Chapter 152: Elder, Don’t Be Hasty
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Under the night sky, the White Peacock shimmered with radiant brilliance. She calmly said, “Elder Zhou, don’t be hasty. The stipulated half-month period hasn’t yet passed.”
Zhou Tao felt his head throb as though it might split. He couldn’t let this continue any longer. While technically no rules were being broken, he knew he’d be unable to explain things when they returned.
Every elder had descendants or favored disciples, and these rare medicines had long been allocated. Some older figures were even relying on these resources to prolong their lives.
“Then activate the emergency protocol. The trial ends here!” he declared decisively from the back of his raptor.
“For what reason?” the White Peacock asked sternly.
“You mentioned before that outsiders had been spying on us and were intercepted by you, didn’t you?” Zhou Tao pressed.
“That disturbance has been resolved, and the situation has calmed,” the White Peacock replied.
“Come on, Old White, help me out here! This place was supposed to be a trial ground, but it’s turned into a vegetable patch. There’s no point in letting this drag on!” Zhou Tao pleaded. The real issue, however, was how he would face the other elders later.
The White Peacock nodded, her tone composed. “Without significant casualties, even under special circumstances, the rules state we must wait until the end of the day.”
The word “rules” made Zhou Tao’s chest tighten in frustration.
Meanwhile, deep in the forest, Qin Ming continued extracting the essence of the miraculous blood as he walked. The golden-hued liquid vaporized under the Celestial Light Force, releasing an intoxicating fragrance. It transformed into a radiant mist that enveloped his entire body.
Qin Ming took a deep breath, feeling the fragrance invigorate him as though he were consuming celestial dew. His body underwent a baptism, every pore opening in a euphoric sensation of purification. It felt as if he were on the verge of ascension.
While he had experienced this before, the process of extending his lifespan, strengthening his foundation, and increasing his power was a marvel he could enjoy endlessly. For a brief moment, he felt as though he stood atop a grand altar, golden light flowing over him, white mist swirling around, his robes billowing as if ready to soar.
Zhuo Ya, watching, was stunned. What method was he using to refine the miraculous blood directly? Her own stash, obtained by chance, had been left untouched. She’d planned to take it back to have her elders help refine it, knowing the blood’s composition was immensely complex.
“Is this an ancient alchemical method?” she asked, catching up to him. It resembled techniques some Secret Sect elders had been studying, bypassing the need for a furnace.
“Correct. The heavens and earth serve as the furnace, and the Six Rulers Force is the flame,” Qin Ming replied.
Zhuo Ya was skeptical but silently acknowledged that her cousin’s defeat by this young man was not unjustified. Given his methods in slaying the drake, even two cousins wouldn’t have been enough to best him.
She followed him to the next region, curious to witness his next moves.
In Green Stone Village, named after the large ten-meter-high green boulder by the Fire Spring, an unusual atmosphere hung in the air. The sound of crying and a heavy sense of despair pervaded the village.
“This is Cao Wu Ji’s assigned area,” Zhuo Ya remarked with concern. “He should have been able to handle the cases listed in the records and resolve the local demon threats.”
Qin Ming quickly sought answers. “What’s going on? Where is Cao Wu Ji?”
An elder leaned against the green boulder, sighing heavily. “Ah, we’ve offended the Golden Demon King and brought disaster upon ourselves.”
The village chief provided further details. “Young Cao is a good man. He helped us eliminate demons and protect us. He’s very responsible and tried to take down the largest demon in the area. Unfortunately, he was outmatched, gravely injured, and forced to retreat. The Golden Demon King won’t cross the boundary itself but has sent its minions to retaliate. Now, with Young Cao wounded, we’re defenseless.”
Qin Ming and Zhuo Ya soon found Cao Wu Ji. Normally a striking figure with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, he now looked haggard, his once-imposing presence diminished. Blood had matted his long black hair to his forehead and neck. His torso bore severe injuries, the burns and near-punctures a testament to his struggle. Though the wounds had been treated, recovery was far off.
“Forgive me. I couldn’t slay the demon and instead brought trouble upon the villagers,” Cao Wu Ji admitted. Once a confident and articulate youth, he now seemed subdued and melancholic. Though proud by nature, his sense of justice had driven him to risk everything for the villagers, ignorant of the miraculous blood sought by others.
