Chapter 111: Breakthrough
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Qin Ming felt his exhaustion from the recent battle vanish like morning mist under sunlight. It was as if he had taken a powerful tonic—his waning energy and spirit were suddenly reinvigorated. Even with injuries and his body still streaked with blood, he looked vibrant and full of life once more.
“This place is incredible!” he exclaimed, marveling at how the pain from his wounds seemed to dull.
Behind them, the stone door slowly closed, sealing the Mountain River Spiritual Nest, but the space inside remained bright, illuminated by spiritual light rising from the earth veins.
The nest wasn’t dark or oppressive. Although it had stone tables and bronze lamps, it felt entirely natural, almost as if it had formed on its own.
At the center lay a pool, where two spiraling streams of spiritual light intertwined like two fish chasing each other.
From a crack in the stone wall, mist in the shape of a great tree emerged, scattering radiant fragments resembling falling leaves.
The nest itself was modest, barely a hundred square meters. Its stone walls bore intricate, natural patterns that, upon closer inspection, seemed to form cloud-like designs, some even resembling ancient script.
Li Qing Yue gestured toward the walls. “These natural patterns are revered by those from the Beyond. They often copy them, believing they can gain insights into extraordinary powers.”
Her condition was steadily improving. Though she still wore her damaged silver armor, her eyes sparkled with renewed vitality, and the contrast of her pale skin against the bloodied and cracked armor lent her an unusual, otherworldly beauty.
“Will you recover fully here?” Qin Ming asked with concern.
“No problem. I might even make some progress,” Li Qing Yue replied confidently. Her Consciousness Light began to shine brilliantly again, and vitality returned to her inner Huangting.
“That’s good to hear,” Qin Ming said with relief.
Then he noticed something strange. “My energy keeps rising, like I’m drinking some sort of miraculous tonic. What’s going on?”
Li Qing Yue smiled faintly. “This place contains a unique substance—or rather, a strange power—that stimulates the human Mental Field. Don’t worry. The peripheral areas of the nest are harmless. For people like us, it can only have beneficial effects.”
She continued, “The first stage for those of the Beyond is Spirit Mind, where they awaken their Consciousness Light, which is tied to their Mental Field. This is the foundation of their cultivation path. That’s why they value spiritual nests so highly.”
“This is only the edge?” Qin Ming asked in surprise.
Li Qing Yue nodded. “Yes. Take your time adjusting. If it feels manageable, we can explore the core area together.”
Though eager to delve deeper, Li Qing Yue knew she needed to recover further before risking the nest’s inner sanctum. Qin Ming agreed, intrigued by the potential of what lay within.
He wandered the stone chamber, marveling at the natural formations. One wall displayed patterns that resembled celestial beings soaring through the sky.
“Could those old legends have come from people seeing patterns like this?” Qin Ming mused aloud.
“The people of the Beyond don’t aim for ascension like the old tales. They seek to draw closer to truth through their cultivation,” Li Qing Yue explained.
“That’s profound,” Qin Ming said thoughtfully, recalling the incredible near-immortal beings and god-like creatures rumored to dwell in the Night Fog World. Despite their power, they were never considered true immortals, only near-immortals or pseudo-divine.
Li Qing Yue added, “We must work harder. The world is growing crowded, and even the higher-grade Fire Springs are becoming scarce. When the great cities expand further, they’ll likely push deeper into the Night Fog World, sparking an era of exploration—one filled with opportunity but also danger.”
Qin Ming nodded solemnly, recalling similar warnings from Meng Xing Hai. The future promised both glory and bloodshed, a bright yet uncertain era.
Activating the Silk Script Method, Qin Ming began tending to his injuries. With the nest’s strange energies nourishing him, his recovery was swift. His spirit, energy, and vitality surged, leaving him in peak condition.
Li Qing Yue noticed. “You seem to adapt well to this place. Let’s try entering the core area. If it becomes too much, tell me immediately, and I’ll get you out.”
