The world spun around him.
The new and imposing building complex of the Blood Demon Sword Sect appeared before Qin Xuan once again.
’I’m finally back!’
Qin Xuan had just recovered from a wave of intense dizziness.
He looked up and was suddenly startled.
Thousands of figures stood there in the sect gate plaza, clad in black robes. Their gazes were filled with worship and awe, and it seed they had been waiting for him for quite so ti.
In that mont of complete silence,
all the Black-robed Demon Cultivators shouted in unison, their voices like a clap of thunder, "We, the Demon Disciples, respectfully welco the Jia-level Incense Master’s return to the Sect!"
The powerful, impassioned cry was like a crashing tidal wave, spreading to every corner of the Blood Demon Sword Sect and shaking the hearts of all who heard it.
Qin Xuan’s heart trembled.
He hadn’t expected to receive such a grand welco and be held in such high esteem just for achieving a Jia-level rating. A sense of prestige welled up inside him.
He inexplicably tasted the sweetness of power.
Qin Xuan smiled faintly, unconsciously straightening his posture. He cupped his hands and laughed heartily.
"My thanks to you all."
The next mont, a dazzling, eerie green streak of light shot across the sky, flying in from the horizon.
"HAHAHA, Junior Brother Qin, welco back to the Sect! I knew you’d make it back safely."
Wei Qingyi, wearing his signature green robe woven from Ghost Vine, appeared before Qin Xuan with a beaming smile.
The mont he appeared, he moved in for an enthusiastic hug.
The sight of Wei Qingyi made Qin Xuan’s face darken instantly.
’What rotten luck. Why did I have to see him the mont I got back?’
"Don’t call Junior Brother. We’re not acquainted," Qin Xuan said, turning to leave.
’You scheming bastard, you nearly got killed!’
Wei Qingyi laughed loudly. "Junior Brother Qin, don’t be so petty. We’re both disciples of the Holy Sect. What are we for, if not to be sold out by each other?"
"Here, how about this: next ti, you can sell out once. Then we’ll be even. It’s fine, your Senior Brother doesn’t hold grudges."
???
Qin Xuan stared at Wei Qingyi, completely stunned.
Seeing the matter-of-fact look on the other man’s face, he was montarily at a loss for words.
"Co, co, congratulations, Junior Brother Qin, for breaking our Sect’s three-thousand-year-old record for the fastest completion of the Incense Master assessnt."
"Master Chen is waiting for us in the Blood Pool Sword Tomb. It’s perfect timing, now that you’ve reached the Foundation Establishnt Third Level. It’s ti to undergo Profound Field Jade Cultivation, and we’ll do it together."
Huh?
Qin Xuan’s mind went blank.
’I sohow broke the Blood Demon Sword Sect’s record without even realizing it?’
’No wonder there was such a huge spectacle...’
However, Wei Qingyi didn’t give Qin Xuan much ti to digest this shocking news before he continued with his plans.
"Junior Brother Qin, are you ready?"
Wei Qingyi continued, "If you’re ready, I’ll take you to the Blood Pool Sword Tomb. Let’s obtain the second Blood Talisman inheritance together!"
???
Qin Xuan couldn’t shake the feeling that so strange conspiracy was afoot.
’This is all happening too fast!’
But before he could even agree, Wei Qingyi was already dragging him away by force.
The only thing that put Qin Xuan at ease, however, was that his Golden Finger had remained silent the entire ti.
...
When Qin Xuan arrived at June Valley again, two people were already there waiting.
They were none other than the dwarf-like and ugly Hou Longtao, and the tall and handso Xiao Ran!
The two of them—one tall and one short, one handso and one ugly—ford a stark contrast.
However, Qin Xuan felt that sothing was very wrong.
Hou Qi appeared to be heavily injured. His Foundation Establishnt Third Level Cultivation was unstable, and large, unhealed gashes from what looked like beast claws covered his body.
Xiao Ran was in even worse shape.
His face was deathly pale and his breathing was as faint as a silk thread. He looked like a man on his deathbed; anyone who didn’t know better would have thought he’d just been beaten by a mob to within an inch of his life.
His Foundation Establishnt Third Level Cultivation was even more unstable than Hou Qi’s.
It was as if the power had been forcibly grafted onto him, and the pressure from a Cultivation he was not worthy of was threatening to snap his spine in two!
...
Just then, a brilliant, blood-red, Bloodthirsty light suddenly erupted, its radiance bursting forth.
Accompanied by an ancient, chanted Spell, complex and mysterious Array Patterns lit up one after another, casting a dark red glow upon the ancient trees deep within June Valley.
