Jade Suit Sewn with Gold Threads

Shallow Night was about to end when Qin Ming woke. The Sun Stone in the copper basin gave off a gentle firelight, and the household was silent.

He was parched, his throat nearly smoking. Only after drinking several large bowls of ice water in succession did he finally let out a long breath.

Very soon, he noticed something unusual. The clothes against his skin felt slightly tight and no longer quite fit.

Realizing something, he went to the doorframe and measured himself against it, confirming that he had shot up a little taller.

Qin Ming was somewhat dazed. He had merely slept, yet the process had surpassed imagination. In such a short time, it had nurtured dense New Life Power, and his Innate Foundation had developed once more.

He stretched his limbs and felt as though he possessed inexhaustible strength. After entering the courtyard, he easily lifted two stone millstones.

Then he tried holding them up with one hand. Though they felt extremely heavy, he could sustain them for a short while.

Even Qin Ming was startled. He could now barely lift a four-hundred-jin weight with one hand. Did that not mean he was no worse than several famous youths in that distant Bright City?

He took off the ill-fitting clothes and discovered that the blood scab on his shoulder had already fallen away, leaving not even a scar. This too was a sign of New Life.

Afterward, he began preparing dinner.

Qin Ming cooked a pot of meat soup and roasted the wolf ribs until their rich fragrance was irresistible. Using mutated creatures as ingredients was enough to meet the needs of his body's "New Life."

He tore into the meat and drank bowl after bowl of soup. His body had already been scorching hot, and now sweat poured down him as a current of heat surged within, spreading through his entire body.

Although his New Life had reached its later stage, it had not ended yet. He wanted to strike while the iron was hot, fully stimulate his body's vitality, and hasten the process.

His physique had improved violently. All sorts of difficult movements that had once been beyond him could now be performed as he pleased, effortless and fluid.

It was as though a ball of firelight burned within Qin Ming's body, ready to shine through his skin.

In the end, patches of "golden dots" appeared across his skin, then "broke through the earth." Golden bristles emerged. Though incomparably fine, they were faintly visible.

This was highly unusual. It had never happened before.

The "golden bristles" poked out from his flesh, bringing faint traces of blood with them. At first glance, they looked frightening, but they did not truly harm his body.

Qin Ming actually felt a burst of ease. The vital energy within his body grew ever fresher, brimming with youthful vigor and vitality. The process resembled "detoxification."

In the next instant, he understood. This was complete New Life, cutting away every harmful substance.

His original pores seemed no longer sufficient. Clusters of "golden bristles" emerged, drilling out of his body mixed with threads of blood and carrying out Old Turbidity.

Golden gleams continuously surfaced, dense as rain, like golden needles swimming about. They echoed one another, weaving across Qin Ming's body as though sewing clothes, forming a wondrous sight.

Together with the faint white mist outside his body, it made him seem rather immortal.

He did not know fatigue, though the expenditure was enormous. Whenever he grew hungry, he ate wolf ribs, and after a brief rest, he continued stimulating his body's vitality.

Occasionally, he also studied Lu Ze's Black Night Meditation Art Primer.

Throughout the night, Qin Ming expelled an enormous amount of sweat. His metabolism was exceptionally intense.

His body tingled and numbed, as if sprouting branches and buds, teeming with life and carrying the aura of all things being born.

When fierce drowsiness swept over him, he stopped moving.

He realized that he was about to enter the final stage of "Hibernation."

After a simple wash, he lay down on the heated brick bed. His eyelids were almost impossible to keep open.

In his haze, he saw a faint Silver Light emerge over his body. He also saw large numbers of golden bristles emerge, like golden needles flying with threads, "weaving cloth" amid the silver-white luminous mist.

Though extremely sleepy, Qin Ming was deeply astonished. Golden threads crisscrossed, dividing the Silver Light into piece after piece and forming densely packed grid patterns. Viewed as a whole, his body seemed to be wrapped in a Jade Suit Sewn with Gold Threads.

He fell into a daze, his thoughts scattering as he considered many things.

When ancient emperors were buried, they were all dressed in pearl garments and jade burial suits linked with golden threads, entrusting them with their yearning for immortality—a pursuit they continued even in death.

Was the Wild Style he had memorized as a child truly so extraordinary? During New Life transformation, a layer of pristine white luminous mist naturally flowed around him, connected by golden threads, making it seem as though he had put on a Jade Suit Sewn with Gold Threads.

Could it be that ancient emperors had heard certain rumors, which was why they ordered people to forge Jade Suits Sewn with Gold Threads?

