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Novel: [Night Without Boundaries]
Chapter 140: [The Edge of the World]
Author: [Chen Dong]
Translator: [Shadow Knight AK]
Editor: [Shadow Knight AK]
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In a single day, two High-Tier Mutant Creatures carried the group across forty thousand miles of pitch-black, boundless territory, arriving at the edge of the world.
Despite their enhanced physiques and multiple awakenings, some of the younger members still felt unwell, their faces pale.
Only when their feet touched solid ground did they regain their composure.
"Why aren't we going straight into the city?" someone asked.
They stood in a wilderness shrouded in deep night, dotted with ancient trees whose gnarled branches stretched in all directions.
A faint glow pierced the darkness from afar, likely emanating from a distant city.
"Before we proceed, I'll give you a lesson," Elder Zhou Tao of the Six Imperial Ancestral Court declared.
His temples were streaked with gray, and golden light flickered in his pupils.
"Approaching the edge of the world, you cannot enter the city directly from the night sky. It would be mistaken for an enemy attack. Even High-Tier Mutant Creatures would be blasted apart by special crossbow bolts!"
Soon, everyone learned the true nature of this place: it was the frontier domain from the Great Pioneering Era!
Of course, with the passage of time and the cessation of pioneering efforts, this region had long lost its former glory—the bustling crowds, the abundance of experts, and the vibrant energy that once defined it.
Qin Ming was lost in thought.
He had traveled forty thousand miles in a single day, arriving at this unexpected place.
He had believed the Great Pioneering Era was still far off, never imagining he would reach such a frontier so soon.
The group whispered among themselves, discussing as they approached the city under the night sky.
The city wasn't large, its walls weathered and ancient. The black-gold stone walls, as hard as iron, bore terrifying claw marks several meters long in places.
This sight made many pale.
They could almost imagine the heart-stopping scenes of the bygone Great Era, the blood and fire of the past seeming to leap from the walls.
Zhou Tao, as if sensing their thoughts, smiled faintly. "These are just trifles. Recent work by some kittens and mice."
"Ah, has the Great Pioneering Era already begun?" someone couldn't help but ask.
"Not yet," a young disciple replied, shaking his head.
He added, "Did you think this place was peaceful on ordinary days?"
After verifying their identities, the group entered the city smoothly, gaining a rough understanding of the situation along the way.
The frontier region of the Great Pioneering Era stretched across a vast territory, and this area was merely a small corner of it.
Precisely because of this, various creatures frequently breached the extremely long border, harassing the border residents in ways that were impossible to prevent.
The situation grew increasingly dire, with severe bloodshed occurring regularly.
As a result, the High Command, their patience exhausted, began planning another Great Pioneering Era expansion.
For now, preparations were proceeding methodically.
"You were born in an age of great challenges. When the Great Pioneering Era arrives, and we advance deep into the boundless Night Mist World, countless opportunities will arise. Resources and Transformations beyond measure await, and you will witness legends unfold. Some among you may rise swiftly, becoming near-Immortal beings or even Spirit-like entities—such possibilities are not beyond reach."
"Every Great Pioneering Era expansion brings forth new talents who soar like blazing suns across the Night Mist World, illuminating the darkness and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the established giants of the old generation."
"Perhaps among you stands a Youthful Prodigy destined to become a Founding Ancestor!"
With these simple words, Zhou Tao and the young disciples from the Six Imperial Ancestral Court sketched the hazy outline of a grand era.
A group of youths, their hearts surging with excitement and their blood boiling with fervor.
Yet some remained calm, their youthful hearts unmoved by the fervor.
They knew that even in such a glorious era, countless lives would inevitably be lost.
This was a county town, home to the Third-Tier Fire Spring Cluster, with a population of just over a hundred thousand.
Qin Ming and the others now understood the trials that awaited them: the demons and monsters they would have to confront.
"After the last Great Pioneering Era, some people migrated here. In the early days, it was a land of plenty—abundant resources and vast, sparsely populated lands. But now, the region suffers greatly. Monsters constantly cross the borders, causing endless harassment and bloodshed. There have even been horrific massacres of entire villages and towns."
The group now understood what Zhou Tao meant when he urged them to avoid infighting.
Hunting on the edge of the world to help resolve border troubles was a far better course.
"You can form teams or act alone. The more powerful the monsters you slay and the more demons you vanquish, the higher your evaluation will be."
Immediately, some began discussing forming teams, while others remained silent, determined to venture forth as lone wolves.
Zhou Tao spoke solemnly, "I will divide you into regions based on your strength. Before setting out, carefully study the provided materials and act within your capabilities."
