Eternal Heavenly Emperor

"Senior Sister, may I have a word?" Chu Hao glanced around; there were no other members of the Yunliu Sect in the inn.

Although Fu Xue was a Female Tyrannosaurus, she was neither foolish nor did she ask Chu Hao why, simply following him as he walked out.

The two meandered left and right, and only after they had moved far away from the inn did Chu Hao stop in a secluded corner. He said, "Senior Sister, who else did you come with this time?"

"Two Warriors, Ling Yangshan from the Ling Family, Luo Baojun from the Luo Family, and Luo Ping," Fu Xue replied.

Being escorted by two strong Warriors to accompany the juniors, especially since Fu Xue had greatly improved her cultivation skills and possessed astonishing martial talent, it was highly likely that she would secure a spot on the Fledgling Dragon List.

But Luo Ping... Could it be that he had ascended to the realm of Martial Sect? Otherwise, an Eight-Meridians martial master wouldn't stand a chance in this year's new generation rich with talented individuals on the Fledgling Dragon List.

"Senior Sister, through how many Meridians did you break through?" Chu Hao asked.

"Nine Meridians!" Fu Xue said proudly.

"You must have had some adventure, to have advanced from a Three-Meridians martial master to a Single-Meridian Martial Sect in just over half a year!" Chu Hao laughed.

"Naturally, three months ago, in pursuit of a notorious thief, I entered an ancient tomb. I accidentally ate a few fruits and afterward, my cultivation speed soared like flying. Soon, I reached Nine Meridians and, in a burst of energy, ascended to Martial Sect," Fu Xue explained, patting Chu Hao on the shoulder. "But you're not doing badly either, having also broken through to Martial Sect."

Due to the Concealment Jade, she assumed Chu Hao was also a Single-Meridian Martial Sect.

Chu Hao laughed heartily and said, "Senior Sister, it isn't just you who encounters such opportunities." He paused for a moment, his expression turning serious, "Senior Sister, after your breakthrough to Martial Sect, has the Yunliu Sect said anything to you?"

"Mm," Fu Xue nodded, "That's Ling Yangshan. He specially came from the Ling Family, saying that after the rankings of the Fledgling Dragon List end, he wants to take me back to the Ling Family, claiming they have high-tier Martial Techniques and Cultivation Techniques to pass on to me."

Chu Hao could not help but snort. Fu Xue's ascension to Martial Sect meant that the Ling Family was beginning to show their true, ferocious nature.

For a Sixth Rank Family, a Martial Sect was already one of the strongest below the Warriors. If Fu Xue continued to develop, she would break free from the control of the Ling Family. Moreover, having ascended to Martial Sect in just two years, Fu Xue's martial arts talent was naturally extremely strong.

Moreover, if such a person were to reproduce, it was very likely that their offspring would inherit such powerful bloodline, producing a new martial arts prodigy for the Ling Family, a true member of the family.

With these two factors, the Ling Family naturally wanted to start netting her in.

Thankfully, because of the upcoming battle rankings of the Fledgling Dragon List, Fu Xue could freely leave; otherwise, she would already have been taken back to the Ling Family, forced to make a life-and-death decision.

"Senior Sister, I need to tell you something now; you might want to sit down and listen calmly," Chu Hao said. He hadn't wanted to reveal Lin Cheng's last will so soon, as Fu Xue was too straightforward and stubborn, not one to stay calm.

But now that Fu Xue had quickly reached Martial Sect, there was no turning back; he had to tell her the truth.

After a long moment.

Thump, Fu Xue punched the ground heavily, causing a crack that extended along the alley. She seemed oblivious to it, snorting coldly, "No wonder the Native Faction treats us so poorly, so that's the reason!"

She had thought it was merely the disdain of the wealthy toward the poor, unaware of the deeper reasons.

"Senior Sister, after the competition of the Fledgling Dragon List is over, come with me to a place. There's an excellent physician there who can help you remove the Ten Insect Powder—it was she who cured the poison in me," Chu Hao said.

Fu Xue nodded. It was a matter of life and death, so of course, she wouldn't be pretentious.

Chu Hao then handed her a Jade Vase. It contained the Jade Toad Pill, originally intended for his use at the year's end. But now that the Ten Insect Powder had been removed from him, he gave it to Fu Xue for protection.

"This is the Jade Toad Pill. It can offset the toxicity of the Ten Insect Powder for two years. Just in case, keep it with you."

The two talked for a while, deciding that today's events had never happened. The news of Chu Hao's "resurrection" would wait until the Fledgling Dragon List ranking battle began, letting Ling Yangshan and Luo Baojun find out for themselves.

Chu Hao left the town and headed straight for the mountains.

Unexpectedly, there were quite a few people on the mountain. The Fledgling Dragon List was only updated every three years, gathering all the talents under the age of 25 from the entire Cang State. Even though only 108 individuals could make the list, with most people merely passing spectators, witnessing the true talents was extremely beneficial for enhancing one's own strength, naturally attracting a crowd.

And why would so many self-regarding geniuses also join in?

