Peerless in an Era
As dusk fell, the town was bathed in a pale reddish mist.
Qin Ming was lost in thought. He had heard of having two relationships at the same time, but he had never heard of having two paths at the same time.
One path is Fiend Path, drawn out by Fragmented Demon Seed. This time, he didn't use the Torn Cloth to completely refine them, precisely to avoid losing resonance with the path.
The other path was drawn out by the Pure Yang -like Heavenly Light Force emanating from him. This path was exceptionally magnificent, as if it were paved with shattered Great Sun, with Golden Haze like flames.
He should have taken this path, but with multiple Demon Seed, there are multiple paths; why choose only one? Besides, the Fiend Path and the New Life Path have some things in common.
Although he wanted to grasp both paths, there was one problem: the two paths were under his feet. How could he move forward? Was he supposed to "split his legs" to walk? Qin Ming actually tried it, but immediately gave up. Not only was it awkward, but he also couldn't walk fast at all.
He pondered for a moment, first concealing the Demon Seed with Torn Cloth, and then preventing the Heavenly Light from leaking out. After several attempts, he discovered that he could control which path to take.
Moreover, he can change routes along the way.
He even adjusted his movements, releasing only a portion of the Heavenly Light Force to fully unleash the energy of the three shattered Demon Seed, allowing the two paths to appear simultaneously and overlap.
"That's good; it doesn't miss the scenery of either road." Qin Ming was very satisfied. He tried it several times, looking ahead, and could see the scenery of both roads.
Most importantly, he can change his state and alter his path at any time if needed.
Qin Ming wrapped up his sword and bow, slung them over his back, and then, with a crackling sound, he activated "Dragon Snake Transformation." This was a technique of the sixth Extraordinary Art skill, involving physical transformation, which, combined with "Harmony with Light Harmony and Dust," was a perfect match. Since he openly walked the Fiend Path, he naturally had to appear more like one, and also for the sake of convenience.
In an instant, Qin Ming appeared, his body robust, his face chiseled and sharp, quite heroic, looking like someone who wouldn't tolerate any injustice.
His black hair was loose, and his eyes were sharp and piercing. Even when he was standing still, he exuded a sense of oppression like a prehistoric beast.
"I am the Demon Emperor? Forget it, let's keep a low profile. My Famous Fiend Yi."
Qin Ming set off, and immediately took off at full speed.
The path beneath his feet was shrouded in swirling purple qi, accompanied by wisps of purple aura. Under the cover of demonic clouds, the New Life Path was blurred and temporarily hidden.
"Once you're actually on the road, looking at other people's paths doesn't make them as clear anymore." He gazed into the distance.
The Fiend Path sometimes appears in the real world, and sometimes seems to lead to a void, as if other Foreign Domain and Secret Realm are intertwined. This path travels between the two worlds.
Along the way, dense forests and rolling mountains stretched out. Qin Ming disappeared into the mountains several times, as the path beneath his feet seemed to have pierced through them, as if he had temporarily entered Otherworld.
Not long after, he reappeared outside the mountains in reality. Soon, Qin Ming arrived at a "scenic spot".
A magnificent hall stretched out before us, its crimson flames surging, and the heat emanating from within made one feel as if their body were about to burst into flames even from a distance.
There were plaques on the palace walls, written in demonic script that Qin Ming did not recognize at all. However, there was some kind of mark on them that was activated upon his arrival.
He immediately realized where he was.
The Demon Fire Hall can refine a demon's body and enhance the strength of its flesh and blood. This is an extremely painful process, but it is of great benefit to the Demon Race.
Qin Ming stood still for a moment, then walked forward.
Just as he was about to step across the threshold, the demonic fire in the entire hall suddenly boiled over.
"As revealed by the Heavenly Fiend Mirror, those descendants who aspire to forge their own path have reached this place upon establishing themselves in the First Realm. Undoubtedly, they are exceptionally brilliant for an era. However, the Demon Seed within their bodies is severely damaged, and they may not be able to pass through the Demon Fire Hall."
