I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 306 Rescue
Chen Ming shook his head, dismissing the thought. Things had come to this point; there was no point in dwelling on it. He should think about how to leave this place.

As for the rescue, things have escalated to this point, so let's forget about it.

Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly sensed someone approaching, so he immediately concealed his presence and hid.

Inside the cave, voices could be heard saying, "Those guys have finally started fighting. Do you think we can win?"

"Regardless of who wins or loses, we will only obey the island lord's orders."

The man lowered his voice and asked, "Do you think the island lord anticipated this would happen before he went into seclusion?"

"How dare you! How can you and I possibly presume to know who the island's lord is?"

"Alright, I won't say anything more. Sigh, I heard that fighting has broken out outside. I just hope the war doesn't spread here."

"Who doesn't know that Longtan is a place where prisoners are held? Why would they bother to attack? We'll just stay here and guard this place. As long as we keep a good watch over it, no matter how big the fire is later, it won't reach us."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ming's heart stirred.

This place is actually a prison, so could "Sister Hong" also be imprisoned here?

Thinking this through, he acted decisively.

……

Both of them were at the third rank of cultivation. Caught off guard by the unexpected attack, they were subdued before they could even react.

"Tell me honestly, how many prisoners are being held in Longtan?"

Chen Ming knocked one of them unconscious and interrogated him alone, saying, "Think carefully before you answer. I'll be interrogating your companion later, and if their testimonies don't match, you can guess what will happen to them."

"Senior...please spare me...I'll tell you...I'll tell you everything..."

The man was a bit weak-willed; after being frightened like that, he confessed everything.

This Dragon Pool is specifically used to imprison martial artists of the third rank or higher. There are not many people qualified to be imprisoned here; currently, there are only three.

Two men and one woman.

Based on the description, the woman should be "Sister Hong," who loves to wear red.

After Chen Ming finished interrogating the man, he knocked him unconscious and woke up the other man. He interrogated him in the same way and obtained roughly the same information that matched up.

"Sorry."

With a powerful spit, he killed both men. After disposing of their bodies, he headed deeper into the cave.

According to the two men, this Dragon Pool is a forbidden area on Bliss Island, usually guarded by a Divine Treasure Realm elder.

The island is now in chaos, and even the elder guarding the Dragon Pool couldn't sit still any longer and went out to provide support. It's currently at its weakest point, with only one first-rank official in charge.

He's just a first-rank official; with his current strength, he shouldn't have much trouble dealing with him.

Since we've stumbled upon this place by accident, the best course of action is to rescue the person first.

……

Before long, Chen Ming arrived at the end of the cave and saw a dark entrance with a stone house next to it.

In front of the stone house sat an old man in gray robes. As if sensing his approach, the old man opened his eyes, stared at him, and asked in a deep voice, "Who are you?"

"Who I am is not important. What is important is that I am here to save people."

The old man in gray suddenly realized, "You came here for Ji Hongyu?"

Ji Hongyu?
This name...

Chen Ming had never known the name of the woman who loved wearing red, so he neither confirmed nor denied it, only saying, "You don't seem surprised."

"You are in the third group to come and rescue her."

"No wonder, I noticed it earlier, you have an injury."

The old man in gray said firmly, "You can't save her."

"We'll have to try to find out."

Chen Ming stopped wasting words, drew the "Emperor Moon Sword," and thrust it out.

This sword strike was faster than lightning.

The gray-robed elder didn't even have time to react before he was pierced through the heart by a sword and killed instantly.

You have defeated a level 98 enemy and gained 3 million experience points.

This sword strike perfectly showcased Chen Ming's strength: first-grade martial arts, first-grade Yin spirit, and the perfected "Phoenix Dance in the Nine Heavens" movement technique.

Among first-rank martial artists, few could dodge his sword strike.

"With my current strength, I'm practically invincible among those at the first rank."

He put away the "Emperor Moon Sword," then searched the gray-clad man's corpse for a while and found a gray token.

Dragon Pool is one of the forbidden areas of Paradise Island. According to the two third-rank cultivators mentioned earlier, one will be constantly affected by the dragon's might inside, and one's spiritual sense will be greatly suppressed.

Every day when the dragon's might is at its strongest, the mind and spirit are subjected to great torment.

Only those holding a special token can remain unaffected.

Holding the token, Chen Ming tried to communicate using the "Weapon Control Technique," and quickly got a result: "It really is this token."

This token may seem unremarkable, but it gives him the feeling that it is extremely extraordinary, similar to a peerless divine weapon, except that it does not contain a spirit.

