Chapter 186
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Chapter 186: Stepping into the Earth Emperor Realm
Half of the blazing sun hung high in the clouds, while the other half was shrouded in a hazy mist that enveloped the surroundings. It formed a stark dividing line, as if the battlefield of the heavens had been cleaved into a realm where day and night coexisted, exuding an aura of blood and gloom.
At the center, the ancient pavilion stood tall and majestic on the edge of the mist.
At this moment, clusters of cultivators surged forward, their eyes fixed on the golden light that shot up from the heart of the center. Their gazes gleamed with a brilliance and hope that rivaled the stars.
There, the young leader of the human race, Ming He, was breaking through her cultivation realm.
The golden light, born from the Star Lock, intertwined with the blazing sun at the horizon, pressing down on the surrounding mist and revealing a scene of vibrant vitality.
"Boom!"
An overwhelming aura surged forth from the center, spreading far and wide, as the majestic presence of the royal side swept across the heavens and the earth.
Clouds drifted in the sky, a gentle breeze blew, and violet light stretched across the terrain for ten miles, heralding the birth of an Earth Emperor Realm expert of the human race. Its grandeur and resonance nearly swept through the entire battlefield of the heavens.
Beside the ancient pavilion, a youth with white hair and white robes smiled warmly, exchanging knowing glances with other powerful allies of the Earth Emperor Realm. He then resumed his cross-legged posture, joining his hands to summon the power of the formation, gradually dissipating the mist and compressing the veiled world.
Today was an extraordinary day—it marked Ming He’s breakthrough into the Earth Emperor Realm, signifying her true emergence as a formidable force.
From this moment on, the sword cultivator in blue, sharp and extraordinary, would no longer merely be their young leader; she had become their equal, a friend standing on the same ground.
The two young talents, on whom the human race placed great hopes, had both broken through to the Earth Emperor Realm. Their growth allowed the human race to truly and closely glimpse hope.
The cultivators arrived swiftly and departed just as quickly. Once they confirmed that Ming He’s breakthrough was successful and without future complications, they withdrew with hope, raising their sharp blades as they returned to the battlefield filled with blood and slaughter, striving to eliminate obstacles in all directions.
The pavilion, which had been crowded moments before, was now empty. Sky-blue ripples danced in the air, casting radiant waves of light.
When Qin Chu Yi stepped in, Ming He still sat cross-legged, her gaze lowered, lost in thought and seemingly unaware of her surroundings.
Qin Chu Yi blinked, a hint of mischief stirring within her. She suddenly appeared behind Ming He and called out unexpectedly, intending to startle her.
Unbeknownst to her, Ming He instinctively reached back and caught Qin Chu Yi’s wrist. With a firm pull, Qin Chu Yi was abruptly drawn into Ming He’s embrace, her body twisting as she was captured, almost entirely under Ming He’s control.
Young Master Qin huffed in dissatisfaction, tugging at Ming He’s collar, her tone laced with accusation, “You knew it was me all along, yet you still played along!”
Silence filled the air as Ming He offered no reply.
Qin Chu Yi was taken aback, her gaze meeting the depths of Ming He’s darkened eyes, which held an inscrutable emotion, as though she were lost in thought.
Qin Chu Yi furrowed her brow, suspecting something might be amiss with Ming He’s cultivation. She tried to straighten up to check her meridians and spiritual energy, but Ming He held her waist tightly, preventing any movement.
Just as Qin Chu Yi was about to voice her confusion, Ming He let out a soft laugh and said lightly, “Wasn’t it Senior Sister who tried to scare me first?”
Ming He shifted her crossed legs, supporting herself with Qin Chu Yi in her arms as she leaned back against a black pillar. Her dark hair cascaded down as she gazed at Qin Chu Yi with bright eyes, saying nothing more.
Qin Chu Yi felt an odd sensation rising within her, yet her position was awkward, her body pinned down. She could only look up at Ming He, meeting her profound gaze that seemed as vast and unfathomable as the ocean, shimmering with an indescribable glint.
It felt like the crashing waves pounding the shore, concealing an unspoken sense of gloom and resentment.
“Xiao He, what’s wrong with you?” Qin Chu Yi stopped resisting, nestling comfortably in Ming He’s arms. She poked at Ming He’s delicate face, her voice soft and gentle, her expression filled with tenderness.
Ming He found herself defenseless against such gentle treatment, her inner turmoil and anger slowly dissipating.
She tightened her embrace around Qin Chu Yi, lowering her gaze with a complex expression as she leaned closer and sighed lightly. Suddenly, she lifted Qin Chu Yi’s face with her hand.
Her gaze swept across Qin Chu Yi’s red lips and sparkling eyes. Leaning in, she captured her lips, fiercely taking away her breath, silencing all faint sounds of protest.
