Beneath the night sky, fire springs meandered across the snow-covered ground. Whenever the wind blew, pellets of snow rustled down from emerald bamboo, and golden vines cast a warm glow like morning dawn amid the bitter cold.
This was Shanhe Academy. Qin Ming stood before his former residence. Having read the letter, he gave a light flick of his fingers, reducing the paper to fine powder.
"Demanding I come on a pilgrimage... the Past Rulai lineage is as overbearing as ever." He gazed at the frozen lake ahead.
Without a doubt, those people had already established a firm foothold within the Rulai Sect and gathered quite a few followers.
Past Rulai himself was terrifying enough, his strength unfathomable. After all, having mastered Chaos force, he likely had few rivals in the sixth realm.
Moreover, he was the martial uncle of the Present Rulai. Whether in terms of seniority or cultivation, he could look down upon the world.
Qin Ming, however, held far greater respect for the "Old Rulai" who had fallen in battle on the Plain of Divine Demise.
In a sense, the "Past Rulai" returning from Pugong had usurped that Old Rulai's revered title.
Qin Ming's brow furrowed, his expression turning solemn. In all of Night Province, very few could keep that "retired emperor" of the Rulai Sect in check.
And now, his master—one of the foundational sources of the silk book method—was about to return in the flesh. That was undeniably an earth-shattering event.
That living sage was a renowned figure even in the outer domains. Rumor had it that with the aid of a grotto-heaven ruin in Pugong, there was an eighty-percent chance he would step into the seventh realm.
If the news was true, it would be utterly terrifying.
Qin Ming strongly suspected that even an Earth Immortal would be no match for this old founder.
No one knew better than Qin Ming how terrifying the silk book method was. After integrating and refining various wondrous arts and techniques, one could fight across cultivation levels to defeat stronger opponents.
The premise, of course, was ensuring one did not blow oneself to pieces.
Once the method delved into the fifth realm, it became exceedingly unstable, posing an immense danger to both others and oneself.
That living sage had been gone for more than five hundred years, and now he was about to make a king's return to stir up storms once more!
If this ancient founder were to descend upon Night Province again, Qin Ming, as a junior, wouldn't have minded paying his respects. However, the Past Rulai lineage had adopted far too haughty a posture.
The tone of that letter just now had been extraordinarily unyielding, resembling an imperial decree or command. Based on nothing more than a scrap of paper tied to a crow's leg, they expected him to bow low and rush over immediately.
Evidently, they regarded themselves as the orthodox lineage and continually looked down upon the "collateral branches." Brilliant as Qin Ming might be, they treated him with contempt simply because he had no backing behind him.
In truth, only he was left of his branch—a mere junior. In the eyes of the Past Rulai lineage, a fallen collateral branch naturally had to obey the main branch's commands.
Since that sage had yet to officially return, Qin Ming kept his composure and felt no need to reply right away.
A snowflake drifted onto his neck, bringing a faint chill, and he snapped back to his senses.
"Huh, someone's at that residence over there?" In the distance, several Shanhe Academy disciples gasped in surprise.
"Aren't those the quarters of Qin Ming and Wu Yaozu, two legendary figures of our academy?"
"It's very likely Qin Ming has returned!"
In the wind and snow, several disciples murmured among themselves, causing a stir, though no one came forward to disturb him.
Qin Ming was rendered speechless. He was indeed a disciple of Shanhe Academy, but having left for nearly a year and a half to participate in the western border war and other campaigns, he had somehow already become a "legend."
Many disciples looked on with fervent admiration.
As the public face of the Newborn path, Qin Ming had frequently been featured in the night papers lately, causing sensations everywhere. The junior brothers and sisters in the academy felt honored whenever they heard his name.
As for the senior disciples, their feelings were far more complicated; many had witnessed his rise with their own eyes.
Qin Ming chose to cultivate quietly here for a time while also preparing to consult records in the libraries of various academies.
"Brother Qin." Xin Youdao came to visit, accompanied by his childhood friend, Cheng Rui.
In a brief year and a half, a great deal had occurred. The elites of Shanhe Academy had all taken part in the western border war, and some had been left forever on the Plain of Divine Demise.
Xin Youdao had clearly matured considerably. "Speaking of which," he said, "these two lakeside houses were wrested from our hands by you and Wu Yaozu back then."
Recalling those days, they both smiled; it felt as though it had happened only yesterday.
That evening, Wu Yaozu returned.
