I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 243 An unexpected gain
"Greetings, Senior Jin."

Everyone bowed to the person whose body was half submerged in the spring water.

The man was dressed in a black robe and looked no longer human, just skin and bones. The wrinkles of his skin hung down like tree bark, making him look somewhat horrifying.

In fact, there was absolutely no sign of life in this person. He was like a corpse.

However, upon entering this place, everyone felt a vast and pure Yuan energy filling the air, unsure whether it came from the spring water in the pool or from the powerful figure himself.

Chen Ming also bowed, and when he lowered his head, he felt strange. Logically speaking, after reaching the first rank, the rate of physical aging should slow down. Even when life comes to an end, it shouldn't decay to this extent.

Like Nie Hongyi's master and mistress from the Star Moon Sect, who died several years ago, yet their bodies remain incorrupt.

Once you reach the Divine Treasury Realm and unlock the Divine Treasury, your physical body should be even stronger.

It seems he used some kind of secret method to prolong his life, paying a huge price to survive. That's why he ended up like this.

"No wonder everyone wants to live forever."

Chen Ming thought to himself that he felt some sympathy for this powerful figure.

Even before he was dead, the powerful forces in Jiangzhou were already sharpening their knives, ready to put Jin Yutang on the table and devour him.

Therefore, having a successor is very important, so that at least when one is about to die, one can at least have some dignity. Otherwise, things will be like they are now, where even if one wants to arrange their affairs, others have already arranged them for them.

The strange man in the pool didn't even open his mouth, but uttered an aged voice, "Nine people, and two of them are even of the second rank, very good!"

His voice was no longer as weak as before, and there was a hint of light in his half-closed eyes, as if he were relieved.

"Senior Jin."

Tian Qidong spoke first, "How do you plan to select your successor? Please advise."

Master Jin said, “If you want to inherit my mantle, it depends on whether your physique is compatible with my techniques. There is an introductory technique engraved on the west wall. Go and study it. After six hours, whoever comprehends it the most will receive my inheritance.”

Everyone turned to look and, sure enough, saw some words and patterns carved on the stone wall ten feet away.

Two figures flew out simultaneously, landing in front of the stone wall and taking up the best positions.

Not to be outdone, the others also used their movement techniques to reach the stone wall. Some stood closer, while others stood further away, each maintaining a certain distance, and they earnestly began to study the techniques inscribed on the stone wall.

Chen Ming didn't compete with them. He was the furthest away, and with his eyesight, he could see clearly even from more than ten meters away.

"Six hours, I don't know how much I can comprehend."

Originally, he was overjoyed when he heard that it was about comprehending cultivation techniques, thinking, "Who can compete with me for this?" But when Elder Jin said that there were only six hours left, he became a little worried.

His comprehension is not high, and it's uncertain whether he can grasp the techniques mentioned above in such a short time.

Only after he has mastered the basics will this technique appear on the panel.

Chen Ming stared intently at the screen, and after reading just a few lines, a strong sense of familiarity welled up inside him.

"This cultivation technique—"

He suppressed his excitement and continued reading. After finishing the entire content, a surge of emotion welled up within him.

The True Skill of the Mysterious Earth!
That's right, the technique recorded here is the Earth Element chapter of the "Five Elements True Technique".

It's really hard to find anything without wearing iron shoes, and it takes no effort at all!

Chen Ming was overjoyed.

Originally, he planned to travel to Jiangzhou after reaching the first rank to complete the "Five Elements True Skill". Unexpectedly, he actually saw the Earth Element chapter here.

Unfortunately, this only contains the contents of one layer, which is the incantation for the fourth layer of condensing true qi.

"That's not right. Why are we being given the fourth level to comprehend instead of the first three?"

Chen Ming had some doubts in his heart.

No matter what kind of cultivation method it is, it must be practiced step by step. Although the Body Refining Chapter is very simple for those of the third and second ranks, it is for building a foundation.

Without the first three levels of body-refining techniques, starting from the fourth level can easily lead to problems.

and many more!

Several of Master Jin's disciples developed problems while practicing their skills.

Could it be that he lacks the content of the first three levels, thus requiring a special physique to master the "Mysterious Earth True Skill"?
The more Chen Ming thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

That's it!

This "Old Jin" is truly a prodigy. Even without the first three levels, he was still able to cultivate the "Mysterious Earth True Skill" to the Divine Treasury Realm. That's truly remarkable.

Could it be the legendary Xuanwu physique?
Various thoughts flashed through Chen Ming's mind. Suddenly, he turned his head and glanced at Yu Haitang on his left. He finally understood why she had come to compete for this inheritance.

It's estimated that she knew long ago that "Old Jin" was practicing the "Mysterious Earth True Skill" and had been planning this moment for a long time.

Earth produces wood, and the best way for her to complete the "Five Elements True Skill" is to start with the "Mysterious Earth True Skill".

"Pity--"

Chen Ming looked at the words on the stone wall and suddenly gave a bitter smile.

