I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 162 Murderous Intention

Chen Ming was quite happy to see Huo Qianqian again. Once a person achieves success, they want to see their old friends.

However, he first went to greet Xiao Zhuyun, "Miss Xiao, it's been years since we last met, you still look as charming as ever."

Xiao Zhuyun remained composed. She rose, curtsied, and said, "I only entered the city yesterday. I heard that Brother Chen shone brightly at the First Pavilion Under Heaven, defeating all his peers and ranking on the Azure Cloud List. I came here specifically to offer my congratulations."

"Miss Xiao is very kind."

Chen Ming then looked at Huo Qianqian, who was sitting at the very end, and said, "Junior Sister Huo, how have you been?"

Previously, he couldn't call her "Junior Sister" in front of the Xiaoshui Sect disciples, lest they have bad ideas. Now it's different; he doesn't need to worry about such things anymore.

Upon hearing the word "Junior Sister," Huo Qianqian's eyes instantly welled up with tears, and she bowed.

She knew better than anyone that her grandfather had never taken him as a disciple, nor had he ever taught him any martial arts. The reason he was willing to call her "Junior Sister" was out of consideration for their past friendship.

She recalled those pleasant autumn mornings in the courtyard filled with the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms, and the resentment and determination she felt when she was repeatedly defeated by Chen Mingjian, the feeling of wanting to win back her lost spree.

It was only a few years ago, but it felt like a very long time ago to her.

Those present were somewhat surprised to hear Chen Ming call Huo Qianqian "Junior Sister." They hadn't expected that Junior Sister Huo (or Senior Sister) and this Young Master Chen had such a connection.

Everyone sat down again, and Huo Qianqian was pulled to sit next to Chen Ming.

He asked, "Where did you come from, all travel-worn? You didn't even make it to the Qingyun Ranking competition."

Xiao Zhuyun said, "This is a long story. We came from Yujie County, but we encountered some trouble on the way, which delayed us and caused us to miss the Qingyun Ranking competition."

Chen Ming asked with concern, "Is anyone hurt?"

"It's just that one of my martial uncles was slightly injured, but it's nothing serious."

"That's good."

……

About an incense stick later, a servant came in and whispered a few words in Chen Ming's ear.

Taking the opportunity, Xiao Zhuyun said, "We should also say goodbye."

Chen Ming did not try to stop them, and saw them to the door.

After seeing the person off, he was about to return to his own courtyard when he saw Huo Qianqian returning alone. "There's something I feel I need to tell you."

"Well, you said."

"I ran into Deng Ziyang in Yujie County. He has become a member of the Demonic Sect. If you encounter him in the future, you'd better be careful."

Chen Ming thought to himself, "I know about this, but can you tell me something I don't know?"
"Is this really true?" I still have to put on an act.

Huo Qianqian continued, "He also caused a scene at Second Senior Sister's wedding, kidnapped her, and injured Uncle Wang. He's not the same person he used to be, so you'd better be careful."

Chen Ming said sincerely, "I understand, thank you for telling me this."

We finally know what happened next.

Deng Ziyang did not disappoint him; he successfully snatched the bride.

It seems that the "Blood Demon Scripture" is indeed a kind of demonic skill that can be mastered quickly. It hasn't been long, and Deng Ziyang has already managed to injure Uncle Wang from the Xiaoshui Sect.

That's a proper fourth-rank official.

After Huo Qianqian finished speaking, she left.

As she stepped out of the gate, she saw several fellow disciples waiting for her.

She walked over quickly and said apologetically, "I'm sorry."

Lu Minci had already seen through everything and asked her, "Did you find the thing?"

"Found it." Huo Qianqian opened her hand, showing a jade pendant in her palm.

The junior sister surnamed Sun pouted and said, "It's not like it's anything valuable. It's fine if you lose it, but why make us wait here in this blazing sun?"

"Shut up."

Xiao Zhuyun interrupted her, her stern gaze sweeping over her. "What is the seventh rule of our sect? Do you remember it?"

Junior Sister Sun was somewhat afraid of her, but she was unwilling to bow her head and remained silent with her lips pursed.

Xiao Zhuyun's face grew even colder. "After you go back, copy the sect rules ten times. Submit them to me today."

Junior Sister Sun, unconvinced, stuck out her neck and demanded, "Why should I?"

"Twenty times!"

Junior Sister Sun wanted to say more, but a senior sister next to her tugged at her sleeve, and she finally dared not argue back. She lowered her head, looking aggrieved.

"Walk."

Xiao Zhuyun stopped arguing and led her junior sisters back.

……

yard.

Chen Ming saw Su Zhining, dressed in white, sitting on a stone bench. Sunlight filtered through the leaves of the big tree in the courtyard, casting dappled shadows on her.

He said with a look of surprise, "Miss Su, you're alright now?"

Just now, a servant from the Feng family came to inform him that a woman in white had suddenly appeared in his courtyard. He immediately guessed it was Su Zhining, and when he came over, it was indeed her.

Last night he looked like he was about to die from a qi deviation. Now he's lively and energetic. The Heavenly Dao Alliance's techniques are truly amazing.

Su Zhining looked directly into his eyes and said in a complicated tone, "Last night, it really was you..."

