Chapter 83

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Chapter 83: A Thousand Miles East Sea

The East Sea, the largest body of water in the Eastern Region, stands as one of the Five Seas of Tianwu, alongside the central region’s deep sea, the South Sea, the West Sea, and the North Sea. It stretches to the easternmost edge of the Eastern Region.

The boundless sea churned with towering waves, while the deep blue sky above was adorned with flowing clouds, framed by endless valleys. As the sea met the sky, Ming He beheld a sight of unparalleled grandeur, surpassing anything she had ever witnessed in her past life.

Wave upon wave surged, and the vast expanse of the East Sea exuded an aura of profound depth and endless majesty. Standing atop Qin Chu Yi’s flying sword, Ming He felt both elevated and humbled, her smallness magnified by the immensity before her.

As the flying sword descended, Ming He caught sight of the grand palaces rising from the sea, steadfast against the rolling waves, embodying the unyielding spirit of a sword cultivator.

"That is the East Sea Group of Palaces," Qin Chu Yi explained softly, her voice carrying a hint of reverence, though she offered no further details about its origins or significance.

The East Sea Group of Palaces.

Ming He blinked in surprise. She had never heard of such a place, yet here she was, standing at the threshold of the vast world she had always dreamed of.

The flying sword chimed softly as it landed in the center of the tallest and most radiant palace. The area resembled a grand plaza, dominated by a towering statue of a long sword, its blade sharp and proud, resembling a mountain peak.

As Qin Chu Yi stepped onto the ground, the surrounding cultivators turned their attention to her. Recognizing her, their expressions shifted to one of respect and deference. "Chu’s true disciple," they murmured.

"Mm," Qin Chu Yi acknowledged with a slight nod, her demeanor as cool and detached as ever, befitting her status as the true disciple of the Floating Cloud Sect.

"Sister Yi Qing!" A voice brimming with joy rang out, and Ming He saw a figure in yellow rushing toward Qin Chu Yi, her happiness unrestrained.

"Senior Sister Qu," Ming He greeted softly, bowing her head. For a moment, she felt out of place, especially as Qu Yanran’s expression froze upon seeing her, her discomfort plain to see.

"Yanran, why do you only see Sister Yi Qing and not your own Senior Sister?" Zhan Qing Yi teased from behind Qin Chu Yi, her eyes sparkling with mischief, though a faint shadow of sadness lingered in their depths—a detail Ming He noticed, even if Qin Chu Yi and Qu Yanran did not.

The relationships here were clearly complex, Ming He thought to herself, though she didn’t feel entirely removed from the situation.

After all, Zhan Qing Yi’s master was Qu Yanran’s mother, which made them close disciples, but Qin Chu Yi was not of the same lineage.

Ming He’s thoughts quickly drifted elsewhere. Logically, her Senior Sister should be Lou Qing Shang, the Young Master of the Merchants’ Guild. She wondered how her second Senior Sister was faring.

She recalled the purple-clad woman’s eyes, which had been filled with unspoken emotions on the day they parted, and her mood dipped unexpectedly.

Just as she shook off the melancholy, a familiar voice called out, "Yi Qing, it’s been so long!" The same overly familiar tone she had heard on the city wall.

She looked up to see a figure in dark green robes standing beside Qin Chu Yi, warmly inquiring after her well-being, effortlessly pushing Zhan Qing Yi and Qu Yanran aside.

"I don’t recall it being that long," Qin Chu Yi replied coolly, taking Ming He’s hand and moving toward the palace, only to be intercepted once more by Mo She.

The demon race woman in dark green silks cast a cold, calculating glance at Ming He before forcing a smile for Qin Chu Yi. "Since you’re here, we should set off at once."

Set off at once? Ming He glanced around at the cultivators nearby, their auras sharp and powerful, clearly surpassing her own—they were all at the Wind Master realm.

So, Qin Chu Yi had brought her to the East Sea not just for the view, but for something more? A flicker of confusion crossed her mind.

"I have matters to attend to. We’ll leave tomorrow," Qin Chu Yi stated firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument as she led Ming He away.

"Tsk tsk, some people—no, some snakes—should learn their place sooner rather than later," Zhan Qing Yi remarked with a sly smile, watching Mo She’s expression darken. She then took Qu Yanran’s hand and followed Qin Chu Yi and Ming He.

