Chapter 70: From the Mountain Depths to the City’s Fragrance
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
The Drunken Glow Tavern was bustling with life, every table occupied. Discussions about the Thunderfire Refinement Temple were the hottest topic, captivating nearly every Awakener in the room.
After all, the time was drawing near—less than half a month remained, and it would pass in the blink of an eye.
“I can’t wait for the snow to melt, spring thunder to rumble, and trees to bud again,” declared Old Zhao, his voice filled with resolve. “This year, I’m going all in. I’m seventy-two already. Dying there wouldn’t be a regret. But if I succeed in forging my Thunderfire Body, I’ll live a second spring!”
“Here’s to you, Old Zhao! May you flourish like a tree reborn and, with the blessing of the Thunderfire Celestial Light, gain a new lease on life—and maybe even another child next year!”
“Now you’re tempting me!” someone else chimed in. “Life only gives us so many chances. Thirty years from now, when I’m seventy-two, I’ll step into the Thunderfire Refinement Temple and take my shot!”
Qin Ming glanced around, noticing the demographics in the tavern. Most of the Awakeners were in their prime years, though there was also a significant number of elderly individuals. However, people like him and Wu Zheng, both under twenty, were a rare sight.
Xu Sheng, seated beside him, leaned closer and explained, “Most of the Awakeners who come here are ‘wild ones.’ They haven’t joined local factions or sects, and they’re not nobles, either.”
Of course, becoming an Awakener wasn’t something just anyone could achieve. Among these people were some formidable figures with considerable influence. When faced with challenging mutated creatures, they could rally large groups to venture into the mountains.
Curious, Qin Ming asked, “Brother Xu, what level of Awakener can enter the Thunderfire Refinement Temple?”
Clearly, the more times someone had undergone Awakening, the better their chances of surviving the temple’s celestial light.
“Anyone can go in,” Xu Sheng began, “but usually, if it’s your first Awakening, enduring a single strike of Thunderfire Celestial Light in the Copper Hall is enough. Those seeking a second Awakening might handle two strikes. But if you try to take on more than your limits…”
He paused, letting his words hang in the air before continuing grimly. “Even if people outside the hall are ready to pull you out with ropes, it won’t matter much. The only difference is whether your body is left intact or charred beyond recognition. Either way, you’re dead.”
Qin Ming frowned thoughtfully. For his goals, he would likely need to endure four strikes of celestial light.
Wu Zheng shook his head with a wry smile. “Looks like I’ll wait until I’m seventy or eighty to give it a shot.”
Xu Sheng chuckled. “Makes sense! I’ll wait until I’m a hundred.”
Qin Ming asked, “If someone survives the celestial light once, can they return for more? Would it still work?”
Xu Sheng smirked. “Getting through once is already a divine favor. Thinking about a second time, are we? Funny thing is, there actually was someone like that.”
He paused, recollecting. “Decades ago, a young man survived the celestial light two years in a row. By the third year, he got cocky and tried again, thinking he could handle it. He didn’t make it.”
According to Xu Sheng, the young man was remarkable. His physique was extraordinary, and his Awakening Method came from a rare, treasured manual. At advanced levels, his fists could generate lightning.
Wu Zheng gasped. “Now my family’s Dual Mastery of Spear and Bow manual feels a lot less impressive.”
“I know, right?” Xu Sheng agreed with a wistful tone. “That kind of secret manual isn’t just rare—it grants unique abilities, and it’s tied to lightning itself. No wonder he dared to try.”
Qin Ming’s imagination raced. Top-tier inheritances like that were the stuff of dreams, undoubtedly hoarded by powerful sects and secretive organizations.
Xu Sheng continued, “A hundred years ago, there was an even bolder man. He survived the Spring Thunder twice but then decided to challenge the violent Summer Thunder. He managed to crawl out of the Golden Hall, but the celestial light had eaten away at him. His head turned crimson, and soon after, his brain was cooked.”
Just then, a middle-aged man burst into the tavern, panting as he delivered urgent news. “Brothers! Something’s happened in the mountains! Over at Firecloud Ridge, a five-time mutated spiritual creature has appeared. Boss Liang Yu Kang is leading a hunt, but they’ve suffered heavy losses and are barely holding on. They’re asking for help—anyone who pitches in gets a share!”
“Firecloud Ridge?” someone exclaimed. “That’s the territory of the Firefeather Lark! They’re crazy to go there!”
