The Great Sun Battle Sacred Body had reached the entry level. From here on, progress in his cultivation would not be so swift.
Jiang Hao was not in any rush.
He continued training his kidneys step by step.
He estimated that in another month, he would be able to produce Kidney Force.
By then, the Five Elements Divine Skill would reach Major Accomplishment. With the five elements united, the power of his Hidden Force would surge as well.
That day, Xia Hong came again.
"Jiang Hao, did you know that both the Inner Gate and Outer Gate have been quite lively lately?"
Jiang Hao shook his head.
He had been wholly devoted to cultivation lately. How would he know what was happening outside?
"Senior Sister, what happened?"
"The Southern Domain Seven Sects Alliance is about to convene. This time, all seven Southern Domain sects have spared no expense and put forward many rewards. So many disciples are rubbing their fists and palms, preparing to display their skills at the Seven Sects Alliance Grand Competition and become famous in a single stroke!"
Jiang Hao suddenly understood.
He knew about the Southern Domain Seven Sects Alliance.
In the past, the Southern Domain Seven Sects Alliance had always been a major matter for the Huangtian Sect.
These were the seven great overlords of the Southern Domain.
Every alliance gathering was, in truth, about the seven sects discussing their "territories," or dividing their spheres of influence.
They would sound each other out as well, to avoid misjudgments.
It was precisely because of the Southern Domain Seven Sects Alliance mechanism that the seven overlord-level forces across the Southern Domain had maintained peace for a very long time, without attacking one another.
After the alliance gathering, there would be a grand competition among the disciples of the seven Southern Domain sects.
Those who performed outstandingly could receive some precious rewards.
That was why Huangtian Sect disciples were so eager to try.
"Senior Sister wants to participate?"
Jiang Hao asked.
Xia Hong shook her head. "I only just became an Inner Disciple. How could I be qualified to represent the Inner Gate in battle?"
"Then I'm the same. The Inner Gate wouldn't have a Hidden Force martial artist like me represent them, would it?"
Jiang Hao knew his own situation well.
The matter of representing the Inner Gate in battle would certainly not fall to him.
After all, on the surface, his cultivation was only at Hidden Force.
No, Jiang Hao had never displayed his Hidden Force cultivation.
On the surface, he was still a Ming Jin Martial Artist.
However, the Huangtian Sect higher-ups should know that he had already reached Hidden Force.
But whether Ming Jin or Hidden Force, he could not possibly represent the Inner Gate in battle.
"Exactly. So this has nothing to do with us. It just feels a little regrettable..."
It was clear that Xia Hong truly wanted to participate in the Southern Domain Seven Sects Alliance.
Jiang Hao was quite curious. What had the Southern Domain Seven Sects Alliance brought out this time that made Xia Hong look forward to it so eagerly?
"Senior Sister, what rewards does the Seven Sects Alliance have?"
"This Southern Domain Seven Sects Alliance will be held within Great Gan, with the Great Gan Imperial Family presiding over it."
"The Great Gan Imperial Family has offered three spots in the Blood Transformation Pool. It is said that this Blood Transformation Pool has a certain chance of stimulating the bloodline within a martial artist's body, allowing them to possess powerful Bloodline Power."
"Under normal circumstances, Blood Transformation Pool spots are exceedingly precious. Even among the Great Gan Imperial Family's own descendants, no one but the very best may enter. Yet Great Gan is offering three Blood Transformation Pool spots for this Seven Sects Alliance. This is truly rare beyond measure, something one may encounter but cannot seek."
After hearing Xia Hong's explanation, Jiang Hao's heart stirred.
Blood Transformation Pool?
He had never heard of it.
But if the Blood Transformation Pool could stimulate the bloodline inside a martial artist, was that not similar in effect to the Blood of Origin?
Although Jiang Hao had awakened the Great Sun Golden Crow Divine Blood, without the Blood of Origin, it would be difficult for his bloodline to improve.
If he could make a trip to the Blood Transformation Pool, could his Great Sun Golden Crow Divine Blood be greatly enhanced?
That possibility was very high.
It was simply that obtaining such a spot would be difficult.
Neither he nor Xia Hong could possibly go to the Southern Domain Seven Sects Alliance.
"Jiang Hao, actually, you have a certain chance."
Xia Hong suddenly said.
"Me?"
"Senior Sister must be joking. My true cultivation is only Hidden Force. The Inner Gate is full of Transforming Force martial artists. How could I go to the Southern Domain Seven Sects Alliance? I can't represent the Inner Gate..."
Jiang Hao knew his own worth.
At the Southern Domain Seven Sects Alliance, aside from the interests of the seven sects, the grand competition was in fact a matter of face for the seven sects.
They would certainly send their finest disciples to the Seven Sects Alliance.
"Jiang Hao, who said you would represent the Inner Gate?"
"If you represented the Inner Gate, you definitely would not have a chance. But what if you represented the Outer Gate? Then your chances would be very high."
Jiang Hao was slightly startled.
That was right. Representing the Inner Gate was impossible, but representing the Outer Gate was different.
"But I'm an Inner Disciple..."
