"I am no longer Cui Chonghe; those days are behind me!"
Qin Ming pulled his thoughts back from the shattered past, his gaze sharp, eyes glowing with a fiery brilliance, his entire being radiating a vigorous aura.
He was now Qin Ming, and there was no way to return to the past. What needed to be severed had been severed, and what needed to be let go had been let go. There was no need to hope that all his old acquaintances would still recognize him when they met again.
In the past, it was the terrifying heritage of a thousand-year-old family that illuminated Cui Chonghe.
Now, he had to rely on himself, advancing step by step. The height he could reach through this effort would be the true brilliance flowing within him.
"This place being chosen to build a city truly has its reasons." Qin Ming noticed that the snow in the forest only reached his knees; it was too "gentle."
One must know that the heavy snow in the Black and White Mountains over the past two years often reached the waist.
Behind Chixia City stood towering mountains, and within those undulating ranges were many dangerous anomalies, which also meant there was no shortage of spiritual materials.
The front of the city was a vast plain, with fields of fire crops. Moreover, there was a great river outside the city leading far away. After the thaw in early spring, many large ships would come and go, boasting great carrying capacity.
The city walls, built of blue stone, were tall and thick, with a grand city gate tower situated at the front. Soldiers clad in armor held long spears, glinting with a cold sheen. Many people entered and exited the city gate, and the streets bustled with activity.
When Qin Ming entered the city, he faced little scrutiny; it was very open here, with many people coming and going for business. The streets were paved with blue stones, not a trace of snow to be seen, all cleaned very well.
As soon as he stepped into Chixia City, various sounds filled his ears, far more lively than the atmosphere in Yinteng Town. This area was teeming with people, bustling shoulder to shoulder.
Qin Ming walked along this prosperous street, gazing at the dazzling array of goods in the shops on either side. Occasionally, he would stop to admire.
"Child, do you want to become a renowned expert in the Eternal Night world when you grow up? Hmm, that goal seems a bit far-fetched. Do you want to join those sects? Do you wish to become a member of the secret teachings? Do you want to be chosen by outsiders? Do you want to enter those prestigious academies in the great cities? Golden paths lie ahead, but you must start preparing now. Come, hurry into the shop and let your mother buy you a manual!"
Not only the group of children and youths, but even Qin Ming felt a stir of desire to enter this old shop filled with books.
He was immediately drawn to a book titled "Great Sun Visualization Method," which had a significant name.
"I'm sorry, esteemed guest, but this is a rare secret text, more precious than advanced techniques, and it also means it is incredibly difficult to practice. The prerequisite for learning it is to master the 'Starfire Conflagration Meditation Technique.' Please, you must start from the introductory chapter of Starfire Conflagration..."
Upon hearing this, Qin Ming quickly waved his hand and turned to leave. The place was filled with printed copies exuding the scent of ink, all of them the lowest-grade new techniques, and it was impossible to find ancient tomes carrying the hard work of predecessors.
He felt he must not have found the right place; perhaps there were old bookstores selling rare editions.
However, this was not what he needed most. What he truly desired was spiritual materials. He wished he could undergo a fourth rebirth immediately to restore his memories and fully understand the past.
Qin Ming discovered that there were indeed merchants selling spiritual materials, in a grand building located in a bustling area, five stories high.
However, he quickly exited after just inquiring about the spiritual materials that could assist with a first rebirth, as it would cost him most of his accumulated daylight gold.
As for the spiritual materials for a fourth rebirth, that was out of the question. Moreover, judging by the old merchant's words, higher-tier spiritual materials were often out of stock, and even with daylight gold, one could not buy them.
Qin Ming wandered around Chixia City, gradually understanding everything here. The city had a fourth-level fire spring, with glowing red liquid that did not dry up even in winter, continuously flowing into various districts of the city.
Additionally, there were several first and second-level accompanying fire springs scattered throughout the city, enhancing the overall brightness of the place.
Qin Ming specifically headed towards crowded areas, actively seeking excitement, believing that to deeply understand a city, visiting such places was certainly the right choice.
"Young master, take care, come again soon!"
"Young master, please come upstairs!"
...
Qin Ming suddenly stopped. Where was this place?
This street was predominantly filled with men, and the pavilions above were filled with the sounds of silk and bamboo music.
"Qin Ge, I never expected to run into you here!" someone exclaimed loudly.
Instantly, many people on the street turned to look. For the first time, Qin Ming felt so embarrassed that he wanted to cover his face and flee.
He knew where this was; it must be the place where Old Wu squandered his wealth!
Moreover, he heard the voice of Old Wu's grandson, Wu Zheng, calling him out in public.
"Qin Ge, encountering an old friend in a foreign land is truly a great fortune. It's good to see you safe and sound, finally arriving in Chixia City." The seventeen-year-old Wu Zheng beamed with a smile, rushing over enthusiastically.
"What could happen to me? That day’s incident involved an old acquaintance of mine," Qin Ming replied, revealing a peculiar expression. He felt that the family's talent could indeed be inherited.
He did not know if Wu Zheng could replicate the "Dual Mastery of Spear and Arrow" talent, but in terms of charm, he likely was not inferior to his grandfather, Old Wu, which was why he had come to Chixia City and was so familiar with this street.
"Weren't you here to broaden your horizons? Money should be spent wisely; improving strength is the hard truth," Qin Ming advised.
Wu Zheng shook his head, saying, "Qin Ge, where are you thinking? I'm just here to listen to the music, nothing to do with romance."
Seeing Qin Ming's unusual gaze, clearly not believing him, he immediately became anxious and said, "I’m not lying! The main reason is that many experts who go out of the city to hunt anomalies often come here to drink and listen to music. They discuss various terrifying mutated creatures in the mountains and talk about how to hunt and obtain spiritual materials. I'm here to listen for valuable information!"
