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Novel: [Night Without Boundaries]
Chapter 137: [One More Choice]
Author: [Chen Dong]
Translator: [Shadow Knight AK]
Editor: [Shadow Knight AK]
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In the dense Night Mist, the silver flames extinguished, leaving only Qin Ming's fist, radiating Heavenly Light Force like a miniature sun, hovering inches from his opponent's forehead.
Yu Zhuohan lay motionless on the ground, completely unconscious.
In the distance, Cui He and Cui Shuning watched with turbulent emotions, their chests tightening with dread.
The worst-case scenario had unfolded.
The fake Cui Chonghe's strength far exceeded their expectations. If he were a true member of the Cui Clan, they would have cheered wildly—he was undoubtedly a peerless young prodigy!
However, an unbridgeable chasm now separated them from Qin Ming, making reconciliation impossible.
Most critically, allowing the fake Cui Chonghe to continue growing unchecked would haunt their nightmares, to say nothing of the others.
Silence blanketed the wilderness, but the youths' hearts churned with shock and awe.
In an instant, their corner of the wilderness erupted into a cacophony of excited chatter.
"Wake up!" Qin Ming nudged Yu Zhuohan.
"Why did he pass out? I wanted to resonate with him at his most emotional peak!"
Qin Ming realized that his unified Heavenly Light Force was damaging the Esoteric Sect's "Divine Wisdom" and exerting overwhelming pressure.
He reluctantly retracted the radiant energy from his fist.
He prepared to search Yu Zhuohan for spoils of war.
Suddenly, a primal alarm surged through him, his hair standing on end.
Two figures had silently materialized nearby, watching him intently.
One was Meng Xinghai, which brought a wave of relief.
The other figure was cloaked in black robes, their gender indiscernible, but it was clear they cared deeply for Yu Zhuohan.
Their presence here likely stemmed from fear that Qin Ming would deliver a fatal blow, obliterating Yu Zhuohan with a single strike.
Qin Ming had no intention of doing so.
He didn't want to make enemies without reason.
The Silver-Haired Youth had once defied Cui Shuning, claiming he sought to temper himself through such defiance.
It was evident this youth didn't take orders from the Cui Clan.
Qin Ming suspected that Cui He and Cui Shuning would welcome Yu Zhuohan's death.
After all, the Silver-Haired Youth likely came from a powerful background and possessed extraordinary talent.
As an Innate Ability User, he would be highly valued by the Esoteric Sect.
Qin Ming's hand had already reached out to "loot" Yu Zhuohan's chest when he noticed Meng Xinghai's gaze.
Worse, the Black-Robed Man was also staring intently at his outstretched hand.
He chuckled awkwardly but politely, "Brother, the ground is damp with dew. You should get up. I didn't hit you that hard."
Qin Ming's outstretched hand, naturally unable to seize any spoils, instead gently shook the Silver-Haired Youth's shoulder, trying to rouse him.
The Black-Robed Man spoke up, "We're all members of the Esoteric Sect. Where's the promised harmony? Your nephew's strike was no light tap. That fist, blazing like the sun, would have burned through the Divine Wisdom of an ordinary sect disciple."
Meng Xinghai shook his head. "This was his first time fighting a member of the Esoteric Sect. He's still unfamiliar with our methods and hasn't mastered the proper restraint."
In the distance, Cui He and Cui Shuning's composure crumbled as they overheard this exchange.
The youthful prodigy they had recruited from the Esoteric Sect had been known to Meng Xinghai all along.
Not only did they recognize each other, but they even seemed to share some camaraderie.
Yu Zhuohan regained consciousness and immediately saw his formidable opponent, the one who had exerted such overwhelming pressure on him, smiling brightly at him.
His heart clenched.
This dangerous figure was standing right beside him.
If that terrifying Heavenly Light Force were to erupt again, his accumulated Divine Wisdom would surely shatter.
"Don't be afraid," Qin Ming quickly reassured him. "Don't faint again."
The Black-Robed Man approached and said, "Get up."
Yu Zhuohan's face flushed slightly as he immediately retorted, "I didn't faint from fear! My Divine Wisdom was scorched by that sun-like fist light, causing this injury!"
Qin Ming watched with regret as the Silver-Haired Youth sheathed the Crimson Jade Iron Sword.
Yu Zhuohan eyed him warily, sensing something amiss in the gaze of this youth who had once seemed as imposing as a mountain.
The duel had come to an end!
Some rejoiced, while others grieved.
The spectators in the wilderness harbored a mix of emotions.
Among the group of youths, the atmosphere was particularly fervent.
They were all stunned by the strength of their former friend.
No one had imagined he would rise so rapidly.
Two years ago, many knew he had suffered a setback.
Without intervention, his life trajectory would have been permanently altered, forever vanishing from their sight.
That should have been the case.
As far as they knew, he had only embarked on the Path of Awakening less than half a year ago.
Starting so late, without access to advanced cultivation techniques, how could he possibly catch up?
Yet, he had defied all expectations.
After being cast down from his lofty position and remaining silent for over two years, news of his return revealed him to be an extraordinary individual.
A chill ran up Zheng Maorong's spine.
He had assumed his fallen friend, now reduced to dust, could be crushed in some remote corner with a mere suggestion. Yet here he was, displaying such formidable strength.
A deep unease settled in Zheng Maorong's heart.
Around him, acquaintances were already making plans to invite Qin Ming for a gathering in Chi Xia City.
"I knew it! Even after such a devastating setback, he'd eventually rise again!" someone said with a smile.
It was hard to tell how much sincerity lay behind these words.
However, some genuinely rejoiced for Qin Ming. They had once been too afraid to visit him in Chi Xia City due to the pressure from others.
