Inside the grand hall, twelve massive pillars of golden phoebe wood were carved with heavenly dragons whose scales and claws were distinct and lifelike, complemented by cloud patterns, their dragon heads holding divine glass palace lanterns in their mouths.
There were many guests gathered here, mostly young people.
Dictated by the changing times, the older generation had stepped back. As some said, the world now belonged to the young and middle generations, and going forward, they would carry the banner.
Unable to decline such warm invitations, this was already the third gathering Qin Ming had attended in the imperial capital of Dayu.
"Brother Qin, have you ever considered going above the Nine Heavens to cultivate?" Feng Zhige approached, holding a luminous cup. The fine wine within resembled jade nectar, radiant with shifting colors and releasing a rich fragrance.
Ever since his public duel with Cui Chonghe concluded in the arena, various factions had sought him out openly and covertly. Qin Ming had become the target of recruitment for many major organizations.
Even people from the heavens cast many glances his way, sending emissaries to approach him.
Qin Ming politely declined, saying, "Prodigies abound above the Nine Heavens, all like blazing suns traversing the sky. With my meager cultivation, if I ascended to the heavens, I would be eclipsed into utter dimness. The pressure would be far too great; I'd better pass."
Having concealed his identities as the Realm Faction and One Sword, how could he possibly take the initiative to head above the Nine Heavens and present himself before that bunch of old men? He couldn't avoid them fast enough.
Yan Zhuohua's hair was like silk, her brows traced as if with light ink, and her garments tinged with azure mist. Graceful and poised, she smiled faintly. "Brother Qin, you are far too modest. You possess the caliber of a blazing sun yourself. Moreover, your Chaos force boasts astonishing offensive power; even up in the heavens, it could likely rank among the top ten wondrous scriptures and esoteric tomes."
Lu Chengyuan and Su Moran were also beside her, both nodding slightly in agreement.
Qin Ming shook his head and said, "There is something you don't know. Chaos force is difficult to cultivate. The first three realms are manageable, but upon reaching the fourth realm, the difficulty increases drastically. Especially in the late Mind Lamp stage, it is like walking a tightrope. At the slightest misstep, hidden flaws can be left behind, leading to death."
Having a good relationship with Qin Ming, Su Moran truly believed he had hidden worries, and comforted him, "Extreme Dao true scriptures and supreme marvelous arts all pursue the power of forbidden domains. More or less, they all have some flaws—that is a universal problem."
Qin Ming sighed and said, "In the late Mind Lamp realm, those so-called hidden flaws aren't impossible to endure. But once you reach the fifth realm—True Form—the problem becomes truly severe. Even several founding ancestors who created the art blew apart back then, their forms and spirits disintegrating simultaneously."
This was not an intentional exaggeration on his part; it was the truth, real events that had occurred in the past.
The Chaos art was excessively domineering. Once one reached the fifth realm—True Form—even figures like the old Six Emperors and the old Rulai who had switched to practicing this scripture had blown apart, only piecing their form and spirit back together with great difficulty in the end.
In truth, Feng Zhige, Lu Chengyuan, and the others had also heard of this.
Yan Zhuohua said, "Brother Qin, you have progressed smoothly on the new life path and are known as its representative figure. Presumably, you should be able to rewrite that outcome."
This was an evening banquet co-hosted by old mountain strongholds above the Nine Heavens, such as Star Mountain and Zixiao Cave, so quite a few prodigies from the heavens had attended.
Of course, seeds of Yezhou's Immortal Path, divine seeds of the esoteric sects, and disciples of Earth Immortal sanctuaries from outer domains were also present in large numbers.
Qin Ming furrowed his brows and said, "It is difficult. Look, the hall is filled with young elites from every path, but how many young experts are there on my new life path? This path is already hard to tread, and with Chaos force being extraordinarily dangerous, the road ahead is shrouded in thick fog. I can only cross the river by feeling for stones one step at a time, always at risk of being swept away by the raging currents."
Then, seeing Li Wanfa and Little Rulai, his mind stirred. He couldn't let these heavenly prodigies keep their eyes fixed on him.
Qin Ming gestured and said, "Speaking of the orthodox lineage of Chaos force, its current source is in Pugong. See them over there? The final disciple and granddisciple of the Present Sage are both there. With the old Rulai instructing them, the two of them should be able to cross the True Form Tribulation of the fifth realm."
Instantly, the gaze of the crowd turned in that direction.
