Sword Testing Under the Heavens

Under the cover of night, the chirping of insects was faint and delicate. A cobblestone path wound through the quiet woodland, and in the distance, the Fire Haze struggled to squeeze through the gaps in the lush foliage, like scattered gold rippling in the darkness.

Qin Ming had met them before. The Purple-Eyed Crow was Crow Master, Black-Clad Woman was Tang Jin, from Flowing Light City, who had once been searching for the most suitable successor for her master.

According to Talking Finch, Qin Ming was not initially favored by Tang Jin, who did not believe he could become her master's last disciple.

Qin Ming was also familiar with the young man beside Tang Jin, as he was frequently Night Report and was now quite famous, if not a household name.

His Ling Yu. He was dressed in a blue robe, with black hair that fell past his shoulders. His eyes were deep and his demeanor was calm yet exuded a restrained heroic spirit. Contained Within an incomparably vigorous vitality.

Recently, he tested his sword in a hundred cities, causing a great sensation, and has been hailed by some Young Ancestor.

Qin Ming was slightly surprised to encounter them here, but not strange, because Ling Yu was about to face off against Xin Youdao.

The latter is also a formidable figure, having once swept through eighty-one cities. He is a prominent figure in the Night Report and one of the most renowned prodigies in this year's unified examination.

Tang Jin had a slender figure, and although her true face was not revealed, the rustling of leaves in the night wind made it impossible to conceal the beauty of her curves, even in her loose black robe.

Qin Ming glanced at her, walked past her without saying a word, and there was no way they would acknowledge each other. Although they had met before, they had absolutely no connection.

Wu Yaozu, however, sized her up and thought that his grandmother was right; the outside world was colorful and vibrant, and even this quiet forest was dazzling.

After passing by, Tang Jin sensed something and turned back to look at the back of one of the boys.

Back then, when they were vying for the mysterious resources at the Special Node in Black White Mountain, she dared to hunt down the Green-Clad Woman who had won the Great Fortune, which shows she had extraordinary abilities.

"We found nothing!" Crow Master flew back, then looked at Qin Ming's back with suspicion.

"He looks familiar... Could this be the boy I missed back then?" It possessed mysterious Violet Eyes that could see through to parts of the truth that others could not.

"Who is he? Is he very strong?" the young Ling Yu asked.

The Purple-Eyed Crow nodded, carefully observing the departing figures, and said, "Hmm, I personally think that one of the youths is quite extraordinary, possessing an unusual aura even on his First New Life. Hmm, the other kid also seems rather remarkable. Interesting, it's remarkable that these two could end up together."

After walking quite a distance, Wu Yaozu whispered, "Brother, I felt like that woman was looking at me."

"Remember, at this moment, don't trust your feelings," Qin Ming said, pausing to look at the important letter he had tucked into his sleeve.

Wu Yaozu said, "Really? By the way, that Black Crow is watching you."

Qin Ming ignored him, his heart surging with emotion as he looked at the brief message on the letter.

Lu Zizai only said one simple sentence, "I will risk my life to fight for the Auspicious Beast Blood, and I will surely protect your fairness!"

Qin Ming had originally given up on the Auspicious Beast Blood because he knew that it involved far too many people and interests, and had far-reaching implications.

Why did Cui Chonghe, Sun Jingxiao, and others appear at Kunling?

Furthermore, the several Immortal Seed and God Seed Qin Ming encountered while traveling on the Vermilion Bird Airship were not only there to collect the Nine Heavens Essence from that "land" in the sky, but also for the Auspicious Beast Blood.

Qin Ming could not hide his emotional turmoil. He knew that Lu Zizai was also under tremendous pressure, for example, Sun Taichu wanted to take action against him today.

In this situation, Lu Zizai gave him a promise, telling him to go all out, even though he himself didn't know how harsh the environment he would face!

"Such a debt of gratitude is truly heavy." Brother, what's wrong? Wu Yaozu asked.

"We'll fight for the Auspicious Beast Blood!" Qin Ming said, turning back to study the rules more carefully.

In any case, if fair competition is truly ensured, how can he be left out in the New Life Realm? Just then, a small golden bird flew over and landed on a branch near Qin Ming, its eyes sparkling.

"Senior!" Qin Ming quickly greeted in a low voice.

The golden bird sighed softly, "He values you highly. In his eyes, no more than four people can pave the way for the New Life in the future, including him and you."

Qin Ming's blood began to boil. He was only at the First Realm, yet Lu Zizai viewed him so casually. He felt an urge to roar, "I will definitely forge a new path in the future!"

But he restrained himself. He was just a New Life Evolver, and it was too far off to talk about the future. Right now, he should be down-to-earth and repay Lu Zizai with practical actions.

Qin Ming was somewhat worried about Lu Zizai. The white-haired body he had seen today carried a strong aura of decay. "How is Senior Brother Lu?" he asked in a low voice.

The golden bird secretly transmitted its message, saying, "He is unharmed. The golden giant you saw today was a manifestation of his past cultivation, not his true form. It was the ' Merit Fruit ' of his efforts to forget."

Although Qin Ming had some suspicions, he was still deeply moved when it was confirmed. How many people could bear to give up such "Merit Fruit"? Lu Zizai was far beyond the reach of ordinary people!

The golden bird said, "Don't worry, when he completely forgets the past and his new Merit Fruit appear, he will be even stronger, rooted in his past cultivation—a true ' New Life '!"

