Chapter 49

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Chapter 49: Journey to the Floating Cloud Sect

“I am unaware, Shishu. Please enlighten me,” Ming He bowed respectfully, responding earnestly to his initial query.

Her fragmented and chaotic understanding of this realm stemmed from scattered fragments of the original narrative; she had yet to delve deeply into the true intricacies of this world.

The memories of the original host were vague, and the world Su Ming He had known was even more limited. She couldn’t rely on those memories, and the library at the Floating Cloud Sect also lacked comprehensive records.

Having spent over a year in this world, she still hadn’t grasped its full scope.

As for the latter part of the statement… Ming He’s eyes harbored a steadfast resolve; she was well aware of the cruelty inherent in the cultivation world—killing for treasures, scheming against one another, engaging in both overt and covert struggles. Yet, knowing this, she still yearned for it, still desired it.

The beauty of the landscape is magnified after enduring peril.

At this moment, she stood by the window of the side hall on Qingyun Peak, where the view outside was indeed breathtaking—verdant trees, drifting clouds, radiant sunlight, and a clear azure sky—yet none of it could rival the allure of what lay beyond the Floating Cloud Sect.

Where her heart led, there lay an expanse of stars.

“The land beneath your feet is known as the Tianwu Continent. ‘Tian’ signifies the highest heavens, and ‘Wu’ denotes the supremacy of martial prowess,” Xie Dan Chen remarked, lifting the hem of his robe as he settled back into his chair and began to brew tea.

The highest heavens and martial supremacy.

So, these were the two concepts, Ming He murmured to herself, naturally finding a seat as she followed her Shishu.

“The Tianwu Continent, where mountains meet seas, is vast and boundless, divided into five regions: the east, west, south, north, and the central region at the forefront. Additionally, there are countless corresponding seas, mountain ranges, blessed lands, islands, and more.

The Eastern Region was once the strongest among the five, but that was long ago. Today, the Eastern Region languishes at the bottom,” Xie Dan Chen said with a bitter smile, handing Ming He a cup of tea. “Drink it; it will benefit you.”

“Thank you, Shishu,” Ming He accepted the cup and drank it in one go, her mind still preoccupied with the five regions, their mountains, and rivers, oblivious to the gathering of spiritual energy within her.

“You’re becoming more and more like your brother,” Xie Dan Chen remarked, relaxing. “He, too, dislikes drinking tea.”

“Within the five regions, there are nine prefectures, ranked from lowest to highest in terms of strength and spiritual energy. The ninth prefecture of the Eastern Region is the weakest, with both its internal powers and spiritual energy inferior to the other eight prefectures.

Now, do you understand your position in this world?” Xie Dan Chen’s clear voice resonated in the air.

Tianwu Continent, five regions, nine prefectures.

“I understand,” Ming He replied solemnly. “I am at the lowest echelon of this world.”

The Eastern Region is the lowest among the five, and the ninth prefecture is the weakest among the nine. The Floating Cloud Sect is situated in Luoyin City within the ninth prefecture of the Eastern Region. Even in this remote area, it is not the strongest.

But so what? To be at the bottom, yet aspire to rise higher.

Ming He’s thoughts seldom aligned with the common folk; for instance, at this moment, she believed that the more humble her position, the easier it would be to ascend.

There are numerous paths upward, and ample space to explore, and no matter how low she might be, she wouldn’t fall much further.

Where could be lower than Qing Shi Town? She believed there was nowhere, fueling her ambition and aspirations to climb higher.

“Now, you can comprehend what the battlefield of the heavens is,” Xie Dan Chen said, taking a sip of tea and observing the unquenchable starlight in the young person’s eyes, a clear smile on his face. “I will take you to the Floating Cloud Sect.”

“Please inform me, Shishu,” Ming He requested.

She understood what the battlefield of the heavens was, but she wished to know what it signified to a powerful figure like Xie Dan Chen.

“The battlefield of the heavens is hope,” he spoke slowly and with utmost seriousness, more so than ever before. “It is the hope of the human race to protect their home and the hope of foreign races to invade.”

“In our human history, there have been three major foreign invasions.

