The news of Fang Hao defeating Ye Qing caused a huge sensation within the Inner Sect.

"Defeating a Late Foundation Establishment Stage Heavenly Spiritual Root cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage? How is that possible!"

"What kind of monster is Fang Hao exactly?"

"He is the fifteenth rank on the dragon ranking! How many years has it been since he joined the Sect?"

The Martial Arts Hall was buzzing, and everyone was discussing this shocking reversal.

Fang Hao, however, remained as calm as usual.

He returned to his Immortal Cave to regulate his breathing and recover.

The battle with Ye Qing had consumed a great deal, but he had also gained a lot.

The Heavenly Spiritual Root’s combat style had opened his eyes, giving him a deeper understanding of the Wind Law.

"The next target... the top ten!" A determined light flashed in Fang Hao’s eyes.

He took out the dragon ranking information and carefully studied the top ten experts.

Suddenly, he was stunned—the first rank on the dragon ranking was none other than Bao Zhijian!

"Bao Zhijian... first rank on the dragon ranking?" Fang Hao frowned.

This person had actually defeated him in the Secret Realm! 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"No wonder he is so arrogant..." Fang Hao sneered.

Bao Zhijian was at the Peak of the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, with one foot already stepped into the Golden Core, so he indeed had the capital to be arrogant.

But Fang Hao was not afraid at all.

Even the Heavenly Spiritual Root Ye Qing had been defeated by him, so what of Bao Zhijian?

"Let’s start from the tenth rank!"

Fang Hao selected his target—the tenth rank on the dragon ranking, Zhou Meng, who was in the Late Foundation Establishment Stage and known for his formidable defense.

Just as he was about to go out to issue the challenge, Lin Wan’s voice came from outside his Immortal Cave: "Junior Brother Ning! This is bad!"

Fang Hao opened the door and saw Lin Wan running over in a hurry: "Junior Brother Ning! Ye Qing... Ye Qing has left the Sect!"

Fang Hao was stunned: "Left? What do you mean?"

Lin Wan panted and said: "The news just came! Ye Qing applied to the Sect to go out for training, and he has already left!"

Fang Hao frowned. Leaving right after losing to him? This did not seem like Ye Qing’s style.

Lin Wan lowered her voice: "I heard... Ye Qing was very dejected before leaving. With his Heavenly Spiritual Root Aptitude, he had never lost before, and this defeat by you was a huge blow..."

Fang Hao was silent.

He recalled how arrogant Ye Qing was when he first joined the Sect.

With his Heavenly Spiritual Root talent, he was heavily cultivated by the Sect and looked down on everyone.

Looking at himself, born as a servant with Wasted Spiritual Root Aptitude, Ye Qing had always disdained him.

Later, during the Outer Sect Grand Competition, Fang Hao stood out and obtained the qualification of a Named Disciple in the Formation Hall.

Ye Qing had even tried to obstruct him, saying things like "those with a servant background cannot take on important tasks."

Now, he had actually defeated him head-on in the arena...

"Heavenly Spiritual Root... also encounters setbacks, huh." Fang Hao sighed softly.

On the path of cultivation, talent is important, but Heart-Nature is even more important.

Lin Wan whispered: "Some people say it was Bao Zhijian’s doing... Ye Qing’s injury might be related to him, and now that he has lost to you, Bao Zhijian happens to have one less competitor..."

Fang Hao’s eyes turned cold. Bao Zhijian was truly like a lingering ghost!

"I understand. Thank you for the news, Senior Sister." Fang Hao said.

Lin Wan worriedly said: "Junior Brother Ning, you must be careful! Bao Zhijian is now the first rank on the dragon ranking, his influence is greater, and he will definitely target you more!"

Fang Hao nodded: "Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing."

After seeing Lin Wan off, Fang Hao pondered for a moment.

Ye Qing’s departure made him even more determined to challenge the front of the dragon ranking.

"Bao Zhijian... just wait! I will catch up step by step!"

Fang Hao went straight to issue the challenge. He would challenge the tenth rank on the dragon ranking, Zhou Meng!

