Chapter 140: The Edge of the World
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
In a single day, they traversed 40,000 miles, crossing the boundless darkness of the Night Fog World. The two high-level aberrants carried the group to the fabled Edge of the World.
Even though most participants had undergone numerous awakenings and were physically robust, some still felt unsettled by the journey. Their pale faces only regained color when their feet touched solid ground.
“Why not just go straight into the city?” someone asked.
They had landed in a wilderness shrouded in dense night fog. The chaotic branches of ancient trees stretched in all directions, and faint light glimmered in the distance, hinting at the presence of a city.
“Now that you’re here, let me teach you something,” said Zhou Tao, the elder from the Six Rulers Sect.
With his graying temples and golden pupils that shimmered faintly, he continued, “When approaching the Edge of the World, you must not enter a city from the sky. Such actions are considered hostile, and even high-level aberrants can be shot down by specialized ballistae.”
The group listened intently as Zhou Tao explained the significance of their location: it was part of the frontiers established during the last era of grand expansion.
Though it had once been a bustling hub filled with experts and pioneers, the centuries had dulled its glory. The grand expansion had ceased, and the region was now sparsely populated and fraught with danger.
Qin Ming’s thoughts wandered. To journey 40,000 miles in a day and arrive at such a historic place was far beyond his expectations. He hadn’t anticipated coming to the frontlines of expansion so soon, believing that era still distant.
As they walked toward the city, whispers and speculations filled the air.
The city’s walls loomed large but bore visible wear. Constructed from black metal stone, they were marked with massive claw scars stretching several meters long. The sight made many uneasy, evoking vivid images of blood and chaos from bygone eras.
Zhou Tao seemed to read their thoughts and smiled faintly. “Those? They’re nothing. Just scratches from some small cats and mice over the past few years.”
“Has the new grand expansion already begun?” someone couldn’t help but ask.
“Not yet,” replied a young disciple.
“But you think this place is peaceful? Think again.”
After their identities were verified, the group entered the city and learned more about their surroundings. The Edge of the World spanned a vast, seemingly endless boundary, and this city was but a small corner.
Due to its location, various creatures often crossed the borders, wreaking havoc on the locals. The incursions had become increasingly frequent and severe, with gruesome bloodshed and even village massacres now common.
The higher-ups had reached their limit and were preparing for another grand expansion to push deeper into the Night Fog World.
“You live in a time of immense challenges,” Zhou Tao said as they walked. “When the grand expansion begins, advancing into the depths of the Night Fog World will present countless opportunities. Resources, fortune, and fame await. It will be an era of legends. Some will rise like blazing suns, standing shoulder to shoulder with the great figures of old.”
“Perhaps among you are the trailblazers—youthful grandmasters who will lead the way.”
The elder’s words, along with those of the disciples accompanying him, painted a grand and chaotic picture of the coming era. Many of the youths felt their blood boil with excitement, envisioning a future where they could rise to greatness.
However, a few remained calm, understanding that such an era would also bring unimaginable loss and countless deaths.
This particular city was more of a large county, home to just over 100,000 people and supported by a cluster of third-tier fire springs.
Qin Ming and the others soon learned the nature of their trial: they would hunt down the creatures and monsters that had been plaguing the locals.
“After the last grand expansion, people were relocated here,” explained one disciple. “At first, the region was rich and prosperous, with abundant resources and plenty of land. But over time, things turned grim. Monsters began crossing the borders more frequently, leading to endless attacks and massacres.”
It became clear why Zhou Tao had discouraged infighting. The trial’s purpose was to hone their skills and help address the region’s escalating crisis.
“You can form teams or act alone. Those who defeat the most dangerous creatures or kill the greatest number of monsters will receive higher evaluations,” Zhou Tao announced.
Some participants began strategizing in groups, while others chose to remain silent, intending to go solo.
“Before you begin,” Zhou Tao said gravely, “I will assign each of you a region based on your strength. Study the provided documents carefully and know your limits.”
