"Ku Teng, this is truly heaven sending aid to me!"

Situ Lei sat upright in his chair, a slight look of satisfaction on his face.

"What is it?"

Chu Ming asked curiously, his voice hoarse as he controlled his own spiritual power, to prevent Situ Lei from noticing anything amiss.

"A few days ago, Vice Sect Leader Lin Tong showed disrespect to the Sect Leader and was immediately suppressed by the Sect Leader. Now that the position of Vice Sect Leader is vacant, it's our chance."

Situ Lei suppressed his fluctuating state of mind and spoke slowly.

"Vice Sect Leader Lin Tong has been killed by the Sect Leader?"

Chu Ming's face showed surprise. Lin Tong was one of the two Vice Sect Leaders of the Profound Wood Sect, with a cultivation of the Eighth Layer of the Realm of Transcendence, even stronger than Situ Lei. Since the Sect Leader could kill Lin Tong, his combat prowess must at least be at the Late Stage of the Eighth Layer of the Realm of Transcendence.

"Of course, this matter has spread wildly among the upper echelons of the Profound Wood Sect. It's just that you, stationed here in Black Moon City, have remained in the dark."

Situ Lei moved his lips slightly and said faintly, then continued, "Once I become Vice Sect Leader, the position of Grand Elder will be yours, Ku Teng."

Situ Lei began to win over Chu Ming. The position of Vice Sect Leader was considered unattainable in the eyes of many because it granted direct access to the legendary Sect Leader. Otherwise, the power between the Vice Sect Leader and Grand Elder differed greatly.

"Then I will thank Brother Lei in advance."

Chu Ming feigned extreme joy and expressed his gratitude to Situ Lei, who nodded gently.

"Then, do you know why Lin Tong suddenly acted against the Sect Leader?"

Chu Ming asked curiously. Since the establishment of the Profound Wood Sect, the Sect Leader had freely imparted many divine powers to the disciples. Situ Lei and Ku Teng's breakthroughs to the Eighth Layer of the Realm of Transcendence were greatly aided by the mysterious Sect Leader.

"This is exactly what I cannot fathom. Perhaps Vice Sect Leader Yu Lie knows something, but he has always been secretive, and there's nothing I can do."

Situ Lei frowned, speaking faintly.

Yu Lie was one of the two Vice Sect Leaders. Now that Lin Tong was dead, only he remained.

"So why did Brother Lei summon me this time? What do you need me to do?"

Chu Ming did not believe that Situ Lei had come merely to deliver this piece of news. If that were the case, he could have sent a disciple instead and need not come in person.

"The position of Vice Sect Leader is to be selected between me and the Second Elder through a vote by our five Elders. The one with the most votes will be the new Vice Sect Leader."

Situ Lei spoke slowly, a gleam flashing in his eyes.

Chu Ming hesitated and said, "That would disadvantage Brother Lei greatly."

Elder Ku Teng and Situ Lei formed one faction, while the Second Elder was close to the Fourth and Fifth Elders. By this count, Situ Lei had only two votes, while the Second Elder had three, making him the likely winner.

"That is why I came to seek you."

Situ Lei's face turned impassive as he responded.

"In half a month's time, the Fourth and Fifth Elders will be heading to Celestial Sea City to exchange a batch of goods. At that time, I need you, Ku Teng, to take action and..."

Situ Lei raised his right hand and made a throat-cutting gesture.

Chu Ming's heart chilled. Elder Ku Teng might die, but Situ Lei was clearly pushing him into the fire. If the matter was not exposed, all would be well. But if it were, he would have no place to stand in the entire Profound Wood Sect.

Yet, Situ Lei, no matter what, could wash his hands clean of the matter, an excellent calculation indeed.

"This..."

Chu Ming hesitated slightly on the surface. Situ Lei becoming Vice Sect Leader would benefit him significantly, as it would allow him to learn much about the Sect Leader through Situ Lei. But he couldn't agree immediately, as that would arouse Situ Lei's suspicion.

Seeing Chu Ming hesitate, Situ Lei knew exactly what he was thinking and immediately comforted, "You don't need to worry, the exchange is also being conducted in secret, with few people. The strongest among them will be the Fourth and Fifth Elders. With your cultivation at the Eighth Layer of the Realm of Transcendence, you can easily handle it."

He then promised again, "As long as I become Vice Sect Leader, the position of Grand Elder is certainly yours."

Chu Ming sneered inwardly. The position of Grand Elder held high power and weight, and even if Situ Lei became Vice Sect Leader, it wouldn't be entirely up to him. However, his words would carry some weight.

"Alright, I hope you keep your word!"

Chu Ming nodded heavily, feigning the appearance of making a difficult decision. Even Chu Ming himself was impressed by his own acting skills.

"I will inform you of the specific route of the Fourth and Fifth Elders' journey."

Situ Lei was very pleased as he spoke, then removed the barrier in the hall and left Black Moon City.

For several days, Chu Ming continued to cultivate Black Wood Palm. In a small courtyard of the Profound Wood Sect's residence, a gust of green wind arose suddenly, followed by black palm seals fiercely striking the air, creating strong gusts of wind, with an aura of death spreading, extremely frightening.

The Black Wood Palm in Chu Ming's hands had already gained considerable power, and in a few days, it could be cultivated to the Transformation Realm.

...

In the sky over Mukong Island, the Profound Spirit King and Cyan Bird King sat cross-legged in a spatial layer. To them, decades passed in the blink of an eye, let alone ten days. They were extremely patient.

"Hmm?"

The Profound Spirit King moved, as his Communication Jade Pendant suddenly shuddered. He immediately realized that today was the time for the Life and Death Palace to update the Transcendence List, and the Beiling Alliance should have sent him the news.

The Beiling Alliance, a major power in the North Sea, placed great importance on the Transcendence List, especially the top few names. Even they did not wish to provoke them, as the Battle of Kings was imminent. The top names on the Transcendence List were guaranteed entry into the Life and Death Tower, and who could predict their future?

Having nothing else to do, the Profound Spirit King picked up the Communication Jade Pendant and began to read. With just one glance, he froze.

"Tenth place, Emperor Wuji, skilled in sword technique, core disciple of the Divine Blade Palace, the leader of the six giants of the younger generation. Half a month ago, he killed a high-tier ninth-level Poison King Scorpion with a hundred slashes in the Death Desert. His current cultivation is at the Third Layer of the Realm of Transcendence."

"How did Emperor Wuji rank tenth? Have more peerless talents emerged?"

The Profound Spirit King's heart sank. Generally, the top ten positions on the Transcendence List did not change much since for these talents, their progress was equally rapid. No one was mediocre, and widening the gap was not simple.

Calming his mind, the Profound Spirit King continued reading.

"Ninth place, Liu Shengchuan, the first swordsman of the younger generation in the North Sea..."

"Even Shengchuan has been pushed back one place."

The Profound Spirit King could hardly believe it but continued to read with patience.

"Eighth place, Emperor Luo, descendant of the Southern Wilderness Clan, twenty-eight years old, possesses the Primordial Body..."

"Even Emperor Luo has been pushed down!"

The Profound Spirit King was visibly shaken. He had met Emperor Luo and had to admit, even with his Life and Death Realm cultivation, that Emperor Luo was exceptional among men, a candidate for a future Emperor.

Suddenly, his gaze narrowed as it fell on the seventh spot on the Transcendence List.

"Seventh place, Chu Ming..."