Chapter 107
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Chapter 107: Qin Clan in the Central Region
Above the clouds stretched a vast expanse, a stark contrast to the shadowy wilderness below. The clouds drifted lazily, caressed by a gentle breeze, all bathed in the radiant glow of the sun.
Ming He stood atop the Jing Ying Sword, her eyes slowly opening. Her aura was sharp, a testament to her recent breakthrough into the Wind Master realm. As the light around her shimmered, her presence gradually settled into calm.
Though the Blood God Wilderness was fraught with danger, Ming He had emerged not only alive but enriched by the experience.
She glanced down at the Jing Ying Sword beneath her feet, its brilliance revealing a heavenly-grade weapon, yet one that remained unsharpened. The green-eyed skeleton of the wilderness would have been its first target, for it was a sword newly forged.
Cultivators of the Wind Master realm could ride the winds and command the forces of nature, marking a new chapter in their cultivation journey. At this stage, each cultivator wields a life’s spiritual artifact.
Qin Chu Yi’s life’s spiritual artifact was the flying sword Chi Li, and Ming He’s…
Her gaze lifted to the distant mist, her eyes deep with thought. If fate allowed, her life’s flying sword would be the Jing Ying Sword, bestowed upon her by the white figure.
Though not the same blade, its form and sword intent mirrored that of the original white long sword so closely that it seemed destined for her.
Star Lock, Nine-Character True Words, the white figure, Xuanyuan Sword.
The world before her eyes grew ever more magnificent, yet the mysteries she faced multiplied—alien species, the Black Wind Alliance, Yóu Lìng, Mu Qian…
Ming He’s grip tightened on the Blue Sea Sword as she steadied her mind. When her eyes opened again, they shone with determination. No matter the challenges ahead, with her sword in hand and her Senior Sister by her side, she felt invincible.
The memory of the white-robed figure, smiling softly, warmed her heart, dispelling her doubts. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned spiritual light, and the Jing Ying Sword shot forward like an arrow, leaving only a shadow in its wake.
“Ming He, have we reached the Central Region?” Qi Qi’s voice, perched atop her head, was soft yet carried an oddly mature tone.
Ming He couldn’t suppress a smile, earning a reproachful look from Qi Qi. “The spiritual energy here is dense, the skies clear. The palaces, mountains, rivers—everything is distinct from the Eastern Region. This must be it.”
From her vantage point above the clouds, she observed the bustling life below, her eyes alight with wonder. Her Shishu had spoken of the Tianwu Continent’s five regions and five seas, with the Eastern Region at the bottom and the Central Region at the apex. Seeing it now, the difference was indeed profound.
Yet, her Shishu had also mentioned that the Eastern Region once led the five regions, its glory unmatched. What a past that must have been.
As Ming He mused, she drew upon the Star Power within her, guided by her Spirit Contract, and set off on her sword. The landscape below was a blur, unworthy of her attention.
The flying sword cut through the clouds, navigating the shifting skies as Ming He guided it downward. Before her rose a mountain adorned with grand palaces and layered with restrictions, her eyes reflecting both awe and a flicker of unease.
This was the domain of the Qin Clan in the Central Region—Qin Huang Mountain. Named for its lineage and the realm of its rulers, the Qin Clan’s might was undeniable.
She had always known the Qin Clan to be the foremost among the ancient clans of the five regions, and Qin Chu Yi’s noble lineage was beyond words. Yet, standing so close, the gap between her and Qin Chu Yi felt palpable.
No wonder the Qin Clan had opposed Su Cheng Feng in the original tale; he was simply… too weak.
Ming He clenched her fist, emotions swirling within. But now, at twenty years old, she had reached the Wind Master realm, a feat that marked her as a genius even in the Central Region. Unlike Su Cheng Feng, she possessed the Star Lock.
She believed herself far superior to Su Cheng Feng, and thus, she would be the ideal choice for Qin Chu Yi.
With this conviction, her eyes sparkled brighter than the starlit sky. She glanced at herself, her gaze reflecting satisfaction and pride. Dressed in pristine blue clothes, her black hair tied high with a jade crown, she exuded youthful vigor and sharpness.
And there was her Jing Ying Sword, a heavenly-grade weapon, its white blade sheathed yet exuding an understated elegance, perfectly complementing her as it hung at her waist.
Ming He gave herself a final, thorough inspection, ensuring everything was in place. With a step forward in her blue and white cloud-walking boots, the soft clink of her sword against her jade ornament echoed, her face adorned with a serene smile despite her inner nerves.
“Foolish Ming He, you’re not planning to march up the mountain like this, are you?” Qi Qi tapped her head, its tone laced with exasperation. “Do you intend to announce yourself as the Young Master’s junior sister and wait for Sister Qin to come to you?”
“Is there a problem?” Ming He paused, her brow furrowing as she considered her plan, finding no flaw. “What’s wrong?”
“Of course there’s a problem! A big one!” Qi Qi stood up, clearly frustrated. “After the Qin Clan verifies your identity and relays the message, who knows how long it’ll take for Sister Qin to receive it and come to you? You’ll be waiting forever!”
“And what if Sister Qin is in seclusion? That could take even longer!” Qi Qi flopped back down. “Besides, we’ve journeyed thousands of miles from the Floating Cloud Sect in the Eastern Region, nearly perishing in the Blood God Wilderness. What was it all for?”
“Why?” Ming He furrowed her brows, feeling a bit dazed by the question. She stood in place, somewhat at a loss, her tone filled with humble inquiry and warmth.
Qi Qi clearly appreciated her attitude, raising its foot to tap the head beneath it, its tone rising. “Of course, it’s to see Sister Qin as soon as possible.”
