I Have an Omen System-Chapter 35 - 34: Bottom of June Valley

Instructor Li’s aged figure appeared like a phantom.

"Junior Brother Qin, congratulations on advancing to the Seventh Layer of Qi Cultivation."

Qin Xuan lowered his gaze. "You praise me too much, Instructor. I am humbled."

Li Cang waved his hand, a smile that didn’t reach his eyes on his face. "There’s no need for such empty pleasantries. From this day forward, we should address each other as martial brothers."

Zhao Youliang and the other Demon Disciples watched Qin Xuan with envious expressions. They all wished Instructor Li would one day treat them with the same regard.

Li Cang let out a cold snort, and they quickly lowered their heads in fear.

"Where are those two Demon Pups, Chen He and Zhou Kai?"

"Greetings, Instructor."

The two of them stepped out from the crowd of Demon Disciples, their movements as stiff as walking corpses.

Qin Xuan glanced over at them.

Zhou Kai had only just managed to break through to the Fifth Layer of Qi Cultivation. Chen He, on the other hand, the burly, dark-faced man built like an iron pagoda, had already reached the Sixth Layer of Qi Cultivation.

This took Qin Xuan by surprise.

"You three, follow me."

...

The day of the Blood Pool Trial arrived as scheduled.

Unfortunately, during these past few days, Zhao Youliang’s Cultivation had only reached the Fourth Layer of Qi Cultivation, so he would have to wait for the next Blood Pool Trial to participate.

Led by Instructor Li, Qin Xuan arrived above June Valley.

An Array flared with brilliant light, and an endless abyss brimming with Blood Qi suddenly appeared.

Within the abyss, a massive Blood Pool could be faintly seen, bubbling and gurgling. Sword Qi crisscrossed through the air, manifesting before everyone’s eyes. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

’I can’t believe there’s a Blood Pool like this hidden inside June Valley!’

Other Demon Disciples at the Fifth and Sixth Layers of Qi Cultivation were already entering June Valley one after another.

Qin Xuan made a rough estimate. Just from what he could see, there were no fewer than several hundred Demon Disciples at the Sixth Layer of Qi Cultivation participating in the Blood Pool Trial.

And that was just the number for this single trial.

The speed at which the Blood Demon Sword Sect cultivated Demon Cultivators was nothing short of terrifying.

Instructor Li said, "In the abyss below June Valley lies our Blood Demon Sword Sect’s sacred ground: the Blood Pool Sword Tomb."

"After undergoing the baptism of the Blood Pool and passing the assessment, you can complete the official transition from a Saint to a Saint Cultivator, becoming a Steward or an Instructor."

"Your Lifebound Longsword will also completely transform from its iron-blue color to a coppery bronze."

"There are some things I shouldn’t be telling you. However, since you are now eligible for the Blood Pool Trial, giving you a little guidance won’t be a violation of the rules."

Qin Xuan said, "Thank you, Instructor Li."

Even after advancing his Cultivation to the Seventh Layer of Qi Cultivation, Qin Xuan maintained a very humble posture.

He also finally understood why his Lifebound Longsword had been stuck at ninety percent completion, unable to fully transform into a coppery bronze.

It turned out to be because he had yet to undergo the Blood Pool Trial.

’This kid knows how to act.’

A hint of appreciation appeared on Li Cang’s wrinkled face. ’This kid, Qin Xuan, knows when to advance and when to retreat. If I had met him twenty years earlier, I would have definitely nurtured him properly.’

’Unfortunately, my time is running out.’

’Kid, don’t blame this old man on the road to Reincarnation. If you must blame someone, blame your own rotten luck.’

"Ahem..." Li Cang coughed, appearing even weaker.

"The Blood Pool Sword Tomb is the place where countless past sages of our Blood Demon Sword Sect have stored their swords and laid their bones to rest. It is also a mysterious Grotto Heaven."

"In your lifetime, you will only have three chances to enter the Blood Pool Sword Tomb: during the Bridge Connecting the Profound of the Qi Cultivation Stage, the Profound Field Bell Jade after succeeding in Foundation Establishment, and the Guiding Fate Star when you open your Purple Mansion."

"The vast majority of Demon Cultivators obtain the inheritances of their predecessors and retrieve a Demon Sword from the Sword Tomb when they are establishing their Purple Mansion."

Instructor Li said a lot in one breath.

He even touched upon a few fragments of information related to Foundation Establishment, as if he wanted to say everything on his mind all at once.

Qin Xuan listened quietly.

Meanwhile, Chen He and Zhou Kai stood foolishly to the side, their faces blank.

Instructor Li said, "For an ordinary Demon Cultivator, the Blood Pool Trial really only serves two purposes. First is the baptism of the Blood Pool, which tests your character and willpower. Second is to obtain the blessing of a Blood Demon Rune."

