Chapter 169: Journey
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Qin Ming sat in quiet reflection. In a single night, he had traversed the Netherworld and stood at the edge of the Heavenly Gate—a truly surreal experience. Even though much of it had been illusory, he couldn’t help but savor the memories.
He glanced out the window at the night sky. The real world remained shrouded in thick darkness.
“A centipede dies but never stiffens. Even hunted by the Four Suns, it still left behind a remnant of its spirit.”
Qin Ming pondered the events of the night. Despite the centipede’s weakened state, the altar it had manipulated was far from simple. If he had stepped onto it unknowingly, the consequences would have been disastrous. He would likely have been sacrificed, with the centipede taking his place.
The thought sent a chill through him. In a world as treacherous as the Night Fog, how many other similar threats might lurk? The lack of safety was suffocating.
Picking up the golden scale, Qin Ming felt its weight—heavier than any metal. He examined the tiny, dense text inscribed on its surface. The more he read, the brighter his eyes became, until it felt as though flames were flickering in his mind, threatening to consume him. Realizing the danger, he set the scale down and forced himself to calm, afraid that prolonged resonance might cause serious harm.
He recalled a past misstep at the Luo Fu Immortal Mountain ruins, where the subtle yet terrifying emotions left behind by an elder had struck him like lightning, leaving his mind blank. This gleaming scale was undoubtedly extraordinary—a priceless treasure containing the essence of a sacred text.
Excitement grew within him as he read, his eyes burning with fervor. After steadying himself, Qin Ming prepared to engage with the scale’s resonance carefully. If something went wrong, he was ready to sever the connection immediately.
The scripture inscribed on the scale belonged to the path of the Secret Sect, beginning with divine wisdom. Its profundity was overwhelming. The emotions embedded in the text were equally intense, stemming from an elder whose calm exterior belied the terrifying power within.
Even with all his precautions, Qin Ming found himself shaken to the core. His head throbbed, and he nearly lost consciousness, despite breaking the resonance into multiple sessions. Had the text not abruptly ended midway through, he doubted he could have endured.
Sweat beaded on his forehead, and he collapsed in near exhaustion. Yet a satisfied smile crossed his face. The scripture, though incomplete, was clearly a cornerstone of the Secret Sect’s teachings. The full legacy likely required a second golden scale.
Despite his fatigue, Qin Ming wasted no time experimenting with the newfound knowledge. The results were extraordinary, a testament to the text’s profound insights. Compared to the thin booklet Meng Xing Hai’s martial uncle had given him, this scripture was leagues ahead in sophistication.
Of course, the booklet had merely been a preliminary gift for practice, not the sect’s ultimate techniques.
As his experimentation progressed, Qin Ming’s smile began to fade. The divine wisdom he cultivated continued to integrate with his flesh, reinforcing his body. It was the same unsolvable issue he had faced before.
“Is it because the Silk Script Method is so domineering, consuming everything? Or is it because I’ve practiced it for over a decade, making my body inseparably attuned to it?”
He had no choice but to accept his path. While the sacred scripture was a valuable addition, it remained supplementary to his journey on the New Awakening Path.
Resigned, Qin Ming spent the remaining hours of the night in rest. By dawn, he was up again, starting his routine with the Fate-Altering Sutra and Five Thunder Organ Refining Technique. These internal-strengthening methods extended his lifespan and enhanced his potential—daily practices he never neglected.
Later, he sought out Meng Xing Hai and Li Qing Yun.
“You’re preparing to leave?” they asked.
“Kun Lun is full of legends. Despite bordering the Yu, Qian, and Rui Empires, none of them dare claim it for fear of provoking trouble. In the end, some old masters established their teachings there,” they remarked, understanding Qin Ming’s plans.
“I have a gift for you both as thanks for all your care,” Qin Ming said.
“The golden rhinoceros tea set and wine set you brought back last time were already impressive. What are you giving us now?” They were curious and slightly surprised.
“This time, it’s something significant,” Qin Ming replied with a grin.
Presenting his gift with such grandeur piqued their interest. They suspected it must be extraordinary.
In front of them, Qin Ming began transcribing the golden scale’s scripture onto paper, meticulously writing each character. Initially puzzled, their expressions grew increasingly serious, then astonished, until they were utterly speechless.
“This scripture…” Both men were worldly and experienced, yet they were left dazed. It was undoubtedly a secret text of monumental importance.
A mere youth was transcribing such profound teachings with casual ease. It felt surreal, like a dream.
Casting aside their disbelief, they immersed themselves in the scripture, captivated by its depth.
“Amazing. This text is extraordinary. It complements my own studies and might help me break through,” Meng Xing Hai marveled, returning to his senses after an indeterminate time.
Li Qing Yun’s expression was equally grave. “Qin, where did you obtain this scripture?”
He understood the value of these writings. Such a text could never circulate freely. Even in the most elite dao grounds, it would remain a closely guarded secret.
Setting down his pen, Qin Ming met their gazes with equal seriousness. “Last night, I was attacked and drawn into a dense black fog…”
He recounted his strange experience, though many aspects still puzzled him.
Both men’s faces turned grim. That the centipede’s remnant spirit had survived to enact such vengeance was beyond their expectations.
“That was the centipede’s divine kingdom,” Li Qing Yun said. “It was destroyed, but the black fog remains shrouded in mystery. Those on the New Awakening Path rarely encounter it unless they reach later stages, when their consciousness becomes strong enough.”
