Eternal Heavenly Emperor

Four days passed swiftly, and the time had finally come for the arena to open.

There was no notable change in the surroundings, but the invisible barrier at the gap had vanished, allowing the crowd to enter through the opening and into the vast arena.

However, not everyone could enter; Chu Hao stood on a large tree to observe and saw many people turn back, their faces etched with disappointment.

These individuals were Martial Disciples, the weakest among the martial artists.

"I just wanted to watch the battle, why is there a need to test my strength? Honestly, what do I do now? I've come all the way from Fuyou County, and if I return without seeing anything, that would be too much of a loss."

"The minimum requirement to watch the battle is being a Single-Meridian martial master."

"Actually, this makes sense. After all, there is limited space inside, and if everyone were allowed in just like that, it couldn't possibly accommodate everyone."

Some people walked to the tree Chu Hao was standing on and started complaining.

Chu Hao nodded, agreeing that imposing another layer of restriction was indeed necessary, or the place would become overcrowded. Besides, what insight could a Martial Disciple gain from watching? They would be there just to join the bustle.

He waited for a while longer; the "entrance" had become less crowded, so he leaped down from the tree and followed the crowd in.

"Hey, Chu Hao, you're actually still alive?" someone suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

Chu Hao turned his head and couldn't help but smile, saying, "Brother Jiang, why would you curse me when we have no grudges?"

The person was none other than Jiang Qixuan, who had become famous in a battle at Sky Heart Sect. Cao Jingwen was pulled down from the position of the Four Talented by him. However, Chu Hao didn't have much interaction with him; they merely greeted each other after entering the Ancient Training Ground.

Jiang Qixuan was still dressed very plainly, and walking on the street, nobody would realize that he was a genius of the Four Talented level. However, his cultivation had already risen to Three Meridians Martial Sect, an incredibly rapid progression.

"Chu Hao, you've really disappointed me," Jiang Qixuan said indifferently. "I intended to challenge you, but I didn't expect your progress over the past six months to be so minimal!" Disappointment was evident in his expression.

Chu Hao was taken aback and then realized he was wearing Concealment Jade; anyone who saw him would only think he was a Single-Meridian martial master.

Three Meridians versus one, and with Jiang Qixuan's genius, it was naturally a sure victory.

Chu Hao didn't take it to heart and smiled, "Then, Brother Jiang, have you sparred with Jin Yunlin?" He had said that once he came out of the Ancient Training Ground, he would have a fight with Jin Yunlin.

Jiang Qixuan shook his head, "Jin Yunlin was taken away by people from Qinghua Sect after leaving the Ancient Training Ground and never returned to Sky Heart Sect."

Chu Hao understood; Jin Yunlin had always been hesitant about joining Qinghua Sect, as Sky Heart Sect was everything to him. Although he was the top among the younger generation in Tianhe County, he definitely couldn't keep wearing the crown if he went to Qinghua Sect.

There's a saying: better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a bull. Jin Yunlin naturally preferred to be the leader in Sky Heart Sect, looking down on all the geniuses of Tianhe.

Until he was effortlessly defeated by You Zhiyuan.

The number one among the young generation in Tianhe County couldn't even withstand ten moves from his opponent. How could he bear this? Provoked by such a blow, of course, he yearned for stronger strength.

This could only be achieved in Qinghua Sect.

Therefore, his joining Qinghua Sect became a matter of course.

"Chu Hao?" At that moment, another voice expressed surprise.

Chu Hao turned to look and recognized another acquaintance, Feng Buping, one of the Seven Stars of Tianhe. Although they hardly interacted, the sight of a "townsman" in a strange place was definitely comforting.

"Brother Feng!" Chu Hao greeted with a smile, and Feng Buping, now a Martial Sect as well, stepped in, but his progress clearly lagged behind Jiang Qixuan, being only at Two Meridians.

Six months ago, both were Nine Meridians martial masters. Yet, in just a short half-year, such a stark contrast in their realms had emerged, highlighting Jiang Qixuan's superior martial talent.

Feng Buping stared at Chu Hao for a while and frowned, "Chu Hao, how come you're only at Single-Meridian?" He seemed displeased, as if the "lower" cultivation were his own.

Chu Hao laughed heartily, "If you two wish to spar with me, I certainly won't refuse a battle."

Both Feng Buping and Jiang Qixuan shook their heads as they would only challenge those stronger than themselves; bullying the weak served no purpose.

"Let's go inside!" An elder standing beside Feng Buping commanded, a Warrior with impressive cultivation.

Chu Hao and Jiang Qixuan nodded and began walking, falling behind Feng Buping and the elder.

"Brother Jiang, did you come here alone?" Chu Hao hadn't seen any Taoist Protector by Jiang Qixuan's side.

"I set out alone for my experience journey four months ago, traveling and challenging others along the way, which has been quite rewarding," Jiang Qixuan explained.

Hearing his words, Feng Buping sighed inwardly, thinking the reason he was now a meridian behind Jiang Qixuan might be because he had always been solely focused on his practice. Life-and-death battles were dangerous, but as long as one survived them, the experience and gains were invaluable and could significantly enhance one's strength.

After the ranking on the Fledgling Dragon List, he would definitely set out on his own, to either die on the climb of martial arts or to emerge tempered, becoming an unmatched Treasured Sword, sweeping the world.