“No, no,” the man clarified. “It’s in the forest outside Firecloud Ridge, within the hunting zone.”
“Let’s go!”
With a collective clatter, many Awakeners leaped up from their tables, eager to seize the opportunity.
Xu Sheng remarked, “Liang Yu Kang and his crew have a decent reputation.”
Qin Ming’s eyes lit up. “Should we join the fun?”
Xu Sheng chuckled. “You’re awfully eager, aren’t you? We haven’t even found an inn or unpacked, and you’re already raring to head into the deep mountains?”
Despite his words, Xu Sheng’s interest was piqued. “How many times have you undergone Awakening?”
“Twice,” Qin Ming replied, keeping some details to himself.
Xu Sheng nodded. “Alright, just stick to the sidelines and observe. Even if that creature is on the verge of death, don’t get too close.”
Wu Zheng felt the excitement too but knew his limits. Having only undergone one Awakening, he wasn’t even qualified to watch.
A large group set out through the city’s northern gate, trudging through snow that reached their knees. They quickly entered the forested mountains.
The night was shallow, and though the bright lights of Red Glow City illuminated the horizon, the mountain woods were cloaked in shadows. The group adjusted to the darkness before picking up their pace.
At the edge of Firecloud Ridge, a massive, green bull, its body glowing with firelight, rampaged in fury. Its injuries were severe, but it was still dangerously powerful.
“So it’s this old bull,” someone muttered. “I heard it’s killed over a dozen Awakeners recently, trampling them into pulp.”
“Killing it tonight would rid us of a menace!”
Many spoke boldly but hesitated to act, waiting for others to make the first move.
“It’s enormous—easily over a thousand pounds. There’s enough blood and meat to share. Let’s all attack together before we attract other monsters!” someone urged.
With a deafening crash, the bull smashed through an ancient tree as thick as several men’s arms. Its eyes burned red as it impaled another Awakener on its horns.
“Not bad for a spiritual creature. It’s got over a dozen iron spears stuck in it and still won’t go down. It’s only getting angrier.”
“Brothers!” Liang Yu Kang called out, his voice strained but commanding. His fine metal armor was in tatters, and a deep gash ran along his arm. “Strike now, and you’ll get a share of the bull’s blood and meat. If you wait until it falls, you won’t qualify!”
The sight of the heavily injured bull, coupled with the promise of spoils, spurred many into action. They couldn’t resist the opportunity. Perhaps the mighty creature would fall in the next moment.
Amid the chaotic forest, spears and arrows flew through the air. Some daring experts attempted to close in on the creature.
“Thwack!”
From a distance, Qin Ming drew his bow and released an arrow that struck the corner of the blue bull’s eye. Its hide was thick, and the arrowhead only penetrated shallowly, but it hit a vulnerable spot. Nearly piercing the eyeball, the arrow caused the beast to let out a deafening roar as blood streamed into its eye, blurring its vision.
“Attack now! Its left eye is blinded by blood—this is our chance to take it down!” Qin Ming shouted.
“Remember, this arrow was my brother Qin’s shot! Make sure he gets an extra portion of beef!” Xu Sheng called out as he rushed forward.
“Thwack!”
The final blow came when Liang Yu Kang stepped forward and decapitated the massive bull with a dazzling slash of his gleaming long blade. The bull’s enormous head hit the ground with a dull thud, and its thousands-of-pounds-heavy body collapsed, causing the snowy forest floor to quake. The surrounding snow turned crimson with its blood.
Panting heavily, Liang Yu Kang stood amidst the carnage, his bright long blade dripping with the bull’s blood. His battered armor and wild hair gave him an imposing and fearsome presence.
“Line up for the meat! Everyone gets a share, no fighting! If anyone dares to snatch more, my blade won’t just be used on mutated creatures!” he bellowed.
“Boss Liang is really generous. There’s enough meat for everyone—no need to fight,” someone remarked, and laughter echoed through the forest.
Soon, the once-quiet woodland was alive with chatter and celebration. Even those who had arrived late, contributing little to the battle, were delighted to receive their share.
Half an hour later, the blue bull had been entirely butchered and divided. Some couldn’t wait and began roasting their portions on the spot.
“What’s going on? The beef looks pristine and translucent, but once cooked, it seems to lack any spiritual energy. What’s the deal?” someone exclaimed.
