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Novel: [Night Without Boundaries]
Chapter 108: [The Decisive Battle]
Author: [Chen Dong]
Translator: [Shadow Knight AK]
Editor: [Shadow Knight AK]
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Countless wails echoed through the night as those who had bet on the "wrong" side faced imminent bankruptcy.
Few could have imagined that Cui Chongxuan, master of the legendary Six Imperial Force, would fall to an unknown youth.
At least, that was the initial consensus among distant gambling dens, whose information lagged far behind the real-time updates from Mount Luo Fu.
"Li Ye, who the hell are you? You've caused me such great resentment—I'm about to lose everything!"
Qin Ming, posing as Li Qingyue's "cousin" and using the name Li Ye, had now become a notorious figure in the Night Mist World... at least among the gambling circles.
"Cui Chongxuan, what a waste of your Six Imperial Heart Scripture training! To be so utterly defeated and cost me a fortune—I'll curse you to hell..."
Zhou Chengru's defeat by Li Qingyue had been widely anticipated.
But Cui Chongxuan's loss to Li Ye was utterly unacceptable.
After all, Cui Chongxuan had the backing of a Millennial Clan, possessed the legendary Six Imperial Force, and possessed extraordinary innate talent. There was no logical reason for him to lose.
Many, their eyes bloodshot from gambling losses, naturally let their true nature shine through, unleashing a torrent of colorful language throughout the night.
Outside the ruins of Mount Luo Fu Immortal Mountain, the Cui Clan's members wore grim expressions, utterly stunned that their favored candidate had been the first to be eliminated.
Rumors had circulated that the various Dao Lineages Beyond the Mortal Realm had reached a tacit agreement to target Li Qingxu, whose domineering and overly protective teacher they resented.
They planned to eliminate him first within the rules. Yet, despite his precarious situation, he remained in the competition.
Official government gazettes would never report such matters, but the Night Gazette, a publication run by civilian organizations, had undoubtedly struck gold with this explosive material and began to report it extensively.
In an instant, widespread speculation erupted, with many predicting that Li Qingyue would claim the near-immortal treasure.
Her cousin, Li Ye, might even accompany her to the very end, displaying extraordinary brilliance within Mount Luo Fu.
...
Qin Ming silently digested the fragmented Six Imperial Heart Scripture. His attempts to resonate with the emotions of those nearby proved largely ineffective due to the overwhelming "impurities" present, which fragmented the sutra's emotional essence into countless shards.
"Legend has it that Cui Chongxuan only mastered the Bright Imperial Force, while success in the Awakening stage requires mastering two Imperial Forces."
Qin Ming compared his fused Heavenly Light Force from the Silk Book with the Six Imperial Force.
Though he had defeated Cui Chongxuan, it was primarily because the latter had yet to fully master his technique.
He reminded himself not to grow complacent. His fused Heavenly Light Force, still in its awakening stage, undoubtedly paled in comparison to the true Six Imperial Force, Tathagata Force, or Jade Pure Force.
"I need to continue cultivating other Heavenly Light Forces, ideally fusing them with an Extraordinary Technique. This would ensure I can suppress two Imperial Forces during the awakening stage, making me fearless against even legendary techniques."
Li Qingyue approached, her aura refined and otherworldly.
Turning to the two men and one woman who followed her, she said, "You're all injured. Return now and rest. Thank you for your efforts."
The three Golden-Armored Guards opened their mouths as if to protest, but ultimately nodded and withdrew.
They knew the upcoming battles would likely be even more intense, perhaps even bloody.
This competition among the Core Disciples wasn't just about vying for near-immortal treasures; it was also about establishing a hierarchy and status that would determine future resource allocation.
Qin Ming remarked, "Cui Chonghe nearly pulled off a perfect deception. If you hadn't discovered him with your Spiritual Eye, he might have been the ultimate victor."
Li Qingyue nodded.
Given Cui Chonghe's astonishing strength and his ability to maintain his disguise, he likely would have intercepted the legendary treasure at the last moment.
As they continued their journey, they skirted the crimson lake.
The path ahead grew increasingly dark, the Fire Springs dwindled, and the sky became pitch-black, so dark they could barely see their hands in front of their faces.
They proceeded cautiously, remaining vigilant in the shadows.
"Is this really considered a Spiritual Cave? It's so vast," Qin Ming said.
When Meng Xinghai had first mentioned the Spiritual Cave, he had imagined something akin to a well.
Li Qingyue explained, "Long ago, some powerful figures from Beyond the Mortal Realm sought to elevate Mount Luo Fu Immortal Mountain from a top-tier Blessed Land to the legendary Heavenly Cave level. But their attempt failed, reducing this place to scorched earth. Only now, after a millennium, is it gradually recovering."
