Cultivation: Starting from a Mortal Bone

After Su Xiyue left, Qin Yu finally had time to look at the newly acquired Life Rune.

[Life Rune: First Layer (1-1000)]

Qin Yu’s attention quickly fell upon the mysterious rune floating on the edge of the flame.

This Life Rune was formed entirely by leaping sparks, flickering with strange brilliance. The lines atop the rune were wondrously intricate—like ancient totems and equally like unsolved scripture—provoking boundless imagination.

Qin Yu could not tell if they were patterns or words.

He stared in silence, his soul as if threading through the barriers of reality, completely immersed within.

”Hm?!”

In this tranquil moment, Qin Yu suddenly felt a surge of insight. He was startled to find that he’d established a peculiar connection to the rune.

His consciousness attached to it, and he could even sense everything around from within it.

It was extraordinary.

It was as if the rune had truly become an extension of his mind.

”Life Rune—could it mean... an extra life?”

Qin Yu was perplexed.

Of course, it was impossible for him to test it that way.

But, just in this brief span, he noticed that the ambient Spiritual Qi in the world was gradually converging toward the Life Rune.

”Huh?”

In the next instant, he actually felt the Spiritual Power in his meridians increase.

Though faint, it was tangible and real.

”How could this be?”

Qin Yu was puzzled.

The Life Rune absorbed Spiritual Qi, so why was it appearing within his own meridians?!

Then he began a series of tests.

Soon, Qin Yu found he could fully control the Life Rune to absorb and refine Spiritual Qi.

The absorption speed was identical to when he normally cultivated.

Didn’t that mean he could be cultivating at all times?!

He only needed to spare a fraction of his mind for it.

Qin Yu was overjoyed.

He’d spent half of each day raising his Flame Points, and because he had to refine an elixir, the time left for cultivation was only around five hours each day.

Each task was crucial.

And none could be neglected.

But it was simply too much for one person.

This Life Rune was as though he’d gained a second self!

Qin Yu had originally planned to thank his beautiful Master properly, but as it was getting late, he decided to head to the Sect Leader’s Cave Mansion first.

The Sect Leader was still recovering from injuries.

Without Liu Zixiao saying so, he truly didn’t know how serious Su Xihe’s injuries were.

But from appearances, they were without doubt quite severe!

Alchemy, then a medicated bath.

However, Liu Zixiao noticed something different this time.

Qin Yu’s absorption and refining speed with Spiritual Qi had increased!

No—it had doubled!

It was impossible to miss.

When he was concocting the elixir, Liu Zixiao had already sensed it.

”Could his Root Bone have improved again?!”

She was shocked and uncertain.

But felt it unlikely.

After all, it had only been a short time since Qin Yu’s Root Bone had enhanced.

There was definitely something strange.

Liu Zixiao had wanted to check more closely, but Qin Yu was in the medicated bath; if she saw something she shouldn’t...

So she restrained her curiosity for now.

...

Su Xiyue returned to her cave residence.

Leng Ruyu waited in the courtyard as always, holding silk thread, her face pale, movements tense.

It was hard to imagine she was once the Sect Leader of the Demon Sect.

A testament to just how devastating the Black Qi’s effects were.

Last time at the Ruins Rift, Leng Ruyu had witnessed Su Xiyue being tainted by Black Qi. The same happened yesterday, and yet, their conditions could not be more different.

”Sister Xiyue...”

”Have you really thought it through?”

As soon as Leng Ruyu spoke, Su Xiyue cut her off.

”I’ve made up my mind. No matter the cost, I’m willing to endure it!” Leng Ruyu’s gaze was firm.

She felt there was nothing she could not sacrifice now.

Su Xiyue only looked at her steadily; an unsettled, prickling emotion surfaced in her heart once more.

She was anxious and uneasy.

Still, Leng Ruyu couldn’t help but ask, ”Sister Xiyue, is it bone scraping, or flesh removal...”

In the Demon Sect, they’d already tried such methods—but with the Black Qi corroding the meridians, even scraping bone and removing flesh was useless.

”Worse than those!”

Su Xiyue’s words were calm as still water, but as cold wind through, Leng Ruyu’s body shuddered involuntarily.

What sort of...

inhuman torment could this be?!

Something even more excruciating than scraping bone or slicing flesh.

Looking at Su Xiyue’s demeanor, she suddenly wondered—had this First Fairy also endured all that before?!

”I can bear it!”

She clenched her teeth silently, a stubbornness surging up within her.

If Su Xiyue could bear it, so could she, Leng Ruyu!

”If so.”

Su Xiyue’s expression became grave in an instant, speaking solemnly, ”I want you to make a heavy oath to the Heavenly Dao—to keep this secret, never letting out a word to anyone!”

”I, Leng Ruyu, swear to the Heavenly Dao, this will never reach a second ear. If I break this, let heavenly tribulation descend and destroy me completely.”

Without even a second’s hesitation, Leng Ruyu raised her hand and swore the oath.

Over these past months, she’d almost grown numb—the pain Black Qi had brought her was unimaginable for ordinary people.

The daily torment was enough to grind her will to dust; she’d even considered giving up.

But each time she remembered her father’s expectations and the Demon Sect’s hopes resting on her, she persevered!

”Sister Xiyue, now, can you tell me—the price I must pay?”

Leng Ruyu was full of anticipation, but Su Xiyue’s next words sent her heart plunging straight into the abyss: ”Your... purity!”

”My... purity?!”

At those words, Leng Ruyu’s gaze froze—as if time stopped. All blood drained from her face, and she began to tremble uncontrollably.

She stared in disbelief at the First Fairy before her. ”Su Xiyue, do you truly hate me this much? If you don’t wish to help, why trample me in such a way?!”

She’d thought of many possibilities—Su Xiyue’s hesitation to purge the Black Qi must mean an immense price, hence her reluctance.

But Leng Ruyu had never imagined—the one to pay wasn’t Su Xiyue, but herself.

Thinking back to that day under the waterfall, when she’d pressured Su Xiyue, a chill crept up from the depths of her heart.

This made Leng Ruyu unconsciously think—Su Xiyue was seeking revenge for that day.

”If you’re unwilling, consider I never spoke.”

In contrast to her agitation, Su Xiyue remained calm, gave her a final glance, then began walking back toward her chambers.

Leng Ruyu stood there, frozen in a daze.

She’d expected all manner of pressure, yet Su Xiyue didn’t force her at all—not even slightly. In fact... she seemed unwilling for Leng Ruyu to accept.

What did this mean?

Why must she sacrifice her purity to dispel the Black Qi?!

She was locked in an internal struggle.

She couldn’t fathom what connection there could be between the two.