Chapter 125: Chapter 124: The Basic Theory of the Weak Defeating the Strong

"A Qi Refining Cultivator beating a Foundation Establishment Cultivator isn’t that easy!"

"There’s always a reason for the weak to defeat the strong. You have to be better than your opponent in at least one area. If you’re weaker in every single aspect, there’s absolutely no chance of a comeback!"

"Qi and Blood, True Essence, Divine Sense—these are just the basics!"

After getting the call from Chen Che, Li Xiaoshuang was squatting in the toilet, shouting his advice.

The logic was simple, but the reality was harsh.

It’s like being a boxer. You need to surpass your opponent in at least one area—power, speed, or reflexes—to have a chance of knocking them out. But if even their greatest weakness is still far stronger than your greatest strength, the possibility of the weak defeating the strong is basically gone.

"Think hard about where your own advantages lie!"

Pulling up his pants as he walked out of the bathroom, Old Li couldn’t help but stare, stunned, at Li Tingyu lounging on the sofa.

"Is the meeting over?"

"Nope. The old geezers were just arguing, getting nowhere, so I decided to duck out early."

Li Tingyu was eating chips and watching TV. Hearing him, she looked up and arched a delicate eyebrow.

"What, were you just teaching your student how to defeat a Foundation Establishment Cultivator? As a frontline teacher, you should know better than I do just how slim his chances are of winning the Immortal Sect tournament..."

"You were eavesdropping on my call again!"

Li Xiaoshuang frowned, flopped onto the sofa, and stared silently at the ceiling with his head pillowed on his hands. It was a moment before he finally spoke.

"Of course, I know. The Immortal Sect tournament has always been called a den of monsters. Out of more than three thousand contestants each year, even top geniuses aren’t guaranteed to advance. Chen Che has basically zero chance of winning..."

"But!"

Li Tingyu nodded slightly and was about to speak when Li Xiaoshuang suddenly sat bolt upright, his expression serious. "Since my student has a goal, all I can do as his teacher is help him as much as possible. Even if he fails, neither he nor I will have any regrets."

After hanging up, Chen Che went straight to the Yunzhou Cave Mansion.

It had been about half a month since he last took leave from Lu Yi. The place was just as he had left it. He didn’t see the Little Chick, but a check with his Divine Sense confirmed it was out hunting.

Breathing in the faint, sweet osmanthus-like fragrance, Chen Che sat cross-legged on the Jade Lotus Platform, mulling over what Li Xiaoshuang had just said.

It all boiled down to one thing:

Attack their weakness with your strength.

’The only thing I might have over these top students is probably my Divine Sense...’

Of course, this advantage was only thanks to his rediscovery of the Concentration Incense Pill Formula. Otherwise, it was uncertain whether he would have even awakened his Divine Sense by now.

’Well, my True Essence reserves also count as an advantage.’

’However, if my opponent is a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, that advantage might be nullified, or even become negligible... After all, the True Essence of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator is on a completely different level than a Qi Refining Cultivator’s!’

Although he knew there was a gap in their Realms, Chen Che couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret every time he thought about it.

’To be honest, if I had an Upper Spirit Root, or even an Earth Spirit Root, why would I need to consider all this? They reach Foundation Establishment, I’d reach Foundation Establishment. In any competition, I could just steamroll them with my Cultivation Realm.’

Unfortunately, the cultivation speed of a Middle Spirit Root was limited, even with the boost from his Cave Mansion.

’Still, in six months, I can probably reach the Ninth Layer, and my True Essence reserves will increase even further. With seven, eight, or even more than ten times the True Essence of other cultivators at the same Realm, I refuse to believe I can’t compete with a Foundation Establishment Cultivator!’

’Besides, with the Concentration Incense, my Divine Sense can also improve very quickly.’

After careful calculation, the gap between them wasn’t as large as he had imagined. Chen Che suddenly felt a surge of joy.

’The advantage is mine!’

Of course, Chen Che was also aware that his shortcomings were just as obvious.

