Qin Ming had never imagined that the Heluo Classic could be this powerful. At the seashore, he rose amidst glowing mist, surging water vapor billowing as heavenly light illuminated the night sky.
The boundless ocean provided him with an inexhaustible stream of power. Ripples of blue light surged from the water's surface, converging toward him like trickling streams and lifting him into midair. His wide sleeves fluttered, making him resemble a heavenly immortal descending upon the mortal realm.
Qin Ming had an epiphany and murmured, "Any extraordinary skill containing a hidden trove is truly remarkable. Past battles never displayed its proper might only because I never stood in an environment suited to unleash it."
"Hmm?" Becoming vigilant, he surveyed his surroundings. Now that the Heluo Classic was circulating on its own, the essence of the great ocean steamed upward. Countless droplets of translucent blue light rained down like extensions of his own body; his perception spread outward, his spiritual senses exceptionally keen.
There were supernatural creatures nearby, and by no means few. In a sandy burrow along the shore, a web-footed beaver-cat had transformed into a cat-eared maiden with sapphire eyes, peeking out at him.
In the seawater, a strange giant crab clad in golden scales, roughly a zhang in length, raised a massive golden pincer, secretly making a scissor gesture toward Qin Ming in the night sky. Arcs of lightning coiled around the pincer, resembling chains of law.
Beneath the sandy beach, resting within a seashell coffin, lay a rainbow fish. Auspicious clouds swirled inside the shell coffin. Suddenly, it snapped its eyes open and assumed human form—resembling a youthful sea god, gripping tightly a spear of lustrous gold.
...
Could they have been stationed here intentionally?
In the night sky, light rain burst apart with an ear-splitting sonic boom. Qin Ming vanished from where he stood. He had come to comprehend the Dao, not to tangle with creatures of the Night Ruins.
Eventually, he arrived at a secluded, quiet beach. Taking a deep breath, he resolved to keep a low profile, gaze upon the new realm as quickly as possible, and pluck the hidden trove.
The boundless ocean brimmed with life—sea beasts, spirit sharks, and everything in between. It was impossible for Qin Ming to avoid them all, but he only needed a brief window of time.
"That spot earlier must have been an overlap between the two realms. Were those creatures monitoring the passage leading to Night Province?"
Qin Ming soon calmed his mind and began practicing the Heluo Classic by the seashore. Gradually, he was once again enveloped by the dense essence of the great ocean. Amidst streams of flowing blue light, he seemed to stand within a sea god's pure land.
As he comprehended the Dao and pushed the Heluo Classic toward its peak level, the Night Ruins' erosion seemed largely shut out, and the piercing pain throughout his body faded away.
Waves slapped against the reefs as he slowly blended into this misty, nocturnal world of wonder.
In a daze, he seemed to see seawater flowing in reverse, as though countless colossal waterfalls hung inverted beneath the heavens, radiating kaleidoscopic radiance.
"This..." Qin Ming was astounded. Could reality be overlapping with the location of the hidden trove?
He already caught a hazy glimpse of the new realm, a mythical spectacle. The ocean there was immeasurable, and faintly visible was a giant fish like a kun, its length spanning countless li, churning up monstrous, terrifying waves.
Meanwhile, in the physical realm of the Night Ruins, countless blue fire springs seemed to surge beneath the sea. The entire water surface turned translucent and crystal-clear, an intoxicating shade of blue. Divine light reached into the depths of the night sky, where sea and heavens merged into one.
"A gaping hole has opened in the heavens?" Qin Ming was thoroughly shocked. Witnessing such a sight in reality almost knocked him out of his meditative state of enlightenment.
It was not hanging waterfalls at all; rather, the night sky had fractured, and vast amounts of immortal light and law fragments poured downward, merging with the glowing, turbulent ocean.
Immediately after, he saw swarms of sea beasts, spirit sharks, and other creatures swimming against the immortal light along chains of law, ascending toward the night sky to enter the gaping hole above.
Densely packed sea demons and schools of fish swam against the current, surging along the waterfall of luminous mist toward the great opening in the sky.
"A carp leaping through the dragon gate—even the Night Ruins has its own version. Are they heading beyond the heavens?" Qin Ming marveled at the astounding spectacle.
