I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 89 Sixth Rank
Chen Ming tactically picked up his teacup and took a sip to conceal his shock.

Zhuang Xiaotian didn't notice his strangeness and was still sighing, "Such a brilliant and talented person disappeared without a trace. If he had been alive today, he would probably be a grandmaster-level expert."

As Chen Ming refilled his teacup, he casually asked, "What kind of sect is this Qinghe Sword Sect? I've never heard of it before?"

"That was a sect from the neighboring Yuzhou. It was wiped out more than 20 years ago. It's normal that you haven't heard of it."

The Great Jin Dynasty is vast, consisting of nineteen states, each with a very large area. For ordinary people, they generally only care about the famous figures and powerful forces in their own state.

Those whose influence can extend across states must be the most powerful and elite forces. For example, a super sect like the Heavenly Dao Alliance.

Chen Ming said, "Since it's a sect, there must be many experts, right? How could it be wiped out?"

"As the saying goes, there are always people better than you, and mountains beyond mountains. Above the masters, there are even more powerful masters. So what if you are only a first-rank expert? If you offend a top-tier expert, you will die on the spot."

Zhuang Xiaotian often spent time in the case files room of the Six Doors, reviewing many similar major cases. He gained a clearer understanding of the high-end combat forces in this world.

"The founder of the Qinghe Sword Sect was an unparalleled expert, said to be at the fifth level of the Divine Realm, and his swordsmanship was incredibly profound. After his death, he left behind a book called 'Sword Canon'. For more than two hundred years afterward, no disciple of this sect was able to master the swordsmanship in 'Sword Canon'. Each generation was worse than the last, and in the last hundred years, not even a single disciple above the first rank has appeared."

His mouth was a little dry from speaking, so he took another sip of tea before continuing, "Judging from the case files, those murderers were very likely after the Sword Manual. Afterwards, the Qinghe Sword Sect was burned to the ground, leaving only a pile of burnt corpses."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ming was basically certain that Huo Chengkun was a disciple of the Qinghe Sword Sect.

I wonder what the relationship is between Huo Chengkun and Shang Jianfei. Are they fellow disciples, or are they from different generations?
Unexpectedly, Senior Shang's powerful connections actually had this kind of relationship with him.

I'm not sure whether to call him "Master Uncle" or "Grandmaster Uncle".
Suddenly, Zhuang Xiaotian asked him, "Where did you hear the name Shang Jianfei from? Why are you suddenly asking about him?"

Chen Ming had already prepared his explanation: "Before Brother Zhou left, he said that my situation was quite similar to that of this Senior Shang. I suddenly remembered this matter yesterday, and since I happened to be passing by your house, I thought I'd ask you to investigate it."

"I see. You two do have some similarities. I think he wants to encourage you to go out and explore more, and try to join a sect. With your talent, you might have a chance."

Chen Ming thought to himself, "It's not that easy."
According to Zhou Weihao, Shang Jianfei was able to join the Qinghe Sword Sect thanks to the recommendation of that Miss Jiang.

Although he also had a Miss Zhao by his side, his cultivation method was rather unique. If it wasn't compatible with the cultivation methods of that sect, they might not accept him.

Of course, if a decent sect were willing to take him in, he wouldn't refuse. Having another powerful backer is always a good thing.

Chen Ming changed the subject, "The streets have been under martial law for the past two days, and I heard the city gates are all closed. Two groups of people have come to search my house. Could it be that those who broke into the prison are still hiding in the city?"

In the past two days, he went out to spar with others and was questioned by the Six Doors more than ten times on the way.

Zhuang Xiaotian smiled wryly, "Probably. I just hope that I don't run into those thieves during the search."

Given his strength, if they were to actually clash, he would undoubtedly die. What use is any great achievement if you can't live to enjoy it?

……

After seeing Zhuang Xiaotian off, Chen Ming returned to the house and told Chunxiang and Xiaxiang to stand guard at the door, instructing them not to let anyone in.

Then, he sat cross-legged on the bed, opened the panel, and directly maxed out the proficiency of the "Three Yang Body Forging Technique".

【Level: 39】

Current points: 211

[Techniques: Iron Horse Stake (Fifth Level Perfection), Three Yang Body Forging Technique (Ninth Level Perfection)]

Martial Arts: Three Talents Fist (Mastery), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Mastery), Zhuang Family Flying Knife (Mastery), Swallow Return Sword Technique (Mastery)

"Still level 39!"

Seeing that his rank hadn't changed, Chen Ming thought, "It seems that only after mastering the Six Yang Nourishing Qi Gong can I advance to the sixth rank."

After maxing out his proficiency, he felt his blood and energy were overflowing, as if they were about to burst out of his body.

He took out the secret manual that Old Liu had left him and began to study it.

