Chapter 84

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Chapter 84: The Donghua Realm

"Yes, no need to thank me," Qin Chu Yi smiled, her eyes sparkling as she said, "Let’s go." She took Ming He’s hand and walked into the sea.

Ming He obediently followed her, while the little beast Chirp Chirp, unwilling to get its fur wet, burrowed into the purple storage pouch that Lou Qing Shang had given her during her time at Liu Yun Sect.

The pouch could hold heavenly materials and earthly treasures, so it was also suitable for storing Chirp Chirp, its capabilities far surpassing those of the Beast Master Sect’s Beast Pouch.

The seawater felt icy, the waves crashing against the shore, and the sea breeze was as refreshing as the embrace of nature.

Just as Ming He was about to use the Water Manipulation Technique, she noticed a blue glow emanating from her body, creating a barrier that kept the sea water at bay. This glow also enveloped Qin Chu Yi, allowing them both to remain dry even in the sea, as if they had entered a small, independent world.

"What is this…?" she paused in amazement, tracing the blue glow to a round gem-like bead in her hand. The seawater made it look crystal clear and radiant, as if it contained the essence of the sea’s spiritual energy – this was the Mermaid Pearl Bai Mengjiao had given her.

Ming He recalled the origin of the bead and lifted it to inspect it more closely. The blue light surrounding her and Qin Chu Yi expanded slightly. Although they were clearly beneath the waves, they were unharmed by the splashing water, moving with ease.

So the Mermaid Pearl had this kind of use.

She thought of Bai Mengjiao’s face and concluded that the woman wasn’t entirely untrustworthy. With the Water Manipulation Technique in mind, she continued to dive deeper into the sea, faintly spotting the figures of Zhan Qing Yi and Qu Yanran ahead.

"What’s that?" Qin Chu Yi, following her, looked curiously at the glowing bead in Ming He’s hand.

Of course, she recognized it as a Mermaid Pearl, but she didn’t know how Ming He had obtained it. The bead in her hand was beautiful, with a warm, mystical glow. A pearl of this quality indicated that its creator among the Mermaid Clan wasn’t weak.

"This is a Mermaid Pearl, given to me by Bai Mengjiao, a member of the Royal Bloodline of the Mermaid Clan," Ming He explained without hesitation, recounting the events that had taken place at the Baiyu Building auction in Ding Kang City, leaving no details out.

"So, you used the ten thousand middle-grade spirit stones I gave you to buy Bai Mengjiao?" Qin Chu Yi raised an eyebrow, sensing something was off and feeling a bit displeased.

The Royal Bloodline of the Mermaid Clan – Bai Mengjiao must be very beautiful, right?

Huh?

Ming He didn’t quite get Qin Chu Yi’s line of thinking. "Senior Sister, I only had ten thousand middle-grade spirit stones left at the time. Next time, I will use my own spirit stones first." She thought Qin Chu Yi was concerned about how she was using her spirit stones.

"And I only made a deal with Bai Mengjiao; looking back, I think it was still too cheap for her." Ming He gritted her teeth in frustration. She didn’t understand the significance of the Star Lock, but items from ancient times were never of common quality. Bai Mengjiao had obtained a trace of Star Power from her; what was just a Mermaid Pearl worth?

"Are you hoping for another beauty to save the beauty scenario?" Qin Chu Yi smiled lightly, her narrowed eyes exuding a dangerous aura, suddenly returning to Ming He’s initial impression of the cool, distant Young Master of the Qin Clan.

But… what is this ‘next time’?

Ming He sensed she wasn’t quite grasping the main point, but she couldn’t recall what the main point was at the moment. She only felt that her answer was worth considering.

So she smiled brightly as she leaned slightly toward Qin Chu Yi. "Senior Sister is a great beauty, and I can barely be considered one, so whether it’s you saving me next time, or me saving you, isn’t it still a case of beauty saving beauty?"

She cheerfully answered Qin Chu Yi’s question, oblivious to the fact that a faint blush had appeared on Qin Chu Yi’s face, causing her breath to momentarily falter.

Qin Chu Yi watched the person ahead, noting how after Ming He spoke, she turned her attention back to the surrounding scenery. Yet, the air remained charged with the words "beauty saving beauty." She recalled Ming He’s radiant smile when she said it and felt her earlier gloom lift entirely.

"Senior Sister, have we arrived?" After some time, Ming He noticed the dark crowd up ahead and stopped beside Zhan Qing Yi and Qu Yanran, displaying the same astonished expression as Qu Yanran.

The deep sea, embraced by coral reefs, was a stunning blue like a flowing ribbon. The creatures swimming past were entirely new to her. The shimmering light and the rising winds created an atmosphere that resonated with deep mystery and the essence of the Great Path, filling her heart with shock and wonder.

What lay beyond her sight was vast, and the mysteries of the deep sea were far beyond what could be seen. There was also the Donghua Realm, separated by a stone gate; Ming He did not know the wonders contained within, but she believed it would be a paradise.

"It should be," Qin Chu Yi replied with a gentle smile, standing beside her. "I have never been here before nor have I seen the Donghua Realm," so her feelings were similar to Ming He’s.

She noticed the laughter in Ming He’s brows, feeling that with this exquisite scenery, it was perfect to enjoy it alongside Ming He.

"Yi Qing, the stone gate is opening; let’s go in together," Mo She approached and invited Qin Chu Yi, deliberately forgetting the events that had occurred on the surface.

