Chapter 137: The Finest Gift

At the edge of the Eastern Sea, a fierce blizzard raged. The howling wind carried chunks of ice and shards of stone, their power rivaling that of ordinary bullets. Even with the keenest eyesight, one could barely make out anything beyond a few dozen meters, and beyond that, only a vast white expanse remained. The most perilous dangers were the invisible spatial rifts, nearly undetectable to the naked eye.

A solitary figure trekked across the snowfield, his pace slow but steady. In half a day, he had already traversed half the snowfield.

Stopping at the center of the snowfield, the man lifted his hood and surveyed his surroundings. The nearly perfect face was Qian Ye’s. In this world of raging storms, his handsome visage, reminiscent of an ancient bloodkin, bore a touch of despairing beauty that tugged at the heartstrings.

Even Qian Ye’s true vision struggled to discern much at the edge of the landmass, where the chaotic and turbulent primeval force dominated. Beyond the storm, everything appeared indistinct, all directions seeming identical.

Yet, in some mysterious way, Qian Ye sensed his direction. After a brief rest, he resumed his journey, a lone traveler on the boundless snowfield.

The storm was too intense, and behind the surface lay a maelstrom of chaotic void force. Even Qian Ye dared not fly recklessly, for fear of being swept into a spatial rift.

According to Song Zining, these were the signs of the ebbing tide of the primeval force. Before the great calm, there would be great chaos.

After walking for an unknown distance, Qian Ye finally saw the familiar floating ship.

With his keen eyes, Qian Ye spotted Count Gali’nan standing in the blizzard, clearly waiting for him. This was not because Gali’nan was stronger, but because Ye Tu knew of Qian Ye’s arrival and had sent Gali’nan to greet him.

Underneath this courteous gesture, there lay an unspoken coldness. Ye Tu did not wish to see Qian Ye, so she sent Gali’nan to meet him.

Gali’nan approached and bowed, saying, “My mistress asked me to welcome you.”

Qian Ye nodded and produced the desk drawer from Lin Jiaer’s office, saying, “I have something for her. I don’t know what use it is, but please give it to her.”

“As you command.” Gali’nan realized he was more deferential to Qian Ye than before. He looked up cautiously and asked, “What is inside?”

“I’m not sure, but it seems valuable.”

“Then, do you mean…?”

“Consider it a gift,” Qian Ye managed after a moment’s thought.

“Very well, I will deliver it and convey your message.”

“Thank you.” Qian Ye smiled, but though he had many thoughts, he couldn’t find the words. In the end, he sighed softly and turned away.

Gali’nan watched Qian Ye disappear into the blizzard, only then relaxing. He realized that this encounter with Qian Ye had instilled a faint sense of dread. For a count like him to feel such fear, just how strong had Qian Ye become?

It hadn’t been long since their first meeting.

A sudden gust of cold wind made Gali’nan shiver. Remembering Ye Tu was still waiting, he hurried back to the ship, placed the drawer in the center of the hall, and reported, “Mistress, I have brought the item.”

“Open it.” Ye Tu’s voice was cold and unemotional.

During the journey, Gali’nan had tried to discern its contents, but found nothing. This only piqued his curiosity, yet he dared not peek at the gift Qian Ye had given Ye Tu.

Initially, he had speculated on the relationship between Qian Ye and Ye Tu, but regardless, he saw an insurmountable gap between them, rooted in their bloodline. No genius could bridge that divide. Ye Tu’s presence was even more intimidating than that of a prince.

Each encounter with Qian Ye left Gali’nan shaken. Qian Ye was advancing at a near-miraculous pace, causing Gali’nan to question his understanding. Could Qian Ye truly catch up to Ye Tu?

But the laws of blood were immutable. The closer one got to the source of the River of Blood, the fewer could fit. For millennia, this was a proven truth. Ye Tu’s very existence was beyond Gali’nan’s comprehension. Adding Qian Ye to her side would be too much for the River of Blood to accommodate.

Lost in thought, Gali’nan examined the drawer without success. Deciding to try again, he pulled the handle gently, and to his surprise, it opened.

