Chapter 610
Still the Lord
Chapter 610 Still the Lord
If it weren't for the two terracotta warriors' performance, Qin Ming would have gladly accepted the title of "My Lord".
As for now, he simply nodded calmly, still accepting the gift with a smile, his face as gentle as a spring breeze.
What's wrong with saying "My Lord"? He earned it through his own abilities.
Could we possibly ask him to "go back"? Or even to be more cautious and deliberate about the title of chairman? That's impossible.
It wasn't that Qin Ming was being tough; it was just that changing his mind at the last minute... was useless and only made him look guilty.
Rather than that, he might as well keep everything as usual.
The extraordinary nature of the two figurines is enough to show that the ancients had a very deep understanding of this matter.
At this moment, Xiao Chong exuded a sinister aura, and when he met Qin Ming's gaze, it made Qin Ming's heart skip a beat.
Qin Ming sighed inwardly. With one breath, he had created three Mings. He had inadvertently pushed open the three ancient doors, and it was truly difficult to predict whether they led to an abyss or to a land of great light.
In particular, the unknown territory behind that door has recovered too quickly.
The president smiled and said, "My lord, are you a little nervous?"
Qin Ming stood with his hands behind his back and said, "Not long ago, the scene was very grand. When facing that tomb owner, I split into two Mings in one breath, and my mind was slightly tired."
The president, with her graceful figure, approached from the night sky, her snow-white robes fluttering as if she were dancing. She spoke, "My lord, would you like me to help you relax your shoulders and neck?"
She was all smiles and very friendly today, but instead of making Qin Ming feel flattered, she sent chills down his spine.
Qin Ming calmed himself down and then spoke frankly, saying, "President, something's not right with you."
The president's silver, silky hair shone brightly. Upon hearing this, she glanced sideways at him, thinking that this so-called master really didn't know how to speak.
Qin Ming was highly focused, but unfortunately he couldn't detect her emotional fluctuations and didn't know what she was thinking.
He simply sensed that the president's spirituality had increased again.
On ordinary days, she is like being shrouded in the cool moonlight, possessing a kind of ethereal and sacred beauty, seemingly distant and elusive. But today, her every smile and frown is more like that of a person of flesh and blood.
The president turned her head to look at her, her eyes sparkling, her smile bright and elegant, and said, "I just had a feeling that I had massaged your shoulders and back before?"
Qin Ming stood calmly and composed, but his heart was in turmoil. Wasn't she still unconscious when she used to order the three of them around? How could she remember that?
Back then, whether it was the chairman, Er Yong, or Xiao Chong, they were not only free henchmen but also well-deserved followers. Serving tea and water, massaging legs, and pressing necks and backs were common occurrences.
Even when Qin Ming ate the Crimson God Worm, someone stood by his side to peel off the metal worm shell for him and to pour him wine.
As for the president, she naturally participated as well. Her slender, jade-like hands were particularly skillful, fair and translucent, as she personally fed him.
"What are you thinking about!" Qin Ming did not give a direct answer.
As the president approached, surrounded by a bright and clear light, he stood beside Qin Ming and said, "In a daze, my physical instincts revealed to me all the things of the past. In some hazy fragments, I really did my duty to share the burden of the master and let you relax."
She raised her eyes and spoke slowly, her voice still gentle and graceful, without a trace of anger.
Qin Ming rubbed his forehead. She even knew about things before her resurrection? What secrets could there possibly be?
Then, in a moment of resonance, he and the little bug looked at each other. The latter had deep eyes and a smile that was somewhat eerie.
Qin Ming suddenly realized that the method of "one breath transforming into three Ming" was truly a forbidden technique. He had never thought of giving them consciousness.
"My lord, what are you thinking about?" the guild leader asked in return.
Qin Ming wondered what was wrong with her. Had her otherworldly, divine aura diminished, or had she awakened more memories and was doing this on purpose, using the two terracotta figures to scare him?
He thought to himself, "Right now... it doesn't matter to me."
The Chairman, the Second Puppet, and the Little Insect can only unleash the ancient methods under extreme circumstances; normally, the ancient door behind them cannot be opened at all.
Qin Ming felt that he should take it in stride and let things take their natural course.
