Refining the Mountains and Rivers

A day later, Qin Yu walked out of the cave carrying Yun Shi. His face was pale as if he lost a massive amount of blood, and even his eyes had dimmed down.

Old Turtle's second plan had worked. The dark mark between Yun Shi's eyebrows had been replaced by two dots, one black and one red.

Looking carefully, one would discover that even though these two dots were as small as a finger point, they both released a formidable aura.

The dark moon was like an abyss, capable of devouring everything. The red sun was like a burning charcoal blaze. Although there was no flame, it could burn everything to ashes.

They constantly rotated around each other, perfectly blending the power of light and darkness…this was the limit of what Qin Yu could achieve.

Even though he had understood the truth about the unity of light and darkness, understanding and controlling were two entirely different concepts. Without Old Turtle's help, Qin Yu wouldn't have been able to accomplish this in just one day.

But even though he had succeeded, condensing the dark moon and red sun as well as maintaining their revolution caused losses that were more than he imagined.

It continuously drew strength from him in order to ensure its stability, otherwise the dark moon and red sun would collapse. Then, not only would the aura seal be broken, but Yun Shi herself would suffer severe injuries.

Taking a deep breath, Qin Yu suppressed his thoughts and looked towards the depths of the mystic realm. When he cut down the golden fruit tree and obtained its crystal heart, that could be considered a token.

If the lotus flower was a key to enter the mystic realm, then this crystal heart was a pass to find the soul body in this mystic realm.

It seemed to be screening for the best and most powerful cultivators, attracting them until they reached it.

Qin Yu had no idea what the reason was, but there was one point he was able to determine. The other Ash Flame Lineage cultivator in the mystic realm would certainly arrive there.

He was the key that Qin Yu chose to save Yun Shi. To trade a life for a life, Qin Yu planned on sacrificing that other cultivator's life.

So from the start, even before Qin Yu learned that he would be chased down by the soul body, this was the reason he ordered Yun Che and Zhou Cheng to leave.

The rampaging Ash Flame bloodline within Yun Shi was incomplete and yet it was already so formidable. If there was a cultivator with a complete bloodline, their strength could be imagined. Taking this person's life would not be simple, and a slaughter was inevitable.

If he was in his peak condition, Qin Yu was confident that no one in this mystic realm would be his match.

But now…

He could only be careful and take things one step at a time, waiting for the best chance to make his move so that he could instantly take that man's life.

As he continued, even though there were still troubles, it was far smoother than before.

With the help of the golden crystal heart, Qin Yu could vaguely feel where the soul body was in the mystic realm. Things were quiet for the time being.

He wasn't pressed for time so there was no need to rush forward. Qin Yu even started to use the extra time to adjust his condition and restore his strength.

Returning to his peak state was impossible, but he could allow himself to erupt with even more strength.

With every bit of strength he gained, that might decide life and death in a battle.

…

Soul Hook stood in the shadows. Three cultivators stood before him. They were two men and one woman, with eyes that were dull and glazed over.

He flicked his finger and three drops of blood flew out, each person swallowing one drop.

"Remember this flavor. Once you find the person it belongs to, tell me where he is."

The two men and one woman bowed, "Yes, master."

Soul Hook turned and walked away.

Light suddenly burst out in the eyes of the three cultivators, as if they had come to life.

Their complexions changed and they looked around, but they didn't sense anything off.

What just happened? Why were their memories blank?

They knew something had occurred, they just couldn't remember it.

"Let's go!"

The three glanced at each other before turning and hurrying away.

No matter what happened, leaving this place was the correct decision.

As the three cultivators hurried away with dread in their hearts, Soul Hook stood on a mountain summit. The wind whistled in his ears and his robes fluttered around him, making his blue-white face appear even colder.

He had already laid down the puppets. It was only a matter of time until he found the person who killed his bloodline.

Now, he should start heading over.

A sharp light flashed in Soul Hook's cold and indifferent eyes. He wanted to know, just what was it that could motivate great persons that existed above the highest heavens to compete for it?

If it was like he guessed…Soul Hook licked his lips. Unlike his pale face, his tongue was scarlet as if it was dyed in blood.

Taking risks was a must. In taking food from the mouths of these great figures, a single wrong step would bring disaster down upon himself.

But risks and benefits were often equal.

He would take things one step at a time. As the situation changed, the plan would need to be constantly adjusted.

Overthinking things now was meaningless.

Shua -

Taking a step forwards, Soul Hook vanished in a plume of blue smoke.

…

Qin Yu carried Yun Shi on his back. As he looked at the scholar who was holding a book in front of him and giving him a warm and bright smile, he subconsciously tensed up.

The ground between the two was strewn with corpses. Looking at their appearance, they had killed each other.

And the one who caused this was the blue-robed scholar before him.

The two stared at each other for a while. The scholar was the first to bow, "Greetings, fellow daoist. I believe this is the first time we've met. My name is Ruan Jing, from Guiding Chapter Academy."

