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Novel: [Night Without Boundaries]
Chapter 124: [Where the Lights Are Dim]
Author: [Chen Dong]
Translator: [Shadow Knight AK]
Editor: [Shadow Knight AK]
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Outside the Luo Fu Mountain Ruins, a vast crowd had gathered.
The recent competition among Outworld Disciples for Near-Immortal Artifacts had become one of the hottest topics of conversation.
A prominent figure from the Beyond the Mortal Realm's Pure Land spoke up, "It's been a pleasure seeing so many familiar faces today. I'm even surprised to see an old friend I haven't seen in 120 years. A rare guest indeed! Let's go to Luo Fu Immortal Town to catch up."
Many were startled.
"120 years? Truly an 'old friend'!" they murmured, guessing the speaker's status must be equally lofty.
The atmosphere grew even more lively.
Representatives from Blessed Lands, Millennial Clans, Imperial Dynasties, Secret Sects, and High-Level Anomalies had all arrived, each with considerable status, creating a grand spectacle.
In Luo Fu Immortal Town, the true Four-Tusked White Elephant appeared, its origins immense. It had transformed into a young man, accompanied by an old elephant whose tusks had fallen out.
A prince from the Great Yu Imperial Dynasty arrived, conversing and laughing heartily with Cui Chonghe, their conversation flowing smoothly.
The prince was soon to join the Beyond the Mortal Realm.
Qin Ming realized that this competition among Outworld Disciples had attracted numerous figures of extraordinary status, evolving into a grand gathering where many were expanding their networks.
Soon, he spotted Fifth Uncle Cui and felt an urge to approach him and ask if his grandfather had truly gone to the Great Yu Imperial Capital.
Qin Ming knew those words were lies. Back at the Cui Family, Second Master Cui, Fifth Uncle, and the others had fabricated those stories to lure him into practicing the Silk Book.
He restrained himself, averting his gaze.
Given his current status, he had no right to approach the upper echelons of the Millennial Clans.
Luo Fu Immortal Town, usually a quiet ancient town, buzzed with unprecedented activity today.
The Blessed Land and Millennial Clans had made arrangements for a grand banquet.
Undoubtedly, Li Qingyue was the star of the evening. Though many distinguished guests were present—venerable elders and exceptionally talented prodigies alike—most eyes remained fixed on her.
Li Qingyue was the center of attention, surrounded by a dazzling constellation of young elites.
Many of these youths were direct descendants of the Blessed Land, Imperial Dynasty, and Secret Sect, destined to become future leaders.
Senior Brother Pei, handsome and refined, with a mature and steady demeanor, introduced Li Qingyue to the assembled guests.
As a rising star in his twenties from the Blessed Land, he knew many of them personally.
Having been groomed by their families since childhood, even the teenagers among them possessed a remarkable maturity and composure.
The atmosphere was warm and friendly, with no hint of conflict or unexpected incidents as everyone eagerly networked and exchanged pleasantries.
Lu Zhen, the young disciple from the Yin-Yang Temple, removed his armor and changed into his black-and-white robes. He too was invited to join the gathering, deemed worthy of inclusion.
His mastery of the Yin-Yang Black-White Force had made him renowned throughout the world, earning him the deep respect and even fear of his peers from the Beyond the Mortal Realm and the Secret Sect.
More importantly, the Yin-Yang Temple was an immensely powerful Dao Lineage, and Lu Zhen was one of its Core Disciples.
Qin Ming glanced at Li Qingyue, radiant amidst the dazzling lights, and knew her rise was unstoppable. Her influence was evident in the way everyone treated her.
Possessing a Near-Immortal Artifact and having delivered such a stunning performance tonight, the Beyond the Mortal Realm would undoubtedly regard her as one of their most promising seeds.
"May your path be smooth and your desires fulfilled," Qin Ming murmured softly.
He then turned to Meng Xinghai and said, "Uncle, we should leave now."
"Aren't you going to say goodbye first?"
"No, the occasion isn't right," Qin Ming replied, shaking his head.
The crowd ahead was like a constellation of stars orbiting the moon. Though composed of young men and women, each possessed significant status.
As a Golden Armor Guard, Qin Ming's presence would be inappropriate.
Approaching them would inevitably draw unwanted attention, potentially exposing him to risks.
He needed to slip away quietly.
Meng Xinghai nodded approvingly, a smile spreading across his face.
"Stay grounded, that's good!"
Qin Ming immediately realized that Old Meng's earlier remarks had been subtle probes, testing whether he felt overshadowed or lacked maturity.
