C12 I Am a Cultivator!

Nine disciples from Crimson Dawn had arrived, each one a skilled fighter. They had never been bested before, so backing down was out of the question.

But they soon recognized their own naivety.

Chen Hao didn't just rely on brute strength; he employed a variety of techniques and skills.

After all, martial arts is essentially about patterns and routines.

It's about countering moves with quick reflexes and speed.

Speaking of speed, Chen Hao was certain that no one could match him. As for reaction time, the Crimson Dawn members were clearly outclassed.

They might have been trained in the Hundred Fist Technique, knowing more moves than him, but Chen Hao had over a decade of martial arts experience.

And he didn't just practice against wooden dummies in a training room; every fight was entered with a do-or-die attitude.

These 'greenhouse flowers' from Crimson Dawn didn't stand a chance in his eyes.

In less than three minutes, with Chen Hao intentionally holding back, eight out of nine were down.

The last, a burly man, was pale and still managed to say through clenched teeth, "Impossible, you're so young, how could you…"

Chen Hao's techniques were simple, mostly basics he'd learned early on. Yet his combat experience was astounding.

Not even the most seasoned master at Crimson Dawn could match the skills of this twenty-something.

How on earth did he train? It seemed impossible he could be this skilled from birth.

Chen Hao, twisting his wrist with a smile, said, "Alright, warm-up's done. So... are you sure you're not going to run?"

Run? Nine against one? That would be a laughingstock!

But the strong man knew better; another round would just mean more humiliation at the hands of Chen Hao.

"Fine!" he said, his face hardening as he spoke through gritted teeth, "Kid, you've got nerve. Leave your name, and one day, Crimson Dawn will send you a 'thank you' you won't forget."

"Oh, I'm known as Mr. Ma in the martial arts world. I'll be waiting for your grand gesture."

"Fine, you'll see!" the muscular man said as he led his group in a hasty retreat.

Before long, they had vanished without a trace.

Having dealt with the Crimson Dawn group, Qing Xu and his companions breathed a sigh of relief. Qing Xu even stepped forward to commend Chen Hao, "Brother Chen Hao, your skills are remarkable. It's hard to believe you're only in your early twenties. I'm about the same age, yet I don't possess even half your talent."

"You're too humble, Qing Xu." After a moment's thought, Chen Hao produced the Aetherfruit and offered, "Sage Qing Xu, you were the first to find this Aetherfruit. Please, take it."

Qing Xu repeatedly declined, "No, no, no. Without Brother Chen Hao, this Aetherfruit would never have come my way. With your exceptional talents, you need this Aetherfruit far more than I do. It would be a waste in my hands. You should keep it."

"In that case, I'll accept it without further ado." Chen Hao breathed a sigh of relief, glad to have sidestepped any potential altercations.

Chen Hao had no intention of broadcasting his acquisition of the Aetherfruit, but once they descended the mountain, they found themselves under the watchful eyes of many.

"The Crimson Dawn must have spread the word by now. Brother Chen Hao, I suggest we make an early departure."

It was already between eight and nine in the evening, but Qing Xu and the others, having rented a vehicle, were not inclined to linger.

Chen Hao unhesitatingly boarded the bus Qing Xu had rented, heading towards the heart of Irethhone.

"I can't thank you enough for the lift, Sage Qing Xu." The Cold Hawks' headquarters was not in Irethhone; they had made the special trip into the city just for Chen Hao.

Qing Xu dismissed the thanks with a wave of his hand, "Brother Chen Hao, you're too kind. A young prodigy like yourself is exactly the kind of person worth befriending. Who knows, the Cold Hawks might find ourselves in need of your help one day."

"Heh, rest assured, Qing Xu. Whenever you need me, just give the word."

"Should we exchange contact information then?"

While speaking, Qing Xu pulled out a smartphone, the latest iPhone model.

"Do you use WhatsApp?" Qing Xu inquired.

"Uh, yeah." Chen Hao rarely used social media apps, so he wasn't quite adept at it.

Chen Hao took the phone, quickly added himself as a friend, and was promptly added to a chat group.

"This is an exclusive group for members of the Celestial Order. We frequently share updates that could be beneficial to you, Brother Chen Hao."

"Then I'm much obliged to you, Sage Qing Xu..."

By the time Chen Hao got home, it was already midnight.

He didn't rush to assimilate the Aetherfruit. Instead, after a shower, he grabbed his phone to unwind for a bit.

Out of curiosity, he tapped into the chat group and his expression immediately turned quizzical.