Chapter 127: A Crossroads in Life
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Unnoticed, the season had turned to early spring. Across the Beyond, the Secret Sect, and various Special Academies, recruitment for new disciples had begun in earnest.
Qin Ming found himself standing at a pivotal crossroads in his life. Once again, he faced a crucial decision that would shape his destiny. Which path should he take?
Meng Xing Hai spoke thoughtfully. “I used to think you’d be best suited for one of the Special Academies. They aren’t simple at all. Each one has the backing of powerful and mysterious forces, established to counterbalance the influence of the Thousand-Year Aristocratic Families. They wouldn’t bow to pressure from the Cui family.”
In the Night Fog World, there was a saying: “Dynasties flow like rivers, but aristocratic families are iron-clad fortresses.” Some families had endured for over three thousand years, with deep roots across various disciplines and pathways. Even within the Beyond and the Secret Sect, many renowned figures hailed from these families, wielding considerable influence.
Long ago, a martial dynasty had eradicated an ancient aristocratic family, only for a faction from the Beyond’s Blessed Lands to return, rebuild the family, and ultimately cause the mysterious collapse of that dynasty.
Meng Xing Hai continued, “But now, I think your talent is so extraordinary that you shouldn’t limit yourself. If you don’t aim for the ancestral halls of one of the great sects, it would be a real waste.”
At first, Meng Xing Hai had recognized Qin Ming’s potential but hesitated to suggest the larger sects due to their fiercely competitive nature. These sects had long histories of favoritism: the children of elders and aristocrats often entered with abundant resources, enjoying privileges others could only dream of. Their tests were notoriously brutal, often akin to cultivating Gu worms—survival was the first victory.
If a candidate failed to emerge from the “Gu jar” as a butterfly, they wouldn’t even enter the sight of the great figures in the sect. Worse, crossing powerful individuals could lead to dangerous consequences.
But now, Meng Xing Hai believed Qin Ming’s potential was enough to succeed in even the most challenging environments.
Qin Ming naturally longed for the legendary scriptures housed in these sects but, after doing the math, realized his choices were limited.
For instance, the Yuqing Lineage was undeniably powerful, but it had closed its gates for over two centuries. Recently, they had allowed a few honorary disciples to leave the mountain, but whether they would open their doors to new recruits this year remained uncertain.
The Tathagata Sect, on the other hand, seemed to be cultivating Gu worms and breeding cicadas. Even a crude and brawny disciple like Xiang Yi Wu, an aberrant with immense strength, had been sent out as a mere pawn.
As for the Six Imperial Lineages, they faced their own crisis. Their grandmaster was nearing the end of his life, and a certain Beyond elder who had once been slapped by him was watching closely, ready to exploit any disturbance.
Qin Ming also considered the Yin-Yang Pavilion, the Pure Sun Palace, and others as he weighed his options.
“Uncle Meng,” Qin Ming asked, “which place has the largest library and allows disciples to freely study?”
Meng Xing Hai smiled. “If that’s your priority, then the Special Academies are your best bet. They were established specifically to break the monopoly of the aristocratic families.”
After a moment’s thought, he added, “These eight Special Academies each have extraordinary origins. Some say they are backed by figures as powerful as Sky-Supporting Force, Tathagata, or Six Imperial Force—possibly even grandmasters themselves. If you shine brightly enough, you might catch their attention.”
Qin Ming’s eyes widened. Could the academies truly have ties to such legendary figures? If so, that was astonishing.
“Many great sects have turned into playgrounds for the descendants of elders and aristocrats,” Meng Xing Hai said. “These families dominate the inner workings. Occasionally, an ancient grandmaster will emerge from seclusion, furious at the state of things, and consider establishing a new sect.”
Meng Xing Hai believed that the Special Academies were supported by different forces—some by elder aberrants from the Path of Awakening, others by prominent figures from the Beyond or Secret Sect.
Qin Ming pondered. “I could always lay low, collect scriptures on my own, and focus on solitary cultivation.”
Meng Xing Hai shook his head. “Whether you choose a famous sect or a Special Academy, I’ll support you. But you need the experience. In those places, you’ll encounter a broader world, gain access to secret techniques, and meet extraordinary peers from across the land. Some may become lifelong friends—or even more. These experiences are invaluable.”
Meng Xing Hai emphasized that these experiences surpassed the value of isolated cultivation. The resources, connections, and wisdom gained in such environments couldn’t be achieved through solitary effort.
He also reminded Qin Ming that the core disciples of these academies and sects were often aberrants, and the truly outstanding ones hadn’t even appeared yet.
“Fighting and interacting with them will benefit you greatly,” Meng Xing Hai said. “You might even meet someone who changes your life.”
Qin Ming noted the wistful look in Meng Xing Hai’s eyes. “Uncle Meng, are you reminiscing about someone?”
“You brat…” Meng Xing Hai snapped out of it, jabbing a finger at Qin Ming’s forehead, though he stopped short of actually poking him.
He cleared his throat. “I’m speaking as someone who’s been through this. You need these experiences. Keeping a low profile isn’t enough. Without a broad perspective, your path will be limited. To become a Youth Master, you need to see the bigger picture.”
Qin Ming nodded earnestly, taking the advice to heart.
“For now,” Meng Xing Hai continued, “if you want to aim higher, you’ll need to stand out. Perhaps you should challenge the top-ranked disciples from other cities. Winning would boost your reputation and prove your worth.”
The conversation lightened after that. Meng Xing Hai mentioned that Li Qing Yun would likely arrange for Qin Ming to study the complete secret tome soon.
