Nine Heavens Martial Emperor

Qin Tianlong froze for a moment, then burst out laughing in a fit of rage.

"Hahaha! You good-for-nothing! I am at the Seventh Layer of the Elemental Control Realm. I could blow you away with a single breath!"

For a good-for-nothing at the Third Layer of Blood Coagulation Realm to challenge him, a master at the Seventh Layer of the Elemental Control Realm—it was the most absurd joke in the world!

Qin Tianlong swore this was absolutely the most hilarious joke he had ever heard.

"This is the Deity-Proving Platform. I may not be at the Seventh Layer of the Elemental Control Realm, but you can certainly be at the Third Layer of Blood Coagulation Realm!" Lin Hao remained unfazed, his voice as calm and detached as the wind.

Of course, Lin Hao wasn’t arrogant enough to think he could truly challenge someone at the Seventh Layer of the Elemental Control Realm. But Bai Ming had told him that this was the Deity-Proving Platform. It was fortified with powerful Array Runes laid down by the sect’s founder, which would equalize the cultivation realms of any two combatants who stepped onto it.

He couldn’t challenge the Seventh Layer of the Elemental Control Realm directly, but Lin Hao had absolute confidence that on an even playing field, he would not lose to anyone!

"I’ll give you credit for knowing your own limits. But as a Peak Master, even if my cultivation is suppressed to the Third Layer of Blood Coagulation Realm, you are still no match for me! I have no desire to be called a bully for picking on a junior. Let him fight you!"

With that, Qin Tianlong pointed at Chu Sheng.

Hearing this, Chu Sheng was eager for a chance to prove himself.

If he defeated Lin Hao, he would steal the show.

’At that point, it wouldn’t be impossible for the Sect Leader to change his mind and make me the Chief Disciple instead.’

However, Lin Hao just shook his head and stated indifferently, "He’s not qualified."

Lin Hao was merely stating a fact. After all, he had killed both Lin Cheng and Wu Zhen—who were at the Blood Coagulation Realm Fourth Layer—without his realm being suppressed. Chu Sheng, with his cultivation at the Third Layer of Blood Coagulation Realm, was indeed not qualified.

To Chu Sheng’s ears, however, this was a blatant insult.

"Lin Hao, you’re unbelievably arrogant! I only need ten moves to deal with you!" Chu Sheng roared, his face contorted with rage.

"Fight, or get lost!" Lin Hao paid him no heed, his gaze fixed on Qin Tianlong as he spat out four words.

Chu Sheng was so furious he could only sputter in rage!

An insult!

Lin Hao’s disregard was a naked, blatant insult!

But Qin Tianlong still refused to fight. "Beat him first, then we’ll talk!"

"Fine!" Lin Hao nodded and strode toward Chu Sheng.

’Many of the eight Peak Masters watching coldly from the sidelines are starting to have second thoughts. I’ll use them to establish my authority!’

And Chu Sheng... he didn’t even qualify as a stepping stone.

"Lin Hao, during the strength test before the assessment, my power far surpassed yours! Back in Red Beauty City, I learned countless martial techniques, all of them Yellow Level Top Grade! I bet you’ve hardly even seen techniques of that caliber! Today, I’m going to teach you the price of arrogance!"

Seeing Lin Hao stride toward him, a crazed battle lust glittered in Chu Sheng’s eyes. ’Ten moves. I’ll use ten different martial techniques to beat Lin Hao to a pulp!’

As Chu Sheng spoke, he clenched his fists. His body abruptly swelled, kicking up a gale on the stage. A majestic aura radiated from him, creating a startlingly powerful pressure. The display was immense.

This was the opening stance for one of his martial techniques. It was designed to overwhelm an opponent with sheer presence before the fight even began. Against those in the same realm, the pressure alone was often enough to suppress them. For Chu Sheng, it had never failed.

This was the source of his confidence, why he had boasted he could defeat Lin Hao in ten moves.

As he executed the move, even Qin Tianlong’s eyes lit up.

As someone at the Seventh Layer of the Elemental Control Realm, his insight was extraordinary. He could see that the aura from this move would affect not just someone at the Third Layer of the Blood Coagulation Realm, but likely even a Martial Artist at the Blood Coagulation Realm Fourth Layer who had awakened their bloodline.

Qin Tianlong shot Wu Taichu a look, his eyes glinting with ridicule. ’Wu Taichu, when your precious Chief Disciple is defeated, let’s see how you’ll be able to show your face!’

Wu Taichu didn’t see Qin Tianlong’s glance; he was too busy watching Lin Hao, his own fists clenched in suspense.

