Chapter 97: Chapter 95: Shuishui Is All Grown Up

It’s been over a month since the Ruins Rift appeared.

According to the ancient texts, when a Ruins Rift first shows up, it lasts only about three to four days. As time progresses, its presence continues longer.

This implies opportunity.

Yet it might also mean...

Crisis.

When the Ruins Rift initially appeared in the Lin Xian City region, hardly any cultivators paid attention. The Immortal Sect even sent people to investigate only half a month later.

It shows that the Immortal Sect did not prioritize it at first.

Moreover, a strange red mist overflowed from within, causing cultivators to hesitate in taking unnecessary risks.

At the time, the Cyan Mountain Sect’s Inner Sect Elder, Liu Zixiao, took a look possibly out of concern for Saintess Su Xiyue but did not venture inside.

Now, thousands of loose cultivators have gathered around the Ruins Rift.

It’s been over a month, and there is still no sign of the Ruins Rift closing. Those loose cultivators finally couldn’t hold back and began to gradually approach the edge of the Rift.

The disciples of the Cyan Mountain Sect stood nearby without approaching, seemingly waiting for something.

Seeing these loose cultivators getting closer to the Ruins Rift, they did not offer any warnings.

While unlike the Hundred Sword Sect, which treats human life lightly, they remain aloof, disinclined to engage with the loose cultivators.

Now seeing some proactively testing the Rift, they naturally didn’t stop them, instead showing an air of watching a performance.

Quickly, a cultivator bravely approached within ten feet of the Ruins Rift.

Swoosh...

Suddenly, a thick, dense blood-red mist spread from the huge Ruins Rift, like the vengeful souls of the Land of the Netherworld, with a devouring momentum, fiercely lunging at the cultivators in front. Each wisp of mist seemed like a sharp claw aiming to tear the air and seize the living souls.

This unexpected scene shocked everyone pale, fear freezing their veins like ice, seemingly binding them in invisible shackles, bodies stiff, souls quivering, even the slightest thought of escape vanished under the terrifying aura.

However, just as everyone thought those few would perish on the spot, the red mist dissipated like smoke before completely reaching them.

"Hah..."

They breathed heavily, though frightened with cold sweat, yet even more excited, possibly feeling that the red mist wasn’t all that daunting.

An elderly cultivator first took action, nearing again, up to the Ruins Rift, and the red mist did not appear.

Seeing this, many were instantly tempted, as entering the Ruins Rift, even gaining a slight chance, would be enough for these loose cultivators to defy destiny and change their fate.

"Roar—!"

However, just as everyone was eager to try, suddenly, a soul-stirring beast roar emanated from the Rift, and in the next moment, everyone witnessed an unforgettable sight.

A massive beast claw abruptly stretched out from the Rift, like a mountain fiercely slapping down, in just an instant, turning several front cultivators into blood mist.

Afterward, the beast claw, dragging the blood mist, slowly withdrew into the Rift, as if nothing had happened, except the air still heavy with the stench of blood.

Soon, an unnerving sound of chewing emanated from deep within the Rift, like the crunching of bones.

Everything happened too fast, most cultivators hadn’t even reacted yet.

Those who did react involuntarily gasped, fear flooding their hearts like tides.

"Ruins, Ruins Beast..."

They knew the Rift housed a Ruins Beast, but the aura of this beast suffocated everyone.

Even the Cyan Mountain Sect disciples couldn’t ignore it, every person’s expression marked with unprecedented gravity.

However, what terrified them most was that the Ruins Beast could pass through the spatial constriction of the Rift.

This had never happened before!

Though the beast claw revealed only part of its ferocity, not its full form, it was enough to chill everyone present.

If the beast claw can breach the spatial barrier, does it mean the Ruins Beast’s body can directly descend?!

Just because it hasn’t happened before doesn’t mean it won’t happen.

Of course, every event has two sides. If the Ruins Beast can cross barriers, doesn’t it suggest the Rift is relatively stable?

For many powerful cultivators, they’re not unwilling to explore the Rift. The truth is the Rift’s instability deters them; stepping inside, if the space closes suddenly, they risk becoming eternal prisoners with no way back.

If the Rift is stable, once the Ruins Beast is slain, they can venture inside to explore.

So, whether good or bad, no one could say for sure then.

A few days later, news quickly spread to Lin Xian City!

Qin Yu, upon hearing, was shocked yet somewhat relieved.

At the same time, he was more determined to avoid joining the excitement!

Immortal fate, he had no need for it; for him, finding an Innate Sacred Body was more practical.

Yet currently, he didn’t even know the features of the other nine Innate Sacred Bodies, so there was nowhere to start.

"Brother-in-law, can the Ruins Beast really come out of the Rift?"

Lin Shuishui nestled beside Qin Yu, hands unconsciously wrapping tightly around his arm, just hearing the descriptions from the beautiful Master outside filled her with immense dread towards the unknown beast.

Qin Yu, with a solemn expression, rubbed Lin Shuishui’s head, comforting her, "Don’t be afraid. Even if it comes out, aren’t there Immortal Sect cultivators guarding it?"

Though he said so, plans were already forming in his mind. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

He vaguely felt that the seemingly harmless red mist was not as simple as it looked. Perhaps, the Rift persisted due to the red mist.

It’s feared that the Rift might exist for a while longer.

He couldn’t rely on the Immortal Sect cultivators for safety. If the Ruins Beast descends and they can’t fend it off, the nearest Lin Xian City might bear the brunt.

He must leave here as soon as possible.

The First Layer Pure Yang Divine Body almost granted him peak Qi Refining prowess; what if he reached the Second Layer?!

He might just have to trouble his delicate wife, Lin Qianqian.

Receiving Qin Yu’s reassurance, Lin Shuishui relaxed, beamed with renewed cheer, snuggling completely into Qin Yu’s embrace, her voice tinged with a bit of coyness and anticipation, "Brother-in-law, when will you help Shuishui enhance her Root Bone?"

"Uh... when you grow up!"

Qin Yu felt helpless.

The little girl was persistent about this, especially these days, she grew increasingly fond of him, pouncing on him whenever they met, refusing to leave his embrace.

Consequently, every night, he needed to coax Lin Shuishui to sleep first before freeing himself to do other things.

"What’s small about me?"

Lin Shuishui was displeased, even comparing herself with Zhao Mengli, "Li’Er sister isn’t much older than Shuishui either!"