Night without Borders

Chapter 389 Taoist Companion
Under the cover of night, the atmosphere at the Cui family, a clan that has stood for two thousand years, was somewhat heavy. All the elders were staring at the night report with furrowed brows.

"In the past, the Buddha looked down upon Yezhou many years ago and mastered the true Chaos Force. He was the first disciple of that sage, yet he was defeated."

Recently, the Cui family has been actively aligning itself with Tucheng and has also become very close to the lineage of the Buddha, because both families have Earth Immortals backing them.

A master from the Cui family once personally visited the lineage of the Buddha with lavish gifts, bringing Cui Chongxuan with him in the hope that he would become a disciple of the "orthodox lineage".

As a result, the situation changed overnight. Sun Chengjun knelt on one knee and was defeated by Qin Ming. The "legitimate line" was no match for the "collateral line"!
In the past, Buddha was completely ruined and forced to retire. This former emperor who once looked down on the path of rebirth had his skull ground into beads.

The fact that such a great figure met such an end is shocking to the world; the word "tragic" hardly does it justice.

Cui Qi, tall and usually dignified to the point of being rigid, was the head of the Cui family in this generation. Today, however, his face twitched, and he could hardly maintain a serious expression.

He was worried about his youngest son, Choi Chong-hyun.

“Yezhou is in turmoil, and a golden age may be on the horizon. Have we chosen the wrong side?” an old man said.

For a moment, many people in the Cui family hall had solemn expressions. Throughout history, whenever there was a major change of dynasties, the forces that stood on the wrong side would inevitably be crushed into dust by the wheels of history.

They feared that the patriarch of Yezhou would be dissatisfied with the Cui family and would settle scores with them in the future.

"It's alright. We're not going against the various paths in Yezhou. Chonghe is a disciple of the Immortal Path Ancestor Sun Taichu, and Chongxiao is a disciple of a super strong expert from the Secret Sect. We're just betting on multiple sides."

"Moreover, the living sages of this era are most likely to be able to look down upon the Earth Immortals, and have not yet truly returned. If he were to reappear in Yezhou, it would surely cause an uproar throughout the land!"

"Yes, in this era, we should align ourselves more with Tucheng. They represent the supreme will of Yujing, and that is absolutely true!"

In fact, it's not just the Cui family; even ancient families that have existed for nearly four thousand years are somewhat troubled. Such families naturally invest in multiple sectors.

Now, they are also secretly sweating bullets.

“In Yezhou, the current generation of patriarchs are becoming more and more extraordinary with age, and they all have great spirit. They are seriously underestimated. I suspect that some of them are likely to reach the seventh realm!”

These are judgments made by some of the top ancient families.

……

Little Buddha Zhao Chengyu has kept a low profile and gone to Tucheng. He really doesn't dare to act recklessly anymore. His grandmaster has been beaten to a pulp. If he dares to act high-profile again, he might get into trouble.

However, he was very indignant. Sun Chengjun was a good-for-nothing. He was not very capable. Why did he jump so high?
He frowned deeply. Sun Chengjun's crushing defeat at Qin Ming's hands had implicated him, affecting his reputation.

Little Buddha Zhao Chengyu believed that if the time was right, he needed to personally step in and suppress that collateral branch with one hand to vindicate the main branch!
He dares not act rashly now; he must wait until a true sage is born and sets foot in Yezhou. At that time, who in the world will dare to oppose him?!

Dressed in black, Gao Chan was very composed with deep eyes. He said, "Brother Zhao, you can just focus on your cultivation in Tucheng. In a while, perhaps you will have your moment to stir up a storm."

Upon hearing this, Little Buddha looked at him in confusion.

“That’s how it is…” Gao Chan whispered.

Zhao Chengyu opened his eyes wide in surprise and looked up at the dark night sky. There was a city with a great history in the sky.

"Since ancient times, Yujing has lingered in many places..."

All geniuses within the territory radiated by Jade Capital will soon be able to register and have the opportunity to enter Sky City.

This means that the night sky will soon be filled with twinkling stars!

Gao Chan also looked up at the dark night sky and said, "Entering the city in the sky, you can study in a low-key manner. However, you will need to fight for many opportunities. If you perform well enough, you may receive extra rewards."

Upon hearing this, the young Buddha looked serious and asked, "For example?"

Gao Chan said, "Leaving aside opportunities gained through formal means, just being favored by a noble person in heaven will ensure a limitless future."

Upon hearing this, Little Buddha immediately made a guess. Everyone was saying that the High Chan might have a mysterious background. Could it be that he came from that city in the heavens?
Gao Chan looked at Zhao Chengyu and said, "I think that with Brother Zhao's talent, he may have his moment of glory. After all, in terms of destructive power, Chaos Force is probably one of the top-ranked divine skills. I look forward to Brother Zhao showing his prowess."