For the past two months, he has been studying this technique every day, but he is still missing something and has not been able to get the hang of it.

This can be seen from the fact that the technique is not displayed on the panel.

Chen Ming wasn't in a hurry. He felt that he would probably need to cultivate the Three Yang Body Forging Technique to the ninth level of perfection before he could comprehend this technique.

He carefully studied the techniques in the manual, and gradually entered a state of complete absorption in the world around him.

……

Chen Ming went into seclusion for half a month.

For the past two weeks, he hasn't left his room once. He's even stopped classes for his students, and he won't see anyone who comes to visit.

Even close friends like Zhuang Xiaotian and Zhang Mingyu were kept out of the door by Chunxiang and Xiaxiang.

During this time, Zhao Xiyan came once, but she still didn't see Chen Ming.

This unusual behavior naturally led to some speculation.

In the Chen residence, Madam Wei strictly forbade anyone to make any noise, so as not to disturb Erlang, even if the possibility was very small.

The servants in the manor were all very cautious, not daring to approach Chen Ming's courtyard or speak loudly. Although Madam Wei was incredibly curious, she dared not ask her husband, as if she feared that asking would bring misfortune.

She also sent the brothers Wu Bofu and Liu Zhongda to guard outside Chen Ming's courtyard to prevent anyone from disturbing him.

Chen Rui was also somewhat restless. He would go home early every day and stay in his study with a book in his hand, but he couldn't concentrate on reading. He would occasionally glance in the direction of his younger brother's yard.

The oppressive atmosphere at home was palpable even to the two little ones.

Although they didn't know what had happened, after being scolded a few times, they became very careful, afraid of upsetting their parents.

Even when eating, she speaks softly.

"Brother, what happened to Father and Mother?"

Four-year-old Chen Lirong can already sit at the table and eat by herself. Seeing that her parents both look absent-minded, she looks at her older brother Chen Lide with her big, round eyes.

Seven or eight-year-old Chen Lide glared at her with a stern face and said, "Children shouldn't meddle in adult matters."

"Where's my uncle? Why isn't he eating with us?"

"do not know."

"Has he been captured by bad guys again?" Chen Lirong became worried. She had heard her maid mention something from her childhood, saying that her uncle had been captured by bad guys when she was very young. She had always remembered this incident. It was natural for her to make this connection.

"Don't worry, no bad guys can catch your uncle now."

Suddenly, Chen Ming's cheerful voice came from outside.

Upon hearing the voice, Chen Lirong stood up happily, "Uncle!"

Chen Ming hugged his little niece tightly, spun her around, and then looked at his older brother and sister-in-law, who were equally excited and expectant, and said, "I'm sorry to have worried you these past few days. I'm fine."

Chen Rui breathed a sigh of relief and said repeatedly, "It's good that you're alright, it's good that you're alright."

"Erlang, you—"

Wei wanted to ask more questions, but her husband pulled her back, and she quickly shut up.

Chen Ming pretended not to see it and said with a smile, "I'm just going into seclusion, there's no need to make such a fuss."

Chen Rui said earnestly, "Your affairs are the most important thing in the family."

He paused for a moment, then asked, "Was it all right?"

Chen Ming said, "It went quite smoothly."

Hearing this, Chen Rui felt relieved and said, "Let's eat."

Chen Ming gently rubbed his niece's cheek and asked, "Haven't we seen each other for so long? Have you missed your uncle?"

"Yes," the little girl said in her childish voice. She wasn't angry at having her face pinched and rounded; instead, she wrapped her chubby little hands around his neck.

Chen Ming laughed heartily.

Some kids are just born knowing how to please others. This little niece is much more endearing than her little adult nephew.

……

After dinner, Chen Rui pulled his wife back to their room and reminded her, "Judging from Erlang's expression, he must be unhappy that it didn't work out. Don't ask him about it."

"understood."

……

Meanwhile, Chen Ming returned to his courtyard and opened the control panel.

【Level: 40】

Current points: 0

[Exercises: Iron Horse Stake (Fifth Level Perfection), Three Yang Body Forging Exercise (Ninth Level Perfection), Six Yang Qi Nourishing Exercise (First Level 211/100000)]

Martial Arts: Three Talents Fist (Mastery), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Mastery), Zhuang Family Flying Knife (Mastery), Swallow Return Sword Technique (Mastery)

He successfully broke through to the sixth rank of True Qi Realm, and a stream of True Qi emerged within his body. He entered a completely new realm.

However, he didn't want to attract too much attention, so he didn't tell his older brother and sister-in-law.

In such a sensitive time, it's best to keep a low profile.

Therefore, even though he knew that his elder brother and sister-in-law had misunderstood, he did not explain.

Given their personalities, if they found out, they would definitely have to perform ancestral rites and go to the temple to fulfill their vows, making it known to the whole world.

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(End of this chapter)