I Only Stomp on Weaklings

Chen Ming looked at the high platform in the center, the black bowl in front of the third elder, and the eerie ghostly aura surrounding her, feeling somewhat troubled.

That black bowl is definitely a treasure; even the "Taiyue Sword" cannot pierce through it.

Furthermore, those purple mists are clearly soul-harming methods that instill fear in people.

Although this third elder ranks below the second elder, she poses a greater danger to him.

Due to the limitations of his cultivation, his soul is definitely not as powerful as that of a first-grade expert. Encountering a master with such mysterious techniques, even the slightest mistake could leave an impossible-to-recover soul wound, which would be devastating.

However, now that she has mistakenly identified him as a descendant of Paradise Island, this presents an opportunity.

Even the second elder, a dignified first-grade master, kneeled before him, most likely not pretending.

Because there’s no need.

Chen Ming said calmly, "Give me a reason not to kill you!"

The third elder respectfully said, "I can swear by my Yin God to recognize the lord as my master and follow the lord’s orders from now on."

Yin God?

Chen Ming’s heart stirred slightly. He had read many history books, and there were records of druids in ancient times, with rumors of cultivators still existing in the previous dynasty.

However, in the Great Jin, such cultivators have almost disappeared, with only a few remaining, the most famous being the Heavenly Master Mansion.

Most of the cultivation heritage from the previous dynasty resides in two other countries, to the south, Nan Chu, and to the west, Xi Kang.

It’s said that cultivators from third grade to first grade cultivate the Yin God.

Above first grade is the Yang God.

This person turns out to be a rare cultivator; who knows which sect she comes from.

Chen Ming said coldly, "Not enough."

A mere oath seemed too naive to fool him.

The sword light of the "Taiyue Sword" in his hand became brighter and more pure, dispelling the ghostly aura around him.

Cold sweat appeared on the third elder’s forehead.

If it were normal times, she might not fear a second-grade expert, even if he were a disciple of the Island Master of Paradise Island.

However, just now, during the monthly star-reading, she received a "Death Prophecy," which put her mind in a mess. Turning around to face this person coming to kill her, how could she not be frightened?

This person is likely her death star.

She has full confidence in her astrology skills, which is why she knelt so swiftly.

Just as the opponent was about to make a move.

The third elder steeled her heart and anxiously said, "Wait, I am willing to hand over my life-bound Yin Pearl to the lord, then my life and death will be in the lord’s control, with no possibility of betrayal."

As she spoke, a slight brightness appeared in the center of her eyebrows, and something bulged beneath her skin; moments later, a black pearl emerged.

After the black pearl left her body, she visibly weakened as if her primordial energy had suffered a huge blow.

"Master, please take it."

She pushed the black pearl forward, her eyes filled with reluctance.

Chen Ming didn’t take it with his hand but used the "Taiyue Sword" to hold the black pearl.

What exactly is a life-bound Yin Pearl?

He didn’t understand either.

Should he seize this opportunity to dispose of her?

Chen Ming pondered inwardly. Killing this person would eliminate any future troubles once and for all. He could also gain two million experience points.

However, he indeed lacked a loyal subordinate who could help him with things inconvenient for him to handle personally.

If he had such a subordinate this time, he wouldn’t be so passive.

The key is, can her words be trusted?

Can this Yin Pearl really control her life and death?

Chen Ming hesitated for a moment and then suddenly had a thought.

When uncertain, consult the turtle shell.

Thus, he sent a strand of his consciousness into the turtle shell in his arms, asking, "Can she be trusted?"

Immediately, a stream of information flowed through his heart, and he instantly had an answer.

Chen Ming asked, "Do you have any of my hair?"

"Yes."

The third elder did not hesitate, lifting her outer robe and taking a small leather pouch from her waist before tossing it over, "This was given to me by Sun Chuxian."

Chen Ming retrieved the pouch, thinking to himself, good thing he was cautious enough; otherwise, he might have already fallen victim to the curse technique.

This Third Elder carries many small pouches, which seem to belong to important figures.

He asked, "So, you specialize in killing people for Sun Chuxian?"

"Yes. Sun Chuxian would give me the hair and skin of the opponent, and I would use it as a medium to slay their soul."

"Were the other four elders all killed by you?"

"Yes."

Chen Ming asked again, "Why do you listen to him so much?"

He was quite curious about this. No one would willingly become someone else’s killing tool; the more capable a person is, the more this is true.

Cultivators in Great Jin are scarce and thus more valuable. Why not pledge allegiance to a larger faction?

The Third Elder said hoarsely, "The cultivation resources I need, many things can only be produced in the Secret Realm. I have to rely on Sun Chuxian’s supply."

So that’s it!

Chen Ming suddenly understood. Each side is taking what they need. Moreover, this person is so familiar with Paradise Island, it’s probably not a good thing.

"Oh, right."

He suddenly remembered something and asked, "Has Sun Chuxian asked you to kill anyone recently?"

