I Only Stomp on Weaklings

After the three elders of the Golden Jade Hall left the main hall, their expressions varied, with the great elder’s face as calm as water, the second elder’s eyes showing hidden excitement, and the third elder’s brows furrowed in thought, seemingly worried.

No one spoke, as if having prearranged it, they went to a study, closed the door, and began a secret discussion.

The second elder couldn’t wait and said, "Elder Sun, do you think this person with the surname Yuan is speaking sincerely or deceiving us?"

The great elder replied, "That is the Sect Leader, show no disrespect."

"Yes, how credible are the Sect Leader’s words?"

Sun Chuxian said, "Listen to what is said and observe what is done. In time, the truth will reveal itself."

The second elder chuckled, "If she conducts herself honestly and refrains from meddling in the sect’s affairs, we might let her live a while longer."

Sun Chuxian glared at him, blaming him for his loose tongue.

The second elder did not mind this.

A girl appearing from nowhere, having contributed nothing to the Golden Jade Hall, just because she acquired Elder Jin’s Divine Weapon, thinks she can become Sect Leader and have authority over him. Naturally, he was displeased.

If she was wise, she could extend her life for two more years. If she was unwise, she could be killed silently at any time.

Golden Jade Hall ranked among the four major sects not solely due to Elder Jin’s prestige. Without sufficient means in these years Elder Jin has been in seclusion, they would have been swallowed by other forces long ago.

Sun Chuxian looked at the third elder, "Elder Yu, do you have other thoughts?"

The third elder said solemnly, "Jin Yu has colluded with the Blood Demon Sect, putting us in a passive position, and forced us to elect this girl as Sect Leader. This is a last resort. The girl is not to be worried about, I’m concerned about the Jiang Family taking advantage and reaching into the Golden Jade Hall."

Sun Chuxian said calmly, "Soldiers counter soldiers, water counter earth. We will handle it cautiously; as long as That One can cross that threshold, the crisis will resolve itself."

Upon mentioning "That One", the other two elders became solemn.

The third elder asked, "Then this Sect Leader..."

Sun Chuxian said, "As long as she doesn’t affect our major plans, why not let her be the Sect Leader? Having her there can also ease our pressure."

"Yes."

...

For the next few days, Chen Ming remained in the great hall daily, studying the "Profound Earth True Skill." At night, when there was a banquet that required his appearance, he would show up.

Those attending the banquet were medium and small forces from various places in Jiangzhou that had connections with the Golden Jade Hall. Upon learning the Golden Jade Hall had a new Sect Leader, they specially came to offer congratulations.

Chen Ming would make an appearance, respond with a few polite words regardless of what others said, and when it came to specific affairs, he would always plead ignorance or simply remain silent, with others beside him handling the responses.

Golden Jade Hall was undoubtedly a colossal entity within Jiangzhou.

It involved many power and interests, which he discarded like worn-out shoes, yet it was also something countless others fervently pursued, many breaking their heads to gain such a position.

He was aware of the dangers within and was careful not to get involved.

Whether power, reputation, or status, once he enters the Divine Treasure Realm one day, he would naturally possess these; pursuing them now would be an inversion of priorities.

His demeanor indeed reassured the three elders.

But equally, it made a portion of those with ambitions restless.

That night, after attending the banquet, Chen Ming returned to his hall, just sat down, and suddenly sensed something, already holding the "Taiyue Sword," he shouted, "Who’s there?"

A male voice came from outside, "Tang Yaoyang, the steward of Dai Commandery, seeks an audience with the Sect Leader."

"It’s late at night, meeting now is quite inconvenient."

"What I have to say concerns the life and death of the Golden Jade Hall and the Sect Leader’s life."

Oh?

Chen Ming became interested; this was an intelligent person, aware of what concerns him most, so he said, "Come in, then."

The door opened silently, a middle-aged man in a black robe walked in and closed the door again.

Chen Ming had an impression of this person from the banquet a couple of days ago, a steward of Dai Commandery, still of Second Grade cultivation.

Normally, the steward of Golden Jade in various commanderies should be Fourth Grade, at most Third Grade; appointing a Second Grade to a local stewardship was quite subtle in itself.

The middle-aged man was about to kneel, but Chen Ming waved his hand, saying, "No need for formalities, just speak."

Tang Yaoyang insisted on kneeling on one knee, said solemnly, "Does the Sect Leader know you are in grave danger, close to death?"

This was to shock people with words.

Chen Ming naturally wasn’t frightened, just stared at him, asking, "Oh? Where does the danger come from?"

Tang Yaoyang said loudly, "Sun Chuxian is conspiring with outsiders to seize the foundation of the Golden Jade Hall, and the first to be eliminated then would be you."

"How dare you!"

Chen Ming’s face changed dramatically, "Tang Yaoyang, you dare to slander the great elder in my presence, do you want to experience the sharpness of my Taiyue Sword?"

He suddenly stood up, with a clang, drew the "Taiyue Sword," its icy light flashing in the hall, lowering the temperature in the room a few degrees.

This hall was built of special materials, as long as the doors and windows are tightly shut, regardless of practicing martial arts or causing a commotion, the sounds wouldn’t escape.

After all, the previous owner here was a Divine Treasure Realm master, the commotion during practice was too great, that’s why this residence was specially constructed, so as not to affect those in the sect.

Facing the sharp edge of the "Taiyue Sword," Tang Yaoyang remained unafraid, raised his head, and looked at him determinedly, "Sect Leader can take my lowly life if desired. I only regret the two hundred years of foundation of Golden Jade Hall to be buried in the hands of traitors. Such a pity for the Sect Leader’s glorious youth and unrivaled potential, to die unintelligibly at the hands of these petty men."

"Humph."

