Chapter 93

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Chapter 93: The Art of Sword Flight

"Senior Sister, I return this black compass to you." On the flying sword, Ming He gazed brightly at Qin Chu Yi, holding out the black compass that resembled spilled ink.

This was the black compass Qin Chu Yi had entrusted to her when the Donghua Realm opened. Now that the Donghua Realm had concluded, it was only natural for her to return it.

"Keep it," Qin Chu Yi replied with a gentle smile. "The Phoenix Fire Seed is yours, obtained through your transaction with the Phoenix Lord. In a sense, it belongs to you. Since you have gifted the Phoenix Fire Seed to the human race, I, on behalf of the human race, present you with the Four-direction Compass as a reward for your brilliance."

The woman in her white dress, radiant as snow and glowing like flames, stood vividly against the blue sky, a breathtaking sight where the world’s beauty seemed to converge.

Ming He looked at her, her heart inexplicably racing. "But Senior Sister, you mentioned before that this compass was forged by your clan’s ancestor. It must hold great significance and cannot be solely for locating the Phoenix Fire Seed."

"Indeed," Qin Chu Yi nodded without hesitation. "The Four-direction Compass is a royal-grade treasure, and in some respects, it is no less valuable than the Star Lock. However, their purposes differ, and they cannot be directly compared."

Royal-grade?

Ming He’s eyes widened slightly. She was aware that treasures were categorized into levels: acquired, innate, profound, yellow, earthly, and heavenly. Beyond the heavenly grade lay the king, royal, and emperor grades. A royal-grade treasure corresponded to the Earth Emperor Realm, the pinnacle of cultivation for human cultivators.

The Great Emperor realm was a distant dream, and the human race had not seen a Great Emperor in ages. The value of royal-grade treasures, tied to the craftsmanship of Earth Emperor-level artisans, was beyond description.

"Senior Sister," Ming He instinctively began to refuse the black compass, but Qin Chu Yi interjected, "I have already informed the ancestor of my decision to gift you the Four-direction Compass, and there was no objection."

Her gaze met Ming He’s, emotions swirling beneath the surface. "Ming He, you deserve everything this world has to offer. You truly do."

"Later, I will prepare a jade slip detailing the origin, forging, and use of the Four-direction Compass for you. For now, keep it safe," Qin Chu Yi said, her voice clear and unwavering. Her hand rested atop Ming He’s, her gaze exuding the noble aura of the Ancient Clan’s Young Master, compelling Ming He to comply.

Ming He accepted the Four-direction Compass, her tone tinged with curiosity. "Senior Sister, what kind of existence is the Qin Clan?"

She knew the Qin Clan was a noble clan in the central region and the leader of the Ancient Clan, but what exactly was the Ancient Clan? The Floating Cloud Sect’s library offered only fragmented records, which paled in comparison to what she had witnessed firsthand.

And the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb mentioned by Yóu Lìng—it wasn’t the first time Ming He had recognized the grace and wisdom of the woman before her, but it was the first time she felt such profound admiration.

Had she not gained the Star Lock’s recognition, perhaps she wouldn’t even have the right to stand beside Qin Chu Yi, let alone fight alongside her and share life and death.

As these thoughts crossed her mind, a wave of unprecedented loss washed over Ming He. She had never before felt inferior to the scions of noble clans.

Youthful ambition often led one to dream of reaching the pinnacle, believing oneself to be the tide in the confluence of the world’s winds and clouds, unaware of the long and treacherous path of cultivation.

Fortunately, she had obtained the Star Lock.

Qin Chu Yi gazed ahead without turning, missing the fleeting moment of Ming He’s heart fluttering with affection. "When we return to the Floating Cloud Sect, I will tell you everything, if you wish to know." Including the existence of the Qin Clan, the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb, and also… I like you.

"Okay."

Standing behind Qin Chu Yi, Ming He found herself captivated by the strands of hair that fell by the woman’s ear. The locks brushed gently against Qin Chu Yi’s fair neck, occasionally drifting before Ming He’s eyes and cheeks, eliciting a tickling sensation that seemed to float into her heart.

Almost unconsciously, Ming He stepped forward and gently gathered a lock of her hair, securing the inky strands against the soft curve of Qin Chu Yi’s ear.

Her cool fingertips brushed against the warm earlobe, sending a shiver through Qin Chu Yi’s fair skin. The flying sword trembled faintly, and Qin Chu Yi lowered her gaze to conceal her emotions, forming a seal to steady the sword. In the next moment, she turned to face Ming He, her voice sharp. "What are you doing?"

Fearing her feelings might betray her, Qin Chu Yi adopted a cold tone, reminiscent of their first meeting when her white attire had resembled the cold moon in the night sky.

"I noticed Senior Sister’s hair had come loose, so I helped secure it," Ming He replied, no longer intimidated by Qin Chu Yi. She smiled, her expression calm and slightly indifferent.

Qin Chu Yi pressed her lips together, a flicker of frustration in her eyes. She glanced at Ming He, realizing her nonchalance, which unwittingly ignited a storm of emotions within her.

"Do you wish to learn the Art of Sword Flight?" she asked, her voice softening as she suppressed her breath, her charming smile and captivating eyes instantly enchanting Ming He.

