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Novel: [Night Without Borders]
Chapter 151: [Territorial Expansion Stirs Unease]
Author: [Chen Dong]
Translator: [Shadow Knight AK]
Editor: [Shadow Knight AK]
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Zhou Tao, who had been sitting cross-legged on the back of the raptor, suddenly leaped to his feet.
Golden light shot from his pupils.
As the leader of this expedition, he felt responsible for the loss of the other elders' Extraordinary Medicines—a matter too "crude" to be overlooked.
In the dark night sky, the White Peacock radiated Divine Radiance, its voice echoing through the darkness: "Elder Zhou, I advise you to remain calm. Everything will proceed according to the rules. As long as we don't cross the red line, there's no need for worry."
...
Qin Ming dared not venture deep into the Land of Divine Lament Plains, fearing he'd encounter some formidable opponents.
However, he yearned for advancement, eager to continue his demon-subduing efforts.
He knew that missing this opportunity meant losing the chance to encounter Strange Blood Creatures, beings born with Extraordinary Blood.
Driven by ambition, Qin Ming resolved to continue advancing.
Unable to advance vertically, he decided to advance horizontally, offering support to his acquaintances.
After inventorying his spoils, Qin Ming delivered donkey hooves, Peng claws, four-colored feathers, ivory tusks, Mountain Ape finger bones, and other spoils to Stone Fortress Village that very night, proof of his Demon Subduing feats.
"Young man, you... you single-handedly slaughtered all those Old Demons?" The Old Village Chief was stunned by this glorious achievement.
The villagers were equally astonished.
Countless young Demon Slayers had come and gone, yet none could even subdue the Old Donkey.
Now, all the demons had been annihilated!
Moreover, some of these Old Demons weren't even listed in the records, meaning the youth had casually eliminated them, truly pioneering new territory.
Qin Ming set out before Shallow Night arrived, studying the Arrow Manual even on the road.
After each shot, he would swiftly pursue the arrow, combining archery practice with his journey.
As he traversed the boundless forest, Qin Ming felt no fatigue.
The dense Yi Wood Essence Qi constantly nourished his flesh and spirit.
Hu Family Village, a sizable settlement with numerous blue-brick, gray-tiled houses, was home to over six hundred people.
The village's Second-Tier Fire Spring burned brightly at its center.
Upon arriving, Qin Ming naturally sought information from the natives, asking if any malevolent demons lurked nearby.
The Old Village Chief, standing beneath an ancient locust tree, smiled warmly and said, "Young man, you're too late. Recently, a maiden as beautiful as an Immortal Maiden from a painting helped us slay a demon and resolve our troubles."
"Look, there she is," the chief pointed.
Zhuo Ya appeared, gracefully approaching in a black robe that accentuated her fair, delicate features with a cold elegance.
She was an extraordinary individual even stronger than Cao Wuji.
"What brings you here? Do you want me to punch you to settle scores for my cousin?" Zhuo Ya asked with a smile, referring to Yu Zhuohan, her cousin.
At first glance, she seemed aloof, but those who knew her discovered that her smile bloomed like a Snow Lotus, radiant and captivating.
Qin Ming chuckled. "Yu Zhuohan and I became friends through fighting. I don't believe he's that petty. I came purely to help. Are there any particularly difficult Old Demons in this area?"
Suddenly, he drew his Silver Bow, carved with Cloud Patterns, and aimed at an Iron-Beaked Parrot perched on a large willow tree nearby, ready to fire.
"Spare me! I mean no harm! Heavens, why do I keep running into you even here?" the Iron-Beaked Parrot shrieked in terror.
"Don't kill it!" Zhuo Ya quickly intervened.
"What's going on?" Qin Ming asked, puzzled.
For the past few days, Bird Demons had been spying on them.
After he shot down several, things had finally quieted down.
"It's one of the White Peacock's subordinates, patrolling the territory..." Zhuo Ya explained. "This is actually for our protection. If any 'unexpected' events beyond the established rules occur, the White Peacock will intervene."
The Iron-Beaked Parrot wept bitterly.
"Recently, the entire Bird Realm has been warned to avoid the territories of the Black Peng and Fire Scale Lion. Nine of our bird brothers patrolling those areas have already been shot down!"
Qin Ming was stunned.
Had he unknowingly killed spies from the Six Imperial?
"Why didn't you say so earlier?"
"There was no chance at all! Who could have imagined your intuition was so sharp and your archery so terrifying? We ended up just watching from the mountains—no bird dared approach you."
The Iron-Beaked Parrot never expected to encounter this demon slayer again, even after being reassigned to a new territory, nearly losing its bird life in the process.
