Chapter 129: Rising Storms
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
“Not bad. You’ve got a good attitude. I thought you’d be a little nervous after catching the attention of the Cui Family’s direct line,” Meng Xing Hai remarked with approval.
Qin Ming smirked slightly. “The last time Cui Hong sought me out at Black and White Mountain, he was ordered to confine me in that remote place, practically caging me. I knew then this wouldn’t be the end of it.”
He had long been mentally prepared. He knew well the ways those people operated.
Meng Xing Hai nodded in agreement. “The technique you’re after has a significant reputation. Getting the complete scripture will be a tall order. Its full name is Eternal Green Longevity Sutra.”
“Longevity Sutra?” Qin Ming echoed, surprised. Just those last three words were enough to tell him this technique likely transcended the realm of extraordinary skills.
“It’s an exceedingly rare classic,” Meng Xing Hai explained. “Anyone who masters it can absorb the essence of mountains and plants, significantly increasing their lifespan and maintaining a youthful vitality. They could linger in this world for a long, long time.”
The technique was notoriously difficult to master, but if fully comprehended, it could extend one’s life by “half a lifetime.”
“I figure,” Meng continued, “if the Cui Family really wants to intervene and sends someone to deal with this, at the very least, they’ll have to bring out The Wood Sutra. That’s the abridged version of the classic but still an extraordinary skill.”
Qin Ming wasn’t greedy. Even if they handed him the full Longevity Sutra, he doubted he could master it at this stage. A single extraordinary skill was enough to make countless people dedicate their lives to cultivation.
He was convinced that even Cui He himself hadn’t fully mastered the technique. If he had, his progress would’ve skyrocketed, and he’d already be a renowned master.
The next two days passed peacefully for Qin Ming, who felt no tension before the impending confrontation.
The duel between the two cities was being meticulously organized. The “champion” of Light-Chasing City, personally chosen by Qi Dao Ming, remained a mystery, with their information tightly guarded.
Meng Xing Hai had already made it clear: if the “champion” from Light-Chasing City was at the Outer Saint Realm, the duel wouldn’t happen. If they intended to crush Red Glow City with overwhelming power, there’d be no contest.
“You always think so poorly of me,” Qi Dao Ming replied in a letter. “Am I really that kind of person?”
“Yes,” Meng Xing Hai replied with a single, blunt word.
Qin Ming sat quietly in meditation. As he breathed, white light appeared at his nose and mouth. He felt the pores across his body open up, bringing a subtle sense of comfort.
This was thanks to Jade Radiance Force, a technique he had obtained from Li Tian He, a named disciple of the Yuqing Lineage. Practicing it daily felt like drinking a bowl of nourishing medicine. Though that might have been an exaggeration, consistent practice over the years would undoubtedly improve his constitution.
Afterward, he began practicing Tiger Roar Skill. Immediately, it felt as though a fierce beast was roaring within his five organs, causing faint tremors in his chest.
If anyone knew he had managed to embed the skill into his internal organs after only a few days of practice, they would be utterly astonished.
An Outer Saint he had exchanged techniques with once mentioned that training the organs to produce the tiger’s roar was incredibly difficult. Achieving it in just a few years was out of the question for most.
At the beginning, practitioners could only generate external sounds by vibrating their throats. Producing internal sound required extraordinary talent, something even rare prodigies couldn’t guarantee.
Sweat beaded on Qin Ming’s body as the skill took effect, refining his organs and spreading the tiger’s roar into his blood and flesh. The process strengthened his organs and stimulated the vitality of his tissues.
Qin Ming realized this was an underestimated skill. He had traded an ordinary Celestial Light Force for it and hadn’t expected such remarkable results.
This revelation sparked his curiosity. According to the Outer Saint, the skill was part of a sequence, followed by Five Thunder Organ Refining Technique and ultimately Eight Scenes Divine Illumination Skill. Determined, Qin Ming resolved to pursue these techniques in the future.
He continued practicing other methods, including the chants taught by Li Qing Yue and a slim booklet passed down by Meng Xing Hai’s martial uncle.
As he progressed, Qin Ming noticed that the spiritual light and clarity he cultivated could only accumulate in small amounts, with most absorbed into his blood and flesh, gradually enhancing his body.
Lastly, he trained using a method from the depths of the Night Fog World. Though it consisted of only three pages of scripture, it formed a foundational framework. The technique promised to extend lifespan, transform one’s core nature, and cleanse the heart of worldly distractions.
Qin Ming’s Celestial Light Force radiated vigorous yang energy, unfriendly to beings from the Beyond. It felt like a great sun crossing the sky, casting light everywhere.
This radiant energy coursed through his flesh, forming intricate webs throughout his body. A complete cycle emerged, illuminating his interior.
The light flowed like golden rivers, spreading across the dark lands cloaked in night fog, dispelling the shadows. These rivers seemed to carve a path through barren lands, bringing golden brilliance and vibrant vitality to his flesh.
These practices became Qin Ming’s daily routine. Though they didn’t consume much time, the long-term effects were undeniable. With his already astonishing potential, the results promised further growth.
Meanwhile, news of the duel and the broader examinations across the region spread rapidly. The various city-wide contests had reached their later stages, drawing increasing attention. Across different cities, the most outstanding young men and women were beginning to emerge, their talents garnering recognition.
The examinations themselves were merely the first phase, an annual tradition that rarely caused a stir. However, as the final stages approached and the true prodigies began to shine, the events grew far more dramatic, captivating public attention.
In the past few days, regional night newspapers had ramped up their coverage, showcasing the “champions” of various cities. Some cities had already begun friendly competitions between their top talents.
