Chapter 29 Changes in the Mountains

Under the night sky at the edge of the forest, Lingxu and the tabby cat vanished in a flash, disappearing into the vast snow-covered land.

That was expected of the two of them. But Wei Mo, towering at ten meters tall and clad in ancient armor, also disappeared in an instant. His speed was so fast that hardly anyone could react in time.

Only the snow-white old weasel remained calm and unhurried. It waved a paw, summoned its donkey, and leisurely rode off into the depths of the mountains.

The creatures within the dense forest also retreated. Soon, many flying creatures filled the skies above the vast mountain range, and on the slopes, figures could be seen climbing and leaping.

On the snowy plains outside the mountains, the nobles from Chixia City, members of the mountain patrol teams, and local rebirthers all dispersed in their directions. Even as they walked far away, many were still discussing the events. Just getting to witness the high-level beings in person made the entire trip worthwhile.

"Who was that woman in feathered robes? I've never heard of her in Chixia City. She's incredible."

"She must be the expert the City Lord invited from afar."

Some of the younger ones were the most excited. After seeing the brief displays of power from the top figures, they talked endlessly, feeling as if a whole new world had opened before them.

"So that's the upper limit we might reach one day?"

"Wake up, will you? There's a kind of upper limit called 'City Lord.' But the entire Chixia City only has one. Your limit is trying to become a gatekeeper at the City Lord's mansion after twenty years of hard work."

...

On the way back, even noble heirs like Cao Long, Wei Zhirou, and Mu Qing couldn't help but join in the chatter.

"Cousin, what stage are you at now? You're also on the Giant Spirit path, and you're already over three meters tall. That guy named Wei Mo is ten meters tall. I feel like the difference isn't that big. Could that mean your power is close to his?"

"Shut up!" Cao Long's expression changed instantly. They hadn't even left the mountain yet. He cut off his naïve younger cousin and scolded, "Twenty years ago, Senior Wei was already twenty to thirty meters tall. His current size is a reversed transformation. We can't begin to guess what level he's truly at."

Just then, a silver-haired elder from the mountain patrol team approached and asked, "Is anyone here from the Wang family of Chixia City?"

Everyone immediately understood this must be about Wang Nianzhu. He had slaughtered an entire nest of sentient creatures—blood snakes—and was suspected of murdering several mountain patrol members during the incident.

"Nianzhu has gone missing. We're looking for him too," a middle-aged man replied.

"Has he fled in guilt?" the silver-haired elder said, his face deeply lined but his gaze sharp as lightning.

If it had only involved ordinary patrol members, the Wang family wouldn't care. But now the matter had escalated. Someone higher up was involved, and that made them cautious.

After all, the head of the patrol teams was none other than Chixia City's Deputy City Lord.

"We're looking for him too. I don't believe Nianzhu would do something like that," the middle-aged man said as he walked off with the elder to explain in private.

…

Back in Shuangshu Village, Qin Ming, Old Liu, and Xu Yueping sat indoors, watching the snow fall outside as they enjoyed steaming donkey meat hotpot and fine wine sourced from the patrol team's base.

Qin Ming had never cared much about alcohol before, but he was starting to feel a buzz. He hadn't expected that Wang Nianzhu, a man whose name he only learned after his death, could still stir up such a storm.

And now, with his successful second rebirth, Qin Ming sipped leisurely, fully relaxed. He looked out the window, lost in thought. His heart, however, was not as calm. Where exactly was Falling Moon City? One day, he would have to see it for himself.

Two years ago, during that pitch-black night, the blazing inferno consumed the village, and a feather-robed youth walked through the ruins like an immortal, striking mercilessly.

Those scenes were etched into his memory forever.

Qin Ming sighed inwardly. If he hadn't recalled these events, he could have continued living peacefully. But now, he had to quicken his pace.

"Qin, is it just my imagination, or do you seem more spirited than before? You look like you've grown a bit taller too," Old Liu said. Despite his age, his eyes were sharp.

Qin Ming hadn't used the "Merging Light with Dust" technique around Old Liu and Xu Yueping, so his current aura was noticeably different from before.

Xu Yueping nodded. "There's definitely a change. Your gaze is clearer now. You even look a little more handsome."

After his second rebirth, Qin Ming had grown less than half an inch, such a subtle change that only very familiar people would notice. He had confirmed that the rebirth techniques described in the silk scroll didn't continuously increase one's height. He smiled and replied, "I'm only sixteen. My body hasn't finished growing yet. I might change every few days."

With this rebirth, Qin Ming had not only gained two thousand pounds of strength in his arms but also significantly improved his flexibility and speed. His power had grown explosively.

That night, silence blanketed the land. Heaven and earth felt like a vast abyss ready to swallow all light.

Suddenly, deep in the mountains, silver lightning tore through the ink-black sky, crimson clouds dyed the ridges red, and a giant carrying a black spear roared atop a mountain peak, seemingly about to shatter the mountains with his voice, causing a terrifying avalanche.

"They've started fighting!" On a high slope outside the mountain range, a woman in a black fur cloak watched the ominous scene with glowing eyes that shimmered like sunlight through clouds.

