Night Without Borders Chapter 201
Chapter 201: The Best of Times
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Yu Gen Sheng and Zhao Zi Yuan, both elderly with sparse hair and usually smiling expressions, exuded a commanding presence when serious. Zhao Zi Yuan addressed Cheng Rui, “From now on, you’ll follow Ming Hui and study in the Library Tower.”
“What?” The girl in yellow, stunned, blurted out. Quickly realizing the situation, she nodded repeatedly like a pecking chick. With these two esteemed seniors giving orders, she had no room to refuse.
“Don’t forget to thank the seniors!” Xin You Dao reminded her, emphasizing the privilege of such an assignment.
Yu Gen Sheng turned to the others. “Qian Chuan, Tang Jun, you two will head to the Misty Grounds at the back mountain.”
The two young men froze, bewildered. The Misty Grounds were notorious for their dangers. Teachers frequently warned against wandering into that area lest accidents occur. Sensing their hesitation, Yu Gen Sheng clarified, “There are some old folks living there. Qian Chuan, you’ll be their gatekeeper, and Tang Jun, you’ll deliver their meals. Whether you can earn their favor depends on your capabilities.”
The boys’ apprehension quickly transformed into joy. This was clearly an opportunity, and they both expressed their gratitude to the seniors with bright faces.
Yu Gen Sheng and Zhao Zi Yuan had been deep in thought earlier, realizing the gravity of the situation. A disciple with an Ancestor-Level Talent appearing on the New Awakening Path was no trivial matter. To ensure stability, the two personally arranged these placements. They understood that mere warnings from Zhao Ming Hui for the students to keep quiet would not suffice.
“Young Xin,” Yu Gen Sheng continued, “since you’re also walking the New Awakening Path, feel free to come to me directly if you have any questions.”
“Yes, teacher!” Xin You Dao immediately bowed deeply.
Zhao Zi Yuan turned to Ling Yu. “Your senior sister brought you to Kun Lun and placed you under the banner of the Mountain and River Academy, likely for the Auspicious Beast Blood. For now, you’ll follow me.”
“Yes, senior!” Ling Yu stepped forward to salute him, his expression earnest.
These young disciples, though still unsure of the full implications, were delighted to receive attention from such prestigious figures. Only Tang Jin seemed to grasp the underlying reason for these arrangements: to prevent unstable hearts from carelessly revealing sensitive information later.
“Ming Hui, take those three with you for now,” Zhao Zi Yuan ordered, gesturing toward Qian Chuan, Cheng Rui, and Tang Jun.
“Understood!” Zhao Ming Hui led the trio out.
Once they were gone, Yu Gen Sheng spoke with solemnity, “Now, on to serious matters. Recently, some unique ‘Blessed Lands’ near the plateau outside the Third Forbidden Land have shown signs of opening. These can be considered Secret Realms.”
His eyes swept over Qin Ming, Wu Yao Zu, Ling Yu, and Xin You Dao, as he instructed them to prepare themselves over the next few days. These four had earned the qualifications to enter.
“That’s enough for now,” Yu Gen Sheng concluded abruptly, calling for someone to escort the students away.
Just as Tang Jin relaxed slightly, she noticed the two elders’ gazes shift toward her. Yu Gen Sheng smiled, “Miss Tang, I hear you have a junior brother with a genuine Ancestor-Level Talent?”
Her pupils contracted at the mention. How did they know? Even Qin Ming, listening quietly, was moved. It seemed there was another disciple in this lineage who surpassed even him.
Ling Yu, privy to the secret, remained calm. As one of the informed few, he had long understood that the so-called “replacement” role wasn’t a deception. Back in the Black and White Mountain, Tang Jin had once said, “The one I’ve chosen is like the blazing sun, waiting to emerge from the black fog.” But she had also cautioned against premature exposure, lest it attract divine envy.
Even the Talking Sparrow had overheard vague hints.
Not long ago, when Ling Yu lost to Qin Ming, he had admitted that Qin Ming’s talent was among the top in the First Realm, with a rumored Ancestor-Level Gift. All these clues pointed to the existence of a hidden disciple.
Zhao Zi Yuan confirmed Tang Jin’s suspicions. “During a duel with a disciple from the Immortal Land, your junior brother used your lineage’s core teachings. This raised suspicions.”
The so-called hidden disciple wasn’t sheltered in the sect but was instead undergoing rigorous combat training in the outside world. He was also refining the “new method” born from merging two paths.