The Old Village Chief of Hu Family Village was stunned.
This young man had swept through the region, eliminating all the Old Demons in that territory?!
He immediately perked up, his eyes gleaming with renewed vigor.
"Young man, there's indeed one demon here that no one dares touch. It hasn't crossed our borders, but its descendants frequently cause bloody incidents."
"What kind of demon?" Qin Ming asked.
"The White Flood Dragon of Flood Dragon Palace," the Old Village Chief replied eagerly.
[T/N: Jiaolong or Flood Dragon, is a powerful, serpent-like creature in Chinese mythology accociated with water, storms and deep seas, often defined as a "Scaled Dragon".]
"A flood dragon living in a palace?" Qin Ming's interest piqued.
This sounded like a formidable mutant creature.
Zhuo Ya, whose features were as delicate as a painting, now wore a grave expression.
She shook her head. "That White Flood Dragon is highly Spiritual and possesses profound Cultivation. We can't handle it."
She had observed it but ultimately abandoned the idea of confronting it, lacking the courage to act.
Hearing of its remarkable spiritual nature, Qin Ming's anticipation grew even stronger.
Could this creature possess Extraordinary Blood? Its value would be immeasurable; even Day Gold wouldn't be enough to purchase it on the outside world.
In fact, ordinary people would never even hear rumors of such beings.
Seeing Qin Ming's determination, Zhuo Ya, who had initially planned to act alone, eventually followed him, guiding the way.
A magnificent structure stood nestled within the forest ahead, illuminated by a Third-Tier Fire Spring that bathed the area in daylight.
The lush foliage of the trees revealed its true colors, no longer shrouded in oppressive darkness.
"This White Flood Dragon dominates sixty percent of this territory," Zhuo Ya informed him, her lithe frame tensing like a cheetah poised to strike. "Its power is immense."
In the past, the White Flood Dragon had terrorized the region, demanding vast quantities of livestock and other offerings from the villagers, effectively declaring itself a deity.
For reasons unknown, it had since refrained from crossing the frontier's boundaries.
Soon after, Qin Ming spotted the legendary White Flood Dragon.
It emerged from its colossal palace and entered the Third-Tier Fire Spring, its movements churning up waves of vibrant, crimson-red water.
It was as thick as a water vat, its entire body as white as ivory, and about fifteen to sixteen meters long.
When its scales unfurled, they clanged loudly even from a great distance, suggesting they were as hard as refined iron.
A single horn, faintly golden, protruded from its head, and its eyes glowed crimson like blood diamonds.
Qin Ming's eyes lit up.
He had encountered several creatures born with Extraordinary Blood, and his instincts told him this White Flood Dragon was likely one of them.
"This region is truly extraordinary," he mused. "Could the Land of Divine Lament be a place where the death of a Spirit gives rise to all things, leading to the emergence of Strange (Extraordinary) Blood Creatures?"
"The White Flood Dragon's bloodline is exceptionally rare," Zhuo Ya remarked.
Qin Ming turned to her, surprised.
"So you knew all along! You're after its Extraordinary Blood!"
Zhuo Ya realized, her expression shifting.
"This man is recklessly bold. Is he willing to risk his life for Extraordinary Blood?"
The White Flood Dragon was far beyond their current capabilities, unless they mastered the Six Imperial Force.
Qin Ming replied, "I stumbled upon it by chance. Its uses are boundless, so I intend to explore further and seek out more such creatures."
Clearly, Zhuo Ya, despite her impressive background and knowledge of Extraordinary Blood Creatures, was unaware that the "Extraordinary Medicine" here had already caught the attention of the Six Imperial Ancestral Court's Elders.
She revealed, "I hunted one myself and nearly lost my life. I had to use Esoteric Sect techniques to successfully exorcise the Demon. Before learning the Six Imperial Force, I couldn't even scratch these Demons."
Qin Ming was surprised. "You and Yu Zhuohan both have deep family roots in the Esoteric Sect. Could you both be descendants of its high-ranking members?"
Zhuo Ya admitted, "I inherited the Esoteric Sect's traditions, but I lacked protective methods in the early stages, which is why I want to learn the Six Imperial Force."
Qin Ming immediately realized she was similar to Lu Yuzhi, who had joined the Jade Pure Sect.
"Can you handle walking both paths simultaneously? Will the Six Imperial Ancestral Court allow it?"
Zhuo Ya replied, "It shouldn't be a problem. My family elders have already negotiated with the Elders. I'll pursue the Esoteric Sect's path to becoming a Spirit God within the Six Imperial Ancestral Court, but I'll never leave the Ancestral Court or reveal the Six Imperial Heart Manual. Violating these terms would implicate my entire clan."
