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Novel: [Night Without Borders]
Chapter 18: [Visitors from Chixia City]
Author: [Chen Dong]
Translator: [Shadow Knight AK]
Editor: [Shadow Knight AK]
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As Qin Ming pondered, Xu Yueping knocked on his courtyard gate.
"Xiao Qin, come out quickly! It's urgent."
Qin Ming's heart skipped a beat.
Could news of the Mountain Patrol Group's annihilation have spread so quickly?
"We leave in an hour," Xu Yueping told him. "Visitors from Chixia City have arrived and want to meet the awakeners from the nearby villages."
Xu Yueping lowered his voice. "Rumor has it they're all direct descendants of noble families. They've come to help us clear the mountains, but also to hone their skills."
Qin Ming asked, "Finally, it's starting?"
Xu Yueping spoke solemnly. "You must perform well this time. These visitors are no ordinary people. Seize this opportunity to enter Chixia City."
...
An hour later, Xu Yueping's house was bustling with activity.
Old Liu, looking spry, carried a thick-backed broad sword on his back and was fully armed in worn leather armor and a fine iron helmet.
Qin Ming approached him. "Grandpa Liu, what are you doing? This is just a meeting today, not a mountain expedition."
Old Liu replied, "Just getting used to it in advance."
Yang Yongqing also took this matter seriously, carrying two swords on his back.
"Though Shallow Night shouldn't be dangerous, we still need someone to stay and guard the house. Uncle Liu, you've lost your vital Qi and are already so old..." Xu Yueping hadn't finished speaking before Old Liu cut him off.
"An old warhorse still yearns for the battlefield! Besides, I'm still as vigorous as a dragon and tiger. I could take both you and Yang Yongqing on at once!" Old Liu insisted on going.
Not everyone was willing to risk it all. The other two awakeners from the village and the injured Wang Qinglin had no choice.
The destination wasn't far, just seven li away at a crossroads.
Under the dim night sky, dense forests stretched in all directions.
Over a dozen villages had received the notice, and the Awakeners, known for their swift pace, began arriving one after another.
Smaller villages like Twin Tree Village sent only four people, while larger ones sent over ten, totaling fewer than a hundred.
The people from Chixia City arrived even earlier, split into three teams. Nearly all were clad in armor and equipped with fine gear, waiting quietly ahead.
The Awakeners from the various villages also fell silent, intimidated by the gleaming armor and sharp swords before them, and perhaps also in awe of the noble elites from the magnificent city.
Each of the three teams bore a unique clan emblem, with a dozen or so members in each.
The three leaders standing at the front of each team were the most striking figures.
One man stood a towering three meters tall, clad in Black Gold armor with black hair reaching past his shoulders.
His eyes were as sharp as blades, radiating an overwhelming sense of pressure.
His mount was equally eye-catching: a fiery red giant bull whose back was taller than a grown man. In addition to its two normal curved horns, it bore a third horn that jutted forward like a sharp sword.
Upon seeing the Awakeners from the villages arrive, the three-meter-tall man did not remain seated on his bull, as one might expect.
Instead, he dismounted and nodded to everyone, saying, "My name is Cao Long."
He gave a brief introduction, explaining that many experts had come from Chixia City, with over a dozen clans joining the mountain sweep.
The young people from their three clans were responsible for this area.
"I'm Wei Zhirou from the Wei Clan," the woman among the three said, standing on a blue stone rather than next to the Giant Cao Long.
She wore a pure white fox fur coat, her black hair fluttering in the wind. Her fair, oval face was lit by a sweet, radiant smile — a beauty that would have a devastating effect on the young men from the villages.
To the young people who had spent their lives guarding the Great Mountain and had never traveled far, this Noble Lady from the dazzling city seemed like a pure and ethereal Immortal Maiden in white robes — a vision they would struggle to forget for many years to come.
Wei Zhirou stood tall and graceful, her beauty undeniable. She tucked a strand of hair that had been blown loose by the wind behind her ear and spoke about the mountain sweep, then shared some news.
"This winter's heavy snow has blocked the roads, making it difficult to transport food from outside. But rest assured, Chixia City has already dispatched Giant Beasts to pull grain carts, and the supplies will arrive soon."
This announcement caused a stir of excitement, and the villagers' faces lit up with joy.
However, some worried about whether the grain would be too expensive once it arrived.
"My name is Mu Qing," the last of the three team leaders said, their entire body shrouded in a black cloak that concealed even their face, making them appear quite mysterious.
