Chapter 26 Glance From Heaven

Raya spoke the truth, the most daring battle was just upon them. Each of them had been victorious in their battles, Augus lost for the simple fact that Akuma was very close to being a Nascent Soul and as a result his power dwarfed most Xiantian's. In terms of the Dao Augus was on a slightly higher level. In terms of experience of course Akuma had more. Even with all this Augus understood his defeat quite thoroughly.

Past that they all came out victorious, they were so caught up in the moment they forgot Raya had yet to fight. Qin Ming took a seldom look, he more than anyone other than Raya knew exactly how powerful this man was. It took the treasure which Icedawn bestowed upon him to hold him back. From their tiny exchange Qin Ming knew how outclassed he was. The only reason Jin Wu feld was because he was unsure of this unknown variable, that was Qin Ming.

The same could be said for Jin Wu, Qin Ming was positive he was out classed. However Jin Wu may have felt out classed himself. There were too many unknowns. Far to many!

It could be said that they were equal but still no one knew for sure. Raya sat down and began to pour herself some drinks. She was visibly trembling and it was obvious to any onlookers she was mortified.

Qin Ming clasped her hands "I promise you sister no harm shall come to you, this is but a small step in your long journey. Someone like Jin Wu is hardly worth the worry!" Most of what he said was true.

"Still, I can't help but feel uneasy."

"BWAHAHA then we shall squash him like the ant he is!" Augus bellowed deep from the pit of his chest.

"That may not be easy. I've scooped out Jin Wu myself and he is quite terrifying!" Ryu stood up and walked over to them.

Qin Ming sprawled his fingers against his brow, "no matter, Raya still has a chance!"

"Thank you for your kind words."

"If he does smack you around too much then I'll be forced to give him the old one two show him what's what!" Augus slammed a few more pints into him.

"If he does hurt you too much I'll kill him plain and simple" Ryu had his arms perched in the reams of his robes taking them out to nosh on a steamed bun.

Raya stood up and turned to her friends "I must go now my match is due to start."

It was a hard time for Raya and although she had more time to kill she wanted nothing more than to be done with this fight all together and this took her leave. Before she could leave, Qin Ming clasped her shoulders, "when you win, let us watch the stars together!"

Raya had a stupid grin on her face "yes let us watch the moon grow in full and the stars dance for us!"

Qin Ming sighed, if anyone knew Raya better than he, it was Raya herself. He knew just how distressed he had been and what a tough time this had been on her.

"I'm worried for her."

"Ah don't we can't always be there, besides she's just a few leagues under you is she not?" Augus warped his arms around both his brothers and hummed a merry tune.

This was true after all no one knew of his recent ascension in the Dao of Storms. They could only feel the ripples of the World Level Dao, they couldn't tell he had two. They most certainly had no idea of his Dorje Thunderbolt. With such a strong magic treasure he was put a few leagues above everyone present. Without those then he was merely a few leagues above Raya. The only one Qin Ming felt rivaled his own power was Ryu himself.

"Hmm for your sake I hope that's true"

"Bwahah what you gonna kill me?"

"If the mood strikes." the two broke out into laughter.

"Little brother the way I see it is that she has only herself to blame for being weak." Ryu was quite blunt but he did care.

"Regardless, if something detrimental happens to her I will destroy him." Qin Ming said as calmly as a mid summer breeze.

"So if she is just plucked up from the heavens what will you do then wage a war against the court of heaven?!"

"Will you follow?"

Ryu was taken aback, Qin Ming didn't even hesitate that he would really risk his own life if he had to. "You fool!"

"So then you will not follow?"

"Grrrr fine as we are all brothers and sisters I will lay my life on the line, but know that it won't be a walk in the park."

After a moment passed it was time for Raya to fight. In just a few moments Jin Wu came up. "Take your stands on my mark, you two shall begin!"

The Director waved his hand and just like that gale force winds ruptured forth from the heart of the stage.

Raya turned into a blur right before everyone Jin Wu met this furry with a steadfast guard. No matter what she threw at him nothing ever reached.

Raya lifted her hand and threw a torrent of lava at him, with minimal effort he dodged the blow. The lava went hurtling forth and sprayed against the formation walls. Raya jumped back several feet and created a barrier. This barrier was wide and made sure escape was not a possibility.