"In truth, the Six Imperial Elders are eager to retain Extraordinary Individuals who can cultivate both paths."
Qin Ming immediately understood that the Six Imperial Ancestral Court was studying the Beyond the Mortal Realm and the Esoteric Sect's techniques, hoping to combine them.
This explained their acceptance of Zhuo Ya, a unique Extraordinary Individual.
The Six Imperial, Jade Pure, and Heaven-Shattering Great Sect Ancestral Courts, unwilling to decline after their Founding Ancestors' passed away, were actively seeking survival.
"He actually dares!" Zhuo Ya retreated a considerable distance, watching in astonishment as the young man who had defeated her cousin attacked.
Standing on a high vantage point, Qin Ming drew his Silver Bow, nocked a Jade Iron Arrow, and initiated the Flood Dragon extermination operation.
In an instant, the black Jade Iron Arrow, radiating terrifying light, shot forth like a miniature sun, striking the White Flood Dragon's head.
With a thunderous crash, scales shattered and flesh tore.
The first arrow wounded the beast; had its instincts been less sharp, the arrow would have pierced its left eye.
Now, the dragon reared up, towering six meters tall. Its serpentine body twisted, crushing the forest as it charged toward Qin Ming with overwhelming force.
During this attack, Qin Ming emptied his quiver of twelve black Jade Iron Arrows, each striking the dragon's head with unerring accuracy, nearly piercing its skull.
The thirteenth and final arrow, a blue Jade Iron Arrow, struck with even greater force, successfully blasting out one of the dragon's eyes.
Zhuo Ya was stunned.
How could his Heavenly Light Force be so powerful?
Had he secretly mastered the Six Imperial Heart Manual beforehand?
Qin Ming charged forward, Jade Iron Sword in hand, and clashed head-on with the Great Flood Dragon.
Each strike drew blood, sending scales flying from the White Flood Dragon's armor.
The Great Flood Dragon, seasoned in battle, remained calm despite its grievous wounds.
Its massive body coiled around, attempting to constrict its opponent.
Simultaneously, its single horn crackled with terrifying lightning energy, unleashing bolts of lightning.
Had this been any other Outer Saint, they would likely have been pierced through by the golden horn's energy beams.
But Qin Ming was fearless.
Having mastered the Wind Thunder Force, he was well-equipped to counter the dragon's attacks.
He activated the Sword Control Technique, causing the Jade Iron Sword to spin around him, preventing the Flood Dragon from closing in and constricting him.
At the same time, he used the Wind Thunder Force to neutralize the lightning energy. This lightning was far weaker than the natural strikes from the previous night, allowing him to control it and gain a tactical advantage over the White Flood Dragon.
Finally, Qin Ming unleashed the fused Heavenly Light Force, wielding the sword with equal mastery.
He carved deep wounds into the dragon's flesh, exposing bone beneath the mangled flesh.
With a leap, he soared six or seven meters into the air, his fists glowing with the brilliance of a scorching sun.
He rained down blow after blow.
The White Flood Dragon trembled in terror.
Its head, already severely injured, could no longer withstand the overwhelming power of the Heavenly Light Force.
With a sickening crack, Qin Ming's fist shattered the White Flood Dragon's pale golden horn and fractured its skull.
"Splat!*
Qin Ming swung his Jade Iron Sword, severing the massive dragon's head in a single stroke.
Though stronger than the Black Peng, the White Flood Dragon met the same fate.
"You've been practicing the Six Imperial Force in advance, haven't you?" Zhuo Ya rushed over, demanding.
"Yes, but keep it a secret," Qin Ming replied with a smile.
He swiftly extracted the Extraordinary Blood, its pale golden hue mirroring the color of the dragon's horn.
"The horn and gall are yours," Qin Ming said, turning to the Iron-Beaked Parrot. "Don't go spreading any rumors."
The Bird Demon trembled, genuinely fearing he might shoot it down with an arrow.
"Where are you going?" Zhuo Ya noticed Qin Ming refining the Extraordinary Blood's medicinal properties with Heavenly Light Force as he walked, clearly heading for the distance.
"I'm going to help Cao Wuji and the others," Qin Ming replied. "As fellow participants in the assessment, we should support each other."
...
"What?! Zhuo Ya's region's Extraordinary Medicine has been uprooted too? Quick, notify everyone! Time's up, the assessment is over! We! Recall them immediately!"
Elder Zhou Tao, upon hearing the news, could no longer remain seated.
Someone was expanding territory and plundering the Extraordinary Medicine along the way, driving him into a frenzy.
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END OF CHAPTER
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