Unlike the warmth and hope exchanged beneath the depths of the sea, or the tenderness shared in moments of deep understanding, this kiss from Ming He was possessive, as though she sought to steal all of Qin Chu Yi’s air, making her dependent only on Ming He.
Amidst the chaos and intensity, it felt like a torrential rain pounding a bamboo forest—an unstoppable force. Qin Chu Yi, in a moment of daze, felt her head spinning, like a small boat tossed about in a storm, clinging to Ming He’s collar as if grasping the last straw.
For a long while, Ming He gradually loosened her embrace around Qin Chu Yi, her fingers delicately tracing the woman’s exquisite, shimmering lips. A faint smile tugged at her mouth as she looked down, her silence shrouding her emotions in mystery.
Qin Chu Yi glanced at her, a flicker of confusion and surprise in her heart. But in the next instant, a flash of realization swept through her mind, and a secret joy blossomed within her.
She reached out, tugging at Ming He’s cascading dark hair, pulling her closer until the warmth of Ming He’s breath brushed against her ear. A shiver ran through her body, an uncontrollable tremor that seemed to ignite from within.
Ming He, startled, lowered her gaze to Qin Chu Yi. The woman mischievously whispered, her breath as soft as an orchid, "What did you see during the Trial of the Heart?" Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she noticed the faint blush spreading across Qin Chu Yi’s skin, her lips curving into a delighted smile.
Ming He’s eyes widened; the pink flush that had just faded from her ears returned in an instant, casting a rosy hue over her porcelain-like complexion, as if she had been touched by the warmth of wine, exuding an intoxicating fragrance.
Qin Chu Yi blinked, a thought echoing in her mind: "So it really is like this." The Sword Cultivator in Blue had always been gentle and composed, and even in her presence, she rarely lost her composure to such an extent. This unusual behavior was indeed a rare sight.
She savored the unexpected kiss from earlier, finding it strangely familiar. Soon, she recalled that not long ago, on this very battlefield, she and Ming He had shared a similarly intimate moment, though back then, she had been the one initiating the kiss, while Ming He had been the one receiving it.
This realization naturally dispelled all her doubts.
Thinking back to Ming He’s deep, inscrutable gaze, she sensed a strong undercurrent of possessiveness hidden within.
Earth Emperor Realm, Trial of the Heart.
This kiss was, in fact, a declaration, much like the one she had made to Ming He before.
With this understanding, Qin Chu Yi’s heart swelled with joy, accompanied by a secret thrill and excitement. She tugged at Ming He’s hair, eager for an answer: "Come on, Xiao He, tell me what you saw!"
Recalling the vision where she had seen Ming He and Feng Xin, a pang of sadness surged within her, a feeling that was hard to ignore. Now, as fate turned, she couldn’t suppress the rising joy at the corners of her lips.
Ming He should know that she was someone worth fighting for!
Jealousy, after all, is best when it’s mutual.
Ming He chuckled softly, resting her head on Qin Chu Yi’s shoulder, her arms encircling her waist in silence. Her eyes were filled with unspoken emotions and a lingering sorrow.
Nineteen had once said that cultivators who break through to the Earth Emperor Realm must endure the Trial of the Heart, a final test set by the Heavenly Dao to confront their true selves.
Inner demons.
Ming He sighed silently within her heart.
In the cause and effect of the mortal world, her cultivation had reached the peak of the Human King stage. With the Star Lock, the Heavenly Dao inheritance, and the gifts from the vast cauldron, breaking through to the Earth Emperor Realm was but a thought away.
The illusions Nineteen spoke of had shown her many scenes.
She saw the terrifying faces of enemies from all corners of the world in a dire predicament, a woman in black clothes and a black wolf mask sneering coldly, and the alien army surging into the Tianwu Continent, destroying the beautiful mountains and rivers she had once walked through.
These were Ming He’s deepest fears, concerns that had once consumed her entirely, yet they were ultimately fleeting, like passing clouds. For someone as resolute as Ming He, their impact was minimal.
Until she saw Qin Chu Yi.
The woman in white, as cold as the snow on the Tianshan Mountains, descended from the clouds and entered the Liu Yun Sect, not the hurried Sword Cultivator in Blue who had narrowly escaped after slaying beasts in the Liu Yun Mountains. She sought the Star Lock.
In that world, Su Ming He had perished from the flames of madness, while Su Cheng Feng—a man who had taken Ming He’s place—met Qin Chu Yi and planned to explore the ancient cave dwelling.
As Ming He thought of this, her gaze grew slightly distant. Even though she knew this scenario was merely the Heavenly Dao manipulating her consciousness to integrate her into this world from the start, she couldn’t shake the lingering unease in her heart.
She cared deeply for Qin Chu Yi, harboring strong feelings for her.