“We’ve been tricked! The essence of this bull was in its bezoar—Boss Liang must have pocketed it!” another accused.
“Where is Liang Yu Kang?”
“He claimed he was injured and left half an hour ago,” someone muttered.
The forest erupted with outrage as the group realized the betrayal. Even Qin Ming couldn’t help but curse under his breath. That day, a large mob of furious people stormed back to Red Glow City, shouting all the way to Liang Yu Kang’s residence. But when they arrived, he was nowhere to be found—he had fled entirely.
The anger among the group was palpable, especially from those who had initially joined Liang Yu Kang’s expedition. Many had suffered severe injuries in the battle, only to discover that he had absconded with the bull’s spiritual essence. Worse yet, some among them had lost comrades in the fight.
For the rest of the day, the city buzzed with gossip. Liang Yu Kang, once known for his righteousness, saw his reputation crumble in a single act of betrayal.
That evening, Qin Ming and Wu Zheng stayed at an inn. Qin Ming roasted his share of the blue bull’s meat and invited Wu Zheng to try it.
“It’s not bad, but Liang Yu Kang was such a scoundrel,” Qin Ming said, shaking his head.
Xu Sheng joined them with a jug of wine. Sighing, he said, “For the sake of higher awakenings and rebirths, fathers and sons have turned against each other, and even spouses have betrayed one another. Anything can happen—stay on guard.”
The next day, Xu Sheng led another expedition into the mountains. He had received word from his mentor, an old traveling merchant, about a group of white apes guarding a patch of spiritual snow lotuses deep in the forest.
“Unfortunately, only one remains. The others matured and were eaten by the apes,” Xu Sheng lamented.
“A single snow lotus can spark a fourth awakening—it’s incredibly valuable!” said a woman Xu Sheng had invited, her fiery gaze revealing her eagerness.
Their plan was simple but risky: trigger an avalanche to scare off the apes and seize the lotus. They succeeded in scaring the creatures away, but just as they moved to collect the lotus, a gray-cloaked figure appeared. Moving with lightning speed, the stranger snatched the translucent snow lotus and vanished into the mountains.
Xu Sheng was livid. “I put this group together the moment I got the news, and now we’ve been robbed!”
Qin Ming’s frustration was equally palpable. Though the single lotus wouldn’t have been enough to trigger his fourth awakening, the sheer indignity of being outmaneuvered made him wish he could smash the thief’s face in.
“Just let me find out who you are!” he muttered darkly.
Even the woman couldn’t hold back her anger, swearing loudly as they returned to the city in defeat.
Qin Ming sighed. Life in Red Glow City wasn’t easy. The awakened here were deceitful and ruthless.
“At the end of the day, my strength just isn’t enough. Spring Thunder, hurry and arrive,” he whispered.
A few days later, a remarkable phenomenon began near the city. The fire springs beneath the earth started to revive, sending shimmering light and warmth through the forest. Snow melted, revealing vibrant landscapes, and nobles poured out of the city to admire the scenery.
“Spring seems early this year,” Xu Sheng observed.
“Xu Sheng, take me to the Thunderfire Refinement Temple on Red Glow Mountain. I want to scout the place before Spring Thunder arrives,” Qin Ming said.
“I’m coming too. I want to see the golden temple for myself,” Wu Zheng added. But soon, he regretted the decision.
As they reached Red Glow Mountain, the throngs of people were overwhelming. Nobles, commoners, and entire families surged toward the mountain, eager to enjoy the seasonal sights. Even noble carriages were useless against the sea of humanity. Many noblewomen, forced to dismount and walk, found themselves jostled and disheveled, their hairpins knocked loose as they shrieked in frustration.
Qin Ming was swept up by the crowd, barely catching glimpses of the mountain’s beauty. By the time he reached the Thunderfire Refinement Temple, he hadn’t even gotten a clear view of its grand exterior.
Wu Zheng, missing one shoe, grumbled, “I didn’t even see the temple’s outside before I was shoved inside!”
“Same here,” Qin Ming admitted, though once inside, his attention was captured. The ancient temple radiated an intense aura, and as Qin Ming placed his hand on the wall, a surge of emotion overwhelmed him.
“Boom!”
The sensation nearly knocked him off his feet. He steadied himself, stunned by the realization—this ancient temple could resonate with his spirit.