Chapter 127 Crossroads in Life

Before they knew it, it was early spring, and secluded places, esoteric sects, and special institutions of higher learning all began to recruit disciples.

Qin Ming pondered, having once again reached a critical juncture in his life, a decision that would determine his future. Standing at this crucial crossroads, which way should he go?

Meng Xinghai spoke up: “I used to think that you should go to special higher education institutions. They are all very special, with unpredictable forces supporting them. They are there to counterbalance the ancient families, so they naturally wouldn’t care about the pressure from the Cui family.”

There’s a saying in the world of Night Fog: dynasties come and go, but aristocratic families remain. The latter have existed for a very long time, with some families having been glorious for over three thousand years.

They are deeply rooted and involved in various fields and paths. Even in secular and esoteric Buddhist circles, many famous figures come from aristocratic families and wield considerable influence.

Once upon a time, a ruthless dynasty destroyed an ancient family. However, a small group of people from the secluded paradise returned, rebuilt the family, and caused the dynasty to collapse inexplicably in the end.

Meng Xinghai added, “Now I feel that with your talent, it would be a real waste if you didn’t go to the ancestral temples of some great sects!”

Although he initially approved of Qin Ming, when he thought about the fierce competition among those renowned sects, he decided it was best to avoid going for the sake of caution.

The so-called cruelty involves various aspects. For example, the blood relatives and descendants of the sect’s elders, who grew up there, are often favored and enjoy many privileges. Meanwhile, scions of aristocratic families inevitably bring a large amount of resources with them when they join, giving them a very high starting point. There are also bloody trials within the sect, and at certain stages, it’s almost like raising a venomous insect.

If they don’t transform into butterflies in the jar as soon as possible and break free, they won’t be able to enter the sight of those important figures.

If Qin Ming were to inadvertently offend someone during this period, leading to some underhanded tactics, it would be extremely dangerous.

Looking back now, Meng Xinghai believes that with Qin Ming’s talent, he could compete fiercely even in a legendary ancestral temple. Qin Ming naturally yearns for certain legendary scriptures, but after counting on his fingers, he realizes that the choices are truly limited.

For example, the Yuqing lineage is indeed incredibly prestigious, but it has been closed to the world for over two hundred years. It has only recently allowed registered disciples to descend the mountain, and it is still unknown whether it will accept more disciples this year.

Furthermore, the Tathagata lineage is clearly engaged in raising poisonous insects and cultivating venomous insects, even releasing disciples like Xiang Yiwu, who are described as “big and burly.”

The Six Emperors lineage is facing serious problems. Their founder is about to pass away, and the powerful figure from the outer realms who was slapped is keeping a close eye on things, which could lead to turmoil.

Then, Qin Ming thought of places like Yin Yang Temple and Chunyang Palace, which were also in his evaluation.

“Uncle Meng, which place has the most books and allows disciples to read them freely?” Qin Ming asked.

Meng Xinghai said, “If you have this inclination, then it is naturally because certain academies were established to break the monopoly of aristocratic families that have existed for thousands of years.”

After a moment’s thought, he continued, “Actually, the eight special institutions of higher learning also have quite a background, and there may be a founding master behind them. If you are dazzling enough, you should be able to draw them out.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming was shocked. Could it be that the academy was backed by figures like Qingtian, Rulai, or Liuyu? That would be quite astonishing.

“Because some great sects are almost becoming ancestral temples, with clans and elders deeply intertwined, and they are full of their descendants. When a patriarch who had disappeared for many years came out of seclusion, he was furious and wished he could establish a new sect.”

Meng Xinghai believes that the backers behind each special institution of higher learning are different. Some are old monsters on the road to new students, while others may be big figures from esoteric sects or secluded pure lands.

Qin Ming pondered for a moment and said, “It’s not impossible for me to lie low, collect scriptures on my own, and rise up through arduous cultivation.”

Meng Xinghai shook his head and said, “Whether you choose a prestigious sect or enter a special university, I will support you. You need this experience. There, you can see a wider world, learn various secrets, and meet geniuses from all over the world. Some of them will become your lifelong friends and confidantes. This is an indispensable and precious experience on your life’s journey.”

Meng Xinghai emphasized that this experience is very important, transcending the ascetic practice itself.

In such places, there are abundant classical texts and resources, as well as important connections that cannot be acquired through burying oneself in hard work alone.

Meng Xinghai cautioned that the core disciples of those special institutions of higher learning and renowned sects must be extraordinary individuals, and even more powerful figures have yet to emerge.

“Exchanging ideas and learning from them will be very helpful for you at this stage, and you might even meet someone who will influence your life.” Qin Ming noticed that Meng Xinghai was deeply moved, which suggested that he had experienced these things in his youth, leaving a deep impression and having a significant impact on him.

“Uncle Meng, what are you reminiscing about? Who are you remembering?” Qin Ming asked out of the blue.

“You little brat…” Meng Xinghai snapped out of his daze, stretched out his finger, and almost poked him on the forehead.

Meng Xinghai said, “I’m telling you this from someone who’s been there. You can’t lack the necessary experience. Just being low-key and hiding your abilities isn’t enough. If your vision isn’t broad enough, it will affect the height and depth of your life. If you want to become a Grandmaster, you need to have a wide enough perspective, otherwise it will hinder your path.”

Qin Ming immediately nodded, humbly accepting the answer.

