Chapter 166
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Chapter 166: Dual Sword Fusion
The icy, blood-tinged breath passed through Qin Chu Yi’s cool lips, carrying with it the unique softness and warmth of a woman, like a chilling delicacy, penetrating deeply to seize her essence.
Ming He looked up and, from such a close distance, could clearly see the fervor and shadow in Qin Chu Yi’s eyes. The arm encircling her waist tightened gradually, compelling Ming He to inch closer to Qin Chu Yi, almost feeling the gentle warmth that seemed to envelop her completely.
This was a side of her Senior Sister she had never witnessed before.
Clad in fiery red attire, radiant and vivid, with her black hair flowing freely, Qin Chu Yi approached barefoot, casting aside the dignity and grace of the Ancient Clan’s Young Master.
Unrestrained and bold, on the battlefield of the heavens, all eyes were drawn to her. Qin Chu Yi’s gaze at Ming He was filled with a possessive heat and determination.
She was unmistakably declaring to all: "Ming He belongs to Qin Chu Yi."
A declaration of ownership.
Remembering Nineteen’s teasing gaze, Ming He suddenly understood. As she blinked, about to act, she felt a searing heat rise from where the Star Lock was embedded, coursing through her meridians until it manifested as visible, glowing starlight.
That was— the power of the Star Lock!
Startled, Ming He felt Qin Chu Yi’s grip around her waist tighten slightly. The floating dust twisted and lost form in her vision, and in a flash, they had shifted positions, the Tian Yan Tribe’s lethal strike dissipating into nothingness.
Gone without a trace.
A swift and masterful counteraction.
The warmth in Ming He’s chest persisted, the radiant starlight enveloping her, shining like a bright morning star through the dense fog, illuminating the human race’s armored guards below, reigniting the flames of battle, surging forward unceasingly.
Even her previously parched and aching spiritual ocean was soothed by a gentle force, filling with spiritual energy, easing the burning pain in her meridians, like a spring breeze nurturing the hills, revealing a special favor and exception.
This was— the power of the Spirit Contract!
Ming He suddenly looked up, meeting Qin Chu Yi’s clear eyes, shimmering with smiles, dark and deep like glazed glass, clearly reflecting her half-pale, half-flushed face.
The smile on Qin Chu Yi’s lips deepened as she raised her hands, summoning the starlight once more to form gestures that altered the heavens and the earth. Under the intricate and ancient seal, the white light surrounding the Spirit Mountain suddenly paused, vanishing into the void amidst the roaring winds and swirling fog.
In the next moment, a deafening sound echoed through the heavens and the earth once more.
Brilliance erupted, with golden, dazzling starlight spreading across the sky like a blaze of fire stretching between the heavens and the earth, hovering without falling, like a colossal umbrella over the battlefield where the human race’s armored guards clashed with the Tian Yan Tribe army, bathing everything in golden light.
Under this golden light, the Tian Yan Tribe army slowed, their breathing labored, their minds and bodies divided, moving less swiftly than before, their attacks weakened.
In contrast, the human race’s armored guards flourished.
The warm light shone down directly, the wounds still agonizing, yet the nearly depleted spiritual ocean surged with pure spiritual energy, refreshing the weary souls, igniting their battle intention.
Above the fog, Ming He observed the battlefield and the replenished spiritual ocean, her emotions complex. So, when Senior Sister kissed her, was it to awaken the Star Power through the Spirit Contract?
It must be so.
Otherwise, how could someone as composed and dignified as Senior Sister—
As she pondered this, a wave of disappointment washed over her, and she looked up to see Qin Chu Yi’s face grow paler, only her lips appearing strikingly vivid from the continuous drip of blood.
It seemed that controlling the Thousand Layers Spirit Mountain had drained much of her spiritual energy, and now she was invoking Star Power to suppress the Tian Yan Tribe army while also healing Ming He…
Realizing this, Ming He felt a pang of heartache. She gripped the Jing Ying Sword tightly, ready to dive into the battle, but then noticed the red silk from Qin Chu Yi’s sleeve still entwined around her waist, showing no sign of release.
Surprised, she glanced at Qin Chu Yi and saw her other blood-red sleeve whip out with thunderous force. The red shadow filled the sky, effortlessly repelling the advancing Tian Yan Tribe, stirring a storm of blood and wind.
