Nine Heavens Martial Emperor

The reason was simple: this surname had a significant origin in the Divine Demon Destruction Domain.

The Lian family was a renowned family of artifact refiners in the Divine Demon Destruction Domain, and they had many entanglements with the Carefree Divine Monarch.

’This girl’s surname is also Lian. Could it be...’

However, Lin Hao’s thoughts turned, and he couldn’t help but chuckle.

’This is the Celestial Yang Continent, after all.’

’If this girl truly had the backing of a great family like the Lian family from the Divine Demon Destruction Domain, how could she have fallen to such a state?’

"Go to Heaven-Stepping Peak and find the Sect Leader. Just say that I sent you, and he will make arrangements for you. Also, don’t call me Master anymore."

"Master, are you abandoning me?" the little girl pouted, looking pitiful.

"I have a younger sister. You should be about her age," Lin Hao replied.

The appearance of Lian Lanxin reminded Lin Hao of Yan’Er.

Only then did he recall that he had been at the Heaven-Stepping Sect for so long, yet there was still no news of Yan’Er.

"Big Brother." The girl was clever, taking advantage of the situation.

Lin Hao came back to his senses and took her hand. "Let’s go. I’ll take you there."

Lin Hao felt he should tell Wu Taichu about Yan’Er. If Yan’Er arrived while he was in the secret realm, it would be problematic.

On the way, Lian Lanxin, her face covered in soot, kept sizing up Lin Hao, her eyes filled with confusion and curiosity.

Although she hadn’t learned her grandfather’s Artifact Refining Skill, she still remembered his words.

Although the Divine Transformation Hand only briefly turned the rotten into the miraculous, it required an extremely high level of attainment.

Even her grandfather would be panting after using the Divine Transformation Hand just once, but Lin Hao’s expression was normal after he used it.

This could only mean that Lin Hao’s attainments in Artifact Refining were even greater than her grandfather’s.

This was also the reason why Lian Lanxin wanted to take Lin Hao as her master.

And right now, her mind was completely filled with thoughts of her newly acknowledged big brother. ’How did he cultivate his Artifact Refining Skill? It’s even more amazing than my grandfather’s.’

Lin Hao felt uncomfortable under her gaze. Just as he was about to speak, he stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing slightly.

A youth with an exceptional air was walking toward him.

Seeing him, Lin Hao was quite surprised.

Because the newcomer was the talented youth Ling Xiao, who had been demonstrating his martial arts on the Divine Authentication Platform during the entrance examination.

When Ling Xiao saw Lin Hao, a flash of shock appeared in his eyes before vanishing, and his expression immediately returned to normal.

"Lin Hao, I challenge you!" Ling Xiao’s first words to Lin Hao were filled with hostility.

Ling Xiao, originally the number one Sect Disciple, was naturally extremely proud.

Moreover, he refused to admit defeat and strived to be first in everything.

That day on the Divine Authentication Platform, after witnessing the miracle Lin Hao created and feeling the pressure, he had chosen to enter secluded cultivation.

Today, he had emerged from seclusion, his realm having reached the Ninth Layer of Blood Coagulation Realm.

But the first piece of news he received after emerging was that Lin Hao had become the sect’s Chief Disciple.

Furthermore, the words of many disciples showed great support for him.

In Ling Xiao’s mind, he had never considered anyone but himself for the position of Chief Disciple. How could he endure suddenly hearing this news?

In this world where martial prowess was respected above all, strength had always been what mattered most.

Ling Xiao didn’t go to argue with Wu Taichu. Only by defeating Lin Hao and proving he was superior would he have the right to speak!

Who would have thought that Lin Hao would just shake his head? "I won’t fight you."

Although he had only met him once before, Lin Hao could more or less guess the thoughts of a talented disciple like Ling Xiao.

The sect was in need of people right now, and Lin Hao didn’t want to create another enemy in him.

Ling Xiao was stunned for a moment, then his voice turned cold. "Fine, you don’t have to fight. Give up the position of Chief Disciple!"

"If you want it, you can have it." Lin Hao shrugged, his reply clean and direct.

