"The Jade Emperor?" Yao Ruoxian remembered the name vividly. He was a monstrous talent of the demon race who had carved out a formidable reputation across the Plain of Divine Demise.
During that final showdown back then, the Jade Emperor had stood as one of the pillars of the younger demon generation!
More than a year had passed, and to meet again like this—Yao Ruoxian stared at the pure white flesh resting on the silver platter, feeling as though life was truly unpredictable.
She was momentarily dazed. A young demon lord renowned across both camps had met his end in such an undignified fashion, reduced to this.
"Am I dreaming?" The Thunder King Bird stared blankly. The mighty Jade Emperor, who had once summoned wind and rain on the western front, had ended up as dinner on its plate.
It felt utterly dazed, as if none of this could be real.
One had to remember that in that late autumn, Qin Ming had barely escaped with his life when facing a silver colossus. Back then, he had only been a "minor cultivator." Yet in less than a year and a half, he had slain the Jade Emperor.
Yao Ruoxian had lived a life of luxury since childhood, tasting every conceivable delicacy, but even she found the notion of using an elite heavenly demon seed as an ingredient utterly absurd.
Barring any unforeseen mishap, the Jade Emperor would undoubtedly have grown into a titan among the demons!
Yao Ruoxian recalled the formidable young demon expert on the battlefield of old, then looked at the translucent, glistening flesh on the platter. The chopsticks in her hand froze in midair.
The Thunder King Bird, on the other hand, felt no psychological burden whatsoever. Not only a locust beast—even if a bird-shaped creature were laid out before it, it would devour it without hesitation.
"This is intensely nourishing," Qin Ming said with a smile.
He always repaid kindness. Yao Ruoxian had located two precious secluded cultivation spots for him, ultimately enabling him to break through the heavenly barrier and step into the Heart Lamp realm. Now, he was treating her to the highest grade of heavenly demon seed.
Not far away, Yao Ruoxian's confidants and guards were enjoying various delicacies from the sea.
Night Province did not border the sea, possessing only a few saltwater lakes. Such transcendent-tier "seafood" was considered a rare luxury even to those serving by the Dayu princess's side.
Eventually, Qin Ming overcame his aversion and dug in. Whether it was salt-and-pepper locust legs or locust meat simmered in seafood broth, he tried them all.
Seeing that he had started, Yao Ruoxian could no longer resist the temptation.
Once they began, there was no stopping. The two feasted with great relish. The glowing flesh possessed an innate fragrance; simply roasting it transformed it into a delicacy, requiring no elaborate cooking techniques.
Before long, the silver-haired grandmaster Zhuo Qing appeared. She was an expert Yao Ruoxian placed great trust and reliance upon, treated as a core confidante. When she learned the truth, she froze.
"What did you say?" Zhuo Qing was stunned.
She had walked the battlefields of the western front, clawing her way out from mountains of corpses. She had heard the name of the rising demon star, the Jade Emperor, more than a few times and understood full well how weighty that name was.
"Aunt Zhuo, calm down, keep your voice low," Yao Ruoxian cautioned. Slaying the Jade Emperor was no minor affair. If word reached the demons, they would likely seek vengeance against Qin Ming, putting him in danger.
"I understand." Zhuo Qing gave a solemn nod.
Qin Ming was not worried. As long as his cultivation advanced fast enough, it might not take long before none of this posed any problem at all.
"My mountain master is truly formidable!" the Thunder King Bird cried excitedly, beaming with pride. Qin Ming's combat achievements were simply too dazzling—he slaughtered top seeds of the demon race on a whim.
Yao Ruoxian could not help but ask, "Brother Qin, did you reap gains within the Night Ruins? Did you perhaps unearth another hidden trove and make a breakthrough in your realm?"
Qin Ming smiled faintly. "My cultivation has progressed slightly."
Both Yao Ruoxian and Zhuo Qing felt their hearts shudder. Earlier, they had merely guessed that Qin Ming might be "witnessing a new world" and obtaining secret scriptures, but they had not been certain.