"But isn’t the Qin Clan’s technique forbidden to outsiders?" Ming He asked, puzzled. "Besides, sword flight is only achievable beyond the Wind Master realm, and I am only at Dust Dispersal Stage Seven."

"It’s fine," Qin Chu Yi replied. You will eventually establish a contract with me, so you won’t be an outsider.

She added this silently, her smile radiant as she looked at Ming He. "It’s true that sword flight requires cultivation beyond the Wind Master realm, but as long as you are by my side, if I wish to teach you and you wish to learn, there will always be a way."

“Just tell me, do you want to learn?” Qin Chu Yi’s gaze shimmered with a woman’s affectionate charm towards the one she loved, her eyes sparkling brighter than the blazing sun at dusk.

In the face of such a look, Ming He could clearly hear her own heartbeat, unsure if it was because of the beauty before her or the Sword Flight technique. To ride the wind was her dream, and although it was now within reach, there was still a distance to cover.

Moreover, even if she broke through to the Wind Master realm, she would still need time to learn Sword Flight.

She vividly remembered that day when she left Liu Yun, feeling the exhilaration of soaring through the clouds under Shishu Xie Dan Chen’s guidance with her cultivation below the Wind Master realm. She also recalled the black-clothed men from the Black Wind Alliance attacking, and how Qin Chu Yi had stepped on her flying sword, gracefully defeating her enemies in mid-air. It was a scene she had once longed for deeply.

“Yes!” Ming He heard her voice resonate in sync with her heartbeat, trembling with inexplicable emotion, echoing in the wind and clouds.

“Good.” Qin Chu Yi’s smile deepened as she extended her arms, twirling Ming He around in the clouds before placing her at the front of the flying sword. “I can lend you my spiritual energy.

The reason Wind Master realm practitioners can ride the wind is that their spiritual energy is a gift from the heavenly way, imbued with a touch of the Great Path, allowing one to comprehend the forces of nature.”

“Now, follow my instructions and circulate your spiritual energy,” Qin Chu Yi said, stepping behind Ming He, creating a scene where the Woman in White and the girl in blue shared an intimate embrace, resembling the perfect couple of celestial beings.

Qin Chu Yi’s body pressed closely against Ming He, her beautiful figure displayed without concealment. She wrapped her arms around Ming He’s waist, resting her head on her shoulder, the warmth of her presence accompanied by an aromatic scent wafting against Ming He’s ear. Her voice, soft and melodious, stirred Ming He’s heart like a feather brushing against a door to her soul.

This time, it was Ming He who felt the flames of desire burning within her.

She stood upright, concentrating on the path in front of her while trying to accept the spiritual energy Qin Chu Yi was transferring, chanting the instructions in her mind. However, Qin Chu Yi’s presence was distracting, especially with that tender warmth behind her.

Ming He felt her ears turn red. “Senior Sister…”

“I’m close to you to transfer my spiritual energy; without it, you cannot control my flying sword. Leaning on you is to help you memorize the incantation, as our clan’s techniques should not be easily shared. If you speak it out loud, it could cause problems.

And as for holding you, I’m worried you might not control the flying sword well and fall. I have to ensure our safety and keep an eye on the path ahead, but you are too tall.”

Qin Chu Yi observed the blush on her ears with great pleasure, her voice slipping out with a hint of laughter. Although she too felt flames burning within, it didn’t prevent her from enjoying teasing Ming He. “I’m just teaching you the technique; Junior Sister, don’t think too much.”

Her tone was serious and clear, yet her lips curved into a crescent moon smile.

Ming He felt restless, wanting to bend down to escape Qin Chu Yi’s touch, but she was tightly held, and any movement would lead to unwanted contact, making her feel very uneasy.

As the flames danced within her, a bold thought crossed her mind: perhaps Qin Chu Yi had feelings for her?

However, even before that thought settled, the name of the Dragon Hero popped into her head, a character from the original plot who eventually saved the entire Tianwu Continent, causing her to dismiss the idea.

She was unaware of the significant fact she had previously overlooked, such as a brother who had descended from the heavens, who had long since vanished from the original storyline—Su Cheng Feng, was it?

“Senior Sister, is that so?” After a moment, Ming He calmed her emotions and focused on the flying sword beneath her feet, forming seals with her hands. Her fingers shone like jade, the incantation on her lips containing the mysteries of the Great Path and the wisdom of the Ancient Clan. The flying sword wobbled but hung high in the clouds, moving forward.

Qin Chu Yi silently admired her incredible talent and without any mercy, pressed her entire body against Ming He, her lips brushing against her earlobe, speaking softly just enough for the two of them to hear, “Correct, Junior Sister Ming He is very capable.”

Ming He’s right hand trembled slightly, surprised at the Qin Clan’s approach to teaching outsiders, then focused on the road ahead, recalling the scenery she saw when Xie Dan Chen led her out of Liu Yun. She prayed they could return to the Liu Yun Sect quickly.

Qin Chu Yi leaned against her back, her eyes bright with amusement, fully aware of Ming He’s thoughts. Unfortunately, Ming He didn’t know the way, but she did.

They were still at least three days away from the Liu Yun Sect, and at Ming He’s current speed, it would take at least ten days. The road was long, and she was not that easy to shake off.