Chapter 100: The Overlord’s Valor
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Though it was evening, the sky had just begun to darken, and the western part of Luo Fu City glowed in a fiery red hue. This was the light of the Fire Spring, casting a radiant “sunset” that resembled the final remnants of the day. Qin Ming turned to look at Cui Chong Xuan, who had grown tall and carried himself with the demeanor of a man. Dressed in his flood dragon armor, he exuded a heroic air.
Cui Chong Xuan was walking with a graceful figure, chatting as they strolled into the distance. The woman beside him was none other than Wang Cai Wei, whom Qin Ming hadn’t seen in a long time.
Seeing these familiar faces, Qin Ming couldn’t help but recall the past.
“I feel like I’ve been such a fool,” he muttered. “Blamed by parts of the Wang family, misunderstood by Li Qing Xiao, and completely unappreciated by Cui Chong He—all because of a single outing with Wang Cai Wei. We barely even spoke!”
He sighed, remembering how his actions were blown out of proportion. If he had spent long, romantic evenings with the Wang family’s noble daughter, he might have understood the grievances. But instead, all he had was a fleeting acquaintance.
Now, the various families had resolved their conflicts. The Cui and Li families no longer clashed. Yet Qin Ming alone remained trapped in his precarious position. Some people didn’t want him to rise again. They preferred him to remain unseen, confined to the outskirts of their world, incapable of stirring the waters.
Li Qing Yue, walking beside him, offered a gentle smile. “Come on,” she said. “Let’s take a walk. I’ll show you around and let you taste some of the local delicacies.”
Luo Fu City was immense, steeped in history. Everywhere, there were structures with an air of antiquity—tall towers of green stone, palaces of black-gold rock—all standing as proud monuments of a millennium gone by.
In its prime, Luo Fu Mountain had been one of the great strongholds of the Night Fog World, a key region of the Beyond. These buildings were relics of that glorious era.
The ancient green stone towers and black stone palaces were surrounded by bustling streets. Taverns, inns, spiritual medicine halls, and weapon pavilions lined the roads, filled with crowds of people brushing past one another. Business was thriving everywhere.
“Many esteemed figures from the Beyond enjoy coming here,” Li Qing Yue said as she pointed out the landmarks. “They seek the remnants of Luo Fu Mountain’s splendor from a thousand years ago.”
The light from the Fire Spring bathed Li Qing Yue’s figure in a soft glow. Her hair shimmered, her fair profile glowed with a serene radiance, and her slender, graceful form seemed ethereal. The golden light outlined her as though she were a celestial being descended to earth, a vision of elegance and purity.
“Try some of Luo Fu City’s dragon meat skewers,” Li Qing Yue said, stopping at a clean stall and waiting in line. Soon, she handed Qin Ming one of the skewers.
He took a bite and raised an eyebrow. “Fish? It’s fresh and tender, with no fishy smell.”
“That’s right,” she replied. “It comes from Jade Dragon Lake just ahead.”
They continued their walk, following the streets through the district of ancient buildings until they reached the lake. Its waters shimmered in a deep blue under the fading light.
Luo Fu City, known for its high-level Fire Spring, had an abundance of secondary and tertiary springs as well. Even the streets were lined with special channels carrying molten streams of the springwater, flowing like rivers of lava. The unique sight was mesmerizing.
At night, the fiery light of the spring was gradually dimmed. The streams in the channels were blocked, and the city took on a dreamlike, misty glow.
On Jade Dragon Lake, small boats glided across the surface, while music from zithers and lutes drifted from larger ships. Songs echoed across the water, their melodies both soft and enchanting.
Qin Ming found himself lost in thought. It had been over two years since he had last experienced such a carefree life. The feeling was foreign to him now, almost strange.
“Want to take a boat ride?” Li Qing Yue asked with a teasing smile.
He shook his head, smiling back. “No, thanks. If I go boating with someone as stunning as you, we’d draw a crowd.”
Li Qing Yue chuckled, amused by his self-deprecating humor. “Would you like to eat first, or keep exploring the sights?”
“I’m not hungry yet,” he said. “Let’s just wander around.”
His gaze lingered on a spiritual medicine hall, a book pavilion, and a weapon pavilion in the distance. Curiosity lit his face.
Li Qing Yue noticed his interest. “Luo Fu City attracts many cultivators. The items sold in these buildings are of excellent quality.”
She led him into an old and well-known weapon shop. Despite her otherworldly grace, Li Qing Yue was warm and approachable, chatting casually with the shopkeeper as she bargained.
