Night without Borders

Chapter 382 The Great Showdown of Silk Calligraphy from the Same Origin
The young man who arrived suddenly had a calm expression and a low voice, but every word he spoke was powerful. On the surface, he was asking for a favor, but his tone revealed an unyielding firmness that left no room for refusal.

He was dressed in black, tall and slender, yet not at all frail. He appeared very strong, as if he were forged from refined steel, and his body seemed to contain terrifying blood energy and divine light.

Qin Ming resented this kind of domineering attitude. Why should others obey his every word? And why should they need to follow him to pay respects to his master?

"Do I know you? No, I don't!" Qin Ming replied.

Under the cover of darkness, the fiery spring surged like lava, golden vines shattered the glow of the sunset, green bamboo reflected the white snow, and the frozen lake revealed the desolate silence of all things.

The lean man in black spoke up: "My name is Sun Chengjun. You should know where I come from, because the divine skills we practice are already resonating with each other."

Then he uttered two words: "Let's go."

It was obvious that Sun Chengjun was usually quite assertive. He briefly explained his background and then told Qin Ming to follow him on his journey with just two words.

"I'm not going!" Qin Ming refused succinctly.

Sun Chengjun stood before the green bamboo where snowflakes were falling and said, "The Grandmaster's blessing will bring you many benefits. Why don't you hurry up and leave? This is an opportunity that others would love to miss."

Qin Ming frowned. This person was indifferent and tough, making it difficult for people to like him.

Sun Chengjun said, "If it weren't for the fact that some senior figures on the New Life Path have repeatedly mentioned your name, do you think our lineage's grandmasters would have set their sights on you and offered you any benefits?"

Qin Ming realized that the older generation of people on the New Life Path probably had good intentions when they came into contact with the lineage of the Buddha in the past, hoping to get guidance from a master who also practiced Hunyuan Jin.

However, the young man in black seemed to be giving alms, which made him unwilling to see the grandmaster. He felt that comprehending the silk calligraphy on his own was enough.

Over the years, he has explored Hunyuan Jin on his own, relying entirely on himself and not needing to depend on anyone.

Qin Ming said, "Let's do it another day. I will pay my respects to the sage. I am currently at a critical juncture in comprehending the true scriptures and cannot travel far."

He didn't sense any kindness from this person; the other person's every word and action was so indifferent that he didn't need to accept this favor at all.

Sun Chengjun scrutinized Qin Ming, his gaze sharp as a knife, gradually hardening as he said, "Do you know what you're saying? We offered you an opportunity, and you... refused, betraying the chance that the seniors on the path of new life fought for for you."

"I appreciate it!" Qin Ming's words became increasingly brief and straightforward.

He sighed inwardly, feeling grateful to the older generation on the path of rebirth, but the lineage of Buddha seemed somewhat dangerous to him in the past.

His senses were incredibly sharp; he had already detected a trace of hostility in Sun Chengjun, not to mention the negative emotions such as indifference and domineering.

Qin Ming felt that the other party's transmission of knowledge and guidance was merely a matter of following the trend, and that they were more likely interested in studying him as a person and finding out why he was able to master the silk calligraphy on his own.

Therefore, even though he knew he would offend the lineage of the Buddha, he directly refused and was unwilling to rashly enter their territory.

After a moment of silence, Sun Chengjun said, "I am a cold-faced but warm-hearted person. I am not good with words, which may be due to my personality, causing you to feel resistant. However, I have indeed come to invite you here. The martial arts we practice have the same origin. Even if you are very confident, you should still go and see the ancestor."

He felt quite awkward saying these words, but he did come with a mission: to lead this special young man to meet the higher-ups of his sect.

The senior members of the New Life Road, appreciating talent, recommended this prodigy, but the higher-ups of the Tathagata lineage didn't pay much attention. It was less noteworthy than a casual mention from the Cui family that Qin Ming had independently mastered the Chaos Force, which garnered their more attention.

The higher-ups in their faction wanted to meet this young man. If he was truly as "divine" as the rumors suggested, it would be of great significance and worth studying thoroughly.

