Nine Heavens Martial Emperor

After a moment of shock, everyone stared intently at Lin Hao.

Lin Hao’s fight with Tu Shiba had drawn the attention of everyone in the starting area. Now, with Tu Shiba gone, if someone was setting a record, it had to be Lin Hao.

’What kind of record did this guy set now?’

Driven by intense curiosity, they forgot all about Lin Hao and rushed toward the record stele.

The stele was rotating, and before long, a blank stone slab appeared.

A mystical mist swirled over the stele’s surface, deep and profound, inspiring a sense of awe.

This time, Lin Hao didn’t need to write anything; characters began to manifest on the stone automatically.

Idol. Body formidable, defense unbreakable by anyone in the Blood Coagulation Realm.

Everyone was aghast when they saw this inscription.

For a stele to automatically manifest characters... Only one type of person could receive such an honor!

They had a name for such people—Emperor Venerable!

Hongtian: Divine Soul of legendary might, invincible in the Soul Gathering Realm.

Profound Emperor: Physical defense unbreakable by any.

These two steles, for instance, were ones where the characters had manifested automatically.

Now, after the battle between Lin Hao and Tu Shiba, a stele had manifested on its own. Didn’t that mean the kid could become an Emperor Venerable?!

A young Emperor Venerable standing right before them...

The thought shocked everyone to their core.

Some sharp-eyed individuals noticed the similarities between Lin Hao’s record and that of the Profound Emperor. They began to wonder, ’Could this kid be a successor of the Profound Emperor from a bygone era?’

Or...

As another possibility came to mind, some people’s breathing grew ragged.

At the same time, in the Divinity Realm’s Second Layer, Third Layer, and beyond...

The scene of steles automatically manifesting characters was replaying in various locations.

This time, the entire Divinity Realm was shaken.

"Quick, return to the real world immediately! Inform the family of this news!"

"Send people to the starting area at once! He must be killed!"

"Notify everyone in the Holy Land to emerge! Find him in the real world and eliminate him! He cannot be allowed to become a stumbling block for the Saint Heir!"

"His body is formidable, unbreakable within the Blood Coagulation Realm. He’s very likely cultivating the Profound Emperor’s invincible imperial technique. Capture him alive for me!"

...

One power after another began to move.

"The Holy Land Secret Sects of the Celestial Yang Continent haven’t emerged for thousands of years. I fear they will all be mobilized this time. It seems we should also take a walk in the mortal world," said an ancient, decrepit old woman.

"Clan Elder, is it because of him?" a beautiful butterfly perched on the old woman’s shoulder asked, its voice exceptionally pleasant.

"Quickly! Have all our clansmen withdraw from the Divinity Realm! Legend says that when the steles of the Divinity Realm manifest characters automatically, it is the day that experts from the upper realm will enter. Our family has a grudge with a certain power from the upper realm; we must avoid their wrath for now." Others gave such terrified commands.

Because of Lin Hao, great chaos was about to erupt in both the Divinity Realm and the real world.

Just as Lord Lingdi had said, a brilliant and glorious new age had arrived.

However, Lin Hao was oblivious to all of this at the moment.

He was already surrounded by a crowd.

A stele manifesting characters automatically meant one was fated to become an Emperor Venerable. Though it was only a legend, it was better to believe it than not.

Now was the perfect opportunity to curry favor.

Not only were they trying to curry favor, but some even threw their arms over Lin Hao’s shoulders. One on his left and one on his right, two men pulled him away without taking no for an answer.

"Young man, you need to leave quickly. Something big is about to happen in the Divinity Realm. When you get back, you need to go into seclusion, or you’ll be in grave danger!" Amidst the chaos, Lord Ji whispered to Lin Hao, simultaneously handing him a Human Skin Mask.

One of the men with his arm around him was Lord Ji.

Lin Hao looked at him in confusion.

Lord Ji chuckled. "Wear this mask. The fewer people who see your face, the safer you’ll be."

A warmth spread through Lin Hao’s heart. He accepted the Human Skin Mask and thanked him.

"Take this pill. Old Ji’s Human Skin Masks are one of a kind. Without this pill, you won’t ever be able to take it off." The other person with an arm around him was also a scruffy old man.

Lin Hao recognized him. He was the guy who sold the "Instant Alchemy Master" manual.

Lin Hao took the pill, suddenly finding these two old men incredibly endearing.

"Don’t thank me. Two hundred Divine Crystals, thank you for your patronage." Lord Ji held out his hand, a treacherous look on his face.

"And me. I’ll give you a discount on the pill. One hundred Divine Crystals will do."

The gratitude in Lin Hao’s heart vanished without a trace. Annoyed, he threw both the Human Skin Mask and the pill back at them.

"Young man, look at your face. It’s too conspicuous. Without my Human Skin Mask, I guarantee they’ll find you in the real world in no time." Lord Ji wasn’t angry. As if by magic, he produced a mirror.

Lin Hao looked at the face in the mirror, and his eyes flew wide open.

That wasn’t his face at all.

’What happened?!’

Seeing the sleazy smiles on the two men’s faces, Lin Hao’s eyes narrowed sharply.

’This couldn’t be their handiwork, could it?!’

’If it is, that’s terrifying!’

’There’s a mask on my face, and I didn’t even notice...’

A chill ran down Lin Hao’s spine at the thought.

"Who are you? How did you do it? And why?" Lin Hao’s expression was extremely grave as he fired off a series of questions.

"Idol, you’re in deep trouble. Here’s a Profound Level Cultivation Technique, it’s perfect for you." The two didn’t answer. Instead, a thin booklet appeared before Lin Hao’s eyes.

