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Novel: [Night Without Borders]
Chapter 84: [Slightly Stronger Than an Extraordinary Individual]
Author: [Chen Dong]
Translator: [Shadow Knight AK]
Editor: [Shadow Knight AK]
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By the river, the two men continued their duel, their movements relentless. They exchanged words only when they drew close.
Qin Ming had previously claimed he spared Ning Siqi's life in the sky not out of old friendship, but out of consideration for others.
This was clearly not the truth.
Had it been anyone else, he would have shot them down without hesitation, sparing no words.
In truth, Ning Siqi had been terrified when his flying mount was struck by the arrow, nearly shouting for Qin Ming to stop.
He only restrained himself when he realized Qin Ming merely intended to knock him into the mud pit.
"I've been investigating Xin Yi Hall," Ning Siqi said. "People like Ge Qianxun deserve to die. That's why I hired him."
Before coming here, Ning Siqi had already sent a message to Meng Xinghai, ensuring Old Ge's demise. Yet, still uneasy, he had come to the scene himself as the mastermind behind the operation.
"Among our old acquaintances, Zheng Maorong is the most ruthless," Ning Siqi warned. "He won't dirty his hands personally, but a single glance or veiled suggestion from him will send others to do his work."
Qin Ming nodded, fully aware of Zheng Maorong's nature.
Second Master Cui had once drunkenly revealed that Cui Chonghe possessed the potential of a near-immortal and would be taken as a disciple by a renowned elder from the Night Mist World.
Qin Ming had always been the center of attention, so he wouldn't be surprised if his aura were shattered.
Moreover, some people had harbored resentment toward him from the start.
"My cousin Wang Caiwei's cousin is the most foolish of them all," Ning Siqi said, surprisingly criticizing one of his own relatives.
He lowered his voice. "Zheng Maorong has a strong ulterior motive. He's been secretly stoking the flames with malicious intent, likely hoping to use you as a means to provoke the real Cui Chonghe from Beyond the Mortal Realm."
"But my short-sighted cousin wants to hire someone to kill you himself, believing that eliminating you would completely erase your past with Wang Caiwei, leaving no trace behind."
"He must have been brainwashed into madness, not realizing that such an act would only fuel more speculation."
"Of course, he might also be rotten to the core, doing this deliberately..."
Qin Ming listened intently, gathering information to prepare for future troubles.
"As long as I advance quickly enough on the Path of Awakening, these people and events will become mere scenery along the way—gone before I even have time to fully remember them," Qin Ming said.
To thank Ning Siqi, he pushed him back into the muddy water.
"There shouldn't be any Speaking Sparrows watching nearby!" Ning Siqi, a notorious germaphobe, struggled to tolerate the filth.
"Your perception isn't sharp enough," Qin Ming said, then asked with concern about Ning Siqi's Path of Awakening.
Ning Siqi replied, "I've reached the limit of seven awakenings. My family prepared a high-grade spiritual substance for me, but even that couldn't trigger an eighth awakening."
To advance further, he would need to consume Great Medicine and enter the realm of Heavenly Light Emission.
Seven Awakenings was the ultimate dream for most, but for Ning Siqi, it wasn't enough.
If he entered the Outer Sage Realm with such a foundation, his future prospects within the clan would be uncertain.
Qin Ming frowned at this.
Ning Siqi continued, "Recently, my father took me to visit the six major Secret Sects. One path there suits me perfectly. After the regional unified exams conclude, I'll embark on a long journey. I don't know when we'll see each other again, as that path often requires entering special realms and approaching extraordinary 'phenomena.'"
"That's why I came to say goodbye."
Qin Ming voiced his concern, "Secret Sects ultimately involve dealing with terrifying creatures close to Divine Beings. While it's a powerful path, it's also extremely dangerous."
Ning Siqi dismissed his worries, "Those kinds of creatures only take notice once you've reached the top. There's no danger in the early stages."
Ning Siqi smiled. "If I ever reach the top and attract the attention of god-like beings, I'll need you to guide me through. From now on, you'd better fight your way to the top."
"We'll meet at the top!"
"Alright," Qin Ming nodded. "Just send word if you ever need anything."
He then helped Ning Siqi into the river.
Ning Siqi emerged from the water with a dark expression.
"Even though you're a young extraordinary person now, you must remain cautious," he warned. "The Noble Clans have their own prodigies, too."
"You don't know the full extent of my abilities," Qin Ming admitted. "I'm actually a bit stronger than other extraordinary young man of my age."
He had been holding back earlier.
Ning Siqi was stunned.
Knowing his old friend well, he understood that this "bit stronger" meant something extraordinary—perhaps even surpassing the level of a young Anomalous?
"Don't get complacent," he cautioned.
"Outsiders begin their training by awakening the power of consciousness, which accelerates their growth. Our Path of Awakening, on the other hand, is far more arduous."
As if remembering something, he added, "By the way, Li Qingyue is already making waves in the Beyond the Mortal Realm. And Li Qingxu seems exceptionally talented as well. His master is immensely pleased, saying that entering the Beyond the Mortal Realm in his late teens was the perfect timing—not too early. This is high praise, and it carries a deeper meaning."
