C6 This Little Monster Is Not Very Good

Chen Ming strolled back to Prince Su Mountain, sensing that the young girl was practicing her swordsmanship halfway up the mountain. The pesky creature that sought to challenge him hadn't shown up yet. He made his way to the girl's room and noticed a copy of the Ninety-nine Profound Technique on the table.

With a quick glance, Chen Ming recognized the technique, notorious for its lethal difficulty. He had confidence in the girl's abilities, yet he couldn't shake off a hint of concern. Deciding to master the Ninety-nine Profound Technique himself seemed prudent; after all, his unique constitution required him to master at least three thousand such techniques.

Internally, he commanded, "Comprehend the Ninety-nine Profound Technique!"

A notification chimed in his mind, "To comprehend the 81st level of the Ninety-nine Profound Technique, 10,000 points of Teacher's Virtue are required. You currently possess 95 points, which is sufficient to comprehend up to the 24th level. Proceed with comprehension?"

"Comprehend! Do it now!"

In the blink of an eye, Chen Ming felt a profound change within himself. His physical strength had increased manifold!

"So, the Ninety-nine Profound Technique focuses on bodily cultivation! I'll need to stock up on more ginseng for the girl; she's nearly depleted our supplies," he mused.

Now, Chen Ming could go toe-to-toe with a cultivator at the second level of the Dao Entering Stage, using only his physical might, without tapping into his spiritual power.

Fully mastering the Ninety-nine Profound Technique was another story—demanding an exorbitant 10,000 points of Teacher's Virtue. It was clearly a path meant for the protagonist, not the common cultivator.

Through his practice, Chen Ming discovered that the Ninety-nine Profound Technique wasn't the pinnacle of the Dao Enlightening Stage. Its ultimate principle, "Nine Return to One," promised ascension to the Divinity Stage in one fell swoop. Indeed, such privilege was reserved for the protagonist.

After some contemplation, Chen Ming picked up his brush and jotted down his insights on the Ninety-nine Profound Technique beside the text. This would surely accelerate the young girl's progress in her cultivation.

Ten Thousand Swords Sect.

A group of newly initiated female disciples were gossiping, "Have you heard? Rumor has it Elder Chen doesn't even like Zhuo Qingyao. Whoever defeats her could catch Elder Chen's eye!"

"Yeah, I heard that too. Plus, Elder Chen has gone back to the Prince Regent Mansion. Right now, Zhuo Qingyao is the only one up on Prince Su Mountain."

"Let's dress up in disguise, mask ourselves, and head up the mountain. We'll give Zhuo Qingyao a piece of our minds, show her she's not fit to be Elder Chen's disciple!"

"Sister, that's some brilliant thinking!"

"Imagine Zhuo Qingyao, always with Elder Chen. Who knows when that little tramp might end up in his bed!"

"Hmph, as if beauty is all it takes. Elder Chen is way too suave for someone like her!"

"Exactly. Elder Chen's in his prime. That little tramp has all the chances in the world to make her move first!"

Prince Su Mountain.

Chen Ming had just finished penning his reflections when he decided to cloak himself with magic and stroll around Prince Su Mountain. But as he reached the mid-slope, a woman's voice caught his attention, “Zhuo Qingyao, you're only cozying up to Elder Chen for his wealth. Here's ten thousand taels of gold. Leave Elder Chen alone!”

Perched on a towering ancient tree, Chen Ming watched with interest. Facing Zhuo Qingyao was Lee Qianer, the daughter of a wealthy merchant. She appeared to be in her late teens, dressed in a flowing green gown, with a beauty that was hard to ignore.

Zhuo Qingyao pulled out a piece of Snow Ginseng from her pocket, took a bite, and exclaimed in astonishment, “Wow, ten thousand taels of gold!”

Lee Qianer scoffed with disdain, “Humph, so clueless. Getting all excited over ten thousand taels of gold!”

Zhuo Qingyao asked shyly, “I've only ever heard of gold, never seen it. Just how much is ten thousand taels? Is it a lot?”

With an air of arrogance, Lee Qianer replied, “You're such a country bumpkin, not even knowing the worth of ten thousand taels of gold. Let me enlighten you. With that amount, you could buy an entire street, sustain a thousand households for a year. And that Snow Ginseng you're holding? Ten thousand taels could buy you a whole root...”