He shook his head, feeling that he was overthinking it. Soon afterward, he could no longer endure and sank into the deepest slumber.

Shallow Night arrived, and Qin Ming woke. His body felt tight and constricted. He soon understood what had happened: he had sweated heavily during the night, and the flying golden needles and threads had brought out wisps of blood. After these "old impurities" dried over his body, they formed a thin cocoon.

There was an entire block of ice in the water vat. After smashing it into chunks, he boiled a pot of water. Once he had washed up, he changed into loose, clean clothes and immediately felt refreshed.

Clearly, his body temperature had dropped. This also meant that his "New Life" was almost over.

Qin Ming went into the courtyard and lifted the two stone millstones again. This time it was relatively easy, and he could hold them one-handed for a long time.

Then he added a stone lock weighing more than a hundred jin.

"Very heavy!" He found it extremely taxing on his hand and rather strenuous.

The two rough stone millstones, together with the stone lock used to train arm strength, weighed over five hundred jin in total, yet he could still support them with one hand.

Lu Ze had once told him that in that distant Bright City, there were youths capable of carrying a six-hundred-jin cauldron.

Qin Ming's eyes were clear as he broke into a brilliant smile. His two arms possessed a thousand jin of strength.

As for the cities at the far end of the earth, mysterious and unknown, he had no idea how formidable New Life Evolvers in the Golden Age were.

Qin Ming carried half a Saberhorn Deer, along with one hind leg and part of the ribs of a Donkey-Headed Wolf, into the neighboring courtyard.

"Little Qin, this... is far too much!"

"Brother Lu, Sister-in-law, I can't finish it by myself. Besides, I'll still be going into the mountains. Changing flavors often is better." Qin Ming said.

If Lu Ze had not taken care of him some time ago, he might have starved to death.

"Uncle, you're so good. Otherwise, in a few more days, we would have gone hungry." Wen Rui was overjoyed, because he had heard his parents say that the household's stored food was almost gone.

Qin Ming rubbed his head and said, "With your uncle here, how could I possibly let you go hungry?"

The Mutant Squirrel leaped and scurried about in its cage. It alone was indignant, squeaking at Qin Ming. This intelligent little mountain beast held a deep grudge.

"Little Qin..." Village Chief Xu Yueping arrived. He wore a fur coat and looked to be in his forties. His face was somewhat square, his brows thick, his eyes bright and spirited, and his body sturdy and powerful.

"Uncle Xu." Qin Ming greeted him.

Xu Yueping laughed heartily. "I knew you had promise, kid. Taking this step counts as leaving behind a golden footprint."

He very much wanted to know how strong Qin Ming's physical qualities had become after undergoing New Life during the Golden Age.

"Little Qin, you've grown a little taller. Has your New Life ended?" Lu Ze asked.

Qin Ming was just about to answer when he suddenly sensed a vicious wind pouncing toward him.

Xu Yueping's right hand was like a blade as it slashed toward Qin Ming's neck without warning.

It happened far too suddenly. At such close range, it was impossible to guard against.

Yet Qin Ming successfully dodged and counterattacked with precision. With a bang, he seized Xu Yueping's wrist.

"Your reaction speed far surpasses that of other New Life Evolvers." Xu Yueping exclaimed. At such close range, even if he had struck without warning, it would have been difficult for even the most alert mountain beast to evade him.

Liang Wanqing cried out in alarm, then realized that he was testing the foundation Qin Ming had gained after New Life.

Xu Yueping's wrist was gripped tightly. He actually found it difficult to shake free even an inch.

"The power of your New Life..." An astonished expression appeared on his face.

Lu Ze and Liang Wanqing were filled with anticipation. They hoped Qin Ming's physical qualities had risen by a huge margin and undergone a qualitative transformation.

Because this concerned a person's entire life. It was an opportunity of the Fate-Changing Tier.

Qin Ming released him.

Xu Yueping's eyelids twitched wildly. He was Double Tree Village's strongest New Life Evolver and had already seen that the youth before him had not used his full strength.

He spoke solemnly. "My guess is that your strength is approaching six hundred jin."

Liang Wanqing was dumbfounded upon hearing this. One had to know that for New Life Evolvers in this region, carrying five hundred jin was already the limit.

Lu Ze was extremely excited. "This... even if you entered that distant city, you wouldn't be inferior to anyone."

"Uncle is the best!" Wen Rui clapped his little hands and shouted.

"Old Xu, people from the Mountain Patrol Group have arrived." Yang Yongqing appeared, having happened to hear what was said. His heart shook.

He realized that Qin Ming had broken the upper limit of local New Life Evolvers.

