Night Without Borders Chapter 203
Chapter 203: The Journey to an Alien World
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
The Night Fog World extended into a vast, inky darkness where faint city lights shimmered like distant candles. This plateau was no different; only the flowing Fire Springs provided any glow. Yet within the Secret Realm, there were no Fire Springs at all, and still it wasn’t dark. Instead, the space was cloaked in a perpetual “twilight,” so named in ancient records. A radiant mist floated through the air, tinted mainly crimson with streaks of other colors, and it swirled over the forests below.
What unfolded before them seemed impossibly large; the mountains expanded a hundredfold in scale. What looked like a thin layer of moss from outside turned out to be giant trees, their leaves reaching into the sky. Even the flowers here were enormous, each bloom sizable enough to fit several people inside—like a ready-made house if one dared to stay. The dogtail grass was just as colossal, its thick stalks drooping in the breeze like a dragon’s tail.
“We’re stepping on a star from beyond the heavens,” said Zhao Mu Yao of the Pure Yang Academy, her eyes brimming with wonder as she carefully studied the land beneath her feet.
Jiang Ruo Li of the Bodhi Academy nodded. “It does feel surreal. This fragment of a star once hung high over our world. From afar, it seemed so small, yet here we stand on a place filled with incredible sights. Truly, this is an alien world.”
Unlike the women, the men were more down-to-earth about it, not particularly intrigued by the cosmic mystery of the place.
Always eager to amuse, Yao Zu tugged on a drooping strand of the dogtail grass. “Ladies, why don’t we have a go at swinging from this alien grass? We can experience a little interstellar fun!” His bold suggestion froze the air with awkward silence.
Before Yao Zu could make things more uncomfortable, Qin Ming quickly pulled him aside. “Come on, friend, you’re getting carried away. Even if they turned you down, there’s no reason to say weird stuff.”
Yao Zu clearly still felt the sting of rejection and refused to back down in words. Nearby, Zhao Mu Yao, Jiang Ruo Li, Lin Qian Yi, and Xiao Ya Qin exchanged embarrassed glances, silently lamenting that any poetic mood they might have had was now ruined. Thoughts of romantic wonder vanished without a trace.
Meanwhile, the elder who had guided them into the Secret Realm appeared ready to depart, offering no explanation before turning to leave.
“Senior, are we, as newcomers, really capable of competing for an Immortal Seed here?” asked Gan Jin Cheng from the Sky Roc Dao Ground. A hint of uncertainty crept into his voice. It was the first time most of them had entered such a competition.
More experienced cultivators, including certain elders who had explored before, had gone their own way. Adding to the complexity, contenders from Exotic Lands, Secret Sects, and other factions were also out there somewhere.
The elder glanced back. “The Secret Realm is massive, with entry points scattered far and wide. You aren’t likely to run into those other groups.”
He gave a faint smile. “You imagine that the odd materials and unusual elixirs here are the most precious fortunes? Competing with each other for those would be unwise.”
“What do you mean?” The question was on everyone’s lips. Their older classmates had shared very little, for this Secret Realm was unlike anything else.
The elder continued calmly, “Be patient. You’ll see soon enough. Once you understand what’s here, you won’t feel like fighting others over petty things. This place is special. It requires insight to grasp, but the gains can be tremendous.”
His cryptic words only fanned the flames of their curiosity. They pressed him for more details. Smiling, he added, “Take heart: legends like Pu Heng and disciples of the Sky-Supporting Sect have traveled here and returned with exceptional benefits.”
His statement took them all by surprise. Pu Heng was the senior disciple of Cao Gan Qiu, and another from the Sky-Supporting Sect was equally well-known. Their achievements were legendary—proof that this Secret Realm was extraordinarily important.
“Even Senior Sun Tai Chu may have visited,” the elder remarked quietly.
The name alone left everyone stunned. Sun Tai Chu was a powerhouse of unimaginable skill. The news sent an excited buzz through the group—though that excitement quickly shifted to caution.
“Surely this realm must be dangerous,” someone noted softly.
“Someone of his stature wouldn’t be interested in an ordinary place,” another added. “Where there are great wonders, there may also be great perils.”
The elder shook his head. “Don’t fret. The deeper challenges adapt to each person, and you lack the means to awaken the most intense phenomena anyway. Even if I told you precisely where to go, you couldn’t follow in the footsteps of such masters.”
