Chapter 76

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Chapter 76: Dust Dispersal Stage One

This time, it was in front of a dilapidated little house. The paint on the walls had nearly all peeled away, and though the ground was in disrepair, it was still kept reasonably clean. A sign hung crookedly, bearing the words "Sunshine Orphanage" in large characters.

From Ming He’s vantage point, she could see a festive scene inside, adorned with lanterns and decorations. The old wooden door was flanked by fresh spring couplets.

She paused for a moment, realizing that today was New Year’s Eve, a day symbolizing family reunion.

Ming He watched her past self stand silently for a long time before turning to buy a pile of fruits and snacks. She entered the orphanage and distributed them among the children, who were neatly dressed and wore bright smiles. Shortly after, she stepped back outside.

A little girl chased after her and handed Ming He something with a gesture of offering, then turned and ran back, her eyes as clear and bright as the blue sky.

Following her past self, she walked down a long, empty alley and stopped at a corner where a pile of garbage had once been. Over time, as the economy developed and times changed, it had disappeared, replaced by a small shop where villagers made a living. The snacks she had just bought came from there.

A woman dressed in modern, minimalist clothing stood in the glow of a streetlamp for a long time, until night fell and the sun and moon exchanged their duties high in the sky. She unfolded the item the little girl had given her—a piece of paper, perhaps a greeting card, labeled as a "New Year’s Gift."

Feeling the warmth of the sunlight on her skin, she thought she might change her way of life. With that, she gave herself a new name and began to embrace a fresh start.

Ming He stared at her past self, momentarily bewildered, as if she had grasped something in an instant, yet felt she understood nothing at all.

Suddenly, the scene before her crumbled. The buildings faded into the distance, and the world around her blurred and shifted. She felt as though some force was pulling her back, watching familiar sights grow distant until, with a jolt of awareness, she saw the tree trunk she had leaned against while healing Qin Chu Yi.

She had returned to the Vast Ancient Realm, back to the place where the ancient trial had begun.

Ming He looked up in confusion. The surroundings were silent, save for the distant sound of flowing water and fish, and the gentle rustling of pine trees in the breeze. No one else was in sight.

“Ding! Trial Participant Three has failed the trial, stopping at the second stage of the Vast Ancient Realm.” The familiar, ethereal voice of the Trial Spirit echoed overhead, carrying a hint of surprise and hesitation that Ming He hadn’t noticed.

Failed the trial? The Trial of the Heart.

Ming He pondered these words, deep in thought. The person in the illusion was her, yet not her current self, not the entirety of her. How was failure or success determined?

She couldn’t make sense of it, but instinctively felt that everything she had just experienced was shrouded in mystery. Her typically calm mind had been thrown into turmoil within the illusion, and she seemed to have gained nothing.

But, Trial Participant Three?

A look of shock crossed Ming He’s face. The Trial Spirit had said that four people were participating in the ancient trial. Based on the order of entry into the Vast Ancient Realm, she had assumed Qin Chu Yi was Trial Participant One, she was Trial Participant Two, and the black-clothed masked man—the Envoy of the Black Wind Alliance mentioned by Qin Chu Yi—was Trial Participant Three. But now, it seemed that wasn’t the case.

She was Trial Participant Three.

Then what about Qin Chu Yi? Was she Trial Participant One or Two?

Who was Trial Participant Four? Ming He touched her head, her fingers brushing her glossy black hair. Apart from that, she had nothing else.

Could it be? Her brows rose in disbelief. Could that little black beast count as one?

As if to confirm her speculation, the Trial Spirit’s ethereal voice rang out once more, “Trial Participant One has passed the second stage of the ancient trial, the Trial of the Heart. The third stage of the ancient trial, the Forging Stage, begins now.

Trial Participant Two has passed the second stage of the Trial of the Heart, but due to unknown factors, the trial is temporarily halted. A piece of Vast Jade is granted, which can randomly activate the Vast Ancient Realm.” The Trial Spirit’s voice, though emotionless, seemed to carry a trace of helplessness and… indulgence?

Ming He widened her eyes as she watched the little shadow rushing toward her, confirming her inner speculation. Qin Chu Yi was Trial Participant One, the little beast Chirp Chirp was Trial Participant Two, she was Trial Participant Three, and the black-clothed masked man was Trial Participant Four.

