Chapter 134: Far Beyond Expectations
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
The young woman leading the Yuqing Lineage cast a glance at a nearby boy. Her gaze lingered on him, studying him repeatedly. The unexpected attention caused murmurs of surprise, and many in the crowd instinctively turned to see who had caught her eye.
“Isn’t that Qin Ming from Red Glow City?” someone whispered quietly.
The reaction was immediate. Those familiar with the renowned Great Cities of the realm found Red Glow City unfamiliar. It was not a prominent place, and its remote location made it seem unlikely to produce anyone remarkable. People exchanged skeptical glances, wondering if they had misheard.
Qin Ming smiled politely and nodded in acknowledgment, remaining composed. Whether or not the woman responded to his gesture, he believed it was proper to show respect.
The woman, radiant and graceful, returned his nod with a dazzling smile. Her beauty shone brighter than the spring sunlight, captivating everyone around her. The crowd erupted into hushed conversations, their curiosity and speculation swirling.
“Are they acquaintances? Or is that boy from such a remote city truly extraordinary enough to draw the attention of someone from the Yuqing Lineage?”
Her name was Lu Yu Zhi. She was an aberration—a prodigious individual whose strength and talent were rare even among the most gifted. Two years earlier, she had defeated numerous formidable opponents, displaying terrifying strength. Yet her family, the influential Lu Clan, had deliberately downplayed her achievements, shielding her from unnecessary scrutiny.
“Is this senior sister very famous?” someone asked, intrigued by her presence.
“Very. She’s a dazzling female aberration, known for her astounding combat prowess. There’s a story that someone hurt her friend and provoked her wrath. She challenged one opponent after another, leaving a trail of defeated elites from the Beyond and the Secret Sect. She even crushed several seed-level geniuses.”
Only a few in the crowd were aware of her full accomplishments, as the Lu Clan had made efforts to obscure her reputation. They didn’t want her to become too conspicuous.
Qin Ming was just as surprised as the others. He hadn’t expected to encounter her here. While they weren’t well-acquainted, he had met her a few times and knew her to possess Divine Wisdom. He had assumed she would join the Secret Sect, yet here she was as a disciple of the Yuqing Lineage.
It didn’t take him long to understand. Sects like the Sky-Supporting Sect, Six Rulers, and Yuqing Lineage each wielded the legendary Celestial Light Force, a powerful technique that gave them an edge in the early stages of cultivation. These sects, despite their later struggles with slow progress and diminishing returns, were forces that even the Beyond and the Secret Sect viewed with caution.
Qin Ming speculated that Lu Yu Zhi intended to use the Yuqing Force as her protective path, even as she continued on the Secret Sect’s path to divinity. Her Divine Wisdom made her a natural fit for the Secret Sect, but with her qualifications, it was no surprise she’d chosen not to overlook the Yuqing Lineage.
Lu Yu Zhi moved gracefully toward Cao Wu Ji. Dressed in elegant robes, her every step exuded confidence and charm. Her allure was unmistakable, and she quickly became the center of attention.
Cao Wu Ji had been surrounded by admirers, basking in their attention like a star among planets. However, upon seeing the radiant Lu Yu Zhi, he immediately stepped forward to greet her with humility and deference.
He knew exactly who she was. His own status as an aberration suddenly felt less exceptional.
“Are you interested in joining the Yuqing Lineage?” Lu Yu Zhi asked, her voice warm but commanding.
She came from a millennial aristocratic family, was a top disciple of the Yuqing Lineage, and continued her pursuit of the Secret Sect’s divine path. Despite her gentle smile, her aura was imposing.
Cao Wu Ji, knowing he had no advantage in this encounter, quickly addressed her as “Senior Sister” and decisively expressed his willingness to join Yuqing.
He was a man of action and made his decision without hesitation. His response was swift and resolute.
Nearby, representatives from Pure Yang Palace, Heart Inquiry Academy, and the Five Elements Palace looked on in dismay. Despite their desire to recruit Cao Wu Ji, they couldn’t compete with the Yuqing Lineage. They knew they were no match for the woman in front of them. Even if they joined forces, they would likely be crushed.
After a moment of stunned silence, many stepped forward to congratulate Cao Wu Ji. Lu Yu Zhi’s expression softened, and she offered a gentle reminder. “I must tell you that joining Yuqing still requires passing several trials.”
Cao Wu Ji nodded, fully understanding. To learn the legendary Celestial Light Force, it couldn’t possibly be easy. Even an aberration would face rigorous scrutiny.
The Purple Bamboo Forest buzzed with excitement. Many gathered around the two aberrations, some offering congratulations to Cao Wu Ji and others inquiring about how to qualify for the Yuqing Lineage.
Cao Wu Ji’s charisma shone through. Handsome and articulate, he charmed the younger members of the Yuqing Lineage, earning their admiration. Even Lu Yu Zhi, radiant and poised, seemed to hold a favorable impression of him.
