Master Zhao always had the upper hand!" someone from Tianhe County whispered, explaining the feud between the two.

There were many such arch-rivals. Speaking purely of individual combat power, Tianhe County wasn't inferior, but in terms of numbers, they couldn't compare at all.

For instance, Tianhe County had only three Fifth Grade sects and brought six War General-level experts, while Xingfeng County had 13 Fifth Grade sects and brought 22 War General experts.

A match of 22 against 6, with similar individual strength, naturally favored the numerically superior side.

This sense of superiority was evident in every disciple of Xingfeng County; all of them were strutting arrogantly.

"Jin Yunlin, I heard you broke through to the Martial Sect?" a tall, proud young man stepped forward, his face brimming with arrogance as if expecting the world to kneel at his feet.

"Correct!" Jin Yunlin nodded.

"At least you're not entirely worthless. Otherwise, it'd be laughable for the Four Talented to claim such a title with just four martial masters!" The young man beckoned Jin Yunlin with a finger, "Come, let me see your strength, see if you can make me use even thirty percent of my power!"

Thirty percent?

The people from Tianhe County were furious. Jin Yunlin was their top expert. If he could only force the opponent to use thirty percent of his power, what face would Tianhe County have left?

"I shall accompany you!" Jin Yunlin couldn't back down; he now represented all of Tianhe County.

The two young talents moved to the side and immediately started an intense battle.

The young man was also a martial sect, with a thicker, deeper aura than Jin Yunlin. Although he hadn't progressed to the Second Tier, he was clearly further along the martial sect path than Jin Yunlin.

One was at the mid-stage of the Single-Meridian, and the other was likely at the late stage, perhaps even near the peak.

However, this slight difference wasn't enough to form an overwhelming advantage. Being one of the Four Talented and Tianhe County's top young expert, Jin Yunlin surely had some ultimate moves.

"That guy is Qiao Zhuo, the top core disciple of the Mingyue Sect. In Xingfeng County, he ranks fifth and even made it to the Fledgling Dragon List, though only at 104th place. He's still ranked higher than Jin Yunlin," Luo Ping introduced to Chu Hao.

"Fledgling Dragon List?" Chu Hao queried, puzzled.

"A ranking of the most talented young generation in all of Cang State, under the age of 25," Luo Ping explained, "The list includes 108 people, and only Jin Yunlin from Tianhe County is on it, ranked 107th."

Second to last.

Chu Hao was genuinely shocked. Jin Yunlin's martial arts talent was already impressive, being the first to break through to the martial sect and could still only rank 107th.

The top ten must be monstrous geniuses.

"Who's ranked first now, and what is their cultivation?" he asked Luo Ping.

Luo Ping thought for a moment and replied, "The person ranked first is Yuan Tiangang, the core disciple of the Haiyuan Sect. It's said he entered the martial master realm at age 16 and became a martial sect at 18. Now, at 21, he already has Four Meridians cultivation!"

"However, in terms of cultivation realm alone, Yuan Tiangang isn't the highest. The second-ranked Ling Dongliu has Five Meridians, and so do the third, fourth, and fifth ranks, but Yuan Tiangang's combat power is undoubtedly the highest."

Chu Hao was amazed. Triumphing over opponents of higher ranks wasn't rare, but defeating opponents who were also geniuses was extraordinary. The Fledgling Dragon List included super geniuses from all over Cang State. That one could prevail over others on the list was truly monstrous.

He felt enormous pressure. Even Jin Yunlin could only rank 107th, and there were many stronger than him. This was only Cang State's Fledgling Dragon List.

Sky Martial Star had nine states; Cang State wasn't the strongest. Other states might have even more powerful talents.

Isn't this exciting?

Chu Hao's fighting spirit ignited fiercely. He wanted to trample all these geniuses underfoot!

How would Su Wanyue rank?

Chu Hao became curious. She was at most 20 years old but already a War General. If she came to Cang State, she could definitely sweep away all the talents here!

While he was pondering, Jin Yunlin and Qiao Zhuo's battle reached its climax. The two talents each showcased their brilliance. Martial sects formed starlight, which greatly enhanced their weapons' power and length.

After a while, elders from both sides stepped in to stop the fight.

