I Have an Omen System

What a pity. He had been a prominent figure among Loose Cultivators, perhaps even the patriarch of some minor family or the elder of a Marketplace.

But now… corrosive demonic markings crawled over his entire body, his Divine Sense collapsed, and in the end, his Flesh Body melted away.

Qin Xuan shook his head, not daring to linger. Sheltered by the barrier of light from his Mystic Turtle Sword Talisman, he cautiously pressed forward.

His gaze swept across the surroundings, taking in the various methods the other Purple Mansion Cultivators were using to fend off the Demonic Qi.

Not far off, several disciples from the Cyan Cloud Sect were the most eye-catching.

The male cultivator in the lead was tall and handsome. With his hands forming a seal, his body was enveloped in a solid layer of cyan light, like a personal cloud that steadily kept the Demonic Qi at bay.

The Female Cultivator beside him, her eyes bright and intelligent, had summoned an Ancient Bronze Lamp. The lamp's flame was a brilliant cyan-green, casting a warm and serene glow. Wherever its light touched, the Demonic Qi dissolved like snow in boiling water.

Further away, the disciples of the Celestial Mountain Four Symbols Sect also displayed impressive techniques.

A stern-faced male cultivator held his fingers together like a sword and swiped through the air. A Talisman shimmering with a sharp, platinum aura floated above his head.

The faint image of a roaring white tiger could be seen within its runes, and the Geng Metal Qi it radiated tore apart any Demonic Qi that drew near.

A middle-aged cultivator from the Earth Mountain Eight Trigrams Cave, with simple, rustic features, held a constantly spinning Yin-Yang Compass. With every step he took, a faint spiritual light sank into the ground, as if he were using the terrain to lay a simple protective Array.

When the Demonic Qi came within thirty feet of him, it was as if it had sunk into a mire, unable to advance another inch.

But the method used by the Cultivator from the Human Mountain Great Sorrow Alliance was the strangest of all.

A Female Cultivator with a sorrowful expression, dressed in grey robes, didn't cast any brilliant Magic. Instead, she softly chanted some abstruse scripture, her body exuding an invisible field of sorrow.

This field seemed capable of distorting one's Divine Sense. Even the Demonic Qi, upon drawing near, appeared to become infected by it—growing sluggish and chaotic before quietly dissipating.

As for Zhao Yan of the Fire Cloud Sect and Shi Jian of the Thick Earth Sect, they each had their own means.

Crimson True Flame erupted from Zhao Yan's body, making him resemble a walking furnace.

The flames burned with a SIZZLE, incinerating the Demonic Qi to nothing.

Shi Jian was even more direct. With a low shout, a yellow-brown light flashed, and an illusory suit of armor made of heavy rock materialized around him, protecting him completely.

The Demonic Qi struck the armor, leaving only faint black marks before being instantly dispersed by Earth Spiritual Power.

Just as Qin Xuan was observing them, the Array Profound Master from the Earth Mountain Eight Trigrams Cave looked over, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

"Fellow Daoist, I am the Array Profound Master of the Earth Mountain Eight Trigrams Cave."

With a flicker of his form, the Array Profound Master appeared not far from Qin Xuan. He cupped his hands in greeting from outside Qin Xuan's protective barrier.

"Your Protective Treasure is quite profound, Fellow Daoist. To be able to purify Demonic Qi so efficiently, it must be no ordinary item. This Boundary Heaven is treacherous, with Demonic Qi running rampant and demonized Demon Beasts lurking about. I fear it's too dangerous to travel alone."

"I wonder if you would be willing to join forces with us?"

"I am proficient in Arrays and can establish a defensive position or locate spiritual ground. You could be responsible for purifying the core area. It would be mutually beneficial for us. What do you say?"

At almost the same moment, Zhao Yan of the Fire Cloud Sect also took notice.

Reining in the crimson flames around him, he strode over.

"Hey, friend! Your Magical Treasure is pretty useful. How about it? Come with us. Shi Jian and I have offense and defense covered. With your Demon Extermination skills added to the mix, finding a Blessed Land to claim will be a cinch, right?"

Faced with two invitations, Qin Xuan quickly weighed his options.

'The Array Profound Master is meticulous, so cooperating with him seems like the safest bet. But the Arrays of the Eight Trigrams Cave are abstruse; the secrets of my Mystic Turtle Sword Talisman could easily be exposed.'

'Zhao Yan is an acquaintance, but he's hot-headed. The Fire Cloud Sect's aggressive Cultivation Techniques draw too much attention, making them an easy target.'

In contrast, Qin Xuan was actually more inclined to team up with the Celestial Mountain Four Symbols Sect.

'After all, I have the inheritance of the White Tiger Divine Talisman myself!'

'If I play my cards right, I might even be able to talk my way into the Four Symbols Sect as a True Inheritance disciple.'

'Unfortunately, the Four Symbols Sect seems to have close ties with the Cyan Cloud Sect.'

Just as he had that thought, Zhou Tianming of the Cyan Cloud Sect looked his way and offered a slight smile.

However, Zhou Tianming didn't make any overt gesture, instead waiting for Qin Xuan to take the initiative and approach him.

Just as Qin Xuan was lost in thought, the sphere of light in his sea of consciousness erupted with a brilliant golden glow.

Four spinning Ancient Bamboo Sticks shot out from it.

[Top-Top Lottery: Travel east alone. At the bottom of Sunken Demon Ridge, you will obtain a Third-Grade Opportunity. Though guarded by a Tier Four Wild Beast, the Demon Slaying Sword Talisman can counter it. Generally harmless. Great Fortune.]

[Middle-Middle Draw: Team up with Zhao Yan and Shi Jian and head northwest. There are no opportunities and no great dangers. Duration: three months. Neutral.]

[Middle-Lower Draw: Team up with the Array Profound Master of the Eight Trigrams Cave and head southeast. You will chance upon a Ninth-Grade Opportunity, but will suffer from an Array backlash along the way. Demonic Qi will invade your body. A near-death experience. Ill Fortune.]

[The Worst Draw: Ally yourself with Zhou Tianming of the Cyan Cloud Sect and head due west. You will obtain a Fifth-Grade Opportunity, but infighting will break out. You will encounter a Nascent Soul Level demonic will. A slim chance of survival. Disastrous!]

A chill ran down Qin Xuan's spine as he read the Divinations.

'Fucking hell, that bunch from the Cyan Cloud Sect is in for a world of hurt!'

'Forget it. I should just stick to the plan and go meet up with Ye Qingxuan. That's what really matters.'

"Thank you for your kind offer, Fellow Daoist Array Profound Master. However, I'm accustomed to traveling alone. Besides, my Cultivation is shallow, and I fear I would only hinder your grand plans for the Array. It would be better if we each sought our own opportunities."

He then turned to Zhao Yan and shook his head. "Brother Zhao, Brother Shi, I appreciate the offer. But I have my own plans, so it's not convenient for me to travel with you."

He deliberately kept his distance, not wanting to get too entangled with them.

Hearing this, a flicker of regret crossed the Array Profound Master's eyes, but he didn't press the matter. He simply gave Qin Xuan a long, deep look before turning away to continue working his Compass.