I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 161 Secret
After listening to Yu Haitang's words, Chen Ming remained silent for a long time before asking a crucial question, "Why did you tell me all this, young lady?"

That day, he and Su Zhining broke into the Zhenhai Prince's Mansion. Shang Jianfei and Su Zhining's master each gave him something and had Su Zhining stay by his side ostensibly for protection, but actually to monitor him. After that, he guessed that the "Blazing Sun Divine Skill" he was cultivating was of great importance.

He gained such great benefits, and the only price he needed to pay was to help Shang Jianfei after breaking through to the fourth rank.

He knew there was a big problem here, so after the "Qingyun Ranking" competition, he had actually accumulated enough experience points to upgrade the "Two Elements True Skill" to the sixth level, thus breaking through to the fourth rank.

However, knowing that what Shang Jianfei asked him to do was definitely dangerous, he naturally had to take a step back.

Now, after hearing what Yu Haitang said, and with both sides confirming it, he felt that what she said was highly true.

Even if she concealed some crucial information, the matter concerning the death of the King of Zhenhai and the "Mysterious Fire True Skill" should be true.

Chen Ming was puzzled as to why she would tell him such a big secret.

What is her purpose?
Looking at his cautious and fearful expression, Yu Haitang seemed to find it amusing and laughed, "Do you think I'm plotting to steal the tomb of the Immortal Emperor?"

He countered, "Isn't that right?"

"I have that much self-awareness. Every time the dubious tomb of the Longevity Emperor appears, it attracts countless experts at the Divine Treasure Realm to compete for it, and even those old monsters who haven't appeared for hundreds of years. Those below the Divine Treasure Realm have no right to compete at all."

Chen Ming really wanted to ask her, "It can't be that you've taken a liking to me, right?" But thinking about how ruthless this woman was, and how she could break the legs of her personal maid who had served her since childhood, he only kept the thought to himself.

Seeing his suspicious look, Yu Haitang said, "My purpose is very simple: to muddy the waters."

By this time, the tea had gone cold, and two maids came over to replace it for the two of them.

After the maid left, she continued, "You should have inquired about my identity by now, right?"

Immediately, she saw the answer on the man's face and said quietly, "You can't even imagine the power of the Yu family. Even when my aunt took me to hide in Jiangzhou, the Yu family didn't let us go. When I was fifteen, Pan Zhiyuan had just been transferred to Jiangzhou when he passed on a message to my aunt, telling me not to break through to the third rank. He said it was the Yu family's will."

"..."

Chen Ming knew that Pan Zhiyuan was the name of the First-Rank Commander of the Six Doors in Jiangzhou.

The fact that a top-ranking expert and a high-ranking official of a prefecture personally delivered a message demonstrates just how terrifying the Yu family's influence is.

As Yu Haitang said this, a hint of ferocity flashed in her eyes, "If this old bastard dares to threaten me, I'll turn the world upside down and make sure he dies without a burial place."

Seeing her murderous aura, Chen Ming couldn't help but admire her.

An ordinary person threatened by such a powerful figure would likely be terrified. But she was not only unafraid, she was also focused on how to retaliate.

That's pretty bold.

Moreover, if what she said is true, it is indeed possible that she could cause a major upheaval in Jiangzhou. At that time, all the top experts would come out together, and Pan Zhiyuan, a mere first-rank expert, would simply not be able to control the situation.

If you try to control it, it could very well kill you on the spot.

Regardless, if the imperial court comes to punish us later, we will still not have a good ending.

Chen Ming suddenly said, "There's something I don't understand."

When she looked over, she asked, "That's just a fake tomb, why are those top experts fighting over it?"

Upon hearing this question, Yu Haitang looked him up and down, seemingly puzzled. "Didn't your master tell you about these things?"

Master, I need to have this thing.

Chen Ming felt quite helpless. It seemed that many people now assumed that he had a mysterious master behind him, which was why his cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds.

The difference is that everyone's imagined master might vary slightly.

He shook his head and said, "No."

Of course, such speculation is a good thing for him, and he would not be foolish enough to deny it.

If everyone believed he had a powerful master behind him, they would be more cautious towards him and wouldn't easily kill him.

Yu Haitang said, "The Longevity Emperor spent his entire life exploring the path to immortality. It is said that before he disappeared, he discovered a total of nine methods of immortality. However, these nine methods of immortality had huge hidden dangers, so he sealed them away one by one."

