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Novel: [Night Without Borders]
Chapter 100: [The Overlord's Legacy]
Author: [Chen Dong]
Translator: [Shadow Knight AK]
Editor: [Shadow Knight AK]
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Although it was still early evening, the sky had already darkened.
A fiery red glow painted the western horizon, an artificial sunset created by the Fire Spring, resembling the lingering embers of the setting sun.
Qin Ming glanced at Cui Chongxuan.
The young man had grown taller, now nearly as tall as an adult male, and wore gleaming armor that lent him a heroic air.
Cui Chongxuan was walking away with a graceful figure, chatting as they strolled.
The woman was none other than Wang Caiwei, whom Qin Ming hadn't seen in quite some time.
Seeing this familiar face naturally brought past events to mind.
"I feel like I'm a great victim," Qin Ming thought. "The Wang Clan blames me, Li Qingxu resents me, and Cui Chonghe shows no gratitude whatsoever. Yet all I did was take Wang Caiwei on one brief outing and exchange a few words with her."
If he had enjoyed a candlelit stroll with the Wang Clan's eldest daughter, sharing mutual admiration, that would be one thing.
But his impressions of the Wang Clan's noble ladies remained superficial at best—there was no "past affair" to speak of.
Now that all factions had reconciled—even the Cui and Li Clans had ceased their hostilities—only Qin Ming remained in the same precarious position as before, still in danger.
Some people didn't want him to "rise" and return to their sight, preferring he remain forever in remote lands.
He mustn't shine too brightly or stir up any controversy.
As he grumbled, Li Qingyue comforted him, "Come, I'll show you around and we can try some local delicacies."
Luo Fu City was vast, its streets lined with ancient structures like towering blue stone pagodas and palaces forged from black gold stone, all standing for millennia.
In its heyday, Mount Luo Fu had been renowned throughout the Night Mist World as a sacred place beyond the mortal realm.
These ancient buildings were relics of that era.
Near the weathered blue pagodas and black stone palaces stood bustling restaurants, inns, Spirit Medicine Halls, and Armories, their entrances thronged with people and business booming.
"Many senior cultivators also enjoy coming these places, seeking to relive the glory of Mount Luo Fu from a thousand years ago," Li Qingyue explained, her white robes flowing as she pointed out the sights.
As the "Evening Glow" of the western sky bathed the city, her luminous profile, framed by wisps of hair and her slender, willow-like figure, seemed bathed in divine light.
Gilded by the sunset, she appeared ethereal and otherworldly, like an Immortal Maiden descended to the mortal realm.
"Try Luo Fu City's specialty dragon meat. It's quite good," Li Qingyue said, lining up at a clean stall to buy two skewers of grilled meat.
Qin Ming took a bite.
"Fish? It's incredibly fresh and tender, with no fishy taste."
"Exactly. It comes from Jade Dragon (Yu Long) Lake just ahead," Li Qingyue replied, leading him along the ancient district's streets toward a shimmering azure lake.
Luo Fu City boasted high-grade Fire Springs, accompanied by numerous second and third-tier springs.
Specialized Fire Spring canals lined the streets, resembling flowing lava and creating a distinctive spectacle.
At night, the Fire Springs were gradually dimmed by artificial controls, and the canals were blocked off, allowing the city to transition from dazzling brilliance to a soft, hazy glow.
Boats glided across Jade Dragon Lake, while larger vessels echoed with the melodies of zithers and pipa, accompanied by enchanting, melodious singing.
Qin Ming fell into a slight reverie.
Having been away from this life for over two years, it felt somewhat foreign.
"Want to go boating?" Li Qingyue asked with a smile.
"No. I'd rather not draw attention by boating with such a radiant core disciple from Beyond the Mortal Realm," Qin Ming replied with a smile, shaking his head.
He wasn't longing for the past, just feeling a pang of nostalgia.
"Shall we eat first or continue enjoying the night view?" Li Qingyue asked.
"I'm not hungry yet," Qin Ming replied, glancing at the Spirit Medicine Hall, Scholarly Pavilion, and Armory in the distance.
"Let's just wander around for a bit."
Li Qingyue nodded, noticing his interest.
"Luo Fu City is home to many cultivators," she said. "The items sold in these pavilions are of excellent quality."
She led Qin Ming into an established brand weapons shop.
Despite her ethereal appearance, she wasn't aloof or unapproachable.
With a smile, she skillfully haggled with the portly shopkeeper.
"I sincerely want to buy this Flood Dragon Armor, but your price is outrageous!"
The shopkeeper, equally adept at bargaining, countered, "Miss, in all my years, I've never encountered such an Immortal Maiden—radiant and otherworldly. But if you're haggling over Day Gold, you're getting your hands dirty with worldly concerns."
Li Qingyue remained unmoved, smiling faintly.
"I am, after all, a creature of this world. To abandon my true self in pursuit of transcendence would be a betrayal. Lower the price of the Flood Dragon Armor, then lower it again, and we'll be close to a fair deal."
