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Novel: [Night Without Boundaries]
Chapter 123: [The Center of Attention]
Author: [Chen Dong]
Translator: [Shadow Knight AK]
Editor: [Shadow Knight AK]
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During her duel, Li Qingyue exuded an overwhelming sense of dominance.
Now that the battle was over, she had regained her refined and elegant demeanor.
Her dark hair cascaded like a waterfall, her bright eyes and radiant smile blooming like a newly opened immortal flower, radiating a dazzling rain of light that instantly made her seem gentle and approachable.
She instructed the elite disciples to tend to the wounded.
Some Core Disciples had suffered severe damage to their Consciousness Spiritual Light, their bodies half-soaked in blood.
Jiang Shengyu, Su Jingzhu, and Hu Tingwen had fought fiercely to the end, refusing to retreat.
Gazing at the Eight Trigrams Furnace within arm's reach, they unleashed their most powerful trump cards in a desperate gamble, only to be met with a brutal counterattack that pierced their bodies.
Qin Ming watched Li Qingyue from afar, wondering when they would meet again.
Seeing her surrounded by elite disciples, too busy to break away, Qin Ming turned and walked in the opposite direction.
"Fellow cultivators, we're all on the same path, allies now that the competition for the Near-Immortal Artifact has concluded. There's no need for further conflict," Qin Ming said with a smile, greeting some Outer Saints.
The group immediately tensed, their guard rising.
They all knew Qin Ming's formidable background, suspecting him to be a descendant of the Six Imperial.
Most importantly, he was Li Qingyue's companion, and he still held the Eight Trigrams Furnace in his hand!
A small group of people who recognized him couldn't help but feel their hair stand on end.
They had encountered him in the White Bamboo Forest and joined forces to ambush him.
Qin Ming's Heavenly Light Force had manifested as a thin layer, but in the White Bamboo Forest, it had not only broken through their encirclement but also pierced through their defenses, killing many Golden Armor Guards.
Qin Ming continued, "The competition among the Outworld Disciples has left a deep impression on me. Everyone used every means at their disposal, and regardless of victory or defeat, after recovering from their injuries, they will undoubtedly make significant progress. We should exchange insights."
The crowd retreated, wondering if the heir of the Six Imperial Technique was seeking revenge.
Qin Ming smiled and waved his hand. "Don't misunderstand. I'm referring to exchanging Cultivation Manuals. Let's share what we have."
These were all Outer Saints, and their Heavenly Light Force Techniques should be of high level.
He genuinely wanted to exchange insights with them.
Unfortunately, many remained skeptical, some even suspecting he was trying to extort them.
Qin Ming felt utterly helpless.
His sincerity was met with suspicion, and progress stalled.
Even those who exchanged Secret Manuals with him were tense, their recitations and martial demonstrations tinged with complex emotions, making it difficult to fully grasp the Secret Manual's true essence.
After a long wait, Qin Ming finally obtained a complete body technique manual, the Vertical Leap Technique.
The Outer Saint sighed, mentioning that his ancestors had once included great figures who had mastered the legendary One Reed Crossing the River Technique, but unfortunately it had been lost to time.
Qin Ming's interest immediately piqued.
He asked about the Outer Saint's ancestral home, planning to visit someday.
He reasoned that if any ancient artifacts remained, he might be able to reconstruct the One Reed Crossing the River Technique, a technique clearly transcending the realm of ordinary cultivation techniques.
Next, Qin Ming acquired the Tiger's Roar manual.
Though its name seemed unremarkable, it taught a unique technique that vibrated the body, strengthening the five vital organs.
"Sigh, every family has its glorious past," the Outer Saint lamented. "Above our Tiger's Roar technique once stood the Five Thunder Refinement of the Viscera Technique, and beyond that, they say there was even the Eight Scenery Divine Illumination Technique."
Qin Ming pressed him for details.
"The Eight Scenery Divine Illumination Technique," the Outer Saint explained, "requires cultivating a visible yet intangible lamp within the chest and abdomen. This lamp illuminates the entire body, refining the five vital organs with fire and even tempering the consciousness spiritual light. As for its effects... I don't know. It's been lost for ages."
Qin Ming sighed inwardly.
The world truly held countless extraordinary cultivation techniques. Just hearing about them stirred longing in his heart. If he could actually master such techniques, it would be truly exhilarating.
He could only shake his head.
