Chapter 77

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Chapter 77: Floating Cloud and Falling Balance

The flying sword sliced through layers of clouds, twisting gracefully in the air. Ming He stood behind Qin Chu Yi, suddenly seeing a bright light ahead. Rich spiritual energy gathered into a vortex, swirling beside her, revealing a scene of ethereal beauty.

Towering mountains and splendid palaces shone in the white mist, with sword energy piercing the sky. The Floating Cloud Sect she saw from below at the mountain gate looked completely different from the heights she stood at now. She herself had also changed significantly since that time.

Watching as Qin Chu Yi’s flying sword showed no signs of slowing down, she flew directly through the mountain gate and swiftly landed in front of a palace that exuded a powerful and profound aura. This palace stood at the peak of the mountain, where sword energy served as ink, elegantly carving three large characters: Luoheng Palace.

She jumped down from the flying sword and lifted her head to gaze at those characters, pondering if she was indeed on Luoheng Peak. During her previous visit to the Floating Cloud Sect at the Miscellaneous Hall, she knew that her Shishu, Xie Dan Chen, was the peak master of Luoheng Peak.

“Go inside; this will be your training place from now on,” Qin Chu Yi said, putting away the flying sword, her brows raised in pride.

Seeing Ming He’s sword-like figure reminded her of her own first arrival at Qingyun Peak in blue clothes, feeling distant and detached. Now, in just one year, she stood among the nine peaks of the great sects in the Eastern Region.

Who knows where she will stand in another year or two? Perhaps at the center of the grand spotlight in the central region?

Qin Chu Yi affectionately patted Ming He’s head, pleased with her subordinate, and walked ahead quickly.

Ming He blinked and followed her inside, where the bright lights illuminated the room. Black tiles and red walls contrasted beautifully with the brilliant glass and sparkling jewels; even a small ornament conveyed the grandeur and solemnity of a major sect.

“Did you enter the Vast Ancient Realm?” Xie Dan Chen asked, leisurely strolling in from behind, his tone calm. The casual nonchalance in his gaze towards Qin Chu Yi diminished somewhat.

“Yes,” Qin Chu Yi replied succinctly, unbothered as she found a chair to sit down, raising an eyebrow to signal Ming He to sit beside her.

Ming He hesitated for a moment, glancing at her Shishu before sitting down next to Qin Chu Yi.

“When did you get there, Master Xie? Did you see the Envoy of the Black Wind Alliance?” Qin Chu Yi frowned slightly as she recalled the figure wielding a blade against Ming He. She had always known the Envoy of the Black Wind Alliance was extraordinary but hadn’t expected him to grasp the forces of heaven and earth.

Moreover, what he said during the cause and effect of the mortal world was well-founded. The Vast Ancient Realm was unfamiliar to her, yet the Envoy of the Black Wind Alliance, who called himself Yóu Lìng, seemed to have some connection to it.

“He arrived just as you were exiting,” Xie Dan Chen frowned as well. “Did he personally lead people to hunt you?” It was surprising that such a noble envoy would personally act.

Xie Dan Chen suddenly realized something, his tone growing urgent. “Has your identity been exposed?” If it was because of Qin Clan’s Young Master title, that would explain things.

“No,” Qin Chu Yi shook her head. “He was not after me.” The Envoy of the Black Wind Alliance aimed to kill Ming He, but why was he targeting her?

The Black Wind Alliance focused on hunting human race geniuses, and since Ming He ranked first on the Young Tiger List, she was certainly a genius, yet it seemed premature for the envoy to personally act against her.

What could the reason be? She couldn’t figure it out.

Could it be because of the Star Lock? However, few knew that Ming He was its master. She had asked her ancestor to veil the secrets when she visited the clan last time, so it couldn’t be about the Star Lock.

“But he does know my identity,” Qin Chu Yi stated seriously. She was the Young Master of the Qin Clan in the central region, and the name Chu Yi Qing was her alias and identity at the Floating Cloud Sect.

When she left the clan to search for the Star Lock, her ancestor had veiled the secrets of her name. It was unlikely that anyone could discover her identity as the Young Master of the Qin Clan while she was using the name Chu Yi Qing, yet Yóu Lìng could.

“He is not simple,” Xie Dan Chen squinted, noting the name carefully. “The Floating Cloud Sect and Domain Lord’s mansion have looked into his background, but unfortunately, nothing useful has emerged. His cultivation level is unknown, his origin unclear, and even his past is a mystery. Since he first appeared in the sights of the human race, he has always been masked by a black wolf-shaped mask. The Black Wind Alliance has only become as troublesome as it is today because of him.”

Previously, the Black Wind Alliance was merely a despicable presence, akin to a rat hated by everyone.

