Chapter 97 Climbing to the Top

Qin Ming received three rays of otherworldly light. Although his whole body was covered in black, he was not injured. On the contrary, his energy and spirit were even more vigorous than before.

As he circulated the Fire Scripture, he felt a surge of vitality coursing through his body, with waves of heat washing over him, as if cleansing and purifying his body and nourishing his spirit.

Qin Ming was surprised. This was indeed a miraculous skill. It seemed to be able to cleanse the marrow and bones. After entering the skill, his physique actually improved.

“The Fire Separation Scripture is extraordinary. Once you comprehend it, you can use this technique to slowly transform your body. Over time, you can fully appreciate its wonders.”

He felt that he was stronger now than when he fought in the desert. This change, which he could truly feel, made him even more dedicated and determined to continue his rigorous training.

He went to wash up, removing all traces of lightning and fire. His black hair was still wet with water droplets, his body lines were smooth, and his skin was shiny and lustrous, with a noticeable increase in vitality.

Not long after, Qin Ming arrived at the city lord’s mansion and said, “Uncle Meng, you were looking for me?”

Meng Xinghai said, “We’re about to go to the Land Beyond the Mortal Realm. Don’t go into the Thunderfire Alchemy Hall and cause any more trouble. Keep your body in top condition.”

“I just desperately want to become stronger and make a difference in this land beyond the mortal realm,” Qin Ming said.

Meng Xinghai smiled and said, “Yes, I knew you were particularly eager to improve yourself lately. Don’t bother with anything else, I’ve prepared everything for you.”

He pointed to the two boxes on the coffee table and said, “A book of extraordinary skills and a rare spiritual substance that can greatly enhance your strength.”

Qin Ming couldn’t stop smiling. After mastering the Fire-Separating Force, he heard this good news, which was like a double blessing. His strength could rise even further.

He eagerly opened the box containing the secret manual, a look of doubt on his face, and asked, “Golden Silkworm Technique, is this a technique related to other beings?”

Qin Ming had heard that some special scriptures, although imitating higher beings, could ultimately display power far exceeding that of the original alien beings.

“This book has little to do with the advanced alien species, the Golden Silkworm; it’s just using that name as a cover.” Meng Xinghai’s expression turned serious as he told him some details.

If he can master this extraordinary skill completely, he might even see an even more extraordinary secret manual.

Qin Ming looked surprised and said, “The words ‘Golden Silkworm’ are just a cover; there’s an even more powerful scripture behind it?”

Meng Xinghai nodded and said, “When I prepared the Rebirth Method for you, I naturally had to consider the long term. Unfortunately, I don’t have the ability to help you obtain that even rarer secret manual. If you master this manual and eventually gain recognition, you might be able to see the other one.”

Qin Ming immediately perked up and began to study it, eager to see its wonders.

He finally understood why it was called the Golden Silkworm Skill. The skill recorded in this book produced a Heavenly Light Force that resembled silkworm silk, which could form a cocoon of light on the body, providing amazing defensive power.

Furthermore, upon reaching a high level, it can absorb rare golden essence, making the silk-like Heavenly Light Force and cocoon even more resilient and indestructible.

“Initially, it was mainly for protection?” Qin Ming looked puzzled. Recently, he had acquired several defensive secret techniques, such as the Golden Armor Technique and the Golden Light Shield, which were all quite extraordinary.

Unfortunately, he has only initially mastered the Vajra Strength and Golden Light Strength. Without consuming the Three-Colored Flower or entering the Thunderfire Alchemy Hall to receive the divine light from beyond the world, it will be difficult for him to further develop them.

Meng Xinghai said, “Many hard skills are indeed powerful, but they are too rigid and easily break. This Golden Silkworm Skill combines flexibility and strength, and has endless wonders. Moreover, if you look back, its attack power is even more terrifying.”

Qin Ming continued reading, his expression becoming solemn. It was indeed a miraculous skill. Not to mention the later chapters, the application of the Heavenly Light Force alone was terrifying.

Those supple golden silkworm threads, when practiced to a high level, can shoot outwards and quickly pierce through the opponent.

