Chapter 195: Gathering Storm
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Wu Cheng Wang and Qin Ming exchanged smiles, both seemingly pleased with each other, finding mutual appreciation and congeniality.
The atmosphere at the scene was harmonious, a situation where everyone appeared content. Qin Ming quickly reminded himself not to get carried away with the success of this “one-time deal.” He had no intention of coming back here, so what was there to celebrate? Efficiently and naturally, he shifted his expression. The laughter faded, and he focused on the sutra in his hands, pretending to struggle with comprehension. With feigned humility, he asked, “Master Wu, why does the sutra on the third page suddenly become so much harder to grasp?”
Wu Cheng Wang chuckled, his eyes narrowing with amusement. “Miraculous skills are profoundly difficult. Nine out of ten people are simply incompatible, unable to comprehend their essence. Fortunately, with my guidance, the Golden Cicada Sutra is not as obscure. My disciples can master it.”
“Master Wu, you truly are a trailblazer,” Qin Ming complimented sincerely.
Reading the sutra, Qin Ming silently acknowledged that Wu Cheng Wang was no ordinary figure. This manuscript was the culmination of his life’s work and contained exceptionally deep insights.
His shift in demeanor was seamless—from hearty laughter to a light smile, then to a solemn expression with furrowed brows, a calculated move since he planned to leave soon. Staying any longer seemed unnecessary.
However, Wu Cheng Wang, fond of Qin Ming’s agreeable nature, not only guided him further but also invited him to study in a courtyard filled with exotic flowers and herbs. “No need to rush. Back when I first practiced this sutra, I struggled for a long time too,” he said kindly.
Over the years, those who sought Wu Cheng Wang for training in miraculous skills typically carried a gloomy air, never smiling. Qin Ming’s cheerful demeanor was a refreshing change, bringing rare comfort to the old man.
Qin Ming, however, was speechless.
The manuscript he was studying bore the intense emotional resonance of Wu Cheng Wang’s efforts. He had already synchronized with two complete versions of the Golden Cicada Sutra. “Ugh, this is so difficult. I smiled too soon. This sutra doesn’t suit me,” he started to fabricate an excuse.
The courtyard, lush with fragrant herbs and vibrant flowers, was a picturesque retreat, but Qin Ming had no desire to linger.
“This is how it’s done. The golden cicada is an insect yet not an insect, and it’s a meditative sutra…” Wu Cheng Wang was determined not to let Qin Ming stumble at the first hurdle and began giving him personalized instruction.
After what felt like an hour of effort, Qin Ming finally left, naturally frowning.
“What a fine young man,” Wu Cheng Wang said with a broad smile, watching him leave. Regretfully, he thought, Pity, his comprehension is a bit lacking. He called after him, “Come earlier next time.”
Later, Wu Yao Zu exclaimed, “Brother, did you really spend six hundred Daylight Gold? Our family savings will run dry again!”
“Hmm. Let’s head back,” Qin Ming replied with a nod.
Only when they returned to their residence by the sapphire-like lake did Qin Ming allow his happiness to surface. Cheerfully, he fished out a few five-colored dragon carp and soon began his training back at the courtyard.
Wu Yao Zu, astounded, exclaimed, “Wow, Brother, you’re a real genius! You’ve already mastered the essence of this sutra in such a short time and even made notable progress!”
He noticed Qin Ming’s aura had transformed entirely, exuding a meditative resonance. At a critical moment, he even heard a cicada’s chirping—a sound that wasn’t real but rather a celestial tone produced by the resonance of Qin Ming’s flesh, organs, and bones.
“It’s just the beginning. Pretend you didn’t see anything,” Qin Ming instructed. “If that old guy finds out, he might throw a fit.”
“I understand!” Wu Yao Zu nodded and turned back to studying his own Flesh and Soul Locking Technique.
The rest of the day, Qin Ming devoted himself entirely to practicing the Golden Cicada Sutra.
