Chapter 187: A Foreboding Future
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
The streets of Kun Lun City were a labyrinthine maze, neither neatly arranged nor symmetrically planned. The roads crisscrossed in haphazard patterns, winding curves and diagonal pathways crammed into its sprawling expanse. For newcomers, it was a confounding experience, and Yao Zu found himself no exception.
“This…” Yao Zu muttered, his steps faltering as he turned down yet another bustling, slanted street. Moments later, he found himself back where he started, his sense of direction utterly defeated.
The crowds didn’t make it any easier. The streets were packed with people jostling shoulder to shoulder. Fresh out of the Fourth Forbidden Land, Yao Zu found himself ill-prepared for this cacophony of city life. At one point, he nearly lost track of Qin Ming amid the throng.
“Spirit Lamb! Fresh from a century-long hunt in the mountains! Its meat, grilled to perfection, brimming with spiritual energy! Line up now!”
The enticing aroma of roasted meat wafted from a bustling vendor. The skewers of Spirit Lamb were both fragrant and radiant, each piece of meat shimmering with spiritual energy.
“Brother Ming, should we try some?” Yao Zu’s stomach growled as he gestured toward the stall.
“It’s likely Rat Demon meat with a dash of lamb’s gaminess mixed in,” Qin Ming remarked dryly.
Yao Zu looked at him, speechless.
Further down the road, another call caught their attention.
“Enlightenment Tea, harvested once every three years from the edge of the Second Forbidden Land! Fresh stock available today! Personally picked by senior cultivators of the Pure Land Sect—auction tonight!”
From the second floor of a grand tea house, a vendor amplified his voice through spiritual consciousness, sending waves of excitement rippling through the crowd. Clearly, the tea was a prized commodity.
Qin Ming and Yao Zu had arrived in Kun Lun City earlier, visiting two academies before becoming thoroughly disoriented. Overwhelmed, they finally sought respite in an old, reputable inn for a meal.
“This city is renowned even in the Night Fog World, but its layout is just absurd. Roads that twist and turn—it’s far too unfriendly to outsiders,” Yao Zu grumbled as they sat down.
At a neighboring table, a local overheard and chuckled. “Brother, think of Kun Lun as a collection of smaller cities. If you look at it that way, it’s not so hard to navigate.”
Following the stranger’s explanation, Yao Zu and Qin Ming began to make sense of Kun Lun’s chaos.
The city had been shaped by various academies and dao grounds, each selecting spiritually rich land as a foundation and expanding outward. These individual domains later attracted a massive population, filling the spaces between academies.
As a result, Kun Lun was now divided into over a dozen districts, sprawling with mystical landmarks like spiritual mountains and vast lakes. But where the districts met, the roads often became crooked and erratic.
“Little Wu,” Qin Ming said quietly, “start calling me Shen Wu Bing from now on.” He was determined to stay inconspicuous in this new territory, his primary goal being access to the academies’ libraries.
Having mastered the intricate control of his own flesh and blood, Qin Ming had altered his appearance. He also activated the “Harmony in Dust” technique, which Lu Zi Zai had helped him refine during their time at the Six Rulers Sect, enhancing its effectiveness.
“Got it, Brother Shen,” Yao Zu nodded.
“Prices here are exorbitant,” Qin Ming noted as he settled the bill, which was several times higher than what he’d pay in Red Glow City.
Before falling into the Fourth Forbidden Land, Qin Ming’s body had been shattered, and in the chaos, many of his possessions—including clothing and Daylight Gold—had been lost.
He sighed. “Once, I had modest wealth, but all of it exploded in midair. Let’s just call it shattered for safety’s sake.”
After checking his remaining funds, Qin Ming found himself with only a little over a hundred pieces of Daylight Gold—meager spoils considering past windfalls.
“Little Wu, we need to be frugal.” He handed half his remaining gold to Yao Zu—sixty-six pieces each.
Yao Zu nodded seriously. “Brother, we should at least hire a carriage. This place is impossible to navigate on foot.”
“Agreed,” Qin Ming said. “Let’s settle into an academy first. We’ll plan the rest from there.”
They flagged down a carriage—a grand cart pulled by a radiant Spirit Lamb with golden fur. Despite its striking appearance, the lamb proved surprisingly personable.
“I’ve been pulling carriages for twenty years—honest prices and reliable service. If you need transportation or want to hire me long-term, just say the word!” the Spirit Lamb introduced itself as Jin Xiang.
“Old Jin,” Yao Zu asked, “which academy would you recommend for newcomers like us with no connections but decent talent?”
Jin Xiang stroked its beard thoughtfully. “Hard to say. Sky Roc Dao Ground, Mountain and River Academy—they’re all top-notch. None of them would survive in this city without backing from major figures.”
“Let’s try Mountain and River Academy,” Qin Ming decided.
“Excellent choice!” Jin Xiang replied, steering the cart smoothly through the bustling streets. Along the way, it offered useful advice, such as the need to pass entrance assessments since the best students were recruited early. It also warned them of the academy’s mysterious rear mountain, shrouded in treacherous mist.
Arriving at Mountain and River Academy’s district, Yao Zu and Qin Ming found a lively, orderly enclave brimming with vitality. The academy occupied the heart of the district, surrounded by bustling markets, towering temples, and neat residential quarters.
The academy itself was an impressive complex of ancient architecture, set amidst mountains, lakes, and dense forests. Streams of young students moved in and out of its gates, exuding an air of vigor and aspiration.
Jin Xiang sighed wistfully. “Ah, another year, another batch of fresh faces. Twenty-four years ago, I was one of them. Hard to believe it’s been two decades since I graduated.”
