37 Departure
"Chi? Sister Chi!?" Xueqin shouted in shock. He could recognize her eyes anywhere, without any doubt Darkness was his big sister from the orphanage, Qian Chi!
Listening to Xueqin's voice, Darkness' eyes went dull, her body started trembling "I'm not CHI!" She shouted in fury, darkness surging from her, this one stronger than the before "CHI IS DEAD!" The darkness uncontrollably exploded everywhere, covering all the stage.
Xueqin's saber shined and he cut over the darkness, purifying it. But he found that Darkness had disappeared from the place.
"Chi!" Xueqin couldn't sense her, but he decided to search for her, preparing to left chasing after her.
"Stop a moment, little boy" Xueqin was stopped by Shining Light that appeared in front of her "As the winner, you need to receive the reward. it wouldn't do any good for you to lose such an opportunity." Shining Light knew by Xueqin's gaze that he wasn't worried about it, his mind already wandered away "Boy, do you even know where she had gone?" Shining said "Take your prize first and then if you want search for her. Don't make us look bad"
Xueqin recovered his cool and nodded at Shining.
"That was a little strange" Shining said directing at the audience "Let's forget about it and without any delay, let's start the award ceremony!"
Sword Douluo appeared in front of Xueqin without making any sound "Congratulations on winning and thanks for such a thrilling match. Take your award" A shining light came from Sword Douluo's hand and shot towards Xueqin's forehead, piercing over it.
Xueqin expected some pain, but there was none. It was quickly absorbed, making it as his own, only a refreshing feeling lingering from it. He could sense as his head was clearer, his unstable Domain realm due to just having the breakthrough, quickly stabilizing.
"Take care of it as it would grow with you" Sword Douluo said, Xueqin nodding
"Senior Sword, could I ask something to you?" Xueqin asked with a determined look.
Sword Douluo lifted an eyebrow, she didn't expect for being asked anything, always used to people running away, worshipping or challenging her. "Ask" She said keeping her emotionless mask.
Xueqin sighed in relief "Where did Chi go?"
"If you ask about Darkness' whereabouts, I can only say that she had already left the Sword Valley, no longer in my domain" Sword Douluo answered.
"Thanks" Xueqin bowed towards her. His eyes were very determined, already having decided to leave the Sword Valley to try to find Chi.
Without saying more, Sword Douluo disappeared from the stadium, Death Sword Douluo disappearing with her.
"And that our loved and cute Sword Douluo" Shining Light clapped "Always so short of words and directly going for the kill. If it were for her, there would not even be any festival. You are lucky to have such a beautiful and cute idol like me, preparing and hosting it"
"Whatever, now that the ambient had turned so cold, there's no much to say. With this the Sword Intent Tournament had finished, I'll wait for you tomorrow for the Domain Tournament" Shining said before disappearing.
People started leaving the stadium, some talking about the fight, others grudging at the Sword Douluo and Shining's antics, but most seemed already used to them.
Xueqin didn't wait a moment and quickly went towards Mucheng's manor. Once there, he started putting everything of himself towards his storage ring, from clothes and food to his blacksmithing tools. He was readying himself to depart out the Sword Valley, completely decided to search for Chi. He had already reached the Domain Realm, accomplishing Mucheng's requirement to leave the Sword Valley.
When he went towards the smithy to take his tools, he found a letter over the desk. Xueqin took it, not knowing what it was. It was from his master Mucheng.
"Congratulations on passing my test. With this you have already graduated from my training, so I am no longer your master. You are free to do whatever you want and follow whatever path you decide, it's your decision.
However, never forget it, I am always seeing you, you can't escape from me in this world. If I sense you using your spirit or slacking, I will make sure to finish your life myself.
Bye,
Shi Mucheng"
Reading the short letter, Xueqin traced his chest over his heart, Mucheng's intent was always there, never being able to escape until he became stronger.
"Hm!" Xueqin hummed "At least I don't need to be with that mad master again. Even saying goodbye, he never forgets his death threat" He said with a little angry look that quickly morphed to a smile. While he hated Mucheng, he was who he was today due to him, he alone would have never reached his level. "Thanks, master" He whispered, even if he hated, he would always think of him as his master, a one that needed to be surpassed and taken revenge from.
Just as he was about to save the letter, he found another part at the back.
