A Little Stronger Than an Otherworlder

On the riverbank, the two continued their fight, their movements uninterrupted, only exchanging words when they were close enough to talk.

Qin Ming had previously said that he didn't shoot Ning Siqi in the sky not because of their past friendship, but because of someone else's feelings, which is clearly not the truth.

If it were anyone else, he would have shot them all down with an arrow long ago; he wouldn't have said so much.

In fact, Ning Siqi was indeed frightened when he saw the Flying Mount by an arrow, and almost shouted out to tell him not to do it for real.

He only held back when he realized that Qin Ming only wanted him to fall into the mud pit.

"I've researched the Xin Yi Hall. People like Ge Qianxun are not worth missing, so I asked him to take action," Ning Siqi said.

Before coming here, he had already sent a message to Meng Xinghai, so Lao Ge was destined to be killed.

But he was still a little worried, so as the employer behind the scenes, he came to the scene in person.

"Among my old acquaintances, Zheng Maorong is the most ruthless. Although he won't personally get involved, a single glance or hint from him will get someone to do things for him." Ning Siqi warned him to keep an eye on certain people.

Qin Ming understood perfectly; he knew Zheng Maorong's nature very well.

In the past, when Second Master was drunk, he uttered the "True Words" that Cui Chonghe and would be taken as a disciple by an Old Senior would be famous Near-Immortal the Night Mist World.

Qin Ming was therefore surrounded by admirers, and he wouldn't be surprised if anything happened once that spotlight was gone.

Moreover, some people already harbored hostility towards him back then.

"One of my cousin Wang Caiwei's cousins is the most stupid," Ning Siqi actually started cursing one of his distant cousins.

He whispered, "Zheng Maorong has a strong ulterior motive, subtly stirring things up with malicious intent. He might be trying to use you as a connection to eventually bring out the real Cui Chonghe from the Beyond the Mundane. My short-sighted cousin, on the other hand, wants to personally hire someone to kill you, believing that eliminating you will completely erase your past with Wang Caiwei, leaving no trace. He's definitely been bewitched and hasn't considered that doing so will create even more trouble later. Of course, he might also be utterly wicked and deliberately..."

Qin Ming listened attentively, trying to understand the various hidden details in order to deal with any potential troubles in the future.

"As long as I rush fast enough on this path of New Life, these people and things will just be scenery along the way. They may be gone before I even have a chance to see them clearly," Qin Ming said.

To thank Ning Siqi, he sent him back into the mud.

"There shouldn't be Talking Finch watching nearby!" Ning Siqi was a clean freak and couldn't stand the filth.

"Your perception isn't strong enough," Qin Ming said, then inquired about his New Life Path with concern.

Ning Siqi said, "I've reached my Seventh New Life. My family has prepared a very high-level Spiritual Matter for me, but it still can't allow me to Eighth New Life."

If he wants to advance further, he can only take Great Medicine and step into the realm where the Heavenly Light Release.

Seventh New Life are the ultimate dream for others, but it's not enough for Ning Siqi. If he were to establish such a foundation and enter the level of Outer Saint, his future in the clan would be very uncertain.

Qin Ming frowned upon hearing this.

Ning Siqi said, "My father has taken me to visit the Six Great Esoteric Sects in the past year. One of the paths is very suitable for me. After the unified examinations in various regions are over, I will be traveling far away. I don't know when I will see you again, because that path often leads into special places and nears certain special 'phenomena'. So this visit is also a way of saying goodbye to you."

Qin Ming said with concern, "Esoteric Sect ultimately involve dealing with terrifying creatures that are close to gods. Although it's a very powerful path, it's also very dangerous."

Ning Siqi didn't take it seriously, saying, "That would only attract the attention of those terrifying creatures after I personally reached the summit. There's nothing to worry about in the early stages."

Then he smiled and said, "In the future, if I have the chance to reach the summit and be targeted by Godlike- like being, you'll have to come and save me. From now on, you'll have to fight tooth and nail. See you at the top then!"

"Alright, if you ever need anything in the future, just send a message." Qin Ming nodded, then helped him into the river.

Ning Siqi went ashore with a dark expression, and finally reminded him, "Even if you are Teenage Aberrant now, you still need to be careful. There are definitely other extraordinary people in the Millennium Aristocratic Family."

"What you know isn't all. I'm actually a bit stronger than Otherworlder my age with superhuman abilities," Qin Ming admitted frankly, having previously held back.

Ning Siqi was immediately taken aback. Based on his understanding of his old friend, this "little bit" was definitely not simple; it was beyond the level of Teenage Aberrant?

He cautioned, "Never be complacent. Those who transcend Beyond the Mundane People concerns begin with the power of consciousness, using it to elevate themselves, while our path New Life is far more simple and straightforward."

