Jiang Hao Who?

Jiang Hao and Zhao Heita both headed toward the Inner Hall.

It was not just the gray-robed old man who had noticed them; many people in the great hall had noticed as well.

They knew Huangtian Sect's circumstances very well, which only made them pay closer attention.

Yet when Zhao Heita and Jiang Hao arrived outside the Inner Hall, they were stopped by two Inner Hall Stewards.

"Unauthorized persons are forbidden from entering the Inner Hall!"

The two stewards spoke without the slightest courtesy.

Outer Gate disciples simply did not have the qualifications to enter the Inner Hall, much less people who had merely come to "register."

Wanted to enter the Inner Hall?

Not a chance!

Zhao Heita did not seem surprised.

He directly pulled a token from his robes and tossed it to the Inner Hall Stewards.

"I have an Inner Gate Recommendation Slot. Can I not enter the Inner Hall?"

The two stewards took the token and inspected it carefully, their expressions changing slightly.

It was real!

It was actually an Inner Gate Recommendation Slot?

"The token is genuine, but a martial artist using an Inner Gate Recommendation Slot must possess Transforming Force cultivation and be under thirty years old to advance directly into the Inner Gate."

"This child is a Transforming Force martial artist?"

The Inner Hall Stewards' gazes fell upon Jiang Hao.

They could naturally tell that Jiang Hao was the one seeking entry into the Inner Gate.

Zhao Heita shook his head. "Jiang Hao is not a Transforming Force martial artist. He is only a Ming Jin Martial Artist."

"I remember that a Ming Jin Martial Artist with an Inner Gate Recommendation Slot can challenge the Desolate Heaven Tower and advance directly into the Inner Gate, correct?"

"Correct."

"Then I apply to challenge the Desolate Heaven Tower and advance directly into the Inner Gate!"

Zhao Heita's voice was as firm as nails driven into iron, echoing throughout the great hall.

Boom.

The entire hall erupted.

Although they had already suspected it.

Hearing Zhao Heita admit it personally—that he truly intended to challenge the Desolate Heaven Tower—still left many people stunned.

"The Desolate Heaven Tower? After all these years, someone finally dares to challenge the Desolate Heaven Tower again."

"Challenging the Desolate Heaven Tower requires an Inner Gate Recommendation Slot. Using such a precious slot for the tower is truly too wasteful."

"Indeed. Huangtian Sect has had quite a few people apply to challenge the Desolate Heaven Tower, but how many have truly managed to clear it?"

"Still, if someone truly clears the Desolate Heaven Tower and advances directly into the Inner Gate, their future will be immeasurable."

"Who exactly are these two? Anyone with an Inner Gate Recommendation Slot should not be a nobody. Even at worst, they ought to have some background..."

Many eyes fell upon Jiang Hao and Zhao Heita.

Quite a few people were even watching Big Tiger.

With Big Tiger's current size, calling him a Heterogeneous Species would not be an exaggeration. He had already gone beyond the bounds of an ordinary wild beast.

The two stewards exchanged a glance. They no longer dared act arrogant, and their attitudes softened as they said quietly, "Please come with us, both of you. You must first register your detailed information."

"According to the rules, applying to challenge the Desolate Heaven Tower requires the Sect Master's approval and authorization to open the tower. So, the two of you will need to wait."

This was also part of the rules. Zhao Heita clearly understood that challenging the Desolate Heaven Tower in Huangtian Sect was a heaven-shaking event that could stir the entire sect.

It would certainly take time.

"How long will we have to wait?"

Zhao Heita still asked.

"You will definitely be notified within three days."

"And the two of you may stay in lodging arranged by our Inner Hall."

Zhao Heita nodded.

"Let's go. We'll register the information first."

Thus, the two entered the Inner Hall.

Inside the Inner Hall, both Zhao Heita and Jiang Hao had to register their information.

Jiang Hao in particular drew many stares.

After all, he was the martial artist who intended to challenge the Desolate Heaven Tower. Many wanted to learn more about him.

As the information was registered, many people became even more shocked.

They learned that Jiang Hao came from Cang City.

It was merely an ordinary small city.

