The Land of Eternal Night

Qin Ming nodded solemnly. It was indeed time to consider how to achieve "rebirth."

This was a matter of utmost importance—it determined one's entire life and would shape their destiny.

Fifteen to sixteen years of age was considered the golden period. Achieving rebirth during this phase would yield the greatest benefits. Missing it would be a great regret.

But it wasn't easy. Even the most outstanding individuals in Double Tree Village had only achieved rebirth after the age of twenty, with some succeeding only after turning thirty.

Even so, out of the forty or so households in the village—more than two hundred people—there were fewer than ten reborn individuals.

Lu Ze spoke up: "That sickly boy from the neighboring village made it. He managed to achieve rebirth right within the golden period."

Qin Ming remembered that boy. He was thin, sickly, with a pale complexion and sparse, straw-like hair.

It surprised him. That fragile-looking youth had actually achieved rebirth during the prime years?

"When did this happen?" he asked.

"Almost a month ago," Lu Ze replied. After his rebirth, the boy had lifted a four-hundred-pound black mule in his courtyard, transforming completely from his former weak self.

"That's truly incredible." Qin Ming could hardly believe it. Many youths with strong, robust physiques had repeatedly failed, yet this frail boy had succeeded in one stroke.

Lu Ze also felt the irony. Despite being strong and among the top in his age group, he was already twenty-three and had yet to achieve rebirth.

"It's said that it had to do with one of his relatives," Lu Ze explained.

The boy's distant relative, who had traveled extensively, had returned home and, upon seeing the boy, declared him to be a hidden gem.

The relative had said that the boy had a physical issue preventing his essence, energy, and spirit from being locked into place, which caused his sickly appearance. But his potential was immense.

The turning point came when the relative brought back a high-level Qi Intent Art and had the boy practice it instead. The results were remarkable, and he finally achieved rebirth.

Qin Ming fell into thought—truly, life's fortunes were unpredictable.

"Later, that relative said that the boy's innate foundation was far stronger than expected. He might have a bright future ahead of him."

Lu Ze hadn't expected that someone who had always been sickly could turn out so impressive.

"While we don't have advanced Qi Intent Arts, there are still other paths. Qin, I think you need to change your training method," Lu Ze urged.

In his opinion, Qin Ming had an exceptional physical foundation—better than his own and far superior to the average person.

Yet, despite such excellent conditions, Qin Ming had not achieved rebirth. The problem likely lay in his unconventional training methods, which couldn't nurture the power of rebirth to carry him forward.

Now that Qin Ming was over sixteen, continuing like this would mean missing the golden period altogether.

Liang Wanqing chimed in, "Qin, why not try your Brother Lu's Night Meditation Technique?"

In a world shrouded in eternal night and brimming with danger, some common power manuals were shared publicly to help people improve their constitutions and protect themselves.

Of course, these manuals weren't high-level, and they were far from being the rare, precious texts.

Qin Ming wasn't a stubborn person. He appreciated their concern and nodded, saying, "I'll give it a serious try."

Lu Ze sighed softly, believing that Qin Ming had been misled by his "wild" methods. He felt that even his basic Introduction to Night Meditation was better. But switching now was a race against time.

In Lu Ze's view, only an advanced Qi Intent Art could help Qin Ming turn things around quickly.

Exhaling deeply, Lu Ze muttered, "Even a mid-level manual would do. If someone with your potential misses out on the golden period, it'd be such a pity."

However, only a few manuals that could help someone achieve rebirth were available in the region—Guiding Chapter of Floating Life Technique and Introduction to Night Meditation among them, all of similar quality.

Yet Qin Ming wasn't impatient. The reason was that the actions he had been practicing for years had begun to show results. A faint, silvery ripple had once manifested on his body—something that had never happened before.

With a healthy flush on his fair face and bright, determined eyes, he said, "Brother Lu, Sister-in-law, give me a little more time. I think I can succeed."

Rebirth was a process where vibrant life force surged forth, as if one's body were returning to the womb to be nurtured anew, bringing forth renewed vitality.

In this polluted and stagnant world, the body's original condition would have already solidified. But if the foundation could experience another wave of growth, it was akin to being reborn after the womb.

Who wouldn't be tempted by such a transformation?

Take the sickly boy, for example. Previously weak and frail, after rebirth, he could lift hundreds of pounds over his head with sheer strength.

Such changes were astonishing, like rewriting one's fate.

Imagine Lu Ze, who could already break green bricks and wooden dummies after practicing the Night Meditation Technique. If he achieved rebirth, how terrifying would his fists and kicks become with such a massive power boost?

"I feel different now. My body has never been in better shape," Qin Ming said with conviction.

Lu Ze and Liang Wanqing said nothing, but five-year-old Wen Rui was already nodding earnestly, his rosy cheeks full of anticipation. "Uncle is the best! When Uncle succeeds, catch a big mountain beast to stew meat for us. I'm so hungry!"

Little Wen Hui, just over two years old, waddled forward and chimed in his baby voice, "Uncle… strong! Eat meat!"

Qin Ming laughed and said, "No need to wait for later. I'll satisfy you today."

With that, he took the red squirrel down from the hunting fork.

The mutant squirrel's black gemstone-like eyes widened in terror, and it looked utterly panicked.

"Oh, it's alive again. That's even better—the meat will be fresher than frozen," Qin Ming said, examining it carefully.

"This squirrel is so pretty and cute," Wen Rui said, blinking his big eyes. He genuinely liked the furry little creature.

"It'll be even cuter when it's stewed and tastes delicious," Qin Ming teased with a smile.

Wen Rui hesitated. He was indeed craving meat—it had been a long time since they'd had any—but seeing the glowing red-furred creature, he couldn't help but want to keep it as a pet.

Little Wen Hui followed his older brother's lead, his bright eyes reflecting the squirrel. "Mouse… cute!" he babbled.

Lu Ze and Liang Wanqing couldn't help but laugh at the two children.

Qin Ming agreed, saying, "It really is cute and capable. Look at how much food it stored for winter: pine nuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, red dates—over a dozen types! It even stored mushrooms. Perfect! Squirrel stew with mushrooms—delicious and nutritious."

"Really? But… I don't want it to die," Wen Rui pleaded, tugging at his clothes and trying to resist the temptation of food.

"I'm serious! These mushrooms even include tiger paw fungus and sunbird mushrooms, both renowned mountain delicacies. You two are in for a treat. Truly, mutant creatures always pick the best."

The red squirrel's fur bristled with anger.

Qin Ming pulled out a short knife and carried the squirrel to the courtyard to skin it, not wanting the children to see any blood.

"Squeak! Squeak!" The mutant squirrel shrieked in terror, struggling frantically, the wire around its body nearly cutting into its flesh.

"Uncle, how about… we keep it?" Wen Rui interjected, firming his resolve as he forgot about stew and pleaded.

"It's such a good ingredient. Mutant meat is the most delicious," Qin Ming teased.

"Let's not eat it this time. After Uncle achieves rebirth, you'll definitely be able to hunt a massive, ferocious mutant beast. I'll wait for Uncle to succeed," Wen Rui said compassionately, resisting the lure of food.

The red squirrel glanced nervously between the knife in Qin Ming's hand and Wen Rui, chirping as though pleading for help.

Liang Wanqing marveled, "This little creature is so intelligent. It seems to understand what you're saying. Look how its little face is all scrunched up with tension."

Qin Ming relented, putting away the knife. There wasn't much meat on such a small creature anyway. Since the kids liked it alive, it would be kept as a pet.

This section sets up Qin Ming's hopeful journey toward rebirth while showcasing the interplay between family, hardship, and determination.