I Only Know How to Bully Noobs

Chapter 89: Sixth Rank

Chen Ming tactically picked up his teacup and took a sip to hide the shock in his heart.

Zhuang Xiaotian did not notice his abnormality and continued sighing, "Such a stunningly talented figure actually disappeared without a trace. If he were still alive today, he would probably be a peak-level Grandmaster."

While refilling Zhuang Xiaotian’s cup with tea, Chen Ming casually asked, "What kind of sect is this Qinghe Sword Sect? Why have I never heard of it before?"

"That’s a sect from the neighboring Yuzhou. It was annihilated more than twenty years ago, so it’s normal that you haven’t heard of it."

The Great Jin Dynasty was vast, with a total of nineteen prefectures.

Each prefecture spanned a huge area, and ordinary people generally only cared about the prominent figures and major powers in their own region.

Those who could exert influence across prefectures had to be top-tier forces and experts.

Like the Heaven's Path Alliance, for instance—a super sect.

Chen Ming said, "Since it was a sect, there must have been many experts, right? How could it have been wiped out?"

"As the saying goes, there is always someone better. Beyond experts, there are even greater ones. Even a First Grade doesn’t guarantee safety. If you provoke a peak powerhouse, you could still die on the spot."

Zhuang Xiaotian often loitered in the archive room of the Six Doors Authority, having read many similar high-profile case files.

He had a clearer understanding of high-end combat power in this world.

"The founding ancestor of Qinghe Sword Sect was a peak powerhouse, said to have reached the fifth level of the Divine Repository, with sword techniques of unfathomable brilliance. After his death, he left behind a book, the 《Sword Manual》. Over the next two hundred years, none of the disciples managed to master the sword techniques recorded in it. Each generation declined further. In the past hundred years, not a single disciple even reached above First Grade."

His mouth felt dry from talking, so he took another sip of tea before continuing, "According to the records, those murderers likely came for the 《Sword Manual》. Afterwards, Qinghe Sword Sect was burned to the ground, leaving only a field of charred corpses."

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

He just didn’t know what relationship Huo Chengkun had with Shang Jianfei.

Were they fellow disciples, or separated by a generation?

Unexpectedly, this influential figure, Senior Shang, turned out to have a connection with him.

Now he didn’t know whether to call him Martial Uncle or Martial Great-Uncle?

Suddenly, Zhuang Xiaotian asked, "Where did you hear the name Shang Jianfei? Why did you suddenly bring him up?"

Chen Ming had already prepared his explanation. "Before Brother Zhou left, he said that my circumstances were quite similar to Senior Shang’s. I suddenly recalled this yesterday, and since I happened to be near your place, I thought I’d ask you to look into it."

"So that’s it. You two indeed share some similarities. I suppose he wanted to encourage you to venture out more, find a way to join a sect. With your talent, it’s not impossible."

Chen Ming thought to himself, how could it be that easy?

According to Zhou Weihao, Shang Jianfei managed to enter Qinghe Sword Sect thanks to a recommendation from Miss Jiang.

Although he also had a Miss Zhao by his side, the cultivation technique he practiced was rather special. If it didn’t align with the sect’s methods, they might not accept him.

Of course, if a good sect was truly willing to take him in, he wouldn’t refuse.

Gaining an extra backer was always a good thing.

Chen Ming changed the subject. "The streets have been under lockdown these past two days. I heard the city gates are sealed. There’ve been two rounds of searches at my place. Are those prison attackers still hiding in the city?"

In the past two days, he had gone out to spar with others and been stopped and questioned by Six Doors Authority personnel over ten times.

Zhuang Xiaotian smiled bitterly. "Seems like it. I just hope I don’t run into those bastards during the searches."

With his strength, if he really encountered them, a fight would mean certain death.

No matter how big the merit, what good was it if he died?

……

After sending off Zhuang Xiaotian, Chen Ming returned inside and instructed Chunxiang and Xiaxiang to guard the entrance, warning 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 Suns Body Tempering》.

【Level: 39】

【Current Points: 211】

【Cultivation Techniques: 《Iron Horse Stance》 (Fifth Level, Perfected), 《Three Suns Body Tempering》 (Ninth Level, Perfected)】

【Martial Skills: 《Three Talents Fist》 (Mastery), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Mastery), Zhuang’s Flying Knife (Mastery), Swallow Returns Sword Technique (Mastery)】

"Still Level 39!"

Seeing that his level had not changed, Chen Ming thought, "Looks like only after comprehending the 《Six Suns Qi Nurturing》 can I step into Sixth Grade."

After maxing out the proficiency, he felt his entire body overflowing with Qi and blood, almost to the point of bursting.

He took out the manual left to him by Old Liu and began studying it.

Over the past two months, he had studied this technique daily, but there always seemed to be something missing.

