The master of this domain was shrouded in steaming immortal mist. His name was Yue Mo, and he was thoroughly shaken.
The news brought by the middle-aged man fell like a bolt of lightning straight into the lake of his heart.
"And yet you dared to return? Hurry and..." Yue Mo secretly instructed.
The middle-aged man, Liu Bai, replied, "I have already warned the white-furred beast not to approach that old man."
He then added, "Besides, we cannot be certain yet. What we see before us is truly bewildering."
Yue Mo frowned. Five hundred years had passed, and everything of the past should have come to an end. Why had dust kicked up again? Was another storm about to brew?
Just then, Young Master Lu, who had vanished briefly, returned with an easy expression. "I went to check," he said. "The Beast God Bone-Illuminating Mirror suspended over the town showed nothing abnormal."
Hearing this, the tight strings in the middle-aged Liu Bai's heart loosened.
Young Master Lu reported the details. He had reviewed the images recorded by the Bone-Illuminating Mirror; the old man wore no disguise, and his state was genuinely as it appeared.
"That is for the best." Yue Mo nodded. Even as the contemporary spokesman for the Black-White Divine Land, he had felt a shiver of dread not long ago.
Indeed, for a moment, his scalp had prickled with numbness, and he had treated this as the greatest crisis they could face.
"I will go observe more closely," Liu Bai said.
Inside the magnificent building, distinguished guests held wine cups and conversed. Some congratulated Yue Mo on the Black-White Mountain finally emerging into the world again after being sealed away for five hundred years.
"In the past, whenever I wished to pay a visit, I could never find an entrance," a burly man remarked. When he did not shrink his frame, he was as colossal as a mountain.
The Peril he hailed from possessed the highest inheritance of the Giant Spirit God path.
Moreover, even in the present era, a true Giant Spirit God was suspected to be alive within that forbidden territory.
"Indeed. I too passed by this place several times, yet before its revival, I could not detect the slightest clue," a silver-white giant rat said. Though its origins were humble, its clan had taken root in the core region of a certain Peril.
Rumor had it that eight hundred years ago, that clan still had a God-Slaying Rat presiding over it; none knew if it had died of old age by now.
Yue Mo sighed with feeling. "The Black-White Divine Land declined, leaving us no choice but to activate the divine formation to seal the mountain. Today, we have merely stepped out to catch our breath."
The ancient demon Nine-Headed Bird spoke up. "You are being far too modest. Now, it can be confirmed beyond doubt that the Black-White Divine Land is the orthodoxy of this land."
At these words, many people wore peculiar expressions, but to give face to their host, they nodded along in agreement.
In truth, many old-timers knew the history.
Tracing back a thousand years, the orthodoxy of this domain had been the Black-White Dao Arena.
By the eight-hundred-year mark, it had actually become the Beast God's Black-White Divine Land.
As for five hundred years ago, this place had suffered a cataclysmic upheaval.
"The Black-White Dao Arena is a thing of the past; the Divine Land's orthodoxy is beyond dispute!" said a humanoid being enveloped within a wheel of purple sun.
Evidently, he had an extraordinary background, and his words carried considerable weight.
Many knew that the Peril he inhabited had originally been home to purebred humans, but due to drastic changes in their physical states, they had established independence many years ago.
In that Peril, path-blazing patriarchs had existed in ancient times, who later underwent "mutation"!
In short, no Peril was simple. Each possessed an astonishing heritage that would be deemed terrifying anywhere.
And the reason they guarded their Perils was that within the core regions lay indelible "scenes" and incomprehensible "phenomena" of immense significance.
Those truths, and what lay behind that mist, seemed to point toward something greater.
***
In the outer area of Black-White Town, the white-furred old beast was caught in a miserable bind.
*Not allowed to provoke that feast-eating old man?* It felt uneasy. An influential figure of the Divine Land like Liu Bai had actually given such an order.
Yet it had already targeted the youth and waded into these muddy waters.
And that Qin Ming was seated at the very same table as the old man.
If it had a choice, the white-furred old beast would never have meddled.
"It does not matter. Just make sure not to involve that old man," Young Master Lu sent a secret transmission, stepping back immediately after speaking.
The white-furred old beast's expression shifted slightly. It thought to itself: *If it's fine, why are you retreating?*
In particular, when that old fellow looked up at it, its eyelids twitched violently. Though the other party seemed ordinary, how could anyone singled out by a major figure be a mundane mortal?
However, it had already flicked its fingers and shattered the letter.
Such an attitude could be called exceedingly insolent. It cared nothing for Meng Xinghai and showed no courtesy whatsoever to the youth before it.
Nearby, many had overheard its earlier words.
Did that youth from the Newborn path possess patriarch-level talent?
Many looked over as the shredded paper fluttered to the ground.
Most in this area were younger generations who had accompanied their elders out of the Perils to broaden their horizons.
A young guest from a Peril remarked enviously, "No wonder Young Master Lu wants to take him in. With focused cultivation, he might become a premier enforcer in a few centuries."
