Grand Ancestral Bloodlines

Chapter 401: Formation

Ryu felt as though the colors of the world had faded somewhat. Though his Heavenly Pupils weren't too heavily affected, their Ethereal Tapestry ability most certainly was. 

It felt like he had been completely cut off from the outside world. It was truly an odd feeling. 

Liluo's snide remarks rolled off Ryu's shoulders as though they had never been spoken. The latter simply continued to observe the transparent spheres hovering around him with interest. Ryu found this treasure fascinating. 

'It's impossible for such a treasure to exist in the outside world. Cutting off the Heavens? If such a thing was so easy, what use would their be in cultivation realms? One could simply do as they pleased regardless of whether they had the strength to challenge the Laws that governed the world or not. 

'The only explanation is that this is a unique item of Osiris, only possible due to the fact this is a fake world. 

'But, even then…'

The simulation of the feeling was so real that Ryu couldn't help but think of what applications such a treasure could have on his training. 

At this moment, Ryu had reached about 70% control of his body. This was neither not too bad, nor too good. It was only due to his sudden boost in strength that he had dealt with the members of the Deep Valley Team with such ease. 

As expected, the further he progressed, the slower his progress became. But, this treasure, after cutting off his senses, made him feel as though he was more in tuned with his body. It was as though all the noise and interference had been cut from him. 

'Fascinating indeed…'

Liluo's sneer only deepened as he watched Ryu observe his surroundings. In the former's mind, he believed that Ryu was currently trying to find a way to escape. But, unfortunately for him, there was no escape from this encirclement. Ryu's fate was sealed the moment he stepped into this world. 

Let alone getting help, even Grim and Dru who were just a few dozen meters from Ryu couldn't raise a finger to help. There was no one here but the two of them. 

Liluo's palm flipped, causing a spear to appear in his hand. 

He allowed it to angle toward the ground, the grating sound of stone against blade never coming because his spear's tip cut through like a hot knife through butter. 

There was no doubt that this weapon was a higher quality Earth Grade weapon without fail. 

Though Liluo knew he had the upper hand, he still slowly circulated Ryu. 

The fact that Body Realm cultivation was painful and difficult were only two of the reasons not many cultivators traveled far down this path, let alone choosing to use it as their primary source of strength. The last and most important reason was that it simply lacked flexibility. 

Unlike normal Qi, the Vital Qi of the body had to be rooted in the blood and couldn't exist in the atmosphere. As a result, unless one was an archer, there was a very limited range to Body Realm cultivation arts. 

This was why Liluo had reacted positively to Ryu's lightning. Often, to make up for this weakness, Body Realm Cultivators relied on comprehension of Inheritances even more so than Qi Realm cultivators did. However, with this seal up, Ryu wouldn't be able to access any of it. 

Ryu finally stopped observing the balls hovering around him and gazed toward Liluo's spear. 

"This treasure must be very valuable in Osiris, hm? Seems to have a time limit of a quarter of an hour, but it also doesn't hinder the caster in anyway."

Ryu seemed to be speaking to Liluo, but the latter could tell he was only really talking to himself. Whether Liluo responded or not had little to nothing to do with him. 

Liluo, though, was startled that Ryu had seen through the limits of this world so easily. He was certain that he hadn't tipped his hand. Plus, Ryu should have been distracted just moments ago while he was deploying the core of the formation. 

"You could increase the efficiency of this formation by at least 500%."

Liluo's pupils constricted. He hadn't mentioned that it was a formation aloud either. 

Of course, how could he know that as an Origin Grade Ruin Master, Ryu was no worse than any Origin Grade Formation Master in analyzing formations even if he wasn't proficient in deploying them. In fact, if Ryu simply put some effort into learning, his progress as a Formation Master would only be able to be described as blazing. 

"Alright, seems that's all there is to it." Ryu's unfocused gaze returned to normal. 

Liluo felt as though he had been locked onto by a wild beast. His blood ran cold, his nerves frying at their edges. 

Ryu shot forward, the lightning that crackled around his body reaching a level of sharpness it never had before. 

"That's impossible!" Liluo's eyes widened. 

But, Ryu was already before him, inwardly shaking his head. 

Cutting off his access to his Inheritances? That was fine. But, what use was that against a man formed of lightning?

To make matters worse, even if he didn't have a Spirit Body…

An eruption of dark gold qi shot from Ryu's body. The gravity around him seemed to multiply over by a factor of ten, almost dropping Liluo to his knees. 

"How can you use qi?!"

Liluo had no choice but to quickly counter with his spear. But, in Ryu's eyes, the action was full of loopholes. What weapon could he possibly be more familiar with in comparison to the spear? He had lost count of the number of time he had brandished this weapon. In his view, Liluo was no different from a floundering child. 

But, how could he not be? Liluo, despite being a Ninth Grade Immortal Ring expert, hadn't even stepped into the Rule Realm yet. This was how difficult it was to progress in one's Inheritances. 

Ryu's feet slid forward in a clean [Advance].

His right arm flicked upward, sliding across Liluo's attack with a swift [Skim]. His level of control was simply immaculate, to be able to move such heavy and large weapons with such nimbleness was nothing short of a spectacular feat. 

Though Ryu could have taken Liluo's arm at that moment, he refrained from doing so. 

Instead, with movements just as nimble, his wrist shifted, his [Skim] slicing upward in a singular smooth rhythm. 

Ryu felt his bones crackle and pop, easing into his movements with a flexibility far beyond what another could manifest. 

A sharp jolt of pain awoke Liluo to the fact that this was, indeed, not a dream. 

He tried to hurriedly summon his Immortal Ring, having kept it secret so that Ryu wouldn't notice that he wasn't the only one disadvantaged. But, even though he was faster in this regard than those Zu Clan elders, why would Ryu give up an initiative he had already gained?

The flat of Ryu's left blade followed up, smashing against Liluo's side and making him feel as though every bone in his body had been shattered. 

However, before he could fly very far away, Ryu's steps flickered once more, circulating [Fragrant Breeze] as though there were no restrictions around him in the slightest. 

He appeared above Liluo, kicking him down into the ground below. 

All the air in Liluo's lungs flew out along with a mouthful of blood, his body betraying the pain he was under. 

Ryu stood above him, both blades on either side of the latter's head.