"You're not going!" Meng Xinghai immediately opposed. In his eyes, Qin Ming was still in the early stages of growth, like a young bud just peeking out. If anything went wrong, it would be too late for regret.
"Uncle Meng, I really have to return to Heibai Mountain. I have a feeling that after Jinji Ridge was wiped out, it might have drawn the attention of the Golden Thieves. If something happens in that area, I won't be able to live with myself," Qin Ming said seriously.
He had single-handedly challenged Jinji Ridge and eradicated all the bandits with good intentions, but if it brought disaster to the local villagers, he would feel immense guilt.
Meng Xinghai stroked the bronze cauldron in the living room and said, "I will consider arranging people over there. At your age, if you are from a prominent family, going out to train would usually mean being protected by others."
The two couldn't see eye to eye.
Qin Ming had already experienced numerous bloody battles and had recently taken down one of the Golden Thieves. He didn't want to stand aside.
"There are stronger figures among the Golden Thieves. Although their movements have been discovered, it’s better to be cautious. I’m reluctant to see a good talent like you come to harm," Meng Xinghai said earnestly.
He added new calming incense to the purple copper incense burner and continued, "To be honest, even though I still wield a sword and am elevating my Heavenly Light, I am no longer a person on this path. I see some traits in you that remind me of my younger self, and I want to see how far someone with your extraordinary aptitude can go on the path of rebirth."
Qin Ming was astonished; Uncle Meng was even stronger than he had imagined and had walked more than one path.
He asked, "Is this path truly going to be that difficult in the future?"
Meng Xinghai nodded. "Yes, I originally wanted to walk this path, but now, using a sword and elevating my Heavenly Light is just a habit formed by obsession. It also hides my true strength. Not only I, but also Cui Lao Qi, though he has ventured into the outside world, it’s not to elevate his Heavenly Light or purify his ‘spiritual field’; instead, he is solidifying his cultivation on another path."
Qin Ming frowned. If Meng Xinghai and Cui Hao had already given up, no longer being people on this path, the future seemed uncertain and quite ethereal.
Meng Xinghai sighed, "Our generation, once so dazzling on this path, has either become silent or has previously disguised their true path with the road of rebirth. If you look carefully, none remain who can bear the weight of the world."
Qin Ming asked, "If we persist and compare ourselves to our peers in the outside world, how great is the gap in the end?"
"The disciples from the outside world, at the starting stage, always have some golden-armored guards by their sides. If they later can't keep up, they'll soon be replaced by jade-armored guards, all selected from our path. Can you understand this positioning?" Meng Xinghai explained calmly.
Qin Ming nodded, contemplating for a long time.
After stepping onto the path of rebirth, he had made quick advancements, especially in rapidly understanding the truths behind various secret texts. He had thought himself to be quite extraordinary.
Now, looking ahead, he realized there were few companions on this journey. Instead, he was facing the towering pressure from other brilliant systems, making it impossible to slack off or become complacent.
"I endure hard cultivation for a purpose, not to enter a secret faction or be a follower in the outside world!" Qin Ming told himself.
Then he asked, "Uncle Meng, has the precious spiritual material you helped me prepare arrived? If I take it, I can definitely return to Heibai Mountain without issue."
Meng Xinghai sat down and took a sip of tea. "Don't rush; it will be sent along with that extraordinary skill."
Qin Ming smiled and said, "Why not send me the kind of rare spiritual material that can allow six rebirths? As for the fifth rebirth, I'll solve that myself."
"Focus your mind. I’ll give you some calming incense. No matter which path you take, you mustn’t be hasty. Stay at peace in your heart; even if the mountains crumble before you, you must not show any fear."
The next day, however, Meng Xinghai himself became restless, unable to maintain his calm, for news broke out of a bloodbath caused by the Golden Thieves in the nearby Maple Leaf City.
The Golden Thieves were not a small organization; they extended beyond a single city and had their presence in several surrounding cities.
This time, Meng Xinghai contacted many people, including the lord of Maple Leaf City, preparing to take action to completely uproot the Golden Thieves.
However, news had leaked from Maple Leaf City, forcing them to act early. They indeed managed to eliminate some infamous Golden Thieves, but in retaliation, they were met with a fierce backlash.
"They can't take down a whole city; they lack the guts and strength. Instead, they've burned two towns and let out beasts to rampage, killing many people."
Qin Ming arrived at the lord's estate and listened in, learning part of the situation.
Meng Xinghai's deployed men and the masters he had invited had not all arrived yet.
Qin Ming learned that the former lord Ling Xu was also coming to assist, along with that peculiar tabby cat bearing the赤霞 sword, but it would still take some time.
"A portion of the Golden Thieves escaped and may very well pass by our area. I don't know if it will cause a terrible impact. Maple Leaf City can hardly be relied upon, as even among mid-level members, some have been infiltrated by the Golden Thieves!"
Qin Ming strongly urged to go to Heibai Mountain.
This time, Meng Xinghai agreed, having received news that the higher-ups of the Golden Thieves would not take the road through Heibai Mountain, but had moved on to another location.
Time was of the essence; there could be no hesitation. Meng Xinghai quickly ordered all prominent families in the city to dispatch masters to secure various locations.
"Be careful!" Meng Xinghai reminded, bringing Qin Ming a giant bird capable of carrying people.
It was a red eagle, entirely blood-red. When its wings spread, it could reach six meters in length. Having mutated twice, it could take people on long trips but was not yet a true flying mount.
Normally, masters wouldn't easily ride it, for they preferred strange beasts that matched their strength; only then could they consider it a proper flying mount. Otherwise, if ambushed mid-air, the consequences could be dire.