“Chirp chirp.” The gray little beast bounded to Ming He’s side, blinking its round eyes at her before skillfully climbing up her half-dropped right hand and settling atop her head.

“Humph.” Ming He chuckled lightly, brushing aside the illusion’s effects as the corner of her mouth curved up. She casually pulled the little black beast down, cradling it in her palm. The size of her fist, the little black beast wore a white jade pendant around its neck, almost obscuring its entire body. It was a wonder it hadn’t tripped while running.

She felt as though she had stumbled upon a treasure!

Ming He removed the white jade pendant from around the little beast’s neck and examined it. It was warm and smooth, like sheep’s fat jade, cool to the touch and adorned with intricate, ancient patterns that seemed mysterious to the naked eye. Was this the Vast Jade the Trial Spirit had mentioned?

Randomly activating the Vast Ancient Realm? Ming He blinked. Did that mean she could enter the Vast Ancient Realm once more?

She pondered the Trial Spirit’s words, quietly reflecting on their meaning. Unknown factors?

Ming He gently stroked the Little Black Beast’s head, observing it as it rolled joyfully in her palm, oblivious to what she had just taken from it. Its trust in her was absolute, thanks to the Star Lock.

Could the unknown factor be her?

In the Ancient Realm Trial, amidst the cause and effect of the mortal world and the Trial of the Heart, she doubted that a little beast, still half-asleep in its spiritual awareness, could bear any significant cause and effect. If not, had the realm spirit been lenient?

The more she pondered the subtle emotions in the realm spirit’s ethereal voice, the more plausible it seemed. If the unknown factor was indeed herself, then perhaps the little beast’s trial ended because she had failed her second trial?

Another enigma.

Ming He reattached the small jade pendant to the Little Black Beast’s neck and allowed it to climb back onto her head. She leaned lazily against a tree trunk, sitting cross-legged, her demeanor casual as she awaited Qin Chu Yi.

Trial Participant One, now in the third stage of the Ancient Realm Trial, the Forging Stage. She was curious, but upon reflection, it didn’t seem all that important.

Her sole focus was on becoming stronger.

Ming He half-closed her eyes, savoring the simplicity and purity of her current life. For now, she was content, and that was sufficient.

As for other matters, she preferred not to dwell on them.

What of the black-clothed masked man? She had halted at the second trial, while Qin Chu Yi was advancing through the third. The realm spirit hadn’t mentioned Trial Participant Four, suggesting only one possibility.

He too had stopped at the second trial, failing before her during the Trial of the Heart. Did the envoy of the Black Wind Alliance carry a shadow in his heart? Perhaps even a wound too deep to confront.

Ming He slowly closed her eyes, allowing herself to drift into sleep. It had been a while since she last rested, and drowsiness was overtaking her.

“Ding! Congratulations to Trial Participant One for passing the Forging Stage Ninety-Nine. Due to unknown factors, the Ancient Realm Trial is temporarily concluded. You have been awarded a piece of Vast Jade, which can randomly activate the Vast Ancient Realm.

The Ancient Realm Trial has ended. The Vast Ancient Realm will close in fifteen minutes, and Trial Participant One, Trial Participant Two, and Trial Participant Three will be forcibly removed from the realm in fifteen minutes.”

Ming He opened her bleary eyes to find a woman in blue clothes crouching beside her, smiling as she watched her. Despite the fatigue and numbness on her face, her eyes shone brightly.

Moreover, the blue attire seemed familiar. Ming He blinked in surprise, recalling that the blue outfit had originally been hers.

“Senior Sister.” She straightened up, her mind clearing as she looked up to see Qin Chu Yi’s face and the cool, fragrant aura surrounding her. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Ming He felt slightly disoriented.

“It’s nothing. Let’s prepare to leave.” Qin Chu Yi subtly glanced at Ming He’s chest, ensuring there were no traces of blood before relaxing. She stood up, her expression calm as she spoke.

Once outside, there were matters that needed addressing.

“Okay.” Ming He did not resist, relaxing and allowing the power from the Vast Ancient Realm to take effect. With a spin, she opened her eyes to find herself in the familiar stone forest under the blazing sun.