The Chaos force of the seventh-realm sage had once shocked various old mountain strongholds in the heavens. Over the past two years, they had already been studying this lineage and had approached them multiple times.
Now, hearing Qin Ming put it this way, Feng Zhige, Lu Chengyuan, and the others naturally felt intrigued again, smiling and raising their cups in a toast toward Li Wanfa.
In fact, several people were already standing beside Li Wanfa, including Blazing Sun figures from the heavens such as Zhou Tiandao and Gu Yanci.
The two groups moved closer to each other, both sides very polite.
Li Wanfa had a tall, straight posture and appeared twenty-five or twenty-six years old. His eyes were clear and bright, and his physical body was like a black hole, not leaking even a shred of spiritual power.
Carrying a jade cup, he walked over and took the initiative to clink cups with Qin Ming, saying, "Truly worthy of being Yezhou's rising star and the representative figure of our new life path. With this battle, your fame has shaken the realm, spreading far beyond the borders of Yezhou."
Qin Ming replied courteously, "Brother Li is the true otherworldly qilin. Having long transcended, you have no need to fight, yet all quarters respect you. I was merely forced to enter the arena, burdened by empty fame, struggling for survival."
Over the past three extraordinary gatherings, he had praised opponents and spoken self-deprecating words so often he felt sick of it. But he had no choice; out in the world, such socializing was unavoidable.
Especially since he was in the imperial capital of Dayu—the power center of a unified realm, a place close to the Dao. Factions were everywhere here. The blessing light rising daily from the city could nourish the pure lands in the sky and was coveted even by Earth Immortals. It was a place where dragons and fish mingled indiscriminately.
Little Rulai opened his mouth, wanting to correct him. Although Li Wanfa looked like merely a youth, his seniority was immense; even Little Rulai had to call him Martial Granduncle.
However, Qin Ming had already firmly settled on the term "Brother Li." He had no habit of deferring with formal junior etiquette to people he was barely acquainted with.
Li Wanfa was very open-minded. With a bright smile, he waved his hand. "No matter, we can each address each other on our own terms. All Chaos force under heaven originates from the same source. Brother Qin may well represent Patriarch Qin's lineage, effectively making him the master of a lineage now—a status of high standing."
The crystal chandeliers suspended from the ceiling of the hall refracted dreamlike hues. No ordinary mortal walked this floor, and overall, the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
Of course, not everyone regarded Qin Ming highly. Some disciples from Earth Immortal sanctuaries outside the domain did little more than nod when crossing paths with him.
Qi Yunxiao, Cen Jinghong, and others harbored even greater hostility toward him, though they concealed it well.
In the distance, a man in golden robes spoke indifferently, "That is Qin Ming? Since it is confirmed that there is a considerable gap between him and 'One Sword,' there is no need to make contact."
Beside him, several men and women had originally urged him to recruit Qin Ming, believing this person was destined for greatness in the future.
Yet he was aloof and self-important. Rejecting the suggestion after casting merely a few glances, he held his wine cup and walked toward Jiang Ran and Li Qingyue.
Rather than approaching a "drudge" who might blow apart in the future, it was better to mingle with Yezhou's foremost young talent of the Immortal Path and the Innate Fire Physique.
Someone informed him, "Those two are very close with Qin Ming."
Hearing this, the golden-robed man stopped in his tracks and turned back toward Qin Ming. Having just descended from above the Nine Heavens, he was not yet aware of the relationships among these people on the ground.
Now that he had gained a preliminary understanding, he did not want to needlessly invite aversion.
Sensing something, Qin Ming turned his head and caught sight of the golden-robed youth. He thought to himself, *That indifferent expression, that posture of self-importance—he really knows how to put on airs.*
"He is Lu Zheng," Feng Zhige introduced.
Soon, Qin Ming learned that this man had a formidable background, backed by a peerless Earth Immortal in his clan.
Those on the ground might not know, but above the Nine Heavens, the core disciples of top sanctuaries all understood how terrifying the ancestor behind that clan was.
Su Moran secretly sent a mental transmission: "You know that Tianzun on the New Board, right? He mastered the Extreme Dao golden body and is practically considered the strongest body refiner above the Nine Heavens. Lu Zheng is his descendant, recently referred to in private as the Little Tianzun."
Qin Ming was surprised. He had actually crossed paths with that person before, having clashed with him on the Sword Dueling Platform. Afterward, whether out of sincerity or pretense, that Tianzun had gifted him a jade plaque, telling him that if he ever ascended to heaven, he could present it to meet him, and he would welcome him with open arms.