It was enough to purchase an entire Snow Ginseng root...

Zhuo Qingyao then chomped down on the Snow Ginseng, biting off more than half in one go. Lee Qianer's voice shook as she exclaimed, "That bite alone is worth at least fifty thousand taels of gold..."

Lee Qianer's family was exceedingly rich, yet she had never witnessed anyone treat Snow Ginseng like a mere carrot!

Suddenly, Lee Qianer realized the futility of comparing wealth with Chen Ming—it was a sure path to embarrassment.

Chen Ming wore a look of distaste and sighed, "These minor monsters just don't cut it anymore. Such poor quality! They don't invoke any desire to engage in battle; instead, they inspire sympathy. They're probably just extras destined to be slain by the protagonist after a single scene."

Chen Ming was deeply let down, but soon after, he remarked, "However, they willingly offer up their dignity—and possibly even their lives—for the protagonist's grand ascent. Such minor monsters deserve admiration. Lee Qianer isn't just an extra; she's a hero in her own right!"

Anger flashed across Lee Qianer's face as she declared, "She's been scheming to become Elder Chen's disciple, clearly coveting his wealth. I shall purify Elder Chen's household!"

At the Dao Enlightening Stage Level Seven, Lee Qianer had no trouble overpowering Zhuo Qingyao. Before long, Zhuo Qingyao was battered and bruised. Knowing she was outmatched, Zhuo Qingyao attempted to flee. The ensuing chase brought them to the Cliff of Reflection.

You might wonder why Chen Ming didn't step in to assist Zhuo Qingyao. But no, this was the time to let the story unfold naturally, lest the hero's chance be spoiled.

The Cliff of Reflection, as its name suggests, was a precipice. Chen Ming mused, "I almost forgot—if cultivation progress stalls, one can always take the leap off the cliff!"

For the protagonist, no problem exists that can't be solved with a cliff jump! And if one jump doesn't do the trick, then make it two! No magical treasures? Below the cliff, there lie relics left by a Dao Realizing Stage master. Lacking a cultivation technique? There's one inscribed by an immortal. Absent Immortal Arts? A dying immortal awaits. And if it's companionship you seek, a pure and alluring fairy can be found just beneath the cliff's edge.

Beneath the cliff lay a treasure trove of wonders!

In a moment of contemplation, Zhuo Qingyao had been sent tumbling down the cliff by Lee Qianer's forceful palm strike. Chen Ming concealed himself within the mist, leaping after her. Sure enough, after Zhuo Qingyao's descent, she clung to a green vine and plummeted into a hidden cave, shrouded by the vines.

From within, Zhuo Qingyao's voice echoed with surprise, "Ah, this is Jade Lingzhi! My master has spoken of this rare spiritual herb, incomparable to Snow Ginseng. Consuming this Jade Lingzhi will not only heal my wounds but also greatly enhance my powers! Lee Qianer, you just wait. Once I depart from the Cliff of Reflection, I will certainly seek retribution!"

Chen Ming's anxiety eased upon hearing Zhuo Qingyao's voice. The wisdom of the ancients had not misled him. With Zhuo Qingyao safe, he too found solace. Vaulting back atop the cliff, he found Lee Qianer gone, her place taken by a figure in black. The man in black, gazing at Chen Ming, chuckled, "The world praises Chen Ming, the prodigy of Yan Kingdom, for seeking disciples to affirm his Dao. Little did I expect the Prince to glimpse the threshold of the Dao Realizing Stage at such a tender age. Should you ascend to a grand master, would not Yan Kingdom gain formidable strength?"

Chen Ming faced the man in black, hand to his forehead in mock exasperation, "Ah, so there's a backstory!"

The man in black, taken aback, inquired, "What backstory?"

Chen Ming explained, "The so-called backstory is the significant events that unfold while the hero is still vulnerable. It's the web of enmity amongst us NPCs. Without it, how could we all live in harmony? How would the hero find adversaries to vanquish?"

The man in black appeared bewildered, "Could it be that the Prince is not in his right mind?"

Drawing the Prince Su Sword, Chen Ming pointed it at the man in black. The two masters faced off atop the cliff, an epic showdown reminiscent of a battle for the pinnacle of Zi Jin. Chen Ming sighed deeply, "Enough chatter, let's proceed with the drama!"