"Now we can only start with Yu Lie."

The Second Elder looked up at the sky, murmuring to himself, but there was a flash of pain in his eyes. Yu Lie was known in the Wood Profound Sect as someone who never did anything without profit. To find a breakthrough from Yu Lie, he would need to pay a considerable price.

"Sigh, for the position of Vice Sect Leader, it is all worth it."

The Second Elder gritted his teeth, his heart filled with determination.

...

"I didn't expect Brother Ku Teng's speed to be so fast, returning to headquarters in such a short time."

There was a flash of pride in Situ Lei's eyes. In a few days, when the Elders' Council meeting ends, he will become the Vice Sect Leader. How could he not be excited?

"It's good to settle the matter of the Grand Elder's position early."

Chu Ming sat on the chair, speaking lightly. Situ Lei's eyes flashed with a hint of embarrassment.

Then he said softly, "Regarding Brother Ku Teng as the Grand Elder, I certainly have no problem, but Vice Sect Leader Yu Lie does not agree, and I have no way to change it."

Chu Ming's face became slightly cold, and he responded indifferently, "What? The Grand Elder wants to back out now?"

Situ Lei felt slightly displeased in his heart. In the past, Elder Ku Teng had always followed his lead, never daring to speak to him like this. For some reason, Situ Lei felt that Elder Ku Teng's personality had somewhat changed.

"Do you think breaking through to the Realm of Transcendence Eighth Heaven makes you remarkable?"

Instantly, Situ Lei found an excuse for Elder Ku Teng's personality change. However, he also knew that without Elder Ku Teng's approval, he couldn't ascend to the position of Vice Sect Leader.

With the death of the Fourth Elder and the Fifth Elder, the position of the Third Elder, Elder Ku Teng, became extremely important. Almost whoever gets his support will become the Vice Sect Leader.

"Hahaha, how could that be? As long as I become the Vice Sect Leader, the position of Grand Elder will be yours, Brother Ku Teng."

Situ Lei smiled slightly, suppressing his displeasure, secretly planning to settle scores with him later.

Chu Ming discussed some more matters with Situ Lei, then turned and left, finding an independent courtyard to stay in.

...

"Hahaha, this time the old guy Second Elder has really bled heavily."

Yu Lie put down the storage space in his hand, his eyes slightly narrowed, laughing lightly.

Yu Lie had a burly figure, standing at full two meters. He emitted overwhelming heat from his body, with broad palms and thick eyebrows. Wearing a black robe with golden edges, as the Vice Sect Leader of the Wood Profound Sect, Yu Lie could be said to be second only to one person while being above many.

For three consecutive days, Chu Ming was cultivating in the independent courtyard. He felt that his cultivation had reached a bottleneck, and it wouldn't take long to break through to the Second Layer of the Realm of Transcendence.

His rapid cultivation progress had many factors involved. First, he had always used top-grade spirit stones for cultivation, whose spiritual power was far superior in both quality and quantity compared to the outside world. Second, he spent a full year refining the Undying Tree, which could be described as the accumulation of thick and thin.

Early in the morning, a disciple from the Wood Profound Sect came to call Chu Ming, asking him to go to the council hall for discussing important matters.

"It's finally coming."

Chu Ming murmured in his heart. To be honest, he didn't believe much in Situ Lei's words. Relying on others was not as good as relying on oneself. Unless absolutely necessary, he did not want to tear face with the Wood Profound Sect.

Tapping sounds...

As Chu Ming stepped into the council hall, he felt the solemn atmosphere within, with sparks of tension colliding in the air.

"Old Third, you've arrived."

As soon as Chu Ming entered the council hall, Grand Elder Situ Lei came to greet him.

"Hmm!"

Chu Ming nodded lightly, noticing that there were only four people in the whole council hall, including himself. Apart from Grand Elder Situ Lei, sitting in the prime position was a burly man in a black robe, with thick eyebrows, and a hint of flame jumping in his eyes, extremely intimidating.

"This should be the Vice Sect Leader of the Wood Profound Sect, Yu Lie."

Chu Ming guessed in his heart. Although Yu Lie had the cultivation of the Realm of Transcendence Eighth Heaven, the powerful qi in his body was clearly superior to both Grand Elder Situ Lei and Second Elder.

"Hmph!"

A cold snort sounded, like the chilly wind in winter, making one feel a few tinges of piercing chill.

Chu Ming turned his head to see a white-haired elder staring at him with a stern face, eyes filled with murderous intent. He believed that if this were not the Wood Profound Sect, the white-haired elder would certainly take immediate action.

"Second Elder?"

Chu Ming squinted his eyes. The strength of the Second Elder was rivaled to Situ Lei, otherwise, he wouldn't be a strong contender for the position of Vice Sect Leader.

"Sit down first!"

Yu Lie raised his eyes slightly, speaking lightly. Even Situ Lei dared not be too wanton before Yu Lie, pulling Chu Ming to sit down.

"This time, I called you three to find the culprit who killed the Fourth and Fifth Elders, and to discuss the vacant position of Vice Sect Leader."

Seeing everyone seated, Yu Lie said solemnly.

"Hahaha, why seek the culprit who killed the Fourth and Fifth Elders? Isn't it obvious, right in front of us?"

Second Elder's face darkened, he then sneered.

Situ Lei's face turned black, clearly hearing the sarcasm in Second Elder's words, he said angrily, "Don't falsely accuse, do you have any evidence?!"

"Evidence? Do we even need evidence? When the Fourth Elder and Fifth Elder die, the greatest beneficiary is you. Even a fool can see that."

Second Elder continued to sneer, but he could only say so, he truly had no evidence to do anything to Situ Lei.

Thud!

"Enough, stop arguing!"

Yu Lie heavily slapped the table, said sternly, his gaze like lightning sweeping over the three present, briefly stopping on Chu Ming, then said, "I went to the battlefield that day, there were remnants of sword dao in the air, the culprit should be a strong swordsman, strength no less than mine."

"Could it be Liu Shengchuan?!"

Second Elder's eyes widened, then exclaimed.

"Liu Shengchuan?"

Chu Ming murmured in his heart. Liu Shengchuan entered Mukong Island with him, within half a month had already drawn the attention of Wood Profound Sect members. In terms of combat power, Liu Shengchuan was no weaker than Yu Lie. Unless absolutely necessary, the Wood Profound Sect did not want to provoke Liu Shengchuan.

"It's possible. The Sect Leader instructed to avoid provocation with Liu Shengchuan unless absolutely necessary. Now, his cultivation of the divine skill has reached a crucial point. Once the divine skill achieves Great Success, Liu Shengchuan will be nothing."

Yu Lie said solemnly, making Chu Ming laugh inwardly. Liu Shengchuan, being a fellow swordsman, unexpectedly became his scapegoat.

However, Grand Elder, felt slightly puzzled. On the day of the Fourth and Fifth Elder's tracks, he personally conveyed to Ku Teng. Could Elder Ku Teng have connections with Liu Shengchuan?

"The Sect Leader will naturally deal with Liu Shengchuan. Let's talk about the vacant position of Vice Sect Leader now?"