Qin Ming greeted him with a smile, saying, "I have long admired your name. The Extreme Dao golden body of the immortal lineage's strongest body-refining branch truly shakes heaven and earth."
"Pleasure to meet you," the golden-robed youth Lu Zheng nodded indifferently. While not outright rude, he carried an air of detachment, showing no interest in deeper interaction.
Qin Ming didn't care. His praise had been for that powerful Tianzun, who was indeed terrifying; the polite remark of having long admired him had nothing to do with this Little Tianzun Lu Zheng.
Lu Zheng had come for Li Wanfa. Though he still maintained some aloofness, he was not quite so indifferent toward the personal disciple of a sage, taking the initiative to converse and exchange words.
Naturally, those nearby did not let the atmosphere turn awkward, quickly moving past the moment.
Qin Ming was indifferent. He had fought Lu Zheng's ancestor; why would he care about a descendant? In another place, should a conflict arise, he would make sure this fellow learned how the orthodox Extreme Dao golden body was properly cultivated.
The atmosphere in the hall gradually grew lively. Holding their wine cups, many sought out like-minded companions to converse with. The Ancient Mist Gate was soon to open, and whether they were Blazing Suns from the heavens or Earth Immortal disciples from the ground, all wished to find allies for joint exploration.
After dealing with wave after wave of people, Qin Ming suddenly felt something. Turning his head sharply, he actually caught the aura of the mind monkey. Had the true person appeared?
He saw Li Qingxu and beside him Cao Tian. The latter was wild and untamed, yet at this moment flashed a grin toward him, draining the wine in his cup in one gulp.
*Could it be Cao Qianqiu's mind monkey?* Master of the six pages of the jade scripture and thoroughly versed in the Heart Subduing Classic, Qin Ming had always felt this person shared a subtle trait with Old Cao.
However, this was not the person he was looking for.
Turning his head, Qin Ming spotted Bai Meng and his sister. Smiling, he walked over and said, "Fairy Tang, let me toast you. How about we wipe the slate clean of our misunderstandings? If not, I'll treat you to tea another day, and we can clear it all up face-to-face."
Today, Tang Yushang had changed into a black gown, looking exceptionally cold and glamorous. Seeing his smile and recalling past events, she immediately wanted to swing her long leg and kick him.
However, this was not the right occasion. Restraining herself well, she offered a faint smile. "Very well. I will be staying in the Dayu imperial capital for the next few days."
Qin Ming chuckled easily and said, "Alright, let's meet up later then."
Bai Meng looked back and forth between the two, unable to resist wiping imaginary sweat. He thought to himself, *Are you two actually making plans? Please, just don't start fighting when the time comes.*
Tang Yushang raised her swan-like, snow-white neck, drained the amber wine, and turned to walk away with graceful steps, saying nothing more.
"Qin Ming, long time no see." Wang Caiwei came over. She was a girl who loved to smile, her brows and eyes curving gracefully, devoid of her past melancholic trace, bright and radiant.
Qin Ming smiled and returned the greeting. Even though there was nothing between them, for the sake of her being Ning Siqi's cousin, he couldn't give her the cold shoulder.
In the distance, Cui Chongxiao nearly crushed his luminous cup. That was his younger brother's fiancée! Back then, rumors had already circulated among the three of them. Now seeing the two clinking cups, if Cui Chonghe—who was recuperating from his injuries—found out, he would probably cough up blood from rage.
One had to know that Qin Ming was the culprit who had personally crippled Cui Chonghe.
Cui Chongxiao suppressed his rage; this was no place to lose his temper. After all, the Wang clan was also a millennial clan, by no means easy to provoke.
The chill in the depths of his eyes faded, and the fingers gripping his cup relaxed. He murmured, "Qin Ming... just wait!"
Su Mohua bounded over lightly, blinked playfully, and said, "Master, my mistress is calling you over."
Qin Ming was taken aback and couldn't help glancing back, immediately realizing that this title had to be her own mischievous invention.
Nonetheless, he excused himself and followed her toward Li Qingyue, Jiang Ran, and the others.
Clearly, not only did those nearby freeze, but some cultivators with profound attainment were also able to hear Su Mohua's playful words above the din of the banquet.
Li Wanfa and Lu Zheng both turned their heads to glance over, the latter, the Little Tianzun, looking toward Jiang Ran and Li Qingyue several times.
"This girl truly knows how to talk," Yu Gensheng appeared silently with a smile. Though uninvited, if he wished to draw near, others naturally could not perceive him.
