Nine Heavens Martial Emperor

Heaven-Stepping Peak, Regeneration Pool.

Lin Hao defied the firmament, lawless and untamed!

Dark clouds pressed down, and all living things within a hundred-mile radius of the Heaven-Stepping Sect trembled in fear.

The Regeneration Pool was at the very center of the storm. Wu Taichu felt as if he were carrying the weight of the world, crushed until he could barely breathe.

He was pinned face-down on the ground, his features twisted from the pressure.

Wu Taichu was horrified!

Lin Hao’s brazen attitude had enraged the firmament, which now sought to suppress this entire corner of the world!

If word of this got out, it would undoubtedly shake the entire world!

After all, Lin Hao had only just awakened his bloodline, barely stepping into the Blood Coagulation Realm Fourth Layer.

A realm so insignificant in the eyes of all other Martial Artists had actually provoked the firmament’s suppression.

Wu Taichu dared to say that such a phenomenon was unprecedented and would never be seen again!

Unfortunately, Wu Taichu still didn’t know the true reason.

Lin Hao’s bloodline had been stolen, and he should have had no hope of ever awakening it in this lifetime. Yet now, he had defied the heavens and forged a new one.

And that wasn’t all—he had even created a true self!

One could only imagine that if Lin Hao’s bloodline and Divine Soul were to merge in the future, the result would be world-shaking. How could the heavens possibly tolerate his existence?

Under the firmament’s suppression, Lin Hao’s body began to crack, and he coughed up mouthfuls of blood.

Yet, Lin Hao remained steadfast and unafraid, the Tai Chi Array Map inside him spinning madly.

The mysterious True Essence possessed immense power, rapidly repairing his muscles, bones, and skin.

Far from yielding to the firmament’s suppression, a cold smirk appeared on Lin Hao’s face.

His physical body had already reached the state of dragon sinews and tiger bones, but in his eyes, it still wasn’t enough.

Today, he would borrow the power of heaven and earth for his Body Refinement!

The Heaven-Slaying Godslaying Skill was boundlessly powerful—it was an Emperor-level technique!

Now that Lin Hao had entered the Blood Coagulation Realm Fourth Layer, his True Qi had transformed into True Essence. With an inexhaustible supply of True Essence, the Emperor-level technique circulated countless times faster than before.

As he pushed the technique to its absolute limit, Lin Hao’s body began to emit a faint white glow.

In the distance, Wu Taichu was horrified!

He was merely caught in the crossfire, yet even he couldn’t muster the slightest resistance under this absolute suppression.

But Lin Hao, the center of it all, was actually using the heavens’ suppression for his Body Refinement. This was beyond what the word "insane" could even begin to describe.

The firmament’s suppression grew increasingly violent, yet the white light on the surface of Lin Hao’s body only grew more brilliant.

"At my current realm, you can only use less than one-billionth of your power to suppress me. That’s useless. Scram!"

Finally, Lin Hao stood proudly, looked up at the sky, and calmly spoke those words.

As he spoke, the dark clouds retreated, and all life was restored.

"Martial Grand-Uncle, you... you..." Wu Taichu scrambled up from the ground, his words choked and halting.

Lin Hao was glowing with vigor. He had even grown a few inches taller, and his every move now carried a pressure that made even Wu Taichu’s heart palpitate.

That wasn’t all. With his keen eyesight, he could clearly see a thin layer of silver light covering the surface of Lin Hao’s body.

Without even circulating a Cultivation Technique, his body naturally formed Protective Gang Qi with every movement!

A body that forms its own Gang Qi!

This was clearly a legendary state of being.

Legend had it that a body that could form its own Gang Qi could withstand Divine Soldiers with physical strength alone!

Unless a Spiritual Artifact was used, no other weapon could harm it in the slightest!

Wu Taichu had the distinct impression that Lin Hao’s physical prowess could now rival that of a young Emperor Venerable!

However, in the next moment, he heard Lin Hao muttering to himself.

"What a pity. The firmament’s power was too weak. My body is still not perfect enough."

THUD!

Hearing this, Wu Taichu felt as if he’d been struck by lightning and collapsed, plopping onto the ground.