"Okay!" Qin Ming nodded. He felt that as long as Lu Zizai didn't die, one day he would be far better than before. The golden bird spread its wings and flew away, disappearing into the vast night.

Wu Yaozu wiped the sweat from his forehead, let out a long breath, and said, "I feel like the outside world is even more dangerous than the Fourth Forbidden Land. Even a small bird makes my heart tremble, as if I were facing a terrifying monster as big as a mountain!"

Qin Ming said, "Its actual size isn't necessarily smaller than a mountain!"

The woods were rather dark, and there was a large cluster of wooden cabins where many New Life Evolver lived.

Today, the air here is thick with frustration and unease, and many people are sitting quietly, contemplating their future.

Not long ago, the Ancestor of the New Life Path appeared at the Ascension Academy, exuding an aura of decay, making people feel that there was no hope on this path. "The New Life Path hasn't had Ancestor pave the way for many years, while other paths are still being developed. Alas!"

"No wonder there were rumors that someone wanted the Ancestor of New Life Path to become a strongman; it wasn't just a rumor."

"Unfortunately, we've tried other paths, but they're all ineffective. Without special talents, we're just ordinary people. The only viable path is through physical mutation."

A group of people sighed and lamented, feeling that the night, like their future path, was exceptionally dark, and they couldn't see anything ahead. (Reading at Xiuting)

"By the way, tomorrow evening, Ling Yu from the Hundred Cities Trial will be facing off against Xin Youdao at our academy. They're also considered part of the New Life Path, right? Looking forward to it!"

The next day, after Qin Ming and Wu Yaozu got up, they continued to familiarize themselves with the environment of the Mountain River Academy. As for the canteen, they had only four words to describe it: terrible food and ridiculously expensive!

"Brother, that's the Library Tower you've been longing for. It's quite grand and magnificent, with nine floors." Soon, they learned that to read the classics, they either needed contribution points or had to pay to read them.

After inquiring, Wu Yaozu gasped at the Fire Haze in front of the building and said, "Wow, that's expensive! Brother, if it's not going to work out, we'll really have to fight. We're both lacking the Day Gold in our Five Elements!"

Qin Ming nodded, determined not to let "a little" Day Gold block their path, for even heroes like him would be stumped. Before noon, Mountain River Academy was already bustling with activity as people continued to enter.

Because the news that Ling Yu would be testing his sword in a hundred cities and would be fighting Xin Youdao had been circulating for several days, and many people had been looking forward to it.

The skyrocketing prices of spectator seats indicate that significant profits are involved, naturally attracting those who will fuel the frenzy.

In fact, Ling Yu and Xin Youdao are both Heavenly Prodigy who have amazed this generation. They have even been called "Young Ancestor" and are frequently featured in the Night Report, gaining some fame in various places.

Not only Kunling, but also some people traveled from other cities.

"Ling Yu's teacher is the most likely person in this era to become Ancestor. He is a legendary figure and a truly renowned person in the Night Mist World."

This is precisely why people are even more interested in seeing firsthand what kind of disciple the Grandmaster personally taught.

That day, the entire Kunlun City was talking about it.

This doesn't seem like Sun Taichu's sudden arrival without warning; this battle of young prodigies has been brewing for a long time.

Even without tickets, students from more than a dozen other dojos and academies flocked to the event, including many senior figures.

"A duel between people from my New Life Path has actually garnered this much attention? People from the Immortal Path, the Secret Sect Path, and the Other Path have all come to watch."

"Wake up! Only you New Life Evolver would try to glorify yourselves by interpreting things that way. Do you know that Xin Youdao operates on two paths simultaneously? His Esoteric Sect methods are even more powerful!"

"As for Ling Yu, his teacher was originally Beyond the Mundane People. He joined the New Life Path in order to advance further and stand at the top of the pyramid. Becoming Ancestor was just a natural progression."

These words silenced many of the New Life Evolver.

The Mountain River Academy was packed with people, bustling like never before.

The Night Report's front page was actively following this story; the headline, "Teenage Grandmaster Sword Testing Under the Heavens," had already been written in advance! Wu Yaozu's eyes gleamed as he said, "Brother, I think the two of us could each take on one and replace them, no problem!"

Although he came from Jedi, he was still quite young. Seeing such a grand spectacle, the overwhelming media coverage, and so many people coming to watch, he was naturally very dissatisfied and, with a touch of youthful arrogance, wished he could fight those two.

Qin Ming smiled and said, "Don't worry, you'll have your chance to shine eventually, and you'll become famous throughout the world sooner or later." The two chatted and laughed here, not caring much. What did it matter if others heard them? At most, they would think it was just bragging.

"Quite the boast." Sure enough, some people scoffed upon hearing this, thinking the two had lost their minds and were desperate for fame.

However, some creatures actually believed it!

In the distance, Purple-Eyed Crow perched on a treetop and whispered, "Tang Jin, did you hear that? Did you see that too? The confidence in those two boys' eyes and expressions. I recognized that little guy from Black and Black White Mountain yesterday, and he recognized us too. He didn't even take your chosen ones seriously."

Tang Jin smiled faintly and said nothing.

The Purple-Eyed Crow said, "Why don't you arrange for Ling Yu to assess him and see if you misjudged him back then at Black White Mountain?"

"Okay!" Tang Jin only two words, her words quite concise.

(There's more to come!)