Chapter 190 - Testing the Sword Across the World

Under the night sky, the chirping of insects was as fine as silk. A pebble-paved path meandered through a tranquil forest, where a few strands of fiery light struggled to pierce through the thick foliage in the distance, resembling scattered gold rippling in the darkness. Qin Ming had seen them before; the Purple-eyed Crow was Master Wu, and the woman in black was Tang Jin from Liuguang City, who had once sought the most suitable successor for her master. According to Yunque, at that time, Qin Ming was not favored by Tang Jin, who did not believe he could become her master's final disciple. The young man beside Tang Jin was also familiar to Qin Ming, for he frequently appeared in the night reports. Though not yet a household name, he was quite renowned. His name was Ling Yu, clad in azure robes, his black hair cascading over his shoulders, and his deep eyes exuded a restrained heroism, brimming with vigorous vitality. Recently, he had caused a great stir by challenging swordsmen across a hundred cities, earning him the title of Young Patriarch among some. Qin Ming encountered them here, surprised but not astonished, for Ling Yu was soon to duel with Xin Youdao. The latter was also a formidable figure, having swept through eighty-one cities and was a prominent figure in the night reports, one of the most famous prodigies in this year's unified examination. Tang Jin's figure was slender, and though her true face was hidden, the rustling leaves in the night wind couldn't conceal the beauty of her curves beneath the loose black robe. Qin Ming gave her a glance and walked past without speaking, certainly not acknowledging her, as they had met but shared no real acquaintance. Wu Yaozu, however, gave her a few looks, thinking that his grandmother was right; the outside world was colorful, and even this tranquil forest was splendid. After passing by, Tang Jin sensed something and turned to gaze at the back of one of the young men. Back when she dared to pursue the green-robed woman who seized the greatest fortune in the Black and White Mountain's special node, she naturally had exceptional qualities. "Nothing found!" Master Wu flew back, then looked at Qin Ming's back with suspicion. "Familiar, isn't he the young man we missed before?" It was born with mysterious purple pupils, able to see parts of the truth others couldn't. "Who, is he very strong?" the young Ling Yu asked. The Purple-eyed Crow nodded, carefully observing the receding figure, saying, "Hmm, I personally think one of the youths is quite extraordinary, manifesting unusual phenomena at his first appearance. Oh, the other lad seems remarkable too. Interesting, that such two people could walk together." After walking a considerable distance, Wu Yaozu quietly said, "Brother, I feel that woman was looking at me just now." "Beware, at this time, don't trust your feelings," Qin Ming replied, stopping to examine the important letter he had tucked into his sleeve. Wu Yaozu said, "Really? Oh, look, that black crow is watching you." Qin Ming ignored him, his eyes fixed on the brief message on the letter, his heart immediately surging with emotion. Lu Zizai had written only a simple sentence: "Strive with all your might for the blood of the mythical beast, and justice shall be ensured for you!" Qin Ming had initially given up on the blood of the mythical beast because he knew that too many people and interests were involved, creating extensive entanglements. Why had people like Cui Chonghe and Sun Jingxiao appeared in Kunlun? Moreover, when Qin Ming rode the Vermillion Bird Ship, he encountered several celestial and divine seeds, not merely for the purpose of extracting the essence of the Nine Heavens, but also for the blood of the mythical beast. Qin Ming could not conceal his emotional fluctuations. He knew that Lu Zizai was also under immense pressure, for instance, today Sun Taichu even wanted to make a move against him. In such circumstances, Lu Zizai had given him a promise, encouraging him to fight with all his strength, while Lu Zizai himself was facing who-knows-how-harsh an environment! Such a favor weighed heavily on him. "Brother, what's wrong?" Wu Yaozu asked. "The blood of the mythical beast, we shall compete for it!" Qin Ming replied, turning back to study those rules carefully. No matter what, if fair competition was truly ensured, how could he not have a share in the new domain? Just then, a small golden crow flew over, landing on a branch near Qin Ming, its eyes gleaming brightly. "Senior!" Qin Ming hurriedly greeted in a low voice. The small golden crow sighed softly, "He holds you in high regard. In his eyes, on the path of the new world, no more than four people can blaze a trail in the future, including him and you." Qin Ming's blood gradually boiled. He was merely at the first realm, yet Lu Zizai saw him in such a light. He felt an impulse to shout that he would undoubtedly pave a new path someday! But he restrained himself, being just a fledgling beginner, and it was too early to talk about the future. For now, he must be down-to-earth and repay Lu Zizai with real actions. Qin Ming had some concerns for Lu Zizai. From what he saw today, that white-haired body carried a strong aura of decay. "How is Senior Brother Lu?" he asked softly. The small golden crow transmitted its voice secretly, "He is unharmed. What you saw today, the golden giant, is a transformation of his past Dao cultivation, not his true state. That is a 'fruit of effort' he strives to forget." Although Qin Ming had some suspicions in his heart, now it was confirmed by the golden bird that had just appeared. He said, "Rest assured, when the day comes, he will fully harness his potential." "Good!" Qin Ming nodded. He believed that as long as Lu Zizai didn't perish, he would one day surpass his former self. The golden