Qin Xuan was taken aback. "A Blood Demon Rune?"

After being in the Blood Demon Sword Sect for so long, this was the first time Qin Xuan had ever heard this term.

"That’s right. Our Blood Demon Sword Sect uses blood as its guide and the sword as its foundation. When practicing the Blood Demon Sword Scripture, the greatest power comes from the Blood Demon Rune on the Lifebound Longsword."

"It is also because we practice the Blood Demon Sword Scripture that, without exception, all Demon Disciples’ Lifebound Iron Swords are naturally inscribed with a Bloodthirst Rune."

At this point, Li Cang no longer hypocritically referred to them as a Holy Sect, but openly called it a Demon Sect.

’So that’s how it is!’

Qin Xuan had a sudden realization. No wonder all the Demon Disciples could devour fresh blood with their Lifebound Iron Swords to rapidly increase their Cultivation. The root cause was this Rune.

At this point, Instructor Li’s tone shifted.

"However, when a Lifebound Iron Sword is promoted to a Lifebound Copper Sword, the second Blood Demon Rune that is inscribed must be obtained from the Blood Pool. Different Demon Disciples will obtain different Runes."

Instructor Li continued, "There are four common types of Blood Demon Runes for a Lifebound Copper Sword: the Barbaric Power Blood Talisman, the Copper Bone Blood Talisman, the Soul-devouring Blood Talisman, and the Burning Lamp Blood Talisman."

"They correspond to four different effects: increasing strength, increasing defense, enhancing Divine Sense, and burning your own flesh and blood to gain combat power."

"There is no gain without loss. While we Demon Cultivators obtain great power, we must also pay an equal price. Each type of Blood Talisman, though powerful, comes with severe side effects."

"For example, directly to the west in the Blood Pool, you will find the Burning Lamp Blood Talisman, which has the most potent side effects."

"You’re a sharp kid. I’d rather not see your entire body’s Essence Blood burned away by the Burning Lamp Blood Talisman."

"Therefore, I suggest your first priority should be the Soul-devouring Blood Talisman to the southwest of the Blood Pool. Second is the Copper Bone Blood Talisman. Third, the Barbaric Power Blood Talisman to the northwest of the Blood Pool is also a passable choice. But you must absolutely not choose any other direction."

Hearing this, Qin Xuan frowned slightly.

’Directly west is the Burning Lamp Blood Talisman.’

’Southwest are the Soul-devouring and Copper Bone Blood Talismans.’

’Northwest is the Barbaric Power Blood Talisman... Why are they all in the west?’

Just then, the giant ball of light in his mind flickered.

Four Ancient Bamboo Sticks flew out from it.

[Top-Top Lottery: A bloodline appears. Head directly east. Obtain the Golden-Breaking Blood Talisman and a Sixth Grade growth-type opportunity. Soar to the heavens, safe and without worry. Great Fortune.]

[Middle-Middle Draw: Head directly west. Obtain the Burning Lamp Blood Talisman and an Eighth Grade opportunity. Subsequent karmic entanglements, major side effects, and hidden dangers will follow. Neutral.]

[The Worst Draw: Head northwest or southwest. Choose one of the three: Barbaric Power, Soul-devouring, or Copper Bone Blood Talisman. No opportunity. Become entangled in sin, turned into a Puppet for another, and die through possession. Great Misfortune!]

[The Worst Draw: Head in any other direction. You can obtain a Divine Blood, Taotie, Gu Doctor, Blood Tyrant, Desire Dream, Divine Domain... choose one of ten Blood Talismans. No opportunity. The sea of blood will surge, leading to certain death. Great Misfortune!]

’It’s here!’

Qin Xuan read through the four divinations in one go, his expression slowly darkening.

’You’ve got some nerve, Li Cang.’

’Now you’re not even bothering to act anymore.’

The phrases "entangled in sin" and "turned into a Puppet for another" were glaringly obvious.

’He encouraged me to go southwest and northwest to get the Barbaric Power and Copper Bone Blood Talismans. On the surface, it seemed like he was helping me, but in reality, he wants to control me!’

’All three of the recommended Blood Talismans have hidden traps.’

Qin Xuan’s pupils turned black as ink. "Elder, must I head west and choose one of those three Blood Talismans?"

Instructor Li chuckled, his laugh full of hidden meaning.

"Of course not. You can go to other places, as long as you can withstand the backlash from the Blood Pool."

Instructor Li sized Qin Xuan up and down, then said faintly, "However, with your strength, I estimate that the moment you set foot in any other direction, you’ll be sucked dry by the Blood Pool in an instant!"

Hearing this, a chill ran through Qin Xuan’s heart.

"Alright, go on down. This time, there won’t be a Bloodthirsty Array in June Valley."

And with that, Instructor Li shoved Qin Xuan into the valley.