In the evening, the sky was just darkening, and on the western side of the city, a fiery red glow spread across the horizon. This was the result of the fire springs creating a beautiful evening glow, resembling the remnants of a setting sun. Qin Ming glanced at Cui Chongxuan, who had grown taller, nearly resembling a fully grown man. He was adorned in shiny armor, exuding a certain charm. Alongside him walked a slender figure, talking animatedly; it was Wang Caiwei, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time.
Upon seeing an old acquaintance, Qin Ming couldn’t help but think of the past.
"I feel like I'm the biggest victim here, blamed by some from the Wang family, envied by Li Qingxu, and even Cui Chong holds a grudge against me. Yet, I’ve only accompanied Wang Caiwei for a stroll once, and we barely exchanged a few words."
If he had been enjoying a candlelit night walk with the heiress of the Wang family, exchanging glances of admiration, it would have been understandable. But even now, his impression of her remained superficial, with no real "old stories" to speak of. Meanwhile, all parties had already reconciled; even the Cui and Li families had stopped fighting, yet he remained in the same dangerous position he had always been in.
Some people didn’t want to see him "rise" and return to their view, preferring he stay hidden away, never too bright and never causing any disturbance. As Li Qingyue listened to his complaints, she comforted him, "Come on, let me show you around and let you taste some local delicacies."
Luofu City was vast, with ancient buildings visible everywhere, such as tall towers made of bluestone and palaces crafted from black gold stone, standing tall for over a thousand years. In the past, Luofu Mountain was famous in the world of Night Mist, one of the key places outside the ordinary. These ancient buildings were relics of that era.
Surrounding the aged blue tower and black stone palace, there were taverns, inns, spiritual medicine halls, and weapons pavilions, bustling with people. "Many esteemed practitioners like to come to places like this to experience the grandeur of Luofu from a thousand years ago," Li Qingyue explained as she pointed out the sights.
Under the evening glow in the west, her hair glimmered and her delicate profile shone softly. Her graceful figure, like a willow in the breeze, seemed to bathe in a sacred light, outlining her figure with golden edges, making her appear ethereal, fresh, and unearthly -- just like a fairy who had descended to the mortal realm.
"Try the special dragon meat of Luofu City; it tastes quite good." Li Qingyue bought two skewers of grilled meat from a clean stall while waiting in line. Qin Ming took a bite and said, "Fish meat? It’s quite fresh and tender, without any fishy taste."
"Yes, it comes from the nearby Yulong Lake." Li Qingyue guided him along the streets of the ancient architecture toward a beautiful blue lake.
Luofu City had high-grade fire springs and also contained many second and third-tier fire springs. On both sides of the roads, there were channels specially made for the fire springs, resembling flowing lava and creating a unique landscape. At night, people controlled the fire springs to dim the brightness, leading the whole city towards a hazy atmosphere.
On Yulong Lake, there were boats rowing, and sounds of a qin and pipa, along with beautiful singing, could be heard from large ships. Qin Ming found himself lost in thought; it had been over two years since he had lived this kind of life, and it felt somewhat foreign.
"Do you want to go boating?" Li Qingyue asked with a smile.
"No, if I go out on the lake with someone as outstanding as you, I’d be afraid of being the center of attention." Qin Ming shook his head with a smile; it wasn’t that he missed the past, but it brought back some feelings.
"Should we eat first or continue to enjoy the night view?" Li Qingyue inquired.
"I'm not hungry yet; let’s just walk around." Qin Ming looked over at the spirit medicine hall, the study, and the weapon pavilion, gaining a bit of interest.
Li Qingyue nodded, noticing his gaze and said, "Luofu City has many cultivators, and the items sold in those pavilions are quite good."
She led Qin Ming into a renowned weapon shop, where despite her ethereal presence, she was warm and approachable, bargaining skillfully with the shop owner. "I truly want to buy this dragon armor, but your price is too harsh!"
The plump owner, however, was quite chatty: "Miss, someone like you, resembling a fairy, I’ve only encountered once in my life! You’re brilliant and unique. But if we are to discuss the price, you'll have to immerse yourself in the mundane world."
Li Qingyue remained unfazed, smiling as she replied, "I am a person of the mundane world. If I wanted to be extraordinary, I’d lose my true self. So, let’s cut the price in half, then halve it again; that would be more reasonable."
