Chapter 9 - Golden Threads and Jade Garments

As the Shallow Night was about to end, Qin Ming woke up. The Sunstone in the copper basin emitted a gentle glow, casting a quiet peace over the house. His throat was parched, almost as if it were on fire. He gulped down several large bowls of icy water before finally letting out a long breath of relief. Soon, he noticed something amiss. His clothes felt a bit tighter, slightly ill-fitting. Realizing what this meant, he measured himself against the door frame and confirmed that he had grown taller. Qin Ming felt a sense of wonder. He had merely slept a while, yet the process had been extraordinary, nurturing a rich surge of new vitality in a short time. His innate foundation had further developed. Stretching his limbs, he felt brimming with energy, as if he could never exhaust it. In the courtyard, he easily lifted two heavy millstones. Then, he tried holding them up with one hand. Though he felt the weight, he managed to sustain it for a short while. Qin Ming was taken aback by his own strength. Being able to lift over four hundred pounds single-handedly now meant he could match the famed youths from the distant Bright City. He took off his ill-fitting clothes and noticed the scabs on his shoulder had fallen off without a trace of scars left behind—another sign of his rebirth. Later, he began preparing dinner. Qin Ming cooked a pot of meat soup and grilled wolf ribs to a delicious, alluring aroma. Using mutated creatures as ingredients was more than enough to satisfy the needs of his body's "rebirth." He devoured the meat and downed the soup in large gulps. His body, already boiling, was now drenched in sweat with a wave of hot energy coursing through him. Although his rebirth was nearing its end, it wasn't finished yet. He wanted to seize this momentum to fully activate his body and further this process. His physical enhancement was intense; once daunting, high-difficulty feats were now effortless for him to execute with ease. Within Qin Ming, it felt as if a fire was blazing, ready to shine forth from his very skin. Eventually, clusters of "golden specks" appeared across his skin, then emerged like seedlings, with faint threads of golden light pushing through. Though minuscule, they were discernible. This was highly unusual, something he'd never experienced before. The "golden threads" emerged from his flesh, carrying faint traces of blood, appearing shocking at first glance but posing no real harm. Qin Ming felt a strange sense of relief, his body's energy increasingly fresh and vibrant, as if through a detoxification process. Swiftly, he understood: this was an elaborate rebirth, purging harmful substances. It seemed his original pores were insufficient, so clusters of "golden threads" emerged from within, blended with wisps of blood, bringing out the old dross. The golden light continued to manifest, densely packed, resembling gold needles moving and weaving together over Qin Ming's skin, like a breathtaking sight of stitching a garment. The subtle white mist around his body gave him an ethereal, almost immortal appearance. Tirelessly, he consumed substantial energy. When hungry, he ate wolf ribs, and after brief rests, continued to stimulate his body's vitality. Occasionally, he'd study Lu Ze's "Night Meditation Technique: Basic Explanation." Throughout the night, Qin Ming sweated profusely, his metabolism extraordinarily vigorous. His body felt tingly as if sprouting and growing, filled with vibrant life akin to the breath of creation. When a strong fatigue overcame him, he halted his movements. He realized he was approaching the final phase—"hibernation." After a simple wash, he lay on the kang, eyelids heavy with sleep. In a hazy state, he glimpsed a faint silver light emerging from his skin, more golden threads sprouting, like gold needles weaving through the silvery white mist. Despite his weariness, Qin Ming was deeply astonished—golden threads crisscrossed, dividing the silvery light into countless dense grids, and overall, his body seemed enveloped in a "robe of gold and jade." He drifted into thought, recalling much from his past. In ancient times, emperors were buried with pearl garments and jade boxes, adorned with gold threads, symbolizing their eternal longing for immortality, pursuing it even in death. Was the "Unorthodox Methods" he memorized as a child so unique? Naturally exuding a layer of pure white mist during rebirth, golden