This was just the opening display of aura, not even the true killing blow, yet it already carried such oppressive force. He couldn’t help but sweat for Lin Hao.

But in the face of this display, Lin Hao’s eyes remained utterly placid.

Facing this immense pressure, he didn’t retreat. Instead, he advanced, slowly extending a single finger.

The movement was deceptively slow, yet it landed precisely on Chu Sheng’s body.

Then, Chu Sheng stumbled back in panic, violently spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Before he hit the ground, his swollen body deflated like a punctured ball, instantly returning to its normal size.

"To deal with you, I only need one finger," Lin Hao said coolly, only now breaking his silence.

Chu Sheng’s eyes widened in disbelief. He coughed up more blood, and then passed out.

The entire area fell silent, leaving only the sound of breathing. No one could believe what they had just seen.

Chu Sheng, who had placed second in the assessment, couldn’t even withstand a single finger from Lin Hao!

It was just too shocking!

The mocking smile on Qin Tianlong’s face froze solid. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

He had seen it clearly. Lin Hao’s finger strike was sublimely executed, landing precisely on the weakest point in Chu Sheng’s flow of energy!

’This Lin Hao... his sense of timing has reached a terrifying level!’

’And what’s even more terrifying is that Lin Hao didn’t even use a martial technique!’

’If this boy cannot be mine to command, then I must use this opportunity to destroy him!’

A vicious light glinted in Qin Tianlong’s eyes.

Having defeated Chu Sheng with a single finger, Lin Hao turned once more, fixing his gaze on Qin Tianlong. "Now," he said coldly, "it’s your turn."

Lin Hao was, once again, challenging Qin Tianlong, one of the eight great Peak Masters of the Heaven-Stepping Sect.

Annoyance flashed in Qin Tianlong’s eyes, and he let out a scornful, angry laugh. "You only defeated a new disciple. Don’t go thinking you’re invincible! It’s as I said: I don’t need to personally deal with the likes of you! On my Celestial Dui Peak, disciples like him are a dime a dozen!"

The eight great peaks of the Heaven-Stepping Sect were named after the eight trigrams: Celestial Qian Peak, Celestial Kun Peak, Celestial Zhen Peak, Celestial Xun Peak, Celestial Kan Peak, Celestial Li Peak, Celestial Gen Peak, and Celestial Dui Peak.

"Then call out every worthy disciple from your Celestial Dui Peak. Set the terms. Today, I’ll take them all on, one by one!"

’So you don’t need to lift a finger, is that it? Fine. Today, on this Deity-Proving Platform, I will defeat every last one of your disciples. Let’s see what you have to say for yourself then!’

At the Third Layer of Blood Coagulation Realm, Lin Hao feared no one. Today, he was determined to force Qin Tianlong’s hand.

’Since Wu Taichu calls me Grand Martial Uncle, I have a responsibility to resolve these troubles for him and for the Heaven-Stepping Sect!’

Lin Hao’s voice was calm, yet it resonated with immense power.

Not only the eight Peak Masters, but even the elders and the Sect Leader were momentarily stunned.

To challenge the entirety of Celestial Dui Peak by himself—his arrogance knew no bounds!

Qin Tianlong was about to go mad with rage.

This little brat was showing him absolutely no respect!

"Enough, enough. Today is supposed to be a joyous day for the sect. There’s no need for such hostility," one of the elders finally stepped forward to intervene.

"I declare Lin Hao as the sect’s Chief Disciple. If anyone has any objections, they can bring them to me!" Wu Taichu stepped forward, his stance resolute.

His words were a clear declaration: anyone who moved against Lin Hao would be making an enemy of him.

No one spoke.

Putting everything else aside, Lin Hao’s audacity alone was unparalleled in the entire Heaven-Stepping Sect.

"Thank you, Master." Lin Hao bowed to Wu Taichu, then swept his gaze across the crowd. He spoke with an air of casual confidence, "My master manages countless affairs of the sect, and as his disciple, it is my duty to lighten his burden. If anyone desires this position of mine, you are welcome to challenge me for it! I will accept any and all challengers!"

Lin Hao stood proudly, declaring his willingness to accept any challenge.

Utterly arrogant!

But Lin Hao wasn’t finished.

His gaze swept across the faces of the eight Peak Masters. Lin Hao smiled faintly. "Of course, if any of you wish to ’play’ as well, I’d be happy to oblige."

Lin Hao’s expression was one of absolute, unruffled calm.

His words were utterly disdainful, arrogant to the point of complete lawlessness.

