Chapter 109

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Chapter 109: Grasping the Bright Moon at the Highest Point of the Heavens

"Is it good?" Ming He whispered softly, holding Qin Chu Yi tightly. Her voice was gentle and clear, carrying an undercurrent of boundless tenderness, yet her heart was aflutter with an unprecedented sense of unease.

She knew Qin Chu Yi liked her, and she believed Qin Chu Yi wouldn’t refuse her, but still, her heart pounded like a drum.

So this was what it felt like to love someone!

Ming He softened her sharp edges, her brow lifting as she recalled something and continued in a hushed tone, “Actually, back at the Floating Cloud Sect’s Moonlight Courtyard, I wasn’t unaffected. I wasn’t as calm as I seemed.”

She released Qin Chu Yi, facing her directly, her eyes bright and intense. “Senior Sister, at that moment, I almost lost my composure too.”

The impact Qin Chu Yi had on her was far greater than she had imagined. In her heart, Qin Chu Yi weighed a thousand pounds, beyond any rational measure.

“But you are Qin Chu Yi.”

Ming He’s expression turned serious. “I still remember the first time I saw you in the Liu Yun Mountains. You wore white robes, like the eternal snow of Tianshan, standing there so effortlessly, yet you stunned the world. No grandeur could compare to your beauty. With just one glance, you embodied the nobility and pride of the Ancient Clan’s Young Master.”

“You are extraordinary, unparalleled in talent. Even the cold poison that tortures the soul couldn’t extinguish your hope. How could you lower your head because of something as trivial as a seductive poison?”

She looked up at Qin Chu Yi, her eyes filled with pride and admiration. “So I won’t let you lose your dignity, no matter the time or circumstance.”

Her voice was gentle yet firm, carrying an unshakable conviction, resonating with unwavering determination.

Because Qin Chu Yi was like the bright moon in the sky to her, Ming He refused to take advantage of the situation. She wanted to protect her beloved’s pride.

“As for everything else…” Ming He’s gaze flickered slightly. “I want to give Senior Sister the best. Though I’m only at the Wind Master realm now, I will work tirelessly to cultivate.

I believe I can stand by your side, so I wish to establish a contract with you, to openly declare ourselves Dao partners before heaven, earth, and all people. This is important to me.”

Though her blue clothes were soaked and slightly disheveled, she stood tall, her expression gentle, her brilliance contained. A long, white sword hung at her waist, and like the blade, she radiated sharpness. She was already among the finest young sword cultivators Qin Chu Yi had ever seen.

Meeting her steady, luminous gaze, Qin Chu Yi smiled brightly. “Since you know I am Qin Chu Yi, how could you think a mere seductive poison could control me?”

She raised her right hand to caress Ming He’s face, savoring its warmth and softness. “If I didn’t want it, Mo She wouldn’t have been able to feed me that pill. If I didn’t want it, the seductive poison wouldn’t have affected me.”

“Ming He, if it’s you, then it’s no disgrace to me. I would willingly accept it.” Qin Chu Yi continued to smile, her eyes meeting Ming He’s surprised gaze. “But I must say, I really liked what you just said.”

“‘Acting in accordance with heaven and earth, openly and proudly’—I truly liked that.” Qin Chu Yi released her grip on Ming He’s robe and turned to walk out of the hall. “Song Guanting is waiting for me. I should go now.”

“Senior Sister, you still haven’t answered my question.” Ming He, caught off guard, called out to Qin Chu Yi’s retreating figure, her brow furrowed with tension.

Qin Chu Yi seemed to relish her anxious expression, raising an eyebrow and chuckling softly. “When I return, I’ll give you your answer.” She remembered the gloom that had settled over her after returning to Qin Huang Mountain from the Moonlight Courtyard. She wasn’t about to make things easy for Ming He.

At the very least, she wanted to keep her waiting a little longer—perhaps an hour or so.

“Oh.” Ming He murmured softly, watching Qin Chu Yi’s figure disappear into the distance, a pang of loss tugging at her heart. She feared Qin Chu Yi might be gone for a long time, but then again, they were at Qin Huang Mountain. Qin Chu Yi couldn’t go far.

“Miss Ming He, these are the clothes the Young Master sent for you.” A woman in a light mist-colored robe entered the side hall, carrying a delicate jade tray. She stood before Ming He, bowing slightly, her demeanor calm and composed, showing no trace of surprise.

“Thank you, Miss Chu Yi.” Ming He nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

“Do you remember me, Miss Ming He?” Chu Yi’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. Unlike Duan Wu, who had served the Young Master for years, she had only met Ming He once. She hadn’t expected Ming He to remember her after so many years.

