Chapter 118

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Chapter 118: The Locator Symbol Activation

“I refuse,” Ming He replied in a low voice.

“The human race needs the Ancient Fiends to act, and that means giving their all without holding back. If conditions need to be met or if it’s a choice between two options, the human race refuses to accept it.” She lifted her head, matching Qin Chu Yi’s stance, her resolute expression showing no signs of wavering.

The Tianwu Continent belongs to the human race, yet it has never solely belonged to them. So why should the human race repeatedly sacrifice and retreat?

“I am certain that my role in the human race surpasses that of an entire Phoenix Clan, which is why I refuse,” Ming He asserted. She wasn’t merely talk; she genuinely had the confidence to back up her words.

In the ancient palace beneath the East Sea, she first heard the name Soul Ancestor from Qin Chu Yi’s lips. The woman shrouded in mystery had wielded power to slaughter millions of foreign races, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Sword Master, a peerless powerhouse whose elegance transcended time.

Throughout her journey, she had seen the Soul Ancestor, witnessed the Sword Master, and met many exceptional predecessors of the human race. Their brilliance inspired her, yet she did not feel inferior.

She was not lacking in talent and hid grand aspirations in her heart; she just needed time to grow.

Qin Chu Yi said she was an extraordinary genius of the human race, and then she would accept that.

As a genius of the human race, how could she distance herself from the battlefield and go to Wutong Heaven?

Now that she had broken through to the Wind Master realm, she should wield her sword across the five regions.

“As for the title of Phoenix Lord…” Ming He pressed her lips together, her eyes shining like stars as she firmly rejected the offer again. “I already have a Dao partner.” Though they had yet to establish a contract, it made no difference to her.

She took Qin Chu Yi’s hand and looked at Feng Xin with a hint of coldness in her gaze. “In this life, Ming He recognizes only Qin Chu Yi as my Dao partner, living and dying together.”

Qin Chu Yi gazed at Ming He, seeing determination and steadfastness in her eyes. A smile crept onto her lips, revealing her happiness. Her radiant smile contrasted sharply with Feng Xin, whose expression had turned dark.

“Alright, I understand,” Feng Xin said after a moment of silence, lowering her gaze. She glanced deeply at Ming He, and in the next moment, she transformed into a streak of light, disappearing into the sky as swiftly as she had arrived.

Before the Moon Grasping Palace on Qin Huang Mountain, Ming He sat quietly under the branches of an ancient tree, dressed in a blue and white robe that complemented her well. This robe, similar in style to Qin Chu Yi’s bright red Young Master attire, was evidently specially crafted, remaining clean despite dirt and dry despite dewdrops. It should be a garment of at least celestial grade.

Spiritual energy flowed around her, indicating she was in the midst of her training.

Perhaps because she had once comprehended sword domain mysteries here, merging deeply with the heavens, Ming He had developed a particular fondness for the ancient tree that grew on Qin Huang Mountain and regarded this place as a tranquil training ground.

That day, when Feng Xin left, she did not take back the Phoenix Feather, so it remained in her possession. Feng Xin had not mentioned sending Ming He to Wutong Heaven again, nor had she brought up the Phoenix Fire Seed. She left just as unexpectedly as she arrived.

Ming He felt that what Qin Chu Yi said had not fallen on deaf ears.

Ancient Fiends were born of the earth and sky, and their attacking power was far beyond that of ordinary cultivators. They could freely harness the natural powers of heaven and earth, and if they could truly join the battlefield of the heavens, perhaps the human race wouldn’t have to struggle and worry so much.

After Feng Xin departed, Qin Chu Yi had initially planned to take her to Tianhai Tower to witness the magnificent sunrise over the central region. However, Dong Wu suddenly appeared, stating that there had been an accident on Qin Huang Mountain, so she returned with Qin Chu Yi.

An accident? What kind of accident?

Ming He finished her training and reopened her eyes, feeling curious. She also wondered about Yóu Lìng’s identity, recalling how she had heard Song Guanting mention it before leaving the Merchants’ Guild auction.

However, after returning to her clan, Senior Sister seemed busier than before.

While residing in the side hall of the Moon Grasping Palace, she could see Qin Chu Yi daily, but now she couldn’t even catch a glimpse of her.

She had a vague feeling that, aside from dealing with Qin Clan affairs, Qin Chu Yi must be involved in something else. But while she knew, Ming He still refrained from asking.

She didn’t feel ready to involve herself in the inner workings of the Qin Clan. Her cultivation was still too low relative to Qin Huang Mountain.

With a sigh, she looked inward at her meridians, where spiritual energy flowed around her. She had already reached the third level of the Wind Master realm and should be able to traverse the five regions to slay foreign races.