“Shishu, does the Black Wind Alliance and Alien Race Hunting Hall only aim to hunt human race geniuses?” Ming He asked, still somewhat confused after listening for a while. It was in the Qingyun Tower of Dongfeng City that she first encountered the Black Wind Alliance.

“No,” Qin Chu Yi turned to her, her eyes clear as she explained. “The Black Wind Alliance and the Alien Race Hunting Hall have existed for over a thousand years in the Tianwu Continent. The Black Wind Alliance’s mission is to hunt human race geniuses, while the Alien Race Hunting Hall’s initial purpose was not inherently the same. The Alien Race Hunting Hall takes the extermination of the human race as its mission and is not limited to geniuses; both cultivators and ordinary people are targeted.

“The difference lies in the composition—one consists of humans, and the other consists of alien races. The leader of the Black Wind Alliance is called ‘Envoy,’ while the leader of the Alien Race Hunting Hall is referred to as ‘Hall Master.’ Both of these envoys lost their lives twenty years ago during the great cleansing of the human race across the Tianwu Continent. Yóu Lìng is a new envoy who emerged in recent years, while the Hall Master of the Alien Race Hunting Hall has yet to appear.” Qin Chu Yi’s eyes shimmered with killing intent.

“The Envoy of the Black Wind Alliance, Yóu Lìng.” Ming He silently noted this name. “I feel that he isn’t very old.” She sensed he belonged to the younger generation.

“Forget him for now; we’ll deal with it when we encounter him again.” Xie Dan Chen waved his hand and pulled out a storage ring from his pocket, handing it to Ming He. “This is a welcome gift from your Shishu.”

He smiled and continued, “From now on, you will be the true disciple of Luoheng Peak. I will have the people from the Miscellaneous Hall bring you the disciples’ tokens and other items. Just focus on your training and prepare for the Dragon and Tiger Rankings competition in four years.”

True disciple?

Qin Chu Yi looked surprised. “Ming He becoming a true disciple? Floating Cloud Peak and the other peaks…” Surely they wouldn’t agree?

After all, she was only at the Dust Dispersal stage. By cultivation standards, she had barely reached the threshold of an inner sect disciple. When she brought Ming He to the Floating Cloud Sect, she was only at the Xuan Wei realm, the level of outer sect disciples.

But Ming He ranked first on the Young Tiger List, so Qin Chu Yi had thought of securing her a spot as an inner sect disciple no matter what. Now she realized Xie Dan Chen was even more generous than she had expected.

“I am the peak master of Luoheng Peak. I am granting her the status of true disciple. This is my decision and has nothing to do with anyone else,” Xie Dan Chen said, his brows furrowed with indignation. “When my senior brother encountered trouble back then, I was too weak to help him. When Ming He first arrived at Floating Cloud, I was in closed-door training and couldn’t be of any use. This time, I will protect Ming He no matter what.”

The Scholar in Blue straightened his posture, proud and unyielding. Nearing middle age yet full of youthful spirit, he had promised his senior brother to teach Ming He well, and he intended to keep that promise.

Xie Dan Chen clenched his fist, his eyes sharp. If only his current cultivation wasn’t still too low; there was so much he wanted to do!

“That will be good,” Qin Chu Yi said, watching his demeanor with some silence. She had only heard about Qu Lingyun, not having witnessed it herself, and she wasn’t sure what he was like before his troubles.

All she had seen was the middle-aged man who served as the Sect Master of the Liu Yun Sect, steady and silent. Only during the deal above the clouds did she catch a glimpse of his youthful demeanor.

“Shishu, about my Master’s injuries…” Ming He stood up, her gaze determined. Qin Chu Yi had mentioned that her Master had dealt with the Demon Race and returned with half of his cultivation shattered.

She wanted to ask what half-broken cultivation meant. Were his injuries severe? Would he be confined to the Floating Cloud Sect for the rest of his life? What about her Master and Qu Yanran?

Qu Lingyun was her Master. Although he had taught her for a short time, the lessons were invaluable. He had shown her the meaning of the Great Path, which had greatly benefited her.

Later, he had even driven away the Hehuan Sect. Naturally, she wouldn’t stand idly by if she could help it.

“Your Master’s injuries…” Xie Dan Chen sighed deeply, his expression complicated. “The young leader of the Demon Race died at his hands. As long as the Demon Race exists, his injuries must remain. Do you understand?”

Ming He didn’t grasp it. “So, does the Floating Cloud Sect think my Master did something wrong?” Otherwise, why would they do nothing and adopt a laissez-faire attitude?

“Some in the Floating Cloud Sect believe your Master made a mistake, while others think he didn’t. But Ming He, not everything can be measured in right and wrong. You may think you’ve seen much, but what you’ve witnessed is still very little.

You have doubts in your heart, but what you need to do is cultivate, grow stronger, and find the answers yourself.”

