Chapter 29: Upheaval in the Mountains

Before the mountain forest under the cover of night, Ling Xu and the tabby cat flickered once and vanished into the vast snow.

They were one thing, but Wei Mo, ten meters tall and clad in ancient, mottled armor, also disappeared in an instant. His movements were simply too fast; few could react in time.

Only the pure-white old yellow weasel unhurriedly beckoned, calling over a donkey. He leisurely rode it away, returning to the deep mountains.

The heteromorphs in the dense forest also retreated. Suddenly, a large number of flying creatures appeared above the vast mountains, while numerous figures climbed and leaped across the mountain slopes.

On the snow outside the mountains, whether they were nobles from Crimson Cloud City, members of the Mountain Patrol Team, or local Reborn, all went their separate ways.

Even after walking a great distance, people were still discussing it; having seen high-level beings with their own eyes made the trip worthwhile.

"What is the background of that woman in feather garments? I’ve never heard of her in Crimson Cloud City, but she’s incredibly powerful."

"She is likely the expert the City Lord invited from afar."

Some youths were the most excited. Having seen a glimpse of the techniques displayed by those at the top, they discussed it fervently, feeling as though they had seen a brand-new world.

"Is that the upper limit we can reach in the future?"

"Wake up. There is a kind of upper limit called the City Lord, but there is only one in all of Crimson Cloud City. Your upper limit is to work hard for twenty years and try to become a doorman at the City Lord’s manor."

...

On the road, even noble scions like Cao Long, Wei Zhirou, and Mu Qing were not above such talk.

"Cousin, what level have you reached now? You also follow the Giant Spirit Path, and you’re already over three meters tall. That man named Wei Mo was ten meters, and I feel like the height difference between you and him isn't that far off. Does that mean your strength is also..."

"Shut your mouth!" Cao Long’s expression changed instantly. They hadn't even left the mountains yet. He barked at his green, younger cousin, saying, "Twenty years ago, Senior Wei was already twenty or thirty meters tall. Now he is undergoing a reverse transformation. We cannot even begin to fathom what level he has reached."

Just then, a silver-haired elder with high status in the Mountain Patrol Team walked over and asked, "Is anyone from the Wang family of Crimson Cloud City here?"

People immediately realized this was surely because of Wang Nianzhu. He had slaughtered a nest of spiritual creatures—Blood Snakes—and was suspected of murdering several Mountain Patrollers in the process.

"Nianzhu is missing. We are looking for him too," a middle-aged man responded.

"Could it be he fled to escape punishment?" the silver-haired elder said. Though his face was heavily wrinkled, he remained hale and hearty, his eyes flashing like cold lightning.

If it were an ordinary Mountain Patroller, the Wang family naturally wouldn't care. But now the nature of the situation had changed; someone from above was inquiring, and they were very wary.

The ultimate head of the Mountain Patrollers was the Vice City Lord of Crimson Cloud City.

"We are also looking for him. I believe Nianzhu wouldn't do such a thing," the middle-aged man said. He then accompanied the elder toward the snow on one side to explain further.

...

In Twin Tree Village, Qin Ming, Old Man Liu, and Xu Yueping watched the falling snow outside the window. They were in a warm house eating steaming copper-pot donkey meat and drinking fine wine salvaged from the Mountain Patrol Team outpost.

Qin Ming, who usually didn't care for alcohol, was feeling a bit of a buzz now. He hadn't expected that Wang Nianzhu, whose name he only learned after the man's death, could still be so useful even when he was gone.

Combined with his successful Second Rebirth, Qin Ming sipped his drink leisurely, feeling quite relaxed.

He gazed out the window, his thoughts drifting. His heart was not as calm as he looked. Where exactly was Luoyue City? He would have to go and see eventually.

That night two years ago, the fire had burned fiercely, swallowing the entire village. A youth in feather garments had stepped across the ruins, ethereal and detached, striking out mercilessly...

He could never forget those images.

Qin Ming sighed inwardly. If he didn't know these things from the past, he could still live his days in peace. but now, he had to quicken his pace.

"Little Qin, is it my imagination? I feel like your spirit is more vigorous than before, and you seem to have grown a bit taller," Old Man Liu spoke up. Though he was aged and decrepit, his eyes were sharp.

Qin Ming hadn't used "Harmonizing with Light" in front of him and Xu Yueping, so his temperament was naturally a bit different compared to before.

Xu Yueping nodded. "True, there are some changes. Your eyes are clearer, and you seem a bit more handsome too."

After this Second Rebirth, Qin Ming’s height had increased by less than half an inch. Someone who wasn't particularly familiar with him wouldn't notice the change at all.

He had already confirmed that the Rebirth methods recorded in the Silk Book would not cause a person to keep growing taller indefinitely.

He replied with a smile, "I’m only sixteen. My body hasn't finished developing yet, so it’s likely to change every few days."

After this Rebirth, besides possessing two thousand jin of strength in each arm, Qin Ming’s flexibility and speed had improved drastically. These were his most prominent gains; his strength could be said to have grown at a lightning pace.

Deep into the night, all was silent. The world was like a massive abyss, threatening to swallow all light.

Suddenly, deep within those mountains, silver lightning streaked across the ink-black night. Red haze dyed the ridges crimson, and a giant holding a black spear stepped over a mountain peak and roared. It was as if the roar would shatter the mountains, causing terrifying avalanches in the area.

"They've made their move!"

On a high slope outside the mountains, a woman draped in a black fur cloak was gazing into the distance. Looking at the clearly abnormal and terrifying night scenery, a brilliant radiance flowed in her eyes.

A purple-eyed crow perched on a stunted tree and spoke in human tongue: "That batch of outside high-level creatures won't be able to hold them off. They'll have to retreat tonight. If they're fast, we can enter the mountains within two days to search for the Five-Colored Haze-Illuminated Land."

