Chapter 67

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

Chapter 67: Claiming Rewards

Ming He’s face was impassive. "Dawn has broken. It’s time for me to claim my reward." She turned away, ignoring Qin Chu Yi, and returned to her original seat. Closing her eyes, she began organizing the information she had gathered throughout the night, quietly awaiting the full light of day.

Qin Chu Yi stood by the window, a faint smile playing on her lips as she watched the moonlight fade and the first rays of sunlight appear on the horizon. Her visit to Ming He wasn’t solely due to the Floating Cloud Sect; the Star Lock was also a significant factor.

After forming the Spirit Contract with Ming He, the cold poison that had plagued her since birth had been suppressed. For the first time, Qin Chu Yi felt the warmth of sunlight on her skin—a sensation so delightful that she found herself craving more. However, this required Ming He’s cooperation.

Her cultivation had only reached the seventh layer of the Xuan Wei realm, which was still too low. But at least she was safe, Qin Chu Yi thought.

As night retreated, the sun slowly rose above the horizon, casting its light over the world. The Qingyun Tower, bathed in this light, stood majestic and beautiful within Dongfeng City, a symbol of glory and pride.

Ming He opened her eyes and stood up to leave, paying no attention to Qin Chu Yi by the window. Yet, Qin Chu Yi, with a subtle smile, followed her closely, eventually walking side by side.

"Sister Qin," Ming He called, her eyes conveying her confusion. What was she planning?

"Afraid you might run away," Qin Chu Yi replied with a cheerful tone. "I intend to take you to Floating Cloud." Her expression was resolute, as if she were determined to achieve a year-end goal.

Ming He felt the image of the cold beauty shatter. "I don’t recall agreeing to that," she said. She had merely inquired about her Master’s situation.

"Really? You didn’t?" Qin Chu Yi’s eyes sparkled with amusement. "But you didn’t refuse either!"

"Ming He." A gentle voice interrupted their conversation. Ming He looked up to see Yu Wen Xi approaching from behind. He paused upon noticing Qin Chu Yi, his gaze filled with surprise. "And who might this be?"

"This is my Senior Sister," Ming He introduced, noticing that Qin Chu Yi had reverted to her usual cold demeanor.

So, she can change her expression too, Ming He thought to herself as she briefly explained Qin Chu Yi’s identity.

"Pleased to meet you, Friend," Yu Wen Xi said, lowering his gaze, visibly impressed by Qin Chu Yi’s beauty and strength. He then turned to Ming He with concern. "The Black Wind Alliance attacked Qingyun Tower the other night. Are you unharmed?"

Although Ming He appeared unscathed, Yu Wen Xi couldn’t shake his astonishment. The Black Wind Alliance’s cultivators were all above the Dust Dispersal stage—ruthless assassins who struck with deadly precision. He had survived thanks to his family’s protective measures, but Ming He had no such advantages.

Yet, it seemed she wasn’t entirely defenseless. He glanced at Qin Chu Yi, sensing that her Senior Sister had an extraordinary background, possibly providing her with some means of protection.

"It’s nothing," Ming He replied indifferently, not considering her victory over a black-clothed man above the Dust Dispersal stage as particularly noteworthy. She believed she had survived on her own before Qin Chu Yi’s timely intervention.

The Dongfeng Arena was situated in the clouds, but the rewards were not to be claimed there. The armored guards led them to another grand hall, the Lord’s Hall of Dongfeng City, the most authoritative building in the Eastern Region.

Inside, the hall was resplendent with golden decorations. Glazed lamps hung high, casting a bright light. Spiritual energy swirled like mist around the formation patterns of the spirit-gathering array. A small white bell, a replica of the Eastern Heaven Bell, hung under the eaves, swaying gently in the breeze. Its clear chime resonated with the rhythm of the Great Path, refreshing the mind and purifying the heart.

As Ming He followed the armored guard inside, her gaze fell upon a golden-white throne at the front of the hall. A figure sat there, but the height of the seat made it difficult to see clearly.

Standing still, she surveyed the hall and noticed about two hundred people, likely the cultivators ranked on the Small Dragon and Tiger Rankings, the new generation of young talents in the Eastern Region.

"Chu Sister!" A voice of surprise rang out near Ming He. She saw Qu Yanran, dressed in a blue robe, looking at Qin Chu Yi with shining eyes. Her usually calm face now radiated excitement.

Oh, Qu Yanran must know Qin Chu Yi, given they were both from the Floating Cloud Sect, Ming He realized belatedly.

Qu Yanran had already bounded over to Qin Chu Yi and began chattering excitedly, her demeanor that of an enthusiastic admirer.