Now, his lack of denial served as confirmation.
"Could you already be nearing the eighth layer of the spirit field?" Even the female grandmaster Zhuo Qing could not help asking.
When she spoke, she was already making what she thought was a generous overestimation, believing such progress would be astonishingly fast.
After all, Qin Ming's last public battle had taken place outside the earthen city, dueling that white-robed youth suspected of being a mind monkey. At that time, many had agreed that he should be around the sixth or seventh layer of the spirit field.
Hence, Zhuo Qing had formed this impression.
In truth, even that pace had already frightened many.
The Newborn path was renowned across the world for its sluggish advancement, yet this youth had advanced by leaps and bounds, repeatedly shocking people from both the Immortal path and the esoteric sects.
However, they had quickly rationalized it, believing that Qin Ming was also an immortal seed who practiced both paths concurrently, likely using the Immortal family's methods to break through bottlenecks.
As for Qin Ming's subsequent advancements, outsiders knew nothing about them.
After all, not much time had elapsed since the earthen city battle, and neither Yao Ruoxian nor Zhuo Qing believed he could achieve consecutive breakthroughs so quickly.
Qin Ming replied, "The Newborn path is exceedingly arduous. Even cultivating two paths concurrently barely pushes it forward. Though I made some gains, my progress has been slow."
He did not disclose his exact realm. Although he was on good terms with them, there was no need to lay all his cards on the table.
The general environment in Night Province was currently extremely complicated. Retaining an air of mystery and letting various factions misjudge him would keep him far safer.
If someone tried to take advantage of his perceived low cultivation realm to secretly plot against him, they would surely run into a "pleasant surprise" and experience an unforgettable moment.
"You've already established yourself on the eighth layer of the spirit field!" Zhuo Qing was deeply shaken inside. She believed she had confirmed this "truth" through Qin Ming's modest words.
In her eyes, such cultivation speed was already extraordinarily fast!
From her perspective, only by breaking through to this level could Qin Ming have possessed the capability to slay the Jade Emperor.
Yao Ruoxian's beautiful face was filled with marvel as she said, "From what I know, you began cultivating relatively late, yet you are already close to making up for that shortcoming."
Qin Ming shook his head. "I am still far off. Cui Chongxiao, Little Rulai, and the others all possess profound cultivation. I still need to strive to catch up."
The two women were speechless. Cui Chongxiao was eight years older than him, while Little Rulai's age was a mystery. How long had Qin Ming even been cultivating to compare himself against those figures?
In reality, Qin Ming was silently shouting in his heart: *Realm faction of Night Province, here I come! I am joining your ranks, ready to compete with all of you.*
Yao Ruoxian said, "Many say your combat talent is exceptionally shocking, often allowing you to defeat superior opponents. You don't need to feel anxious. Just advance steadily, taking it one step at a time."
Qin Ming said, "Actually, I want to join the realm faction."
Yao Ruoxian was at a loss for words, wanting nothing more than to ask: *Are you, a slayer of higher-realm foes, being serious right now?*
Sharing Qin Ming's philosophy was Li Qingxu.
At this moment, within an outer pure land, Cao Qianqiu had personally concocted a cauldron of grand medicine and distributed it among his disciples.
Old Cao said in a deep voice, "An unimaginable golden age is approaching with unstoppable momentum. All of you must strive to elevate yourselves, or you will fail to keep pace with this great era."
"Yes, Master!" Li Qingxu nodded. He belonged to the realm faction, firmly believing that as long as he advanced quickly enough, those prodigies who excelled at combat within the same tier would eventually be left far behind, and he would look down upon them from above.
"Master, how is your path of breaking and establishing progressing?"
Cao Qianqiu's expression grew solemn. "With the appearance of the Night Ruins, the very essence of the world has changed. My art and my path require adjustments, or the consequences will be severe."
Old Cao warned that before long, it would be the turn of the middle-aged and younger generations.
At present, from patriarchs down to great grandmasters, powerful figures were experiencing severe physical issues, and the phenomenon was about to spread to experts at the grandmaster level.