Just as Qian Ye had seen, a miniature black sun rose in the hall, its deadly black light searing Gali’nan. All he could see was a blinding white. He couldn’t understand why the black sun caused his eyes to turn white, but he knew the black light was lethal.

In his confusion, he reached to close the drawer, but a piercing scream filled his ears, like a million vengeful spirits wailing. Blind and deaf, he felt his head about to burst.

With a soft click, the drawer closed, thanks to Ye Tu’s intervention.

Though the drawer was closed, the black sun lingered, emitting a sharp whistle and shooting another beam of black light, trying to escape. A sudden line of blood appeared in the air, sharp as a blade, cutting the black light into oblivion. What had escaped Qian Ye, perished instantly before Ye Tu.

As the black sun dissipated, Gali’nan regained his senses, gasping, “What was that?!”

“What do you think?”

Gali’nan pondered, hesitating, “In my opinion, it seems to be a form of highly refined magic iron. But I can’t fathom why it reacted so strongly with my blood force.”

Ye Tu explained, “It is a piece of magic crystal iron infused with the essence of an ancient demon. It represents the pinnacle of a demonic lineage. To any demon, it is a treasure worth a lifetime of pursuit.”

“Is it useful to us, the blood kin?”

“Perhaps, or perhaps not.”

Gali’nan gazed at the drawer, conflicted. Such a treasure for demons was of little use, or even harmful, to the blood kin. Why had Qian Ye brought it?

Ye Tu asked, “What did he say?”

“Lord Qian Ye said it was a… gift.”

“A gift?” Ye Tu was surprised.

“Yes.”

Ye Tu pondered, clearly perplexed.

Gali’nan seemed to realize something. His subtle change did not escape Ye Tu, who asked, “What are you thinking?”

“Perhaps I understand Lord Qian Ye’s intentions.”

“Explain.”

Gali’nan carefully said, “While this magic crystal iron is of no use to us, its value is immeasurable.”

This was self-evident. If sold, it would cause a sensation, and any demon would go to great lengths to obtain it.

Gali’nan continued, “Lord Qian Ye has items of value to the blood kin, but none as precious as this. So, while it is not the most suitable, it is the best he can offer.”

“Hmph, nonsensical!” Ye Tu seemed displeased.

Meanwhile, Qian Ye was not far away, sitting cross-legged atop a peak, lost in thought amid the blizzard. He faced the direction of Ye Tu’s ship, though he could not see it, nor could she sense him. But for Qian Ye, knowing she was there was enough.

The harsh wind and icy fragments battered Qian Ye, but he remained immobile, a statue. His mind was consumed by memories of Luo Bingfeng.

Countless simulations ended with Qian Ye’s instant defeat. The power gap was one reason, but Luo Bingfeng’s Death Gaze was the true killer. Though exaggerated, it still caused Qian Ye a moment of paralysis, which Luo Bingfeng could exploit. The damage was negligible to Qian Ye’s robust body, but the paralysis was deadly.

This was similar to Qian Ye’s own Controlling Eye. He tried to counter with it, but his control over Luo Bingfeng was too weak.

The simulations showed that someone needed to stop Luo Bingfeng during Qian Ye’s paralysis.

However, Qian Ye noticed inconsistencies, with frequent inexplicable defeats. The simulations were based on his memory of being saved by Ji Tianqing under the Death Gaze. The power of the gaze seemed excessively strong.

There was likely external interference, much like Song Zining’s Three Thousand Drifting Leaves technique.

Qian Ye thought of the woman beside Luo Bingfeng. Seemingly frail, she was likely a master of the Celestial Mechanics Art. That’s why Ruixiang targeted her, to disrupt Luo Bingfeng. The old man’s words were vague, hiding the truth.

Qian Ye actually respected Luo Bingfeng. A formidable, trustworthy, and devoted leader, he was a model for all. Yet, when circumstances forced them, they became adversaries. Meanwhile, the likes of Ruixiang thrived, playing both sides.

Qian Ye wondered, if he could work with Ruixiang, why not persuade Luo Bingfeng to retreat and hand over the passage? Zhang Bushou’s intentions were clear, and Luo Bingfeng must have noticed.

But Qian Ye shook his head, knowing that Luo Bingfeng would never betray until the sword was drawn.