Qin Ming was speechless.
The so-called Spiritual Cave was actually the site of a failed Heavenly Cave!
"Where exactly is this place where the Otherworldly Heavenly Light is so concentrated and violent? How much further?" Qin Ming asked, his anticipation growing.
He wasn't just eager to help his dear friend obtain a near-immortal treasure; he also yearned to bathe in the Otherworldly Heavenly Light and undergo an awakening himself.
Unfortunately, he hadn't practiced any special energy techniques or Extraordinary Technique beforehand.
Had he done so, the effects of merging with and enhancing himself within the Otherworldly Heavenly Light would have been far more profound.
He was still pondering the fragmented Six Imperial Heart Scripture, lamenting its incomplete state.
He desperately wanted to decipher its hidden depths.
Li Qingyue cautioned, "Though the Mount Luo Fu Immortal Mountain Ruins are vast, we're not far from our destination. Let's proceed with caution. I find this silence unsettling; we've encountered surprisingly few Outsider disciples."
The pitch-black terrain was barren, devoid of vegetation. Having been pierced by the Otherworldly Heavenly Light and lacking the nourishing Fire Springs, the area still pulsed with lingering violent Qi.
As they traversed the darkness, a faint light gradually appeared ahead, signaling their approach to a region with Fire Springs.
Here, lush vegetation thrived in abundance.
Small streams of Fire Springs flowed down numerous mountain peaks, resembling winding rivers of molten lava from a distance.
Some of the towering mountains even featured cascading Fire Spring waterfalls, a breathtaking spectacle that resembled an inverted starry river, illuminating the entire region with a brilliant glow.
Li Qingyue's face lit up with joy. "This land has truly awakened! Our lineage's founder once made arrangements here. I wonder what remains now."
"We'll return to search later," she said regretfully, knowing they couldn't afford to linger, lest someone else claim the near-immortal treasure first.
Qin Ming gripped his Great Spear, remaining vigilant.
They soon entered a misty forest filled with snow-white bamboo, its stalks and leaves as pristine as jade.
The dense fog shrouded the area, creating an ethereal atmosphere reminiscent of an Immortal's sanctuary.
"Get back!" Li Qingyue suddenly whispered.
For the first time, she drew her weapon—a short sword shimmering with five-colored light—and summoned a wooden shield that hovered before her, radiating a crystalline glow.
Qin Ming sensed danger, though he couldn't yet discern its source.
Li Qingyue was a major realm higher than Qin Ming, so she would undoubtedly sense something.
Qin Ming calmed his mind and finally sensed it too. It felt as if a horde of terrifying beasts were closing in from all directions, gradually creating a suffocating pressure.
During this time, Li Qingyue led him back along their original path.
"I told you, Junior Sister Li's spiritual senses are too sharp. There's no way she'd wait until she reached the ideal location," someone said, blocking their path.
"Fortunately, we have enough people and made preparations along the way. Hmm, the others ahead have already received the message and are rushing here."
Luo Qingge and Jiang Shengyu, two of the Core Disciples, blocked their path, while several Elite Disciples joined the encirclement.
Qin Ming recognized them from Mount Luo Fu Immortal Town. Back then, Luo Qingge had been the first to provoke Li Qingxu, and Li Qingyue had seized the opportunity to swing her sword, leading Tang Xumi, Jiang Shengyu, and the others to follow suit.
Luo Qingge, dressed in blue, had a beautiful face and a radiant smile.
"Junior Sister Li, I'm sorry," she said. "You're just too strong. Out of respect for you, we've decided to join forces and escort you out."
Jiang Shengyu nodded solemnly, his expression cold and resolute.
Li Qingyue had no intention of exchanging words with them.
Wasting no time, she unleashed her five-colored short sword, which erupted in a dazzling display of light, engulfing the bamboo forest ahead.
With a thunderous roar, as if a Giant had swung a massive hammer, the bamboo forest was obliterated in a single strike.
Li Qingyue's sword had shattered the entire area.
Luo Qingge and Jiang Shengyu vanished simultaneously, reappearing a short distance away. They activated their weapons, moving swiftly to intercept Li Qingyue.
"Junior Sister Li, forgive us!"
"Senior Sister Li, we apologize for this offense. We must send you away."
"Qingyue, we're truly sorry. In this battle for the Dao, we have no choice but to eliminate the greatest threat—you." The last Core Disciple to arrive was Tang Xumi.
Li Qingyue retracted her five-colored sword, standing motionless amidst the swirling white mist that now shrouded the shattered bamboo forest.
Now that she was surrounded, any attempt to buy time would be futile.
Qin Ming stood beside her, his Great Spear emitting a faint Heavenly Light.
This would undoubtedly be a bloody battle, for all who had come were formidable experts.