Looking up, Lin Hao saw the bird-man from before.

But those words...

Lin Hao’s eyes narrowed again. This bird-man was the very same person who had been peddling cultivation manuals at the beginning.

"Easy there, young man. It’s just a little trick. That Human Skin Mask was refined by the Bird Master. We’ll charge you three hundred Divine Crystals. By the way, that’s the cost price. We’re only selling it to you this cheap on account of that girl," Lord Ji said with a grin.

His words only made Lin Hao more confused.

’That girl... who is she?’

Just as Lin Hao was about to ask, the three of them scurried away, leaving only a single sentence behind: "Young man, don’t forget you owe us six hundred Divine Crystals!"

Lin Hao started to give chase but stopped abruptly, his gaze hardening.

He could feel countless pairs of eyes on him, and their intentions were not good.

At some point, many more people had appeared in the starting area. They wore all sorts of masks, presumably to hide their identities.

"Leave the armor, and we’ll spare your life!"

"Kid, records aren’t meant to be broken so easily. You’ve blocked someone’s path. Today, you die!"

"State your name, kid! This old man doesn’t kill nobodies!"

...

It was impossible to tell how many powers had arrived, but they were all eyeing Lin Hao like tigers, making no effort to conceal their killing intent.

Although they all wore masks, several had aged voices and extraordinary bearings. They were likely clan elders from ancient families or sect elders from powerful sects.

Yet, Lin Hao showed no fear. ’If you want my life, then come and take it.’

However, no one dared to make a rash move. This was the starting area, where one could only use the combat power of the Blood Coagulation Realm. Having witnessed the fight between Lin Hao and Tu Shiba, they were hesitant to attack recklessly.

A smile spread across Lin Hao’s face.

"You. I remember you were the one shouting about the armor. It’s right here on me. Come and get it yourself. But you’re a bit pathetic, aren’t you? The last guy at least had a sword. What’s the deal with you being empty-handed?" They weren’t moving, so Lin Hao, feeling rather impatient, took the initiative to provoke them.

As he spoke, Lin Hao shook his head with a look of disappointment.

Many people had come, but most of them were empty-handed.

This was the Divinity Realm. Spiritual Artifacts below Tier Four, with the exception of a few special ones, could not manifest here.

As for Spiritual Artifacts of Tier Four or higher, only major powers would bring them into the Divinity Realm.

This was because Tier Four Spiritual Artifacts had to be nurtured. If they were damaged in the Divinity Realm, the artifact in the real world would suffer the same damage—a loss few powers could afford.

Besides, this was the starting area. Even if you had a Spiritual Artifact, its power would be suppressed, and bringing it out would only make others covet it.

The onlookers felt faint when they heard Lin Hao’s words.

He was about to be mobbed, yet he could still make such casual taunts. Should they call it extraordinary composure, or was he just recklessly courting death?

"You’re courting death!" Finally, someone couldn’t hold back any longer. With a furious roar, they attacked.

With someone taking the lead, countless others moved as well.

However, Lin Hao’s movements were faster than theirs.

Lin Hao’s body blurred into an afterimage as he charged forward.

The next moment, Lin Hao was like a wolf among sheep. Piercing screams filled the air.

Without using any special techniques, Lin Hao’s fists became the most terrifying of weapons. Every punch sent someone flying.

It was almost completely one-sided. Before long, the ground was littered with wailing figures. It was impossible to know how many had lost their ability to fight under Lin Hao’s fists.

BOOM!

Finally, someone summoned a Spiritual Artifact.

It was a massive iron hammer that came whistling through the air, aimed at Lin Hao’s back.

Without even looking, Lin Hao turned and threw a punch.

BOOM!

The hammer had come fast, but it retreated even faster.

The person who had summoned the hammer tried to grab it but was sent flying backward by the immense force, coughing up mouthfuls of blood in mid-air.

Lin Hao paused for a fraction of a second, then charged toward the spot where the man was flying.

Taking advantage of that moment, another person summoned a Spiritual Artifact—a long spear—and thrust it viciously at Lin Hao.

Lin Hao tilted his body slightly, grabbing the spear with one hand without breaking his stride.

Before the man who was flying backward even hit the ground, the iron hammer in his hand had been snatched by Lin Hao.

And this was while Lin Hao was dragging along another person.

Lin Hao’s speed was astonishing.

After snatching the hammer, Lin Hao stopped abruptly and slammed his body backward.

PUFF!

The person behind Lin Hao was sent flying, spitting blood through the air.

And now, Lin Hao had a long spear in his other hand.

Without a second glance, Lin Hao tossed his spoils into his storage ring, then grinned and charged out once more.

No one was his match for a single round!

When Lin Hao finally stopped, the area for dozens of meters around him was covered with fallen bodies, numbering in the hundreds.

Lin Hao gave them a casual glance and shook his head.

’These people are so fragile.’

Just then, a group of masked figures appeared.

Four of them arrived in total. Their eyes gleamed, and they carried themselves with an arrogant air, as if they looked down on the whole world.

This was undoubtedly a major power.

"Return the hammer and the spear!" one of the four demanded.

It was the voice of a middle-aged man, carrying an authority that brooked no refusal.

This was an aura only someone long accustomed to a high position could possess.

"No hammer and spear, but I’ve got a pair of fists!" Utterly fearless, Lin Hao charged straight at them.

This was the starting area. No matter how heaven-defying your Cultivation Technique, you could only use the combat power of the Blood Coagulation Realm. And in the Blood Coagulation Realm, Lin Hao feared no one!

In the Blood Coagulation Realm, Lin Hao was invincible!