Cultivation: Starting from a Mortal Bone

Chapter 552 -505: What’s the Use of Being Fast?

Handsome and elegant, young and promising—even the Great Yan Empress pays him exceptional attention.

Indeed!

Only this youth is worthy to match my beloved daughter!

Emperor Chu felt more and more that the two were a perfect pair.

One is the esteemed Princess of Great Chu Immortal Country, the other is a Royal Court Tributor of Great Yan Immortal Country. Thus, the more he looked at Qin Yu, the more pleasing to the eye he found him; he almost wanted to bring out betrothal gifts and decide the marriage of his worthy son-in-law and dear daughter on the spot.

Immersed in Qin Yu’s technique, Chu Muyin was wholly unaware that Emperor Chu had even started thinking of names for their future children.

How about naming him Chu Qinyan?

Hmm, not bad, Qinchuyan would work too!

This way, Emperor Yan would at least feel somewhat included.

“Emperor Yan, may I have a word with you in private?”

Seeing his beloved daughter so absorbed, Emperor Chu spoke.

The Great Yan Empress did not react at all, not even deigning to return a glance.

Is she not simply moved, but constrained by a heavenly oath and dares not show it?

Emperor Chu’s little schemes—she could not even be bothered to expose them.

“Emperor Yan…”

Emperor Chu still refused to give up.

“If you utter one more word, I will take him away immediately.”

The Empress had no patience for nonsense.

Hearing this, Emperor Chu froze, his expression instantly turning solemn, regaining his usual imperial authority.

Kidding aside, Qin Yu absolutely cannot leave!

There is no Ancient Array’s protection here. If Qin Yu and the Great Yan Empress left, the consequences would be unimaginable!

Winning Qin Yu over is important, yes, but the timing matters as well.

Truly envious of Emperor Yan—what heaven-defying luck is this?

First auspicious omens, now even a master who commands the Star Prison Array!

One who is by no means inferior to a Half-Venerable Emperor. And besides, the strength of the Great Yan Empress Dowager is only secondary; what matters most is that, as an auspicious omen, she possesses the innate power to seek fortune and avoid calamity, blessing her Immortal Country with good luck and forewarning of disasters…

As for abilities like the Bright Moon Pearl, those need not even be mentioned.

Emperor Chu even suspected that this Master Qin was discovered by that very auspicious phenomenon.

To fully control the Star Prison Array—since the dark era, no one has ever accomplished this.

This, too, was why Emperor Chu was so stirred!

Why, why does Great Yan Immortal Country deserve such luck?

The more Emperor Chu dwelled on it, the less balanced he felt; before he knew it, he was walking toward Qin Yu.

Yet, as soon as he took a step, a perilous feeling surged through him from the void above, as though he’d been targeted by the Heavenly Dao itself.

The Empress merely cast him a cold glance, as if expecting this all along.

This was also why she made Emperor Chu swear his oath by the Heavenly Dao.

Still unwilling to give up, Emperor Chu had barely budged when the skies above roiled with thunderclouds, as if the end of days was upon them.

Seeing this, the corners of Emperor Chu’s mouth twitched, and he put down the foot he’d just lifted. Only then did the thunderclouds slowly calm, yet the sky remained veiled in darkness, as if world-ending divine wrath might strike at any moment.

“Emperor Yan, you hid your hand too well, didn’t you?”

Emperor Chu looked plaintively at the Empress, bitterly aggrieved in his heart.

True gold lies within reach, yet he cannot even extend a hand to touch it. Even a passing thought is perceived by the Heavenly Dao. The frustration defies description.

The Empress’s expression was utterly indifferent, caring for nothing and no one.

Yet, seeing an emperor so profoundly moved, there was something in her heart she couldn’t completely suppress… pride, perhaps?

The fellow, besides sometimes acting utterly insane, was otherwise acceptable; at the very least, he gave her face.

Not like that silly auspicious omen that always kept her ill at ease.

“Mu Yin, you may come closer and observe Master Qin’s technique. Perhaps it will benefit you.”

Emperor Chu’s brows were tightly knit, but suddenly his eyes lit up and he spoke in a loud, clear voice.

“Yes!”

At these words, a gleam flared up in Chu Muyin’s beautiful eyes. That exquisite face—enough to drive countless male cultivators mad—was suffused with excitement.

The Empress’s brows creased. Though she was somewhat displeased, she did not intervene.

The little ploys of Emperor Chu—she saw through them completely.

But did he think he could steal away Qin Yu with just a maiden’s charm?

The Empress could only say Emperor Chu was far too naive.

Just look at the sisters Bai Yaosha from the Carefree Pavilion—now almost breaking ties with the Ancient Race Bai Family, about to become one of Qin Yu’s Dao Companions.

“Emperor Yan, does Master Qin already have a Dao Companion?”

Emperor Chu asked with a smile.

The Empress paused for a moment, perhaps from guilt, or perhaps so Emperor Chu would reconsider, and replied, “He is to be Ling’Er’s future husband.”

“Princess Ling’Er?”

Emperor Chu was somewhat troubled, his brows nearly knotting together with worry.

However, to his knowledge, Great Yan’s Princess, though possessing the Innate Dao Rhythm Body, also suffered from conflicting powers of Dao Rhyme, making her constitution extremely frail—not only unable to cultivate, but even weaker than ordinary folk.

Thus, he reasoned, this was likely just Emperor Yan’s pretext.