The old grandmaster viewed Qin Ming as the future hope of the new life path and had long treated him like his own child. Loving the house and its crow, he held a favorable impression of everyone around him as well.
Suddenly, Yu Gensheng moved. Disappearing from his spot, he abruptly pressed out a palm toward a spot nearby. Heavenly magnetic light intertwined, warping the void.
With a loud crash, a thick phoebe wood pillar carved with a coiled dragon in the hall exploded, and many glazed lanterns shattered simultaneously, as if an abyss had descended to shroud the place.
A mysterious grandmaster had approached in the dark and clashed with Yu Gensheng.
In fact, Qin Ming had sensed it in advance as well, but had held back. After all, he was not One Sword, nor was he a grandmaster; the world knew him only as being in the Spirit Field realm.
Still, he narrowed his eyes, preparing to counterattack. This seemed aimed at him. To approach under such circumstances, taking advantage of the crowd and clamor—did they intend to assassinate him?
Yet their audacity was absurdly great, showing no regard whatsoever for the guests at the gathering.
Cui Chongxiao's pupils constricted. He desperately wanted to curse: *Which damn faction is making a move?*
Even if the Cui clan wanted to kill Qin Ming, they would bide their time first. How could they possibly cause trouble at such a juncture?
*Their malicious intent is abominable!* Cui Chongxiao gritted his teeth in secret. This would easily make people suspect the Cui family was retaliating, giving the impression of a cornered beast acting in desperation.
Then, he felt relieved. Rational people should realize that the Cui clan would not be so reckless.
*Since that's the case, can I take advantage of the situation to strike a fatal blow for real?* The divine glow in Cui Chongxiao's eyes faded, and ultimately, he vanished from the hall.
With a resounding boom, the hall shattered, and the palace collapsed. Li Qingyun appeared as well, giving chase outward.
"This might not necessarily be aimed at Qin Ming. Everyone, remain cautious," Feng Zhige sent a voice transmission. A Blazing Sun from the heavens like him was privy to many inside details.
Ever since Yujing vanished, the bunch of old men above the Nine Heavens had been deeply anxious, fearing that supreme lineages on par with Yujing would invade.
Some believed the Black Pagoda civilization had merely been probing last time, and that similarly terrifying hunters might lurk in the depths of the night mist world.
Everyone was cautious, concealing themselves in the night at the first possible instant.
Inside a residence somewhere in Chongxiao City, an elderly man smiled faintly. "Someone is willing to do the dirty work and take dark contracts. We only need to spend a little coin to achieve unexpected results without staining ourselves with karmic cause and effect. Why wouldn't we?"
Soon, his expression changed as he received a report: yet another mysterious faction had entered the fray.
Qin Ming, Li Qingyue, Jiang Ran, Ning Siqi, and the others retreated from the banquet grounds, each fully on guard. The two women had even donned their liquid armor.
Qin Ming wore a solemn expression. In a secluded spot, his essence, qi, and spirit quietly detached from his body. Heavenly light wrapped his consciousness and spiritual wisdom, latching onto the ragged cloth, completely devoid of luster, as if vanishing entirely.
He was now the temporary owner of the old cloth; outsiders could not detect this piece of exotic metal cloth.
He had been continuously comprehending the Body Tempering Dao Integration Classic. Leaving behind merely a portion of his consciousness in his body was more than sufficient, making it sturdier than body refiners who specialized in the Extreme Dao golden body.
Furthermore, with his true body standing alongside the two women, nothing should go wrong, and he could also use this to clear himself of any suspicion.
"Qin Ming, accept your death!" someone roared from within the night mist, loosing a divine arrow of tremendous power toward him.
With a resounding clatter, Jiang Ran shattered that terrifying arrow with her heavenly dagger-axe.
Qin Ming's expression turned frigid at once. Was someone trying to use hunting him as a pretext to stir up trouble here?
In truth, if he were their primary target, they wouldn't shout so blatantly about killing him.
"Regardless, you harbor ill intent!" Qin Ming decided to return the favor, even intending to hunt them proactively.
In the night sky, Qin Ming's essence, qi, and spirit were attached to the old cloth, silent and soundless, roaming like a phantom. In this state, he possessed his peak strength.
He whispered softly, "Temporary owner of the ragged cloth... that makes me a top-tier assassin. I can play this game and stir up trouble with you to the very end. Hmm, the night is truly fine tonight!"
Chapter 497