Chapter 179: The Young Ancestor Arrives
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
“Grandma, I understand!” Wu Yao Zu said, a hint of exasperation in his tone. Who would take words spoken in the Mysterious Small Town seriously? They were just acquaintances for appearances, drinking companions at best.
The old grandma shifted her gaze to Qin Ming and remarked, “You’ve fused so many Celestial Light Forces together. It’s like a chaotic stew. What are you planning to call it? Chaos Force?”
Qin Ming immediately shook his head. That name was far too grandiose. If word got out, he’d surely be asking for trouble.
“Yao Zu can’t stay here any longer,” she continued. “I want him to go with you.”
Qin Ming quickly understood what the old grandma needed from him. She hoped that he could look after Wu Yao Zu for two months after leaving the town. After that, Yao Zu would need to adapt on his own.
“He’s learned plenty from this Mysterious Small Town,” she explained, “but compared to the outside world, it’s not quite real.”
“Grandma,” Qin Ming said thoughtfully, “the town is full of high-level beings. If Yao Zu can interact with them, surely he can handle the outside world.”
The old grandma shook her head. “Here, everyone is wearing masks, putting on a performance. It’s all too artificial. In the real Night Fog World, a small disagreement could lead to someone drawing a blade. I’m afraid he wouldn’t make it a hundred miles before ending up as dumpling filling for a roadside black market.”
“Grandma!” Wu Yao Zu protested, his voice rising in embarrassment.
Qin Ming, still puzzled about many things in this place, began asking the old grandma for more details.
“The Fourth Forbidden Land was pierced many years ago,” she explained. “We were residents of the nearby area back then, but we were wiped out alongside it.”
In this realm, many people walked the path of “Rainbow Transformation,” seeing their physical bodies as prisons that limited their souls. Their ultimate goal was to transcend the body entirely. At a certain stage, they could transform into a rainbow and ascend. Some sages had even shot toward the bright moon in the sky.
However, when calamities befell their descendants, and they were slaughtered, these sages couldn’t return. They were trapped by the cold and desolate silver moon.
The old grandma sighed. “They could only watch as this land was destroyed, their descendants annihilated. I wonder if they regret their choices.”
She was beginning to doubt whether this path was the right one. The sages on the moon had been silent for ages, showing no signs of activity.
“Now, you can only see a faint rainbow light appear occasionally, and it’s very dim,” she lamented.
This was why she wanted Wu Yao Zu to leave this place and seek another path.
The depths of the Fourth Forbidden Land held no living beings, only incomprehensible phenomena and eerie scenes that filled the heart with dread. She didn’t reveal who or what force—whether natural disaster or otherwise—had pierced the land and caused the extinction of nearby life.
With another sigh, the old grandma disappeared from the small courtyard.
Wu Yao Zu, however, took it in stride. He didn’t feel any sadness since he was born into this era and hadn’t personally experienced the past.
“Brother,” Yao Zu said to Qin Ming, “I haven’t seen the Five-Colored Bottle, but I’ve heard it’s likely at the edge of the town. When the Divine Temple descends at night, its sacred artifact might have taken it.”
Qin Ming nodded. It seemed he had to visit the temple to search for it.
As the moon vanished and true night descended, the black fog surged. The ruins grew vibrant once again as the Mysterious Small Town abruptly appeared.
In an instant, the town was bustling with activity, filled with the sounds of people and noise. It was already overcrowded.
Qin Ming took a cold shower to wash off the scorched marks left by Thunderfire and rid himself of his exhaustion. Having successfully unified his techniques, he now felt a sense of completeness.
Wu Yao Zu handed Qin Ming a set of new clothes he had never worn before. Qin Ming changed into the simple linen garments, which gave him an air of returning to basics. He looked serene and otherworldly, as though he had brushed away the dust from his soul. His eyes were now clear and bright.
“Without your consciousness leaving your body, how do you plan to enter the town?” Wu Yao Zu asked, his eyes wide with confusion.
“You’ll guide me out,” Qin Ming replied calmly.
Moments later, Wu Yao Zu was gasping for breath, nearly sticking out his tongue in exhaustion. “Are you sure your consciousness can really leave your body?”
He had tried several times, using extraordinary techniques to “pluck” Qin Ming’s consciousness out, but it remained firmly rooted in his body, as immovable as if it had taken root.
“I’m sure,” Qin Ming confirmed.
At last, Wu Yao Zu’s inner rainbow light surged forth, transforming into a divine bridge. It shone with radiance as it connected to Qin Ming, and divine light rose continuously from the bridge.
Finally, he succeeded. The rainbow bridge carried Qin Ming’s spiritual consciousness out of his body.
Wu Yao Zu rolled his eyes. He had to use techniques he normally reserved for enemies just to extract Qin Ming’s blazing sun-like consciousness.
