Inside the quiet room, clear wood grain patterned the tea table. Coiling branches like horned dragons crept along its rim, dotted with glistening green leaves and silver-white buds, while a faint, delicate fragrance lingered in the air.
Qin Ming sat serenely, finding the tea room quite elegant.
The middle-aged man seated across from him was named Zhou Xiuyuan, who hailed from Heavenly God Ridge. He had arranged a treasure ship to invite Qin Ming for tea and conversation, his intention to win him over obvious.
As for Bai Meng, Zhou Xiuyuan considered him half-crazed. Yet upon learning Bai Meng came from the Tai Ruins, it was hard to take offense, so he had invited him to drink tea elsewhere.
Rumor had it that the Tai Ruins should have ascended to the sky as an entire grotto-heaven, yet remained anchored to the earth. It was no ordinary place, and descendants of the Lord of Yujing resided there.
Zhou Xiuyuan clapped his hands. Two lithe, graceful women entered, their sleeves and hems fluttering as they performed an ethereal, enchanting dance.
Surprised, Qin Ming said, "Brother Zhou, aren't we having tea?"
Zhou Xiuyuan replied, "First we honor the Tea God with a ritual dance."
Once the dance concluded, the two slender, remarkably lovely young women approached. They brought glacial water brimming with rich spiritual vitality to a boil, then began rinsing the tea ware, their movements smooth and graceful like flowing water.
Watching their exquisite, artful tea ceremony, Qin Ming inquired, "With the floral aroma and tea fragrance blending together, won't the boundary between them blur?"
His fingertips brushed the branches at the table's edge. Emerald leaves rippled with green rays, sending a crisp, cool floral scent drifting into his nose and mouth.
Zhou Xiuyuan smiled. "The wooden table is crafted from a spiritual tree. Its floral scent is faint and distinctive, able to meld with the tea's vapor without overpowering its natural fragrance. In fact, it adds an enduring, mellow richness."
The tea glowed with rosy light, its fragrance spreading outward. It was certainly extraordinary. Yet Qin Ming merely took a small sip, then sat quietly, cup in hand. "Very meticulous."
In truth, he felt it was inferior to the Enlightenment Tea that Divine Son Lin Shuyue kept stored in his storage bracelet.
Zhou Xiuyuan set down his teacup. "Brother Qin, several senior figures on our Heavenly God Ridge hold you in high esteem, and the younger and middle generations admire you greatly."
Qin Ming replied, "What virtue or ability do I have to deserve such praise from senior experts? I am merely an unaffiliated cultivator with enough self-awareness to know I don't warrant such flattery."
Though disinclined to social pleasantries, he could deliver such diplomatic remarks with ease.
Drinking tea was only a pretext. Zhou Xiuyuan's expression grew serious, and he calmly brought up business.
"A golden age of profound Daoist charm will eventually dawn. Perhaps we will wait decades, perhaps centuries. But before it arrives, we 'remnants' of the old era find cultivating under this unique environment arduous and painful."
Zhou Xiuyuan mocked himself as a remnant of the old era, while also referring generally to everyone in this age.
"After all, even grandmasters dare not strike lightly now, lest they meet a tragic end. Even those endowed with heavenly talent, should they spend decades or a century struggling through this, will waste their years and struggle to attain the heights they deserve."
He voiced his woes, hoping to elicit Qin Ming's empathy.
"Brother Qin, you possess extraordinary talent. Since your emergence, you seem to have never suffered a defeat. You even defeated Cui Chonghe, who ranks quite high on the New Board. That is truly remarkable. Heavenly God Ridge hungers for capable talent. In these harsh times, we cannot bear to see a pearl buried in dust. We wish to support select extraordinary individuals, while also preserving seeds of true divinity for our sect to serve as our foundation, quietly awaiting the unpredictable grand era."
After setting the stage, Zhou Xiuyuan indicated that even under the current grueling environment, Heavenly God Ridge could provide Qin Ming with generous terms to ensure his path along the Dao met no impediments.