The blood from their earlier battle had dried, leaving dark red stains. The leaves swayed in the breeze, and the sound of flowing water was gentle. She stood where she had been before entering the Vast Ancient Realm.

The previous darkness, shrouded in clouds, had now receded.

“Boom.”

Almost the moment Ming He steadied herself, the spiritual energy of the universe surged into her body as if drawn by an unseen force, rushing in like a river to the sea, effortlessly breaking through the barriers of her Xuan Wei Seventh Level.

Her cultivation soared in the blink of an eye; the surrounding energy became fierce and powerful. Ming He remained steadfast in the center of the swirling spiritual energy, instinctively using the Star Technique to control its flow.

Xuan Wei Eighth Level.

Xuan Wei Ninth Level.

In an instant, she broke through two stages, and the flow of energy showed no signs of stopping. The Star Lock at her chest warmed with a faint glow, merging with the spiritual energy within her, shattering the barriers at the peak of the Xuan Wei realm.

Dust Dispersal Stage One!

Ming He formed hand seals to stabilize the spiritual energy within her and slowly opened her eyes, her expression sharp and fierce, retaining the pressure of a cultivator yet to be concealed.

She had unexpectedly broken through three levels in a short span of time, reaching the first level of the Dust Dispersal stage, the fourth realm of the Great Path Nine Levels. This marked the true beginning of a cultivator’s journey on the Great Path.

The Dust Dispersal stage symbolized the shedding of worldly ties and the awakening of the extraordinary, representing the fundamental distinction between mortals and cultivators. From this point onward, cultivators could refine their hearts and remain untainted by the mundane world.

As Ming He examined her meridians, she noticed that her inner spiritual energy was dense and sharp, showing no signs of instability despite the rapid breakthroughs.

"It must be due to the Vast Ancient Realm," Ming He speculated silently.

Her thoughts lingered on the phrase "cause and effect of the mortal world." If the first trial was about understanding the Great Path and the second about cultivating the heart, what could the third trial entail?

Though she had halted at the second trial, she had still managed to break through three levels upon emerging. What about Qin Chu Yi?

Ming He glanced at the woman standing nearby, enveloped in a swirling vortex of spiritual energy as she continued her breakthrough. Qin Chu Yi, who had always appeared cold and distant in her white robes, now exuded a softer, jade-like aura in her blue attire, making her even more striking than before.

Ming He leaned lazily against a pine tree, her gaze fixed intently on Qin Chu Yi. The Young Master of the central region’s noble clan!

She had thought the distance between them was closing, but now it seemed otherwise. Qin Chu Yi’s talent was no less than her own, and her brilliance had only grown since their first meeting.

Ming He sensed the aura around Qin Chu Yi, trying to gauge her cultivation level. Previously, Qin Chu Yi had been at the fifth level of the Dust Dispersal stage outside the ancient cave dwelling. Now, less than a year later, she was nearing the peak of the Wind Master realm.

To enter the battlefield of the heavens, one had to surpass the Human King stage, and Qin Chu Yi was steadily approaching that goal, just as Ming He was.

With a soft smile, Ming He approached Qin Chu Yi. The woman’s previous injuries had healed, likely due to the Vast Ancient Realm. "Congratulations, Senior Sister, on your remarkable advancement in cultivation," she said warmly.

"Indeed," Qin Chu Yi replied, her smile radiant and her presence dazzling. "Can I finally defeat you now?" she teased, her tone playful yet pointed.

"What do you mean?" Ming He asked, momentarily confused. Yet, she sensed a hint of danger in Qin Chu Yi’s smile and instinctively took a step back.

"Nothing much," Qin Chu Yi’s smile deepened. "I just feel that the Young Master doesn’t seem as impressive as before," she said, alluding to events tied to the cause and effect of the mortal world.

Ming He paused, suddenly recalling her actions during their time in the mortal world. On their wedding night, in the governor’s residence, she had playfully teased Qin Chu Yi, even nearly removing her clothes…

She turned her head, a faint blush coloring her pale cheeks. Now she understood—Qin Chu Yi was here to settle the score. "Sister Qin, I didn’t have my memories back then. It wasn’t my fault," she said, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

But it was true—how could she have known what she would do without her memories?

