Eternal Heavenly Emperor

"That is... that is... Dragon-Tooth Rice!"

Someone suddenly spoke in a trembling voice, filled with excitement. Their face instantly turned red, almost glowing.

"What, Dragon-Tooth Rice!"

More people gasped, seemingly knowing what it was.

Chu Hao glanced at You Zhiyuan and slowly stepped back, moving towards Wu Shitong and the others. Clearly, the treasures of the third level had appeared, and the time for contention had arrived. You Zhiyuan would surely no longer fight him, and he didn't want to waste this time either.

Given the current strength of both sides, it would be hard to determine a victor—unless one of them had a breakthrough, such as Chu Hao stepping into the Martial Sect Realm.

"Brother Wu, what is Dragon-Tooth Rice?" Chu Hao asked as he approached Wu Shitong.

"It's a legendary Spirit Valley from the Ancient Era. In that time, martial arts were far more prosperous than now, and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures were much more abundant. Martial Artists of Great Sects would eat Dragon-Tooth Rice; not only could it enhance cultivation, but it could also improve physical fitness and even extend lifespan!" Wu Shitong explained.

Chu Hao was astonished. Is this really rice, or a super Spirit Pill?

"Charge!"

Upon learning the preciousness of Dragon-Tooth Rice, everyone couldn't hold back any longer and rushed towards the steps.

"Get lost!" You Zhiyuan leaped forward, reaching the steps first. With a shake of his hands, they turned blood red. "Anyone who wants to pass is courting death!" He clearly intended to monopolize all the Dragon-Tooth Rice.

"You Zhiyuan, you've gone too far!" Bian Yu stepped forward, right hand already holding a long sword radiating a chilling glow.

On the other side, Bai Qi also took down a golden whip from her waist, her battle intent blazing as she said, "You Zhiyuan, if you keep blocking the way, I don't mind teaming up with Brother Bian to kill you!"

You Zhiyuan's eyes flickered. One-on-one, he feared neither of them, but one-on-two... he was bound to lose. Moreover, he had incurred the wrath of many; if they all attacked at once, his only path would be death.

Indeed, he had been too greedy.

"Humph!" He turned and ascended the steps swiftly.

With the Gatekeeper gone, everyone naturally picked up their pace, not wanting to miss this feast.

"Huh?" Upon stepping onto the stairs, everyone couldn't help but utter a soft cry, for their right arms all emitted light. Thin, circling lines, each person having a different number of rings, some with as few as ten, others with around twenty.

As they stepped onto the first circular platform, there was a buzzing sound, and one of the rings of light on their arms vanished.

"What is this...?"

"I get it!"

"The tasks we completed before weren't in vain. Every task completed added a ring of light, which serves as a pass here!"

"There are... 30 in total!"

All of them were geniuses and quickly linked these seemingly useless tasks to draw a conclusion.

Instantly, many hung their heads, showing extreme regret — naturally, those who had completed the least tasks, likely around ten, and had given up upon seeing no change from repeating tasks.

Thinking back now, they all felt like slapping themselves.

This place was filled with Dragon-Tooth Rice; missing a layer meant missing part of the harvest—how could they not regret it?

At the entrance to this level, a sand timer was ticking away. Although it had just started, these geniuses, upon watching it for a while, could determine that it would run out in three days.

Three days later... what would happen?

Would this "Telescopic Rod" return to its original place? That seemed the most reasonable.

With only three days, there was no time for regret; they all rushed into the circular platform area.

However, once on the platform, it was a different scene entirely. The place was vast, covered in human-high weeds, making it hard to see far.

The Dragon-Tooth Rice was hidden in these weeds.

Everyone scattered, focusing first on finding the Dragon Rice Tooth.

Chu Hao, however, walked along in contemplation.

Things had been fine before, but with the opening of this underground area, the value of the treasures had leaped significantly.

Crescent Slash, an Earth Level High-Grade Martial Technique. Dragon-Tooth Rice, ancient Spirit Grain that comprehensively enhanced a Martial Artist's qualities. What astonishing treasures would appear in the next layer?

Would he be able to keep such treasure once outside?

Even with the support of Elders Cao and Luo, they were only Warriors, while there were War Generals here who could easily suppress them. Moreover, even if they parted peaceably and returned to the Yunliu Sect, he would still have to hand over all his treasure.

Since he was from the Lower World, the Sect wouldn't allow him to grow too powerful. Why then, would he need so many treasures?