“He’s been discovered?” Tang Jin frowned.
Zhao Zi Yuan chuckled. “The matter has been suppressed. Only a handful of people witnessed it, just like our current situation. Coincidentally, one of my descendants was present.”
Tang Jin looked at him, understanding his implication. Everyone was being strategically placed, likely due to fears she might inadvertently reveal Qin Ming’s full potential.
Yu Gen Sheng interjected, “Years ago, when we finally had a ‘Young Overlord, his life was tragically cut short. We cannot afford to let history repeat itself.”
The thought of losing a future Ancestor prematurely still pained the older generation, especially considering they had been powerless against Cao Gan Qiu, who was in his prime at the time.
Qin Ming felt a surge of warmth. The elders’ meticulous arrangements and candid concerns were all to shield his talents from exposure.
Tang Jin shook her head earnestly. “Senior, you’re overthinking it. Though we have dealings with the Exotic Lands, we are steadfast on the New Awakening Path. We would never act dishonorably.”
The Purple-Eyed Crow added with a caw, “I can vouch for that. These are our own people, and even the Grandmasters are pleased to see an Ancestor-Level Talent emerge on the New Awakening Path. It validates the new method.”
Both elders nodded in agreement. Zhao Zi Yuan then asked, “What was the result of the duel?”
“It ended in a draw,” he was told.
Tang Jin frowned slightly. “A draw? My junior brother’s Ancestor-Level Gift, dual-path progression, and completion of the First Realm—all that, yet it was only a draw?”
“The disciple from the Immortal Land is extraordinarily talented. Once he reaches the mid-late stages of the Huang Ting Realm, he’ll undoubtedly become a Near-Immortal Seed,” Zhao Zi Yuan explained.
Immortal Seeds from the Exotic Lands typically revealed themselves only at the Huang Ting stage.
Qin Ming, intrigued by the strength of these Near-Immortal Seeds, asked about the opponent’s current level.
“He’s also at the peak of the First Realm,” Yu Gen Sheng informed him with a grin.
Qin Ming realized that with his eighth awakening behind him, he still had one more chance to ascend further. The Purple-Eyed Crow, feigning exasperation, patted its chest. “I almost thought he was still at the mid-stage of the First Realm!”
The elders exchanged knowing glances. Tang Jin’s brows furrowed. “It seems the celestial scholars are advancing their methods, prematurely training their future Immortal Seeds. Otherwise, my junior brother wouldn’t have been forced to use one of our teacher’s ultimate techniques.”
Zhao Zi Yuan sighed deeply. “This is both the best of times and the bloodiest, most competitive era. All paths remain unfinished, constantly being forged and expanded. The truly extraordinary among us may rise to become ancestors or near-immortals in the future.”
The paths were still being carved, and whether it was the already-renowned Sun Tai Chu and Cao Gan Qiu, or the younger generation rising behind them, everyone had a chance to make their mark. Yu Gen Sheng sighed, “Now that everything’s been laid out, there’s nothing more to discuss.”
Soon, only the two elders, Qin Ming, and Wu Yao Zu remained in the room.
To their surprise, even Wu Yao Zu received their recognition. This astonished both Yu Gen Sheng and Zhao Zi Yuan, filling them with unexpected delight.
“What is happening this year?” Zhao Zi Yuan murmured. “So many promising talents at once.”
Wu Yao Zu, having solidified his path, expressed his determination to cultivate his physical body, refusing to abandon his mortal frame in the future.
The two elders began debating over Qin Ming’s development. Yu Gen Sheng proposed secretly nurturing him with abundant resources, giving him everything he needed. However, Zhao Zi Yuan vehemently disagreed, warning against such an approach. He feared that overindulgence would lead to a spoiled and fragile outcome, even likening it to “fattening a pig for slaughter.”
Wu Yao Zu struggled to stifle his laughter at the comparison, while Qin Ming glared at him, tempted to punch him twice.
Zhao Zi Yuan continued, “Even today’s enlightened ones, like the Rulai, let their disciples fend for themselves. Resources must be earned through blood and sweat. That hidden disciple from your lineage wasn’t coddled either. We’re in no position to compare ourselves to Ancestor-Level Figures. We’re simply unfit to guide someone like him!”
He argued that a “wild” Qin Ming, who reached his heights through his own struggle and resilience, was the best Qin Ming. Changing his trajectory now would be a mistake.
Reluctantly, Yu Gen Sheng conceded, saying, “If the Cui Family intervenes or others attempt to suppress him, we won’t stand idle. But otherwise, we won’t interfere.”