Qin Ming listened throughout, nodding or offering a brief acknowledgment here and there.
To keep the conversation from stalling, he occasionally chimed in. "Brother Zhou, you are somewhat pessimistic. This is not an era devoid of the Dao, only one where Daoist charm churns too violently. It is not impossible to blaze a new trail."
"From these words alone, Brother Qin, I can tell your future is boundless. You possess immense ambition. People are indeed researching cultivation methods amid this turbulent Daoist charm, but it remains far from maturity."
Next, Zhou Xiuyuan emphasized the four essentials: Dharma, Land, Wealth, and Companions.
"Dharma: the secrets of cultivating the Dao, involving supreme authentic scriptures and legendary classics, which are concentrated in the hands of major sects. Land: the cultivation environment, with heaven-locking lands above the nine heavens, marvelous beyond words. Wealth: all sorts of rare resources, none of which you will lack. Companions..."
Whether Zhou Xiuyuan was making empty promises or not, his demeanor was quite polite as he patiently painted a dazzling picture of the future.
Of course, if he could not deliver, he was merely dangling a pie in the sky.
Qin Ming listened quietly before asking, "What would be required of me?"
Zhou Xiuyuan replied, "Simple. You are an unaffiliated cultivator; you need only join Heavenly God Ridge from now on."
"That is all?" Qin Ming asked, surprised.
Zhou Xiuyuan's reply had been simple and vague. Soon, he elaborated: once Qin Ming joined the lineage, he had to remain loyal to Heavenly God Ridge and serve for life, which involved the binding of dharma chains.
Qin Ming's expression shifted slightly. He had no wish to be touched by Dao chains. If he could accept such terms, he would have long since traveled afar with Li Qingyue and Jiang Ran to join a supreme Dao arena.
Now Heavenly God Ridge, a lineage of the Seventh Realm, wished to shackle him too? There was no way he would sign away his freedom.
Qin Ming shook his head and declined politely, clearly finding it unacceptable.
Of course, he offered the usual courtesies, thanking Zhou Xiuyuan for the appreciation, mentioning that he was too used to an undisciplined life and would likely cause trouble if he joined Heavenly God Ridge.
Zhou Xiuyuan said, "Brother Qin, you can think it over carefully. The specific terms are open to negotiation. For instance, you could simply serve our Heavenly God Ridge for one hundred and fifty years."
"I will consider it." Qin Ming rose to take his leave.
Zhou Xiuyuan presented a parting gift at just the right moment. "With the great battle imminent, you are not far from the Mind Lamp Realm. Allow me to gift you a bottle of fourth-realm precious medicine."
This was precisely what Pei Shuyan had mentioned: as long as you showed up, there were perks to be had upon meeting.
Following local custom, Qin Ming gladly accepted the gesture. He had come here for tea and a pleasant chat; there was no need to act aloof and sour the relationship.
Outside the teahouse, Pei Shuyan and Bai Meng had already been waiting for a long time.
"Brother Qin, there are two more gatherings. Would you like to drop by? Neither is a heavyweight lineage, so it won't matter if you skip them."
Befitting a scion of a prominent clan, Pei Shuyan had grown familiar with the place in just a few days, acting as a middleman and doing business receiving and seeing off visitors.
"You're from the Gao family of Sky City, Gao Chan's sister?" Qin Ming was surprised. At the second gathering, he ran into an acquaintance's cousin.
His deepest impression of Gao Chan was that the man was always fluttering around Su Moran.
In the end, Gao Chan arrived as well, wearing a somber expression as he watched Qin Ming depart.
The next day, Qin Ming heard that the number of experts conscripted far exceeded imagination, with even more set to arrive.
Whether in the heavens or on the ground, a hurricane seemed to sweep through, stirring deep unease among all factions. Just how massive a war was this going to be?
