"Yan Beiwu, come up."
Jiang Hao turned his gaze toward Yan Beiwu.
He did not step down from the arena, instead calling out to Yan Beiwu.
She was now the only seed contestant he had not fought.
Yan Beiwu rose and walked onto the arena.
"My Kun Divine Blood possesses boundless strength, but my Movement Technique is inferior to yours. As long as you do not clash with me head-on, I will certainly lose."
"So, I concede."
Yan Beiwu conceded.
She knew her own strengths and weaknesses very clearly.
Jiang Hao could cast the Great Sun True Fire from afar, then use Shrink Step Into Inch to keep his distance from her.
How was Yan Beiwu supposed to fight?
She might as well concede early.
In any case, Yan Beiwu had already secured a spot. Even if she conceded, she could still enter the Blood Transformation Pool.
She was not as arrogant as Li Qingshan, nor did she have such a strong desire to win or lose.
There was no shame in conceding to Jiang Hao!
Boom!
As Yan Beiwu conceded, the atmosphere around the arena swiftly became heated.
First place had been decided!
First place in the Seven Sects Alliance Grand Competition: Jiang Hao!
As for second place, it went to Yan Beiwu.
Because Li Qingshan had also conceded to Yan Beiwu.
Since Li Qingshan had failed to take first place, he naturally had no face to fight Yan Beiwu.
First, second, and third place all possessed Divine Blood.
For martial artists with Divine Blood, these Blood Transformation Pool slots likewise brought enormous benefits.
They could further awaken the potential of their Divine Blood.
"Elder Wang, congratulations to your Huangtian Sect. First place in this Seven Sects Alliance Grand Competition has finally gone to your Huangtian Sect!"
"Actually, first place in the Grand Competition is a minor matter. The Huangtian Sect has produced a genius disciple like Jiang Hao, whose future is boundless. Entering Dao is just around the corner for him. Perhaps even Entering Dao will not be Jiang Hao's endpoint. Dao Sovereign Jiang Hao is not beyond hope!"
"If a Dao Sovereign can be born, the Huangtian Sect will have struck it rich..."
The elders of the other six sects all congratulated Elder Wang.
They were indeed envious.
If it had been first place in past Seven Sects Alliance Grand Competitions, these elders would not have cared much.
But for a true peak genius like Jiang Hao, a future Seed of the Dao, they were genuinely envious.
After all, only those who Entered Dao could add to a sect's foundation.
Elder Wang was presently glowing with pride.
The more he looked at Jiang Hao, the more pleasing he found him.
His trip as team leader had truly not been in vain.
When he returned, he could boast properly before the other elders.
At that moment, the Great Gan Emperor spoke. "Jiang Hao, Yan Beiwu, Li Qingshan, come forward."
The three came before the Great Gan Emperor.
"You are the top three in this Seven Sects Alliance Grand Competition and may receive Blood Transformation Pool slots from my Great Gan Imperial Family."
"The Blood Transformation Pool will open in a few days. You will be notified then. Make your preparations in advance over the next few days."
Jiang Hao and the other two respectfully saluted. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The three of them valued the Blood Transformation Pool slots greatly.
"Jiang Hao, I heard that you and Leng Yue have had some unpleasantness."
The Great Gan Emperor suddenly spoke to Jiang Hao.
"Hm?"
"Your Majesty, it was merely a minor matter."
Jiang Hao was slightly surprised.
But on further thought, this was Gandu. What matter could possibly be hidden from the Great Gan Emperor?
And Leng Yue was the Great Gan Emperor's daughter.
It was even less likely that it could be concealed from him.
"Leng Yue, come here."
The Great Gan Emperor turned his gaze toward Leng Yue.
Leng Yue's heart tightened as she walked over trembling.
"Greetings, Father Emperor."
Leng Yue seemed very afraid of the Great Gan Emperor.
"Leng Yue, you are spoiled, willful, and unreasonable. You had a most unpleasant conflict with Jiang Hao at the Huangtian Sect. Jiang Hao is here now. You know what you should do, don't you?"
The Great Gan Emperor's words made Leng Yue's heart shudder.
She knew how ruthless the "Father Emperor" before her was.
After all, within the imperial household, there was no family affection.
