Upheaval in the Mountains

Before the mountain forest under the night sky, Ling Xu and the tabby cat vanished in a mere flash into the boundless snow. Those two were one thing, but Wei Mo, ten meters tall and clad in mottled, ancient-styled armor, also disappeared in an instant. His movements were so astonishingly swift that hardly anyone could react in time. Only the pure-white old weasel unhurriedly waved a paw, summoned the donkey, and rode away in leisurely fashion, returning into the deep mountains. The anomalies within the dense forest retreated as well. Instantly, across the sky above the vast mountain ranges, flocks of flying creatures appeared, while on the slopes countless figures leaped and clambered. On the snowfields outside the mountains, everyone dispersed—whether nobles from Chixia City, members of the mountain patrol team, or local Newborns. Even after walking far away, people were still buzzing with discussion, feeling the trip had been well worth it just to see higher beings with their own eyes. "What is that feathered-robed woman's background? I've never heard of her in Chixia City. She was incredible." "She is probably the expert invited from afar by the City Lord." Some youths were the most excited and stirred; having witnessed the mere glimpse of skill revealed by the higher-ups, they discussed it ceaselessly, feeling as though a brand-new world had opened before them. "Is that the ceiling we can reach in the future?" "Wake up. There's a ceiling called the City Lord, but there's only one in all of Chixia City. Your ceiling is working hard for twenty years to fight for a spot in the City Lord Manor's gatehouse." ... On the road, even direct descendants of nobility like Cao Long, Wei Zhirou, and Mu Qing were no exception; they too were conversing. "Cousin, what level have you reached now? You also walk the Giant Spirit path. You're already over three meters tall, and that man named Wei Mo is ten meters. I feel the height difference between you two isn't all that far off. Does that mean your strength is also..." "Shut your mouth!" Cao Long's expression changed instantly. They hadn't even gotten far from the mountains yet. He snapped at his green young cousin, saying, "Senior Wei was already twenty to thirty meters tall twenty years ago. Now he's undergoing reverse change. We can't begin to fathom what realm he has reached." Just then, a silver-haired elder of rather high status from the mountain patrol team approached and asked, "Is anyone from Chixia City's Wang family here?" People immediately realized this must be about Wang Nianzhu—he had slaughtered a nest of spiritual creatures, the blood snakes, and was suspected of murdering several mountain patrollers in the process. "Nianzhu has gone missing. We're looking for him too," a middle-aged man responded. "Could he have fled to escape punishment?" the silver-haired elder said. Though his face was heavily wrinkled, he was still hale and vigorous, cold electricity flashing in his eyes. If it were ordinary mountain patrollers, the Wang family naturally wouldn't care, but now the nature of the matter had changed. Someone from above was inquiring, and they were quite wary. Because the highest authority over the mountain patrollers was the vice city lord of Chixia City. "We're searching for him as well. I believe Nianzhu wouldn't do such a thing," the middle-aged man said. Then, he accompanied the elder toward the snow to one side, offering an explanation. ... In Twin Trees Village, Qin Ming, Old Man Liu, and Xu Yueping watched the snow drift past the window. Inside the warm room, they ate steaming donkey meat from a copper hot pot and drank fine wine dug up from the mountain patrol post. Qin Ming, who usually cared little for alcohol, was feeling a slight buzz now. He hadn't expected that Wang Nianzhu, whose name he only learned after the man died, could still serve such a tremendous purpose even from beyond the grave. Combined with having smoothly completed his second Newborn transformation, Qin Ming sipped lazily, feeling exceptionally relaxed. Looking out the window, his thoughts drifted, his heart not quite as calm as he appeared. Where exactly was Luoyue City? He would go see it eventually. On that dark night two years ago, blazing fire roared, swallowing the entire village. The feathered-robed youth walked across broken walls and ruins, ethereal and otherworldly, striking without mercy... He could never forget those scenes. Qin Ming sighed softly to himself. Had he remained ignorant of the past, he could have continued living in peace, but now he had to quicken his pace. "Xiao Qin, is it just my imagination? It feels like your vitality is more vigorous than before, and you seem to have grown a bit taller too," Old Man Liu remarked. Though senile in appearance, his eyes were very sharp. Qin Ming hadn't used Harmonize with Light and Dust in front of him and Xu Yueping, so his disposition was naturally somewhat different from before. Xu Yueping nodded. "Indeed, there's a difference. His eyes are clearer, and he seems more handsome too." After this second Newborn transformation, Qin Ming had grown by less than half an inch; anyone not particularly familiar with him wouldn't notice such a subtle change at all. He had already confirmed that the Newborn method recorded on the silk scroll would not make a person continually grow taller. He replied with a smile, "I just turned sixteen, and my body hasn't finished growing yet. It's likely to change every few days." After this transformation, aside from possessing two thousand jin of strength in his arms, his flexibility and speed had improved by a wide margin—the most outstanding gains—and his overall strength could truly be said to have surged. In the deep night, all sounds fell silent. Heaven and earth resembled a colossal abyss bent on swallowing every trace of light. Suddenly, deep within the mountains, silver lightning streaked across the inky night, crimson light dyed the ridges, and a giant wielding a black spear shattered mountain peaks beneath his tread and roared, as if to shatter mountains and rivers, triggering a terrifying avalanche. "They've already made their move!" On a high slope outside the mountains, the woman cloaked in black fur stood gazing into the distance. Looking upon the clearly abnormal, dreadful night scene, brilliant rays swirled in her eyes. A purple-eyed crow perched on a stunted tree spoke in human tongue: "That batch of outside higher beings can't hold out. They'll have to pull back tonight. If things go fast, we can enter