Chapter 123: All Eyes on Her
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
As Li Qing Yue stepped forward, the intensity of her earlier battle seemed to dissipate, replaced by an air of elegance and clarity. Her long, dark hair flowed like a waterfall, her bright eyes and radiant smile softening her presence. She seemed like a blossoming celestial flower, surrounded by a gentle rain of light, drawing admiration and awe from all who watched.
Even in her battered and bloodied armor, her ethereal beauty carried an undeniable strength. She directed the Elite Disciples to assist the injured, some of whom were core disciples lying motionless, their bodies drenched in blood. Many had pushed themselves to their limits, launching desperate attacks for a chance to claim the Eight-Trigram Furnace, only to be met with overwhelming retaliation.
In the distance, Qin Ming stood silently, observing Li Qing Yue. He wondered when—if ever—they might meet again.
He watched as she busied herself, surrounded by Elite Disciples tending to the wounded, leaving her unable to leave the center of the crater. With a quiet sigh, he turned and began walking in the opposite direction.
“Everyone,” Qin Ming said with a friendly smile as he passed a group of Outer Saints, “we’re all on the same path now. The competition for the Near-Immortal Artifact is over. No need to keep fighting among ourselves.”
The group tensed instantly, their wariness evident.
They knew Qin Ming’s reputation—rumored to be a successor of the Six Imperial Lineages. Even more intimidating, he had acted as Li Qing Yue’s ally, and the Eight-Trigram Furnace was still in his hands.
Among the group, a few recognized him, their faces paling with unease. They had crossed paths in the White Bamboo Forest, where they had tried to surround and take him down. Instead, Qin Ming had broken through their lines, leaving many of their Golden Armor Protectors dead.
“Let’s not misunderstand each other,” Qin Ming said casually. “I’m talking about exchanging techniques. No threats, no hard feelings. Just sharing knowledge.”
But the crowd remained cautious, hesitant to trust his words. Many believed his proposal was a veiled form of extortion. Despite his friendly demeanor, suspicion lingered in the air.
Though some eventually agreed to exchange techniques, their anxiety was palpable. Their demonstrations and explanations were half-hearted, hiding the true depth of their knowledge.
After much effort, Qin Ming managed to obtain a complete movement technique called Skyward Leap Technique. The Outer Saint who offered it sighed. “My ancestors once possessed a technique called One-Reed Crossing, but it’s been lost for generations.”
Qin Ming’s interest piqued immediately. “Where’s your ancestral home? I’d love to visit someday,” he said, already imagining the possibility of rediscovering the lost technique.
Later, Qin Ming obtained a technique called Tiger’s Roar, which seemed unremarkable at first. But it offered a unique method of internal cultivation, strengthening the organs and fortifying the body from within.
“My family’s Tiger’s Roar is just the tip of the iceberg,” the Outer Saint lamented. “We used to have something called Five-Thunder Organ Refinement. And beyond that, there was an even greater technique—Eight-View Divine Illumination.”
Intrigued, Qin Ming pressed for more details.
“The Eight-View Divine Illumination was said to create a phantom lamp within the chest, an ethereal light that illuminated the entire body. It could refine the organs and temper even the Awareness Spirit, but… it’s been lost for ages,” the Outer Saint admitted, regret heavy in his voice.
Qin Ming sighed. The world was filled with wonders, and even hearing about such techniques stirred his curiosity. But the reality of their loss was disheartening.
Li Qing Yue approached him then, her light footsteps barely disturbing the ground. She smiled warmly as she saw him immersed in exchanging techniques. “When we return, I’ll help you find a technique. Something rare and valuable,” she offered.
Qin Ming handed the Eight-Trigram Furnace to her. Together, they stepped aside and spoke quietly.
“Now that you have the artifact, are there any old masters who might break the rules and take it away?” Qin Ming asked, his tone half-joking.
Li Qing Yue shook her head confidently. “No. It’s mine.”
“Good,” Qin Ming said, reaching into his pouch. He produced the lid of the furnace, along with a handful of crystalline Exotic Metals, each shimmering with unique hues. Some radiated soft purple mist, while others were etched with intricate, calming patterns.
Finally, he pulled out a fragment of golden metallic paper, its surface glowing faintly with auspicious rays. He handed everything to her.
Li Qing Yue’s expression flickered with surprise. She understood the significance of these items.
She accepted them without hesitation. Both she and Qin Ming knew the old masters of the Beyond had already explored the depths of the pit. Any attempt to hide or keep these relics would invite trouble. The safest course was to take everything out in the open.
“This fragment… such a shame it’s incomplete,” Li Qing Yue murmured, gazing at the golden paper.
Qin Ming said nothing. He planned to share the contents of the mysterious scripture with her after the dust had settled. For now, revealing it could bring unnecessary risks.
He had no illusions about the Beyond’s methods—techniques like Possession were terrifyingly invasive. If anyone tampered with Li Qing Yue’s Awareness Spirit, their secrets would be exposed, and Qin Ming would be hunted down without mercy.
“It’s not truly lost,” Qin Ming said, his voice steady. “One day, we’ll find a way to restore it.”
Li Qing Yue nodded. “I hope so.”
Before leaving the pit, she sat in quiet meditation, using the Celestial Light to refine her Awareness Spirit. “Perhaps the elders wanted us to fight here not just for the artifact but also to cultivate ourselves,” she remarked.
Finally, the group began the journey back along the same path.
Li Qing Xu, bloodied and seething, refused help from anyone. “I don’t need your pity!” he snapped at Zeng Yuan, who had offered to support him.