"How did Chu Sister end up here?" Qu Yanran asked eagerly.

Qin Chu Yi nodded slightly. "Master Xie asked me to bring Ming He back." She hadn’t revealed her identity to Qu Yanran, so she referred to Xie Dan Chen as Master.

"Oh," Qu Yanran nodded, casting a scrutinizing glance at Ming He. "Will you be staying at the sect longer this time, Chu Sister?"

Even without Qin Chu Yi’s explanation, Qu Yanran likely knew her background was extraordinary. Anyone who commanded such respect from her mother and Master couldn’t be ordinary. And her cultivation—

"Probably," Qin Chu Yi replied, glancing at Ming He from the corner of her eye, her expression inscrutable.

"Dear friends," the ninth armored guard captain, Mo Fang, stood beneath the central throne and began speaking as everyone gathered. "First, congratulations to all of you for securing a position on the Small Dragon and Tiger Rankings. Here are the rankings."

He took a scroll from the guard behind him, slowly unrolling it and reading aloud. "Young Dragon List, First: Chang Sun Su; Young Dragon List, Second: Yu Wen Chen… Young Tiger List, First: Ming He; Young Tiger List, Second: Qu Yanran; Young Tiger List, Third: Shadow…"

Ming He stood below, her name echoing through the hall, followed by Qu Yanran, Shadow, and a few unfamiliar names. Yu Wen Xi secured the ninth position, revealing that the gentle youth in white was not to be underestimated.

Interestingly, the two Young Masters from aristocratic families, who had fervently debated their rankings during the Secret Realm Trial, did not perform as well in this ranking battle. One ranked sixty-fifth and the other sixty-sixth on the Young Tiger List, trailing far behind their beloved, whom they had so confidently praised.

"One hundredth on the Young Tiger List, Liu He Zhi," announced Mo Fang, his voice resonating through the grand hall, marking the conclusion of the Small Dragon and Tiger Rankings. "Your rewards will be distributed shortly by the armored guards. The Domain Lord’s mansion will not disclose your rewards publicly."

This measure was taken to prevent rogue cultivators from coveting the rewards and potentially harming the talented individuals, ensuring the safety of each genius listed on the Small Dragon and Tiger Rankings.

"Next, the Domain Lord will grace this hall. I invite all dear friends to join me in welcoming the Domain Lord," declared Mo Fang, turning and kneeling on one knee toward the elevated seat, his voice filled with respect and reverence. "Welcome, Domain Lord."

"Welcome, Domain Lord," echoed the armored guards in unison.

Ming He, along with the other cultivators, bowed deeply, "Welcome, Domain Lord." This was not merely a gesture of respect for his position but a tribute to a formidable human cultivator. Each Domain Lord of the five regions was a pinnacle of human strength, their hands stained with the blood of alien races. They had risen through the ranks while being hunted by those very races and were among the most relentless pursuers of those aliens. This bow honored the sacrifices and contributions of their ancestors to the human race.

"There is no need for such formalities, dear friends," a gentle and resonant voice emanated from the front. "The Great Path is long, and regardless of one’s standing, as long as we walk the same path, we are all friends."

Ming He straightened and looked up to see the young man in white, his hair as pale as snow, descending gracefully from his seat. Though his movements were simple, they carried an undeniable elegance, embodying the essence of a human cultivator at the peak of power.

His aura was not as overwhelming as Ming He had anticipated, yet it was profoundly mysterious—a cultivator at the Earth Emperor Realm, standing at the zenith of human cultivation.

"I am currently on the battlefield of the heavens; this is but a fragment of my true self," the young man in white stated lightly. "I summoned you here to witness the future of the Eastern Region. Having seen it, I am not entirely disappointed."

With a wave of his hand, he summoned the spiritual energy within the hall, condensing it into a stream of profound light that flowed into the bodies of the Small Dragon and Tiger Rankings cultivators. "This is a glimpse of my insights on the Great Path, shared with you all."

Insights on the Great Path? Ming He felt the additional light in her mind and pondered. Was this the Domain Lord’s understanding gained from traversing the Great Path in the Eastern Region?

Wasn’t this akin to a scholar’s notes from a previous life? She found the concept easier to grasp and felt a thrill of excitement, eager to explore the paths of the powerful.

"Where are the top contenders of the Young Dragon and Young Tiger Lists?" the young man in white inquired, returning to his seat, his tone calm and unperturbed, as if merely curious.

Ming He and Chang Sun Su exchanged glances before stepping forward from the crowd, standing at the forefront. "Domain Lord, I am Ming He."

