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Novel: [Night Without Boundaries]
Chapter 103: [Going with the Flow]
Author: [Chen Dong]
Translator: [Shadow Knight AK]
Editor: [Shadow Knight AK]
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The Fire Spring dyed the night mist crimson, illuminating Mount Luo Fu Immortal Town.
The ancient bluestone paths, weathered by a millennium of time, were now pitted and uneven, radiating an aura of weathered antiquity.
"Evening Glow" flowed around Li Qingyue like a divine radiance. Her words carried immense weight, and her declaration had a profound impact.
Li Qingxu, clad in purple robes, felt a flicker of unease, sensing the shift in the atmosphere.
Instantly, whispers rippled through the crowd of Outsider disciples, even those around Li Qingxu growing visibly uncomfortable.
"Li Qingyue, this is none of your concern," Li Qingxu said, his voice calm as he gripped his luminous purple bamboo staff.
He realized that an undercurrent was about to surge. His longtime rival had already been provoking him, and Li Qingyue's forceful stance at this critical moment seemed to have tipped the balance.
"I won't repeat myself!" Li Qingyue declared, her white robes pristine against the Fireglow, her entire being radiating a faint golden light.
"Li Qingxu, we'll settle our old scores in the Spiritual Cave," Tang Xumi announced.
"Li Qingxu, our duel will be tomorrow in the Spiritual Cave!" Core Disciple Jiang Shengyu declared without explanation.
"Count me in too!" another voice chimed in.
In an instant, many understood: the Core Disciples had reached an unspoken agreement to eliminate Li Qingxu first upon entering the Spiritual Cave.
The situation unfolded in a way few had anticipated.
Li Qingxu knew that Li Qingyue's decisive sword strike at the critical moment had been ruthless, plunging him into a dangerous situation.
He understood perfectly well that Tang Xumi had no genuine grievances against him.
This was clearly an opportunistic move—a way to curry favor with Li Qingyue while eliminating a rival.
With Tang Xumi setting the precedent, the other Core Disciples would naturally follow suit.
As each faction declared its stance, Li Qingxu's position grew increasingly precarious.
The Outsider disciples who had previously supported him now remained silent. Though none had deserted him outright, their loyalty after entering the Spiritual Cave tomorrow was uncertain.
After all, no one wanted to defy the overwhelming tide. If the Core Disciples truly united against him, how could he possibly withstand them?
Li Qingxu spoke in a low, steady voice: "They're just bluffing, trying to intimidate us. When we enter the Spiritual Cave, we'll each take different paths, making it impossible for them to surround us. Even if we encounter another group, a full-scale battle is unlikely, since everyone knows our true objective. Don't take their words at face value."
He needed to reassure his followers.
Without their support in the competition for the Near-Immortal Artifact, he would be overwhelmed and unable to cope.
"Senior Brother Li, we will do everything in our power to help you compete for that legendary artifact," Zeng Yuan declared.
In the past, he had been on good terms with Qin Ming, but after entering Beyond the Mortal Realm, he had grown closer to Li Qingxu.
During their chance encounter at Black and White Mountain, Zeng Yuan, like Zheng Maoze, showed Qin Ming no goodwill.
"Senior Brother Li, rest assured, we stand by your side," another Outsider disciple added.
They and the Core Disciples were mutually reinforcing each other, and the sooner they chose sides, the better the outcome.
Li Qingxu knew that while these disciples had pledged their support, they might not immediately rally to his side after entering the arena tomorrow. They would likely observe the situation first.
He nodded calmly, maintaining an aura of composure and poise.
The more he tried to persuade or retain anyone, the more counterproductive it would be.
"Impressive. That girl is quite capable. With just a few words, she nearly toppled a formidable competitor," an Outsider expert remarked outside Mount Luo Fu Immortal Town, nodding in approval.
"If that elder knew his newly accepted disciple with such extraordinary Innate Talent might be the first to be eliminated, wouldn't he fly into a rage?"
"Silence! That name must not be spoken," someone warned.
The old senior was fiercely protective and ruthless, feared by all. Even the peerlessly majestic Overlord was just one of the renowned figures he had casually slain.
The older he grew, the fierier his temper became.
Outside the town, a young man spoke up, defending Li Qingxu: "Junior Sister Li, you're going too far. You haven't even entered the Spiritual Cave yet, and you're already making your move."
But before he could finish, an elder warned him: "You old disciple—yes, you! Shut your mouth and step back!"
Beyond the Mortal Realm only allowed the disciples competing for the Spiritual Cave to reside in the Immortal Town.
These events were part of the trial, and outsiders were forbidden from interfering.
The young man was initially stunned.
At just twenty-four years old, how could he be considered old?