Seawater surged, pouring upward in reverse. Sea beasts and fish demons of every kind vied with one another to swim toward the opening in the sky—a magnificent sight.
Qin Ming saw a silver octopus brandishing sinister tentacles, crawling close to the great opening. Bathed in the strange luminous mist, its form was undergoing a transformation.
Watching the night sky, he murmured, "As long as one has ambition and the courage to bare one's fangs and claws at heaven, swimming against the current, even the lowliest creature beneath the ocean sand can become a dragon."
Yet no sooner had the words left his mouth than several chains of law snapped in that patch of sky. Like thunderclaps detonating, rays of light scattered, and lightning interlaced. The leading octopus was torn apart, and behind it, scores of sea beasts were shredded to pieces, staining the sky with blood.
Watching the carnage, he said, "It blew up... What a pity. You are no true dragon scion after all. To ascend to the heavens, one must cross a tribulation."
Only a minute fraction of lucky ones evaded the flying shards of light and swam into the realm above the great opening.
Countless marine creatures were striving to cross over, but the outcome was utterly tragic.
In such an environment, the Dao rhythm fluctuated violently, severely disturbing Qin Ming's contemplation. He temporarily withdrew from that state.
Reaching into the sea, he caught a sentient conch demon and resonated with its emotional fluctuations to uncover the truth of this place.
"What? How could this be!" Shock hit him at once, the light of his soul churning violently.
The creatures here had no concept of the 'Night Ruins.' In their minds, this was the First Heaven.
To the native creatures, the abnormal phenomenon in the sea meant the Path to Heaven was opening. The fortunate could ascend against the 'sea waterfall' to enter the Second Heaven.
"There are thirty-six layers of heaven in total!" Qin Ming could not calm his heart for a long time.
The Night Ruins was entirely different from what he had imagined.
Recalling what the being within the silver divine halo had said back in the town eroded by the Night Ruins, he was momentarily lost in thought.
Qin Ming pondered: how did the mythical legends of Night Province align with the Night Ruins?
Not only did it feel absurd, but a chill ran down his spine.
"In mythological legends, the heavens have thirty-six layers. Yet while Night Province has gods and immortals who possess extraordinary might, the thirty-six layers of heaven can nowhere be found."
In the physical night mist world, the land held blessed lands capable of giving birth to Earth Immortals, while among the nine skies lay hidden grotto-heavens that, in eras before corruption and decay, could give rise to Heavenly Gods and Heavenly Immortals.
The different realms of the nine skies corresponded to astral winds capable of scattering one's consciousness, immortal fires that could incinerate body and spirit, terrifying lightning, and the like.
Beyond the nine skies lay profound mystery, an utter unknown; only Yujing was known to exist, perched high above.
And yet, Yujing hung inverted.
Having brushed against part of the truth behind the Night Ruins, Qin Ming looked at the various threads of the physical world and sank into a momentary stupor.
The sea waterfall dispersed, the immortal light and chains of law shattered, and the magnificent spectacle vanished. The Dao rhythm was no longer restless.
Qin Ming immediately resumed practicing the extraordinary skill, entering that special state once more to gaze upon the new realm. Before him stretched a divine ocean, a kun's back floating like a continent.
Ultimately, he descended to the ocean floor, stepping into a majestic, luminous palace.
The palace was constructed of unique materials: brilliant red coral, smooth bones of sea beasts, translucent pearls of every kind, and crystal-clear conches.
"Found it—the Sea-Overturning Classic." Qin Ming felt a surge of joy. The secret scripture was carved upon snowy-white seashells.
Turning through the seashell pages, he plucked the hidden trove with utter concentration.
"This technique was not created by the human race. The Sea-Overturning Classic originated from a Great Sage of the flood dragon clan as his fundamental scripture, yet all races can cultivate it."
Qin Ming learned the origin of the classic. He then recalled that many foreign races referred to humans as 'erect ape demons,' suggesting extensive historical interactions between humans and various other races.
Inside the coral palace, he carefully studied the Sea-Overturning Classic. Indeed, secret scriptures were vastly more difficult than extraordinary skills.
