Eternal Heavenly Emperor

"The Martial Disciple Realm, this is the most fundamental stage. In this stage, martial artists can only enhance their strength through a large amount of physical training!" Madam Yun began, and Chu Hao and the other two were all ears, listening intently.

"Of course, there are also some medicines that can achieve the same effect!" Madam Yun looked at Chu Hao and Tang Xin in turn, prompting both to nod, since they had both taken such spiritual medicines.

"Do not underestimate the Martial Disciple Realm. Within the ten layers of the martial arts realm, each layer is of utmost importance.

Without a solid foundation, how can towering buildings be discussed?" Madam Yun said with a light smile, "Even in our place, most people need to spend five years to complete the Martial Disciple Realm, trying to use medicines as little as possible to enhance strength!"

"Of course, those with outstanding talents can appropriately take some pills to speed up the process!"

"All in all, the physical functions of an ordinary person start to decline after the age of 30. As long as one attains the strength of a million catties before then, it's not considered late!"

A thought struck Chu Hao. Ordinary people? By that definition, were there "extraordinary people"?

Indeed, Madam Yun could intercept the Red Shadow Sword with her fleshly palm, she was definitely not ordinary!

"Stepping into the Martial Master Realm means no longer being ordinary!" Madam Yun continued, "A martial master can absorb elemental energy from heaven and earth to enhance their strength, storing it inside the body, regardless of bodily strength, thus unaffected by physical function, and this energy is called Star Force!

On the contrary, Star Force can also temper the body and amplify it, making the martial artist's energy even more abundant!"

"Star Force?" This was the first time both Fu Xue and Tang Xin had heard the term.

"This is Star Force!" Madam Yun extended her delicate hand, and at the center of her palm was a layer like a thin membrane of jade, as thin as cicada wings. She moved to the side of a large rock in the courtyard and pressed her palm against it.

The rock crumbled to pieces like it was made of sand, under the gentle press of her hand.

Tang Xin's eyes widened in shock immediately, and even Fu Xue couldn't help but look pale.

To break a rock with one slap or punch, she could achieve that. But to break a hard rock with such a feathery light press without building up force or momentum was utterly impossible!

This was the might of Star Force!

"Star Force, it's both a spear and a shield!" Madam Yun explained.

Chu Hao immediately nodded; Madam Yun had blocked the Red Shadow Sword with her palm just now, which was obviously the effect of the "shield"! He suddenly had an epiphany. Why had he always felt that the advanced martial technique Mad Wind Fist wasn't as good as the intermediate-level Izumo Sword Technique?

Simply put, Star Force!

He didn't have Star Force, so how dare he block a weapon with his bare fists? But with Star Force, it would be different. His fists would be equivalent to an extension of a weapon. As long as he protected himself with Star Force, he could smash through weapons all the same.

"How to absorb Star Force?" Fu Xue couldn't hold back and asked.

"You can't do it now. Sensing Star Force and absorbing Star Force are things only martial masters can do!" At this point, Madam Yun paused and turned to look at Chu Hao.

This monster, still in the Martial Disciple Realm, could actually absorb Star Force!

"Cross into the strength of a million catties, and once your body is strong enough, it can withstand Star Force. Then, you will be given a medicine called 'Star Sensing Pill,' which will expand your sensing abilities a hundredfold, allowing you to sense Star Force! If you can't sense Star Force even under the effect of the Star Sensing Pill, then it means...

you will never be able to sense Star Force, and there will be no chance for further progress," Madam Yun continued.

Chu Hao nodded inwardly; since he could absorb Star Force ahead of time, it indicated his body was also different from ordinary people, otherwise, he would have died long ago!

But indeed, Star Force was very intense. He was okay when he absorbed the dregs of a star stone mine, but when he absorbed the star stone left by that dry, withered old man, he almost burst his body apart! This showed Madam Yun was telling the truth; Star Force was not something to be absorbed recklessly.

"Only after possessing Star Force does the door to martial arts truly open!" Madam Yun continued, "Once you become a Warrior, you'll be able to command special Flying Treasure Artifacts and soar through the skies! And becoming a War Venerate, after cultivating the Void Aspect, you can even fly with the body alone!"

Flight!

All three, Chu Hao included, were stunned. This was definitely something humans had always longed for!

But one would at least have to be a Warrior!

Warrior, the fourth layer of martial arts, was also the level only the strongest of the Ling and Chi families could possess!

Difficult! Absolutely difficult!

"I need to remind you all that although you follow me and can be accepted into the Yunliu Sect, if you cannot reach the Tenth Tier of Martial Disciple and sense Star Force within three years, you will be demoted to menial laborers!" Madam Yun warned.

All three, including Chu Hao, nodded. They were full of confidence in themselves.

"Don't be complacent; those who can be accepted into the Yunliu Sect are all geniuses!" Madam Yun threw a damper on their enthusiasm, "The competition you will face will be incredibly fierce!"

Chu Hao and the others nodded seriously, but their fighting spirit was ignited. Finally, they would have strong competitors!

"You go back and prepare. You don't need to bring anything else; they will be of no use there. Just some gold and silver will suffice," Madam Yun added.

...

After leaving Madam Yun's courtyard, Chu Hao and the others said their goodbyes and went home. They were leaving for the Yunliu Sect with Madam Yun in three days, and they didn't know when they would return, so naturally, they needed to say farewell to their families and have a good talk.

