I Only Stomp on Weaklings

Chen Ming tactically raised his teacup and took a sip to conceal the shock in his heart.

Zhuang Xiaotian did not notice anything unusual about him and continued to lament, "Such an astonishingly talented individual disappeared without a trace. If he were alive today, he would probably be a Grandmaster-level supreme expert."

While refilling his teacup, Chen Ming casually asked, "What kind of sect is this Qinghe Sword Sect? Why have I never heard of it before?"

"It’s a sect in the neighboring Yu State, excommunicated over twenty years ago. It’s quite normal that you haven’t heard of it."

The Great Jin is vast, with a total of nineteen states. Each state is immense in size, and for ordinary people, they usually only pay attention to renowned figures and major forces within their own state.

For influence to extend across states, it would have to be the most top-tier forces and experts. Like the Celestial Dao Alliance, such a super sect.

Chen Ming said, "Since it’s a sect, there must be many experts, right? How could it be exterminated?"

"As they say, there’s always someone stronger. Even an expert could fall when provoked by a supreme fighter. Even a First Grade expert might meet their death when confronted by a supreme power."

Zhuang Xiaotian often lingered in the archives of the Six Gates, reading many similar large cases. He had a clearer understanding of the high-level combat capabilities in this world.

"The founding ancestor of the Qinghe Sword Sect was a supreme expert, reportedly at the Divine Treasure Fifth Layer. His swordsmanship was extraordinarily mysterious. After his death, he left behind a ’Sword Manual.’ Over the next two hundred years, none of this sect’s disciples managed to master the sword techniques in the ’Sword Manual.’ With each generation, the skill declined, and in the last hundred years, there hasn’t even been a disciple above First Grade."

His mouth feeling dry after speaking so much, he took another sip of tea before continuing, "From the records, it’s likely those perpetrators were targeting the ’Sword Manual.’ After the incident, the Qinghe Sword Sect was burned to the ground, leaving only a field of charred corpses."

Hearing this, Chen Ming was almost certain that Huo Chengkun was a disciple of the Qinghe Sword Sect.

He just didn’t know the relationship between Huo Chengkun and Shang Jianfei. Were they senior brothers, or of a different generation?

Unexpectedly, Elder Shang, this formidable figure, had such a connection to him.

He wasn’t sure whether to call him Uncle Master or Great Uncle Master?

Suddenly, Zhuang Xiaotian asked, "Where did you hear the name Shang Jianfei? Why are you suddenly asking about him?"

Chen Ming had already thought of an explanation, "Before Brother Zhou left, he mentioned that my situation was quite similar to that of Elder Shang. I suddenly remembered it yesterday and happened to be passing by your place, so I thought to ask you to check it out."

"So that’s how it is. You indeed share some similarities. I think he was trying to encourage you to venture out more, find a way to join a sect. With your aptitude, there’s a chance you might succeed."

Chen Ming thought to himself, it’s not that easy, is it?

According to Zhou Weihao, Shang Jianfei was able to join the Qinghe Sword Sect thanks to Miss Jiang’s recommendation.

Although he had Miss Zhao by his side, the cultivation technique he practiced was quite unique. If it didn’t align with the sect’s techniques, they might not accept him.

Of course, if a decent sect was willing to take him in, he wouldn’t refuse. Having an additional support is always advantageous.

Chen Ming changed the topic, "The streets have been under lockdown these days, and I heard the city gates are sealed. There have already been two searches of my house. Could those prison break perpetrators still be hiding in the city?"

These days, whenever he went out to spar with others, he was stopped and investigated by people from the Six Gates more than ten times on the way.

Zhuang Xiaotian gave a wry smile, "It’s likely. I’m just hoping that during the search, I don’t encounter that gang of thieves."

With his strength, if he did encounter them, any scuffle would lead to certain death. No amount of merit would be worth it without one’s life to enjoy it.

...

After sending Zhuang Xiaotian off, Chen Ming returned to his room and instructed Chunxiang and Xiaxiang to guard the door, making sure no one entered.

Then, he sat cross-legged on the bed, opened the panel, and immediately maxed out the proficiency of ’Three Yang Body Refining Skill.’

[Level: 39]

[Current Points: 211]

[Cultivation Technique: ’Iron Horse Stance’ (Fifth Level Perfection), ’Three Yang Body Refining Skill’ (Ninth Layer Perfection)]

[Martial Skill: ’Three Talents Fist’ (Great Accomplishment), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Great Accomplishment), Zhuang’s Flying Knife (Great Accomplishment), Swallow Returning Sword Technique (Great Accomplishment)]

"Still level 39!"

Seeing the level unchanged, Chen Ming thought, "It seems that only by comprehending the ’Six Yang Qi Cultivation Skill’ can I advance to Sixth Grade."

After maxing out the proficiency, he felt his whole body filled with Qi and blood to the point of overflowing.

He took out the secret manual that Old Liu had left him and began to comprehend it.

