Night Without End
Chapter 198 - 127: Crossroads of Life

Chapter 198: Chapter 127: Crossroads of Life

Before I realized it, the early spring season had arrived, with the Outer World, Esoteric Buddhism, and special high-level academies all beginning to recruit disciples in succession.

Qin Ming pondered, once again arriving at a crossroads in his life, concerning his future destiny. Standing at this significant intersection, which direction should he take?

Meng Xinghai spoke up, "I used to think that you should go to a special high-level academy. They’re all quite extraordinary, supported by unfathomable powers, intended to counterbalance the thousand-year-old families, and naturally, they wouldn’t care about pressure from the Cui Family."

There’s a saying in Yewu World, "Dynasties are like flowing water, noble families are like iron." The latter have existed for quite a long time, with some families shining for over three thousand years.

Their roots are deep and widespread in various fields and paths. Even among the Outer World and Esoteric Buddhism, many renowned figures come from noble families and hold considerable sway.

Once, an Iron Blood Dynasty eliminated an Ancient Family, but a handful of people returned from the Fangwai Pure Land, rebuilt the family, and even caused that dynasty to inexplicably collapse.

Meng Xinghai continued, "Now I think, with your talent, it would be a real pity if you didn’t go to the ancestral courts of some Great Sects!"

Initially, although he recognized Qin Ming’s potential, when he thought of the famous and fiercely competitive Taoist lineages, he felt it was safer to avoid going there.

The so-called cruelty involves many aspects, such as the blood relatives of the Elders grown within, often nurtured and privileged. When descendants of noble families join, they naturally bring abundant resources and start from a high point. Furthermore, there are bloody tests within the sects, and at certain stages, it’s almost like raising worms.

If one doesn’t transform into a butterfly in the worm jar early on and break free, one cannot enter the vision of those significant figures.

At this time, if Qin Ming inadvertently offends someone, leading to unexpected moves from others, that would be quite dangerous.

Now, looking at it again, Meng Xinghai believes that with Qin Ming’s talent, even in those legendary ancestral courts, he could compete with great strength and ambition.

Qin Ming naturally yearned for certain legendary Scriptures, but after counting on his fingers, the options were quite limited.

For example, the Yuqing Lineage indeed has an astonishing background, but they’ve closed themselves off for over two hundred years, only recently allowing Registered Disciples to leave their mountain, and it’s still uncertain if they will widely recruit disciples this year.

Then there’s the Tathagata Lineage, which is obviously raising worms and cultivating cicadas. Even mutant Disciples like Xiang Yiwu, with his "big and burly" frame, have been let loose by them.

The problems with the Six Imperial lineage are even more serious. An Ancestor Master of the sect is about to pass away, and a high figure from the Outer World who was once slapped is watching closely, possibly leading to turbulent changes.

Afterward, Qin Ming thought of the Yin Yang Temple, Chunyang Palace, and other such places, all under his consideration.

"Uncle Meng, which place has the most collections of scriptures and allows disciples to freely read them?" Qin Ming inquired.

Meng Xinghai replied, "If you have such an inclination, then naturally it would be some academies, which were established to break the monopoly held by the thousand-year-old noble families."

After a brief contemplation, he added, "In fact, several special high-level academies also have quite the origin, possibly backed by Grandmaster Level figures. If you are dazzling enough, you should be able to draw them out."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming couldn’t help but feel astonished. Could it be that behind the academies are figures like Qingtian, Tathagata, or Six Imperial? That would be indeed startling.

"Because some Great Sects are almost becoming playgrounds for their descendants. The Family Lineage and Elder systems are deeply intertwined; those places are full of their offspring. There’s been outrage among the reclusive Grandmasters, almost wishing to establish new branches."

Meng Xinghai believes that each of the special high-level academies is supported by different patrons, some being old monsters on the Newborn Road, and others may be the significant figures of Esoteric Buddhism or the Fangwai Pure Land.

Qin Ming pondered, "I could also keep a low profile, collecting Scriptures and rigorously emerging through hard cultivation."

Meng Xinghai shook his head, "Whether you choose a renowned Great Sect or enter a special high-level academy, I will support you. You need these experiences. There, you can witness a broader world, gain various secret teachings, meet prodigies from all over, some of whom will become lifelong friends or dear to you. This is an indispensable and valuable experience on your life’s journey."

Meng Xinghai emphasized that such experiences are very important, surpassing the cultivation itself.

In those places, you have access to extensive collections of scriptures and important connections, which are not attainable by merely practicing alone.

Meng Xinghai reminded him that those special high-level academies, along with the renowned Great Sects, their Core Disciples are inevitably extraordinary characters, and even more formidable figures have yet to emerge.

"Discussing and interacting with them will be very helpful for you at this stage, or you might even meet someone who will influence your entire life."

Qin Ming realized that Meng Xinghai had profound feelings on this matter. It seems he experienced these things in his youth, leaving deep memories that had a significant impact on him.

"Uncle Meng, what are you reminiscing about? Whose memory has resurfaced?" Qin Ming asked, somewhat unexpectedly.

"You, kid..." Meng Xinghai came back to his senses, stretched out a finger, nearly poking Qin Ming’s forehead.

Meng Xinghai said, "I’m telling you as someone who has been through it, you cannot miss these experiences. Merely keeping a low profile is not enough. If your vision is too narrow, it will affect the height and depth of your life’s achievements. If you want to become a Young Master, your horizon must be broad enough; otherwise, it will hinder your road expansion."

