I Have an Omen System

"Interesting. It can switch seamlessly."

This was different from Bone Shadow Soldiers, which controlled corpses and bones.

Cyan Silk Entwined Soul could manipulate the consciousness of a living person. The original host would be completely unaware, accepting everything as natural, and would subconsciously forget any irrational actions.

’Positional Divine Techniques are too powerful. Once this technique is used, not even a Golden Core True Monarch could tell the difference!’

Within Qin Xuan’s Divine Soul, it felt as if a new, subordinate soul had appeared. With a mere thought, he could effortlessly control its every move.

And it did so without affecting the host’s own consciousness!

’With this, I can advance my plans.’

Using Cyan Silk Entwined Soul, Qin Xuan gave Wang Lanfeng an order: go outside Youzhou Prefecture and sell Low-Grade Spiritual Artifacts with Wang Runjiang!

He also added a special instruction: pay close attention to any stout, simple-looking, round-faced cultivator who likes to wear white socks.

...

「Another year later.」

Inside the Cave Mansion, a ball of profound cyan True Flame slowly rose before Qin Xuan.

That’s right—he could now command and utilize this fragmented Golden Core Dao Fire!

Within the profound cyan True Flame, materials like Sinking Iron, a Tier Two Black Horned Reverse Scale, and Obsidian had long since melted into a single mass, now taking the shape of a dagger.

He was now at the critical stage of Pulse Communication with the Divine.

Wisps of eerie black light flowed as he carved the Runes.

A glint flashed in Qin Xuan’s eyes as he bit the tip of his tongue and spat out a mouthful of Essence Blood.

"Mo Lin, manifest!"

BOOM!

Pitch-black Demonic Essence surged as the Essence Blood was slowly absorbed.

A small, exquisite black blade materialized in Qin Xuan’s palm.

The blade was long, narrow, and slightly curved, about three inches in length. Its color was like that of black jade from the depths of a dark pool.

"Haha, success!"

Qin Xuan gave the Ink-Scale Black Blade a light swing. With a resonant CLANG, it stirred up a trail of damp mist. The Red Copper Shield before him instantly snapped in two with a CRACK!

’The sharpness is decent, but the stagnation Rune isn’t powerful enough. It can’t become sentient, which is why it’s only a Top-Grade Spiritual Artifact and not a true Spiritual Artifact.’

Qin Xuan mused to himself.

He quickly jotted down the insights he had gained.

Behind him lay six more of these ink-jade blades.

The seven Top-Grade Spiritual Artifacts could even form a small Killing Array, a testament to Qin Xuan’s Great Success in the Dao of Artifact Refining.

Although Qin Xuan’s Cultivation was still at the Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment Eighth Level, his aura had become profound and restrained, and his combat prowess had risen to a whole new level.

He had completely mastered the Hundred Refinements Profound Weapon Record and could now forge Top-Grade Spiritual Artifacts at will.

’With my current True Essence reserves, I could hold my own even against a Void Mansion Cultivator.’

Qin Xuan made a quick mental calculation.

Three Positional Divine Techniques, three times the True Essence of others at his realm, plus killing moves like the Soul-devouring Banner and the Profound Cyan Cave Nether True Flame...

Holding his own against a Void Mansion Cultivator should be well within his capabilities.

Of course, he wouldn’t know if he could actually win until he had a real fight.

Just then, Wang Runsheng came running over in a flurry, his face alight with joy.

"Ancestor, a letter has come from Lanfeng!"

Qin Xuan withdrew the Profound Cyan Cave Nether True Flame. With a flash, his stooped figure appeared outside the Cave Mansion.

"Greetings, Ancestor!" Wang Runsheng said respectfully.

Qin Xuan waved a hand. "No need for such formalities. What did Lanfeng’s letter say?"

Wang Runsheng said with delight, "Lanfeng says he met a Heaven Dao Foundation Establishment Cultivator in Youzhou Prefecture! He’s called the Thick Earth Ascendant, and he wants to take Lanfeng as his disciple and pass on his mantle!"

"And to keep the family from worrying, he even sent a thousand low-grade spirit stones along with the letter."

Wang Runsheng said, his voice filled with excitement.

"Oh? I didn’t expect Lanfeng to have such a fortuitous encounter. This is wonderful news, wonderful news." Qin Xuan feigned surprise, nodding with satisfaction.

He then let out a few soft coughs, leaving a smear of crimson on his white handkerchief.

Wang Runsheng exclaimed, "Ancestor, have your old injuries flared up again?!"