Even after speaking, it was impossible to tell whether they were male or female, their voice being androgynous.
Mu Qing stated plainly that they were unfamiliar with the Great Mountain and needed local Awakeners to guide them.
This was the fundamental reason why the three teams had appeared here: to meet with the Awakeners from each village.
Those who joined their expedition would receive generous rewards.
Cao Long mentioned that outstanding performers could earn valuable Qi Cultivation Techniques, Meditation Techniques, and other rare treasures.
This immediately sparked a lively discussion, with many eyes burning with excitement. The Awakener's Techniques circulating in this area were generally quite basic.
"How do we prove we've performed outstandingly?" someone couldn't help but ask.
"By providing crucial information that prevents casualties among our ranks, hunting down unique mutated creatures, discovering locations where Spiritual substances are being nurtured..."
People quickly realized that these rewards wouldn't be easy to obtain.
The noble elites from Chixia City weren't just here to temper their Awakeners bodies; they also aimed to explore the more mysterious regions of the Great Mountain.
Wei Zhirou added, "If you discover any unusual phenomena in the mountains, report them to us immediately. That will also be considered providing valuable information."
"I know of a fissure in the mountains where silver threads once spread. Anyone who falls in, even if they manage to escape, is unlikely to survive. Does that count?"
Qin Ming realized it was someone from Qing Sang(Green Mulberry) Village who had spoken first.
Clearly, people from nearby villages had also died there.
Old Liu slapped his thigh and looked at Qin Ming, as if to say, "Someone beat us to it!"
Wei Zhirou nodded. "The magnetic field in the mountains is chaotic. The place you mentioned is likely a minor node. If you find another similar location, I'll give you an intermediate-level secret manual for cultivation."
She explained that these special nodes might persist for years. They would systematically search for and map them, leaving behind a mountain map for the local people to prevent future accidents.
Cao Long spoke up. "If you find a place where white mist rises and five-colored clouds radiate in all directions, under no circumstances should you approach it. Those areas are far more dangerous. Anyone who can provide such a clue will receive a generous reward: a high-level Qi Cultivation Technique."
Many people gasped, their breaths growing heavy. Secret manuals of this level were too distant, too ethereal for them.
Who wouldn't crave them?
Some realized that the Chixia City nobles' self-cultivation was merely a facade.
They definitely had a more important purpose.
The strange phenomena in the mountains hinted at secrets unknown to the locals.
However, the Awakeners from the various villages remained relatively calm.
Even if they understood there was more to it, what could they do?
Those dangerous realms were not places they could tread.
Besides, whatever the Chixia City nobles' true motives, they would ultimately help them clear the mountains and fend off the threats from the mountain's strange creatures.
That was enough.
Cao Long informed everyone that the Chixia City elites and the mysterious beings deep within the Great Mountain were about to have their final negotiation.
This time, it would take place outside the mountain, and a resolution was expected soon.
The Awakeners from the various villages whispered among themselves, discussing the news.
Though they lived in this region, they had only heard legends of a handful of high-level Spirits. Their deepest impression of the Great Mountain's depths was one of mystery, the unknown, and fear. It was a place shrouded in an awe-inspiring mist.
"Will we be able to watch the negotiation outside the mountain?"
The speaker was a young man from one of the three teams, his face still bearing a youthful innocence.
He was a true greenhorn, fearless and eager to see what the top-tier creatures of the Great Mountain's depths looked like.
The three teams had been quiet until now, but a sudden commotion erupted.
They were all young, brimming with intense curiosity and a thirst for exploration.
Cao Long towered over the others, his imposing physique radiating an oppressive aura.
A mere glance from him was enough to silence the crowd.
He didn't scold them, but nodded in response. "Perhaps we'll have a chance."
Immediately, the area buzzed with excited chatter.
Qin Ming couldn't remain calm either.
Aside from accidentally glimpsing the "Moon Insect," he knew nothing about the other top-tier creatures and wanted to seize this opportunity to see their true forms.
Wei Zhirou, tall and slender, stood on a blue-gray stone, her pure white fox fur coat billowing in the wind, giving her an ethereal, otherworldly air.
She then shared another piece of news.
"The situation is delicate right now. You may not know, but the chaos in the mountains isn't solely due to the magnetic field disturbances. Another group of high-level creatures has migrated here from afar, bringing their families and aiming to seize some of the mountain's resources."
The crowd's expressions shifted upon hearing this.
