Eternal Heavenly Emperor

Chu Hao had no intention of explaining; he found a seat and sat down, sipping tea and listening to everyone's animated discussions.

In the world of martial artists, men usually outnumber women, and this place was no exception. Apart from Zhuo Yunshan, there were only three other women present. However, all four women were young and beautiful, and each possessed outstanding martial talent.

For these proud and ambitious young men, naturally, these four women had become the most desirable partners.

Hence, everyone was engaging in lively discussions, eagerly sharing their insights into martial arts, often making startling remarks in hopes of capturing the women's attention.

Chu Hao listened. Some statements were quite constructive and resonated with him, while some even brought him revelations.

The stone from another mountain can polish jade.

Although Chu Hao's derivation abilities were exceptional, he was still just one person. Now, with a hundred or so contemporary geniuses discussing martial arts together, each person's thoughts naturally had bright spots. Discarding the dross and selecting the essence was undoubtedly beneficial.

Although this was primarily a tea discussion focused on theory, martial artists could not be so refined. Some people argued, each believing their perspective was correct, and unable to persuade the other, they could only resort to action.

Practice is the only criterion for testing truth.

Chu Hao watched, nodding secretly. Among the four pairs of people he saw sparring, three had reached the level of You Zhiyuan, and two were far beyond that.

Yet these five people were not on the Fledgling Dragon List!

As Zhuo Yunshan said, this year's newcomers to the Fledgling Dragon List were emerging in great numbers, and the competition would be incredibly fierce.

That was interesting.

"This year's strongest newcomer has to be Xiang Haozhe of the Nanyun Sect!" When talking about newcomers, everyone could not help but discuss further, and someone immediately brought up a newcomer.

"Xiang Haozhe is indeed very strong!" someone immediately agreed. "Xiang Haozhe is the only son of the Nanyun Sect's sect master. It is said that he has been in seclusion, cultivating the sect's ultimate technique, the 'Earth Dragon Jue,' and has now reached the Ninth Layer, a realm that no one besides the sect's founder has ever achieved."

"Three months ago, he fought Luo Feng, who was ranked 17th on the Fledgling Dragon List. In just ten moves, he defeated Luo Feng, revealing strength worthy of the top ten."

Many people nodded in deep agreement. Although they were all proud geniuses, as a genius, if you cannot recognize the gap in strength between yourself and your competitors, then you do not qualify as a genius but a self-deluded egomaniac.

Only by knowing the gap can one strive to catch up; otherwise, living in your own world would only lead to harsh reality checks.

"No, no, no, the strongest newcomer should not be Xiang Haozhe," someone quickly objected. "You haven't been to Luoshui Prefecture. There's an extraordinary genius named Tan Hua. He is Yuan Tiangang's junior apprentice brother, and Yuan Tiangang himself has commented that Tan Hua could make it into the top ten of the Fledgling Dragon List this time."

Yuan Tiangang!

Hearing this name, everyone felt a heavy pressure in their chests, making it difficult to breathe.

This was a true genius. More than two years ago, with the strength of a single-meridian martial sect, he swept through all the geniuses in Cang State, ascending to the top of the Fledgling Dragon List. Now, it is said that his realm has reached the Four Meridians or even higher, with his strength undoubtedly further advanced.

He was an undisputed king, hailed as the most hopeful candidate to become a War God in Cang State for a thousand years!

Just hearing this unparalleled genius's name made everyone feel as if they saw this invincible man standing before them, his dazzling brilliance completely overshadowing them.

Since Yuan Tiangang said Tan Hua could enter the top ten of the Fledgling Dragon List, then Tan Hua must have that strength.

"There is another person," a woman said faintly at this moment. "Last year, when I was passing through the Hundred Thousand Mountains in Jinhe County, I encountered a nearly wild girl who punched a fully-grown Furious Crocodile flying with a single blow."

"What!"

Everyone gasped. A fully-grown Furious Crocodile was equivalent to an Eight Meridians martial sect. To punch such a ferocious beast flying with one blow, could such a terrifying figure really emerge from the younger generation?

But the woman speaking was Liu Yi, ranked 61st on the Fledgling Dragon List. Would she speak nonsense?

Even Zhuo Yunshan exclaimed, "How old was that girl?"

At their age, a difference of one or two years could matter greatly, and as their strength and age grew, then a difference of a few years or even decades might not matter much.

Liu Yi sighed and revealed a touch of awe, "I talked with her for a while. That girl came from an ancient barbaric tribe and was only fourteen when I met her!"

"Impossible!" Everyone shook their heads.

To punch an Eight Meridians martial sect level Furious Crocodile flying at fourteen? That was a joke. Even if she had exceptional talent, to overpower a ferocious beast in strength, she would at least need to be a Six Meridians martial sect—this already considered that she was a Ten Meridians martial master's breakthrough.

But a Fourteen-year-old Six Meridians martial sect? It was completely unrealistic because even a genius like Yuan Tiangang only broke through to the martial sect at eighteen and was now merely Four Meridians, at most Six Meridians.