threads intertwined like wearing a robe of gold and jade. Could it be that ancient emperors heard some legends, prompting the creation of robes of gold and jade? He shook his head, dismissing his thoughts. Soon, unable to hold on anymore, he succumbed to a deep, profound sleep. As Shallow Night arrived, Qin Ming awoke, feeling his body tense. He quickly realized the situation: having sweated heavily in the night, and with fine threads of blood accompanying the emergence of gold needles, these "old dross" had dried on his skin, forming a thin cocoon. Breaking the ice block in the water jar, he boiled a pot of water and after a refreshing wash, slipped into loose, clean clothes, feeling instantly rejuvenated. Clearly, his body temperature had lowered, indicating the "rebirth" was nearly complete. In the courtyard, Qin Ming once again lifted the two millstones, and this time more easily, sustaining it single-handedly for a long while. Then, he added over a hundred pounds of stone locks atop the millstones. "Very heavy!" His hand felt the pressure, quite straining. Together, the weight surpassed five hundred pounds, but he still managed to hold it up with one hand. Lu Ze had once told him of teenagers in the distant Bright City who could bear over six hundred pounds. Qin Ming's clear eyes sparkled with a bright smile, realizing each arm bore strength beyond measure. As for those further mysterious and unknown cities at the edge of the vast earth, he was unaware of how powerful the reborn individuals of the golden age might be. Qin Ming carried half a blade-antler deer and a hind leg and part of the ribs of a Donkey-head Wolf to the neighboring courtyard. "Little Qin, this... it's simply too much!" "Brother Lu, Sister-in-law, I can't finish it alone. Anyway, I'll go up the mountain again; it's better to change the flavor more often," Qin Ming said. If not for Lu Ze's care in recent times, he might have starved. "Uncle, you're the best. Otherwise, we would soon go hungry," Wen Rui said joyfully, for he had heard his parents say that the household's food supply was nearly depleted. Qin Ming patted his head and said, "With me around, how could I let you go hungry?" In the cage, the Mutated Red Squirrel dashed about furiously, the only one expressing indignation, chattering at Qin Ming with a vengeful glare. "Little Qin..." The village head, Xu Yueping, arrived, wearing a beast-skin coat. In his forties, he had a slightly square face, thick eyebrows, sharp eyes, and a solid, strong body. "Uncle Xu," Qin Ming greeted him. He laughed heartily, "Knew you'd do great, kid. This step you've taken is like imprinting a golden footprint." He was eager to know just how much Qin Ming's physical prowess had strengthened post-rebirth. "Little Qin, you've grown taller. Has your rebirth ended?" Lu Ze inquired. Qin Ming was about to respond when suddenly, he sensed an ill wind approaching. Without any warning, Xu Yueping's right hand, like a blade, slashed towards Qin Ming's neck. The suddenness of it left no time for defense, so close was the distance. Yet Qin Ming swiftly dodged and accurately countered, grabbing his wrist with a loud snap. "Your reaction speed far exceeds other reborn individuals." Xu Yueping was amazed. At such a close range, even the most sensitive mountain beast would struggle to evade his unsuspecting strike. Liang Wanqing gasped, then realized he was testing Qin Ming's post-rebirth capabilities. Xu Yueping's wrist was firmly gripped, unable to move an inch. "Your strength after rebirth..." He displayed a shocked expression. Lu Ze and Liang Wanqing eagerly anticipated, hoping Qin Ming's physical attributes had advanced significantly, reaching a qualitative change. Because this concerned a person's entire life—a chance to rewrite one's fate. Qin Ming released his grip. Xu Yueping's eyelids twitched wildly. As Twin Tree Village's most formidable reborn, he saw that the young man before him hadn't used his full power yet. "In my estimation, your strength is approaching six hundred pounds," Xu Yueping stated solemnly. Liang Wanqing's eyes widened at this. It's worth knowing that in this region, five hundred pounds for a reborn was the limit. Lu Ze was extremely excited, exclaiming, "This... even in the far-off Bright City, one wouldn't be inferior to others." "Uncle is the best!" Wen Rui clapped his little hands and cheered. "Old Xu, the Mountain Patrol has arrived," Yang Yongqing appeared, having heard