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Novel: [Night Without Borders]
Chapter 33: [Fighting for a Future]
Author: [Chen Dong]
Translator: [Shadow Knight AK]
Editor: [Shadow Knight AK]
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Under the night sky, the distant mountain silhouettes loomed dimly.
"The intel was wrong!" someone shouted out in the forest.
In the dense woods, the men surrounding Qin Ming froze, quickly retreating.
In an instant, two of their comrades had fallen.
The youth had transformed from a picture of simplicity and tranquility to blood thirsty, his clear eyes now blazing with lethal intent, like twin bolts of lightning.
Especially now, Qin Ming stood with his spear, having pierced through the chest of one of their companions and hoisted him into the air, blood dripping down to stain the snow-covered ground crimson.
The sight sent chills down the spines of the men who had first surrounded him. If they had been standing there instead, they likely wouldn't have been able to dodge either.
The youth's aura had completely changed.
His black hair whipped in the frigid wind, his delicate features now etched with coldness, his entire being radiating an oppressive force.
The men involuntarily stumbled backward.
How could a newly awakener possess such overwhelming power?
One of the fallen had been a Second Awakener for over a decade.
"This is truly beyond my expectations. You harbor quite a secret, achieving Second Awakening so quickly. Most would need time to stabilize, yet you've crossed that entirely, advancing directly to the next stage."
Qi Huaien strode forward, his lithe frame radiating both the raw power of a tiger and the agile grace of a leopard.
His handsome face was etched with coldness, his brow furrowed in displeasure.
He loathed feeling out of control.
This observed youth had defied his grasp, becoming a dangerous variable.
But the deed was done; there was no turning back.
His family was currently procuring a rare Spiritual substance, preparing a mystical elixir capable of altering one's innate constitution.
This potion would enhance his aptitude and potential, making him a prime candidate for selection.
If chosen, he could spend several more years studying secret techniques under the elder in Liuguang City — a path that would reshape his entire life.
Had Qin Ming and You Liangyun possessed similar talents, Qi Huaien would have gladly extended an olive branch, seeking their friendship.
But he realized this youth was destined to block his path, and he couldn't restrain himself.
With a violent flick of his right hand, Qin Ming sent the impaled corpse flying off the spearhead like a discarded scarecrow, hurtling toward Qi Huaien at breakneck speed.
With a swift shing, Qi Huaien drew his long saber, a flash of lightning slicing through the dim forest.
He lightly struck the corpse hurtling toward him with the flat of his blade, yet the impact was devastating.
The point of contact on the corpse completely deformed as it was effortlessly deflected, slamming into a nearby tree.
"Crack!"
Dry branches snapped as the corpse crashed into the high trunk, its body mangled before it plummeted to the ground.
During this exchange, Qin Ming calmly sidestepped a few steps, retrieving the fallen Black Gold Hammer.
He now wielded a spear in one hand and the massive hammer in the other.
Neither weapon was meant for one-handed use by ordinary men, but with his arms possessing the strength of two thousand catties, both felt weightless in his grip.
He was somewhat surprised.
Qi Huaien clearly possessed some skill; with a mere flick of his saber, the corpse had been sent flying six or seven meters like it had been struck by an armored vehicle, its bones shattered and tendons torn.
Qi Huaien turned to the remaining four men.
"What are you waiting for? Do you expect me to handle this myself while you stand by and watch?"
These men were his retainers, some loyal to him, others simply too intimidated by his family's influence to disobey.
Now, they cautiously circled Qin Ming, weapons drawn, ready to strike at any moment.
The attackers surrounding Qin Ming were all highly focused.
A Second Awakener led the charge, his snow-bright spear slashing down with explosive force, his spirit, Qi, and vitality surging as he channeled every ounce of his strength into the strike.
Simultaneously, the others launched their attacks, including Qi Huaien, who unleashed a terrifying blade strike that blended subtly among the other weapons.
Qin Ming's left hand swung his long-handled Black Gold Hammer upward.
With a resounding clang, the heavy spear was sent flying into the air.
The Second Awakener stared in disbelief.
He had gripped the spear with both hands, yet the force had torn the soft flesh between his fingers, forcing him to release his weapon.
How could a Second Awakener possess such terrifying power?
At the same moment, the others clashed with Qin Ming's spear and hammer.
