Before he knew it, early spring had arrived. The outer realm, esoteric sects, and special higher academies had begun recruiting disciples one after another.
Qin Ming pondered deeply. Once again, he had arrived at a critical junction in life, one tied to his future fate. Standing at such an important crossroads, which way should he turn?
Meng Xinghai spoke up. "In the past, I thought you ought to attend one of the special higher academies. None of them are simple. Backed by unfathomable powers, they were established specifically to counterbalance the millennial clans, so naturally, they wouldn't care about pressure from the Cui clan."
In the night mist world, there was a saying: Dynasties flow like water, but patrician clans stand firm as iron. The latter had endured for an extraordinarily long time, with some families having prospered for more than three thousand years.
Their roots ran deep, and their reach extended into various fields and paths. Even within the outer realm and esoteric sects, many luminaries hailed from these patrician clans, holding considerable sway.
In the past, an iron-blooded dynasty had once wiped out an ancient clan, only for a small group of individuals to return from the outer pure lands, rebuild the clan, and ultimately bring about the dynasty's bizarre collapse.
Meng Xinghai continued, "Now, however, I feel that with natural gifts like yours, it would be a terrible waste not to enter the ancestral courts of the great sects!"
Back then, although he had recognized Qin Ming's potential, he considered it unwise to send him there out of caution, mindful of the brutally fierce competition within those prestigious traditions.
That brutality manifested in every aspect. For example, descendants of sect elders grew up there, enjoying constant protection and countless privileges. Meanwhile, disciples from patrician clans entered with vast supplies of resources, giving them a soaring starting point. Within the sects, disciples were subjected to bloody trials; during certain stages, it was practically like raising venomous gu insects in a jar.
If one failed to transform into a butterfly and break out of the gu pot early on, they would never enter the sights of the truly prominent figures.
During such a period, if Qin Ming inadvertently offended the wrong person and underhanded schemes came into play, it would become exceedingly perilous.
Looking at him now, Meng Xinghai believed that with Qin Ming's talent, he could compete boldly and openly even in those legendary ancestral courts. Qin Ming naturally yearned for some of the legendary scriptures, but counting them on his fingers, he realized his options were genuinely few.
For instance, the Yuqing lineage possessed an astounding background, but it had sealed its mountain gates for over two hundred years. Having only recently permitted nominal disciples to descend, there was no telling whether it would openly recruit disciples this year.
Then there was the Rulai lineage, which was clearly raising gu and cultivating cicadas—even a hulking mutant disciple like Xiang Yiwu had been turned loose by them.
The Six Imperials lineage had an even more severe issue: its founding patriarch was nearing the end of his life, and the prominent figure from the outer realm who had once been slapped was watching closely, likely foreshadowing a storm of upheaval.
Next, Qin Ming thought of the Yinyang Daoist Temple, Pure Yang Palace, and other such places, weighing each one in his assessment.
"Uncle Meng, which place possesses the most ancient records and allows disciples to read them freely?" Qin Ming asked.
"If that's your inclination, then it would naturally be certain academies," Meng Xinghai replied. "They were originally founded to break the millennial clans' monopoly."
After a moment's thought, he added, "In truth, the eight special higher academies have considerable origins themselves. Patriarch-level figures might well be backing them. If you shine brightly enough, you should be able to draw them out."
Hearing this, Qin Ming could not help feeling astonished. Could it be that figures like Qingtian, Rulai, or the Six Imperials patriarch stood behind those academies? That would truly be startling.
"That's because some great sects are on the verge of turning into hereditary domains," Meng Xinghai said. "Factions tied to patrician clans and sect elders are deeply entangled, packed entirely with their descendants. When certain long-absent patriarchs emerged from secluded cultivation and saw this, they were infuriated, wanting nothing more than to establish separate factions altogether."
Meng Xinghai believed that the forces backing the various special higher academies differed: some were old monsters on the Newborn path, while others might be prominent figures from esoteric sects or outer pure lands.
Qin Ming pondered and said, "It wouldn't be impossible for me to lie low, collect scriptures on my own, and rise through arduous solitary cultivation."
Meng Xinghai shook his head. "Whether you choose a prestigious great sect or enter a special higher academy, I will support you. You need this kind of experience. There, you can witness a broader world, obtain various secret transmissions, and cross paths with extraordinary talents from across the realm. Some may become lifelong confidants or cherished companions. It is an indispensable, invaluable chapter on your journey through life."
Meng Xinghai emphasized that such an experience was of paramount importance, far surpassing mere solitary training.
In places like that, vast stores of texts and resources were available, along with crucial networks of connections—things one could never acquire simply by keeping one's head down in isolated practice.
Meng Xinghai also reminded him that the core disciples of those special higher academies and renowned great sects were bound to be mutants, and the truly formidable figures had not yet stepped forth.
"Sparring and exchanging insights with them will be of immense benefit to you at this stage. You might even meet someone who leaves a lasting mark on your life."
Qin Ming noticed that Meng Xinghai spoke with deep sentiment. Presumably, having experienced all this in his youth, the vivid memories had exerted a profound influence on him.
"Uncle Meng, what are you reminiscing about? Who came to mind?" Qin Ming asked out of the blue.
"You little brat..." Meng Xinghai snapped back to reality, his finger reaching out and nearly prodding Qin Ming's forehead.
Meng Xinghai said, "I'm telling you this as someone who has walked this path before. You shouldn't miss out on experiences you ought to have. Simply staying low and hidden isn't enough; if your horizons aren't broad, it will affect the height and depth of your life. If you want to become a grandmaster, your vision must be expansive enough, or it will hinder you when pioneering new roads."