The first invasion by myriad races was resisted by the Sword Master. The second invasion by a hundred races was also countered by the Sword Master, who by then had already lost much of his power, sacrificing himself and dispersing his cultivation to forge this battlefield of the heavens.

The Sword Master obliterated all pathways for the foreign races to enter the Tianwu Continent, but in the end, when the last line of defense was reached, the Sword Master had exhausted his strength and could only transform into chaos, forging the battlefield of the heavens to block the path of the foreign race’s invasion,” Xie Dan Chen stood up, his expression filled with reverence and longing.

“Therefore, the powerful human cultivators must ascend to the battlefield of the heavens to slay the invading foreign races and safeguard the peace of the human race. Fortunately, the Sword Master imposed a restriction on the battlefield of the heavens, limiting both the number and cultivation levels of the foreign races that can enter, enabling our human race to endure for thousands of years.”

The myriad races invaded, and the Sword Master transformed into chaos.

Ming He’s eyes were filled with questions, but she looked at Xie Dan Chen, knowing he wasn’t ready to reveal everything yet. “Then why do the foreign races invade the Tianwu Continent? For territory? For spiritual energy?”

“Because our human lands are blessed with outstanding individuals and abundant spiritual energy, vibrant with life, whereas the lands of the foreign races resemble scorched earth, harsh and barren. They covet what we possess, thus they seek to claim it as their own and to enslave our human race.”

“Before the Sword Master, countless of our ancestors perished tragically under the claws of the foreign races, unable to reincarnate. It was a scene of utter devastation, where we could barely fend for ourselves. That was the initial state of the human race when facing the invasion of the foreign races.”

Xie Dan Chen’s voice was tinged with sorrow. “Thus, to this day, we have engraved this lesson into our very bones: all foreign races must be eradicated, with their blood and spirit etched into our chests, a surge of heat rising from our hearts.”

So this was the source of the uncontrollable rage she felt upon encountering those foreign monsters? Ming He pondered.

Her body bore the pure bloodline of the human race, and the disgrace and resistance of her ancestors were ingrained in her very soul.

But—

As Ming He reflected on Xie Dan Chen’s words, another question arose in her mind. “Since, as Shishu said, the battlefield of the heavens is the sole passage for the foreign races to enter the Tianwu Continent, and there are powerful human cultivators guarding the battlefield, where did the foreign races I encountered in the Liu Yun Mountains come from?”

“Smuggling,” Xie Dan Chen sighed deeply. “The foreign races employ countless methods to infiltrate; they are nearly impossible to guard against. The powerful human cultivators can only intercept a portion of them, while other lesser foreign races can still enter the Tianwu Continent through the forbidden formations.”

“The foreign races you encountered were the lowest-ranked of the Tian Yan Tribe, with feeble cultivation and weak attacks, unable to communicate. They were the most inferior beings within the Tian Yan Tribe, sent merely as scouts to die.

But even as scouts, if their numbers are sufficient, they could overthrow an entire sect.” Xie Dan Chen’s tone was tinged with melancholy. “Among the myriad races, the human race is the weakest in physique.”

“Foreign races can deploy their young to the battlefield as soon as they mature, while our human cultivators can only enter battle once they reach the Human King stage.” His voice carried a hint of sadness. “The human cultivators perish primarily due to the relentless onslaught of the foreign races’ overwhelming numbers. If the numbers were equal, the human race would never falter.”

Ming He was puzzled. “Why can only those who reach the Human King stage enter battle?” So does that mean Qin Chu Yi still cannot join the battlefield of the heavens?

“Because the battlefield of the heavens is enveloped by violent energy, which the foreign races withstand without fear, while the human race can only enter without being affected by the violent energy once they reach the Human King stage.

Moreover, the risk of falling after reaching the Human King stage diminishes; they can perceive dangers and opportunities more clearly, allowing them to survive longer.”

Though in the end, they still fall under the collective assault of foreign attacks.

Xie Dan Chen took a breath and continued, “At the Martial Gate in the central region, there stands a stone tablet that reaches the heavens, named the Tianwu Tablet. This tablet records all the cultivators of the Human King stage who have fought on the battlefield since the first invasion of the foreign races.