"Yi Qing, do you plan to take Ming He with you?" Zhan Qing Yi asked, leaning casually against a stone pillar in the palace’s quiet room, her gaze fixed on the turbulent waves outside.

"Yes," Qin Chu Yi replied without hesitation, meeting Zhan Qing Yi’s disapproving look with a faint smile. "If Yanran can go, then Ming He can certainly come as well."

She turned her gaze to the flowing clouds beyond the palace, her voice calm and assured. "You look after Yanran. As for Ming He, I will ensure her safety." Her confidence was unwavering.

"Sister Qin…" Ming He listened, her curiosity piqued. "The East Sea is vast and mysterious. Could there be another realm hidden within it?"

"Yes," Qin Chu Yi replied, a note of admiration in her voice. "Beneath the East Sea lies a vast palace in the depths of the Deep Sea, an ancient secret place filled with both boundless opportunities and grave dangers."

"That palace is called Donghua Realm," Zhan Qing Yi added quietly. "It opens once every hundred years, and we are now at the peak of its cycle. That’s why you’ve seen so many talented cultivators gathered here."

Ming He understood; it was another secret realm filled with opportunities and fortune. "Does Donghua Realm have cultivation restrictions?"

"Of course," Qin Chu Yi nodded. "Every secret realm exists due to the spiritual energy of heaven and earth; without cultivation restrictions, wouldn’t human cultivators easily take whatever they wanted? That is impossible."

"Only those above the Wind Master realm can enter, and those with lower cultivation cannot enter either."

The palace lay beneath the deep sea, and the strength of the seawater’s gravity is unimaginable. Cultivators with insufficient strength would find it incredibly difficult to reach the seabed, no matter how many external aids they had, let alone move freely.

"Besides the bindings of the palace itself, the human geniuses are not merely here to seek opportunities," Qin Chu Yi added, observing Ming He’s thoughtful expression, her tone serious. "We also need to find something."

"What is it?" Ming He furrowed her brow.

"The Phoenix Fire Seed," Qin Chu Yi articulated each word carefully.

"It is said to be an ancient supernatural item, a fire seed condensed by the Phoenix during its rebirth, about the size of a fist, transparent and powerful. Obtaining it can restrain the forces of the Demon Race," Zhan Qing Yi added, her expression also turning serious.

This matter concerned the battle between humans and the Demon Race, leaving no room for any laxity or negligence.

"Does the Demon Race fear fire?" Ming He found this hard to believe.

"Of course, they do not fear ordinary fire, but the Phoenix Fire Seed is different," Qin Chu Yi replied confidently. "The Phoenix Fire Seed surpasses all other flames, and there is only one in the world. If given to a top human weapons master and fused into a weapon, its attacking power would be multiplied."

The Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise are the Four Divine Beasts of ancient times, and while the Phoenix is not among them, no one can deny the power of the Phoenix Clan.

The Phoenix Fire is immensely fierce and can easily incinerate anything in this world. The flames they emit are much stronger than other flames, especially the fire seed condensed from the Phoenix’s life during its rebirth.

There is only one Phoenix Fire Seed; two cannot appear in the world at the same time, as only one supreme being exists in the Phoenix Clan.

This item is recorded in ancient scrolls—though recorded, no one knows if it is true. However, they need to check it out and verify it.

For humans to triumph over the Demon Race, they must seize every hope.

"This is an internal matter of the human race; the Demon Race should be unaware. But judging by Mo She’s demeanor, she seems to have some awareness," Zhan Qing Yi frowned. After all, she is one of the ten great guardians of the Demon Race; surely she wouldn’t come to curry favor with Qin Chu Yi without an agenda.

Those displays of affection were merely a joke; it was just a trick.

"Then why is Mo She appearing in the East Sea? Can’t the human race drive her away?" Ming He realized the truth. The strength of the human race is no longer what it was twenty years ago; the humans today are no weaker than the Demon Race, but tearing apart the façade isn’t easy.

The East Sea belongs to the Tianwu Continent; it is not a treasure trove only for humans.

"Exactly," Qin Chu Yi affirmed her speculation. "Moreover, the Donghua Realm is submerged in deep water; the bodies of the Demon Race are naturally unaffected by the pressure of the deep sea, whereas humans are not."