Some onlookers reflected on the rarity of this moment. For the Yuqing Lineage, an ancient sect, to descend from their mountains to actively recruit disciples was nearly unprecedented. A few began to suspect that the Great Expansion Era, a time of growth and change, might not be far off.
Lu Yu Zhi turned her gaze toward Qin Ming, walking in his direction. Her movement immediately drew everyone’s attention.
“It’s a surprise to see you here,” she said with a smile as a soft breeze stirred her robes.
Lu Yu Zhi’s graceful figure, flowing hair, and vibrant aura made her seem more dazzling than ever. Not only was she a noblewoman of a prestigious family, but she was also a disciple of the Yuqing Lineage and a dual-path cultivator, making her even more extraordinary than before.
“Miss Lu, it’s been a while. Your elegance outshines even the past,” Qin Ming replied politely.
The gentle sway of the purple bamboo and the soft glow of jade-like light created a picturesque scene.
Lu Yu Zhi raised a delicate eyebrow and asked, “Are you here to join a sect?”
Qin Ming nodded. “Yes, I’ve traveled from a remote area to Jin Rui City, working hard for my future.”
“If you’re interested in joining the Yuqing Lineage, you’ll need to pass several trials. Would you like to apply?” Lu Yu Zhi asked with a smile.
Qin Ming was intrigued. “What are the requirements to join? And how long would it take to learn the legendary Yuqing Force?”
Lu Yu Zhi chuckled. “The trials are strict. The first step is becoming a registered disciple, which requires a certain level of comprehension.”
After sharing a few more details with Qin Ming, she excused herself to rejoin her fellow disciples.
Moments later, someone approached Qin Ming. “Do you know Miss Lu personally?”
Another person, a girl in a violet robe, chimed in with a cheerful greeting. “Senior Brother, are you close with Miss Lu?”
Qin Ming found himself surrounded by curious onlookers. With calm composure, he clarified, “We’ve only met a few times. Even if I wish to join the Yuqing Lineage, I’d still need to start with the registered disciple trials.”
Satisfied with his explanation, the group dispersed after a few minutes, realizing that Qin Ming was indeed from a remote place and not particularly close to Lu Yu Zhi.
Lu Yu Zhi, meanwhile, addressed the gathered talents. “Let’s conduct a test for those interested in joining Yuqing.”
She produced several sheets of scripture, distributing them among the crowd. “These contain a temporary version of the Celestial Light Force created by our elders. If you can comprehend it and manifest four-colored light, you’ll pass.”
Qin Ming accepted a sheet eagerly. Since it involved the Celestial Light Force, he was keen to experience it.
It didn’t take long for him to master the technique. As he practiced, he felt that it wasn’t just four-colored light he could produce—there was more power flowing within him.
Sure enough, a radiant, multicolored glow emerged from his palm, more vibrant than anyone around him had ever seen. When onlookers counted, they found not four, but eight distinct colors, with wisps of light and mist still swirling as if more might emerge.
“Little Qin, it’s time to go.” Qin Ming heard Meng Xing Hai’s voice calling from the distance.
“Got it!” Qin Ming replied, extinguishing the radiant glow in his palm before striding away confidently.
Behind him, the Purple Bamboo Forest buzzed with excitement. Voices rang out from all directions.
“I passed! I managed to create four colors!” one participant exclaimed.
Not long after, a handful of people succeeded in producing five colors, sparking even more chatter. But soon, all eyes turned to Cao Wu Ji. He had achieved seven colors in his display, a feat that immediately caused a sensation.
His palm shimmered with a flowing rainbow, light mist swirling around it. The sight was both serene and majestic, with the radiant glow captivating everyone who witnessed it.
“This is unbelievable—completely off the charts!” someone marveled. “Is this what it means to be an aberration? The gap between us and him is too vast!”
The Purple Bamboo Forest filled with exclamations of awe. Many could only sigh, realizing there were some talents they could never match. The sheer disparity in innate gifts was insurmountable.
Cao Wu Ji, however, remained calm, as if this level of achievement wasn’t particularly impressive to him. He found the process of analyzing and understanding the technique more intriguing than the display itself.
“This test doesn’t depend on the physical attributes of an aberration,” Lu Yu Zhi remarked with a soft smile. “It’s purely about comprehension. In fact, it’s possible to produce one more color.”
As she spoke, her jade-like hand revealed an eight-colored brilliance, like a miniature celestial river flowing in her palm. The dazzling display stunned everyone present.
Even Cao Wu Ji, who had remained composed until now, was visibly surprised. “One more color?” he murmured, his tone tinged with disbelief.
Lu Yu Zhi, satisfied with his performance, offered a reassuring smile. “You’ve already done remarkably well to reach seven colors at this stage. The eighth requires a profound understanding of integrating the Celestial Light. You simply haven’t learned enough yet.”
Suddenly, someone in the crowd whispered, “I think I saw someone else create eight colors earlier.”
“What are you talking about?” another person asked, incredulous.
The murmur spread through the crowd, drawing curious and skeptical glances.
“What’s going on?” Lu Yu Zhi asked, her gaze turning to the source of the commotion.