Simply put, making it onto the Fledgling Dragon List meant receiving the baptism of the Dragon Pool, greatly enhancing one's Bloodline Power.

—Improving realms was temporary, but enhancing Bloodline Power had lasting benefits, manifesting in every future cultivation and each battle.

Just like Chu Hao's flame physique, which could turn every single cell into a flame furnace, greatly increased the speed of both his cultivation and his refinement of medicines. However, this ability could not improve as his realm did; he could only hope for an opportunity like the baptism of the Dragon Pool.

But why would such a beneficial thing be willingly given to the juniors by the stronger ones?

The reason is simple, only people under the age of 25 are eligible to compete and enter the Dragon Pool for baptism. Even a War Venerate coming here could only stand by helplessly.

The Dragon Pool?

Chu Hao had heard from Su Wanyue that the Gu Clan's bloodline could be greatly stimulated after the baptism in an Ancestral Pool. Could this Dragon Pool be a sort of alternative Ancestral Pool? However, Ancestral Pools were a one-to-one correspondence; he could not possibly gain any benefits even if he entered the Su Family's Ancestral Pool.

This Dragon Pool must indeed be effective for everyone, making it not as simple as an Ancestral Pool.

He reached the summit of Nine Clouds Mountain, only to see a vast arena, similar to the Beast Fighting Arena of the Lower World. The entire venue was circular, the outermost perimeter being the spectator seats circling down towards the center, which was the combat area.

This ancient arena, its age unknown, was definitely built in Ancient Times; its unique ancient aura was incomparable to any other ancient building. On the west side, there was a section of the high wall that had collapsed, creating an entrance.

Indeed, there was no designed entrance for this arena; it seemed that in Ancient Times, visitors would have flown directly in.

But now, no one could do so, for there was an invisible barrier surrounding the arena, so strong that even a War King could not break through—whether those higher in status could break through was unknown, as no War Venerates, War Emperors, or War Emperors had ever come here.

Even with this collapsed section, entry was not possible at all times, due to the powerful resistance at the breach. Those of lower strength could not even enter.

Only every three years would the resistance decrease enough to pass through, which was the first challenge: if one couldn't even get through the "main gate", what right did they have to compete for a ranking on the Fledgling Dragon List?

Chu Hao gave it a try and found it similar to the invisible wall in Medicine Valley where Xiaocao resided. However, this "wall" was significantly sturdier as no amount of his striking could damage it.

"What an idiot, still deluding himself that he could break in?" a sneering voice came from behind Chu Hao.

Chu Hao turned around and saw a young man in his twenties, likely in the mid-stage of the Two Meridians martial arts master. If placed in Tianhe County, his cultivation level would be remarkable, certainly one of the Four Talented.

With only four days until the arena opens for the Fledgling Dragon List's ranking battles, the appearance of such outstanding talents was no longer surprising.

Chu Hao smiled inwardly. If he hadn't worn the Concealment Jade and instead revealed his peak Five Meridians aura, would the other dare to speak such words? He could not be bothered to waste words with such a person, pretending not to see and walked away with his hands behind his back.

"Really arrogant!" the young man scoffed.

"Peace and virtue, avoiding trouble is better than inviting it, harmony is most precious," another young man beside him, dressed in bright yellow monk's robes and bald, his eyes squinting as if he couldn't open them fully, said amicably.

"Zhu Wuji, your name is really an irony. Clearly wary of everything, yet named Wuji ('without restraint'), that's truly hilarious!" the first young man burst into laughter, "Uh, uh, uh!" His laughter cut abruptly as his throat was suddenly struck by a hand chop, leaving him gasping for air.

The young man clutched his throat with one hand and pointed at Zhu Wuji with the other, appearing to want to say something. But with his mouth agape and eyes wide, he couldn't make any sound other than "uh". His face turned from red to purple, and then, he suddenly collapsed to the ground with a thud.

Dead.

His eyes still conveyed disbelief, unable to fathom that his companion would suddenly attack him, and with a strength far beyond his expectation, leaving him unable to close his eyes in peace.

"The monk detests others using his name in vain!" Zhu Wuji said indifferently, his eyes still squinting amiably, and no one would have imagined him capable of such a ruthless act, lethally striking down his own companion just moments before.

He kicked out again, and thump, his companion's body was forcefully stomped into the soil.

"Three purifications, swiftly ascending to bliss," Zhu Wuji bowed slightly towards the place where the body lay, then strode away.

At this moment, the surrounding people let out a coarse breath, as if they had just regained their senses from horror.

"Is that Zhu Wuji, known as 'Murder Without Restraint' Zhu Wuji?"

"It's said that he annihilated a whole family just because someone called him bald!"

"This guy isn't on the Fledgling Dragon List, but a month ago, he killed Mei Qingwen, who was ranked 39th on the list, within ten moves in combat. He became famous in one battle and is considered a prodigy likely to enter the top ten this time."

"Lucky I'm not on the Fledgling Dragon List, otherwise encountering such a madman in a challenge would mean losing my life."

"There are truly many freaks this time!" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote and recommend at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to continue reading.)