Mo She’s true form is a soaring snake; she can soar through clouds and mist or navigate the five seas. Unlike human cultivators, who can only move on land until they reach the Wind Master realm.

Even after breaking through to the Wind Master realm, achieving movement in water still relies on techniques passed down from predecessors. Though unobstructed, it still isn’t as easy as the natural advantage of the Demon Race.

"Ming He, I’ll teach you the Water Manipulation Technique first. This technique isn’t difficult, but you must draw on the sea’s true energy to cultivate it within the five seas." If it were simple, she would have taught Ming He on the way here.

"Practice it first; if you can’t master it by tomorrow, I’ll take you down myself," she promised, fully intending to keep her word.

"Okay." Ming He agreed and mentally recited the technique Qin Chu Yi had dictated, ensuring she memorized it before finding a random spot to sit cross-legged, surrendering her safety to Qin Chu Yi.

Qin Chu Yi, Zhan Qing Yi, and Qu Yanran did not disturb her, each immersed in their own thoughts about the future of the human race. The situation on the battlefield of the heavens was becoming increasingly severe, and no one knew where the future would lead.

The next day, as dawn broke and the sun rose, Ming He slowly opened her eyes. Her talent had improved several levels after gaining the Star Lock and the dragon energy from the Small Dragon and Tiger Rankings. Coupled with her keen comprehension, she surprisingly mastered the Water Manipulation Technique, which Qin Chu Yi needed three days to learn, in just one night.

"Qin…Chu Sister." She got up and nodded toward Qin Chu Yi, signaling that she had finished her practice. Qin Chu Yi took her hand and led her outside.

Why hold hands?

Ming He was momentarily taken aback but then thought perhaps Qin Chu Yi was worried she might get lost and encounter danger, so she felt no discomfort in it.

"That is a true disciple of the Haoran Sword Sect from the central region, Xie Feihe," Qin Chu Yi quietly introduced her, gesturing toward the blue-clad man standing by the sea. "He is also a junior disciple of the Haoran Sword Sect’s young master, Song Guanshi."

"That is Meng Zizhong, the core disciple of the Beast Master Sect from the Eastern Region," Qin Chu Yi gestured toward a young man nearby, who was holding a long flute.

Unlike Qu Yanran, who practiced both sword and flute, the disciples of the Beast Master Sect control their contracted beasts through musical notes, with the flute serving merely as a medium.

"And over there, that’s Bei Ye Xun, a standout among the younger generation of the Southern Region’s wilderness," she added softly, pointing to a young woman dressed in dark, fitted attire.

Qin Chu Yi was aware that Ming He had recently joined the Floating Cloud Sect after leaving Liu Yun Sect, and this was her first venture outside the sect. Thus, she provided detailed introductions to the prodigies and sects beyond Floating Cloud.

Ming He, perceptive and thoughtful, understood Qin Chu Yi’s intentions. Her Master and Shishu had often remarked on her lack of experience and perspective, which was true. Now, Qin Chu Yi was helping her bridge these gaps.

Once a proud Young Master of a noble family, accustomed to a lofty status, Ming He felt a surge of emotion. She tightened her grip on Qin Chu Yi’s hand, returning the gesture with a bright, earnest gaze. "Thank you, Senior Sister, I will remember." Though Qin Chu Yi wasn’t her direct senior, in Ming He’s heart, she had long surpassed that role.

Qin Chu Yi glanced at their intertwined hands, meeting Ming He’s sparkling eyes. A subtle joy filled her heart, and a faint, contented smile graced her lips.

"Chu truly shines," several other distinguished disciples arrived, bowing respectfully to Qin Chu Yi. She acknowledged them with a mere nod, maintaining her usual composed demeanor.

Even under the guise of Chu Yi Qing, a true disciple of the Floating Cloud Sect, she remained a peerless beauty, the focal point of admiration wherever she went.

"Now that everyone is here, let’s set off." A voice as commanding as thunder echoed, and Ming He recognized the familiar dark green figure of Mo She, who stood over the sea and spoke aloud. Her true form was that of a soaring snake, which could significantly reduce the deep-sea pressure—a necessity where humans sought the aid of the Demon Race.