Qu Lingyun had once made an agreement with the Demon Race; if that agreement could be fulfilled, perhaps he could return to Floating Cloud.

Xie Dan Chen glanced at Ming He, his gaze brightening slightly. It seemed he thought of something, then fell silent again. “You should pick a courtyard to stay in. If you don’t understand anything in your training, come find me anytime. If anyone gives you trouble, you don’t have to mind them, just tell me.”

Xie Dan Chen looked over at Qin Chu Yi, a smile appearing. “If I’m not around, finding Senior Sister Qin will be just as good.”

After all, she was a significant support.

“Understood.” Ming He hid her doubts and looked down, acknowledging. She had seen so much of the world outside the Floating Cloud, but there was still much more that she hadn’t encountered.

She turned to Qin Chu Yi. “Sister Qin, I will go now.” She sensed Qin Chu Yi still had something to discuss with Xie Dan Chen.

“Okay.” Qin Chu Yi nodded. “If you need anything, you can find me at Snowfall Peak.” She smiled warmly.

Ming He paused, nodded slightly, and turned to leave the main hall to find her own courtyard.

The scenery on Luoheng Peak was indeed much more beautiful than Qingyun Peak. Even the bamboo on both sides stood tall and elegant, radiating spiritual energy. This was the Floating Cloud Sect in the Eastern Region, and she had finally joined it, fulfilling both her Master’s wishes and her own.

Ming He maintained her habit from the Floating Cloud Sect of choosing a courtyard near a stream. As she pushed open the ancient wooden door, she found a familiar open space in the middle with a stone table, and beside it stood a sword-testing stone. The rich spiritual energy had condensed into a spirit-gathering array surrounding her, allowing her to feel as though she was always training.

Oh, Luoheng Peak! She looked around, her emotions slightly stirred. It was natural to feel a bit out of place, but there was no significant difference; it was simply the scenery she passed while walking along the path of cultivation and strength.

Now, she was at the Dust Dispersal stage, and she was nineteen.

Ming He’s eyes brightened as she made up her mind to first solidify her cultivation and explore the differences in the Dust Dispersal stage before moving on to other practices. She wanted to master the Big Dipper Seven Star Sword Technique, the Ghostly Sword from the Domain Lord’s mansion, the Star Technique, and the Nameless Sword Technique, along with other trials in the Floating Cloud Sect, the Woodman Lane, and the Floating Cloud Ladder—a great deal awaited her.

After tidying up her courtyard, she sat cross-legged in the quiet room, immersing her mind and releasing the cycle of the heavens. She allowed the spiritual energy to flow as she practiced the Star Technique over and over again.

The gains from the Eastern Sky Arena, the insights from the Vast Ancient Realm, and the life-and-death battles with the assassins of the Black Wind Alliance transformed into a glimmer of bright light in Ming He’s heart, guiding her toward forging her own Great Path.

Her path was Swordsmanship, one only she could claim. She intended to carve her unique path with the sword in her hand, different from anyone else, guided solely by her heart and spirit.

As Ming He opened her eyes, sword energy flickered sharply within, and she turned her gaze inward, realizing her cultivation had already reached the second level of the Dust Dispersal stage. The little beast Chirp Chirp, having jumped down from her head, nestled beside her knee and began to nap. The white Vast Jade shimmered rhythmically with its breaths.

After a moment’s contemplation, she placed the Little Black Beast on her head and swiftly positioned herself next to the sword-testing stone in the courtyard before beginning her training with the Ghostly Sword.

This was the soul mastery sword technique she had obtained from the Domain Lord’s mansion, the reward for ranking first on the Young Tiger List—the Ghostly Sword Technique.

As the name implies, it formed a sword using soul power, striking suddenly to pierce the enemy’s soul sea, serving as a powerful blow.

But how was she to form a sword with soul power?

Ming He frowned slightly. She had practiced the God-Breaking Spike before and had formed a short needle with soul power, yet the short needle was irregular while a sword needed to hold a definite shape. She had no plan and could only rely on her instincts to test repeatedly, bearing the pain in her head without wanting to stop easily.

She didn’t want to be the one who was caught off guard, forced into a life-and-death situation each time, hoping each time that her enemies would let their guard down.

Thus, she needed to grow stronger.

“Clang!”

As if responding to her sudden determination, soul power suddenly gathered together, forming an ugly, irregular weapon in Ming He’s mind that could barely be called a sword.

Ming He steadied her focus, controlled the Soul Sword to fly out of her Sea of Souls, and struck it against the sword-testing stone. Sparks flew from the impact before everything fell silent, leaving no trace behind.

The Soul Sword she barely formed dissipated the moment it touched the testing stone, leaving nothing but sparks and not even a scratch.

Ming He fell silent for a moment before continuing with her previous motions. Training could be monotonous, but only those who persevered could truly be called geniuses.