Chapter 170: Brilliance of the Stars
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
In the dense night mist, a group of teenagers chatted animatedly, their voices full of enthusiasm as they spoke of the Kun Lun region, a place shrouded in allure and mystery.
Most of their discussion revolved around the legendary Auspicious Beast.
“Why are you all so excited?” a boy in yellow robes interjected, throwing cold water on their enthusiasm. “Do you think it’s easy to kill an Auspicious Beast? It’s an ancient creature, untouched by the passage of countless years. It’s a pinnacle lifeform, standing at the very top of the pyramid.” Many nodded in agreement, acknowledging the truth of his words.
It was clear that this group had done their homework. Even before setting foot in Kun Lun, they were well-versed in its secrets and challenges.
“This time, things might be different,” said a girl in blue. “The elders from various Dao grounds and academies are joining forces. This is practically a frontier-opening battle.”
The Auspicious Beast resided on the outer edges of a forbidden land. For years, the Dao grounds and academies had approached the area with extreme caution. Now, it seemed they were determined to make a breakthrough.
“The outer region is a plateau rich in medicinal herbs and even some hidden realms,” another explained. “But no one dares venture close under normal circumstances. Apart from the Auspicious Beast, it’s home to numerous demons. Most of us might get a chance to participate, clearing out these entities. Outstanding performance could even earn a share of the beast’s blood, enhancing one’s innate talents or even achieving nirvana.”
Many marveled at the vastness of Kun Lun.
Qin Ming, too, listened in a daze, struggling to keep up with the flood of information.
“Kun Lun is not just vast but unique,” someone elaborated. “It contains three forbidden lands, an unprecedented density. There are also over a dozen Dao grounds and elite academies. It’s astonishing. On top of that, Kun Lun houses two blessed lands, which was entirely unexpected.”
The danger was so great that even the Yu, Qian, and Rui Empires—despite bordering the area—dared not claim it as their own.
Citing the ancient text Records of the Ten Continents: “Kun Lun lies thirteen thousand miles from the coast, at the border of the Western Sea and the Northern Sea.”
Lost in thought, Qin Ming overheard two nearby girls discussing the Records. It seemed they believed Kun Lun extended into the deeper parts of the Night Fog World.
“The great frontier-opening age hasn’t even begun, yet we’re already tasked with exploring the forbidden lands. It’s exciting! I’m ready to be a trailblazer!” a boy in black exclaimed, his fists clenched with excitement.
Someone laughed, teasing, “Wake up, dreamer. Rushing in like that? You’ll probably end up as cannon fodder.”
“Can the Auspicious Beast even be slain?” a girl in white asked softly.
“It’s said that when it first appeared, the eastern skies were filled with purple energy, earning it the title ‘Auspicious Beast,’” another explained. “But in truth, it’s more disastrous than many ancient demons. Like a godlike being, its emergence often heralds calamities. This particular beast is actually one of Kun Lun’s Ten Great Disasters.”
At that moment, a woman’s voice, clear and powerful, echoed in their minds: “Attention, passengers bound for Kun Lun. Boarding for the Vermilion Bird Vessel is now open.”
The group stirred, setting off toward a massive crimson airship in the distance.
Sure enough, the teenagers all boarded the same ship. More peers appeared—some from the VIP sections, others rushing in at the last minute. The vessel was enormous, its surface etched with intricate runes.
As they boarded, Qin Ming noticed workers transporting unusual energy blocks—perfectly square, glowing silver or golden with crystalline beauty. Knowing they came from tree fragments made their appearance even more astonishing.
“Dear passengers, the Vermilion Bird Vessel will depart from Rest Glow City and land in Kun Lun Great City, covering a distance of twenty-one thousand five hundred miles.” The announcement caused no surprise. The vessel wasn’t chosen for speed but for its unique features, including planned stops in the night sky to gather “Celestial Dew,” a prized resource even elders consumed like water.
Three quarters of an hour later, the ship ascended, disappearing into the thick night clouds.
Inside the main cabin, over five hundred passengers were seated, nearly four hundred of them teenagers bursting with vitality. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement.
Higher-class cabins offered beds and baths, but for cultivators, the standard seats sufficed for the three-day journey. Qin Ming’s ticket, gifted by Meng Xing Hai, included access to both. For now, he chose the main cabin to absorb information from his peers.
