Night without Borders

Chapter 597 Colorful and Diverse
The furnace lid is cracked and mottled, ancient and desolate, stained with blood as it fell from the night sky. The spiritual energy flowing between the inscriptions is very dim, like a candle flame in the wind cutting through the night fog.

Qin Ming's heartstrings tightened, and his chest felt tight. Looking at the blood-stained furnace lid, his emotions fluctuated violently, and tangible symbols intertwined in his eyes.

He was afraid that something he didn't want to accept might have already happened.

The fact that the furnace lid returned like this suggests that Qingyue was intercepted and killed before she even reached the Tushita Palace.

If she has already arrived, but bloodshed still befalls her... the consequences would be utterly terrifying.

A suffocating chill uncontrollably crept into Qin Ming's heart, and he reached out to catch the broken artifact.

The stove lid seemed to have burned out, quickly dimming and losing its spiritual luster. It flew out of control and fell into the courtyard.

Qin Ming silently opened the tattered space.

"What...what are you doing?" A weary voice came from the stove lid.

Although Qin Ming was filled with anxiety and worry, he did not let his guard down.

If this isn't the real furnace lid, but rather a setup to lure him out of Black and White Mountain, then the problem is serious.

Mainly, he felt that Lao Lu's appearance was too abrupt.

Therefore, Qin Ming secretly held a rag in his hand to "welcome" the return of the stove lid.

The spirit of Yezhou must never be lost.

The lid of the old stove made me feel as if I had inexplicably fallen into a pitch-black space.

"Senior, are you alright?" Qin Ming asked with concern and respect, but his actions were truly outrageous.

According to the nature of the furnace lid, it is usually taciturn and doesn't like to talk much, but now it is so angry that it wants to recite the true scriptures and draw heavenly fire to directly deliver him from suffering.

"Senior, back then, the two of us passed through more than a dozen layers of mist gates to reach the remnants of Flying Immortal Mountain. Do you still remember those past events?" Qin Ming asked, his voice already resonating with the words.

Even if it's a fake furnace lid, it must be a special weapon that can liquefy, because it can change shape at will and has a spirit, which is quite remarkable.

If anyone tries to use this to lure Qin Ming out, he wouldn't mind just imprisoning this treasure and getting a priceless broken artifact for free.

The furnace lid flickered intermittently, and the cracks allowed air to leak through, causing violent airflow that resembled heavy breathing. In fact, heavenly fire was already spreading.

"Senior, it really is you." After resonating with the old furnace and confirming that it meant no harm, Qin Ming quickly released it.

"Won't I be blamed for this?" He immediately apologized and bowed respectfully.

Qin Ming further explained, "You won't blame me, will you? Yezhou has been quite turbulent lately. Many bad people become increasingly cunning as they age."

It really was the person in question who had returned. He kept expressing his apologies, saying, "Senior, have some tea. Uh, you are a supreme deity, let me offer you two sticks of incense and pay my respects."

"I'm not dead yet!" said the Eight Trigrams Furnace.

It didn't take it to heart, but felt a pang of emotion and sighed, "What you did, although... was very Yezhou-like, was not wrong. Never mind."

Then, Qin Ming became anxious. If the furnace lid was real and it returned covered in blood, the situation on Qingyue's side would be unimaginable. What exactly happened?
Once the old furnace settles down, Qin Ming can no longer resonate with it.

"You're keeping a mistress?" It immediately spotted the silver-haired woman in the courtyard.

The president, engrossed in her scripture deductions, glanced at it briefly, paying no attention to it, feeling as if she had touched upon the truth.

This is not a training method for living people.

"Senior, don't talk nonsense." Qin Ming refused to accept the accusation and pressed it to tell him what had happened.

He then infused the old furnace with mystical substances and Daoist principles to replenish its deficiencies and alleviate its fatigue.

It took a long time for the stove lid to recover some of its strength.