He prepared to leave then, letting his words sink in. The group fell into thoughtful silence, pondering his hints about the potential hidden in this celestial fragment. But before he vanished, the elder spotted Qin Ming chiseling a bit of jade from the ground.
“What are you doing?” the elder asked, puzzled.
Caught in the act, Qin Ming smiled awkwardly. “I was thinking… if these stones are unique, maybe I can carve out a storage space—something like the legend of packing infinite things into a tiny container.” He handed a piece of jade to Yao Zu, who examined it curiously.
Laughing, the elder shook his head. “A clever idea, but it won’t work. Even the most advanced masters struggle to carve out dimensional pockets here.”
He cast a keen look at Qin Ming. “You’re new, I take it. Shame your spiritual senses are lacking. This place demands heightened awareness, which you do not have.”
With that, he vanished, leaving a faint sting behind for Qin Ming.
“That old guy,” Yao Zu grumbled, frowning.
Though some of the novices felt slighted, most found the elder’s cryptic hints invaluable. Their spirits rose, brimming with anticipation.
Wang Li Jie of the Dragon Elephant Dao Ground spoke with conviction: “This realm must contain incredible chances for growth. Otherwise, people like Senior Sun Tai Chu and Pu Heng wouldn’t be drawn here. We must unravel its mysteries.”
Su Jun Lin of the Great Dream Dao Ground suggested, “For now, let’s all move forward together. Our mentors warned us about hidden dangers. If we stay united, our odds of surviving and thriving are better.”
Their eyes collectively landed on Qin Ming and Yao Zu. The two formed a tiny unit compared to the larger teams, and more than a few snickers and under-the-breath remarks followed.
“If they don’t tag along, we might never see them again,” someone said, earning a round of mocking laughter.
Qin Ming, however, just stared straight ahead, his resolve unshaken.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” demanded Yao Zu’s younger brother. “Do you think our dynamic duo is helpless? Just wait until you’re begging for our help!”
Some in the group snorted, unimpressed. One sneered, “You’d never survive out here on your own.”
A few whispered about kicking the brothers out for good, branding them a liability. Suddenly, a commotion arose up ahead. One person darted forward, lured by a faint but enticing fragrance that intensified with each step.
“Golden Orchids!” someone shouted in amazement.
They stood beneath massive trees hundreds of feet tall, thick vines as wide as a barrel twisting around them. In the midst of these giants bloomed a cluster of orchids, each petal shimmering with golden light, like they were dipped in liquid gold. Two different teams dashed forward, trying to snatch these blossoms first.
Two reckless members dove in, lunging for the Golden Orchids. Rumor said that combining such rare herbs with special minerals could create a miraculous golden elixir famous for its ability to speedily heal wounds.
“It’s a mutated variety!” a voice cried out excitedly—until the mood drastically changed.
Those two who charged ahead suddenly sank waist-deep into something revolting. They scrambled out, drenched in a slimy, putrid muck that stank of decay and made everyone recoil in horror.
Qin Ming and Wu Xiao momentarily froze, only to leap backward and clamp their hands over their noses once the stench hit them.
“Rot Rice!” Wu Xiao yelled, his voice ringing with disgust. “That’s what’s under those flowers! It’s… awful!”
The Golden Orchids, it turned out, took root in a sprawling mound of rotting sludge. Their lovely aroma had masked the foul stink beneath. The unlucky pair flailed in anger and humiliation, clad in black gunk.
Nearby, three young women who had managed to pluck a few orchids screamed in horror when they realized what they were touching. In disgust, they tossed the flowers away and tried to rub their hands clean, faces scrunched as though they might vomit.
None had predicted their journey would bring such a disgusting mishap so soon. The two most unfortunate souls were trembling with rage, on the verge of breaking down.
Then a deep, threatening voice rolled across the clearing.
“How dare you step on my herb field, steal my spiritual grass, and ruin my land? You won’t get away with this!”
All eyes flew to the far side, where a gigantic dung beetle was pushing a massive dirt ball toward them. It was easily twice the size of a dining table, its dark, metallic-black shell gleaming ominously. Sharp legs cut through the underbrush like knives.
Gan Jin Cheng tried to stay calm. “We apologize. There’s been a misunderstanding. We’ll leave now.”
“A misunderstanding?” The beetle’s roar was furious. “I spent five years raising that patch, and you wrecked it in seconds. I’ll tear you apart!”
The creature’s wings snapped open with a terrifying click, launching it forward in a blur of black light. It was immediately obvious there would be no peaceful resolution. The Plateau Demon had found the perfect excuse to attack.