Without the first three layers of content, he would most likely be unable to integrate this technique into the "Five Elements True Skill." He would then be even less able to compete with the people present.

The other eight are all genuine geniuses; those who reached the third rank before the age of thirty possess first-rate talent and comprehension. How can he, with just one extra point, compare to these people in terms of comprehension?
"Am I going to have come all this way for nothing?"

Chen Ming reached out and touched the tortoise shell he had been nurturing in his arms, feeling somewhat unwilling.

The moment he touched the tortoise shell, he felt a jolt in his heart and a sense of foreboding.

His pupils shrank slightly.

Is the tortoise shell warning me?

Is this place extremely dangerous?

Where will the danger come from?
He gripped the tortoise shell tightly in his hand, his gaze sweeping over the eight people in front of him. The tortoise shell remained unresponsive.

Not them?

That would be—

Chen Ming's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly thought of "Old Jin" soaking in the pool, and his scalp tingled.

Oh no, this is a trap!
The old man brought them here, but his real purpose was not to find a successor; he had another conspiracy!

……

"Then why hasn't he made a move yet?"

Chen Ming, having weathered many storms, knows that calmness is crucial, especially in times of crisis.

He began to analyze it carefully.

With this old ghost's cultivation at the Divine Realm, killing them, who are at the third and second ranks, would be as easy as turning his hand.

The only reason he didn't attack right away was that he was in terrible shape and wasn't confident he could handle these juniors.

So, what is he waiting for?

Chen Ming's mind started to wander.

The tortoise shell had once helped him break the deadlock in Xiazhou City, and he believed it wouldn't lead him to his doom. Therefore, this trip would be dangerous, but not a hopeless situation.

Where does the crisis come from?

Where is the turning point?

Chen Ming suddenly thought, if he were Jin Laogui, what would be the simplest way to deal with a group of juniors who were not weak, when he was extremely weak?
"poison!"

He immediately came up with the answer, which was simple and straightforward.

Upon thinking of this, he immediately held his breath, sealed his pores, and even formed a layer of protective energy membrane on his skin to isolate it from the air.

At the same time, he sensed with his divine sense that two of them had also stopped breathing.

One is the Jade Begonia.

The other was the arrogant-looking man surnamed Yan.

It's not surprising that Yu Haitang is so cautious. But what about that fellow surnamed Yan? Did he also guess something?
Suddenly, Yu Haitang turned her head and looked at him with a half-smile on her face.

She must have noticed Chen Ming's subtle actions.

Soon, she turned back and continued to study the contents of the stone wall.

As for the others, they were all immersed in their cultivation techniques and did not notice anything unusual between the two.

……

Before we knew it, several hours had passed.

Chen Ming was also studying the cultivation technique, but he spared a sliver of his attention to keep an eye on the other eight people, especially the six who were caught off guard.

After so much time, they showed no signs of anything amiss.

"Am I just overthinking it?"

Chen Ming thought to himself, but he still did not let his guard down.

Finally, the aged voice rang out again, "Alright, time's up, come here."

Everyone got up and went to the poolside again.

Chen Ming was still walking at the very back. He hadn't considered any dangers this time, and he hadn't even brought the "Broken Army Sword," only an ordinary fine steel sword, which was a bit of a miscalculation.

At this moment, "Old Jin" said again, "Go sit down by the pool and let me sense how much you have comprehended."

Tian Qidong asked, "May I ask, senior, what is the name of this martial art?"

"Old Jin" said, "This is an unnamed divine skill, and I have not mastered it completely. You should have already discovered this. That's why we need to see if your physiques are compatible. Only those who are most compatible can master this skill."

Tian Qidong then asked, "Then how should we determine which one is more suitable?"

"It's very simple. This cave is filled with pure primordial energy. Sit down and use the breathing technique you just learned to breathe in and out. See who can absorb more primordial energy; that person will naturally be more compatible with this technique. Does anyone have any questions?"

"I see. I have no problem now."

"Okay, let's get started."

So everyone sat cross-legged by the pool and began to practice their internal energy, vying to absorb the pure and incomparably potent primordial energy in the air.

How much you can inhale depends on your own ability.

Chen Ming, naturally, wouldn't be the first to act, so he sat cross-legged there as well, pretending to practice breathing exercises. He was just putting on an act, while vigilantly watching his surroundings for any potential danger.

After about half an hour, this happened.

Suddenly, the aged voice rang out again, "Girl, why don't you absorb this vital energy?"

The sound was awe-inspiring.

Chen Ming's heart skipped a beat, knowing that this was a questioning of him. He could only bite the bullet and say, "Senior, please don't be offended. This junior's comprehension is mediocre. In this short time, I have not been able to grasp the essence of the technique on the stone wall."

"is it?"

The aged voice asked again, "And what about you, the girl in the yellow dress!"

Yu Haitang opened her eyes, a hint of mockery in her gaze. "That's the magical power that dissipated after the death of a Divine Treasure Realm expert, containing their original essence from their lifetime. I dare not absorb it into my body."

As soon as these words came out, everyone was shocked.

(End of this chapter)