Chapter 18

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Chapter 18: Let’s Go

Flickering Light.

Ming He gazed at the worn and tattered page in her hand, its corner missing, her eyes deep with contemplation. She had discovered this fragment in a secluded corner of the sword techniques display on the third floor of the library, buried beneath layers of dust and cobwebs.

Compelled by a profound longing from the depths of her soul, she retrieved the paper, brushing off the dust to reveal a few sparse lines describing this sword technique.

Flickering Light, also known as Yang Light, is one of the stars of the Big Dipper. When the sword is drawn, its brilliance illuminates the heavens.

This was all the fragment revealed about the technique; beyond that, there was nothing more.

Ming He studied the blurred figure wielding the sword on the page, striving to grasp the essence of the technique, but it remained elusive.

She had inquired with the attendant disciple about the fragment’s origin or any related information, but he knew nothing. He only mentioned that since its appearance, many prodigious disciples had been drawn to its uniqueness and difficulty, yet all had failed in their attempts.

Despite its incompleteness, it was classified as a yellow-level technique, requiring only two hundred contribution points. Its rank, however, had been determined by the elders and was not to be taken lightly.

The chasm between the Postnatal, Innate, Yellow, Xuan, Earth, and Heaven levels was as vast as the distance between mountains and rivers. If she could master this sword technique, it would undoubtedly aid her in the uncertain journeys ahead.

But now, it seemed she had overestimated herself.

Ming He carefully stored the fragment and sheathed her sword. She had spent half a month mastering the Liu Yun Sword Art and taking her first steps into the Phantom Steps. Yet, in the remaining half month, she couldn’t even commit the Flickering Light technique to memory, leaving her disheartened.

“Sister Qin,” Ming He called as she opened the courtyard gate, smiling at the Woman in White standing outside. “Let’s go.”

“Alright,” Qin Chu Yi replied, her expression calm and unreadable. She gave a slight nod, then leaped gracefully onto the clouds, where a flying ship awaited.

Once she boarded, the ship descended slightly, adjusting to a height Ming He could easily reach.

Ming He raised an eyebrow, then lightly stepped onto the clouds and ascended into the ship.

“Let’s go,” Qin Chu Yi instructed the pilot at the front.

The pilot nodded, guiding the ship upward through the clouds, sailing across the misty expanse as the scenery outside blurred past.

Ming He stood in the ship, her eyes wandering curiously over its interior. The space was modest, accommodating about ten people, with every furnishing arranged with exquisite care.

A flying ship! Ming He marveled at the intricate patterns adorning its exterior and the layers of engravings, silently estimating its worth.

Capable of traversing vast distances in a single day, its value surely exceeded that of low or middle-grade spirit stones; it must be of the highest quality. And every moment of its operation consumed spirit stones.

After a brief estimation, Ming He dismissed the thought—it was far too extravagant for her to even consider.

She pursed her lips and sat down unceremoniously beside Qin Chu Yi, closing the distance between them, her initial nervousness fading.

Now that she was aboard the flying ship and unable to escape or assist, Ming He felt no need to hold back.

Qin Chu Yi glanced at her, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. When Ming He met her gaze with one of confusion and curiosity, Qin Chu Yi lowered her head, masking her expression. “Eat,” she said.

From her storage ring, she produced a white porcelain bowl filled with roasted beast meat, its surface shimmering with spiritual energy, its appearance alone enticing.

“No, thank you. I have a fasting pill,” Ming He replied, holding up the pill with a light wave.

In the nine realms of cultivation, only at the seventh level, the Human King stage, could one truly transcend the need for sustenance. Ming He, still at the Spirit Guiding stage three, was far from such a realm. For now, she relied on the bland fasting pills to sustain herself.

“This is the meat of the Xuan-level beast, Qingshu Deer. It will help stabilize your cultivation and refine your spiritual energy. And it tastes far better than the fasting pill in your hand,” Qin Chu Yi said, her tone as calm as her expression, though a faint smile played on her lips. “But if you prefer not to, that’s fine.”

The Woman in White murmured softly, her voice so low Ming He wondered if she had imagined it.

“If you prefer the fasting pill, I respect my Junior Sister’s choice,” Qin Chu Yi added, her gaze drifting to the flowing clouds outside the ship’s window. The interior fell into a tranquil silence.

"Chirp chirp—" The sound of birds outside the boat broke the silence within.

Ming He hesitated for a moment, clutching the bottle of fasting pills before putting it away. “Then I’ll graciously accept your offer.”

She picked up the jade chopsticks beside the white porcelain bowl, pinched a piece of beast meat, and placed it in her mouth. She savored the sweet, tender flavor that melded with the meat, closing her eyes with satisfaction. After savoring it, she swallowed, feeling her inner spiritual energy condense. The steady barrier of the Spirit Guiding stage four showed signs of a possible breakthrough.