He believes that the more one lowers one's stance, the more counterproductive it will be.
At the same time, he asked himself: Am I easily frightened? Of course not.
Therefore, Qin Ming turned to look at her, gentle and composed, and said, "The past is a bit hazy? That's simple, just experience it again. But I must state that you were willing back then, as for now, it's up to you."
Upon hearing this, the president turned to look at him and said, "You mean, you want me to massage your back again?"
Her profile was perfect; it was truly unexpected that Qin Ming could remain so calm.
Qin Ming smiled and said, "A shoulder massage is fine too."
The president's expression stiffened slightly, then he smiled and gracefully approached Qin Ming from behind, saying, "My lord, I've arrived."
Qin Ming nodded reservedly and said, "Mm."
Then, a pair of delicate hands pressed down on his shoulders and neck, like warm jade, pressing on him. At first, the pressure was moderate, but then it began to increase.
Qin Ming's heart was tense. Deep within his flesh and blood, chaotic energy flowed, ready to erupt at any moment, unafraid of external intrusion.
The person massaging his shoulders and neck from behind was someone of immense importance. If word got out, those who knew the chairman's identity would be in an uproar and utterly shocked, because it was simply unbelievable.
Just like the old furnace, it has now been completely petrified.
It was already lost in thought. Is Xiao Qin's approach really that unconventional?
Its inner voice cried out: Mingzi, what are you doing? You're playing with fire and getting burned.
Qin Ming naturally found it difficult to relax, and anyone else would have been even more likely to have their hair stand on end and their muscles tense up like a block of iron.
He appeared relaxed and spoke in a calm tone, saying, "President, you used a bit too much force."
The president smiled faintly and said, "Is that so? Golden threads are interwoven in your flesh and blood, black holes emerge in the shadows, and chaotic energy flows. If I hadn't used the Myriad Apertures Clarity Technique, I wouldn't have been able to even pinch your shoulder with my fingers."
Qin Ming resonated with the little insect and the two terracotta warriors, and they all looked in this direction at the same time.
As fellow ancient people with astonishing status, the president was indeed somewhat uncomfortable being stared at like that.
Although she is still unable to understand the past or comprehend her former life, she knows that she once held a very high position.
Being stared at like this by two ancient figures of the same level would make anyone feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Qin Ming turned around and said, "How about another spar? If you beat me, you won't have to call me master anymore."
Upon hearing this, the chairman immediately raised his head and said, "Are you going easy on me?"
"You're overthinking it." Even if Qin Ming had such thoughts, once she exposed them, he couldn't possibly put them into action. If he were to bow down to such a powerful figure, he would never be able to hold his head up again. From then on, their roles would be reversed.
Qin Ming had originally hoped to maintain harmony with her, but now he had no choice but to go down this dark path.
He suddenly turned around, revealing his true form behind him. The night sky was torn apart by a pair of giant hands, and countless stars fell from the sky. The sun and moon changed, thunder intertwined, and the flowers of myriad laws bloomed.
Qin Ming was clad in a golden jade robe, and in the shadows, layers of black hole vortexes appeared.
He raised his hand and reached out to grab the silver-haired woman.
The chairman immediately waved his hand and said, "Wait a minute, I'm willing to accept defeat at this stage."
Qin Ming stared at her, sighing inwardly: If she pushes me too far and releases her hidden power, unleashing her immortal energy, I think I might really be no match for her.
He said, "How about this, we'll treat each other as equals from now on?"
The president said, "No need, I'll win it back myself next time."
"Are you sure?" Qin Ming asked. Judging from the current situation, it would be quite difficult for the current president to turn things around.
Qin Ming was very confident in himself. As long as it didn't involve the methods left behind by the ancient supreme powerhouse, what could he do to him?
Suddenly, his expression changed, and he said, "Second terracotta warrior, what a disaster!"
The two terracotta figures were still absorbing dragon energy and other supernatural substances, which flew towards him like a tide, making him feel like a flesh-based abyss.
In this great collision, many dragon silkworms exploded and turned into ashes, leaving very few pieces of flesh and blood. The two terracotta warriors were so frantically plundering that even the silkworm meat collected by the little insects became somewhat dull.