Ming He understood that all illusions were empty, mere distractions that couldn’t truly disturb her heart; they were utterly unreal and absurd.
Yet she still cared, still worried about gains and losses.
In this moment, she truly empathized with Qin Chu Yi’s experiences on the battlefield.
Ming He lowered her gaze, finding Qin Chu Yi still tugging at her collar, insistent on knowing the answer. Her eyes darkened slightly. She lifted the woman’s chin and leaned down, kissing her gently, like a dragonfly skimming the water—soft and fleeting, a momentary touch before pulling away.
Seeing Qin Chu Yi panting, about to speak, Ming He decided to take the initiative. "Senior Sister, let’s establish a contract."
Ming He had proposed this many times before, and Qin Chu Yi had never refused. Yet, due to sudden battles and unforeseen events, a proper response had always eluded them.
Hearing these words, Qin Chu Yi looked up in surprise, meeting Ming He’s bright, intense gaze. Despite her relaxed and carefree posture, Qin Chu Yi could discern the underlying tension and longing in her shimmering peach blossom eyes.
Could there still be unease after mutual affection?
Of course.
In love, there is never absolute confidence or certainty. The anxieties and worries of gains and losses were a testament to how much Qin Chu Yi cared.
Previously, Ming He had concealed her feelings so well that Qin Chu Yi thought she was the only one experiencing such emotions. Now, seeing this unusual Ming He, her heart was filled with waves of joy, creating ripples of happiness across her heart lake.
She smiled gently, lying casually in Ming He’s embrace, her eyes sparkling with deep starlight, her voice cool yet tender. “Okay.”
Establishing a contract under heaven and earth, from now on their fates would be intertwined, and their paths to cultivation would be connected—a union recognized by the way of Heaven, well-known to all.
Dao partners.
Qin Chu Yi softly repeated the phrase, feeling the meaning resonate deeply between her and Ming He, reflecting a perfectly fitting connection, harmonizing exquisitely.
Even though Ming He had already anticipated the answer, hearing it directly filled her heart with an endless surge of emotion. She paused for a moment, glancing around, aware that her fleeting thoughts were slipping away. Then she summoned a light blue flame of the soul with her fingertips.
That flame was the essence of a cultivator’s life and an essential step in establishing their contract.
Qin Chu Yi wore a soft smile as she raised her hand to conjure a red flame of the soul, letting it intertwine with the blue soul flame in the air, briefly touching before retreating, filled with a hint of shyness back into the Sea of Souls.
With that, the contract was officially complete. The bond of Dao partners had been formed, and from this moment onward, Ming He and Qin Chu Yi were true Dao partners, their fates entwined and their paths linked.
At that moment, an indescribable connection blossomed between them, tightly binding their hearts, creating swirls of sweetness and excitement deep within.
Ming He’s eyelids fluttered slightly, and unable to contain her emotions, she lowered her gaze before kissing Qin Chu Yi once more. Her left hand tugged at a piece of her red attire, revealing the cool white skin beneath.
Outside, the mist swirled, and Qin Chu Yi had not expected Ming He to do this in such a place, curling into herself in shyness.
Ming He let out a light laugh, her eyes sparkling. “Due to the barrier, we can see the outside scenery, but unless I allow it, no one can see us or come closer. What are you worried about, Senior Sister?”
“Moreover, dual cultivation during the establishment of the contract is just a step toward deeper compatibility in our cultivation. Every pair of Dao partners is like this.”
Ming He lowered her gaze, her expression clear and innocent, seemingly unable to comprehend Qin Chu Yi’s shyness under the dim light.
Qin Chu Yi, flustered, awkwardly reached out to pull at her attire, just as Nineteen casually walked by outside the barrier, pausing slightly as if she had a question for Ming He.
Qin Chu Yi froze mid-movement, not daring to move, only to be turned over by Ming He. Delicate kisses fell along her neck, sending shivers through her body.
Qin Chu Yi shot her an annoyed glare and sat up, wanting to change her position when she heard Nineteen’s clear voice from outside. “Ming He, I’ve heard you’ve broken through to the Earth Emperor Realm?”
Qin Chu Yi’s body instantly stiffened, her exposed skin, pale yet tinged with pink, resembled the glow of dawn filtered through clouds, shining with a brilliance that reflected her inner turmoil.
Ming He grinned, amusement sparkling in her eyes as she pulled at Qin Chu Yi’s red attire while replying, “Yes, I realized something while enjoying the scenery.”
To the two of them, it held entirely different meanings; Nineteen assumed she understood Ming He’s insight into her cultivation path.
Qin Chu Yi’s body grew increasingly rigid, her cheeks flushed with color nearly as vibrant as a fire clouds’ glow. Upon hearing Nineteen’s mild “Oh,” she sensed a hint of skepticism, but Nineteen soon turned to walk away.
Qin Chu Yi: “……”