’Chief Disciple is just an empty title. To be honest, I really don’t care for it.’

"You look down on me!" A powerful aura suddenly erupted from Ling Xiao’s body.

A fierce wind instantly blew between the two of them.

Fallen leaves on the ground were swept up, then fluttered back down.

Lin Hao’s gaze sharpened.

He was shocked to see that the leaves fluttering in mid-air were being split down the middle as if by a sharp weapon, breaking into two pieces.

"Ah!"

A startled cry came from Lian Lanxin next to Lin Hao.

Lin Hao turned his head to see that the large felt hat on Lian Lanxin’s head had been split in two down the middle and was now sliding off her head.

Yet, not a single hair on Lian Lanxin’s head was harmed.

Without the cover of the large felt hat, Lian Lanxin’s beautiful hair danced in the chaotic wind, and a faint fragrance drifted into Lin Hao’s nose.

’Condensing True Essence into a blade without even harming a hair!’

Ling Xiao’s control over his True Essence was simply terrifying!

"Your cultivation is also at the Ninth Layer of Blood Coagulation Realm. To be honest, that’s quite shocking. But if you look down on me because of it, then you are gravely mistaken," Ling Xiao said in a very flat tone.

It had to be said, this Ling Xiao was truly extraordinary.

One must remember that when he first saw Lin Hao, Lin Hao was only at the Third Layer of Blood Coagulation Realm. Now, after not seeing him for only about twenty days, Lin Hao’s cultivation had soared to the Ninth Layer of Blood Coagulation Realm.

Such a terrifying cultivation speed would shock anyone who witnessed it.

But Ling Xiao was only slightly shocked, and that was all.

This kind of person had absolute confidence in himself.

Fundamentally, Lin Hao and Ling Xiao were the same type of person. They both held a belief in their own invincibility.

"You are very strong!" Lin Hao had no choice but to take such an opponent seriously.

This was the first time Lin Hao had ever spoken such a phrase, which was enough to show how seriously he regarded Ling Xiao.

"Brother Ling, there’s no need for us to determine who is superior. I am not your match," Lin Hao finally said.

Ling Xiao’s tone grew even colder. "So, you refuse to fight me?!"

A simple "I am not your match" was not the result Ling Xiao wanted.

What he wanted was to defeat Lin Hao fair and square, under the watchful eyes of everyone.

"How can you be so shameless? Big Brother is yielding to you at every turn, yet you’re still so aggressive," Lian Lanxin, who was standing to the side, could no longer watch.

Ling Xiao swept his gaze over her, instantly making Lian Lanxin’s whole body stiffen, as if she had been plunged into an ice cavern.

Ling Xiao’s gaze was too terrifying.

A person with a belief in their own invincibility could suppress an opponent with just a single glance.

This was a type of aura!

Then, after a faint glance at Lian Lanxin, Ling Xiao’s gaze toward Lin Hao was filled with mockery.

"I finally understand why Lu Dieyi broke off the engagement with you. You’re not worthy of her. And by the way, a girl like this isn’t even worthy of carrying her shoes."

Lin Hao frowned.

’From his tone, this Ling Xiao knows Lu Dieyi, and their relationship isn’t ordinary.’

’But, what does that have to do with me?’

"She’s just a young girl. You’ve gone too far!" Lin Hao grabbed Lian Lanxin’s hand and sent a stream of True Essence into her.

At the same time, a vigorous aura surged out from Lin Hao’s body.

Between the two of them, sand flew and stones rolled.

Ling Xiao’s eyes lit up, and a similar aura surged from his body.

SHRED! SHRED! SHRED!

The two stood still, making no move, but their clothes flapped and tore loudly.

The fluttering corners of Lin Hao’s robes were cut as if by sharp blades, and in the blink of an eye, four or five pieces had been sliced off.

Ling Xiao smiled.

Retracting his aura, he retreated a step.

"If you want to stand up for her, then come. I’ll be waiting for you on the Divine Authentication Platform!" After speaking, Ling Xiao shot straight toward the Divine Authentication Platform.

