Chapter Six: Settling Scores

  "Among them, including Lei Shidi, five new disciples have already reached the first layer of Qi Refining. Ding Yuanyan, Ding Shimei, was the fastest, and it only took her a month to achieve this. Tang Qian couldn't help but feel a little envious: "It's clear that not only does Ding Shimei have exceptional talent, but also outstanding comprehension. I heard that the Old Ancestor is extremely pleased and has rewarded Ding Shimei with a high-quality artifact." When it comes to high-quality artifacts, Tang Qian can't help but feel a pang of jealousy.

  Lei Dong naturally knew that Ding Wanyan, she should be the best girl among the twenty or so new disciples in this batch. In terms of overall talent ranking, she should be around eleventh place. But now it seems that her performance may be far more than that, otherwise, Wan Gui Lao Zu would not have been so generous with his praise.

  As soon as Tang Qian's voice fell, a calm and steady voice came from behind Lei Dong: "I heard that Dīng Shījiě's progress is not inferior to that of the number one ranked little girl, and she is one of the earliest to advance among our group of people."

  The sound of thunder was heard, and it was Chen Ge's voice. Turning back, he saw Chen Ge smiling and congratulating him: "I really didn't misjudge you, Brother Lei. You've already reached the first layer of Qi Refining in such a short time, only a few days later than me. It's truly something to be happy about, congratulations!"

  "Brother Chen is delighted." Lei Dong also smiled and bowed, pausing for a moment before asking: "I wonder if Wei Hua has arrived?"

  "Not yet, but it should be soon." Chen Ge had a calm and composed expression: "When I saw him the other day, he was already in the final sprint stage. If nothing unexpected happens, it will happen within these two or three days."

  "That's good." Lei Dong also showed a joyful expression. In his heart, he indeed hoped that Wei Hua could reach the first layer of the Refining Qi period as soon as possible. After all, among the three of them, there was already an implicit understanding and alliance. If their strengths were equal, they would be able to help each other even more. He paused for a moment before asking again: "So, the other two who have reached the first layer of the Refining Qi period are Zuo Chao and Zhou Minghua, right?" The two names Lei Dong mentioned were naturally among the top three in terms of aptitude among the new disciples of the Wan Gui Cave. Among them, Zuo Chao was that six or seven-year-old little boy, while Zhou Minghua was about twelve or thirteen years old.

  "Zuo Shixiong is a genius, and in just two months, he has already reached the first layer of Qi Refining. Chen Ge's expression was solemn, but then a hint of mockery appeared at the corner of his mouth: "As for Zhou Shidi, tsk, I'm afraid he's still struggling to break through that membrane even now."

  Lei Dong was also shocked, no wonder Chen Ge would mock him. The top three were all personally instructed by Wan Gui Lao Zu, not only did they not have to explore on their own like them, but it was clear that the treatment of Dan medicine was also first-class. Until now, Zhou Minghua still hadn't broken through, and could only be laughed at.

  Just as Lei Dong was about to speak, a cold hum of annoyance came from outside the door. The two turned their heads and saw that it was indeed Zhou Minghua with an angry expression. Speak of the devil, and the devil is here.

  Chen Ge was indeed mature, but he was only a fourteen or fifteen year old boy. Being caught mocking someone from behind, his expression couldn't help but be somewhat unnatural and awkward. Especially when he saw that Zhou Minghua was full of energy and had sharp eyes, it was clear that he had also broken through to the first layer of the Refining Qi stage.

  "Speaking ill of others behind their backs, Chen Ge, you're also not exempt from being a small person. I'm ashamed to be associated with you." Zhou Minghua was only twelve or thirteen years old and wasn't someone with deep guile. On the spot, he couldn't control himself and angrily scolded Chen Ge before turning around and wanting to leave.

  Chen Ge opened his mouth, but ultimately didn't say a word. Instead, Lei Dong coldly laughed and shouted: "Zhou Shidi, wait!"

