Subscribe to the MTL WORLD (@mtlworld1) YouTube Channel.
***********************************
Novel: [Night Without Boundaries]
Chapter 114: [The foundation of a Young Grandmaster]
Author: [Chen Dong]
Translator: [Shadow Knight AK]
Editor: [Shadow Knight AK]
***********************************
The Heavenly Pit resembled a sloping bowl, with the violent, luminous mist intensifying as one descended.
Though the pit's bottom wasn't dark, the swirling spiritual haze obscured Qin Ming's form even after he removed his armor, making it impossible to tell if his arms were bare.
Of course, there were exceptions. Li Qingyue's Spiritual Eye could pierce through the mist and miasma.
Clad in light inner armor, Qin Ming stood on the slope, continuously practicing the Yang Fist and Yin Fist.
At the peak of his practice, the two forms merged into one, transforming into the Wuji Fist.
At this moment, the fist technique achieved perfect balance between yin and yang, its power surging dramatically.
A faint luminous mist enveloped his fists, ready to unleash both masculine and feminine forces at will.
Then, Earth Vein Essence Qi began to rise from beneath Qin Ming's feet, spreading through his body and filling him with immense power.
First, this was the Wuji Fist, representing the power of the Earth Domain.
Only then did it divide into Yang Earth Force and Yin Earth Force, forming the Yin-Yang Fist.
Standing here, Qin Ming felt a profound sense of solidity and weight.
The Earth Vein Essence Qi surged from his feet into every cell of his body, filling him with overwhelming power.
Even he was astonished.
After leaving the Mountain-River Spiritual Nest, it should have been nearly impossible to draw Earth Vein Essence Qi from the outside world, as that was a technique reserved for Outer Saints.
But now he could. With his feet planted firmly on the ground, he felt an indescribable sense of security, as if drawing upon an inexhaustible, ever-replenishing source of power.
"The Wuji Scripture's terrifying and extraordinary power lie in this: without leaving the earth's surface, one can draw upon its boundless strength."
Qin Ming finally understood why Xiang Yiwu had said this extraordinary technique might be even more precious than the Li Fire Scripture.
He felt a surge of joy, realizing that the Wuji Fist was supposed to be mastered only at the Outer Saint stage!
Qin Ming was certain this breakthrough was connected to his journey through the Mountain-River Spiritual Nest.
There, he had absorbed vast quantities of Earth Vein Essence Qi, forcibly mastering the Yang Fist and Yin Fist.
Now, by fusing them with the Heavenly Light, his progress had naturally doubled.
More importantly, his foundation had been greatly strengthened within the Spirit Nest.
"No wonder the Founding Ancestors of the Heaven-Shattering Force and Six Imperial Force went to such lengths to borrow techniques from the Outsiders to enhance their foundations. The benefits are immense!"
After pondering this, Qin Ming concluded that he had surpassed the level of a Youthful Prodigy and could now be considered a "Young Ancestor."
Viewed in this light, it seemed natural for him to have mastered some Outer Saint techniques during the awakening stage.
After all, what "Ancestor" could be measured by ordinary standards?
"Now that I'm a Young Ancestor, merely mastering the Wuji Fist isn't enough. I need to refine it further," Qin Ming demanded of himself.
As a Young Ancestor-level figure, he couldn't afford to be outshone by the legendary tales of his peers!
Qin Ming channeled Yin Earth Force through his left hand and Yang Earth Force through his right.
He then alternated between the two, seamlessly merging them into Wuji Force, which grew increasingly refined, gradually manifesting a profound spiritual resonance.
In a trance-like state, he envisioned a lone youth hacking through thorns and brambles across a vast, desolate landscape, his fists clearing a path through layers of illusions and obstacles.
Above ground, Li Qingyue watched in astonishment.
This was the first time she had witnessed Qin Ming practicing his techniques in such a manner, and she couldn't help but sense a faint aura of a young ancestor emanating from him.
She recalled records from Beyond the Mortal Realm about the founders of the Six Imperial Force and the Heaven-Shattering Force.
Surely, they must have been no more that this in their youth!
Deep within the bowl-shaped crater, Qin Ming's entire body was suffused with Wuji Force, as if he had fused with the earth itself.
He exhaled a stream of Heavenly Light, concluding his training session.
"As a young ancestor," he thought, "reaching this stage in the Wuji Scripture isn't anything to be ashamed of."
Next, he used the concentrated Heavenly Light to practice Overlord's Wind Force and Overlord's Force.
