Chapter 69 Full of Anticipation

“I am no longer Cui Chonghe, all of that is in the past!”

Qin Ming pulled himself out of the fragmented memories of the past, his eyes shining brightly, radiating a fiery glow, and his whole being exuding a vibrant energy.

He is Qin Ming now, and it is impossible for him to go back to the past. He should cut ties with what needs to be cut and let go of what needs to be let go. He should not expect all his old friends to recognize him when they meet again.

In the past, it was the terrifying power and prestige of a thousand-year-old family that illuminated Cui Chonghe.

Now he has to rely on himself, taking one step at a time. The height he can reach in this way is the true brilliance flowing within him.

“There’s definitely a reason why this place was chosen to build a city.” Qin Ming noticed that the snow in the woods was only knee-deep, which was too “mild”.

It should be noted that the blizzards that have hit Black and White Mountain in the past two years have often reached waist-deep.

Behind Crimson Cloud City stand majestic mountains, and within those rolling hills are many dangerous creatures, which also means that there is no shortage of spiritual matter.

The city faces a vast plain with extensive scorched fields. Moreover, a large river flows out of the city into the distance, and after the ice thaws in early spring, many large ships travel back and forth, making it a very powerful transport vessel.

The city wall, built of blue stone, is tall and thick. The magnificent city gate tower stands in front, with armored soldiers holding long halberds that gleam with a cold light. Many people are entering and leaving the city, and the city is bustling with activity.

Qin Ming was not questioned when he entered the city. The city was very open, with many people coming and going to do business. The streets were paved with bluestone and there was no snow at all. The city was very clean.

As soon as he entered Crimson Cloud City, he heard all sorts of sounds. It was much more bustling than Silver Vine Town. The area was teeming with people, shoulder to shoulder.

Qin Ming walked along the bustling street, gazing at the dazzling array of goods displayed in the shops on both sides of the road, and sometimes he would stop to admire them.

“Child, do you want to become a renowned master in the Eternal Night World when you grow up? Hmm, that goal seems a bit too far-fetched. Do you want to join those sects? Do you want to become a member of the Secret Cult? Do you want to be chosen by those outside the world? Do you want to get into the prestigious universities in those giant cities? Golden paths lie ahead of you, but you need to start preparing now. Come on, hurry into the shop and ask your mother to buy you a secret manual!”

Not to mention a group of children and teenagers, even Qin Ming was somewhat tempted to enter this old shop filled with books and take a look.

He was immediately drawn to a book called “The Great Sun Visualization Method,” a title with a prestigious background.

“I’m sorry, sir, this is a rare secret manual, even more precious than advanced Qigong techniques. This also means it’s incredibly difficult to learn. The prerequisite for learning it is mastering the’Sparkling Fire Meditation Technique.’ Please come this way; you’ll need to start with the first chapter of’Sparkling Fire’…”

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming quickly waved his hand and soon turned to leave. The books here were all printed books that exuded the fragrance of ink, and they were all the most basic new methods. There was no way that there could be ancient books that carried the hard work of predecessors.

He felt he hadn’t found the right place; perhaps there was a long-established bookstore selling rare books.

However, this was not what he lacked most. What he wanted most was spiritual matter. He wished he could be reborn for the fourth time immediately so that he could regain his memories and thoroughly understand what had happened in the past.

Qin Ming discovered that there really were merchants selling spiritual substances. It was a very impressive five-story building located in a prime location where land was extremely valuable.

However, he came out again soon after going in, because just asking about spiritual substances that could help people have a new life would cost him most of his savings.

As for the spiritual substances that have undergone four rebirths, there’s no point in even thinking about it. Moreover, judging from the words of this established merchant, high-level spiritual substances are mostly out of stock, and you can’t buy them even with a fortune.

Qin Ming wandered around Chixia City, gradually learning about everything here. The city had a level four fire spring, whose fiery red, glowing liquid never dried up even in winter, gushing forth and flowing to every street in the city.