The owner gasped, "Wow! Such sharp negotiation skills from a fairy!"
He turned to Qin Ming and said, "Young man, if I were you, I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment to pay for this fairy’s armor. How could you let such a fairy-like friend bargain right in front of you?"
Qin Ming shrugged, "I think her haggling is quite impressive. How about this: I’ll add one more piece of gold on top of her final price."
The owner wanted to roll his eyes; the armor was priced in the hundreds of gold pieces. He thought to himself, “How can you only add one more? You look so handsome, yet you’re so stingy, it would have been better if you just stayed silent!”
Li Qingyue added, "It’s not real dragon skin; it’s probably just a little bit of true blood from a dragon." Nearby, a young girl said to a young man, "Look, they’re buying dragon armor."
"Yeah, feel free to pick what you want; I’ll help you buy it," the young man said with a smile. When he glanced at Li Qingyue, he became slightly dazed, truly a fairy! Soon after, Li Qingyue settled on a price and handed the dragon armor to Qin Ming. "This material is exceptional with strong defense; you should wear it when you return."
The plump owner looked at Qin Ming with a strange gaze, genuinely impressed.
On the side, the young man was dumbstruck, feeling as though his previously attractive fellow disciple became less appealing at that moment. Qin Ming chuckled, "I feel quite embarrassed. You took me out shopping, treated me to a meal, and now you even gifted me such an expensive piece of armor..."
The plump owner very much wanted to stop him and chat a little longer.
Hearing this, the young man suddenly didn’t feel like paying for his fellow disciple anymore.
"Don’t be polite with me. When I wanted to know what wine tasted like, you treated me to an expensive drink," Li Qingyue said while walking away with Qin Ming, reminiscing about the past and laughing.
"Who would have thought, the current Fairy Li nearly became a little drunkard back then, haha..." Qin Ming laughed. The closest friends he once had included Li Qingyue and Ning Siqi.
"The worst part is that you didn’t even touch a drop," Li Qingyue recalled her rebellious attitude back then, when she insisted on trying wine; it was indeed quite fun.
"I’m not used to drinking. I originally wanted to see you drunk, but you remained unfazed, nothing happened," Qin Ming said with a hint of regret. "How could I ever have the impulse to slap you?" Li Qingyue tucked her hair back, wondering how this guy back then wanted to see her drunk!
"Isn’t that Li Qingyue?" Someone exclaimed, recognizing her as one of the popular figures likely to win a near divine item.
A few disciples from outside the ordinary followed Li Qingyue and Qin Ming into a famous study where books related to cultivation were sold. Qin Ming wanted to see if there were any precious secrets left behind by past masters.
The two of them climbed up floor by floor. Though the earlier levels had various remarkable secret texts, they couldn't resonate with his spirit, and he could only flip through a page or two.
Finally, they reached the highest sixth floor, where Qin Ming discovered a blood-stained black beast skin book, instantly intrigued as it seemed exceptionally valuable.
"Young man, just look at this book through the crystal panel; it’s extraordinary. If you want to buy it, you'd better bring your family elders to negotiate. Hmm, common small sects are simply unable to afford its price," an elder sitting on the sixth floor said.
Qin Ming realized that this book had a daunting origin.
"Li Junior Sister, you’re here too! What book do you want to buy?" A few disciples from outside the ordinary followed them up, one of them playing it cool as he greeted with a smile. Qin Ming noticed he didn’t recognize any of them.
There were many disciples from outside the ordinary, and the noble offspring only made up a small part of them. These people were all extraordinary, with the youth who spoke seemingly leading the group.
His name was Tang Xumi, not from a noble family, but possessing exceptional talent, quite well-known in the outside world, and rising rapidly. Qin Ming sensed that trouble might be looming since Li Qingyue was so outstanding that many powerful disciples from outside the ordinary were eager to get close to her.
"This is..." Tang Xumi indeed looked over. "He’s my cousin," Li Qingyue introduced with a smile.
Qin Ming thought something unexpected might occur, but the situation turned out to be completely different from what he imagined.
"Hello, Li Brother. I feel like we’ve known each other for ages," Tang Xumi said warmly as he asked what Qin Ming wanted to buy, ready to assist him.
"I want to see this ancient tome," Qin Ming pointed at the black book in the crystal cabinet.