“I’m genuinely interested in buying this flood dragon armor, but your price is outrageous,” she said, her tone calm yet firm.
The plump shopkeeper was quick to flatter. “Miss, someone like you—a celestial maiden!—I’ve never seen anyone so stunning in my entire life. But if you want to talk about daylight gold, you’ll have to touch the mundane world.”
Li Qing Yue smiled faintly. “I’m very much of the mundane world. If I weren’t, I’d lose my true self. Cut the price by half, and then halve it again. That would be reasonable.”
The shopkeeper gasped. “A celestial maiden wielding a sharp blade—your bargaining skills are terrifying!”
He turned to Qin Ming and sighed theatrically. “Young man, if I were you, I’d pay for this armor without hesitation. How can you let someone like her haggle like this?”
Qin Ming shrugged. “I think she’s doing a great job. How about this—I’ll add one daylight gold to her offer.”
The shopkeeper’s face fell. One gold? The armor was worth hundreds! He grumbled inwardly but kept quiet.
Soon, Li Qing Yue finished negotiating and handed the armor to Qin Ming. “The craftsmanship is extraordinary, and its defense is excellent. You should wear it.”
Qin Ming laughed. “I can’t believe you’re buying me something so expensive after showing me around and treating me to food.”
“Don’t mention it,” she replied. “Remember the time you bought me that ridiculously overpriced wine just because I wanted to taste it?”
As they left, they reminisced about their past adventures, laughing as the memories surfaced.
“Who would’ve thought that the esteemed Li Qing Yue almost became a little drunkard back then?” Qin Ming teased.
“Only because you didn’t drink a drop yourself!” she shot back, shaking her head in mock frustration.
Qin Ming grinned. “I couldn’t handle it. Honestly, I just wanted to see you tipsy, maybe throwing some drunken punches. Instead, you were completely fine. It was such a letdown.”
Li Qing Yue gave him a playful glare, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Why do I feel like punching you right now?”
They both laughed, their voices mingling with the lively sounds of the city.
“Isn’t that Li Qing Yue?” someone exclaimed, their voice tinged with surprise. They recognized her as one of the leading contenders for the near-immortal artifact.
Several disciples of the Beyond followed Li Qing Yue and Qin Ming into a renowned book pavilion, a place known for its collection of cultivation-related tomes.
Qin Ming had come to see if he could find a secret tome—one carrying the distilled essence of the wisdom and efforts of those who came before him.
The two climbed the pavilion floor by floor. The lower levels contained various extraordinary texts, but none resonated with him spiritually. Moreover, they could only be read a page or two at a time.
Finally, they reached the highest floor—the sixth level. There, Qin Ming’s attention was immediately drawn to a bloodstained black beast-skin book. His instincts told him that this book held immense value.
“Young man, you’d better settle for looking at this book through the crystal case,” said an elderly man seated nearby. “This is no ordinary text. If you’re interested in buying it, you’ll need your elders to negotiate. Even small sects can’t afford it.”
Qin Ming realized that this book’s origins must be remarkable—possibly even intimidating.
“Li Qing Yue, you’re here too?” one of the disciples of the Beyond said as they climbed the stairs. Pretending to have coincidentally bumped into her, the young man smiled and greeted her.
Qin Ming glanced at the newcomers and saw that he didn’t recognize any of them.
The group consisted of several disciples, most of whom were not from aristocratic families. One stood out—a young man who seemed to be their leader. His name was Tang Xumi, a prodigy renowned across the Beyond. Despite not coming from a powerful family, his talent was extraordinary. His rise had been meteoric, and he was considered one of the top contenders for the near-immortal artifact.
Qin Ming felt a flicker of unease. With Li Qing Yue’s prominence, it wasn’t surprising that powerful disciples would seek her attention.
“And this is…” Tang Xumi’s gaze shifted toward Qin Ming.
“He’s my cousin,” Li Qing Yue said with a warm smile, introducing Qin Ming.
Qin Ming had expected some kind of confrontation but was surprised when things didn’t unfold as he’d imagined.
“Brother Li, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Tang Xumi said with genuine enthusiasm. “Is there anything you’d like to buy? I can offer advice.”
“I’m interested in this ancient tome,” Qin Ming replied, pointing to the black beast-skin book encased in the crystal cabinet.
Tang Xumi’s expression turned serious. “Ah, that one. It’s no ordinary book. Its price is astronomical, and even more daunting is its history. Many hesitate to buy it because of its background.”