bird spread its wings and flew away, disappearing into the vast night. Wu Yaozu wiped the sweat from his forehead, let out a long breath, and said, "Why do I feel like the outside is more dangerous than even the Fourth Deadly Land? Just a little bird makes my heart tremble, as if I'm facing a terrifying creature as vast as a mountain." Qin Ming replied, "Its true form might not be smaller than a mountain!" The forest was rather dim, with a large area filled with wooden houses where many newcomers resided. Today, this place was filled with dejection and unease, with many sitting quietly, contemplating their future paths. This was because not long ago, the founder of the Newcomer Path appeared at Feixian Academy, exuding a decadent aura, making it feel like there was no hope on this path. "The Newcomer Path has not seen a founder forge ahead for many years, while other paths continue to be developed. Alas!" "No wonder there were rumors of someone wanting the founder of the Newcomer Path to become a warrior; it wasn't without reason." "Unfortunately, we've tried other paths and simply can't proceed. Without special talents, we're just ordinary people, and the only feasible path is through bodily mutation." A group of people sighed, feeling that this night was as dark as their future path, with no sight of the way forward. "By the way, tomorrow night, Ling Yu, who tests his sword across a hundred cities, will face off against Xin Youdao at our academy. Aren't they also from the Newcomer Path? Something to look forward to!" The next day, after Qin Ming and Wu Yaozu got up, they continued to familiarize themselves with the environment of Shanhe Academy. Their evaluation of the dining hall was just four words: terrible and outrageously expensive! "Bro, that's the library you've been thinking about, quite grand and magnificent, with nine floors." Soon, they learned that to read the tomes, one needed either contribution points or to pay for access. Wu Yaozu, after inquiring, took a sharp breath of the fiery glow in front of the building and said, "Hiss, it's so expensive. Bro, if we can't find a way, we really need to fight a match; we're missing 'day gold' in our five elements!" Qin Ming nodded. He couldn't let a "little" day gold block his path and daunt a hero. Before noon, Shanhe Academy became lively, with people continuously entering. This was because the news that Ling Yu, testing his sword across a hundred cities, would duel with Xin Youdao had spread days ago, and many had long been anticipating it. Just looking at the ticket prices for the spectator seats being driven sky-high showed that there were considerable stakes involved, naturally prompting others to fan the flames. In fact, both Ling Yu and Xin Youdao were indeed prodigies of this generation, so astonishing that even the title of "Young Patriarch" was shouted out, frequently appearing in night reports, gaining some fame in various places. Not only from Kunlun but even some people traveled from other cities from afar. "Ling Yu's teacher is the person most likely to become a founder in this era, full of legendary tales, truly a renowned figure in the Night Mist World. It was precisely because of this that people became even more interested, eager to witness firsthand the closed disciple personally taught by the great master. On that day, the entire Kunlun City was abuzz with talk about this matter. It wasn't like Sun Taichu's sudden arrival without warning; this time, the young prodigy battle had been anticipated for a long time. Even without tickets, students from a dozen other dojos and academies flocked here, naturally including many veterans. "Our Newborn Path showdown is actually so prestigious? People from the Immortal Path, Secret Teachings Path, and Otherworldly Path have all come to watch." "Wake up, it's just you newcomers exaggerating your importance, insisting on interpreting it that way. Do you know Xin Youdao walks both paths? His Secret Teachings methods are even stronger!" "As for Ling Yu, his teacher was originally an outsider, integrating the Newborn Path to advance further, standing at the pinnacle of the pyramid, becoming an ancestor was simply a natural progression." These words left many newcomers silent. Shanhe Academy was bustling with people, unprecedentedly lively. The Night Report's front page was actively following up on this matter, with headlines like 'Young Ancestor Tests the Sword Across the World' already prepared in advance. Wu Yaozu's eyes shone as he said, "Bro, I think the two of us can each take one and replace them without any problem." Though he came from a desperate place, he was still young, and seeing such a grand spectacle, overwhelming reports, and so many people coming to watch, he naturally felt unwilling and youthful, eager to fight those two. Qin Ming smiled and said, "Don't rush, you will have your chance to shine in the future; sooner or later, you will be renowned throughout the world." The two of them chatted and laughed here, not caring much, so what if others overheard? At most, they would be seen as boasting. "What a big talk." Indeed, someone overheard and sneered, thinking these two had lost their minds, too eager for fame. However, there were beings who took it seriously! In the distance, the Purple-eyed Crow perched on a treetop, whispered, "Tang Jin, did you hear that, did you see that? The eyes and expressions of those two boys, how confident they are. Yesterday I recognized that little guy from Black and White Mountain, and he recognized us too, yet didn’t regard the person you chose seriously at all." Tang Jin smiled faintly, saying nothing. The Purple-eyed Crow said, "Why don't you arrange for Ling Yu to weigh him, to verify if you were mistaken when you were at the Black and White Mountain?" "Alright!" Tang Jin responded with just two words, his speech exceptionally concise.