the discussion, and was shocked at heart. He realized Qin Ming had broken the region's limit for reborn individuals. With patrolmen showing up, something serious was bound to have happened, so Xu Yueping and Yang Yongqing left swiftly. After a short tea time, someone called for Qin Ming to visit the village head's home. Puzzled, he wondered why they needed him. "All reborn individuals must attend to hear about the mountain's situation from the patrol squad," said the messenger. Xu Yueping's house was bustling with all seven reborn villagers, including the elderly Old Man Liu, who was over seventy, present. The Sunstone illuminated the room brightly, the atmosphere harmonious as patrol member Feng Yian relayed the mountain's happenings. "Recently, the mountain's magnetic fields have been chaotic. If you venture in, you could easily get lost. There have been strange occurrences. The Fire Spring, home to some dangerous creatures, almost went out, while a high-grade Fire Spring emerged in the depths of the night mist," Feng Yian explained, a rugged, bearded man, draining a cup of tea in a single gulp. Qin Ming finally understood why the mountain had been so turbulent, with massive creatures seen near the forest outskirts. It was due to upheavals in the mountain; some rare birds and magical beasts' nests had issues, causing their unrest and leading other creatures to flee. "Will the situation worsen? What if high-level species break out?" came a worried query. "Rest assured, higher-ups will enter the mountain to converse with those mysterious beings to restore tranquility swiftly," Feng Yian reassured, adding that should negotiations fail, significant figures would resist the mountain's apex beings. "For precaution, we'll be on high alert, and every reborn in the villages and towns outside the mountain must prepare." Feng Yian explained that the authorities were casting a wide net primarily to guard against top-tier beings, though smaller creatures might slip through. The crowd listened gravely—reborn individuals might have to fight if necessary! But Feng Yian smiled, "No need for anxiety; it's not as severe as imagined. Besides, should a battle occur, noble offspring from the distant Bright City, all elite, will assist in clearing the mountain." The attendees breathed a collective sigh of relief. "Brother Feng, patrolling the mountain deep into the night and reporting to us early next morning must be exhausting," Xu Yueping remarked. Feng Yian waved off the concern, "Brother Xu, it's my duty. Don't worry, if a fierce beast or mountain monster tries to break out, it'll have to march over our patrol corpses first, or it won't harm those beyond the mountain." Xu Yueping personally served a large iron platter of roasted rock sheep, fragrant and irresistible, as a treat for Feng Yian. He restrained those attempting to leave, saying, "Stay, everyone, accompany Brother Feng for a few drinks." The room's atmosphere warmed with lively conversation. "Don't fret, this time not only will the Lord of our territory be present, but it's rumored a master from afar has been invited, so nothing will go amiss. We're mainly on guard against Moonworms and unpredictable mountain lords," Feng Yian, after a few drinks, revealed much. Qin Ming listened intently, surprised by these revelations. Unaccustomed to the sharp, fiery local spirits, he reached for tea but paused upon realizing the brew contained dried ants, each thumb-sized, besides the bitter taste. Xu Yueping chuckled, "Young Qin, a man must learn to drink spirits, and this kind of black ant is a potent tonic, genuinely beneficial stuff." Feng Yian turned to Qin Ming, "Young fellow, you look fresh and unfamiliar." "Uncle Feng, just call me Little Qin," he replied. Introducing Qin Ming, Xu Yueping said, "This is Qin Ming, just over sixteen, freshly reborn, the most promising youth in our area. I hope he'll study in the distant Red Cloud City." "Great seedling, undergoing transformation in the golden age—such enviable potential," Feng Yian nodded appreciatively. Others echoed admiration and envy, understanding the vast potential of those with a golden foundation. They clinked glasses, the ambiance lively. Feng Yian shared various strange events from the mountains. "Have any of you seen a mysterious plot of land deep in the mountains? All the crops are golden, veiled by a dense fog, yet the bright golden light pierces the dark night... Whose provisions might those be?"