From every angle conceivable, pillars came crashing towards Jin Wu. with just his arms he was able to block each blow. This gave Raya every chance in the world and she assaulted him with everything she had.

"I've gotten way stronger, you know," Jin Wu said coldly.

When her hand came to strike it was missing in the next. Raya didn't notice for almost a second before the pain of losing an arm came writhing over her body.

Raya's eyes ripped wide open and in the very same breath Jin Wu's arm went straight through the middle of her chest like a hand through water.

Jin Wu didn't stop there, he sent palm blow after palm blow. Each time he became more fierce and brutal. Blood and flesh spilled out from every direction painting the stadium floor.

"STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!!!"

Qin Ming watched every second of this and blew up at the very second of her agony. Lightning burnt half the stage and ice encased the other. On a very small level like this just by releasing his Dao he was able to change the surroundings.

The people in the stands naturally executed their defensive arts. Although they thought he was being arrogant and cocky they understood. Most were either at the divine Mortal level or the Nascent Soul level and thus were undamaged. Typically the strong wouldn't bully the weak so they let him have his fit. After all, if he had a good teacher they would naturally be the one to stop him.

Qin Ming grew to be a 13 meter giant. He underwent the second stage of transformation and grew beast-like scales and teeth. He also created ice arms so that he had six limbs, he was not holding back a single bit at this moment and released his full power.

He charged at the arena but was stopped by the formation. Not even a Divine Mortal would be able to break through the formation. Qin Ming was simply too weak to break through.

"DAMNIT GOD DAMNIT BRAKE!!!"

"Stand down stupid boy, it is forbidden to interrupt this tournament there is simply nothing we can do!"

Lei Laoshi hopped up and in one fell swoop lifted Qin Ming up and stopped him in his place.

"LET ME GO OF ME!!!!"

"HOW CAN YOU JUST SIT BACK AND LET THIS HAPPEN!?!?"

"Qin Ming we cannot stop this, we are simply too weak, far too weak!"

"So you want me to sit back and do nothing?"

"That's bullshit and you know it!"

Lei Laoshi couldn't help but frown, the agony in Raya's screams were all too much for this old man to bear. He raised her and saw her grow, he very much thought of her as a daughter. There was nothing he could do. If he shattered the formation then he would be an enemy of the entire world. If he was in his prime then he could do something, but as it stood right now? No way!

"We let her die, is that what you want?"

"I-" before Lei Laoshi could speak his next words the entire world grew black and bleak. The sun was blocked out in its entirety.

A golden portal ripped open the heavens and gave birth to this all powerful figure, the simple radiance and glamor produced was enough to cause everyone to grow silent. Rage and anger wreathed this figure like a pool of blood was dripping from this person.

A solemn figure stood at the helm shrouding the world in dark. This was an all encompassing figure and its aura was massive and held hints of blood lust that ripped apart the hearts of onlookers. The once bold and brash immortals were now quaking in their shoes.

"Doomed! We're doomed!"

"No no this is impossible I can't just die here! I am Wan Shi Tong!"

Lei Laoshi and Qin Ming were the only ones present who were not affected.

"So she came…" Lei Laoshi took a stern face when coming to terms with this reality.

"Who has come?" Qin Ming was in no mood to act brash, he felt as though a simple glance from this solitary figure would be enough to kill him.

Light was brought back into the world and the appearance of this rampant god was revealed.

"So you came, didn't you… Amaterasu!"

"Sun Li, you disappoint me! I thought you among anyone else would act, but it was that student of yours and son of that bastard!"

Amaterasu strided forth and flew into the formation, with just as simply as walking the formation shattered into pieces.

"Sun Li…" did the man who raised Qin Ming had lied to him all this time! There was so much he had not known. Qin Ming felt his heart clench, how does he know Amaterasu? Why does this godly figure have a reason to intervene in this! Would a human stop an ant from eating a grasshopper!

Amaterasu broke through every layer of protection as easily as just walking unimpeded. Amaterasu turned her ugly look and untamed rage at Jin Wu, he fell down to his knees, and began to kowtow to this goddess. Jin Wu was bold and cocky but now all he felt was pain and anguish.

"How have I offended Amaterasu? This must be a mistake!" he bit his lip till it bled.