Qin Chu Yi lifted her head amidst the blood rain, meeting Ming He’s gaze, her eyes shadowed and alluring. She slightly lowered her gaze, licking the blood from her crimson lips, and her smile spread like gentle waves.
“Ming He, what are you standing there for?” Qu Lingyun’s lips curled into a smile, her eyes glinting with a hint of mischief, a touch of crimson at their corners, and a seductive allure in her gaze. Her voice was as clear and refreshing as a spring. “The battle has begun!”
Ming He: “……”
Ming He’s brow furrowed slightly, a sense of unease creeping in. She instinctively felt that something extraordinary must have happened during Qin Chu Yi’s seclusion; otherwise, how could Senior Sister’s demeanor have changed so drastically?
What exactly had occurred?
She lowered her gaze, suppressing the shock and curiosity rising within her, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she replied in a steady yet light tone, “As you command, Senior Sister.”
Ming He took a step forward.
With a flick of her wrist, the shadow of a water sword spread across the mist and starlight, creating a radiant glow that bridged the extremes of darkness and light. The tip of the Jing Ying Sword gleamed sharply, its momentum unrelenting, surging like a tidal wave crashing against the mountains, the vastness of the ocean faintly mirrored in the arc of her blade.
This was the Canglang Sword Dao.
The Canglang Sword Dao of Mu Chen.
On the day of the young leader’s inauguration, Ming He had gazed at that weathered, slender figure and felt a sudden clarity. Amidst the scattered starlight of the void, she had grasped its essence, and today marked the first time she would wield it in battle.
Among the countless sword techniques, she didn’t know why this particular one had come to her.
But in that moment, it was the only move that resonated within her—the opening strike of the Canglang Sword Dao, the Shadow Strike.
A flicker of doubt crossed Ming He’s mind, but she pushed it aside, facing the Tian Yan Tribe’s elite, whose attacks were growing weaker and more disorganized. With a fluid motion, she countered, her sword weaving through the mist like a flowing cloud.
Her focus sharpened, transforming the mist’s consuming intent into the razor edge of her blade. The sword light arced across the sky, tearing through the already faltering encirclement that had been destabilized by Qin Chu Yi’s assault. Her gaze hardened as it landed on He Lou Feng, who stood amidst the swirling mist, adjusting the array flags.
“Senior Sister, let’s take her down first!” Ming He’s eyes gleamed with resolve, her voice laced with determination and a cold edge.
The Absolute Formation of Mist was tied to its master.
From the start, He Lou Feng had been her target.
Mu Chen’s final words had left her with questions and doubts, but those were overshadowed by the urgency of the battle.
If He Lou Feng fell here, the mist would dissipate.
“Agreed.” Qin Chu Yi’s voice was low, her eyes fixed on He Lou Feng, filled with icy disdain and a dark, murderous intent. A ribbon of red silk shot out, wrapping around Ming He’s waist, and with a gentle tug, she pulled Ming He through the mist, bringing them to a position level with He Lou Feng, not far away.
He Lou Feng’s heart tightened as she met Qin Chu Yi’s gaze, a deep sense of dread settling in.
The Young Master of the Qin Clan—could she truly be more fearsome than the young leader of the human race?
That single glance had felt like being targeted by a primordial beast, sending a shiver through her very soul.
She tore her gaze away, looking down at the battlefield below, where three figures stood like splashes of black ink. Her voice was cool as she spoke. “Have you had enough fun?”
“Enough,” Wei Rou replied softly, her figure flashing as she retreated to stand before He Lou Feng. With a sweep of her sleeve, she unleashed a wave of energy, sending Lou Qing Shang and Mu Nan Zhi, who had been locked in combat, tumbling back. Their vitality surged, leaving them unable to maintain their footing in the air.
Having done this, Wei Rou positioned herself protectively in front of He Lou Feng, her gaze falling on Ming He and Qin Chu Yi. She lowered her eyes, masking her emotions. “Young Leader Ming, Young Master Qin, I cannot allow you to harm the Fifth Prince.”
She was a member of the Tian Yan Tribe’s royal family, a powerful ally at the peak of the Earth Emperor Realm. Though Lou Qing Shang and Mu Nan Zhi’s combined swordsmanship was impressive, they were only low-tier practitioners of the Human King stage. They could delay her, but not for long.
She had stayed on the battlefield rather than remaining by He Lou Feng’s side because she knew the Tian Yan Tribe’s elite were secretly guarding them, and the Fifth Prince carried the ancient formations inheritance, ensuring his safety.