He emphasized that withdrawing now was still possible, as otherwise, deaths were inevitable. Youths who had never experienced life-or-death combat should not participate; novices were most prone to accidents.
A stack of papers appeared in each person's hands, containing information about the surrounding regions. Some reports dated back years, while others were recent, all detailing bloody incidents reported by local residents.
"I won't give you information about Giant Beasts or even more powerful demons and monsters. Sending you to such places would be a death sentence."
Zhou Tao explained that danger came with opportunity. Certain creatures, like failed Silver Creature transformations, possessed concentrated Spiritual Substance. Their residual silver blood, for example, was incredibly valuable.
This also meant they were extremely dangerous.
Additionally, some aberrants had Jade Horns, Spirit Bones, or other parts that could be used in medicine or as superior materials for crafting spiritual artifacts, making them highly prized.
Don't miss such opportunities.
Some Youthful Prodigies, brimming with righteous indignation, spoke up: "Elder Zhou, if the border people have suffered so much in recent years, why don't you just sweep across and crush them? Our cultivation levels are still low; how much can we really accomplish?"
Zhou Tao retorted, "Who said those of our rank aren't doing anything? Where do you think the spiritual meat we eat every day comes from? If we didn't get our hands dirty, even Elders would eventually starve to death, sitting idle and depleting our resources until we're destitute."
A young disciple explained that the main problem was the vast border left over from the Great Pioneering Era.
The territory they currently occupied, including the surrounding cities, was merely a small corner of the entire region.
As a result, the case files and unsolved murders had piled up into towering stacks, while the various paths and sects lacked sufficient manpower to handle them all.
Most critically, the border crossers were all small fry, slippery and elusive.
The true powerhouses were focused on the deeper reaches of the Night Mist World.
That's why the High Command had recently proposed a new Great Pioneering Era—a plan to overturn the table entirely and launch a massive, overwhelming attack.
However, the uncharted territories stretched endlessly, and even the Founding Ancestors of the various paths felt uncertain, unsure of what lay ahead.
The Great Pioneering Era had been relatively smooth, yielding immense benefits.
But who could predict the future?
What if they stumbled upon a Divine Kingdom or a Demon Monarch's Court?
The consequences would be catastrophic, leading to unimaginable carnage.
A group of youths pored over the scrolls, their faces grim as they studied the gruesome cases and horrific incidents detailed within.
Some were so appalling they felt a knot tightening in their chests.
In a secluded chamber, Zhou Tao instructed several disciples to assign territories to the youths based on their demonstrated abilities.
"Remember," he warned, "everything must adhere strictly to the rules. No exceeding the boundaries, no crossing the red lines. Do you understand?"
The disciples nodded in unison, affirming their understanding.
Zhou Tao continued, "The extraordinary individuals will likely become our Core Disciples. They need rigorous training. I'll personally oversee their assessment, applying pressure to ensure they don't underestimate the Six Imperial Ancestral Court's trials."
With that, he gathered the Youthful Prodigy's files and meticulously reviewed each one.
"Rest here tonight. Tomorrow, you'll each set out to resolve these bloody cases. Consider it defending our territory and quelling chaos. If you believe yourselves capable, attempt the minor wilderness expeditions—your performance will be fairly reflected in your final evaluation!"
Zhou Tao sternly warned against internal conflict.
Any participant who attacked a fellow candidate would be immediately disqualified and potentially executed.
"If someone ambushes me, can I retaliate? Would that count as internal conflict?" someone whispered.
"You wouldn't defend yourself? Let your Qi be completely drained? It's just self-defense," Zhou Tao replied, pulling out some scripture paper and distributing it.
He added, "This is an exceptionally profound Secret Technique called Bright Light Force. It's perfect for honing your skills while slaying monsters—consider it a gift. Those who perform exceptionally well, even if this is their first assessment, will be granted access to the Six Imperial Enlightenment Grounds upon returning, where they can study an even more powerful technique."
The next day, the group of youths set out.
Qin Ming, a lone wolf, didn't team up with anyone.
His assigned territory was nearly a hundred miles from the county town.
Following the map and road markers, he swiftly traversed the night.
"Seventh Awakening and the Little Pioneering Era, here I come!" He was genuinely eager to witness the untouched landscapes of an uncultivated world.
Yet he quickly calmed himself, reminding himself to remain cautious and avoid carelessness, lest he stumble during the assessment.
Having departed early and moving at top speed, he approached his destination before Shallow Night had fully descended.
Luo Family Village: wisps of smoke curled from chimneys as villagers began preparing their morning meals.
The village was surprisingly well-lit.