Amatarasu lifted up her daughter and coddled her in her warm embrace. A singular golden tear fell from her eye and kissed Raya's broken body. In a matter of seconds she was fully restored.

"Death will be too good for you Jin Wu! I will not sully my hands, but…" she curved her head to look at Qin Ming.

"They will treat you very nicely~"

Amaterasu moved her hands and ripped open a golden spatial rift and left with Raya in hand.

"HEY STOP THAT!! STOP RIGHT NOW YOU CAN'T TAKE HER!!

Qin Ming begged and pleaded but mere ants like him were barely worth the effort. Qin Ming balled his fist up and swelled with unbridled rage!

"Damn them damn them all! I swear Raya I will get you back. I will destroy the palace of Heaven if I must! You will return to me! We will look at the stars again, this I swear!"

Qin Ming left after that he no longer cared about any of what was happening, to him this was nothing more than a bitter tone.

"I will return what I am feeling and what he did to Raya to Jin Wu ten fold!"

Augus reached out his hand "hey-"

Qin Ming threw his hand off him and continued to leave without saying a word.

"Hey give him a break he just lost someone dear to him!"

"So what of it! We all did, Raya wasn't only important to Qin Ming!"

Qin Ming traversed several kilometers before arriving at the neighboring village. What he needed at present was money, the fastest way was hunting dire monsters. Just like him, they were immortal practitioners, their bodies had been refined and tampered, they were like magic treasures. Thus they could be sold for quite a bit.

"Give me any details you have on the surrounding area."

"What kind?"

"I am hunting dire monsters and Ineed extensive data on the area."

"Hmmm let's see" the store keeper ruffles through a bookshelf and pulls out a manual.

"So how much?"

"Ahh don't worry about it kid, I saw your team and I have a rough idea as to why you want this."

Qin Ming nodded in understanding and took the manual then began flipping through the pages.

"Hm so it seems that the first thing I should hunt is a Bi'an Tiger, they are fairly common and weak in power."

He had already committed the map to memory and knew exactly where he needed to be.

"Thank you brother, when I return I shall will give you the horn of the Bi'an tiger! Thank you for believing in me!" Qin Ming bowed then left just as quickly.

"Hmm no need just grow and that will be enough for me!" the shopkeeper shooed Qin Ming out before he could get another word in.

Qin Ming flew from the city at great speeds; he was able to hunt like this since he had not come up in a few days. After the semi-finalist were decided a week of rest would be given. Thus this was the best chance he had at growing stronger and gaining riches.

He quickly made it to the Yellow Marshes. Once he took a singular step inside he had felt the bearing pressure of monstrous beasts. Although he was one it still was an overbearing feeling.

The Yellow Marshes were notorious for housing valuable beasts, many hunters would gather in this spot. According to the data he received here they were more blood hungry than usual and thus most opted for better sources of meat.

This was not a problem for Qin Ming as he was more than confident in himself and his defensive arts.

Qin Ming covered his nose when walking in the Yellow Marsh. The stench was nigh unbearable. The filth berated his nostrils. Qin Ming just wanted to finish this up.

There are three notable beasts: the Bi'an tiger, the Jin Chan, and the Huli Jing. Huli Jing was a beast that bestowed karmic luck on its spirit master, Qin Ming desperately needed this.

"The power coming from this place is unreal, why have so many gathered? What's making them rage like this, too many questions."

As Qin Ming journeyed further into the marsh he had felt his skin crawl and felt more than uneasy. The marshes were murky and muddy but even so no dirt got onto Qin Mings's body or clothing for the simple fact that his immortal energy would just burn it away as soon as it touched him.

Two long black Bi'an tigers hopped out of nowhere "ahh look brother another foolish mortal has come!"

"Yes yes this one looks tasty we shall eat him to the bone."

The starved tigers circled Qin Ming waiting for the right time to strike, whoever moves first would be at the highest risk of death. Qin Ming could sense power ripples from them that were akin to someone at the Xiantian level of power, they were no one to be over cautious about.

"Enough of this! I don't have time!" Qin Ming's eyes flared with electricity and his entire body resonated with the Dao of Storms.