If she failed to satisfy the Great Gan Emperor, he would definitely punish her severely.
After all, Jiang Hao had now displayed unparalleled potential. His importance far exceeded that of a useless, ordinary imperial princess like her.
The Great Gan Emperor saw very clearly which was lighter and which was heavier.
"Jiang Hao, it was my fault. I should not have been so overbearing and willful as to injure your spirit pet. I will do everything in my power to compensate you. I will use all my contribution points to exchange for whatever you need, or whatever your spirit pet needs."
Jiang Hao was somewhat astonished.
Leng Yue was truly apologizing to him?
He could tell that this overbearing princess was genuinely frightened.
However, before Jiang Hao could respond, the Great Gan Emperor coldly said, "Not enough!"
"Leng Yue, did your mother not leave you a Flood Dragon Core? Give it to Jiang Hao."
Leng Yue's eyes abruptly widened.
A Flood Dragon Core?
This was a precious treasure her mother had left her!
A Flood Dragon Core was, in truth, a flood dragon's inner core.
If a flood dragon transformed into a true dragon, then its core would become a dragon pearl.
A Flood Dragon Core had tremendous uses.
Its greatest use was that when a martial artist cultivated Pill Force, they could fuse the flood dragon into their Pill Force, allowing it to possess a trace of flood dragon power.
Do not underestimate that mere trace of flood dragon power. It could greatly increase the might of Pill Force.
This was one of the unique Divine Items for cultivating Pill Force.
And she was supposed to hand it over to Jiang Hao?
However, when Leng Yue saw the Great Gan Emperor's icy gaze—
She was truly afraid.
"Yes, Father Emperor."
Leng Yue agreed.
Jiang Hao, on the other hand, hesitated somewhat.
He did not know what a Flood Dragon Core was.
Elder Wang narrowed his eyes slightly and said with a smile, "Jiang Hao, why aren't you quickly thanking His Majesty? A Flood Dragon Core is a good thing. Even as a Seed of the Dao, you might not be able to obtain such a Divine Item. With a Flood Dragon Core, when you break through to Pill Force in the future, your Pill Force will possess a trace of flood dragon power."
"Flood dragon power?"
Jiang Hao's eyes lit up.
This truly was a Divine Item!
And a remarkably rare Divine Item at that.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"The matter between Princess Leng Yue and me was only a triviality. I had long since forgotten it."
Naturally, the Great Gan Emperor understood what Jiang Hao meant.
This settled the matter once and for all.
"Very good."
"Then I shall not disturb your rest."
"Leng Yue, deliver the Flood Dragon Core to Jiang Hao as soon as possible."
Having said that, the Great Gan Emperor rose and left.
Leng Yue did not dare say another word.
She did not even look at Jiang Hao, merely lowering her head and leaving swiftly.
"Hahaha, Jiang Hao, you have truly picked up a treasure this time. I never expected the Great Gan Emperor to be willing to give up even a Flood Dragon Core."
Elder Wang patted Jiang Hao's shoulder, looking exceptionally pleased.
"Elder, will there be trouble if I accept this Flood Dragon Core?"
Jiang Hao asked.
He could not figure out the Great Gan Emperor's purpose.
Was it truly just to resolve the grudge between Leng Yue and him?
It was not worth it.
For such a tiny grievance, to give away a Flood Dragon Core?
That was simply impossible.
Elder Wang said meaningfully, "Take the Flood Dragon Core without worry. The Great Gan Emperor is showing you goodwill."
"Showing goodwill? Even if I Entered Dao, there would be no need for the Great Gan Emperor to do this, would there?"
Jiang Hao was very curious.
"For an ordinary person who Entered Dao, the Great Gan Emperor naturally would not go so far. But you are different. What if you Enter Dao through Divine Blood?"
"After you Enter Dao through Divine Blood, your descendants may inherit your Golden Crow Divine Blood Bloodline. Descendants with Divine Blood—who would not want them?"
"So, the Great Gan Emperor is making preparations for the future. You are still young, so perhaps you do not understand. Once you grow up, hehe, just wait. Every faction will rack their brains to send women your way. You brat are quite blessed..."
Jiang Hao did not know what to say.
