Chapter 43: The Transaction

Time flies like a white horse, and three months is not a long time. Before they knew it, most of it had passed, and the date of the sect's grand competition was drawing near.

During these days, Chen Chen diligently carried a hundred buckets of water every day. In his spare time, he would run to the alchemy room to help Elder Situ Chuan chop wood, working very hard.

Even a small thug has feelings, especially when encountering someone who treats him well without expecting anything in return. To avoid causing trouble for the sect leader and Elder Situ Chuan, Chen Chen buried the details of that day in his heart. The sect's ultimate techniques are only passed down to the next sect leader, and even the five elders are not allowed to touch them. Some things are best known only by the three parties involved.

In this tacit atmosphere, about a month later, Chen Chen successfully cultivated the five techniques of the Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword to their peak. Although the book had been returned on that day, Chen Chen had already memorized its contents, giving him ample time to ponder and refine his skills. After several moments of enlightenment, he naturally achieved success.

Whenever he recalled the ancient yellow book he had found at the bottom of an old bookshelf in the library, Chen Chen's heart would ripple with emotion.

Chen Chen never imagined that as the sect's signature martial technique, the Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword was not the high-level human-grade technique as rumored, but rather...

Lower Earth Grade!

When Chen Chen opened the first page of the yellow book, he was stunned. It was hard to imagine that a sect like the Flowing Cloud Sect, which was just an ordinary sect within a thousand miles of Luoyun City, possessed an Earth-grade martial technique, something that only larger forces typically had.

However, Chen Chen soon understood. The saying goes, "A man without talent is not guilty, but a man with talent is." Chen Chen understood the plight of the Flowing Cloud Sect's successive leaders. To avoid attracting unwanted attention to the existence of the Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword, they deliberately claimed it was only a high-level human-grade technique...

Given the gravity of the matter, Chen Chen had never mentioned it to anyone, fearing that he might harm the sect that had shown him considerable kindness.

The Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword has five techniques.

The first technique, Lightning Flash and Thunder Roar, Chen Chen had already seen Sect Leader Liao Yan perform on the top of Luoyan Peak.

The second technique, Purple Qi from the East, is similar.

The truly powerful techniques of the Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword are the last three.

Flowing Cloud Style!

Lightning Chasing Shadow!

Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud!

"These three techniques are faster and more precise than the previous ones, with numerous variations. Combined with the first two techniques, the entire sword technique flows smoothly, and the rhythm of each cycle can be adjusted according to the battlefield environment."

Chen Chen finally understood why, despite the constraints imposed by the five elders, each successive sect leader could remain in power until the end. The key was this signature martial technique...

While the improvement in his strength certainly made Chen Chen happy, he still had one thing to worry about in the coming days.

It was the bet at the sect's grand competition!

Chen Chen was not worried about himself; obtaining a top-five spot was not difficult. In fact, Chen Chen now had only one goal, which might sound unbelievable to others.

At the grand competition, he intended to defeat each of the top four senior disciples, one by one, until he defeated the top-ranked inner disciple, Senior Brother Qi Zheng.

This task, which seemed impossible to the inner disciples, was a real challenge for Chen Chen. Recently, due to the rumors about him "secretly learning" the Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword, there were many whispers within the sect. Although many did not know the truth, they all suspected that Sect Leader Liao Yan was favoring him.

Chen Chen knew that only by demonstrating his exceptional talent at the grand competition could he quell the controversy and earn the respect of everyone.

Doing so would also be a way to repay the favor of Sect Leader Liao Yan and Elder Situ Chuan...

However, what Chen Chen found most troubling was Wang Yue. Despite his intense training, the saying "you can't become fat by eating just one meal" held true. Not everyone was as lucky as Chen Chen. Based on the current situation, Wang Yue's chances of defeating Senior Sister Zhong Ling in a month were slim!

"I have to find a way to get this kid a powerful martial technique that can serve as a trump card," Chen Chen thought, quickly setting his direction.

Most of the top ten inner disciples in the Flowing Cloud Sect were direct disciples of the five elders. Each of the top four had been under the tutelage of the five elders for many years. Chen Chen had privately inquired and learned that Senior Sister Zhong Ling was the only direct disciple of Elder Situ Ya, the Jade-faced Fox.

Given Elder Situ Ya's nature, she would undoubtedly support her precious disciple without reservation. Chen Chen knew that Senior Sister Zhong Ling would likely possess techniques like the "Mysterious Fox Steps."