He was only nine years and seven months old, not even ten yet.

He had trained in martial arts for just over three years.

He was currently at the Ming Jin level.

In other words, Jiang Hao was about to apply to challenge the Desolate Heaven Tower with Ming Jin cultivation.

To succeed, he would have to clear the Ninth Floor of the Desolate Heaven Tower!

"The registration is complete. Please rest first, both of you. Once there is news, we will notify you immediately."

"Alright."

Zhao Heita nodded.

Thus, the two settled down to rest for the time being.

They stayed in a courtyard arranged by the Inner Hall Stewards.

"At last, I've returned to Huangtian Sect... But this time is different from all the times before..."

Zhao Heita let out a long sigh.

"Master, have you come to Huangtian Sect before?"

Jiang Hao asked.

"Of course I have. When I was young, my elders brought me here, but..."

Zhao Heita seemed unwilling to say more. He hesitated, words rising to his lips but stopping there.

After a long while, Zhao Heita sighed again. "Jiang Hao, I will not hide this from you. The reason I insist on having you enter Huangtian Sect's Inner Gate is also because I have selfish motives."

"Selfish motives?"

Jiang Hao's heart stirred slightly.

"I was born into the Zhao Family. My ancestors were high-ranking members of Huangtian Sect, and one of them had even become an Entering Dao expert."

"Later, because of certain special reasons, my Zhao Family was forced to leave Huangtian Sect. But everyone in our branch of the Zhao Family wishes to return to Huangtian Sect."

"The Inner Gate Recommendation Slot is the only chance for our Zhao Family branch to turn things around. That is why, all these years, I have searched for geniuses, hoping to nurture one who could enter Huangtian Sect's Inner Gate and have even a sliver of hope of becoming an Entering Dao expert."

"Jiang Hao, if one day you can become an Entering Dao expert, I only want you to do one thing: let my branch of the Zhao Family return to Huangtian Sect!"

Zhao Heita finally revealed his purpose.

In truth, Jiang Hao had always known that his master's painstaking efforts to nurture him likely had some purpose behind them.

That was perfectly normal.

One could not demand that everyone be a saint.

People always had something they sought.

At the very least, his master had never harmed him before.

And now that his master had made his request, Jiang Hao instead felt relieved.

"Master, all you want is for the Zhao Family branch to return to Huangtian Sect?"

"That's right. Do not underestimate this request. If you do not Enter Dao, it will be absolutely impossible. Only after Entering Dao will you have the qualifications to make such a demand."

Jiang Hao understood.

Something must have happened between the Zhao Family and Huangtian Sect.

But none of that mattered.

Entering Dao?

After obtaining the Martial Arts Divine Hall, Jiang Hao had never doubted that he could Enter Dao.

In fact, his future achievements would likely far surpass Entering Dao.

"Your disciple promises you, Master. If one day I Enter Dao, I will certainly spare no effort in helping the Zhao Family branch return to Huangtian Sect!"

Jiang Hao made his promise.

"Good. Naturally, I believe you."

A smile appeared on Zhao Heita's face.

The great stone weighing on his heart finally fell to the ground.

"Master, what should we do now?"

Jiang Hao asked.

"Now? Naturally, we wait!"

"Other than matters related to the Desolate Heaven Tower, pay no attention to anything else."

Jiang Hao nodded.

He could imagine that, over the coming period, all of Huangtian Sect would be thrown into an uproar by news of him.

At this moment, news of Jiang Hao had already been reported to Huangtian Sect's upper ranks and reached the hands of Huangtian Sect Master Yuan Wentian.

"Zhao Heita?"

"So he is a descendant of the Zhao Family branch. Using an Inner Gate Recommendation Slot—does this mean they wish to return to Huangtian Sect? But I fear this matter will not be easy..."

Yuan Wentian naturally knew about the Zhao Family branch.

However, that was all long ago.

Gratitude and grudges, right and wrong—none of it concerned him, and he had no desire to involve himself.

"What about this Jiang Hao?"

Yuan Wentian looked at the records in the file and frowned.

"Reporting to Sect Master, this is the information we uncovered immediately."