The four stepped into the arena's gap, and immediately a thick force surged towards them, making it feel like they'd walked into a quagmire, struggling to move forward.

No wonder Martial Disciples didn't even have the qualifications to enter and watch.

Humming sounds emitted as Jiang Qixuan and Feng Buping began to glow; their Meridian Patterns slightly lit up, and their steps immediately became smooth. However, Chu Hao and the elder Warrior showed no reaction, yet their pace remained swift.

Huh?

Jiang Qixuan, Feng Buping, including that Warrior elder all showed a look of surprise. How could this be possible?

As strong as Jiang Qixuan and Feng Buping were, they had to mobilize Star Force to resist this force, and the Warrior elder did not glow because he was a Warrior, already past the stage of cultivating Meridians, naturally it would be impossible for any Meridian Pattern to glow.

But what about Chu Hao?

How come his Meridian Pattern didn't glow either?

He is a Warrior? Nonsense.

"Chu Hao, how did you get in here?" After passing through that "quagmire" area, Jiang Qixuan couldn't help but ask Chu Hao.

"Didn't I walk in just like you, with my feet?" Chu Hao said with a smile.

——His level of Body Cultivation was now equal to that of his Star Force level. Why would he need to activate Star Force for a resistance of that level? Since he didn't activate Star Force, how could the Meridian Patterns on his body glow?

Walked in with my feet.

Jiang Qixuan, Feng Buping, and that Warrior elder all twitched their faces. Wasn't that stating the obvious? If not with feet, were they supposed to use hands instead? The key point was, how did he manage it without mobilizing Star Force?

A Martial Artist's physical strength can only be cultivated up to a million jin, after which the path of cultivating Star Force begins. To combat the force at the entrance, at least four to five million jin of strength was needed. Therefore, it wasn't just Martial Sects, even the War King would need to activate Star Force to pass through.

Chu Hao smiled again and explained, "I've also cultivated the Body Technique a bit, with some small achievements."

So that was it.

At that, Jiang Qixuan and the others felt relieved. Chu Hao was also a Body Cultivator, which is why he could pass through without using Star Force. No wonder Chu Hao was still a Single-Meridian Martial Sect; it turned out he had spent the past six months focusing on Body Cultivation.

In the span of six months, he had advanced a whole realm and even started Body Cultivation. With that into account, Chu Hao's progress in Cultivation wasn't slow at all.

Feng Buping thought for a moment and said, "Chu Hao, our Cultivation is still too low. Currently, we should focus mainly on Star Force Cultivation. Biting off more than we can chew will probably lead to failure in both aspects."

Jiang Qixuan nodded on the side. Human energy is limited, and besides, the requirements for Body Cultivation are too harsh unless one is born with a strong physique suitable for it. Ordinary people need countless Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to keep going on this path.

But now is not the Ancient Times; where would there be so many materials suitable for Body Cultivation?

Chu Hao nodded and said, "I have a clear understanding in my heart." He naturally wouldn't tell them that he had not only obtained many Dragon Tooth Rice, but now he had a friend who could promote the growth of plants, helping to cultivate Dragon Tooth Rice, so he wouldn't have to worry about "food" supply in the future.

They weren't that close yet.

Jiang Qixuan and Feng Buping, of course, wouldn't persuade further. After all, they were still competitors.

The four entered the arena. The Warrior strongman went to find a place to sit down, while Chu Hao and the others headed toward the center of the arena, as they would soon be starting their battles for ranking on the Fledgling Dragon List.

None of them had participated before and had only heard about the general situation from others.

The venue was crowded with many young people, and it was certain that each person was under 25 years old, as this was a requirement for getting on the Fledgling Dragon List.

Nobody had ever heard of someone faking their age to get past, and as for why, Chu Hao and the others hadn't heard anyone say and naturally didn't know. Things passed down from Ancient Times, of course, have their mysterious aspects.

"Look, that's Mi Zerui, the expert ranked 36th on the last Fledgling Dragon List!" someone suddenly exclaimed, causing everyone to turn their heads to look.

They saw Mi Zerui walking into the center of the arena with his hands behind his back. Wherever he passed, people on both sides involuntarily stepped aside, showing the imposing presence an expert from the Fledgling Dragon List commanded.

Chu Hao couldn't help but chuckle to himself. This guy was now arrogantly in high spirits, but if he were to suddenly recall how Xiaocao had dealt with him, leaving him completely temperless and even wiping away a year of his memories, he wondered if he could still be so arrogant.

"Zhao Ming, ranked 67th on the Fledgling Dragon List!"

"Zhuo Yunshan, Fairy Zhuo, ranked 55th on the Fledgling Dragon List."

"Ah, Fairy Miao is here too."

"Which Fairy Miao?"

"You don't know Fairy Miao? Of course, it's Miao Yujun, Fairy Miao ranked 41st on the Fledgling Dragon List."

"Ah, she is really beautiful!"

"Hey, who is that woman? She seems even more beautiful than Fairy Miao and Fairy Zhuo?"

"Don't know her."

"Never seen her."

Chu Hao and the others followed the crowd's gaze, but they all nodded because the woman who had amazed the crowd was precisely from Tianhe County.

——Qin Yulian.(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)