He was beginning to understand why the Overlord had grown increasingly formidable after reaching the Spiritual Field (Domain) Realm.
"The combination of Wind Force, Overlord's Force, and the Spiritual Field (Domain) allows one to harness the momentum of heaven and earth. The Overlord's Spiritual Field is particularly unique—it summons dark clouds and lightning, which he then channels into his Overlord's Force. How could ordinary mortals possibly withstand such power?"
Qin Ming mused that the Overlord had likely mastered multiple methods of borrowing the momentum of heaven and earth through his Spiritual Field (Domain).
While he couldn't use these techniques yet, he believed one particular technique might be feasible in a specific type of location.
Having mastered the Wuji Scripture, Qin Ming could briefly merge with the earth.
The earth veins here pulsed with dense Heavenly Light.
By harnessing the Overlord's Wind Force and Overlord's Force, he might just stand a chance!
Qin Ming's Grass-Treading Technique also incorporated Wind Force, but it was entirely different in style and form from the Wind Force described in the Overlord's Legacy.
The latter was devastatingly powerful, capable of sweeping away withered leaves and scattering clouds with boundless dominance.
Soon, he pushed both Wind Force and Overlord's Force to their limits.
After much deliberation on how to combine them with the Wuji Scripture, he ultimately stopped at the critical moment.
If he were to trigger even a small portion of the Heavenly Light within this massive pit, the resulting commotion would be immense.
Moreover, being at the bottom of the pit, he risked accidentally "sending himself away"—a scenario that would be disastrous.
Having cultivated his newly acquired Wind Force, Overlord's Force, and Wuji Force to completion, Qin Ming refrained from immediately merging them into a unified whole.
Instead, he began refining his other Force Techniques.
Since the awakening process always took a day or two, he could use the inexhaustible Heavenly Light to study other techniques during this time.
He focused particularly on the two Extraordinary Technique that had once propelled his strength to new heights: the Li Fire Scripture and the Golden Silkworm Technique.
Key bottlenecks that had previously stymied his progress might now be surmountable.
After all, his journey to the Mountain-River Spiritual Nest had endowed him with the foundational strength of a Young Ancestor.
Sure enough, when he resumed studying the Li Fire Extraordinary Technique, things were different. He could now progress further than before.
On Qin Ming's body, the Li Fire Force transformed into flames, and brilliant divine flames gradually emanated from him, enveloping him without harming his flesh, blood, or hair.
Once the Li Fire appeared, it could nourish his own flesh and blood while incinerating his opponent's Heavenly Light.
He cautiously tested it, and a patch of naturally occurring Heavenly Light ahead of him exploded.
"What a remarkable technique! It's a terrifying countermeasure against many forms of Heavenly Light Force!" Qin Ming marveled.
No wonder Tathagata Disciple Xiang Yiwu had been so eager to trade with him and immediately begin practicing it.
"He has the Golden Cicada, and I have the Golden Silkworm. Could I use the Li Fire to refine the Golden Silkworm here?"
Before attempting to refine the Golden Silkworm with the Li Fire, Qin Ming first practiced the Golden Silkworm Technique separately to advance it further.
As expected, this extraordinary technique could also be progressed. Dense golden silk threads emerged from his body, weaving into a protective web around him.
When he launched an attack, all the golden threads shot out from his body, extending three inches beyond his skin with an unstoppable force capable of shattering an opponent's Heavenly Light Force and piercing flesh.
"Refining the Golden Silkworm with Li Fire... it actually works! Fire's dominance over metal serves as both a catalyst and a driving force!"
Clearly, Qin Ming had reaped immense gains from his descent into the deep pit.
The Li Fire Force and Golden Silkworm Force he now wielded had both reached the domain accessible only to Outer Saints, placing them on par with his Wutu Force.
"Yellow Mud Palm, Entangling Silk Force, Vajra Force... all must be enhanced!"
When Qin Ming grew tired, he ate some dry fruits and found a spot with thin Heavenly Light to take a short nap.
Time flew by.
More than a day had passed, and Qin Ming's sixth Awakening was nearing completion.
During this time, the Outsider disciples employed various methods to startle Qin Ming.
They used byproducts from alchemy—explosives—to try to blast through the Heavenly Pit and "flood" it with Heavenly Light.
However, apart from a series of explosions, their efforts proved largely ineffective.
Some even attempted to divert a Fire Spring to drown the Heavenly Pit.
