Speaking Frankly

"One creature went in, but another came out?" Qin Ming was stunned; it was truly unbelievable.

That was the Ancestor Worm, and it's possible it has already been replaced.

In the Quiet Room, Qin Ming suddenly felt a chill creep down his scalp.

He calmed himself and continued to resonate.

"Perhaps this is how the path to enlightenment is meant to be: changing Changing Fate and leaping from the Ancestor Worm to the Dao insect—this is how the Dao Worm is born?" Meng Zhiyu's thoughts were complex.

Clearly, she couldn't completely convince herself.

As Qin Ming captured the old scene on the stone bricks, he also pondered what kind of place it was. Even if the Ancestor Worm went in, something bad might happen.

Is it Ancestor Worm in its growth stage, or a supreme Ancestor Worm that has already reached the pinnacle of power?

If it's the latter, then it's truly terrifying.

Even just peering through the void, Qin Ming felt a chill run down his spine.

Meng Zhiyu stroked the stone brick and said, "It's not a big problem; future generations can handle it."

The Quiet Room fell silent for a moment, until her eyes, glowing with a purple light, locked onto the strange symbols, as if she were carefully analyzing them.

The stone bricks began to blur, as if time and space were being distorted, and more intricate, ghostly symbols flowed out from within the stone bricks like a trickle of water.

Meng Zhiyu was completely absorbed in studying the text.

"Secret area, precautions, dangers—" Her red lips glistened, and the corners of her mouth gradually turned up.

She was carefully memorizing that this was a place she would be exploring in the near future, and that the experiences of those who had gone before might save her life.

Qin Ming listened intently as she deciphered the text.

Unfortunately, even Meng Zhiyu could not read the entire text; he could only analyze a portion of it.

After all, she wasn't the real Ancestor Worm.

"My understanding, combined with the analysis by the Emperor Worm, is that about right?" Meng Zhiyu was not disappointed.

Qin Ming observed that the relationship between this elder sister and the Emperor Worm was definitely not as the rumors outside were.

Meng Zhiyu stroked the glowing, ghostly talismans and said, "When the ancients explored, they had no experience whatsoever, and their conditions were far inferior to those of later generations. I should be content."

Qin Ming nodded. He wasn't greedy; given the circumstances, he was satisfied with what he had gained.

The scribbles on the stone bricks are not True Scripture, but rather handwritten notes recording information about an ancient site.

Qin Ming's Light of the Mind surged, recording many fragmented scenes.

By now, he naturally knew where the Ancestor Worm had gone.

"The Changing Fate was foreshadowed long ago," Qin Ming pondered.

Recent incidents are all related to this, and there have been signs of it all before.

"When the rain comes, the dampness arrives first. When the ripples rise, the night wind passes by first." Qin Ming felt that many things could be connected.

In an underground auction, someone has offered an exorbitant reward for clues about the "Changing Fate" technique.

Qian Cheng had been actively preparing for a long time to explore an ancient site.

These few stone bricks are only displayed to the public once every ten years, but this time it's an exception.

The Emperor Worm and Meng Zhiyu had a decent relationship and engaged in transactions with each other.

Qian Cheng intentionally leaked the information, and various parties reacted upon hearing the news.

The Sky Race, the Cultivation System, the Traveler Civilization, and the Godlike Society —these supreme organizations all had their direct descendants arrive, making this a truly significant event.

Meng Zhiyu, Taiyi, Emperor Worm, and others actively prepared for battle, and the ancient land they would eventually go to was naturally the Land of Fate Exchange.

"Different people have different understandings of that place." Meng Zhiyu was still trying to understand and analyze the Ancestor Worm's words.

Qin Ming then calmed his mind and carefully contemplated the matter.

He felt that tonight he had taken advantage of Meng Zhiyu's influence by "Borrowing the Body to Comprehend the Dao" in reverse.

Otherwise, no matter how high his comprehension, it would be useless if he couldn't understand the words left by the Ancestor Worm.

