Chapter 69: Full of Anticipation
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
“I am no longer Cui Chong He. That part of my life is over!”
Qin Ming pulled himself out of the fragmented memories of his past, his sharp eyes gleaming with a fiery radiance. His entire being exuded vitality and determination.
He was Qin Ming now. There was no returning to what once was. What needed severing, he had severed. What needed leaving behind, he had left. He no longer expected every acquaintance from the past to recognize him or rekindle old bonds.
Once, the terrifying strength of a Millennial Clan had illuminated Cui Chong He. But now, he walked his own path, leaving footprints that carried the brilliance of his own making. Only through his efforts could he truly achieve greatness.
“This place was chosen to build a city for a reason,” Qin Ming muttered as he surveyed the snowy landscape. The snow in the forest barely reached his knees—a stark contrast to the usual waist-deep snowfalls in the Black and White Mountains during the past two years.
Behind Red Glow City stood towering, majestic mountains. These peaks housed many dangerous aberrations, which also meant they were rich in spiritual materials. On the other side of the city stretched vast plains dotted with patches of fiery-red farmland. A mighty river flowed past the city gates, connecting to distant lands. When the ice melted in early spring, large cargo ships would traverse its waters, bringing bustling trade.
The city’s walls, built of blue stone, stood tall and sturdy. The grand gatehouse ahead was manned by armored soldiers wielding long halberds that gleamed coldly under the sun. Streams of people, carts, and horses poured in and out of the gates, creating a vibrant scene.
When Qin Ming entered the city, he encountered little scrutiny. The city’s openness was apparent, with merchants from the north and south mingling freely. The streets were paved with blue stone, free from any snow, swept clean to perfection.
As soon as he stepped into Red Glow City, the lively hum of voices hit his ears. Compared to Silver Vine Town, the city was bursting with life—crowds thronged the streets, shoulder to shoulder.
Qin Ming strolled along the bustling avenue, pausing occasionally to examine the dazzling array of goods displayed in the shops lining the road.
“Child, do you dream of becoming a renowned master in the Endless Night World? Well, perhaps that goal is a bit ambitious. Do you wish to join one of the great sects, become a member of the Secret Sect, or be chosen by the People Beyond the Boundaries? Perhaps you’d like to study at the prestigious academies of the great cities? The golden paths of opportunity lie ahead, but preparation begins now! Come, let your mother buy you a secret manual to start your journey!”
Even Qin Ming couldn’t help but feel a flicker of interest. Nearby children and youths were being drawn into an old bookstore, their curiosity piqued by such promises.
One title, The Great Sun Visualization Technique, caught his eye. The name alone radiated significance.
“Apologies, esteemed guest. This is a rare secret text, more valuable than even high-level meditation techniques. However, it is notoriously difficult to master. The prerequisite is proficiency in Blazing Embers Meditation Technique. Please, follow me to see the introductory chapters of Blazing Embers first…”
Hearing this, Qin Ming waved off the shopkeeper and quickly left. These printed books, though fragrant with the scent of fresh ink, were the most basic forms of the Awakening Method. They lacked the depth of ancient tomes imbued with the wisdom of their predecessors.
He realized this shop wasn’t the right place. Somewhere, there had to be an old establishment selling genuine rare editions.
Still, books weren’t his priority. What he craved most was spiritual material. He was desperate for a fourth Awakening, eager to recover his lost memories and unravel the mysteries of his past.
To his surprise, there were indeed shops selling spiritual materials. One particularly grand building, five stories high, stood in the heart of a bustling district.
However, upon entering, Qin Ming swiftly left again. The cost of materials for an initial Awakening alone would drain most of his precious Daylight Gold. As for the fourth Awakening, it was utterly out of reach. The shopkeeper hinted that higher-tier spiritual materials were often out of stock—no amount of gold could guarantee their purchase.