Its function is similar to a certain rule; although it is singular, it is quite mysterious.

He took the token and walked towards the cave entrance leading to the Dragon Pool.

……

Longtan is a deep pool.

As soon as he passed through the cave, Chen Ming felt a damp wind rush towards him, the howling wind carrying a kind of terrifying majesty.

When the air blew onto his face, it was like a gentle breeze, having no effect on him whatsoever.

Dragon Pool is located at the bottom of the cave, with a spiral stone staircase running down the mountainside.

Chen Ming walked down step by step, and when he reached the bottom, he saw a deep pool in the middle, calm and still, yet unfathomably deep.

On the rocky cliffs along the shore, there are rows of dug cells.

He immediately spotted the woman in red in one of the cells. She was sitting cross-legged on the ground with her eyes closed and a look of pain on her face.

"Ji Hongyu?"

Upon hearing the question, Ji Hongyu opened her eyes and saw the unfamiliar middle-aged man standing outside. She asked, "I am him. And who are you?"

Chen Ming said calmly, "I came to your rescue at someone's request."

After saying that, he stepped forward and opened the cell door. "Can you still walk?"

Entrusted by someone?

Ji Hongyu was somewhat surprised and suspicious, and for a moment she couldn't figure out who had asked this person to save her.

To be able to enter the Dragon's Pool unscathed speaks volumes about this person's strength. Even she barely knows many people like him. Her subordinates outside have even less chance of hiring such a master.

"can."

She struggled to get up.

In any case, we must not let this opportunity to escape slip by.

After Ji Hongyu walked out of the cell, she heard the middle-aged man next to her say, "Is there really a dragon in this Dragon Pool?"

She shook her head and said, "I don't know either."

"Naturally there is."

Suddenly, a voice came from the other cell, "Brother, could you please open my cell door? I can tell you the secret of this Dragon Pool."

Chen Ming looked at Ji Hongyu and said, "Miss Ji, it's up to you to decide whether to save him or not."

Ji Hongyu shook her head, "Don't cause any unnecessary trouble."

"it is good."

After Chen Ming finished speaking, he ignored the man and led Ji Hongyu back the way they came, leaving the Dragon Pool.

"Thank you so much for saving my life, senior."

After leaving the Dragon Pool, Ji Hongyu's internal energy recovered slightly, and her face regained some color. She solemnly expressed her gratitude.

Chen Ming suddenly recalled how, back in Qingfeng City, when his strength was weak, he had been extremely respectful to this woman. He never imagined that a year later, she would be calling him "senior."

This feels pretty good.

"No need to thank me, I was just doing this for someone else."

"May I ask who entrusted you with this task, senior?"

"Do you still remember when you taught a movement technique to a young man back in Qingfeng City?"

"Senior, are you referring to Chen Ming?"

Ji Hongyu was greatly surprised. She never expected that the one who saved her would be Chen Ming, who was of low strength.

This Chen Ming actually managed to get such a great expert to come.

It seems that a lot has happened during the six months I've been locked up.

Chen Ming nodded and said, "That's right."

After receiving an affirmative answer, Ji Hongyu tentatively asked, "May I ask what your relationship is with Chen Ming, senior?"

"When you see him later, go and ask him yourself."

"Yes."

Ji Hongyu dared not ask any further questions and changed the subject, "Senior, are you wondering why I didn't save the other two people in the Dragon Pool?"

"Why?"

"Those two are residents of the island, imprisoned in Dragon Pool for committing a crime. If they are released, they will surely go and inform others—"

Chen Ming wasn't interested in that. He said, "What I'm more curious about is why Paradise Island locked you up?"

Ji Hongyu was taken aback. After a moment of silence, she gritted her teeth and said, "To be honest, I have a big secret. Not long ago, the island lord discovered it and locked me up in order to obtain that secret."

"I see."

Chen Ming roughly understood.

The secret she carries is likely related to the suspected tomb of the Immortal Emperor.

Judging from all indications, this Paradise Island is also inextricably linked to the Longevity Emperor.

He changed the subject, "Do you know how to get out of here?"

Ji Hongyu was very surprised and asked in confusion, "Senior, you have absolutely no interest in that secret?"

"Not interested in."

……

Ji Hongyu had been imprisoned in the Dragon Pool and was unaware of the changes that had taken place on Paradise Island. Therefore, she was quite shocked when she heard Chen Ming mention it.