Wei Zhirou continued, "Now that a new wave of high-level creatures has arrived, many dangerous species are being forced to expand beyond the mountains, encroaching on the living space of those outside."
Xu Yueping asked, "So the outer regions of the mountains, which had just briefly calmed down, will become extremely dangerous again?"
"It's nothing to worry about," Mu Qing said, his voice neutral yet domineering. "Who gave them permission to expand? We'll just drive them back. That's why we're conducting this mountain sweep."
The Awakeners from the various villages breathed a collective sigh of relief. The figure completely shrouded in a black cloak had bolstered their confidence.
Mu Qing declared loudly, "They've trespassed into forbidden territory, forgetting the pain of the past. We'll forcibly awaken them, reminding them that the dominance of two-legged humanoids in this land has never waned!"
Initially, the crowd was stirred by Mu Qing's impassioned words, their morale soaring.
Even the strange term "two-legged humanoids" only caused a momentary flicker of unease.
But when they saw Mu Qing continue his fiery speech, a fluffy golden tail suddenly emerged from beneath the black cloak, many people lost their composure.
What species is this?!
"Mu Qing," Cao Long reminded him.
Wei Zhirou said, "Mu Qing is human."
The three teams behind them remained calm, as if they already knew Mu Qing's condition.
Qin Ming stared ahead, lost in thought, scrutinizing him again and again.
Old Liu murmured, "Perhaps he's chosen a mystical path. Whether he's still human, or what state he's in now, is hard to say."
This was the second different path Qin Ming had witnessed, following Cao Long's Giant Spirit God route.
Cao Long said, "Now we must choose suitable companions. They will accompany us during the mountain sweep, guiding us through the mountain. Rest assured, their safety is guaranteed."
He emphasized that no one was being forced to participate.
Anyone who wished to leave was free to do so now.
At the same time, Cao Long, Wei Zhirou, and Mu Qing reiterated that the rewards for the mountain sweep included Spiritual substances and advanced Qi Cultivation Techniques - extremely generous prizes they would not hesitate to distribute.
None of the Awakeners present remained in the village.
They had already made their choices, so no one left.
Qin Ming naturally followed the crowd, not wanting to stand out.
Wei Zhirou smiled at Cao Long and Mu Qing, her radiant beauty captivating the crowd. Her smile held an ethereal sweetness that set her apart.
She shook the name roster in her hand, indicating her desire to choose first.
"We'll each select one person at a time. You go first," Cao Long said, deferring to her.
Mu Qing had no objections.
Wei Zhirou nodded with a smile. "Then I won't be polite. The Wei Clan is eager to recruit young men with a Golden Foundation."
"Who isn't?" Mu Qing retorted, then whispered with Cao Long, negotiating who would choose first.
Wei Zhirou scanned the roster, her delicate eyebrows furrowing slightly in indecision.
Finally, she called out two names: "Who is Zhou Wubing? Who is Qin Ming?"
"You can only choose one at a time," Mu Qing reminded her.
Wei Zhirou smiled. "I know. I just wanted to take a look."
Zhou Wubing stepped forward, standing half a head taller than the average person, his body powerfully built.
He hadn't always been known by that name.
As a sickly child, his parents had renamed him Zhou Wubing, meaning "Zhou, Without Illness," hoping to ward off misfortune.
Only after distant relatives returned and finally cured him did he experience a true rebirth during his Golden Age.
Qin Ming was surprised.
Er Bingzi's demeanor had undergone a complete transformation.
Once gaunt and sallow, with hair as yellow and wispy as autumn weeds, he now had thick, black hair and radiated vitality.
Qin Ming stepped forward, standing calmly a head taller than Er Bingzi.
"Both of you have Golden Foundations. I'd love to invite both," Wei Zhirou said with a smile, looking at them.
Er Bingzi was no longer the frail youth of the past. Though momentarily dazzled by the radiant smile of this ethereal Noble Lady, he quickly regained his composure.
At that moment, a young man emerged from the forest and hurried to Wei Zhirou's side, whispering in her ear.
Only then did people realize that the three families had sent more than just their three teams of inexperienced youths.
"Zhou Wubing was once sickly and frail. Yet after his Awakening, his strength has been steadily growing. And he was taught by Xu Kong?" Wei Zhirou asked in surprise.
After a brief, hushed conversation with the young man, she looked up, her beautiful eyes meeting Er Bingzi's.
She smiled and beckoned him forward, choosing him.
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END OF CHAPTER
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