The eight Peak Masters, even the one who had kept his eyes closed, now stared wide-eyed at Lin Hao in utter disbelief.

Yet, not one of them spoke a word.

Because they didn’t dare.

If their cultivation were suppressed to the Third Layer of Blood Coagulation Realm and Lin Hao lost, it would still be a glorious defeat for him. But if one of them were to lose, they would plummet from their pinnacle of power into a bottomless abyss.

Sensing his advantage, Lin Hao pressed on, refusing to relent.

This time, his target was Qin Tianlong.

"He who insults others will always be insulted in turn. Stop calling people ’good-for-nothing’ every time you open your mouth, because you’re not even worthy of being called that yourself!" A mocking smile touched Lin Hao’s lips.

Qin Tianlong had called Lin Hao a "good-for-nothing" three times, yet he didn’t dare accept his challenge. Now, Lin Hao’s words were like a sharp blade plunging straight into his heart.

Qin Tianlong, who had been struggling to suppress his fury, could no longer contain it. His face twisted in a snarl as he roared, "I’m going to kill you!"

A hand of pure True Essence materialized over the Deity-Proving Platform as Qin Tianlong struck down at Lin Hao with his palm.

A hate-filled strike from a Martial Artist at the Seventh Layer of the Elemental Control Realm—the pressure was terrifying, enough to blot out the sky!

Yet Lin Hao stood his ground, proud and unyielding, his spine as straight as a drawn sword, his spirit soaring to the heavens.

"How audacious!" Wu Taichu’s explosive shout was like a clap of thunder.

Without anyone seeing him move, Qin Tianlong was sent flying backward, the hand of True Essence dissipating into nothing. A trickle of blood escaped the corner of his mouth.

A strange light flickered in the eyes of the other Peak Masters.

Lin Hao’s eyes widened slightly. ’To force Qin Tianlong, a master at the Seventh Layer of the Elemental Control Realm, into retreat with just a single shout... Wu Taichu is even more terrifying than I imagined!’

"Have you all caused enough of a scene?!" Wu Taichu boomed. "If any of you desire the position of Chief Disciple, you can step down right now and fight Lin Hao in a fair match! If not... then let me give you a clear warning. If anyone dares to harm him outside of this Deity-Proving Platform, I will personally annihilate their entire clan!"

Wu Taichu’s tone was bone-chilling, and a violent, overwhelming killing intent raged from him, shaking the heavens.

"If no one is coming forward, then this matter is concluded for today. Bai Ming, see to the arrangements for the disciples. The rewards for the top ten can be collected from Heaven-Stepping Peak tomorrow."

Having spoken his piece with absolute authority, Wu Taichu gave Lin Hao an apologetic smile and led him away from the Deity-Proving Platform.

Today, although Lin Hao hadn’t placed in the top ten of the assessment, he had leaped straight to the position of the sect’s Chief Disciple.

Afterward, he had even publicly challenged one of the eight great Peak Masters—who didn’t dare to accept.

One could easily predict that after today, Lin Hao was destined to become the most dazzling figure in the Heaven-Stepping Sect.

Many watched his receding figure, lost in thought long after he vanished into the swirling mist and clouds...

In the Heaven-Stepping Sect’s assembly hall, the same Sect Leader who had just acted with such overbearing power was now bowing respectfully to Lin Hao.

"Grand Martial Uncle, you were wronged earlier," Wu Taichu said, his face filled with apology.

Lin Hao shook his head.

Beside them, two elders recalled Lin Hao’s earlier performance and praised him from the heart. "Young Martial Uncle, your magnificent bearing just now far surpassed that of Martial Uncle Cang Yan! There is hope for our sect’s revival!"

Hearing this, a thought struck Lin Hao. "If I’m not mistaken," he began, "Celestial Dui Peak is the weakest among the eight major peaks. If even its Peak Master dares to openly disrespect the Sect Leader, then there must be a fair number of other Peak Masters who also harbor rebellious thoughts."

The Sect Leader and the elders looked ashamed.

Then, the three of them exchanged a look and nodded in agreement.

Wu Taichu then said to Lin Hao, "Grand Martial Uncle, allow me to give you a tour of the sect."

Internally, Lin Hao’s status was that of Grand Martial Uncle; externally, he was the Chief Disciple. In either capacity, he had the right to know the sect’s true situation.

’A sect founded by an Emperor Venerable... I’m afraid its title as one of the five great sects of the Southern Border Prefecture is no longer deserved.’ Lin Hao nodded, determined to uncover the truth.