"Uncle, you're really..." Qin Ming hesitated, unwilling to call him "Uncle Meng" here for fear of revealing his identity.
Meng Xinghai said, "The road ahead is long. What's a little glory now? So you've chosen the path of awakening? What's wrong with that? Who says the future is fixed, that you're limited to being a guard for the Outsiders or a follower of the Secret Sect?"
"The true path lies beneath your own feet. If you can keep advancing rapidly, become a Young Grandmaster, a Pathbreaking Patriarch in your youth, wouldn't that outshine those so-called prodigies? You'd leave them gasping for breath."
Of course, he transmitted these words secretly, lest even someone as powerful as him face immediate consequences.
Qin Ming replied, "Uncle, you're always pushing me to strive harder. Since you're so fond of the awakening path, why not abandon your pursuit of divinity and turn back? Join me on this path."
Meng Xinghai immediately waved his hand. "Enough! I can't do it anymore. I've battered my head against this path until I'm bleeding dry. Look at my contemporaries—those once-legendary figures have vanished. Some changed paths, others fell into the Beyond the Mortal Realm, or became outer guardians for the Secret Sect. It chills me to the bone."
Qin Ming continued to urge him, saying, "Let's travel together, uncle and nephew, and walk this path together. One of us will become a Young Grandmaster, the other a Grandmaster in middle age. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
Meng Xinghai didn't smile.
His expression remained grave as he replied, "For the past five years, I've been stuck on this path, unable to advance even an inch. My heart has grown weary and cold. If even someone with my talent can't succeed, what hope is there for others of our generation?"
"Fortunately, I've managed to do well in the Secret Sect. I still cling to the faint hope that one day I'll have a chance to climb to the summit and approach those unknown, terrifying beings."
Qin Ming knew that the Secret Sect's path was far more reckless than that of the Beyond the Mortal Realm.
First, one approached "god-like" entities, and then embarked on a journey of profound irreverence!
"Uncle, let's go!" Qin Ming said, taking the lead.
He needed to return to Chi Xia City, plant his feet firmly on the ground, and strive to rise in that remote region.
Though the lights before him shone brightly, they were still distant.
Blessed Lands, Millennial Clans, Imperial Dynasties, Secret Sects, and Pure Lands Beyond the Mortal Realm—these were all colossal entities beyond his reach, far too dangerous for him to approach at this stage.
Meng Xinghai nodded. "Yes, it's time to return. The grand examinations across the region are entering their critical phase. Would you like to spar with the top contenders from other cities? The rewards should be substantial."
The two departed without lingering.
Sensing something, Li Qingyue suddenly turned her head.
She caught a glimpse of a familiar figure disappearing into the night, his silhouette fading into the dim glow of the distant lanterns.
...
Luo Fu City was magnificent, its brilliance undimmed by the night mist.
The colossal city now lay beneath Qin Ming and Meng Xinghai, who rode atop a high-grade flying mount, swiftly soaring through the night wind.
The golden high-grade exotic bird wore a Secret Gold helmet and armor forged from rare metals, completely encasing it like a giant, winged turtle.
Soon, Luo Fu City vanished completely behind them.
The path ahead was pitch-black, the night mist thick and oppressive, as if the entire world had been soaked in ink.
Having spent several days in the radiant Fire Spring, Qin Ming had grown unaccustomed to darkness.
Returning to this familiar yet starkly real world left him feeling disoriented.
Fortunately, he quickly adjusted.
"Don't take the usual route..." Meng Xinghai telepathically instructed the high-grade exotic bird, guiding it toward an unknown destination.
"Uncle Meng, are we avoiding the direct path because you suspect someone is following us?" Qin Ming asked telepathically.
"My senses detect no immediate threat, but for the sake of safety, we'll take a detour to visit my Grand Martial Uncle. We can ask him to purify us along the way," Meng Xinghai replied telepathically.
He was being exceptionally cautious. If there was an anomaly even he couldn't detect, it meant the situation was dire.
The High-Level mutant creature possessed immense strength and incredible speed. It pierced through the Night Mist like a shooting star, covering eight hundred miles in a short time and nearing its destination.
Along the way, Meng Xinghai guided it, providing precise directions.
After flying another few dozen miles, the mutant creature began to slow down.
Passing over a dimly lit small town, it gradually descended, finally landing ten miles outside the town.
"Grand Martial Uncle, I've come to pay you a special visit!" Meng Xinghai called out.
They stood on a vast, towering cliff, resembling a Great Mountain that had been cleaved in half, leaving only a broad, flat plateau.
