Chapter 171: Celestial Radiance
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
“The Trial of Swords, the path of a true warrior, is a grueling challenge. Those who conquer it earn an eternal place in history,” the green-clad girl declared, her eyes gleaming with enthusiasm.
Nearby, others were seated, still marveling at what they had read in the latest issue of the Night Report. Testing one’s sword in a hundred cities was undoubtedly an extraordinary feat.
“Even some of the legendary elders tread this path when they were young!”
Qin Ming sat silently, listening to their chatter. As the novelty of the journey wore off, the voices gradually grew quieter.
The black mist churned outside, so thick that not even the sky’s heights offered a trace of light.
Despite the silence, the group of spirited youths could not suppress their energy. Many wandered to the deck, gazing at the ink-like darkness stretching before them.
“This feels unsettling,” one of them muttered. “What if we fall? Even though we’re walking the Immortal Path, we haven’t reached the stage where we can abandon our physical bodies and rely solely on spiritual essence.”
“Don’t jinx it! That’s not something you say out loud,” someone hastily reprimanded him, instinctively clutching the parachute strapped to their back.
The night resembled an abyss. The ground below, though shrouded in darkness, still had scattered fire springs glimmering like faint fireflies.
The Vermilion Bird Vessel sailed through this oceanic sky with remarkable grace. Its dark crimson hull glimmered faintly as it cut through the misty sea.
Eventually, the ship’s speed decreased until it came to a halt.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” a woman’s voice resonated, transmitted through a mental connection. “The night sky occasionally bestows Celestial Radiance—a divine blessing as sweet as nectar. Whether you can capture it depends on your luck.”
The passengers knew the main event had arrived.
The reason they chose the Vermilion Bird Vessel over other high-grade means of transportation was precisely for the chance to harvest Celestial Radiance.
Even those pretending to nap opened their eyes, hastily heading to the deck. Outside, the scene was anything but calm. Strong winds roared, and the dense fog churned like massive waves.
Many of the youths wore expressions of eager anticipation.
As the vessel stopped midair, intricate lines appeared on its hull, weaving into a vast net that extended high above, enveloping the ship.
“Are there dangerous creatures in this night sky?” someone whispered nervously.
“The Night Sea is unpredictable. Best not to speak carelessly,” an older man advised sternly.
The woman’s voice rippled again, explaining that based on previous experiences, this region had a high likelihood of Celestial Radiance appearing.
Qin Ming joined the others on deck, finding the experience novel.
“There it is! I see a streak of light!” someone exclaimed. Unfortunately, the luminous rain was distant, quickly vanishing into the mist.
“No rush. We’ll be here long enough to catch plenty of Celestial Radiance.”
Half an hour later, amidst gasps of excitement, a luminous shower pierced through the thick fog, cascading from the heavens in a large area.
This time, the vessel advanced slowly, repositioning itself to intercept the radiant rain.
“The ticket price is worth it!” someone cheered as the Celestial Radiance began passing through the net’s openings and landing aboard.
Everyone extended their hands, drawing the luminous drops towards them.
Qin Ming activated the River Network Force, reaching out to the radiant rain. He managed to capture over ten drops. Though faintly glowing, they lacked any fragrance.
Tasting one, he found it flavorless—resembling water.
Soon, however, a warm sensation spread through his body, nourishing his spirit. The aftertaste left him with a pleasant, slightly tipsy feeling, akin to drinking fine wine.
Surprised by its effects, Qin Ming thought, This truly benefits the body. Drinking this daily would be an unparalleled luxury.
He couldn’t help but marvel at the extravagant lifestyles of the elders who could enjoy such blessings routinely.
His thoughts drifted to Li Qing Yue, who had obtained the near-immortal Bagua Furnace. With its ability to capture Celestial Radiance daily, it was no wonder many envied her.
“This is just the most ordinary Celestial Radiance. Enjoy it at your leisure,” the woman’s voice echoed once more.
“The ship may be slow, but its value justifies the cost,” someone remarked, impressed by their first experience aboard.
Outside, the thick black fog surged like an ocean. Two hours later, another luminous shower appeared, even denser this time, enveloping the area.
This time, Qin Ming did not hold back. Utilizing the moisture within the dense fog, he used the River Network Force to guide more Celestial Radiance towards him.
“You all are… too intense!” someone exclaimed.
Qiu Long and Lu Xu unleashed their Consciousness Auras, sweeping up the radiant rain as if robbing it. Nearby individuals could only stomp their feet in frustration.
For the newcomers, especially those unable to project their Consciousness Auras, the scene was disheartening. The Celestial Radiance was snatched away long before they could reach it.
This time, Qin Ming secured nearly thirty drops. The luminous beads, radiant like dewdrops, shimmered with ethereal beauty, making him feel as though he were drinking liquid jade.
“Good stuff!” someone nearby exclaimed after taking a sip.
“Spread out, everyone! Stop crowding one spot,” someone else called out.
Yet the deck was too crowded, with nearly five hundred passengers aboard. No matter how they dispersed, some still ended up empty-handed.
The disparity became increasingly evident. Certain individuals consistently harvested large quantities of Celestial Radiance, and Qin Ming was among them.
“What kind of technique is that? It’s not Consciousness Aura, nor is it Divine Wisdom. The fog itself seems to move for him, drawing the rain his way. It’s incredible!”
Even those walking the Immortal or Secret Paths couldn’t hide their astonishment. Qin Ming’s method seemed almost unfair—capturing massive amounts of Celestial Radiance with ease.