All were shaken by the impact, but unlike the spearman, they had allowed themselves some room for recoil.
Though their arms numbed, they retained their weapons.
Qin Ming's power was not his only advantage; his speed far surpassed theirs.
Otherwise, he couldn't have intercepted all their attacks in an instant.
Qi Huaien retreated after a brief, probing contact, realizing this youth had completely lost control and was beyond his grasp.
Even his initial high estimation of the youth had proven conservative.
Without hesitation, he retrieved a three-inch-tall crystal vial, uncorked it, and poured the crimson liquid inside into his mouth, swallowing it down without a second thought.
He had no other choice today.
Even if he could escape, he knew his fate would be grim if he didn't silence this youth.
The Raven, once it learned the truth of this place, would surely eliminate him.
Though Qi Huaien understood the liquid would harm him later, he couldn't afford to hesitate.
He needed to drastically enhance his strength immediately.
In the arena, Qin Ming showed no hesitation.
After the initial clash, engaging all his opponents simultaneously, he immediately identified their weakest point.
The Second Awakener whose spear he had sent flying became his primary target.
His body moved like a phantom, dodging the incoming longswords, iron maces, and sabers with near-teleportation speed.
With a thunderous strike, he slammed his hammer down on the retreating Second Awakener, whose ten bloodied fingers dripped crimson as he desperately backpedaled.
The man dodged with all his might, aided by his companions, but he couldn't completely evade the blow.
The Black Gold Hammer struck his right shoulder, crushing it instantly and shattering the bones in his right chest.
The broken ribs pierced his internal organs, sending him flying with a bloodcurdling scream.
Though not yet dead, he was incapacitated, lying on the ground gasping for breath, unable to rise.
His right shoulder had vanished, the entire arm severed and flung away.
This overwhelming, savage power and terrifying fighting style drained the color from the faces of the remaining attackers.
What kind of monster had they encountered?
Even though they owed their loyalty to the Qi Family, with their families residing in the city, they now felt a primal fear, sensing an invincible foe and desperately wanting to retreat.
What kind of Golden Foundation had this man forged during his first Awakening?
Now, after his Second Awakening, his power and speed were beyond their reach, as if they belonged to different realms.
"Don't panic," Qi Huaien said, drawing his long saber and stepping forward. "I can handle him. Just coordinate with me and keep this demon occupied!"
His face was flushed and glowing, and his entire body seemed to be burning.
Every exposed part of his skin radiated a crimson light, swirling with a blood-colored mist.
Qin Ming stared back, unfazed.
His opponent was a Second Awakener, and even if he had consumed some mysterious potion, could it truly allow his body to manifest "Heavenly Light" and break into the Third Awakening Realm?
That was utterly unrealistic.
Even if his body were undergoing transformation, such a process would require at least a day or two to complete.
"This kind of extraordinary power... it's truly intoxicating," Qi Huaien sighed.
Fixing his gaze on Qin Ming, he continued, "I admit, greed has blinded me. My eyes have lost their clarity, and my heart is clouded with dust. But even if I had the chance to do it all again, I'd likely make the same choice."
At this critical moment, he suddenly needed to vent his emotions.
Red light flowed across Qi Huaien's well-proportioned physique.
His still-youthful face bore a mixture of resentment and a burning desire for power.
He continued, "Do you know? I came from a city much smaller than Chi Xia City. But during my First Awakening, I could lift 720 catties — a feat that made me the unrivaled prodigy of my region, far surpassing the second-best in my age group. Yet when the Nobles passed through, I barely qualified as a candidate. I was devastated!"
Qin Ming remained still, listening quietly without making a move.
Qi Huaien gazed up at the night sky and said, "Now, I finally have my chance. My family sacrificed a mining vein to obtain a remarkable spiritual object that can alter my innate constitution and enhance my aptitude. This will allow me to study under the Noble Teacher for five or ten years."
"Do you understand what this means? It will change my destiny forever. One step forward, and the world will open up to me, my life becoming a tapestry of splendor."
"But your arrival has blocked my path to advancement. If you become an alternate candidate, I will lose my qualification. One step back, and I'll become a rootless duckweed, accompanying the group as a mere attendant, only able to observe for one or four years — insufficient to fundamentally alter my fate. I have no other choice!"
