While Qin Ming was deep in thought, Xu Yueping knocked on the courtyard gate, calling for him. "Qin, come out quickly, there's something urgent."
Qin Ming's heart skipped a beat. Had the incident with the destroyed patrol group already come to light?
"We're heading out in an hour," Xu Yueping said. People from Chixia City had arrived and wanted to meet the rebirthers from the surrounding villages. He lowered his voice. "They're said to be direct descendants of noble families. While they're here to help with mountain sweeps, it's also a chance for them to temper themselves."
"So, it's finally beginning?" Qin Ming said.
Xu Yueping spoke solemnly, "You need to perform well this time. These people are not ordinary. If you impress them, you might just get into Chixia City."
…
An hour later, Xu Yueping's household was bustling with activity. Old Liu was full of energy, carrying a thick-backed machete on his back, dressed in old leather armor, and wearing an iron helmet. He was fully armed.
Qin Ming walked over and asked, "Uncle Liu, what are you doing? We're just going to meet them today, not entering the mountains."
Old Liu replied, "Just getting used to the gear in advance."
Yang Yongqing also took it seriously. He carried two blades on his back.
"Nothing's indeed likely to happen during this short meeting, but we still need someone to stay behind and guard the village. Uncle Liu, you're not as strong as before and…" Xu Yueping hadn't finished before Old Liu cut him off.
"An old warhorse still dreams of the battlefield! I'm full of vigor, strong enough to beat both you and Yang Yongqing together!" Old Liu insisted on coming.
Not everyone was so daring. Two other rebirthers from the village stayed behind. As for the injured Wang Qinglin, he had no choice.
The meeting point wasn't far, just seven miles away at a crossroads.
Under the dim night sky, the surrounding wilderness was dense with forest. Over a dozen villages had received the summons. The rebirthers were swift-footed and arrived one after another.
Smaller villages like Shuangshu Village sent only four people, while larger ones brought over ten. Altogether, they numbered fewer than a hundred.
The people from Chixia City had arrived even earlier, split into three groups. Nearly all were armored and heavily equipped, standing quietly up ahead.
The rebirthers quickly fell silent, intimidated by the gleaming armor and sharp weapons, and filled with awe for the noble elites from the dazzling city.
Each of the three groups bore unique family crests, and each had a dozen members. But the three team leaders standing at the front were especially striking.
One of them was a towering man, nearly three meters tall, clad in black-gold armor, with long black hair flowing over his shoulders. His eyes were as sharp as blades, exuding immense pressure. His mount also drew attention—a giant crimson bull, its back taller than a grown man. In addition to two curved horns, it had a third, forward-facing horn like a sword.
When the towering man saw the village's rebirthers arrive, he did not remain seated on his mount. He dismounted, nodded to everyone, and said, "I'm Cao Long."
He briefly introduced himself, saying that many experts from Chixia City had come for the mountain sweep. A dozen families were involved, and their three teams oversaw this area.
"I'm from the Wei family. My name is Wei Zhirou," said the young woman among them. She wasn't standing next to the giant, but rather on a slab of green stone. She wore a snow-white fox-fur coat, her black hair fluttering in the wind. Her fair, oval face carried a sweet and radiant smile, her beauty struck like a blow to the hearts of many young men from the villages.
To these mountain-bound youths who had never traveled far, this girl from the radiant city was like a celestial maiden in white, pure and ethereal. Even years later, many would still remember her vividly.
Wei Zhirou stood tall and graceful. She's undeniably beautiful. She tucked her windswept hair behind her ear and spoke about the mountain sweep, bringing with her a piece of news. "This winter, the heavy snow has blocked roads. Transporting grain from outside will be difficult. But don't worry. Chixia City has already deployed giant beasts to pull grain carts. Supplies will arrive soon."
This immediately caused a stir as people from various villages showed visible joy. But some are also worried. Would grain prices be exorbitant if transported like that?
Then the last of the three leaders spoke, "I'm Mu Qing."
Mu Qing was shrouded in a black cloak, face hidden, voice and gender indistinguishable. The tone leaned toward androgyny, adding to the mystery.
Mu Qing stated bluntly that they were unfamiliar with the mountain terrain and needed local rebirthers as guides. This was the real reason the three teams were meeting the village's rebirthers. Those who joined them would receive generous rewards.
Cao Long added that if anyone performed exceptionally, they might receive rare Qi cultivation manuals or meditation manuals. This immediately sparked a buzz, and many people looked excited. The "rebirth methods" circulating in this region were all very basic.
"What counts as exceptional performance?" someone couldn't help but ask.
"Providing critical information to avoid casualties, hunting rare creatures, discovering places where spiritual matter is gestating, etc."
It became clear that these rewards weren't easy to earn. The nobles weren't just here to train; they wanted to explore the mountain's mysteries.
Wei Zhirou added, "If you encounter any unusual phenomena in the mountains and report them to us immediately, that will also count as valuable intel."
"I know of a chasm that once had silver threads stretching across it. Anyone who fell in, even if they climbed out, rarely survived. Does that count?"
Qin Ming realized the speaker was from Qingsang Village, seizing the chance to speak first. People from nearby villages had also died there.
Old Liu slapped his thigh and looked at Qin Ming, his expression said, "We got scooped."
Wei Zhirou nodded. "The mountain's magnetic field is chaotic. What you described is likely a smaller energy node. If you find another similar location, I'll give you an intermediate rebirth manual."