“Senior brother, what does Celestial Radiance taste like? I haven’t even gotten a single drop,” a young girl asked pitifully, her eyes filled with longing.
With a smile, Qin Ming offered her two drops.
However, this act of generosity had unintended consequences. A crowd quickly surrounded him, clamoring for their share.
The scene unfolds amidst a crowd that isn’t solely made up of youths; a mix of young adults and vigorous figures gathers tightly. Though they lack the ability to draw the distant “Celestial Splendor” directly, they seize portions of it as it descends.
Qin Ming chose not to argue, instead retreating to the cabin in contemplation.
From a distance, a young girl in purple attire suddenly exclaimed, “It’s him!” Recognizing someone familiar, her voice was filled with surprise.
“Who are you talking about?” someone nearby inquired.
She explained, “Remember the minor trial set up by the Yuqing Lineage? Aberrant Cao Wuji could only manifest seven colors of celestial light, but he brought forth eight!”
Another joined in, astonished. “He’s a candidate for becoming a core disciple of the Yuqing, one of the most prestigious ancestral halls on the Path of Awakening. And yet, he chose Kun Lun over them!”
The gathered talents from various extraordinary sects and paths, including those of the Beyond and the Secret Sect, couldn’t hide their awe. Even among them, individuals marked by the favor of Yuqing or the Six Rulers were figures to be wary of.
“That explains his remarkable methods. He might be practicing the mystical River Network Force,” someone speculated aloud.
Figures like Qiu Long, Lu Xu, and Qi Ming exchanged knowing glances before offering faint smiles. Despite the strength of disciples from such elite sects, their elders had instilled a particular mindset: in the early stages of development, if confronted with a top disciple of the Awakening Path, the best course of action was a calm retreat. By the mid-to-late stages of the next major realm, those same disciples would be left behind, fading into irrelevance.
“Though I don’t know much about him, I’d better turn around just in case,” one remarked with a light-hearted chuckle, promptly facing away.
Another joined in the jest. “Me too. Better safe than sorry.”
This thinly veiled mockery didn’t sit well with some of the newer members of the Awakening Path, who recognized its derisive undertones.
However, the snickering quickly ceased. Whispers spread as someone noticed the youth from the Awakening Path had appeared in a secluded area, mingling with some of the most prominent figures—Cold Feiyue from the Beyond, Su Shiyun from the Immortal Lands, and Zhao Yaoting from the Secret Sect. Their identities were quickly unearthed: heirs of trailblazers, near-immortal seeds, all remarkable prodigies.
“What is he doing there?” someone murmured. “And is someone actually offering him tea? No, wait—that’s a cup of ‘Celestial Splendor’!”
The earlier scorn turned into stunned silence, their hearts racing at this unexpected turn of events.
Qin Ming had moved to a different area after losing some of the Celestial Splendor to opportunists. Thanks to his boarding pass, he accessed a new section of the ship. Upon arrival, he was struck by what he witnessed. These individuals possessed rare artifacts capable of effortlessly guiding Celestial Splendor and other mysterious materials to themselves.
One individual held a jade cup, calmly standing as a stream of purple mist descended from the night sky, brimming with astonishing vitality. Another wielded a four-inch tall bottle, gathering faint strands of silver radiance.
Qin Ming marveled. These people were truly extraordinary, armed with such treasures that, while useless on the ground, proved invaluable here in the celestial sphere.
What he didn’t know was that these young elites were on missions and had been bestowed these artifacts for their tasks.
Zhao Jingcheng of the Secret Sect approached him with a warm smile and offered him a drink of Celestial Splendor. Grateful, Qin Ming thanked him and struck up a friendly conversation.
Yet Zhao Jingcheng couldn’t quite discern Qin Ming’s background. Sharing the same high-class cabin and seemingly aligned on the same mission, he treated Qin Ming with utmost courtesy.
Qin Ming’s gaze fell on the crystal goblet held by another individual nearby. Within, strands of otherworldly celestial light had condensed into liquid form, leaving his eyes aglow with curiosity.
The owner of the goblet, Zhao Yaoting, noticed Qin Ming’s unabashed interest and felt somewhat uneasy under his intense gaze. “Brother, what are you staring at?” he asked, slightly bemused.
“Ah, I’ve been sorely lacking celestial light recently,” Qin Ming admitted, smiling sheepishly. “Brother, is this for sale?”
After a brief pause, Zhao Yaoting retrieved a thumb-sized vial half-filled with the shimmering liquid. “Here, take a bottle,” he offered generously.
Taken aback by such kindness, Qin Ming felt reluctant to accept it without compensation, expressing his heartfelt thanks repeatedly.
To everyone’s shock, Qin Ming promptly uncorked the vial and began drinking its contents as though it were ordinary liquor.
“Brother, you’ve misunderstood! That’s not Celestial Splendor!” Zhao Yaoting cried out in alarm.
“I know,” Qin Ming replied calmly, savoring the taste. Finding nothing amiss, he remarked, “This is much stronger than ‘Falling Fruits.'” Then, as though to prove his point, he continued sipping leisurely.
The other youths nearby were left utterly dumbfounded, unable to comprehend what they were witnessing. Drinking condensed celestial light directly? Was that even possible?
“I intended to use that to refine a spiritual artifact,” Zhao Yaoting said, his expression a mixture of shock and disbelief. “Are you… alright?”
Qin Ming fell silent momentarily before explaining, “I’ve been practicing a secret technique recently. It requires me to endure all kinds of hardships. My body can handle it. Another few bottles wouldn’t hurt.”
This revelation rendered the group speechless, their astonishment turning to a mix of respect and bewilderment.