Chu Hao was worried about Uncle Yu. The old man was getting on in years, and if he were to fall ill! He thought it over and decided he had to ask the Tang and Fu families to look after Uncle Yu on his behalf.

Thankfully, there were now eight children at home to keep Uncle Yu company, so the old man shouldn't feel lonely anymore.

Flying Fire was definitely coming along! Chu Hao was very optimistic about this ferocious beast. It could absorb Star Force just like him while in the Martial Disciple Realm—how limitless could its future achievements be?

Returning home, Chu Hao shared the news of his long journey with Uncle Yu. Although the old man felt reluctant to part, he was extremely supportive. He knew Chu Hao was a hidden dragon, so how could he possibly confine himself forever to a small place like Eastern Cloud City?

All he needed was an opportunity to soar to the heavens! And now was exactly the right time!

What worried Uncle Yu was that the title of nobility could only be retained for five years. If Chu Hao's journey exceeded five years, they would have to relinquish the title to someone else!

After learning of this, Chu Hao couldn't help but laugh. Knowing how vast the outside world was, what was the so-called title of nobility? The City Lord's Mansion had to obey the Chi Family, yet the Chi Family itself was merely a small sixth-grade noble house!

It couldn't be helped, Uncle Yu's perspective was too limited. In his eyes, the City Lord's Mansion was unassailable and the nobility were dignified and stately—the epitome of grandeur.

Chu Hao made arrangements and requested the Tang and Fu families to help take care. But now that the Chu Family had returned to the ranks of the nobility, who would dare touch a single tile of the Chu house? That would be tantamount to challenging the authority of the City Lord's Mansion!

The Tang and Fu families naturally agreed readily because they also each had a family member setting out with Chu Hao, which meant mutual support for one another.

During these three days, Chu Hao was simply spending time with Uncle Yu, contemplating that there were no "historical problems" left to solve.

With Ma Jicheng and Ma Long from the Ma Family gone, although there were still several clan members left, Chu Hao had no intention of implicating them all. The Mo brothers and Feng brothers only had minor conflicts with Chu Hao and it wasn't necessary to eradicate them completely.

Cousin Liu Yang had already died at the hands of Ma Jicheng. The remaining uncle and cousin were incompetent, incapable of causing any trouble. As for Lin Yuqi… she had gone mad, claiming to be a noble lady and then laughing ceaselessly whenever she saw someone.

Three days passed, and Chu Hao said goodbye to Uncle Yu. He didn't let the old man walk him out to avoid making him cry again due to reluctance. Carrying a large bundle and bringing along Flying Fire, Chu Hao headed towards Madam Yun's courtyard.

He had no choice. Uncle Yu was afraid he might get hungry or cold, so he prepared a lot of dried meat and grain for him, along with a whole pile of clothes. Since this was a gesture of care from the old man, Chu Hao had no choice but to set out with such a large bundle.

When he reached Madam Yun's courtyard, Chu Hao realized he wasn't the most exaggerated one—Fu Xue and Tang Xin's luggage was no less than his!

Seeing this, Madam Yun asked them to organize and tidy everything up to ensure they travelled lightly. After discarding all the food and only packing a few pieces of undergarments, their bags were finally lighter.

They set off in a very inconspicuous carriage, but as soon as they entered the vehicle, they discovered its luxury! Uncle Yuan personally took the reins, and as the carriage started moving, the three of them didn't feel any jolting at all, indicating exceptional shock absorption!

Keep in mind, these weren't concrete or asphalt roads on Earth, but ordinary cobblestone paths with bumps and potholes!

Along the way, Madam Yun briefed them on the customs and scenery of Sky Martial Star.

In fact, the Ling Family was just a small family in Cang State. Madam Yun's knowledge was quite limited, but it was enough to broadened the horizons of the three travellers.

Sky Martial Star was very, very large!

As far as Madam Yun knew, there were Nine States divided as Gold State, Wood State, Water State, Fire State, Earth State, Thunder State, Qin State, Yue State, and Cang State. There were differences in martial arts stratification across the states, with places like Cang State being somewhat inferior, housing only the first-grade families and sects without any Supreme Beings!

Powers at the level of War Gods!

It was said there were only seven War Gods in the entire Nine States, true apex beings who could make the whole Sky Martial Star tremble with a mere stomp of their feet!

Cang State was further divided into 24 Counties, with the Ling Family belonging to "Tianhe County," which was one of the Middle Nine Counties.

—The 24 Counties were ranked in terms of power as Upper Three Counties, Middle Nine Counties, and Lower Twelve Counties. The Upper Three Counties were governed by first-grade families and sects, ruling over the entire county, while the Middle Nine Counties were subservient to the Upper Three Counties, managing the Lower Twelve Counties.

The hierarchy was clear and strictly enforced!

And just Tianhe County alone had nearly a billion people!

How immense was the total population of Sky Martial Star? It was definitely an astonishing number! This showed how vast the planet was!

In contrast, the ferocious beasts of Sky Martial Star were also terrifyingly numerous, with beings of ten different tiers existing! But how many were at the level of a War God? No one knew! Because there were still many places on this world unexplored by humans!

Vast oceans, frigid snowlands, volcanoes eternally ablaze... too many human forbidden zones and paradises for ferocious beasts.

The carriage moved at great speed, and in just three days, they had entered a forest, although it was a mystery how the carriage got there. Half a day later, they arrived in a valley.

And when Chu Hao stepped off the carriage, he was utterly astounded!

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