Cultivation: Starting from a Mortal Bone

"Anyone who dares to flee—bear the consequences yourself!"

The murderous words crashed down from high above, snuffing out the last faint hope.

It was obvious: someone was watching.

When Qin Yu came out, Lin Qianqian and Zhao Mengli hadn’t gotten out of bed yet, and he spent some more time comforting Lin Shuishui.

The little girl clung to him desperately, holding him tight and sobbing uncontrollably.

Even Qin Yu’s promise to bring her lots of tasty treats didn’t help.

In the end, he kissed her forehead, and the shy little girl finally went to find her sister, letting Qin Yu escape.

As he opened the door, Lin Qianqian and Zhao Mengli—the two sisters who shared each other’s troubles—opened their eyes at the same time. Tears filled their eyes, but in a flash, they became determined.

They had said it before.

If Qin Yu didn’t come back, they’d go looking for him.

They knew themselves, too—if they made a fuss and went with Qin Yu now, it would only cause him more trouble.

[Zhao Mengli Romantic Point: 70 (Deep Affection)]

Qin Yu’s step paused slightly; seeing his master’s wife waiting outside, a faint smile curled at his lips.

"Master!"

Under his direct gaze, Yin Qinghe looked a little uneasy and dropped her eyes. "These are medicinal liquids I’ve refined over the past days. Although they’re not much, they’ll help you somehow—take them," she said calmly, handing him dozens of bottles.

"Thank you, Master,"

Qin Yu hesitated for a moment but took them.

The beautiful Master, weary across her jade-like face, bloodshot eyes—clearly she hadn’t left the Alchemy Room in days. For no reason, Qin Yu felt a pang in his heart.

He didn’t know why—maybe it was fate—but Qin Yu grabbed his Master’s delicate hand, pulled her into his arms, and tightly wrapped his arms around her supple waist.

"Let go—"

"Master, please look after them for me."

Yin Qinghe instinctively resisted, but when Qin Yu’s slightly hoarse voice sounded in her ear, her movements paused, her gaze trembling.

She muttered, "If you want someone to look after them, why don’t you do it yourself..."

Qin Yu caught the meaning in her words.

"Let go, first!"

Held at the waist, Yin Qinghe felt uneasy, especially worried Zhao Mengli might see them. So she struggled lightly.

"Sigh... This trip is filled with danger, who knows—"

"Don’t talk nonsense!"

Before Qin Yu could finish, a small hand covered his mouth.

Even her hand smells so good!

Unable to help himself, Qin Yu kissed it. Yin Qinghe jerked her hand back as if shocked, her pretty face burning red, glaring furiously at him. "You!..."

If it weren’t for—if it weren’t for...

If she wasn’t so worried about him, Yin Qinghe probably would have taught him a lesson.

What disciple dares to hug their master like this?!

Still, Qin Yu had completely revealed his feelings this time, stirring Yin Qinghe’s heart, unable to calm down.

So bold.

She reminded herself this was forbidden—he was her disciple, Li’Er’s man—but...

Maybe thinking of what Qin Yu was about to face, she hugged him back gently and whispered, "Come back. You must come back."

"I’ll wait for you at home."

Qin Yu smiled, unable to stop himself from reaching out and gently stroking his beautiful Master’s cheek, savoring the softness.

Yin Qinghe glared playfully at him.

This only made Qin Yu’s desire burn hotter, lowering his head to claim her luscious lips.

"Mmm!..."

Yin Qinghe’s eyes went wide.

This rebellious disciple!

"Master, wait for your disciple to return!"

Qin Yu stopped at the right moment; as he released her, he couldn’t help but...

Squeeze once.

Hiss!

Damn, that’s dangerous!

Yin Qinghe glared furiously at the rebellious disciple leaving the courtyard; only after losing sight of him did she withdraw her gaze, muttering softly, "Stupid brat!"

...

At the gates of Lin Xian City, a long line had formed.

Qin Yu scanned the crowd, seeing people of all ages, men and women alike, most with low cultivation—some even ordinary mortals.

All abandoned people.

Maybe a few volunteers like Qin Yu himself, but surely very few.

Everyone needed to register.

What surprised Qin Yu was, Hundred Sword Sect didn’t seem to care even for those mortals without cultivation.

To them, loose cultivators and mortals were no different.

They lounged nearby, laughing and chatting, occasionally glancing at the crowd, eyes full of mockery—as if watching livestock.

And standing among them was a striking figure: straight as a pine, eyes closed yet radiating a sharp, dangerous aura.

"A Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator?!"

In the crowd, Qin Yu glanced over, immediately retracting his gaze and secretly calculating.

This was his first time so close to a Foundation Establishment Stage Great Cultivator. Even without any spiritual power outward, the man felt like a towering mountain, impossible to resist or approach.

Facing such a great cultivator, the loose cultivators around him—some solemn, some furtive—but most chose silence and submission.

"The hour is here. You are to follow Hundred Sword Sect to the Ruins Rift. Once inside, you are free—live or die, it’s up to your fate."

About an hour later, as the crowd gathered, Jia Li slowly opened his eyes, voice echoing across the scene.

After speaking—

Without waiting for the crowd to discuss, he continued coldly: "If anyone tries to flee, or incite trouble, don’t blame my sword for being merciless!"

As expected.

Hearing this, many people actually relaxed a bit.

Once you’re inside the Ruins Rift, you can look for a chance to escape—maybe even seize an opportunity and change your fate.

Many grew eager to take their chances.

Only a few, including Qin Yu, sneered internally.

Would Hundred Sword Sect really be so kind?!

But his words did have some effect—if you behaved, you might survive.

"Move out!"

At Jia Li’s command, the crowd moved towards the city outskirts.

Qin Yu carefully watched the Hundred Sword Sect disciples.

He didn’t want to become bait at the Ruins Rift—and Master had said this Ruins Rift felt strange, different from previous descriptions.

Her guess: something unpredictable could happen.

That might explain Hundred Sword Sect’s new approach!

"Bit tricky..."

Qin Yu observed secretly for a long while, frowning slightly.

The Hundred Sword Sect disciples, while seeming lazy, were positioned to encircle the crowd. Anything suspicious would be noticed instantly, with someone rushing over.

No chance to slip away under their noses.

As for causing chaos—

Forget it. Even if he ran, he’d never outrun these disciples, and might just get noticed.

"Never mind. Watch and wait for the right chance."

Qin Yu mused silently.

It’s still three days until the Ruins Rift—there’s time. No need to rush.

Night fell.

Sure enough, someone tried to escape under cover of darkness—but all were killed instantly, even innocent bystanders swept into the bloody whirlpool.

"Anyone who knew and did not report: same guilt!"

These words hit like icy needles, piercing the heart.

In just one night, dozens of cultivators were killed, the air thick with suffocating blood, mixing with the cold murderous aura from Hundred Sword Sect disciples, forming an invisible pressure that left everyone trembling, afraid to speak.

Qin Yu was stunned; Hundred Sword Sect was ruthless, using such carnage as a warning.

From then on, everyone became jittery—watchful eyes darting, ready to turn on anyone whose expression looked wrong.

Qin Yu kept a low profile, blending in; to outsiders, he was nothing more than a Qi Refining Fourth Layer junior cultivator, naturally ignored.

The march went on.

One could already see the rift stretching across heaven and earth.

"Who goes there?!"

Suddenly, Jia Li’s eyes flashed open, gaze sharp as swords, looking towards a distant point in the sky.