Furthermore, it spread out a faint mist of light, covering Qin Ming and isolating him from the outside world, making him invisible and inaudible.

Furnace Lid said, "I returned from a bloody journey to find you, nearly exhausted. I never imagined I would be imprisoned by you. What was that dark space just now?"

Qin Ming felt that it wasn't a big problem; if it were an extremely urgent situation, it wouldn't be able to remain so calm.

"I have recently made progress in my training and can now begin to distort space."

Qin Ming examined the furnace lid and found that although it was covered with cracks, they were all old wounds and there were no new gaps. The blood had also dried up long ago.

He asked, "Were you in such a hurry that you bumped into some powerful monsters and got your blood on your hands when you were blocked along the way?"

Although the old furnace is a rekindled version of an old furnace and no longer possesses the original spirit, it still retains its unruly nature and maintains its consistent composure.

It didn't mince words and told Qin Ming directly that its return was mainly to deliver medicine to him.

Old Furnace said, "Dragon Tiger Vine is an extremely rare and precious body-refining medicine that is very compatible with the newborn system and can greatly improve your physique. Although it cannot improve pure yang consciousness, it can transform your physical body and bring you close to the grandmaster level. If you can find a few more auxiliary medicines, it can even make your flesh and blood comparable to a true grandmaster ahead of time."

It radiates a glowing light and releases a top-grade spiritual crystal from its inner space, within which is sealed a plant. One vine splits into two tendrils, clearly distinguished by black and white. One tendril meanders like a white dragon, while the other resembles a black tiger climbing a mountain. The two tendrils intertwine, forming a harmonious combination of dragon and tiger.

Qin Ming was immediately startled and said, "This medicine is too precious."

It's obvious that this herb was picked too early. If it had been older, the dragon and tiger might have transformed further, and the medicinal properties would have increased dramatically.

Old Furnace returned exhausted, all because he had brought back such a rare and precious medicinal herb.

"This was obtained by Qingyue by accident. The earlier a body cultivator taps into their potential and forges a golden body, the better it will be for their future development. These are all records from the Tushita Palace."

In addition, Li Qingyue also asked the old furnace to bring back several rare medicinal herbs, which could help Qin Ming refine his body and also help him break through his cultivation barrier at crucial moments.

After learning the truth, Qin Ming was overwhelmed with emotion, a warm feeling welling up inside him, and he couldn't calm down for a long time.

He took a deep breath and said, "I think Qingyue herself needs these herbs. Even in the legendary Bajing Palace, such rare medicines are not ordinary. Besides, the competition there must be fierce."

Old Furnace said, "She said that it is not easy to continue on the path of rebirth, especially to become a grandmaster. It is too difficult and requires time to wait for transformation. She helped you collect rare medicines, saying that after you refine the golden body, you can use your physical body to drive the spiritual transformation. After that, breaking through major barriers should be much easier."

It informed him that Li Qingyue had helped Qin Ming consult many ancient texts at a distant training ground. This was a shortcut for the new system to break through to the next realm, and it had no side effects, only benefits.

The furnace lid emitted a clear light and said, "Don't let her good intentions go to waste. Refine your golden body as soon as possible. With such a foundation, the path to becoming a grandmaster won't be so difficult. The sooner you break through the fifth realm barrier, the better you can push the limits of the human body."

Qin Ming was deeply moved. Qingyue had gone far away, yet she was still raising money for medicine for him and bringing back the old furnace. This affection was profound, which caused him to remain silent for a long time.

After a moment, he spoke: "Senior, I can set off on my own. Those great barriers cannot stop me. The so-called limits are already behind me. As for Qingyue herself, she must really need these rare and precious medicines. She should take them herself."

Old Furnace said, "You're a rogue cultivator, while she's a disciple of the Tushita Palace. She told you beforehand not to refuse, as she has easier access to those precious medicines than you do."

