At the foot of the mountain gate of the Blood Demon Sword Sect.
Over a thousand moss-covered steps stretched straight up into the clouds.
Qin Xuan tightened his grip on the blood-red Iron Sword, gazing at the intricate Sword Patterns on its surface as he murmured to himself.
'So, this is the legacy of the Blood Demon Sword Dao?'
Just a moment ago, relying on the power gained from devouring all of Fang Lin's Qi and blood, Qin Xuan and Chen Xuanba had successfully returned to the Sect.
He had to admit, Fang Lin's Qi and blood had been truly abundant.
If it had been anyone else, their power would have been insufficient to cover such a great distance.
Qin Xuan also gained a deeper understanding of his Golden Finger.
'The Blood Sword legacy I obtained is hidden within this blood-red longsword in my hand.'
The Demon Disciples of the Blood Demon Sword Sect were each assigned a Lifebound Iron Sword. These swords held a bloodthirsty secret, allowing them to absorb and convert Qi and Blood Power.
As the Saint Child of the Daoist Sect, Fang Lin's Qi and blood had been as vast as the ocean. It was almost entirely converted and absorbed into the Lifebound Iron Sword, which allowed Qin Xuan to achieve Introducing Qi into the Body and escape to safety with Chen Xuanba.
'I killed the Daoist Sect's Saint Child. From now on, I'll probably be the Righteous Dao's most wanted criminal for the rest of my life...'
Qin Xuan took a deep breath.
Fortunately, after they returned to the Sect, Chen Xuanba didn't even have time to kill him to tie up loose ends. He immediately submerged himself in a gurgling, bubbling pool of crimson blood to recover his Cultivation, simply telling Qin Xuan to take the Iron Sword and go to the mountain gate plaza.
Someone would be there to meet him.
Qin Xuan climbed the steps one by one.
He found a group of shirtless teenagers, all in their early teens, standing in the mountain gate plaza with Iron Swords in hand.
In front of the boys were several bleating Yellow Sheep.
"Oh, another newcomer?"
A Demon in green robes saw the blood-red Iron Sword in Qin Xuan's hand and seemed quite used to the sight.
"Kid, what's your name? Don't be afraid. These are all newcomers who just came up the mountain to join the Holy Sect today. In the future, you'll all become the pillars of our Holy Sect."
The green-robed Demon was very amiable, showing none of the vicious aura expected of a Demon Cultivator.
The group of teenagers to the side also seemed to be getting along joyfully, as if this wasn't a Demon Sect at all, but a truly harmonious and friendly Holy Sect.
Qin Xuan lowered his head submissively. "I am Qin Xuan. Greetings, sir."
"Mm, Qin Xuan..."
The green-robed Demon patted Qin Xuan's shoulder, his eyes lighting up. "You've already activated your Blood Sword and achieved Introducing Qi into the Body? Come forward. Stab this Yellow Sheep to death and let me see if you have the potential to become a Saint."
Qin Xuan picked up the Blood Sword and, with a stiff movement, slit the Yellow Sheep's throat. Crimson blood gushed out, quickly soaking his entire palm.
A scarlet Rune lit up on the sword's blade, and Qin Xuan's face suddenly paled.
He could feel an unparalleled suction force emerge from within the Iron Sword. The gushing crimson blood flowed along the sword's fuller, magically drawn into the blade!
"Not bad, not bad. Just keep it like that."
The green-robed Demon nodded in satisfaction. "As Saints, if you wish to formally become Saint Cultivators, you must begin with bloodlust. Our Sword Sect uses the sword as our foundation and blood as our guide to cultivate the Holy Skill!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Yellow Sheep that had just been bleating stopped breathing. Its flesh shriveled rapidly, and soon, only skin and bones remained.
At the same time, a surge of pure power flowed back through the Iron Sword. Qin Xuan felt his spirits lift as his Cultivation advanced slightly.
'Is this the power of the Holy Skill? It's so strong.'