The Third Elder replied, "A few days ago, he asked me to kill the soul of the Sect Leader of White Feather Sect."

As expected!

Chen Ming had a subtle suspicion after knowing that the White Feather Sect had always been attached to the Golden Jade Hall. Now he finally got the answer from the Third Elder.

So it seems, Li Jinchuan was indeed just a scapegoat.

This young fellow is quite pitiful too. As a child, he relied on a servant for survival. After growing up, he finally joined a sect and barely stabilized for a few years before being caught in such a huge conspiracy.

Who knows where he’s hiding now.

Chen Ming warned, "In the future, just act as usual, do what you should, and don’t let Sun Chuxian suspect anything. If anything happens, I will come to you."

"Yes, farewell, Master."

The Third Elder prostrated on the ground, and when she raised her head, the person was already gone.

That was close!

She let out a long breath and suddenly thought of something, pinched her fingers to calculate, and moments later, a hint of joy appeared on her face, "It indeed shows a Yin Yang Reversal, the death calamity has passed."

This means that her judgment was correct, the sign of death was indeed on this person.

Though she paid a great price, even giving away her life-bound Yin Pearl, but as long as she could live, what did it matter?

She must live!

Living is more important than anything!

...

After leaving the Third Elder’s courtyard, Chen Ming departed from the Golden Jade Hall without a trace of reluctance. The biggest threat was gone, so naturally, there was no need to stay.

Next, he planned to find Yu Haitang.

After fighting with the Third Elder and the Second Elder, he felt that his current strength might still not be enough to kill Du Rusong.

The Second Elder’s status and identity are there, probably having not fought anyone in years.

Du Rusong, however, is different. As a First Grade Purple Robe of the Six Gates, he fights on the frontline year-round and has extremely rich combat experience, making him difficult to kill.

If things go wrong, he might even be killed in reverse.

It’s more prudent to find a helper.

As long as Du Rusong is killed, then the sky and sea are open. At that time, he can assume a new identity, find a secluded place, open a martial arts school, take in many disciples, spar with people daily, and slowly accumulate Experience Points.

Ever since being drawn into the event concerning the Emperor of Eternal Life’s tomb, he has been living a life of licking blood off a knife’s edge, facing numerous dangers, killing many people, and his cultivation rising rapidly, but it is indeed too dangerous.

Chen Ming still prefers a more stable life.

He determined the direction and weaved through houses and streets.

Last time in the Secret Realm, he asked Yu Haitang, and she gave an address where he could find her.

After a previous transaction, they built some trust.

As it happens, he was very familiar with that address. Previously, he lived there, in the courtyard with only a wall separating it from the Longevity Hall.

There, he spent some unforgettable days with Su Zhining and Yu Haitang.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Suddenly, Chen Ming heard the sound of rushing through the air not far away. Practicing body technique outside in the dead of night usually doesn’t mean good things.

However, he didn’t plan to intervene and was about to speed up when he suddenly heard a somewhat familiar voice say, "Senior sister, what is the meaning of this?"

Huo Qianqian?

He couldn’t help but stop, flashed, and returned, silently landing on the rooftop to look at the courtyard below.

In the dim moonlight, he saw seven or eight people standing in the courtyard, with Huo Qianqian surrounded in the middle, her face full of grief and anger, "You lured me here and let outsiders question me. Aren’t you afraid of Uncle Master’s retribution?"

An older woman sighed, "Junior Sister Huo, don’t you understand? Without Uncle Master’s consent, how could we bring you here?"

Upon hearing this, Huo Qianqian’s face turned pale.

Another woman said viciously, "No need to waste words with her. Huo Qianqian, today, with White Feather Sect members present, you must speak whether you want to or not. Confess early and suffer less."

Huo Qianqian said mournfully, "I’ve already told you everything I know. I really don’t know where Junior Brother Li is. You just don’t believe it."

On the other side were two arrogant-looking men, one of whom angrily said, "How dare you call that traitor Junior Brother in front of us? You’re clearly in cahoots with him. Confess quickly, or you’ll taste the pain of having your bones twisted."

A woman from the Xiaoshui Sect also advised, "Junior Sister Huo, you should speak. Why ruin yourself over a junior brother you’ve had little association with? If you help the White Feather Sect catch that traitor, it would be a great merit. The master would see you differently. With your aptitude, you might even become Sect Leader one day. Don’t you see what’s more important?"

"Yes, junior sister, you should know. Sect Leader Bai had a deep friendship with the Sect Leader. Upon hearing of Sect Leader Bai’s death, the elder fainted from shock. In times like this, as disciples, we should ease the burden for our elders."

The people present intimidated and tempted, reasoning with emotion and logic, just to make Huo Qianqian reveal Li Jinchuan’s whereabouts.

Under the pale moonlight, Huo Qianqian’s thin body trembled slightly, as if she might fall at any moment.