Compared to this ancient geezer, he was practically in the prime of his youth.
Daring not to argue, he obediently retreated, his guilty conscience silencing him.
The elder then pointed at the group of young people: "And you lot—all you old disciples! Don't get too close. Back away now!"
The group wanted to retort, "Who's old here?"
Cui Chonghe, who was among them, felt particularly aggrieved. His age was similar to the youths in Mount Luo Fu Immortal Town, yet he had been disqualified from the competition and now this decrepit elder was calling him an "old disciple." Expressionless, he walked away.
In Mount Luo Fu Immortal Town, the initial tense standoff had given way to an atmosphere of harmony. Core Disciples mingled, chatting and laughing.
Whether they were truly allies or enemies remained unclear.
In truth, these interactions were merely for show.
The Core Disciples had already made contact beforehand, and this display was intended to boost the morale of their followers.
Qin Ming didn't follow Li Qingyue toward the Outsider disciples.
Instead, he observed those walking the Path of Awakening, trying to discern who had mastered special forms of Heavenly Light Force.
A small group among them warranted particular attention, as even the Outsider Core Disciples dared not underestimate them.
The Former Disciple of the Tathagata, disciples of the Five Elements Palace, and inheritors of the Jade Pure Force were all considered extremely dangerous at this stage.
Unsurprisingly, these individuals who relied on bodily mutations were also sizing each other up.
"Brother, if we meet in the Spiritual Cave, we can spar, but let's not go for the kill. We're all walking the same path, true comrades."
"Agreed!"
"See that youth with arms that reach his knees? His name is He Tai. They say he's mastered the Great Ape King Fist to perfection. He killed an Outer Saint during his Awakening phase—extremely dangerous and violently tempered. Don't provoke him!"
Qin Ming casually strolled around, gathering a wealth of information.
"He Tai? They actually invited him to help? He was the top scorer in the Great Examination personally appointed by the City Lord of Giant City. He killed an Outer Saint during his Awakening stage. Now that he's reached the Manifestation Realm, who can possibly stand against him?"
In an instant, many eyes turned to He Tai, and whispers about him intensified.
Qin Ming couldn't help but glance at him as well, learning that the Zheng Clan had specifically invited this young prodigy for Zheng Maoze.
"The Great Ape King Force is a super-complex Heavenly Light Force, extremely difficult to master. Yet He Tai had already achieved mastery at a young age, earning him the title of 'future grandmaster of fist techniques.' Even now, he exudes an aura of greatness."
Qin Ming listened quietly, memorizing this dangerous individual.
"Am I seeing things? The Pure Yang Palace actually sent someone too!"
Another formidable figure was recognized: Jiang Congyun, a disciple of the Pure Yang Palace. His Dao Lineage's Pure Yang Force was renowned for its invincibility and unparalleled dominance.
A member of the Millennial Clan had personally visited the Pure Yang Palace to request this young expert on behalf of Wang Caiwei.
Many Outsider disciples showed visible alarm.
In the Heart Purification Realm and Yellow Court Realm, they had to be extremely wary of certain specialized forces, lest they meet a bitter end.
The Pure Yang Force was exceptionally terrifying, capable of scorching and shattering one's Consciousness Spiritual Light!
Wang Caiwei clearly valued Jiang Congyun, keeping him by her side and formally introducing him whenever they faced groups of Outsider disciples.
"Which one is the Former Disciple of the Tathagata? Which one is the successor of the Jade Pure Force? And where are the disciples from the Five Elements Palace? Brother, do you know any of them? Can you point them out for me," Qin Ming asked a burly young man beside him.
"No idea. They're keeping a low profile. I get the feeling those guys could pose a threat even to the Core Disciples."
....
Not only those from Beyond the Mortal Realm, but also individuals who had taken other paths, gathered outside Mount Luo Fu Immortal Town, all closely observing the competition.
In the outside world, many places had already opened betting pools, allowing people to wager on which Core Disciple of Beyond the Mortal Realm would ultimately emerge victorious, turning the event into a major business venture.
"The successor of the Jade Pure Force, the Former Disciple of the Tathagata, Jiang Congyun, Cui Chongxuan, He Tai... These specially invited individuals—who will be the one to break through the Spiritual Cave and claim the final victory? Will someone be hired to defeat certain Core Disciples head-on and seize the Near-Immortal Artifact?"
"Place your bets! Five Elements Force, Pure Yang Force, Six Imperial Force... Which is the strongest? Time to gamble!"
Clearly, the Core Disciples weren't the only ones under scrutiny.
Those specially invited individuals, masters of terrifying martial forces, had also become betting targets in various pools.