Lately, Kunling had become a center of turbulence. People from the earthen city had emerged, and dazzling talents from the outer domains wandered about. Little Wu loved excitement by nature, so he frequently attended gatherings and never grew tired of them.
Xiang Yiwu returned with him as well; the Tathagata renegade had no desire to return to his own rather chaotic sect.
With a soft thud, Qin Ming flicked his fingers and punched a hole through the frozen lake. Weaving heavenly light into threads, he pulled out several dragon carp one after another.
Before long, the iridescent fish meat simmering in the hot pot was nearly done, and fresh roasted dragon carp was also ready to serve.
Li Qingyue appeared; she had not departed yet either.
Over the past several days, the ancestral grounds of various sects had been thrown into disarray. The Earth Immortal had stepped forth, forcefully pushing for grand unification. Neither the esoteric sects nor the immortal paths possessed any remaining pure land.
During this time, Li Qingyue had been quite relaxed. Accompanied by Qin Ming, she had toured all of Kunling City, wandering through streets and alleys, tasting various local delicacies. She was no longer so ethereal and detached, having become remarkably grounded.
She had even shown great interest in the bead bracelets and jade hairpins sold at street stalls, even trying them on her own hair.
Seeing Xin Youdao attentively hand a freshly roasted, fragrant dragon carp to Cheng Rui, Wu Yaozu couldn't help remarking, "Old Dao, you really are a good man."
Then he noticed that while Qin Ming took charge of showing off his culinary skills, Li Qingyue was carefully picking out the fish bones and placing the meat into Qin Ming's bowl.
Wu Yaozu sighed at once. "Why do I feel like I shouldn't have come back tonight? This spirit fish tastes utterly bland now—I'm already full."
Xiang Yiwu chimed in, "You're full? Then hurry up and roast five dragon carp for me."
"Big Xiang, you're crossing the line!" Wu Yaozu complained. Amid such a gentle, warm atmosphere, a burly fellow was actually ordering him around to serve him—it ruined the mood entirely.
***
Over the next half month, Night Province was engulfed in turmoil.
In the Dagan Imperial Dynasty, an old imperial uncle explicitly opposed the annexation of the empire, refusing to comply with the Earth Immortal's will, declaring he would rather die.
That very night, he dropped dead.
One had to understand that this was a grandmaster at the peak of the fifth realm, still in the prime of his life. His sudden demise sent shockwaves across the lands.
At the time, Mu Qinghe had been at the Celestial God Palace, an important faction of the esoteric sect, so it was obviously not her doing.
Yet this made the warning even more chilling: even without the Earth Immortal moving in person, someone was carrying out her work.
To dare strike down a grandmaster of an imperial dynasty showed just how overbearing and forceful the opposing faction was. Many believed a mysterious powerhouse was executing the Earth Immortal's will.
Many already understood that Mu Qinghe had offered courtesy first before resorting to force; now, her uncompromising side was beginning to show.
"Why is she being so ruthless, acting as if time is of the essence? She even seems quite anxious. What exactly does she intend to do after unifying Night Province?"
The major organizations were forced to attach the highest importance to this, analyzing and studying the Earth Immortal from every angle.
"Could she be trying to harness the momentum of grand unification to attain the status of a Heavenly Immortal?" an elder of the sixth realm speculated.
Immediately, many expressions turned solemn.
Once ancient powerhouses reached the sixth realm, they could consider attaining godhood or immortality.
Most beings could only become lesser gods or Feathered Immortals. Those of extraordinary brilliance might become Earth Immortals or Earth Gods, but from then on, their upper limits were mostly locked in place.
Yet since ancient times, legends of Heavenly Gods and Heavenly Immortals had always persisted.
"For an Earth Immortal to shatter their shackles and break through to become a Heavenly Immortal is exceedingly difficult, but not entirely impossible. The conditions, however, are exceptionally harsh. Could she be pursuing one of the paths to Heavenly Immortality?" People could not help suspecting as much.
Soon, however, others shook their heads. Even if Mu Qinghe wished to break through to the Heavenly Immortal realm, she probably wouldn't dare act like this.
After all, the earthen city was connected to Yujing. How could she dare do this for personal gain?
Just because Yujing had not emerged did not mean it was completely lifeless. If Mu Qinghe truly dared to run amok, that inverted city would likely bring great calamity down upon her.
"If she is truly obeying the will of Yujing and rushing to unify Night Province, that's even more terrifying. What kind of reason, what monumental event could possibly require such an aggressive push?"