She had feared that He Lou Feng might order her to kill Ming He or Nineteen, so she had chosen to linger in the fight, biding her time as if she were invisible.
But if they intended to kill He Lou Feng, that was unacceptable.
She had already repaid Qu Lingyun’s saving a life, but He Lou Feng’s debt remained unsettled.
Moreover, she had promised Yóu Lìng that she would protect the Fifth Prince’s ascension to the throne.
Thinking of Yóu Lìng, Wei Rou’s eyes darkened.
That person clearly knew of her betrayal, yet said nothing and did nothing, even adopting a posture of tacit indulgence. Why?
She let out a long sigh, realizing that the fate of the human race and the Tianwu Continent was at stake, and Ming He and Qin Chu Yi could not retreat. So she drew a black whip radiating with a cold aura from her waist, her expression serious and solemn:
“If you are determined to move forward, you’ll have to get past me first!”
She held the whip across her front, her protective stance clear and unyielding.
Ming He and Qin Chu Yi exchanged a glance, and their battle intention ignited together. They lightly stepped forward, one enveloped in a fierce red silk of murderous intent, while the other brandished her sword with a sharp and brilliant tip, casting sword light in all directions.
Facing such a fierce onslaught, Wei Rou focused her mind and stood unafraid at the intersection of life and death. With a flick of her right hand, the black long whip unfurled, its body folding and stacking up as it swept through the air like a poisonous snake, distorting the atmosphere.
The whip’s barbed tip, like a wolf’s fang, shot out a flurry of afterimages directly towards Ming He’s sword tip. The royal power erupted without reservation, causing Ming He’s sword energy to falter, preventing her from advancing even an inch.
Silence lingered for just a breath.
A hint of apology flickered in Wei Rou’s eyes as she suddenly withdrew her strength, and then, in the split second before Ming He could react, she pushed forward. The whip’s barbs jolted, causing the sword tip to veer to the side, momentarily easing the force that surged towards Ming He’s heart. In that fleeting hesitation, she pulled back just an inch, ultimately held back by some underlying feelings, unwilling to take Ming He’s life.
Then, she withdrew the whip and turned, dissipating all her energy, no longer paying attention, and glanced sideways to prepare for Qin Chu Yi’s offensive.
If it were an ordinary day, even as a peak Earth Emperor Realm practitioner, it would be difficult for her to handle the attacks from Ming He and Qin Chu Yi.
After all, they were top geniuses of the human race, possessing unmatched talent, elegance that no one could rival, and the ability to fight beyond their ranks—a privilege reserved for geniuses.
She felt somewhat fortunate that at this moment, Ming He and Qin Chu Yi were not at their peak.
Having gone through numerous grueling battles, they were already exhausted and drained, with blood seeping from their meridians, barely on the brink of collapse. How could they contend against her, who had hardly used any spiritual energy?
Even so, Qin Chu Yi had already broken through to the Earth Emperor Realm, so Wei Rou did not dare to underestimate them. She could only deal with the most troublesome sword cultivator, Ming He, first before turning her attention to Qin Chu Yi.
As Wei Rou withdrew her whip and turned, she saw Qin Chu Yi’s expression shift slightly. In mid-air, her gaze was locked onto the Ming He behind her. Without hesitation, she abandoned the opportunity to counter Wei Rou’s slower response, seizing the initiative.
In an instant, she landed beside Ming He, her sleeve sweeping to neutralize the strong offensive, steadying Ming He’s body with one hand. Looking at Ming He’s pale lips, which had lost the ability to bleed, she couldn’t hide her heartache and raised her eyes to fixate on Wei Rou.
There was a rampant ferocity in her gaze, her aura rising around her. Even though she was also on the brink of collapse, she still managed to summon a layer of heaven and earth’s intent, manipulating the movements of the Thousand Layers Spirit Mountain with her fingers, brimming with reckless madness and fury.
“Senior Sister.” Ming He leaned against Qin Chu Yi, tugging at her sleeve, her voice gentle yet filled with trust. “I’m fine.”
She stood up, grasping the Jing Ying Sword, unleashing a flurry of sword shadows, firmly urging Qin Chu Yi to continue her technique. “I can still fight.”
However, Qin Chu Yi could no longer utilize the Thousand Layers Spirit Mountain.
