Eternal Heavenly Emperor

Xiaocao didn't lie. The alchemy she performed indeed had the effects she described.

"I told you to speak the truth, and you did. The key is, you still don't realize, and that's the most terrifying part."

Xiaocao waved her hand and said, "Little Gray, turn this scum into fertilizer."

Bang! The vine that was holding Du Sheng immediately sprang into action. In an instant, it slammed him to the ground and began pulling him downward.

The soil here was loose, but pulling someone underground that way wasn't easy. However, the Grey Vine possessed the strength of a Five Meridians martial artist, and Du Sheng's body slowly sank into the ground.

Fortunately, every Martial Artist had progressed through to the Tenth Tier; everyone could be considered a body cultivator, with physiques reaching levels of incredible strength and resilience. Otherwise, being forcibly pulled into the ground without Star Force would surely tear them apart.

"No, no, no, save me! Save me!" Du Sheng cried out in sheer terror.

Everyone fears death, but dying in combat might be acceptable; he could face it with dignity. But seeing the state of those Corroders, having his life essence drained bit by bit, his body slowly rotting away, taking a year to die, who could endure such torture?

This had nothing to do with dignity; no human could withstand it.

"Unforgivable!" Xiaocao declared coldly, pointing decisively.

The vines dragged Du Sheng underground, releasing him then piercing through his spine. Just like the Corroders before, the vines provided the necessary nutrients to keep him alive, prolonging his suffering for many days to come.

Everyone shivered, especially those who had committed crimes, trembling with fear.

At that moment, death didn't seem frightening; it was this sort of torment that was terrifying.

"Next." Xiaocao began to search among the crowd. Everyone shivered involuntarily under her gaze.

Except for one.

Xiaocao looked at Chu Hao: "You're quite special. So, you're next."

Some people sighed in relief, able to catch their breath for a moment longer, while others grew more nervous as the number of people dwindled, their turn approaching.

Chu Hao smiled. He would never take that so-called "Life Pill."

It's not because of guilt over any misdeeds — he had killed many, but each life he took was with a clear conscience. However, the secrets he harbored were too substantial, some even beyond the scope of Sky Martial Star.

For instance, the falling meteor from Yunliu Sect was actually a corner of a massive statue standing in the stars, immense and indescribable.

Moreover, he came from another world, involving soul reincarnation, something even a War God couldn't achieve.

Such secrets couldn't be known to a second person.

Boom!

He suddenly released his physical constitution, flames erupting around him in an instant.

His physical constitution was separate from Star Force. Though his Star Force was suppressed, his physical attributes remained unaffected. But to Zhuo Yunshan and the others, Chu Hao's mere Tenth Tier physique seemed insignificant before the power of the Five Meridians Grey Vine.

Chu Hao was different; his physique was equivalent to a Martial Sect at the mid-stage of the Two Meridians.

The vines binding Chu Hao recoiled like ordinary hands pricked by needles, only to shoot forth again from the ground, numerous in their hundreds, as if the Grey Vine was utterly infuriated.

Chu Hao, engulfed in flames, stared intently, saying, "Miss Xiaocao, I agree with your method of punishing evil, but don't you think it's a bit excessive?"

Xiaocao hurriedly calmed the vines, "Little Gray, don't be hasty, don't be hasty."

The hundreds of vines, like arrows, pointed at Chu Hao but didn't strike. It was unclear whether they feared his flames or were calmed by Xiaocao.

Likely, it was the latter.

Xiaocao then gave Chu Hao a peculiar look, "I never thought you'd be a body cultivator."

A body cultivator!

Zhuo Yunshan and the others were visibly surprised. Body cultivators were rare; there weren't enough Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to support them. The same resources could support ten Star Force cultivators.

And even if such resources were spent on a body cultivator, there was no guarantee they'd reach high levels.

Chu Hao was a body cultivator? No, a Dual Cultivator of Star Force and body cultivation?

Hope gleamed in everyone's eyes. If Chu Hao could take the girl hostage, they saw a chance for survival.

"Life's filled with miracles, making it infinitely exciting, isn't it?" Chu Hao smiled.

Xiaocao's expression remained untouched, calm as still water. "I don't want to harm you. Swallow this pill obediently. If you're not a bad person, you'll be safe. Otherwise, even as a body cultivator, I have a hundred ways to strip you of power."

Was she bluffing, or did she truly have such means?