Furthermore, at higher levels, the golden silkworm threads formed from the Heavenly Light Force danced wildly, capable of tearing apart other people’s Heavenly Light, weapons, and so on, as if distorting space.

Qin Ming was invigorated and said, “I can’t wait to master it and find a reclusive disciple to practice with!”

Meng Xinghai reminded him, “At the new level, it only greatly increases your defense. As for other aspects, you can consider them when you reach the Outer Saint realm.”

“Uncle Meng, are you worried that something might happen to me in that spiritual cave, so you found me this defensive technique? But, although I can get a basic grasp of it in a short time, how can I increase the total amount of Heavenly Light Force?” Qin Ming asked, knowing that such a miraculous technique must consume a great deal of energy.

Meng Xinghai first added calming incense to the bronze incense burner before saying, “You only need to initially master the Golden Silkworm Strength; I’ll take care of the rest.”

Qin Ming’s eyes immediately lit up, and he looked at him with great anticipation.

Meng Xinghai didn’t go into details, only telling him that the gift could increase his total amount of celestial light.

“By the way, with the arrival of early spring, the esoteric sects, blessed lands, and some special higher education institutions will begin selecting disciples. Hmm, the annual grand examination is about to begin, and you don’t need to participate in the early stages. As the lord of a city, it’s not unreasonable for me to appoint you as the top student in the city. Of course, if you want to be more ambitious, some competition is unavoidable later on, such as striving to be the top student in larger cities, which has many benefits.”

“Let me improve my strength first!” Qin Ming said. He would be heading to the outer realms soon and couldn’t rely on Li Qingyue for protection.

He even considered exchanging blows with some of the disciples of the mortal world if the opportunity presented itself.

Meng Xinghai nodded and said, “Yes, you’re right. Don’t get distracted lately. In the coming period, the competition among the disciples of the Fangwai Sect will likely become the focus and attract attention from all sides. You are now preparing for this battle.”

“I am a newborn, not a disciple of the secular world. By the way, Uncle Meng, since the otherworldly light contained in that spiritual cave is so dense that it cannot be dispersed, the spiritual matter it once contained has not dissipated, right? If I were to receive baptism there, wouldn’t I be able to be reborn again?” Qin Ming asked.

“Don’t do anything reckless. The sunlight there is incredibly intense. You wouldn’t be so unwilling to accept defeat and want to quickly improve your cultivation level to fight against the disciples of the Outer Sect, would you?” Meng Xinghai looked at him and teased, “Fortunately, your cultivation level isn’t high enough, so it’s difficult for you to steal the limelight from others.”

“No way, I can tell who the main participants in that battlefield are. I’m just going to broaden my horizons.” Qin Ming smiled, then took his leave and prepared to go to the Fifth Rebirth.

That night, he opened the jade jar, inside which was a purplish liquid, flowing with a hazy mist, its spiritual essence so rich it was impossible to dispel.

Qin Ming tilted his head back and drank it all down. Then he felt his whole body burning hot, as if he were on fire, and a vigorous vitality surged through his body.

This wasn’t his first experience, and he was already familiar with it, so he didn’t care much. He first practiced the new method on the silk scroll, and then went to study the “Golden Silkworm Technique”.

Qin Ming could clearly feel that his physique was constantly improving, an all-round increase, with changes in everything from strength to perception.

The fifth rebirth is mainly reflected in physical resilience; simply put, it makes one more resistant to beatings. The sixth rebirth may very well give rise to a special ability.

That night, after he fell into a deep sleep, the jade burial suit reappeared, but unfortunately he did not dream of his grandfather and never saw himself as a child.

Because, during his childhood, before he entered the Cui family, all his experiences learning the silk manuscripts were thoroughly understood and recalled during his last rebirth.

Early in the morning, Qin Ming sighed, wondering if his grandfather was still alive. The old man had said he would live for another ten years, but thirteen years had passed.

“I’m not strong enough. Otherwise, I would have gone directly to ask the important members of the Cui family.”