She took a spiritual talisman from her storage ring; its depths glimmered with a mysterious hue. This locator symbol was given to her by Shen Yue, and now that it was activated, she had to head to Tianwu City to find an answer.

It had been nearly half a month already, and it should be coming soon.

Ming He sheathed her spiritual talisman and, in that instant, the Jing Ying Sword was already drawn. The sword tip glimmered as it passed through the silent hall of the Moon Grasping Palace, her figure dancing like a dragon or a swan. Every movement resonated with the melody of the Great Path, showcasing the grace of a sword cultivator within this palace.

Starting with the Liu Yun Sword Art, she had progressed to the Nebula Sword Art and the Unsheathing Style, eventually mastering the Big Dipper Seven Star Sword Array—a technique she had sown the seeds for from the very beginning. With those unnamed styles she had learned, her knowledge of swordsmanship was not vast, yet she had already discovered her own unique path in the world of swords.

All she needed was an opportunity to bring her insights to light and integrate them into her being, manifesting the supreme sword way.

The Ghostly Sword was the sword of the Sea of Souls, Sword Flight was the guidance of the skies, Shadow Steps were the wings of a sword cultivator, while the Nine-Character True Words served as the bright lantern lighting her way forward.

She also possessed treasures like the Star Lock, Four-direction Compass, bone book, Heart-Protecting Mirror, dragon scale, and Phoenix Feather. Yet, she was completely unaware of their significance and tirelessly practiced the fundamental Liu Yun Sword Art over and over again.

The power of a sword cultivator lies in the sword they wield.

This was something Senior Sister had said, and Ji Wu Xu had echoed. However, every time Ming He recalled it, she gained a deeper understanding, much like the Liu Yun Sword Art beneath her sword.

As the sun and moon cycled, illuminating all, Ming He spent the past half month in the Moon Grasping Palace.

In the Moon Grasping Square, Chu Yi stood quietly nearby, watching Ming He with complete admiration and awe in her eyes. The heavens reward diligence, and Ming He’s talents were already beyond ordinary comparison, but her dedication exceeded that of most.

For the past half month, she had followed Ming He, observing her practice day and night with her sword, rarely taking breaks. As a practitioner of the Wind Master realm, Ming He did not require ordinary food and usually needed little rest.

Yet that didn’t mean she didn’t need to rest at all.

However, Chu Yi had not seen Ming He rest; she only witnessed her collapsing from exhaustion and then waking up to continue practicing.

Despite her vast achievements and having the support of Qin Huang Mountain, Ming He remained steadfast and unchanged in her original intent.

It seemed her Young Master had chosen an extraordinary Dao partner.

As Chu Yi pondered.

“Boom!”

The spiritual talisman hanging at her waist swayed in the wind, suddenly pulsing with light as it emitted a quiet hum, maintaining a slight tremor.

The locator symbol activated.

Ming He sheathed her sword again, a thin sheen of sweat trickling down her nose, eventually dripping onto the ground with a soft “drop” sound.

She looked down at her waist, realizing Shen Yue had found an answer, and it was time for her to visit Tianwu City to meet her.

The Jing Ying Sword hung at her waist, while the Blue Sea Sword rested on her back, and she felt no sense of being out of place; instead, she exuded a sharper brilliance as a sword cultivator.

Ming He stepped forward and looked at Chu Yi. “Miss Chu Yi, where is Senior Sister?” She felt it was appropriate to inform Qin Chu Yi.

“Miss Ming He, the Young Master is currently tied up with important matters, and she may not have time to see you for now,” Chu Yi replied, her eyes flashing with memories of her Young Master’s instructions.

“Okay.” Ming He lowered her head, feeling a bit disappointed, but then reassured herself that it wasn’t as if she wouldn’t see her at all.

Even though she had already decided to leave Qin Huang Mountain and travel across the five regions in the near future, there would still be many opportunities to meet.

If Qin Chu Yi was busy, then it would be the same if she visited her.

“Miss Chu Yi, I need to go to Tianwu City to handle some errands. You don’t need to follow,” Ming He said kindly.

“Understood.” Chu Yi nodded, feeling that her cultivation was not yet comparable to Ming He’s, let alone her strength, so she did not argue.

Ming He had already been to Tianwu City before, and it was unnecessary for Chu Yi to accompany her again.

Without the mythical Dragon Horses guiding her—like the Young Master of the Ancient Clan—Ming He directly stood on her Jing Ying Sword, flying through the air. Below, rivers and mountains flowed by like reflections, and Qiu Qiu perched on her shoulder, casting a glance her way as if bestowing upon her a sight of encouragement.