Although they had heard rumors before, they had just returned and needed to keep a low profile. Moreover, they were wary of the patriarchs of the New Life Path. Now that the old sage was about to cross over, they felt more confident.

"As I said, I have gained some understanding of the true scriptures and need to immediately go into seclusion. I will definitely visit the patriarch in the future." Qin Ming said firmly, not wanting to be perfunctory or deal with it any further.

Sun Chengjun's face darkened, and he lost his patience, saying, "You are rejecting the goodwill of the past Tathagata lineage."

Qin Ming looked at him without saying a word.

Sun Chengjun stepped forward and said coldly, "Tonight, I want to experience the Chaos Force you've mastered!"

"You should have said so earlier!" Qin Ming immediately replied. The other party had been holding onto his status all this time, but in the end, it still came to this.
Upon hearing this, Sun Chengjun's expression turned icy cold. He said, "You are being so disrespectful to the main lineage where a sage resides. You are really... ungrateful!"

Qin Ming changed his attitude and said, "You're giving me too much face. I respect the predecessors who created silk calligraphy, but who do you think you are? You keep putting on airs with me, with that cold, sour face. Who are you looking at?!"

"A mere third-realm youth dares to bare his teeth at me? It seems that mastering the Chaos Force over the years has indeed given you a lot of confidence." Sun Chengjun approached in an instant, his movements as fast as a ghost, incredibly swift.

His right palm, like a knife, slashed towards Qin Ming's neck, saying, "It's all because our main branch went far away to a foreign land, and there is no legitimate lineage in Yezhou, which has given you, a member of a collateral branch, a false sense of self!"

Qin Ming drew his mutton-fat jade iron knife directly, and a clear light shone forth, like the divine moon breaking through the mist, illuminating the area with its pure radiance.

He slashed at the hand surrounded by heavenly light, saying, "I practice my family's secret techniques, what's it to you? If your so-called orthodox lineage is defeated by me, are you going to change your name to collateral lineage?"

Sun Chengjun's palm was crystal clear and radiant, and the force emanating from it was extremely terrifying, enough to cut through mithril and sever rare treasures. Everyone knew that their lineage was known for its offensive power, enough to shake the world!

However, he did not strike the blade with his finger, since it was a weapon made of mutton fat jade iron. He struck the side of the blade, which immediately produced a piercing metallic clang and sparks flew everywhere.

"You're dreaming!" Sun Chengjun sneered.

When he touched the precious sword, he vibrated his fingers, unleashing a wondrous, primordial force that layered nine layers of celestial light, like waves in a raging sea, one higher than the next. He didn't intend to shatter the mutton-fat jade iron sword, but rather to force his opponent to let go and drop the sword.

Sure enough, after being struck by this terrifying force, the mutton-fat jade iron knife trembled violently and hummed, as if it were about to turn into a white light and rise into the sky.

Sun Chengjun, who is in the fourth realm, is extremely dangerous. He only made a preliminary attempt, which was the Hunyuan Miaojin. Even a seed-level genius might not be able to withstand it.

Qin Ming felt that immense force, but he remained calm and composed. The blade emitted a five-colored radiance, and the five elements of holy energy flowed, transforming into five-colored blade light, which quickly disintegrated the nine layers of surging heavenly light.

Almost everything in the world can be encompassed within the Five Elements. Qin Ming immediately broke through his methods, even his own body was shrouded in a five-colored halo, and the long sword in his hand grazed his arm, slashing towards his head.

In an instant, Sun Chengjun changed positions repeatedly and clashed with Qin Ming's Five Elements Blade twenty-seven times with his bare hands. The ear-piercing metallic vibrations, accompanied by the daylight, tore through the dark night sky.

Zheng!
After the final blow, he and Qin Ming separated, each standing on the frozen lake, thirty feet apart.

“No wonder you dared to disrespect Little Buddha, you do have some tricks up your sleeve!” Sun Chengjun said.

His heart was filled with unease; when had he ever been defeated? Once he mastered the Chaos Force, he was known as invincible among his peers, with unparalleled offensive power.

He was at the fourth level, yet he failed to defeat the young man in front of him immediately!

