All the large wooden stakes encircled Chu Hao, pinning him to the ground.

"Ha!"

Chu Hao used the "Ha" Thunder Technique, and all the stakes surrounding him exploded. Thunder rumbled around him—this was the close-range "Ha" Thunder Technique.

"Spirit Control Technique, Water Technique."

Suddenly, a huge water serpent swept across the horizon, aiming to coil around Chu Hao.

With hands forming seals, thunder clashed around him, and the lightning giant enveloping him seized the water serpent with its thunderous hand, tearing it violently in two, rain sprinkling down.

Chu Hao brandished a thunder blade with his thunderous giant hand, striking fiercely.

The Northern Spirit Palace Master didn't dodge at all; he smiled faintly, extending two fingers to catch the thunder blade.

The terrifying energy waves reverberated in all directions, making it hard for some to stand steady.

Chu Hao was dumbfounded, using his hands to catch the thunder blade!

Is this guy even human?

The Northern Spirit Palace Master laughed, "Not bad, not bad, you have indeed mastered the Hum-Ha Thunder Technique. If you can take this next move, you win."

The Northern Spirit Palace Master quickly formed seals with both hands and shouted, "Spirit Control Technique, Gold Technique."

From the Northern Spirit Palace Master's body, a dazzling golden light burst forth, illuminating the void, continuously enlarging a terrifying giant beneath the golden glow.

At thirty zhang tall, the golden body gazed down at Chu Hao, exerting an invisible pressure, suppressing all around.

Chu Hao felt an unprecedented sense of oppression, an immense shock in his heart—was this the power of the ancestors?

In this moment, Chu Hao understood some things; all Yin-Yang Ultimate Studies are the same; what differs is the user.

Chu Hao cursed inwardly, surely that old guy didn't really want to kill him?

Facing the hundred-meter tall golden body, Chu Hao's legs trembled slightly. He wasn't one to openly show his fears and boldly said, "I, Chu Hao, have never feared anyone. Just wait till I unleash my unmatched Divine Arts."

The Northern Spirit Palace Master said with interest, "Very well, I shall wait for you."

Chu Hao swallowed hard, stepped back, and suddenly turned and ran, saying, "Wait, I'll be back soon."

This guy, when sensing something was off, bolted immediately!

The Northern Spirit Palace Master was taken aback and cursed, "Little bastard, after striking this Palace Master with electricity, you want to run."

The massive golden body swiftly formed seals, unleashing the Hum-Ha Thunder Technique.

"Hum!"

With a hum, a violently turbulent thunder energy, dozens of times stronger than what Chu Hao had unleashed, swept forward.

The Thunder Technique, like a sharp arrow, swept past Chu Hao's left, leaving a trail of several meters wide and deep charred marks on the ground. If it hit a person, Chu Hao estimated the Silver Bone Curse Seal wouldn't help.

Such is the power of the ancestors.

Chu Hao awkwardly turned around, saying, "Palace Master, let's end the sparring here. I have things to do, so I'll be leaving now. Goodbye."

Chu Hao ran even faster and quickly disappeared from sight.

"This kid." The Northern Spirit Palace Master laughed.

After leaving, Chu Hao's heart was pounding; such was the power of the ancestors.

Yet, such a powerful Yin-Yang Practitioner was defeated by a Foreign Ghost—how terrifying must that Foreign Ghost be, unimaginable.

"Order! Appoint the Unfeeling Woman as the tenth Grand Scholar."

The tenth person finally appeared, who would have expected it to be the Unfeeling Woman?

With the appearance of the tenth person, the depths of the Imperial Palace also opened. They would be sent inside to learn the most powerful studies.

Waiting for news, Chu Hao stayed at the Bei Ling Academy. During this time, the Northern Spirit Palace Master had been teaching him how to integrate his techniques, and he gained a lot from it.

"Remember! A Yin-Yang Practitioner's arts are unpredictable; be wary of anyone, otherwise, you will suffer endless disasters."

This was advice from the Northern Spirit Palace Master.

Seven days later, guards from the Imperial Palace finally came to notify Chu Hao of his summons to the Imperial Palace.

Following the guards, he entered the Imperial Palace, where the other ten people also gathered.

Shang Yingdie, Qi Tian, Gu Yan, Gu Mu, Yan Zhongtian, Wang Shuyu, Unfeeling Woman, Lin, Tai Yisheng.

All nine of them were present.

Qi Tian and Gu Yan didn't even glance at Chu Hao, ever since Chu Hao's failure at the Emperor's Gate, they didn't think he was capable of standing alongside them.

Chu Hao saw the Unfeeling Woman; she was the same as ever, using Yi Qinglian's body. With advanced Fiery Eyes and Golden Pupils, he could tell Yi Qinglian was still asleep.

Chu Hao said, "Why are you here?"

The Unfeeling Woman stuck out her chest and said with interest, "Why wouldn't I come?"

Can you imagine such a beautiful woman, a big star outside, referring to herself like that?

Unpleased, Chu Hao said, "Yi Qinglian better be okay, or I'll make you suffer."

The Unfeeling Woman retorted, "Come on! I'm not afraid of you. I'm telling you, you better hurry, or your little woman won't make it."

Chu Hao really wanted to slap her to death.

The Unfeeling Woman's power increased too quickly; this wasn't a good sign.

Emperor Shun arrived and said, "Let's go."

Everyone followed, proceeding to the depths of the Imperial Palace.

There was a mountain entrance there, and upon entering, they realized it led to an abyss without a bottom.

Emperor Shun said, "This is Mustard Seed Mountain. The most powerful studies of past generations are buried in the lower reaches."

Emperor Shun continued, "Those with fate can receive the inheritances of the ancestors from here. It all depends on your luck."

Emperor Shun leaped and actually floated above the abyss. Saintess Lin from the Tao Clan seemed to realize something and also walked out, floating similarly.

It turned out, this abyss contained a strange power, creating a zero-gravity state.

Emperor Shun took the ten, flying downwards together. This abyss was so deep, almost unable to see the end.

The hole above grew smaller and eventually disappeared from view.

In the next moment, everyone was in complete darkness, unable to see even their own hands.

Emperor Shun's voice came through, "This is the interior of Mustard Seed Mountain. To preserve what's here, the ancestors used a powerful secret technique to reverse Yin and Yang, slowing down time. A day here is a month outside, so! You have only five days to search for the things buried by the ancestors."

Everyone was amazed.

What a powerful secret technique could alter time like this?

A day here, a month outside—the difference was immense. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

However, as Emperor Shun said, with time passing too long, the items buried here might not all remain.

Inside Mustard Seed Mountain was too dark; even Chu Hao's night vision was useless, seeing only endless darkness.

Suddenly, a battle was happening ahead, between Qi Tian and Yan Zhongtian—they both discovered something and were vying for it.

But the fight soon ended; neither wanted to waste time on each other given the time constraints.

Chu Hao floated forward, seeing faint glimmers of light. Flying upward, he saw a set of broken armor, with inscriptions emitting glow.

Chu Hao reached out to touch it.

"Ding... Fifth-level broken armor with Inscription, can be collected."

Chu Hao was overjoyed; such a fifth-level broken Inscription was a rare find. He immediately pocketed it and continued flying forward.