Eternal Heavenly Emperor

"Didn't expect you to know the technique of Star Force condensation!" Chai Kang looked at Chu Hao with some surprise. Only by compressing Star Force to a certain degree can one release it outside the body; otherwise, it would automatically dissipate back into the world.

The more compressed the Star Force, the farther the distance it can be released.

Chai Kang was not only surprised that Chu Hao could use Star Force for long-range attacks, but that three of his Crescent Slashes could neutralize his "Destruction Finger."

One must know there was a Three Meridians gap between them—actually Two Meridians, but Chai Kang wouldn't consider that Chu Hao had achieved perfection in Ten Meridians before breaking through; this idea never even crossed his mind.

A gap of Three Meridians meant nearly 30 times the power difference, completely overwhelming. Could one of his attacks be neutralized by a few more blows from the opponent?

There was only one explanation: the opponent's secret technique was superior to his Destruction Finger, enabling a weaker force to overcome a stronger one.

He couldn't help showing a hint of interest. It seemed he could obtain a High Tier secret technique.

Swish, swish, swish, he flicked his fingers, releasing a series of Golden Lights.

Like Crescent Slash, Destruction Finger had no attribute requirement for the user. He used Golden Light because of his gold attribute constitution. Like Chu Hao's Crescent Slash, which was more like a Fire Blade than a Moon Blade.

Chu Hao quickly moved his body. His opponent's strength was undeniably above his own; staying put would be suicidal. He engaged his derivation abilities, seeking the safest path through the rain of Golden Lights, while his hands continuously flicked out Crescent Slashes, launching a counterattack against Chai Kang.

Only defending was not Chu Hao's style.

The gap between them was actually Two Meridians, with a power difference of nine times. In theory, Chu Hao had to use nine or more blows to dissipate one of Chai Kang's Destruction Fingers, but Crescent Slash was evidently a higher rank, allowing Chu Hao to neutralize it with just three or four strikes.

Under Chu Hao's fierce counterattack, even Chai Kang had to employ his movement technique to combat.

Their attacks were accompanied by starlight, which utterly destroyed Star Force defenses. Withstanding it head-on was nearly impossible unless one reached the Warrior level, where Star Force undergoes a fundamental transformation.

Swish, swish, swish, bang, bang, bang.

They continuously exchanged Golden Lights and Fire Blades, with thunderous noises filling the air, the scene violently intense.

Chu Hao had faced Four Meridians Martial Sects before, and against super-genius level opponents like You Zhiyuan.

But let's not forget, at that time You Zhiyuan had forcibly raised his strength to Four Meridians using secret methods, not genuinely achieving Four Meridians. Moreover, he had lost an arm, which although not halving his combat power, still had a significant impact.

But Chai Kang was genuinely Four Meridians, and at the Four Meridians Peak, his rank on the Fledgling Dragon List far surpassed You Zhiyuan. Additionally, he came from the Second Rank Qinghua Sect, while You Zhiyuan was from a Fourth Rank sect. Their cultivation techniques and martial techniques had significant disparities.

It could be said that Chai Kang's strength was at least ten times that of You Zhiyuan's. In direct confrontation, Chai Kang could easily defeat You Zhiyuan in one move.

That was the gap between rank 28 and 74 on the Fledgling Dragon List, like the difference between heaven and earth.

Chai Kang was slightly surprised. Everything was as he had expected; his combat power was far superior to Chu Hao's. Yet, the opponent's resilience was unexpected, and his combat talent alarmingly strong, evading most of his attacks and even counterattacking.

However, this was because he used Destruction Finger—only High-Grade at the Human Level. He cultivated such a "low-level" martial technique because few techniques allowed Star Force to be released. He practiced it to compensate for a Warrior's lack of long-range attacks.

Since this couldn't pose a significant threat to Chu Hao, he became serious.

"Golden Silk Hand!" he hummed lightly. With a shake of his hands, they turned golden, as if made of pure gold. He advanced swiftly, appearing before Chu Hao in an instant, like teleportation, his hands creating golden afterimages, reaching for Chu Hao.

So fast!

Chu Hao couldn't dodge in time and could only meet the attack with his palms.

Unleashing Jade Wall Technique, his hands turned jade-colored, starlight concentrated on his palms, and Sky Wind Eight Styles were already unleashed.

As his strength increased, Sky Wind Eight Styles became more fluid, unlike before when they required charging. However, this was limited to the first seven moves; Three Forms as One still needed preparation time. Otherwise, what he unleashed now would be Return to One instead of Gathering Wind.

"What a fool, can dirt and stones compete with gold and precious jade?" Chai Kang sneered, his hands clawed down.