As the conversation shifted from the Auspicious Beast to other creatures, someone remarked, “Post-frontier-opening, most aberrations coexist peacefully with us.”
“Of course,” another agreed. “Hostile ones—monsters—are swiftly dealt with.”
“Don’t joke about it,” someone said gravely. “Our ancestors faced extinction during the early days. Only through immense sacrifice did we stabilize. Naturally, we take a hard stance against monsters.”
Examples of extinct threats—giant beasts and colossal plants—were cited, emphasizing the price paid for humanity’s survival.
“Nowadays, deep mountain aberrations might clash with outsiders, but none would dare destroy a city. That’d guarantee their annihilation. Many even take human form to blend in. Ah, apologies—I didn’t realize I was sitting next to a Fox Spirit.”
The speaker turned to a white-tailed, fair-skinned girl with an air of mystique. She smiled gently, replying, “It’s fine. Plenty of humans pursue beast-like transformations. We are interconnected—it’s normal.”
She added, “Even among your trailblazers, some have embraced beast-like traits. Likewise, some aberrations have integrated fully, even becoming your ancestors or elders. The line between us grows thin.”
Someone retorted sharply, unwilling to believe, “Impossible! How could trailblazers or ancestor-level figures be aberrations?”
Qin Ming listened quietly. He didn’t take everything at face value but appreciated the insight.
Meanwhile, outside Rest Glow City, a small sparrow carrying a bundle flitted toward the mountains. “Mountain Lord,” it murmured to itself, “Little Sparrow is heading off to study.”
Its gaze firm, it declared, “I’ll circle around to join my companions in the Blessed Land. They say Kun Lun has Auspicious Blood. If it appears, I’ll follow.”
As night deepened, the Vermilion Bird Vessel, inscribed with countless runes, soared through the vast skies, stirring fierce winds.
Amidst the lively atmosphere, many teenagers began forming friendships. Those brave enough to journey twenty-one thousand miles alone were no pampered sprouts. Of course, youthful energy brought boasting, sparring, and occasional disputes.
Amid the bustling crowd, a group of exceptionally beautiful girls naturally became the center of attention. A flock of boys surrounded them, eagerly inquiring about which Dao Ground or academy they planned to attend.
One boy in a black robe, clearly disheartened, sighed deeply. “I lost an important duel, so I couldn’t get into the academy I most wanted.”
“Where are you headed then?” someone couldn’t help but ask.
Sun Teng, the black-robed youth, sighed again. “I have no choice but to go to Sky Roc Dao Ground.” His words caused an immediate hush among the onlookers. Some even looked like they wanted to punch him.
“Sky Roc Dao Ground is one of the top-ranked places. Are you deliberately trying to annoy us?” someone retorted angrily.
It was rumored that Sky Roc Dao Ground was guarded by a genuine Golden-Winged Roc, a creature with terrifying Dao mastery. This spoke volumes about the institution’s deep foundation.
Sun Teng added with a wry smile, “Honestly, I wanted to join Origin Academy, but I ran into that monstrous Eight-One and lost. After that, I just couldn’t bring myself to keep fighting.”
This confession only made the crowd more exasperated. Clearly, Sun Teng’s complaints were just humblebrags since everyone knew Sky Roc Dao Ground was incredibly prestigious.
The so-called “Eight-One” he mentioned was none other than the terrifying youth who had swept through eighty-one cities, earning a fearsome reputation. His title now overshadowed his actual name.
Among the crowd were many skilled individuals, and one of them, a yellow-robed youth named Qiu Long, who had been discussing auspicious beasts earlier, spoke up coolly. “I can go check out Origin Academy for you.”
This statement stunned those around him. They stared at Qiu Long in admiration.
Sun Teng, however, fell silent.
“Isn’t Origin Academy’s Immortal Path, Awakening Path, Secret Sect Path, and Aberrant Path all supposed to be equally powerful?” A girl in blue robes, her face glowing with curiosity, asked brightly.
Qiu Long nodded. “That’s correct. I’m pursuing both the Immortal Path and the Awakening Path simultaneously. It’s the perfect fit for me.”
“Brother, you’re amazing!” exclaimed a tall youth. “Let’s get acquainted. I’m Lu Xu, and I’ll be heading to Flying Immortal Academy.”
Qiu Long sighed modestly. “You’re the extraordinary one, brother. Flying Immortal Academy is known for accepting only a handful of disciples, all top-tier talents capable of walking the Immortal Path. It’s said that the academy is backed by an Ancestor-Level Figure.”
