Chapter 96: Heading Towards the Beyond
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
“If the Mountain Lord falls in battle, we’ll both have to go our separate ways. Wait—has the Golden Armor Protector already been beheaded?” The Talking Sparrow widened its black gem-like eyes.
It squawked excitedly, “The Mountain Lord’s brilliance lights up the Dark Desert today! That was a blade that severed a saint!”
The Red Eagle, silent as always, seemed ready to protest if it could, thinking: What’s all this noise about? You were the one ready to flee just moments ago!
Meanwhile, Qin Ming sat up slowly. His mouth was full of blood, his internal organs ached like they’d been torn apart, and his hands were swollen to the size of bear paws. Deep gashes exposed the white of his finger bones. Despite the searing pain all over his body, a faint smile played on his lips—his spirit was brimming with satisfaction. He wiped the blood from his lips and forced himself to stand.
“Red Eagle, take me away!” His voice was urgent. There was no time to rest. If more pursuers came, this would surely be his end.
He muttered under his breath, “To those in the Beyond and certain old acquaintances… I’ll remember this debt!”
His legs trembled as he walked; the flesh on his feet was shredded, and the bones beneath likely fractured. But Qin Ming pushed through the pain.
“The Mountain Lord—truly worthy of a godlike presence!” the Talking Sparrow swooped down, its voice full of both flattery and genuine awe.
Having witnessed Qin Ming’s journey closely, it couldn’t believe its eyes. Barely two or three months ago, this young man had embarked on the Awakening Path, struggling for survival in the mountains. And now, he had killed a saint!
Though his opponent may have been a newly ascended saint with shallow foundations, a kill was still a kill—an undeniable achievement. The Talking Sparrow couldn’t hide its admiration.
Practical as always, Qin Ming searched the Golden Armor Protector’s body and pocketed some Daylight Gold. Then he climbed onto the Red Eagle’s back, exhausted, as the mighty bird soared into the Night Fog.
Bloodied and drained, Qin Ming lacked even the strength to stand against the rushing wind. Lying on the Red Eagle’s back, he activated the Awakening Method from his Silk Script, summoning his strength to recover. Pain still wracked his body, but his energy began to flow, and the Celestial Light Force gradually returned.
“Fly along the edge of the Yellow Sand Ground and head back to Red Glow City as quickly as possible,” he instructed the Red Eagle.
The Talking Sparrow perched near him, its bright black eyes fixed on his weary face.
“You’re not returning to Black and White Mountain?” Qin Ming asked, gratitude evident in his tone. Earlier, the Talking Sparrow’s mimicry of his voice had been crucial in their escape.
“I won’t feel at ease until I see you safely back in Red Glow City,” the Talking Sparrow replied.
“I owe you both,” Qin Ming said, addressing the Talking Sparrow and the Red Eagle. “Someday, I’ll repay this debt by helping you find spiritual substances.”
Under the moonless sky, the Red Eagle pierced through the fog. Thankfully, no pursuers followed.
To those who viewed Qin Ming as a novice who had only begun his Awakening Path, his survival seemed laughable. In their eyes, he didn’t even qualify as a Golden Armor Protector, let alone a match for saints. Tonight’s deployment of both a Disciple of the Beyond and an Outer Saint seemed like overkill—a sledgehammer to crush a fly.
As the silhouette of Red Glow City emerged through the Night Fog, Qin Ming finally breathed a sigh of relief. He was home.
Inside the City Lord’s Mansion, the antique guest hall glowed with warm, amber light. Meng Xinghai frowned as his eyes fell on Qin Ming’s bloodied figure.
“You’re hurt this badly?” he asked.
“I was hunted down and barely made it back,” Qin Ming replied. He wasn’t sure if killing a Disciple of the Beyond and an Outer Saint would stir trouble, so he had come straight to Meng Xinghai.
“Was it a powerful Golden Thief?” Meng Xinghai inquired.
Qin Ming shook his head. “The old Golden Thieves aren’t much of a threat. I killed several along the way. This time, it was a Disciple of the Beyond who had me in their sights.”
Meng Xinghai gestured for servants to clean Qin Ming’s wounds and apply medicine. “It’s good you made it back alive. Don’t worry—Red Glow City isn’t a playground for those upstarts.”
“How did you escape them?” Meng Xinghai asked.
