Chapter 95

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Chapter 95: A Gift for You

"Shall we return to the Floating Cloud Sect now? Or is there another place you wish to visit?" Qin Chu Yi inquired softly, standing on the flying sword with Ming He behind her.

The dawn had just broken. They had spent the previous night at the Liu Yun Sect, and at the first light of day, Qu Lingyun had ushered them out.

Ming He, however, refused to wield the sword again, citing mental exhaustion.

Understanding her reluctance, Qin Chu Yi did not insist. With a gentle smile, she took control of the flying sword, guiding Ming He away.

"There’s nowhere else I wish to go," Ming He replied, shaking her head as she gazed into the distance, a touch of wistfulness in her expression.

Had she not become a disciple or met Qin Chu Yi, she would still feel like an outsider in this world. But after becoming Qu Lingyun’s disciple and befriending Qin Chu Yi, she had gradually taken root, as if she had truly become part of this world.

"I noticed you’ve given your Master many heavenly materials and earthly treasures. Is there something you’d like to give me?" Qin Chu Yi, ever perceptive, sensed Ming He’s somber mood and teased lightly.

To her surprise, after a brief silence, Ming He responded with a single word, "Yes."

Her voice, clear and resonant amidst the swirling mists, struck Qin Chu Yi’s heart like the melodious call of a bird.

Her hands trembled slightly as she maneuvered the sword, turning to face Ming He with the same posture and emotion as when she had taught her Sword Flight. "What will you give me?"

Though Qin Chu Yi’s voice was calm and measured, her eyes sparkled with anticipation, revealing her eagerness.

Ming He’s smile was radiant, matching the intensity of the rising sun. There was a youthful vigor and a carefree spirit in her expression. "I wish to give you a flower."

As she spoke, a beautiful, crystalline flower petal appeared in her palm, pure white and slightly chilly, reminiscent of her first impression of Qin Chu Yi.

"This is an Ice Petal I obtained in the Tian Cang Secret Realm," Ming He said gently. At that time, she and Qin Chu Yi had not shared the same rapport or trust as they did now, but her first thought upon seeing this flower was always of Qin Chu Yi.

If an Ice Petal had to have an owner, it could only belong to Qin Chu Yi; it was naturally meant for her.

"Yu Wen Xi told me that Ice Petals originally grew deep in the vast icy plains of the Southern Region. Acquiring one allows one to comprehend the mysteries of the Great Path and may even condense the true essence of Ice, enhancing one’s cultivation and strength."

Ming He, looking at Qin Chu Yi, was serious and focused. "After joining the Floating Cloud Sect, I researched related texts to learn more about it, and I… learned about the nature of the cold poison in your body."

As she spoke, a hint of unrecognized sorrow flickered in her eyes.

The so-called cold poison seeped into the bones and tormented both body and spirit at all times. Its onset was unpredictable, with ambiguous triggers, making it nearly impossible to completely eliminate. It affected cultivation and battles, becoming a hanging sword over one’s life and death, an unbearable torment in the world.

"I thought, if there’s no way to completely remove the cold poison, why not transform resistance into strength? Senior Sister, you bear the cold poison, which might allow you to gain insights into the true essence of Ice and resolve the cold poison within you."

A thoughtful look crossed Ming He’s face. When they had formed the Spirit Contract, Qin Chu Yi mentioned that only half of the cold poison had been resolved, and the remaining half would only be addressed once she refined the Star Lock.

Refining the Star Lock.

But now, she was only at the Dust Dispersal stage Seven, with mountains and seas still separating her from the Star Lock. It was an ancient divine object; how could she easily refine it?

Before she could refine the Star Lock, Qin Chu Yi would have to continue suffering from the cold poison. Even if it was only half of the poison remaining and even if Qin Chu Yi said she had grown accustomed to it, Ming He believed that it should not be so.

Qin Chu Yi should soar high above in the skies, free from any external constraints. She could and should break free from the bindings of the cold poison; after all, she was a matchless pride of the human race.

"I should not be the first to suggest such a cultivation method," Ming He said, her expression clear. "Since the Qin Clan is an Ancient Clan with many powerful allies, their experiences must be extraordinary. So you’ve likely tried this approach before, only to fail, right?"

"Yes." Qin Chu Yi’s expression shifted deeply. Once again, she sensed Ming He’s perceptiveness. "The cold poison has been in my body since I was born, accompanying me throughout my life. My ancestors, father, brothers, and other elders of the Qin Clan have naturally thought of countless solutions.

I’ve heard of using ice to resolve cold poison before, but none of those methods were useful."

A bitter look appeared on her face; as the head of the Ancient Clan, the Qin Clan possessed top-tier techniques and heavenly materials on the continent, yet they remained at a loss.