He was elegant and gentle, as if this was a meeting of two scholars on the willow-paved embankment of a river, both admiring each other as they announced their names and formed a lifelong friendship.

But in reality, that wasn't the situation.

With corpses scattered over the ground and the smell of blood thick in the air, Ruan Jing's appearance left one's heart chilled and their hairs standing on end.

Qin Yu bowed in return, "Qin Yu."

Ruan Jing expressed his admiration by slapping his book. "Historical records show that in ancient times there was a great country named Qin Yu, whose strength was tyrannical and unified the land, ruling over billions of lives, their nation prosperous and wonderful! Your name is truly amazing!"

Qin Yu's lips twitched. This was also the first time he had heard this. Could he consider it a compliment?

After thinking for a moment, he welcomed Ruan Jing's gaze and nodded, "Thank you."

Qin Yu had no desire to continue talking to this blue-robed scholar. It wasn't because he had killed people, but from a dread in his heart.

Although their conversation had been temperate so far without any ill intent, the more it was like this the more restless he felt.

He always felt that this person could tear apart his surface skin and reveal his fierce fangs beneath.

If he didn't want to speak further then he wouldn't.

Qin Yu said, "Goodbye!"

Without turning away, he simply stepped back.

Ruan Jing lifted a hand, "Sir Qin, please wait a moment. I have something to ask you!" He pointed a finger at Yun Shi, "My maid was lost in an accident and my only hobby is reading. As they say, reading while accompanied by a beauty is best. If Sir Qin is willing to give me that woman, I would be deeply grateful."

Qin Yu replied, "I don't want to."

Ruan Jing furrowed his eyebrows, "Is sir really not willing to give up a treasure?"

Qin Yu's look turned cold. "Yes."

The atmosphere fell silent. After several breaths of time, Ruan Jing sighed, "Fine. Since that's the case, I won't try and take the treasures of others. Goodbye."

He cupped his hands and walked away. His long sleeves swayed around him, giving him an ethereal and polished appearance. In a few blinks of the eye, he vanished into the horizon.

Qin Yu turned and walked away.

Several moments after changing directions, Qin Yu stopped. He turned and said without expression, "Ruan Jing, if you continue to follow me, don't blame me for being impolite."

The surrounding space was silent.

Qin Yu coldly snorted. He lifted a hand and pressed forward. With a bang, space distorted.

A figure was pushed out from the shaking ripples. It was Ruan Jing, who had just left. He clapped his hands in acclaim, without any distress from being forced out.

"Sir Qin's cultivation is amazing. I thought that my ability to restrain my aura wasn't weak, but I still couldn't avoid your perception."

Qin Yu said, "Explain yourself."

An ice cold aura broke free from his body, as sharp as a blade.

Ruan Jing's smile brightened. "Sir Qin, please calm your anger. I am indeed wrong in this matter, but I do really like that woman on your back."

He lifted a hand, light surging in his palm. "This is a core that I obtained after killing a fierce plant monster. It contains a formidable soul force. In addition to that, it is likely a token that will lead you to the greatest lucky chance in this mystic realm."

After a pause, he continued to say, "If Sir Qin is willing to give her up, I will compensate you with this. It won't leave you disappointed."

Qin Yu could determine with one glance that the round bead in Ruan Jing's hand was the same as the crystal heart he obtained after striking down the golden fruit tree.

He wasn't lying. In fact he was showing great sincerity.

After all, killing another monster on the same level as the golden fruit tree wouldn't have been easy at all. This thing was truly precious.

But Qin Yu already had a similar token. Even if he didn't, he would never agree to this trade.

Even though he thought this, he didn't immediately refuse. He stared at the bead and said, "I want to know, why are you doing this?"

Before Ruan Jing could open his mouth, Qin Yu sneered, "If you want to say she's pleasing to the eyes or something similar to that, then there's no need to speak at all."

Ruan Jing faintly smiled. After thinking for a moment he said, "In truth, I don't really know. But, I feel that there is something special about that woman which piques my interest."

Qin Yu narrowed his eyes, "You're not speaking the truth."

Ruan Jing said, "What can I say to have Sir Qin believe me…" He suddenly shut up. The smile on his face darkened, "Is Sir Qin playing with me? You have already decided to refuse my transaction."

This was a plain and straightforward tone, not a question at all.

Qin Yu welcomed his look and nodded, "That's right."

He dreaded Ruan Jing and didn't want to fight him, but that didn't mean he felt fear.

Even if he wasn't in his peak state, if they were to truly fight, he was confident he would be the last one standing.

And his intuition told him that he couldn't reveal any cowardice. The more aggressive and strong his manner was, the more twists and turns he could avoid.

Ruan Jing's smile disappeared. When he smiled his face was handsome and refined, but now he felt gloomy, like a chilling wind.

"Good, very good."

He looked deeply at Qin Yu. Then, he took a step backwards and vanished as if he had fallen into water, not even leaving behind ripples.

He didn't say anything else. With just these last words, he left decisively.