Without a sound, a gaunt figure appeared on the lake. His face was somewhat aged, and he spoke: "Although you come from an extraordinary background, it's a bit too much for you to act so arrogantly at my Shanhe Academy."

Sun Chengjun realized that this was probably the old master named Yu Gensheng.

He naturally wouldn't admit his mistake, and calmly said, "I have no ill intentions. I'm only here to exchange ideas. This is an exchange between the main lineage and the collateral lineage of Chaos Force."

At the same time, other elderly figures appeared, standing at a distance, but already having locked onto this area. "Little Qin, what do you think? Should I strangle him?" Yu Gengsheng asked.

He truly didn't care about Sun Chengjun's background. With his own lifespan nearing its end, even if the Buddha himself were to appear in the past, he would still dare to spit in the other's face.

Sun Chengjun's eyes were deep and unfathomable. He felt that the older these old guys in Yezhou got, the less afraid they were of death. They were more impulsive and adventurous than young people!
Qin Ming said, "There's no need for you to step in, senior. I'll fight him myself."

Both Yu Gengsheng and the figure in the distance, though they did not speak, showed some worry, because this was no ordinary fourth-realm cultivator.

It is said that Sun Chengjun is a disciple of the Buddha in the past, with a very powerful background. He has mastered the Chaos Force to the highest level, and his attack power is rarely matched by anyone of the same level.

Qin Ming added that Yu Gengsheng shouldn't worry, saying, "It's alright, he hasn't mastered the silk calligraphy yet."

At Shanhe Academy, some of the experts had already been alarmed. Now, upon hearing these words, they were at a loss for words. How could this young man be so confident? How dare he so disrespect the prodigy of the Tathagata lineage?

Sun Chengjun was so angry he laughed. In this world, who dared to say that the outstanding individuals of the Chaos Energy lineage hadn't mastered this technique? That young man in front of him was indeed quite arrogant!
He said in a deep voice, "This is the first time in my life that someone has commented on me like this. Come, let me see what your so-called mastered Chaos Force looks like!"

Qin Ming, dressed in a blue robe with wide sleeves and jet-black hair fluttering in the night wind, said with clear eyes, "I have no problem giving you guidance, but there is one thing I need to make clear beforehand: if you lose, your lineage should not come to me again. In the future, I will take the initiative to visit the Sage!"

At this moment, he appeared confident and serene, exuding a subtle sense of detachment from worldly affairs in the night, surrounded by a tranquil aura.

Sun Chengjun smiled faintly. How could he not know that the other party was using words to pressure him and make him take a stand? But was there any need to consider it? He was a master of the fourth realm, and he had been practicing Chaos Force for far longer than the other party. If he were to lose, he would not be able to bear the shame.

He said indifferently, "If I lose, I'll turn around and leave, and I won't bother you again."

Qin Ming said, "What I mean is, none of you should disturb my peaceful cultivation anymore."

"Live in the moment and be responsible only for yourself," Sun Chengjun said, and as he spoke, he made another move.

His face was filled with murderous intent. As a master of the Heart Lamp Realm, he was being underestimated by a youth of the Spirit Field Realm. He wanted to make the other party taste bitter fruit in the shortest possible time.

Sun Chengjun's five fingers emitted a dazzling divine light, shattering the night fog and making the place as bright as day. He used the Tathagata Finger!

Their lineage of Hunyuan Jin incorporates the most techniques from the Tathagata Sect; in fact, in a sense, it is a variant of Tathagata Jin!

Sun Chengjun had a solemn and dignified appearance. His right hand, with its five fingers tearing through the night sky, carried an unstoppable momentum, as if it had been thrown from Feixian Mountain, and was pressing down on his opponent.

Qin Ming looked surprised. He knew that he had encountered a powerful opponent, and he could go all out tonight!
In fact, he had been looking forward to it for a long time and was eager for a thrilling battle.

Qin Ming raised the mutton-fat jade iron knife in his hand, and in an instant, the pure white blade was stained with fine golden patterns that expanded into the void.

The sound of the blade was terrifying, accompanied by a dazzling golden glow, and a terrifying blade intent soared into the sky.