As if remembering something, he said, "By the way, Li Qingyue has begun to shine in the Beyond the Mundane. Hmm, Li Qingxu also seems extremely capable, greatly pleasing his teacher, who said that it was just right for him to set foot in the Beyond the Mundane at the age of ten, without needing to do it earlier. This is the greatest affirmation for him, and it also carries a hidden meaning."

"The competition in the Beyond the Mundane is fierce," Qin Ming said.

Ning Siqi said, "Of course, different sects are constantly vying for power. By the way, the atmosphere among the most outstanding disciples of the outer sect has been tense lately. Many people are saying that they are competing for a legendary item, which, if obtained, may grant them Near-Immortal and influence their entire lives. On that path, a group of Core Disciple are actively preparing for battle, all eager to obtain it. Some of our old friends will probably also be involved."

"It sounds like their world is quite fascinating," Qin Ming remarked with some emotion.

"There are other realms that are equally magnificent, but you simply haven't had the chance to approach them. You should join a powerful lineage or enter a special institution of higher learning to experience them firsthand. You must thoroughly study the secret texts, and you also need to comprehend this world."

In the end, Qin Ming carried Ning Siqi, who was covered in mud, into the City Lord's Manor. This seemingly troublesome person needed Meng Xinghai to "get rid of" her.

That's not difficult at all; as long as the "acting" is convincing, it'll be fine.

"Take care of yourself!"

Take care, and see you at the summit!

In the end, Ning Siqi left.

Inside the bronze incense burner, Mind Calming Incense, which can extinguish restlessness and cleanse the mind of dust, is burning slowly.

Meng Xinghai sipped his tea and said, "You really surprised me. You defeated a veteran master with just a few blows and palm strikes, and that was after holding back."

This time, Qin Ming didn't mince words, saying, "Ge Qianxun is old, but he's definitely not a master. By the way, Uncle Meng, he's a Golden Bandits."

Meng Xinghai nodded and said, "I have already had someone interrogate him."

He looked at Qin Ming and asked, "Just how far has your physical New Life progressed?"

"I 'New Life four times, making me slightly stronger than the Otherworlder described in the books," Qin Ming informed him.

Meng Xinghai stood up abruptly; this information left him deeply disturbed.

He scrutinized Qin Ming carefully, and finally smiled, "It's a pity I don't have a daughter."

Qin Ming chuckled as well.

Meng Xinghai sighed, "Such talent is Near-Immortal to that of Beyond the Mundane People, but it's a pity that our path leads us to immortality; our cultivation methods are completely different from theirs."

After his initial shock, he was deeply moved and said, "You really surprised me; you were even more outstanding than I imagined."

He stood up and paced back and forth in the antique living room, finally placing his hand on a large bronze cauldron, and said, "From now on, don't practice those messy, low-level Heavenly Light Force anymore. I'll find you a rather rare secret manual soon."

Qin Ming realized that after demonstrating his value as a rare individual, Old Meng indeed relied on him more and was now making arrangements for him.

Meng Xinghai said, "Ordinary people don't fully understand this stage of New Life, but Millennium Aristocratic Family know very well that it's best not to have more than five physical mutations within a year, otherwise it will affect your future path."

Qin Ming was taken aback. Was his plan for rapid rise to power going to be restricted?

Meng Xinghai asked, "You should have felt it by now. Each mutation brings numerous benefits, not to mention the feeling of being reborn. However, there will be some discomfort in the short term, requiring a period of adjustment; these are the accompanying side effects."

"Uncle Meng, I don't feel anything." Qin Ming shook his head.

Meng Xinghai tapped the Chime Bells and said, "Your situation surpasses that of Teenage Aberrant; it's not uncommon in Ancient Texts. I've seen one document that describes this condition, where you 'Sixth New Life a year without any problems. Actually, you don't need to rush. The New Life stage is the fastest part of our journey; don't accelerate it any further."

But Qin Ming felt that time was of the essence and he was unwilling to waste even a single day.

He believed that he really had no problems. Other books mentioned that one should not casually integrate the Heavenly Light Force, but only if it was done correctly. However, the Silk Scripture encouraged it.

Most importantly, the Silk Scripture does not mention that there can only Fifth New Life in a year.

Meng Xinghai said, "Don't be impatient. Focus on quiet meditation recently. I'll have someone prepare some higher-grade Spiritual Matter for you..."

Qin Ming did not refute. Although he wanted to demonstrate his strength, he could not reveal certain core secrets.

He returned to the inn and took stock of his spoils.

Ge Qianxun's package contained a total of 421 Day Gold, a considerable sum, but somewhat disproportionate to his status as the head of a hall.

"This old guy definitely has more than one hideout." Qin Ming was certain that as Golden Bandits, this person must frequently travel to distant strongholds. Most importantly, he had no family here.