The fur of the best curled, it wouldn't stand down no matter the threat in front of it. Unlike Qin Ming these beasts were fairly weak and had yet to gain sentiance. They were primal and only driven by blood.

Qin Ming slowly strove forward, every step he took the ground underneath him was singed and burned. "You tested my patience once too many!"

He had to be careful not to damage the important parts of the beast if he went all out there would be nothing left to sell! Qin Ming dug into the beast, his palm blew apart the internal structure. From the back launched a deadly strike to Qin Ming left side, a claw plunged into his flesh like a hot knife through butter.

He writhed in pain holding onto his open wound with his other hand. Although as it stood, if there were no interruptions at all Qin Ming could fight for months or even years with no breaks. This however is not how fights on equal footing are, if this was an army of Basic Mortal then Qin Ming could mill through them all no problem. If he fought a Xiantian, even a weak one he would be damaged and his body would have to repair itself with one's immortal energy.

This was the case here the Bi'an Tigers were on a weaker level but still able to hurt him and force him to expand energy! Each injury represented less time he could spend. Even with this in mind Qin Ming would be able to fight for a few days.

The wound healed and closed under his hand, Qin Ming flung his hand back and shattered the throat of the one next to him. The pelt, meat, and horn of this beast was what mattered so the bones, and other parts were unneeded, even so Qin Ming had to make sure he did not damage the useful bits!

Qin Ming took a defensive stance and kicked the two tigers back, he wiped his nose with bravado enough to make the heavens green with envy! He motioned them to come at him. Even though he took a cocky tone this was for nothing more than show. Everything slowed down, Qin Ming could see the tigers every movement, the sudden tenses and clenching of muscles, everything! He was able to tell when they would move again.

Qin Ming's eyes were on fire, his soul radiated a calm and tranquility like the streams on a spring day did. He stood as a solitary figure and as tall as a mountain, he was unmoveable and driven! White milky froth dripped down the lips, red clouded the eyes. Feral. If only one word could be used to describe this it was feral!

WOOSH!!

A jet of pressure swung right through the flesh of both tigers, in the next second the pelt was blown off it was perfect cuts all along the 'seams' of tigers.

Both fell down waiting to be collected. Qin Ming waved his hand and pulled the bodies into his storage ring for later. "One down two to go"

"For the next one it won't willingly show itself I'll need to draw them out!"

Qin Ming traveled several kilometers with each step. What was important was finding a good place to make the altar.

He traveled a portion of two hours before finding a place to make the altar.

He set up a stone pillar with a bowl in the middle of the pillar. He took two fine cuts of meat and added them to the bowl, this worked because the Huli Jing took a liking to the smell of Bi'an tigers, when cooked the meat was smelly and attracted a crowd to the source.

Qin Ming snapped his finger and a wisp of fire found its way lighting the meat on fire. Like moths to the flame, A Huli Jing found the meat. Qin Ming watched as it ate the meat and he could only smile.

There was only one way to go from here. Qin Ming refused to leave the marsh until he tamed this one. Realistically all he had to do was catch it, even if he whiffed the rest of the tournament he would just find and kill Jin Wu later this didn't matter in the long run! What truly mattered above all else was karmic luck! New techniques, skill, talent, this was all karmic luck it is hard to find new ways to boost one's own luck.

Qin Ming stepped out of cover and held his hand out in a welcoming way. Even though this one had yet to grow and was most likely a few years old it still boasted a commendable amount of luck! This Huli Jing had soft white fur like fresh snow, two shrap black and jade colored eyes. He only had one tail so his power had most likely not grown out of the Basic Mortal stage. The Huli Jing turned to face Qin Ming and he noticed something special about this one; he had a cut on his forehead. Seemed as though it had been marked by poachers but for what purpose?

Qin Ming inched closer and the Huli Jing stepped back in a defensive pose. Qin Ming held his hands up, "Understood, I'm not here to hurt you." he sat down and held his hand out. "No need to be scared my friend!" A loud bang rings off in the distance and the Huli Jing takes this opportunity and books it out of there as fast as it could! Qin Ming stood up and began to find his next target. The Huli Jing will join him but not at this current moment.