A purple-eyed crow perched on a short tree and spoke in human tongue, "Those foreign high-tier creatures won't hold. They'll have to retreat tonight. If things go well, we can enter the mountains in two days to look for the place where five-colored mist flows."

Behind the woman and the crow stood several shadowy figures. One of them said, "The top brass of Chixia City and the native mountain creatures have joined forces. The newly migrated high-tier beings won't stand a chance. Some powerful creatures might end up as rare spiritual materials."

The tall woman didn't look back. She kept her gaze fixed on the mountains and said, "You Liangyun, once the mountain sweep begins, go help me assess someone. If you win, don't kill him. If you lose… Don't return with me to Liuguang City. Just go back to Chixia City and enjoy your life as a noble heir."

There were over a dozen people behind her. One teenage boy froze upon hearing her words, his hands tightening inside his sleeves. He was a noble of Chixia City, part of the main branch of the You family. When the woman was selecting people in the city, he had high hopes, but in the end, he wasn't even chosen as a backup candidate.

Only after his family pulled strings and paid a high price did he earn a spot to accompany her to Liuguang City. He wasn't doing this for status. What he wanted was to learn secret arts from the woman's mysterious teacher. Even a year or two would be worth it.

But now, he sensed danger. Who was this person he was meant to "assess"? Was he about to lose his one chance?

The woman's graceful silhouette remained fixed on the mountains. "His name is Qin Ming. He's one of only two rebirthers in the region to lay a golden foundation. Your You family has people here. I'm sure you'll find out quickly. Remember, I want you to assess him. Don't use underhanded tricks."

"Got it. I'll investigate right away," You Liangyun replied, a glint of coldness flashing in his eyes as he left.

The crow watched him go and said, "When You Liangyun had his first rebirth, he could lift six hundred and fifty pounds. In this year's batch in Chixia, he's only weaker than one man and one woman. No anomalies appeared during his golden foundation breakthrough."

The woman nodded. "Qi Huaien, follow him. I want to observe You Liangyun's character. He was never qualified to meet my teacher. If he doesn't do well this time, he truly doesn't deserve to come along. And, check on this Qin Ming. See if he might be a backup candidate."

That night, many sharp-minded rebirthers in the outer regions sensed something was happening. They climbed high to watch the mountain range.

The noise was overwhelming. Even from afar, the terrifying roars of abominations could be heard.

The mountain depths had plunged into chaos. Swarms of strange insects and birds flew into the night sky in panic. Monkey cries and tiger roars echoed from the dense forest.

Even in distant Yinteng Town, a mysterious old noble received the report immediately. With silver hair that sparkled like crystal and a healthy, ruddy face, he threw on a tiger-skin cloak and moved as lightly as a wisp of smoke, instantly appearing atop the highest structure in his residence.

Despite the thick night fog, he looked toward the mountains and muttered, "I hope the special nodes produce the rare treasures I need."

"They're really fighting?" Qin Ming leapt onto his rooftop, gazing toward the mountains. Shuangshu Village wasn't far, and he couldn't afford to lower his guard.

Thankfully, though the mountains were in turmoil, the chaos didn't spill into the outer areas. One side held the upper hand and tightly controlled the pace.

By the next day, the big news spread—the mountains had changed!

There was no doubt: the people from Chixia City and the local rebirthers would soon be allowed into the mountains to seek special nodes and harvest rare resources.

After breakfast, as Shallow Night set in, Qin Ming began training the rebirth techniques from the silk scroll. His body felt like a blazing furnace, continuously fueling him with strength.

Then he practiced combat techniques from the blade manual. His movements with the long-handled black-steel hammer were so light that it felt like swinging a feather.

Xu Yueping pushed open the door and was startled to see him nearly spinning the massive hammer into a blur. But then he laughed and said, "Qin, stop showing off your hammer skills. Your future father-in-law has sent someone to summon you."

"Huh?" Qin Ming froze, completely puzzled.

"The old noble of Yinteng Town specifically asked to see you," Xu Yueping explained.

Qin Ming immediately understood and calmly asked, "I'm not the only one he wants to see, right?"

"Well… He'll definitely choose carefully. But you and Zhou Wubing are the only ones with golden foundations, so you two stand out. Though at a time like this…" Xu Yueping frowned. He had reflected on the earlier incident and realized their decision had indeed lacked foresight.

"If I don't go, I'd be offending him, huh?" Qin Ming asked.

Xu Yueping nodded. "It would seem disrespectful. Word is that even nobles from Chixia have gone to visit him. He's said to have quite the background, possibly from somewhere major."

Qin Ming grinned. "Then I'll go and enjoy some food and drink. At a time like this, there's probably something good in it for me."

"You rascal." Xu Yueping chuckled and pointed at him.

He had thought it through. There was no harm in going. So many big shots from Chixia showed up. What could the old noble want from a boy who was only reborn once? If it was something serious, he could always play along and decline later. No harm in taking the benefits first.

"Alright, I'll head over soon. Might as well take a look at his daughter while I'm at it. What kind of noblewoman is this, struggling so hard to find a match?" Qin Ming said.