Ge Qianxun had five books on him, three of which were for the New Life Evolver of the Xin Yi Hall to practice with, and they even contained some coded language, Qin Ming didn't take a liking to.

The fourth book records a hammer technique from the Sun Family, but unfortunately it's not very useful to Qin Ming anymore, as he has already mastered it completely.

"The Vajra Armor?" Qin Ming flipped through another ancient book that resonated with his spirit.

Bound in an unknown animal hide, it is clearly an old antique, quite worn, but the emotional impact it carries remains strong.

Without a doubt, it is the culmination of the hard work of our predecessors!

"A kind of hard skill that greatly increases defensive power and also allows for offense." Qin Ming glanced through it and found that this Cultivation Method was truly extraordinary.

No wonder Ge Qianxun was full of resentment. With this powerful skill in hand, stepping into the Outer Saint Domain would have been no problem for him, but when he achieved minor success, his foundation was destroyed.

"A swollen body indicates that the training is not yet complete. At a high level, one can ignore sword and blade strikes. Once the training is perfected, the body's appearance will be no different from that of an ordinary person."

Qin Ming had a premonition that this Cultivation Method was very powerful. He was extremely interested in it, so he concentrated his mind and completely immersed himself in it, resonating with the remaining emotions.

He saw an old man who ignored the overwhelming attack of the strange birds, and casually slapped them, causing the mutated creatures to explode.

The scene shifts, and the old man smashes a massive, strange tortoise to pieces with his bare body.

Then, Qin Ming saw him fight a giant beast the size of a small mountain. His entire body burst with Heavenly Light, and he used his physical body as a weapon, crashing into the beast's body and passing through its heart.

"This is... really hard!" he exclaimed in surprise.

The old man looked extremely thin, but his body was as strong as Diamond, displaying a violent aesthetic as he charged forward, unstoppable by any monster.

During this time, Qin Ming left the inn once to quietly retrieve the secret manual that Ning Siqi had left for him.

"It's extremely advanced. You can cultivate a special kind of 'Li Fire' in the early stages, which is quite difficult. It's best practiced in the Thunderfire Alchemy Hall!" Qin Ming temporarily put it away. When he realized it, he knew it was a Extraordinary Art skill with immeasurable value.

In the following days, he devoted himself entirely to practicing that hard skill.

The book contains only one Heavenly Light Force Technique— Diamond. Undoubtedly, it is a composite force technique, exceptionally powerful, and can be considered a wonderful protective art.

A few days later, Qin Ming tried it out. He swelled up like an inflatable balloon, as if the Heavenly Light was flowing through him, supporting his muscles and skin.

"It's only at a minor level, not enough to withstand powerful attacks, but it can slightly adjust my physique." Qin Ming looked at himself in the mirror. With his efforts, his face had become rounder, and his body had gained weight.

Two days later, after studying the terrain map of the mountains, he decided to go into the mountains alone.

Although Meng Xinghai told him not to rush and to wait, he always felt that time was of the essence and he had to become stronger as soon as possible in order to survive better.

Ning Siqi also asked Cui Hao in the Beyond the Mundane to send a message, saying that if Uncle Cui Qi came out, he should be able to change Qin Ming's dangerous situation.

However, he did not place his hopes on others; his true source of confidence lay in his own rapid self-improvement.

Moreover, if Cui Hao doesn't receive the letter or doesn't leave the pass, his situation won't change at all.

This time, Qin Ming put on makeup, added a thick beard, and wore loose clothes. This time, he didn't carry the sledgehammer, but only Mutton Fat Jade Iron Saber into the mountains.

In some areas of the mountains Fire Haze filled the sky, creating a beautiful scene, as the Fire Spring were fully revived and gushing forth.

In some areas, not only are the grass and trees sprouting, but flower buds are also about to bloom.

"Hmm, that thief?" Qin Ming had no interest in appreciating the scenery. Not long after entering the mountain, he saw a man in gray who had stolen the snow lotus from him, Xu Sheng, and Sister Fenfang last time.

With a whoosh, he gave chase.

The man in gray was very alert. He sensed something immediately, turned around, and disappeared into the forest. He was extremely familiar with the mountains and could easily slip and turn left and right.

When Qin Ming chased the beast to a lake area, he spotted a strange beast in the distance. Its body was shimmering purple, and it seemed to have just emerged from a steaming lake, gazing at its reflection in the water, admiring its own beauty.

"Aren't Violet Lightning Beast rare and unusual? How come I've encountered two in a row lately? Has this species become overpopulated?"

Qin Ming moved with lightning speed, rushing over from behind and straddling the alien creature.

"You're temporarily on my roster. Hurry up and go chase after someone for me!"

The Violet Lightning Beast, which has now undergone Fourth Mutation, was initially enjoying its hot spring bath, but now it's feeling terrible. This isn't the first time it's heard this accent!