Facing the Abyss as a Demon Cultivator

As Chu Xiu focused his thoughts, the bones on the ground began to melt, their essence flowing into and strengthening the Bone Yin Soul Banner. In a short while, the banner had been enhanced to +4!

A +4 Bone Yin Soul Banner could hold up to 120 souls!

With a wave of his hand, Chu Xiu drew in all the ghoul souls within the room, absorbing them into the banner.

【Space Occupied: 112/120】

"Enough."

A look of anticipation flashed across Chu Xiu's eyes as he activated Perfect Refinement once more!

He could sense the countless souls within the banner being driven by an unknown force, growing restless and frenzied. They began to attack and devour each other!

The victors would consume the essence of the defeated, becoming even more powerful!

As this relentless slaughter continued, the number of souls within the banner dwindled, while the remaining ones grew increasingly formidable.

Finally, only one soul remained. Having devoured countless others, it seemed to have broken through some kind of limit, evolving into a higher level of existence!

"Roar!!!"

A sharp howl erupted from within the banner. Then, as if sweeping away all obstacles, a terrifying creature emerged.

【Yin Ghost】

【Tier】Mortal Tier Level 7

【Attributes】Strength 0, Spirit 9.5, Energy Level 10.5

【Skills】Shadow Wind Blade (Proficient), Life Drain (Beginner)

【Trait】Soul Form (Significantly reduces physical damage. Attributes decrease under direct sunlight.)

【Talent】Manifestation (Transforms into a physical form, losing the Soul Form trait and gaining the Sharp Claws trait. Loses the Life Drain skill and gains the Powerful Claw Strike skill. Shadow Wind Blade skill level increases to Minor Completion. Strength +12.4)

"Mortal Tier Level 7!"

Chu Xiu's eyes widened in delight!

With a wave of his hand, a hazy, translucent figure appeared before him.

The creature was practically invisible unless observed closely. Touching it felt like encountering a strange resistance, yet one could still pass right through it with a bit of force.

"This is Soul Form! Attacks from swords and blades would pass right through, causing minimal damage!"

"And in Soul Form, it can utilize two powerful skills!"

"Although there's a downside of weakened attributes during the day, it doesn't affect its overall strength!"

At the Proficient level, Shadow Wind Blade could unleash a satisfying amount of power once fully charged. Ordinary flesh and blood wouldn't be able to withstand it.

The other skill, Life Drain, was even more potent, proving extremely effective against smaller creatures.

And once its energy was depleted...it could transform into a physical form for combat!

With a thought from Chu Xiu, the hazy Yin Ghost began to solidify. In less than a second, it had a physical body!

It was a being shrouded in grey mist, its withered limbs resembling ancient wood, occasionally revealed during movement. At first glance, it resembled a dried corpse, yet its entire body was pitch black, giving off an eerie sense of solidity.

At the ends of its arms were a pair of claws far larger than any human's. Its nails, over 20 centimeters long, were like five sharp blades.

"Most of the Yin Ghost's power is concentrated in its claws. This is the origin of the Sharp Claws trait, and it's the Yin Ghost's most potent weapon in its physical form."

"Coupled with its 12.4 Strength and the Powerful Claw Strike skill, one strike could tear apart the door of a cheap car! Ordinary iron armor is nothing but paper in front of it!"

The more Chu Xiu observed, the more delighted he became.

The Yin Ghost's power far exceeded his expectations!

During previous battles, Chu Xiu had used his Ghostly Eyes to scan those black-furred ghouls. Those creatures were Mortal Tier Level 3, their Strength ranging from 4.0 to 5.0. The Yin Ghost's Strength was almost three times theirs!

Not to mention, the Yin Ghost possessed two skills and a trait in both forms!

"If I'm not mistaken, this Yin Ghost should be considered a top-tier combatant even among Mortal Tier Level 7 monsters."

Even within the same tier, combat strength could vary significantly. For example, Awakened were generally stronger than monsters of the same tier, and those with higher-grade professions were naturally stronger than those with lower-grade ones.

The Yin Ghost's combat strength should surpass that of most ordinary Mortal Tier Level 7 monsters!

"As expected of a Demonic Path secret technique!"

Chu Xiu felt that all his efforts had been worthwhile.

"And this is far from the limit of the Bone Yin Soul Banner!"

Much of the inherited knowledge didn't appear on the system panel but went directly into Chu Xiu's mind.

The Yin Ghost's strength could continue to grow by devouring more souls, reaching Level 8 or even Level 9 for those with greater potential! And once the Bone Yin Soul Banner was fully refined, its internal space could accommodate up to ten Yin Ghosts!

Not only would so many Yin Ghosts possess formidable strength, but Chu Xiu could even force them to self-destruct, unleashing immense power in a short amount of time.

"By then, at least within the Mortal Tier, I should be able to walk sideways with nothing to fear," Chu Xiu thought to himself with satisfaction.

Having gained such a powerful trump card, Chu Xiu was in high spirits. Tonight's hunting expedition could be considered a complete success.

"I'll go back and get some good rest to replenish my energy. I'll continue tomorrow!"

Chu Xiu felt that the future was full of promise.

But just as he was about to head back, a soft sound suddenly came from outside the door, followed by a blurry red figure flashing past!

Chu Xiu's heart instantly rang with alarm bells, but before he could react, he saw a grey shadow flash before his eyes, and his entire body was sent flying!

It wasn't until he crashed to the ground that he felt a sharp pain in his chest!

Looking down, he saw that his white bone chestplate was covered in spiderweb-like cracks!

Chu Xiu's eyes widened in disbelief!

One must know that the chest was the most heavily armored part of the armor! Even a military handgun shouldn't be able to inflict such damage on a +6 bone armor!

Before he could recover from the shock, a sharp whistling sound pierced his ears!

Looking up, a crimson figure had already appeared at the door, rapidly approaching!

Unable to make out the attacker's appearance, Chu Xiu's eyes only registered a blur of scarlet fur, like a flame flickering in the darkness!

Before he could think, his body reacted instinctively. He kicked back, sending the wooden sofa by the balcony flying. The climbing rope tied around his waist instantly retracted!

At the same time, a Shadow Wind Blade condensed in his left hand, fully charged in less than a second and shot towards the figure rushing at him.

But Chu Xiu only saw the crimson figure blur for a moment before dodging the Shadow Wind Blade's attack with a sidestep, its speed undiminished!

In that critical moment, Chu Xiu let out an angry roar. The newly refined Yin Ghost materialized in front of him, pouncing towards the figure!

"Bang!"

A loud crash echoed through the room, dust scattering everywhere from the impact. Chu Xiu had no time to observe the situation. The climbing rope had retracted to its limit, and the moment it was taut, he leaped from the balcony, his body swiftly ascending as the rope pulled him up!

In the last moment before he completely left the room, Chu Xiu's Ghostly Eyes provided him with data.

【Type 004 Ghoul - Mutated (Elite)】

【Tier】Mortal Tier Level 6

【Attributes】Strength 20.8, Spirit ?, Energy Level ?

【Skills】???

【Traits】Ghoulification, ???

【Talent】Blood Moon Frenzy (Under the light of the blood moon, strength, aggression, and reflexes are greatly enhanced. After killing a creature, enters a Frenzy state, further increasing enhancements and rapidly restoring health and stamina.)
(End of Chapter)