"President, you must also hurry up and help me collect the dragon medicine!" In Qin Ming's view, silkworm meat was the dragon medicine.
Suddenly, a streak of light appeared across the sky, and divine light illuminated the desolate land.
Even the old furnace flew out. According to it, the dragon silkworm is a rare and precious tonic, and it can be used in conjunction with other exotic flowers and herbs to refine great medicines.
Qin Ming immediately stuffed all the silkworm meat into the rag, otherwise the essence would be lost too quickly.
At this moment, the two terracotta warriors, like gluttonous beasts, were still devouring endlessly.
"Hmm, I didn't expect to find this!"
Qin Ming discovered the strange gold nails, but unfortunately only three of the nine remained; the other six were probably taken away by the Ancestral Dragon Pearl.
The three nails, in black, white, and red, are all as long as an adult's palm and are engraved with many mysterious patterns; they are definitely not ordinary objects.
"This trip was worthwhile. We have obtained the Dragon Medicine and the Divine Nails. It's a pity that the Five-Colored Jade Book was taken away."
It was a long time before the place returned to peace.
"You're still willing to enter that dark space?" Qin Ming asked in surprise. He thought that as the guild leader's spiritual energy increased, her vigilance would also increase.
In the end, she still had to go in.
Something's wrong!
After Qin Ming escorted her inside, he immediately communicated with Huang Luo Gaisan and asked, "What were the behaviors of these three bodies deep within the tattered space?"
"No abnormalities were observed," Huang Luogai responded.
In particular, Qin Ming has now imprisoned the three of them separately, while Xiao Huang is currently mainly following the chairman.
Qin Ming pondered for a moment and said, "Could it be that they know some of the secrets of the rag? Old Bu, did you hear that? Are those three dead or alive? Could they be planning to raid my house?"
He suddenly realized that the three people he had kidnapped had become a hot potato.
They went from being capable henchmen and loyal followers to becoming mysterious and dangerous.
Qin Ming muttered to himself, "The living get a break every now and then, but if the dead cause trouble, we'll lock you up until the end of time." He looked at the Emperor's Umbrella, which was surrounded by purple mist and radiant with divine light, and said, "Little Huang, I've been good enough to you, haven't I? Don't actually run off with the president and keep anything from her."
Huang Luo, who was covered by an umbrella, responded, "Don't worry, I know very well what's important and who's on our side."
Qin Ming asked it for help to erase some traces that shouldn't exist here.
Finally, he soared into the air, stepped onto a golden bridge of chaos, and disappeared into the horizon.
In the distance, in the night sky, a six-tusked white elephant, flapping its large ears, was soaring when it suddenly spotted the golden bridge approaching from afar, and its spirits immediately lifted.
"Great Sage!" it greeted him warmly.
Coming from a family of traditional horse breeders, its expertise in the relevant field is truly outstanding.
For example, qualities like obedience, compliance, and loyalty are fully demonstrated in the instant they meet.
Then, the six-tusked white elephant's vision went black as it was punched by Qin Ming and fainted without any warning.
Qin Ming said, "Xiao Huang, see if there are any methods to erase some of its memories, so that even if someone tries to trace it back afterward, they won't be able to detect it."
It's all because Qin Ming is kind-hearted.
Otherwise, the most effective way is to get rid of the six-tusked white elephant.
"No problem." Huang Luo, with his umbrella-like appearance, indeed had the means to address the issue.
"My head hurts so much, Great Sage, what just happened?" After a long while, the six-tusked white elephant awoke.
"It's alright!" Qin Ming sat on its back and began his journey home.
In the six-tusked white elephant's understanding, their search for the group of earth immortals was unsuccessful, and they returned empty-handed.
Then, Qin Ming returned it to the Bodhisattva's temple.
"So it turns out I have my limits too."
Deep in a mountain range, Qin Ming ate a piece of roasted dragon silkworm meat, only to find that it didn't have the expected effect.
"That's right, I just broke through to the Grandmaster realm not long ago, so it's not suitable for me to break through immediately." He tried to comprehend it and realized something was amiss.
On the path of spiritual practice, in addition to the "Five Iron Rules," there are even more severe "Great Barriers," such as the "Master Barrier."