Yet among the onlookers were those harboring intense hostility.
"Uncle Bai!" A youth stood up, clearly acquainted with the white-furred old beast, and strode over.
He hailed from the plateau outside the Third Peril of Kunling, a demon seed sent out early.
Just then, an aristocratic young nobleman appeared with a gentle smile. He was a direct-line member of the Black-White Divine Land.
Looking at Qin Ming, he said, "Since you come from Black-White Mountain, that makes you one of our own."
"Second Young Master Liu!" The white-furred old beast felt an urge to wipe away cold sweat. Hearing the commotion, this young master had clearly come to snatch someone away—did he know the inside story?
In the distance, Young Master Lu stood behind the crowd, watching calmly without stepping forward again.
Within the Black-White Divine Land, four surnames shared rule: Yue, Liu, Lu, and Wang. Among them were beast races as well as humans.
Sure enough, upon arrival, Second Young Master Liu quickly got straight to the point, asking Qin Ming whether he would be willing to follow him and enter the Black-White Divine Land to cultivate.
Qin Ming politely declined; he had no desire to get trapped here.
"Are you refusing me?" Second Young Master Liu asked with a smile.
The white-furred old beast noticed that the great figure had not stopped his nephew. Did that mean it had overthought things?
It exhaled a long breath, thinking it had merely scared itself through wild speculation.
"All living beings throughout the Black-White Mountain domain are our subjects. Doing this is hardly wise," Second Young Master Liu said, his smile unchanged.
Qin Ming shook his head. "I only lived in Black-White Mountain for two years; I am not from here."
He had already made it very clear, merely offering the other party a way out. On what basis did they assume anyone local had to submit to their will?
Evidently, while the upper echelon of the Black-White Divine Land made it sound pleasant by calling them "subjects," they truly regarded the locals as servants.
The white-furred old beast felt entirely relieved. After waiting so long without any great figure stopping Second Young Master Liu, there clearly was nothing to fear!
Qin Ming produced another letter and said, "I study under Shanhe Academy."
In a place like this, modesty and low-key behavior were useless; he was forced to flex his muscles.
The white-furred old beast took it and said, "Shanhe Academy's Yu Gensheng and Zhao Ziyuan—two renowned elders of the Newborn path. Their attainments are... quite profound."
Second Young Master Liu replied, "So what? This is family business of our Black-White Divine Land."
The white-furred old beast gave a faint smile and looked at Qin Ming. "Being here in Black-White Mountain is your good fortune. Do not fail to appreciate kindness!"
Qin Ming spoke solemnly, "There are things I must make clear, lest you make a misjudgment."
"What do you want to say?" Second Young Master Liu asked.
Qin Ming took out a jade plaque and said, "This was gifted to me by a patriarch of the Newborn path."
Back in Kunling, Lu Zizai had given him several jade plaques, telling him that once he reached a certain realm, he could use them to enter the ancestral courts of various sects.
Now, Qin Ming retrieved one of them.
In a place like this, one's status was self-made. He had to be bold, gilding his own image to forge a temporary golden body.
Second Young Master Liu looked at him without speaking.
The white-furred old beast said, "What do you mean by this? Do you truly believe having a medallion from a sect's ancestral court gives you the right to disrespect your masters? Besides, whether this is genuine remains to be seen!"
As it spoke, it took the plaque and channeled a wisp of power into it. An imprint was instantly activated, radiating an unfathomable heavenly light that illuminated the area.
The white-furred old beast's hand trembled, nearly dropping it.
It waited quietly for the heavenly light to dissipate, not daring to act rashly. The plaque seemed genuine, originating from the Six Imperials ancestral court.
"Are you going to flick your fingers and shatter this one as well?" Qin Ming asked.
The white-furred old beast looked grim. It genuinely did not dare to do so, yet it still refused to lower its posture, saying, "Even a jade plaque from an ancestral court of the Newborn path can hardly interfere with a divine land!"
Its meaning was unmistakable: the Black-White Divine Land did not fear an ancestral court.
"How about adding another?" Qin Ming produced another jade pendant and handed it over.
The white-furred old beast's face stiffened instantly. It reached out, took the item, and gently channeled its power. A distinct Rulai heavenly light burst forth.
In an instant, its fur stood on end, thoroughly shocked.
"If that is not enough, have another!" Qin Ming spoke, personally activating one this time.
"Yuqing heavenly light!" someone gasped.
The white-furred old beast went completely numb. This kid carried tokens from three ancestral courts on him; on the surface, it truly dared not touch him, even with the Black-White Divine Land backing it.
Second Young Master Liu's expression shifted slightly. Even with his elevated status, facing jade plaques from three ancestral courts made it awkward for him to make things difficult for the youth before him.
"Not bad, Brother Qin. To think that after walking out of Black-White Mountain, you forged ties of goodwill with three sects. You truly live up to being an exceptional talent nurtured by our land."