Within this palace, a rather mechanical "voice" rang out, cold and devoid of any emotion, resonating within Qin Ming's heart.
He suddenly stopped, involuntarily gasping for breath at the Fire Fiend aura emanating from him.
Is there a demon detector here? No, this is more like a legendary top-tier treasure.
This short passage provided Qin Ming with some valuable information.
Only those who embark on the journey can be considered ambitious?
He chuckled to himself. In truth, who hasn't harbored lofty ideals? But many simply can't resonate with such a mysterious path.
Ultimately, lofty aspirations require exceptional talent, something that predisposes ordinary people to do. "There's even Heavenly Fiend Mirror hanging there—who set it up?" Qin Ming pondered.
Clearly, the other party discovered his fragmented Fiend Seed, acknowledged his Demon Race identity, and wasn't that "intelligent," so they could easily deceive him.
Qin Ming was certain that this was not a setup by the Immortal Path or the Esoteric Sect; this territory had only been conquered not long ago.
Moreover, since Immortal Seed, Demon Seed, and God Seed can all travel here, it's unlikely that the old demons on the plateau laid the trap.
"The Secret Realm is a fragment of a planet from another world... This..." He pondered for a moment, lost in thought.
However, he shook his head, saying it shouldn't be that outrageous.
He had long heard that Kunling was a legendary place where, in ancient times, all sorts of strange creatures roamed, including some Godlike beings.
"No wonder I saw Sun Taichu's phantom; this kind of place, associated with myths and legends, must have a great attraction for him."
Qin Ming smiled. In such a place, he had already received the praise of being the most outstanding person of his era, which was no small feat.
He entered the Demon Fire Hall, and instantly, wisps of runes lit up within the flames, filling the entire palace with a swirling fire that resembled intertwined lightning.
It did not burn his clothes, but poured in from the top of his head, and burst out from his feet, layer upon layer of demonic fire, like a waterfall cascading down, cleansing every inch of his flesh and blood.
Qin Ming didn't think much of it; it wasn't even as good as his Li Fire Force).
Soon, the demonic fire changed from crimson to purple, mixing with Yao Qi, and continuously poured over his head, "washing" his limbs and bones. The flames grew stronger and stronger.
Qin Ming realized that this was actually a primordial Heavenly Light Force, not flames.
Finally, he felt excruciating pain; after all, this was passively "taking a beating," not a real confrontation. Eventually, even his body began to sway.
"A descendant with the ambition to forge a new path, you have survived the baptism of the strongest demonic fire in the First Realm. During the process, your physical condition improved only slightly. Your physique is astonishing, and you are destined to become Heavenly Fiend and establish your own sect!" That cold voice of evaluation rang out again.
Qin Ming carefully examined the situation and found that his physical body underwent no unusual changes after such a cleansing. He walked through the Demon Fire Hall, wanting to say: That's it?
Because it doesn't seem like he's gone through a "trial and tribulation" here.
"The highest local rating; the road beneath your feet can be extended five fingers wide." The mechanical voice sounded again.
Qin Ming was taken aback. What was the use of this? Then he saw that the Fiend Path beneath his feet had indeed widened a bit.
Then he saw a blurry scene on another road, a high platform, which looked like a place for offering sacrifices to heaven.
Qin Ming decisively changed course, and in an instant, he rushed forward on the New Life Path paved with Golden Haze light, and ascended the stone platform that stood in the clouds.
"Descendants who aspire to forge new paths will undergo optimal training based on their physical condition and the changing Heavenly Light conditions." Qin Ming realized that targeted arrangements could be made for various paths here.
In fact, the early stages of the New Life Path and the Fiend Path are similar.
The next moment, after he stood on the high platform, a brilliant light suddenly fell from the sky, the Heavenly Light shining down, as if pouring down upon him.
Qin Ming frowned. Had he made a wasted trip?
This means nothing to him; is this the end of the road?
Ultimately, he received the highest praise on this path, and the road beneath his feet widened.
Qin Ming returned to the Fiend Path, and when he saw the new scenery ahead, he finally smiled. Surely he hadn't come away empty-handed?