"You are only at Hidden Force. According to the divisions of the seven sects, Hidden Force is at most equivalent to an Outer Gate disciple, so you meet the requirements."
"Some elders have already proposed that you represent the Outer Gate at the Seven Sects Alliance. But some elders still have doubts. Just how strong are you? You passed the Ninth Floor of the Desolate Heaven Tower while at Ming Jin, but now you are at Hidden Force. Can you suppress those elite Hidden Force disciples in the Outer Gate?"
Jiang Hao understood.
Among the Huangtian Sect higher-ups, some elders supported him, while others had doubts about him.
Then, should he fight for it?
Jiang Hao thought it over. He truly should fight for it.
This concerned a Blood Transformation Pool spot. Jiang Hao could not remain indifferent.
His master, Zhao Heita, had once said that when it was time to fight for something in the Huangtian Sect, he had to fight for it!
"Jiang Hao, there should be news in a few days. Wait for now."
Xia Hong was clearly better informed.
"Alright, I'll wait a little longer."
Jiang Hao nodded.
In truth, the question of whether Jiang Hao should represent the Huangtian Sect Outer Gate at the Seven Sects Alliance had sparked great controversy among the Huangtian Sect higher-ups.
Some elders supported it, while others opposed it.
No conclusion had yet been reached.
Sect Master Yuan Wentian's stance was extremely important.
In the end, Yuan Wentian personally stated his position.
"Elders, your opposition to Jiang Hao is nothing more than lingering doubts about his strength."
"Then this matter is easy to settle. Hasn't the Outer Gate already selected its ten elite disciples? Have Jiang Hao go there and let those ten elite disciples test him out. Whether Jiang Hao is capable or not will be obvious at a glance."
The Sect Master had spoken, and the many elders secretly nodded.
That was indeed the reasoning.
They were all martial artists. Whether someone was capable or not, they only needed to exchange blows.
There was no need for argument.
"I will personally arrange this matter."
The many elders nodded.
With the Sect Master personally arranging it, they only needed to observe when the time came.
The Huangtian Sect higher-ups had already made their decision.
Sect Master Yuan Wentian's gaze was profound as he looked in Jiang Hao's direction.
"The elders know nothing of the Desolate Heaven Tower's secret. Any genius who passes the Desolate Heaven Tower is granted the Blood of Origin, as well as a method to cultivate an Acquired Sacred Body."
"Bloodline and Sacred Body—would that still not be enough to take down the Seven Sects Alliance Grand Competition?"
Yuan Wentian shook his head.
Naturally, he had great confidence in Jiang Hao.
Only he and certain Supreme Elders knew the Desolate Heaven Tower's secret.
Outsiders merely believed that passing the Ninth Floor of the Desolate Heaven Tower meant one was an unparalleled prodigy of the Huangtian Sect and would receive focused training.
But in truth, martial artists who passed the Ninth Floor of the Desolate Heaven Tower had long become subjects of the tower's assessment, destined for great fortune.
Bloodline and Sacred Body alone were enough to look down upon others of the same realm.
"I wonder what Jiang Hao's bloodline is? And has Jiang Hao entered the gate of the Acquired Sacred Body bestowed by the Desolate Heaven Tower?"
"Never mind. I'll go see for myself..."
Yuan Wentian took one step and instantly vanished from the great hall.
Inside Jiang Hao's cave dwelling.
He took Kidney Essence Pills as he trained his kidneys.
Only Kidney Force remained before he could complete the Five Elements Divine Skill.
When the five elements united, the power unleashed would certainly be terrifying.
At the very least, it would not be weaker than Ming Jin's "ten forces united as one."
"Jiang Hao."
Suddenly, a familiar voice reached Jiang Hao's ears.
"Hm?"
"Sect Master?"
Jiang Hao's heart jolted.
The voice had come from outside the cave dwelling.
He immediately opened the cave dwelling.
Sure enough, Huangtian Sect Master Yuan Wentian stood outside!
Even the Sect Master could not casually barge into a disciple's cave dwelling.
"This disciple greets the Sect Master!"
Jiang Hao saluted Yuan Wentian.
He had seen Yuan Wentian when he passed the Desolate Heaven Tower, so he naturally recognized him.
"Let's speak inside."
Yuan Wentian entered the cave dwelling.
The two sat down, and Yuan Wentian carefully examined Jiang Hao from head to toe.
A trace of astonishment appeared on his face as well.
"You are actually close to uniting the five elements?"
Clearly, Yuan Wentian was greatly surprised too.
He knew Jiang Hao had most likely become a Hidden Force martial artist.
But he had not expected him to be so close to the Major Accomplishment of Hidden Force.
After all, Jiang Hao cultivated the Five Elements Divine Skill!
It was considered one of the most difficult cultivation methods among Hidden Force techniques.
"Jiang Hao, may I see your bloodline?"
Yuan Wentian suddenly asked.
"Hm?"
Jiang Hao's eyes instantly fixed directly on Yuan Wentian.
There was a faint trace of surprise in his gaze.
P.S. I hope everyone can vote with more monthly tickets to raise this new book's ranking. Old Moon gives his thanks!
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