For a settlement of only a few hundred people to possess a Second-Tier Fire Spring spoke volumes about the region's vastness, sparse population, and abundant resources.
Outside the village, expansive Fire Fields thrived, their crops flourishing under the crimson irrigation from the Fire Spring.
Beyond the fields stretched a dense forest.
This region, governed by several cities, was characterized by its vast plains, with few mountains in sight.
The landscape alternated between Fire Fields and dense forests.
The tranquil morning was soon shattered by wailing.
Some villagers, tense and frightened, slammed their doors shut.
A woman sobbed, "Lord... you've come again. We've already lost one child. Please, spare us! If you must, take one of us instead."
Qin Ming immediately charged forward silently.
Through an open courtyard gate, he saw a bipedal Blue Wolf standing upright, towering over two meters tall.
Dressed in a scholar's robe, the wolf grinned, revealing its blood-stained maw, and spoke in human tongue, "A good breakfast is essential. I found your child's flavor quite satisfactory, so I've returned for another."
Before it, a kneeling couple begged to die in their child's place, while behind them, two children under ten years old stared with wide, terrified eyes.
Just yesterday, they had lost their brother.
Today, it was their turn.
"Beast!" Qin Ming had never imagined that one of the bloodbaths could be so vile and tragic.
What did this Blue Wolf think this place was?
It had treated a villager's child as breakfast—for the second time!
While the other bloody incidents were also outrageous, none had ignited such fury in him.
His eyes burned with rage, as if they could spit fire.
He had always been calm and composed, but now his anger surged uncontrollably.
Qin Ming stormed into the courtyard, his icy gaze fixed on the massive, strange Blue Wolf, his killing intent undisguised.
"Hmm?" The Blue Wolf, ever vigilant, immediately retreated.
If it could kill its opponent, it would; if not, it was already preparing an escape route.
It bared its snow-white fangs in a grin.
"Brother, I know you have a mission. How about we both back down? I'll leave today. I'm a follower of the Silver Wolf King."
"Who are you calling 'brother'?!" Qin Ming struck, Heavenly Light Force flowing across his skin.
His left fist and right palm erupted with blinding light simultaneously.
The Blue Wolf was swift, but Qin Ming blocked its path, forcing it to retaliate. Its massive claws slashed through the air with a whistling sound as its massive head lunged forward, jaws snapping.
The Blue Wolf howled in agony as its left paw exploded.
Qin Ming then tore off its other forelimb, sending blood splattering everywhere.
With a deafening boom, half of its head shattered.
"A creature mutated six times," Qin Ming assessed, his fury subsiding slightly.
Behind him, the family stood frozen in terror, then erupted in joy, realizing their children would not be devoured.
The family showered Qin Ming with gratitude, attempting to kowtow, but he quickly stopped them.
Qin Ming noticed that their initial joy soon gave way to worry.
Before long, the village chief of Luo Family Village arrived, his expression a mix of excitement and anxiety.
While it was good news that the menacing Blue Wolf had been dealt with, the dense forest contained Wolf Ridge, home to at least six more vicious wolves.
After gathering detailed information from them, Qin Ming immediately set off toward Wolf Ridge.
In the vast plains, any mountain formations within the dense forests were typically claimed as lairs by powerful creatures.
Less than an hour later, Qin Ming reached his destination and ascended the ridge.
"Who's there?"
"Friend, we are followers of the Silver Wolf King. What brings you here? Let's sit down and talk."
A white wolf and a gray wolf spoke in turn, both surprisingly fluent in human speech.
The wolf demons were wary, sensing ill intent from the lone youth who dared to venture into their territory.
They suspected he was not to be trifled with.
"Have you been preying on humans in the nearby villages?" Qin Ming asked.
"A misunderstanding," the gray wolf replied. "We occasionally taste blood, but we exercise restraint..."
"Clang!"Qin Ming had heard enough.
He decisively drew his sword, its radiant light illuminating the area.
With a swift slash, he severed the massive wolf's head.
"You dare strike against the Silver Wolf King's pack?!" The remaining wolves snarled, their bravado masking their fear.
After a moment's hesitation, they charged at him in unison.
In an instant, the air crackled with dazzling blade light as blood splattered across Wolf Ridge.
The wolves fell, some decapitated, others cleaved in two.
Qin Ming descended the mountain with several wolf fangs, heading back the way he came.
"A human swordsman hunting on our territory?"
In the dense forest, a weasel half the height of a man stood blocking his path, a sword strapped to its back.
Its eyes glowed with purple light, and faint arcs of lightning crackled around its body.
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END OF CHAPTER
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