After watching Ye Zhihan’s video, he discovered that not only him, but all thirteen members of the ’Foundation Establishment Group’ had basically learned a lot of the Daoist School curriculum and mastered several Tier Two Cultivation Techniques.

But he hadn’t.

’I need to start preparing and learn some Tier Two Cultivation Techniques as well. I wonder if Old Li will teach me... though he’ll probably just give me a reading list and tell me to ask him if I have questions...’

The Immortal Sect strictly forbids teaching content ahead of schedule, especially learning things from a higher tier.

This was because higher-tier Cultivation Techniques had specific requirements for True Essence, Qi and Blood, and Divine Sense. Even if one learned them, they might not be able to execute them. Forcing it could even cause irreversible damage to the body.

’I can’t rush this. I still need to find Cultivation Techniques that suit me... I’m out of Leopard Embryo Elixirs, and my Concentration Incense is almost gone too.’

Opening the medicine bottle, he saw there was only one Pill left.

Of the half-box of Concentration Incense, only a few sticks remained.

After finishing his daily Cultivation, Chen Che made a trip to the Market.

He didn’t even have to say much before Ding Fei brought over the materials for the Leopard Embryo Elixir and the Concentration Incense.

He also chattered on about recent happenings in the Market. Of course, nothing major had occurred. Among the thousands of Cultivators in the Market, the most common incidents were just petty theft and brawls.

Of course, the most important piece of news was that Meng Qingxuan was still hanging around the Market and hadn’t left.

"Brother!"

After checking in on Zhao Deyou, Hu Yao showed up at his door, bringing a Demon Beast and some Spirit Wine for a feast.

"You’ve been gone for a few days, and I’ve been so bored!"

"Come on, have a drink!"

The three of them gathered around a table, eating huge chunks of meat and drinking big bowls of wine.

Chen Che asked about what was happening in Jinyun Valley. Ye Jingzhou still hadn’t returned, and Hu Yao didn’t know where he was. He also shared a few interesting stories, like a certain Junior Brother who passed through a drought-stricken land, summoned wind and rain, and was worshipped as a Divine Spirit by the mortals.

Or another tale about people and livestock in some area dying mysteriously, which turned out to be the work of a lynx that had become a demon.

After three rounds of drinks,

"Brother, are you really not interested in Miss Meng?"

Hu Yao gulped down a mouthful of wine, wiped his mouth, and asked seriously,

"Honestly, this Miss Meng has an impressive background and isn’t lacking in talent. She might be a bit unruly, but in my opinion, she’s a good match for you, Brother."

Hu Yao made no effort to hide his intentions.

The Cultivation World, much like the Mortal World, valued matching social statuses in marriage. Meng Qingxuan had an extraordinary background and would surely be betrothed to a disciple of a great clan in the future.

As a Tributor, and a Tier One Alchemist at such a young age, Chen Che had immense potential, making his status a suitable match.

"Valley Master Lu sent you to be his spokesman, didn’t he?" Chen Che said with a smile.

"Yes. Master said that if you become the Meng Family’s son-in-law, it would benefit you, Jinyun Valley, and the Meng Family. We’re sworn brothers; if it wasn’t something that would help you, I wouldn’t say a single word about it!"

Hu Yao didn’t hide it, a hint of urgency in his voice.

"Besides, I heard that disciples from several other families have also rushed over to the Market after learning that Miss Meng is staying here long-term. I’m just afraid you’ll miss out and someone else will beat you to it."

"It’s too early to talk about this. Let’s discuss it another time!"

Chen Che demurred with a smile.

After they had their fill of food and wine and chatted a while longer, they each went their separate ways.

’Meng Qingxuan?’

As he was leaving, Chen Che spotted Meng Qingxuan slowly flying toward him on a Fiery Flying Crane. Atop the crane, her graceful figure, with black hair fluttering and skirt hem gently swaying, was indeed a pleasing sight.

CRACK!

Thunder boomed.

Chen Che tore his gaze away and looked up at the sky.

Dark clouds churned as Thunder Pythons slithered through them. The wind carried the faint, earthy smell of rain.

’It’s going to rain!’

Spurred by the thought, he quickened his pace and headed back to his Cave Mansion.