Eternal Heavenly Emperor

In theory, a War Venerate could master up to ten Runes, but this upper limit wasn't unbreakable in actual combat.

For example, if one's Martial Technique, mastery of Elemental Power, and Treasure Artifact were all at ten, then it was possible for the number of Runes deployed to reach thirty. The problem was, perfectly integrating these three aspects was tremendously difficult.

Therefore, even a Peak War Venerate could only manage to cast ten or eleven Runes at most.

Chu Hao was now able to cast fifty Runes with just one Sword Technique; what did that signify? It meant he could annihilate any War Venerate in an instant!

How could he be so powerful?

It was because he had mastered the Great Chaos Intent Realm. The Five Elements Soul Seed could perfectly integrate the power of the Five Elements. With each of the five elements having an upper limit of ten Runes, didn't that sum up to fifty?

Of course, only he could achieve this; even if others cultivated five or six types of Elemental Powers, they couldn't stack them perfectly, twenty Runes were the most they could manage.

Otherwise, why wouldn't Chu Hao have integrated the Thunder Elemental Power as well?

It wasn't that he didn't want to; he simply couldn't. Only the Mutual Generation and Overcoming of the Five Elements allowed the five different Runes to combine in a mysterious way. Adding the Thunder Element would inevitably lead to collapse.

Fifty Runes!

And this was just from one Sword Technique, not counting Chu Hao's own strength or his Treasure Artifact. The limit was certainly not just fifty Runes.

Unable to contain his excitement, Chu Hao's right hand moved continuously, the Soul Seed activating the Elemental Power, incessantly perfecting the Sword Technique in his Sea of Consciousness as it emitted brilliant light, becoming increasingly dazzling.

In the sky, the battle between Yuan Tiangang and Yan Feixue became even more intense. Both of them were far beyond ordinary Peak War Venerates. The combat power they unleashed was astonishing. Even Su Wanyue nodded in approval. If she hadn't cultivated the Unique Life Spring, she wouldn't stand a chance against either of them.

"They're too strong. Do I even qualify as a War Venerate compared to them?"

"Their combat power… it could rival a War Emperor, right?"

"That's just talk. A War Emperor is at least a hundred times stronger; even if these two teamed up, they surely couldn't defeat a First Tier War Emperor."

"Correct, a War Emperor's Soul Seed forms a Dharma Aspect, drawing on the power of the elements in a way that no War Venerate's Soul Seed can compare. They aren't even in the same league."

"From what we saw earlier, it seems Yan Feixue has the upper hand, yet she has been purely defensive. Could it be that she excels in defense over offense?"

"If that's the case, this battle is going to last for quite some time."

The spectators below were all abuzz with discussion, yet no one showed any impatience, as watching such a battle held great benefits. It could even lead to a sudden enlightenment.

At the War Venerable Realm, what troubled Martial Artists wasn't strength but their understanding and control of elements. Thus some might remain stagnant for fifty years, while others could, in a moment of enlightenment, improve an entire minor realm.

The two in the sky fought more fiercely, their brilliance astounding, Elemental Powers chaotically active. It was fortunate that they were fighting in the sky, as otherwise even a Low Tier War Venerate could be annihilated by the aftershocks.

Of course, in that case, strong characters from the school would definitely step in.

"Both of them are too strong. Are Chu Hao and the Sword Maiden capable of facing them?"

"Correct, their power is truly astonishing. If Chu Hao hasn't made much progress this past year, he might not overcome either of them."

"Speaking of which, the Dragon Crown Prince is truly amazing, amplifying Yuan Tiangang's power tenfold in just one year."

"Hey, are you thinking of defecting to an Alien Race?"

"Even if I wanted to defect, they'd have to be willing to accept me."

The more they watched, the more in awe the crowd was of the two fighters' strength, unable to believe there could be any greater power within the War Venerable Realm.

Suddenly, a figure soared into the sky.

It was Chu Hao!

What was he planning to do?

"Chu Hao?" Yuan Tiangang was startled, then his fighting spirit flared even brighter as he laughed loudly, "So you've finally ended your seclusion. I was just looking for a fight with you!"

"You're Chu Hao?" Yan Feixue also paused, turning to look at Chu Hao, her eyes brimming with fighting intent.

With a beaming smile, Chu Hao said, "I am Chu Hao. Since you both wish to fight, then good, come at me together, I'll entertain you both."

Everyone below burst out laughing. Everyone knew how powerful Yuan Tiangang and Yan Feixue were, yet Chu Hao dared to challenge them both alone. Was he courting death?

"Hmph, I don't need to team up to deal with you!" Yuan Tiangang roared, not even waiting for a duel to start, and charged at Chu Hao with his staff, its seventeen Runes all glowing.

Yan Feixue sheathed her sword, clearly also disdainful of joining forces.

Chu Hao sighed and casually threw out a punch.

Boom—his fist radiated with more than thirty intertwined Runes shining brightly, so densely packed that no one could see the exact number, as if lighting up a divine platform, dazzlingly bright. As the Runes resonated with the elements, a massive Star Force fist materialized out of thin air and smashed fiercely towards Yuan Tiangang.

With a loud crash, without any surprise, Yuan Tiangang was sent flying stick and all, a streak of blood spraying from his mouth, tracing the sky.

