Who knows how much time had passed before that fierce aura spanning heaven and earth gradually dissipated.
The Ruins Beasts, once extremely wary, seemed to have forgotten their previous terror, gathering again in sparse clusters.
Qin Yu hadn’t expected these Ruins Beasts to be so persistent.
What kind of temptation could make these Ruins Beasts lose all reason?
The Empress did not intervene again—she only swept her gaze across this vast world from time to time, vigilant for any Half-Venerable Ruins Beast lurking in the shadows, ready to strike.
The aftermath of the previous fierce battle was like a chasm in the sky, filling Ruins Beasts above Level Five with despair; they seemed to sense an insurmountable presence in the air. Thus, even when a Ruins Beast appeared, it was always cautious and timid, not able to form any threat—only some Level Four beasts showed up.
Naturally, Qin Yu wouldn’t let this opportunity slip by. In his hand, the Divine Sword unleashed its mighty power, constantly harvesting these Ruins Beasts.
[Purifying Fear Spirit +1000]
[Purifying Fear Spirit +1000]
[...]
Before the Ruins Rift closed, every Ruins Beast slayed brought more security for Mountain Miao Hall in times ahead.
At the same time, Qin Yu also harvested a wave of Flame Points.
About half a day passed.
Qin Yu suddenly realized that the Ruins Beasts which kept arriving in small groups were now nowhere to be seen.
In this unknown grey-white world, nobody knows what dangers lie within. He dared not venture too far, especially since the savagery of that Half-Venerable Ruins Beast was still fresh in his memory.
"Hmm?"
Just as Qin Yu lamented that perhaps no Ruins Beast would approach again, the Empress seemed to sense a subtle fluctuation—her gaze suddenly sharpened, divine light flashing, as if wielding insight that could penetrate the mysteries of heaven and earth.
"What is it?"
Simultaneously, a sense of unprecedented danger surged in Qin Yu’s mind, making every hair on his body stand on end. An ancient and ferocious aura spread from the void, shrouding everything.
"Be careful!"
The Empress’s expression changed slightly; her cool voice cut through the air, carrying unquestionable warning.
In just a fleeting instant, Qin Yu felt a surge of negative emotion rise in his heart. Without any hesitation, he focused his mind and instantly dove into his Lifebound Space.
On the Nascent Soul, radiant luster surged, dispelling the negative feelings from his heart.
"Another Half-Venerable Ruins Beast?"
Qin Yu took a deep breath, feeling some lingering fear. Unknowingly, cold sweat had soaked his back.
The next moment, through the luminous screen of his Lifebound Space, he was startled to find a shadowy black mass had appeared in the grey-white sky at some unknown time.
Could it be that because of this thing’s arrival, those Level Four Ruins Beasts stopped approaching?
The Empress, usually aloof, now wore a grave expression. Brilliant golden thunder and light intertwined around her, as if she were a deity descending from the Ninth Heaven—her majesty unassailable, her aura vast and formidable.
The slowly drifting black shadow at last revealed its true form—
It was a colossal creature, over a hundred zhang long, tiger-shaped but not of this world. Among Ruins Beasts, it was a terrifying existence. Its body was coated in crystalline armor, each plate seeming alive, inscribed with twisted faces of writhing souls—tragic, despairing, as if they could pierce space and strike directly at the onlooker’s spirit.
"Taowu?"
Qin Yu whispered in shock, his voice tremulous with disbelief.
Even briefly glancing at the soul faces on those armor plates, his mind felt clenched by an invisible hand. An ineffable chill and terror spread quietly within.
What truly shocked him was that this Ruins Beast closely resembled the ancient ferocious beast Taowu he had seen in old records.
"Encounter Taowu, and you still managed to escape back here?"
"This is a Tasha!"
At this moment, Tu Yaoyao’s voice sounded behind him.
Inside the Lifebound Space, Tu Yaoyao’s perception was seemingly unrestricted; every time Qin Yu appeared, she could sense him instantly.
"Tasha?"
Qin Yu frowned slightly—he had never heard of such a beast.
"I’ve only seen it recorded in my clan’s archives. It bears the bloodline of Taotie and Taowu: savage and vicious by nature."
"Strange, how did you encounter such a monstrous beast?"
Tu Yaoyao was a bit surprised; when she glanced clearly at the grey-white world outside the screen, a hint of astonishment flashed across her flawless face: "Is this... you and Emperor Yan entered the Ruins Rift?"
Qin Yu quickly explained the situation to Tu Yaoyao, his gaze locked tightly on the external screen.
"Black Soul Hall again!"
Tu Yaoyao’s brows gathered in a faint crease as she gazed at that ominous beast shadow outside, her expression grim.
She truly didn’t know what Emperor Yan and Qin Yu had done to make Black Soul Hall so meticulously vengeful.
Black Soul Hall’s methods are sinister, yet not invincible.
In this world, there’s more than just the Nine Immortal Countries seeking to annihilate them.
The more they act, the greater their danger; as soon as they make a move, traces will inevitably be left.
Perhaps, one day, the Black Soul Hall that has troubled the Nine Immortal Countries will be forever erased from the river of time.
"How powerful is this Tasha?"
Qin Yu gazed worriedly at that awe-inspiring figure outside and asked.