"Some believe that it is a path to change one's fate, and also a Longevity Path, capable of altering the innate qualities of the dull-witted, and changing the Changing Fate of those whose Life Fire is about to be extinguished."

Qin Ming frowned upon seeing this.

Even if there are incomprehensible, forbidden beings, they shouldn't target those whose Life Fire is about to be extinguished.

Why replace the elderly and frail?

Could it be that the change of Changing Fate there was truly a Great Fortune, or rather, a place shrouded in endless negativity and gloom?

"In any case, the Supreme True Scripture One - Changing Fate must be in that ancient land." Meng Zhiyu's eyes shone brightly, with a purple halo.

That ancient land has many strange things about it.

She warned herself that there were certain places she should not set foot in, and that she should not be tempted by promises of prolonging life or changing her life; she should simply find and memorize the scriptures.

Without a doubt, the Changing Fate is undoubtedly a supreme and True Scripture.

"The Ancestor Worm Changing Fate, the Dao Worm soars into the sky, and disappears in old age—" The purple glow in Meng Zhiyu's eyes faded.

Qin Ming pondered, if the Ancestor Worm had met with misfortune and been replaced, why would it have left behind these strange scribbles?

Meng Zhiyu revealed the answer to him, "It wasn't done by the person involved, but rather a manuscript left by Ancestor Worm that rose to power in later generations."

If that's the case, then that past event is far too long ago.

After all, according to records, the most recent Ancestor Worm last appeared more than five thousand years ago.

"Taiyi, did he not dig a pit?" Meng Zhiyu's eyes were deep as she stared into the void, her gaze filled with both apprehension towards her second brother and longing for this mysterious place.

She then got up and left the Quiet Room.

The image became completely blurred, and everything became invisible.

Qin Ming sat quietly for a long time, pondering to himself. "The Six Great Sages organization seems to be all brothers and sisters, but they have never shared hardships together. They are just a temporary group put together, and each of them has their own agenda."

Overall, none of the six were easy to deal with.

However, in terms of the closeness of their relationship, Niu Wuwei alright.

After all, Qin Ming was considered a "half-disciple" of the Tushita Palace.

Meng Zhiyu needs no Say More; he is the leader of the Six Great Sages and also colludes with the Emperor Worm, making him extremely dangerous.

Taiyi the initiator of this expedition, so he must have various hidden plans. Moreover, as a former Dharma King, he is completely unfathomable.

Mu Shinian and Zhou Tian came from the Demon Court. With both Your Highness present, most parties dared not target them.

The fifth prince comes from the Tushita Palace and is the future Dao Venerable; his identity is very special.

After much deliberation, Qin Ming concluded that he himself was in the most danger.

If they were to actually enter the ancient land, with the Six Great Sages acting together, and if they needed cannon fodder, he would most likely be the first to be sacrificed.

"Damn it—I'm actually a vulnerable group!" Qin Ming realized that his situation was not good.

Of course, the expedition had already been deliberately leaked, and there were far too many people who had tried to blaze the trail. Theoretically, he should have been able to survive to the final stage.

"To be on the safe side, I cannot participate personally."

The legendary "True Scripture of Changing Fate in Destiny" is indeed valuable, coveted by great figures throughout history, but one must be alive to obtain it.

Putting aside the open and covert struggles among explorers, the ancient land itself was extremely sinister.

"It's alright, my Little Worm has the potential to become an emperor." Qin Ming decided to play it by ear and decide based on the situation.

If that area cannot isolate his resonance power, then it's better to just let the Little Worm enter.

"Shall we ask him to come out and try?"

Qin Ming felt that even if the Little Worm was unconscious, its physical instincts might still trigger the strange symbols on the stone bricks.

After all, this body was once the Insect Emperor!

The Emperor Worm and the Insect Emperor may look similar, but their status and strength are completely different.

"This place is not safe; there may be an old monster spying on us."

Finally, Qin Ming got up and left the Quiet Room.

"Sixth Brother, how is it?" Niu Wuwei over to greet him.

Qin Ming said, "That's not the script of our time, and it leaves no spiritual imprint, so it's undecipherable."