The surrounding crowd’s expressions changed. Truly, comparisons were humbling.
“Lu Xu, you’re not that Pure Yang Physique guy, are you? Your name has nine suns in it,” a white-robed girl asked, her large eyes blinking in wonder.
Lu Xu waved his hand quickly. “Not at all. That freak’s name is Lu Dao, and he’s probably joined Tai Yi Academy by now.”
Another youth stood up and greeted the group with a friendly smile. “Greetings, everyone. My name is Qi Ming, and I’ll be walking the Secret Sect Path to Calamity Avoidance Dao Ground.”
Lu Xu looked at him with surprise. “Qi Ming! I’ve heard of you—a prodigy on the Secret Sect Path. I never thought I’d meet you here.”
As those on the Immortal and Secret Sect Paths mingled and exchanged introductions, the youths on the Awakening Path began to grow quieter. The presence of these formidable peers served as a stark reminder of their future prospects. In a few years, when their ambitions dimmed, many might end up working as Golden or Jade Armored Guards under these same peers.
Qin Ming noticed that among the crowd, there were indeed some remarkable individuals. Their consciousness auras were particularly strong, a clear indication of their intent to obtain auspicious beast blood. His keen senses even picked up on one individual—a woman completely wrapped in a thick cloak—whose Pure Yang Consciousness Aura was extraordinary. Was she a Pure Yang Physique?
Before he could delve deeper, the woman left, and her departure caused a stir among those nearby. Someone let out a breath and muttered, “Do you know who she was?”
“Who?” the crowd asked, their curiosity piqued.
“She’s a descendant of a Trailblazer from Exotic Immortal Lands!”
A collective gasp followed. “How do you know?” someone asked incredulously.
“My brother cultivates in the same place. I’ve seen her from a distance before. When she trains, it’s like watching a miniature sun radiate light!”
Not long after, six more individuals left for advanced academies. Their identities were quickly uncovered: a granddaughter of an Elder from Immortal Lands, a descendant of a Secret Sect leader, and others of similarly impressive heritage. Among them, a masked woman was rumored to be the famed Proud Daughter of Heaven, known for cultivating Consciousness Aura at the age of three or four.
“How are us Awakening Path folks supposed to compete?” Sun Teng groaned, his frustration genuine this time.
As the crowd buzzed with chatter, Qin Ming turned his attention to the Night Report he had picked up earlier. His eyes widened when he saw the headline. It featured a youth he had heard of before—the Young Grandmaster from Flowing Light City, Ling Yu.
Back in Red Glow City, the Talking Sparrow had shared many secrets about this boy. Even the Purple-Eyed Crow Qin Ming had encountered on Black and White Mountain held him in high regard. However, Master Wu’s pupil, the fur-cloaked woman Tang Jin, had chosen someone else as her master’s successor.
The Night Report’s description of Ling Yu was glowing. “The Young Ancestor. One hundred cities, one hundred duels, undefeated.” His accomplishments were nothing short of terrifying.
“He’s incredible, isn’t he? And his teacher is even more legendary—a soon-to-be Ancestor-Level Figure!” said a lively girl sitting next to Qin Ming, clearly fascinated.
Qin Ming nodded. He was already aware of the Flowing Light City Grandmaster, reputed as the era’s most likely candidate to ascend to Ancestorhood. This figure sought to merge two distinct laws into one seamless path, with notable success so far.
According to what the Talking Sparrow had learned from the Purple-Eyed Crow, Ling Yu might not even be Flowing Light City’s strongest disciple. Tang Jin had once mentioned choosing someone who resembled a blazing sun behind dark clouds—a talent best kept hidden lest they invite the heavens’ envy.
“How powerful must a disciple taught by a quasi-Ancestor be?” Qin Ming wondered aloud.
“Soon enough, we’ll find out,” said a green-robed girl beside him with a smile. “Rumor has it that a black-robed woman and a Purple-Eyed Crow are traveling the world with Ling Yu, honing his skills and testing his master’s new techniques. They’ll likely reach Kun Lun Great City soon.”
“If that’s the case, Kun Lun won’t stay quiet for long. With so many prominent young figures already here, adding a Young Grandmaster will only make things livelier,” Qin Ming remarked.
“More like a Young Ancestor!” the girl corrected cheerfully.
“Indeed,” Qin Ming said with a grin.