Her tone was serious, but her restored glow was almost angelic. The pale hue of her face had returned to a healthy, radiant sheen. Even clad in her fractured silver armor, she exuded an ethereal, celestial grace.
“I’ll be fine,” Qin Ming reassured her with a grin.
Li Qing Yue smiled briefly, then focused. Using the radiant light from her Huangting, she struck a rune-engraved stone slab embedded in the floor. Instantly, misty lights and divine radiance filled the chamber as a hidden second level of the nest revealed itself.
The newly opened core was awash in shimmering light. With practiced ease, Li Qing Yue descended gracefully, her fragmented armor clinking softly as it resonated with her movements. Reaching the ground, she took a deep breath, visibly relaxing as she activated secret techniques to heal herself.
Qin Ming followed, landing in the heart of the Mountain River Spiritual Nest. Immediately, an intense dizziness washed over him, making his head spin and his knees buckle. He nearly collapsed on the spot.
Li Qing Yue caught him quickly. “Are you okay? If it’s too much, I’ll take you back.”
Her concern was evident as she explained, “The outer chamber is already beneficial. You don’t need to risk the core if it’s too overwhelming.”
“No, I’m fine,” Qin Ming assured her. “At first, it felt like I was drunk, but now it’s just a pleasant buzz. I’ve never felt better.”
Li Qing Yue still looked doubtful. “Don’t push yourself. If the pain becomes unbearable, tell me immediately. This place can be dangerous.”
“I promise I’m fine,” Qin Ming said firmly. To prove it, he began practicing his techniques, alternating between the Golden Silkworm Force and the Separation Flame Force.
The deeper he immersed himself, the lighter his body felt, as though submerged in a soothing hot spring. A gentle heat flowed through his head, so comfortable it made him want to hum with satisfaction.
“You… might have been held back,” Li Qing Yue said, her expression contemplative. “It seems you could walk the path of the Beyond, after all.”
Her old friend had progressed remarkably, already capable of defeating Outer Saints after only five awakenings. Now, he appeared attuned to the cultivation methods of the Beyond, a rare and extraordinary trait.
“The Cui family claimed your talent was exceptional to shield Cui Chong He. It seems they weren’t wrong,” Li Qing Yue mused, though she couldn’t help lamenting how Qin Ming’s gifts had been wasted during his years in obscurity.
“It’s not too late to start,” Qin Ming said calmly. “What’s past is past.”
Settling down, he began cultivating the methods inscribed in the Silk Script, his foundational sutra, which unified techniques like the Separation Flame Force and the Golden Silkworm Force.
The chamber grew quiet as both focused on their recovery, each immersing themselves in their respective core techniques.
As Qin Ming delved deeper into his practice, a shimmering aura enveloped him. Strands of silver and gold light emerged, forming a Golden Thread Jade Garment around him, glowing softly with ethereal mist.
This phenomenon was rare, typically occurring only when his body underwent Awakening during deep sleep. Now, fully conscious, he had unlocked this transformation anew.
As Qin Ming’s wounds healed, the scabs began to fall off on their own. Though the sound was faint, it was enough to catch Li Qing Yue’s attention.
She noticed the Golden Thread Jade Garment shimmering faintly over his body and the subtle glow of Consciousness Light emerging from his forehead.
Softly, she remarked, “Even without stepping onto the path of those from the Beyond, your Consciousness Light is beginning to manifest. It seems your innate talent is indeed remarkable.”
When Qin Ming opened his eyes, he saw her looking at him. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“I’ll teach you a mantra,” she said. “Try it here.”
“For the path of the Beyond?” Qin Ming inquired.
“This mantra cannot be shared with anyone else,” she warned.
“Understood,” he replied with a nod.
Qin Ming began to breathe in a specific rhythm, following the special breathing technique Li Qing Yue had taught him. His movements aligned with the flow of the mantra.
“You’re progressing quickly. At this rate, you’ll awaken your Consciousness Light very soon,” she observed, though she seemed unsurprised.