"Hiss!" The shopkeeper gasped, drawing in a sharp breath. "Immortal Maiden, your bargaining skills are as sharp as your wisdom sword!"
He turned to Qin Ming and said, "Young man, if I were you, I wouldn't even blink before paying the Day Gold for this Flood Dragon Armor. How could you let such an Immortal Maiden-like friend lower the price like this?"
Qin Ming remained unfazed. "I think her haggling is perfectly fine. How about this? I'll add one Day Gold to whatever price she negotiates."
The shopkeeper nearly glared. This Flood Dragon Armor was priced in units of a hundred Day Gold.
"How dare you?" he thought. "Adding just one? What a waste of that handsome face! You'd be better off keeping quiet!"
Li Qingyue said, "It's not genuine flood dragon hide, you know. It probably only contains a trace of the creature's blood."
"Senior Brother, look! Everyone's buying Flood Dragon Armor," a young woman beside a young man said.
"Mm, pick whatever you like. I'll buy it for you," the young man replied with a smile.
When he glanced at Li Qingyue, he was momentarily stunned.
"She really is like an Immortal Maiden!"
Soon, Li Qingyue finalized the price, shoved the Flood Dragon Armor into Qin Ming's hands, and said, "The hide is extraordinary, with exceptional defensive capabilities. You should wear it as soon as you get back."
The plump shopkeeper stared at Qin Ming with a strange look in his eyes, genuinely impressed.
Beside them, the young man froze, his entire demeanor collapsing.
Glancing at his Junior Sister selecting armor nearby, he suddenly found her less captivating than before.
Qin Ming chuckled, "I'm very sorry. You're showing me around town, treating me to dinner, and now you're even gifting me this priceless Flood Dragon Armor..."
The portly shopkeeper desperately wanted to detain him for a longer conversation.
Hearing this, the young man's heart churned with conflicting emotions.
He immediately lost all desire to pay for his Junior Sister's purchase.
"Don't be so formal with me. Back then, when I wanted to taste wine for the first time? You treated me to a exorbitantly priced bottle."
Li Qingyue and Qin Ming left, chatting as they strolled.
They reminisced about old times, laughing at the memories.
"Who would have thought that Immortal Li, the celestial maiden of today, was once almost a little drunkard?" Qin Ming teased.
Among his closest friends from the past were Li Qingyue and Ning Siqi.
"The worst part is, you didn't even take a sip yourself!" Li Qingyue recalled her youthful rebellion, when she had insisted on drinking wine.
The memory was genuinely amusing.
"I don't have a taste for it," Qin Ming replied.
"Actually, I wanted to see a noble Immortal maiden drunk with wine, or a maiden practicing drunken fist Technique. But you just stayed perfectly composed, not even a blush on your cheeks."
He feigned disappointment.
"Why do I suddenly feel like punching you?"
Li Qingyue smoothed her hair, remembering that this guy had actually wanted to see her drunk back then!
"Isn't that Li Qingyue?" someone exclaimed, recognizing her as one of the leading contenders for the near-Immortal artifact.
Several Outsider disciples followed Li Qingyue and Qin Ming into a renowned Scholarly Pavilion, which specialized in books related to cultivation.
Qin Ming had come hoping to find a Secret Manual—a crystallization of past masters' wisdom.
As they ascended through the layers, the lower floors displayed various extraordinary texts, but none resonated with his spirit, and he was only allowed to flip through a page or two.
Finally, on the sixth floor, Qin Ming spotted a bloodstained black beast-hide book that immediately piqued his interest.
His instincts told him it was of immense value.
"Young man, you can look at that book through the crystal case, but that's all," an elderly man seated on the sixth floor said.
"It's no ordinary text. If you want to buy it, you'll need to bring your elders to negotiate. Even most minor sects couldn't afford it."
Qin Ming realized this Secret Manual's origins were likely terrifyingly significant.
"Junior Sister Li, you're here too? Looking for any particular books?" Several Outsider disciples had followed them upstairs, one of them feigning surprise as he greeted her with a smile.
Qin Ming realized he didn't recognize a single person.
While there were many Outsider disciples present, Noble Clan scions made up only a small fraction of them.
These few were exceptional, with the young man who had spoken earlier subtly taking the lead.
His name was Tang Xumi. Though not from a Noble Clan, his unparalleled talent had made him famous throughout the Beyond the Mortal Realm.
His rise had been meteoric, and he was considered one of the frontrunners to claim the legendary artifact being auctioned.
Qin Ming sensed potential trouble brewing.
Li Qingyue's exceptional beauty would naturally attract the attention of powerful Outsider disciples eager to court her.
"And this is...?" As expected, Tang Xumi turned his gaze toward Qin Ming.
"He's my cousin," Li Qingyue replied with a smile.
Qin Ming had anticipated a minor complication, but the situation unfolded in a way he hadn't imagined.