Didn't Peony Girl tell her?
Chen Ming found it a bit strange. Did she not return to her room after that?

As he was thinking, suddenly the hairs on his body stood on end, and he sensed a great danger. The source of the danger was none other than Su Zhining.

He was taken aback; he could clearly see a palpable killing intent in her eyes.

"She wants to kill me?"

"why?"

Chen Ming never imagined that after saving her, she would try to kill him. What an ingratitude!
Just as he was about to activate the sword intent within the "Sword Jade," the sense of crisis suddenly vanished. Looking at Su Zhining again, the killing intent in her eyes had also disappeared.

"Miss Su, you—"

Before he could finish speaking, Su Zhining, who was sitting in front of him, had vanished into thin air.

"..."

That's so strange.

With such unstable emotions, could it be that my period has started?

By the way, do you still have your period after reaching the fourth rank of cultivation?
……

Su Zhining did not appear again in the following days.

Chen Ming tried to summon it, but received no response, and wondered if it had left.

These days, he hasn't left his house, spending his days either reading or trying to comprehend that sword intent.

Ever since he used the power of that sword intent to shatter her inner demons in Su Zhining's dream, he felt he was about to grasp its essence.

Just a little bit different!

But even this small gap feels like an insurmountable chasm, impossible to cross.

Chen Ming knew in his heart that what he lacked was cultivation level. If he were currently at the third rank, he could comprehend sword intent at any time.

He silently recited the command and opened the panel.

【Level: 55】

Current points: 698000

[Techniques: Iron Horse Stake (Fifth Level Perfection), Two Elements True Skill (Fifth Level 870000/1500000)]

[Martial Arts Skills: Three Talents Fist (Mastery), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Mastery), Zhuang Family Flying Knife (Mastery), Swallow Return Sword Technique (Mastery), Vermilion Bird Sword Technique (Mastery), Phoenix Dance in the Nine Heavens (First Level 15463/100000)]

[Secret Technique: The Art of Disguise (Mastery)]

He now adds 2,000 points to the "Two Elements True Skill" every day to prove that he is not slacking off and his skill is constantly increasing. He uses this to confuse Su Zhining and buy time.

Originally, he wanted to comprehend sword intent and then challenge fourth-rank opponents to quickly gain experience points.

It now seems that this path is most likely not feasible.

He thought to himself, "I need to find someone to help me."

So he had a carriage prepared and got ready to go out.

……

An hour later, Chen Ming arrived at Changqing Hall to find Doctor Sun, an old doctor who was over ninety years old but still in good health.

Upon arriving at the door, they found Ji Qianxing standing inside.

He said in surprise, "Brother Ji, what a coincidence!"

Ji Qianxing remained indifferent and silent, simply blocking the way.

This person has always been like this, and Chen Ming is used to it, so he just stands outside and waits.

Ji Qianxing guarding the outer gate means that Yu Haitang is inside.

After a while, a woman wearing a veiled hat and a white veil covering her face came out. Judging from her graceful figure and gait, it was Yu Haitang.

As Yu Haitang passed by him, she paused slightly, turned her head, seemed to glance at him, but said nothing, left without even saying hello.

Chen Ming watched her leave, then went into Changqing Hall and met Doctor Sun who came out from the inner room.

He said respectfully, "Old Master Sun."

"You've arrived." Dr. Sun seemed quite pleased to see him.

Chen Ming asked, "Who were those two people just now?"

Dr. Sun said, "She's a very troublesome woman; you'd better not provoke her."

"Is she here to cause you trouble? Do you need my help?"

Dr. Sun laughed and said, "I'm already this old, what can she do to me? There's no need to pay attention to her. You came to see me today because you have some difficulties?"

"Yes."

Seeing that he was unwilling to talk anymore, Chen Ming could only ask all the questions that had accumulated over the past few days.

Dr. Sun answered all the questions one by one. He explained in great detail, drawing out a whole host of theories from a single question, and it took him more than an hour to finish.

"Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Sun."

Chen Ming was satisfied and about to leave when he suddenly remembered something and decided to ask him, "Old Sun, have you heard of the Spirit Rhinoceros Jade?"

"The Spirit Rhinoceros Jade..."

Doctor Sun's expression turned somewhat strange, as if he were reminiscing about the past, and he asked, "Why do you ask this?"

Chen Ming's heart skipped a beat. Judging from his appearance, could he have also possessed something like the Spirit Rhinoceros Jade?

He asked, "Suppose that someone develops a demonic impulse because of another person, and is about to go mad from it. Then that person uses the power of the Spirit Jade's 'Shared Dreams' ability to enter that person's dream and help them eliminate the demonic impulse. Is it possible that the person's personality would drastically change after waking up?"

Doctor Sun stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, and slowly said, "Generally, only those who cultivate extremely special techniques, focusing on the cultivation of the mind, will develop inner demons. To think of using the Spirit Jade to help others overcome inner demons is truly ingenious. However, I have never encountered such a peculiar thing before. I cannot make a judgment."

"Oh."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ming prepared to take his leave.

"However," Doctor Sun added, "inner demons originate from within oneself. If one tries to overcome them with the help of outsiders, I fear..."

"I'm afraid what will happen?"

"I fear that those who help him will become his new inner demons."

(End of this chapter)