Others deployed "Mechanical Beasts" crafted by Outsiders, but these constructs were corroded and utterly destroyed by the Heavenly Light shortly after being released.
"How about this," someone proposed. "Each of us will refine a drop of Pure Yang Blood Essence and a wisp of Pure Yang Consciousness Spiritual Light from our bodies—both completely purged of Yin Spirit attributes."
"Don't tell me you can't manage just a drop and a wisp. Then, we'll attach this Blood Essence and Spiritual Light to several Outer Saints, shielding them as they enter the pit to retrieve the near-immortal treasure. What do you think?"
This suggestion immediately sparked a commotion.
The plan was feasible and relatively safe.
No one would need to risk their lives.
While sacrificing a drop of Pure Yang Blood Essence and a wisp of Pure Yang Consciousness Spiritual Light would be draining, they could recover with a period of cultivation.
With so many participants, opinions inevitably diverged, especially among the Elite Disciples, who felt they were merely providing a wedding dress for another, pointlessly sacrificing their Pure Yang Spiritual essence.
They were reluctant to comply.
After much debate, the Core Disciples unanimously decreed that the ritual was mandatory.
The Outsider disciples reluctantly agreed, holding their noses and accepting the decision.
After all, many had initially joined the Core Disciples as reinforcements.
Having already completed ninety-nine prostrations, they figured they might as well endure this final ordeal.
However, their efficiency was poor.
Each disciple meticulously monitored the others, fearing that some might offer impure Pure Yang Blood Essence.
By this time, Qin Ming had long since completed his sixth awakening.
He was now deeply immersed in contemplation, meticulously sensing the changes within himself.
"My physical strength must now exceed nine thousand catties!" This instinctive conviction felt irrefutable.
Ultimately, his current achievements were inextricably linked to his journey through the Mountain-River Spiritual Nest.
"I really should thank Qingyue," Qin Ming mused, a hint of gratitude in his voice.
Cui Chongxuan, who cultivated his body and enhanced his foundation with the Six Imperial Heart Scripture, was merely progressing toward becoming an Otherworlder.
But what level had Qin Ming now reached?
If converted to the standards of his first Awakening, his foundational strength had already surpassed fifteen hundred catties.
Even after nine awakenings, a Youthful Prodigy could only muster a force of over eight thousand catties. Yet Qin Ming, after just six awakenings, already possessed nine thousand pounds of power.
What realm had he reached?
He had surpassed the prowess of a Young Grandmaster, perhaps even surpassing them!
In truth, raw power was merely a surface manifestation.
It truly revealed one's inner foundation, a harbinger of future potential.
For through this, one could gauge how far a person could truly advance on the Path of Awakening.
"Hmm, this is the path of a Founding Ancestor, beyond prediction," Qin Ming murmured to himself with a smile.
He began to gather and fuse his various Heavenly Light Forces.
Guided by the Silk Book's Technique, Qin Ming commanded all Heavenly Light, merging them into a unified whole.
In an instant, the three Extraordinary Techniques and eighteen Force Techniques he had mastered roared in unison, resonating to form a layer of mystical radiance around his body.
This Heavenly Light was exceptionally brilliant, almost sacred, like a divine halo enveloping him, accentuating his ethereal and transcendent aura, as if a deity walked among mortals.
Qin Ming exhaled a breath of turbid Qi, and the radiant Heavenly Light receded, returning him to his original state—a refined and otherworldly young man.
Without needing to test it, he knew that his fused Heavenly Light Force had undergone another qualitative transformation, its power surging dramatically.
Simultaneously, he noticed a "strange light" within his flesh and blood, realizing it was a new ability that had emerged after this Awakening.
Those who walk this path gain special abilities after their sixth Awakening. Some are as useless as chicken ribs, while others are extraordinarily powerful.
Qin Ming didn't activate the Heavenly Light.
If he used it now, he wouldn't know when he could recover, and with a major battle looming, he didn't want to waste such a trump card prematurely.
With a gentle tremor, the Heavenly Light Force surged through him, instantly cleansing his body to flawless perfection.
Even his hair strands gleamed like crystal, untouched by a speck of dust.
Qin Ming donned his golden robes and Golden Armor once more, emerging from the Heavenly Pit.
He avoided approaching the legendary artifact, knowing that whoever touched it first would become the primary target.
For now, he would let others waste their Pure Yang Blood Essence and Consciousness Spiritual Light.
He could strike at the critical moment amidst the chaos, ideally drawing everyone into the battlefield.
