Maiden Of The Splitting Moon

As the words continued to flow, the atmosphere loosened as both clans began to have second thoughts. The fiery rage that clouded their judgement subsided as Ming Yue reasoned with them. 

"That is true, the clan comes first."

"We shouldn't have acted so hastily, especially at a time like this."

"Agh, what she says is right."

Their hands released the weapons they held as one by one they all sheathed them. 

Soon enough, Ling Xue and Mu Yunfei put their weapons away. Finding that everyone had done so as well, Ming Yue released the two princesses. 

"Good."

Putting away the knife and the Zephyr Claws, she began to step back until Mu Jing suddenly brought out a knife, aiming to stab Ling Xue. She was quick and silent but Ming Yue was quicker. 

As soon as the Mu Clan's princess moved to attack, she suddenly stopped noticing three needles in front of her, one just inches away from each eye. If she had continued, she would have blinded herself and lost all three of her eyes. 

Then she felt a eerie feeling crawl up her back as her eyes met Ming Yue's. At that moment, she felt the full brunt of Ming Yue's killing intent, cold and unchained. Like a reaper had placed their scythe on her life, beads of sweat began to form as Ming Yue walked up and pushhed the knife away. 

Then she moved up close, whispering into Mu Jing's ear. 

"I've already spared you twice."

Afterwards, she pulled back and walked to Ling Xue. 

Mu Yunfei quickly ran up to his fiance, checking to see if she was injured in anyway. He breathed a sigh of reliefe finding her untouched before noticing the fearful expression on her face. 

"What's wrong?" he asked, "What did she say?"

Mu Jing quickly shook her head, stumbling over her words. 

"No-nothing, it's nothing at all. Le-let's just go back to the clan."

She turned around, pulling him closely as the Mu Clan left. The Yao watched before all of them turned eyes to Ming Yue. Ling Xue immediately moved to shield her. 

"I trusted her. If you question my judgement than tell me right now!"

Putting on a strong stance, no one in the Yao Clan dared to do so and they all returned to their city. 

"Thank you."

Ming Yue gave a small bow for doing so and Ling Xue shook it off. Rather, she was more curious about where Ming Yue had gone. 

"What happened in the realm? Where did you go? More than a few days had gone by before you reappeared."

Ming Yue turned silent, thinking of how to respond. 

"I found myself in a strange place but it was completely empty. There seemed to be nothing around and so I wandered before suddenly getting sent outside."

"Really?" 

Ling Xue felt a bit suspicious about this. It did not seem right that Ming Yue would be sent to a place like this. 

"Yes... I had believed that it was the Heavenly Slayer's abode but there was nothing within that told me any clues."

"Is that so? I see."

Ming Yue could see the doubt in her eyes but felt that it was not enough for Ling Xue to press her. After all, she did just stop the clans from fighting to the death. 

"In any case, I must go."

"So quick! Are you sure?" 

"I've accomplished what I needed to do and now I have to act quickly. I am heading for the Boundless Beast Forest."

"Really? That place is quite far and honestly, incredibly dangerous. But if that is the case, at least stay for the night. In fact, we are celebrating my achievement of having reached the 500th step."

Ling Xue looked forward with a confident smile. 

"I feel as though, I could go higher the next time."

Giving Ming Yue a look, Ling Xue was sincere with this invitation and Ming Yue obliged. It seemed that more than just a few days had passed for the Yao Clan's Princess to have progressed so quickly. 

The earlier heavy atmosphere was replaced by a joyful mood as stalls were set up and decorations put on. Everyone was in high spirits for Ling Xue only climbed higher and higher. It felt as if it wouldn't be too long before she reached the top. 

Ming Yue took her time exploring the city, taking a deeper look into the beauty of this place. Various stalls had their own unique broths and noodles. Furthermore, some had these platters filled with numerous toppings from which one could pick and choose, wrapping it in rice paper or a leaf of lettuce. 

She acted as she always did, purchasing whatever delicious food fancied her. 

She found an empty place to sit and watched the street. Both Hei Yue and Xiao Yin were beside her, their eyes wandering through the bright lights and colorful decor. 

"There you are."

As soon as she sat, Ling Xue appeared beside her, carrying a plate of food. 

"I thought you'd be eating at that banquet of yours."

Ming Yue looked at her, surprised by the sudden appearance. 

"Ah it isn't very fun eating with those much older than me. I excused myself and went to find you", Ling Xue responded, glancing at her before taking another bite of her food. 

"Tell me, what did you really see there?" she asked. 

Ming Yue stopped eating and the air turned a bit strange. 

"Do not worry, I am alone. I am just, curious as to what happened."

Ling Xue looked straight to Ming Yue, showing that she was speaking the truth. Ming Yue matched her gaze, making a decision in that moment. 

"There was little to find. Only a few statues or so but the Heavenly Slayer left a message. All that I can say is that the path you are taking right now is the correct one. Forgive me but, that is all I can reveal."

Ling Xue trembled a bit before turning to her food, hiding a portion of her face. 

"As strange as our connection is, hearing that from you has been a bit relieving."

She took another bite before looking out, watching the people of her clan walk by excitedly. 

"Nearly three years have gone by since I've come here. I know they've welcomed me as princess but... a part of me does not feel at home here. As much as I try to integrate myself into their world, I know that inside, they do not yet see me as one of their own. To the elders, I am only a pawn in their eyes. To call my path the right one is reassuring but a quiet voice inside me says otherwise."

She turned to Ming Yue, her eyes began to shimmer as traces of tears began to form. 

"I want to reach the top but I fear what will come afterwards."

Sucking in a cold breath, Ming Yue thought back onto her own experiences, going silent. She looked out towards the street before choosing her words. 

"Unlike you, I lost my home a few years ago. I may have accepted it, found those whom I can call friend or family even. However, I have yet to find a place I could call home. Now I travel the world and search to grow stronger. I've turned from a young village girl to this cultivator shouldering a responsibility that seems far too heavy sometimes. I fear if I would fail, if I did not have the strength to carry on."

As much as she was consoling Ling Xue, she was also consoling herself. For the first time in a long time, she spoke about her past with another. She acknowldged the thoughts she tried to push away. In this moment, she felt vulnerable but that sense was shared with Ling Xue. 

"But I will move forward because this is what I believe will fulfill what I've lost. Even if I am afraid, I have to move on. In some ways, this is the only thing I have in this life. This path of mine could have no end or even lead to no where.. But at the very least, I will see it to end."