"I am Chang Sun Su," the young woman in exquisite attire declared confidently, her calm demeanor reflecting her noble upbringing. She had seen much and was not easily startled, though she hadn’t expected Ming He to be equally remarkable.

Chang Sun Su subtly glanced at Ming He, her clear eyes flickering with mild surprise as she recognized the name.

"The little girl from the Chang Sun clan has grown and can now support the future of the Eastern Region," the Domain Lord remarked. For the Eastern Region, she was undoubtedly one of the exceptional talents among the younger generation, making this praise well-deserved.

"Ming He," the Domain Lord’s gaze fell upon the small beast atop her head, a fleeting glimmer in his eyes. "Would you consider taking me as your Master?" It was the beast’s choice to take on disciples, but her innate talent also made her worthy of the title of disciple to the Domain Lord of the Eastern Region.

A hushed murmur swept through the hall as the cultivators looked at Ming He with concealed envy. After all, he was the Domain Lord of the Eastern Region, the pinnacle of human cultivators.

"Domain Lord, I already have a Master," Ming He responded, her heart racing under the envious gazes. She was indeed excited, but having already pledged her allegiance to a Master, she naturally couldn’t accept another.

"It’s of no consequence; in the pursuit of the Great Path, it’s common to have more than one Master. Your Master would likely not object," he stated truthfully. There was no rule limiting cultivators to a single Master.

"My Master is Qu Lingyun," Ming He continued boldly, the crowd gasping in surprise. "I hail from the Liu Yun Sect of the Ninth Continent. So, does the Domain Lord still wish to take me as a disciple?"

The young man in white fell silent. "So, you are Qu Lingyun’s disciple," he sighed softly. "Then I must consult my true self regarding this matter, but Ming He, you are remarkable." Had she no ties to Qu Lingyun, taking her as a disciple would have been a simple decision.

……

"Ming He, dear friend, I have been tasked with escorting you to claim your reward," an armored guard approached her as she exited the hall, his tone familiar.

Ming He looked closely and recognized him. "Please, friend," she smiled politely.

Yu Jing walked beside her, guiding her forward, somewhat surprised. The young sword cultivator he had first encountered in Dongfeng City, with her youthful innocence, had secured first place in the Young Tiger Rankings, standing out among many disciples from various sects and families—truly impressive.

"This is the treasure vault of the Domain Lord’s mansion in the Eastern Region," Yu Jing led her to a shelf and handed her a purple storage pouch. "For the first place on the Young Tiger List, a reward of 10,000 upper-grade spirit stones, a piece of an earth-grade item, a vial of earth-grade pills, and a tome of earth-grade techniques, martial skills, or secret techniques."

"This is the treasure vault of the Eastern Region. Within it are countless treasures; you may select the items I just mentioned. Once you’ve made your choices, seek me to register. I will wait for you at the entrance," Yu Jing smiled lightly, a hint of envy in his tone as he walked away to the entrance.

“Earth grade!” Ming He’s heart raced. In cultivation, there are nine stages, and treasures are also divided into nine grades. The Earth grade corresponds to the Wind Master realm, but in reality, it is a far more prestigious tier, as Earth grade artifact craftsmen and alchemists are far rarer than Wind Master realm cultivators.

The rewards for topping the Young Tiger List were so lavish; she wondered what Chang Sun Su, the leader of the Young Dragon List, would receive. But as the Young Master of a noble family, she likely lacked nothing.

Ming He steadied her heartbeat and walked inside. Along the way, treasures surrounded by swirling spiritual energy and radiant light dazzled her, stirring her heart. Yet, she knew exactly what she needed, so she headed straight for the Earth grade section without lingering elsewhere.

Fifteen minutes later, Ming He found Yu Jing after selecting her treasures. The Earth grade artifact she chose was a sword—a long, azure blade with a gentle sheen, its edge hidden within the scabbard. It was love at first sight. Though she already possessed the Longquan Sword, having broken two swords before, Ming He understood the wisdom of having multiple blades.

The pill she selected was the Blizzard Pill, and the secret technique was the Ghostly Sword—a technique rooted in soul mastery rather than swordsmanship.

Ming He’s eyes turned cold as she recalled the mermaid’s enchanting visage and voice. She had nearly mastered the God-Breaking Spike passed down by Bai Mengjiao, but it paled in comparison to the mental impact it had on her during the Baiyu Building auction, let alone its ability to control the mind.

What Bai Mengjiao had taught her was merely superficial.

What a cunning move, Ming He thought with a cold snort, silently noting the debt as she remembered the spirit stones that had rained down on her.

