Unfathomable Schemes and Treacherous Currents
Under the long night, on a giant ship adorned with gold and colorful decorations on the Spirit Lake in Rui City, a group of geniuses were stumped by two scriptures.
Wu Yaozu frowned deeply. He stepped forward, feeling dizzy and disoriented by the circulation route diagram of the <Life Altering Scripture>, and asked Qin Ming for help.
In the pitch-black sky, snowflakes fell, turning into water droplets as they approached the Spirit Lake. A light drizzle fell, and the lake shimmered with Golden Haze light.
Qin Ming did not immediately begin to comprehend the True Scripture. His gaze pierced through the raindrops, looking at the vast expanse of water, his thoughts drifting to distant lands.
"The 'wanderer' who disappeared for many years has returned, entering and leaving various ruins. It's unknown what he's truly searching for; it may not necessarily be ancient scriptures."
These young prodigies also have their own mission: to communicate with the seeds of Night Prefecture and exchange True Scripture.
Currently, there is no disturbance between the two sides, and they seem to have reached some kind of "tacit understanding".
However, this is only the initial contact; what will the future hold?
Qin Ming knew that even though they were all human, in this unpredictable Night Mist World filled with the Principle of the jungle, their relationships were as precarious as a candle flame in the wind.
In Pugong, the mountains and rivers are adorned with brocade, and the cultivation civilization is highly developed. Earth Immortal appear, and there are also Seven-Day Accumulator guarding the area. If they take Night Prefecture as their prey, the consequences will be terrible.
Qin Ming guessed that their current wariness of Night Prefecture was mainly due to the fact that Jade Capital had temporarily stationed himself in this area.
However, the "tacit understanding" will eventually disappear one day.
After all, they had an "insider".
Those born in Night Prefecture who are "wanderers" can pave the way for them.
In particular, some highly respected "wanderers" have not yet returned, such as the Ancestor of the Silk Book Method and He Lian Chengyun's uncle.
If one day such a "Sage" returns to Night Prefecture, who will have the final say in the Ancestral Court of each region?
Faced with such a complex and unpredictable situation fraught with hidden murderous intent, one wonders how the Ancestor of Night Prefecture will deal with it; he must be having a major headache over it.
In addition, there is a rumor that Jade Capital is fluctuating, and the Earthen City associated with it is showing signs of revival, and it is unknown what kind of monsters will emerge.
The night is dark and the road ahead is long; no one knows what the future holds for Night Prefecture.
When Qin Ming considered the undercurrents of power, the scene of a group of teenagers pondering the True Scripture suddenly seemed insignificant, rather bland, and even "utterly tasteless."
He then shook his head to clear his head. He had gotten a little carried away and was thinking too far ahead. He was just a teenager, and he should focus on the present.
As for the sky collapsing, it's not his place to step forward and hold it up; even if he wanted to, he wouldn't be able to.
Under the same night sky, snow fell on one side, covering the buildings in white, while on the other side, a light rain slanted down, falling into the golden Spirit Lake and wetting the shimmering silver lotus flowers.
The White-Clad Girl Luo Yao, racked her brains, but she just couldn't understand that page of the True Scripture. She felt like her head was about to explode, and her mind was a complete mess.
She spotted the man not far away, standing out from the crowd, even enjoying his tea.
She knew that the boy from Black White Mountain possessed an extraordinary level of comprehension, comparable to her older sister.
"Why don't you read the scriptures? Can you understand them?" she asked softly.
"Pour the tea." Qin Ming sat cross-legged on the futon and pointed to the thin, white porcelain cup on the low tea table.
Luo Yao got up, brewed tea, and poured it, her movements fluid and graceful, all in one smooth motion. Only after she finished did she realize how obedient she had been to him!
She realized that she had been in charge of these things when Qin Ming went to the Immortal Land last time, and it had become a kind of habit, so she reacted subconsciously at this moment.
She almost punched herself; she'd really become a tea-pouring maid!