“So, in my opinion, to see Sister Qin as soon as possible, we can’t be seen by the Qin Clan. We should sneak in quietly. Didn’t you form a Spirit Contract with Sister Qin? Through that, we can find out where she is and go directly to her. Moreover, she thought you were at the Floating Cloud Sect, and now she sees you at the Qin Clan. What a huge surprise! Don’t you want to see her reaction, her joy? If we let the Qin Clan report it, how will you see her?”
Ming He… Ming He felt a twinge of excitement after Qi Qi’s lengthy explanation. She truly wanted to see Qin Chu Yi’s expression when she suddenly appeared before her, perhaps a mix of surprise and joy, or sheer shock. But no matter which it was, as long as it was Qin Chu Yi, that was enough.
“But the Qin Clan is tightly guarded with numerous Restrictions. Every guard within possesses profound cultivation. My cultivation is merely at the Wind Master realm; how can I sneak in without being discovered?” Ming He thought of the barriers in their way, frowning.
The Spirit Gathering Stone had been crushed by the puppet army of the Right Envoy of the demon race in the Blood God Wilderness. Now, she only had the Breath Control Technique, but relying solely on it wasn’t enough to avoid the eyes of the powerful allies of the Qin Clan. If she were discovered… she might lose her life before she could even explain herself.
“It does seem a bit challenging.” Qi Qi sat up straight, frowning as if pondering, but the next moment, its eyes brightened as it lay back down, speaking with pride. “But you have me! I am the ancient divine beast Pi Xiu; nothing in this world can stump me.”
It took a deep breath, exhaling a splash of light into Ming He’s hands. “This is a Spirit Gathering Talisman; its effect is similar to the Spirit Gathering Stone. Although it can only be used once, it will suffice. You can stick it on yourself, use the Breath Control Technique, and enter from the side of Qin Huang Mountain. Follow the less-traveled paths, and you should be fine.”
“How do you have a Spirit Gathering Talisman?” Ming He looked at the talisman in her hand, its light contained and its surface yellowed, feeling uncertain about its usefulness.
“I am the ancient divine beast Pi Xiu; all treasures in the world should belong to me! What’s one Spirit Gathering Talisman?” Qi Qi, noticing Ming He’s slightly doubtful gaze, huffed with irritation. “Now hurry up, we need to find Sister Qin!”
“Alright.” Ming He nodded as she affixed the Spirit Gathering Talisman to herself, her thoughts drifting to Qin Chu Yi’s face, filled with anticipation and longing. She mounted the Jing Ying Sword, carefully avoiding the visible Restrictions. As for those she couldn’t avoid… the Spirit Gathering Talisman glimmered slightly, actually dispelling the power of the Restrictions in an instant.
The Spirit Gathering Talisman was indeed useful. Realizing this truth, Ming He felt a wave of reassurance wash over her. She gently patted Qi Qi on the head as a reward, eliciting a proud glance from it. With a slight smile, she slipped past a patrol of guards in matching robes, lightly stepping onto the palace.
With the towering eaves above her, she glided across the glazed tiles, her movements swift as she soared above another palace, sensing Qin Chu Yi’s familiar aura very close, causing her heart to race.
“Ming He, Ming He, Sister Qin is in that palace ahead!” Qi Qi whispered in her ear, bending over, then effortlessly leaped to perch on the glazed tiles. “I’ll keep watch for you; go on your own, and remember to come get me after you see her.”
“Okay.” Ming He felt a mix of surprise and admiration; she hadn’t expected Qi Qi to know so much. But considering its ancient origin and its timeless existence in the world, she understood and accepted it.
“I’m heading out now.” Ming He murmured, launching herself onto the glazed tiles like a soaring eagle, instantly crossing the eaves of the palace, Qin Chu Yi’s aura lingering just below.
Should she go down now? Ming He hesitated for a moment, thinking about Qi Qi’s word “surprise.” Her steps faltered slightly, but she ultimately chose to lower herself down the glazed tiles, following the aura of the Spirit Contract as she crouched at the side hall of the palace to look down, her movements tinged with awkwardness and shyness.
But she wasn’t doing anything wrong. Ming He coughed softly in her heart, noting that the palace at Qin Huang Mountain was built differently from those in the Eastern Region. For example, the side hall where she crouched was semi-open, the power of the Restrictions shimmering faintly above it, growing calm under the tremor of the Spirit Gathering Talisman.
Warmth wafted up from below, suggesting something was cooking. Curiosity piqued, Ming He peered down to see what Qin Chu Yi was doing, but the next moment, her pupils constricted in shock and… panic.
In her line of sight, a circular pool resembling a hot spring hovered in the side hall, steam rising in the air. In the center of the pool floated a woman with delicate features. Amid swirling mist, her exquisite figure flickered in and out of view as she poured the steaming, milky spirit liquid from the hot spring onto herself.
From her elevated position, Ming He could clearly see each of Qin Chu Yi’s movements. She was… bathing and not wearing a stitch of clothing! Heat surged from deep within Ming He, and she felt her face flush crimson, whether from the steam or from embarrassment, she couldn’t tell.
She wanted to look away, but her body was stiff, frozen as if captivated by something, unable to move a muscle.
“Who?” The woman below seemed to sense something, her brow furrowing slightly, her first reaction being to grab the white deep garment beside the pool and drape it over herself. A cold, fierce glint crossed her features as she raised her hand, hurling a droplet of water upward.
Her aura was sharp, her actions decisive, and a chilling decisiveness accompanied her, reminiscent of the moment Ming He first saw Qin Chu Yi at the outer sect of the Liu Yun Sect.