Zhao Chengyu's eyes narrowed, and he said, "In this era, a group of elderly people in Yezhou seem to be more energetic. Like the sun rising, the older they get, the darker and more demonic they become."

Gao Chan shook his head and said, "They are old. In this brilliant era, they are like the setting sun, the falling meteor, their decaying brilliance about to be extinguished."

With an air of confidence and his eyes shining brightly, he gazed at the night sky and said, "The night sky will soon be filled with dazzling stars. This era is dominated by rising stars!"

Then he whispered, "If Yujing no longer locks the roads, you and I will both be pioneers of this era, trailblazing sages of our time!"

At this moment, someone whispered to Gao Chan, "Young Master, Fairy Su Mo Ran has gone on a solo trip."

“Yes, it’s good for her to travel around.” Gao Chan nodded.

"She must be going to see Qin Ming," the person secretly transmitted.

"What?" Gao Chan turned around, somewhat surprised and quite displeased. However, he had no control over that noblewoman, and was even very wary of her, because she was even more powerful than him.

……

Kunling, Wu Mochen, a descendant of the Buddha, staggered out of the Mountain and River Academy. His face was as pale as paper, and immediately, many eyes were on him.

He came in the middle of the night with strange treasures, intending to kidnap Qin Ming. This was truly despicable, and therefore he was completely crippled!
Qin Ming and Li Qingyue strolled through the Shanhe Academy. One was dressed in flowing black robes, ethereal and otherworldly, while the other was dressed in snow-white robes, like a celestial being descended to earth. They were truly a perfect couple.

"That's Senior Brother Qin Ming, who has made our Shanhe Academy famous for fifty years. And who is the woman walking with him? She is truly a woman of unparalleled beauty!"

"That's Fairy Li!"

Along the way, the two attracted attention, with many students in the university frequently turning around to watch them.

People only turned their attention away when the two had gone far away and disappeared into the misty back mountain area deep in the academy.

Qin Ming and Li Qingyue had an in-depth conversation, trying to understand the real predicament she was facing and why she showed signs of wanting to leave.

"A special weapon—the Eight Trigrams Furnace—is the origin of everything."

Although Qin Ming had already guessed it, he still frowned deeply. This kind of artifact, which even Earth Immortals crave and covet, requires special magic to activate.

In the past, he resonated with the method of the Imperial Furnace—the Six Ding Divine Fire—and passed it on to Li Qingyue.

In the past six months, Li Qingyue has been spied on by two mysterious people. At the critical moment, the Bagua Furnace liquefied and automatically put armor on her, protecting her completely.

Li Qingyue said, "This is only one reason. With the Immortal Furnace here and the patriarchs showing goodwill recently, I don't think the problem is too serious."

The most important, and perhaps secretive, reason is that after obtaining the Eight Trigrams Furnace, she was obligated to bear a corresponding karmic consequence.

"This artifact is far more significant than we imagined. It was originally outside the radiation range of Yujing and ended up here by accident."

Li Qingyue mentioned the unfathomable earth immortal at the Immortal Tomb, who may have come in search of the Eight Trigrams Furnace.

Qin Ming was startled, suddenly remembering that Li Qingyue had mentioned it in the desert. At that time, the Eight Trigrams Furnace had vaguely regained some consciousness and said that it had a feeling about the Immortal Tomb. "There is a secret path leading to the deepest part of the Night Mist World. It is unknown how far away it is from the territory radiated by Jade Capital. If we rely on strange birds to fly, we will never be able to reach it."

Li Qingyue mentioned the name of the destination—Doushuai Palace.

Qin Ming looked at her and said, "I'll go with you."

Li Qingyue shook her head and said, "The road is difficult and arduous."

She told me that we could only set off after reaching at least the fourth realm, which was why she hadn't set off earlier.

In addition, one needs a special weapon that can be liquefied to protect oneself in order to traverse the boundless night fog and reach the destination to bear the consequences.

Qin Ming frowned upon hearing this and said, "How long can you stay here? Wait for me for a while, until I break through to the fourth realm, then I will travel with you."

As for special weapons, he thought of rags, which were woven from various exotic metals and seemed to have a very important origin, after all, they had been worshipped by gods and immortals.

However, it remained silent and ignored Qin Ming. He wondered if it was because it lacked the so-called "divine power".

Or is it not a strange weapon at all, but something else entirely?

“I can stay for a while longer, but…” Li Qingyue shook her head, not wanting him to go on the risk, because the karma of the Tushita Palace was too great!
Even now, the vague consciousness of the Eight Trigrams Furnace has not specifically told her what she is going to face.

However, she guessed that the Tushita Palace might be no less powerful than the Jade Capital, and its depths were unfathomable. How could one enter and leave such a place at will?

"Xianlu said that the road leading there is almost buried by the dust of history, making it very difficult to travel. In fact, the road may have been cut off long ago and is full of dangers."