"That's true." Niu Wuwei nodded.

Since leaving the Tushita Palace, the two have been inseparable and have long since developed a tacit understanding. If they were to explore the ancient lands, they would definitely join forces.

Qian Cheng had finished his private conversation with Wen Lingxi, and now he stood with the father and daughter, chatting casually.

He beckoned and said, "Fifth brother, sixth brother, come this way."

Niu Wuwei transmitted his voice. "Second brother, do you perhaps want to be my older brother's son-in-law?"

"Would you marry into my family?" Qin Ming added.

The two men were very familiar with each other, and once again put their arms Wen Chongguang each other's shoulders.

Wen Lingxi overheard every word, and her eyes almost flashed with the light of a flying sword.

"My dear niece, when you look at the two of us, there's a light in your eyes. Is that a look towards the future?" Niu Wuwei said with a stern face.

Qian Cheng, with a calm expression, said, "Don't talk nonsense."

clank.

In Wen Lingxi's beautiful eyes, two Immortal Sword, as small as dust particles, appeared, about to surge in size in the blink of an eye.

Qian Cheng waved his hand to stop them, saying, "How old are you? You are all prominent figures in your respective sects, why are you still so angry?"

Qin Ming began, "Tell us about this expedition."

Qian Cheng nodded and said, "Okay, let's talk."

He led the way, leaving the area and heading towards a small reception room, where Wen Lingxi was also invited.

Seeing this, Wen Chongguang followed.

Qian Cheng was very direct, saying, "Old Six, you have some guesses about my identity, right? That's right, just as you imagined."

He indirectly admitted that he was the Dharma King.

Last time, Qin Ming exposed his identity—he was both Qian Cheng and the Dharma King —and he was stunned like a statue. Now, there's nothing left to hide.

At this moment, he erected Mysterious Runes screen, covering only himself and Qin Ming, allowing them to communicate secretly without being overheard by outsiders.

Qian Cheng's expression was somewhat complicated as he asked, "You are... Qin Ming?"

He thought of many things. The two were true fellow villagers, having lived in Red Haze City together, and had entered the Thunderfire Alchemy Hall together.

On that very day, Qian Cheng received the baptism of Thunderfire Heavenly Light, awakening his Past Life Wisdom.

Qin Ming knew he couldn't hide it from him.

After all, Zhou Tian had told his sworn brothers about what Zheng Guang had done in the Tushita Palace.

Involving Li Qingyue, this is practically an open secret.

If Qin Ming were an ordinary person, it wouldn't matter, but he was too famous in the Jade Capital Territory.

Qian Cheng said, "I'm starting to have my suspicions. Could it be that you've ventured into some Forbidden Domain, or that an old monster has returned?"

He then shook his head and said, "But I don't remember an old fellow like you. Your manner of doing things doesn't seem like that of an ancient person."

Qin Ming said, "I am indeed not from ancient times."

Qian Cheng nodded and said, "The people of this world are truly formidable!"

Qin Ming said, "Brother Qian, we are true fellow townsmen, both from Night Prefecture, we should Take Care Of each other."

Qian Cheng smiled faintly and said, "With your Night Prefecture Spirit, you wouldn't be planning to use your methods against me, would you?"

Qin Ming immediately put on a stern face and said, "Your Night Prefecture Soul Qi Deviation."

In fact, he was very worried about Qian Cheng. Although the other party was young, he had the heart of an old monster and was unfathomable.

Qian Cheng seemed to know what he was thinking and said, "You don't need to be afraid. My revival has some problems. I only absorbed a portion of my Past Life Wisdom. Overall, I am still a young man."

Both of them naturally held back, selectively engaging in conversation.

Qin Ming said, "Do you trust Meng Zhiyu a lot? I suspect that her relationship with the Emperor Worm is not so simple, and it should also involve the Strange Insect Alliance organization."

Qian Cheng agreed, saying, "Yes, you have strong insight. Meng Zhiyu is a potential ally, but we must also be wary."

The two had a private conversation, but it was impossible for them to truly reveal everything to each other. Even though they were from the same hometown, they were both wary of each other.