Then it added, "Some of the Dragon Tiger Vine, Silver Bodhi, and Peng Bone Flower were picked by chance, while others were saved from her own 'medicinal supplements.' You should use these powerful herbs wisely."

It shouldn't have revealed these truths, because Li Qingyue had instructed it not to.

However, it couldn't resist wanting Qin Ming to know these things, so it told him on the spot.

Old Furnace sighed and said, "The Eight Views Palace, also known as the Tushita Palace, what kind of place is that? Even if it's far away in Yezhou, you've heard of it. It wouldn't be surprising to see a young grandmaster there. I know you are exceptionally talented, with a aptitude rarely seen in the world, but you started your journey relatively late and still need to work hard."

It solemnly informs us that falling behind even one step can lead to falling behind at every step, while breaking through the major hurdle early brings many benefits.

Li Qingyue knew that his progress was actually extremely fast, beyond the norm, but she still wanted to help him.

Qin Ming pushed all the herbs back, and took out several green longevity leaves and the liquid accumulated from the Feathered Light Rain, saying, "Take these back to Qingyue."

"What are you doing..." The stove lid seemed lost in thought.

The leaves of the immortal tree, imbued with an endless spiritual liquid, are incredibly valuable, as can be discerned with just a slight sense of their essence.

Qin Ming said, "The Longevity Leaf can prolong life. She may not need it in the short term, but we can study it and perhaps refine a secret medicine. The Ascension Liquid is something I collected from a longevity experiment field. It can change one's physique and improve one's innate talent. I have a lot of it here. Let Qingyue cleanse herself every day until it becomes ineffective."

Old Furnace was taken aback and said, "I came here to deliver medicine, but you want me to give it back?"

Then, Qin Ming slapped his forehead, realizing he had forgotten about another rare substance in the tattered space: the Crimson God Elixir brewed by the fifteenth-ranked rare insect in the world.

"The Crimson Divine Elixir can nourish the physical body and strengthen the spirit. Most importantly, it can help people break through the Grandmaster level."

Old Furnace was stunned. How could Xiao Qin, a rogue cultivator, be so wealthy?
Who is delivering the medicine to whom? How did it get reversed? Little Qin can even deliver the Grandmaster-level medicine, Crimson Divine Elixir; this is truly outrageous.

Old Lu couldn't help but ask, "What exactly have you been through in the past two years?"

Qin Ming smiled and said, "These are all unexpected gains from occasional adventures. Everything is fine on my end."

Old Furnace said, "I can see that it's not just good, it's absolutely fantastic."

Qin Ming asked, "How is Qingyue doing?"

The Eight Trigrams Furnace did not report the good news but the bad, saying, "The competition is quite fierce. After all, she has changed to a different environment, and she needs to adapt."

"Is Qingyue under a lot of pressure?" Qin Ming wanted to visit her. He was already a Grandmaster, much ahead of schedule.

The old furnace shook slightly and said, "Her innate fire body is still evolving, and there is no sign of it stopping. This is her greatest competitive advantage."

Qin Ming asked, "What are her disadvantages?"

Old Furnace said, "You know, Qingyue didn't start her journey early either. She entered the Pure Land of the Outsiders at the age of fourteen, only two years earlier than you. She is at the fourth realm, which is very high in Yezhou, but she is somewhat lacking in her current circle."

Qin Ming frowned deeply. He could imagine the various difficulties Qingyue would encounter after changing her environment.

Old Furnace said, "I cannot treat the people I have chosen and personally brought back with low status; they must be treated the same as my most core disciples."

That being said, if one is not at an advantage in terms of spiritual realm, the resources one can obtain will inevitably be limited.

For example, when core disciples venture into important secret realms together, their respective cultivation levels differ, so the rare herbs they can gather will naturally be quite different.

In fact, sometimes gathering herbs is accompanied by certain dangers.

As a senior figure, Bagua Furnace cannot interfere with the details; it can only ensure that nothing happens to her.

The main reason is that it has been gone for too long. The old furnace said, "My close friends are long gone, all turned into a pile of yellow earth."