As the Outer Saint had explained, his great-grandfather's generation had moved countless times, relocating to numerous cities. The family's true roots had long been lost to time.
Li Qingyue approached gracefully, her soft smile widening as she saw Qin Ming exchanging the Heavenly Light Force Technique with someone.
"Once we return, I'll help you find a cultivation manual," she said. "It should be extremely valuable."
Qin Ming handed her the Eight Trigrams Furnace, then led her aside for a private conversation.
"Now that you've obtained a Near-Immortal Artifact, do you think those old fogies will break the rules and try to confiscate it?"
"No!" Li Qingyue shook her head firmly.
"Good." Qin Ming retrieved the furnace lid from his robes, along with a handful of vibrant, translucent "Strange Metals."
Each piece shimmered with unique phenomena—some flowed with misty purple haze, others were etched with mysterious patterns that calmed the mind.
He then handed her the final fragment of metallic paper, its surface still swirling with auspicious haze.
Li Qingyue's eyes widened in surprise.
These artifacts were all of extraordinary provenance.
Without hesitation, she accepted them all.
After all, the elder cultivators had already entered the pit. Their Pure Yang Consciousness Spiritual Light would have undoubtedly revealed the true nature of the pit's depths.
Now, for both Li Qingyue and Qin Ming, the best course of action was to take all the artifacts out and absolutely avoid concealing anything.
"This torn page... what a pity," Li Qingyue sighed softly.
Qin Ming remained silent, planning to wait until the current turmoil had completely subsided before finding an opportunity to share the two mysterious scriptures with her.
Telling her now might carry unpredictable risks.
He was deeply wary of the Outsiders' methods, such as possession. If anyone were to probe Li Qingyue's Consciousness Spiritual Light, he would inevitably be exposed.
Those domineering elders were unfathomably profound, akin to Ghosts and Gods.
Qin Ming had no desire to confront them and couldn't afford to take any chances at this moment.
For now, he could only comfort her, saying, "Perhaps we can find the missing pieces in the future. Something recorded on a page of true inheritance isn't easily lost."
"I hope so," Li Qingyue nodded.
Before leaving, she sat quietly in the massive pit for a long time, refining her Consciousness Spiritual Light with Heavenly Light.
"The elders likely intended for us to cultivate here while competing," she mused.
Finally, the large group retraced their steps back the way they had come.
Li Qingxu gritted his teeth, using his Consciousness Spiritual Light to support himself as he stood up alone.
"I'll carry you back," Zeng Yuan offered, stepping forward.
"No need!" Li Qingxu shook his head and quickly retreated.
However, he soon returned.
Ever cautious, he feared someone might be secretly following him, waiting to strike him down in his weakened state.
Zeng Yuan and Zheng Maoze supported each other, true brothers in misfortune.
Both had briefly possessed a Near-Immortal Artifact, but their fleeting ownership had left them severely injured.
"Junior Sister, about the earlier ambush... Alas, I'm truly sorry," Tang Xumi said, gritting his teeth against the pain.
He wanted to explain to Li Qingyue, but ultimately kept his words brief.
He deeply admired Li Qingyue and had hoped to grow closer to her, but now that opportunity seemed lost forever, leaving him feeling desolate.
Li Qingyue replied, "Everyone used their own methods to obtain the Near-Immortal Artifact. There's no need for apologies. Once we leave this place, we'll return to how things were before—we'll still be fellow disciples."
In truth, she knew that during the ambush, Tang Xumi had deliberately left an opening for her to escape at the last moment.
However, she had instead seized the opportunity to critically wound Ren Yiping on the other side and break through.
Along the way, Qin Ming dug up the Overlord's Spear.
"I'll carry it for you," Li Qingyue said, taking the spear.
This was to prevent anyone from Li Qingxu's faction from resorting to desperate measures after their defeat.
"Wang Caiwei might have recognized me," Qin Ming whispered to her along the way.
Li Qingyue paused, offering only a simple, "It's nothing."
"We have results. They're coming out now." Many people waited outside the Luo Fu Immortal Mountain Ruins.
They already knew that the competition had been fraught with unexpected twists.
The Near-Immortal Artifact had changed hands multiple times, with Tang Xumi claiming it twice, only to tragically lose it both times.
In truth, those privy to the full story understood that Li Qingxu had nearly succeeded.
With the Yin-Yang Temple disciple's cooperation, Li Qingxu had secretly aided Tang Xumi, then orchestrated Lu Zhen's betrayal.