“Here is the complete secret technique,” Yu Jing said, recording her choice on a jade stone before handing her a jade slip. He then presented her with a mirror. “This is the Domain Lord’s mansion’s reward for eliminating the black-clothed men of the Dust Dispersal stage from the Black Wind Alliance.”

“A reward?” Ming He blinked in confusion. “For killing black-clothed men?”

“Of course. The Black Wind Alliance is filled with traitors to the human race. Eliminating them is a righteous act, and the Domain Lord’s mansion naturally rewards such deeds.” Yu Jing’s voice brimmed with pride.

Under his admiring gaze, Ming He almost asked why her own Master had been punished for a similar act of justice. But she knew Yu Jing wouldn’t have the answer, so she held her tongue.

“Is this… a Heart-Protecting Mirror?” Ming He asked, her surprise evident as she noticed its celestial-grade aura.

“Indeed, a top-tier Heart-Protecting Mirror. It can block a fatal strike from a Heaven Origin realm cultivator. This is your reward for slaying six black-clothed men,” Yu Jing explained, his tone tinged with envy. Most Human King stage experts were on the battlefield of the heavens, and Heaven Origin realm cultivators were already formidable in the five regions. A Heart-Protecting Mirror capable of withstanding such a strike was akin to a life-saving talisman.

Oh, and there’s also this.” Yu Jing suddenly remembered and handed her a golden token. “This contains all the dragon energy you earned from the Small Dragon and Tiger Rankings. It also serves as your pass to the third round of the Dragon and Tiger Rankings in the central region.” The Earthly Tiger List required breaking through to the Wind Master realm before the age of twenty-five, and Ming He was only eighteen.

Ming He accepted the token, her thoughts still lingering on the Heart-Protecting Mirror. “But I only killed one black-clothed man. The other six were slain by Qin Chu Yi.”

“Even if you had killed six, such an extraordinary reward seems excessive,” she muttered, finding it hard to believe.

“The Domain Lord’s mansion is aware. The armored guard inquired with Friend Chu, and she confirmed that she acted on your behalf. Thus, her kills are credited to you,” Yu Jing explained, adding, “Friend Chu likely has no need for such treasures.”

“A celestial-grade Heart-Protecting Mirror is indeed an excessive reward,” Yu Jing admitted with a chuckle. “The extra portion is a personal gift from the Domain Lord himself.” The mirror had been a treasure of the old Domain Lord, passed down to the current one in his youth. It seemed the Domain Lord was eager to take Ming He as his disciple.

That was why he had specifically instructed Yu Jing to deliver it. The Domain Lord had emphasized that Ming He must not die—she was too important.

“Who else eliminated black-clothed men during the Black Wind Alliance’s ambush at Qingyun Tower?” Ming He asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Chang Sun Su, the leader of the Young Dragon List, killed four. Shadow took down two, and Qu Yanran eliminated three,” Yu Jing listed. The talent in this year’s Small Dragon and Tiger Rankings was exceptional, and he was already looking forward to the Dragon and Tiger Rankings in four years.

“Oh,” Ming He nodded and stepped out of the Domain Lord’s mansion. There, she saw Qin Chu Yi, clad in white, standing gracefully on her sword like a celestial being. The sword hovered slightly above the ground, level with the second floor of Qingyun Tower. Qin Chu Yi gazed serenely at the distant scenery, bathed in sunlight that made her glow.

Seeing Ming He, she smiled warmly. “Junior Sister Ming He, are you ready to accompany me to the Floating Cloud Sect?”

“Where is Senior Sister Qu?” Ming He asked, recalling how Qin Chu Yi had credited her with the kills. The gesture left her with mixed feelings—she hadn’t needed it, but the thought counted.

“Yanran has other matters to attend to. This journey will be just the two of us,” Qin Chu Yi replied, her smile playful and teasing, reminiscent of the carefree young heirs Ming He had encountered in her past life. Her demeanor was uncannily similar—no, identical.

Ming He was about to respond when her eyes widened in realization. Qin Chu Yi was floating in the air, her sword hovering effortlessly. Her cultivation… she had reached the Wind Master realm!

Her gaze lingered as she remembered how Qin Chu Yi had saved her that night at Qingyun Tower. Back then, Ming He had been on the nineteenth floor, and Qin Chu Yi had flown in from the outside.

In just half a year, she had broken through to the Wind Master realm.

“Ming He, come up,” Qin Chu Yi called, her smile radiant in the sunlight. Her white robes gleamed like snow, embodying the warmth of spring after winter’s thaw. “Senior Sister will take you flying!”