Eternal Heavenly Emperor

Lin Cheng!

This was a forbidden name in the Yunliu Sect. Even someone as talented as Cao Jingwen would be severely reprimanded and scolded if he mentioned this name in front of the elders of the sect.

Cao Jingwen himself harbored a deep-seated hatred for Lin Cheng.

Because he possessed a water attribute physique and could cultivate the "Flowing Water Jue" — although this middle-grade Earth-level cultivation technique was usually only transmitted to disciples of non-major families, exceptions were made. A heaven-talented individual like him, who had the ability to elevate the Yunliu Sect to Fifth or even Fourth Grade, would naturally be granted this technique favorably.

However, because of Lin Cheng, this possibility was completely lost.

He lost the technique; how could it be transmitted again?

Cao Jingwen thought countless times about how much faster he could cultivate if he possessed the "Flowing Water Jue," how solid his Star Force would be, and how much time he would save when breaking through barriers.

Whenever he thought about it, he hated Lin Cheng to the core, wishing he could dig up his corpse and flog it a thousand times.

But now, he seemed to see a glimmer of hope.

"You know Lin Cheng? You, a person from the Lower World who just arrived, how do you know Lin Cheng? His name is a taboo in the sect, and many deacons don't even know about him!" Cao Jingwen was extremely agitated. "You must have obtained his relics, it must be so."

Chu Hao rolled his eyes. This guy was really good at guessing. After all, he hadn't mentioned Lin Cheng's name. The so-called persecution of people from the Lower World could entirely be something told to him by the big figures of several major families.

He laughed. Guessing right was guessing right; he didn't plan to leave any survivors anyway.

"Yes, I did obtain Lin Cheng's relics!" Chu Hao nodded.

Cao Jingwen had initially only entertained a shred of hope. Now, seeing Chu Hao nod in confirmation, he was overjoyed. This meant he had the chance to obtain the "Flowing Water Jue" and switch to this middle-grade Earth-level technique that perfectly matched his physique.

"Hand over the Flowing Water Jue, and I can spare your life!" he said arrogantly, but his tone betrayed a hint of nervousness and expectation.

Chu Hao couldn't help but laugh. "I just said, what makes you think you can defeat me?"

Cao Jingwen sneered, "Chu Hao, your luck has indeed been extraordinary. You encountered many wonders along the way and elevated yourself to Nine Meridians in just half a year. I have to admit, such speed is unparalleled anywhere. But—"

He paused for a moment, then continued, "But I'll say it again: I am a Martial Sect who broke through from Nine Meridians. You have no chance of winning against me."

Chu Hao couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Unparalleled speed? How could that be! Not to mention others, Su Wanyue had a faster cultivation speed than him. She was already a War General by now — maybe even broken through again, who knows.

But he had no interest in "explaining" the matters of the Gu Clan to the other party and merely extended his hand provocatively: "Then let's fight. Words alone are meaningless; it all comes down to action."

"You are really obstinate, seeking your suffering!" Cao Jingwen said coldly. The reason he hadn't immediately struck was that he hoped Chu Hao would voluntarily hand over the "Flowing Water Jue" — what if Chu Hao didn't carry it? Killing him would yield nothing.

He had already decided that as soon as Chu Hao handed over the "Flowing Water Jue" or revealed its whereabouts, he would eliminate him. But unexpectedly, Chu Hao was so unappreciative, forcing him to take drastic measures.

"Come on, Senior Brother Cao, let me experience your strength!" Chu Hao provocatively gestured with his hand again.

Cao Jingwen's face darkened, not understanding where Chu Hao got his courage.

He was equivalent to Ten Meridians now, and even crossed a major realm with Ten Meridians, having cultivated Starlight, which greatly suppressed Nine Meridians martial masters.

"Suppress him!" He struck out with one palm, aiming it at Chu Hao.

Naturally, Chu Hao was unafraid, pushing forward with his fist.

Bang!

The two exchanged blows, their feet unmoving, but their bodies trembled.

Shocking Force.

Both utilized Shocking Force, so neither of their bodies moved; instead, the force resonated within them.

However, Chu Hao's body stopped trembling after a few shakes, while Cao Jingwen's body continued convulsing as if he had epilepsy.

"How can your strength be stronger than mine?" Cao Jingwen exclaimed. Due to his chattering teeth, his speech came out stuttered.

Chu Hao smiled slightly, "Aren't you smart? Keep guessing."

Cao Jingwen's face suddenly changed, and he exclaimed again, "Ten Meridians! You have reached Ten Meridians! No, impossible, no one can reach Ten Meridians, it's impossible!"

Ten Meridians? From ancient times until now, it had never been seen, at least within Cao Jingwen's knowledge.

He himself was an extraordinary genius, one of the few in Tianhe County who reached Nine Meridians, making him very proud. But even he saw no hope of breaking through to Ten Meridians. How could a lowborn from the Lower World be worthy of it?

