Chapter 589: Bones Vanished

Fan Yao's screams still echoed through the ancient forest.

In the massive crater, Zhou Yuan gazed indifferently at the huge fissure on the ground before him. A moment later, the ochre color in his eyes began to fade, and the ochre crystalline layer on his arm also dissipated.

Rip! As the power within him receded, Zhou Yuan's expression suddenly changed. Streaks of blood appeared sharply on the surface of his body, indicating torn flesh.

An indescribable sharp pain surged, especially in his right arm. His skin had been torn into shreds, and blood gushed out, flowing like water from his fingertips.

Zhou Yuan grimaced in pain. He knew the immense power that had surged through him earlier was too much for his physical body to bear, resulting in his injuries.

It was fortunate, however, that he had cultivated the Minor Profound Sacred Body to a certain degree. Otherwise, he likely wouldn't have been able to unleash that power at all, and his body would have simply given out.

Just as the intense pain continued to surge through him, ancient emerald-green patterns suddenly appeared on the surface of Zhou Yuan's body. Vibrant life energy emanated from them, flowing into his flesh.

Soon, the tearing of his flesh was halted. The emerald light spread, and the severe pain gradually receded. Zhou Yuan felt control over his physical body return to him once more.

"Taiyi Azure Wood Mark!" Zhou Yuan exclaimed in surprise. These emerald-green ancient patterns were precisely the Taiyi Azure Wood Mark he had cultivated previously.

The Taiyi Azure Wood Mark could draw life energy from external sources to repair the physical body, making it perfectly suited for healing such severe injuries at this moment.

In just a few dozen breaths, the rather gruesome wounds on Zhou Yuan's body were completely healed. His Genesis Qi inside subtly vibrated, and the blood scabs also dissipated. At this moment, he appeared completely unharmed, showing no signs of having just endured a fierce battle.

Zhou Yuan felt relieved. Although the Taiyi Azure Wood Mark offered no direct combat power, its potent life force and restorative ability were, in Zhou Yuan's opinion, no less valuable than the Seven Cangxuan Arts.

Just as in the current situation, although he had slain Fan Yao, the area remained chaotic. If he were to be incapacitated here due to the physical backlash, it would certainly not be good news.

"This Earth Saint Rune is truly terrifying..." Zhou Yuan lowered his head, gazing at his palm where the Earth Saint Rune gradually receded into his flesh. Yet, his eyes were filled with awe.

In that previous moment, he was keenly aware of how astonishing the ochre Genesis Qi that had surged into his body was.

It was Earth Genesis Qi, a highly unique and incredibly dense form of Genesis Qi hidden deep within the earth. Ordinary people found it almost impossible to mobilize, but with the Earth Saint Rune, one could harness the Earth Genesis Qi from the surrounding ground simply by standing on it.

However, it was precisely because this Earth Genesis Qi was so incredibly dense that it placed such a heavy burden on his physical body.

Moreover, Zhou Yuan could sense that this was not the Earth Saint Rune's limit; its true power was greatly restricted by his current level of strength.

Zhou Yuan imagined that if one day his strength reached a certain level, he might even be able to mobilize the Earth Genesis Qi contained within an entire continent.

Such power would be truly world-shattering, beyond imagination.

"This truly lives up to being the power of a Saint Rune..." Zhou Yuan mused to himself. The Boundary-Breaking Saint Rune he had obtained previously was more functional; though incredibly mystical, its enhancement to combat power wasn't particularly obvious.

Consequently, Zhou Yuan had always felt that these four Saint Runes were somewhat overrated.

Until he witnessed the power of the Earth Saint Rune this time...

"It's your fortune to die by the Earth Saint Rune," Zhou Yuan said with a faint smile, gazing at the fissure on the ground. He admitted to himself that he had actually wanted to test out the Earth Saint Rune this time; in a way, it was like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Zhou Yuan's body slowly rose from the massive crater. Behind him, the sounds of rushing wind grew louder as various factions finally arrived.

As they arrived, they witnessed the utter devastation across the vast forest.

The seemingly endless forest was torn by huge, savage, and terrifying fissures, making it difficult to imagine the ferocity of the battle that had occurred here.

As a result, various figures stood somewhat dumbfounded on the treetops, not daring to advance further. They had only arrived a moment late, yet a confrontation of this magnitude had already concluded here?

"What's the situation of the battle?" "I don't know, I don't see Fan Yao..." "What exactly happened?"

The various factions whispered among themselves, their eyes filled with surprise and doubt. All they could see was Zhou Yuan's figure, while Fan Yao was nowhere to be found.

Tang Xiaoyan and Jin Zhang, along with their disciples, rushed over. From another direction came Wang Yuan and the disciples of the Sacred Palace.

Clearly, they all understood the significance of the battle between Zhou Yuan and Fan Yao. The outcome, regardless of who won or lost, would have a decisive impact, so they needed to know immediately.

However, judging by their expressions, Tang Xiaoyan and Jin Zhang appeared far more anxious. They had, after all, clearly witnessed Zhou Yuan being chased and fleeing earlier, and Fan Yao in that state had been truly terrifying.

But upon arriving, they too were surprised and puzzled. They only saw Zhou Yuan's figure, and there was no trace of Fan Yao's Genesis Qi fluctuations.

They exchanged bewildered glances.

"Where's Fan Yao?" Tang Xiaoyan whispered.

Jin Zhang also shook his head. They exchanged glances, a possibility dawning on them, but they rationally dismissed it at once.

"Zhou Yuan! Where is Chief Fan Yao?!" At that moment, Wang Yuan scanned the area before roaring.

Zhou Yuan glanced at him and said nonchalantly, "He's probably dead."

Wang Yuan was startled, then sneered, "Kid, have you been beaten senseless?!"

The others also burst into laughter. Just moments ago, Zhou Yuan had been fleeing in disarray, yet now he dared to spout such nonsense.

Even the Cangxuan Sect disciples flushed slightly, finding Zhou Yuan's claim a bit too far-fetched.

Seeing their reactions, Zhou Yuan merely smiled and said nothing more. With a wave of his sleeve, a golden Genesis Qi swept out, hurtling into the flattened forest in the distance.

A few dozen breaths later, the Genesis Qi swept back, and a white bone demon claw staff was in Zhou Yuan's hand—precisely the low-grade Heavenly Genesis Weapon that Fan Yao had wielded!

He casually twirled it, then raised it and pointed it directly at the sneering Wang Yuan.

"This thing... I suppose it's a memento?"

His faint laughter spread, and the general laughter in the air gradually faded away.

Wang Yuan stared at the bone staff in Zhou Yuan's hand, and the sneer on his face slowly froze.

Tang Xiaoyan and Jin Zhang's eyes widened in utter shock.

The various factions stood stiffly in place, as if struck by lightning, their faces aghast as if they had seen a ghost.

The atmosphere of the entire area seemed to freeze at that moment.