The Land of Eternal Night

Outside the village, darkness engulfed everything, making it hard to discern the surroundings. Few dared to venture out at this time.

"Uncle Yang?" Not far from the village, Qin Ming spotted a sturdy, middle-aged man.

Yang Yongqing looked surprised. "Qin, the shallow night hasn't even fully arrived yet. What are you doing out so early?"

"I wanted to try my luck and see if I could find any frozen mountain beasts," Qin Ming replied.

Yang Yongqing chuckled. "Looks like we had the same idea. I've already made a trip outside the mountains, but there's nothing to be found."

Qin Ming was stunned. This burly, bearded man had already been outside? He had certainly set out early.

"Uncle Yang, surely you weren't just looking for frozen animals like me. Were you chasing after some rare, spiritual creature?" Qin Ming teased. He knew Yang Yongqing was one of the few Reborn in Double Tree Village.

As they chatted, they noticed movement in the distance—a shadow flickered.

"A patrolman," Yang Yongqing murmured.

In this sunless age, the wilderness was fraught with dangers. Patrolmen—highly skilled individuals—were needed to monitor the landscape and keep an eye on threats.

A man clad in leather armor appeared. He was tall and muscular, with a bow on his back, an iron spear in hand, and long hair flowing freely. He exuded raw, untamed power.

"Brother Shao," Yang Yongqing greeted him.

The man, Shao Chengfeng, nodded slightly. Around forty years old, his sharp gaze scanned Qin Ming before stopping. "Such a young one out with you? Could this be that sickly boy from the neighboring village?"

"No, that's a kid from the next village over…" Yang Yongqing explained.

"Double Tree Village isn't doing too well. It's been decades since you've had anyone achieve Rebirth during the golden age," Shao Chengfeng remarked bluntly.

Yang Yongqing wasn't offended. He thought it was true—very few in the region could achieve Rebirth at fifteen or sixteen years old. Talent like that was hard to come by.

"Who would've thought that sickly kid could pull it off?" Yang Yongqing mused. "I hear he's regained what his body once lacked and has now grown even stronger."

Shao Chengfeng nodded. "Indeed. He's no ordinary boy. But whether he can match those prodigies in the Bright City far to the east… that remains to be seen."

"It's difficult. The environment shapes people differently," Yang Yongqing said with a sigh. He had seen the city's grandeur and knew how powerful advanced techniques could be.

"True," Shao Chengfeng agreed. "I've heard there are two exceptional youths over there—a boy and a girl—who've surpassed all the Reborn of previous years. Their talent has stunned the entire region."

"That land truly nurtures remarkable people," Yang Yongqing said, envy but not resentment in his voice. The two worlds were incomparable; the city was simply too far away.

Qin Ming listened intently, choosing not to interrupt.

After lingering for a while, Shao Chengfeng disappeared into the night.

No one knew what creatures or dangers lurked deep within the dark mountain ranges. Patrolmen monitored the outer regions to provide early warnings.

"Do patrolmen go into the mountains every day?" Qin Ming asked.

"Some are very diligent," Yang Yongqing replied.

Qin Ming blinked. Doesn't that mean some aren't? He hadn't expected such a vague answer from this rugged man.

"The mountains feel wrong lately—far too dangerous," Yang Yongqing continued. "I suspect there will soon be a mountain-sweeping operation. The nobles will send their disciples down to lead the way. Qin, work hard. Strive for Rebirth during the golden age. Who knows? If a noble girl spots you, your life might change."

With that, the two parted ways. Yang Yongqing returned to the village, and Qin Ming pressed onward.

Qin Ming moved swiftly through the snow, which reached up to his chest, creating waves of white powder as he passed.

By now, the night was less intense—the shallow night had arrived, and the forest began to emerge in faint outlines.

Standing at the edge of the mountains, Qin Ming heightened his vigilance. No one knew what might lurk in the shadows.

His stomach growled loudly, signaling his intense hunger. Earlier, he had suppressed it while talking to Yang Yongqing. Now, it could no longer be ignored.