Under the rule of the island's ruler, even if there are occasional frictions between outsiders and the island's natives, they have little impact on Paradise Island.

Now that the island lord has gone into seclusion, the two sides have started fighting fiercely, resulting in a bloodbath.

Something's not right here.

Ji Hongyu said in a deep voice, "Logically speaking, even if these two groups have conflicts, they shouldn't have to resort to violence. I'm afraid there's an outside force stirring up trouble."

Chen Ming glanced at her and said, "You seem to have deep feelings for Paradise Island. What, you want to mediate and get both sides to stop fighting?"

Ji Hongyu shook her head and said, "Now that the fighting has escalated to this point, only the island lord can quell the situation. Otherwise, it's useless for anyone else to come."

She was only a third-rank official, not even considered a high-ranking official on the island, so how could she have such prestige?

She stopped thinking about it and said, "Leaving Paradise Island isn't difficult; all we need is a boat."

"What about the mist surrounding Paradise Island?"

"It has always been easier to leave Paradise Island than to get on it. Once you're on the ship, the ocean currents will carry it out of the fog."

"I see. Let's hurry up and leave before they realize what's happening."

Paradise Island may not have much else, but it has plenty of ships. The island is quite populated, and many supplies need to be transported in from outside. Ships are the most important means of transportation.

With Chen Ming's abilities, he easily obtained a small boat, and the two of them boarded the boat and left the island.

Just as Ji Hongyu had said, they didn't even need to row; a current carried the small boat forward, and in no time they passed through the thick fog and reached the open sea.

Next, the two took turns rowing. In less than ten days, they reached land.

Once ashore, Chen Ming bid farewell to Ji Hongyu, saying, "Miss Ji, I asked you to tell you that when you return to Qingfeng City, I hope you will take good care of the Chen family."

After saying this, he left without waiting for Ji Hongyu's reply.

……

After parting ways with Ji Hongyu, Chen Ming headed north, preparing to return to the capital.

This trip has largely completed the tasks that needed to be done, and it's time to return and report to the Emperor.

Once we arrive in the capital, we can focus on gaining experience and strive to break through to the Yang God realm as soon as possible.

Only when he reaches the Yang Shen level can he advance further and unlock the divine treasure.

……

Meanwhile, Ji Hongyu had been adrift at sea for ten days, and her cultivation had finally recovered to most of its former state. After changing her appearance, she returned to Qingfeng City.

Upon arriving in Qingfeng City, the first thing to do was to find Du Caiyue.

"Miss?"

That night, when Du Caiyue returned home, she sensed something was wrong. When she saw the person sitting in the room, she was both surprised and delighted. "Is it really you?"

At this moment, Ji Hongyu had returned to her original appearance. Looking at Du Caiyue, she said with some emotion, "It's me. You've had a hard time these past few days."

She could naturally guess that the only person who would ask Chen Ming to save her was Du Caiyue.

Du Caiyue's eyes reddened instantly. "Miss, you are the one who has suffered. The island lord is truly heartless, actually locking you up in a place like Dragon Pool."

"After this incident, I severed all ties with Bliss Island. Now that Bliss Island is in turmoil and the Immortal Abode is about to open, all the forces will not let this opportunity pass. Bliss Island is too busy to take care of itself. It's a good opportunity to do our thing."

"I will follow your orders, Miss."

After Du Caiyue finished speaking, she remembered something, "Miss, didn't Chen Ming come back with you?"

"Chen Ming?" Ji Hongyu asked in confusion, "Why is he with me?"

Du Caiyue asked curiously, "Didn't he save you?"

"How could this be—"

Ji Hongyu paused for a moment, then said, "Wait, tell me the whole story in detail."

"it is good."

At that moment, Du Caiyue recounted the agreement she had made with Chen Ming six months prior. She then went on to explain how Chen Ming had come to her a month earlier and told her all about it.

"I thought it was Chen Ming who went to rescue the young lady himself."

"..."

After listening, Ji Hongyu remained silent for a while before slowly saying, "Regardless of whether it was him or not, this favor should be attributed to him."

"Oh. So, miss, what are we going to do next?"

"Go find Shang Jianfei."

……

Half a month later, the capital was in sight.

This time, Chen Ming did not encounter any assassins. However, after returning to the capital, he did not rush back to the Linjiang Prince's Mansion, but instead found an inn to stay at.

Next, he used the tortoise shell to enter "Qingwei Heaven" every day to kill the ghosts inside and gain experience to level up.

PS: This is 900,000 words. Just making a note of it.

(End of this chapter)