“The taste is fantastic; it has color, aroma, and flavor, and it has good texture and resilience. The roasting technique is quite skilled,” Ming He praised, continuing to feast without any intention of asking Qin Chu Yi if she wanted some.

She wasn’t foolish enough to think that the esteemed Young Master would lower herself to share food with her; that bowl was clearly prepared just for her.

Moreover, even if Qin Chu Yi didn’t mind, she herself did!

Unaware of Ming He’s thoughts, Qin Chu Yi observed the passing birds outside, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, her previously somber mood lifting slightly.

“Sister Qin, can you now tell me where we are going? What do you need me to do?” After finishing the beast meat, Ming He placed the bowl down and wiped her mouth, looking at her with clear eyes, waiting for a response.

“We are heading to an ancient cave dwelling, which is about three days away. As for what I need you to do, I cannot disclose that yet. When we get there, I will naturally tell you everything.”

Qin Chu Yi didn’t turn around. “Junior Sister Ming He, I will do my best to protect you.”

“Okay,” Ming He replied softly, not speaking further.

The boat returned to calm.

Do her best to protect herself? Ming He chuckled inwardly; perhaps she would.

But rather than relying on others, she preferred to grasp her own destiny. There were many things she didn’t like to delegate to others.

Seeing that Qin Chu Yi had no further intention of speaking, Ming He took out a piece of tattered paper from her chest and lowered her head to read, losing herself in thought, as if no one else was around.

Flickering Light, how do I begin? How should my sword leave its sheath and dance?

The sword leaves its sheath, brilliance filling the skies.

Could these eight words only have a superficial meaning? Were they merely a short phrase representing the sword’s name?

In her mind, Ming He imagined a small figure holding a white long sword, repeatedly searching for the pivotal moment to initiate the sword technique, the sword’s tip casting shadows as it sought its path within the confines of her thoughts.

“Junior Sister Ming He, we have arrived,” a cool voice called in her ear.

Ming He instinctively opened her eyes and found Qin Chu Yi close, gazing at her with a probing expression.

“Oh,” Ming He tucked away her insights, not continuing the thought process. “Has three days really passed?”

She murmured to herself in surprise, feeling as though she had just closed her eyes for a brief moment, yet outside, the day had turned three times.

“Yes, let’s disembark,” Qin Chu Yi turned away and stepped off the boat, with Ming He following closely behind.

Once they disembarked, Ming He looked around and saw an ancient cave dwelling standing beneath the vast blue sky and white clouds. The cave emanated a powerful aura, shrouded in mystery and danger; just a glance sent a shiver through her heart.

Ming He averted her gaze and noticed the area around the cave was densely filled with array flags she couldn’t comprehend but found impressive. They fluttered in the wind, creating a rustling sound, though it wasn’t the same flag she had seen before.

“Young Master,” a group approached Qin Chu Yi with respectful expressions, reminiscent of those Ming He had seen in the valley of the Qingyun Mountains.

There were about six or seven people, led by an old man in gray robes. He had an ordinary appearance but exuded a profound, unfathomable aura.

“Elder Lin, what’s the status?” Qin Chu Yi asked, her voice revealing a tremor unnoticed by Ming He, as her gaze drifted toward the cave, distant and mesmerizing. Her hand beneath her white sleeve trembled slightly.

“Young Master, everything is prepared. You, along with Duan Wu and Miss Ming He, can now enter, but the time limit is one hour. Once the time is up, regardless of whether you have obtained the item, you must exit,” Elder Lin warned solemnly.

“Understood,” Qin Chu Yi nodded seriously.

“Should we activate the formation now?” Elder Lin inquired, readying himself.

“Wait a moment,” Qin Chu Yi’s gaze flickered as she didn’t immediately respond, although her heart was already racing toward the treasure she so fervently desired within the cave.

“Now, the information you wish to know, I can tell you,” she said, looking at Ming He standing nearby, gazing into the distance.

“This is an ancient cave dwelling. The task I need your help with is to enter the cave together and retrieve an item,” Qin Chu Yi explained quietly.

“What item?” Ming He asked, puzzled. “Why me?”

There were six or seven people here, each having a higher cultivation level than hers. Why was she being chosen?

“You have seen that item before,” Qin Chu Yi took out an ancient map from her storage ring, showing the design of a spiritual artifact, which was exactly the same as the ancient flag she had seen in the valley.

“The cave dwelling is subject to many ancient prohibitions. Elder Lin forcibly opened the entrance using array flags, but we only have one hour.

Because it’s forcibly opened, there are limitations on the cultivation levels and number of people who can enter. The others must maintain the grand formation’s operation, and Elder Lin needs to conceal the secrets of heaven. Therefore, only I, you, and Duan Wu can enter together.”

Qin Chu Yi summarized the situation.

“As for why I sought you—”

Qin Chu Yi’s gaze shifted down to Ming He’s fair neck, her eyes holding a deep intensity. “It’s because you can go undetected by spiritual senses.”