As she said this, she glanced at Chen Ming sitting opposite her and nodded, "That's right, the place where these nine methods of immortality are sealed is the legendary 'Dummy Tomb.' People are ignorant and think that it is the mausoleum built by the Emperor of Immortality, but in fact, it is the place of sealing."

"So that's it."

Chen Ming gasped, finally understanding the true value of the Longevity Emperor's Suspicious Tomb; it turned out that the secret to immortality was sealed inside.

No wonder those top experts risked their lives to snatch it.

Even with the greatest hidden dangers, the temptation of immortality is enough to drive those old monsters whose lifespans are nearing their end crazy.

This is really troublesome.

His "Mysterious Fire True Skill" seems to be a crucial element. Whether he likes it or not, he will be drawn into this vortex.

Chen Ming had a headache.

After a while, he remembered something else and asked, "Now that five suspected tombs have been discovered, who has obtained what's inside?"

Yu Haitang shook her head and said, "I don't know who got it back then. But I do know where these methods of immortality are."

"where?"

"To the Demon Lords of the Longevity Sect."

"what?"

This answer was completely unexpected. Chen Ming was momentarily stunned.

It's actually the Longevity Cult?

Yu Haitang seemed to enjoy seeing his shocked expression, her eyes crinkling with laughter. "Otherwise, where do you think the name 'Chang Sheng Sect' came from? It was founded by the person who obtained the method of immortality from the first suspected tomb opened by the Chang Sheng Emperor. Their purpose was to perfect that method of immortality."

"After that, whenever a dungeon is opened, it will attract countless powerful people to fight for it. Without exception, those who obtain the method of immortality will join the Immortal Cult. The Immortal Cult will also have one more Demon Lord."

"For thousands of years, the demon lords of the Longevity Sect have either been suppressed or killed. Yet they have never truly died, and a new demon lord will emerge every few hundred years. It is precisely because of this that those immortal beings value the Suspicious Tomb so much. As soon as it appears, they will fight for it in order to achieve immortality."

Good guy.

So it turns out the reason the Longevity Cult is universally hated is because they possess the secret to immortality, and others want to take it from them. Therefore, they are labeled a demonic cult and universally condemned.

Of course, the Longevity Cult itself is not clean either, with sects like the Blood Demon Sect within it, so it's not entirely unjust that it was labeled as a cult.

It is evident that some of the methods of achieving immortality in the Longevity Cult are extremely evil.

Judging from the Blood Demon Sect's cultivation methods, it's clearly a path to immortality through cannibalism; the other methods are probably no better. No wonder the Longevity Emperor sealed these methods away back then.

It was truly worthwhile to come here today and learn so many secrets.

Chen Ming looked at the stunningly beautiful woman before him and asked, "Thank you for telling me all this, young lady. What would you like me to do?"

Yu Haitang picked up her teacup, took a sip, and smiled. "I don't need you to do anything for me. Just let me know before you break through to the fourth rank." "That's all?"

"this one."

"it is good."

Chen Ming readily agreed, saying sincerely, "I will definitely inform you in advance."

Yu Haitang put down her teacup and said, "The tea has gone cold."

Chen Ming picked up his teacup, drank it all in one gulp, and then got up to take his leave.

……

After Chen Ming left, Yu Haitang remained seated in the courtyard, seemingly waiting for someone.

After a moment, a woman wearing a veiled hat gracefully walked over and stood beside her. "Aren't you afraid he'll sell you out if you tell him these things?"

Yu Haitang smiled and said, "He wouldn't."

Why are you so certain?

“He’s different from you; he’s a good person.”

The woman wearing a veil paused for a moment, "A good person?"

This reason is utterly absurd.

Yu Haitang said softly, "In this world, there are few good people like him who are kind-hearted, compassionate, and willing to repay even the smallest kindness with boundless gratitude. I also want to see if a good person like him can continue to be a good person when he is trapped in a deadly situation..."

……

When Chen Ming returned to the Feng residence, Feng Siyuan was already home, drinking lotus seed soup. Seeing him, she winked and said, "The steward said you came back last night. Were you worried Miss Zhao would be unhappy?"

He didn't want to continue the conversation, so he asked, "Where are Brother Zhou and Brother Gu?"

“They went back long ago. They are different from me; their families have high hopes for them. This time they came with their elders; they wouldn’t dare spend the night in a brothel.”

Chen Ming then asked, "When do you plan to go back?"