Qin Ming immediately nodded, humbly accepting the advice.

"At the moment, if you want to go to a better place, you must stand out and perhaps need to spar with the ’First’ from other cities. By winning, you’ll gain some benefits and also enhance your ’gold content’."

After Meng Xinghai said this, the conversation became much more relaxed.

He mentioned that after Li Qingyun returns, there should be arrangements made soon for Qin Ming to peruse the complete Secret Scripture.

"Uncle Meng, you’re really good to Qing Yue," Qin Ming couldn’t help but wonder if Old Meng had some blood relationship with Li Qingyue.

Meng Xinghai laughed and said, "What are you thinking? Her father saved my life, her mother is my fellow Disciple, and our families have an unbreakable bond."

A middle-aged man in black entered the living room and reported: "City Lord, a distinguished guest has arrived."

"Oh?" Meng Xinghai was surprised.

The man in black was his confidant, handling many trivial matters. He whispered, "Qi Daoming, the City Lord of Chasing Light City, has come."

"He’s here, huh? Interesting, he arrived quite quickly." Meng Xinghai nodded, instructing his confidant to arrange a banquet, and he himself stood up.

Upon seeing this, Qin Ming naturally prepared to take his leave.

Meng Xinghai said, "The matter the visitor has come to discuss is probably related to you."

Qin Ming, puzzled, looked at Old Meng.

Meng Xinghai began, "Qi Daoming is a son-in-law of the Li Family, a very fierce character. Last time Li Qingxu’s cousin, that kid Li Qingxiao, suffered a loss here and was kicked twice by you, who I had appointed as ’First’. I suppose he went back and lodged a complaint. Mainly, this son-in-law of the Li Family, Qi Daoming, once competed with me and probably wants a challenge now that various things have come together."

Qin Ming realized something and said, "His appointed ’First’, wants to battle me?"

Meng Xinghai nodded, "That’s the idea. This person was indeed fierce back in the day, coming from humble beginnings, overwhelming many of his peers on Newborn Road. During a battle, he defeated seventy-two opponents in a row and became a renowned champion in one realm. Later, he was found eligible for Fangwai Heaven Pure Land’s path and decisively changed his course, becoming even fiercer. Furthermore, he caught the Li Family’s attention and became their son-in-law."

"Did Uncle Meng have a duel with him?" Qin Ming asked.

Meng Xinghai nodded, "We had a clash on Newborn Road, with no winner or loser. After we both changed our paths, we never crossed again."

When Qin Ming left, he saw from a distance a middle-aged man entering the residence, with an air of immortality, obviously an extraordinary person.

He wandered through Chixia City, somewhat lost in thought; he hadn’t been here long, but had already grown fond of it.

Before leaving, Qin Ming felt that he should fulfill some obligations, such as finding Spiritual Material for the talking sparrow and Crimson Eagle—owing them for their assistance in the desert battle.

Soon after, Qin Ming made a trip to the Sun Family, delivering a Hammer Technique manual he had written himself to Grandma Sun. Now free from the troubles of Xinyi Hall, the old lady’s living situation improved significantly with the thirty pieces of Day Gold Qin Ming had given her, enough to raise her only grandson.

"Child, thank you!" Grandma Sun, looking at the restored Hammer Chart, let her cloudy old tears flow, wishing her three-year-old grandson would kowtow to Qin Ming, knowing this could change his life’s fate.

Qin Ming quickly helped them up and then swiftly left.

Not long after, he entered the mountains. With his current skills, seeking Spiritual Material that could induce a Third level Mutant evolution was effortless.

Even if he encountered an Alien Species of Outer Saint Level, as long as it wasn’t an ancient monster, Qin Ming could hammer it to death.

"Mountain Master, I’m so touched that you didn’t just casually promise; you remembered Little Sparrow’s matter. I’m so happy I could cry over the possibility of evolving again," the talking sparrow had not left and had been residing in Chixia City, frequently heading to the mountains with Wu Zheng, also from Black and White Mountain.

The talking sparrow blinked its gem-like big eyes and said, "Mountain Master, why don’t you consider it, let me follow you? Little Sparrow is quite exceptional, having already developed Divinity and may walk the God Road in the future."

"I might be journeying far, and it’s not suitable for you who has a family to care for," Qin Ming said and then went to see the Crimson Eagle.

In the evening, Meng Xinghai looked not so bright when he called Qin Ming over.

"Was Qi Daoming too excessive?" Qin Ming asked.

Meng Xinghai shook his head, "No, he’s quite principled in his actions, skirting around lines he shouldn’t cross, never overstepping. The Cui Family has sent people, wanting to see you; be mentally prepared."

Qin Ming’s gaze sharpened—the Cui Family, from Qinghe City, the thousand-year-old giant. He had lived there for ten years but had already severed ties; why had they appeared again?

Moreover, Meng Xinghai’s expression alone told Qin Ming that the visitors probably lacked goodwill towards him.

"Alright, Uncle Meng, I’ll meet with them!" Qin Ming nodded. The Cui Family was currently a mountain for him, but regardless, he would eventually have to face it and retrieve the silk scripture.

"Don’t worry, I’m here for you," Meng Xinghai patted his shoulder and said, "Just go, do what you must, don’t be afraid!"