"Does it not matter just because you say so?" Qin Chu Yi raised an eyebrow, her eyes filled with skepticism. The pressure of her Wind Master realm cultivation enveloped Ming He, making it difficult for her to move. She instinctively retreated until her back pressed against the pine tree.

"Humph!" Qin Chu Yi stepped closer, a smug smile on her lips. She hadn’t forgotten how Ming He had treated her when they were both without memories. The Young Master’s bold and teasing demeanor had been on full display, and though Qin Chu Yi had regained her memories first, she still hadn’t been able to defeat Ming He. At the time, she had felt both frustrated and determined, vowing not to let the matter rest.

It had always been Qin Chu Yi who teased others, though her cold poison had kept her distant from most. This, however, was different.

"Senior Sister Qin!" Ming He called out, feeling somewhat cornered against the tree. She couldn’t tell if Qin Chu Yi was joking or genuinely intent on confronting her.

In her life, Ming He had only known life-and-death battles; she had never experienced this kind of playful confrontation.

Her hand hovered over her sword hilt, hesitating. Her sword was meant for enemies, not for Qin Chu Yi, who was no enemy of hers.

Besides, she was no match for Qin Chu Yi at this moment!

"Does Junior Sister Ming He wish to draw her sword?" Qin Chu Yi leaned in, her hand covering Ming He’s as she whispered softly near her ear. She smiled in satisfaction as a blush spread across Ming He’s ears, then released her grip.

Next, she lifted Ming He’s chin in a gesture reminiscent of how Ming He had treated her before. "Was your posture like this earlier?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement as they reflected Ming He’s flustered expression.

"Where did Junior Sister Ming He learn such romantic and sentimental behavior?" Qin Chu Yi asked, her curiosity piqued.

Ming He had always seemed so calm and reserved; Qin Chu Yi had never expected this side of her.

"Senior Sister… that wasn’t me," Ming He said, her breathing slightly uneven as she turned her head away. She couldn’t help but feel frustrated—her cultivation was still too low.

"Is that so?" Qin Chu Yi studied her flushed face for a moment before releasing her and straightening up, her expression one of triumphant satisfaction, as if she had finally settled an old score.

"Ahem, ladies… is this over?" A cheerful voice interrupted, and a middle-aged man in green robes emerged from the stone forest, walking with an air of leisure. It was Xie Dan Chen, whom Ming He had met before.

"Master Xie," Qin Chu Yi greeted with a nod, her composure unshaken despite the faint blush on her ears. She hadn’t expected others to be nearby, but since she wasn’t the one being teased this time, it didn’t seem to matter.

"Shishu," Ming He said after a moment, bowing respectfully. She hadn’t anticipated Qin Chu Yi’s childish behavior, especially since it wasn’t even her fault.

Her cultivation was still too low, she thought.

"That’s good to hear," Xie Dan Chen said, glancing at the two with relief. "We’ll discuss this further back at the sect." He turned to Ming He, his tone gentle. "I’ll take you." He assumed that, given Qin Chu Yi’s status, she wouldn’t bother escorting anyone.

To his surprise, Qin Chu Yi smiled warmly, matching his tone. "The Young Master always sees things through to the end. I’ll take Junior Sister Ming He." She formed a series of hand seals, summoning a flying sword beneath her feet. "Come on, little Ming He!"

In her blue robes, Qin Chu Yi smiled brightly at those below, unaware that her typically frosty demeanor had completely dissolved in Ming He’s eyes.

After a brief hesitation, Ming He stepped onto the flying sword, standing behind Qin Chu Yi just as she had done before.

Xie Dan Chen shook his head, following leisurely behind them.

A short while later, a Black Figure emerged from the stone forest, watching the three figures fade into the distance. His expression was complex, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions. "Ming He, the extraordinary genius of the human race. The human race is far more corrupt and chaotic than you can imagine.

What choices will you make after witnessing it all?" he murmured, recalling the visions he had seen in the illusion. A chilling murderous intent radiated from him as he turned away, his form shifting into another figure entirely.

"Pass the order: By His Highness’s command, the Alien Race Hunting Hall and the Black Wind Alliance are to intensify their efforts to hunt down human geniuses, effective immediately."

He crushed the jade in his hand, staring at the blood on his palm with a cold, ruthless gaze. "The Tianwu Continent will eventually belong to the alien races, and the alien races will belong to His Highness."