"Are you capable? Can you figure it out?" she urged.
"Become my apprentice, and I'll teach you," Qin Ming said, putting down his teacup.
"Go back and tell my sister that you want to take her as your apprentice." She turned her head away and went back to studying that page of True Scripture.
Qin Ming got up and went to read the "Life Altering Scripture" first.
In the past, even Li Qingyue could not obtain the original. Instead, she obtained an aged version copied by people from the Pure Land, which was only one or two hundred years old.
Now he's staring at that ancient book, and he has to wait in line.
Jian Huaidao, Xie Lin, Mu Yunzhou, and others all attached great importance to it and took turns using it. Each of them actually developed a special pupil technique, with runes appearing in their eyes and Divine Radiance shooting out when they opened and closed.
They were arrogant about their extraordinary talent, but now they were overwhelmed with worry because the three energy cultivation routes in the general outline alone blocked their way.
"Truly a remarkable book!" Xie Lin exclaimed.
Although he couldn't get through, he could sense that this scripture was extraordinary, even defying the heavens. How did they come up with such a complex route?
Moreover, judging from the subsequent chapters, this is a miraculous book that can change a creature's inherent qualities and enhance its endowments, making it invaluable.
Xie Lin sat still, his whole body began to glow, and dense symbols, like words, seeped out from his pores, yet they seemed to be baring their fangs and claws.
Each character was tinged with blood and accompanied by Black Mist; some resembled evil dragons, some vengeful ghosts, some black Phoenix, and others shimmered with light patterns like blood-red Kirin.
Immediately, the descendants of the wanderer, Feng Qiwu, Lu Wei, and others all showed expressions of surprise.
Because they knew that this was the revival of the Earth Immortal Blood, a blessing bestowed upon Xie Lin, enhancing his "talent"—a "gift" from their ancestors.
The seeds in Night Prefecture were all startled, snapping out of their meditative state and looking up.
Xie Lin's spiritual radiance shone brightly, and his Daoist aura became much stronger. His eyes were deep, and his Consciousness Spirit Light shone intensely. This was because he had forcibly opened the Enlightenment Realm with his Earth Immortal Blood.
He had gained some insight, but when he forcibly activated the three secret diagrams of the general outline, he coughed up blood and was actually injured.
He was certain that he had gained something and comprehended some extraordinary things, but his Immortal Path seemed incompatible with this Cultivation Method!
This troubled him greatly. He was clearly getting close, as if the fog was about to be blown away and the Heavenly Scripture was about to be seen, but the pure Immortal Path did not support him to walk this path.
No one laughed at him, because everyone knew that his state was very mysterious, as if he had grasped some of the Miao Di of the book, but it conflicted with the way the text was written, so he failed at the last minute.
Beside him Jian Huaidao, whose background was even more astonishing. Golden runes emanated from his pupils, and his tangible gaze was almost glued to the pages of the book.
He was serious. Numerous characters emerged from his body, forming Immortal Light and turning into Cloud Pattern. A phantom of True Dragon appeared, Heavenly Phoenix spread its wings, shining brightly, and a tiny Golden Peng Fuyao into the Immortal Mist. A small figure sat cross-legged in the Immortal Light.
Those Seven-Day Accumulator of blessings are bestowed upon their descendants, truly different from Earth Immortal. Dense characters flowed from Jian Huaidao's pores, appearing remarkably sacred without any sense of menacing ferocity.
However, when he forcibly activated the "Fate- Life Altering Scripture," he also vomited a mouthful of blood.
He had an epiphany, as if he had grasped something, and in a daze, he saw a dazzling road. However, when he tried to travel it using his Immortal Method, he fell from the clouds and could not go any further.
"It can prolong life, strengthen one's foundation, and change one's fate. It's a pity that although I am aware of this, I cannot put it into action!" He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, feeling deeply regretful.
Zhuo Qingming spoke up, "No need to worry about it. Even the Ancestor of past generations could not fully comprehend the true meaning."