“Uncle Meng, you’re really close to Qing Yue, huh?” Qin Ming asked, a note of suspicion in his voice. Did Meng Xing Hai have some familial connection to Li Qing Yue?
Meng Xing Hai laughed. “What nonsense are you thinking? Her father once saved my life, and her mother was my senior sister. Our families have always been close.”
Just then, a black-clad man entered the room and bowed. “City Lord, an esteemed guest has arrived.”
“Oh?” Meng Xing Hai raised an eyebrow.
The man, one of Meng Xing Hai’s most trusted aides, whispered, “It’s Qi Dao Ming, the City Lord of Light-Chasing City.”
“Qi Dao Ming? Interesting. He’s arrived so soon.” Meng Xing Hai nodded, instructing the man to prepare a banquet. Rising, he prepared to meet his guest.
Seeing this, Qin Ming took the opportunity to excuse himself, quietly leaving the room.
Meng Xing Hai leaned back, his tone casual yet thoughtful. “The visitor likely has something to do with you.”
Qin Ming turned to him, confused. “What do you mean, Uncle Meng?”
Meng Xing Hai explained, “Qi Dao Ming, the City Lord of Light-Chasing City, is a powerful figure and also the son-in-law of the Li family. You probably remember Li Qing Xiao, Li Qing Xu’s younger cousin. Last time, that kid came here and suffered some humiliation when you—well—kicked him twice. I wouldn’t be surprised if he went crying back to his family.” He chuckled, then added, “But more than that, Qi Dao Ming and I had some rivalry in the past. I suspect he’s using this visit as a pretext to challenge me again, and by extension, you.”
Qin Ming raised an eyebrow. “So, his ‘chosen number one’ wants to fight me?”
Meng Xing Hai nodded. “That’s probably it. Qi Dao Ming himself is no pushover. Back in his youth, he was a terror on the Awakening Path, pushing many of his peers to their limits. There was one competition where he defeated seventy-two challengers in a row, cementing his reputation as the top figure in his domain. Later, he was identified as someone capable of walking the Beyond, so he switched paths. That choice worked well for him—he rose even higher and eventually caught the attention of the Li family, becoming their son-in-law.”
“Did you fight him before?” Qin Ming asked.
Meng Xing Hai nodded. “Once, back when we were both on the Awakening Path. The match was a draw. After we each switched paths, we haven’t crossed blades since.”
As Qin Ming left the mansion, he saw a middle-aged man entering. The newcomer had an air of elegance and power, his movements exuding the refined demeanor of someone extraordinary.
Walking through Red Glow City, Qin Ming found himself reflecting. He hadn’t been here long, yet he already felt an unexpected attachment to the place.
Before leaving, he knew he had a few promises to fulfill. He had vowed to find spiritual substances for both Talking Sparrow and Red Eagle, who had helped him in the past during the battles in the Desert of Yellow Sands.
Soon after, Qin Ming visited the Sun Family. He handed an old woman, Grandma Sun, a hammer technique manual he had written himself. The elderly woman’s life had drastically improved since the fall of Hall of Righteousness, thanks to the thirty pieces of Daylight Gold Qin Ming had given her. She now lived peacefully, raising her three-year-old grandson.
“Child, thank you!” Grandma Sun’s voice quivered as she looked at the complete hammer manual, her cloudy eyes brimming with tears. She motioned for her grandson to bow to Qin Ming in gratitude. “This will change his life.”
Qin Ming quickly stopped them, gently helping the old woman and her grandson to their feet before departing.
Next, he ventured into the mountains. With his current skills, finding a spiritual substance capable of enabling a third mutation was hardly a challenge. Even when facing Outer Saint-level aberrations, as long as they weren’t ancient monsters, he could easily defeat them.
“Master, you didn’t forget Little Sparrow’s request?” Talking Sparrow, who had remained in Red Glow City, was visibly moved. Its black, gem-like eyes sparkled with excitement as it spoke. “Master, I’m so touched! I can evolve again! I’m so happy I could cry!”
Talking Sparrow fluttered its wings, continuing, “Master, how about letting me follow you? I’m quite extraordinary, you know. I’ve already developed divinity and might one day walk the Path to Godhood!”
“I may be traveling far,” Qin Ming replied. “Bringing your whole family along wouldn’t be practical.”
After that, Qin Ming visited Red Eagle to fulfill his promise to it as well.
That evening, Meng Xing Hai summoned him, his expression unusually somber.
“Did Qi Dao Ming act out of line?” Qin Ming asked.
Meng Xing Hai shook his head. “No, Qi Dao Ming is meticulous. He knows where the boundaries are and won’t cross them. But it’s not just him—someone from the Cui Family has arrived. They want to meet you, so prepare yourself.”
Qin Ming’s eyes narrowed. The Cui Family, rulers of Clear River City and one of the ancient Thousand-Year Aristocratic Families, had loomed over him like a mountain during the ten years he had spent living under their shadow. He had severed ties with them, yet here they were, reappearing in his life.
Seeing Meng Xing Hai’s expression, Qin Ming could already guess the visitors’ intentions. They were unlikely to bring goodwill.
“Alright, Uncle Meng,” Qin Ming said, determination in his voice. “I’ll meet them.”
The Cui Family was still a towering obstacle in his path. But no matter what, he knew he would one day have to face them—to reclaim the Silk Script Method that was rightfully his.
Meng Xing Hai patted his shoulder reassuringly. “Don’t worry. I’ve got your back. Go out there and do what you need to do—fear nothing.”