"No need, I’m fine just accompanying my Junior Sister," Qin Chu Yi declined lightly. "As for you, Mo the Protector, I can see your companions’ resentment isn’t small," she pointed towards the two soaring snakes of Mo She’s clan, her expression cold.

“So, Yi Qing is jealous!” Mo She’s lips curled into a bewitching smile. “If Yi Qing doesn’t like them, I can kill them for you, just to make you smile.” Her tone was playful, ignoring the two demon women beside her, who paled at her words, as she gazed at Qin Chu Yi with deep affection.

“Sure,” Qin Chu Yi replied, her smile unwavering. “I really don’t like them; go ahead and kill them.” She dismissed Mo She’s earlier remark entirely.

“This…” Mo She’s smile faltered slightly, clearly caught off guard by the response. After a moment of hesitation, her smile returned. “Killing them isn’t difficult, but I can’t even steal a kiss from you. What if Yi Qing is just teasing me?”

“You’re right,” Qin Chu Yi said, her smile fading. “I was just teasing you.” She turned away from Mo She, taking Ming He’s hand and walking forward.

The stone gate to the Donghua Realm had quietly opened during their exchange, revealing a mesmerizing scene: schools of fish swirling amidst dazzling lights, a misty, ethereal landscape resembling a celestial palace. The deep blue waters and curling mist marked the entrance to the Donghua Realm beneath the East Sea, a place that opened once every hundred years and was said in ancient scrolls to hide the Phoenix Fire Seed.

“Protector, next time, don’t make promises you can’t keep,” Zhan Qing Yi said, following behind, unbothered by Mo She’s darkening expression. “You’ll only make yourself a joke.”

She chuckled softly, pulling Qu Yanran along to catch up.

The scenery within the Donghua Realm was even more breathtaking than the mysteries of the Deep Sea. Ming He gazed at the swirling clouds and the countless stars above, her breath nearly stolen away, completely absorbed in the sight.

How could there be so many stars beneath the ocean?

She couldn’t comprehend it, but she felt the scene before her was worth remembering forever—unrelated to romance, the Great Path, or even the Phoenix Fire Seed, nor the wars between the human race and other races. What she saw was equal to her most distant dreams and aspirations.

Though she hadn’t yet witnessed the colossal serpent raising towering waves or a sword cultivator moving mountains with a single strike, this was enough.

Deep within her, an emotion stirred, and the barrier of the Dust Dispersal stage trembled slightly. Ming He remained unaware, her eyes fixed on the flowing elegance before her, unwilling to look away.

“It’s so beautiful!” Qu Yanran exclaimed, her face alight with wonder as she clasped Zhan Qing Yi’s hand, her joy shining brightly against the backdrop of the fairyland.

“It truly is beautiful,” Qin Chu Yi said lightly, “but now isn’t the time to lose ourselves in the scenery.”

“True,” Zhan Qing Yi agreed, refocusing her attention. She watched as most of the cultivators entering marveled at the ethereal beauty, then exchanged a glance with Qin Chu Yi before disappearing into the maze of rocks, fading from view.

“The ancient scrolls record that the Phoenix Fire Seed is hidden within the Donghua Realm, which contains two mansions and eighteen halls, along with endless caves and dark currents in the deep waters. Finding a Phoenix Fire Seed the size of a fist is as absurd as a fool’s dream.”

As Qin Chu Yi spoke, she retrieved a deep black, palm-sized compass from her chest. “This is a divine artifact forged by the ancient clan ancestor with supreme power, specifically designed to locate the Phoenix Fire Seed. It requires a great deal of spiritual energy to activate, but with Star Power, just a trace will suffice.”

She turned to Ming He. “I need your help, Ming He.” Her purpose for bringing Ming He to the East Sea was far from trivial; it was a matter of utmost importance for the human race. Ming He was the master of the Star Lock, and some things had been destined from the start. Qin Chu Yi didn’t think Ming He would refuse.

The Sword Cultivator in Blue had just as much passion in her blood as anyone else.

Ming He didn’t hesitate. “Since it concerns the human race, it is my duty.” She silently recited the incantation to channel the Star Power.

Since learning the incantation from Bai Mengjiao in Ding Kang City, she had studied it day and night. Her mastery of the Star Lock had grown exponentially, and with her breakthrough in the Star Technique, she was now the rightful owner of the Star Lock.

“Zheng!”

A resonant sound echoed as a bright light emerged from the black compass. The long black needle, made of profound iron, chimed softly before spinning several times and settling to point south, vibrating gently with the ocean’s currents.

“The Phoenix Fire Seed is to the south!”

Qin Chu Yi murmured, “We mustn’t delay. Let’s head south.” She glanced at Ming He, Zhan Qing Yi, and Qu Yanran. “The Haoran Sword Sect and other informed cultivators will fully support our efforts. Ming He, take the compass; Qu Yanran, handle the deep-sea fish schools. Zhan Qing Yi and I will ensure your safety.”

The Donghua Realm was most suitable for those in the Wind Master realm to enter. Ming He and Qu Yanran, both at the Dust Dispersal stage, weren’t brought along carelessly; they each had their roles to play.

Ming He could control the compass with the Star Lock, while Qu Yanran could command the deep-sea fish schools to prevent any creatures from revealing their movements.

Concerned for the future of the human race, even Zhan Qing Yi, who held affection for Qu Yanran, wouldn’t let personal feelings interfere. It was a matter of utilizing each person’s strengths, creating a brilliant synergy.