Taking Yezhou as an example, anyone who had placed in the top ten of a city tournament over the years fell within the draft's scope.
Meng Xinghai donned armor, strapped a purple bronze furnace to his back, packed his chime bells, and reported on time.
In his youth, he had claimed first place across tournaments spanning dozens of cities—and that was merely the new path he had subsequently "abandoned." Now, specializing in the wonderful methods of the esoteric sect, his capabilities were even more formidable.
In Kunling City, the Golden Goat, who had tempered his mind in the mundane world by pulling a cart for more than twenty years, looked up at the sky. "Old Goat's path to grandmaster may very well lie in the outer domain."
As a prominent representative of Shanhe Academy's graduating class from over twenty years ago, he prepared to ascend into the heavens with relish.
Not to mention other places, the various academies and colleges alone were abuzz. People who had crossed paths with Qin Ming in the past, such as Xin Youdao, Luo Lianqing, and Gan Jincheng, were all preparing to set off.
Yu Gensheng emerged from seclusion to serve as one of the contingent leaders.
By this point, hearts were unsettled across the heavens and the earth. Many felt uncertain, not knowing what terrifying repercussions a war of this scale would bring.
"If we win, our side might devour an entire supreme civilization and claim the resources of a grand world!"
"What if... we lose?"
Few dared imagine the latter outcome.
Even ordinary people felt the stifling atmosphere, sensing the gathering storm.
***
In the outer domain, amid a dilapidated temple, a pitch-black lotus appeared stark and out of place in a weed-choked courtyard, rooted in a dried-up Seven Treasures Pool.
On the plaque outside the temple hung faint, indistinct immortal script: Lower Branch of Great Thunder Sound Temple.
Within the black lotus pool, Wu Yaozu shattered all the seals across his body. Clutching his head in agony, flashes of imagery surfaced in his mind. His eyes held bewilderment, tragedy, and an abyss. Only after a long while did he regain his calm and examine himself. Was he still the young man he once had been?
"Xiao Wu, what is your background, really?" Xiang Yiwu asked, looking at him from the other side of the black lotus pool.
Xiang Yiwu had also changed drastically. With disheveled hair, his unusually broad frame was soaked in blood, intertwined with glowing patterns.
Wu Yaozu said, "Big Xiang, I died once. If not for that bowl of turtle jelly I drank back in the Dayu imperial capital, I might have been utterly lost and destroyed."
Then he looked at Xiang Yiwu. "Did you also...?"
"My Tathagata force has completely transformed into Three Burials force, awakening part of my past-life wisdom, touching upon wisdom light—that is the esoteric sect's path," Xiang Yiwu murmured. Looking back, he saw a pair of massive millstones within his reborn heavenly light, along with the wisps of divine wisdom power they crushed out.
A tall figure stood behind Xiang Yiwu beside the millstones. Though blurry, it exuded an indescribable aura, with black hair and eyes like cold lightning, resembling a divine king.
"We both died once!"
"We paid an enormous price, yet the loss outweighs the gain. I feel as though my heart has aged a hundred years."
"Are we going back to Yezhou?"
"I want to try once more, severing a century of vicissitudes, and let this Reincarnation Black Lotus pierce my flesh one more time."
To cultivate, and to survive, they struggled bitterly in an alien domain.
***
Qin Ming found that over the past two days, many people had challenged him in the golden consciousness space, most of whom he did not recognize.
He suspected certain major sects wanted to test his true mettle to see if he was worth "sponsoring."
Bai Meng rushed over. "Brother Ming, did you know? The four people we ran into the day before yesterday—Wen Dao, Wei Shouzhen, and the rest—were actually granted an audience with Earth Immortals to drink together!"
Qin Ming laughed. "Nothing unusual about that. Those old Earth Immortal monsters are also undergoing training. Are the seniors not allowed to relax and head into town for drinks in the evening?"
Bai Meng grumbled, "How does the meaning change completely the moment it comes out of your mouth? I meant that young grandmasters enjoy an exceptionally high status."