A girl in a violet robe hesitated but finally spoke up. “I saw it too—someone managed eight colors.”
“That’s impossible!” someone retorted. “At this stage, how could anyone have that level of understanding of the Celestial Light?”
“Who was it? Where are they?” the crowd demanded, growing restless.
Cao Wu Ji frowned and scanned the area, his sharp gaze falling on a group of young talents.
“It was that boy from the remote city, Qin Ming,” one youth from a Great City said hesitantly. “He had eight colors in his palm but left when someone called him.”
The revelation caused an uproar. For someone to surpass an aberration like Cao Wu Ji in comprehension was almost unthinkable.
Cao Wu Ji’s expression froze. Was there really someone his age who could outshine him?
“It has nothing to do with being an aberration,” someone tried to console him. “This is just about comprehension—”
But their attempt at flattery backfired, as Cao Wu Ji’s face remained expressionless. Beneath the calm exterior, his thoughts churned. On the matter of comprehension, someone had actually surpassed him.
Lu Yu Zhi, too, was startled. She watched Qin Ming’s disappearing silhouette through the forest, her gaze filled with a rare hint of astonishment. Could he truly possess such insight? It was far beyond what she had expected.
The next day, word of Qin Ming’s exploits reached Cui He, who frowned deeply. “He’s gone to Jin Rui City to meet with Yuqing, Pure Yang, and other sects? Is he planning to join one of their great ancestral lineages?”
“That seems likely,” someone reported. “And there was another incident—his comprehension is said to be extraordinary.”
Later that day, Cui He received another update. Qin Ming had shown a strong interest in the Six Rulers Force and seemed inclined to join that lineage.
When Cui Shu Ning heard this, her expression darkened. “He’s an aberration with remarkable comprehension. Isn’t he trying to steal the spot meant for Chong Xuan as a core disciple? He’s doing this on purpose!”
The situation was dire. With guidance from certain connections, Qin Ming had already won nineteen consecutive matches. One more victory would grant him direct entry to the Six Rulers, where he could take the elder’s trial to become a core disciple.
Cui He and Cui Shu Ning felt as though the sky were falling. Were they really about to lose everything to Qin Ming? And this direct-entry rule—was he about to walk straight into the Six Rulers’ Mountain Gate to meet the elders?
“Stop him immediately! He cannot win the twentieth match!” Cui He ordered. “Where’s that young powerhouse we found earlier? Get him to fight!”
“He’s not easy to summon,” someone replied hesitantly. “He has strong backing.”
Meanwhile, Meng Xing Hai appeared relaxed. He turned down offers for Qin Ming to take early matches, stating nonchalantly, “It’s just one last fight. There’s no rush.”
Over the next two days, Lu Yu Zhi noticed familiar faces approaching her, inquiring about Qin Ming’s comprehension. They were all members of aristocratic families she had known in the past.
“Hey, haven’t you heard? The Cui Family abandoned him, but his talent is exceptional. He’s on the rise,” one of them remarked.
“There’s supposed to be an exciting fight soon. Should we go watch? Apparently, a mysterious young powerhouse is planning to block Qin Ming.”
Four days later, all arrangements were finalized. The duel, though not widely advertised, had drawn considerable interest.
Meng Xing Hai was very pleased with the setup. Though he knew they wouldn’t win the full Longevity Sutra, negotiating for its fragments alongside the Wood Sutra was more than enough.
The stakes for the duel included not just the Wood Sutra but also six pages of the Longevity Sutra, exceeding all expectations.
Cui He, however, was in a foul mood. He realized too late that Meng Xing Hai had led them by the nose, controlling the pace of events from start to finish.
Cui Shu Ning shared his frustration. She had hoped for a low-profile fight, but the presence of familiar aristocratic faces turned it into a spectacle. Though it wouldn’t be officially reported, the idea of these people watching their embarrassment was unbearable.
Her cold expression betrayed her thoughts. Most infuriating was that Meng Xing Hai and the Li Family seemed to be protecting Qin Ming. Even now, Cui Wu Ye was off drinking with Li Qing Yun. How many days had this gone on?
Two days later, more familiar faces appeared in Red Glow City. Members of the Li Family and Wang Family arrived, their expressions neutral but their presence adding to the tension.
“You little brat, what are you doing here?” Cui He snapped, landing a slap on a young visitor.
Zheng Mao Rong looked utterly confused. He had come to watch the duel but found himself inexplicably struck. Although he wanted to retaliate, he knew he couldn’t win.
“And you lot! You’re just kids. Don’t you have better things to do than meddle?” Cui He’s anger flared.
Slap after slap landed, enraging the younger crowd. “Lu Yu Zhi is here too. Why don’t you try hitting her?” someone muttered defiantly.
Late at night, outside Red Glow City, thick fog shrouded the land. The world seemed drenched in ink, leaving everything in pitch-black silence.
Qin Ming stood still, his gaze steady. From within the dense night fog, a young figure emerged slowly, approaching him.