More monstrous than Yuan Tiangang? There couldn't possibly be such a person in the world!

"What if she is a body cultivator?" Liu Yi suddenly said.

Body cultivator?

Everyone couldn't help but gasp. Normally, body cultivation was synonymous with weakness because almost no one could cultivate to a martial master level or above. But if there were a rare talent, then body cultivation would be terrifying, with combat power far surpassing that of Star Force Cultivators of the same realm.

"Is she really a martial cultivator?" Zhuo Yunshan asked.

"Indeed, I chatted with her for a while, and she said she would participate in the Fledgling Dragon List competition this time," Liu Yi nodded, pausing, and then sweeping her gaze over everyone, "Her name is Yun Cai."

Yun Cai, truly a simple and direct name.

But the image of a body cultivator, a girl who could punch a Furious Crocodile flying, didn't match the light and ethereal imagery of a cloud. The scene of a barbarian woman, broader and more muscular than a strong man, with a wolf fang club on her shoulder instantly appeared in everyone's minds, making them all shiver with a chill.

This time's Fledgling Dragon List competition would undoubtedly be lively, with at least three super newcomers who could challenge the top ten, and this was just from what they had learned. Who knew if there were even stronger newcomers yet to be revealed.

Zhuo Yunshan's eyes inadvertently turned to Chu Hao. This young man was silent and calm, seemingly gentle, but with just a few more glances, one could tell he was like a volcano, ready to erupt with earth-shattering power at any moment.

Perhaps he was also a super newcomer capable of challenging the top ten.

Although Chu Hao's current cultivation was indeed a bit lacking, with five months left until the Fledgling Dragon List ranking battle, maybe he could reach Three Meridians or even Four Meridians by then?

But she immediately shook her head, feeling she was too influenced by that sword move from Chu Hao a few days ago. The power of swordsmanship didn't necessarily equate to combat strength because techniques are dead, but people are alive. Even the strongest martial technique needs to hit the target to unleash its power.

"Yun Shan, you are really not considerate, starting without waiting for me!" At this moment, a melodious voice sounded, and a woman walked in from outside. Her tall figure was half a head taller than the average man, her curvaceous, devilish figure incomparably alluring.

Chu Hao saw her and couldn't help but show a strange expression.

This woman was none other than the "bathing companion" he accidentally encountered after coming out of the Ancient Training Ground. This world was indeed small, meeting her again here.

Trying to avoid trouble, Chu Hao pulled his collar up slightly. In fact, he had no grudges with this woman and had no desire to fight meaningless battles.

"Yujun!" Zhuo Yunshan immediately greeted her with a smile. "You're a busy person; I didn't expect you to come."

"It's Fairy Miao!"

"Miao Yujun, ranked 41st on the Fledgling Dragon List!"

"Truly beautiful as a heavenly immortal!"

The young men around whispered, their faces filled with undisguised admiration.

If the four women before were all prodigies, then Miao Yujun was a true fairy. Whether in appearance, figure, martial realm, or talent, she surpassed the other four women by a long shot.

Miao Yujun smiled, walked arm-in-arm with Zhuo Yunshan to the main seat, and sat in a place that had been kept empty especially for her.

With another supreme beauty present, everyone's enthusiasm soared even higher, engaging in lively discussions like peacocks in mating season, eager to display themselves to the females.

"Fairy Miao, Fairy Zhuo, when I was adventuring in Shangfang Mountain last time, I saw a nearly ripe Red Jade Fruit, but it was guarded by a Hundred-eyed Spider at the peak of Eight Meridians, and I was no match for it. I was thinking of seeking companions. Do you two ladies have any interest?" A young man suddenly invited.

Red Jade Fruit!

Hearing this name, the crowd couldn't suppress the heat in their gazes.

The Red Jade Fruit was similar to the Seven Flower Fruit in that it directly enhanced one's realm, though one worked for martial masters and the other for the martial sect.

With five months until the Fledgling Dragon List competition, improving realms by a few small stages could significantly boost one's ranking. Reaching the Eight Meridians could even qualify one to vie for the top spot.

—Even a genius like Yuan Tiangang couldn't defeat opponents two realms higher than his own, considering everyone here was an exceptional talent.

Zhuo Yunshan and Miao Yujun both showed interest. Anyone not at the peak of Eight Meridians would be eager for the Red Jade Fruit.

"How many fruits did that Red Jade Fruit tree bear?" Zhuo Yunshan asked. If too few, three of them would not get enough.

"Coincidentally, there are three fruits," the young man smiled. "That's why I invited both fairies."

After brief consideration, Zhuo Yunshan and Miao Yujun agreed, making others feel envious of the young man. Being close had its advantages, as the trip to Shangfang Mountain would take no less than two months round trip.

Chu Hao inwardly found it amusing. If the young man had only invited one of the two, he might have had a chance. But both? Not a chance!

He had already made clear his intention to court both, which no proud woman would accept.