A grand, indifferent voice bood like thunder, echoing throughout the Bottom of June Valley.
"Yanxue Sword Demon Ji Boyan, accompanying the 301st generation Jia-level Incense Masters of the Holy Sect—Qin Xuan, Hou Longtao, Wei Qingyi, and Xiao Ran—approaches the Blood Pool Sword Tomb to receive the inheritance Token."
"We pray that the esteed seniors will show their favor and bestow upon us the inheritance!"
RUMBLE!
Accompanied by the ancient, chanted Spell, a brilliant, blood-red, Bloodthirsty light suddenly erupted with dazzling radiance.
As the voice faded, complex and mysterious ancient Array Patterns surfaced one after another, bathing the deep woods of June Valley in their dark red light.
The once deep and verdant Bottom of June Valley suddenly transford, turning into a boundless Blood Pool.
Ji Boyan’s indifferent voice rang out, but he was nowhere to be seen.
"Enter. This is your second ti entering the Blood Pool Sword Tomb. I trust you will make the most of this opportunity. Do not let it go to waste."
As the voice faded,
VMMM—!
Ripples spread through the air. When Qin Xuan opened his eyes again, the scene before him had changed abruptly.
Waves surged violently in the dark red Blood Pool.
One after another, Demon Sect Ancient Swords of various shapes and sizes hovered motionlessly in the air before Qin Xuan, their sharp edges glinting nacingly.
Each Ancient Sword emanated a dense Blood Evil Qi.
Qin Xuan tried to step forward, but a powerful repulsive force suddenly pushed back. It felt like walking through thick mud; his effort was completely absorbed, and he couldn’t get even half a step closer.
’This is my second ti in the Blood Pool Sword Tomb. Why can’t I touch these Demon Swords?’
Qin Xuan turned and saw that only Wei Qingyi remained beside him.
Wei Qingyi smiled and explained,
"Every Demon Sword has its own Sword Spirit. Your current strength is too weak to gain their recognition, so naturally, you cannot touch them."
"Even soone as powerful as the Holy Sect’s First Demon Child, Chen Xuanba, only formally received the full inheritance of the Blood Tyrant Sword Demon after opening his Purple Mansion."
"I see," Qin Xuan said in sudden realization.
’It seems I still have a long way to go.’
Wei Qingyi summoned his Lifebound Longsword. With a powerful slash, he split the Blood Pool in two, revealing a path about half a ter wide.
"Junior Brother Qin, I’ll go on ahead. Everyone who enters the Blood Pool Sword Tomb for a second ti sees a different illusion."
"Your destiny is your own now. Good luck."
Watching Wei Qingyi’s figure disappear at the far end of the Blood Pool, Qin Xuan’s brows furrowed tightly.
The very instant his toes touched the edge of the blood path,
the sound of wailing ghosts and howling wolves suddenly shrieked in his ears.
A Yin Wind howled, as if thousands of Fierce Ghosts and vengeful spirits were wailing in unison. The shrill cries pierced the heavens, chilling him to the bone.
Qin Xuan frowned slightly, feeling as if his eardrums were about to burst.
He felt a cool dampness on his face. When he reached up to touch it, his palm ca away covered in dark red blood.
...Without even realizing it, he had begun to bleed from all seven orifices!
Qin Xuan’s expression changed drastically.
He tried to use his Demonic Essence to resist, but his consciousness was already growing muddled.
The next mont, a dazzling golden light suddenly blood over the blood path, which had been filled with a baleful, deathly aura.
Statues of Arhats with their palms pressed together appeared out of thin air before him, resplendent in golden light and bearing solemn, dignified expressions.
With downcast eyes and palms pressed together, they chanted sutras. The sound of seductive Buddhist hymns spread out from them like ripples.
"All living beings are adrift in a sea of suffering. What you call cultivation is but a small boat sailing toward a boundless shore."
"What is it you desire? Long life? Power? Or the truth that lies beyond the reach of mortals?"
The Buddhist voice that ca from the void was deep and vast, striking directly at the heart.
"The shackles of this world are but chains of your own making. Heed my words, and I shall grant you liberation from all fetters."
"Co. Follow to the light. All in this world is suffering. Only by following can you find ultimate freedom."
The scenery before Qin Xuan was constantly changing.
Amidst the Buddhist chants, his muddled consciousness grew tranquil, as if seeking so form of transcendence.
He staggered and swayed uncontrollably, and even began to slowly back away!
Just then, the Crystal Bracelet on his wrist suddenly grew hot.
Qin Xuan was jolted, his consciousness clearing in an instant.
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