This sutra encompassed themes of revival, regeneration, and meditation, while its resultant Golden Cicada Force was highly potent. Without protective techniques, how could it be considered miraculous?
Diligently analyzing the sutra, Qin Ming realized its immense profundity.
“Divided into finer aspects, it contains ‘death force’ and ‘life force,’ which relate to yin and yang transformations. These elements ultimately converge into the complete Golden Cicada Force. If mastered, it enables one to shed the old and be reborn,” Qin Ming mused, his expression growing serious. Drawing from Wu Cheng Wang’s insights, he integrated his own understanding and continued to explore the sutra, deeming it a treasure trove of miraculous power.
To this end, he used his self-cultivated Five-Element Wheel to simulate the Golden Cicada Force.
“The cicada’s chirping, though faint, is continuous, its meditative essence unending. This enables the Golden Cicada Force to persist indefinitely,” Qin Ming noted.
Balancing meditation and combat practicality, Qin Ming trained until his surroundings seemed to change. A fine drizzle materialized, as cicada wings became like blades, and the Golden Cicada Force flowed ceaselessly.
“When the cicada transforms further, its sound becomes thunderous. At that point, the Golden Cicada Force transitions from soft to fierce, domineering and radiant, illuminating all directions.”
Despite his efforts, attempts to replicate this with other celestial techniques failed, causing considerable commotion in the courtyard.
The two versions of the Golden Cicada Sutra—one focusing on physical renewal and awakening, the other emphasizing combat-oriented celestial techniques—offered complementary yet distinct pathways.
“Above the Golden Cicada Sutra lies the Divine Cicada Sutra, a secret scripture on par with the Longevity Sutra,” Qin Ming pondered. “Even the mythical ‘Transcendent Beings’ might share some connection to the Divine Cicada Sutra.”
He marveled at how each miraculous skill had its higher-level successors, reflecting an orderly inheritance that fueled his anticipation.
Determined, Qin Ming continued to refine his mastery of the Golden Cicada Sutra, preparing for his ninth awakening.
This endeavor laid a solid foundation, as each additional miraculous skill significantly enhanced his strength, potentially triggering transformative changes in his celestial light.
For his final awakening, Qin Ming planned to deviate from conventional paths.
First, however, he had to perfect the Golden Cicada Force.
While Qin Ming and Wu Yao Zu quietly cultivated, the outside world was abuzz with discussions.
As expected, last night’s duel between Ling Yu and Xin You Dao made the headlines, garnering extensive coverage. Descriptions of the event lauded it as the brilliance of a prodigious talent piercing through the night fog, illuminating the world. Although Xin You Dao was defeated, the Night Report did not belittle him; instead, it offered high praise for his skills. Ling Yu, however, received an even grander title—Young Ancestor—one no longer veiled in subtlety.
“Ling Yu plans to challenge the strongest across the world. Once he ascends to higher realms, he’ll likely face off against Immortal Seeds and Divine Seeds alike,” someone speculated.
“Undoubtedly! His dual-path progression will lead to a rapid rise. I look forward to that day!” another chimed in.
The entire Kun Lun City buzzed with such discussions.
Yet, the two combatants themselves were far from jubilant. Their emotions were mixed, and instead of basking in their fame, both threw themselves into relentless training.
Qian Chuan, holding the latest Night Report, found his expression hard to describe. He wanted to shout, “No one knows the truth better than I do!”
His gaze shifted toward the lakeside. Hidden within the lush greenery of bamboo and golden vine trees stood a secluded house. Two mysterious youths lived there—youths who had once toppled the so-called prodigies celebrated in the headlines.
If the truth came out, it would surely spark a massive uproar.
Qin Ming and Wu Yao Zu spent their days productively, each immersed in rigorous cultivation while researching information related to the Third Forbidden Land. Both were keen on determining when they could hunt the Auspicious Beast.