Despite their resolution, the elders still presented Qin Ming with a copy of the Immortal Butterfly Sutra, a gesture that felt surreal to him. It was, without a doubt, the “wealthiest” day of his journey on the New Awakening Path. In one day, he had obtained two extraordinary techniques.
“My child,” the elders explained, “we lack the ability to compare with Ancestor-Level Figures and even less so to forge new paths. But you, Qin Ming, walk a steady road reminiscent of those legendary ancestors, moving forward with vigor and unyielding determination.”
They feared that excessive intervention or poorly chosen guidance would derail his promising journey. Qin Ming, though he had wanted to speak, ultimately nodded in silent agreement.
Yu Gen Sheng sighed and shifted the topic to the Secret Realm. That territory was co-managed by Kun Lun’s academies, the Beyond, and the Secret Sect, and entry had become increasingly restrictive over the years. He explained that due to the poor performance of those on the New Awakening Path, the number of available slots had steadily decreased.
Zhao Zi Yuan lamented, “We can’t blame anyone but ourselves. For years, our side has failed to compete, leading to a vicious cycle where our opportunities diminish. Now, those from the New Awakening Path must either be hired as laborers or enter as ‘companions.’”
“Companions?” Wu Yao Zu asked curiously.
Zhao Zi Yuan explained, “You must form a team to gain entry, and companions typically handle the grunt work—clearing paths, dealing with emergencies, and the like.”
Qin Ming and Wu Yao Zu were dumbfounded. “So, dirty work and hard labor?”
Yu Gen Sheng reassured them, “I believe you two could handle it. If things become unbearable, you can always break off from your team and act independently. The rewards are worth the effort.”
“But to enter the Secret Realm, you’ll either need to be hired or join forces with others.”
“This is absolutely miserable!” Wu Yao Zu exclaimed, leaving the two elders a bit pained by the harsh truth.
“Why has it come to this?” Wu Yao Zu asked again, bewildered.
Zhao Zi Yuan explained, “Over the years, the Yuqing Sect has closed its doors, the Six Rulers Sect’s Ancestors are nearing their end, and Sky-Supporting Sect is also on its last leg. The great ancestral courts have withdrawn, leaving no core disciples to participate. Relying solely on the newcomers from Kun Lun, it’s no wonder we can’t compete.”
The Secret Realm was shrouded in mystery and capable of attracting Near-Immortal Seeds from the Beyond, Pure Land, and Yang Land, not to mention the occasional Divine Seeds from the Secret Sect. It was little surprise that the New Awakening Path struggled to stand out.
Moreover, demons from the plateau near the Third Forbidden Land were likely to enter as well, since the Secret Realm was originally taken from their domain.
Hearing this, Qin Ming and Wu Yao Zu became excited. A place that so many factions coveted was bound to offer abundant rewards.
For the next two days, Qin Ming focused on studying the Dragon-Snake Sutra, practicing its techniques, and marveling at its depth. This scripture promised to transform one’s foundation, allowing a mere snake to become a dragon. However, the difficulty of such a transformation was immense. He visualized a great serpent battered by rain and lightning, its body torn apart as it struggled to ascend the heavens. The image vividly illustrated the hardships and seemingly insurmountable challenges of transcending mortality.
“This sutra isn’t simple,” Qin Ming mused. “Even mastering a portion of it during the awakening stage would be impressive. The difference between immortals and mortals lies in a fundamental transformation. The path is fraught with obstacles.”
Just as he was deep in thought, Wu Yao Zu appeared, calling out, “Hey, brother, stop practicing for a moment. The seniors are summoning us. I think it’s time for our first ‘teaming up.’”
When they arrived at the Flying Immortal Academy, they saw Xin You Dao and Ling Yu being enthusiastically recruited, leaving Qin Ming and Wu Yao Zu dumbfounded. Both had planned to form a team with those two if things didn’t work out, but that idea was quickly dashed.
In truth, Xin You Dao and Ling Yu had already been warned to avoid drawing too much attention and not to form a four-person team with Qin Ming and Wu Yao Zu.
“Pick them!” Xin You Dao urged a nearby group, pointing at Qin Ming and Wu Yao Zu.
But the group leader shook their head, explaining that their team was already full.
Ling Yu also tried to recommend them, but the response was the same—the team was already set.
Qin Ming and Wu Yao Zu exchanged incredulous looks. They weren’t just overlooked—they were outright rejected!