That evening, someone invited Qin Ming for a gathering, and he could hardly decline. Primarily, having previously taken tea with the people from Heavenly God Ridge, it was awkward to refuse major sects of comparable stature.
Invited by Star Mountain, Qin Ming brought Pei Shuyan and Bai Meng along as usual to freeload on food and drink.
Along the way, they saw many acquaintances. In fact, every evening, numerous treasure ships ferried top prodigies around.
Noticing a streak of flowing light race past, Pei Shuyan looked startled. "That's... Wen Dao. He obtained a special liquid treasure garment and can fly through the sky in the flesh!"
"Becoming a core saint, receiving a supreme inheritance, and even getting a special weapon?" Along the way, many watched with envy and astonishment.
Shortly after, a rumor began to circulate.
"During the training, anyone who performs exceptionally will have a chance to enter an abyss to search for shards of special weapons and temporarily claim them."
When this rumor spread, Sky City erupted, shaking many to the core.
"Weapons that even Earth Immortals covet are being offered, and we have a chance to claim one?" People could scarcely believe it.
"It's all for the upcoming war. They're only being lent temporarily, likely weapons prepared for true gods. As for the younger generation, a select few who require special protection will probably be granted one."
However, the Golden Roster soon responded: "Acquisition depends entirely on affinity!"
Even it could not intervene.
Those weapons all had issues. Having lain dormant for far too long, their item spirits had been wiped out and revived more than once, leaving outsiders ignorant of their control arts.
Unless the weapons awakened of their own accord and met someone with affinity, no one could wield them.
Countless people grew thrilled and eager to try. Who didn't want to be the one with affinity? Many believed themselves unique and destined for recognition.
Banished Immortal Tower was an establishment that offered a panoramic view of the bustling district. Arriving for his appointment, Qin Ming ascended to the twenty-first floor and met a silver-haired elder in a private booth.
At first, the elder tried to appear courteous, but an overbearing nature lingered in his bones.
"I am Xie Muze of Star Mountain," he said succinctly, then produced a contract. "Take a look. If it suits you, sign it."
Qin Ming frowned. This grandmaster was truly direct.
"Senior, isn't this moving a bit fast?" Bai Meng asked. Wasn't this forcing someone's hand?
This time, he and Pei Shuyan had been allowed to join.
"I wasn't speaking to you." Xie Muze swept a cool glance over him, instantly suppressing Bai Meng so thoroughly he could not move or even open his mouth.
"Senior..." Pei Shuyan spoke up, attempting to smooth things over.
Yet a single glance from Xie Muze sent a crushing wave of pressure over him as well.
Qin Ming had initially thought this grandmaster was simply blunt and disinclined to chatter, but now realized the man was simply overbearing to an extreme.
He said, "Senior Xie, the two of them are my friends."
He had been invited for a chat, only for Bai Meng to be suppressed just for speaking up on his behalf. What nonsense was this? It showed no regard for his face and lacked basic respect.
Xie Muze withdrew his grandmaster domain, and Bai Meng could instantly move again.
Qin Ming waved his hand, signaling Bai Meng to keep quiet.
Scanning the contract quickly, he grew thoroughly displeased. Was this a deed of indentured servitude? It either involved dharma chains or required five hundred years of service to Star Mountain upon signing.
Yet what he would receive was left vague.
In a different setting, Qin Ming would have slapped him.
Qin Ming said, "Senior Xie, my apologies, but I cannot sign this contract."
Xie Muze replied, "You had best think it through. Missing out on our Star Mountain will be a grave, immeasurable loss to you."
Qin Ming set down the contract. He was being asked to become a beast of burden, and refusing it was somehow his own immeasurable loss?
Xie Muze looked at him. "I understand your new path system; that road is difficult to walk. Now Star Mountain is offering you a golden opportunity to convert into an immortal body-refiner. Do you not value this? It involves precious medicines and supreme authentic scriptures. In this life, one rarely encounters an opportunity to change one's destiny. It all depends on whether you can seize it."