"The competition in the Beyond the Mortal Realm must be fierce," Qin Ming remarked.
"Absolutely," Ning Siqi replied. "Different sects are constantly vying for dominance. By the way, tensions have been high among the most outstanding disciples recently. Rumor has it they're competing for a legendary artifact. Obtaining it could grant them near-immortality and reshape their entire lives. All the core disciples are actively preparing for this contest, eager to claim the prize. Some of our old friends will likely participate as well."
"Their world sounds incredibly vibrant," Qin Ming said, feeling a pang of longing.
"There are other realms just as dazzling, you simply haven't had the chance to experience them. You should join a powerful Dao Tradition or enroll in a prestigious Advanced Academy to witness it firsthand. Master the Secret Manual, but also immerse yourself in the world itself."
In the end, Qin Ming carried the mud-covered Ning Siqi into the City Lord's Manor.
This seemingly hot potato needed to be "dispatched" by Meng Xinghai.
It wasn't a difficult task—all it required was a convincing performance.
"Take care!"
"You too! See you at the top!"
With these final words, Ning Siqi departed.
...
In the Bronze Incense Burner, Mind-Calming Incense burned slowly, its smoke dispelling restlessness and cleansing the dust from the soul.
Meng Xinghai sipped his tea and said, "You truly surprised me. You defeated a seasoned expert with just three strikes and two palm strikes—and that was with you holding back."
This time, Qin Ming didn't feign humility.
"Ge Qianxun may be old, but he certainly can't be considered a true expert. By the way, Uncle Meng, he's a Golden Bandit."
Meng Xinghai nodded. "I've already ordered his interrogation."
He turned to Qin Ming. "What level of awakening have you reached?"
"I've undergone awakening four times," Qin Ming replied. "I'm a bit stronger than the extraordinary individuals described in the books."
Meng Xinghai abruptly stood up, his composure shattered by this revelation.
He studied Qin Ming intently, then chuckled. "What a pity I don't have a daughter."
Qin Ming grinned sheepishly.
Meng Xinghai sighed. "With such innate talent, you're nearly on par with the near-immortal Potential Outsiders from Beyond the Mortal Realm. But alas, our path can never lead to immortality. Our cultivation techniques are entirely different from theirs."
After his initial shock subsided, Meng Xinghai said with genuine admiration, "You've truly given me an unexpected surprise. You're even more outstanding than I imagined."
He stood up and paced through the antique-furnished living room, finally resting his hand on a massive bronze cauldron.
"From now on, stop practicing those haphazard, low-level Heavenly Light Force techniques. I'll find you a rare and precious manual soon."
Qin Ming realized that by demonstrating his unique value, Old Meng was indeed placing greater importance on him, already making arrangements for his training.
Meng Xinghai continued, "The Awakening stage is often misunderstood by ordinary people, but the Noble Clans understand it well. It's best not to undergo more than five physical transformations (Awakening) within a year, or it will hinder your future progress."
Qin Ming froze.
Would his plans for rapid advancement now be restricted?
Meng Xinghai asked, "You must have noticed that each awakening brings immense benefits—it's like returning to the womb. But there are also temporary side effects that require a period of adjustment."
"Uncle Meng, I haven't felt any side effects," Qin Ming said, shaking his head.
Meng Xinghai struck the chime, saying, "Your condition surpasses that of a young Extraordinary Individual, but it's not unheard of in ancient texts. I recall reading a document that described such a situation. Under these circumstances, undergoing six awakenings per year shouldn't pose any significant risks."
"In truth, there's no need to rush. The awakening stage is the fastest part of our cultivation journey. Don't try to accelerate it further."
However, Qin Ming felt time was pressing, unwilling to waste even a single day.
He believed there was nothing truly wrong with him. Other texts cautioned against indiscriminately fusing with the Heavenly Light Force, emphasizing the need for compatibility. Yet the Silk Book encouraged it.
Most crucially, the Silk Book made no mention of a limit of five or six awakenings per year.
Meng Xinghai said, "Don't be impatient. Focus on quiet cultivation for now. I'll arrange for someone to procure some higher-grade spiritual substances for you..."
Qin Ming didn't argue.
While he wanted to demonstrate his strength, he couldn't reveal his core secrets.
Back at the inn, he inventoried his spoils.
Ge Qianxun's pouch contained 421 Day Gold coins—a considerable fortune, yet surprisingly meager for someone of his status as a hall master.
"This old man definitely has more than one hideout," Qin Ming concluded.
As a Golden Bandit, he must frequently visit distant strongholds, especially since he had no family or dependents in this area.
Ge Qianxun carried five books.
Three were training manuals for Xin Yi Hall's New Awakened Cultivators, containing some coded phrases that Qin Ming didn't find intresting.
The fourth book detailed the Sun Family's Hammer Technique, but it was of little use to Qin Ming, who had already mastered it.