Even the founders of the various paths grew deeply suspicious and uneasy. The more one pondered certain matters, the more unsettling they became.
The next day, a piece of grapevine news spread: a princess of the Dayu Imperial Dynasty had been accepted as an exception by Earth Immortal Mu Qinghe as a nominal disciple. This caused a massive stir.
Two days later, an Earth Immortal's scion from the northern desolate territories entered Night Province and paid homage to Mu Qinghe.
With a smile, Mu Qinghe lavished praise upon this envoy, expressing great approval.
Shortly afterward, the personal disciple of an old Earth Immortal from Bodhi Ridge in the Eastern Lands arrived in Night Province to pay respects to Mu Qinghe. It was said the atmosphere of their meeting was exceptionally harmonious.
Following that, envoys from Earth Immortal Island in the Western Sea, the demon civilizations of the western border, and other regions arrived in Night Province one after another, heading to the earthen city to seek an audience with Mu Qinghe.
This triggered a colossal earthquake. Was the Earth Immortal of Night Province going to bring in super-factions from beyond the domain?
Normally, Earth Immortals from outer domains would not dare step lightly into the mysterious lands of Night Province. But with a decree of special amnesty from Yujing, the entire nature of the situation changed.
"Can a single Earth Immortal possess such vast influence?" someone murmured with a sigh.
"An Earth Immortal represents the absolute peak of power at present. Moreover, she wields a lethal artifact—the scroll depicting Yujing she carries can slay the Great Dream Divine Mushroom. Who wouldn't fear her?"
"Most critically, she has Yujing behind her. She walks the mortal world executing a supreme will; who wouldn't be terrified, who would dare disobey? Just watch—in the end, every faction will bow their heads."
At the same time, confidential news circulated among select circles, claiming that several Earth Immortals from outer domains might ultimately enter Night Province to assist Mu Qinghe.
This sparked an uproar. People dared not discuss it openly, but heated debates raged in private.
"Is... is the trend of the times truly unstoppable?"
Several days later, the Dayu Imperial Dynasty was the first to make a public statement: they were willing to strip away their imperial title and support the grand unification of Night Province to welcome an unprecedented golden age.
Once the first power stepped forward, a second and third naturally followed...
For instance, among the dozen or so kingdoms, several had been weak for years with unstable rule. Seizing the opportunity, they fell in line with the Earth Immortal standing above the clouds.
"A golden age, an era of an immortal dynasty, is about to arrive!"
In such a short time, several major powers had already bowed their heads, truly terrified of facing a single strike from an Earth Immortal.
Many eyes turned toward the founders of the various paths and the ancestral courts of the grand lineages.
Whether in the outer realms, the esoteric sects, or the Newborn path, things had been relatively quiet of late. The founders had opted for retirement, steadily relinquishing their authority.
Some founders even stated bluntly that since their sects now had a "retired emperor" and their "first ancestors" were returning, they intended to lean back on their forebears and take a good rest.
Afterward, other founders also voiced their stances, saying, "As long as Night Province remains peaceful and the various paths flourish, we are naturally willing to comply with the Earth Immortal's will!"
Past Rulai took action. Though he had returned from Pugong, he acted with no reserve. Possessing immense influence, senior standing, and unfathomable cultivation, he personally went to meet Mu Qinghe.
The millennium clans, all possessing keen instincts, sensed that the prevailing trend was irreversible. They believed that from the moment the Earth Immortal emerged, everything had already been decided.
"Our Cui clan fully supports the grand unification of Night Province. It is time to end this coexistence of divided empires and kingdoms."
The Cui clan stepped forward, openly and unequivocally supporting Mu Qinghe. Furthermore, grandmaster-level figures traveled to the earthen city, stating that should the Earth Immortal have any commands, their clan would immediately cooperate and execute them.
Almost all the veteran clans chose their sides, declaring their obedience to the Earth Immortal's decree.
This was a tremendous storm sweeping through every region.
Even in Dagan, where an imperial uncle had previously met a sudden death, people began bowing their heads and secretly traveling to the earthen city, fearing that delaying their declaration would only worsen their plight.
Though more than half of the top factions had yet to speak or submit, people already sensed that the Earth Immortal's momentum had reached full maturity; in the end, no one would dare stand in her way.
Right at this moment, news arrived from afar: that living sage in Pugong had indeed stepped into the seventh realm, and he explicitly took a stance supporting the grand unification of Night Province.