Watching his retreating back, the corners of Lin Hao’s mouth lifted slightly.

"Big Brother, your clothes?" Lian Lanxin covered her mouth, shocked and feeling a little guilty.

Although she was only at the Third Layer of Blood Coagulation Realm, she understood what had just happened. If Lin Hao hadn’t been protecting her, how could his clothes have been shredded?

In her eyes, the reason Lin Hao had lost was all because of her.

"It’s fine. Let’s go," Lin Hao said gently, then led Lian Lanxin straight toward Heaven-Stepping Peak.

He actually had no intention of meeting Ling Xiao’s challenge.

Just as Lin Hao and Lian Lanxin arrived in front of Wu Taichu’s courtyard, the door opened right on cue, revealing Wu Taichu’s figure.

"Mas... Lin Hao, I just heard Xiao’Er went looking for you. You didn’t run into him, did you?" Seeing Lin Hao, Wu Taichu asked anxiously.

As far as Wu Taichu was concerned, he didn’t want the two of them to clash. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Lin Hao was his Grand-Uncle-Master, and Wu Taichu didn’t want anything to happen to him.

And Ling Xiao was his most prized disciple.

If these two had a falling out, he would be in a very difficult position.

"I did, but it’s fine. You can give him the position of Chief Disciple. Help me take care of this girl for a few days. Also, if a girl named Yan’Er comes looking for me in the next few days, you must have her stay. She is very important to me."

Lin Hao kept it brief.

"You’re leaving? Did Xiao’Er... Did Ling Xiao upset you? I’ll send him back to Celestial Jade City right now! Please don’t go." Hearing Lin Hao’s words, Wu Taichu thought he was about to leave and his face turned pale with fright.

If he had to choose between Ling Xiao and Lin Hao, there would be no hesitation.

Ling Xiao came from Celestial Jade City, the capital of the Southern Border Prefecture, and was a young master of the great Ling family of Celestial Jade City.

Lin Hao came from War Dragon City, a small city in the Southern Border Prefecture.

In terms of status, the two were from different worlds, but in terms of ability, Ling Xiao was far, far inferior to Lin Hao.

"So he’s from Celestial Jade City," Lin Hao murmured to himself.

’If he’s from Celestial Jade City, then it’s normal for him to know Lu Dieyi.’

For some reason, Lin Hao breathed a sigh of relief.

’Why am I thinking about her?’

Lin Hao shook the absurd thought from his head and said with a smile, "I’m not leaving the sect. I just want to enter the Lower Secret Realm again."

Lin Hao didn’t hide anything and spoke truthfully.

"You can enter the Lower Secret Realm again?!" Wu Taichu’s breathing grew rapid.

Secret realms were mysterious and unpredictable.

That withered secret realm only opened on the third day of the third month each year. No one could enter it outside of that time.

Last time, Lin Hao had entered once, and Wu Taichu had thought it was a coincidence. But now, hearing Lin Hao’s words, it was clear he could enter and exit the secret realm freely.

This was too shocking!

"There is something I need down there. If my guess is correct, it will be extremely beneficial to the sect’s development, so I must make a trip down," Lin Hao said with a nod.

Wu Taichu felt a little ashamed.

’For the past ten or twenty years, I’ve toiled and worried for the sect’s development, but with little to show for it.’

’In the end, I was just like a headless fly, buzzing around aimlessly but powerless to do anything.’

’This Grand-Uncle-Master has only been in the sect for about twenty days, and he has already brought about great improvement.’

’Now, for the sake of the sect, he’s going to explore the secret realm again.’

Wu Taichu felt deeply ashamed.

"It’s what I should do," Lin Hao said with a slight smile, then turned to Lian Lanxin. "Practice what I taught you for the next few days. I’ll be back soon."

After speaking, Lin Hao strode away.

Meanwhile, on the Divine Authentication Platform, Ling Xiao stood proudly in the center, arms crossed, still waiting for Lin Hao.

HISS! HISS!

A faint sound was heard. Ling Xiao, who had his eyes closed, suddenly snapped them open. He looked down, and his expression changed drastically.