Eternal Heavenly Emperor

Bai Qi and Bian Yu remained unfazed.

"You all better think this through. This kid is from the Yunliu Sect. If he grows stronger, he will surely lead the entire Tianhe County. Is that something you want to see?" You Zhiyuan shouted.

Bai Qi and Bian Yu's eyes narrowed.

One was from Yanghe County, and the other was from White Water County, the two strongest counties in the Middle Nine Counties. Thus, they could accept each other's existence and strength, as both their abilities and the power of their counties were close.

But what about Chu Hao?

He could easily suppress You Zhiyuan, which meant he could also suppress them. But he was from Tianhe County, the weakest county in the Middle Nine Counties, and the Yunliu Sect was just a Sixth Grade Sect.

Without a strong background for support, geniuses usually didn't live long.

— Resources for cultivation are limited, like thousands of soldiers and horses crossing a single-log bridge. Naturally, the fewer people, the better.

If they could kill Chu Hao now, they'd have one less competitor in the future.

"What are you hesitating for? If I die, you won't get away either!" You Zhiyuan urged anxiously.

Chu Hao shook his head and said, "You really disappoint me. I thought you were somebody, but it turns out you're just a coward!"

"Pah! Aren't you afraid of death?" You Zhiyuan looked at Chu Hao.

Chu Hao smiled and said, "Of course I'm afraid of death. Who isn't? But at least I won't beg for help when I can't win! If you have the skills, turn the tables yourself or find a way to escape. We're fighting at the same level, and my realm is even lower than yours, yet you still have the nerve to ask for help. I'm embarrassed for you!"

"Damn it!" You Zhiyuan's face turned red from anger.

He used to be proud and arrogant, but over two years ago, during the Fledgling Dragon List competition, he was utterly defeated, leaving an indelible shadow. For someone as arrogant as him, once his confidence was shattered, his personality naturally changed dramatically.

"Bai Qi, Bian Yu, what are you waiting for?" He urged.

"Sorry, your fight with Brother Chu is fair. I don't see the need to intervene," Bian Yu refused first. However, his eyes flickered slightly, clearly not thinking as he spoke.

He had already planned to notify the Spirit Demon Sect of You Zhiyuan's "death" after leaving.

Would the Spirit Demon Sect let Chu Hao go? Of course not. And would the Yunliu Sect be able to protect Chu Hao? Equally impossible.

So why bother intervening now?

If he acted now, even if he saved You Zhiyuan, what then? He'd just have two more competitors. But letting Chu Hao kill You Zhiyuan would mean two fewer competitors.

Such a simple calculation, how could he not figure it out?

Moreover, if he intervened, it would make an enemy of Chu Hao. In this trial ground, Chu Hao had already become the top expert, and making an enemy out of him would be extremely unwise.

"What a Gentleman Sword you are, a complete hypocrite!" You Zhiyuan gritted his teeth. With his intelligence, he could immediately guess Bian Yu's thoughts.

Bian Yu just smiled, enjoying watching the scene, not his concern.

Bai Qi also remained unmoved, standing with hands behind her back. But she glanced at Bian Yu, and the two nodded slightly to each other.

— They had formed an alliance. If there were more treasures ahead, they would join forces against Chu Hao.

"Damn it! Damn it!" You Zhiyuan roared and turned to leave.

Previously, he kept fighting Chu Hao because he wanted to keep advancing and not give up on the treasures. But now, continuing meant certain death, so he certainly wouldn't.

Retreating, once out of the ancient trial ground, would mark Chu Hao's death.

Boom!

As soon as You Zhiyuan turned around, he tried to leap out of the pool area. But there seemed to be an invisible wall at the edge of the pool, bouncing him back.

Those who had walked the path and reached the other side earlier experienced the same, unable to re-enter the pool. It seemed he couldn't go back either.

Clang! Clang! Sword lights shot towards You Zhiyuan, his body erupting with purple light thanks to the protection of the Purple Spirit Robe. Without it, the collision just now would have taken his life.

How annoying.

Chu Hao glanced at the Purple Spirit Robe on You Zhiyuan, frowning. It was like a turtle shell, making him feel helpless, but it wouldn't last long.

Keep fighting.

He continued to swing his sword, unleashing one Crescent Slash after another.

You Zhiyuan ran forward, not willing to sit and wait for death. Perhaps fleeing to the second floor might offer a chance to escape.

Chu Hao pursued closely.

Both were incredibly fast, darting through the first-floor palace.

Apart from being unable to go back through the pool, the rest of the area was freely accessible. Relying on the protection of the Purple Spirit Robe, You Zhiyuan eventually found a concealed passage and darted into it.