In addition, there are several first- and second-level accompanying fire springs scattered throughout the city, which enhance the brightness of the entire city.

Qin Ming deliberately went to crowded places, actively seeking out the excitement. He believed that going to these places was the right way to gain a deeper understanding of a city.

“Young master, please take care. Come earlier next time.”

“Young master, please come upstairs quickly.”

…

Qin Ming suddenly stopped. Where had he come to?

The street was dominated by men, and the pavilions were filled with the melodious sounds of string and wind instruments.

“Brother Qin, I never expected to run into you here!” someone shouted.

Suddenly, many people on the street looked over. This was the first time Qin Ming had ever been so embarrassed, and he wanted to cover his face and run away.

He knew where he was; it must be the place where Old Wu squandered his fortune!

Moreover, he heard the voice of Wu Zheng, the grandson of Old Wu, who actually called out to him in public.

“Brother Qin, it’s such a blessing to meet an old friend in a foreign land. I’m so glad you’re alright. You’ve finally arrived in Chixia City safely.” Seventeen-year-old Wu Zheng rushed over with a big smile, very enthusiastic.

“What could possibly happen to me? The person that day was an old friend of mine,” Qin Ming replied, while a strange look appeared on his face. He felt that family talent could indeed be inherited.

He didn’t know if Wu Zheng could reproduce his talent for both spear and arrow, but he estimated that Wu Zheng was no less dashing than his grandfather, Old Wu, which was why he had come to this street so familiarly after arriving in Chixia City.

“You came here to broaden your horizons, right? You should spend your money wisely and focus on improving your skills,” Qin Ming advised.

Wu Zheng shook his head and said, “Brother Qin, what are you thinking? I’m just here to listen to the music; it has nothing to do with romance.”

Seeing Qin Ming’s strange look and obvious disbelief, he immediately became anxious and said, “I’m not lying to you. It’s mainly because many experts who go out of the city to hunt alien creatures come here to drink and listen to music afterward. They talk about the various terrifying mutated creatures in the mountains and how to hunt and obtain spiritual substances. I came here to hear valuable information!”

“Is what you said true?” Qin Ming perked up.

Wu Zheng said, “If you don’t believe me, ask Brother Xu later. Yes, that’s Xu Sheng, the traveling merchant who brought us to Chixia City. He changed careers and decided to become a free spiritual hunter. This time, he was scared half to death by that female monster in the group on the way.”

Qin Ming had been subtly advising Wu Zheng not to linger in such places, but in just a short while, he followed Wu Zheng up to Zuixia Tower.

This place is indeed just for drinking and listening to music. The air is filled with the fragrance of incense, and behind the beaded curtain, a beautiful woman is playing the zither, her voice tinkling and melodious.

The spacious hall had many tables, filled with new students who were drinking and chatting.

I don’t know when it started, but this place has become a place for them to exchange information, which makes the owner of Zuixia Tower very helpless, but as long as business is good, that’s fine.

Qin Ming and Wu Zheng found a table and sat down, and immediately heard various discussions.

“Have you heard? A mountain monster that has mutated six times has appeared in Qixia Mountain. We don’t know what its true form is yet, but its strength far surpasses that of others of the same level. It’s probably a spiritual creature. Is there anyone who wants to team up to hunt it down?”

“Are you tired of living? The strength of spiritual beings is generally a level higher than the actual number of mutations they have undergone, almost comparable to a creature that has mutated seven times!”

…

Qin Ming listened attentively, feeling that his trip had been worthwhile. The interaction between the people here allowed him to quickly understand the situation in the mountains.

“Brother Qin, it’s good that you’re alright. So it seems that last time I led a team, not a single person died, and we all arrived safely in Chixia City, haha!” Xu Sheng arrived and was very enthusiastic when he saw Qin Ming.

“Brother Xu, your injury…” Qin Ming looked at his neck, where he had been scratched, but it had healed after more than ten days.