Before long, he rose and walked over to a five-colored seashell containing a shimmering blue liquid—a spiritual substance extracted from the essence of the ocean.
The five-colored seashell was massive. Qin Ming sat directly inside. The intoxicatingly blue liquid gave off a delicate fragrance, nourishing his essence, qi, and spirit, making him feel as though he had returned to the womb.
Bathing in the precious blue fluid, Qin Ming cast off all fatigue from comprehending the scripture. Warmth suffused his entire body, as if he were undergoing the genesis of an innate embryonic transformation.
"Hm?!"
Suddenly, a premonition struck him. The hairs on his body stood on end as he sensed danger approaching. At this moment, he was in the rare state of mind lucidity.
"Not good. Danger looms in reality—trouble is coming!" Qin Ming glanced around the palace, confirming that nothing had been missed and all intended fortunes had been claimed.
He immediately swept up all the shimmering blue liquid from the massive seashell, carrying it with him as he returned to reality.
Qin Ming realized that peril had drawn near—someone was likely attempting to obstruct his path!
The moment the warning flared in his heart, his spirit and physical body resonated, drawn by a mighty force. Hurrying along the return journey, he snapped back with a swish.
Qin Ming's consciousness re-entered his body, uniting form and spirit.
The instant he returned, snapping sounds echoed from within him, like divine chains binding the Fourth Realm were breaking. Having plucked three consecutive hidden troves and comprehended the secret scripture, his accumulated foundation culminated today as he launched an overpowering breakthrough.
Qin Ming did not deliberately batter against the boundary of the great realm; the instant his body and spirit resonated, he shattered through the heavenly barrier directly!
His body burned scorching hot as his physique underwent a transformation. A violent process of nirvanic rebirth was about to begin.
At the same time, he sensed something amiss. Someone was spying on him, swiftly closing in, lunging straight toward his location.
Frowning with a chilly expression, Qin Ming stood up and watched the creatures converging from all directions. He had been encircled.
Concealing his state while letting his flesh, blood, and spirit undergo their rebirth, he scanned these uninvited guests.
"Jade Emperor!" He instantly recognized the man approaching from the front alongside a woman. The man possessed sword-like brows, starry eyes, and a commanding presence—none other than the top prodigy of the demon camp, the Jade Emperor.
The woman wore five-colored armor and carried a five-colored divine sword on her back. Her waist-length, aqua-blue hair gleamed brilliantly; her skin was like congealed lard, and her dark eyes held a lively, spirited gleam. Tall and slender, she was scarcely shorter than the Jade Emperor.
The woman spoke, her voice crisp and pleasant: "Another anomaly. Having just arrived on this side, he's unaffected by the erosion of the Dao rhythm and can cultivate directly. What's more, he seemed to have entered an epiphany moments ago."
Evidently, she spoke the sea race tongue, completely different from the dialect of Night Province. Yet the light of her consciousness rippled alongside her words, allowing Qin Ming to understand her meaning.
"Princess, should we report this person to the Heavenly Maiden as well?" From another direction, a cat-eared maiden with blinking sapphire eyes approached with feline grace.
Qin Ming recognized her immediately as the beaver-cat he had spotted earlier.
"Mm," the blue-haired woman in five-colored armor nodded.
Aside from them, a massive crab covered in scales appeared leading a group of sea demons, raising its large pincer to make a scissor gesture toward Qin Ming.
From yet another direction, a youth transformed from a rainbow fish brandished a spear, leading another band of sea demons to surround him.
Staring at Qin Ming, he flared his nostrils forcefully, his gaze growing burning hot. "This anomaly carries the aura of the ocean's essence, scented with fragrance. He plucked an astounding precious medicine from the sea!"
The youth turned back to the blue-haired woman in five-colored armor. "Senior Sister, what do you think?"
Without question, this party held extraordinary status.
The blue-haired woman leading them was a princess of this sea territory. The beaver-cat and the golden-scaled crab were her capable subordinates, while the youth of the rainbow fish clan was her junior brother.
"It's you!" The Jade Emperor's eyes turned instantly frigid as he stared ahead.
The moment Qin Ming broke through, his physical body and spirit resonated. Amidst this nirvanic rebirth of form and spirit, his true countenance had passively restored itself.