Qin Ming slashed at the Buddha's finger with his sword, and golden characters filled the sky, as if countless stars were resonating with him as he swung his sword.

Clang!
The terrifying power of the two masters clashed, along with a deafening collision that resounded throughout the heavens and earth. This commotion was immense, alarming everyone at the Mountain and River Academy.

The first group of spectators were completely absorbed in watching the game.

Sun Chengjun's five fingers were like five pillars supporting the sky, surrounded by a vast expanse of immortal mist and heavenly light, and he blasted towards Qin Ming like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing.

The slash Qin Ming unleashed filled the night sky with golden light, which then transformed into divine birds, as if golden crows were crying out, rushing forward along with the blade!
In a daze, it seemed as if stars were falling from the sky with this one strike!

Qin Ming wielded the Golden Crow Shining Night Blade!

The two immediately unleashed deadly attacks, both powered by Hunyuan Jin, creating an extremely powerful and imposing display.

Amidst the clanging sounds, there was also a booming sound, like thunder, or like the remnants of a celestial palace or a golden palace being shattered.

The night sky was vast and boundless, filled with awe-inspiring celestial light.

The blade in Qin Ming's hand, accompanied by the golden crow soaring through the sky, collided and clashed with the pillar of heaven, causing the entire void to distort and blur, as if it were about to collapse.

In the blink of an eye, the two had already exchanged dozens or even hundreds of blows.

With a whoosh, they separated abruptly, but quickly attacked again, though their moves had all changed, and they never repeated their old methods with each strike.

Qin Ming's slash revealed the true meaning of life and death. He was full of vitality, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth and his opponent, determined to remain in the world and remain immortal.

However, the mutton-fat jade iron knife carried an air of decay, accompanied by a vast, ominous light that enveloped its opponent.

His single strike perfectly revealed the highest truth of the "The Sutra of Withering and Flourishing"!
Sun Chengjun's body spun like a top, and as he did so, his right leg swung, creating a thunderous sound as if he had shattered the night sky. The power of that kick was immense.

He firmly believed that the ultimate power could destroy all laws!
He was incredibly arrogant. With a kick, the light of the sky surged like a thousand waves, attempting to shatter the calamity light that carried the power of decaying time.

……

At Shanhe Academy, all the students were stunned. An unimaginable battle had broken out.

"Fellow disciples, come quickly to watch the battle! Qin Ming is fighting against the successor of the Buddha of the Past!" A crow flew across the night sky, calling out to everyone.

In fact, it's doing business.

The crow transmitted its voice: "Come over here, everyone. There are the best viewing spots. If you want to be there and witness this fierce battle, you only need to pay one gold coin!"

Wu Yaozu and Xiang Yiwu had just returned from a gathering and witnessed this scene.

"Is it that Sister Crow?" Xiao Wu thought back to when he and Qin Ming first joined Shanhe Academy, Sister Crow had sold them tickets, an old tradition!

Under the long night sky, the light soared into the heavens. Two masters clashed, and the frozen lake melted instantly, with billowing white mist rising into the air, making the place resemble a fairyland.

In Kunling City, many people noticed this strange sight in the night sky. It was an explosion of chaotic energy, unlike other lights in the sky, which attracted everyone's attention.

In an instant, a large number of people rushed over, eager to witness the battle.

Recently, the ancestral temples of various religions have been in turmoil because of the issue of unification, which involves the relinquishment of power by the founders, the return of the retired emperor and the first ancestor, etc.

Therefore, many of the disciples of various lineages have left to avoid the turmoil, and Kunlun is now a place of great upheaval, with some of their successors residing in this city.

Even Cao Qianqiu released Li Qingxu and his disciples. At this moment, Li Bai was horrified to see the Primordial Chaos Light soaring into the sky, and realized who was fighting.

Many promising talents, including Helian Yaoqing, Cheng Sheng, and Zhao Qingcheng, also rushed towards Shanhe Academy.

Qin Ming versus Sun Chengjun: a clash of styles from the same source, the silk calligraphy—a fierce collision that has attracted widespread attention is unfolding under the long night.

(End of this chapter)