Xu Sheng took a sip of wine and said, “Don’t even mention it. The descendant of a high-level alien was allowed to enter the city by the higher-ups of Crimson Cloud City, but she’s pitifully timid. At the slightest disturbance, she’ll cling to people and pinch them hard. And she’s been reborn multiple times. I couldn’t fight back and was pinched unconscious once. I’m quitting being a traveling merchant and changing careers!”

Qin Ming clinked glasses with him and said, “Changing careers is a good thing. Otherwise, walking at night all the time might lead to trouble one day.”

Xu Sheng nodded and said, “That’s right. Let me tell you, some of the old itinerant merchants may not be the same people they used to be. They were replaced by mysterious creatures many years ago. There are many legends in our industry. I’ve wanted to give up for a long time!”

Wu Zheng also raised his glass and said, “Let’s drink to Brother Xu’s successful career change! From now on, I’ll be following you in Chixia City. You’re a top expert, so please take me under your wing!”

At this moment, a group of people at the next table started discussing the “Thunderfire Alchemy Hall” with great enthusiasm, and then many others joined in.

Qin Ming was greatly encouraged; these people seemed to be mentioning a rare spiritual substance.

“In another half month, the ice and snow will melt, and spring thunder will rumble, and all things will revive. I wonder what will happen to the Thunderfire Alchemy Hall on Crimson Cloud Mountain this year, and how many people will dare to risk their lives to draw lightning into their bodies.”

Every year, some people die, and very few are lucky!

…

Qin Ming was very interested and immediately asked Xu Sheng, who was a local, for his question.

“Brother Xu, what’s going on with the Thunderfire Alchemy Hall?”

Xu Sheng, who was in his early thirties and very steady, immediately tried to dissuade him, saying, “Xiao Qin, are you interested? Although that place has great potential, it is too dangerous. Every year, some newcomers die there. I advise you to calm down.”

He said that very few people are actually able to seize the opportunity there; it all depends on luck, and it’s considered good if one person appears every few years.

Qin Ming nodded and said, “I’ve heard about this for the first time today and I’m very curious, so I want to know more about it. If it’s really such a dangerous place, I definitely won’t go there on my own initiative.”

“Brother Xu, hurry up and tell us,” Wu Zheng urged.

“Let me explain in detail. The Thunderfire Alchemy Hall is located on Crimson Cloud Mountain outside the city. It is said to be at least a thousand years old. It is a special hall. The tiles are mainly made of copper mother metal, and some rare metals are also mixed in…”

During thunderstorms, a spectacular sight appears on that bronze palace: lightning and fireballs roll and arcs of electricity intertwine, creating an exceptionally brilliant display.

“When lightning strikes, it carries with it a portion of the heavenly light. Spring thunder is particularly special, containing the nascent energy of all things. The entanglement of lightning and heavenly light can give birth to a special spiritual substance. Therefore, every year when spring thunder roars, many newborns rush to the Thunderfire Alchemy Hall to try to receive the mixture of lightning and heavenly light, hoping to break through and undergo a violent transformation to gain new life.”

Qin Ming listened intently, his interest growing stronger.

Xu Sheng warned, “After being blocked by the bronze palace, the lightning is actually not so fierce anymore, it has been greatly weakened, but the most terrifying thing is the heavenly light. How many people can survive being covered by the heavenly light of the outside world? It is even more powerful than the lightning falling on Mount Ling. You must not try it!”

Qin Ming felt that he had to go to this place. What he was most worried about was the lightning, the power of nature. He couldn’t even think about it at this stage; if he dared to come into contact with it, he would definitely be turned into charred remains.

But with the Thunderfire Alchemy Hall “purifying” the lightning, what was he afraid of? He could withstand the baptism of the heavenly light, even if it was much stronger than the heavenly light contained in the special nodes of Black and White Mountain, he estimated that it wouldn’t be a big problem.

Others go there and survive by luck, but he can truly rely on his strength to undergo a dramatic transformation and be reborn at Chixia Mountain!

“Judging by the time, it’s not long since the first thunderbolt of early spring fell. After a short rest, the time will be up soon.” Qin Ming was filled with anticipation.