The hot errant sun beat down on Qin Ming, his stomach empty, his mouth dry. Seconds became hours, minutes became days, so on and so forth. Qin Ming spent nearly two days in the wilds, his clock counting down. What was good about the meat he collected was that it lasted much longer than 'regular' meat. Meat that came from livestock and cattle lasted only an hour or two without preservation and curing techniques. Meat that came from an immortal? It could last months even years out in the open. This was more than favorable for long journeys.

It was because meat from immortals were so divine and exquisite that only hunters and royalty ate of this meat.

Qin Ming simply could no longer last; he sat down in the spot he stood and made a fire. He took out a flank of one of the Azure Serpents he found and roasted it above the open fire, the sweet smell of its flesh bruning wafted into Qin Ming's nostrils, drool dripping onto the floor. He wiped the spit from his mouth in anticipation.

Cooking meat over an open flame… in the wild… with several hungry beasts… this was not the best plan.

Hop!

Hop!!

Qin Ming tilted his head at the rustling bushes. Blood rushed into his eyes, his teeth snarled, hard puffs of air steamed out from his nostrils. Qin Ming was a beast not a human, and he was hungry! Blood was the only thing on his mind.

However what appeared shined in Qin Ming's eyes, the golden sheen, the brilliance of its amorphous bumps. The red sheen of its eyes, brought him back to his senses. "Right, I came here with a purpose." Jin Chan's did bring karmic luck akin to a Huli Jing but what was really important was the heart of one! They were extremely rare and would seldom appear. If one could harvest its heart then not only would luck follow them but can be sold at an insane price!

"Hey there you! You want this meat eh? Then how about you come with me!" Qin Ming motioned the flank in his hand to the golden toad.

"Join.. you!? BWAHAHA you got me mistaken kid I'm not an idiot I know what you immortals want!" Jin Chan shot its tongue at Qin Ming's hand.

"So be it! You will give me your heart!!" Qin Ming leapt into the sky dodging his tongue with grace and style.

Whilst in the air he executed his third defensive stance "[Wave Cracks Stone]" a jet of pressure shot from his fist and smashed into the golden toad's tongue. Qin Ming flew at the toad and kicked his snout. The golden toad shook off the attack and sent a few mighty blows his way.

"Just give up, damn it I want my meat!"

"Haha you will sooner die then steal my meal!"

"Grrr never!"

The two went at it day and night. This was the fight carried on with no victor in sight. The two were on equal enough footing Qin Ming wasn't over powered in the slightest, however if he went all out then the likelihood of destroying its heart in the process was inevitable. Nearly three days of non-stop combat went on. The grass was burned, the ground smashed apart. Qin Ming couldn't be hasty if he made big enough waves he'd attract one of two things, the all powerful diremonsters in the swamps, and hunters looking for a kill.

The Jin Chan huffed heavily, the two became much closer over the course of four days in fact the Jin Chan never harbored any harsh feelings he was simply hungry. Their fists said more than mere words could they both understand the other better.

"Gah I'm tired" Qin Ming sat down and prepared a fire.

He continued to roast some meat, Jin Chan looked over his shoulder with lust and droll. Qin Ming covered what little he could see, but the smell drove him mad! "Eh eh" the Jin Chan hopped up and down like a child being presented with a gift.

"Oh you want some eh?" Qin Ming shot hinted glares over his shoulder.

"Yes, yes give it!" Jin Chan shot his tongue at the meat but Qin Ming caught it.

"At first I came here to take your heart but it seems as though you have won over mine, join me and I promise your stomach will be filled with all the exquisite meats you can dream of. All you have to do is join me!"

"Errr fine I'll join you!"

"Spiritpact first then you can have meat!"

"FINE!!" Jin Chan was bratty and hungry, to tell the truth he was willing to join him, he was strong and didn't have ill intentions for him.

Qin Ming cut his palm and the golden toad's, blood snaked out of the wound. It coalesced in the air above them.

Their energies hummed and became one the blood crystallized into two jade magatamas. It floated into Qin Ming's and Jin Chan's hands respectively, they stored it away into their storage type treasurers. Qin Ming motioned for him to eat and eat what he did.

This simple gesture conjoined the two souls whose lives were now intertwined, so long as his soul remained he would always be in control of the Jin Chan and he would follow him loyally. This was a sign of good faith on both ends as Jin Chan could blow his own soul up resulting in Qin Ming's death and vice versa.