“I didn’t,” Qin Ming replied simply. “I killed them.”
Meng Xinghai’s eyes narrowed. “What level were they?”
“One was a veiled girl in black, likely late Spirit Mind Stage,” Qin Ming replied. “The other… was an Outer Saint.”
At first, Meng Xinghai nodded, unimpressed. After all, Qin Ming was already stronger than most Youth Aberrations. But as the second detail sank in, his eyes widened in shock. An Outer Saint.
Meng Xinghai stood abruptly, his emotions barely concealed.
Qin Ming smirked faintly. “Sometimes a flashy record can cause more trouble than it’s worth,” he said.
He explained, “I only managed to survive by using the Heavenly Flying Hammer to cripple him…”
Meng Xinghai inspected his injuries himself. “Your body was nearly torn apart, and your bones are slightly damaged. I’ll prepare a spiritual elixir for you.”
True to his character, Meng Xinghai acted quickly, ordering rare and precious herbs, including Flood Dragon Blood. Qin Ming’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Don’t worry about the cost,” Meng Xinghai said. “A rare elixir will ensure your vitality isn’t compromised.”
“Thank you, Uncle Meng!” Qin Ming bowed deeply.
“Focus on healing,” Meng Xinghai said. “The spiritual substances and techniques I’ve prepared for you will arrive soon. Train hard when they do.”
Qin Ming’s resolve burned brighter. Having narrowly escaped death, he was more determined than ever to strengthen himself and settle old scores.
The effects of the elixir were immediate. Steam rose from his body as blood surged through his veins. Scabs peeled from his wounds, leaving unscarred skin beneath.
“Your vitality is astonishing,” Meng Xinghai remarked. “You’ll be fully healed in just a day or two.”
Qin Ming could feel it too—his energy, spirit, and strength were growing stronger by the moment. Soon, he’d be back at his peak.
As they spoke, Meng Xinghai finally revealed the reason behind the Beyond’s actions. The Disciples of the Beyond were competing for a legendary artifact, something that could change the balance of power.
“I’ll go,” Qin Ming said firmly. He was eager to see Li Qing Yue acquire the artifact that might bring her closer to immortality. And if he could thwart rivals like Li Qing Xu, Zheng Mao Ze, and Zeng Yuan, he would seize the chance.
After the deadly chase he had just endured, there was no way he would let old grudges go unsettled.
Late at night, Qin Ming felt the pressure mounting. The cultivation levels of those he had encountered recently were undoubtedly extremely high.
Meng Xing Hai chuckled, trying to dispel the tension. “Don’t worry. When the time comes, you’ll be wearing the Golden Armor Protector, and Qing Yue will ensure your safety.”
Qin Ming’s expression darkened. How could he possibly accept such a situation? He had slain an Outer Saint before—how could he stoop to relying on a girl to protect him?
“Uncle Meng, I’ll head back now!” he said firmly, his resolve burning. Sleep was out of the question; he was eager to train through the night.
As he turned to leave, Qin Ming noticed the slightly barren look of the room. “Uncle Meng,” he asked curiously, “what happened to your set of Chime Bells?”
Meng Xing Hai smiled. “I lent them to an old friend of mine who’s been living deep in the mountains. He’s terribly lonely and asked to borrow them for some company.”
Qin Ming’s mind flashed back to the Black and White Mountain, where he had once heard the loud toll of bells and seen purple mist soaring into the sky. Could it be the same Chime Bells?
“And what about those Golden Thieves?” he asked softly.
“They’ve been dealt with,” Meng Xing Hai replied calmly.
Back at his quarters, Qin Ming sat down to study the Separation Flame Sutra. Determined to immerse himself in practice, he intended to stay up all night. However, fatigue soon overcame him. After an exhausting day of intense battles, constant travel, and near-fatal injuries, even his iron will couldn’t withstand the demand for rest.
In his dreams, he found himself draped in the Golden Thread Jade Garment. A gentle warmth spread through his body as a vibrant life force coursed through him, healing every injury. Golden threads stitched his wounds, while a silvery light, like medicinal ointment, spread across his body. The recovery effect far surpassed even the potent elixirs Meng Xing Hai had prepared for him.