Of course, Chu Hao wouldn't give up and chased relentlessly.

As they ran, Qin Yulian and the other three hurriedly followed.

The passage indeed led to a short staircase. With just a few steps, they emerged into another expansive palace with a floor seemingly paved with gold, reflecting dazzling golden light.

Despite chasing, Chu Hao had a moment to glance back and was surprised to find no entry point to the passage he had just come through.

What a bizarre space.

He quickly refocused. His only objective now was to kill You Zhiyuan.

You Zhiyuan, panicking, ran forward blindly.

In truth, there were no paths here. The palace was vast and empty, with not a single pillar in sight, leaving them wondering how it supported such heavy architecture.

But a palace is still a palace, regardless of size. After a few minutes, they saw a group of people ahead. It was the group that had arrived on the second floor days earlier.

They were gathered around a massive copper coffin, three feet long and two people high. The coffin was engraved with various ancient beasts, including True Dragons and True Phoenixes, as well as mythical creatures like Qilin and Pixiu, exuding an ancient aura.

Hearing footsteps behind, the group turned and were stunned to see Chu Hao chasing You Zhiyuan.

That was You Zhiyuan, ranked 74th on the Fledgling Dragon List, being chased by Chu Hao! What was going on?

"Anyone who helps me, I'll give them a Lower Grade Earth Martial Technique!" You Zhiyuan shouted desperately upon seeing the crowd, pleading for help.

Lower Grade Earth Martial Technique.

Hearing these words, many were tempted. Even if they couldn't use it themselves, selling it could fetch at least 100,000 Fourth Grade Star Stones.

It was a windfall.

But saving You Zhiyuan meant opposing Chu Hao. Didn't they see You Zhiyuan running for his life? Anyone who stepped in might face the same fate.

Wealth is tempting, but only if you live to enjoy it. If you die, it's all for naught.

For a moment, no one responded.

You Zhiyuan's eyes reddened as he shouted, "If I die, none of you will be spared. The experts from the Spirit Demon Sect will kill you all!"

The crowd couldn't help but be moved.

Entering the ancient trial ground meant life or death by fate. But the Spirit Demon Sect was a Fourth Grade Sect, and only a dozen or so sects in the entire Middle Nine Counties were strong enough to oppose it.

Unless one belonged to those sects, no one dared dismiss You Zhiyuan's threat. A Fourth Grade Sect throwing a tantrum would leave Fifth and Sixth Grade Sects with no choice but to comply.

"Brother Chu, why not let it go? You've already gained the upper hand." Someone advised Chu Hao.

"Right, the Spirit Demon Sect is a Fourth Grade Sect after all. It's best not to make a deadly enemy of them. You Zhiyuan is one of their most promising young talents!" Another said.

"Brother Chu, stop. Killing You Zhiyuan won't benefit you."

Many advised him, as talking cost them nothing.

"Shut up!" Chu Hao shouted, "Either fight or shut up. If not, I don't mind killing you all."

Seeing his fierce demeanor, the group fell silent, though they muttered internally— he might be mighty now, but once outside, could the Yunliu Sect protect him?

You Zhiyuan, seeing the crowd cowed by Chu Hao, grew both angry and fearful. Never did he expect to meet someone who could suppress him in this ancient trial ground.

Gritting his teeth, he said, "Chu Hao, what would it take for you to spare me? I'll pay my ransom!"

Chu Hao laughed and said, "Why be so complicated? I'll just kill you and take everything you have. You can't say you'll owe me, as I'm not foolish enough to go to the Spirit Demon Sect for payment."

"Damn it!" You Zhiyuan burned with rage. With so many people here, if anyone helped, how could Chu Hao prevail? Yet, they were all cowardly, not one brave enough to step in.

Splurt!

At that moment, Chu Hao's Crescent Slash hit, creating a bloody wound on You Zhiyuan's back. He stumbled, looking down to see his Purple Spirit Robe tearing apart.

Finally, it reached its limit and broke.

"You forced me!" You Zhiyuan turned abruptly, raising his right hand and chopping it down on his left arm.

Splurt, his left arm severed at the shoulder, blood gushing out.

"Heavenly Demon Dismantling Technique!" he roared, his momentum skyrocketing.

Third Tier Early Stage, Third Tier Mid Stage, Third Tier Late Stage, Third Tier Peak! A slight pause and then a breakthrough to Fourth Tier before stopping.

He had increased his strength by a whole minor realm!

At the cost of an arm, he gained a massive power boost. Truly worthy of being in the top 80 of the Fledgling Dragon List, a remarkably difficult kill.

"You made me lose an arm; I want your life!" You Zhiyuan charged back.

His eyes were blood-red, like a beast ready to tear someone apart.