Breaking through Nine Meridians was already an unbelievable miracle. How could one go further, achieving Ten Meridians, unprecedented and possibly never seen again?

"Impossible! You must have practiced some secret technique, allowing your power to surge in a short time!" Cao Jingwen denied, unable to accept that Chu Hao had reached Ten Meridians.

Yes, he had just entered the Martial Sect, barely breaking through the first Reverse Meridian, and his Starlight was barely formed, offering limited power. The other party must have used some secret method to boost his strength, hence his current superiority.

Certainly.

"I admit, your current strength does surpass mine slightly. But, strength does not equal combat power!" Cao Jingwen bolstered himself, shaking his right hand, producing a sharp sword.

But after a moment's thought, he put the sword back into the Mustard Seed Ring.

— he had already broken through to Martial Sect, and the strongest aspect of a Martial Sect was Starlight! But this Treasure Artifact was of the eighth rank and couldn't withstand the power of Starlight; therefore, it couldn't display the advantages of his Martial Sect, so he had to abandon it.

No matter, as the greatest genius of Yunliu Sect, how could he only know how to use a sword?

He clenched his fists, eyes sharp, emanating waves of powerful battle intent.

Chu Hao nodded secretly. Cao Jingwen, recognized as a genius and previously one of the Four Talented, was undeniably strong in character, will, and strength, not to be underestimated.

But that was all.

Theoretically, both of them were Ten Meridians, and although Martial Sect was a major realm higher, achieving Ten Meridians as a martial master was clearly more difficult. Cao Jingwen had just broken through his first Reverse Meridian, but Chu Hao had completely expanded his tenth proper vein, leading significantly.

He had never lost when fighting stronger opponents, let alone now when actually facing a weaker one. As long as he remained cautious, losing was impossible.

"Come fight!" Cao Jingwen charged at Chu Hao.

Chu Hao casually parried and countered, appearing relaxed.

Without the other party using their ultimate moves, it was impossible to force out his full power.

One fought viciously, the other nonchalantly. Despite this, the match remained even, showcasing the disparity in strength.

Initially, Cao Jingwen hoped that the secret technique used to forcefully boost Chu Hao's power wouldn't last. Moreover, once the technique's effect ended, his strength would plummet miserably.

Yet Chu Hao's strength seemed boundless, wave after wave, showing no signs of depletion.

Could it be that the other party hadn't boosted his strength with a secret technique but had actually achieved Ten Meridians?

Considering this possibility, even a one-in-a-billion chance implied a drastically different outcome to the current battle.

"Afraid?" Chu Hao smiled.

"Why would I fear you?" Cao Jingwen's pride surged. As the Yunliu Sect's senior brother, he always stood above others. This remained unchanged in the past, now, and in the future.

"Then how many moves can you take?" Chu Hao's expression became serious, his hands forming palms, the Sky Wind Eight Styles ready.

"I can take ten thousand moves!" declared Cao Jingwen.

Chu Hao laughed heartily, "Not ten thousand. If you can take eight, I'll give you the 'Flowing Water Jue!'"

Cao Jingwen showed no sign of joy, becoming solemn instead.

After fighting for so long, he knew Chu Hao's strength was extraordinary and comparable to his own. Since the other dared boast, he must have an ultimate move.

Carefulness was essential.

He deeply inhaled, readying his ultimate move, always saved for critical moments. He sensed that in eight moves, either he or Chu Hao would perish.

"Bring it on!"

They charged at each other, clashing with their ultimate moves. Their terrifying power clashed madly, creating whirlwinds that roared outward.

Gathering Wind, Breaking Wave, Cloud Dispersal, Splitting Earth!

Chu Hao unleashed the Sky Wind Eight Styles to the fourth form. Surprisingly, Cao Jingwen blocked it all and counterattacked, displaying formidable skill and combat talent.

The first seven forms of the Sky Wind Eight Styles had become familiar to many, no longer considered ultimate moves.

No matter; his killer move lay in the eighth form.

"Take my punch!" Cao Jingwen roared, launching a punch. The energy condensed into a tiger's head, biting at Chu Hao.

Interesting.

Chu Hao was unafraid, countering with the Sky Wind Eight Styles' fifth form, Sky Collapse.

Heaven itself could collapse; what of a mere tiger head?

Bang!

The energy was just energy, not Star Force, unable to counter Sky Collapse. Amidst the flying energy, Cao Jingwen's unstoppable iron fist surged in, marked by sea wave-like ripples.

His water attribute physique was fully activated.

Chu Hao flipped his right hand, unleashing the sixth form, Star Shatter.

"Chu Hao, I've seen all your palm techniques!" Cao Jingwen laughed, maneuvering his form and dodging most of the force. What he couldn't dodge, he nullified with a few punches, effortlessly.

He charged straight on.