All supreme monasteries have numerous factions, and Tushita Palace is no exception.

The current person in charge has no connection with Lao Lu.

In fact, this situation is very real and it's the same everywhere.

Qin Ming said, "Senior, as the most precious treasure of the sect, can't you look down on all sides?"

He knew that, relatively speaking, the Eight Trigrams Furnace was already quite complete, while many other special weapons were only left as fragments.

The old furnace shook, as if shaking its head, and said, "After returning and awakening some of my memories again, I realized that I was actually just one of the eight imitations, not the original. Otherwise, do you think I could still come out so easily?"

Qin Ming was lost in thought and created eight replicas in one go. All of them were special weapons that required the blood of celestial beings to be refined. The Doushuai Palace was truly generous.

Old Furnace said, "Actually, it's not too bad. Even though I'm a replica, no one dares to underestimate me. They all have to give me face. Don't worry, I can protect Qingyue."

After a slight pause, it said, "As long as her innate fire body can continue to evolve, everything will be fine. In the end, if she can undergo a final transformation, the quiet dormancy and self-accumulation in the early stages will be well worth it!"

Qin Ming asked, "What will the ultimate state look like?"

The old furnace said, "Standing in the chaotic fire, the physical body is indestructible, the spirit is perfectly integrated, and the splendor is ultimate."

It told Qin Ming that Li Qingyue's biggest advantage at present is that her potential is not yet exhausted and she is still growing, which is something that the Doushuai Palace values ​​very much.

Qin Ming asked, "Is Qingyue's current shortcoming only that her cultivation level is not high enough? Some of the core disciples are already grandmasters, so is her situation delicate?"

Old Furnace said, "These are all manageable. The Tushita Palace is looking to the future and its growth ceiling. As long as it can be maintained, that's fine."

As if it had thought of something, it paused for a moment and said, "However, in a year or two, the factors to consider when entering the Supreme Dojo may increase."

Qin Ming immediately inquired to learn the details.

Currently, like the Jade Capital, the Tushita Palace is upside down and outside the world, making it difficult for ordinary people to enter.

However, there are rumors that in a year or two, the supreme Tushita Palace may select disciples, and only a very few outstanding individuals will be able to go there and truly transcend to the highest realm.

Clearly, Li Qingyue lacked allies during the competition, and she was not supported by any top-tier factions.

Therefore, she was somewhat outnumbered and outmatched.

Qin Ming calmly replied, "It's alright, she's all alone. I'll go there myself when the time comes."

"You..." The old furnace was stunned. It valued Qin Ming highly and knew that he had fused with the Nine-Colored Sword Fiend. Otherwise, it would not have made a special trip back for him.

Even though it was just a replica of the sect's weapon, it held a high position within the Tushita Palace camp, and not many people could command it to travel far.

For Qin Ming's sake, he could voluntarily embark on the journey.

"I am already a Grandmaster." Qin Ming no longer used the rag to conceal his cultivation level.

The old furnace was instantly petrified, leaving everyone utterly shocked.

After all, before their last parting, Qin Ming had a small gathering with Li Qingyue and Jiang Ran, during which he had revealed that, normally, each breakthrough in his cultivation of the fourth realm would take about three years.

This speed is already incredibly fast for a newly established system.

Although he once joked that he would become a grandmaster within three to five years and then set out to find Li Qingyue and Jiang Ran, Lao Lu simply did not believe it.

And now, in just over two years, he has achieved his goal?

According to Lao Lu's prediction, Qin Ming is an anomaly who has reached the ninth level of perfection. The path he has chosen for new life is extremely difficult, so he will probably have to wait until he is thirty years old to become a grandmaster.

That would actually be incredibly extraordinary.

Old Furnace thought of the young grandmaster of the Tushita Palace, around thirty years old, standing high in the heavens, hands behind his back, looking down on his peers.