"Is what you said true?" Qin Ming perked up.
Wu Zheng replied, "If you don't believe me, you can ask Xu Ge later, you know, Xu Sheng, the merchant who brought us to Chixia City. He has changed careers and decided to become a free spiritual hunter. This time, he was scared half to death by that female anomaly in the team."
Earlier, Qin Ming had been subtly advising Wu Zheng not to linger in such places, but in just a moment, he followed Wu Zheng up to the Drunken Sunset Tower.
This was indeed a place for drinking and listening to music, with fragrant mist swirling, and behind the beaded curtains, a beauty was playing the zither, producing melodious sounds.
The spacious hall was filled with many tables, occupied by new rebirths, who chatted animatedly while drinking.
It was unclear when this place had become their information exchange hub, leaving the owner of Drunken Sunset Tower quite helpless, but as long as business was good, it was fine.
Qin Ming and Wu Zheng found a table to sit down, and immediately they heard various discussions.
"Have you heard? A six-time mutated mountain monster appeared in Qixia Mountain. We don’t know what its true form is yet, but its strength far exceeds that of its level. It’s probably a spiritual creature. Is anyone interested in teaming up to hunt it?"
"Are you looking for death? The strength of spiritual creatures is generally one level higher than their actual mutation count, almost comparable to a seven-time mutated creature!"
...
Qin Ming listened attentively, feeling that coming here was worthwhile. The people were exchanging information, allowing him to quickly understand the situation in the mountains.
"Qin Xiao Ge, it's good to see you safe. So, it seems that no one died under my leadership last time, and everyone safely reached Chixia City, haha!" Xu Sheng arrived, greeting Qin Ming warmly upon seeing him.
"Xu Ge, what happened to your injury..." Qin Ming looked at his neck, where he had been scratched before. After more than ten days, it had already healed.
Xu Sheng took a drink and said, "Don't mention it. The descendants of high-level anomalies are allowed into the city by the higher-ups of Chixia City, but they are pitifully timid. They cling to people at the slightest rustle. And she has undergone multiple rebirths; I couldn't resist and got choked out once. I’m no longer a merchant; I’ve changed careers!"
Qin Ming clinked glasses with him and said, "Changing careers is good; otherwise, walking the night road might lead to trouble one day."
Xu Sheng nodded, saying, "Exactly. Some old merchants may no longer be who they once were. Who knows how many years ago they were replaced by unknown creatures? There are many legends in our industry, and I’ve long wanted to give it up!"
Wu Zheng also raised his glass, saying, "A toast to Xu Ge for successfully changing careers. From now on, I’ll stick with you in Chixia City. You’re a great expert; you must take me along!"
At this moment, a nearby table was passionately discussing the topic of the "Thunderfire Alchemy Hall," and soon many people joined in.
Qin Ming's spirits lifted; these people seemed to mention a rare spiritual material.
"In half a month, the ice and snow will melt. When the spring thunder roars, all things will revive. I wonder how the Thunderfire Alchemy Hall on Chixia Mountain will be this year. How many people dare to go there and draw the thunder into their bodies without fear of death?"
"Every year, some people die; the lucky ones are extremely few!"
...
Qin Ming was very interested and immediately asked Xu Sheng, as he was a local.
"Xu Ge, what's the situation with the Thunderfire Alchemy Hall?"
Xu Sheng, in his thirties, was very composed. He immediately advised, "Xiao Qin, are you interested? That place, while having opportunities, is too dangerous. Every year, some new rebirths die there. I advise you to stay calm."
He informed them that very few could truly seize opportunities there; it all depended on luck, and it was already good if one person appeared every few years.
Qin Ming nodded, saying, "I’m hearing about it for the first time today and am quite curious. If it really is such a dangerous place, I certainly won’t approach it actively."
"Xu Ge, please tell us more," Wu Zheng urged.
"Then let me explain in detail. The Thunderfire Alchemy Hall is located on Chixia Mountain outside the city and is said to have at least a thousand years of history. It is a special hall, with tiles mainly made of copper ore, mixed with some rare metals..."
During thunderstorm days, that copper hall would display wonders, with rolling fireballs of lightning and intertwining arcs, exceptionally brilliant.
"When lightning strikes, it brings down some heavenly light, and the spring thunder is particularly special, containing the breath of all things awakening. The lightning and heavenly light intertwine, capable of nurturing a special spiritual material. Therefore, every year when the spring thunder roars, many new rebirths rush to the Thunderfire Alchemy Hall, trying to absorb the mixture of lightning and heavenly light, hoping to break through and undergo a violent transformation, achieving rebirth."
Qin Ming listened, entranced, his interest growing stronger.
Xu Sheng warned, "After passing through the copper hall, the lightning isn't as fierce; it has been infinitely weakened. But the most terrifying thing is the heavenly light. How many can survive being covered by the heavenly light from outside? It’s even more intense than that which falls on the Spirit Mountain; you must not attempt it!"
Qin Ming felt that he had to go there. What he feared most was the thunder, the might of nature. At this stage, he wouldn't dare to think about it; if he tried to touch it, he would surely be turned to ash.
But with the Thunderfire Alchemy Hall "purifying" the lightning, what was there to fear? He could withstand the baptism of heavenly light, even if it was much stronger than the heavenly light contained in the special nodes of the Black and White Mountains; he estimated it would not be a problem.
While others relied on luck to survive there, he could truly win a violent transformation through strength and achieve rebirth!
"Calculating the time, there aren’t many days left until the first heavenly thunder strikes in early spring. After a short rest, the time will come." Qin Ming was filled with unmatched anticipation.