"Diamond (Vajra) Armor?" Qin Ming flipped through another ancient book that resonated with his spirit.
Bound in an unknown animal hide, the book was clearly an ancient artifact, heavily worn but still radiating intense emotional energy.
Without a doubt, it was a crystallization of a predecessor's lifeblood!
"A body technique that dramatically increases defense and can also be used for offense," Qin Ming skimmed through the text, realizing this technique was truly extraordinary.
No wonder Ge Qianxun harbored such resentment. With this body technique, reaching the Outer Sage Realm would have been effortless. Yet, just as he achieved partial mastery, his foundation was shattered by an unknown expert.
"The body's swelling indicates that he hasn't fully mastered it yet. At advanced stages, it can ignore sword and blade strikes. Upon reaching perfection, the body's appearance becomes indistinguishable from an ordinary person."
Qin Ming sensed that this cultivation technique was extraordinarily powerful.
Intrigued, he focused his mind completely, immersing himself in it and resonating with the lingering emotions.
He saw an old man, utterly ignoring the overwhelming swarm of mutant birds attacking him.
With a casual flick of his hand, he caused the mutated creatures to explode.
The scene shifted, showing the old man shattering a massive mutant turtle into pieces with his bare hands.
Next, Qin Ming witnessed him battling a mountain-sized Giant Beast. Heavenly Light erupted from his entire body as he used his physical form as a weapon, charging into the beast's body and piercing its heart.
"This is... truly formidable!" Qin Ming marveled.
Although the old man appeared gaunt and withered, his body was as indestructible as Diamond (Vajra), embodying a violent aesthetic.
He charged relentlessly, no monster able to withstand his onslaught.
During this time, Qin Ming briefly left the inn to retrieve the Secret Manual Ning Siqi had left him.
"It's very advanced. It allows one to cultivate a special kind of spiritual fire (Lihuo) even in the early stages, but it's quite difficult. It's best to practice it in the Thunder Fire Alchemy Hall!" Qin Ming temporarily put it away, realizing it was an extraordinary technique of immeasurable value.
Over the next few days, Qin Ming devoted himself entirely to practicing the body technique.
The book contained only one Heavenly Light Force Technique—Diamond (Vajra Technique) Technique.
Undoubtedly, it was a composite technique, it was exceptionally domineering and could be considered a formidable protective technique.
After several days of practice, Qin Ming tried the technique. He swelled up like an inflated balloon, the Heavenly Light Force coursing through him, expanding his muscles and skin.
"It's only a minor success," he muttered, studying his reflection in the mirror. "It can't withstand powerful attacks yet, but it can slightly alter my appearance."
Through his efforts, his face had become rounder, and his body had gained a noticeable bulk.
Two days later, after studying a map of the Great Mountain's terrain, he decided to venture into the mountains alone.
Although Meng Xinghai had urged him to be patient and wait, Qin Ming felt time was of the essence. He needed to grow stronger quickly to survive.
Ning Siqi had also used his connections to send a message to Cui Hao in the Beyond the Mortal Realm. If Seventh Uncle Cui emerged, he might be able to change Qin Ming's dangerous situation.
But Qin Ming refused to rely on others.
His true strength lay in his own rapid advancement.
Moreover, even if Cui Hao received the letter, he might not have left his seclusion, leaving Qin Ming's situation unchanged.
This time, Qin Ming disguised himself with a fake beard, donned loose-fitting clothes, and left his great hammer behind, entering the Great Mountain with only his Jade Iron Sword strapped to his back.
Some areas of the Great Mountain glowed with fiery crimson skies, a breathtaking sight as the Fire Springs fully awakened, gurgling and surging with renewed vigor.
In other regions, not only had vegetation sprouted, but flower buds were on the verge of blooming.
"Hmm, that thief?" Qin Ming, with no time for sightseeing, spotted a gray-robed figure shortly after entering the mountain.
It was the same person who had snatched the Snow Lotus intended for him, Xu Sheng, and Sister Fenfang last time.
With a swift whoosh, he chased after him.
The gray-robed figure was highly alert, sensing the pursuit immediately.
He turned and vanished into the dense forest, his familiarity with the mountain's terrain allowing him to weave through the trees with remarkable agility.
As Qin Ming pursued him into a lakeside area, he noticed a peculiar creature in the distance—a Purple Lightning Beast, its body shimmering with a purplish glow.
The beast had just emerged from a steaming lake and was admiring its reflection in the water, reveling in its solitary splendor.
"Aren't Purple Lightning Beasts rare?" Qin Ming wondered. "Why have I encountered two in such a short time? Is this species about to become abundant?"
Moving with lightning speed, Qin Ming surged forward from behind and leaped onto the creature's back.
"You're temporarily conscripted!" he shouted. "Move! Help me chase after that man!"
The Purple Lightning Beast, now a fourth-stage Mutant Creature, had been enjoying its post-hot spring bliss.
But now, the creature was in utter distress.
It recognized that voice—it wasn't the first time it had heard it!
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END OF CHAPTER
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