“Right now, if you want to go to a better place, you have to perform better. You might need to compete with the ‘number one’ from other cities. After winning, you can get some benefits and also increase your ‘value’.”

After Meng Xinghai finished speaking, the conversation became much more relaxed.

He mentioned that after Li Qingyun returned, there should be arrangements soon for Qin Ming to view the complete secret manual.

“Uncle Meng, you’re really good to Qingyue.” Qin Ming was a little suspicious. Could it be that Old Meng and Li Qingyue were related by blood?

Meng Xinghai laughed and said, “What are you thinking? Her father saved my life, and her mother is my senior sister. Our two families are very close.”

A middle-aged man in black entered the living room and reported, “Lord, a distinguished guest has arrived.” “Oh?” Meng Xinghai asked in surprise.

The man in black was his confidant, and he handled many trivial matters. He whispered, “City Lord Qi Daoming of Zhuguang City has arrived.”

“It’s him. Interesting, he arrived so quickly.” Meng Xinghai nodded, instructing his trusted confidant in black to arrange a banquet, and then he himself stood up.

Seeing this, Qin Ming naturally took his leave.

Meng Xinghai said, “The matter that the person who came is probably related to you.”

Qin Ming looked at Lao Meng, puzzled.

Meng Xinghai said, “Qi Daoming is the son-in-law of the Li family, a very powerful figure. Last time, Li Qingxu’s cousin, Li Qingxiao, suffered a loss here and was the ‘number one’ I personally selected, which is you, who kicked him twice. He’ll probably go and complain about it. Well, the most important thing is this son-in-law of the Li family, Qi Daoming. I had some competition with him back then, and I guess all sorts of things have come together this time, and he wants to challenge me to a duel.”

Qin Ming realized something and said, “The person he handpicked to be number one wants to compete against me?”

Meng Xing nodded and said, “That’s roughly the idea. This person was indeed very powerful back then. He came from humble beginnings and overwhelmed many of his peers on the path of new students. In one competition, he defeated seventy-two opponents in a row, reaching the top of a region and becoming famous for a time. Later, it was discovered that he could walk the path of the Pure Land of the Mortals, so he decisively changed his path and indeed became even more powerful. Moreover, he came into the sights of the Li family and became their son-in-law.”

“Has Uncle Meng ever fought against him?” Qin Ming asked.

Meng Xinghai nodded and said, “We clashed once on the path of new life, and it ended in a draw. We haven’t clashed since we changed our paths.” As Qin Ming left, he saw a middle-aged man enter the mansion from afar. The man had an air of otherworldly grace and was clearly an extraordinary person.

He walked through Crimson Cloud City, somewhat lost in thought. He hadn’t been here long, but he had already developed a certain attachment to the place.

Before leaving, Qin Ming felt he should finish some things. He had promised to find spiritual substances for Yuque and Chiying, but hadn’t fulfilled that promise yet. He’d relied heavily on their help during the battle in the desert. “Would you like a box of delicious Gannan navel oranges?”

Not long after, Qin Ming visited the Sun family and gave Grandma Sun a hammering technique he had personally written. Now that the Xinyi Hall was no longer making things difficult for her, the old woman’s life improved immediately, and with the thirty gold coins Qin Ming had given her, it was enough for her to raise her only grandson.

“Child, thank you!” Grandma Sun looked at the completed hammer manual, and tears streamed down her face. She wanted her third grandson’s child to kowtow to Qin Ming, knowing that this could change her grandson’s life.

Qin Ming quickly helped them up and hurried away.

Soon after, he entered the mountains. With his current skills, finding the spiritual substance that could cause a person to undergo three transformations would naturally be no problem for him.

Even if he encounters an Outer Saint-level anomaly, as long as it’s not an old monster that has been around for many years, Qin Ming can kill it with his hammer.

“Mountain Lord, you weren’t just saying that casually, you actually remembered Little Sparrow’s matter. I’m so touched that I can actually evolve again. I’m so happy I could cry.” Yu Que hadn’t left and lived in Crimson Cloud City. She usually went into the mountains with Wu Zheng, who also came from Black and White Mountain.

Yu Que blinked her large, black gem-like eyes and said, “Mountain Lord, why don’t you consider letting me follow you? I am quite extraordinary; I have already developed divinity and can walk the path to godhood in the future.”

“I may have to travel far away. It’s not suitable for you with your family.” Afterwards, Qin Ming went to see Chi Ying. That evening, Meng Xinghai’s expression wasn’t very good, and he called Qin Ming over.

“Is Qi Daoming really that bad?” Qin Ming asked. Meng Xinghai shook his head and said, “No, he’s a very principled person. He only skirts the line, he won’t cross it. The Cui family has sent people to see you, so be prepared.”

Qin Ming’s gaze sharpened. The Cui family, Qinghe City, a behemoth with a history spanning millennia. He had lived there for ten years and had severed all ties with them. How did they reappear?

Moreover, from Meng Xinghai’s expression, he already knew that the visitor was likely not well-intentioned.

“Alright, Uncle Meng, I’ll go see them!” Qin Ming nodded. The Cui family was still a huge obstacle for him at the moment, but no matter what, he would eventually have to face them and go there to retrieve the silk scroll.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!” Meng Xinghai patted him on the shoulder and said, “Just go ahead and do what you’re supposed to do. Don’t be afraid!”