Second Young Master Liu adopted a gentle tone, stepped forward, and patted Qin Ming on the shoulder.
In truth, if Qin Ming was closely connected to the three ancestral courts, he was fully qualified to sit as an equal and drink wine with him, rather than being treated as a subject or servant.
"You are too kind," Qin Ming responded with reserved composure.
Since strength, status, and prestige were what mattered here, he had no choice but to borrow authority and bolster his own momentum.
Apart from the Six Imperials ancestral court, he had not actually had much contact with the other sects. These plaques were obtained by Lu Zizai trading on his own face, or perhaps gifts Lu Zizai had received in the past and passed along to him.
Displaying these jade plaques right now was useful, and that was enough.
"Have you looked enough? Do you want more?" Qin Ming looked at the white-furred old beast.
*What does he mean? Can he take out yet another?* The white-furred old beast felt suspicious. Naturally, it did not dare treat such plaques lightly and returned them.
Just then, Second Young Master Liu received a secret transmission from his uncle, Liu Bai. A moment later, his expression froze slightly as he learned part of the truth.
Up ahead, the identity of that old man was in question? He looked identical to that man from back then!
His mood instantly plummeted. No wonder the Sixth Young Master had refused to step forward—he truly was a slippery rogue.
Even his uncle Liu Bai had only used him to test the waters a little before daring to go no further, preferring to be safe than sorry.
Second Young Master Liu wished he could turn on his heel and leave immediately.
Yet just as he quieted down, someone else stepped out of line.
The young demon seed from the plateau outside the Third Peril glared at Qin Ming with hostile eyes, having long heard that Qin Ming had hunted many fiends and demons on the plateau.
He stepped forward and said, "Since we have met today, I challenge you to a covenant duel!"
"You invited us to a feast—is this how you treat guests?" Old Man Liu spoke up.
As he turned his head, Liu Bai in the shadows froze. He noticed a red mole beside the old man's ear, and an ancient legend surfaced in his mind.
Five hundred years ago, Liu Bai had not yet been born; he had only seen portraits of that man after reaching adulthood.
Back then, an ancestor in the Divine Land had spoken at length, recounting the specific and subtle physical traits of the titan capable of overthrowing the Black-White Divine Land. A red mole had seemingly been mentioned.
At this moment, Liu Bai's head roared as though it were about to burst.
Without hesitation, he had his nephew stop the young demon seed.
Immediately afterward, he sent a secret transmission to Yue Mo at the center of Black-White Town.
"Quickly invite the Grand Ancestor to come verify his identity in person!" Yue Mo's expression turned graver than ever before. He was merely the contemporary manager of the Divine Land.
Naturally, there were figures within the Black-White Divine Land who had survived from five hundred years ago—direct disciples of the Beast God, supreme experts whose attainments had long reached the pinnacle of creation.
A moment later, that ancestor emerged from secluded cultivation.
Silently, a middle-aged man arrived and observed from the shadows. The fingers inside his wide sleeves trembled faintly. What lay before his eyes was unmistakably identical to that man from back then, down to the red mole.
He could not help recalling the upheaval of those years. His master, the Beast God, had not fought alone; he had enlisted two peak experts from other Perils. And yet...
Five hundred years ago, that man's body had suffered from severe afflictions. He had extracted his own divine bones and stripped his own immortal skin, yet even so, he had swept across the Black-White Mountain Divine Land with overpowering dominance.
The mere thought of that battle made the ancestor tremble.
"It is him... the Lord of the Black-White Dao Arena!"
When the Beast God's successor emerged and personally rendered this judgment, Yue Mo's scalp went numb. Had this man come to block their gates the very moment the Divine Land reappeared in the world?
"There is an issue with his body; right now, he is indeed merely an ordinary old man," Liu Bai said.
"If he ever reappears in the mortal realm one day, no matter what state he is in, do not provoke him under any circumstances, or the Divine Land will inevitably fall into ruin!"
The Grand Ancestor of the Divine Land spoke, repeating the dying words of the Beast God.
"This..." Hearing these words, Yue Mo and Liu Bai felt a bone-chilling cold pour straight into their skulls. This was an admonition they had never heard before.
Had they known earlier, they would never have allowed the Divine Land to emerge now.
Liu Bai personally stepped forward, maintaining a calm facade as he struck Second Young Master Liu across the head. "A guest has come from afar, yet you show such lack of sense!"
Next, he barked at the young demon seed, driving him back.
Immediately afterward, he took action himself, delivering a slap that shattered the white-furred old beast's jaw. "I told you to entertain the guests properly! Who gave you the audacity to stir up trouble here?"
With its jaw broken, the white-furred old beast endured excruciating pain while its heart pounded wildly in sheer terror. What kind of existence had it unwittingly crossed this time?
Liu Bai felt the feast-eating old man looking at him.
For a moment, his heart nearly stopped beating.
Could he have overdone it and caused the old man to "awaken"? A wave of sheer horror washed over him.
Chapter 271