The other boys were clearly different from Qin Xuan. Having just experienced the Holy Skill for the first time, they exchanged glances, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief.
Soon, this shock was replaced by the joy of their increased Cultivation.
'The Holy Sect is truly powerful! The Daoist Sect rejected us because our Five Spirit Roots made our cultivation too slow, but the Holy Sect has a way for us to cultivate!'
Qin Xuan shot the boys a pitying glance.
'How pathetic. They don't even know they've joined the Demon Sect. What kind of Holy Sect would have you openly devour blood to cultivate?!'
"Work hard. For now, you are only Saints at the Qi Cultivation First Layer, having just completed Introducing Qi into the Body. Once you break through to the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer and formally become Copper Sword Saint Cultivators, you'll get to taste Spiritual Blood. Then, your Cultivation will advance even faster!"
The green-robed Demon waved his wide sleeve, and a gust of foul-smelling wind kicked up, instantly sweeping away the dozens of Yellow Sheep carcasses that were now just skin and bones.
Just then, someone suddenly ran up to the green-robed Demon and whispered something in his ear.
The green-robed Demon frowned slightly, but then a wild smile crept across his lips.
"You little brats are in luck. A Cyan Moon Demon Wolf at the Qi Cultivation Third Layer has appeared in June Valley, just outside the Sect. Its Demon Blood is hundreds of times more valuable than the ordinary Yellow Sheep you have here. Anyone who wants to go, follow me."
"After you've finished drinking the Demon Wolf's blood, you should reach the Qi Cultivation Second Layer. Then you can go to the Scripture Pavilion to choose a Divine Technique or Skill!"
Upon hearing they could choose Divine Techniques at the Qi Cultivation Second Layer, the surrounding Demon Disciples were all eager, scrambling to be the first to go.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As disciples of the Holy Blood Sword Sect cultivating the Holy Blood Sword Scripture, devouring blood wasn't the only way to raise their Cultivation.
"Brother, are you going?" a Demon Disciple named Qian Kai urged from the side.
Qin Xuan hesitated for a moment. Suddenly, a massive ball of light flashed in his mind, and three bamboo slips flew out.
[Top-Top Lottery: Remain in the Outer Sect plaza, continue to devour the blood of the Yellow Sheep, and refuse to go to June Valley. You will obtain a Seventh-Grade Opportunity. Safe and harmless. Greatly auspicious.]
[Middle-Upper Draw: Go to June Valley, get lost along the way, and wander into Liuyun Stream. Find a red fruit tree. You will obtain a Ninth-Grade Opportunity, but there will be endless trouble later. Neutral.]
[The Worst Draw: Go enthusiastically to June Valley to besiege the Cyan Moon Demon Wolf. You will not obtain the opportunity, and your life will be in danger. Inauspicious.]
'The Golden Finger is warning me?'
'I can't go to June Valley!'
Qin Xuan replied, "No thanks. There are still three Yellow Sheep here whose blood I haven't drained. I'll go after I'm done with them."
Everyone burst into laughter.
"Brother, you're obviously a timid newcomer. What are you thinking? A Steward is helping us kill a Demon Beast, and you're still worried about these worthless Yellow Sheep?"
"A single drop of a Cyan Moon Demon Wolf's blood is worth ten Yellow Sheep!"
"Forget it, forget it. If he's not going, let's go!" Qian Kai raised a hand, and the crowd surged forward, all heading down the mountain.
The air was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.
Qin Xuan smiled faintly and didn't bother to explain.
He picked up a nearby silk cloth to gently wipe the bloodstains from his Iron Sword, then plunged it into the body of another bleating Yellow Sheep.
An arrow of blood shot out, splattering crimson across Qin Xuan's face.
The Yellow Sheep's Vitality gradually faded away as a stream of pure power surged into his Dantian, causing his Cultivation to advance slightly once more.
'No wonder the Golden Finger wanted me to cultivate a Demon Skill... At this rate, I'll probably break through to the Qi Cultivation Second Layer in a few days. It won't be long before I can reach Foundation Establishment!'