It had originally found a place to sleep on the glazed tiles at the Qin Huang Mountain palace, reminiscing about the feeling of being abandoned by Ming He. But when Ming He passed the palace’s peak on her way out of Qin Huang Mountain, Qiu Qiu jumped lightly onto her shoulder, its dark, glossy eyes rotating with a clear longing for the outside world.

“Where are we going?” Qiu Qiu flapped its tiny wings against Ming He’s shoulder, its gaze proud and commanding, brimming with a desire to be given orders.

“I’m going to meet a friend,” Ming He said. Shen Yue had saved her life; although she claimed it was just a business transaction, it was undeniable that she had indeed rescued her. Besides, Ming He always felt that Shen Yue’s demeanor didn’t quite fit the image of a shadowy assassin.

So, could she be considered a friend?

Ming He bestowed that title upon Shen Yue, unaware of how much she had changed from her initial cold and detached demeanor upon entering this world. She simply smiled at Qiu Qiu, “If you want to go anywhere later, I’ll take you.”

Qiu Qiu was her friend too.

Qiu Qiu seemed pleased with her answer, ceasing the flapping of its wings and turning to gaze at the misty clouds surrounding them, remaining silent.

Ming He chuckled softly, forming a hand seal to increase the speed of the flying sword. In no time, she caught sight of a bustling city at the heart of Tianwu, where the characters for Tianwu City soared with a bold, vigorous energy, embodying the spirit of the human race.

Following the guidance of the locator symbol, she navigated through several long alleys and came to a halt beside an ancient residence in the western part of the city, quietly awaiting Shen Yue’s arrival.

Moments later, a presence approached from the distance, and within her line of sight, a figure clad in deep black clothes emerged, her features concealed by a mask from the Pursuit of Life Tower. Yet, it was unmistakably Shen Yue.

“Ming He,” Shen Yue said, bowing her head respectfully, “I’ve fulfilled my promise.”

As she spoke, she handed Ming He a bamboo tube typically used for messages, “The answer you seek is inside.”

“Thank you,” Ming He replied, straightening her posture. She took the bamboo tube, paused briefly, and sliced through the seal with her fingers as if they were a blade. Gently unrolling the smooth bamboo paper, she found three bold black characters staring back at her.

Song Tian Rou.

It was indeed her.

Ming He’s eyes flickered with a cold glint as she recalled the events after leaving the Liu Yun Sect with her Shishu, Xie Dan Chen. She had been ambushed by the Demon Race while fleeing through the clouds, and later, she encountered an assassin from the Misty Rain Tower just outside Ding Kang City.

If not for the Sword Breaking Talisman that Nineteen had left her, her fate might have been sealed.

She had long wondered who had paid to have her killed, but no matter how much she pondered, she couldn’t pinpoint any likely suspects. How could she, a newcomer to Liu Yun, have made enemies so quickly?

The question gnawed at her, so when Shen Yue offered to help her eliminate someone, her thoughts immediately turned to this mystery.

After Shen Yue left, when she met Song Tian Rou, she had already harbored suspicions. Yet, she was unwilling to condemn someone based on mere conjecture. Thus, she waited for a definitive answer.

Shen Yue, an assassin from the Pursuit of Life Tower, was skilled in operating in the shadows. The Pursuit of Life Tower and the Misty Rain Tower were rivals, but Ming He didn’t believe Shen Yue would deceive her. The person who had hired the Misty Rain Tower to take her life was indeed Song Tian Rou.

A member of the Ancient Clan?

Ming He let out a soft, derisive laugh, her eyes icy as her fingers absently traced the paper. Lost in thought, she failed to notice the complex emotions flickering across Shen Yue’s face as she watched her.

It seemed there was another name on the back of the bamboo paper.

Ming He hesitated for a moment, about to flip the paper to see what was written on the other side, when Shen Yue stepped forward, lowering her head and gripping Ming He’s right wrist, stopping her from continuing.

Ming He looked up at Shen Yue, puzzled.

“Ming He,” Shen Yue finally lifted her head, “The name I gave you is real.”

But her eyes were filled with a deep, unreadable complexity, as if they held a thousand emotions. In that moment, she seemed to retreat into darkness, her previous relaxed demeanor completely gone. “I’m sorry.”

Tears seemed to glisten in her eyes, and a fleeting look of hope and longing flashed across her face—so quickly that Ming He barely caught it before Shen Yue vanished, disappearing just as swiftly as she had arrived.

Ming He stood there, momentarily stunned, when suddenly a brilliant flash of blade light cut through the gentle breeze, sweeping toward her with a force that seemed capable of splitting the heavens.

The aura was overwhelming and fierce, yet it bore no resemblance to that of a human cultivator. This blade light was drenched in blood, as if it had emerged from a realm of savage slaughter.

This was… the aura of an alien race!