Mu Yunzhou had mastered the Chaos Force, stepped forward. He had integrated multiple powerful Heavenly Light Force techniques, and his body was like a small Solar Yang, completely illuminating the entire ship and making the night sky and the lake surface bright.
Everyone was awestruck; this person's Heavenly Light Force was indeed terrifying, living up to the rumors, and was suspected to be even more powerful than the Sky Shaker and the Golden Body Nirvana One.
With a soft "poof," even someone as stunning as him coughed up blood, unable to follow the roadmap outlined in the "Scripture of Life Altering Scripture."
The descendants of "The Wanderer" also tried to understand it, but in the end they couldn't help but sigh, this strange book stumped them all.
Qin Ming stepped forward and gently stroked the page, cherishing it greatly. He valued the Life Altering Scripture highly, as it was indeed of great use to him.
The Dragon Sucking Water, Divine Magnetic Storm, Fiend Cave, and thunder and Thunderfire with purple clouds mentioned in this extraordinary book are both extremely deadly and extremely beneficial to health, with danger and opportunity coexisting.
Most importantly, the Life Altering Scripture can help him correct his Silk Book Method and fine-tune his practice route to make it best suited to his own needs.
Qin Ming almost threw the book down, because this wasn't the original. The old folks were very wary; it was still an artificially aged product, though it was quite old, dating back five hundred years.
The more the people from Pugong wanted to see the original text, the less the old man from Pure Land wanted to show it, which showed that the two sides were far from having the "tacit understanding" they imagined.
Although Qin Ming already knew the scriptures inside and out, he had to pretend to be an expert, flipping through the books and trying to understand the teachings.
"Cui Two, what kind of look is that?" Wu Yaozu said disapprovingly.
Everyone was taken aback. Who was Cui Two? Following his gaze, they realized that Little Wu was pointing at someone— Cui Chonghe.
In fact, the person in question himself was initially taken aback. Who would dare to address him like that? He was clear-headed and detached, destined to pave the way for the path of immortality.
Only when all eyes were on him did Cui Chonghe fly into a rage!
"Calm down, bloodshed is not allowed here!" someone kindly reminded them.
Cui Chonghe did not believe that Qin Ming could grasp the true meaning of this extraordinary book, so he showed disdain when he saw Qin Ming "perfunctorily" flipping through the text.
He believed that the other party knew they couldn't master the material, which is why they flipped through it so "carelessly," not even putting in the effort to pretend.
"Watch your words!" Cui Chonghe coldly warned Little Wu.
Then, he nodded frankly and said, "I do think he can't comprehend this scripture."
"Come on, let's bet!" Wu Yaozu said, his words as simple as just two words.
Cui Chonghe, already irritated by being called "Cui Two), immediately agreed when he saw the other party still wanting to "gamble incompetent ways." What could Qin Ming, who was pretending to flip through a book, possibly glean?
With a bang, Wu Yaozu slammed a book down and pressed it with his palm, revealing only the words "Demon Scripture".
Tang Xumi's lips twitched slightly, but he didn't say anything.
Wu Yaozu said, "Not long ago, you and Xie Lin exchanged scriptures. Use them as a wager."
"You want it even if it's not Cultivation Method?" Cui Chonghe asked coldly.
"Yes!" Wu Yaozu nodded, believing that anything Cui Two had his eye on must be of high quality.
At the same time, he made it clear in advance that as long as Qin Ming comprehends more of the scriptures than Cui Chonghe, he will win this game.
He naturally dared not let Qin Ming master this skill in public, otherwise, he would surely provoke some old guys.
Years ago, Sky-Pillar was so angry Life Altering Scripture that he wanted to tear the book up. Six Sovereigns, after reading it, ordered everyone in the know to shut up and not to discuss his enlightenment of the scripture, which shows how difficult it was.
As for the Ancestor of the Immortal Path, they remained silent after reading it, presumably because they hadn't fully understood it.
