Chapter 18 The Arrival of Guests from Chixia City

As Qin Ming pondered, Xu Yueping knocked on the courtyard door to find him. "Little Qin, hurry out, there's an urgent matter." Qin Ming's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that the news of the Mountain Patrol Group being wiped out spread so quickly? "We will set off in an hour," Xu Yueping told him, saying that someone from Chixia City wanted to meet the new cultivators from the nearby villages. Xu Yueping lowered his voice: "It is said that they are all noble direct descendants, coming to help us clear the mountains while also honing their own skills." Qin Ming said, "Is it finally starting?" Xu Yueping spoke gravely, "This time, you need to perform well. The identity of the people coming is not simple; strive to use this opportunity to enter Chixia City." ... An hour later, Xu Yueping's home became lively. Old Liu was spirited, carrying a thick-bladed machete, dressed in worn leather armor, and wearing an iron helmet, fully armed. Qin Ming approached and asked, "Uncle Liu, what are you doing? We're just meeting today, not going into the mountains." Old Liu replied, "Getting used to it in advance." Yang Yongqing also valued this matter, carrying twin swords on his back. "Although it’s not likely to be dangerous at dusk, we still need someone to watch the house. Uncle Liu, you’ve injured your vitality and are quite old..." Xu Yueping hadn’t finished speaking when Old Liu interrupted. "An old steed still aspires to gallop a thousand miles; besides, I’m vigorous now, I can take on both you and Yang Yongqing!" Old Liu insisted on setting out. Not everyone dared to risk it; for example, the other two new cultivators from the village, and the injured Wang Qinglin had no choice. The destination was not far, just seven miles away at the intersection. Under the dim night, the surroundings were dense with forest. Over a dozen villages received the notice, and the new cultivators arrived one after another. Smaller villages like Shuangshu Village only sent four people, while larger ones sent over ten, totaling less than a hundred. The people from Chixia City arrived even earlier, divided into three teams, almost all armored, equipped excellently, quietly waiting ahead. The new cultivators from each village also quieted down, intimidated by the shiny armor and sharp swords, with a sense of awe towards the elite nobles from the splendid city. Each of the three teams had its unique family crest, each consisting of about ten people, with the three leaders at the forefront most eye-catching. One of the men was as tall as three meters, clad in black gold armor, with long black hair and sharp eyes like blades, exuding an overwhelming pressure. His mount was equally remarkable, a giant red bull, whose back was taller than an adult man, with two normal curved horns and one sharp horn pointing forward. When the three-meter-tall man saw the new cultivators from the villages arriving, he did not arrogantly remain on the bull's back; he dismounted and nodded to everyone, saying, "My name is Cao Long." He briefly introduced that this time many experts from Chixia City had come, with over a dozen families helping to clear the mountains, and the young people from their three families were responsible for this area. "I come from the Wei family, my name is Wei Zhirou," the only woman among the three spoke, standing on a piece of bluestone, not close to the giant Cao Long. She wore a pure white fox fur coat, her hair fluttering in the wind, her fair oval face adorned with a sweet and radiant smile, which was quite lethal to the young men from the villages. In the eyes of the young people who had guarded the mountains and never traveled far, this noble lady from the splendid city seemed like a graceful, ethereal fairy in white, a figure they would find hard to forget for many years to come. Wei Zhirou stood elegantly, indeed beautiful; she gathered her hair blown by the wind and spoke about the mountain clearing while also bringing news. "This winter, heavy snow has blocked the roads, making it difficult to transport food from outside. But please rest assured, Chixia City has already sent giant beasts to pull food carts, and it won’t be long before they arrive." This immediately caused a stir, and the villagers showed joy. However, some worried that with such transportation, food prices would be very high. "My name is Mu Qing," the last of the three leaders spoke, his whole body wrapped in a black cloak, even his face obscured, giving him a mysterious appearance; even when he spoke, it was difficult to discern whether he was male or female, his voice leaning towards androgyny. Mu Qing bluntly stated that they were unfamiliar with the mountains and needed the local new