“That plateau is rich with medicinal herbs, contains unique secret realms, and teems with demons and monsters,” they learned. “Various factions, including individuals from differing realms, will participate. It will serve as a live battlefield, a training ground, and a small-scale rehearsal for deeper exploration into the Night Fog World.”
Kun Lun City grew livelier with every passing day. The grand arrival of Sun Tai Chu with Cui Chong He was particularly striking, as their intent was clear.
Qin Ming and Wu Yao Zu also discovered that major schools and academies were mapping the plateau, dividing it into precise areas.
“Every participant will carry a few Memory Crystals,” a regulation stated. “While they’re not required to document their every move, they must capture the final moments of any defeated demon or monster to verify their achievements.”
The warning was stark: internal conflict was forbidden. Anyone caught violating this rule would be met with collective retribution, ensuring everyone’s ability to defend themselves lawfully.
“Here’s the preliminary map,” Qin Ming pointed out, examining a rough sketch of the area. “The terrain is complex, with zones designated for varying realms.”
The deeper one ventured into the plateau, the stronger the demons and monsters.
“In the First Realm, we fear no one!” Wu Yao Zu declared, rubbing his hands with excitement. “And we could even explore parts of the Second Realm!”
“Don’t get overconfident,” Qin Ming warned. “The Second Realm will likely house Near-Immortal Seeds, Divine Seeds, and other extraordinary beings.”
Meanwhile, Tang Jin remained unyielding despite Ling Yu’s fervent requests. Ling Yu was frustrated, unable to let go of the burning desire to duel again with the youth from Black and White Mountain who had once humiliated him.
“I’ve perfected the Five-Colored Thunder Force and mastered the Four Symbols Convergence,” he argued. “I’ve even cultivated my Pure Yang Consciousness Aura as a foundation to harness heavenly light. If I don’t face him, I won’t be able to sleep, let alone progress further in my cultivation!”
Tang Jin’s response was measured, questioning whether his techniques had reached true fusion. Ling Yu insisted they had and that his determination was unwavering.
Qin Ming, on the other hand, had already refined the Golden Cicada Force. For others, mastering such a skill might take half a lifetime, but for him, it was far less arduous. Even so, his ambitions didn’t stop there.
“I need to master another extraordinary skill,” he murmured to himself.
In his past awakenings, Qin Ming had always paired one extraordinary skill with several variants of Celestial Light Force. This time, however, he intended to push further, attempting to simultaneously master and merge two extraordinary skills.
His focus fell on the Dragon-Snake Sutra, a technique mastered by the Sky-Supporting Ancestor during his ninth awakening. It promised unparalleled strength and could refine the fiercest Celestial Light Force.
The Sky-Supporting Ancestor was a legend, reputed to hold up the heavens with sheer might. Qin Ming believed the methods used during the ancestor’s critical moments of awakening were worth delving into.
“The Dragon-Snake Sutra isn’t easily obtainable. It’s stored at the Mountain and River Academy, but they’ve kept it strictly under wraps,” he noted, pondering whether he needed to explore alternative locations.
The city was abuzz with speculation about which Near-Immortal Seeds had arrived and which Divine Seeds had emerged in secret. Ordinary citizens relished the gossip, while those in the know sensed an impending storm. The region was unlikely to remain calm; significant events loomed just beyond the horizon.
Far away, a Talking Sparrow, burdened with a tiny pack, arrived in Kun Lun City alongside the Princess of the Purple Lightning Beast and a Four-Tusked White Elephant. Stepping off a massive flying ship, the sparrow chirped, “I’ve traveled across mountains and seas to get here. Mountain Lord, I’ve improved so much lately!”
Now one of the princess’s trusted followers, the sparrow flapped its wings, eager to find Qin Ming.
Elsewhere, Li Qing Yun arrived with a furrowed brow, tasked by Meng Xing Hai to find Qin Ming. Meanwhile, he had his own meeting with Li Qing Yue to attend.
Amid these intersecting threads, the fate of Kun Lun City teetered on the edge of transformation, its undercurrents growing ever more turbulent.