However, Qin Ming is now telling it that he is already a grandmaster, and the impact of this is unimaginable.

"You're only twenty-two!" The old furnace glowed and vibrated continuously, as if it was trying to process the news.

The cracked stove lid flickered, and said, "Let me have a moment."

Qin Ming looked toward the president in the courtyard, but he couldn't see him clearly at the moment because the clear light emitted by the old furnace blocked the view from the outside.

He said, "Qingyue lacks the support of a top faction? If I go there, I can think of a way. Hmm, their status is all self-proclaimed, like that one in the academy."

The old furnace finally came to its senses. Qin Ming's growth rate had exceeded expectations, making it truly feel that in this vast world of ups and downs, a new generation replaces the old.

It warned: "Never be complacent. The vast and boundless world of night fog is never short of extraordinary talents. Countless people have fallen behind halfway and died young. You may think you are very strong, but perhaps in some remote corner, someone you can't beat no matter what will happen, plunging you into endless despair."

"For example?" Qin Ming asked, wanting to learn about some forbidden secrets.

"There are many, such as the Supreme Master reappearing in the world, the dying god undergoing Nirvana and returning as a young man, the longevity experiment held by the Supreme Dojo, and the bewildered ones released, which could probably sweep you aside. Another example is the reappearance of the third most wondrous insect in the world."

Qin Ming asked, puzzled, "Why is it the third most extraordinary insect in the world, and not the first or second most extraordinary insect?"

Old Furnace said, "The third one is enough. It is called the Emperor Insect, and it is difficult to find even one in many eras."

It sighed, "In fact, I think that if the fifth most wondrous insect in the world—the Dream Insect—were to fully master its essence, it could sweep across the land."

"The Dream Insect is that powerful?" Qin Ming had never actually come into contact with this strange insect.

Old Furnace said with utmost solemnity, "Of course, its talent is unparalleled, it can steal all the laws of the world, and it is difficult to control."

Immediately, Qin Ming felt a strong curiosity about the strange insect ranked first.

Old Furnace satisfied his desire for exploration and told him: "The fourth most wondrous insect in the world is called Time."

Furthermore, in the world of Night Fog, there is controversy over whether the Time Bug or the Emperor Bug is weaker or stronger. It is really difficult to judge, as it depends on the individual's condition. You have to fight both of them each time to find out.

Historically, the Emperor Worm only has a slight advantage.

Old Lu mentioned the second-ranked worm, naming it: Ancestral Worm.

Qin Ming looked surprised and said, "This name is quite grand, but can it really live up to it?"

Old Furnace said, "It's not a big problem, it's just that they are extremely rare to see. The world hasn't seen an Ancestral Worm for at least five thousand years."

It said in a deep voice, "This is still the Zerg. Without involving other forbidden species, there are already several creatures that are difficult to defeat. You can imagine the level of danger of the various major sects and all kinds of special creatures."

Qin Ming said, "You still haven't told me what the number one strange insect in the world is."

Old Furnace replied, "The one who surpasses the Ancestor is called Dao Worm; just listen to that and forget about it."

"Why?" Qin Ming asked, puzzled.

Old Furnace said, "They haven't appeared for eight thousand years. This race has had difficulty reproducing and may have become extinct."

It spoke earnestly, saying, "Therefore, in the Night Fog World, you must never be arrogant or complacent. You may think you have reached the pinnacle in a certain field, but if you act recklessly and unintentionally offend others, there may be an existence that will emerge and suppress you in your most proficient field, whether in terms of talent or cultivation, and kill you with a flick of its wrist."

Qin Ming was speechless; Old Lu's words were too ominous.

He disagreed, saying, "The ones you mentioned are either extinct species or old monsters that have risen from the ashes. Although they have severed ties with the past, they still seem to be pretending to be young. Aren't there any normal but extremely powerful opponents?"