Because, from a great distance, he could hear the roar of a dragon. It was a Giant Palace where Dragon-Snake and snakes rose up and intertwined.
"Is this related to the scriptures?" Qin Ming was overjoyed; he had actually grasped the true meaning of the Dragon Snake Scripture.
As he approached, he saw a dragon and a snake rush out, exuding a primal, Savage Wilderness aura that swept across the land with extraordinary ferocity.
They immediately unleashed a killer move from the Dragon Snake Scripture — the Dragon Snake Combined Strike!
Moreover, this is somewhat different from what Qin Ming practiced; it's more like a technique used by the Demon Race race.
He immediately retaliated, using the same move, with Black and White Light rising from his left and right hands.
On the opposite side, a dragon soared into the sky, carrying lightning, extremely powerful and yang, while a snake slithered across the earth, shrouded in dark mist. The two clashed together, striking Qin Ming in the center.
In an instant, lightning flashed and thunder roared, Flying Snake danced—it was quite astonishing.
Qin Ming defeated one dragon and one snake, but even more Dragon-Snake rushed out of the Giant Palace, all using moves from the Dragon Snake Scripture, taking on tangible forms and fiercely attacking him.
Subsequently, the number of densely packed Dragon-Snake shadows continued to increase, which was a test of his understanding of the Dragon Snake Scripture. It seemed that the Dragon-Snake and snake shadows would not disappear unless he was defeated.
A voice rang out, saying, "Descendants with the ambition to forge new paths, this place is a battle of wits and wealth. You are fighting within yourself, and in doing so, you will comprehend even deeper meanings of the scriptures."
Then, it spoke again, "Upon inspection, there is an original version of the Dragon Snake Scripture of the Demon Race in this area, which is being performed for you." Qin Ming understood why the methods displayed by these Dragon-Snake phantoms were somewhat different.
In the end, he was exhausted because he was fighting with himself. Many of the Dragon-Snake phantoms were reflections of his own mind, to the point that blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.
After the Dragon-Snake had completely dispersed, he gasped for breath and pondered carefully. Sure enough, he gained a new understanding of this scripture.
At the same time, Enlightenment Fighting Palace glowed, and he felt as if he were soaking in a hot spring, and his minor injuries quickly healed.
Soon after, the Earthly Field changed, and countless Golden Silkworm appeared. Another Extraordinary Art, the Golden Cicada Scripture, revealed its true meaning, and it turned out to be related to the Demon Race as well? Qin Ming was surprised.
However, as he fought fiercely here, he realized that the scriptures had been supplemented locally and were very different from the original Golden Cicada Scripture practiced by the human race.
Because the version he practiced had nothing to do with silkworms; it mainly reflected the "metal" element in the Five Elements.
Ultimately, he received the highest praise here.
Not long after, he returned to New Life Path and encountered a Divine Temple where a series of battles took place, each corresponding to one of the following classic texts: Wu Ji Scripture, River Luo Scripture, Yi Wood Scripture, and Li Fire Scripture.
Later, the Dragon Snake Scripture and the Golden Silkworm reappeared.
He instantly understood that all six Extraordinary Art he had mastered were manifested here, allowing him to re-understand and solidify them. "This time, I've gained a lot, especially from the path to the Demon Race race, which actually provided some supplements to the Dragon Snake Scripture and the Golden Cicada Scripture!"
Qin Ming continued on his way. In a square, he saw some standing statues. Although they were blurry, he could recognize some of the people in them.
He spotted Li Qingxu immediately; he was dressed in a feathered robe and holding a bamboo staff. "What does this mean?" Qin Ming couldn't help but slap him across the face!
In Kun Jun City, Cao Qianqiu's eldest disciple sat quietly, smiling as he drank tea with a friend. "Your junior brother, Li Qingxu, should have also embarked on that path."
"Yes, my teacher has high hopes for him. The physical problems he suffered from practicing special Cultivation Method have now been repaired by Dragon Blood. He is expected to become Near-Immortal in the future and may even become a legend of his time."
(There's more to come!)