Qin Ming didn't like Cui Chonghe, so he decided to "test his skills" here and show some ability to suppress Cui Chonghe's arrogance.
In the end, Cui Chonghe was astonished, his expression changed drastically, and he felt it was unbelievable that the other party, who had been so "perfunctory," could actually comprehend part of the scripture's meaning?
In fact, it wasn't just him; Luo Yao, Helian Zhaoyu, Wei Cheng, and others all felt as if they'd been struck by lightning. How could someone so casually studying the scriptures yield such extraordinary results? Was there no justice in the world?
Of course, some people know that Qin Ming may have come across this extraordinary book in the past, but the fact that he was able to glean more insights from it is still quite a blow to those who are proud and arrogant.
Cui Chonghe, expressionless, took out a very thin booklet, carefully examined it, memorized its contents, tossed it to Little Wu, and turned to leave to study another page of the True Scripture from Pugong's side.
Jian Huaidao, Xie Lin, Mu Yunzhou, and the others were also surprised. Someone had so casually comprehended the scriptures, yet gained more than they had!
The descendants of "Wanderer," Feng Qiwu, Lu Wei, and others, were truly stunned. No one knew better than them just how extraordinary the bloodline of the Earth Immortal and the Seven-Day Accumulator was, after all, they had received a "gift" from their ancestors.
Their feelings were complicated. Were the young people from their Ancestral Land really this "terrifying"? Their comprehension was even higher than that of the Earth Immortal's Descendant.
Wu Yaozu handed over the booklet, and Qin Ming took it, glanced at it, and then stuffed it into his pocket.
Breaking news! Cui Two has suffered a setback!
In Rui City, someone received firsthand information from Spirit Lake and was quite surprised.
The news spread quickly.
Who is Cui Two?
"Cui Chonghe!"
"Ah.!"
The incident caused an uproar and subsequently sparked heated discussions.
Qin Ming went to the other side and stared at the glowing "one page of True Scripture". It was actually made of Exotic Metal, which showed its preciousness.
He noticed that from Pei Shuyan to Zhuo Qingming, and then to Helian Zhaoyu and Wei Cheng, their eyebrows were furrowed more and more tightly, as if their thoughts were in turmoil.
Cheng Sheng and Zhao Qingcheng, both members of the Esoteric Sect, each had a Divine Ring Lingering their bodies, trapped in a realm of absolute clarity, yet they were still unable to break through the fog of the scriptures.
Some even forcibly circulated their inner energy cultivation techniques here, resulting in their faces turning pale and nearly vomiting blood.
Helian Yaoqing felt that she was the "rightful heir" of the Helian Family and had the highest talent among her clansmen, but now she was sighing. She could still gain some insights from the familiar Life Altering Scripture, but when she tried to comprehend a page of scripture from the Pu Gong Country, she had a splitting headache.
Cui Chonghe prided himself on his exceptional talent and superior comprehension compared to many Immortal Seed, but at present he was filled with restlessness and had nowhere to relieve it.
He was deep in thought, his temples throbbing, and his whole body was surrounded by a brilliant celestial glow. He pushed himself into the Enlightenment Realm, trying to comprehend the meaning of the scriptures, but unfortunately, as time Pass By, he made no progress.
He took out a Treasured Medicine and consumed it on the spot, making his mind increasingly clear and empty, as if he were merging with heaven and earth, carrying a rich Daoist aura.
At this moment, his body seemed to radiate Immortal-Flying Light Rain, External Gods and transcendent, as if he were about to detach himself from the mortal world.
However, to his great disappointment, even with streaks of crimson blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, he still couldn't grasp the true meaning of that page of scripture.
"Why don't you give it a try?" Helian Yaoqing beckoned to Qin Ming. She was dressed in white, and today she had unusually returned to her daughter's attire, making her exceptionally radiant and possessing a beauty that could topple kingdoms.
"Okay!" Qin Ming nodded.