"Brother Li, it's a pleasure to meet you. I feel an instant connection with you," Tang Xumi said warmly, asking what Qin Ming was looking to buy and offering to help him choose.
"I'd like to see that Ancient Tome," Qin Ming said, pointing to the black book displayed in a crystal case.
Tang Xumi recognized the book immediately.
His expression turned serious as he said, "This is no ordinary item. It's the original edition, extremely famous. Not only is it outrageously expensive, but most people are also wary of its history and dare not purchase it."
"Does it have a significant history?" Qin Ming asked.
Tang Xumi sighed. "Of course. This is the Overlord's legacy. Over a century ago, the Overlord rose to power through physical mutation, dominating the Black Mist World. He was a renowned powerhouse, wielding the Overlord's Spear with such skill that few Outsiders could withstand a single strike."
"So that's who it is," Li Qingyue said, finally understanding.
Tang Xumi nodded. "The Overlord's Heavenly Light Force wasn't particularly exceptional, but after breaking through from Manifestation to the Spirit Field Realm, he became utterly ferocious. As his cultivation deepened, his indomitable courage shook heaven and earth."
The title "Outer Saint" had fallen out of favor, deemed insufficient to truly manifest saintly power and thus ridiculed.
The more common term was "Manifestation."
Beyond this realm lay the Spirit Field Realm on the Path of Awakening.
"How could someone with unremarkable progress in the first two major realms suddenly surge ahead in the third?" Qin Ming asked, astonished.
Tang Xumi replied, "Do you know how he died? Over a century ago, the Overlord roamed the world unchallenged, living up to his reputation for unparalleled tyrant. He slew an Outsider master with his spear, ultimately provoking the master's teacher to personally intervene and kill him."
He added in a low voice, "The elder who struck the killing blow is none other than Li Qingxu's current master, one of the most renowned figures in the Night Mist World!"
Qin Ming realized why so many people were now hesitant about the book.
Who would dare purchase a secret manual personally written by the Overload himself who was killed by such an elder?
Still, he suspected handwritten copies might be circulating.
Li Qingyue explained, "This is the Overlord's Last Testament, hastily written while being pursued by the elder. It's incomplete, and its earth-shattering techniques are destined to be lost forever."
Qin Ming's heart raced.
He turned to the elder guarding the sixth floor and asked, "Senior, may I examine this ancient book?"
"You're not a buyer. Don't touch it," the elder refused.
"Senior, according to the Scholarly Pavilion's rules, all books are allowed a trial reading of one or two pages," Li Qingyue countered.
Tang Xumi chimed in, "That's right, Senior. My Senior Brother bought a book here yesterday for a hefty sum. We're returning customers—you should give us some consideration."
Seeing this, the other Outsider disciples also spoke up in support.
The elder sighed in resignation.
With so many elite Outsider disciples pleading their case, he couldn't refuse.
When Qin Ming touched the beast-hide book, he found he could only open the first page.
The rest was sealed with fine golden threads, bound by some special restriction that radiated strange fluctuations.
But this was enough for him—even the beast-hide cover would have sufficed.
He stilled his mind, maintaining perfect calm, while focusing his spiritual energy to resonate emotionally with the ancient book.
Clearly, this volume contained the crystallized essence of the Overlord's lifeblood. Both the cover and the first page bore traces of dark bloodstains, likely the Overlord's own blood.
An overwhelming surge of emotion flooded Qin Ming's heart, revealing the Overlord's true power—a force capable of shaking heaven and earth.
The Overlord's towering figure swung his halberd, stirring the dark clouds into violent turmoil, unleashing a torrential downpour.
Qin Ming also witnessed that the elder who had slain the Overlord had not achieved victory easily.
The elder's luminous white palm had been pierced by the spear, spilling radiant blood.
The Overlord's Prowess was indeed astonishing, capable of shaking even the legendary elder who had shaken the Night Mist World.
The elder was undeniably terrifying.
Standing at a distance, his body trembled as golden runes expanded across his form.
With a downward sweep of his hand, he caused one of the Overlord's arms to explode.
...
Qin Ming struggled to maintain his composure, but in the end, his body still trembled slightly.
"Brother Li, are you alright?" Tang Xumi asked, surprised.
"My cousin was injured a few days ago, but it's nothing serious," Li Qingyue said, steadying Qin Ming.
"I'm fine!" Qin Ming recovered, his voice firm.
This time, his gains had been immense—he had obtained the complete Overlord's legacy and mastered it entirely.
"You're injured? I have spiritual medicine here," Tang Xumi offered, his concern evident.
"It's nothing. Touching this ancient book filled me with profound emotion. It felt like crossing a century, and I imagined the Overlord's unparalleled grandeur. My blood surged with excitement, as if I were witnessing an ancient grandmaster walking toward me..." Qin Ming sighed, his voice filled with awe.
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END OF CHAPTER
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