Although Qiao Zhuo ranked higher, he wasn't overwhelmingly superior, and both had made significant progress since their initial rankings.

However, Qiao Zhuo only ranked fifth in Xingfeng County, meaning there were four stronger than him ahead. If Jin Yunlin were in Xingfeng County, he'd at best be fifth.

Young people loved competing, and as leaders of their counties, the atmosphere was heavily charged.

After a while, another skyship arrived quickly.

It was from Exquisite County.

Eighth in the Middle Nine Counties, just slightly higher than Tianhe County, they had 14 slots for the Ancient Training Ground. In the Fledgling Dragon List, they had two talents, compared to Tianhe County's one, doubling the count.

After some time, Qianzhou County, Jiangyue County, and Matou County also arrived. Only the last three, and strongest, counties remained.

White Water County, Yanghe County, and Anyuan County, who all had Fourth Grade sects, took their time to make an appearance.

About half an hour later, three large skyships appeared almost simultaneously in the sky, quickly descending, bringing over a hundred young people each.

White Water County had 75 slots, Yanghe County 68, and Anyuan County 62.

"Look, there's our Middle Nine Counties' top genius, Gentleman Sword Bian Yu from Flying Star Valley in White Water County, ranked 72 on the Fledgling Dragon List! It's said he broke through to the martial sect a year ago. He's likely now in the Two Meridians, maybe even at the peak!" Luo Ping pointed to a young man.

Chu Hao looked closely. Bian Yu, though disheveled, dressed casually, with a long sword at his waist and his right hand ever on the hilt. His fingers were notably long, with a thick layer of calluses on his knuckles.

After a few glances, Bian Yu sensed something, turning to look at Chu Hao.

Buzz!

His gaze was like two sharp swords. Chu Hao felt a pain in his eyes, involuntarily closing them, tears almost flowing out.

How strong!

No wonder he was Middle Nine Counties' top genius, ranked 72nd on the Fledgling Dragon List, vastly superior to Jin Yunlin.

Higher cultivation realms had even greater disparities with each small realm, making it harder to fight across realms.

Yet Middle Nine Counties' top player only ranked 72nd in Cang State, with all preceding ranks taken by Upper Three Counties, showing their geniuses' monstrous talent.

However, Bian Yu only glanced at Chu Hao, considering him just a martial master and not worth his attention.

"That's Senior Brother Bian!"

"So cool, his aloofness is mesmerizing!"

"Wish I could follow Senior Brother Bian, witnessing him defeat all geniuses!"

Many girls were smitten, and many men were, too. Following a young king like him could greatly enhance their own abilities.

"Look, it's Senior Sister Bai!"

"Bai Qi, Senior Sister Bai, not only Yanghe County's top expert but also a renowned beauty. It's said her suitors could form a line from Changmen Sect all the way to Anyuan County!"

"Ranked 79th on the Fledgling Dragon List!"

"Senior Brother You Zhiyuan, ranked 74th!"

"Never make eye contact with him; he's infamous for his bloody nature, nicknamed 'Blood Hand.' At least a hundred geniuses have died by his hand, thousands of regular martial artists. He's the undisputed top killer in Middle Nine Counties!"

"Senior Brother Qu Yu, ranked 77th!"

"He and Senior Brother You are arch-enemies, often battling for rankings!"

"Though Senior Brother Qu is slightly weaker, he's fought Senior Brother You without dying or getting maimed. His power is undeniable!"

With all Middle Nine Counties' talents gathered, Jin Yunlin was no longer notable. The limelight now was on Bian Yu, Bai Qi, You Zhiyuan, Qu Yu, and Zhu Ming.

The five top talents exuded intimidating auras, each claiming a corner, their fierce presence overshadowing even War General-level experts.

These were his competitors?

Chu Hao's body was covered in goosebumps, but from excitement, not fear!

This was exciting, this was challenging!

His battle spirit burned fiercely, his eyes shining brightly, filled with intense desire to fight.

"Chu Hao, be careful. The Ancient Trial Arena, while filled with opportunities, also holds great danger! Not just from the trials themselves but also those people!" Luo Ping nodded towards them, "Especially You Zhiyuan, he's bloodthirsty and might massacre just due to a bad mood!"

As he said this, You Zhiyuan seemed to hear, turning his gaze over and smiling sinisterly.