I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 223 You're so disappointing!

As soon as the "Phoenix Cry Sword" was drawn, a flash of golden sword light slashed and killed a figure drawn with ink.

This is purely the power of an unparalleled divine weapon.

If Chen Ming hadn't used the power of the golden flame within the sword, killing this guard would have been extremely difficult. Even a second-grade warrior without internal energy and sword intent wouldn't be easy to deal with.

You have killed a level 80 manor guard and gained 9 experience points.

"As expected, I can gain experience points."

He was overjoyed. It seemed that the "minor monsters" in this secret realm were similar to the demonic beasts in the previous Fire Element Secret Realm.

Although the experience points gained are only one-tenth of those of a true second-grade expert, it's better than nothing.

If it were a true second-rank cultivator, they wouldn't be so easy to kill.

Using the "Phoenix Dance in the Nine Heavens" movement technique, Chen Ming killed all five "minor monsters" in the blink of an eye, gaining forty-five experience points.

……

"what?"

On the other side, Luo Zhouwu was greatly surprised to see that another disciple, who had been seriously injured just moments before, had suddenly recovered fully and displayed astonishing strength, actually killing all five guards of the manor.

That kid was really good at hiding his true abilities!

"That's... an unparalleled divine weapon? Such terrifying fire elemental power, so extremely yang and strong, what kind of divine weapon is this?"

He could naturally tell that the boy was able to kill these guards who were close to the second rank with his third-rank cultivation by relying on the power of an unparalleled divine weapon.

He thought about it for a while, but still couldn't recall the origin of the peerless divine weapon in the other party's hand.

Under Luo Zhouwu's "Heavenly Heart" perception, he sensed that this boy was not practicing the "Nine Netherworld Great Law," but the way he used that peerless divine weapon seemed to be from the "Nine Netherworld Great Law," which made him even more puzzled.

"Strange, so strange."

To be able to unleash the power of a peerless divine weapon to this extent, this person's cultivation of the Nine Netherworld Technique must be extremely profound. Yet, this person's cultivation method is upright and righteous, a pure fire-attribute technique.

These thoughts flashed through Luo Zhouwu's mind, but he quickly dismissed them. At this moment, the battle between the three from the Nine Nether Sect had reached a fever pitch, and he had no time to pay attention to this person.

"Go to hell!"

Frustrated by his inability to break through, Qian Jiu suddenly roared, and the power of his steel sword expanded once more, actually suppressing the sword domains of Zhou You and Fang Yong.

"Not enough, make it stronger!"

He urged it on desperately, demanding even greater power from the "Demon Sword Within Reach" in his hand.

Instantly, his power reached its peak, as if he had touched another level, and he laughed wildly, "Haha, is this the power of the Divine Realm? You two old geezers, taste my sword."

With a single sword strike, the sword domain surrounding Zhou You and Fang Yong instantly dissipated.

There is no escape.

There is no way to avoid it.

The two men's expressions changed drastically. With a loud crash, Zhou You was sent flying, his jet-black longsword breaking in two.

His natal object was broken, causing him severe trauma and persistent vomiting of blood.

Fang Yong fared even worse; he only managed to turn to the side before half his shoulder and an arm were severed, blood gushing out continuously.

With a single sword strike, two first-rank soldiers were severely injured.

"It's now!"

Luo Zhouwu had been waiting for this moment, and he made his move decisively!

He merged with his sword, transforming into a streak of light, and slashed towards Qian Jiu.

The timing of this attack was impeccable. Had it been a moment later, with Zhou You and Fang Yong dead, he would have been the next victim of the demonic sword.

A moment earlier, and he would have taken this blow.

Chen Ming watched from below, cursing inwardly, "You old sly devil!"
However, this person's swordsmanship was somewhat different from that of Su Zhining.

……

Qian Jiu seemed to sense the danger, but those two sword strikes had greatly depleted his energy. He roared, and the steel sword in his hand flashed.

At that moment, the incandescent sword light arrived.

The sword light, which was originally aimed at Qian Jiu's head, deflected slightly at the last moment and struck his right arm, sending the arm and the demonic sword flying away.

"His-"

At the same time, Luo Zhouwu also appeared, half of his body covered in blood, having also had an arm severed.

Just now, the demonic sword acted on its own to protect its master, severing his right arm that was holding the sword before the sword light reached him.

This battle was extremely fierce, resulting in heavy losses for all four sides.

Chen Ming felt a chill run down his spine. The three powerful first-rank experts were either injured or crippled, with some having lost an arm or their natal artifacts broken, resulting in severe damage to their foundations.

As for Qian Jiu, who had lost the Demon Sword, he was instantly reduced to his original form. He had already fainted, collapsed on the ground, and was on the verge of death, his breath extremely weak.

Clearly, using strength far exceeding one's own limits will inevitably come at a price. Right now, he's the only one left unscathed.

As Chen Ming was thinking, applause suddenly broke out.

He jumped in fright and demanded, "Who?"

A cheerful voice came from inside the villa, "What a wonderful show!"

This voice sounds familiar.