  The three words "Zhou Shidi" seemed to have struck a nerve, and Zhou Minghua turned around with a furious gaze at Lei Dong, his eyes wide open like an enraged bull.

  "What's wrong with what Brother Chen said? On the contrary, you are being disrespectful to your senior brother. Not only did you address him by his name directly, but also scolded him in front of everyone. Although our Yin Xie Sect is an evil sect, we still have to respect our seniors and superiors. It's clearly written in the sect rules that anyone who disrespects their seniors will be locked up for cultivation and receive thirty heavy slaps in the punishment chamber." Lei Dong said sternly with a serious tone: "Don't you quickly apologize to Brother Chen?"

  Zhou Minghua seemed to want to pounce on Lei Dong and give him a good scolding, but the school rules and the thirty large slabs of wood made him stop in his tracks. After hesitating for a moment, he suppressed his anger and forced out a few words: "Sorry, Chen Shixiong." Having said that, he glared fiercely at Lei Dong and Chen Ge before quickly fleeing the scene.

  After he left, Chen Ge let out a long sigh and said: "Lei Shidi, Zhou Minghua didn't offend you, why did you have to tear your face with him? This person not only has good qualifications, but also is the direct disciple of the old ancestor, and will have a great future."

  "Where did you get this from, Brother Chen?" Lei Dong's face was stern: "If Zhou Minghua treats his seniors with such disdain and doesn't receive some punishment, he'll think we're easy to bully. Moreover, since we've already offended him, looking at his attitude, he's not a magnanimous person either, so why bother giving him face." In his heart, however, he was thinking that after all, he had also crossed over from another time, and during the information explosion era, he understood many things. His mental age was also much older than theirs.

  When dealing with people, although it's necessary to be tactful and diplomatic. However, if you want to achieve something, you must have a clear stance and a well-defined position. If you try to please both sides, you may not offend Zhou Minghua, but you will make Chen Ge resent you. Even if we assume that Zhou Minghua will definitely make things difficult for Chen Ge when he has the chance, what will you do then? Will you help or not? If you don't help, Zhou Minghua won't have a good impression of you. If you do help, you'll still offend Zhou Minghua. It's better to take a clear stance from the beginning and make Chen Ge appreciate your integrity, united against a common enemy.

  Lei Dong's words made Chen Ge pause for a moment, and then he revealed a relieved and grateful expression: "Brother Lei is absolutely right, I was mistaken." In his heart, however, he was extremely satisfied with Lei Dong. The alliance between the two sides seemed to have become even more solid. His demeanor towards Lei Dong became even more enthusiastic. He pulled Lei Dong along and together they went to ask Tang Qian about learning magic techniques.

  "Lei Shidi, our Yin Xie Sect has over a thousand types of spells suitable for Qi refining period cultivation. However, one can't chew on too many things at once, so it's usually necessary to choose some spells that suit oneself and delve deeper into them." Chen Ge spoke in a garrulous manner: "Moreover, our Yin Xie Sect has another rule. That is, new disciples are only allowed to learn one spell for free. If they want to learn others, they must exchange them with sect contributions. And sect contributions can only be obtained by completing sect tasks." He paused for a moment, letting Lei digest his words before continuing: "Therefore, choosing the first spell is especially important."

  "What was the first spell that Shixiong learned?" Lei Dong asked with a blink of his eyes. As for the sect's contribution, he had already understood it from the Jade Tablet. It was a very important data, whether it was spells, elixirs, or artifacts. As long as there were corresponding contributions, they could be exchanged for them. However, the sect's contribution wasn't something that came easily. In short, one needed to make beneficial contributions to the sect before they could obtain it.

  "Dark Flame Shot~" Chen Ge said without hesitation, somewhat proudly: "This is a very powerful attacking magic spell. I've spent several days of hard work and can barely use it now. Follow me back to my training room and take a look."

  ……