Cao Qianqiu said, "For all of you, this is also an opportunity. Rather than calling the emergence of the mysterious, hidden Night Ruins an erosion of Dao charm, it is better to see it as the world completing itself, allowing even more formidable experts to be born. Ultimately, a grand contention of ten thousand paths will unfold. One step ahead means remaining ahead at every step. Becoming a Heavenly Immortal and serving as the common progenitor of a path is a monumental opportunity unseen across hundreds of generations!"
Afterward, another of Old Cao's disciples sought guidance, asking, "Master, the embryonic form of Yujing may have appeared, alongside the New Roster, the Gold Roster, and the Dao Roster. How should we respond?"
Cao Qianqiu replied with a stern countenance, "Do not always think of challenging the rules. Initially, you should adapt to them and utilize them properly to aid your own rise."
Li Qingxu felt that his master, who had once resembled an indestructible, cutting blade, was somewhat different now compared to the past.
Cao Qianqiu had become somewhat restrained, not only because he had been crippled once, but also because Lu Zizai had claimed he might be a mind monkey severed by someone.
This had exerted a profound impact on Old Cao. Had he not been in secluded cultivation at the time, he would have confronted Lu Zizai even in his semi-crippled state.
Afterward, he had meticulously studied the four jade book pages related to severing the mind monkey. It was one of the three most difficult true scriptures to cultivate along the Immortal path, and he had practically thumbed the pages to tatters.
For a time, Cao Qianqiu had fallen into self-doubt, using every available means to trace that potentially terrifying old figure who might exist.
"Qingxu, follow me," Cao Qianqiu said.
Shortly after, within Old Cao's secluded cultivation ground—a purple bamboo forest—Li Qingxu's eyes widened as he saw an arrogant, unruly youth.
Cao Qianqiu said, "This is a descendant of mine. Because he has spent years cultivating in seclusion, he lacks worldly experience. Qingxu, when you travel outside, you may take him with you. If you encounter an unvanquishable enemy, let him take action."
Every glance and brow movement of this youth radiated a domineering, flamboyant aura, standing there like an Overlord's divine halberd poised to pierce the night sky, exuding a perilous aura.
Looking at him, Li Qingxu had an illusion that this proud, high-spirited youth bore several shades of Cao Qianqiu's former overbearing charm.
"Behave yourself once you go out!" Old Cao reached out and patted the youth several times, instantly scattering most of his wild aura and calming him down considerably.
Li Qingxu's heart pounded wildly. Over the past half year, his master had become subdued. Could it be that after enduring great ups and downs, he had comprehended something from the jade book, severed his negative emotions, and manifested a mind monkey?
...
Half a month later, Yao Ruoxian concluded her inspection tour of the Dayu dynasty's southeast. What she had witnessed along the way was far from optimistic, with numerous incidents breaking out in remote areas.
She had already learned from Qin Ming that, comparatively speaking, the interior of the Night Ruins was even more terrifying. Once deep night arrived, severed heads would fall from the sky and blood would rain down.
Those so-called thirty-six layers of heaven harbored grave problems.
"The ice and snow have melted!"
According to the calendar, early spring had already arrived, yet many regions had remained locked in ice and snow. Only recently had good news finally spread: the fire springs across Night Province were gradually reviving, and the earth was officially thawing.
"Everyone, the fire springs are growing vigorous, and various Night Ruins creatures are receding. We should seize the opportunity to purge them!" someone rallied.
Soon, the major factions reached a consensus.
Shortly thereafter, another piece of news spread: the embryonic form of Yujing had manifested. It was no longer a matter of speculation, but had truly been sighted by certain Earth Immortals.
"Everyone, perhaps the worst period has passed!"
"Not at all. Patriarchs and great grandmasters have suffered complications, and the affliction is even beginning to spread toward grandmasters!"
"Life has grown much easier for ordinary people. Night Ruins creatures are dwindling, driven back by the revived fire springs."
