Chapter 13: Take a Deep Breath—Feeling Dizzy Is Normal

A sudden disturbance echoed through the forest as two figures came flying toward from a distance.

Their faces were smeared with blood, filled with sheer terror.

Amidst the woods, the roar of a beast could be heard. The aura it emitted was complex, likely that of a cultivator at the Bitter Sea Realm.

Soon, the two figures appeared before Qin Ming’s eyes.

One man and one woman.

The male cultivator carried an extraordinary bearing, dressed in fine clothes, tall and slender. His cultivation was not weak, around the fourth level of the Soul Building Realm.

As for the woman beside him, she appeared delicate and pitiable, clad in a thin, flowing dress.

At this moment, they were fleeing, their garments torn, revealing large swathes of snow-white skin.

In the fleeting spring light, she exuded irresistible charm, quite alluring.

They swept in front of Qin Ming, faces filled with fear, gasping for breath.

“Young master, we are being hunted. Could you help us rest for a moment?” the delicate beauty spoke softly.

Her cherry-red lips panting heavily.

That breath, fragrant as orchids, was enough to dry the mouth of any man lacking willpower.

“Being hunted?” Qin Ming asked.

“Yes, we are siblings from nearby Qingniu Prefecture. We came here to train but accidentally entered a beast’s territory, so we are being chased,” the finely dressed man replied, taking over the conversation.

He cupped his fists and bowed, “Young brother, you must be quite skilled. Could you help us? We will surely reward you handsomely!”

When he mentioned “handsomely,” Qin Ming's eyes brightened, and the man’s gaze showed delight.

“So, you fear the beast and want me to intervene? I suppose I can help.”

Qin Ming stepped before the man.

Then, with fingers together, he suddenly struck.

With a sharp ‘puff’ sound, the man’s throat was slashed, blood gushing from his neck.

Qin Ming quickly covered the man’s mouth and nose, saying, “Breathe deeply. Dizziness is normal. Soon, with death, there will be no more fear.”

The man kicked wildly, eyes wide with terror. Despite the raging power within him, it was suppressed forcefully.

How could this person have sensed his murderous intent? He had struck first!

Yet, he could not speak. Breathing deeply only made the world spin and his head swim.

In the next moment, he breathed his last amid overwhelming resentment.

The delicate woman was dumbfounded.

They had indeed planned to trap Qin Ming—using him to fend off the beast while stabbing him in the back.

But this man was cunning, acting preemptively.

After taking the man’s storage pouch, Qin Ming expertly tossed it into the Nine Dragons Burial Cauldron.

“How... how did you detect our murderous intent?” she stammered.

They had believed their intentions were well concealed.

Not a hint of malice had leaked out.

“Didn’t expect your last words to be nonsense,” Qin Ming shook his head.

No sooner had he spoken than a sword qi pierced through her brow.

The momentum did not wane.

It passed through the back of her head and struck a distant mountain, leaving a long sword scar.

Seizing the woman while she still had warmth, Qin Ming took her storage pouch, secured it, and threw her body into the cauldron for refinement.

Every move was smooth and practiced.

With the two slain, the beast lost its target.

After roaring for a time, it left reluctantly.

“Another good deed done,” Qin Ming smiled faintly.

Fear of the beast?

After killing these two instantly, death brings perfect stillness, and thus no fear remains.

Didn’t want to be hunted?

Well, the beast chasing them fled.

Qin Ming opened the woman’s storage pouch.

Inside were some spirit stones, pills, a few bottles resembling incense, and a small vial each of aphrodisiac and charm potion.

Their value was not high.

Just a glance was enough for Qin Ming to put them away, then he opened the man’s pouch.

At the slightest opening, a chilling and sinister aura exploded forth.

Inside lay a black stone.

As dark as ink, cold enough to corrode all things.

Its surface was cracked, revealing a metallic core.

Inside was a piece of divine metal.

An intense metallic chill radiated from it.

This divine metal was no ordinary material; it was likely extraordinarily rare.

“Does the color of this stone flow?”

After holding the black stone for a moment, Qin Ming’s fingers turned slightly black, as if corroded.

Yet, with his abundant life blood roaring and his vigor vast as the sea, the corrosion was soon dispelled.

Still, the metallic chill was significantly eroded.

After all, they coexisted in one stone, corrupted perhaps for many years.

Suddenly, Qin Ming sensed a subtle aura behind him.

This was alarming.

With his Immortal Dao Body’s keen danger perception, he only now detected it.

That figure must have been hiding here for some time.

“Are you just going to watch from the shadows?”

Qin Ming spoke coldly, his gaze settling on a corner of a large mountain behind.

No sooner had he spoken than a soft sound was heard.

Soon, a woman in a flowing cyan dress flew over.

Her garments trailed, exuding immortal aura.

Her face was veiled, but even through the mist, one could sense an astonishingly beautiful fairy-like countenance hidden beneath.

“This is interesting—such a minor Soul Building cultivator can detect irregularities?”

“By the way, those two siblings hid their intentions well. How did you see through them and strike first?”

The woman in cyan blinked, curious as she looked at the man before her.

He had an extraordinary bearing and was indeed handsome.

Qin Ming looked at her cautiously, subtle phenomena stirred within him, causing considerable commotion.

But on the surface, he remained calm.

After a pause, he did not attack.

For he lacked absolute certainty.

He only answered her question.

“It’s simple. A Bitter Sea Realm beast would be in the core area.”

“Which newbie cultivator would foolishly stray into the core?”

“Besides, their strength surpasses mine, yet they feigned helplessness to seek my aid. Most likely, they intended to use me.”

The woman frowned slightly, “You’re treating them as if they’re part of a conspiracy?”

Qin Ming shrugged, “The human heart is inherently treacherous.”

“There’s no such thing as peaceful cultivation—only the struggle for immortality. I was right; I trust my instincts.”

The woman expressed displeasure, “What if your instincts are wrong?”

After a moment, Qin Ming exhaled heavily, “Then their deaths are better than mine.”

His words stunned the woman.

This time, she remained silent.

But she could not help but glance at him more than once.

Indeed, a strange fellow.

“You’re quite interesting. I’ll allow you to be my companion and follow me into the core of this mountain range.”

“I sense something valuable will emerge.”

The woman pointed at Qin Ming. He frowned and said, “I’ll go with you, but I require payment.”

“Also, going deep into the Hundred Fracture Mountains is dangerous, so the pay must increase.”

The woman blinked.

Many geniuses in the immortal estate had wracked their brains to follow her.

This fellow actually asked for a reward?

And more, on top of that?

Truly mercenary.

“If I don’t pay, will you attack?”

“Yes!” Qin Ming answered frankly.

Experience had shown that when dealing with someone whose true strength is uncertain, one must never test their patience.

No beating around the bush.

When the other doubts whether you will strike, you must be ready and capable!