This three-pronged strategy, combined with Li Qingxu's ability to seize the Eight Trigrams Furnace even once, would have allowed him to escape swiftly using a mysterious escape technique.
The Cui Family member's faces darkened.
They knew that Cui Chonghe's Consciousness Spiritual Light had possessed the artifact.
Without interference, he would have undoubtedly claimed victory. Yet his attempts had been thwarted twice.
It was clear that Li Qingyue had secretly leaked information to trusted allies, alerting Tang Xumi and the others to Cui Chonghe's second ambush by the Six Core Disciples.
"It was indeed Li Qingyue who claimed the Near-Immortal Artifact!" an elder nodded with a smile. "She defeated all her rivals cleanly and decisively. Such a result is truly well-deserved!"
This was a figure of immense stature, one who dared to slam his fist on the table against Li Qingxu's master.
With such a powerful endorsement, who would dare object?
Immediately, outside the ruins, many began praising Li Qingyue, declaring she possessed the potential to become an Immortal and deserved prioritized resources and focused cultivation.
While some rejoiced and grew excited, others felt disappointed and resentful. The competition had drawn numerous disciples, backed by Dao Lineages from Beyond the Mortal Realm and ancient Noble Clans.
"Is Li Ye really Li Qingyue's cousin?" someone grumbled. "He stole the Overlord's spear and killed so many people..."
"Shut your mouth!" a member of the Li Clan snapped. "When Qingyue was surrounded and attacked by dozens, our clan remained silent. If you're looking for trouble, feel free to take it up with the reclusive Li Clan..."
Only then did someone from Li Qingyue's clan step forward—a reclusive but powerful lineage.
Though smaller than the ancient Noble Clans in terms of population and influence, every member was a true master!
Clearly, no one wanted to stir up trouble at this critical moment.
The troublemakers immediately fell silent.
In that instant, Li Qingyue became the center of attention, all eyes fixed upon her. She was forced to greet the senior figures, responding with humility and grace.
A group of young people surged forward, surrounding her like stars orbiting the moon.
Undoubtedly, the competition for the Near-Immortal Artifact had caused a tremendous stir.
Ancient Dao Lineages and powerful sects from across the Beyond the Mortal Realm had sent representatives.
After all, obtaining a Near-Immortal Artifact would inevitably lead to rapid advancement, ensuring the holder would become a major figure in the Beyond the Mortal Realm.
Now, heirs to certain Dao Lineagesand renowned prodigies from across the Beyond the Mortal Realm had gathered at the scene.
"Isn't that Senior Brother Pei? His talent is unparalleled! He's not even twenty-five yet, and he can already debate Dao with senior experts. He's truly an Immortal Seed of our Pure Land!"
"Senior Brother Pei is as refined as jade, elegant yet handsome, and so ethereal! He's never sought a Dao partner, but standing beside Junior Sister Li, they look like a perfect match!" A woman couldn't help but exclaim.
"Look, Senior Brother Zhuo has appeared too! Not only is his talent astonishing, but he's also awakened the Divine Eye in his forehead, allowing him to perceive Immortal Resonance. His future achievements will be unimaginable. His Divine Eye rivals Junior Sister Li's Spiritual Eyes; they complement each other perfectly!"
...
Qin Ming slowly retreated, realizing there was truly no place for him there.
He was gradually pushed out of the crowd. Li Qingyue was surrounded by renowned prodigies from Beyond the Mortal Realm, all at least at the Yellow Court Realm.
Some were destined to become future Dao Lords of the Pure Lands, their exceptional talents already shining brightly, their status already remarkably prominent.
Li Qingyue, the center of attention, smiled as she conversed with these figures.
It was clear that some had been deliberately sent by their families and Dao Lineages.
Having only recently embarked on her Immortal Path, Li Qingyue was the perfect target for cultivation, alliances, and even deeper connections.
Meng Xinghai approached Qin Ming and said, "You've been a great help. Why are you retreating?"
Qin Ming shook his head. "As a Golden Armor Guard, I don't belong here. Qingyue is surrounded by heroes—descendants of sect leaders and peerless geniuses. Their followers are Jade Armor Guards, and some even have Divine Armor Guards."
He could only sigh softly.
Even attempting to bid farewell before leaving was futile; he was blocked at every turn.
The disparity in their status had suddenly widened the distance between them.
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END OF CHAPTER
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