Not only him, but even Zhou Yilan, who was leaning against the wall, changed her expression drastically and exclaimed, "Husband?"

A person who shouldn't be here.

A tall figure suddenly flew out and landed next to the demonic sword.

The man was dressed in a long purple robe, looking exceptionally dignified. He had his hands behind his back, and his eyes were like lightning. He looked very different from usual.

He looked at Zhou Yilan with a smile and a gentle voice, "My wife, thank you for giving me such a great credit. It has not been in vain that I have been so loving with you for the past ten years."

For some reason, Chen Ming felt a chill run down his spine when he heard these words.

"you--"

Zhou Yilan looked at her husband, who now seemed so unfamiliar. In the past, if she were injured, he would be the first to rush over and pick her up…

But now, her husband wore a gentle smile, yet his eyes were utterly cold. The coldness chilled her to the bone, and her heart plummeted into an abyss. "You...you knew all along...didn't you?"

Ruan Caixiong smiled and said, "Of course, silly girl, otherwise, why would I marry you? I originally thought that as the Holy Maiden of the Nine Nether Sect, you could help me accomplish my great cause. I never expected that you would be so disappointing, only thinking about love and romance. Where do you put me?"

Towards the end, his tone became somewhat exasperated, "If you could focus on improving yourself and reach the Divine Treasure Realm as soon as possible, then you could lend me a hand. We could be a perfect couple that everyone envies. But you are so unambitious. I have no choice but to resort to this drastic measure. I believe that with this tremendous contribution, I can exchange it for a spot in the Six Doors to advance to the Divine Treasure Realm!"

Chen Ming was stunned when he heard this.

So it turns out Ruan Caixiong's only intention was to live off a woman. Who knew he'd be so good at flattering her, making Zhou Yilan, the Holy Maiden of the Nine Nether Sect, completely infatuated and neglecting her cultivation. This ironically held Ruan Caixiong back. So, he decided to play along and pull this stunt…

What the hell!

He looked at Zhou Yilan, who was stunned and ashen-faced, with some sympathy, thinking to himself that love was indeed a major taboo for martial artists.

She had a perfect start, with three loyal senior brothers by her side, each possessing extraordinary treasures and making astonishing progress. If she had focused on improving herself, she might have already reached the Divine Treasure Realm, instead of ending up like this.
I must take her as a warning and not slow down my cultivation for the sake of a woman.

Even assuming the worst, if she hadn't become complacent after marriage and had possessed sufficient strength, would her three senior brothers have betrayed her? Would Ruan Caixiong have dared to plot against her like this?
To put it bluntly, in this world, strength is the most fundamental thing.

"Hahaha..." On the other side, Zhou You, who was slumped on the ground, burst into wild laughter. "Junior sister, I told you long ago that this person cannot be trusted. Now you finally see his true colors, don't you?"

Whoosh!
With a flick of his wrist, Ruan Caixiong unsheathed his longsword, which transformed into a streak of blue light and pierced Zhou You's chest, pinning him to the ground.

Severely injured, Zhou You cursed wildly, "Ruan Caixiong, you despicable scoundrel, let me go if you dare, and I'll fight you three hundred rounds... Ah—"

The sword stuck in his body flew up on its own and plunged into his mouth, pinning his head to the ground and silencing him.

Despite suffering such injuries, Zhou You did not die immediately and was still struggling.

"Senior brother——"

Zhou Yilan almost fainted when she saw this scene.

Ruan Caixiong suddenly turned to Chen Ming and asked, "Brother Gu, did you enjoy today's show?"

Chen Ming was greatly surprised; Ruan Caixiong had actually recognized him?

Then he realized that it must have been when he made his move that the other man noticed something amiss.

Now that things had come to this, there was no need for him to pretend anymore. He said, "Brother Ruan, you truly have a clever mind and excellent methods. My disguise couldn't fool you. However, there is something I don't understand. Could you please enlighten me?"

Ruan Caixiong seemed to be in a very good mood and was not in a hurry to do anything. "You say it."

He asked, "How did you get in here, Brother Ruan?"

"That's simple, because I am the master of this secret realm, so I can enter whenever I want. Moreover, this secret realm has two entrances. Senior Luo is aware of this."

"I see," Chen Ming said. "I wonder how Brother Ruan plans to deal with me?"

Ruan Caixiong chuckled, "You're quite direct. I have so much more to tell you, why rush to the point?"

Chen Ming could understand his feelings. He had been with Zhou Yilan for over a decade, and for over a decade he had acted, wearing a mask every day. He had so much to say, but nowhere to confide in her. Now that their mission was nearing completion, he wanted to find someone to share his joy.

However, Chen Ming had no interest in listening to him boast.

He said earnestly, "So, Brother Ruan, you don't intend to let me go?"

Ruan Caixiong's smile faded, replaced by a cold expression. "Just now, when you touched my wife with that filthy hand, I wanted to kill you."

"..."

Chen Ming's eye twitched, and he looked at him like he was crazy. "I was trying to save my sister-in-law. She was injured. Didn't you see?"

"Then you must die too!"

P.S.: Requesting monthly votes.

(End of this chapter)