Qin Ming was certain that if he signed such a contract, he would truly lose control of his own fate.
Thus, he shook his head firmly. Even if it was blunt enough to displease the elder, he could not leave any false impressions. He would never agree to this.
Xie Muze regarded Qin Ming calmly and said in a heavy voice, "The world is complicated. You are an adult now and must take responsibility for your words and actions. Consider this carefully."
Was this an insinuation and a threat? Qin Ming met his gaze. "The senior manifested by the Golden Roster once told us to act according to our true hearts."
Xie Muze scrutinized him, speaking flatly: "I am not threatening you; just ensure you don't regret it. Think more, deliberate carefully—for yourself, for your path ahead, and for your family and friends. Star Mountain is powerful enough to lift up both you and those around you."
Qin Ming replied calmly, "I come from Black and White Mountain. There is someone by my side whom you must have heard of: the Beast God of the past, and the Sword Immortal of today!"
Xie Muze glared at him, his voice chilly. "So long as you have thought it through!"
The evening gathering was destined to end on a sour note.
Before any food was ordered or tea was touched, Xie Muze rose and left. The moment he pushed the door open, he looked back and cast Qin Ming a deep glance.
"Rubbing... dirt," Bai Meng muttered indignantly, shouting that the Tai Ruins had no fear of the old mountain strongholds in the heavens.
Qin Ming waved a hand. "No need to be angry. Come, let's order and taste the signature delicacies of Sky City."
Since the man had told him the world was complicated and that adults must take responsibility for their words and actions, they would see about that in the days to come.
"Brother Qin, this is too extravagant! That's flood dragon meat. While it's extraordinarily nourishing, it's terrifyingly expensive!" Pei Shuyan gasped.
"Don't mention it. My pockets have been slightly fuller lately," Qin Ming said with a smile. Having just returned from the alien realm, though his harvest consisted mainly of great medicines and exotic metals, the storage bracelets of several grandmasters still held heaps of daylight gold.
That night, the three of them feasted heartily, sweeping away the earlier unpleasantness, and returned thoroughly content.
The next day, the Golden Roster opened an abyss deep within the Night Fog Sea. There were no restrictions; anyone could go and attempt to awaken the damaged mysterious weapons.
"Hiss, so fast! Xiao Jinye has already charged out clad in liquid armor! Flying in the flesh, capable of unleashing terrifying divine power—it's utterly shocking. He's the grandson of the Old Barbarian God; could there be some underhanded dealings at play?"
"Don't talk nonsense. This depends entirely on 'affinity.' They say someone else succeeded today too, someone without any powerful background who was practically a... weakling!"
This immediately caused a sensation. From Earth Immortal-level old monsters down to adolescent disciples, everyone felt their blood surge, all wanting to try their luck at finding a great affinity.
Qin Ming arrived as well, feeling a peculiar anticipation. Having a chance to encounter a special liquid weapon was an opportunity he naturally did not want to miss; he had coveted one for a long time.
"I wager he won't get a thing," Star Mountain's grandmaster, Xie Muze, remarked from the distant sky. He was also taking part in the training, only able to enter the city in the evening to meet Qin Ming.
Those beside him were naturally grandmasters as well.
Someone looked surprised, then dawned with understanding, chuckling, "Are you that certain?"
Xie Muze's expression was calm. "Of course. He is destined to come away empty-handed. If you don't believe me, we can make a friendly wager."
Within the Night Fog Sea, the abyss was boundless, like a prehistoric behemoth opening its gaping maw to swallow heaven and earth.
The moment Qin Ming drew near, he began resonating, unwilling to miss any valuable clue.
"You... have finally come..."
Abruptly, such a voice echoed in his ear, seemingly originating from the deepest depths of the abyss.
Chapter 529