His gut churned with hunger as he stared into the dark forest. Gripping his hunting spear tightly, he darted inside.

He passed the mutated squirrel's den, climbed over the small hill, and ventured farther than he had last time.

Deeper into the forest, Qin Ming began to notice signs—scattered bones, large hoof prints. He didn't have to worry about the snow being too deep; other creatures had already carved pathways through the wilderness.

Suddenly, a strange sobbing sound echoed through the forest, like a woman weeping. It was eerie, especially in this desolate place.

Qin Ming quickened his pace, following the sound to its source.

In the darkness, pairs of glowing green eyes stared back at him. Faint silhouettes revealed a dozen creatures gathered in the clearing.

To those unfamiliar with the truth, the sobbing sound might have been terrifying. But to a seasoned survivor like Qin Ming, it was an opportunity.

Without hesitation, he rushed forward with his hunting spear. The creatures scattered with a flurry of wings, rising into the night sky with sharp, flapping sounds.

They were Night Birds, each about two feet long. Carnivorous by nature, they hunted small animals and occasionally attacked humans. Their cries mimicked the wails of women, a tactic they used to lure prey.

Qin Ming arrived at the scene only to find a pile of blood-stained bones and torn fur. A deer had been stripped clean.

Too late. He clicked his tongue in disappointment. With no reason to linger, he moved on, wary of the birds circling above.

Soon, he reached an open area where the trees thinned out. The ground was splattered with blood, and enormous claw marks—wider than bowls—marked the snow. A large beast had fed here.

The remains had likely been taken away by other scavengers.

Even the outskirts of the mountains are becoming this dangerous? Qin Ming frowned. He thought about how treacherous the deeper forest must be.

Moving cautiously, he continued. Eventually, he spotted fresh hoof prints in the snow and felt a surge of excitement. He began tracking them.

Before long, he found himself staring at a herd of Knife-Horned Deer—over twenty dark silhouettes in the night. These creatures were large and imposing, and the sight of them clustered together felt almost overwhelming.

"Knife-Horned Deer!" Qin Ming whispered in delight.

It had been a long time since deer herds had appeared in this region.

Carefully, he unstrapped his bow and nocked an iron-tipped arrow, aiming at a massive stag.

These were not gentle animals. Adult males had six blades of antlers on their heads—sharp and flat like steel knives. If they gored someone, it would leave a gaping, fatal wound.

Even predators avoided them, preferring to strike from behind. For humans, being surrounded by a herd like this could be deadly.

Qin Ming drew his bowstring to its fullest, forming a perfect crescent, and let the arrow fly.

Thwack! The iron arrow struck the stag in the lungs.

The Knife-Horned Deer were fierce creatures, unafraid of predators. The wounded stag didn't retreat. Instead, it charged straight at Qin Ming with a roar, its antlers aimed like a cluster of spears.

The herd, startled, followed suit, their thundering hooves kicking up clouds of snow and shaking the forest.

Qin Ming remained calm. He quickly loosed another arrow, striking the stag again. The force of the shot embedded the arrow deep into its body.

With no time to spare, he climbed a thick tree, taking refuge several meters above the ground.

The massive stag staggered forward but couldn't keep going. With a final groan, it collapsed into the snow.

The herd halted briefly before retreating, their hoofbeats fading into the distance.

Once he was sure the danger had passed, Qin Ming dropped from the tree and approached the fallen stag.

It was an enormous beast, its dark brown hide glistening even in the dim light. It easily weighed seven hundred pounds, a rare find in winter.

Satisfied with his success, Qin Ming grabbed the stag's antlers and began dragging it back. He marveled at his newfound strength—this was the power of Rebirth. Even pulling such a heavy animal through deep snow didn't tire him.

But as he ascended a hill, the wind grew fierce, whipping snowflakes into his face.

Then, out of nowhere, a heavy, furry paw landed on his shoulder.

At the same moment, a hot, foul breath brushed the back of his neck.

Something was behind him. Something big.