The first clash was brutal. The two people coated in muck were caught off-guard and torn apart in a spray of blood. Shrieks of horror and disbelief echoed through the group.
They soon realized the black armor of the beetle was stronger than iron, and it struck with crushing force. The hum of its wings rose to a piercing wail. Before long, seven more beetles charged in. Each shell glistened like black gold, displaying the same frightening power.
Zhao Mu Yao shouted, “Teams, pair off! Everyone else, provide backup!”
“Hold steady!” Wang Li Jie urged. “They’ve set an ambush! They’re strong, but not unstoppable. We can fight back!”
With that, the different teams gathered their courage, energy flaring as they activated their spiritual tools. Sparks flew and energy beams lit the woods, like a burst of falling stars.
Qin Ming, watching from the side, murmured to Wu Xiao, “This Secret Realm is a lot nastier than I thought.”
Wu Xiao grimaced. “Tell me about it. Where’s the heavenly adventure when there are dung beetles the size of horses? And they stink!”
Their grumbling earned them a few sharp looks, especially from Jiang Ruo Li and Zhao Mu Yao, who had envisioned something far more enchanting. Someone in charge snapped, “If you’re not going to help, zip it!”
“Okay, okay,” Wu Xiao sighed. “But I stand by what I said—this is disgusting.”
The fight grew fiercer. Spiritual attacks rained down, and soon several beetles lay lifeless. Relief washed over them—until they heard a bone-chilling screech. A silver beetle emerged, smaller than the others but astonishingly swift and powerful. It darted through the crowd, taking five lives before anyone could react.
“It’s mutated—one step away from becoming a Holy Beetle!” cried a trembling voice.
The silver beetle locked onto Liu Han Ya’s group, moving so fast it blurred. Its claws raked across Liu Han Ya’s protective weapon, leaving deep scars that nearly drew blood. The others quickly sprang into action—one moment’s delay would mean certain death.
The silver beetle swooped again. Liu Han Ya leaped backward, raising her spiritual artifact, which shattered against the beetle’s ruthless hit. The armor on her shoulder broke as well, revealing another layer beneath, or she’d have lost her arm.
Many onlookers went pale. Liu Han Ya was known to be exceptionally talented, already favored by an elder from the Secret Sect. Watching her nearly fall shook everyone to the core.
Yet Wu Xiao, despite his sharp tongue, was not one to stand by. He hurled one of the iron spears strapped to his back, catching the silver beetle mid-dive. It fluttered in midair, rattled by the sudden impact.
Wu Xiao hurled another spear without waiting.
Simultaneously, Qin Ming acted. Fully aware of the danger, he launched an iron hammer at the creature. Others joined in, flinging their spiritual tools in one coordinated attack.
With a thunderous crash, the silver beetle was destroyed, shards of its shell scattering in the wind.
Liu Han Ya, breathing hard, clearly understood what had just happened. Many had contributed, but it was the power of Wu Xiao’s spears and Qin Ming’s hammer that truly decided the fight.
“Thank you,” she whispered, approaching them with a mix of gratitude and remorse for her earlier harsh attitude.
“Don’t sweat it,” Wu Xiao replied airily, “Mountain and River Number Two.” He then turned away, leaving Liu Han Ya stunned by his casual tone.
Qin Ming offered a more reassuring smile. “We’re all in this together. I’m just glad you’re safe.”
She nodded quietly, repeating, “Thank you.”
In the end, the beetles were vanquished, but the price was high—seven people gone, leaving the survivors shaken. Now more than ever, the group was reluctant to split up. The once-dismissive teams eyed Qin Ming and Wu Xiao with newfound respect, and Liu Han Ya felt certain their abilities were far beyond what she had assumed.
As they pushed on, Gan Jin Cheng frowned. “So… what exactly is so special about this place? Where’s the wonder our elder hinted at?”
After traveling another ten miles without new dangers or discoveries, tension tightened its grip on the party.
Jiang Ruo Li spoke thoughtfully. “The elder’s words were clear: this realm requires spiritual insight. If your consciousness isn’t developed, it’s unlikely you’ll notice anything. Let’s focus on using Divine Wisdom and Consciousness Aura.”
Heeding her advice, nearly everyone except the newly awakened circulated their spiritual awareness. Before long, about two miles farther, they perceived subtle shifts in the surroundings. A strange yet gentle energy filled the air, and soon, faint sounds drifted toward them: a dog barking, then the call of a rooster. They were ordinary, homely noises—unlikely in a place like this.
