Nine Heavens Martial Emperor

Lin Hao’s seemingly simple strike stirred the heavens. The surrounding people’s eyes went wide, shocked beyond belief.

Just a moment ago, they were all discussing how Yin Duwen was truly worthy of being a Saint Institute elder, his every move exuding immense pressure. But compared to Lin Hao’s actions now, Yin Duwen’s display was utterly dwarfed.

Everyone felt an overwhelming pressure.

Even the representatives from the five great divine sects turned pale. When they put themselves in Yin Duwen’s shoes, the conclusion they reached made them break out in a cold sweat.

Against that strike, at the same cultivation level, they would have no way to defend against it!

Lin Hao’s power was too terrifying.

Everyone held their breath, staring unblinkingly at the Saint War Platform, wanting to see how Yin Duwen would counter Lin Hao’s move.

On the Saint War Platform, Yin Duwen’s expression was extremely grave. His body rumbled from within, and a green light faintly flickered at his Dantian. However, his robes whipped about, concealing the area around his Dantian, so no one saw this.

A single strike from Lin Hao had actually forced Yin Duwen to start using his Bloodline Power!

If Yin Duwen’s bloodline were weaker than Lin Hao’s, it would be one thing, as Lin Hao’s constitution would possess an Innate suppressive pressure over it. But Yin Duwen’s bloodline was actually the same as Lin Hao’s; their starting points were identical.

If word of this got out, it would be earth-shattering.

BOOM!

The next moment, Yin Duwen shifted sideways, and Lin Hao’s strike slammed into the Saint War Platform. The massive platform shook, and runic symbols materialized in the air, crackling loudly.

In the highest building of the Saint Institute, an image appeared in the empty space between the four elders. Seeing the aftermath of that strike, all four of them rose to their feet at the same time, shock filling their eyes.

"How is this possible? A single strike from someone at the Fifth Layer of Soul Gathering Realm actually made the runes appear!" one of the elders exclaimed, finding it hard to believe.

"This Saint War Platform is designed for battles between Martial Artists at the Soul Gathering Realm Peak. Only Martial Artists of that caliber should be able to produce such an effect. Yet now, a junior at the Fifth Layer of Soul Gathering Realm has done it. It seems we’ve misjudged him. He is even stronger than we estimated," another elder said with the same shocked expression.

"His opening move shook the heavens. The bearing in his every action is that of a great Grandmaster. Even ordinary Spirit Transformation Realm Martial Artists cannot achieve such a presence. What kind of experiences has he been through?"

"Given time, this boy will absolutely grow into an unparalleled prodigy. I cannot see the limits of his potential."

The four elders shared their opinions one after another, then all fell silent.

Back on the Saint War Platform, Yin Duwen, having dodged the strike, broke out in a cold sweat.

If he hadn’t used his Bloodline Power just now, he wouldn’t have been able to dodge Lin Hao’s strike at all.

The pressure from it had been too immense; it had actually immobilized him!

Having been at the Saint Institute for over two hundred years, he naturally knew many of its secrets, including those of the Saint War Platform.

Now, seeing the runes appear in the air and crackle loudly, he was even more shocked.

He, of all people, knew what the appearance of the runes meant.

If he hadn’t used his Bloodline Power just now, he would have been utterly annihilated.

"Lin Hao, I never thought you could be so vicious!" Yin Duwen roared, glaring at Lin Hao in a sudden rage.

After his one attack, Lin Hao didn’t immediately move again. Hearing Yin Duwen’s words, he couldn’t help but find it laughable. When it came to being vicious, he was leagues behind Yin Duwen.

Just now, he had merely given him a taste of his own medicine.

Moreover, that had been the first time Lin Hao had ever used that strike, and its power had exceeded even his own expectations.

Lin Hao didn’t speak. Yin Duwen’s anger was hard to quell, but he no longer dared to make a rash move.

He had secretly used a trace of his Bloodline Power just now. Although it caused some strain, it hadn’t damaged his foundation. He intended to use this brief pause to repair the damage it had caused.

On the other side, Lin Hao also had his reasons for not attacking.

Although the strike had looked simple, the amount of True Essence it required had far exceeded his estimations.

That single strike had consumed nearly half of his True Essence.

During this brief pause in their fight, the surrounding crowd erupted.

It was Yin Duwen’s furious outburst that snapped them out of their daze, after which they could no longer suppress their astonishment.

"That was terrifying! A simple move that stirred the heavens... If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed it."

"I thought I was dreaming! Is that really something a Martial Artist at the Fifth Layer of Soul Gathering Realm can do?!"

"How shameful. My cultivation is at the Soul Gathering Realm Peak, but I know I couldn’t do what Lin Hao just did. He is worthy of being my teacher!" a Saint Master from the Saint Institute said, his expression complex as he stared at the Saint War Platform.

"But this is a life-and-death battle. Do you think... Elder Yin might actually die at Lin Hao’s hands?" a weak voice piped up.

"How dare you!" Just then, a furious roar erupted from the Saint War Platform.

Yin Duwen had heard everything. He had been enduring it with difficulty, but upon hearing that question, he could no longer hold back.

’I am a dignified elder of the Saint Institute who has cultivated the martial path for over two hundred years. How could I possibly die at the hands of Lin Hao?’

Yin Duwen held considerable authority in the Saint Institute. After his roar, no one dared to speak a word.

The next moment, Yin Duwen stared at Lin Hao, a blazing fire burning in his eyes.

’Lin Hao must die!’

Although he was furious, Yin Duwen hadn’t lost his reason. The shock from Lin Hao’s last strike had hit him harder than anyone else.

Ever since Lin Hao had entered the Saint Institute, Yin Duwen had seen almost every one of his duels. He thought he had a firm grasp of Lin Hao’s abilities, but Lin Hao’s recent move had put him on high alert.

Lin Hao didn’t just have a tyrannical physical body and incredible speed; his techniques were something even Yin Duwen couldn’t fathom.

Yin Duwen realized that even if he used every move in his arsenal, he might not be able to defeat Lin Hao.

But Yin Duwen still had a trump card.

His Divine Soul!

As the First Elder of the Saint Institute, he had just stepped into the Spirit Transformation Realm, and he was incredibly skilled in the use of his Divine Soul.

Although his realm was suppressed on the Saint War Platform, some things could not be suppressed—like his proficiency in using his Divine Soul.

Moreover, Yin Duwen had absolute confidence in his own Divine Soul.

As for whether killing Lin Hao would give others reason to criticize him, Yin Duwen could no longer be bothered.

Besides, Yin Duwen knew a simple truth: only the living victors get to write history. And no matter how monstrous a genius was, once dead, they were destined to be swallowed by the river of time.

"Lin Hao, do you have any last words?" Yin Duwen asked, staring at Lin Hao, full of confidence.

Lin Hao shrugged. "Funnily enough, I was about to ask you the same thing."

Yin Duwen was so angry he laughed. "Lin Hao, a word of advice: don’t be so arrogant in your next life."

In Yin Duwen’s eyes, Lin Hao was already a dead man, so he didn’t mind exchanging a few more words.

Lin Hao’s retort was just as sharp: "I hope you’ll be a better person in your next life. Then again, someone like you probably won’t get a next life. Even if you do, you probably won’t be human. Actually, who can say what happens in the next life? To sum it up, no matter what damn thing you become in your next life, just don’t come bothering me again."

Yin Duwen trembled with rage.