HUMMM...
With a soft tremor, the array before him rippled, revealing Steward Wang sitting cross-legged in meditation.
An Ancient Bronze Long Sword rested across Steward Wang's knees. It glinted with a chilling light, pulsing with Demonic Essence. Three-quarters of the blade had already turned a pure, silvery white.
Qin Xuan clicked his tongue in amazement. 'Steward Wang is probably just a hair's breadth away from becoming a Foundation Establishment Great Demon.'
The faint, almost imperceptible smell of blood hung in the air.
"What's this? You've come all this way but don't dare to enter?"
Wang Jian's eyes narrowed slightly as he asked with a smile.
In the Holy Sect, every Cultivator's Cave Mansion was their private territory. Not being public spaces, they were exempt from the Sect's rules.
If you entered another's Cave Mansion and died, it was a death in vain.
Qin Xuan took a Pure White Jade Bottle containing seven Blood Evil Pills from his robes and offered it respectfully with both hands.
"I, Qin Xuan, am grateful for your life-saving grace, Steward. I didn't enter rashly for fear of disturbing your Cultivation. These are the Blood Evil Pills bestowed by the Elder. I hope you will not find them lacking."
With that said, Qin Xuan strode confidently into the Cave Mansion.
Steward Wang was inwardly surprised. He took the jade bottle and saw that there were still seven round Elixir Pills inside.
"Are you really willing to hand these Blood Evil Pills over to me?"
A flash of surprise crossed Steward Wang's eyes. "You must understand that these are hugely beneficial to Demon Disciples like you. After consuming them, your Cultivation would surely advance by leaps and bounds. Take all ten of these Elixir Pills, and advancing to the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer to become a Demon Cultivator would be no difficult task. To just give them to me for nothing... is there something you want to ask of me?"
Qin Xuan shook his head. "Without your help, Steward, I would have died on my way up the mountain. These Blood Evil Pills are a token of my respect for you. Other than that, I ask for nothing."
"Hahaha! You're an interesting one, Demon Disciple. In all my years as a Steward, this is the first time I've met a Demon Disciple who understands gratitude."
Steward Wang clapped his hands and laughed heartily.
He hadn't expected Qin Xuan to actually dare enter his Cave Mansion alone.
Technically, Qin Xuan was a Demon Disciple under his command, but he should have had a better relationship with Instructor Li Cang.
There were only seven Blood Evil Pills left in the jade bottle. Yet the Demon Disciple before him had a profound aura, his Cultivation having already reached the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer. This meant he had already taken some of the Pills and understood their value.
And still, he was willing to hand over the Pills as a sign of respect.
This meant his gratitude was genuine.
Steward Wang's impression of Qin Xuan instantly improved, and he began to see him in a higher light.
"Not bad, not bad at all. You have more of a conscience than that bastard Xiao Ran. I wasn't wrong about you."
Steward Wang gracefully accepted the gesture, his gaze toward Qin Xuan now filled with appreciation.
Although he had taken Qin Xuan on as a Demon Disciple on a whim, a great war with the Cyan Cloud Sect was imminent. He himself was on the verge of Foundation Establishment and happened to be short on manpower.
'Perhaps this Qin Xuan is a subordinate sent to me by the heavens themselves.'
'He's clever and sensible enough.'
'I'll observe him a bit more. In the future, he might be groomed into one of my most loyal confidants.'
CRUNCH!
Steward Wang clenched his fist around the jade bottle, and with a slight squeeze, he crushed both the bottle and the Pills into powder.
"Steward, what are you doing...?" Qin Xuan's eyes widened, his heart aching at the sight.
Steward Wang chuckled. "Heh, the vital energy and blood in these Blood Evil Pills are impure. They're refined from the dregs of Human Blood Pills. While they can raise one's Cultivation, they cause great harm to the Flesh Body."
Qin Xuan's face filled with terror. "Forgive me, Steward! I didn't know the Blood Evil Pills were..."
Steward Wang helped Qin Xuan up and smiled faintly. "I'm not blaming you. You've just entered the Holy Sect, so it's normal that you wouldn't know. I accept the sentiment, which is a rare thing indeed—a thousand times better than that bastard Xiao Ran."
At the mention of Xiao Ran, a look of displeasure crossed Steward Wang's face.
Xiao Ran was no longer one of Steward Wang's Demon Disciples; Elder Sun had transferred him to serve under his arch-rival, Steward Huang Feng.