Qin Ming put aside those thoughts and allowed his body to regenerate. He began to immerse himself in studying the Golden Silkworm Technique.

That evening, he completed his fifth rebirth, with his perception, speed, and physical resilience all greatly improved, and his strength exceeding six thousand jin.

Without a doubt, his strength rose rapidly.

Qin Ming didn’t go out. He knew this wasn’t enough, so he diligently studied the Golden Silkworm Technique and practiced it continuously in the courtyard.

On the fifth day, he mastered the Golden Silkworm Force, with strands of golden light emerging from his body like wheat sprouting from the soil, full of vitality. However, he could not yet weave it into a net; he had only just begun to learn the basics.

But that’s enough. Meng Xinghai has already prepared a great gift for him, which allows him to continue to improve.

In recent days, news about the dispute among the disciples of the Fangwai sect has indeed been circulating in various places, attracting attention from all sides.

Later on, even the topic of major exams was suppressed.

The main reason is that the path of those outside the secular world is incredibly powerful, and any slight movement there will attract the attention of the world, let alone the competition that a group of core disciples are about to engage in.

Now, in various cities, teahouses, and restaurants, large numbers of people are discussing it.

After Qin Ming entered the city lord’s mansion, he found that Meng Xinghai had a guest, a young man who looked somewhat familiar.

“Brother Chonghe, no, Brother Qinming, it’s been a long time.” The young man smiled and stood up to greet him. He had red lips and white teeth, and his eyes shone with a divine light, suggesting that he was quite strong.

Qin Ming thought carefully and realized who he was. He had met him in Qinghe City before. His name was Li Qingxiao, and he should be fourteen years old now. He was Li Qingxu’s cousin.

“It has indeed been a long time since we last met.” Qin Ming nodded.

“I originally wanted to get some recognition from Uncle Meng and have him appoint me as the best in the city, but I didn’t expect Brother Qin Ming to beat me to it. So I won’t compete with you anymore, let’s go to another city,” Li Qingxiao said with a smile.

Qin Ming smiled faintly. He didn’t believe that this scheming young man hadn’t known he was here before.

It’s estimated that after he killed the woman in black and an outer saint in the desert, his old acquaintances, not knowing who did it, had discussed it before.

Qin Ming guessed that Li Qingxiao really wanted to find a city to enhance his reputation, and while passing through this place, he wanted to gather some information.

Li Qingxiao sighed, “I didn’t expect Brother Qin to be so amazing. He’s become number one here without making a sound. No wonder my cousin speaks highly of you.”

Qin Ming ignored him. Everyone knew about his feud with Li Qingxu, and the young man’s mention of it was clearly not well-intentioned.

“Go to another city,” Meng Xinghai said, urging him to leave.

Li Qingxiao refused to leave, saying, “Uncle Meng, you are really biased. You chased me away even though I was sitting here for a while, but you take such good care of Brother Qin Ming.”

He smiled and said, “Brother Qin, my cousin said that you will definitely meet again in the future. He thinks highly of you. Those old things were just a misunderstanding.”

“Hmm,” Qin Ming uttered only one word.

Seeing that he didn’t respond much, Li Qingxiao continued, “My cousin said that if Brother Qin climbs to the top on the path of new life, he will eventually be able to enter the realm beyond the mundane world.”

Is this high praise? Outside, ordinary newcomers might be very excited, but this is high recognition from someone outside the conventional world.

However, Li Qingxu’s evaluation of Qin Ming was hardly a compliment.

The meaning is clear: only after Qin Ming strives to rise to the top and fights his way to the highest peak can he enter the secluded place to see Li Qingxu.

Of course, there’s another underlying meaning: what are the experts on the path to rebirth doing in the secluded land? To become Jade Armor Guardians or Divine Armor Guardians.

Meng Xinghai looked displeased and said, “Don’t cause trouble. Also, tell your cousin to focus more on the competition for the outer sect disciples. He might not be able to get that item in the spirit cave.”

“I also think he won’t get it,” Qin Ming said.

Li Qingxiao smiled broadly and said, “Let’s wait and see, the competition among the disciples of the outer sect is about to begin.”

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