He had never been able to fully grasp it.

The fact that it hadn’t appeared on the panel proved it.

Chen Ming was not in a hurry. He believed it was likely that only by cultivating the 《Three Suns Body Tempering》 to the ninth Level in perfection could he comprehend this technique.

He carefully studied the technique written in the manual and gradually entered a state of forgetting both self and the outside world.

……

Chen Ming's seclusion lasted for half a month.

During this half month, he did not step outside his room even once.

He had also suspended the students' classes.

Even when guests came calling, he did not see them.

Even close friends like Zhuang Xiaotian and Zhang Mingyu were blocked at the door by Chunxiang and Xiaxiang.

During this time, Zhao Xiyan came once, but also did not get to see Chen Ming.

Such unusual behavior naturally aroused some speculation.

In the Chen Residence, Madam Wei strictly forbade anyone from making noise, for fear of disturbing Ah Ming, even though the likelihood was minimal.

The servants in the residence were all extremely cautious, not daring to approach Chen Ming’s courtyard, not even daring to speak loudly.

Though Madam Wei was dying of curiosity inside, she dared not ask her husband, as if fearing that speaking it aloud would invite disaster.

She even stationed Wu Bofu and Liu Zhongda outside Chen Ming’s small courtyard to ensure that no one disturbed him.

Chen Rui was also somewhat uneasy, returning home early every day and staying in the study, holding a book in his hand that he couldn’t focus on, often glancing in the direction of his younger brother’s courtyard.

The oppressive atmosphere at home was felt even by the two little ones.

Though they didn’t know what had happened, after being scolded a few times, they became extra cautious, afraid of angering their parents.

Even at mealtimes, they spoke softly.

"Brother, what’s wrong with Mom and Dad?"

Four-year-old Chen Lirong could already eat at the table by herself. Seeing her parents looking absent-minded, she stared at her brother Chen Lide with her big round eyes.

Seven or eight-year-old Chen Lide frowned and glared at her. "This is grown-up business. Kids shouldn’t meddle."

"Where’s Little Uncle? Why isn’t he eating with us?"

"Don’t know."

"Did bad guys catch him again?" Chen Lirong asked worriedly.

She had once overheard the maids mention her childhood, saying that when she was little, Little Uncle had been captured by bad people.

That small memory stayed in her heart, naturally leading her to make this connection.

"Don’t worry. There’s no bad guy who can catch your Little Uncle now."

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

Hearing his voice, Chen Lirong happily stood up. "Little Uncle!"

Chen Ming scooped up his little niece and spun her around before looking toward his equally excited and expectant older brother and sister-in-law. He said, "These past few days must’ve worried you. I’m fine."

Chen Rui breathed a sigh of relief and repeated, "It’s good you’re fine. It’s good you’re fine."

"Ah Ming, you—"

Madam Wei wanted to ask more, but her husband tugged at her, and she quickly fell silent.

Chen Ming pretended not to notice and said with a smile, "I was just in seclusion. No need to make such a fuss."

Chen Rui said seriously, "Anything concerning you is the family’s top priority."

Then, he paused and asked, "Did it go smoothly?"

Chen Ming said, "Quite smoothly."

Hearing that, Chen Rui was reassured and said, "Come, let’s eat."

Chen Ming pinched his niece’s cheeks and asked, "Haven’t seen me in so long, did you miss your Little Uncle?"

"Yes." the little girl replied in a childish voice. Her face was squeezed flat and round without any annoyance.

Instead, she hugged his neck with her chubby little hands.

Chen Ming laughed heartily.

Some kids were just naturally lovable.

This little niece was much more endearing than that overly mature nephew.

……

After dinner, Chen Rui pulled his wife into their room and reminded her, "Judging from Ah Ming’s appearance, he probably didn’t succeed. He must be feeling frustrated, so don’t ask him."

"Got it."

……

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

【Level: 40】

【Current Points: 0】

【Cultivation Techniques: 《Iron Horse Stance》 (Fifth Level Perfected), 《Three Suns Body Tempering》 (Ninth Level Perfected), 《Six Suns Qi Nurturing》 (First Level 211/100000)】

【Martial Skills: 《Three Talents Fist》 (Mastery), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Mastery), Zhuang’s Flying Knife (Mastery), Swallow Returns Sword Technique (Mastery)】

He had successfully broken through to the Sixth Grade True Qi Realm and generated a strand of true qi within his body, stepping into an entirely new realm.

However, he did not want to draw too much attention, so he hadn’t told his elder brother and sister-in-law.

At such a sensitive time, it was best to stay low-key.

So, even though he knew they had misunderstood, he did not explain.

Given their personalities, if they found out, they would definitely start offering sacrifices and making vows at temples, making it known to the whole world.