According to the legacy recorded in the Blood Demon Sword Scripture:
The realms for Demon Cultivators also followed the timeless, classic system: Qi Cultivation, Foundation Establishment, Purple Mansion, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Divinity Transformation, Returning Void, Integration, Crossing the Tribulation, and Mahayana.
Currently, Qin Xuan was the weakest of the weak: a Demon Cultivator at the Qi Cultivation First Layer.
At first, he had been resistant to cultivating a Demon Skill.
Now, he felt no resistance at all. Demon Skills really were fast for increasing one's Cultivation!
In just over half a day, he had made almost as much progress as a Righteous Dao cultivator would in three to five months of arduous training.
'Man, this is great!'
'It's just a little bloody. A bit undignified.'
Qin Xuan raised his arm to wipe the warm gore from his face and was about to walk toward the next bleating Yellow Sheep.
THUD!
A silver streak of light fell from the sky, crashing down hard right in front of Qin Xuan.
Taking a closer look, he saw it was a black-robed Demon Cultivator with a Silver Sword, at the Foundation Establishment Stage!
The Black-robed Demon Cultivator was drenched in blood.
"Sir, you..."
Qin Xuan's expression changed drastically, and he hurried forward to support him.
The Black-robed Demon Cultivator's breath was as faint as a thread. He was covered in blood, and the silver longsword in his hand was broken in two, with only half the blade remaining.
His other hand was tightly clutching something.
"Quickly... report to the Sect Leader! Because the Saint Child has fallen... the Daoist Sect has united with the Thirteen Righteous Sects... they intend to attack our Blood Demon Sword Sect... The... the time... GACK!"
The Black-robed Demon Cultivator didn't use the high-sounding "Holy Sect," but properly called it the "Demon Sect." Unfortunately, before he could finish, he spat out a huge mouthful of blood, his head lolled to the side, and he died.
Qin Xuan's heart tightened.
'The Daoist Sect's retaliation came so quickly?!'
'But from the looks of it... the Daoist Sect seems to think Chen Xuanba was the one who killed their Saint Child.'
A red Blood Crystal tumbled out from the Black-robed Demon Cultivator's robes.
A sudden realization struck Qin Xuan.
'This red Blood Crystal is the Seventh-Grade Opportunity mentioned in the Divination!'
A streak of golden light suddenly shot up from within the Sect, clearly drawn by the Black-robed Demon Cultivator.
Without a change in expression, Qin Xuan snatched the red Blood Crystal and tucked it into his robes.
The Golden Finger's warning flashed through his mind.
[Top-Top Lottery: Remain in the Outer Sect plaza, continue to devour the blood of the Yellow Sheep, and refuse to go to June Valley. You will obtain a Seventh-Grade Opportunity. Safe and harmless. Greatly auspicious.]
Soon, someone arrived to deal with the Black-robed Demon Cultivator's corpse.
The newcomer was decisive and ruthless. Without any regard for his fallen sect brother, he immediately summoned a Golden Blood Sword while the body was still warm and plunged it into the Demon Cultivator's heart.
In an instant, the Black-robed Demon Cultivator's full Flesh Body deflated like a punctured ball, shriveling into a desiccated corpse of skin and bones.
"Junior Brother, don't blame your Senior Brother. You could say you've died a worthy death."
The man narrowed his eyes in enjoyment and licked his lips as if savoring the moment. Unhurriedly, he patted down the dried corpse and pulled out a Communication Jade Tube.
He pressed the Jade Tube to the space between his eyebrows. Suddenly, his expression changed dramatically.
Noticing the Jade Tube showed no signs of being opened, he waved his wide sleeve and vanished in a streak of golden light, taking the Black-robed Demon Cultivator's body with him as if he had never been there.
Throughout the entire ordeal, Qin Xuan remained perfectly behaved, standing far to the side with his head lowered obediently.
Only the red Blood Crystal tucked in his robes felt slightly warm.
...