Qin Xuan shook his head. "It’s nothing to worry about, just the same old ailment. How are the sales of our Low-Grade Spiritual Artifacts?"

Ever since he began comprehending the inheritance during that first year, Qin Xuan had taught the Wang Family Cultivators how to refine several types of Low-Grade Spiritual Artifacts.

The Red Copper Shield was just one of them.

In addition, there were the Cyan Wood Spear, the Yellow Sand Axe, the Refined Steel Sword... Countless Low-Grade Spiritual Artifacts flooded the markets of the entire Thousand Island Lake.

Tier One Spiritual Material Ore Iron poured into the Wang Family’s workshops, only to flow back out as Magical Artifacts, which were then exchanged for one glittering Spirit Stone after another.

The Qixing Wang Family grew more prosperous by the day, flourishing like a garden in full bloom.

For a time, a rumor spread throughout the Thousand Island Lake.

The Wang Family’s old ancestor, Wang Zezhou, was on his deathbed. Before passing on, he intended to use the last of his strength to transform the Qixing Wang Family into an Artifact Refining Family.

If anyone knew of Qin Xuan’s current condition, they would be absolutely certain the rumors were true!

"In the three months that have passed this year, we have sold a total of three hundred twenty-seven Low-Grade Spiritual Artifacts, for a net profit of four thousand low-grade spirit stones..."

Wang Runsheng reported, leaving no detail out.

"It’s not enough."

Qin Xuan sighed. "You must all work harder. Low-Grade Spiritual Artifacts don’t fetch a high price—ten Spirit Stones at most. We have to take advantage of this war between the righteous and demonic factions while business is good..."

"If our Wang Family is to advance to an Eighth-Grade Noble Family, we must sell more Magical Artifacts and accumulate a deep enough foundation..."

"I refined these two Magical Artifacts during my seclusion. Go and spread the word."

Qin Xuan then produced a purple Fire Fan and a Yellow Earth Banner. Both pulsed with spiritual light and a vibrant aura.

"Ancestor, you can forge High-Grade Spiritual Artifacts now?" Wang Runsheng was overjoyed.

Qin Xuan nodded slightly. Just as he was about to speak, he was seized by another violent coughing fit.

He sounded like a broken bellows, a man in his twilight years, his body heavy with the aura of impending death.

"Ancestor, you must take care of yourself! You are the pillar of the Wang Family! It doesn’t matter if we don’t refine these Magical Artifacts! Why must you waste your Essence!"

Wang Runsheng’s eyes reddened as he rushed to support Qin Xuan.

"I’ll go find out about Longevity Spiritual Objects right away! Even if it means bankrupting our family, I will find one for you, Ancestor!" Wang Runsheng said, wiping away his tears.

Qin Xuan looked at the grief-stricken, weeping Wang Runsheng and realized the man’s concern for him was completely genuine.

For a moment, he almost felt too guilty to continue the deception.

"Runsheng, don’t waste our resources. Just give the Spirit Stones to me. I don’t feel at ease leaving them with you all. And you absolutely must not go looking for any Longevity Spiritual Objects."

Unable to win the argument against Qin Xuan, Wang Runsheng actually handed over all the family’s assets to the Ancestor for safekeeping, without a single shred of doubt.

...

Time flowed on.

The Wang Family’s fortunes stabilized once Wang Runsheng became capable of refining Middle-Grade Spiritual Artifacts.

’This Governor of Youzhou sure is patient. It’s been almost a year since he took Wang Lanfeng as his disciple, yet he still hasn’t made his move?’

Others might not know, but Qin Xuan was perfectly clear: the so-called Thick Earth Ascendant was none other than the Golden Core True Monarch, Wei Lengrong, in disguise!

That old man’s desires hadn’t aged with his body.

He had set his sights on Wang Lanfeng in the second month after Qin Xuan had dispatched him to Youzhou Prefecture to sell Magical Artifacts.

It had to be said that Wang Lanfeng’s appearance was more than suitable.

He had fair skin, delicate features that bore a slight resemblance to his sister, Wang Lanmeng, and was only sixteen or seventeen. He looked like a classic pretty boy.

Conversely, the Thick Earth Ascendant had shown no interest in Bi Yuntao, the sturdy, simple-looking, and muscular farm boy who had been sent along with him and in whom Qin Xuan had placed high hopes.

’Oh well. The fish hasn’t taken the bait yet. I can’t reel it in too soon, or I’ll scare it away.’

Just as Qin Xuan was pondering his next move...

The Identity Token he carried, which had remained inert for five years, suddenly blazed with heat!