For many, it felt eerie. Such sounds did not belong here. Those without awakened senses—newcomers or those who hadn’t activated their spiritual consciousness—only saw towering old trees and dense shrubs. They heard nothing out of the ordinary.
“Could there be a near-immortal being, or maybe a Pseudo-God Creature?” someone whispered in a shaky voice.
A shocking sight came into view: a simple cottage stood in the forest’s depths, complete with a stone table. Bamboo scrolls were stacked neatly on top, and a delicate fragrance of tea floated by. Seated there was a woman of astonishing beauty—her cascading hair brushed over the bamboo scrolls and glowed faintly as if infused with starlight. She paused as though hearing a distant call, then rose onto a cloud of colorful mist and flew away.
“She’s gone. And she left that tea behind—could it be Immortal Tea that grants enlightenment? And those bamboo scrolls…”
Excitement warred with uncertainty. The whole scene felt like a dream come to life.
“Is this the opportunity the elder was talking about?” someone mumbled. “This isn’t ordinary.”
Far off, Xiang Yi Wu stumbled upon a half-ruined temple where a giant golden cicada, wrapped in flames, stared back at him with unblinking eyes.
In another direction, a hulking monk from the Rulai Disciple School heard cicadas shrieking and nearly jumped out of his skin. He coughed up blood, staggering backward in alarm.
Elsewhere, Li Qing Yue, her silver hair flowing like a moonlit river, walked a winding path of black and white stones. In her hand was an octagonal bronze lamp, casting a mysterious glow. She followed its light to a grand palace inscribed with the Bagua symbol.
Meanwhile, Cui Chong He, clutching a sword that shimmered with nine colors, hacked through the thick foliage and stepped onto a green stone staircase spiraling upward toward the clouds.
“Look! She’s back,” someone whispered. “Does she see us?”
The group watched, hearts fluttering. Were these people real or only illusions from ages past? Drawn by curiosity, they moved closer.
“Hey, did you see that?” Wu Xiao muttered.
“Yeah,” Qin Ming replied softly.
Wu Xiao’s voice dropped lower. “It’s like we’re peering into another reality. But it doesn’t feel fake. I swear I can smell that tea. Think it’s safe to drink?”
Qin Ming nodded thoughtfully. “The aroma’s almost… irresistible. And look at those bamboo scrolls. They might be even more valuable.”
As they approached, more details emerged: an elderly couple, a child, a young couple—possibly the family of that beautiful woman. A second house, sturdier and tiled with blue bricks, stood nearby. A yellow dog wagged its tail; hens pecked at the dirt. The scene was tranquil and ordinary, yet oddly enchanting.
Time appeared to leap forward. The elders aged, the youth grew up, and still the ethereal woman stayed the same. Finally, she rose from her stone seat, her entire form bursting with radiant light that spilled over her family and everything around them, lifting them into the sky.
“It’s like a story,” someone murmured. “She’s ascending to immortality and bringing her loved ones, even the animals, with her.”
But the ending was far from blissful.
As the radiant glow carried them heavenward, the family burst into flames. Their bodies disintegrated into ash, and the faint glimmers of their spirits drifted apart like dying embers. Everyone and everything vanished.
All that remained were ruins: a burned cottage, the tiled house collapsed. A handful of bamboo scrolls survived. The teapot and cups alone seemed untouched, resting silently on a battered stone table. A gentle breeze stirred the ash, and the bamboo shoots swayed among wisps of mist and drifting clouds. It was as if the world itself was telling a cautionary tale: the path to near-immortality was fraught with peril. Even someone so powerful had failed, taking her entire family into destruction.
The scene lingered like a ghostly reminder—a desolate courtyard with a lonely tea set, abandoned through countless ages.
Unable to hold back, one of the group inched forward to see if it was real. But the instant he stepped closer, he clutched his head in pain as his Consciousness Aura began to flicker and fail. He couldn’t approach.
Panting, he retreated, only to find the vision had vanished completely from his senses. No matter how he reached out with his awareness, he couldn’t see or feel the scene again.
“Did I do something wrong?” he muttered. Regaining his composure, he tried again. This time, he was able to walk physically through that area—yet felt nothing. To everyone else, he looked like a shadow wandering among ordinary vines and undergrowth, utterly detached from the mysterious sight.
“I’ll go!” volunteered someone else. He, too, cried out in agony. One person attempted to project only his Consciousness Aura while staying still, only to be hurled back as though struck by some overwhelming force from beyond the sky. He sat trembling for a long time, his soul battered by what felt like celestial light.