He warned them of the dangers. “You still have time to back out. Once you commit, there will be casualties. If you’ve never faced life-and-death combat, think twice before proceeding.”
Each person received a stack of papers containing reports about the surrounding areas. Some documents were decades old, while others were more recent, detailing horrific incidents submitted by the locals.
“We won’t give you information on the truly monstrous beasts and high-level entities. Sending you to face them would be a death sentence.”
Zhou Tao explained that danger and opportunity often came hand in hand. Some creatures carried rare spiritual materials, such as the silver blood of failed silver-tier evolutions, which was highly valuable but also signaled immense danger. Other creatures had treasures like jade horns or spiritual bones that could be used for medicine or crafting powerful artifacts.
One youth, filled with a sense of justice, asked, “Elder Zhou, if the locals have been suffering so much, why don’t experts like you take care of it? After all, we’re just starting out. How much can we really handle?”
Zhou Tao smirked. “You think we don’t act? Do you know where the spiritual meat we eat comes from? If we didn’t hunt ourselves, we’d starve just like anyone else. Even elders would end up destitute.”
Another disciple elaborated, “The problem is the sheer scale. The borders left by the last grand expansion stretch for thousands of miles. This city and the surrounding regions are just one small corner.”
The piles of reports and case files reflected the overwhelming number of incidents. Despite their best efforts, manpower was limited, and the most dangerous incursions were often just elusive small threats.
“The high-level experts are focused on the deeper regions of the Night Fog World,” the disciple continued. “The leaders are preparing to topple the table entirely with a new expansion.”
But the unknown territories ahead were vast and uncharted. Even the grandmasters didn’t know what awaited. While past expansions had yielded tremendous rewards, the future remained uncertain.
What if they stumbled into a divine kingdom or a demonic court ruled by monster lords? If that happened, the conflict would become unimaginably bloody.
The youths pored over the case files, their contents painting a harrowing picture of brutal incidents and atrocities. Many felt their hearts tighten with sorrow and anger at the grim details.
In a private chamber, Zhou Tao gave instructions to several disciples. “Assign the trial regions based on each participant’s strength,” he said. “Everything must follow the rules. No one is to overstep their bounds or cross any red lines. Understood?”
The disciples nodded firmly.
Zhou Tao continued, “Aberrants will likely become our core disciples. We must temper them properly and apply real pressure; otherwise, they’ll think the Six Rulers Sect’s trials are mere child’s play.”
He carefully reviewed the dossiers of the aberrants before addressing the group. “Rest tonight. Tomorrow, you will set out to resolve these cases. Defend the borders, restore order, and if you think you’re capable, venture into the smaller frontiers. Your performance will be fairly assessed.”
He warned them gravely, “No infighting is allowed. Anyone who attacks a fellow participant will be disqualified—or worse.”
“What if someone attacks me first?” a youth asked quietly. “Would defending myself be considered infighting?”
Zhou Tao smirked. “What kind of warrior doesn’t fight back? Self-defense is perfectly acceptable.”
He distributed scrolls of parchment. “Here is a high-level secret technique called Radiant Light Force. It’s ideal for honing your skills while hunting monsters. Consider it a gift. Those who perform well—even in this preliminary trial—will earn the right to study an even more advanced technique in the Sect’s Enlightenment Grounds.”
The next day, the youths set out.
Qin Ming, choosing to go solo, was assigned a region nearly 100 miles from the county town. Following the map and markers, he moved swiftly through the night.
“Seventh awakening and a small frontier expedition—here I come,” he thought, eager to witness the uncharted world. Yet, he tempered his excitement with caution, knowing the dangers of underestimating his trial.
Setting out early, Qin Ming moved quickly. Before the first light of dawn, he approached his destination: Luo Village. Smoke curled gently from chimneys as villagers prepared their morning meals.
The village was modest but well-resourced. Despite its population of just a few hundred, it boasted a second-tier fire spring that nourished the fertile fields surrounding it. Crops flourished under the fire spring’s crimson irrigation, and dense forests framed the horizon.