The two ate and laughed while enjoying the other's company, "do you have a name?"

"I do not," the golden toad shook his head.

"Then I shall call you Little Jinny!"

Little Jinny accepted his new name. "Say you told me you practice the Crimson God's cultivation?"

"This is correct?"

Little Jinny spit up a vial and handed it to him "that is pure cosmic energy about five grams worth, based off how far you have gone as a Ki-refiner that should take you to the next level!"

"What?!? No way you actually found this? It seems I have made a good ally."

BOOM!!

Another loud bang rang off in the distance, Qin Ming was certain this was the same as the one he had heard before. "Come Little Jinny there is work to be done!" Qin Ming dashes away towards the sound making bounds and leaps ten kilometers at a time. Once he'd reached a close enough distance he used his divine power to look ahead and saw a group of hunters and diremonsters chase after his Huli Jing. Qin Ming grit his teeth "bastards!"

Qin Ming jumped to reach this group. The little fox spirit used this opportunity to get as far away as he could. "Don't you dare take another step, if you don't heed my warning I will take it as an act of aggression against me!" The hunters looked puzzled then their eyes glowed with greed!

"Hey boss, that kid is a celestial dragon! If we catch him we could sell him good on the slave market!" The eye-patched man laughed till his belly ached he wiped a tear off his one good eye. Qin Ming took a defensive stance backwards. Little Jinny's legs began to shake with fear. Was this really a good idea?

"You know what kid, today is your lucky day! I want you to remember it well!" He pointed his finger forward and his men began to charge forward. Qin Ming grew to the size of thirty meters and underwent his partial transformation. His hands and feet grew azure scales, his claws grew into sharp daggers, his eyes a deep amber yellow. His nostrils flared up, his eyes became bloodshot as he took the frontal assault full force! Each man that came within striking range was done in by a single blow. Qin Ming sent out his wide range killing technique [Ice-crow Formation]! Three illusory crows along with chilling jade rabbits shot out of his finger tips at lightning speed. The underlings and the weaker beast were ground to an ashy pulp.

The boss turned into a stream of lightning and crashed his palm against Qin Ming's chest. The ground underneath them turns to dust, Qin Ming couldn't help but smile. "I expected you to fall for my trap you stupid human!" Qin Ming digs his claws into the man's arm; he poises himself into a stance that's closer to the ground, lifting the man's arm up. An aura containing the Dao of Storms forms a circle around himself and the boss. Qin Ming thrusts his palm into the man's chest, the sheer force of this blow severs the man from his arm. The boss is thrown over 40 kilometers from a single blow. Qin Ming blasts off in the same direction and in less then a second he catches up to the boss. Using the boss' own arm he proceeds to beat him into a bloody pulp on the ground.

"Absolutely despicable. I feel sad for whatever beast has to eat you!" Qin MIng quickly leaves after Little Jinny follows close behind. A few kilometers out in the direction the Huli Jing feld too, Qin Ming decided to stop and make the altar again. He places the Bi'an tiger flanks in the bowl, lighting them on fire again.

Out of the bushes in the distance the white snowy Huli Jing jumped out the smell of the cooking meat bringing him out of hiding. "Hello little fox spirit! Eat your fill" the Huli Jing seemed to have warmed up a bit because it began to eat immediately. Little Jinny turned his head to Qin Ming with almost a jealous look. He held his hand in a welcoming manner "my little fox you can trust me, here let me heal your wounds your enemies will no longer be able to hurt you again!" he motioned his hand towards him. Huli Jing walked slowly forward.

Qin Ming placed his hand on the fox's snout. Gently petting the fox and pulling him in closer. He places his hand against the gash against the fox's body. Qin Ming injects a bit of his divine power into the fox allowing its regenerative abilities to leak into the fox, his wounds begin to close and seal up.

In a few seconds the fox realizes it's no longer hurt, his tail wags uncontrollably and he jumps in the air wildly. He lifts his palm up and turns his head at Qin Ming, a smile from ear to ear is met in response. It pushes his head against Qin Ming's arm, "so my friend will you join me on a grand adventure?" the fox nods and the process for another spiritpact is made. Two allies in one day is not a bad pay off. Qin Ming thoroughly pleased to head back to town to sell his items, calling it a day for now.