“Cao Wu Ji,” Qin Ming said firmly, “you rest and recover. We’ll handle the demon for you.”
“It’s a Golden Rhino. Its hide is thick and tough. Our Celestial Light Force can’t even scratch it,” Cao Wu Ji warned.
Both Cao Wu Ji and Zhuo Ya, though among the top Aberrants, lacked the potent techniques like the Six Rulers Force to enhance their attack power. Without it, they were rough jade, strong but not yet honed.
Cao Wu Ji insisted on joining them, but Qin Ming placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “With your injuries, you’ll only be a liability. Watch from a safe distance.”
The village bore scars of the demon’s rampage. Two villagers lay dead, their bodies gruesome. Three others were gravely injured—one pierced through the chest, another torn in half. Some had been abducted, taken to the Golden Demon King’s lair to serve the demons.
Despite warnings, Qin Ming and Zhuo Ya ventured into the dense forest. Cao Wu Ji, unable to dissuade them, followed from afar.
The Golden Rhino’s territory was a flat, open expanse. The area had been cleared of trees, revealing a grassland dotted with structures. Such open terrain left no room for ambushes. Qin Ming, however, had no intention of stealth. This time, he aimed to send a clear message, quelling the demons in the surrounding regions with an open and decisive battle.
From afar, they spotted dozens of disheveled men and women tending to elder rhinos, washing their backs or teaching young demons to read.
A sudden scream shattered the air. An old man, while trimming a large rhino’s hooves, had unknowingly angered it. With a roar, the beast flung him across the field. The elder landed hard, coughing blood, at least four ribs broken, writhing in pain.
“Get up, or die,” the White Rhino bellowed, indifferent. It noticed Qin Ming and Zhuo Ya in the distance but didn’t seem to care. It was putting on a show for them.
Suddenly, the ground erupted as Qin Ming accelerated, closing the distance in a flash. The White Rhino’s pupils shrank in alarm, realizing too late that it couldn’t evade.
Qin Ming surged forward, his body coursing with the energy of Wood Qi. In his hand appeared a verdant longsword, its green glow resonating with the grassland. Every blade of grass swayed as though saluting him, carrying him forward on waves of green light.
With a single slash of the Woodforce Sword, Qin Ming cleaved the White Rhino in two, blood spraying in all directions. He passed through its split corpse without breaking stride and, in the next moment, beheaded another Outer Saint-level elder rhino demon.
Without saying a word, he unleashed a massacre upon the grassy plain.
In mere moments, the field was littered with the corpses of eighteen demon beasts—rhinos, dogs, and others—blood soaking the ground. Both the enslaved humans and the remaining demons were struck with shock and terror.
Watching from behind, Cao Wu Ji was dumbfounded. “This guy is wild! He just charged in without a second thought!”
A low, oppressive growl emanated from the buildings nearby, followed by a surge of golden light. A massive figure emerged—an enormous Golden Rhino demon. Its golden body stood taller than an elephant, resembling a small mountain. With every step, the ground quaked, flames igniting around its body as it locked its gaze on the young human intruder.
Qin Ming, unflinching, tightened his grip on the glowing green Woodforce Sword. The entire grassland seemed to move with him, thick green mist rising and swelling as he sprinted head-on toward the demon.
“Qin Ming, don’t fight it head-on! Use agility to outmaneuver it!” Cao Wu Ji shouted in panic, fearing Qin Ming would be gored by the giant demon’s horn.
Ignoring the warning, Qin Ming swung the Woodforce Sword, its green glow intensifying, and struck the Golden Rhino on its head with a resounding crash.
The rhino roared in fury, blood streaming from a deep gash on its forehead, staining half its face red.
Cao Wu Ji was shaken. “He injured it? Is his Celestial Light Force really this strong?”
Zhuo Ya, however, remained calm, having witnessed Qin Ming’s feats before.
Qin Ming frowned slightly. Despite landing a powerful strike, the wound was shallow. The Golden Rhino’s defensive strength was astonishing. Determined to subdue the surrounding demons, Qin Ming knew he had to reveal his true capabilities. Tightening his fists, he prepared to face the beast head-on.
The Golden Rhino charged with all its might, its entire body ablaze, demonic energy surging. Its golden horn shot out fiery beams of light, condensed into tangible force capable of incinerating the flesh of even an Outer Saint. One beam after another slashed through the air, aiming to obliterate Qin Ming.