“Before the ancient cave dwelling in Luoyin City on the Ninth Continent, you took the Young Master from my arms, Miss Chu Yi. How could I forget, even after all this time?” Ming He replied, her gaze lowered as she recalled every detail about Qin Chu Yi with clarity.

“It’s been years, and Miss Ming He’s cultivation has progressed by leaps and bounds.” Chu Yi’s tone held a note of astonishment and disbelief. The little cultivator who had once been at the Spirit Guiding stage now touched the forces of nature, surpassing even her own strength.

Moreover, she had won the heart of the Young Master. In time, she would undoubtedly become the Young Mistress.

At this thought, Chu Yi’s expression grew even more respectful. As Ming He reached for the clothes on the jade tray, Chu Yi bowed deeply and stepped back. “Miss Ming He, I’ll wait for you outside the hall.”

“Alright.” Ming He replied softly, her head still lowered, unaware that the woman before her already regarded her as a second mistress.

Ming He removed her damp blue clothes and shook out the garment in her hands, discovering it was still blue but with a familiar style and fabric, adorned with embroidered patterns…

Ming He raised an eyebrow and smiled, her expression revealing a sense of joy as she changed into the outfit. She then unleashed her spiritual energy to create a water mirror in the air. In the mirror, the woman had her black hair tied up, and her blue attire fitted her figure perfectly, with cloud patterns along the hem and sleeves, and a white trim inside, which added a touch of elegance and grace.

Just as she thought, this blue outfit matched the red attire of Qin Chu Yi perfectly, except for the color.

Moreover, it was tailored specifically for her, making it feel just right.

Ming He smiled gently at the thought and satisfied herself with a glance before stepping out of the side hall. Chu Yi stood outside the hall waiting for her, and upon seeing her outfit, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. In that moment, Ming He seemed to radiate beauty, destined not to be outshone by the Young Master, perfectly complementing him like a captivating position amid the moon.

“Ming He, the Young Master asked me to take you to the Moon Grasping Palace first,” Chu Yi said respectfully, bowing slightly, though she did not appear subservient. The Qin Huang Mountain, inheriting traditions from ancient times, blessed even the smallest attendants with their own dignity.

“The Moon Grasping Palace?” Ming He paused, “Is that Senior Sister’s… sleeping quarters?” She looked at Chu Yi and guessed something from her expression, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks.

“Yes,” Chu Yi replied, paying no attention to her surprise as she guided Ming He through layers of majestic palaces and winding corridors until they stopped before a towering palace. The words “Moon Grasping” floated above, beautifully inscribed, reminiscent of the “Moonlight” characters on Snowfall Peak of the Floating Cloud Sect, both clearly crafted by Qin Chu Yi’s hand.

“The Young Master and Miss Song might have important matters to discuss. Ming He can enter the palace and wait. Within the palace, anything can be viewed, and if there’s anything that interests you, you can play with it. The Young Master said you can decide freely,” Chu Yi said softly.

“Miss Song?” Ming He’s gaze lingered for a moment, “I have never heard of this person. Is she a prodigy from the Central Region or the Young Master of the Ancient Clan?”

Important matters to discuss.

Whoever could hold discussions with Qin Chu Yi would surely not have low status or cultivation.

She lowered her eyes, unable to hide her curiosity.

“Miss Song is the second daughter of the Sect Master from the Haoran Sword Sect. Her brother is the young Sect Master, Song Guanshi, and in some ways, she can represent Haoran Sword Sect,” Chu Yi answered, bowing her head while responding to Ming He.

The Young Master entrusted her to follow Ming He and heed her orders, hence Chu Yi had no reason to hide anything.

Haoran Sword Sect?

Ming He’s steps faltered as two figures suddenly surfaced in her mind, forming the foundation of her understanding of the Haoran Sword Sect.

One wore white robes and carried a gentle demeanor, while the other donned blue garments, exuding brightness—Mu Qian and Xie Feihe. Unfortunately, both figures eventually transformed into bloodstains.

One in white was stained with blood due to slaying fellow disciples, and the other in blue was striking in their commitment to protect their own path, yet their fates diverged, severing life and death.

Ming He’s gaze darkened as she pushed open the crimson doors of the Moon Grasping Palace, and her eyes widened at the sight within, filled with dazzling light and color. The floors were laid with white jade, reflecting shimmering lights in the intense sunlight. The walls sparkled with spiritual energy, and crystal lamps adorned the ceiling. Outside the windows, towering trees surrounded a sea of flowers, enveloped by mist.

This scene was a hundredfold more splendid than the Moonlight Courtyard of the Floating Cloud Sect. The glory of a human palace paled in comparison to this breathtaking sight, a landscape only fitting for a celestial abode.

Qin Chu Yi said she could explore and admire whatever she fancied in the palace, but with Qin Chu Yi absent, Ming He naturally wouldn’t wander. Instead, she found a mat in the hall and sat cross-legged to begin her cultivation.