Could it be that Emperor Yan sensed danger and said so deliberately?

The Empress cast a cold glance at Emperor Chu, but he showed not even a hint of retreat.

What was the meaning of this?

Was he hoping for the two Immortal Countries’ princesses to share the same root?

How laughable!

[Purifying Malice +100]

[Purifying Malice +100]

[…]

Qin Yu focused wholeheartedly on harvesting Flame Points, completely unaware of the silent contest unfolding between the two Emperors.

Of course, even if he knew, he would not care about the issue of being “shared” by two Princesses.

Amid his tireless purification, he noticed, not far off, an extra edge of green skirts—a radiant figure silently approached his side.

Chu Muyin felt nervous and awkward—perhaps from awe at meeting an Array Master. On her stunning face lingered some shyness, adding even more charm to her beauty.

With each movement of Qin Yu’s hands, every Star Prison Array fell into place. True Essence surged forth, swiftly purifying the surrounding malice; as the Malice Qi churned, it stirred up wild gusts of wind.

Qin Yu simply glanced over and felt a faint tremor in his heart.

“Princess, the wind here is strong. Perhaps you should stand back a little.”

Qin Yu’s expression was solemn as he reminded her.

Truly, one wave had yet to settle before another rose!

If not for the Empress watching tiger-eyed from behind, he truly wished he could shield the Princess from the storm and the rain.

“Master Qin, your speed at forming arrays is remarkable.”

Chu Muyin praised him from the heart, her clear eyes bright with admiration.

Her master’s attainments in the Dao of Arrays were peerless—few in the whole Great Chu Immortal Country could match her.

Yet, compared to Qin Yu, perhaps even if all the array masters of Great Chu were combined, the Ancient Array Patterns they’d studied would not add up to half of his understanding!

Qin Yu’s brows knitted slightly.

What use is speed?

The key lies in endurance!

Such an inexperienced young maiden—she knows nothing at all.

“You said you’d gained some insight into this array earlier?”

Qin Yu asked casually. Being watched with such reverence by a pure-hearted maiden, he could not help but feel… satisfied.

Facing such an eager learner, he made no effort to act aloof.

“Ashamed to say, before my master taught me, I had only grasped two array patterns. Even now, I can carve less than ten.”

Chu Muyin’s voice was soft and gentle, melodious in tone. In the bleak and silent world, her delicate voice sounded all the more pleasant.

“You may come closer and observe.”

Qin Yu had heard Emperor Chu’s earlier words and did not hide his skill.

Truly, even if he were to carve the Star Prison Array’s patterns before all the world’s array masters, few could comprehend their true essence.

This Ancient Array suppressed Malice Spirits; its mysteries were far beyond what meets the eye.

Even for him, without the Celestial Eye’s aid, comprehending its essence would be next to impossible.

Chu Muyin was both flattered and astonished, casting Qin Yu a hesitant look. Seeing him wholly absorbed in forming array patterns, his manner inscrutable, her inner reverence only grew.

What sort of man was this?

He had not a trace of an array master’s arrogance—indeed, while busy forming patterns, he also cared whether she could glean anything.

It must be said, in many fields, even Direct Disciples are taught with reservation—let alone the vital secrets of the Star Ancient Array.

Yet Master Qin before her did not mind her observing at all; rather, he asked her to come closer for a clearer view, wishing that more among the Human Race might comprehend the Ancient Array.

What great virtue!

In an instant, within Chu Muyin’s heart, Master Qin’s image grew unusually tall and noble.

Still, not daring to disturb him, she stood quietly by like a common girl, her clear eyes sparkling with a thirst for knowledge, fixed intently on every motion of those hands.

Those hands seemed to possess an endless magic—with smooth, practiced movements, dozens of inimitable array patterns came to life with ease.

Chu Muyin could scarcely imagine the effort and heart that had gone into mastering such skill and proficiency.

Master Qin’s devotion to the Human Race—truly, it was too noble!

Gradually, Chu Muyin’s mind was wholly absorbed; places that once seemed obscure after her legacy were now becoming coherent and clear.

So the time passed: two days in a row.

Qin Yu was like a tireless automaton, repeating his movements over and over.

Since his breakthrough in realm, the True Essence within him had reached a fearsome level. In two whole days, he’d only used up about half his reserves.

Of course, this was also thanks to his many experiences purifying Malice.

Covering the Star Prison Array with True Essence made the work twice as effective for half the effort!

Otherwise, faced with such a sea of malice, he’d have to rest several times at least.

By now, that once-infinite vista of Malice had visibly thinned; a bottomless pit was revealed below, so deep that even the Bright Moon Pearl’s endless Moonlight Power could not pierce its depths.

With each completed array, light surged downward into that abyss, and once more, a cue for Purifying Malice appeared.

“Roar!…”

All of a sudden, a deafeningly savage roar rose from deep underground.

“So there is indeed a Malice Spirit.”

A glint of surprise flickered in Qin Yu’s eyes, yet his hands never paused—in fact, he moved even quicker.

He must not let that ancient Malice Spirit devour all the Malice Qi; otherwise, he’d lose a batch of Flame Points for nothing.

“Is this Master Qin always so bold?”

Emperor Chu was somewhat stunned.

Even he, faced with a Malice Spirit, felt a tinge of dread.

As a Half-Venerable, even he could not utterly destroy a Malice Spirit—at most, he could exhaust his Origin to suppress it temporarily.