To make a wedding dress for someone else? Chu Hao certainly would not do that. Therefore, he either had to absorb all the benefits here or find a chance to sneak away and not return to the Yunliu Sect until he could oppose it.

Resolving his thoughts, he decided to first find the Dragon Tooth Rice.

This place was like an endless prairie, and the height of the grasses was about the same as the Dragon-Tooth Paddy, making it impossible to spot from afar. Only by walking closer and comparing carefully could one identify where the Dragon-Tooth Rice was planted.

After walking for a while, Chu Hao decided to give up searching blindly on this level. First, it was too vast; second, there were too many people.

Following common logic, the higher the level, the more precious the harvest would be. Since there were 30 levels in total, the first level's stuff would certainly not be very good.

Going to the second level would avoid the crowd and possibly offer a smaller, more manageable space.

— He might only have three days, having completed all the tasks, enabling him to reach the 30th level. Wasting time on the lowest level seemed foolish.

Moving to the entrance of the first level, he saw that many shared his thoughts. About a dozen people looked at each other and continued up the steps, reaching the second level.

Buzz, the rings on their arms decreased again.

It was still grassland, hiding all the Dragon-Tooth Paddy.

Chu Hao looked around; the second level was also vast, stretching out of sight.

Still not feasible; the grass was too long, the area too large. Scouring this level alone might take more than three days, and there were still many people.

Continuing upward.

Some stayed on the second level, but more moved toward the third, then the fourth, fifth, and sixth levels.

The higher they went, the smaller the area of the platforms became, making finding Dragon-Tooth Rice easier. Those with more rings of light kept ascending, aware that time was limited and must be used wisely.

Chu Hao estimated that based on the shrinking trend of the area, he should start searching from the 28th level, one level per day, just enough for three days.

As the levels increased, the number of people decreased; after all, not everyone had Chu Hao's "patience," most having completed only ten or so tasks, with few surpassing 20.

When Chu Hao reached the 20th level, only a handful remained.

To his surprise, Bian Yu, Bai Qi, and You Zhiyuan were still there.

Especially You Zhiyuan, whom Chu Hao had judged as domineering and bloodthirsty, yet here he was with such patience—

One shouldn't judge a book by its cover, particularly with geniuses of this level. Patience was a fundamental virtue.

Were there others who had also completed all 30 tasks?

Curious, Chu Hao continued upward.

21st level, 7 people. 22nd level, 6 people. 23rd level, 5 people. 24th level, 4 people. 25th level, 2 people. 26th level, still 2 people. 27th level, still 2 people.

One was, of course, Chu Hao, and the other was Bai Qi.

Bai Qi looked at Chu Hao in surprise. Her patience was exemplary, having completed 27 tasks, yet someone else could match her determination—unbelievable.

Without having witnessed Chu Hao's battle with You Zhiyuan, she wouldn't have hesitated to kill him and take the benefits for herself. But now, she had no such thoughts, lacking the confidence to do so.

Thus, she decided not to waste time.

She gave Chu Hao a deep look and entered the 27th level.

Now, only he remained.

Chu Hao smiled slightly, ascending to the 28th level, without stopping, continuing to the 29th, and all the way to the 30th level.

He intended to search from the top down.

— It had been tested before; going up would reduce the rings, but descending would not. Only climbing back up would cause a reduction.

Therefore, Chu Hao decided to clear the 30th level first before descending.

On the 30th level, the area shrank to the size of a basketball court, devoid of any weeds, with only Dragon-Tooth Paddy standing over two meters tall, each ear of grain as large as a jade corn ear.

Chu Hao was amazed; hadn't the ones on the first level been as thin as a pinky?

Indeed, the higher the level, the larger the Dragon-Tooth Rice.

Would the effect be better as well?

Thinking this, Chu Hao immediately began to harvest Dragon-Tooth Rice, storing it all in his Mustard Seed Ring.

Luckily, he had acquired several Mustard Seed Rings before, providing ample space. After nearly a whole day, he had cleared the entire level, ensuring no grain was left behind.

After such a long effort, he was tired and very hungry. He started a fire and put one Dragon-Tooth Rice ear to roast.

Before long, an enticing aroma wafted out, making Chu Hao's mouth water.

After waiting a while longer, judging it ready, he took the Dragon-Tooth Rice off the fire, peeled away the outer husk to reveal golden grains, emitting a mouth-watering fragrance.

He couldn't resist taking a bite. Though freshly roasted and very hot, for someone with a flame physique like him, it was nothing.

Delicious, truly delicious!