For over two months, he had been pondering this cultivation technique daily, but something crucial was still missing, and he had yet to grasp its essence.

The fact that this cultivation technique didn’t appear on the panel was clear evidence of that.

Chen Ming wasn’t anxious; he believed that reaching the Ninth Layer Perfection of ’Three Yang Body Refining Skill’ was likely necessary to comprehend this technique.

He carefully studied the methods illustrated in the secret manual, gradually reaching a state where he forgot both himself and his surroundings.

...

Chen Ming’s closed-door cultivation lasted for half a month.

During this time, he didn’t step out of his room once. Even the students’ lessons were suspended, and he didn’t receive any visitors.

Friends like Zhuang Xiaotian and Zhang Mingyu, who had a relatively good relationship with him, were also turned away by Chunxiang and Xiaxiang.

During this period, Zhao Xiyan visited once but did not see Chen Ming either.

This unusual behavior naturally aroused some speculation.

Within the Chen Mansion, Madame Wei strictly commanded that no one should make any noise to avoid disturbing Erlang, even though the possibility was small.

The servants in the house were very cautious, avoiding Chen Ming’s courtyard and not daring to speak loudly.

Madame Wei was dying of curiosity but dared not ask her husband, as if afraid that asking would bring misfortune.

She even dispatched the brothers Wu Bofu and Liu Zhongda to guard outside Chen Ming’s little courtyard, preventing anyone from disturbing him.

Chen Rui was also somewhat uneasy, returning home early every day, staying in his study with a book in hand, but unable to concentrate, glancing occasionally towards his brother’s courtyard.

The oppressive atmosphere at home was even perceived by the two little ones.

Although they didn’t know what had happened, after being scolded a few times, they became very cautious, fearing to anger their parents.

Even during meals, they spoke in soft tones.

"Brother, what’s wrong with Mom and Dad?"

Four-year-old Chen Lirong could already sit at the table by herself and saw her parents looking lost, staring with big round eyes at her brother Chen Lide.

Seven or eight-year-old Chen Lide glared at her with a stern face, "It’s adult stuff, kids shouldn’t interfere."

"Where’s Uncle?"

"I don’t know."

"Has he been captured by bad people again?" Chen Lirong became worried. She had previously heard the maid mention her childhood, saying that when she was very young, her uncle had been captured by bad people. This event was etched in her young heart, leading to this natural association.

"Relax, no bad people can capture your uncle now."

Suddenly, Chen Ming’s cheerful voice came from outside.

Chen Lirong heard the voice, stood up joyfully, "Uncle!"

Chen Ming picked up his little niece and spun her around, then looked at his equally excited and expectant brother and sister-in-law, saying, "These past days, I made you worry. I’m fine."

Chen Rui breathed a sigh of relief, repeatedly saying, "It’s good that you’re fine, it’s good that you’re fine."

"Erlang, you—"

Madame Wei wanted to ask clearly but was pulled back by her husband to keep quiet.

Chen Ming pretended not to notice and said with a smile, "I was just in closed-door training, no need to make such a big fuss."

Chen Rui said earnestly, "Your affairs are the top priority for the family."

Speaking, he paused and asked, "Was everything smooth?"

Chen Ming replied, "Quite smooth."

Hearing this, Chen Rui was relieved and said, "Let’s eat."

Chen Ming rubbed his niece’s face and asked her, "Haven’t seen each other for so long, did you miss Uncle?"

"I did." The little girl said in her sweet voice, her cheeks being squished and pinched without getting angry, instead wrapping her chubby little hands around his neck.

Chen Ming laughed heartily.

Some kids naturally know how to please people. This little niece is much more endearing than her little grown-up-like brother.

...

After the meal, Chen Rui pulled his wife back to the room, reminding, "Seeing Erlang’s expression, I fear he didn’t succeed, and he’s certainly not comfortable in his heart, so don’t ask him."

"Understood."

...

On the other side, Chen Ming returned to his courtyard and opened the panel.

[Level: 40]

[Current Points: 0]

[Cultivation Techniques: "Iron Horse Stance" (Fifth Level Perfection), "Three Yang Body Refining Skill" (Ninth Layer Perfection), "Six Yang Qi Cultivation Skill" (First Level 211/100000)]

[Martial Skills: "Three Talents Fist" (Advanced), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Advanced), Zhuang’s Flying Knife (Advanced), Swallow Returning Sword Technique (Advanced)]

He had successfully broken through to the Sixth Grade True Qi Realm, generating a strand of True Qi within his body. He had entered an entirely new realm.

However, he didn’t want to stand out too much, so he didn’t tell his elder brother and sister-in-law.

In such sensitive times, it’s wise to keep a low profile.

Therefore, even though he knew that his brother and sister-in-law misunderstood, he didn’t explain.

With their personalities, if they knew, they would certainly want to worship their ancestors and make offerings at the temple, making it known to the world.

PS: Third update, requesting monthly tickets.