Cultivation: Starting from a Mortal Bone

”I am already aware.”

The Great Yan Empress’s voice revealed not the slightest ripple of emotion, yet a glimmer flickered in her gaze.

It was precisely because Qin Yu had comprehended the Star Prison Array that she came to her attention.

However, at that time, the Empress—though she cared—did not take the matter to heart to such a degree.

After all, Qin Yu’s abilities in all aspects had to be considered comprehensively.

Comprehension.

Root Bone.

Thus, the Empress had Yan Yu remain by Qin Yu’s side.

In a mere year’s observation, Qin Yu had brought her too many surprises—so many things that defied all common sense occurred to or around Qin Yu.

Even his Dao Companions’ Root Bone could be improved.

Even after thoroughly searching every ancient record, nothing could be found regarding such a phenomenon.

The only thing uncertain is whether there are limitations to this ability or not.

After all, Qin Yu himself only possesses a Lower Grade Dao Bone; surely his Dao Companions’ Root Bone could not surpass his own?!

All one can say is—what a shame.

If only Qin Yu’s own Root Bone could be a bit higher...

Yet, over this past year, all his Dao Companions’ Root Bone have changed, and only Qin Yu remains untouched.

And then.

It was the incident that had just occurred in the Ruins Rift, which once again reshaped the Empress’s perception of this Junior Cultivator.

To think he possesses a Top Grade Treasure Artifact and has also comprehended Sword Momentum.

Thus, the Empress speculates that perhaps Qin Yu, by some twist of fate, obtained the legacy of a sage from the past.

Though the chance is slim, it is not impossible.

Within the Great Yan Royal Family, there is an old Tributor, who likewise obtained an ancient sage’s legacy, and thus reached unrivaled heights in the art of Talisman.

He is the first Talisman Master!

Clearly, if Qin Yu has gained the legacy of some Sword Dao sage, his future attainments in the Sword Dao will surely be unmatched.

Yet what is puzzling is his physical strength...

Even one as esteemed as the Empress is filled with doubt in her heart—how exactly did Qin Yu temper his body to such a degree?

For this reason, the Empress specially assigned Yan Zhi, chief of the Flame Guard, to pore over the ancient texts—but just as an answer eludes her, another message from Yan Yu arrives...

Qin Yu, surprisingly, is capable of purifying Malice Spirits and ancient ghosts.

This is simply unbelievable!

”Bring him to see me as soon as possible!”

Imperial Capital.

The Great Yan Empress sat upright upon the Throne in the Imperial Study, surrounded by a subtle aura of dignity and contemplative silence.

Outside the window, palace lanterns swayed; their dappled light and shadow inside echoed the Empress’s brows, now tight, now relaxed, as if even the light and shadow ebbed and flowed with her mood.

The appearance of ancient ghosts, without a doubt, introduced even greater uncertainty...

Yet, oddly, it was crushed at its very budding.

If it was mere coincidence—can there truly be so many coincidences in this world?!

The Empress had received intelligence that other Immortal Countries too had seen their share of incidents, and things had become rather turbulent.

At this, a faint, imperceptible sense of relief rose in the Empress’s heart.

Perhaps, there truly is auspicious fortune at play!

However, when thinking of the Empress Dowager, the Great Yan Empress couldn’t help but furrow her brows.

That so-called auspicious sign—she actually took Ling’Er out of the palace, claiming it was to seek a cure for Ling’Er.

Utter nonsense!

The Empress knew Ling’Er’s condition well; if it could be resolved, why wait until now?!

Thus.

The Empress reached for the Sound Transmission Stone again.

For a long time.

For a long time.

There was still no response from the other end!

Very well!

To think she would dare not to answer!

If not for being the Empress herself, needing to hold court in the Imperial Capital, she would truly go after that so-called sign of auspice and drag her back!

She raised her hand unconsciously and kneaded the space between her brows.

For some reason, a wave of fatigue washed over her, and she simply closed her eyes.

In recent years, she was often exhausted to an unusual degree.

...