To Qin Ming’s surprise, Tang Xumi recognized the book. His expression turned serious, "That book is quite significant, very famous, not only is the price exorbitant, but common people also find it daunting concerning its background, hence they dare not purchase it."
"It has a great backstory?" Qin Ming asked curiously.
Tang Xumi sighed, "Of course, this is the Overlord’s Legacy. Over a hundred years ago, the Overlord rose to power through physical mutations, dominating the dark mist world, a renowned powerhouse wielding the Overlord Spear, making it difficult for many to withstand his might."
"Ah, so it’s him," Li Qingyue now understood.
Tang Xumi nodded, stating, "The Overlord’s technique, the Heaven Light Force, is not particularly extraordinary, but after he broke through to the Spirit Field realm from the external manifestation, he became incredibly ferocious. As his realm continually elevated, he was unstoppable, practically shaking the heavens."
The term "Outer Saint" had been discarded by many, seeing it as inadequate to "reveal the saint," ridiculed instead. The more common term was: external manifestation. Beyond this was the new path of "Spirit Field" realm.
"The first two great realms were nothing special, but someone can shoot straight up from the third great realm?" Qin Ming was astonished.
Tang Xumi continued, "Do you know how he died? More than a hundred years ago, he was invincible, living up to his name, but in killing a powerful expert from outside the ordinary with his great spear, he eventually provoked the opponent’s master, who personally took action to slay the Overlord."
He added softly, "The old senior who made the move is now Li Qingxu’s master, one of the renowned figures in the Night Mist world!"
Qin Ming understood why many were wary of this book; it belonged to someone who was killed by such a renowned elder, a secret tome penned by the hand of that elder—a common person indeed wouldn’t dare to buy it. However, he surmised that a hand-copied version must exist.
Li Qingyue spoke, "This is the Overlord’s Legacy, hurriedly written down when being chased by that elder. It’s incomplete, and its earth-shattering techniques are destined to be lost."
Qin Ming's heart felt unrest; he looked at the elder guarding the sixth floor and said, "Elder, can I take a look at this ancient book?"
"You’re not the buyer, so don’t touch it," the elder refused.
"Elder, according to the study’s rules, all books can be read a page or two," Li Qingyue interjected.
Tang Xumi added, "Yeah, elder, my senior brother bought a book from your place with a hefty sum yesterday; we can be considered returning customers. Surely, you can show us some favor."
Seeing the situation, other disciples from outside the ordinary also voiced their agreement.
The elder felt helpless, as numerous outstanding disciples were vouching for them, making it difficult for him to refuse.
When Qin Ming touched the beast skin book, he found he could only open a page, as a fine golden thread sealed it, seeming to possess some special restriction exuding odd ripples. But that was sufficient for him, even a mere beast skin cover would suffice.
He kept himself calm, maintaining no sign of turbulence, while concentrating his spirit to resonate emotionally with the ancient beast skin book.
Clearly, it contained the crystallization of the Overlord's hardships. Not only the cover but also the first page bore black bloodstains—most likely the Overlord’s weeping blood.
A wave of astonishing emotions surged into Qin Ming’s heart, allowing him to glimpse the Overlord from back then, capable of shaking the heavens and the earth. That upright figure wielded a spear, stirring the dark clouds, followed by torrential rain.
Additionally, Qin Ming perceived that the elder wasn’t as relaxed when he killed the Overlord. The elder’s white hands had once been pierced by the great spear, glowing blood freely flowing. The Overlord's courage was indeed formidable, even shaking the renowned elder of the Night Mist world.
That elder was truly terrifying; standing from afar, his body trembled, and golden runes began to expand. When he turned his hand, he shattered one of the Overlord's arms in a single stroke.
...
Qin Ming endeavored to maintain his calm, yet ultimately, his body slightly shook. "Are you alright, Li Brother?" Tang Xumi asked, puzzled.
"My cousin was injured a couple of days ago but should be fine now," Li Qingyue supported Qin Ming.
"I’m fine!" Qin Ming came back to his senses; this time his gains were immense, having obtained the complete Overlord’s legacy, fully mastered in his hands. "You got hurt? I have spirit medicine here," Tang Xumi expressed concern.
"No worries, I was just moved while touching this ancient book, feeling as though I crossed a hundred years, imagining the Overlord’s unmatched bearing, igniting my passion, like an ancient master walking towards me..." Qin Ming lamented.