Behind the woman and the crow were several dark figures. Someone spoke up: "With the higher-ups of Crimson Cloud City joining forces with the original heteromorphs of the mountains, those migrating high-level creatures stand no chance. It's very likely that some powerful organisms will be left behind as rare spiritual materials."

The tall woman in the cloak watched the depths of the mountains without turning back. "You Liangyun, after the Mountain Sweeping Operation begins, go size someone up for me. Hmm, if you win, don't kill him. If you lose, then don't bother returning to Flowing Light City with me; just go back to being a noble young master in your Crimson Cloud City."

Among the dozen or so people behind her, one youth was stunned upon hearing this, his hands instantly clenching inside his sleeves.

He was a noble of Crimson Cloud City, belonging to a direct line of the You family. When the woman was selecting people in the city, he had been full of hope, only to end up not even qualified to be a candidate.

In the end, it was only after the elders in his family pulled strings and paid a significant price that they secured an opportunity for him to accompany the woman to Flowing Light City.

For nothing else but the chance to listen to secret techniques before the woman's mysterious teacher. Even a year or half a year of learning would be worth it.

But now, he felt a sense of crisis. Who exactly was he supposed to size up? Surely he wasn't about to lose even this qualification to travel with them?

The woman's silhouette was graceful as she continued to stare into the mountain depths. "His name is Qin Ming, one of the only two Reborn with a Golden Foundation in this region this year. Your You family has people here too; I imagine with your connections you can find him quickly. Remember, I'm asking you to size him up—don't use any dishonorable methods."

"Fine, I'll go find someone to look into it now." You Liangyun turned and left, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

The crow watched his departing back and said, "During his first Rebirth, You Liangyun could manage a tripod-lifting of six hundred and fifty jin. In this year's Crimson Cloud City, he was weaker than another boy and girl. No strange phenomena appeared when he built his Golden Foundation."

The woman nodded. "Qi Huaien, follow him. I actually want to see You Liangyun's character. He originally didn't have the qualifications to follow me to see my teacher. If his performance this time isn't good enough, then there really is no need for him to come along. Qi Huaien, while you're at it, see how that Qin Ming is, and whether he can become one of the candidates."

On this deep night, many perceptive Reborn outside the mountains sensed something. They climbed to high ground one after another, gazing toward the mountains.

The commotion in the mountains was simply too great. Even from a distance, they could hear the terrifying roars of heteromorphs.

The depths of the mountains were in total chaos. Large numbers of exotic insects and birds flew into the night sky, fleeing in panic. The sounds of gibbons wailing and tigers roaring echoed incessantly through the dense forests.

Even far away in Silver Vine Town, that mysterious Old Noble received a report immediately.

His silver hair was crystalline, and his complexion was ruddy and bright. At this moment, he draped on a fox-fur coat, his body as light as a wisp of thin smoke, appearing instantly atop the highest building of his manor.

Despite the heavy night fog at this hour, he continued to gaze toward the mountains, whispering, "I hope the special nodes have given birth to the treasures I need."

"They're fighting?" Qin Ming leaped onto his roof and looked toward the mountains. Twin Tree Village wasn't that far away, forcing him to be alert and on guard.

Fortunately, though the mountains were chaotic that night, the turmoil failed to spread to the outer regions. One side held the absolute initiative and highly controlled the rhythm.

The next day, many people were talking fervently: the situation in the mountains had changed!

Without a doubt, people from Crimson Cloud City and local Reborn would soon be allowed to enter the mountains to search for special nodes and harvest whatever rare products might exist.

When Shallow Night arrived, Qin Ming finished breakfast and began practicing the Rebirth methods recorded in the Silk Book. His body suddenly felt as if it contained a furnace, providing him with a continuous stream of power.

Afterward, he practiced the combat techniques from the saber manual. Now, when he swung the Long-handled Darkgold Hammer, it felt like he was casually waving a stalk of hemp—light as a feather.

Xu Yueping pushed open the door and entered. Seeing him nearly twirling the heavy Darkgold Hammer into a blur, he was startled for a moment but quickly said, "Little Qin, stop practicing your hammer techniques. Your future father-in-law has sent someone to invite you for a meeting."

"Huh?" Qin Ming was stunned, his face full of confusion.

"The Old Noble from Silver Vine Town specifically asked to see you," Xu Yueping informed him.

Qin Ming understood immediately upon hearing this and asked calmly, "I assume he’s not just seeing me alone?"

"That... he’ll definitely take his pick, but you and Zhou Wubing are the only two who built a Golden Foundation. You certainly stand out from the crowd. But at this juncture..." Xu Yueping frowned. He had thought deeply after the last incident and felt that his initial decision had indeed lacked consideration.

"It would be a bit offensive if I didn't go, right?" Qin Ming asked.

Xu Yueping nodded. "It would indeed seem like you aren't giving him face. Word is that when the nobles from Crimson Cloud City arrived, they all went to Silver Vine Town to visit him. He seems to have quite a significant background, possibly from a very prominent place."

Qin Ming chuckled. "Then I’ll make the trip. I'll go for the free food and drink; at a time like this, there’s a high probability there are benefits to be had."

"You!" Xu Yueping pointed at him with a laugh.

Xu Yueping had considered it seriously and felt there would be no harm in going. With so many great experts from Crimson Cloud City here, what could the Old Noble possibly want from a youth who had only undergone Rebirth once? If there was any "serious business," he could just play along and take whatever benefits were offered.

"Yeah, I’ll go in a bit. I’ll also take a look at his daughter while I'm at it, to see why that noble lady is so desperate to marry," Qin Ming said.