The Jade Emperor's killing intent surged wildly. His younger brother Huang Fei and his cousin had both been slain by Qin Ming. Over a year ago, had he not been obstructed by Night Province's top immortal seeds, he would have struck this nemesis dead long before now.
"You know him?" The blue-haired woman tilted her head to ask. Her manner toward the Jade Emperor was notably intimate.
"Yes. He murdered my family," the Jade Emperor nodded.
At once, the sea race princess with flowing aqua-blue hair looked toward Qin Ming. The smile vanished from her lovely face, replaced by a slight chill.
Qin Ming spoke up: "I slew my opponents openly and honorably on the battlefield. How can you call that murdering your family?"
The youth transformed from a rainbow fish immediately chimed in, "Senior Sister, since this is Brother-in-Law's enemy, then let's... get rid of him. He has precious medicine from the sea on him; it could probably grant us a round of nirvana."
The cat-eared maiden hesitated. "However, the Heavenly Maiden issued a decree stating that any anomaly who forces their way over from the night mist world must ultimately be brought before her."
Hearing the title 'Heavenly Maiden,' the blue-haired woman immediately grew wary and began to hesitate.
"What is the background of this Heavenly Maiden?" the Jade Emperor asked.
"Unattainably high, unspeakably noble—her origin is world-shaking," the blue-haired woman revealed after a brief hesitation.
She then murmured, "The core region of the Eastern Sea had been frozen from ancient times until the present day, only thawing recently. A peerless, breathtaking woman emerged from within..."
According to the deductions of senior elders among the sea race, the Heavenly Maiden likely came from beyond the thirtieth layer of heaven. Having plummeted into the Eastern Sea during the ancient war on the brink of death, she remained frozen until awakening in this era.
"The spectacle earlier—where a gaping hole tore open in the Second Heaven, pouring down immortal light and chains of law—was very likely triggered by that very Heavenly Maiden."
"This..." The Jade Emperor's heart trembled. Such a figure was truly terrifying—either a recovered ancient powerhouse or an ancient 'blazing sun' wielding supreme treasures, mending their wounded form.
"Eliminate him!" the blue-haired woman commanded, drawing her five-colored divine sword and pointing it at Qin Ming.
Qin Ming still needed time; he did not wish to undergo his rebirth in the midst of a fierce battle. He said, "Doing this violates the Heavenly Maiden's will."
The sea race princess swept a glance over him, smoothing back her blue hair, and addressed the others: "Although both are anomalies who forced their way here, they share a feud. Even if brought before the Heavenly Maiden, one would die in the trial of combat anyway. We might as well eliminate him beforehand!"
She extended a slender, jade-like hand and pointed directly at Qin Ming.
"Understood!" The beaver-cat maiden and the golden-scaled crab both nodded, accepting the command.
The youth gripping the golden spear grew even more excited. "Then what are we waiting for? Seize him and plunder the precious medicine he harvested from the sea!"
"How strong is he?" the blue-haired woman asked the Jade Emperor beside her.
Qin Ming sighed inwardly. This battle was unavoidable. Indeed, fortunes differed from person to person. The Jade Emperor was by no means simple; not only had he withstood the erosion of the Night Ruins, but he also seemed to have won the favor of this princess, seemingly on the verge of marrying into her household.
Meanwhile, Qin Ming was also a so-called anomaly, yet arriving a step later had led the blue-haired woman and her companions to secretly decide to eliminate him ruthlessly.
The Jade Emperor spoke, "Over a year ago, he had not even attained the Third Realm and was only fit to duel the sword slave I kept."
Qin Ming retorted, "Quit your boasting! Today, you'll share the exact same fate as your former sword slave—you will be decapitated!"
The blue-haired woman looked at him and said, "Outsider, forgive us. As things stand, you are unqualified to meet the Heavenly Maiden. We prioritize the stronger and more gifted; taking the initiative to eliminate you early will make no difference."
Qin Ming drew the Measure-God Ruler forged from the Nine-Life Tree. Ancient, faint glimmers flowed across its jet-black body as he said in a deep voice, "Since you dare obstruct my path today, every last one of you shall be put to death!"
Chapter 428