Qin Ming prepared adequately, dressing in a black outfit with bat wings like Ge Qianxun from the Faithful Hall, while trying to keep the red eagle flying at low altitude.
The straight-line distance between Chixia City and Heibai Mountain was less than three hundred miles. The reason it took several days on the ground was due to the need to constantly detour, avoiding areas where many powerful beings resided.
As the night mist enveloped the land, shadows of mountains loomed. Fires from various sources twinkled like countless fireflies. Qin Ming stood on the eagle’s back, gazing below.
In some areas, they had to navigate through the high-altitude night fog, or else certain high-level beings in the mountains would feel offended.
Even on a giant bird capable of carrying people, one had to avoid particularly dangerous regions, such as the abyss-like black deserts and the central area of Heibai Mountain.
Before long, Qin Ming arrived. This was why so many masters longed for flying mounts that matched their strength.
The night mist world was too vast, infinite and boundless. Many perilous areas required careful navigation; without beasts that could traverse the night sky, travel became highly inconvenient.
Qin Ming had the red eagle land on a high slope outside Shuangshu Village. He didn't enter the village but quietly observed the surroundings in the dim night.
At this point, his life could no longer be as peaceful as it had been in the past. He feared that lingering too deeply here would attract attention from potential opponents.
"Lu Ge, Wen Rui, Liu Lao…" Qin Ming sighed softly in the breeze, gazing longingly from afar.
Finally, he stirred a well-evolved and cunning talking bird, which came fluttering over.
"My mountain god, why has Master Qin suddenly returned?" This talking bird was larger than its kind and had once infuriated Cao Long.
"Don’t talk nonsense. Can you casually mention ‘Master’? What if the main figure with true powers hears it? Do you want them to send me away?"
"I speak this out of respect. In my heart, you stand shoulder to shoulder with him!" The bird flattered.
It honored its promise; even though its mate had been released from the cage early, returning to freedom, it didn't leave and even built a nest in Lu Ze's house.
Qin Ming said, "Don't tell anyone I’m back. Gather your little brothers and help me with something."
"You say it!" The bird perked up, using a respectful tone, mainly because that purple-eyed crow had instructed it to keep an eye on Qin Ming in the mountains, letting him know in advance. It had neglected this and now had to make amends.
Qin Ming spoke softly, "Send one of your little brothers to each nearby town and maintain close watch. If you catch any news about the Golden Thieves, notify me immediately. If there's bloodshed, do not delay even for a moment."
"Understood!" The talking bird swiftly vanished.
In just half a day, Qin Ming heard news about the Golden Thieves; this was conveyed by the eagle through warnings sent out by Chixia City.
Two major figures from the Golden Thieves aimed to break out. A group of loyal subordinates was stirring trouble across various locales, killing and committing arson, causing chaos to attract attention and restrict some masters.
"Several villages and towns near Maple Leaf City are in serious trouble; many have died, and even areas near Chixia City have experienced bloodshed," the bird reported rapidly.
Now, Qing Song Town, Yin Teng Town, and Emei Town were in panic, worried that some Golden Thieves might attack this remote area.
"Inform me once you receive any updates! Head to Jinji Ridge!" Qin Ming commanded, standing on the eagle's back, crossing the night sky toward the familiar old ground fifty miles away.
He had a premonition that if any Golden Thief held a fondness for Jinji Ridge, they would likely return.
Last time he made his move, Qin Ming had already learned that the five-time mutated old rooster was a "practitioner", personally taught by a Golden Thief.
In the past, several Golden Thieves had lived on Jinji Ridge for quite some time.
The region around Heibai Mountain was generally at a higher altitude; while elsewhere had already entered early spring, the mountains here still retained patches of snow that had yet to completely melt.
Under the night sky, Qin Ming revisited the familiar place, standing atop Jinji Ridge and gazing at the mountains.
"Go hide in the back mountain."
Though the red eagle had only mutated twice, it was quite intelligent and immediately distanced itself from the area filled with dilapidated wooden houses upon hearing those words.
Chixia City shone bright as day, while the region around Heibai Mountain lacked bright fires, appearing much dimmer. But Qin Ming felt no discomfort, as he'd lived here for two years; it felt familiar.
As night deepened, the talking bird arrived and informed him that the Golden Thieves had indeed gone mad, appearing near Heibai Mountain to protect their leader.
"Fortunately, in a town eighty miles away, there are masters dispatched from Chixia City, successfully killing one Golden Thief."
Qin Ming nodded upon hearing this; that was good news.
Near Jinji Ridge was a fire spring, and Qin Ming distanced himself from there, finding a run-down wooden house to settle in.
The next day, as shallow night fell, the mountains remained dark, but the center of Jinji Ridge was illuminated by fiery light.
An old man, tall and thin, climbed the mountain, stepping on the snow as he ascended to the high ground. Although he was very old, he was well-preserved; despite his white hair, his face bore few wrinkles and lacked any fierceness, resembling an old scholar.
"I once healed here for five years, and to think I've returned to find it in ruins. Who did this?"
As expected, a Golden Thief had come here to pay their respects and was planning to make a move in the nearby area.
"The Golden Thieves once had a glorious reputation, shaking this vast land for decades. Now, after experiencing such changes, do many think we are weak and easy to bully? I will wash this place in blood and help the leader escape." The elderly man spoke calmly, paying respect to Jinji Ridge before turning to leave.
"A group of ruthless scoundrels. You speak of them as if they were extraordinary and tragic, but they are actually infamously notorious!" Qin Ming approached from a distance.