I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 246: Sect Leader
Several hours later, everyone had left, and the cave fell into a deathly silence, leaving only the desiccated corpse in the pool, its empty eye sockets staring straight ahead.

Suddenly, a figure silently walked out of the passage. It was Deng Ziyang, who had successfully broken through to the second rank. His accumulation was already sufficient, but he needed to devour a second-rank martial artist to break through to the second rank.

In fact, fellow practitioners who also cultivated the "Blood Demon Technique" are the best material for training, requiring almost no digestion.

It is precisely because of this that killing each other among disciples is an old tradition within the Blood Demon Sect.

Fortunately, the Blood Demon Sect has produced an envoy at the Divine Realm level, who strictly forbids disciples from killing each other, with severe punishment for violators.

Deng Ziyang has managed to survive in the Blood Demon Sect until now, and the secret of his possession of the "Blood God Pearl" has remained unknown to anyone. No one has suspected him either.

After all, no one would have expected that someone who possesses the "Blood God Pearl" would progress so slowly.

Deng Ziyang entered the cave, closed his eyes, and carefully sensed the surroundings for a while. Suddenly, a look of joy flashed across his face.

He came to the stone wall, took out a dagger and started digging. After digging about a foot deep, he found a jade box buried in the ground.

Upon opening the jade box, a blood-red bead lay quietly inside—the "Blood God Bead."

"I knew you wouldn't die so easily..."

Deng Ziyang murmured.

Actually, he had recognized Chen Ming just now, not because he had any ability to see through disguises, but purely because of the "Blood Demon Great Art" he cultivated.

Once the Blood Demon Technique is cultivated to a certain level, it becomes extremely sensitive to a martial artist's true essence. In the eyes of the Blood Demon Sect members, each person's true essence is unique.

Deng Ziyang had become accustomed to recognizing people using their true essence; after all, a person could disguise their appearance, voice, height, and aura...

But there is one thing that cannot be faked, and that is the nature of true essence.

Of all the people Deng Ziyang had ever met, Chen Ming's true essence was the most unique, containing three completely different characteristics that could be switched at will, completely overturning Deng Ziyang's understanding.

Therefore, he was greatly surprised the moment the woman in black made her move, but he could not see any flaws from her appearance.

Deng Ziyang wasn't entirely certain yet, but now that he had found the "Blood God Pearl," he had no more doubts. The woman in black was indeed Chen Ming.

This was specially reserved for him.

Deng Ziyang could clearly sense the immense essence contained within this "Blood God Pearl".

This is the essence of all of the Second Senior Brother's cultivation. As long as he absorbs and digests it all, he will immediately be able to enter the first rank.

How much trust does it take for Chen Ming to leave this "Blood God Pearl" to him?

What's more, there's also the corpse of a Divine Realm expert here.

"Chen Ming, please don't die! I'll come find you for a drink after I come out of seclusion."

Deng Ziyang sat cross-legged on the ground, and a "Blood God Pearl" nearly twice the size flew out from between his eyebrows, enveloping the "Blood God Pearl" on the ground, and began to refine it...

……

When Chen Ming returned to the courtyard, he opened his eyes to find many people standing there, all looking at him with wary eyes.

Clearly, the news of his killing of a first-rank Blood Demon Sect member had already been spread by those who came out first.

He returned alone, without seeing any trace of Yu Haitang. He didn't know if she hadn't come out yet or if she had been teleported elsewhere.

"Hahaha, young friend Yuan is indeed a hidden talent, able to slay a first-rank official with his sword. Remarkable!" A hearty laugh rang out, and Jiang Jinan walked towards him, his face flushed with pride.

Nine people went in total, and in the end, the person supported by the Jiang family won the inheritance, which can be said to be a great triumph. It was a rare opportunity to show their face, so they were naturally very proud.

At this moment, a group of people walked up to him, bowed solemnly, and said, "Greetings to the new sect leader."

Seeing this, Chen Ming quickly declined, saying, "You flatter me. I am but a humble person with little influence, and I also belong to another sect. How could I possibly be your sect leader? Besides, I believe you have all heard about what happened in the secret realm. Strictly speaking, I did not receive any of Elder Jin's teachings. Please rise."

An elderly man with gray hair, who was at the head of the group, remained unmoved. "The old sect leader's token is in your hands, so you are naturally our new sect leader."

"What letter—"

When Chen Ming saw that they were all looking at the "Taiyue Sword" in his hand, he was speechless. Using a peerless divine weapon as a token was indeed reasonable.

In this way, he really couldn't refuse. If he didn't become the sect leader, it would be reasonable for them to take back the "Taiyue Sword".

At this moment, Jiang Jinan came to his rescue, saying, "Young friend Yuan, please don't refuse. Now that you have obtained the Taiyue Sword from Elder Jin, you are naturally his successor, and there is no problem with you succeeding as the head of Jin Yutang. My Jiang family agrees to this. And you, does anyone object?"

Jiang Jinan's gaze swept across the faces of the others.

None of the major factions present uttered a word. Things had come to this point, and they had no choice but to swallow their pride and accept it. After all, they had chosen incompetent people.
Thus, witnessed by everyone, Chen Ming was forced into the position of sect leader by the three first-rank experts and a group of high-ranking members of Jin Yutang.