Qin Ming calmly met his gaze. "You're striving for advancement, fighting for your own ambitions, yearning to step into a wider world and witness the boundless splendor of life."
"I'm here simply to survive, to stay alive."
Qi Huaien raised his long blade. "Yes, our positions are irreconcilable. Our meeting here was a mistake. But I have no retreat. Either I kill you and leap like a fish from a shallow stream into the boundless golden sea, stirring up my own golden waves, or I die here today, ending it all. Kill!"
He roared a single word: "Kill!" With a leap, he closed the distance, his long blade unleashing a blinding flash that shattered nearby branches and trees.
The others followed suit, launching a coordinated assault.
In the blink of an eye, Qin Ming faced four elite warriors alone, yet remained utterly composed, showing no sign of urgency as he parried their attacks in rapid succession.
"How is this possible?" Qi Huaien couldn't believe his eyes, struggling to accept the reality.
After consuming the red potion with its severe side effects, his strength had surged dramatically, yet he still couldn't overwhelm his opponent?
During his first awakening, he could lift 720 catties. After his Second Awakening, his arm strength doubled, now reaching 1,800 catties.
Even at this level, he couldn't suppress his foe.
Instead, his right hand went numb from the force of the clashes.
What kind of monster was this?
He far exceeded Qi Huaien's wildest imaginings.
"Is... is he even human?" The other warriors paled.
They knew Qi Huaien's Golden Foundation intimately, having all come from the same place.
They understood the terrifying power he wielded after consuming the red liquid, yet he still couldn't defeat this youth!
Qin Ming spoke: "Unless you immediately manifest Heavenly Light after taking that stimulant liquid and step into the Third Awakening Realm, all your efforts are futile."
Simultaneously, he showed no mercy, his right-hand spear piercing through one opponent's chest, flinging him into a large tree where he hung suspended.
"Boom!"
In the next instant, he smashed another opponent's longsword aside with his hammer, crushing the man's chest.
Though not immediately dead, the man's fate was sealed.
Qi Huaien, driven to madness, launched a relentless attack. Yet his blade-wielding hand trembled slightly, unable to withstand the opponent's Black Gold Hammer.
He couldn't hold out any longer.
At that moment, Qin Ming hurled his spear.
Qi Huaien's last ally was impaled, collapsing into the snow, gasping for breath.
The man could scarcely believe that their group, led by Qi Huaien, had failed to overwhelm a single opponent.
They were all going to die here.
Qin Ming calmly executed the combat techniques from the Sword Manual, not rigidly adhering to fixed stances but adapting them fluidly according to his own understanding.
His movements were free of mechanical stiffness, often delivering unexpected, inspired strikes.
After repeated clashes, Qi Huaien realized with despair that even by employing every skill, matching cunning with cunning, and unleashing his most lethal techniques, he was utterly outmatched — completely and utterly crushed.
With a resounding crash, Qi Huaien was sent flying.
Qin Ming's hammer had struck his right shoulder, shattering it in a bloody explosion.
"What level have you reached? How much power do you possess?" Qi Huaien demanded, his voice filled with bitter resentment.
Qin Ming ignored him, preparing to deliver the final blow.
Qi Huaien laughed bitterly. "I didn't need you to tell me. When you first underwent Awakening, your arms must have possessed the strength of a thousand catties. After your Second Awakening, you could naturally lift a two-thousand-catties cauldron. Am I right?"
The other survivors, even as they coughed up blood and struggled for life, strained to lift their heads and gaze at the valiant young man.
Their hearts were shaken to the core.
To hear such news on the brink of death — that someone could actually reach such a realm!
"I'll send you on your way," Qin Ming said calmly, moving to deliver a final hammer strike to each of them, ending their lives completely.
He meticulously cleared the battlefield, tidying up the aftermath and ensuring every trace of the battle was erased before turning to leave, heading toward the fissure that had once made him gravely ill.
"Hmm?" Qin Ming felt a strange sensation.
The special Node that had once caused him such severe illness now made his body relax and feel lighter as soon as he approached it.
The lingering fatigue from the battle quickly dissipated in this place.
After carefully scanning the surrounding mountains and forests, he entered the fissure without hesitation, once again witnessing the strands of Silver Light weaving beneath the earth.
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END OF CHAPTER
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