“Your consciousness is practically fused with your flesh!”
As soon as Wu Yao Zu uttered his words, his eyes widened in shock. “What’s happening? That’s strange!” Inside the glowing orb of light that was Qin Ming’s consciousness, something brighter and more concealed seemed to flicker within.
“No way! Your fused Mixed-Origin Force came out with it?” Wu Yao Zu was utterly dumbfounded. No wonder he’d nearly exhausted himself earlier—it felt as if he’d used every ounce of his strength!
“How did it become Mixed-Origin Force again?” Qin Ming asked in confusion.
Wu Yao Zu replied, “My grandma said that this type of Celestial Light Force you’ve cultivated has had many names in the past. Even the old man who entered the Divine Temple once referred to it like this.”
He found it utterly baffling. How could such a Celestial Light Force bear such a resemblance to consciousness? Even more shocking, it could accompany the spirit on its journey!
This made it exceptionally lethal to spectral beings not yet at the Pure Yang level.
Qin Ming assessed his condition and noted that after the fusion of the Celestial Light Force, the integration of the elixirs, and the unification into Mixed-Origin Force, his strength was far greater than before.
“Brother, don’t shrink yourself down to palm-size, okay? That’d be ridiculous for the both of us,” Wu Yao Zu said, glancing down at Qin Ming.
Qin Ming initially wanted to wrap himself in the tattered cloth for protection. However, realizing this odd appearance would make him stand out and invite trouble, he willed himself to grow to a normal size. Then, he manifested a set of plain azure robes, tucking the piece of exotic fabric into his garments.
“Is this town real?” Qin Ming asked as they stepped into the Mysterious Small Town. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe. The cobblestone streets and the buildings lining them seemed tangible, not illusory.
Wu Yao Zu nodded. “For outsiders, it feels like a dream. But this place is real. It’s a genuine location for spirit journeys.”
“Can people die here?” Qin Ming asked.
Wu Yao Zu shook his head. “Under normal circumstances, no. Many people come here using rare and protective items during their spirit journeys.”
“Wouldn’t it be better for us to come in person with our physical bodies?” Qin Ming asked, curious.
Wu Yao Zu explained, “That’s not advisable. The Mysterious Small Town is specifically designed for spirit travelers. Entering with your physical body causes immense energy loss each time.”
“And the Divine Temple—is it real too?” Qin Ming pressed.
Wu Yao Zu nodded again. “Yes, but all the beings inside are dead. What remains are strange and bizarre entities. The master of the temple loves to draw people into philosophical debates—it’s terrifying. No one dares to step inside.”
The town lacked a Fire Spring, yet it was brightly lit. Lamps hung from every building on both sides of the road, and their light had never extinguished through countless generations of spirit travelers.
The streets were lined with shops, operated as rewards for spirit travelers who had made significant contributions.
“Ice sugar gourds!” Qin Ming froze as the vendor’s cry reached his ears. This legendary Mysterious Small Town, teeming with extraordinary figures, actually had someone selling such a mundane treat?
Wu Yao Zu smirked. “It’s actually a soul-nourishing tonic made from soul flowers, but the name is deliberately plain. It’s quite expensive.”
“Sky Peaches!” another vendor called out. The name was far grander, but it clearly didn’t refer to actual peaches from the heavens.
As the two entered the bustling streets, people began greeting Wu Yao Zu warmly.
“Hey, Little Wu! You’re here again!”
“Little Wu, you’re early today!” Many people approached with enthusiasm, evidently familiar with him.
It was no surprise. Among the two distinctive ends of the town, one held the dilapidated courtyard where Wu Yao Zu lived—off-limits to everyone else. People knew him as a local resident.
On the opposite end, however, the area was open to all. Yet anyone who ventured into the central Divine Temple would never return.
Some turned their attention to Qin Ming, their gazes curious and friendly. “You’re impressive, brother. You found this place in your physical form and even stayed in that courtyard. How did you manage it?”
“I woke up and found myself there,” Qin Ming replied nonchalantly.
The man who had asked frowned slightly. If this were the real world, his expression would’ve darkened outright—who dared give him such a perfunctory response? But in this town, status held no sway, and recklessness wasn’t an option.
Qin Ming knew they were trying to learn about this place’s connection to the real world, but he wasn’t about to reveal anything. Even though he had spoken the truth, they wouldn’t believe him.
Just then, a young man with a vertical eye at his brow approached, smiling. “Little Wu, is this the new brother who’s been staying in the courtyard? Aren’t you going to introduce him?”
“Li Wan Qiu,” Qin Ming introduced himself casually, giving a false name. He had long understood that no one here could be trusted. That seemingly amiable young man might well be an ancient monster from the Night Fog World.
The same went for those dazzling girls with bright eyes and pearly teeth—there was no guarantee one wasn’t a giant spider in the real world.