To outsiders, it was as if a woman under thirty years old could become the leader of Jin Yutang, one of the four major sects in Jiangzhou, which was simply too legendary, like the protagonist in a storybook.

Her second-rank cultivation level and the feat of slaying a first-rank cultivator with her sword added to her legendary status.

...Finally, after nightfall, the people from all the major factions left.

The most magnificent residence of Jin Yutang was more like a small palace than a residence, with extremely high standards and the utmost luxury.

This is the residence of the Jin Yutang Sect Leader. The former sect leader used to live here. Later, the former sect leader went into seclusion in the secret realm, and this place has been empty ever since. However, no one dares to touch the things inside.

Everything here is still as it was when the old sect leader was alive.

Inside the council hall, Chen Ming sat on the throne of the sect leader, while the three remaining first-rank experts of Jin Yutang stood below, about to begin a dialogue that would determine the future of Jin Yutang.

At its peak, Jin Yutang had seven elders, all of whom were of the first rank.

Now only three remain, which shows that they have a very deep affection for Jin Yutang, or rather, they cannot sever ties with Jin Yutang and share his glory and disgrace.

These three individuals are also the actual controllers of Jin Yutang.

Senior Jin has been in seclusion for two or three decades. During this time, all matters, large and small, have been decided by these three people.

An elderly man with gray hair, who was at the head of the group, tentatively asked, "I wonder what instructions the sect leader has for the affairs of the sect?"

This man is Elder Sun Chuxian, the de facto leader of Jinyutang.

Chen Ming said, "All affairs within the sect will continue as usual. The three elders can make their own decisions."

The other two elders both relaxed, clearly quite satisfied with his statement. No one wanted another sect leader pointing fingers at them.

Sun Chuxian hurriedly said, "Absolutely not! You are the sect leader; all matters of the sect should be decided by the sect leader—"

Chen Ming waved his hand and said, "No need to say more. I am focused on martial arts and have no interest in these mundane matters."

Another elder, Huang, suddenly said, "Does the sect leader know how much profit Jin Yutang makes each year? Aren't you interested in any of that?"

Seeing that they were still testing him, Chen Ming became somewhat impatient and said, "Elder Huang, what you've said about money, benefits, and power—will they be of any benefit to my cultivation? Will they help me break through to the first rank? Or will they allow my swordsmanship to reach a higher level?"

Elder Huang was taken aback. Her expression didn't seem fake when she said those words, but for some reason, it made him feel a little uncomfortable.

Sun Chuxian said, "I admire the Sect Leader's firm resolve. However, Jin Yutang is currently in dire straits, and we still need the Sect Leader to take charge of the overall situation."

Chen Ming stopped beating around the bush and asked in return, "Elder Sun, let me ask you this: does the Golden Jade Hall need a leader who is in charge, or does it need a leader who can reach the pinnacle of martial arts?"

Sun Chuxian seemed to be touched by these words.

Chen Ming continued, "You don't need to test me anymore. What I want is very simple: an undisturbed environment. Also, once I reach the first rank and obtain a spot to enter the secret realm, do you think the elders will refuse me?"

"If the sect leader wants a spot, he can have one anytime."

"That settles it then. I've gotten what I wanted. I'm not interested in the rest. Alright, it's getting late. The three elders should go back and rest."

After shooing them all away, Chen Ming returned to his bedroom alone.

These three elders only care about power and profit. They are utterly vulgar and think everyone is like them.

If it weren't for the "Taiyue Sword," he wouldn't want to be the sect leader. Not only would there be no benefit, but if anything were to happen, he, the sect leader, would be the first to suffer.

Since things have come to this, let's just do it for a few days, since it's only in name anyway.

Once he comprehended the "Mysterious Earth True Skill," he could leave whenever he wanted, and these people couldn't stop him.

When the time comes, he will be confident in fighting Du Rusong. He will try to find a way to lure this man out, and it would be best to find a helper to kill him and eliminate any future troubles.

As for an assistant, the most suitable candidate at present is Yu Haitang, but it is not easy to persuade her.

"Or, should we blackmail her by accusing her of colluding with the sorcerers of the Longevity Cult?"

Chen Ming stroked his chin and murmured to himself.

Throughout the day in the secret realm, until the time of departure, Yu Haitang never mentioned Deng Ziyang, who had escaped into the cave, which made him realize that there was a tacit understanding between the two.

Because of her behavior today, it was as if she already knew she would be ambushed. And she couldn't possibly possess a divine object like a tortoise shell, like I do, that could foresee danger.

The only possibility is that she has an inside man!

However, if you really threaten her with this, she most likely won't give in; instead, she'll probably break off all ties on the spot.

Forget it.

"Let's try to understand the cultivation technique first."

Chen Ming placed the "Taiyue Sword" across his lap and began to comprehend the "Mysterious Earth True Skill".

No one knows where Yu Haitang got the first three levels of the content, but she actually completed the entire cultivation technique. The cultivation technique that Jin Yutang, a cultivator at the Divine Treasure Realm, had searched for his entire life without success, was actually found by her.

(End of this chapter)