The middle-aged man looked Qin Hao up and down, as though he could hardly believe his eyes. A flash of surprise crossed his face.
"I'm Qin Hao." Qin Hao gave a slight nod, his expression unchanged. He sensed no hostility from the man, but he had never met him and knew nothing of his background.
The man had appeared right after Qin Hao Slaying the Savage Bear Great Demon, armed with a spear and clad in battle armor. Qin Hao naturally kept his guard up.
"The newly admitted Inner Gate Disciple, Qin Hao." At Qin Hao's answer, the man seemed to have his suspicions confirmed. His expression grew complicated.
"If I remember correctly, it's only been five years since you joined the Azure Flame Sect," the man said, his tone equally complicated.
Qin Hao paused and narrowed his eyes. "You are..."
"I'm a deacon of Heaven-Questioning Peak in the Azure Flame Sect's Inner Gate. You can call me Kang Yihou," the man said with a smile.
"Kang Yihou?"
Qin Hao was startled, then quietly breathed a little easier.
The man before him was formidable and put Qin Hao under immense pressure. If he had been an enemy, that would have been troublesome indeed. Fortunately, he was an Inner Gate deacon of the Azure Flame Sect.
"Greetings, Kang Yihou!" Qin Hao said, cupping his fists.
"Heh, no need for that. You Slaying the Blood Cloud Saber Demon and the Savage Bear Great Demon. With your strength, even if you haven't reached the level of Marquis-Rank Creation, you can't be far off."
Kang Yihou smiled faintly at Qin Hao, admiration and respect mingling in his eyes. More than anything, though, he regarded Qin Hao as a peer.
There was not the slightest trace of contempt.
Qin Hao shook his head slightly. "The