He trudged ahead alone, his Awareness Spirit sustaining him. But soon, he returned, realizing the risk of being ambushed on the way out.
Meanwhile, Zeng Yuan and Zheng Mao Ze, both heavily injured, leaned on each other for support. They shared a bitter camaraderie, having both touched the Eight-Trigram Furnace briefly, only to suffer grievous injuries for their efforts.
“Junior Sister,” Tang Xu Mi began, his voice strained as he grimaced in pain. “About earlier, when we surrounded you… I’m really sorry.” He tried to explain himself further, but the words faltered, leaving him silent.
He admired Li Qing Yue deeply and had hoped to get closer to her, but now that seemed impossible. His regret weighed heavily on him.
Li Qing Yue’s response was calm and composed. “It was all for the Near-Immortal Artifact. Everyone showed their best. There’s nothing to apologize for. Once we leave this place, things will return to normal. We’re still fellow disciples.”
She knew Tang Xu Mi had left her a way out during the ambush, allowing her to escape. But instead, she had taken another route, severely injuring Ren Yi Ping to break free.
On the way out, Qin Ming retrieved the Overlord’s Spear from its hiding spot.
“I’ll hold it,” Li Qing Yue said, taking the weapon. It was safer for her to handle it, especially in case someone from Li Qing Xu’s faction couldn’t accept their loss.
“By the way,” Qin Ming said quietly as they walked, “Wang Cai Wei might have recognized me.”
Li Qing Yue paused for a brief moment before replying with just two words, “It’s fine.”
“They’re coming out!” Excitement rippled through the crowd waiting outside the Luo Fu Immortal Mountain Ruins.
News of the competition had already spread far and wide. The Near-Immortal Artifact had changed hands multiple times, and Tang Xu Mi had come close to claiming it twice, only to lose out at the last moment.
Those who truly understood the events inside knew that Li Qing Xu had nearly succeeded. With the support of the Yin-Yang Pavilion prodigy, Lu Zhen, and the secret assistance of Tang Xu Mi, Li Qing Xu had come tantalizingly close. If he’d managed to grab the Eight-Trigram Furnace just once, his mysterious escape technique would have allowed him to vanish without a trace.
The Cui Clan, meanwhile, looked grim. They knew Cui Chong He had entered by possessing another’s consciousness, hoping to claim the prize. Yet, both his attempts had ended in failure. Worse, his second downfall was orchestrated by none other than Li Qing Yue, who had quietly leaked his presence to Tang Xu Mi and the others.
“So it’s true—Li Qing Yue claimed the Near-Immortal Artifact,” said one elder, nodding with a smile. “She cleanly defeated all her competitors. A well-deserved victory.”
This elder wasn’t just any figure; he was a powerful authority who had even dared to stand up to Li Qing Xu’s master. With his endorsement, dissent was silenced.
The crowd outside erupted into praise. Many agreed that Li Qing Yue had the potential to reach the Near-Immortal stage and deserved focused resources and cultivation.
Of course, not everyone shared in the celebration. With so many participants representing powerful Doctrines of the Beyond and ancient aristocratic families, some left bitter and resentful.
“Is Li Ye really Li Qing Yue’s cousin? He took the Overlord’s Spear and killed so many…” someone grumbled.
“Shut your mouth,” snapped a representative from the Li Clan. “When Qing Yue was surrounded by enemies, did we complain? If you have grievances, feel free to visit the reclusive Li Clan. Let’s see how that works out for you.”
The threat silenced the dissenters immediately. The Li Clan, though smaller than the vast aristocratic families, was known for its unparalleled martial strength.
At this moment, Li Qing Yue became the center of everyone’s attention. She gracefully greeted the elders with humility and composure, her demeanor elegant and poised.
A group of young prodigies soon gathered around her, treating her like a celestial being. It was clear that her victory over the Near-Immortal Artifact had far-reaching implications. In the world of the Beyond, securing such an item marked the rise of a future powerhouse.
The crowd murmured excitedly as prominent figures arrived at the scene.
“Isn’t that Senior Brother Pei? He’s a rare talent, not even twenty-five, and already capable of debating with the elders. Truly a celestial seed of our Blessed Lands.”
“And there’s Senior Brother Zhuo! His Celestial Eye can perceive divine patterns. His potential is limitless. Imagine him standing beside Li Qing Yue—his divine sight and her Spiritual Eyes would make an extraordinary pair.”
Meanwhile, Qin Ming quietly retreated. The crowd around Li Qing Yue had grown dense, leaving little space for someone like him. Her circle now consisted of the most illustrious figures of the Beyond—each a renowned talent, most of them already at the Huang Ting Realm.
Many of these individuals were destined to become future leaders of their respective Doctrines, and their prestige was already evident.
Li Qing Yue, ever gracious, smiled as she conversed with them. It was apparent that some had been sent by their families or sects to establish connections with her. As someone still early in her cultivation journey, she was the perfect candidate for alliances—or something more.
Meng Xing Hai appeared at Qin Ming’s side. “You’ve done so much to help. Why are you hanging back?”
Qin Ming shook his head with a faint smile. “I’m just a Golden Armor Protector. Look at her—surrounded by heirs of great sects and unrivaled prodigies. Even their followers are Jade Armor Protectors, and some even have Divine Armor Protectors.”
He sighed softly. The gap between him and Li Qing Yue seemed to widen with every step she took on her path. Even bidding her farewell now felt impossible—her world and his had grown too far apart.