Moreover, before long, this sage would return to his homeland.
He was the very first Earth Immortal-level being from beyond the domain to state his intention to enter Night Province.
"Everyone, what is there left to consider? Welcome this unprecedented golden age! Night Province will soon be united, and Yujing may even bestow its blessings!"
The "first ancestors" of the earthen city traveled through various lands, making contact with the heads of major organizations to persuade and lobby them. On the whole, matters proceeded quite smoothly, and resistance was rapidly dissolving.
The founder of the silk book method was about to return to Night Province, and his combat prowess might be even more terrifying than that of Earth Immortal Mu Qinghe. With such an entity lending his support, many who had hesitated immediately declared their allegiance to the earthen city.
***
The Cui clan did not merely dispatch people to the earthen city; they also actively sought contact with the Past Rulai lineage.
After all, these were currently the only two transcendent powers in Night Province overseen by Earth Immortal-level beings.
"Our Cui clan also has several elite disciples diligently training in Hunyuan force, but we are a collateral branch that has long declined and found it hard to achieve success. We hope to receive guidance from experts of the main lineage." The leader of the Cui delegation adopted a very humble posture.
A master of the Past Rulai lineage received them, his face breaking into a smile upon hearing these words.
Afterward, both sides engaged in an exceedingly pleasant conversation.
After obtaining Qin Ming's silk book, the Cui clan had indeed selected a group of disciples to practice Hunyuan force. However, without someone to guide them, they had been entirely unable to master it. This visit was merely a gesture to signal their allegiance.
Furthermore, they had brought Cui Chonghe's younger brother, Cui Chongxuan, along with them.
"Hmm, a juvenile extraordinary with quite decent bone structure. He's practiced the six controls force? In that case, learning our Hunyuan force would be equivalent to having laid a solid foundation in advance."
Hearing this, the Cui delegation lowered their posture even further and immediately presented several exceptionally valuable gifts.
In the end, they were even granted an audience with Past Rulai.
"Our old ancestor will soon return from Pugong. Factions everywhere have sent representatives ahead of time wishing to meet the sage, yet that boy from the collateral branch has shown no reaction at all," someone from the Past Rulai lineage remarked in dissatisfaction.
"I hear he is an outcast of the Cui clan. Even members of the Cui clan who haven't mastered Chaos force came, yet this genuine collateral descendant hasn't made a single move."
In truth, several members of the Past Rulai lineage had kept Qin Ming in their sights for some time, having long heard rumors that he might have mastered the method entirely on his own without any guidance.
No matter what, they wanted to get to the bottom of the matter.
"Even if the old sage has yet to cross over, with Past Rulai presiding here, it is only proper and reasonable for him to come pay his respects first."
"A junior who knows nothing of etiquette!"
***
Outside, winds and clouds surged, the tide of events proving irresistible as clamor filled the air. Qin Ming, meanwhile, spent his time visiting various academies, borrowing and intently studying rare, ancient tomes.
He had already learned that even if certain wondrous arts were cultivated to the consummate level, one could not unearth a "hidden trove" or behold sights akin to the Great Thunder Sound Temple.
Other wondrous arts, however, were destined to hold pleasant surprises.
Qin Ming searched through these rare texts for clues and confirmed that if he cultivated the Heluo Classic to the very limit of the perfect realm, he should be able to unearth the Sea Overturning Classic.
Throughout this recent period, he paid no heed to the turmoil outside, dedicating himself wholly to perusing ancient texts, comprehending scriptures, and striving to elevate his own strength.
On this day, his eyes snapped open in his room; he sensed someone approaching.
Outside, the emerald bamboo and golden vines were weighed down by white snow. A young man walked soundlessly across the frozen surface of the lake, drawing near.
Qin Ming could perceive that this person was exceptionally strong. Moreover, the silk book method within him stirred in response—the newcomer appeared to share the same source, having also mastered Hunyuan force.
The young man moved with great composure, his frame slender yet solid. Arriving in the courtyard, his eyes burned like a pair of divine lamps as he looked at Qin Ming and said, "Not bad at all."
Then he scrutinized Qin Ming carefully, as if evaluating a fine piece of "merchandise," before nodding slightly in approval. "Come with me."
"Why should I go with you?" Qin Ming asked calmly.
"You shall be bestowed an immense fortune: an audience with my master!" the young man said indifferently, his tone brooking no refusal as he demanded Qin Ming set off with him at once.
Chapter 381