One morning, the Talking Sparrow flew into the City Lord’s Mansion, where Qin Ming now stayed under Meng Xing Hai’s insistence for his safety.
“Mountain Lord, I’ve sorted out my family affairs. When you leave Red Glow City, my little ones should be ready to leave the nest too. We birds grow fast. May I follow you?” The sparrow’s voice was clear as it perched nearby.
Qin Ming raised an eyebrow at the blue-feathered sparrow with eyes like black diamonds. “You’re abandoning your wife and kids? That’s typical ‘scumbird’ behavior.”
The sparrow tilted its head innocently. “We birds are just like that. Every spring, we raise chicks together, and then we go our separate ways. You can’t judge a bird by human moral standards.”
It fluttered closer, adding, “Besides, the spiritual substance you gave me was so rich that even after I shared it with my wife and children—diluted, of course—they all evolved once. Now, every Talking Sparrow on Black and White Mountain says I’m the perfect husband and a father whose love is as solid as a mountain.”
Qin Ming didn’t know what to make of the Talking Sparrow. Somehow, this “scumbird” had managed to become a shining example of a “model bird.”
Turning his attention back to the night report, he read with surprise about the “Rise of a Youth Master.” The article spoke highly of a young prodigy from Flowing Light City, showering him with praise for his exceptional talent.
“Flowing Light City,” the Talking Sparrow said, blinking its bright eyes. “That’s where Master Wu is, isn’t it?” The bird referred to the Purple-Eyed Crow they had encountered at Black and White Mountain, along with the mysterious woman in the black fur cloak, Tang Jin.
“Could this young prodigy really be a disciple of that special sect Master Wu joined?” The sparrow hopped closer to read the report alongside Qin Ming. To his surprise, it could recognize the words.
No wonder it claimed to have awakened divinity and aimed to ascend the path of godhood. This bird was far from ordinary.
“If they’re from that sect,” Qin Ming remarked, “why would they even need to participate in these regional exams or duel other cities?”
The Talking Sparrow nodded. “Master Wu mentioned that the sect emphasizes practical experience and self-improvement through combat in its early stages.”
Leaning in, the sparrow lowered its voice. “That woman, Tang Jin—her teacher is said to be immensely powerful. Otherwise, why would Master Wu willingly pledge allegiance? It’s rumored that her teacher is pioneering a new path and might one day become a founder-level figure!”
Qin Ming continued reading and found the night report’s praise for the young prodigy to be extraordinary. It described the youth’s every move as flawless, brimming with the presence of a Youth Master.
The sparrow hesitated before speaking. “Mountain Lord, I have a piece of news for you, but don’t get mad, alright?”
“Just say it,” Qin Ming replied, glancing at the bird.
“Well…” The sparrow squirmed. “That black-cloaked woman you met? Her true appearance is breathtakingly beautiful, but…”
“Stop stalling. Just tell me. I won’t get mad,” Qin Ming assured it.
The bird finally blurted out, “Back then, you caught her attention too. But it seems she didn’t choose you. She picked someone else to become her teacher’s final disciple. I’m guessing it’s the Youth Master in this night report.”
Qin Ming nodded lightly. “I see.” There was nothing to be upset about. After all he’d been through, fleeting opportunities like that no longer stirred his emotions.
“Let’s go. It’s time to depart,” Meng Xing Hai called out, informing Qin Ming that they were heading to Light-Chasing City. It would be an “away game” for them.
Meng grinned as he mentioned the stakes. “The prize this time is excellent. If we win, it’ll really hurt the other side.”
“You remember that Five-Colored Spiritual Branch you consumed? It came from the Blessed Lands, from a treasure tree rooted in the Celestial Light Pool. That was just a tender spring shoot. This time, Qi Dao Ming is putting up one of the ‘fallen fruits’ from the old tree as the prize.”
Light-Chasing City was about the same size as Red Glow City, and the two were only 400 li apart. With flying mounts, Qin Ming and Meng Xing Hai reached their destination swiftly.
“Li Lord!” Qin Ming called out in surprise when he spotted Li Qing Yun, who had also come to Light-Chasing City. He hadn’t expected to see him here.
“Fight without worry. No one will dare interfere,” Li Qing Yun said with a warm smile. His snowy white hair glistened, and his rosy complexion gave him a kind and benevolent appearance.
His words reassured Qin Ming, while also hinting that there might have been potential trouble. If Li Qing Yun had personally come, any issues had likely been resolved.
“Was someone planning to meddle?” Qin Ming asked Meng Xing Hai and Li Qing Yun quietly.
“Not exactly,” Meng replied, keeping his answer brief. “It’s been handled.”
The duel between the two cities was the talk of Light-Chasing City, and the streets buzzed with chatter about the competition and the talents from other regions.
“Can you believe Flowing Light City has a Youth Master rising? That’s insane!”
“Do you think our Light-Chasing City can defeat Red Glow City? Or even stand against that Youth Master?”
“Dream on! A Youth Master is like a moon hanging high in the sky. The ‘candlelight’ of Light-Chasing and Red Glow Cities doesn’t even compare!”
As Qin Ming and Meng Xing Hai walked through the streets, they overheard snippets of these conversations. Clearly, the duels were sparking widespread interest, with all eyes on the extraordinary talents emerging across the land.
The following day, Qin Ming prepared to face Light-Chasing City’s “first champion.”
Meng Xing Hai informed him that Li Qing Yue would be watching the match. She had brought the complete version of a mysterious scripture and had secretly arrived in the city.