In comparison, Wang Yue was at a disadvantage. Although Sect Leader Liao Yan had chosen both Chen Chen and Wang Yue as the direct disciples of Xiao Zhenhai and Lu Hao, the old grudges between the two factions had not been resolved. It was clear that the cunning Lu Hao would not teach Wang Yue anything.

This situation was indeed challenging. Wang Yue's cultivation could not catch up to Senior Sister Zhong Ling in a short time, and without a powerful martial technique, there was no hope.

As for the sect's library, Chen Chen had considered it but quickly dismissed the idea.

The library did have human-grade intermediate and advanced martial techniques, but the five elders' most powerful techniques were not among them. Moreover, Wang Yue and Senior Sister Zhong Ling could both access the library, and she had likely been there many times.

Therefore, relying on the library was not a viable solution...

After much deliberation, Chen Chen decided to take a risk. When Wang Yue returned from his intense training, exhausted and sweaty, Chen Chen sat down at the head of the bed.

"Brother, you don't need to worry about me. Everyone has their own destiny. As long as I do my best, I won't have any regrets," Wang Yue said, lifting the water bottle and gulping it down. Seeing Chen Chen approach, he greeted him with a slurred voice.

"Ha, you're quite philosophical. Well, since you're not concerned, I don't have to beg on your behalf," Chen Chen said with a laugh, lying down on the bed and pretending to be indifferent, deliberately teasing Wang Yue.

"Brother, do you have a plan?" Wang Yue was initially stunned, then jumped up from the bed, his eyes full of excitement.

"Aren't you not concerned anymore?" Chen Chen continued to tease, knowing that this was not a light matter and that success was not guaranteed. He wanted to get some leverage first.

"I am! I care a lot! Brother, you don't understand. I haven't slept well for the past few nights, waking up in the middle of the night, dreaming of Grandfather and my sister's disappointed faces. I even thought about finding a block of tofu to bash my head against..."

Seeing that Chen Chen seemed to have a plan, Wang Yue couldn't sit still. He was both excited and tearful, though he ended up with a runny nose instead of tears.

This kid couldn't even act...

"Alright, if I don't help you, you're really finished," Chen Chen sighed, no longer teasing. His expression turned serious. "Wang Yue, in the next few days, don't just bury yourself in training. I need you to do something!"

"Brother, tell me, I'll do anything for you!" Wang Yue nodded vigorously, knowing that this was a matter of utmost importance. He would not refuse even if Chen Chen asked him to run naked in the middle of the night.

Chen Chen would not make such a request, but the plan he proposed still shocked Wang Yue.

"Wang Yue, in the next few days, I need you to gather as many Body Tempering Pills as possible, the more the better. If you can't, you can take the followers of Lin Hai, whom I subdued last time, and go around borrowing them..." Chen Chen said calmly.

"Brother, are you asking me to follow Liu Yong's example and take Body Tempering Pills from the sect disciples?" Wang Yue's face fell. Chen Chen's so-called "borrowing" sounded noble, but it was essentially the same as taking by force.

After all, Body Tempering Pills were precious to the sect disciples, and no one would have extras to lend. Moreover, if he were truly borrowing, why would he need to bring a group of people, which was clearly a show of force to force compliance?

Wang Yue would never do such a thing unless Chen Chen asked, as he had experienced the consequences before.

"Whatever, I'm doing this out of necessity. You don't need to feel guilty. We're not really taking by force; we'll pay them back with interest later. Just borrow them for now!" Chen Chen said calmly, not wanting to be a villain but also not a pushover. He saw this as a necessary and righteous action.

"Brother, is there really no other way?" Wang Yue was still reluctant.

"Well, there is. If you can defeat Senior Sister Zhong Ling in a month, that would also work," Chen Chen said with a mischievous smile.

"Alright, I'll do it. I have to be a villain this time. If I don't, I'll be destroyed," Wang Yue's face was even more miserable, but he had no choice but to follow Chen Chen's plan.

For the next half month, the usually law-abiding Wang Yue gritted his teeth and began a large-scale "borrowing" operation. He led a few inner disciples to ask other disciples for Body Tempering Pills.

This behavior naturally caused public outrage. Wherever Wang Yue went, he faced condemnation. His good friend, Zhang Lin, threatened to cut ties with him, and many wanted to beat him up. However, knowing that he had a brother who had killed Lin Hai, they didn't dare to act.

In the end, Wang Yue's reputation plummeted, and he became the "number one menace" in the sect.

Due to their stronger overall strength, Wang Yue's group affected a wider range than Liu Yong had. Even some powerful inner disciples were not spared, leading to even more condemnation...

One evening, after half a month,