"P.S. If you are still searching for your sister, I will recommend you to talk with Ning Xiaoran. You are too idiot for the outside world and she has the best connection"
Xueqin frowned his eyebrows "He really knew me, predicting my movement." Xueqin took out the token gifted by Ning Xiaoran "But it's true that I don't really know where to start and the spirit pagoda would have a lot information for me to search for him. I hate following master's option again, but I'll follow his recommendation this time."
Xueqin finished picking everything, being ready to leave. Just as he was about to leave, he was stopped by a cute blonde girl.
"Brother Qin" Xinglan greeted him "Congratulations on winning the tournament and breaking through the Domain Realm. You are really strong."
Xueqin smiled "Thanks, sister Lan. It was mostly luck." He scratched his head
Xinglan gazed sharply at him "Yeah, sure. Luck" She said sarcastically "You're too modest. But wait for me. I will quickly catch up to you." She said with determination.
"You can try it" Xueqin made a teasing smile.
"You!" Xinglan said a little angry, but she quickly laughed it off "Where were you planning on going? I'll treat you something as your reward"
Xueqin made a sorry face "Sorry, sister Lan. I was about to leave the Sword Valley"
"Why?" asked Xinglan surprised "There's the Sword Domain Tournament and now you can even go to see the Sword Heart Tournament. Why leave now?"
"Something important came. I need to go now" Xueqin said apologetically "Sorry, sis Lan"
Xinglan made a sad face, but she quickly put up a somewhat forced smile "If there's no other way. You need to go."
"Don't worry, I am sure that our path would meet again shortly" Xueqin cheered "If not, let's meet again a year from now, here at the Sword Valley." Xueqin offered his hand for a handshake
Xinglan nodded. Xinglan took Xueqin's hand and pushed him towards her, hugging him "Let' meet again."
Xueqin blushed a little but returned the hug. They quickly separated, both faces a little redder than before
"Bye, sis Lan" Xueqin smiled.
"Bye, brother Qin" Xinglan smiled.
Xueqin started walking away towards the Sword Valley's exit, waving towards Xinglan until she was no longer visible.
Once, he crossed the Sword Valley's domain, he stopped breathing the outside air. "It had been two years here" He whispered, getting used to the outside air and blue sky, without such strong sword qi.
He looked towards the horizon with a determined face "I don't know what happened to you, but I will find you, Chichi!" He started running towards the horizon.
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Over the innermost area of the Inner Valley, sat around a table the Sword Doulou and the Death Sword Douluo.
"Corruption is no easy to take care. We should kill her before she grows" Death Sword recommended.
"She showed potential to surpass it, we will not act" Sword Douluo said coldly "Since I obtained the Sword Douluo title I promised to keep it. It doesn't matter if she falls, she won't surpass me" She clenched her hands in anger and sadness "I will not let history repeat itself."
"Even so, she would be uncontrolled. We should look out for her" Death Sword said.
"Don't worry. There's someone already moving towards her. You can trust him"
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"Bang!" A tree fell to the ground, having hitten by a girl wearing black clothes with a half-destroyed mask that let free some red strands of her hair and let one of her violet eyes been seen, a big greatsword rest over her hand.
The girl seemed to be in pain as darkness was running amok around her as she tried to control it, venting her fury over the surrounding poor trees.
Next to her, a tall figure appeared. He was an old man with black hair and some white strands who had amputated his left arm.
"You won the first battle against corruption, but there along way to winning the war" the man said "Qian Chi"
"I'M NOT CHI!" The girl shouted in anger, the darkness around her exploded, a chaotic darkness domain forming around her "I'M NO LONGER CHI!" She swung her greatsword towards the man, focusing all her darkness in it, full of killing intent.
The man looked impassively at the greatsword coming towards him. He swung his arm, a gray greatsword appearing over his hand.
"Bang!" A great pressure came from his greatsword, all the girl's darkness instantly extinguishing.
"Flop!" She fell to the ground on her butt, her body trembling with shock and fear. She was unable to put any strength over her sword. The girl looked upwards to the man's face "W-who are you?" She asked scared.
"I'm Shi Mucheng" The old man answered "Since today, I will be your master and I will make sure that you control that. I will make you stronger than anyone" He said seriously, not accepting a no as an answer "Now. If you are no longer Chi, tell me your name"
The girl clenched her hands, she took out her mask, revealing a pair of beautiful but sharp violet eyes full of determination, searching for strength "I am Yuanen Yehui"