So the Great Gan Emperor had given him a Flood Dragon Core just to make it convenient to send women to him later?
This really was...
Jiang Hao did not know what to say.
His talent was so high and he had so many strengths. Why were these people all fixated on that insignificant bit of Divine Blood of his?
When he returned to his residence, Leng Yue had already sent over the Flood Dragon Core.
Jiang Hao put away the Flood Dragon Core, then examined himself again.
In today's battles, he had taken first place in the Grand Competition and gained a Blood Transformation Pool slot as well as a Flood Dragon Core.
Jiang Hao took out the Flood Dragon Core again and examined it carefully.
It was a Divine Item, something one could encounter only by chance and never seek.
Unfortunately, Jiang Hao could not use it yet.
He would have to wait until he broke through to Pill Force before the Flood Dragon Core would be useful.
Jiang Hao put away the Flood Dragon Core.
He extended his palm and activated the Great Sun True Fire.
The Great Sun True Fire covered his entire palm.
It had to be said that the advantages of Divine Blood were truly immense.
Especially at the Hidden Force level, Divine Blood was practically an unsolvable existence.
Whether one possessed Divine Blood or not was an entirely different matter.
Of course, before Entering Dao, Divine Blood held an absolute advantage. Yet as cultivation rose, that advantage could gradually weaken.
For example, at the Ming Jin and Hidden Force levels, no matter how powerful one's force was, it definitely could not rival Divine Blood.
Jiang Hao's force was already powerful enough.
Ten Ming Jin forces united as one.
The five elements of Hidden Force united as one.
Yet even if he unleashed Ming Jin and Hidden Force, or even more than one true intent, he still could not possibly withstand Divine Blood.
But upon reaching Transforming Force, with inner and outer united as one, Divine Blood's advantage would no longer be so great.
Not to mention after reaching Pill Force.
Pill Force could refine Divine Items, allowing Pill Force to carry a trace of a Divine Item's power.
For instance, refining a Flood Dragon Core could grant Pill Force a trace of flood dragon power.
Once one truly reached Pill Force, or even became a Gang Force Grandmaster, Divine Blood would still retain its advantage, but it would no longer be so overwhelming.
"So, the most urgent matter is cultivation!"
Jiang Hao had now completely seen the path he should take.
It was to raise his cultivation.
Divine Blood, Sacred Physique—there was no rush.
He would talk about those after raising his cultivation.
It so happened that Jiang Hao had never stopped training his kidneys.
He vaguely sensed that Kidney Force was about to be born.
In the blink of an eye, several days slipped by.
Jiang Hao suddenly felt a tremor in his kidneys.
A flash of insight struck him, and he immediately understood what was happening.
Kidney Force was finally about to be born within his kidneys.
Kidney Force belonged to water.
Thus, when Jiang Hao sensed the birth of Kidney Force, it felt like rain moistening all things in silence.
"The Five Elements Divine Skill has finally reached major accomplishment..."
Jiang Hao let out a long breath.
With the birth of Kidney Force, it meant the Five Elements Divine Skill had reached major accomplishment.
Next came the most crucial step: unifying the Five Elements!
Though this step was the most critical, it was actually the easiest.
After all, the Five Elements Divine Skill had originally been one whole.
Jiang Hao drew a deep breath, then mobilized Heart Force, Liver Force, Spleen Force, Lung Force, and the newly born Kidney Force.
Previously, the five forces had belonged to no common master.
But as Jiang Hao circulated the method of the Five Elements Divine Skill—
Boom.
The next moment, the five strands of Hidden Force actually fused into one.
The five strands of Hidden Force had merged into an entirely new kind of force.
It was called Five Elements Force.
The defining trait of this Five Elements Force was its endless transformations, tremendous compatibility, and terrifying power.
However, Jiang Hao was not particularly concerned with just how terrifying Five Elements Force's power might be.
What use would even a twofold increase be?
Could it compare to his divine blood?
What he valued more was the compatibility of Five Elements Force.
Because Transforming Force, beyond Hidden Force, required the force throughout one's entire body to become one.
For instance, Hidden Force would spread from within to without, completely merging with Ming Jin.
At that point, the united force would permeate the entire body.
That was Transforming Force!
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