“It was unbearable!” he panted. “Like being slammed by something divine.”
One by one, Lin Qian Yi, Wang Li Jie, Gan Jin Cheng, Jiang Ruo Li, and Zhao Mu Yao all attempted to step into the courtyard. Each came back pale and shaken.
Lu Dao of the Pure Yang Physique managed to endure the crushing weight and heard faint whispers—but eventually, he, too, had to withdraw. “I’m not meant for this place,” he admitted.
Others—Ling Yu, Xin You Dao—did make it past the first threshold, but when they emerged, their faces were drawn with frustration. It seemed none of them truly succeeded.
Before long, everyone who could try had tried, except for the newly awakened. All failed in one way or another.
Luo Ji Qing, the “Immortal Flower” of the Flying Immortal Academy, spoke in a serene voice. “There’s no need to worry. There will be other visions, and each of us will find the one meant for us.”
Her words offered comfort, and the group nodded, regaining some hope.
“Why don’t you two have a go?” Liu Han Ya said quietly, glancing at Qin Ming and Wu Xiao. “Aren’t you a dual-path cultivator, Wu Yao Zu?”
“Brother, let’s do it!” Wu Xiao said, eyes lighting up.
“Sure,” Qin Ming replied, sounding calm yet determined.
They walked forward. At first, it was much like the others’ attempts: waves of pressure pressed down on them, forcing out low groans. But they continued.
“Wait, one of them is a dual-path cultivator, but the other one’s barely awakened,” someone scoffed. “They’re just making a show.”
Indeed, for everyone else, the lovely ruin—the courtyard, stone table, and tea set—had vanished. Nobody could see anything but towering ancient trees.
“They’re faking it,” Zhao Mu Yao muttered disapprovingly.
Yet Qin Ming and Wu Xiao strode onward, forcing their way through the invisible pressure, soon standing in what seemed like the heart of the courtyard.
“They’re pretending,” Xiao Ya Qin agreed. “No way they’re actually where the near-immortal’s cottage was.”
“Pure Yang Number Two, Calamity-Avoidance Number Two, hush,” Wu Xiao called back, grinning casually. His jibe made Zhao Mu Yao and Xiao Ya Qin glare furiously.
Inside the courtyard, Qin Ming and Wu Xiao heard a soft sigh, like a distant woman’s voice. “This path isn’t yours,” it whispered kindly. “Turn back before it’s too late.”
But they ignored it, continuing to look around. At once, a swirl of colorful clouds surged toward them, trying to push them out. They braced themselves like rooted trees.
“She’s already gone,” Wu Xiao said under his breath. “She can’t keep us out.”
Qin Ming approached the stone table. He lifted the teapot and gently shook it. He froze, hearing the distinct slosh of liquid within.
“Think it’s safe?” Wu Xiao asked, stepping closer.
Qin Ming’s voice was clear but quietly excited. “Yeah, I think so. Smells incredible.”
Outside, a few onlookers sneered. “They’re really hamming it up.”
Wang Li Jie rolled his eyes. “They even have the nerve to pretend they’re pouring tea.”
But Qin Ming calmly poured the tea into a cup. The amber fluid barely filled it to an inch from the bottom, glowing softly like liquid crystals. Its aroma somehow resonated with the very core of his spirit.
“I’ll test it first,” Wu Xiao declared boldly. He took a tiny sip, then set the cup down, his eyes wide. “Wow… that’s amazing. I feel like my head is spinning, but in a good way.”
It was more a rush of enlightenment than drunkenness, a moment of deep clarity.
Qin Ming tried it as well. Instantly, his thoughts sharpened, and a wave of insight washed over him. He nearly dropped to the ground to meditate on the spot.
“They’re overdoing it,” Lin Qian Yi muttered outside.
Meanwhile, Qin Ming’s gaze turned to the bamboo scrolls stacked on the table. He lifted one gently, and the intricate symbols and diagrams made his heart pound.
“This… is beyond anything I’ve ever seen,” he breathed.
Wu Xiao picked up another fragment and trembled with excitement. “No way… is this for real? It’s like a treasure left behind by the ancients!”
Both were clearly overwhelmed. The tea and the scrolls seemed to weave together into a single, profound message. Qin Ming closed his eyes for a moment, letting the insight flow through him, then examined the scrolls again, each glance deepening his understanding.
This realm was indeed extraordinary.