Primordial remnant

Three months passed in the blink of an eye. Through his cultivation during that time, Shi Yi had improved considerably in every respect, especially in his understanding of bone text and symbols, which far surpassed what it had been three months earlier.

The time was ripe for him to enter the Blood Moving Realm.

His great-grandfather arrived as promised. This time, Shi Yuan brought good news: they had secured a source of true blood from a heaven-tier primordial ferocious beast.

Demon Spirit Lake had responded. Shi Yi could be sent there when he turned five. The beings there were deeply interested in his Supreme Bone and double pupils, and were willing to personally establish his foundation.

"Demon Spirit Lake is an ancient power on par with the primordial divine mountains. Even the reigning Stone Emperor must treat its supreme experts with the utmost gravity. If they take a liking to you, Yi'er, it will be a tremendous blessing. The benefits to your future will be immeasurable," Shi Yuan said happily.

Years ago, he had been overjoyed to learn that his grandson Shi Ziteng had become a disciple of Demon Spirit Lake. Now that his great-grandson had obtained the same opportunity, he naturally could not stop grinning.

After all, Shi Yi's talents were far greater than Shi Ziteng's. Once he entered Demon Spirit Lake, he would surely receive even more attention than Shi Ziteng. With its nurturing, Shi Yi's future would be bright.

Shi Yuan then explained that, according to ancient records, undergoing a baptism at the age of five would have an extraordinarily profound significance and influence on a child's future.

That was precisely why Demon Spirit Lake had told them to wait until Shi Yi was five before sending him there.

Until then, Shi Yi would have to remain in the Martial King Manor to cultivate and receive medicinal baths.

"Do you remember what I told you? This medicinal bath will be extraordinary. Precious blood from a primordial remnant will be added to the ingredients," Shi Yuan said.

Shi Yi nodded slightly.

"It comes from Lord Martial King's mount, a genuine, living, fully grown primordial remnant of heaven-shaking power. After learning of your talents and abilities, this primordial remnant volunteered to offer its precious blood. You're in luck this time. Strive to grow as strong as possible before entering Demon Spirit Lake."

As he spoke, Shi Yuan led Shi Yi to the courtyard where he had received his medicinal bath three months earlier.

The elders who had prepared Shi Yi's medicinal bath last time had already been waiting for quite a while. The same extraordinary Medicine Cauldron still stood at the center of the courtyard.

This time, however, they had prepared more ingredients, and they were more precious as well.

With something as momentous as Shi Yi's entry into the Blood Moving Realm at stake, the Martial King Manor's senior figures naturally dared not be careless.

They first had Shi Yi sit cross-legged. An elder with profound cultivation explained the precautions for entering the Blood Moving Realm and its many mysteries to him, while the others followed a strict sequence, tossing one priceless medicinal ingredient after another into the cauldron.

Hiss!

An elder swung a stone axe that radiated a terrifying aura, chopping at a gray-black stump. Sparks flew from the stump with every stroke, and even little tongues of flame leaped out, as though it would burst into flames the next instant.

This was black phoenix wood, a top-grade timber for refining true blood. Using it as fuel to kindle the flames beneath the Medicine Cauldron would take the refinement of the true blood to an even higher level.

Crack!

An old box was opened, and sacred radiance streamed out. A glowing spirit fruit lay within, giving off an astonishing medicinal fragrance.

This was one of the Martial King Manor's most valuable Precious Medicines. It had been stored away for many years and had not been brought out even when the Martial King established his foundation.

Several more Precious Medicines of comparable quality had also been brought over.

Consuming so many at once would make even a King Marquis-level power feel the sting. But the elders knew that as long as they could nurture the wielder of double pupils to maturity, every sacrifice would be worthwhile.

Elsewhere, an elder opened an old bone cage, revealing a terrifying creature inside: a Colorful Centipede as thick as an arm, with a thousand legs, hideous and frightening.

There were also Venomous Three-Tailed Scorpions, Crimson Venomous Snakes, and other creatures. Every one of them was lethally venomous, far more terrifying than those added to the previous medicinal bath.

With waves of the elders' hands, they were all tossed into the Medicine Cauldron. Then aged medicinal plants flew into the great cauldron one after another, and spring water rich in divine substances was poured in as well.

Boom!

The black phoenix wood ignited, and the brewing began. This medicinal bath was different: Shi Yi would only enter after the medicinal properties had been drawn out.

Once everything in the cauldron had been cooked down into liquid, an ancestor solemnly took out a handful of vivid, brilliant precious blood.

This was the principal ingredient of the medicinal bath: a generous quantity of true blood from a fully grown primordial remnant.

The moment it was brought out, it lit up the courtyard. The fragrant precious blood contained an unimaginable abundance of divine power and fragments of the Great Dao.

With an utterly grave expression, the elder sprinkled the precious blood into the Medicine Cauldron.

Boom!

Golden light shot in every direction. The divine power stirred the medicinal liquid, nearly sending it gushing out, but one sharp-eyed, swift-handed ancestor acted in advance and suppressed it.

Screee!

Suddenly, a piercing cry rang out from the Medicine Cauldron, resounding throughout the courtyard.

Inside the Medicine Cauldron, a lifelike golden bird beat its wings, its cold, majestic eyes looking down upon everyone.

It was the Martial King's mount, that immensely powerful, fully grown primordial remnant. This time, the precious blood it had offered was not ordinary blood, but its most valuable true blood. Naturally, its medicinal effects were astonishing. The dense divine power had condensed directly into a great bird inside the Medicine Cauldron, a sight that shook the heart.

"Quick, Yi'er, now!" an elder urged.

Shi Yi had long been waiting. Without another word, he bounded up to the Medicine Cauldron and plunged straight inside.

Boom!

His arrival sent the contents of the Medicine Cauldron boiling wildly. The great bird condensed from divine power actually lunged straight at Shi Yi, but he was unafraid. Blazing divine light shone from his double pupils...

The elders paid no heed to what was happening inside. They believed that destroying the bird condensed from divine power would not be difficult for Shi Yi, so there was nothing to worry about. What mattered was sealing in the medicinal potency and giving him the best possible conditions.

Clang!

The lid closed once more, and every fluctuation vanished, as though nothing had ever happened.

Then three ancestors acted together, activating the patterns on the Medicine Cauldron, while others fed the fire, continually adding split lengths of black phoenix wood.

Watching the Medicine Cauldron flicker with light and radiate a tremendous aura, the elders felt both anticipation and emotion.

"This is the finest medicinal bath we can provide for Yi'er. His next baptism should take place at Demon Spirit Lake. I hope everything goes smoothly."

"Do you think Demon Spirit Lake might covet Yi'er's supreme talents?" someone asked with a trace of concern.

"The beings of Demon Spirit Lake aren't that foolish. Only within Yi'er can the double pupils and Supreme Bone unleash their greatest power and potential."