An hour later, Qin Ming opened his eyes, and a genuine Consciousness Light swirled in front of his forehead—he had indeed made a breakthrough.
However, his expression shifted slightly. Through the Silk Script Method, he had already formed a faint strand of Consciousness Light before. Now, the newly formed light merged with the old one.
He felt the fused Consciousness Light circulate throughout his body, leaving only a small portion behind. As he focused inward, he noticed a distinct improvement in his physical constitution.
“What’s happening?” he asked, puzzled.
After listening to his explanation, Li Qing Yue spoke in a gentle tone. “Could it be that you’re naturally suited for the path of physical mutation?”
Qin Ming became thoughtful. “My path in the Awakening Stage has primarily focused on enhancing my physical strength. I wasn’t supposed to tap into the power of consciousness until the Outer Manifestation Stage. Did my premature formation of Consciousness Light cause it to revert to my original trajectory?”
Not all of the Consciousness Light had dissipated; a portion remained.
Li Qing Yue examined him carefully. “The stronger your body becomes, the more Consciousness Light it can sustain. It’s as if your body is trying to maintain a balance,” she explained.
With a soft smile, she added, “This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. A singular focus can take you farther. And in the future, when your blood and flesh are strong enough, anything is possible.”
Qin Ming pondered whether this phenomenon was due to his unique body or the influence of the Silk Script Method.
“Stop overthinking. Your state is fine as it is,” Li Qing Yue said lightly.
She then activated her Consciousness Light, channeling it into the mysterious symbols carved into the stone wall—marks left by her ancestor. The symbols began to glow, bringing the full potential of the Mountain River Spiritual Nest to life.
“You should be able to adapt to the energies here now,” she assured him.
Moments later, the scattered light points in the void started to align, forming orderly patterns. Ripples, like waves across water, spread throughout the nest, enveloping the two of them and greatly stimulating their Consciousness Light.
Li Qing Yue’s injuries were visibly healing. Her broken battle armor hummed in harmony with her body, both shining with a resplendent glow.
Her ability to wield Consciousness Power far exceeded Qin Ming’s current level. Her fractured bones were knitting back together, and her body’s natural resilience was restoring her Dao Bones to their original strength.
In her Consciousness Sea, a golden sun seemed ready to rise, piercing through the dense mists and banishing the lingering shadows.
Meanwhile, Qin Ming noticed that even without actively circulating any techniques, his Consciousness Light was growing. It felt as though he was absorbing some sort of radiance, which in turn stimulated his Mental Field, triggering a qualitative transformation.
“No wonder this place is called the Mountain River Spiritual Nest!” he exclaimed in awe.
Since active techniques weren’t necessary, he decided to relax completely, allowing the nest’s energies to shape and refine his Consciousness Light.
His progress was rapid, but so was the energy expenditure, as the transformation simultaneously nourished his flesh and blood.
“This isn’t exactly my sixth awakening, but it feels just as impactful!” Qin Ming realized.
The energy radiating from his Mental Field continually reinforced his body, strengthening his physical form and enhancing his Celestial Light Force.
He felt immense satisfaction as his power surged. The experience was nothing short of miraculous, akin to undergoing an awakening.
“If I don’t need to focus on circulating techniques, I’ll use this time to study the Wuji Sutra,” Qin Ming decided. Without delay, he began practicing the new skill, which he had already grasped through spiritual resonance.
The Wuji Sutra, centered on the elemental forces of yin and yang earth—represented by the characters Wu and Ji—explored profound connections to the element of earth.
Revered by the disciples of the Tathagata Sect, this sutra had a reputation for being even more precious than the Separation Flame Sutra, and its value was not exaggerated.
Qin Ming quickly immersed himself in the practice, eventually moving on to physical demonstrations of the technique.
The Mountain River Spiritual Nest, linked to the earth’s primal veins, offered an abundance of earth energy in addition to its unique stimuli for the Mental Field.
As he performed the Wuji Sutra, yellowish clouds of energy began to rise from the ground, enveloping him entirely.
The transformation within the nest was just beginning.