The human race remembers every hero who fought and died for them.”

They guard the Tianwu Continent, so it is only fitting that the tablet is named Tianwu Tablet.

On the Tianwu Tablet beneath the Martial Gate, the tales of valor are inscribed.

“Countless prodigies from the nine prefectures of the five regions train day and night without respite, striving to carve their names onto that tablet with their own hands, then go to battle to slay the foreign races and protect the human race for tens of thousands of years.”

“Ming He, if one day you reach the Human King stage, you too can carve your name on that tablet with your own hands.” Xie Dan Chen looked at the blue-clad sword cultivator before him, smiling kindly. “In addition to that, the Eastern Heaven Bell hanging outside the Imperial Palace will toll for you, its resonance echoing across every corner of the Tianwu Continent, an honor befitting those who go to battle. This was also a dream cherished by me and my brother.”

Human King stage, Imperial Palace, Eastern Heaven Bell.

Ming He paused, about to speak, when suddenly her spirit jolted. She widened her eyes in disbelief; it seemed she heard the toll of the Eastern Heaven Bell, witnessing the honor belonging to the cultivators of the Human King stage.

That meant—someone was ascending to the battlefield of the heavens!

“Dong, dong, dong!”

The earth-shaking sound resonated from all directions, clouds gathering and dispersing under the blazing sun. In a daze, she seemed to see a young cultivator in white standing before the towering Tianwu Tablet, using his fingers like a brush, inscribing his name with sword energy, stroke by stroke.

“Shishu, did the Eastern Heaven Bell toll?” Ming He murmured, looking at Xie Dan Chen.

Before she could receive a reply, she raised her eyes to her Shishu and found him wearing the surprised and excited expression of the Scholar in Blue. The answer was written all over his face.

Indeed, someone had broken through to the Human King stage and ascended to the battlefield of the heavens.

After a moment, Xie Dan Chen finally calmed his thoughts and steered the conversation back to its origin. “Earlier, I mentioned I could take you to the Floating Cloud Sect. My senior brother said you originally planned to go out for training. So, what do you want to do now?”

He cleared his throat and presented Ming He with two options. “Do you wish to accompany me to the Floating Cloud Sect immediately, or would you prefer to venture out for training and find the Floating Cloud Sect on your own?”

The journey from the Ninth Continent to the First Continent spans eight other continents. Traveling with Xie Dan Chen would help avoid unnecessary trouble and danger, making it a one-time effort. Going alone for training would involve countless hardships, and even if she found the sect, there was no guarantee of being accepted.

This straightforward question was one Xie Dan Chen turned into a choice for her to make?

Ming He blinked and felt like laughing at herself for becoming a character in a story. “I choose to follow Shishu to the Floating Cloud Sect.”

She wasn’t the Dragon Hero; she didn’t believe that training alone would hone her skills. She only thought it would be a hassle and a waste of time. If she could avoid it, why not?

Xie Dan Chen gave her a choice, and naturally, she would choose what she truly desired.

So Ming He answered decisively and without hesitation; she wanted to go to the Floating Cloud Sect, as soon as possible and as simply as possible.

“Alright.” Xie Dan Chen looked extremely surprised, clearly not expecting her to respond like that. After a moment, he laughed heartily, “The closed-door disciple my brother has taken is indeed interesting; you are much more fun than Yun and Xiao Qing.”

He didn’t like the second option either. Training could be done anytime and anywhere, but training at the Liu Yun Sect was entirely different from training at the Floating Cloud Sect.

“Then let’s go.”

In a grand hall of the Floating Cloud Sect, far away, a woman in white, with a cold expression and snowy attire, sat at a green jade table, looking thoughtfully at a jade slip in her hand. Despite her furrowed brow, she remained beautiful, captivating anyone who looked at her.

If Ming He were present, she would recognize that the woman in white was none other than Qin Chu Yi, who had just left the Liu Yun Sect and promised to meet her again at the Floating Cloud Sect.

Away from Ming He’s gaze, Qin Chu Yi shed her rare warmth and brilliance, her expression becoming the cool beauty others perceived her to be.