cultivators to guide them. This was the fundamental reason for the three teams' appearance here to meet the new cultivators from each village. If they acted together, there would be generous rewards. Cao Long mentioned that if one performed exceptionally, they could receive valuable techniques such as Spirit Energy Techniques and Meditation Methods. This immediately sparked heated discussions, with many people's eyes shining with eagerness, as the “new cultivator techniques” circulating in this area were relatively low-level. "What counts as outstanding performance?" someone couldn’t help but ask. "Providing important information to avoid casualties among us, hunting down special exotic creatures, discovering areas that nurture spiritual substances..." People realized that the rewards were not easy to obtain; the noble elites from Chixia City were not only there to temper the new cultivators but also to explore the more mysterious areas of the mountains. Wei Zhirou added, "If you discover any abnormal phenomena in the mountains, inform us at the first opportunity, and that can also be counted as providing important information." "I know of a fissure in the ground where silver threads once spread; those who accidentally fell into it, even if they managed to escape, would find it hard to survive. Does that count?" Qin Ming noticed that it was someone from the neighboring Qingsang Village who spoke up first. Clearly, there were people from nearby villages who had died there. Old Liu slapped his thigh, looking at Qin Ming, the implication being that someone had jumped the gun and said it first. Wei Zhirou nodded and said, "The magnetic field in the mountains is chaotic; the place you mentioned should be a smaller node. If you discover another similar location, I will give you an intermediate manual about new cultivators." She explained that these special nodes might have existed for many years, and they would search for and map them one by one, leaving a topographic map of the mountains for the locals, to prevent others from mistakenly entering dangerous areas in the future. Cao Long spoke, "If you discover places where white mist rises and five-colored clouds illuminate the surroundings, do not approach them; those areas are even more dangerous. Whoever can provide such clues will receive a generous reward of an advanced Spirit Energy Technique." Many people's breaths quickened at this; such high-level manuals were too far-fetched for them, who wouldn't yearn for it? Some realized that the noble elites from Chixia City honing themselves was merely a facade, and there were certainly other important objectives, as the abnormal phenomena in the mountains involved secrets unknown to the locals. However, the new cultivators from each village maintained a calm mindset; even if they understood there were hidden truths, so what? Those dangerous areas were not places they could tread. Moreover, regardless of the nobles from Chixia City’s motives, they would ultimately help them clear the mountains and fend off the threats from the exotic creatures, and that was enough. Cao Long informed everyone that the high-level authorities of Chixia City and the mysterious beings deep within the mountains were having a final negotiation, which would take place outside the mountains, and results would be forthcoming soon. The new cultivators from each village whispered and discussed; although they lived in this region, they had only heard of a small number of high-level beings and their most profound impression of the depths of the mountains was mystery, the unknown, and fear, filled with awe-inspiring mist. "Can we witness the negotiations outside the mountains?" spoke a young boy from one of the three teams, his face still somewhat youthful, fearless like a young calf, wanting to see what the top exotic creatures deep in the mountains were like. The three teams, previously quiet, began to stir; they were all young, with a strong sense of curiosity and desire for exploration. Cao Long, towering over others, exuded a commanding presence, and just a glance made them quickly quiet down. He didn’t reprimand them, merely nodded and replied, "Perhaps there will be an opportunity." Instantly, there was heated discussion among the crowd. Qin Ming too became restless; aside from unexpectedly catching sight of the “Moon Worm,” he had no knowledge of other top exotic beings and wanted to seize this opportunity to see their true forms. The tall and slender Wei Zhirou stood on the bluestone, her pure white fox fur coat billowing in the wind, making her appear elegant and ethereal; she shared another piece of news. "The current situation is quite delicate. You may not know that the disturbances in the mountains are not only caused by the chaotic