This!

Everyone gaped, completely in disbelief.

How formidable Yuan Tiangang had been was clear to everyone, viewed as an invincible existence among the War Venerates. Yet such a powerful being was casually sent flying with a single punch by Chu Hao, which seemed too exaggerated.

Could it be that Chu Hao had advanced to War Emperor?

Everyone was staring at Chu Hao, and the individuals from the Upper Three Realms immediately shook their heads, for although the aura emanating from Chu Hao was powerful, it definitely remained within the bounds of the War Venerate Realm.

This was a genuine War Venerate.

But how could his combat power be so overwhelming?

"Pu!" Yuan Tiangang steadied himself, but blood kept spewing from his mouth, as he looked at Chu Hao incredulously, "How could you be so strong? I don't believe it! I don't believe it!"

Now, he couldn't even withstand a single move from Chu Hao, how could he accept this?

Chu Hao glanced at him and said, "Did you think that becoming a dog for the Alien Race would let you sweep over the Human Race?"

Yuan Tiangang clenched his teeth, as he had forsaken all his dignity and pledged allegiance under the Dragon Crown Prince to gain greater strength to defeat Chu Hao. Over the past year, he was confident that his strength had increased tenfold, enough to overcome Chu Hao.

But the reality was so disheartening, he couldn't even take one punch from Chu Hao.

In the past, he could still serve as a whetstone for Chu Hao, but now? He didn't even qualify as a sparring partner.

"I don't believe it! I don't believe it!" Yuan Tiangang's eyes radiated a dark light, and his whole body exuded a black aura, seeming to transform into a demon, utterly eerie. Yet his aura was significantly increasing, as if about to break through the limits of the War Venerate Realm.

This was clearly a major move that needed time to prepare, and it would likely cause severe damage to himself, which was why he couldn't afford to use it in his battle with Yan Feixue and didn't want to resort to it.

But to defeat Chu Hao, he was prepared to risk everything.

Chu Hao didn't interrupt with a strike; from his point of view, it was time to settle the grudges between him and Yuan Tiangang once and for all.

Defeat him completely when he launched his strongest attack.

"Dark Demon Possession, explode!" Yuan Tiangang roared, as a shadow formed by the black aura behind him merged into his body, crazily boosting his strength.

"Sky-reaching Staff, Heaven Splitting Strike!"

He swung the black staff, slashing it towards Chu Hao.

Boom—the black aura within him gushed out, carrying along with it his essence blood, turning into a great demon that took over the use of the staff and struck at Chu Hao. After swinging this strike, Yuan Tiangang no longer had the strength to fly in mid-air and plummeted down.

The great demon, wielding the staff, was a hundred feet tall, relentlessly wielding the staff as if he was trying to split heaven and earth.

Buzzing—the demon's body suddenly displayed up to twenty-five Runes!

Seeing this scene, even Yan Feixue's pretty face changed color, as the power of this strike was too formidable! If she were to take it directly, she would have to pay a tremendous price, or else she would be instantly obliterated.

Below, Gu Qingcheng and Yun Cai also showed anxious expressions. With such formidable power, could Chu Hao's Unique Life Spring absorb it?

Chu Hao simply smiled, with no intention of drawing his sword, his punch was entirely nonchalant.

Thump!

First, the black staff was struck away, followed by the great demon's body being easily shattered by the punch, the black aura was annihilated by the force of the punch, instantly disappearing without a trace.

The entire sky immediately became clear, with a bright sunny day, and the blue sky for miles.

What!

It was clearly a bright sunny day, yet everyone felt a terrifying chill down their spine.

Is this guy even human?

Such a terrifying strike was casually neutralized, simply inconceivable.

"How is this possible! How is this possible!" Yuan Tiangang was also sitting collapsed on the ground, his eyes vacant, void of any thoughts.

Defeated, utterly devastated.

The gap between him and Chu Hao was not just a little bit, but as vast as the difference between heaven and earth!

This threw him into complete despair, no longer harboring even the slightest desire to pursue.

Chu Hao looked towards Yan Feixue and smiled, "Junior Sister Yan, care to battle?" Wasn't it said that only he was qualified to challenge her? Now he was here.

Yan Feixue's pretty face showed a bitter smile—joking aside, how could she compete against such battle power? Wouldn't that be masochistic? She said, "I'm no match for Brother Chu!"

Chu Hao proudly stood in the sky, unmatched within the War Venerate Realm. With his Unique Life Spring, Great Chaos Intent Realm, and Laws of Life, even if those Heaven Talented from ancient times were resurrected, even if a first-class War Venerate with exceptional physique stood before him, he was confident in defeating them one by one.

This was the confidence of the invincible.

Now, he even possessed the qualifications to battle a Low Tier War Emperor. If this were spoken of outside, it would definitely frighten people to their knees, for even in the Upper Three Realms, crossing a minor realm in battle was extremely difficult, let alone a major realm?

"Alright, alright, you're a grown man, do you really want to bully a woman?" Gu Fei took the opportunity to fly over, slapping Chu Hao on the shoulder, then turned to Yan Feixue and said with a laugh, "My brother-in-law just doesn't know how to be tender towards the fairer sex!"

The implication being, he certainly did. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote with recommendation tickets and monthly passes at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)