He had just comprehended the "Life Altering Scripture" and displayed extraordinary abilities, which naturally attracted everyone's attention.
Even Cui Chonghe quickly wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and turned his gaze over indifferently.
Qin Ming took the seemingly thin but heavy Exotic Metal scripture into his hands and examined it carefully. It was indeed full of information, with dense text that was impossible for someone with low cultivation level to read.
The page is snow-white and crystal clear, with Exotic Metal texture that exudes a sense of age and vicissitude. Numerous fine characters gleam, like stars adorning the surface.
Qin Ming cautiously agreed, then nearly threw the book down.
This is not an antique at all. It has been less than fifty years since it was reproduced. The aging technique used is superb, and it is definitely not the original.
However, the meaning of the text is correct, and there is no forgery.
The Pugong side also kept a backup plan, fearing that the original text contained secrets they had not yet discovered, so they did not send it over.
Qin Ming was deeply engrossed in it, pondering it for a long time and firmly memorizing its meaning. He was certain that he needed to thoroughly understand the <Life Altering Scripture> before he could study this page of True Scripture.
Otherwise, no matter how Heavenly Immortal you are, or how wise and Sage you are, you will not be able to fully comprehend the meaning of this scripture.
Someone in Pugong has made a name for himself in this craft, and the person who created this page of scripture muttered to himself when making it.
In fact, those who have gained even a little are all extraordinary figures who have "practiced" this scripture with unfathomable cultivation.
"How is it?" Helian Yaoqing asked.
Qin Ming replied solemnly, "It's very difficult. It would be good enough to understand even a single word or phrase."
Upon hearing Cui Chonghe's eyes; he hadn't even grasped a single clue.
Jian Huaidao, Xie Lin, and the others were deeply shocked. They knew how difficult this True Scripture was, and that without paving the way with profound skills and then "practicing it arduously," they would hardly gain anything.
As evening fell, the Fire Spring gradually faded, and the exchange meeting came to an end.
Qin Ming didn't do anything too outrageous, but it still shocked some people.
Only Qin Ming knew that it wasn't that those people's comprehension was far inferior to his, but rather that they had missed some essential practices. The Life Altering Scripture and that page of the Exotic Metal Book required the fusion of Heavenly Light, consciousness, and Divine Wisdom.
Otherwise, even Sage would find it extremely difficult to master it completely.
Various rumors circulated that day.
In the Cui Household, some people couldn't help but slam their fists on the table, especially Father Cui and Mother Cui, whose faces were all gloomy. The True Dragon of the clan was actually being called Cui Two.
Moreover, this nickname has spread far and wide, and it's probably going to be very difficult to shake off.
"It's that person close to that rebellious son, Wu Yaozu, who smeared my True Dragon." Mother Cui was furious. With a snap, her delicate hand slammed down, shattering the Lightning Strike Wood coffee table.
Cui Chonghe also harbored a burning anger with nowhere to vent it. He wanted to challenge Wu Yaozu and teach him the meaning of "trouble comes from the mouth."
However, Little Wu ignored him.
Furthermore, at the last moment, Cui Chonghe keenly realized that there was a significant "problem" within Wu Yaozu, which was far more complex than it appeared on the surface.
In the end, he left with a cold expression, leaving a score for the Abandoned Son and "Blackie"!
Amidst the clamor in the outside world, with keywords such as Qin Ming, Cui Two, Earth Immortal's Descendant, and exchange meeting being hotly discussed, one of the main figures has vanished without a trace.
Qin Ming went into seclusion again. In this complex and unpredictable situation, he couldn't see the truth. The only thing he could do was to cultivate diligently, improve himself, and accumulate strength.
Moon Queen, with most of winter over, when he came out of the mountains to get some fresh air and stepped back into inhabited territory, he was shocked by the news he heard.
In just over sixty days, the outside world has changed dramatically, and a momentous event that could shake up the landscape of Night Prefecture and rewrite the course of history has suddenly arrived.