Splurt!

Blood splattered, Chu Hao's palms had several new holes, blood gushing out.

Chu Hao frowned slightly. The power difference was too vast, and in a direct clash, his defense was easily breached. He executed Sky Stepping Technique, creating distance between them. As his Star Force circulated, the bleeding stopped instantly.

Chai Kang was also quite shocked. He had thought this claw could tear Chu Hao's hands apart, but the opponent's body was unexpectedly resilient. Though his attack pierced Chu Hao's defense, it didn't sever his hands.

However, if he barely blocked one move, how could he block a second or third? The longer the fight dragged on, the more Chu Hao would suffer.

"Hmph, in front of my Golden Silk Hand, can mere dirt and stone techniques compete?" he said arrogantly.

Chu Hao looked at the bloody holes in his hands, thinking that if his strength wasn't two small realms lower, his Jade Wall Technique wouldn't lose to Chai Kang's Golden Silk Hand. The Five Elements might have mutual conquest relationships, but it mainly depended on whose realm was higher.

He had no interest in debating these meaningless things; history is written by the victors. Actually, his strongest martial technique was the Mad Thunder Sword Technique, but his Grey Rock Sword was broken and his Deep Blue Iron hadn't been forged into a new sword, so he had no sword to use.

What unfortunate timing.

He sighed inwardly, or perhaps it was Chai Kang's good timing. If given a few more days to break through to Two Meridians Martial Sect, the situation would be much better, even with a significant power gap.

And if he had forged the Sky Blue Sword, his combat power would also have greatly increased.

Retreat.

Chu Hao decided that entangling with Chai Kang was unwise. As long as there were green hills, there would be no shortage of firewood. There's no need to argue for a moment of pride. Once he reached Four Meridians—not even, just the same Three Meridians—when their power levels were similar, they'd see who would handle who!

He suddenly turned around and ran.

"Trying to escape? No way!" Chai Kang sneered, immediately using his movement technique to give chase.

Though there was a disparity between their realms, they were still within the same major realm, so their speeds wouldn't differ too much. Despite Chu Hao getting a head start, Chai Kang couldn't close the gap quickly.

But after a while, he flashed and appeared right behind Chu Hao, hands reaching for Chu Hao's back.

This again!

Chu Hao had encountered this before. The guy seemed to teleport, suddenly appearing right in front of him, catching him off guard. But this time, Chu Hao was prepared.

Bang, he thrust a palm as it merged the Three Forms into One.

A fierce gale blasted towards Chai Kang.

What!

This time, Chai Kang was surprised. He hadn't expected this move to be countered so soon after showing it once.

Boom!

They clashed, Chai Kang's form momentarily paused, his face paling, but Chu Hao accelerated, shooting forward. In mid-air, he spewed a mouthful of blood.

The power difference was too great. Even with preparation, Chu Hao still had his internal organs roiling, nearly fainting.

He bit his tongue, forcing himself awake, and sped forward.

Chai Kang was momentarily stopped, and Chu Hao quickly vanished into the dense woods ahead. By the time Chai Kang came to continue the chase, Chu Hao was out of sight.

Damn it, he escaped.

Chai Kang snorted, a cold smile on his lips, muttering, "You're severely injured; how far can you run? Don't forget, I can use the Bloodline Soul Search."

...

Chu Hao ran for more than ten minutes before stopping and slipping into a crevice among the rocks.

That final clash with Chai Kang was too injurious; if he didn't stop to heal, the accumulating injuries would be disastrous.

He took out the White Jade Ginseng and cut off a slice.

Chai Kang could catch up at any moment. He had to recover to his best state as quickly as possible. Though White Jade Ginseng was precious, if he died, it would be wasted.

He took a slice of White Jade Ginseng, and a warm current spread through his body, instantly alleviating much of the turmoil inside.

No wonder even Warriors would be moved by this Spiritual Medicine.

While guiding the medicinal power, he seized the moment to break through to Two Meridians. Once achieved, his ability to protect himself would increase significantly.

But after just over three hours, Chai Kang caught up.

"Still not coming out?" Chai Kang sneered, flicking a finger. Boom, the rock Chu Hao was hiding behind shattered.

Chu Hao sprang out, showing no intention of fighting, and immediately ran.

"How is this possible?" Chai Kang was shocked. He had thought Chu Hao's injuries were severe enough to leave him immobile, yet Chu Hao not only ran but ran swiftly, showing no signs of being injured.

Did this kid take an Immortal Pill?

Chai Kang immediately gave chase, and after a few leaps, he flashed again, reappearing right behind Chu Hao.