Tang Xumi, Jiang Shengyu, Ren Yiping, Su Jingzhu, and Luo Qingge—all Core Disciples—had encircled Li Qingyue.
Elite Disciples were stationed in all directions, with Golden-Armored Guards positioned even further out.
"Did you block the disciples who would have sided with me in advance?" Li Qingyue asked.
Qin Ming suspected that the path they had taken to enter this place had been deliberately arranged.
Li Qingyue calmly observed them and said, "It seems my initial encounter with Li Qingxu was no coincidence."
"Of course it was a coincidence!" Ren Yiping, a Core Disciple with a faint smile on his face, replied.
Even if there was something fishy about it, no one would admit it.
Qin Ming, unfamiliar with the Beyond the Mortal Realm, sensed the fierce competition among the Core Disciples, where they would stop at nothing to gain an advantage.
Li Qingyue's extraordinary strength posed a significant threat to the other Core Disciples.
Even Tang Xumi, who had shown affection for her, chose to strike against her at this critical moment.
For Core Disciples like him, feelings of affection or even the allure of a peerless beauty were fleeting distractions, far less valuable than the near-immortal treasure he sought.
Li Qingyue spoke, "Let my cousin leave first. He is an Outsider."
Qin Ming's heart leaped.
Were these Core Disciples planning to eliminate Li Qingyue?
His Heavenly Light Force surged as he tightened his grip on the Overlord's Spear.
Ren Yiping and Su Jingzhu were about to speak, but Tang Xumi cut them off.
"Alright, Brother Li," he said. "This is a decisive battle among the Core Disciples of Beyond the Mortal Realm. You shouldn't interfere. Although you let your bird lead me on a wild goose chase for hundreds of miles, making me furious, what can I do? We've already crossed paths."
"Leave now," Li Qingyue said, sensing Qin Ming's worry.
She secretly transmitted a message using a Secret Technique: "I can protect myself!"
Qin Ming took a deep breath.
He had only embarked on the Path of Awakening a few months ago and was still a major realm behind the Core Disciples.
He cursed himself for being unable to help here.
Without a word, he shouldered the Spear and strode away.
In an instant, the pristine bamboo forest erupted in a dazzling display of celestial radiance, swirling immortal mist, and rampaging divine light.
The force of their consciousness expanded, distorting space itself.
The bamboo forest shattered as the six Core Disciples clashed relentlessly, each unleashing their full power without restraint.
Qin Ming had barely left the bamboo forest when he was intercepted by a group of Golden-Armored Guards, proving Tang Xumi's words had been ignored.
He glanced back, unable to see Li Qingyue but sensing the tremendous commotion deep within the forest—the Five Core Disciples were ganging up on her.
"Do you intend to capture me as well?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing as he gripped his Great Spear.
"Yes!" came the curt reply.
"Do you mean to kill me?" Qin Ming's brow furrowed deeply, his concern for Li Qingyue growing.
None of the Golden-Armored Guards responded.
Qin Ming channeled his full power, a fiery energy surging through his chest.
In an instant, he lunged forward, his Great Spear slashing through the air like a bolt of lightning.
With a resounding crash, the guard who had given the terse "Yes!" was sent flying backward.
Before the man could hit the ground, Qin Ming overtook him.
The spear's blade flashed with cold light as it pierced through the guard's hand and plunged into the golden armor at the wrist.
The Golden-Armored Guard screamed in agony as his entire arm exploded.
A surge of Heavenly Light Force erupted from the severed limb, tearing through his flesh and organs.
"Poof!"
The man exploded within his armor.
Qin Ming, wielding the Great Spear, flicked his wrist, sending the golden armor flying. It crashed against the rocks, staining the area crimson with blood.
"Boom!" The ground nearby shattered as a figure trained in a special energy technique erupted from the earth, a terrifying Heavenly Light extending half a meter from his body.
He seemed to have teleported into close range.
Qin Ming gripped the Overlord's Spear with both hands and brought it down in a vertical strike, but two other charging figures intercepted the blow with their weapons.
"Clang!"Qin Ming clashed with one of the attackers using a single hand, grunting at the impact.
The tall youth, whose body radiated half a meter of Heavenly Light, was formidable, his energy technique unique.
Though Qin Ming's Qi and blood surged violently, his hand didn't falter. He continued striking, exchanging over a dozen blows with the youth's fists.
"Poof!" The tall youth's fist shattered.
He screamed in agony, trying to retreat, only to find his entire arm exploding. The terrifying Heavenly Light spread, tearing through his internal organs.
"Kill!" Qin Ming roared.
Just then, a burly youth emerged from the bamboo forest.
"Need my help?" he asked.
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END OF CHAPTER
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