The beast was deceptively agile, its massive body moving swiftly as it sought to impale Qin Ming with its horn. The field echoed with deafening sounds as their battle escalated.
The Golden Rhino rampaged through the plain, its demonic fire reducing swathes of grassland to ash. Even tall structures were obliterated as the beast barreled through them, leaving a trail of ruin.
Qin Ming met the onslaught with unrelenting force. His glowing fists struck with the radiance of twin suns, hammering the rhino relentlessly. The Golden Rhino bellowed in pain, its body trembling under the barrage.
Despite its toughness, cracks began to appear in the rhino’s golden hide. Its organs felt as though they were being pulverized. Qin Ming, amazed at its resilience, marveled at how many punches it had endured. No wonder Cao Wu Ji had been gravely injured.
The Golden Rhino, sensing its limits, channeled its remaining energy into its horn. A blazing golden beam, sharper than a sword, sliced through the air, leveling nearby buildings.
Qin Ming sidestepped the attack with ease, noting the demon’s weakening state. As the beast continued its frantic, destructive assaults, Qin Ming saw his opening.
Testing the rhino’s fiery beams with Celestial Light Force, he found that he could withstand them. With renewed confidence, he charged forward. In a series of deafening cracks, he shattered both of the rhino’s horns, leaving the beast howling in agony.
Qin Ming’s fists pounded relentlessly, striking every inch of the Golden Rhino’s body until, with a thunderous explosion, the creature was torn apart—completely annihilated.
Amid the scattered remains, Qin Ming swiftly retrieved the demon’s massive heart, shimmering faintly with multicolored light. “As expected,” he murmured, “another miraculous creature.”
The surrounding demons and enslaved humans were left speechless. Their despair turned to elation as cheers erupted from the freed captives. Zhuo Ya and Cao Wu Ji, inspired by the victory, joined in slaughtering the remaining demons. The grassland became a field of demon blood.
“This rhino horn’s texture is superb—golden, translucent, and lustrous. It’ll make excellent wine cups. Let’s split it among us,” Qin Ming suggested, carving off a large piece of the horn. He intended to send gifts to friends like Meng Xing Hai and Li Qing Yun. After all, how could he return from the edge of the world empty-handed?
The atmosphere was jubilant.
However, far away, Elder Zhou Tao of the Six Rulers Sect was in despair, his temples throbbing. Yet another rare medicine had been harvested. At this rate, the area would be completely stripped!
When Qin Ming learned that the trial would officially conclude after the day ended, he grew anxious, feeling time slip through his fingers. Without pause, he rushed to the next area, determined to seize every opportunity.
Zhou Tao, hearing of Qin Ming’s relentless pace, was in a panic. “He’s acting like he’s on fire, rushing from one territory to the next. Is he trying to bring down the heavens?!”
In the next region, Qin Ming helped fellow trial-takers Zhou Lei and Huang Cheng resolve their issues but found no miraculous creatures. Despite their gratitude, he didn’t linger, pressing onward.
Gradually, Qin Ming realized the territories assigned to Aberrants like him often contained miraculous creatures, while the others held only ordinary demons. Driven by this insight, he sought out Cui Chong Xuan.
Cui Chong Xuan was startled when Qin Ming appeared, drenched in blood and radiating murderous intent. “Brother, I mean no harm! You—”
“I’m here to help you. Tell me where the strongest demon is,” Qin Ming interrupted.
Meanwhile, Zhou Tao felt every moment drag on. “Why isn’t this over yet?!” He could hardly endure the wait, knowing the formidable youth was on the move toward the next miraculous target.
“Elder Zhou, as a senior, you must remain composed,” the White Peacock gently advised.
Zhou Tao nearly fell off his raptor in frustration. “Composed?! How can I be composed when rare medicines keep disappearing? I’ll have to beg forgiveness from the elders! The losses are catastrophic!”
In the end, Qin Ming tossed a heartless mink demon’s corpse to Cui Chong Xuan and left without a word, leaving the other Aberrant in stunned silence.
Elder Zhou Tao felt dizzy. “Is there even a single miraculous medicine left in this region?”
When the trial finally concluded, Zhou Tao, though weary, forced a smile to greet the returning trial-takers. Qin Ming, on the other hand, was delighted with his harvest, his journey proving immensely fruitful.