“In truth, even those on other paths require considerable strength to enter that realm. Ordinary people have no knowledge of it, nor do they understand the vast, boundless vistas that lie ahead,” Meng Xing Hai added.
Through their conversation, Qin Ming realized just how many secrets remained hidden on every path. Those in lower realms could scarcely fathom the breadth and depth of what lay above—like ants gazing at the sky, unable to comprehend its expanse.
After narrowly escaping danger, Qin Ming sighed in relief. “That altar was anything but ordinary. The old centipede truly tried to resurrect itself. Beings with the potential to ascend to divinity are extraordinary. It’s a blessing you’re unharmed, Qin.”
This close call deepened Qin Ming’s realization of the Night Fog World’s perils. There were too many unknowns lurking in the vast expanse. The only way to survive was to keep growing stronger.
The conversation soon turned to the topic of his journey. Qin Ming decided to set off in two days.
“I’ll escort you,” Li Qing Yun offered with a kind smile.
“No need, Uncle Li,” Qin Ming replied. “I’ll go on my own.” He felt it would be unfair to keep troubling the elder, as he wasn’t some scion of a noble family requiring constant protection from a master while traveling.
The Night Fog World was immense. Setting off quietly and facing its challenges alone seemed more fitting to him.
“Kun Lun is twenty thousand miles away from Red Glow City,” Li Qing Yun said, his voice warm yet insistent. “That’s no short journey. Let me take you there. There’s no need to be overly polite.”
Still, Qin Ming stuck to his decision. He wanted to witness the vastness of this world himself.
Meng Xing Hai, standing nearby, intervened. “How about this? I’ll arrange something. The journey is long, and the dark lands are far from peaceful. There are regions even we avoid. If you accidentally wander into one of them, it could be disastrous.”
He proposed a solution: Qin Ming could travel by airship. Though not incredibly fast, it allowed for sightseeing and experiencing the local cultures along the way.
“A spiritual vessel?” Qin Ming asked.
“Not the kind driven by consciousness or aura,” Meng Xing Hai clarified.
Li Qing Yun chuckled. “I’ve heard about it. This new type of airship was introduced two years ago and perfected only six months back. It’s said to be the masterpiece of an elder from the Heavenly Work Academy and is finally ready for mass production.”
Meng Xing Hai nodded. “Indeed. They discovered a unique tree in the Night Fog World’s frontier regions and managed to harness its properties. To be precise, the academy unearthed an entirely new energy source.”
These trees were remarkable. A fist-sized piece of their wood weighed ten pounds, and higher-grade varieties like silverwood could weigh twenty or thirty pounds. The most advanced kind, golden-hued and radiating spiritual energy comparable to fire springs, was even more extraordinary.
Qin Ming marveled at the discovery. No wonder the upper echelons were eager to explore and develop the depths of the Night Fog World—it was a treasure trove.
Meng Xing Hai added, “Traveling on such an airship has another perk: occasionally, you might capture ‘Celestial Radiance’ from the night skies.”
In the Exotic Lands, venerable elders had long transcended the need for food, sustaining themselves on such celestial energies. This so-called radiance was one of the rarest and most mysterious.
Two days later, Qin Ming began his journey quietly, arriving at Rest Glow City, eight hundred miles away. Despite its similar name, this city was leagues ahead in size and prominence compared to Red Glow City. It was a true great city, its brilliance piercing through the night fog and illuminating the surrounding area.
Only cities of this caliber had airship docks, a luxury not yet available in Red Glow City. Rest Glow City also boasted a direct route to Kun Lun.
With a ticket in hand, Qin Ming reached the bustling airship terminal. To his surprise, many young individuals were waiting for the airship as well. Judging by their age and demeanor, they were likely also heading to distant academies or training grounds.
The terminal was vast, with massive airships ready for departure. A cheerful boy broke the ice among the crowd, saying, “Don’t overthink it. At this time of year, most people waiting here are headed to Kun Lun. Even if we’re going to different academies or training grounds, we’re all part of the same cohort.”
Another chimed in excitedly, “The journey won’t be boring. Guess what? I saw ‘The Ruthless One,’ the guy who swept through eighty-one cities. He’s waiting in the VIP lounge and is heading to Kun Lun too.”
“No way!” someone exclaimed. “He’s going there?”
The lively chatter revealed a vibrant group of boys and girls, most under twenty, discussing everything with great enthusiasm.
“That’s nothing,” a spirited girl interjected. “Even the one with the Pure Yang Physique is heading to Kun Lun this time.”
Gasps of astonishment filled the air. Why would someone so extraordinary make this choice?
“Kun Lun isn’t weak. Some of its academies are backed by the Trailblazers from the Exotic Lands,” the girl explained.
Another added, “There’s more to it. The academies and training grounds in Kun Lun are reportedly joining forces to explore the outer edges of a forbidden land. A high-level Auspicious Beast resides there, and its blood is said to have the power to alter one’s foundational physique.”
This revelation caused an uproar. The group grew animated, speculating about the possibility of gaining such a fortune.
“Don’t get your hopes up,” a pragmatic voice warned. “Only the top prodigies, the best of the best from each path, have a shot at such treasures.”
It was rumored that every academy and training ground had a limited number of slots for this grand endeavor.
“That’s not all,” another chimed in. “Even descendants of giants from the Immortal Lands and Yang Lands are flocking there. Imagine the scale of this hunt for the Auspicious Beast!”
Listening quietly, Qin Ming couldn’t help but feel that Kun Lun would be far from peaceful. Still, he was eager to see the unfolding storm firsthand.