That night, beneath the night mist, countless people across major cities and regions discussed the event, gamblers treating it like a grand festival, eagerly placing their bets.
Late into the night, Qin Ming slept soundly, clutching his Jade Iron Sword, wary of potential disturbances.
By now, all parties were watching with tense anticipation.
Even experts from Beyond the Mortal Realm and direct descendants of Millennial Clans had personally invited participants, underscoring the immense importance placed on this event.
The night passed without incident.
Just before dawn, as the Fire Spring fully reactivated and the stone slab covering it was lifted, a sudden attack struck.
At this critical moment, someone had actually made a move.
"Li Qingxu, I knew you'd come. Why bother hiding?" Li Qingyue stepped out, her body radiating a celestial glow that dispelled the Night Mist.
A figure shattered a nearby house in silence before retreating without engaging Li Qingyue directly.
Tang Xumi appeared, his sword already drawn.
"Shall we join forces to cripple him and drive him away?" he whispered.
"There's no time," Li Qingyue shook her head.
The dark figure stood at the entrance to Mount Luofu Immortal Town.
Engaging him there would prevent a swift kill and alert those outside the town.
"He's lost the initiative and is trying to establish dominance by ambushing one of us tonight," Tang Xumi said before vanishing into the Night Mist.
Meanwhile, Qin Ming had fully armed himself.
His golden armor gleamed brilliantly, his tall, imposing figure radiating heroic energy.
Twelve short spears were strapped to his back, and a Jade Iron Sword hung at his waist.
He knew the Golden Armor forged by the Outsiders was inscribed with special runes that could block a single fatal blow.
After all, the armor's purpose was merely to compete for Near-Immortal Artifacts, not to cause excessive casualties.
When activated, the runes would generate a protective barrier, allowing defeated participants to escape the Spiritual Cave.
However, there were exceptions. If someone relentlessly attacked, disregarding the cost to shatter the protective barrier, or if a defeated participant refused to leave immediately, exhausting the barrier's duration, they risked certain death within the Spiritual Cave.
Li Qingyue retrieved a thin, golden robe from her room.
Soft yet mystical, it shimmered with intricate, flowing runes.
She whispered, "Wear this too. It'll provide a second layer of protection."
Qin Ming realized this was a protective golden robe specially crafted for Core Disciples, of exceptional quality.
He immediately shook his head.
He already had the Golden Armor. If he wore Li Qingyue's life-saving garment, she would be left vulnerable, a regret she might carry for life if anything happened to her.
"My strength is sufficient. No Core Disciple can kill me. Besides, I have protective measures. Even if unforeseen circumstances arise, I can escape the Spiritual Cave instantly. You... you've only undergone five awakenings. It's not to underestimate you, but you've only recently embarked on the Path of Awakening and still need time to accumulate power. I'm just worried about not being able to protect you adequately."
Li Qingyue spoke frankly, revealing her hidden concerns.
Qin Ming shook his head firmly.
Though he was here to help, her offering him the life-saving golden robe warmed his heart.
He couldn't possibly let her face such unpredictable dangers alone.
"If you won't wear the protective golden robe yourself, we might as well abandon this competition altogether!" Qin Ming declared.
Finally, Li Qingyue returned to her room, donned the golden armor beneath a layer of silver armor, instantly radiating heroic valor and extraordinary presence.
At dawn, the crimson glow of the Fire Spring's sunrise bathed Mount Luo Fu Immortal Town, dispelling the Night Mist and painting the landscape in brilliant light.
The group set out and soon arrived at the Immortal Mountain Ruins, several miles away, where they entered a network of stone caves.
"Each group will take a different path, entering through separate passages," a voice echoed telepathically from a master of the Beyond the Mortal Realm.
Qin Ming followed closely beside Li Qingyue as they ventured deeper into the cave passage, initially expecting to descend into an underground realm of perpetual darkness.
To his surprise, they emerged into a sunlit pine forest, where clear springs gurgled and the air was as bright as midday.
The other three Golden-Armored Guards shared Qin Ming's astonishment.
Li Qingyue remained composed, her gaze sweeping across the landscape.
In the open clearing beyond the pine forest, she spotted a familiar figure—Zheng Maoze.
From the mountainous terrain on the opposite side, Li Qingxu approached with a smile.
"What a coincidence, Li Qingyue! I never expected to encounter you so soon!"
He glanced at Zheng Maoze. "Let's join forces and send her on her way."
Then he chuckled, noticing Wang Caiwei approaching in the distance, accompanied by Jiang Congyun, a master of the Pure Yang Palace.
Li Qingxu called out, "Caiwei, let's all work together to send Immortal Li on her final journey!"
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END OF CHAPTER
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