Qin Ming nodded at once, taking the advice to heart with an open mind.
"For now, if you want to enter a better place, you must deliver a standout performance. You might need to spar with the top talents from other cities. Securing a victory will not only yield some benefits, but also enhance your own standing."
Once Meng Xinghai finished speaking, the atmosphere grew much lighter.
He mentioned that after Li Qingyun returned, arrangements would likely be made very soon for Qin Ming to peruse the complete secret scripture.
"Uncle Meng, you're truly good to Qingyue." Qin Ming felt a touch suspicious—could old Meng share some blood tie with Li Qingyue?
Meng Xinghai laughed. "What are you thinking? Her father once saved my life, and her mother is my senior martial sister. Our two families share the closest of bonds."
A middle-aged man dressed in black entered the parlor and reported, "City Lord, an esteemed guest has arrived."
"Oh?" Meng Xinghai looked surprised.
The man in black was his confidant, responsible for handling many routine matters. He murmured, "City Lord Qi Daoming of Light-Chasing City is here."
"So it's him. Interesting, he arrived quite fast." Meng Xinghai nodded, directing his trusted attendant to arrange a banquet while rising to his feet.
Seeing this, Qin Ming naturally prepared to take his leave.
"The matter this visitor came to discuss is likely related to you," Meng Xinghai remarked.
Qin Ming looked at him with puzzlement.
Meng Xinghai explained, "Qi Daoming is a son-in-law of the Li clan and an exceptionally formidable individual. Last time, Li Qingxu's cousin, that boy Li Qingxiao, suffered a loss here and took two kicks from you—the top talent I personally selected. He probably went back and lodged a grievance. But more importantly, as a Li clan son-in-law, Qi Daoming had some rivalry with me back in the day. It seems various matters have converged this time, and he likely wants to arrange a duel."
Qin Ming realized what was happening. "The top talent he selected wants to spar with me?"
Meng Xinghai nodded. "More or less. That man was truly fierce in the past. Born of humble beginnings, he pressured many peers on the Newborn path so severely they could hardly breathe. In one tournament, he defeated seventy-two opponents in a row, reaching the pinnacle of an entire region and making quite a name for himself. Later, after testing revealed he could walk the path of the outer pure lands, he decisively switched roads. He did indeed grow stronger, caught the attention of the Li clan, and became their son-in-law."
"Uncle Meng, did you ever duel him?" Qin Ming asked.
Meng Xinghai nodded. "We clashed once on the Newborn path, ending in a draw. After we each switched paths, we never crossed paths again."
As Qin Ming took his leave, he caught sight from a distance of a middle-aged man entering the estate. The visitor carried an unmistakable air of transcendent grace, plainly an extraordinary figure.
Walking through Chixia City, Qin Ming fell into a momentary daze. He had not been here long, yet he had already grown somewhat fond of the place.
Before departing, Qin Ming felt he should tie up a few loose ends. He had promised to find spiritual substances for both the speech sparrow and the crimson eagle, a vow he had yet to fulfill. After all, he had relied heavily on their aid during the battle in the desert.
Shortly after, Qin Ming paid a visit to the Sun family, presenting Grandmother Sun with a hammer manual he had penned himself. Now that Xinyi Hall no longer made trouble for her, the elderly woman's life with her three-year-old grandson had improved considerably. With the thirty pieces of day gold Qin Ming had previously given her, she had more than enough to raise her only grandson to adulthood.
"Child, thank you!" Grandmother Sun looked at the completed hammer manual, cloudy tears streaming down her face. She tried to have the child kowtow to Qin Ming, knowing full well that this manual could change her grandson's destiny forever.
Qin Ming hurriedly supported them and quickly took his leave.
Soon afterward, he ventured into the mountains. With his current skill, locating spiritual substances capable of granting a third mutation posed no difficulty whatsoever.
Even if he encountered an Outer Sage-grade beast, so long as it was not a creature of ancient years, Qin Ming could crush it to death with his hammer.
"Mountain Lord, you weren't just saying that! You actually remembered Little Sparrow's matter! I'm so moved, I can evolve again! I'm so happy I could cry!" The speech sparrow had never left, residing in Chixia City and often heading into the mountains alongside Wu Zheng, who had also come from Black-White Mountain.
Blinking its gemstone-like black eyes, the speech sparrow chirped, "Mountain Lord, why don't you consider letting me follow you? Little Sparrow is quite remarkable, you know! I've already developed divinity, and in the future, I can walk the path to godhood."
"I might be traveling far, and you have family and kin to look after. It wouldn't be suitable."
Afterward, Qin Ming went to see the crimson eagle.
That evening, Meng Xinghai wore an unsightly expression when he summoned Qin Ming over.
"Did Qi Daoming cross the line?" Qin Ming asked.
Meng Xinghai shook his head. "No. He conducts himself with great propriety; when it comes to lines that shouldn't be crossed, he will skirt the edge at most without stepping over. People from the Cui clan have arrived and want to see you. You should mentally prepare yourself."
Qin Ming's gaze focused sharply. The Cui clan of Qinghe City, a millennial behemoth. He had lived there for ten years and had already severed ties with them, so why had they surfaced again?
Moreover, seeing Meng Xinghai's expression, he already knew that whoever had come bore little goodwill toward him.
"All right, Uncle Meng, I'll go meet them!" Qin Ming nodded. To him, the Cui clan remained a towering mountain for now. But no matter what, he would eventually have to face them in the future to retrieve the silk book.
"Rest easy, I've got your back!" Meng Xinghai patted his shoulder. "Go on ahead, do what needs to be done, and don't be afraid!"
Chapter 127