As for the Six Great Sages organization, it seems to be just a makeshift operation at present.

With Qian Cheng finger, the runic light barrier enveloping the two of them shattered.

Niu Wuwei opened his mouth, but didn't ask any further questions.

Qian Cheng, with a calm expression and deep eyes, introduced, "Wen Lingxi is a disciple of an old friend of mine, and he brought their lineage's Phoenix Seal Script."

Niu Wuwei's expression turned serious. He said, "Are you really after the True Scripture of ' Changing Fate '?"

Qian Cheng said, "It seems you've heard of Phoenix Seal Script."

Niu Wuwei said, "I've heard a little about the handwritten notes by the disciples of the Heavenly Phoenix Ancestor the Cultivation Civilization. The most famous thing about that ancestor was that Changing Fate in his later years and reappeared in the world as a young man."

The Phoenix Seal Script contains many wondrous methods and records some miscellaneous discussions, concerning some of the secrets of the Heavenly Phoenix Ancestor.

The Phoenix Seal Script brought by Wen Lingxi was naturally limited to casual conversation.

Qian Cheng said, "That ancient land, known as the Land of Fate Exchange, exudes boundless evil."

Throughout history, many great figures have attempted to explore this subject, but not everyone has found anything of value.

In those stagnant times, the place was lifeless, and no matter how much you explored, you could hardly find anything.

But once it recovers, that area becomes unpredictable and treacherous.

Needless to say, Qian Cheng was after the True Scripture "Yi Ming" (Changing Fate) manual.

Wen Chongguang asked, "After the area is revived, is it true that there might be a change of personnel or Changing Fate, with someone being replaced?"

"It's hard to say, we haven't experienced it ourselves, we've only heard rumors." Qian Cheng flipped through the Phoenix Seal Script in front of him, but unfortunately, it was a very thin booklet with limited records.

Wen Lingxi spoke up, "The Heavenly Phoenix Ancestor recorded here did indeed change his personality after returning as a young boy, and he has rarely returned to the sect since then."

Qin Ming asked, "What was the final outcome after he was given New Life?"

Wen Lingxi didn't give him a friendly look, but still replied, "In his later years, he walked into the deepest part of the Night Mist World and disappeared forever."

Qin Ming hesitated, then said, "Is it possible that the Heavenly Phoenix Ancestor eventually returned to the Land of Fate Exchange, just as fallen leaves return to their roots and old dogs return to their mountains? Throughout history, has it always been the same being who leaves the Land of Changing Fate and then returns there in their later years?"

If that's the case, the Land of Fate Exchange Change is truly terrifying. Has anyone actually used it to achieve Longevity Path?

Niu Wuwei said seriously, "Old Six, you're telling a bloody and terrifying story."

Wen Lingxi also looked solemn and said, "Even the Ancestor's disciples had their doubts."

Qian Cheng said, "It's unlikely that they are from the same living being, because there are more than one sample."

He mentioned that the Ancestor Worm also emerged from the Nirvana there.

In even earlier times, there were other people.

Ancient scholars have studied that these "Second-Life People" people who successfully changed their fates, after being New Life, each had a different personality and were definitely not transformed from the same person.

Qin Ming said, "Personality—can be concealed."

Qian Cheng nodded and said, "Some people have also suspected this. Eight thousand years ago, the masters of several Supreme Dao Field joined forces to destroy that place."

"Hiss, it's been that long?" Even Niu Wuwei was taken aback.

He had seen a simple record of the Land of Fate Exchange in the Tushita Palace, but he did not expect that the "Final Tribulation" was already so far away.

Could the era in which these "serious events" occurred be traced back all the way to ten thousand years ago?

Qian Cheng said, "No one expected that the Land of Fate Exchange would be revived eight thousand years later."

This is truly outrageous and terrifying!

Those Supreme Experts who once carved through this land, crushed its veins, and reduced all ruins and artifacts to ashes are long gone, yet this ancient land has miraculously revived.

Qin Ming asked, "Are you sure that place was really completely destroyed back then?"