As he wandered the city, Qin Ming gradually pieced together its layout. Red Glow City had a primary Fourth-Level Fire Spring, whose fiery liquid flowed throughout the streets even in winter, illuminating the city with a warm glow. In addition, smaller first- and second-level Fire Springs were scattered across the city, further enhancing its brightness.
Qin Ming deliberately sought out crowded areas, immersing himself in the city’s bustling life. It was the best way to truly understand a place.
“Young master, walk safely. Come earlier next time!”
“Young master, please, head upstairs!”
Qin Ming suddenly stopped in his tracks. Where had he wandered into?
The street was teeming with men, and the elegant pavilions above echoed with the soft strains of music.
“Qin! Brother Qin! I can’t believe I’d run into you here!”
A loud shout broke the air. Qin Ming turned, horrified, as many heads turned to stare at him. For the first time, he wanted to vanish on the spot.
He realized where he was—this was undoubtedly one of Old Wu’s infamous haunts!
And that voice—Wu Zhen, Old Wu’s grandson, was yelling his name in public!
“Brother Qin! What a joy to meet a familiar face in a foreign place! You’re safe, thank goodness. I’m so glad you made it to Red Glow City in one piece.” Seventeen-year-old Wu Zhen approached with a broad grin, his enthusiasm spilling over.
“Why wouldn’t I be safe? That day, it was just an old acquaintance of mine,” Qin Ming replied, though a strange expression crossed his face. He couldn’t help but marvel at the hereditary nature of Wu Zhen’s family traits.
He had no idea if Wu Zhen had inherited the family’s legendary talent for Dual Mastery of Spear and Bow, but in terms of flamboyance, he was clearly his grandfather’s match. How else would he already know his way around this part of the city?
“You came here to broaden your horizons, right? You should spend your money wisely and focus on improving your skills. That’s the real path to success,” Qin Ming advised.
Wu Zhen shook his head. “Brother Qin, you’ve misunderstood me! I’m only here to listen to the music. This has nothing to do with… uh… anything else.”
Seeing the skepticism in Qin Ming’s eyes, Wu Zhen grew flustered. “I swear it’s true! Many skilled hunters who venture out to kill aberrations come here afterward. They drink, listen to music, and share stories about the terrifying creatures in the mountains. They also discuss how to hunt them and acquire spiritual materials. I’m here for valuable information, nothing more!”
“Is that so?” Qin Ming’s interest was piqued.
Wu Zheng remarked, “If you don’t believe me, just ask Brother Xu later—yes, Xu Sheng, the traveling merchant who brought us to Red Glow City. He’s switched careers and decided to become a free-spirited spiritual hunter. On his last journey, he was scared half to death by a female aberration in his group.”
Earlier, Qin Ming had been gently advising Wu Zheng not to linger in places like this. Yet, not even half an hour later, he found himself accompanying Wu Zheng into the Drunken Glow Tower.
The establishment lived up to its reputation as a place for drinking and listening to music. Fragrant mist curled in the air, and behind beaded curtains, a skilled musician played a guqin, the crisp notes reverberating softly like tinkling water.
The spacious hall was filled with tables, every seat taken by Awakeners. They drank and chatted animatedly, the room alive with laughter and discussions. At some point, this place had become a hub for exchanging news, much to the owner’s chagrin. Still, as long as the business thrived, they didn’t mind.
Qin Ming and Wu Zheng found an empty table and sat down, immediately immersed in the lively conversations around them.
“Have you heard?” someone said. “On Red Glow Mountain, a six-time mutated mountain beast has appeared. No one knows its original form, but its strength is far above its level—probably a spiritual creature. Anyone interested in teaming up to hunt it?”
“Are you mad?” another voice retorted. “A spiritual creature’s power typically exceeds its mutation level by an entire tier. That thing could rival a seven-time mutated being!”
Qin Ming listened intently. He was glad he had come—this kind of gathering allowed him to quickly grasp the situation in the mountain ranges.