'Hmph. The mutt. I saw long ago that he was born treacherous. Does he think he can rest easy just because he's latched onto Elder Sun with that family heirloom Magical Treasure of his?'
'In the Demon Sect, the master-disciple relationship is worth less than toilet paper.'
'The moment Elder Sun succeeds in erasing the bloodline brand on that Magical Treasure will be the day Xiao Ran dies!'
In contrast, the submissive and seemingly honest Qin Xuan before him looked more and more pleasing to Steward Wang's eyes.
"You're already at the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer."
Steward Wang continued, "Are you interested in participating in the Saint promotion ceremony?"
Qin Xuan was overwhelmed by the favor. "I am dull-witted, Steward. Please, enlighten me. What is this Saint promotion?"
Steward Wang said, "No need for such formalities. The so-called Saint promotion ceremony is a way to choose positions within the Outer Sect for us Holy Sect Cultivators in advance, making it more convenient to operate in the world in the future!"
After Wang Jian's explanation, it all clicked for Qin Xuan.
Among the Outer Sect Qi Cultivation Disciples of the Blood Demon Sword Sect, there were five major ranks: Demon Disciple, Demon Cultivator, Instructor, Steward, and Elder's Direct Inheritance.
Beyond these five major ranks, there was a further distinction between four types of Demon Cultivators: Blood Disciple, Fierce Soldier, Bone Slave, and Soul Cultivator.
These corresponded to Spiritual Blood, Flesh Body, Skeleton, and Divine Soul, respectively.
A flash of inspiration struck Qin Xuan.
'Aren't those the same as the Four Major Techniques one chooses from at the Qi Cultivation Second Layer?!'
"Correct. The choice of Cultivation Technique is also a test the Holy Sect gives you!"
"As new Demon Disciples just starting Qi Cultivation, your Flesh Bodies are weak and your Divine Souls lack vital essence. Therefore, choosing to practice the 'Netherworld White Bone Yin Talisman' is the best option!"
"The Saint Cultivator promotion ceremony is in three days. You'd better perform well for me. Don't worry, I won't treat you unfairly."
A flash of white light appeared. A swollen, bloody mass of flesh materialized in Steward Wang's hand, writhing slowly. A closer look would reveal that the lump of flesh seemed to envelop a round object.
'It's here!'
A sudden intuition struck Qin Xuan, and he recalled the words of the earlier divination.
'This is it! The Seventh-Grade Opportunity!'
"You're a lucky kid. I went down the mountain these past two days to slaughter some mortals for blood-food and happened to run into a Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer Iron Armor Demon Rhinoceros. I killed it on a whim. This is its Inner Core."
Steward Wang continued, "Although the Demon Power in a Demon Beast's Inner Core is violent, it happens to align well with our Blood Demon Sword Sect's Blood Demon Heart Scripture. It's far better than those Blood Evil Pills. Your Cultivation is at the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer. After you devour this Demon Pill and temper yourself for a few days, you should be close to a breakthrough."
This was the advantage of the Demon Sect.
The Righteous Dao emphasized steady, step-by-step progress. But in the Demon Dao, as long as one had enough resources and met the Cultivation Technique's conditions, their Cultivation could soar at terrifying speeds. The price was steep, but the rewards were always bountiful.
Steward Wang's eyes gleamed darkly. "Qin Xuan, this is an opportunity I'm giving you, and also a test. As long as you can crush Xiao Ran in the Saint Cultivator promotion ceremony and give me a chance to vent my frustrations, then when I reach Foundation Establishment, you will be my number one general!"
"Think it over. Do you have the confidence?"
Qin Xuan cupped his hands. "I will not disappoint you, Steward!"
"Hahaha, good!" Steward Wang nodded, satisfied. He waved his hand. "You may leave. I await your good news."
Watching Qin Xuan's respectful figure slowly retreat from the Cave Mansion, Steward Wang felt his vanity greatly satisfied.
The Iron Armor Demon Rhinoceros's Inner Core was of little consequence to him.
But if he could use this Inner Core to gain a capable general—a die-hard confidant—he would surely be able to acquire more resources and blood-food in the Sect's future internal struggles.
To win over Xiao Ran, Elder Sun would surely use Pills to forcibly raise his Cultivation to the Mid-stage Qi Cultivation. As for him, if he groomed Qin Xuan a bit, even if Qin Xuan couldn't defeat Xiao Ran, he could at least thoroughly disgust that little bastard.
As for Qin Xuan failing the test... so what if he failed? At most, he would only lose a cheap Demon Pill.
Steward Wang felt this was an absolute bargain.
...