Qian Cheng said, "It's confirmed. Every inch of land was personally crushed by the Supreme Experts, and the impact extended far beyond that area."

Eight thousand years ago, the Supreme Experts of that era dug up this place thoroughly, and every inch of soil was as if it had been sieved several times, leaving no gaps.

After a long period of time, it has been revived.

"Then you still dare to explore?" Wen Chongguang asked.

Qian Cheng frankly stated, "Having compiled various experiences from predecessors, I only wish to explore a portion of the scriptures and will not delve into others."

Moreover, he solemnly warned that if one were to hear the True Scripture the * Changing Fate *, one should not learn it entirely, but rather choose wisely...

The middle two volumes are sufficient; the lower volume should be avoided.

Because no one can say for sure whether the person in question was changed when the Changing Fate was altered.

The Phoenix Seal Script was created by a disciple of the Heavenly Phoenix Ancestor. It mentions methods for dealing with that evil place and how to prevent it, such as finding someone to take the blame for the calamity, thus Changing Fate.

Qin Ming looked at Wen Lingxi and said, "So, you 'dao companion to change your Changing Fate and shield you from calamity?"

Niu Wuwei said, "My dear niece, you have a heart of stone. You haven't taken a fancy to any of your uncles, have you?"

Wen Lingxi said, "Pah, I'm setting bait, I want to choose a vicious and ruthless person."

She once said that Qin Ming and Niu Wuwei appearances, were the most suitable targets, which was naturally an angry remark after being called her niece.

After some discussion, everyone felt that the destination was too mysterious.

Ancestor Worm, Heavenly Phoenix Ancestor, and others all went to exchange their Changing Fate; they were all extremely powerful figures.

Qian Cheng said, "The area has just recovered, and the situation isn't serious yet. Now is the best time to investigate."

He was a former Dharma King; he wouldn't take such a risk without a certain degree of certainty.

Wen Lingxi said, "The Changing Fate Scripture is indeed incredibly powerful. Even the Supreme Experts history have longed to see it, because it can truly reshape oneself and enhance one's innate abilities."

Otherwise, how could it have attracted the Dharma King and made Meng Zhiyu and Emperor Worm so eager to join in?

Qin Ming asked, "Ancestor Worm and the Heavenly Phoenix Ancestor have entered the Land of Fate Exchange, so they must have gained something. Did they not leave behind any inheritance of this scripture?"

Wen Lingxi said, "Some of the scriptures have been preserved, but they are already in fragments and have almost been lost."

Qin Ming pondered to himself that both Qian Cheng and Meng Zhiyu must have backup plans, and even Niu Wuwei and Wen Lingxi came from the Supreme Dao Field and should have means to protect themselves.

"I can't afford to cause trouble!" Qin Ming felt more and more that he should ask the Insect Emperor for help.

They talked in private for a long time, while the people in the hall had long since dispersed.

As Shallow Night approached, Qin Ming and Niu Wuwei returned to their residence, a room on the top floor of a large building—a cave abode dwelling of a Demon Emperor level.

Over the next two days, the Six Great Sages gathered several times for open and frank exchanges.

By the fourth day, the various "winds" had mostly died down, and groups of people were already arriving to head to that ancient site.

--

Taiyi's expression turned solemn as he said, "It's time for us to set off."

The Land of Fate Exchange is not very far from Jade Radiance City, otherwise they would not have gathered here.

On the fifth day, after passing through several Ancient Mist Gate, the group approached their destination.

Ahead, the sky was blue and the earth was yellow, unlike other places shrouded in night fog, there was a strange sight.

Initially, Qin Ming was still somewhat unsettled.

For several days in a row, he had been cramming on information, reading through too many legends about the Land of Fate Exchange.

Of course, ordinary people would never see these files.

Even some of the Top Great Sects have almost forgotten about this place.

These materials were all gifts from Qian Cheng and Meng Zhiyu.

Qin Ming took a deep breath and quickly calmed down.

"It's alright, it's no big deal, it's just a gamble, right?" He firmly believed that his insect life was tough.