The serene morning was shattered by the sound of crying.
Villagers bolted their doors and windows, fearful and tense. A woman sobbed, her voice trembling with desperation. “Please, my lord, we’ve already lost one child. Spare us. Take me or my husband instead.”
Alarmed, Qin Ming moved silently toward the sound. Through an open courtyard gate, he saw a two-meter-tall blue wolf standing on its hind legs. Dressed in scholarly robes, it bared its bloody fangs, speaking in a chillingly human voice. “Breakfast is important, and I find your child delicious. That’s why I’m back.”
Kneeling before the wolf was a couple, pleading with tears in their eyes. Behind them, two young children clung to each other, their wide eyes filled with terror. The previous day, their older brother had been taken; today, it was their turn.
“Beast!” Qin Ming’s fury ignited. He had read about many gruesome incidents, but seeing one so vile in person filled him with righteous anger.
The blue wolf had turned this family into its personal larder. This was the second day in a row it had come for its next meal. The cruelty of it made Qin Ming’s blood boil.
His temper, usually restrained, broke loose. With an icy glare, he strode into the courtyard, his murderous intent plain for all to see.
“Hm?” The wolf was alert, immediately retreating a step. Prepared to kill if necessary, it also calculated its escape route.
Grinning, it bared its fangs. “Brother, I see you’re on a mission. How about we both step back? I’ll leave today. After all, I serve the Silver Wolf King.”
“Who are you calling brother?!” Qin Ming spat, his celestial energy surging. His left fist and right palm glowed with blinding light as he launched his attack.
The blue wolf was fast, but Qin Ming was faster. Blocking its path, he forced it to fight back. The wolf’s massive claws slashed through the air with a sharp whistle, and its enormous head lunged forward in a savage attempt to bite.
But Qin Ming’s blows were relentless. One strike shattered the wolf’s left paw, and another ripped its other arm clean off. With a deafening crack, half of its head exploded in a spray of blood.
“A six-time mutated beast,” Qin Ming assessed, his anger finally subsiding.
Behind him, the family stood frozen with shock before erupting in joy. They knelt to thank him, but Qin Ming quickly stopped them, unwilling to accept their gestures of gratitude.
He noted their lingering anxiety. Shortly after, the village elder arrived. Though grateful for the wolf’s death, the elder’s face betrayed his worry. The nearby forest was home to Wolf Ridge, where at least six more feral wolves dwelled.
After learning the details, Qin Ming immediately set off for Wolf Ridge.
The forested plains were vast, and any hills that emerged were usually claimed by some territorial creature as its den. Reaching the ridge after half an hour, Qin Ming began his climb.
“Who goes there?”
“Friend, we are servants of the Silver Wolf King. State your business, and perhaps we can talk,” called a white wolf and a gray wolf in turn. Both stood upright, speaking in human tongue.
These wolves were wary, sensing that this lone youth was no ordinary opponent.
“Have you been attacking villages and eating humans?” Qin Ming demanded.
“Misunderstanding,” the gray wolf replied smoothly. “We only spill blood on rare occasions, and we’re very restrained.”
The sound of a blade unsheathing echoed sharply. Qin Ming, unwilling to listen further, drew his sword, its radiant light illuminating the ridge. In one swift motion, he severed the white wolf’s massive head.
“You dare attack the Silver Wolf King’s servants?!” the other wolves growled, their bravado faltering. After a moment’s hesitation, they charged together.
Blades flashed, blood sprayed, and in moments the ridge was awash with carnage. Qin Ming cut down each wolf, some decapitated, others cleaved in two.
Descending the ridge, Qin Ming carried a handful of wolf fangs as proof of his kills. As he trekked back toward the village, his path was blocked by a new figure—a half-meter-tall yellow weasel. It carried a blade strapped to its back, its purple eyes gleaming with intelligence. Faint arcs of lightning flickered across its fur.
“A human swordsman hunting in our territory?” the weasel hissed, its voice cold.