It wasn’t that the Qin Clan couldn’t bear the title of Ancient Clan; the cold poison was simply too tyrannical.

It was a wound left by the royal side of the Tian Yan Tribe, and that emperor had been one step away from reaching the Great Emperor realm.

"But now it’s different," Ming He declared with confidence, her brows lifting. "The Star Lock has acknowledged me as its master, and now I stand by your side."

She spoke with the ease of youth, her blue clothes shimmering under the morning sun. "The Star Lock is forged from the stars of the heavens, an ancient spiritual artifact that embodies all the light and brilliance of the world. It naturally opposes cold poison, serving as the bane of darkness, chill, and malevolence."

"I can assist you in your cultivation, Senior Sister," Ming He stated firmly. "With the Star Power shielding your heart, you will be safe from the backlash of cold poison. You need not worry about anything; I will protect you."

Her words, though softly spoken, carried immense weight for Qin Chu Yi.

With her heart stirred, Qin Chu Yi gazed deeply at Ming He, hearing the voice that rose from within. How could she not adore someone so splendid, so radiant as the stars? How could she not hold on tightly?

She reached out to take the translucent petal from Ming He’s hand, bringing it close to admire the swaying stamen in the breeze, a smile blooming on her lips. "Very well, I shall try once more."

In that moment, under the starlit brilliance of Ming He’s gaze, Qin Chu Yi forgot the piercing pain of her past failures. The shadow of her suffering transformed into courage, fueled by the warmth of Ming He’s words.

It was the courage to love and the unyielding desire to seize her own destiny.

"I thought you were truly giving me a flower," Qin Chu Yi murmured, her eyes sparkling with life, vivid as fireworks in bloom.

"What’s so difficult about that?" Ming He chuckled, her eyes lighting up. Though the flying sword soared through swirling clouds, where flowers should not exist, she glanced around and spotted a sea of flowers in full bloom, seemingly rooted in the sky. They bloomed without roots, stretching upward, swaying in the wind while overlooking the world.

In a fleeting moment, Ming He wondered why such a bloom existed in the sky. Then, as the sword flew by, she reached out to pluck the most exquisite flower. With a smile, she presented it to Qin Chu Yi. "For you, Senior Sister."

Qin Chu Yi’s heart raced like a drum, her emotions overflowing, impossible to conceal. She accepted the flower, lowering her gaze to examine it closely. The flower was a vibrant red, like the brilliant clouds painted across half the sky, with a hint of green at its heart, exuding the lively spirit of spring.

"Do you know what this flower is called? Do you know its meaning?" Qin Chu Yi asked, her dark eyes filled with warmth. "Do you know why, among countless flowers, only this one can float in the air, unaffected by wind or rain?"

"I don’t know," Ming He replied, surprised. "Does this flower have an extraordinary background?"

Honestly, she felt that picking a flower for Qin Chu Yi was no great feat, especially with a sea of flowers nearby; it was a natural gesture.

"It certainly does. This flower is called the Branch Break Flower," Qin Chu Yi smiled lightly. "Legend has it that before the ancient races invaded the Tianwu Continent, humans, demons, and monsters coexisted in a balance of power. Whenever they met, battles would ensue, with the human race dedicating themselves to exterminating demons while demons viewed humans as insignificant ants.

In such a tense situation, a young man from the human race fell in love with a demon. The boy had low cultivation and an inconspicuous identity, while the demon held a lowly position. They were both at the bottom, so their romance naturally faced opposition from both sides."

"And what does this have to do with the Branch Break Flower?" Ming He asked, seemingly unfazed. She had heard her share of tragic love stories and guessed that the boy and the demon would surely end in sorrow.

"When hopeless, the young man prayed to the heavens, asking for the protection of the Dao. He promised to pay any price if the heavens would save him and the one he loved."

"What happened next?" Ming He still showed no emotion.

"Then, at the edge of life and death, the heavens suddenly displayed a sea of flowers. They lifted the boy and the demon high above, disappearing through the clouds, and the rest of the story is unknown."

Qin Chu Yi’s eyes curved into a smile. "Some say it was the handiwork of the Dao, that the Branch Break Flower that tied the boy and the demon together transformed into a sea of flowers to save their lives."

"When I was young, I didn’t believe this story, but the flower sea did indeed float in the sky, growing without roots. Eventually, this story spread widely among the human race, and over time, the Branch Break Flower took on a new meaning." Qin Chu Yi looked at Ming He, her emotions deep as the sea.

Ming He’s heart skipped a beat, sensing something unsettling. "What meaning?"

"It symbolizes a flower given by one’s Dao partner when proposing marriage—offering the Branch Break Flower to a woman signifies a desire for marriage."