“It has a story, then?” Qin Ming asked, intrigued.
Tang Xumi nodded solemnly. “Indeed. That’s the Overlord’s legacy. Over a hundred years ago, the Overlord rose to power through his mutated body, dominating the Night Fog World. He was a renowned figure who wielded the Overlord’s halberd, a weapon so powerful that even many of the Beyond couldn’t withstand it.”
“So, it’s his?” Li Qing Yue asked, her eyes lighting up with recognition.
Tang Xumi continued, “Yes. The Overlord’s cultivation in celestial light force wasn’t especially unusual at first. But when he ascended from the outer saint realm to the spiritual field realm, his power became overwhelming. His rise was unstoppable, shaking heaven and earth with his ferocity.”
Tang Xumi explained further, “The term ‘outer saint’ has long been discarded because it failed to capture the grandeur of true sanctity. People now use the simpler term, outer manifestation realm. After that comes the spiritual field realm, part of the Awakening Path. To leap so dramatically from the third great realm is unheard of.”
Qin Ming was stunned. “Someone could ascend so far, so quickly?”
“Do you know how he died?” Tang Xumi asked, lowering his voice. “Over a hundred years ago, the Overlord swept through the land, living up to his name. With his halberd, he struck down a powerful figure of the Beyond. But this drew the ire of the man’s teacher, a renowned elder, who personally emerged to kill him.”
Tang Xumi leaned in conspiratorially. “That elder is now Li Qing Xiao’s teacher, one of the most formidable figures in the Night Fog World.”
Qin Ming began to understand why people hesitated to touch the original copy of the Overlord’s writings. A text penned by someone slain by such a legendary elder would naturally carry a daunting reputation.
“There must be copies circulating,” Qin Ming mused.
Li Qing Yue nodded. “This is the original legacy. The Overlord wrote it while being hunted, but it’s incomplete. His world-shaking techniques were destined to be lost.”
Qin Ming struggled to calm the storm of emotions within him. He turned to the elder guarding the sixth floor. “Elder, may I examine this ancient book?”
“If you’re not buying it, don’t touch it,” the elder replied curtly.
“According to the rules of the book pavilion, all books can be previewed—even if only a page or two,” Li Qing Yue reminded him.
Tang Xumi joined in. “Indeed, Elder. Just yesterday, my senior brother purchased an expensive book from here. Surely, as repeat customers, we deserve some courtesy.” The other disciples chimed in, voicing their support.
The elder hesitated, but with so many elite disciples vouching for Qin Ming, he relented. “Fine.”
Qin Ming reached for the beast-skin book. As he opened it, he discovered that only one page could be accessed. Delicate threads of golden silk wove through the book, forming an intricate seal that exuded a strange energy.
That was enough for him. Even if only the cover and the first page were accessible, it was enough.
He steadied his mind, suppressing all emotion. Concentrating deeply, he let his spirit connect with the book.
The book was imbued with the Overlord’s essence, a culmination of his life’s work and struggles. Black stains of dried blood marred the cover and first page—undoubtedly the Overlord’s own. It was a text born of blood and tears.
Suddenly, an overwhelming wave of emotion surged into Qin Ming. His vision filled with the image of the Overlord, tall and imposing. With a swing of his halberd, the man stirred the sky, unleashing rolling black clouds and a torrential downpour.
Qin Ming also saw the elder who had slain the Overlord. The battle had not been as effortless as legends claimed. The Overlord’s halberd had pierced the elder’s jade-like hand, drawing luminous, golden blood.
The Overlord’s courage was undeniable. Even a figure as feared as the elder of the Beyond had been shaken by him. But the elder was a terrifying presence. With a single gesture, he expanded golden runes across the battlefield and shattered one of the Overlord’s arms.
Qin Ming struggled to maintain his composure, but despite his efforts, his body trembled slightly.
“Brother Li, are you alright?” Tang Xumi asked, concerned.
“My cousin was injured a few days ago,” Li Qing Yue interjected, steadying Qin Ming. “But he’ll be fine.”
“I’m fine,” Qin Ming said, regaining his composure. The experience had been profound. He had acquired the entirety of the Overlord’s legacy—everything the book held was now his.
“You’re hurt? I have some spiritual medicine,” Tang Xumi offered.
“No need,” Qin Ming replied, still overwhelmed. “Holding this book… it felt like crossing a century. I could almost see the Overlord’s unparalleled might, as though an ancient grandmaster was walking toward me.”
His voice was filled with awe.