The so-called "barrier" refers to the fact that the human body has its limits, and after breaking through a major barrier, it needs a buffer and time to accumulate experience.
At the same time, this is also to expel any toxins from the medicines taken in the past.
The duration of a major obstacle varies from person to person, and the time required for this buffer period differs drastically from person to person.
Some people may only need a six-month delay, while others may need to be stuck for decades.
Qin Ming silently observed himself and realized that he probably wouldn't be able to stay stagnant for long.
Although he hasn't been a Grandmaster for very long, it doesn't seem like a big problem if he were to forcibly break through the barrier between realms.
However, in order to pursue perfection and avoid leaving any hidden dangers for the future, he planned to wait for some time, which would be a good time to study the scriptures and wait for Xiang Yiwu and Xiao Wu to escape.
Two days later, the clouds burst open, and multiple divine rainbows plowed across the sky. It was clearly the passage of earth immortals, and some mountain peaks along the way were hit and shattered.
"You guys are so slow," Qin Ming thought to himself.
The main force exploring the Tomb of Immortality in another territory only found out about the incident involving the outer members after so long.
The main reason was that the three saints completely lost contact, which eventually attracted the attention of the Earth Immortal.
"This...is a little scary!"
Qin Ming placed his physical body into the tattered cloth, his spirit attaching itself to the old cloth, lying dormant in silence. Even so, he was still shaken and his scalp tingled from the pressure.
This was only a passing immortal, hurrying along the way.
In this day and age, earth immortals are practically heavenly beings!
Even though it was a second terracotta warrior, the power that emerged when its secret treasure was opened was only at the level of a high-level Earth Immortal. He was using the surging of the Dao of Heaven and Earth to kill the Earth Immortal of the Dragon Silkworm Clan.
In the distance, the earth immortal roared, and some nearby mountain peaks collapsed on the spot, leaving the entire land crisscrossed with black cracks several feet wide everywhere.
The main team exploring the Tomb of Immortality spent three days rummaging through this area before finally tracing back along the direction the Ancestral Dragon Pearl had gone.
However, they knew that such an extremely dangerous longevity tomb involved a "living grave," and in the end, it would probably be left unresolved, with nothing to be found.
During this time, two earth immortals visited the Bodhisattva's sacred site, but upon seeing a golden Arhat statue there, they immediately withdrew their oppressive aura.
They dared not be disrespectful to the divine monks of the Great Thunderclap Temple, even though the monks had only partially attained enlightenment and spiritual fruition, and had traveled through a golden portal.
Half a month later, Qin Ming returned to the Bodhisattva Temple.
Many monks have left, leaving only a few, including the Buddhist disciple Miaodi and the Buddhist nun Miaoyin, who are still contemplating the true meaning of reincarnation.
Qin Ming also sat quietly here, studying the domineering Sky-Supporting Force every day, wanting to completely integrate it into the Chaos Force.
He studied it carefully, not daring to underestimate it.
Because, although the Qingtian Scripture appears to be a classic text, it actually contains countless extraordinary techniques and various scriptures, such as the true scriptures of the power realm and the immortal scriptures of the demon race for body refining.
The "Sky-Supporting Scripture" is arguably the most powerful among the major ancestral temples of the New Life Path!
The more Qin Ming pondered, the more he was drawn in. As he delved deeper into the practice, he gradually became so engrossed that he could not extricate himself. In a daze, he found himself transforming into a dragon or snake, undergoing a metamorphosis, preparing to face torrential rain and lightning, and yearning to be reborn and soar into the sky.
“I see the shadow of the original framework of the Sky-Supporting Sutra.”
Qin Ming delved deeper into the study, and slowly, he saw a giant trying to tear apart the night sky and lift up the heavens.
"Two months have passed?" Qin Ming was surprised. Has time really passed that quickly?
It's not that the "Qingtian Sutra" is too difficult to study, but rather that it encompasses too many hidden scriptures, all fused together, making it extremely complex and profound.
Qin Ming's analysis of a classic text is equivalent to facing all the scriptures.
In particular, the difficulty of integrating the Sky-Supporting Force into the Silk Calligraphy and dissolving it into the Chaotic Force was extremely high.