magnetic field but also because another batch of high-level beings has migrated from afar, bringing their families, and trying to seize some resources in the mountains." Upon hearing this, the expressions of the people changed. Wei Zhirou continued, "With an additional batch of high-level beings, many dangerous species are being forced to expand outward, squeezing the living space of those outside the mountains." Xu Yueping asked, "So, the areas outside the mountains that have just briefly calmed down will become very dangerous in the future?" "It’s nothing serious; who allowed them to expand? Just drive them back! We are clearing the mountains to solve this problem," Mu Qing spoke dominantly, despite his androgynous voice. The new cultivators from the villages secretly breathed a sigh of relief; the figure enveloped in a black cloak had boosted their confidence. Mu Qing shouted, "They have invaded territories they should not tread upon, forgetting the pain of the past; we will forcefully wake them up and let them understand that the dominance of humans in this area has never waned..." Initially, people felt stirred, morale high; even though the term “two-legged beasts” sounded strange, it was only a mild discomfort in their hearts. However, when they saw Mu Qing continue passionately speaking, a fluffy golden tail peeking from behind the black cloak, many people immediately became unsettled. What species is this?! "Mu Qing," Cao Long reminded him. Wei Zhirou said, "Mu Qing is human." The three teams behind remained calm, seemingly already aware of Mu Qing's condition. Qin Ming was mesmerized, staring ahead repeatedly. Old Liu whispered, "Perhaps he chose a mysterious path; what exactly he is now, in what state, is somewhat incomprehensible to me." This was yet another different choice Qin Ming saw after Cao Long's giant spirit path. Cao Long stated, "Now we need to select suitable companions who will act with us in clearing the mountains and guide us within, but rest assured, safety is guaranteed." He emphasized that it was not compulsory; if anyone was unwilling, they could leave right now. Meanwhile, Cao Long, Wei Zhirou, and Mu Qing reiterated that the rewards during the mountain clearing process included spiritual substances, advanced Spirit Energy Techniques, etc., which were very generous; they would not be stingy. The new cultivators on site had not remained in the villages, as they had already made choices, so no one was leaving now. Naturally, Qin Ming followed the crowd, not standing out. Wei Zhirou smiled at Cao Long and Mu Qing, her brilliance dazzling and possessing a kind of ethereal sweetness, as she waved the roster in her hand, wanting to select first. "Select one person each time; you go first," Cao Long said, allowing her to choose first, and Mu Qing had no objections. Wei Zhirou smiled and nodded, "Then I won’t be polite; our Wei family is very eager to recruit boys with a golden foundation." "Whose family isn’t!" Mu Qing remarked, then whispered with Cao Long, negotiating who would choose first. Wei Zhirou looked at the roster, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, facing some difficulty in choice, finally calling out two names, "Who is Zhou Wubing, and who is Qin Ming?" "You can only select one person at a time," Mu Qing reminded her. Wei Zhirou smiled, "I know, I just wanted to take a look." Zhou Wubing stepped forward, half a head taller than the average person, his physique very strong and powerful. He was not originally called this; due to being weak and sickly in his youth, his parents renamed him Zhou Wubing, but it wasn't until distant relatives returned that he was cured, and he was reborn during his golden age. Qin Ming was astonished; the aura of the 'two sickly boys' had changed dramatically; in the past, he was pale and thin, with hair like autumn wild grass, but now it was thick black hair, and his spirit was exceptionally vigorous. Qin Ming walked out, standing calmly, slightly taller than Zhou Wubing. "Both of you have golden foundations; I want to invite you both," Wei Zhirou smiled at them. Zhou Wubing had transformed; although the radiant smile from this ethereal noble lady dazzled him, he quickly regained his composure. At this moment, a young man emerged from the forest, swiftly approaching Wei Zhirou and whispering. It was only then that people realized that the three families did not just send three teams of inexperienced young men but also others. "Zhou Wubing was weak and sickly in the past, yet his strength has been steadily increasing since his rebirth, and he was taught by Xu Kong?" Wei Zhirou was surprised, whispering to the young man, then looked up, her beautiful eyes turning to Zhou Wubing, smiling and waving at him, selecting this person.