Chu Hao laughed heartily, "In my book, there's no such thing as surrender without a fight! Besides, you're not my wife, why do you want to know about me?"

The crowd, seeing him dare to tease this mysterious and frightening girl, couldn't help but have mixed reactions. But now, Chu Hao was their only hope; they could only hope he could win.

The girl showed no anger, appearing as emotionless as a stone. She extended a finger towards Chu Hao, "Little Gray."

Woosh, woosh, woosh, woosh! Instantly, the sky filled with vines shooting towards Chu Hao like arrows.

"Get lost!" Chu Hao roared, his fists pounding repeatedly. Boom, boom, boom, boom. Though his strength couldn't match the Grey Vine, the flames from his physical constitution pushed the vines back upon contact.

The vines danced wildly, forming a barrier between Chu Hao and the girl, impossible to break through.

Without capturing the girl, how could they threaten the vine into releasing its hold? Chu Hao's power alone couldn't break the invisible barrier at the entrance.

Smack, smack, smack, smack.

The Grey Vine lashed out, its tendrils numerous, continuously striking at Chu Hao without pause. Even with his immense physique, being repeatedly struck by Five Meridians-level power made him grit his teeth in pain.

It was like an adult being struck by a schoolchild; while a single hit wouldn't kill or seriously injure, continued strikes would eventually cause harm.

Seeing Chu Hao endure the hits, Zhuo Yunshan and the others gradually sank into despair.

Now, their only hope was that they had committed no wrong deeds, or at least deeds the girl deemed wrong.

As Chu Hao continued to fight back, he thought to himself, body cultivation was too reliant on physical realm. Falling behind in power made recovery difficult. And this Grey Vine was terrifying; each vine equaled a Five Meridians martial artist, with hundreds attacking at once — who could withstand that?

Even Yuan Tiangang, top of the Fledgling Dragon List, would pale in comparison!

He had to reveal his trump card.

The Thundercloud Density technique he recently mastered was perfect for handling group attacks. But with his Star Force sealed, how could he use the Mad Thunder Sword Technique? Neither the Mad Thunder Sword Technique nor the Sky Wind Eight Styles, nor the Sky Stepping Technique could be performed.

All he could use were the techniques learned in the Lower World, like the Mad Wind Fist and the Izumo Sword Technique — truly a dire situation.

Even if the Mad Wind Fist could triple his power, elevating him from mid-stage Two Meridians to mid-stage Three Meridians, it was still insufficient against Five Meridians.

Useless, all of it.

Did he have to resort to that?

Chu Hao decided to retrieve the Jade Seal from the Mustard Seed Ring, but his sealed Star Force rendered the ring unresponsive. His expression shifted; without Star Force, he couldn't access the ring's contents.

This had to be done, somehow.

Chu Hao forced his Star Force, needing only a sliver.

But the Grey Vine wouldn't give him time, its tendrils striking repeatedly, tossing him around like a rag doll.

"At this rate, you'll die!" Xiaocao stated calmly, neither angry nor sympathetic.

Come on, come on!

Chu Hao screamed inwardly, finally managing to spark a bit of Star Force. With a flash, the Jade Seal appeared in his hand.

Gasp, hmm, ah!

Zhuo Yunshan, the others, and even the girl Xiaocao, were surprised.

Everyone knew the Mustard Seed Ring required Star Force. Thus, their shock: how could he use it when they were all sealed?

Though Xiaocao soon realized, softly stating, "Your willpower is so strong, you can resist Little Gray's venom slightly."

Hearing this, Zhuo Yunshan and the others grew despondent. So he could barely use a bit of Star Force. In such a moment, anything taken from the Mustard Seed Ring must be for survival; what could the Jade Seal do?

Chu Hao, holding the Jade Seal, felt his confidence soar.

"Stinky Grass, I'll stamp you!" he roared, charging the Grey Vine.

After being battered by the vine, his temper flared.

The vine struck again.

Smack!

Chu Hao pressed the Jade Seal against it, making contact. A tremendous force threw him back, but the tendril was marked.

An immediate change occurred; the tendril withered visibly, decay spreading rapidly. In seconds, the exposed parts turned to dust.

"Little Gray, cut off that tendril!" Xiaocao finally showed tension, shouting.

The decay had reached underground, but with other tendrils still active, the Grey Vine must have severed the "rotten limb" to prevent further harm.

As the saying goes, "A brave warrior cuts off a ruined limb," not out of disregard but to preserve life.