“A name with a lot of weight to it, eh?” commented an elder with golden hair, who passed by riding a Four-Tusked White Elephant.
“Could it be that Cao Gan Qiu has arrived?” A youth with a purple mark on his brow, exuding a Pure Yang Consciousness Aura, stepped forward and asked.
Qin Ming couldn’t help but wonder if there were truly old masters hiding among them. He quickly shook his head and replied, “I have nothing to do with him.”
The three-eyed man laughed, saying, “Since we’ve met by chance today, it must be fate. How about I treat you to some drinks?”
Others also seemed eager to befriend Qin Ming. It was rare for someone to appear in this realm with their physical body, and they speculated that he might be an extraordinary figure. Some even suspected he might actually be Cao Gan Qiu. However, they dismissed the thought almost immediately; the infamous Cao Gan Qiu was known for his domineering presence. If it were truly him, his every step would quake the earth, and his arrival would surely leave the heavens trembling.
“I already said I’d treat everyone. Let’s head to the Exiled Immortal Tower. We can invite two divine maidens to join us later,” suggested a youth with a golden horn, his tone light and cheerful.
Another chimed in, “Forget it. Who knows what those so-called divine maidens really are? They could very well be five-hundred-year-old demons.”
A third joked, “Exactly! What if those ‘fairies’ are just old men with full beards? Hey, Little Wu, don’t take offense. I wasn’t talking about your beard.”
The group’s laughter abruptly stopped as a chill crept over them.
A silver-haired girl approached down the bright street, her aura so potent that layers of divine halos surrounded her, making her figure hazy and indistinct.
“A true deity has arrived. Just kidding earlier, haha,” someone chuckled nervously, clearly wary of her presence.
Wu Yao Zu stepped forward and addressed the group, “Everyone, my brother is heading to the Divine Temple today. We can’t join you for a gathering.”
“What?!” The crowd was stunned.
Who in their right mind would dare enter the temple, a place of certain death? Even someone like Cao Gan Qiu might not make it out alive.
“Brother, that’s a heroic act! You should have a few cups of divine wine before going in,” said the golden-haired elder astride a Four-Tusked White Elephant, his expression showing genuine shock.
“Senior, you’re truly bold to enter the temple alone!” someone exclaimed, now addressing Qin Ming as a senior. They assumed he must be an elder with near-divine abilities to attempt such a feat.
Even the silver-haired girl glanced over, her layered halos rippling slightly, as if disturbed by the revelation.
“Everyone, you misunderstand. I’m no elder,” Qin Ming clarified, wanting to avoid taking on such a significant burden. He feared that if his bluff was called and he was exposed, the consequences could be severe—especially if a real master or two decided to settle accounts with him.
He knew that although the Mysterious Small Town prohibited casual violence, it didn’t mean spirit travelers hadn’t died here.
Wu Yao Zu clasped his hands in a respectful gesture. “Friends, I remember some of you have ventured into the outer areas of the Divine Temple and returned alive. Could you share any details with my brother?”
The crowd grew silent. They realized Qin Ming likely wasn’t an elder and wasn’t planning to enter the temple’s core. Instead, he needed advice from others to prepare, indicating inexperience.
The three-eyed youth, who had proposed a toast, suddenly went quiet.
The golden-horned youth, who had suggested inviting divine maidens, also held his tongue. Even the golden-haired elder atop the Four-Tusked White Elephant fell silent, letting the creature stroll leisurely down the street.
Many now speculated that Qin Ming was a passionate young man who had somehow stumbled upon this place with his physical body. They believed it was only a matter of time before he faced calamity at the temple.
Accompanied by Wu Yao Zu, Qin Ming began walking toward the other end of the Mysterious Small Town. Despite their doubts about his success, a crowd followed, eager to witness such a rare and dramatic spectacle.
The bright streets soon filled with a bustling flow of people, drawn by the news. At the edge of the town stood a cluster of ancient, desolate buildings. The steps leading to the temple were overgrown with wild grass, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
Qin Ming pushed open the decrepit gate and stepped into the first courtyard. Immediately, the entire area—silent and overrun with weeds—resounded with a magnificent chant.
The first courtyard came alive with radiant light, golden beams illuminating the ground in an atmosphere of unparalleled sanctity and harmony.
The crowd watched as the young man, glowing like a blazing sun, seemed to resonate with the courtyard itself.
Qin Ming frowned, unsettled by the development. He hadn’t intended for this to happen. Was the temple’s master probing his origins, forcing his Celestial Light to manifest?
“What’s going on? Is that Pure Yang Light or Celestial Light Force?” someone murmured.
“It seems to be both!” another gasped. “Could it be… a Young Ancestor in person? Otherwise, how could this be possible?”
At the rear of the crowd, many faces turned serious, and some were utterly stunned by the display.