Yao Zu froze. “Wait, you’re an alumnus? And now you’re a carriage driver? That doesn’t bode well for this academy’s future prospects…”
Jin Xiang quickly clarified, “Don’t misunderstand, young masters! My cultivation method requires daily immersion in worldly affairs. This job is perfect for my practice—it’s Red Dust Refinement.”
Still skeptical, Qin Ming and Yao Zu exchanged glances but decided to press on.
Mountain and River Academy’s gates stood between two towering stone peaks, framed by a sea of ancient trees and flowing purple mist.
As Qin Ming and Yao Zu reached the gates of Mountain and River Academy, they were greeted by a vibrant young woman with an enthusiastic smile.
“Wow, you two carry yourselves with such poise and energy—clearly extraordinary,” she said warmly. But when she learned they were not there to register as regular students but instead to take a temporary entrance exam, her demeanor subtly shifted. With a polite smile, she excused herself and summoned a young man to guide them instead.
The boy approached with a casual air. “Which path are you here for? The Immortal Path, the Secret Sect Path, the Aberration Path… or the Path of the Newly Awakened?”
Upon learning they had chosen the Path of the Newly Awakened, he grinned. “Thinking of becoming Golden Armor Guards? A lot of junior disciples on the Immortal Path are looking for helpers.”
Yao Zu grimaced inwardly. This Path of the Newly Awakened seemed rather unimpressive, and he worried about Qin Ming’s prospects.
“Not planning on that for now,” Qin Ming replied, his tone calm.
With a dismissive wave, the boy summoned a crow to guide them to the examination site and left without another word.
Yao Zu stared, dumbfounded. “From a beautiful senior sister to… an old crow? This place is way too pragmatic!”
From a branch above, the crow squawked indignantly. “Hey! I’m only sixteen—I’m your senior sister!”
“My apologies, Senior Crow Sister!” Yao Zu quickly stammered, bowing his head.
The examinations tested strength, speed, perception, and combat skills. Despite Qin Ming’s undefeated streak across twenty cities, he opted to keep a low profile and underwent the same tests as Yao Zu. Unsurprisingly, both passed with ease.
Inside Mountain and River Academy, the initial noise and chaos of the main gates gave way to serene, expansive grounds. The academy’s vastness encompassed forests, marshlands, and more, creating a quieter atmosphere.
As they walked, the crow said, “You two are lucky this year. The elders of the academies and dao grounds are banding together to hunt a sacred beast in the Third Forbidden Land. If you perform exceptionally well, you might earn a drop of its blood, which could help you achieve a Nirvana-like rebirth.”
Yao Zu’s eyes lit up with excitement, but Qin Ming remained composed. He knew the real reason the Immortal Seeds and Divine Seeds had gathered was for the beast’s blood, and the competition would be fierce.
“Have you heard of the infamous ‘Eighty-One’? His name is Xin You Dao, and he’s swept through eighty-one cities before joining our academy,” the crow continued. “He’s pursuing both the Secret Sect and Newly Awakened paths. It’s clear the Newly Awakened lack strong competitors, so he’ll likely take one of the limited spots for the sacred beast’s blood.”
“Wait—there’s a hierarchy between these paths?” Yao Zu scratched his head, beginning to understand how challenging this would be for Qin Ming.
The crow chuckled. “Most Newly Awakened realize the harsh reality within a few months. Those who come in clear-headed often aim to find someone to follow. Isn’t that why you’re here?”
Yao Zu had no response.
The crow guided them to their lodging—a cluster of simple wooden cabins located far from the Fire Spring, in a shadowy section of the forest. While humble, the cabins were private and not shared dormitories, which was a small consolation.
The crow teased, “See that area near the Fire Spring with the mist and purple aura? That’s where the elite students live. Perform well, and you could earn a spot there. Lots of beautiful senior sisters live there too!”
“Brother, let’s grab two cabins and settle in. This place is so far from the Fire Spring we can’t even see its glow,” Yao Zu whispered to Qin Ming.
“Let’s take our time and understand the situation here first,” Qin Ming replied. Drawing attention was the last thing he wanted. His real interest lay in the academy’s library. Everything else was secondary.
As they parted ways, the crow added mysteriously, “Need tickets for the big event?”
“What event?” Yao Zu asked curiously.
“Xin You Dao’s duel with another genius, a prodigy who conquered a hundred cities and is hailed as a Young Ancestor. The entire city is buzzing about it. People are traveling from other regions just to witness the clash of these titans.”
Yao Zu’s interest was piqued, but he balked when the crow named her price. “Twenty Daylight Gold per ticket. For good seats, of course. Special discount for juniors like you.”
“No thanks!” Yao Zu refused without hesitation. It was obvious the crow was trying to fleece them.
Unbothered, the crow said, “Suit yourselves, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. These tickets are hot commodities.”
After settling in, Qin Ming and Yao Zu roamed the academy grounds, familiarizing themselves with their new environment. They quickly noticed a commotion near the main gates. Curious, they followed the crowd and overheard students talking.
“Hurry! Over at Flying Immortal Academy, an elder is giving a lecture. There are even Immortal Seeds sharing their insights and blessings for the newcomers!”
Qin Ming was initially uninterested until he caught snippets of conversation.
“These Immortal Seeds are extraordinary! One of them achieved enlightenment at the age of three. Another swept through their peers and even obtained Near-Immortal artifacts…”
Hearing this, Qin Ming grabbed Yao Zu. “Little Wu, let’s go. We’re heading to Flying Immortal Academy right now.”