The news spread, causing another sensation!

"Still challenging?!"

"The tenth rank! Peak of the Late Foundation Establishment Stage!"

"Zhou Meng’s ’Indestructible Vajra Body’ is known as invincible below the Golden Core stage!"

"Fang Hao is too crazy!"

When Bao Zhijian found out, he sneered: "Seeking his own death! Zhou Meng is not a Spell Cultivator like Ye Qing! A Body Cultivator will restrain him to death!"

He specifically went to find Zhou Meng: "Junior Brother Zhou, teach that brat a good lesson! Cripple him! I will give you a bottle of Golden Marrow Pills!"

Zhou Meng said in a muffled voice: "Rest assured, Senior Brother Bao! Watch me hammer that brat into a meat patty!"

Before the battle, Liang Ling came to find Fang Hao: "Zhou Meng is a Body Cultivator, his defense is extremely strong, and he has infinite strength. Your sword techniques will have a hard time breaking his defense, so you need to win with finesse."

Fang Hao nodded: "Thank you, Senior Sister. I have studied it, and his Indestructible Vajra Body has a weak point."

Liang Ling was surprised: "You actually know?"

Fang Hao smiled: "My Clear Spring Spirit Eyes were not practiced in vain."

Three days later, the arena battle took place.

It was packed with people, even livelier than the battle with Ye Qing! Everyone wanted to see if Fang Hao could create another miracle!

Zhou Meng arrived early, standing nine feet tall with knotted muscles, standing like an iron tower. Just standing there, his Aura was intimidating!

"Senior Brother Zhou! Hammer that brat flat!"

"Let Fang Hao know what a Body Cultivator is!"

Bao Zhijian sneered on the side.

Fang Hao arrived on time, his green robes fluttering, his expression calm.

"Fang Hao is here!"

"Let’s see how he breaks the defense!"

"He’s definitely going to lose!"

The referee Elder arrived: "dragon ranking challenge, Fang Hao versus Zhou Meng. Begin!"

Zhou Meng let out a roar, and golden light erupted from his body! His muscles swelled, like a golden-armored war god!

"Brat! Take my punch!" He threw a punch, the force of the punch tearing through the air!

Fang Hao used Shrinking the Ground to an Inch to dodge! The punch wind grazed him, making his cheeks ache!

"Such strong power!" Fang Hao was alarmed. If this punch had landed, he would definitely have been severely injured!

Zhou Meng laughed wildly: "Dodging? Let’s see how long you can dodge!" He bombarded with both fists, like a storm!

Fang Hao dodged repeatedly, and the arena was smashed with large craters!

"Is Fang Hao only capable of dodging?"

"He can’t break the defense!"

Bao Zhijian sneered triumphantly.

Fang Hao responded calmly. He operated his Clear Spring Spirit Eyes to carefully observe Zhou Meng’s Indestructible Vajra Body.

"Found it!" Fang Hao’s eyes lit up. Three inches under Zhou Meng’s armpit, there was a spot where the Spiritual Qi circulation was obscure, which was the weak point!

But Zhou Meng’s defense was tight, and it was difficult to attack the weak point.

Fang Hao’s thoughts raced, and he brought out the empty clarity mirror: "Space Distortion!"

The mirror light shone, and Zhou Meng’s movements stalled!

"Now is the time!" Fang Hao pointed with his Star Shattering Finger! Directly aiming for the weak point!

But Zhou Meng reacted extremely fast, suddenly clamping his arm tight! The finger force was blocked by his muscles!

"Bang!" The sound of metal clashing! The finger force actually failed to break the defense!

"What a hard defense!" Fang Hao was surprised.

Zhou Meng laughed wildly: "It’s useless! My defense is invincible!"

Fang Hao was unhurried and changed his strategy. He used Dividing Light Sword Shadow to harass and Star Shattering Finger to sneak attack, constantly consuming him.

Although Zhou Meng had high defense and high health, speed was his weakness. Being led around and hit by Fang Hao, he was so angry he roared.