"Actually, the sixth realm—Hun Yuan—is the right time to integrate various techniques. Right now, I can just practice my own true form. It's actually a bit too early to integrate the various energies of the major ancestral courts."
However, since he had already started, Qin Ming had no intention of stopping, and setting off ahead of schedule was no big deal.
The main point is that there are still many things to do and a long road ahead, such as the "Lai Jin" (来劲), "Yu Qing Jin" (玉清劲), and "Liu Yu Jin" (六御劲).
Qin Ming asked, "Why haven't the two brothers inside the Reincarnation Black Lotus come out yet?"
He already knew that things had progressed to this point, and Xiang Yiwu and Xiao Wu had passed the danger period; all that was left was to wait out the inevitable.
The Buddhist disciple, Miaodi, said, "It will probably take several more months before they can successfully break through the cycle of reincarnation."
The Buddhist nun Miaoyin looked on with envy and said, "They are venturing into the Great Cycle of Reincarnation!"
Not long after, Qin Ming spoke with Old Furnace: "Senior Furnace, you should go back to the Douluo Palace Dojo first and take back the Dragon Medicine, Crimson God Elixir, and other items so that Qingyue can take them as soon as possible to improve her strength. After all, she still has a crucial test to face later."
The old furnace vibrated gently, as if nodding, and said, "Yes, I've been gone for a long time, and it's indeed time for me to go back."
Qin Ming asked it for the route map in detail and said, "Don't worry, there will definitely be enough time. I will definitely go there in person and stand behind Qingyue."
"Okay!" Old Lu was very decisive, and without saying much, he left that very day.
As Qin Ming saw me off, he whispered, "When I arrive, the saints and peerless geniuses of the Tushita Palace will soon have to see just how amazing I am."
Time flies; it has been three months since Wanlong Tuo's tomb disappeared.
Qin Ming studied the Sky-Supporting Force, constantly integrating techniques and refining his true form, achieving remarkable results. During this time, his body developed cracks, but he persevered.
Normally speaking, let alone integrating the true scriptures of other ancestral courts, even the Chaos Force he cultivated himself would be extremely dangerous at the fifth realm, with the risk of exploding.
After all, the True Form Calamity is a notorious and deadly calamity in the new system!
If people knew that Qin Ming was absorbing the Sky-Supporting Force while undergoing his True Form Tribulation, they would definitely think he had gone mad.
"I haven't taken any dragon medicine yet, so this quiet cultivation is quite good. I've detected my limits and discovered many hidden problems."
Qin Ming's expression was serious. Through his arduous cultivation, he often entered moments of spiritual clarity, gaining a clear understanding of himself and his future path.
"Without other opportunities, without taking any special medicines, and relying solely on daily meditation and cultivation, it would take me about six or seven years to break through to the first level." This is his specific quantitative result.
No matter which path you choose, the higher you go, the more difficult it becomes.
If one has a miraculous medicine, the time can be greatly shortened, but it is not a panacea. Many top sects have no shortage of resources, so why can't they produce peerless young masters?
Because everyone's innate talents and abilities are different, each person needs a different "cooling-off period" when breaking through a barrier. In addition, there are even more restrictions due to the terrifying major obstacles.
"This means that if I choose a place to go into seclusion and stay there for many years without relying on external things, I should be able to become a patriarch in sixty years."
At that time, Qin Ming was only in his eighties.
This speed is astonishing; it's already considered extremely fast.
But he wanted it to be faster.
He seeks within himself, but he does not reject external things.
Just now, he was preparing to take the dragon medicine.
Qin Ming sighed inwardly, "Unfortunately, all I got were scraps, the bits and pieces of flesh after the dragon silkworms exploded, and the two terracotta warriors had already plundered them first."
Even so, this dragon medicine is enough to help him break through the barrier.
That day, Qin Ming left the Bodhisattva Temple alone and entered the depths of the Wild Mountain Range. He immediately began taking a powerful medicine, preparing to ascend to the next level.
Soon after, a vibrant life force surged forth from the depths of the dense primeval forest. Qin Ming's body was burning hot as he was merging with the Heaven-Supporting Force, undergoing a transformation from his physical body to his spirit.
(End of this chapter)