Everywhere, fire springs gushed, restoring brilliant radiance to the land. Vast expanses of fire fields were put to the plow, as though Night Province was once again nurturing vibrant vitality.
Qin Ming had already returned to Black-White Mountain, giving Meng Xinghai quite a shock.
It was not because he had slain the Jade Emperor, nor was it because of his experiences within the Night Ruins, but because he had already established himself in the Heart Lamp realm.
Old Meng knew full well that Qin Ming had broken through along the Newborn path!
"At this rate, I'll be overtaken by you, kid, before long!" Meng Xinghai felt conflicted. When he had first met Qin Ming, the youth was being pressured by Cui Hong, and he had casually stepped in to resolve the situation.
Yet in a mere two years, Qin Ming had grown to such heights.
"I'm still far from your level, Uncle Meng. I still have much catching up to do," Qin Ming said with a smile.
"You brat, you're actually making me feel the pressure." After finishing the seafood feast, Meng Xinghai wanted nothing more than to immediately enter seclusion.
Then, lowering his voice, he said, "Keep a low profile. After the two Cui family teams were wiped out one after another, grandmaster-level figures came to investigate."
Moreover, Cui Chongxiao had personally appeared, arriving in the Black-White Mountain region.
"Oh? He actually came!" Qin Ming's eyes flashed with divine light. Having joined the realm faction, he was eager to see if he could measure himself against Eldest Cui now.
Meng Xinghai said, "Don't act recklessly. Some people might already suspect that you are merely borrowing the name of an immortal seed while still treading the orthodox Newborn path."
Qin Ming nodded, indicating he would proceed with caution.
Meng Xinghai whispered, "All factions are discussing the emergence of Yujing's embryonic form. It may harbor tremendous opportunities. Keep an eye out for it as well!"
In truth, within three days, the impact of Yujing's embryonic form spread across the board. Even those who had taken refuge in Sky City could no longer sit still.
Certain powerhouses caught shifts in the Dao charm above the vault of heaven. In an otherworldly realm thick with azure qi, glowing proclamations seemed to be taking shape, poised to emerge.
"Bring order to heaven and earth, usher in the blazing sun."
Soon after, someone engaged in spirit wandering during their dreams and resonated with the proclamation beyond the sky, leaving them deeply shaken.
In truth, more than one person had shared this communion; from Sky City to the ground, many had sensed it.
Subsequently, people began interpreting its meaning.
Currently, the broader environment was undergoing drastic transformations. Did this mean the living beings of the world were intended to reshape everything that existed?
"Could it be that the sun is about to appear?"
Two days later, someone deciphered that by cleansing the calamities between heaven and earth, one could receive generous rewards according to their merits, gain entry to Yujing, and stand a chance to become a Heavenly Immortal.
"Is this true?"
"Yes, because many experienced this enlightenment when reaching the state of unity between heaven and man."
In addition, extraordinary prodigies could ascend to the heavens, inscribe their names upon the New Roster or the Gold Roster, and enter Yujing directly.
For a time, fervent discussions erupted across the outside world.
Qin Ming and Meng Xinghai were also discussing the matter, both frowning in perplexity.
"It should be related to the embryonic form of Yujing!"
"I intend to visit Twin Trees Village and try to speak with Senior Liu to see if he can regain lucidity and help us understand the true situation."
Ever since Yujing shattered and the world underwent drastic upheaval, Old Man Liu had aged noticeably, growing increasingly lethargic.
"The road ahead is unknown, life and death uncertain, but I have no other choice," Liu Mo murmured in his sleep.
Then, his head glowed, and a golden figure stepped out. Barely a palm in height, he whispered, "One final long journey."
In Chixia, Qin Ming and Meng Xinghai felt a sudden premonition and snapped their heads up. They saw a tiny golden figure seated upon a slowly spinning black-and-white Taiji diagram, descending before them.
"I do not have much time." The golden figure pointed a finger downward, and instantly, black-and-white scripture materialized in the void, drifting before the eyes of Qin Ming and Meng Xinghai.
Chapter 431