Cultivation: Starting from a Mortal Bone

"Huff..."

Qin Yu was breathing heavily; this strike had drained him greatly, almost emptying the True Essence within his Dantian, and the aftermath of this extreme vacancy left him feeling dizzy.

Yan Yu, who had always been by his side, supported the tottering Qin Yu, a touch of amazement showing on her face beneath the mask.

That was a Ruins Beast comparable to the Lotus Platform Realm!

Even though it was wounded and trapped by talisman, it wasn’t something that a Golden Core Realm cultivator could harm, yet that astounding sword strike had directly slain this fourth-level Ruins Beast?!

Thinking about that strike.

Even the Empress’s personal guard was somewhat moved; had she not seen it with her own eyes, she would not have believed that such power could be unleashed by a Golden Core Realm cultivator.

For the gap between the Lotus Platform Realm and Golden Core was indeed immense, akin to an ant and a giant elephant, yet now, this mere ant had felled a giant elephant?

Of course, all of this was based on his understanding of sword momentum and the foundation of that top-grade Treasure Artifact.

Yan Yu seemed to somewhat understand why the Empress would take interest in this fellow.

"Husband!"

Not far away, Su Xiyue and Leng Ruyu quickly approached, surrounding Qin Yu, their expressions full of concern.

Sect Leader Su Xihe also took a step forward but immediately drew back upon seeing his sister go over, though his eyes still carried a trace of worry.

His gaze then fell upon the remaining Ruins Beasts, operating the array plate, and suddenly, dark green blood splattered everywhere.

Meanwhile, Liu Zixiao, after hesitating slightly, also moved to Qin Yu’s side.

Despite the strange glances from around, and even though there was a tinge of discomfort in her heart, she still suppressed it.

"Are you... alright?"

"Don’t worry, it’s just exhaustion."

Qin Yu held a Spirit Stone, his Life Rune fully restoring his True Essence, and in just a short time, his complexion improved significantly.

Since acquiring the Free Creation Divine Technique, he felt that even the recovery speed of his Spiritual Power was considerably increased.

"A fourth-level Ruins Beast, slain by him with a single sword strike?!"

From afar, Demon Sect cultivators, along with other Immortal Sect cultivators, were deeply shocked.

That was a Ruins Beast akin to a Lotus Platform Realm cultivator!

Even Leng Feng, who asked himself, if he had faced that fourth-level Ruins Beast, to persist for a moment or two would be quite good; as for slaying it?

Impossible!

Duanmu Hong was also astonished by Qin Yu’s strength, realizing that even faced with a fourth-level Ruins Beast, he found it difficult to achieve a one-strike kill without relying on the power of a Treasure Artifact.

"Regroup, don’t spread out!"

Seeing Qin Yu unharmed, Duanmu Hong’s attention was completely focused on the crack in the altar.

Nearby, that bottomless pit constantly reminded him that the power of that black light beam far exceeded that of the trapped and killed fourth-level Ruins Beasts.

Had he not reacted swiftly, had it been allowed to strike him, even if he didn’t die, he would have been heavily injured.

"Swish! Swish!"

A group of Immortal Sect cultivators suddenly changed from acting independently to grouping together; Leng Feng, along with the Nether Bone Elder, approached Qin Yu.

They could see that Qin Yu’s condition was somewhat weakened; if anything unexpected happened, they could offer assistance immediately.

Suddenly.

Silence blanketed the scene.

"Could it be..."

Duanmu Hong’s expression suddenly tensed, beads of cold sweat oozing from his forehead.

"Roar!"

The originally wild group of Ruins Beasts now displayed a trace of inexplicable anxiety; those low-tier first and second-level Ruins Beasts couldn’t help but tremble, and prostrated themselves on the ground humbly, though their intelligence was undeveloped yet from deep within their bloodlines, they seemed to feel an ancient suppression, collectively issuing deep and reverent roars towards the crack in the altar as if expressing their submission.

Even the fourth-level Ruins Beast, restrained by the Spirit Treasure Seal, ceased struggling.

"What... exactly is this?"

The cultivators fighting desperately against the Ruins Beasts also sensed the anomaly, glances could not help but be cast towards the crack.

"Boom—"

At this moment, a steady and powerful footstep sound abruptly resonated in the silence, like the beating of ancient drums, reverberating through every inch of space.

Following this, a pitch-black, sharp horn emerged through the crack, soon after, a massive head slowly appeared.

"What is that?!"

Gazing at the immense body spanning several yards, resembling a giant rhino yet exuding endless eeriness of the Ruins Beast; many cultivators instinctively shivered with a chill in their hearts.

They could clearly perceive that the aura emitted by this Ruins Beast was even more terrifying than the two fourth-level Ruins Beasts they had previously faced.

"Buzz—"

Duanmu Hong refrained from unnecessary words; his palm lightly closed as if capturing from the void, four glowing talismans quietly emerged between his fingertips, with an aura of profound and mysterious Dao Rhyme gently rippling from his palm, permeating the surroundings.

However, such a terrifying Dao Rhyme aura did not instill fear in the Ruins Beast.

On the contrary, atop the Ruins Beast’s horn, a dense black radiance rapidly gathered, akin to a meteor in the dark night, and in the next moment, a ferocious black light cut through the air, with an incomparable momentum, aimed directly at the Spirit Treasure Seal on the ground.

"Boom!"

Almost upon contact, the light on the Magical Treasure Seal quickly dimmed, then a fine yet deadly crack appeared on the seal’s surface, like ice forming on the surface of a lake in winter, swiftly spreading outward.

"Withdraw!"

Duanmu Hong’s expression turned grim, his left hand forming seals; the Spirit Treasure Seal instantly shrank, transforming into a streak of light returning to his hand.

The assembled cultivators clearly saw a crack in the center of the ancient Spirit Treasure Seal, almost splitting the entire seal through.

"Roar!..."

The Giant Rhinoceros Ruins Beast stepped forth, the spiritual energy within the space instantly boiled, a visual ripple of shockwaves spread across.

Duanmu Hong had no time to lament the damaged Spirit Treasure Seal; his hand clenched, crushing a talisman.

"Buzz..."

A Dao Rhyme-infused light descended silently, like an overturned giant bowl, protecting hundreds of cultivators within.

"Bang!"

The terrifying energy wave swept across, the protective shield rippling incessantly, resembling a small boat on the vast sea, always on the verge of being mercilessly destroyed by storm and rain.

"Bang!"

The talisman-transformed shield lasted only a moment before it shattered amidst shocked gazes, but fortunately, it ultimately blocked that terrifying impact wave.

"Everyone, retreat immediately!"

Duanmu Hong’s expression was immensely grave as he shouted.

As his words fell, he showed no intent of retreat; it was evident this elder Hall Master intended to cover their retreat alone.

"Roar!"

Yet, the Giant Rhinoceros Ruins Beast gave the group no time to retreat, letting out a mighty roar, black light surging atop the horn. Simultaneously, the freed fourth-level Ruins Beast also charged at the cultivators.

The situation was perilous.