“Is Sister Qin in?” A crisp, playful voice broke the silence of the hall, followed by a girl in light green brocade who bounced into the room. Her features were bright and lively, not as dazzling as Qin Chu Yi but charming in her own right, and she jumped to Qin Chu Yi’s side with a beaming smile.

“When did Sister Qin return? You didn’t tell me!” She pouted cutely, half-complaining, and naturally took a seat opposite Qin Chu Yi.

“I returned not long ago.” Qin Chu Yi replied lightly, her gaze still on the jade slip, serious and focused.

The jade slip she held contained information about the Spirit Contract, which she had asked Duan Wu to organize and send as soon as she returned.

Spirit Contract, Star Lock, Ming He.

Qin Chu Yi thought of the woman in blue who wielded a sword, her lips curving into a smile. She wondered how far Ming He could go; it should be quite high!

Seeing Qin Chu Yi’s expression, the girl in green’s eyes dimmed slightly. She cleared her throat to interrupt Qin Chu Yi’s thoughts. "How did it go for you outside, Sister Qin? Did everything you wanted to do go well?"

She knew Qin Chu Yi had tasks to accomplish but didn’t know the details. She had asked before, but Qin Chu Yi didn’t want to share.

“Smoothly.” Qin Chu Yi’s response was concise.

She had achieved her initial goals; the Star Lock was likely safer with Ming He than with her.

A glimmer of light flashed in the green-clad girl’s eyes. “Was it fun outside? When will Sister Qin take Tian Rou to see it?” She blinked eagerly.

“Actually, it wasn’t very fun.” Qin Chu Yi answered while recalling the figure dressed in blue.

Not all that fun, yet someone had a heartfelt longing for it.

“Oh.” Song Tian Rou lowered her eyelashes. “Does that mean Sister Qin doesn’t need to go to the Floating Cloud Sect anymore?” After all, her goals had been met.

“In a few days, I will return to the Floating Cloud Sect.” Qin Chu Yi’s expression remained indifferent. “I still have things to do.”

“What things?” Song Tian Rou asked instinctively, but upon meeting Qin Chu Yi’s cold gaze, she quickly added, “My brother wants to find you to enjoy the sunrise on the Tianhai Tower?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Qin Chu Yi’s expression turned even colder. “I’m not interested in the scenery of Tianhai Tower. Tell Song Tian Yang that the engagement he insists on is merely the drunken jokes of elders; I won’t take it to heart. Don’t bother me if there’s nothing important.”

“Alright, I’ll tell my brother,” Song Tian Rou said, her expression easing slightly. “Don’t be angry, Sister Qin.” She added, “By the way, I’d like to borrow your Moon Crescent Dagger for a while.”

She spoke casually, “I’ve recently practiced a set of dagger techniques and would like Sister Qin’s guidance.”

Qin Chu Yi’s gaze paused. “The Moon Crescent Dagger isn’t with me right now; use your own dagger.”

“Okay, then please move, Sister Qin!” Song Tian Rou said playfully, turning to hide the expression in her eyes that was barely concealed.

…

“That’s good; overall, it flows smoothly, but there are still some shortcomings.” Qin Chu Yi watched Song Tian Rou perform the dagger techniques and was about to point out where she could improve when suddenly, she heard a dull rumble throughout the heavens and earth.

This sound was not new to her, but it had been a long time since she last heard it—the Eastern Heaven Bell!

Someone was going to the battlefield of the heavens again, but this time it was someone she was very familiar with.

“Sister Qin, it’s Brother Qin! Brother Qin has gone to the battlefield of the heavens!” Song Tian Rou exclaimed, her expression joyful. “He broke through to the Human King stage!”

“Yes, brother has reached the Human King stage.” Qin Chu Yi repeated, her eyes deepening. Her brother could now go to the battlefield of the heavens to fight the foreign races.

But what about her?

Qin Chu Yi clenched her fist, a layer of gloom enveloping her as she walked back into the hall, disappearing in her white clothes under Song Tian Rou’s attentive gaze.

The girl in green smiled faintly, glancing at the dagger in her hand, her expression darkening. She paused for a long while before turning to leave.