She remembered her promise to work hard and cultivate alongside Qin Chu Yi, thus she couldn’t afford to be untrustworthy.

Once, her dream was to ascend and broaden her horizons. After determining her feelings, her dream became to stand atop great heights with Qin Chu Yi and behold the beautiful world together. Therefore, she had even less reason to be idle.

Ming He focused her mind and began to circulate the Star Technique. The spiritual energy of Qin Huang Mountain was far denser than that of the Floating Cloud Sect, allowing her to clearly sense her cultivation speed increasing. For a moment, she wished she could cultivate like this forever.

However, when Qin Chu Yi’s aura stepped into the hall, Ming He reined in her technique and opened her eyes to find Qin Chu Yi crouched before her, gazing intently, her expression unreadable and carrying a hint of danger?

“Senior Sister, what’s wrong?” Ming He asked, puzzled, as she pulled Qin Chu Yi’s hand to stand, instinctively changing her sitting position.

“You started cultivating as soon as you arrived at the Moon Grasping Palace?” Qin Chu Yi asked in a low voice.

“Yes,” Ming He responded, feeling oddly guilty under Qin Chu Yi’s gaze, “Is there anything wrong?” She coughed lightly, feeling a mix of anxiety even though she didn’t quite understand what it was.

“There’s nothing wrong.” Qin Chu Yi observed her earnest demeanor, her expression flickering slightly as she sighed.

She wanted to ask Ming He how she could so calmly cultivate after asking such a question, as she herself had found it difficult to keep her focus during discussions with Song Guanting.

But she had known Ming He long enough to understand her true aim was to grow stronger, so she said nothing.

“Senior Sister, can you answer my question now?” After finishing her cultivation, Ming He’s mind cleared, and she recalled Qin Chu Yi’s words before she left, her eyes sparkling brightly as she added, “Will you establish a contract with me and be my Dao partner?”

Qin Chu Yi paused at the sight of her shining eyes. Even though she had long clarified her feelings, she still felt moved at this moment. She cast aside her earlier melancholy and met Ming He’s gaze with a smile, not avoiding the question any longer. “Alright.”

“Senior Sister, you agreed?” Ming He’s eyes brightened even more. The lingering Star Power within her body still flowed, and it seemed as though stars were hidden in her gaze.

“Yes, I agree,” Qin Chu Yi said, allowing Ming He to hug her tightly, the warmth and gentleness reflecting in her eyes. “But I cannot establish a contract with you right now.”

Qin Chu Yi thought of something, her lips tightening a bit with bitterness.

“Why not?” Ming He asked, slightly taken aback. “Is it because Senior Sister has a marriage contract?”

“What marriage contract?” Qin Chu Yi also seemed slightly surprised. “Where did you hear that from?”

Of course, it was from the original plot, but she couldn’t tell Qin Chu Yi that.

Ming He’s gaze flickered as her emotions shifted, already finding an explanation. “Senior Sister is the Young Master of the Qin Clan in the Central Region, so it’s not hard to learn about you. I heard that Senior Sister has a marriage contract with Song Tianyang of the Song Clan.”

“That’s nonsense.” Qin Chu Yi’s expression grew chilly. “That was a childhood joke from my elders. I never took it seriously and even warned Song Tianyang. Moreover, since I came of age, my marriage is up to me, and no one else has the right to interfere.”

As she spoke, pride gleamed in her eyes. “Marriages among the Ancient Clan Young Masters were once mere transactions and schemes, but I am different. I am Qin Chu Yi, and I can choose my Dao partner myself. This is something even the ancestors, my father, the elders, and my brothers have no place to interfere.”

Ming He stared at her resolute expression, surprised. To decide her own marriage was something quite different from the original plot.

The Ancient Clan Young Master, Qin Chu Yi.

She contemplated those words, realizing Qin Chu Yi’s lofty position.

Yes, she was no longer the tool Qin Chu Yi from the original story. The woman before her was both wise and brave, a remarkable figure.

Taking a deep breath, she chose not to dwell on the issue anymore, completely casting aside the original narrative. With her spirit clear and connected, she felt completely in harmony with this world, no longer distanced in any way. “Since it’s not because of a marriage contract, then why can’t we establish a contract right now?”

“Because of the cold poison,” Qin Chu Yi replied with a touch of bitterness. “This is a strange poison left behind by an alien ruler; it consumes spiritual energy and meridians and can even alter the destinies of heaven and earth.”

“To establish a contract requires acting in accordance with heaven and earth, drawing on natural forces to create a lifelong bond. However, once that natural energy enters the body, it gets neutralized by the cold poison. With my current cultivation, I cannot suppress it completely, so it’s not possible at this moment.”