While Yan Yu was sending messages, Qin Yu, quite bored, turned his attention to the little flame.

[Root Bone: Lower Grade Dao Bone (Flame Point 201880/200000) Can Breakthrough]

”Breakthrough!”

Qin Yu still chose to improve his Root Bone first.

Root Bone.

Is the true foundation of all things.

Besides, the days of lacking Spirit Stones were gone—he no longer needed to depend on refining Elixir to obtain Spirit Stones.

As Flame Points were deducted, the flame swayed lightly, fireworks cascading in all directions, falling into Qin Yu’s body to be absorbed.

His Root Bone underwent certain subtle changes unnoticed.

It seemed as if he had become more attuned to the surrounding heavens and earth.

[Root Bone: Middle Grade Dao Bone (Flame Point 1880/400000)]

Middle Grade Dao Bone!

Qin Yu could clearly sense the changes to his body.

Although the Spiritual Qi in this region has long since dried up, because the Life Rune constantly restores True Essence, he could distinctly feel a tremendous boost in his recovery speed of Spiritual Power!

With this thought, Qin Yu took a Top Grade Spirit Stone from his Storage Ring and began refining it.

Sure enough, the speed at which he absorbed and refined it has also increased markedly!

Enhancing Root Bone was, indeed, the right choice.

”Hmm?”

Yan Yu had just put away the Token when she sharply sensed that something was amiss.

”Your Root Bone...”

When she saw Qin Yu open his eyes, Yan Yu’s figure instantly flashed to his side, her large, captivating eyes shining with curiosity.

The Qi Mechanism on his body may have been subtly masked by something, but from the faint fluctuations in the surrounding heavens and earth, she could still judge that Qin Yu’s Root Bone... seemed to have improved!

This wasn’t even the first time!

For in Yan Yu’s impression, when she first met Qin Yu, he was already Top Grade Spirit Bone!

With no outsiders present, she simply asked directly, ”Did your Root Bone just improve?”

This little rabbit is a bit too formidable, isn’t he?!

Or could it be the Sect Leader’s gifts are no longer effective?

Such trouble.

”Actually, it’s not really improvement...”

Qin Yu still decided to defend himself and recounted to her the same story he’d told the Sect Leader.

”Injured severely in childhood...”

No.

Did you eat the wrong thing, perhaps.

How do you look anything like someone burdened by a hidden ailment?!

Beneath her mask, Yan Yu’s little mouth was in utter disbelief.

This guy even dares to spout such nonsense with a straight face.

She had personally examined Qin Yu’s body, sensed the condition within—this guy’s physique rivaled a savage beast, and yet he claims some chronic malady remains unhealed!

”I feel like there’s still room for improvement!”

Qin Yu, even if he suspected Yan Yu might not believe him, still made sure not to omit any of the prepared excuses.

He couldn’t just admit it directly to an outsider, could he?!

Besides, whether the little rabbit believes it or not doesn’t matter; what matters is whether those behind her accept the explanation.

When Qin Yu realized he had no privacy in front of this little rabbit, he had already discussed through Sound Transmission with the Sect Leader.

Though it felt a bit forced,

It was still just barely acceptable as an excuse.

Wasn’t it?

It was Qin Yu’s final line that made Yan Yu freeze for a moment.

In fact, with every Sound Transmission, the Empress would inquire about Qin Yu’s Root Bone, but over a year or more, it had never changed.

Until now.

And with Qin Yu saying this, doesn’t it mean his Root Bone can still improve?!

Upper Grade Dao Bone...or...even further?

If Her Majesty learns of this, she’ll surely be pleased, right?

”Let’s go.”

Qin Yu quite naturally took Yan Yu’s little hand.

Yan Yu didn’t seem to find anything inappropriate about it and simply let him.

At the same time, she made a sweep of his internals...

Sure enough, Middle Grade Dao Bone.

As for the hidden ailment—well, she couldn’t find any trace of it.

”Are we going to the Imperial Capital now?”

”Let’s return to the Cyan Mountain Sect first.”