That precious combat treasure, born from the convergence of the world’s spiritual energies, could only be used without restrictions by an emperor, without harming the foundation.
Neither she nor Qin Chu Yi had reached that level, so they couldn’t use it again.
“I’ve longed to fight alongside you, Senior Sister,” Ming He softly wiped away the blood at the corner of Qin Chu Yi’s lips with her left hand, tenderly tracing her features as she whispered, “Sharing life and death can be considered a kind of romance.”
Qin Chu Yi was taken aback, the ferocity in her eyes softening into tenderness as she clasped Ming He’s left hand and smiled slightly. Suddenly, a spark of inspiration struck her mind.
She looked earnestly at Ming He, the starlight in her eyes resembling a glimpse of hope. “Do you know about the Combined Attack Formation?”
The Combined Attack Formation.
Ming He appeared thoughtful: “I’ve seen it before, but didn’t have the time to practice it.”
On her first day entering the battlefield of the heavens, during the crisis at the central pavilion, she witnessed Ye Ke leading her team of ten, charging forward like a tiger roaring through the forest. They collaborated seamlessly, risking their lives for one another; it was another evolution of the Great Path’s melody.
Later, when the crisis at the central pavilion was resolved, she secluded herself for several months to refine the blood energy of the foreign race, and when she opened her eyes, the first thing she did was find Nineteen to discuss the matters of the Ancient Formation of Heaven, and then they fought until this moment.
There was truly no spare time left to practice the Combined Attack Formation.
“Senior Sister, are you saying that if we use the Combined Attack Formation, we can defeat Wei Rou?” Ming He’s eyes lit up with excitement and battle intent, a mix of anticipation and eagerness surging within her.
Qin Chu Yi smiled and nodded, her voice clear and brimming with youthful boldness. “Have you heard of the Dual Sword Fusion?”
The Dual Sword Fusion—a name she had long revered.
Of course, Ming He had heard of it.
She nodded with a smile, though a hint of hesitation flickered across her brow. “Senior Sister, I’ve never practiced the Combined Attack Formation.”
She wasn’t confident in her ability to coordinate seamlessly, and she worried about becoming a burden to her Senior Sister.
Qin Chu Yi let out a light laugh, her eyes sparkling with unrestrained confidence. “It doesn’t matter.”
Meeting Ming He’s starlit, trusting gaze, her voice softened slightly. “Because I don’t know how to do it either.”
Ming He: “…”
Then why did you say it so boldly?
Qin Chu Yi chuckled, unbothered. Ming He had spent months on the battlefield of the heavens, leaving no time for practice. As for Qin Chu Yi, she had been secluded, absorbing the inheritance from the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb—how could she have found the time to train?
“In any battle formation, the most crucial element is to entrust your life to your partner, treating their life as your own. This is something we fear not at all.”
Even before their hearts had fully aligned, Ming He had once risked her life to protect her. Qin Chu Yi never doubted the bond and trust between them.
To share life and death, to trust one another completely.
Ming He’s expression grew pensive.
Using her own life to shield her Senior Sister was a decision she never needed to ponder.
Her Senior Sister meant more to her than even the path of Swordsmanship!
“The inheritance from the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb includes the Combined Attack Formation. We can learn as we fight,” Qin Chu Yi said gently.
Her gaze met Ming He’s, excitement and confidence gleaming in her eyes. The battle for the fate of the human race and the Tianwu Continent paled in comparison to the thrill of standing side by side in this moment.
Sharing life and death, their swords fused as one.
Let this battle decide the future of Tianwu!
They sought not guaranteed victory, but to fight with all their might, leaving no room for regret.
The pure white Chi Li sword flashed like a streak of light, gripped firmly in Qin Chu Yi’s bloodstained hand.
She turned to Ming He, linking arms as she executed a graceful sword flourish. The tip of her blade gleamed with a cold light, mirroring the Jing Ying Sword. With a barefoot leap, she landed on Ming He’s shoulder, her crimson attire billowing like flames, radiating her readiness to charge.
Ming He’s eyes shifted through countless emotions before settling into an unshakable resolve. The Jing Ying Sword swayed gently in the wind as she thrust it forward in a seemingly simple motion, concealing a profound sword intent within its unassuming form.
This strike was a testament to her rise from obscurity, and it marked the first move of their Dual Sword Fusion.
They named it “Flowing Moon.”
Bright and luminous, like the flowing light of the moon.