"Half-Venerable Realm, I suppose."
Tu Yaoyao said blandly, glancing at Qin Yu, "You’d better not run out there. Tasha, having mastered the Power of Origin, can affect the minds of other beings invisibly—inducing extreme negative emotions; those without high enough cultivation can descend straight into madness, possibly leaving permanent mental corruption."
Hearing this, Qin Yu’s face grew solemn.
If the Empress hadn’t kept an eye on him and warned him just now, he might have been contaminated in a single instant.
"Will Her Majesty be alright?"
Anxious, Qin Yu asked.
"You really underestimate Emperor Yan. She possesses dual Gold and Thunder Origin, and among the Half-Venerables, there are few who could threaten her."
Tu Yaoyao stretched lazily, her eyes flickering toward Qin Yu from the corners.
This guy—his own strength not great, yet worried for Emperor Yan?
Heh!
For Emperor Yan, he’s truly loyal and righteous!
Honestly speaking—
Tu Yaoyao felt a bit jealous!
If only "I" could receive such respect—why must it always come via equal exchange?
"That’s good."
Feeling reassured by these words, Qin Yu finally breathed easy.
"Still, it won’t be easy for Emperor Yan to deal with Tasha."
Tu Yaoyao paused, then said, "Tasha possesses an ancient ferocious beast bloodline; beneath Venerable Realm, few can threaten it—unless..."
"Unless what?"
Qin Yu’s expression tightened as he asked.
Behind this Ruins Rift was the territory of Mountain Miao Hall.
With the Empress’s disposition, she would never permit such dangerous threats to remain in this Ruins Rift.
"Simple—bloodline suppression."
Tu Yaoyao pursed her lips, casting a glance at the little clown chicken snoring nearby.
"Bloodline suppression?"
Qin Yu frowned.
The clown chicken came from the Endless Fire Domain, born from a mysterious egg atop the Parasol Divine Tree.
Although it still looked a bit ugly, judging from the sheen of its feathers, its bloodline was noble—very likely a legendary Phoenix!
Yet, the clown chicken had only just hatched, still in its sleep-heavy infancy.
Letting it face the Half-Venerable Tasha outside?
It’s so small, barely enough to fill the gaps between that thing’s teeth!
Isn’t this the same as delivering food?
Qin Yu shook his head and looked at Tu Yaoyao.
"Don’t look at me—I can’t handle it either."
Tu Yaoyao glared at him.
Even at the Half-Venerable Realm—if she were the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox, a single tail could tear Tasha apart.
But she was only at Five Tails. Even with the Warm Current, at this rate, it might take at least twenty years to advance to Six-tailed.
"What if you and Her Majesty strike together?"
Qin Yu asked curiously.
"Impossible! I would never cooperate with Emperor Yan."
Tu Yaoyao did not hesitate, flatly refusing.
She resisted interaction with any other race; it was only because Qin Yu experienced the Celestial Tribulation that she restrained her antipathy and brought Tu Jiujiu to the Great Yan Imperial Capital.
Spending time with Qin Yu—only because Tu Jiujiu disappeared.
As for what happened afterward...
That wasn’t by her own will; the great Clan Leader was forced by this despicable fellow.
"Even if I did team up with Emperor Yan, without bloodline suppression, Tasha can’t be slain."
For some reason, Tu Yaoyao couldn’t help adding a final explanation.
"It’s that strong?"
Qin Yu frowned, incredulous.
Two Half-Venerables, unable to deal with a single Ruins Beast?
Impossible!
Tu Yaoyao didn’t explain further—is it really a matter of strength?
Forget it; he wouldn’t understand how terrifying ancient ferocious beast bloodlines are anyway.
Outside.
The Empress’s gaze was sharp as a torch, locking onto the Ruins Beast opposite; a profound, unfathomable force naturally encircled her.
In that instant, she seemed to transform into the sole Dominator of the vast world—anything daring to stir the waters here would face her merciless divine retribution.
Meanwhile, the tiger-shaped but not truly tiger Ruins Beast crouched quietly far from her. In those blood-red eyes, rage and ferocity intertwined, like fiery hell flames stirring in the abyss.
Tasha did not rush to bare its fangs. Instead, it moved in a peculiar rhythm, circling the Empress, those bloodshot eyes scanning the surroundings as if filled with confusion and curiosity—
Why did that tempting aura vanish without a trace in just the blink of an eye?
It could sense that the little one just now...
Was immensely delicious!
"Hmph!"
The Empress’s brows knit in a gentle frown, her left hand instantly clenched into a fist as if mustering the strength of a thousand mountains.
Then, dazzling thunder blazed abruptly; at the same time, a fiercely sharp aura spread through the whole space, making hearts tremble.
Evidently, the Empress had realized that this Tasha, possessed of ancient ferocious beast bloodline, was far stronger than the Half-Venerable giant turtle encountered before.
If she struck, it would be a world-shaking killer move.
"Roar!"
Yet, facing the Empress’s fierce onslaught, Tasha chose not to clash head-on. Its figure sprang backward with uncanny agility; confronted with the sweeping thunder light like a dragon, it opened its massive maw, spewing forth dense Black Qi carrying eerie, deathly silence.