"Yi Qing, please," Mo She smiled at Chu Yi Qing, her possessiveness and desire evident in her gaze. She was accompanied by two other exquisitely dressed women, also of the Demon Race and her concubines.

"The protector is a true disciple of the Floating Cloud Sect; how could she become your concubine?" one of the demon women laughed, her tone ambiguous, carrying a hint of disdain.

"That remains to be seen," Mo She chuckled lightly, her smile lacking sincerity. "Even if she is the bright moon in the sky, I still intend to pluck her down." Her voice was loud, a clear provocation, devoid of genuine affection, brimming only with possessiveness.

After these words, the dark green woman transformed into her true form—a giant, winged serpent Ming He had seen before. It coiled above the sea, flicking its tongue, and spoke, "Everyone, please." Its tail swayed, splashing waves onto the Palace Square, leaving a wet trace behind.

The other two soaring snakes followed suit, their provocative intentions unmistakable, a display of the confidence of the powerful.

Other cultivators showed signs of anger, but aware of their reliance on her for the deep-sea journey, none voiced their discontent.

Ming He, hand in hand with Qin Chu Yi, felt a slight tremor in her companion’s body. Qin Chu Yi was furious; as the Young Master of the Qin Clan, she had likely never faced such provocation. Yet, bound by her current identity, she remained silent.

Ming He paused, a surge of emotion welling within her. She couldn’t bear to see Qin Chu Yi endure such humiliation and wished to help her reclaim her dignity. But she felt powerless. She was too weak; not only could she not challenge Mo She, but she also couldn’t defeat the two soaring snakes Mo She held as concubines.

"Chirp chirp." The little beast Chirp Chirp, perched atop Ming He’s head, seemed to sense her emotions. It raised its head slightly, and the next moment, the ocean roiled, and the deep-sea pressure surged toward Mo She like a tempest, its power terrifying, as if the heavens themselves were enraged.

"Poof!"

Caught off guard by this pressure, Mo She was shaken and unexpectedly spat out a mouthful of blood, staining the sea before her a vivid red.

"Chirp!" Seemingly satisfied with the outcome, the little beast Chirp Chirp casually glanced at Mo She, then tapped Ming He’s soft hair with its foot before lying back down.

Ming He felt both amused and helpless, but she understood Chirp Chirp’s intention. It had acted to avenge Qin Chu Yi.

Although she didn’t know its origins, since Chirp Chirp came from the Tian Cang Secret Realm, it must possess a lineage even stronger than the Soaring Snake Clan. Well done!

She felt a surge of pride for Chirp Chirp and smiled softly at the soaring snake, then spoke loudly, "Next time your words are so foul, the consequences will be more severe."

"You…" Mo She fumed, but after meeting the little beast’s casual gaze, a sense of dread spread through her being, freezing her blood in her veins. She instinctively refrained from saying more, fearing to provoke the little beast and invite disaster upon herself.

Thus, she could only turn to the side and silently clear the way.

"Wow." Seeing her swallow her anger in silence, the crowd was astonished, deeply aware of the little beast’s extraordinary nature, and for the first time, they regarded Ming He with seriousness.

Earlier, they had seen her standing next to Qin Chu Yi and dismissed her due to her low cultivation. Now, it was clear that the Little Black Beast, which even the powerful protector of the Demon Race feared, was definitely not simple, and the fact that it followed her meant Ming He was also extraordinary.

Ming He.

They remembered her name and began to use the Water Manipulation Technique to follow the soaring snake.

"Wow, that Little Fellow is amazing!" Zhan Qing Yi laughed, and seeing the little beast didn’t respond, she felt no embarrassment and pulled Qu Yanran along to follow the main group. "Come on, little Junior Sister, your Yi Qing sister has someone to protect, so you must reluctantly leave it to me."

"Thank you." Qin Chu Yi smiled gently at Ming He, causing a stirring in her heart.

As Ming He thought, she was noble and had never faced any embarrassment or provocation. She was Qin Chu Yi; everyone else held nothing but respect before her, who would dare to challenge her?

Therefore, no one ever needed to advocate for her, as it was unnecessary.

Ming He was the first.

"Didn’t Senior Sister say before?" Ming He met her smile with sparkling eyes, as if filled with stars. "Between us, there’s no need for thanks."