He couldn’t even withstand the suppressive force from just now, yet his Martial Grand-Uncle actually scorned the firmament.

’If Martial Grand-Uncle isn’t even satisfied with a body like that, then I might as well just go and die.’

’Comparisons are truly odious!’

As he wallowed in shame, Wu Taichu heard Lin Hao ask him, "Master, how long have I been in the Regeneration Pool?"

Wu Taichu glanced at the sky. "About five hours."

"Master, you don’t have to follow me. Go on and attend to your own business," Lin Hao said with a nod, feeling the power coursing through his every move.

"Martial Grand-Uncle, where are you going?" Wu Taichu asked.

Lin Hao’s importance in his heart was growing, and he couldn’t bear the thought of any harm befalling him.

Lin Hao’s gaze narrowed as he faintly uttered three words, "The Proving Grounds!"

He vividly remembered the punch he had taken before coming to the Regeneration Pool. Now that he had successfully forged his bloodline and entered the Blood Coagulation Realm Fourth Layer, it was time to return the favor.

Wu Taichu nodded, but after Lin Hao left, he secretly followed him.

On Celestial Dui Peak of the Heaven-Stepping Sect, Qin Tianlong was in a very pleasant mood.

The Ten Great Vajras had returned to report that Lin Hao’s spine had been shattered, turning him into a cripple. This news allowed him to vent a great deal of his frustration.

Initially, upon hearing the news, his first instinct was to go to Heaven-Stepping Peak and force the Sect Leader to make Lin Hao give up the position of Head Disciple.

It was true he coveted the Sect Leader’s position, but he was merely a pawn for others. Even if Wu Taichu were to abdicate, he wouldn’t be the one to take his place.

Therefore, despite his opposition to Wu Taichu, he, more than anyone, hoped Wu Taichu would remain Sect Leader for as long as possible.

But the position of Head Disciple was a different matter.

He had a son of extraordinary talent. Although he was slightly inferior to the Heaven-Stepping Sect’s number one genius, Ling Xiao, his talent and strength still ranked him among the top ten disciples of the third generation.

In other words, Qin Tianlong felt his son was absolutely capable of competing for the position of Head Disciple.

But then Lin Hao had appeared out of nowhere and suddenly become the Head Disciple.

He was not happy about this.

After Du Ping failed, Qin Tianlong had been so enraged that he killed him with a single palm strike, then dispatched his most capable subordinates.

Hadn’t Lin Hao shamelessly declared he would accept all challenges? Fine, he would use the Ten Great Vajras in a gauntlet. He refused to believe a mere mortal body could survive a single round against them!

As long as he could get rid of Lin Hao, what did it matter if he was branded as shameless?

He, Qin Tianlong, didn’t care.

After the Ten Great Vajras returned and told him Lin Hao had been crippled, Qin Tianlong was on pins and needles.

If he went to Heaven-Stepping Peak immediately and faced an enraged Wu Taichu... to be honest, Qin Tianlong was very wary.

So, he waited.

Waiting for the right moment.

Several hours had passed, and Qin Tianlong could no longer sit still.

His figure moved like lightning as Qin Tianlong flew toward Heaven-Stepping Peak.

Halfway there, his eyes suddenly widened in shock.

Lin Hao!

He was looking at a completely unharmed Lin Hao.

’How is this possible!’

He didn’t believe the Ten Great Vajras would have the guts to lie to him. For a man whose spine had been shattered to be standing here completely fine... it was too incredible to believe.

Halting his advance, Qin Tianlong decided to go and see if this was Li Kui or Li Gui.

"Qin Tianlong. You’re disappointed, aren’t you?" Before he could speak, the unidentified person spoke.

Needless to say, the one speaking like that had to be Lin Hao!

"How is this possible! Wasn’t your spine shattered? How can you even stand, let alone awaken your bloodline!" Qin Tianlong saw through Lin Hao’s cultivation level and felt as if he were facing a ghost.

Lin Hao shrugged and smiled. "You’ve come at the perfect time. Go call the Ten Great Vajras. I have some... thanks to give them."