Stepping onto the surface, he inhaled the fresh air and gazed down at the swirling Heavenly Light within the massive pit below.
He truly loved this place!
Qin Ming longed to remain here permanently, continuously undergoing awakening.
Alas, everyone had a cooldown period; ordinary people couldn't exceed five awakenings per year.
He had already broken this limit without suffering any side effects, but the intervals couldn't be too short.
A sixth awakening within a year would be considered excessive for others, potentially damaging their foundation.
"I believe that in another ten to fifteen days, I could undergo my seventh awakening," Qin Ming sighed. "Unfortunately, the Outsiders likely won't grant me that time."
Driven by curiosity, he decided to observe the Pure Yang Blood Essence of the Outsider disciples.
He encountered several familiar faces, including Zheng Maoze and Zeng Yuan.
Though not Core Disciples, their strength was considerable, and both were biding their time for an opportunity.
Qin Ming harbored no fondness for them, yet he couldn't help but acknowledge their impressive progress. Both had already reached the second major realm—the Yellow Court.
No wonder Li Qingxu's Junior Brother had subtly mocked him in Chi Xia City, suggesting that Qin Ming might visit old acquaintances in the Beyond the Mortal Realm once he reached the pinnacle of cultivation.
Reality was indeed harsh.
Qin Ming had only just begun his Path of Awakening, and without his extraordinary talent, he would likely have ended up exactly as the Junior Brother had predicted.
Wang Caiwei, Lu Zhenyi, and Chen Bingyan walked together, their resolve unwavering as they patiently awaited a special opportunity.
"Their Pure Yang Blood Essence is nothing special," Qin Ming mused. "Judging by this, the Pure Yang attribute of my own blood isn't inferior."
This realization affirmed his ability to withstand and even traverse the Otherworldly Heavenly Light, confirming there was indeed a reason for his unique aptitude.
"The Outsider disciples have only refined a single drop of Pure Yang Blood Essence—clearly insufficient," Hu Tingwen, a Core Disciple, declared at that moment.
"I..." Zheng Maoze had just offered a drop of Pure Yang Blood and was already cursing inwardly.
This blood was incredibly precious—did they really expect him to refine a second drop?
Hu Tingwen clarified, "Senior Brothers, please don't misunderstand. I meant that we should also ask the Outer Saints present to refine a drop of Pure Yang Blood Essence."
"That's feasible," many Outsider disciples nodded in agreement.
Upon hearing this, Qin Ming turned to leave.
Why should he offer his Pure Yang Blood Essence to them?
Absolutely not.
"No one is allowed to leave!" someone shouted.
Qin Ming ignored the other Golden-Armored Guards and strode forward.
Zheng Maoze, who happened to be in the area, naturally had to uphold the Outsider disciples' dignity.
"Hey you, why aren't you stopping?"
Qin Ming glanced back. "I came here to lend aid, not to be anyone's follower. Besides, my collaborator has already left, so I have no obligation to waste my Pure Yang Blood for you."
"Lend aid?" Zheng Maoze scoffed. "Since you're already here, you should be prepared. Come over here now."
"I am the Former Disciple of the Tathagata," Qin Ming declared. "How dare you try to order me?"
"The Former Disciple of the Tathagata's identity has already been revealed. He's not here," Zheng Maoze said with a smile, stepping forward to force the Golden-Armored Guard to offer his blood.
Qin Ming replied in a deep voice, "Then I'll tell you the truth. I am the direct successor of the Six Imperial Force. Even if you are an Outsider disciple, you have no authority to command me."
"Why don't you just claim to be the Six Emperors themselves, or even the Tathagata incarnate?" Zheng Maoze sneered, immediately attacking.
Qin Ming now possessed the foundation of a Young Grandmaster, having partially mastered three Extraordinary Techniques at the Outer Saint stage.
With the Silk Book's Technique governing all his scriptures, he truly had no fear of this opponent.
Since confrontation was inevitable, he was eager to test his current strength.
In the next instant, Qin Ming struck decisively.
The three Extraordinary Techniques and eighteen forms of Heavenly Light Force merged into a unified whole, erupting with divine radiance that made him appear like an immortal descending to the mortal realm.
"Ah..." Zheng Maoze cried out in shock.
His Consciousness Spiritual Light was shattered by Qin Ming's fist and ignited.
The physical blow shattered his bones with a sickening crack, sending him flying twenty meters backward.
_______________________________
END OF CHAPTER
Subscribe to MTL WORLD (@mtlworld1) YouTube Channel.
*********************************