Chen Ming said coldly, "You keep saying Elder Sun colluded with outsiders, do you have evidence?"

Tang Yaoyang replied, "If I had evidence, would I still be alive?"

"So, everything is just your one-sided story?"

"Why doesn’t Sect Leader listen to what I have to say, then make a judgment."

"Alright."

Chen Ming put away the "Taiyue Sword" and said, "Tell me then, why would Elder Sun, who is second only to one and above ten thousand, collude with outsiders to seize the foundation of Golden Jade Hall? What benefit does it give him? If you can’t provide a reason, I’ll hand you over to Elder Sun for disposal."

Tang Yaoyang remained kneeling straight on the ground, looking at him with burning eyes, "Has Sect Leader ever heard of Paradise Island?"

Paradise Island?

Chen Ming’s heart stirred slightly. How could Golden Jade Hall be connected to Paradise Island?

"I’ve heard a bit."

"The matter goes back thirty years..."

Tang Yaoyang began to narrate.

Thirty years ago was a crucial point when the founder of Golden Jade Hall, Old Man Jin, who had cultivation in the Divine Treasure Realm, knew his days were numbered and could only hide in the Secret Realm to linger on.

This led the high-levels of Golden Jade Hall naturally in a state of panic. Without the protection of a Divine Treasure Realm powerhouse, how could they contend with the other major forces?

Since then, Golden Jade Hall was stirred with hidden currents.

Originally, Elder Sun was also loyal to Golden Jade Hall until one day, in his grandson, emerged a martial genius who apprenticed under a renowned First Grade master. Everything changed.

Within Golden Jade Hall, there is only one cultivation technique that can lead directly to the Divine Treasure Realm.

Initially, the seven great elders were either from humble backgrounds or small families and sects. Only by the guidance and nurturing of Old Man Jin could they break through to First Grade.

However, their potential was exhausted, and they had no hope of reaching the Divine Treasure Realm in this life.

Moreover, Old Man Jin’s "Profound Turtle Divine Skill" was too dangerous.

Hence, when Sun Chuxian’s grandson apprenticed under a mysterious First Grade master and was taught a cultivation technique leading directly to the Divine Treasure Realm, the balance in his heart began to waver.

On one side was Old Man Jin, to whom he owed a great debt.

On the other side was his beloved grandson, who could elevate the family among the elite houses.

When Sun Chuxian’s grandson broke through to First Grade, and Paradise Island promised his grandson would be the next Sect Leader of Golden Jade Hall, he chose betrayal.

Over the years, Sun Chuxian eliminated dissidents; originally there were seven great elders, but now only three remain. Saying this isn’t his doing is hard to believe.

Chen Ming interrupted and asked, "The other four elders?"

Tang Yaoyang gritted his teeth and said, "Two disappeared, and two shut in retreat, probably all harmed by that scoundrel."

It means, the current Golden Jade Hall is completely under Sun Chuxian’s control.

He then asked, "How did you come to know all this?"

"It was my master, Elder Wang..." Tang Yaoyang’s voice choked as he spoke of his master, "My master sensed something was wrong and secretly investigated. After discovering this matter, he prepared to meet the Sect Leader to report Elder Sun’s actions. Before leaving, he told me everything and advised, if he never returned, I must keep these secrets buried within and stay away from the disputes of Golden Jade Hall.

"Sure enough, my master never came back. Those scoundrels even slandered my master for defecting from Golden Jade Hall, expelled and demoted us disciples. I endured the humiliation to stay in Golden Jade Hall, waiting for the day I could avenge my master!"

After listening to this, Chen Ming felt only one thing: a large declining force is even more chaotic than imagined.

"Since Elder Sun is connected with Paradise Island, why wait until now to push his grandson to the Sect Leader’s seat?"

Tang Yaoyang said, "They are still waiting."

"Waiting for what?"

"Waiting for Paradise Island to produce a Divine Treasure Realm master. Only then, with a Divine Treasure Realm, can they be recognized by forces like the Qin Family and Jiang Family. And when that day comes, it will be your death day, Sect Leader!"

Chen Ming smiled and said, "It’s not that easy for them to kill me."

Tang Yaoyang said, "Sect Leader is naturally talented, defeating First Grade as a Second Grade, your Swordsmanship unparalleled. But, in this world, there are some treacherous tricks that are hard to defend against. As far as I know, Elder Sun holds several types of poisons capable of killing First Grade silently without taste or color, leading to unnoticeable death.

"Moreover, there’s the Third Elder, possessing strange artifacts, mastering curse techniques, anyone weaker than her, as long as a strand of hair is obtained, life and death are at her whim. Sect Leader should not underestimate."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ming’s expression finally became serious.

At his cultivation level, hair wouldn’t fall off by itself. He was confident that no hair had been obtained by the opposition recently.

However—

During a fierce battle in the Secret Realm with the Blood Demon Sect’s First Grade, indeed some hair was chopped off. If obtained by those with ill intent, it could indeed be troubling.

He slowly said, "You came to tell me this, are you expecting me to deal with Elder Sun? You overestimate me."

Tang Yaoyang calmly said, "With Sect Leader’s talent, within five years, people like Elder Sun will be insignificant. I’m here to remind Sect Leader not to be harmed by these villains."

Chen Ming suddenly snorted coldly, "Don’t treat me like a three-year-old child. I don’t believe you’d risk so much just to warn me. Speak, what is your purpose!"

Tang Yaoyang’s face finally showed a slight smile, "Sect Leader is indeed wise. To be honest, my master once told me, the former Sect Leader left behind a strange artifact, which can grant temporary Peak of First Grade strength. But acquiring this artifact requires one thing."

Chen Ming noticed his gaze, looking towards the "Taiyue Sword" in his hand, "You mean it?"

"Exactly!"