Old Furnace said, "Yes, there may be hidden variables among ordinary people. It's a pity that they are buried and have not embarked on the path of cultivation. But once they are discovered, they may be able to crush even the most outstanding talents and make them lose confidence."

He gave an example of a great figure from a supreme Taoist temple who, after consuming the most exquisite elixir, was reborn as a young boy with all his past memories.

However, in a remote village, the young man of a great man met a rough man in his early thirties and took him in as a servant. He then discovered that the latter's knowledge of the Dharma and his understanding of the Tao far surpassed his own.

The important man began to question his life, realizing that he had been outdone in every way by a rough-looking man.

He even contacted the former supreme Taoist temple, allowing the cultivators to trace the rough man's origins. They discovered that he came from a very ordinary background, had no innate wisdom, and had never awakened anything; he was simply incredibly strong in comprehension and physical abilities.

Old Furnace sighed, "He embarked on the path of cultivation at the age of thirty without any delay. His potential has not been solidified, and this rough man has still managed to discover the wonders within himself."

It concluded: "The world is so vast that all kinds of living beings exist."

There are even similar examples. It mentions an old story, saying: "In ancient times, there was a sickly boy, whose name I learned was Erbingzi. He came from an ordinary background, seemed a bit silly, and was sickly. But in the end, he actually overpowered many great figures in a supreme Taoist temple."

"Wait a minute." Qin Ming was really "allergic" to the words "second sick son".

There's a guy in the next village called Erbingzi, but that bastard isn't stupid. He used to travel around under the name Qin Ming. Where has he gone now?
"What era is this 'Second Sick Son' you're talking about?" Qin Ming asked.

Old Furnace said, "It must have been several thousand years. All that is past. To discuss the most influential figures in history, one only needs to look at the present. No matter how powerful the beings or how extraordinary the existence in history, they have all become the past. Several thousand years is enough to wipe out all the heroes and bury them all, leaving nothing behind."

It solemnly reminded you, "I've said so much to warn you not to be arrogant, not to mistakenly believe that you've entered the supreme realm at a certain level, or even to consider yourself unparalleled. Doing so will not end well."

It further mentions that those who achieve the ninth level of perfection are not isolated cases. There are indeed people in the world who are similar to each other. When they meet, who will be stronger?
Moreover, Old Furnace added the most important point, saying, "The strange insects, Nirvana beings, rough men, anomalies, and taboos I mentioned are all creatures within the observable territory. As for the deeper parts of the unexplorable Night Fog World, you can use your imagination."

Qin Ming was completely speechless. He was truly stunned by it. His composure, which hadn't yet been elevated, was almost pressed down into the ground.

Old Furnace sighed, "The world of Night Fog is so vast and boundless, and it is precisely because of the intertwining of all sorts of mysterious creatures and unsolvable things that it appears so colorful. Admittedly, such a dreamlike world is also extremely dangerous, depending on how you interpret it. But one thing is certain: the boundless mystery and the unknown can make your future infinitely possible."

Qin Ming said, "Senior, it seems that your memories have recovered quite a bit since you returned to the Eight Views Palace camp this time."

"The remaining memories, the reborn me, past and present lives, are no longer the same spirit." The old furnace dissipated the clear light that enveloped itself and Qin Ming, no longer isolated from the outside world, because it had said everything it needed to say.

"Huh?" Suddenly, both it and Qin Ming were startled, staring at the woman in the courtyard.

The president stood with his hands behind his back, his silver hair flowing, his eyes deep and mysterious, his skin as smooth as cream with a shimmering light, and his Taoist patterns like ripples on water.

Beside her, papers imbued with spiritual energy swirled around her, radiating brilliant light. The keywords on them soared into the sky with golden light, clearly indicating: Longevity, Jade Burial Suit, Death Scripture, Blessings...

Old Furnace was lost in thought, then emitted a violent fluctuation, saying, "Could it be an old friend? She looks somewhat familiar to me. My past memories tell me that I saw her eight thousand years ago!"

(End of this chapter)