"Jiang Hao is the son of a merchant in Cang City. Since childhood, he has been known as a Child Prodigy, and several of his poems have become widely recited. At the age of six, Jiang Hao took Zhao Heita as his master. At first, it was merely an exchange of interests; Zhao Heita only accepted him out of consideration for Jiang Manor. Yet unexpectedly, Jiang Hao cultivated Blood Qi in a single day, completed Blood Qi in one year, and then developed Ming Jin."

"Oh, and Xia Hong of the Outer Gate once gave Jiang Hao a token, recommending him for Huangtian Sect's Outer Gate. Yet Jiang Hao did not enter the Outer Gate. Instead, he came to Huangtian Sect with Zhao Heita and applied to challenge the Desolate Heaven Tower, seeking to advance directly into the Inner Gate."

After hearing this, Yuan Wentian fell into thought.

Comprehending Blood Qi in one day and completing Blood Qi in one year—this was indeed exceptional talent.

Even in Huangtian Sect's Inner Gate, he would be considered among the outstanding.

But clearing the Desolate Heaven Tower was obviously not so easy.

Jiang Hao perhaps possessed some unknown secret that gave Zhao Heita such confidence and made him dare challenge the Desolate Heaven Tower.

But was Huangtian Sect not a sect that recruited geniuses?

The more geniuses, the better.

"Since Zhao Heita has an Inner Gate Recommendation Slot, handle this according to the rules."

"Send word that in three days, I will open the Desolate Heaven Tower and permit Jiang Hao to enter it."

Yuan Wentian made his decision.

"Yes, Sect Master."

Huangtian Sect swiftly announced the news.

The Sect Master had approved Jiang Hao's challenge of the Desolate Heaven Tower.

For a time, the entire Huangtian Sect became even livelier.

Many Outer Gate disciples, elders, and stewards had only one question in their hearts.

Who was Jiang Hao?

"Du Futian, didn't you come from Cang City? Do you know Jiang Hao?"

"In three days, Jiang Hao will challenge the Desolate Heaven Tower. If he succeeds, he will advance directly into the Inner Gate."

An Outer Gate disciple asked Du Futian.

Du Futian was slightly stunned.

Back in Cang City, Du Futian had been a top genius—once even the number one genius.

He had always believed his talent should not be buried, and he had longed to enter Huangtian Sect.

Later, he finally received an opportunity. He obtained an Outer Gate Recommendation Slot from Huangtian Sect and thus entered Huangtian Sect's Outer Gate.

Yet...

Du Futian had not been doing well.

In fact, he had been doing terribly.

There were simply too many talented disciples in Huangtian Sect's Outer Gate.

That little bit of talent of his was hardly worth mentioning in the Outer Gate.

Before long, he had faded into the crowd.

Now, upon suddenly hearing news of Jiang Hao, Du Futian's first reaction was disbelief.

Du Futian had also learned in the Outer Gate what the Desolate Heaven Tower was.

A Ming Jin Martial Artist challenging the Desolate Heaven Tower?

It was no different from a fantasy spun from the sky.

Yet such a thing had happened.

"Jiang Hao..."

A faint bitterness rose in Du Futian's heart.

It was Jiang Hao who had taken the title of Cang City's number one genius from Du Futian.

At the time, Du Futian had still been somewhat indignant.

But now?

There was simply no comparison.

Even so, Du Futian decided that three days later, he would go and see for himself whether Jiang Hao could truly clear the Desolate Heaven Tower.

Du Futian was not the only one who decided to watch. Xia Hong also decided to personally take a look three days later.

"Jiang Hao... Has he come to the Huangtian Sect so soon?"

"I wonder whether he has mastered the Wheel Force I gave him?"

Upon hearing news of Jiang Hao, Xia Hong felt both startled and uncertain.

Jiang Hao had left a deep impression on her.

After all, she had "invested" quite a great deal in him, so naturally she had to keep an eye on him.

However, Xia Hong did not go to meet Jiang Hao.

There was no need.

Meeting Jiang Hao at a time like this would only disturb him.

Everything could wait until after Jiang Hao cleared the Desolate Heaven Tower.