the mountains within two days to search for the place bathed in five-colored mist." Behind the woman and the crow were several shadowy figures. Someone spoke up: "With the higher-ups of Chixia City teaming up with the mountains' native anomalies, the migrating higher beings can't possibly stop them. It's very likely some powerful creatures will be left behind as rare spiritual materials." The tall cloaked woman watched the mountain depths without turning around. "You Liangyun, once the mountain clearing begins, go test someone for me. Mm, if you win, don't kill him. If you lose, don't bother returning with me to Liuguang City; go back to Chixia City to be your noble young master." Among the dozen or so people behind her, one youth froze at her words, his hands tightening inside his sleeves in an instant. He was a noble of Chixia City, belonging to the main branch of the You family. When the woman had been selecting candidates in the city, he had been full of hope, only to end up disqualified even as an alternate candidate. In the end, elders in his family pulled strings and paid a considerable price just to secure him an opportunity to accompany the woman to Liuguang City. For no other reason than wanting to listen to secret arts before the woman's unfathomable teacher—even learning for half a year or a year would be worth it. Yet right now, he felt a sense of crisis. Just who did she want him to test? Could he really lose even this traveling companion status? The woman's slender figure remained facing forward, still gazing into the depths of the mountains. "His name is Qin Ming, one of only two Newborns with a golden foundation in this region this year. Your You family sent people here as well; with your connections, you should be able to find him quickly. Remember, I want you to test him—do not resort to dishonorable methods." "Understood. I'll go have someone look into him right away." You Liangyun turned and left, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. Watching his retreating back, the crow remarked, "When You Liangyun underwent his first Newborn transformation, he could lift a tripod of six hundred and fifty jin. In Chixia City this year, he fell behind another young man and woman, and no anomalies appeared when he built his golden foundation." The woman nodded. "Qi Huai'en, go follow him. I actually want to observe You Liangyun's character. He originally wasn't qualified to accompany me to see my teacher. If his conduct falls short this time, there is truly no need for him to join the journey. Qi Huai'en, while you're at it, see what that Qin Ming is like and whether he can become one of the alternate candidates." During this deep night, many sharp-sensed Newborns outside the mountains sensed something amiss and climbed to high ground one after another, looking out toward the mountains. The commotion in the mountains was simply too grand; even from a great distance, one could hear the terrifying roars let out by the anomalies. The mountain depths were thrown into total chaos. Swarms of strange insects and birds took to the night sky, fleeing in panic, while the cries of apes and roars of tigers echoed ceaselessly through the dense woods. Even far away in Silver Vine Town, that mysterious old noble received a report right away. Every strand of his silver hair gleamed crystal clear, his complexion ruddy and translucent. Wrapping himself in a fox-fur coat, his body moved as nimbly as a wisp of light smoke, appearing atop the manor's tallest building in an instant. Although thick night mist hung heavy at this hour, he still gazed toward the mountains, murmuring softly, "May the special nodes have birthed the rare treasure I need." "They're fighting?" Qin Ming leaped onto the roof and looked toward the mountains. Twin Trees Village wasn't too far away, forcing him to stay alert and wary. Fortunately, though the mountains were in turmoil that night, the commotion failed to spread to the outer perimeter. One side held absolute initiative, tightly controlling the tempo. The next day, many people were buzzing with excitement: the mountains had undergone an upheaval! Without a doubt, the people from Chixia City and the local Newborns would soon be permitted to enter the mountains to search for special nodes and harvest whatever rare resources might be there. Once shallow night arrived, Qin Ming ate breakfast and began practicing the Newborn methods recorded on the silk scroll. His body felt as if a furnace were stowed within, endlessly supplying him with strength. Afterward, he practiced the combat methods from the saber manual. Now, wielding the long-handled dark-gold hammer felt like casually swinging a stalk of hemp—completely weightless. Xu Yueping pushed open the door and entered. Seeing him practically whirling the heavy dark-gold hammer into intricate flourishes, he jumped in surprise, but soon said, "Xiao Qin, stop practicing your hammer techniques. Your future father-in-law sent someone to invite you for a meeting." "Huh?" Qin Ming was dumbfounded, looking thoroughly baffled. "The old noble from Silver Vine Town asked to see you by name," Xu Yueping informed him. Hearing this, Qin Ming immediately understood. He calmly asked, "It's not just me alone, right?" "Well... he'll definitely screen candidates, but you and Zhou Wubing are the only two who built a golden foundation, so you'll certainly stand out above the rest. Still, at this critical juncture..." Xu Yueping frowned. After the incident last time, he had reflected deeply and felt his initial decision had indeed lacked foresight. "Would refusing offend him?" Qin Ming asked. Xu Yueping nodded. "It would indeed look like we're slighting him. Supposedly, when the nobles from Chixia City arrived, they all paid him a visit in Silver Vine Town. He really seems to have quite a background, possibly hailing from somewhere huge." Qin Ming smiled. "Then I'll pay a visit, freeload a meal and some drinks. At a time like this, there are probably benefits to be had." "You rascal!" Xu Yueping pointed at him with a laugh. Xu Yueping had given it careful thought and felt no harm could come of going. With so many top experts from Chixia City here, what could the old noble possibly demand of a youth who had only undergone one Newborn transformation? If there really was "serious business," Qin Ming could simply play along while taking whatever perks came his way. "Yeah, I'll head over shortly. While I'm at it, I'll take a look at his daughter and see why this noble lady is so desperate for a husband," Qin Ming said.