"Brat! If you have the guts, fight me head-on!"

Fang Hao ignored him and continued to fight while moving.

After a hundred moves, Zhou Meng gradually showed signs of fatigue. The Indestructible Vajra Body consumed too much, and he was almost unable to hold on!

"Opportunity!" Fang Hao seized the moment and brought out the empty clarity mirror again! "Space Imprisonment!"

Zhou Meng’s movements stalled!

Fang Hao struck with full power! "Star Shattering Finger Third Layer—Armor Breaking!"

The finger force condensed to the extreme, containing the power of space fragmentation! Pointing directly at the weak point!

"Pfft!" A muffled sound! The finger force penetrated the defense! The golden light all over Zhou Meng’s body dissipated!

"Impossible!" Zhou Meng spat blood and flew backward! He crashed heavily off the arena!

The audience was silent! Then, earth-shaking cheers erupted!

"He won! He won again!"

"The tenth rank! Fang Hao is the tenth rank now!"

"A monster! He is definitely a monster!"

Bao Zhijian’s face turned livid, and he flicked his sleeves and left.

The referee Elder announced loudly: "Fang Hao wins! The tenth rank on the dragon ranking, Fang Hao!"

Fang Hao withdrew his cultivation, his breath steady. This battle was won cleverly.

Zhou Meng climbed up and said gloomily: "You brat... how did you know my weak point?"

Fang Hao smiled: "Just Luck."

Zhou Meng shook his head: "I accept this defeat! Let’s fight again next time!"

Fang Hao cupped his hands: "I am ready anytime."

Off the stage, Lin Wan rushed up excitedly: "Junior Brother Ning! You are too amazing! You are the tenth rank now!"

Liang Ling also walked over, her eyes filled with a smile: "Congratulations. What’s the next step?"

Fang Hao looked toward the top of the dragon ranking: "Keep moving forward!"

That night, Fang Hao’s Immortal Cave welcomed a guest—Ye Qing!

Fang Hao was surprised: "Senior Brother Ye? Aren’t you..."

Ye Qing said indifferently: "Before I leave, I came to say goodbye to you."

Fang Hao invited him to sit: "Senior Brother Ye, what is it?"

Ye Qing was silent for a moment, then said: "On the arena that day, I did not use my full strength."

Fang Hao nodded: "I could tell."

Ye Qing sighed: "If I had used my full strength, I might have been able to defeat you. But... there was no need."

Fang Hao was puzzled: "Why?"

Ye Qing’s eyes were complex: "With my Heavenly Spiritual Root Aptitude, I have always had it easy since I was young. This defeat at your hands actually made me see my own shortcomings—my Heart-Nature is lacking, making it hard to achieve greatness."

Fang Hao said solemnly: "It is admirable that Senior Brother Ye can reflect on himself like this."

Ye Qing shook his head: "It is not self-reflection, but... seeing the true face of certain people." He seemed to be implying something.

Fang Hao’s heart stirred: "Bao Zhijian?"

Ye Qing did not answer, instead saying: "My departure this time is to seek an Opportunity for a Breakthrough. After reaching the Golden Core, perhaps... I will leave the Azure Cloud Sect."

Fang Hao was surprised: "Why?"

Ye Qing said indifferently: "The Azure Cloud Sect... the water is too deep. Certain people have backgrounds that are too strong." He stood up, "Junior Brother Ning, take care of yourself. Bao Zhijian... will not let you go."

Fang Hao said solemnly: "Thank you for the warning, Senior Brother."

Ye Qing walked to the door, paused, and said: "It was my fault for blocking you from entering the Formation Hall that day. You... are indeed qualified." After saying that, he drifted away.

Fang Hao felt deeply moved. Ye Qing was, after all, an arrogant person, but not a villain.

"Bao Zhijian..." A cold light flashed in Fang Hao’s eyes, "First rank on the dragon ranking? Just wait."

He decided to continue the challenge! The next target—the top five of the dragon ranking.

The path of cultivation, forging ahead. Fang Hao’s footsteps would never stop.