Feng Siyuan picked at his ear. "Didn't I tell you? I'm not going back this time. My father wants me to manage things in Jiangzhou City. And also to get the marriage done."

"marry?"

"Someone like me naturally got engaged a long time ago. The wedding date was set last year, and it's in six months. You must come and have a drink at the wedding."

"Of course."

After finishing his lotus seed soup, Feng Siyuan yawned, stood up, patted Chen's shoulder, and said with a mischievous grin, "Brother Chen, the news that you spent the night at Guose Garden last night has probably spread throughout Jiangzhou City. Such a romantic affair can't be hidden. You'd better think about how to apologize to Miss Zhao. I need to go back and get some sleep, so I won't keep you company any longer."

After speaking, he ran away.

Chen Ming didn't care about this and was about to go back to his courtyard to read a book when he saw the steward coming over. "Young Master Chen, several guests arrived early and have been waiting in the front hall."

"who?"

"The woman in the lead is surnamed Xiao, and she says she is a disciple of the Xiaoshui Sect."

The Xiaoshui School, indeed, are old acquaintances.

He smiled and said, "They are indeed old acquaintances. Please invite them in."

……

In the front hall of the Feng residence, several young and beautiful female disciples were sitting.

The tea has been changed several times already.

One of the female disciples grew impatient. "Why is it taking so long? They're putting on airs! Senior Sister Huo, aren't you and Chen Ming old acquaintances?"

This young female disciple was a newcomer. Her surname was Sun, and her family had some connections. She had developed an arrogant and domineering personality since childhood, and she had not changed it after joining the sect.

Before Huo Qianqian could speak, Lu Minci, who was usually on good terms with her, said, "Junior Sister Sun, please be patient. Young Master Chen is now on the Qingyun Ranking, how can he be compared to before? Let's wait patiently."

The disciple surnamed Sun muttered something and then fell silent.

Lu Minci raised an eyebrow, thinking, "She really doesn't understand any manners at all." She couldn't help but glance at her senior sister sitting at the head of the table, noticing that she still seemed distracted.

Normally, at times like this, the senior sister would have already reprimanded this unruly junior sister, but today was quite unusual.

Lu Minci couldn't help but sigh inwardly. In fact, her senior sister had been like this ever since she entered Jiangzhou City.

As for the reasons behind it, she knew perfectly well.

She went to Qingfeng City with her senior sister and witnessed firsthand the interactions between her senior sister and Chen Ming.

The eldest sister initially thought highly of Chen Ming; he came from an ordinary background, possessed exceptional talent, and had a good reputation. The problem was, Governor Zhao's daughter also had her eye on him.

Lu Minci was conflicted when she learned that her senior sister had given up on her. But there was nothing she could do; how could she compete with Zhao Xiyan?

However, who could have imagined that in just over a year, Chen Ming, who was only a minor celebrity in Qinghe City at the time, would now be ranked sixth on the Qingyun List and become famous throughout Jiangzhou City.

They traveled all the way from Yujie County, but encountered some unforeseen circumstances along the way, and were unable to make it to the Qingyun Ranking competition.

On the way, they heard bits and pieces of news, that Chen Ming's name had appeared in the competition for the Qingyun Ranking, and everyone assumed it was just someone with the same name.

However, as they drew closer to Jiangzhou City and heard more and more news, they realized that the Chen Ming who had displayed such great prowess in the Qingyun Ranking competition was the same Chen Ming they knew.

Yesterday, they finally arrived in Jiangzhou City and saw the latest Qingyun Ranking with their own eyes. Chen Ming's name was prominently displayed in sixth place.

Those who went to Qinghe City with him were extremely shocked.

Lu Minci didn't know what her senior sister was feeling at this moment, or whether she regretted choosing to give up that man.

All she knew was that when her master heard about this, he immediately sent them to visit Chen Ming. At that time, the eldest sister's face was pale and bloodless.

The eldest sister must be feeling extremely embarrassed right now, right?

Lu Minci glanced at Huo Qianqian beside her again and sighed in her heart.

Unbeknownst to others, she was closest to this junior sister, so how could she not guess what Junior Sister Huo was thinking?
However, Chen Ming has now soared to great heights, becoming someone they can only look up to but never reach. Even the most beautiful courtesan of Tianxiang Pavilion is infatuated with him...

"I'm sorry, Mr. Chen is late."

As a clear voice came from outside the door, Chen Ming's tall and slender figure appeared in the doorway, with a warm smile on his face, just as before.

(End of this chapter)