Even in the dead of night, an old man sat at the cliff's edge, fishing.
Without turning his head, he replied, "Spare me the formalities. When have you ever come to see me 'specially'? You must want something."
Meng Xinghai chuckled. "I didn't want to disturb your divine ascension! I usually wouldn't dare come, but I was passing by today and brought you two jars of fine wine."
Qin Ming's expression turned strange.
This was the exquisite wine from the Luo Fu Immortal Town banquet.
He hadn't seen Meng Xinghai sneak any out.
"Don't mention 'divine ascension' to me—it makes me want to vomit! I can't even become a Mountain God. I've been fishing for a century, and not a single bite!" The old man's voice carried a hint of irritation.
He reeled in his fishing rod, stood up, and walked over.
The old man was tall and imposing, easily two meters in height, radiating vitality with a ruddy complexion, though little hair remained on his head.
"Greetings, Senior," Qin Ming said, bowing respectfully.
He couldn't help but wonder what connection there could be between achieving divinity and fishing here.
He glanced down the cliff face of Broken Mountain.
"Don't look down there," the old man warned, his tone gentle and without any elder's condescension. "It's dangerous. The things below are terrifying. This is a special place."
Meng Xinghai explained to Qin Ming that the chasm below was an endless abyss shrouded in thick mist, its depths mysterious and unknowable. It was best not to pry.
"Hmm, you've certainly brought me trouble again," the old man remarked, pointing at Qin Ming. "Interesting. Some old geezer has placed a simple mark on this boy."
Then he asked, "Is this child particularly special?"
"Well..." Meng Xinghai hesitated, then quickly recounted Qin Ming's recent experiences.
Qin Ming added his own account, realizing he had somehow caught the attention of a powerful figure.
"I see," the old man said. "You've been impersonating a Six Imperials' Disciple. That old fool was slapped by the Six Imperial in his youth. Now that rumors of the Six Imperials' impending death are circulating—whether true or false—he's trying to use you to probe the truth. Nothing to worry about. It's a minor matter."
As the old man finished speaking, his eyes lit up, causing a faint glow to envelop Qin Ming's body.
The light flared briefly before vanishing completely.
"Grand Martial Uncle, what do you think about this child taking the path of the Secret Sect?" Meng Xinghai asked.
"Do you think just anyone can possess Divine Wisdom and be suited for this path?"
"Hmm, wait a moment!" The old man's expression suddenly shifted, his eyes swirling with divine light that coalesced into arcane symbols as he stared intently at Qin Ming.
"Hiss... what a promising seedling! Excellent, his Divine Wisdom is remarkably powerful!" he exclaimed in admiration.
"I knew he had it, but is it really this strong?" Meng Xinghai's emotions were complex.
He felt relieved that Qin Ming had found a new path, yet also a pang of melancholy.
Was there truly no one who could walk the Path of Awakening with unwavering strength to the very end?
"Take this scripture and have him try practicing it. Come back in half a year. I'm currently locked in a life-or-death struggle with this abyss and can't afford any distractions," the old man said briskly, shoving a thin booklet into Meng Xinghai's hands before shooing him away.
In truth, Qin Ming had already memorized the opening incantation on Broken Mountain and began practicing it as soon as they set out.
When their high-grade exotic bird descended upon Chi Xia City, he told Meng Xinghai, "Uncle Meng, I've cultivated a divine light, but..."
"What's wrong?" Meng Xinghai asked urgently.
Mastering it so quickly was almost too good to be true.
He could sense something was amiss, and his anxiety grew.
The path to godhood was not to be taken lightly; it demanded utmost seriousness.
"The Divine Light... it's being absorbed," Qin Ming revealed, stunned to encounter this situation again.
Meng Xinghai immediately examined him, but found nothing amiss.
"Let's discuss this back at the residence."
For the next two days, Qin Ming continued practicing the technique from the booklet.
Every time the Divine Light manifested, it was absorbed, nourishing his physical body and gradually enhancing his constitution.
Only a trace of the Divine Light remained, maintaining a delicate balance.
On the third day, Meng Xinghai came to summon Qin Ming.
"Alright, stop practicing this technique for now," he said. "Someone has sent you a priceless secret manual. They've brought the first three pages. Go check if you can cultivate it. If not, we'll need to find you a normal extraordinary technique."
"What secret manual? Who sent it?" Qin Ming asked.
"Who ever said they'd send you a cultivation technique?" Meng Xinghai replied with a smile.
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END OF CHAPTER
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