Qin Tianlong’s gaze hardened. "You did it on purpose?!" he said in a low voice.

Lin Hao just smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

"Good, very good. You’ve got guts, and you’ve got nerve! But so what if you’ve awakened your bloodline? You’re just a Tier One Spirit Body. You won’t be making any waves!"

The fact that Qin Tianlong could see through Lin Hao’s cultivation at a glance only indicated that Lin Hao possessed a Spirit Body, because Qin Tianlong himself also had a Spirit Body. If Lin Hao’s constitution surpassed that of a Spirit Body, Qin Tianlong would not have been able to gauge his true level.

The corner of Lin Hao’s mouth tilted up slightly.

’To be honest, I’m not even sure what my constitution is,’ Lin Hao thought, ’but it’s definitely not a Spirit Body. The Origin of my Divine Soul is pure and flawless, not red at all.’

However, being mistaken for having a Spirit Body would save him a lot of trouble, so he had no need to deny it.

"He could shatter your spine once, and he can do it a second time. See you at the Proving Grounds!" With that, Qin Tianlong turned and strode back toward Celestial Dui Peak.

Lin Hao shrugged and headed leisurely toward the Proving Grounds.

But then, Qin Tianlong suddenly spun around, staring at Lin Hao’s back.

Hiding in the shadows, Wu Taichu was a little puzzled. ’It’s not Qin Tianlong’s style to be sent away with just a few words from Lin Hao.’

Seeing his reaction now, Wu Taichu’s heart tightened, and he prepared to intervene.

But at that exact moment, Lin Hao spoke without even turning his head. "Qin Tianlong, I hope you can actually kill me. Otherwise, your death will be a very ugly one."

Lin Hao’s tone was so calm and composed that it made Qin Tianlong hesitate.

"Hmph! You’re just a junior. You’re not worthy of this seat’s attention!" Qin Tianlong snorted, then turned and flew away.

An expert of the Elemental Realm, facing Lin Hao, hadn’t dared to strike!

Lin Hao shook his head and sighed, deeply disappointed.

If Qin Tianlong could see Lin Hao’s expression right now, he would surely be angry enough to cough up blood.

A dignified Elemental Realm expert like himself was actually being looked down upon by Lin Hao.

In the shadows, Wu Taichu relaxed. He was already getting used to it.

Ever since his Martial Grand-Uncle had entered the Blood Coagulation Realm Fourth Layer, he had started to exude a faint aura that made even his own heart palpitate.

Lin Hao ambled along, and by the time he reached the Proving Grounds, an hour had passed.

This time, there were even more Heaven-Stepping Sect disciples at the Proving Grounds than before.

"The Sect Leader truly dotes on him. To have his spine shattered and be healed so quickly," someone said, their expression a mixture of envy, jealousy, and hate.

Another disciple’s eyes burned brightly, having seen through Lin Hao’s cultivation at a glance. "It’s more than that! He also awakened his bloodline! His cultivation has reached the Blood Coagulation Realm Fourth Layer!"

"If you ask me, there’s an eighty percent chance he’s the Sect Leader’s illegitimate son," another disciple muttered under their breath.

The Ten Great Vajras were already in position. They had been growing impatient, but upon seeing Lin Hao appear, all their eyes narrowed.

This was especially true for the Vajra who had ambushed Lin Hao earlier. Although he had already heard the news, a look of disbelief still filled his eyes.

He had a vivid memory of his own punch. It was a miracle that Lin Hao hadn’t died, let alone recovered completely.

This completely overturned his understanding of the world.

In the next moment, his anger flared.

Lin Hao stepped onto the Proving Grounds, stood casually, glanced at him, and said lazily, "You. Come over here and receive your death!"

"I crippled you once, and I can cripple you a second time!" the Vajra declared.

He then walked directly toward the circle in the center of the Proving Grounds.

But Lin Hao didn’t move. He just shook his head and said, "Suppressing your realm? You think too highly of yourself."

Lin Hao actually intended to fight a Fifth Layer with his Blood Coagulation Realm Fourth Layer cultivation. The Vajra spun around, his face ashen.

This was a complete insult!