The Mountain Patrol had appeared, so the matter was certainly not simple. Xu Yueping and Yang Yongqing quickly departed.

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, someone came to call Qin Ming, telling him to go to the village chief's home.

He was somewhat puzzled. Why had they come looking for him?

"All New Life Evolvers must take part and listen to the Mountain Patrol Group's people explain the situation in the mountains," the visitor informed him.

Xu Yueping's home was bustling. Including Qin Ming, there were seven New Life Evolvers in the village, and all had arrived. Even Old Man Liu, who was over seventy, was not absent.

The Sun Stone illuminated the room brightly, and the atmosphere was harmonious. The Mountain Patrol Group visitor was named Feng Yi'an, and he was discussing the conditions in the mountains.

"Some time ago, the magnetic field in the mountains became chaotic. Going deep made it easy to lose one's way, and many strange things occurred. Some Fire Springs inhabited by dangerous creatures nearly went out, while Advanced Fire Springs were born deep within the night mist." Feng Yi'an had a full beard and an uninhibited, rough manner. He drained the tea in his cup in one gulp.

Qin Ming finally understood why the mountains had been so chaotic lately and why some enormous creatures had appeared in the outer regions of the dense forest.

Changes had occurred in the mountains. The nests of some Famous Birds and strange beasts had run into trouble. Their movements had caused other creatures to flee outward.

"Will the situation worsen? What if advanced species rush out?" someone asked.

"Please rest assured, everyone. Important figures will enter the mountains and speak with those mysterious creatures, allowing this region to return to peace as soon as possible."

Feng Yi'an informed them that even if negotiations failed, important figures would block the top-tier creatures in the mountains.

"To prepare for any eventuality, Mountain Patrol Group members are sleeping on their weapons, awaiting dawn. Meanwhile, all New Life Evolvers in the villages and towns outside the mountains must also be ready."

Feng Yi'an explained that the higher-ups were casting a large net mainly to guard against top-tier creatures. Perhaps some "small fish" would slip through the net's meshes.

Everyone's expressions turned grave after hearing this. New Life Evolvers would have to fight if necessary!

Feng Yi'an smiled. "No need to be nervous. It is not as serious as you imagine. Besides, if a great battle does occur, that distant Bright City will send noble children here to gain experience. They are all elites and will help us sweep the mountains."

Everyone present breathed a sigh of relief.

"Brother Feng patrolled the mountains through the night, then came early in the morning to deliver news to us. Thank you for the effort," Xu Yueping said.

Feng Yi'an waved his hand. "Brother Xu, what are you saying? This is all part of my duty. Rest assured, if fierce beasts or Mountain Monsters rush out, they will only pass by stepping over us Mountain Patrol members' corpses. Otherwise, they will never harm those outside the mountains."

Xu Yueping personally brought over a large iron platter carrying an entire roasted rock sheep, its fragrance assailing the nostrils, to entertain Feng Yi'an.

He stopped several people who wanted to rise and leave. "Don't go. Stay and have a few drinks with Brother Feng."

The atmosphere in the room immediately grew lively.

"I'm telling you, there is no need to worry. This time, not only will the city lord governing this region come personally, but I hear an expert has also been invited from afar. Nothing will go wrong. The main concern is the appearance of Moon Insects and an unpredictable mountain lord."

After several cups of wine, Feng Yi'an revealed quite a bit of information.

Qin Ming was surprised and listened intently.

He was not accustomed to the fiery old liquor at the table. He had just wanted to take a sip of tea, but then put down the cup. Besides bitter tea, it contained dried ants the size of thumb pads, making the tea broth a complicated concoction.

Xu Yueping smiled. "Little Qin, men must learn how to drink. And these Black Ants are great tonics—truly good stuff."

Feng Yi'an turned to look at him. "This little brother looks young and unfamiliar."

"Uncle Feng, just call me Little Qin."

Xu Yueping introduced him. "This is Qin Ming. He is just over sixteen and has successfully undergone New Life. He is the most promising youth in our region. I hope he can study in the distant Red Haze City."

"A good seedling. Transforming during the Golden Age—what an enviable foundation that is." Feng Yi'an spoke with deep feeling.

The others also praised him with envy, knowing full well how immense the potential of someone with a Golden Foundation was.

Everyone clinked cups repeatedly. The mood at the wine table was lively as Feng Yi'an recounted several bizarre events from the mountains.

"Have you ever seen a mysterious field deep in the mountains? Every crop is golden in color. Even thick fog cannot conceal it, and its dazzling golden light tears through the pitch-black night sky... Whose rations could that possibly be?"