The next morning, Qin Ming awoke feeling entirely rejuvenated. His essence, energy, and spirit were brimming, even more vibrant than before. Examining his body, he realized that all the scabs on his wounds had fallen away, leaving no scars behind.
“The Separation Flame Sutra truly lives up to its name,” Qin Ming remarked in awe. The scripture that Ning Si Qi had given him was deeply profound. It wasn’t a singular technique but a complete system, encompassing the Celestial Light Force, body techniques, defensive maneuvers, and methods to elevate consciousness. It was a treasure worthy of a lifetime of study for any Awakening Stage Cultivator.
This version of the sutra wasn’t an original left behind by its creator but a handwritten copy from twenty years ago. To his surprise, it still carried emotional traces from previous practitioners—mostly frustration and helplessness from their failed attempts to master it.
One thing was clear: the copy was flawless. A meticulous cultivator had cross-referenced it with the original scripture. After careful analysis, Qin Ming determined that the best place to train the Separation Flame Force was near a source of fire.
He chose a volcanic area near Red Glow Mountain, where fissures in the earth revealed glowing magma.
“It’s so hot!” Qin Ming muttered as he arrived. The scorching environment, filled with harmful substances, would be unbearable for ordinary people. Yet enduring such conditions was a necessary step in the early stages of cultivation.
While more advanced locations, like those containing Thunderfire or Celestial Light, were ideal, Qin Ming had no access to them for now.
“This is difficult!” he admitted after five days of relentless practice. Typically, he could master simpler techniques in half a day and more complex ones in two or three days. But the Separation Flame Force was unlike anything he had encountered. It was a highly intricate fusion of countless foundational techniques, offering no gradual progression. It presented its highest principles from the start, a barrier that had thwarted many cultivators.
After exhausting himself to the brink, his eyes reddened by the fire’s glare, Qin Ming finally succeeded in generating a faint strand of the Separation Flame Force. He exhaled deeply, relief flooding him.
“It’s worth it,” he said with satisfaction. Even at this initial stage, the technique was remarkable. It could kill enemies and form the Separation Flame Divine Light, an excellent defensive shield.
Just then, a thunderclap broke the silence. Qin Ming bolted upright and sprinted toward Red Glow Mountain. Over the past few days, every time he heard thunder, he rushed to the Thunderfire Refinement Temple, but each storm ended before he could make use of it.
Tonight, however, the sky came alive with lightning. Bolts crisscrossed the heavens, striking perilously close to the mountain’s summit. Qin Ming’s heart raced with excitement. What others feared—the Thunderfire Celestial Light—he saw as a rare spiritual medicine.
Though the event was brief, with only three strikes landing on the Golden Temple, the sight was breathtaking. Fiery sparks scattered, and rolling fireballs illuminated the night sky.
“It hurts!” Qin Ming muttered through gritted teeth as he stood inside the Thunderfire Refinement Temple. He now understood why most cultivators only dared to approach during the gentler spring storms.
“The celestial light this time is fiercer,” he noted, his body trembling with pain. Despite the agony, a bright smile spread across his face. The benefits to his practice of the Separation Flame Sutra were immense.
With the Separation Flame Force firmly established, Qin Ming no longer needed to endure the magma-filled environment. Still, he couldn’t help but lament, “If only more Celestial Light had descended. Ten strikes in a row would’ve been perfect.”
Covered in soot but brimming with vitality, he strode away through the rain.
“That kid disguised himself and entered the Thunderfire Refinement Temple again?” Meng Xing Hai exclaimed when he heard the news. “He’s insane!”
Turning to a trusted aide, Meng Xing Hai ordered, “Find him immediately. Tell him that the rare techniques and spiritual materials have arrived. There’s no need for such reckless stunts.”
Elsewhere, whispers of Qin Ming’s exploits spread. His battle in the Dark Desert, where he slew the Veiled Woman and an Outer Saint, had not gone unnoticed.
“It was probably an expert from Red Glow City who saved him,” someone speculated in the Outer Saint Domain. “No need to concern ourselves with him. The real focus now is the upcoming convergence. Cultivators from the Beyond and paradises everywhere will compete for the artifact that could bring us closer to immortality. It’s going to be intense.”
“True. He’s just a Seven-Time Awakening cultivator who relied on physical mutation to break through. If we don’t pay him any attention, he’ll remain a nobody. For now, let’s set old grudges aside.”