Now that he had clawed his way out of the "mud pit," earned Meng Xinghai's favor, and gained the Li Clan elder's recognition, they secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Heh heh..." A member of the Li Family's direct lineage chuckled, completely disregarding Cui He and Cui Shuning's dark, brooding expressions.
After all, what did Qin Ming kicking Li Qingxiao's backside twice amount to in comparison?
Now, every time Qin Ming achieved a new "highlight," it was like slapping Cui He, Cui Shuning, and their ilk across the face, leaving them seething with frustration and a suffocating tightness in their chests.
As rivals, the Li Family's direct descendants naturally rejoiced at Qin Ming's victory.
However, when they recalled how Li Qingxu had nearly killed Qin Ming earlier, they frowned, deeming it a "botched ending."
They believed that either he shouldn't have attacked at all, or he should have finished the job to avoid future trouble.
Gradually, the Li Family's smiles faded.
Only Qi Daoming maintained his composure, greeting Meng Xinghai and reminiscing about their youthful days.
Cui He and Cui Shuning remained stunned for a long while.
The Esoteric Sect's chosen "seed" had been defeated, further proving Qin Ming's qualifications to enter the Six Imperial Sects.
His potential far exceeded their initial estimates.
Cui Shuning turned to see the Wang Clan members already departing into the Night Mist, leaving without a word.
Cui He seethed with anger.
He had been humiliated in front of acquaintances and now had to hand over the fragmented Yi Mu Scripture and Scripture of Everlasting Green Life—a truly infuriating situation.
As expected, Meng Xinghai approached him immediately, beaming and extending his hand.
Without hesitation, he publicly demanded the scriptures.
In the distance, Li Qingyun chuckled from atop a large blue stone.
"Fifth Master Cui, what do you think of my judgment now? Not bad at spotting talent, eh?"
Fifth Master Cui of the Cui Clan wanted to slap Qin Ming across the face.
Wasn't this mocking his poor judgment?
He replied coldly, "The Path of Awakening is treacherous. Few can reach the end. Throughout history, how many Patriarch-level figures have emerged from it?"
As he spoke, he felt increasingly relieved.
The Path of Awakening was simply too time-consuming.
In contrast, Cui Chonghe, with his near-Immortal potential, had chosen the Path Beyond the Mortal Realm, allowing him to rise with astonishing speed.
In Fifth Master Cui's eyes, Cui Chonghe could not only look down upon his peers on the Path of Awakening but also gaze down upon generations of youths, adults, and elders who had trodden that path before him.
Lu Yuzhi radiated a soft, ethereal glow as she moved through the Night Mist, like a spirit emerging from the mountain forests—pure, ethereal, and otherworldly.
She approached Qin Ming and smiled. "I never imagined you were an extraordinary prodigy. Your ability to decipher eight colors of Heavenly Light Force in the Purple Bamboo Forest of Jin Rui City truly astonished me."
Her admiration was genuine. For a youth who hadn't even entered the Jade Pure Lineage or Six Imperial Dao Lineage to possess such a profound understanding of Heavenly Light Force was truly remarkable.
In Lu Yuzhi's view, even the secret Youthful Prodigies cultivated by the Great Sects' Ancestral Courts couldn't compare.
She even believed that after Qin Ming entered Jade Pure's sect and received guidance from the elders, diligently cultivating the sect's foundational Jade Pure Force, he might have a slim chance of competing for the titles of "Young Sect Leader" or "Young Patriarch."
Smiling brightly, she asked, "Would you be interested in joining the Jade Pure Lineage?"
Qin Ming sensed that the Jade Pure Lineage was preparing for the upcoming Great Pioneering Era, rapidly expanding its influence.
Their recruitment methods had changed from the past, no longer necessarily focusing on meticulously nurturing each disciple. Still, he found the prospect intriguing.
Lu Yuzhi presented him with a golden scroll, explaining that possessing it would allow him to undergo the Core Disciples' trial at Jade Pure's Dao Lineage headquarters.
Qin Ming nodded gratefully, carefully storing the scroll.
Whether he ultimately chose to go or not, having another option couldn't hurt.
Nearby, Cui He and Cui Shuning were startled.
Jade Pure Lineage had proactively offered a "Golden Tome," making them feel even more uneasy.
Worse still, the invitation came from Lu Yuzhi, an extraordinary prodigy of the Jade Pure Lineage.
Even as members of the older generation, they dared not offend her lightly.
"Qin Ming!" A group of youths, both male and female, approached, surrounding him enthusiastically.
With Lu Yuzhi present, they naturally followed her.
"Greetings, everyone. It's been a while," Qin Ming said with a smile.
"Just hand it over!" Meng Xinghai snapped, impatient with Cui He's dawdling.
The scripture was given grudgingly, and Cui He kept glancing distractedly at Qin Ming's group. Meng Xinghai finally snatched it himself.
"Meng, you're being incredibly rude!" Cui He's hair glowed with a verdant light, his displeasure palpable.
Having secured the scripture, Meng Xinghai turned to leave without another word.
By now, Qin Ming was surrounded by a crowd, including Yu Zhuohan, the Esoteric Sect's rising star. Their initial clash had forged an unlikely acquaintance.
"You've all traveled far as our guests," Meng Xinghai announced. "Let's return to Chi Xia City. I'll host a banquet to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey."
He invited everyone, from the elders to the young adults and even the youths.
As they made their way back, Qin Ming pondered his next move.
With more options now available, which path should he choose?
Meng Xinghai grew serious. "You need to think this through carefully. You'll also need to acquire a Six Imperial Golden Scroll later. Having more paths is always better than none."
He then handed Qin Ming the Yi Mu Scripture and the fragmented Scripture of Everlasting Green Life.
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END OF CHAPTER
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