Just then, Xu Sheng arrived. Spotting Qin Ming, he greeted him warmly. “Little Brother Qin! I’m so glad you’re safe. You know, on the last trip I led, no one died! Everyone made it to Red Glow City in one piece. Ha!”
“Brother Xu, your neck…” Qin Ming pointed at a scar that had healed over the past ten days.
Xu Sheng downed a cup of wine and waved dismissively. “Don’t bring it up. A high-level aberration’s offspring was allowed into the city with permission from the Red Glow City leadership. But the creature was so timid—it clung to me at the slightest noise, clawing at my neck. And wouldn’t you know it, it was an experienced Awakener. I couldn’t resist and ended up passing out once. That was the last straw. I’m done being a traveling merchant!”
Clinking cups with him, Qin Ming said, “Good decision. Otherwise, traveling so much at night, who knows when something terrible might have happened.”
Xu Sheng nodded vigorously. “Exactly! Let me tell you, some of the old merchants in this business… they aren’t even human anymore. Over the years, they’ve been quietly replaced by unknown creatures. This trade is full of terrifying tales—I’ve wanted out for a long time!”
Wu Zheng raised his cup, laughing. “A toast to Brother Xu’s career change! From now on, I’ll be sticking with you in Red Glow City. You’re a master—take me under your wing!”
Nearby, another table erupted into a heated discussion about the Thunderfire Refinement Temple, drawing everyone’s attention. Qin Ming’s ears perked up as they mentioned a rare spiritual material.
“In just two weeks, the ice and snow will melt. Spring thunder will rumble, and everything will awaken. I wonder what the Thunderfire Refinement Temple on Red Glow Mountain will bring this year. How many people will dare face death to channel the thunderlight into their bodies?”
“Every year, people die. Lucky ones are so rare!”
Intrigued, Qin Ming turned to Xu Sheng. “Brother Xu, what’s this Thunderfire Refinement Temple?”
Xu Sheng, a steady man in his early thirties, immediately cautioned him. “Qin, you’re curious about that place? It offers opportunities, yes, but it’s far too dangerous. Every year, some Awakeners die there. I urge you to think carefully.”
He explained that only a handful of people ever succeeded in seizing its fortune, and even then, it was all down to sheer luck—one success every few years, at best.
Qin Ming nodded thoughtfully. “I’m just curious. I’ve never heard of it before and wanted to understand. If it’s really that perilous, I wouldn’t just rush in blindly.”
“Come on, Brother Xu, spill the details!” Wu Zheng urged.
Xu Sheng relented. “Fine. The Thunderfire Refinement Temple is on Red Glow Mountain, just outside the city. It’s said to be at least a thousand years old—a unique structure made primarily of copper mother, mixed with rare metals.”
He described how, during thunderstorms, the temple became a spectacle of rolling lightning fireballs and intertwining arcs of electricity.
“When lightning strikes, fragments of celestial light fall with it. Spring thunder is particularly unique, carrying the essence of renewal. This fusion of lightning and celestial light can create a rare spiritual material. Every spring, when the first thunder rolls, countless Awakeners flock to the temple, hoping to absorb this mixture to trigger a powerful transformation and achieve a new awakening.”
Qin Ming was captivated, his interest growing with every word.
Xu Sheng, however, warned sternly, “Even though the copper temple weakens the lightning’s intensity, the celestial light is the real danger. Few can survive being engulfed by it. It’s far more potent than the light found on the peaks of Black and White Mountain. Don’t even think about trying!”
But Qin Ming was undeterred. If the temple could neutralize the lightning, he had nothing to fear. He could endure celestial light—he had survived stronger concentrations of it before. Unlike others who depended on luck to survive, Qin Ming believed his strength could earn him a transformation.
“By my calculations, the first spring thunder isn’t far off,” he mused, anticipation gleaming in his eyes. “A bit of rest, and the time will come.”