Most importantly, it's hard to say what the Tushita Palace is like now; it might have become ruins, or perhaps some unpredictable creatures still linger there.

Qin Ming was shocked. Was that a place on par with Yujing?

Then, he turned to the graceful figure beside him and said, "So, when you introduced me to those friends, were you trying to set me up with Jiang Ran or Zhao Qingcheng?"

He wanted to have an open and honest discussion, so he asked very direct questions.

"I don't know if I'll ever be able to come back." Li Qingyue looked towards the horizon, where the night fog was so thick that she couldn't see the road ahead.

Her beautiful eyes were very clear, untouched by worldly concerns, and her radiant face was full of sincerity.

"In the future, if we are still alive, we will eventually meet again."

Li Qingyue was very frank and calm, speaking her true thoughts without any hesitation, saying, "Perhaps, we can be considered a pair of cultivation partners, and meet at the peak in the future."

Qin Ming was stunned for a moment, and then he understood what she meant. The so-called Daoist partner can refer to a companion on the path of cultivation, or a couple who cultivate together.

The two of them have always been very close, and can be called best friends and confidants, but they always seem to be a little short of being intimate lovers, and have not yet taken that step.

He felt that the "Daoist companion" that Li Qingyue mentioned should refer to a fellow practitioner.

If things continue like this, the two should grow closer and more intimately connected. But she is about to embark on a long journey, and the road ahead and her destination—the Tushita Palace—hold countless life-or-death perils.

Therefore, she frankly revealed her current situation tonight and explained why she could not stay.

Qin Ming said, "Let's wait a little longer. The fourth realm won't hold me back for long. Then we can travel together."

"Yes, there's still time, but I don't want you to take any risks."

The two walked forward and this time talked about everything without reservation.

They walked and talked in hushed tones, and the atmosphere gradually relaxed.

Later, Li Qingyue smiled and said, "The Immortal Furnace said that although Jiang Ran's performance was amazing, she was actually hiding her true abilities. She is more capable than any of us imagined, and she is a blessed woman. Whoever marries her..."

As she spoke, she felt a pang of emotion and suddenly turned around, looking at Jiang Ran and the plump girl Luo Yao beside her, who was covering her mouth in surprise at hearing such words.

Jiang Ran wore an unusual smile and said, "I originally wanted to ask you to leave Kunling together, but you spoke ill of me behind my back. How about... I marry you and bestow blessings upon you?"

She was actually flirting with Li Qingyue.

……

That morning, just as the Earth Immortal Mu Qinghe was pondering something and preparing to ascend to the heavens to communicate with that city, a rumor leaked out.

In fact, this was also a way for Mu Qinghe to inform all relevant parties in advance through the First Ancestor, his disciples, and others.

The Earth Immortals who had been wandering on the outskirts of Yezhou all received the report.

"What?! The legendary Sky City is about to open, allowing rising stars from all over the world to go there?! Hiss!"

Immediately, even powerful immortals gasped in shock, for their status was too high, allowing them to understand matters at a higher level, and they were naturally astonished.

In the distant past, whenever that celestial city opened, it would create an extremely glorious era and inevitably give birth to a group of extraordinary masters.

"Could it be that Jade Capital is no longer locking the roads and is going to loosen the restrictions? If so, there is hope that beings at the Earth Immortal level, or even the Celestial Immortal level, will appear!"

Not to mention people of other realms, even Earth Immortals were ignited with excitement, unable to contain their emotions.

Soon, they sent messages to their descendants, their close disciples, and others, instructing them to immediately set off for Yezhou to await the arrival of an era where stars would shine.

"Strive to become a great star in the night sky!" This is the earth immortal's expectation for his juniors.

Without a doubt, from this day forward, talents and geniuses from beyond the realm will flock to Night State.

At this critical juncture, Mu Qinghe was preparing to ascend to heaven, but she was still stopped by the sincere handwritten letters from the patriarchs of various paths.

Regardless of whether the Sky City would appear, this group continued at their own pace, digging another tunnel to explore a distant and unknown otherworld.

At Shanhe Academy, Jiang Ran walked gracefully forward, looking at Li Qingyue and then at Qin Ming.

She began, "Tell me, where exactly does your immortal furnace lead you?"

In the distance, Su Moran appeared, bathed in a hazy fairy light, a smile on her face conveying goodwill, and walked towards this side.

Tucheng is very close to Kunling. Gao Chan circulated the "Divine Cicada Sutra" and traveled at great speed, like a giant thunder cicada passing through, carrying a strong Taoist aura.

"Ok?"

Tang Yushang, the woman in red, and Bai Meng, the young man in white, who were approaching Kunling City, saw this streak of light crossing the land on the horizon.

Happy Longevity Day! May everyone stay young and forever young! Also, at the beginning of the month, I'd like to ask for your support with guaranteed monthly votes. Thank you!

(End of this chapter)