Gathering Spirits, Sixth Grade

"Spirit Gathering Realm Third Grade? No... you have a... Yin-Attracting Physique?"

After a few breaths, the Black-robed Disciple suddenly released Feng Ling's arm, speaking with a somewhat complicated tone.

Feng Ling nodded slightly, already prepared for the method of dealing with a Formal Disciple's personal inspection.

A Yin-Attracting Physique, in the initial stages of cultivation, would allow for faster progress even without Dual Cultivation, but once one surpassed the Spirit Gathering Realm, it became no different from an ordinary constitution.

It was a somewhat special yet very average physique.

"A pity it's not Pure Yin, otherwise..."

The Black-robed Disciple trailed off.

Then, that Delicate Girl stepped forward for inspection. The Black-robed Disciple examined her for a moment but found nothing unusual.

Soon, it was Lin Fan's turn.

He stepped forward openly. The moment the Black-robed Disciple grabbed his arm, an extremely cold force seeped through his skin and into Lin Fan's body.

After a moment, the Black-robed Disciple released Lin Fan and said coldly, "You're not bad."

"Yes."

Lin Fan nodded immediately.

He knew he had passed.

Soon, all the Menial Disciples had been inspected. Aside from the Spies weeded out at the very beginning, everyone else was without issue.

"Remember, in the Blood Demon Sect, the most important thing is loyalty!"

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the Black-robed Disciple slammed his palm viciously onto the head of the already dazed youth. Brain matter splattered instantly.

A living life ended like that, without any surprise.

Seeing this brutal scene, Zhou Wanqing's delicate body trembled in fear, but Lin Fan steadied her.

"Also, the Monthly Test is canceled from now on. In half a year, there will be a Final Assessment. Whoever reaches Spirit Gathering Realm Fifth Grade first will become a Formal Disciple."

The Black-robed Disciple looked at the assembled Menial Disciples, then suddenly smiled grimly and continued, "So, if you want to become a Formal Disciple, make the most of your time."

His tone carried a hint of some unspoken meaning.

It was as if he were saying: If you want to become a Formal Disciple, hurry up and Dual Cultivate, hurry up and absorb!

Lin Fan glanced at Wang Biao and a few other veteran Menial Disciples. Sure enough, their eyes were gleaming, as if they couldn't wait to drag their Dual Cultivation partners back to their quarters and keep absorbing wildly.

"Kill the chicken to warn the monkeys, then dangle a big carrot."

"And this method—it's like raising Gu."

Lin Fan's heart turned cold.

"Only half a year left, Brother Lin. Don't hold back on me."

Zhou Wanqing said in a low voice.

"This silly girl..."

Lin Fan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He could only pat her shoulder as a response.

Entering the Hidden Scripture Pavilion, the atmosphere grew heavy. The veteran Menial Disciples were fixated on the Final Assessment half a year away.

The new Menial Disciples, meanwhile, were replaying that brutal scene in their minds, feeling an inexplicable suffocation.

Lin Fan copied the books meticulously, his handwriting neat and orderly.

As long as he copied books, he could gain more Lifespan. With more Lifespan, he could continue using the Pre-emptive Dao Fruit to preempt more Technique Proficiency and grow stronger.

In this chaotic and cruel environment, as long as he didn't expose his true background, the stronger he was, the better.

"If I hadn't hidden it well, once my real cultivation was revealed, I'd have been executed as a Spy on the spot."

Lin Fan paused his movements, sighing inwardly.

"In the Final Assessment half a year from now, becoming a Formal Disciple won't be a problem for me."

"But is it really that simple?"

Lin Fan felt something was off, yet he couldn't pinpoint what.

This feeling was unpleasant, almost maddening.

"There's another problem. I've cultivated the 'Basic Demonic Art' to perfection. If I want to keep getting stronger, what do I do next?"

Lin Fan only just remembered this.

By preempting proficiency in the "Basic Demonic Art," he could continue to grow stronger. But preempting proficiency in the "Blood Gathering Art" only enhanced his ability to conceal his cultivation, not increase his strength.

"Aside from the 'Basic Demonic Art,' there must be higher techniques. But do I have to wait until I become a Formal Disciple to obtain them?"

Lin Fan frowned slightly. If that were the case, wouldn't it mean that for the next half year, he couldn't grow stronger through the panel?

He now somewhat regretted burning the "Blood Swallowing Demonic Art" so decisively last night.

"Looks like I'll have to find a chance to go to the Market again."

Lin Fan quickly made up his mind.

On the other side, the Black-robed Disciple had already returned to report.

"Senior Brother, I conducted a personal inspection and only found one spy from the Thousand Hands Sect."

The Black-robed Disciple removed his mask and spoke respectfully to the man not far away wearing the golden mask.

The same man who was fierce and domineering before the Menial Disciples now acted like an obedient lapdog before the Golden Masked Man.

"Only one spy found—do you believe that?"

The Golden Masked Man let out a scornful laugh and continued, "When you see one cockroach in your house, it means there are hundreds or thousands hiding in the dark."

"Senior Brother, I understand your meaning, but what good method is there to find the other spies?"

The Black-robed Disciple asked cautiously.

Anyone who could infiltrate the Blood Demon Sect as a spy must have some exceptional skill. Even with his personal inspection, he hadn't found many. Was he supposed to kill all the Menial Disciples?

He wouldn't mind that, but if the higher-ups blamed him, who would take the fall?

"Simple. List the suspicious targets and test them one by one, won't that work?"

"Senior Brother, you mean..."

The Black-robed Disciple's eyes lit up.

Two days later, Lin Fan found another opportunity to head to the Market.

He hadn't held much hope, but after wandering half a circle, he spotted a manual on one of the stalls.

"Intermediate Demonic Arts, priced at thirty Contribution Points."

When he saw the words on the cover, Lin Fan was startled.

Could this technique be related to the "Basic Demonic Art" that the Menial Disciples practiced?

Driven by curiosity, Lin Fan immediately asked the stall owner, "Excuse me, what connection does this manual have with the 'Basic Demonic Art' that the Menial Disciples in the sect practice?"

The stall owner was a tall woman in black robes.

She wore a thin black veil over her face, her skin was fair and smooth, her waist slender and supple, and her voice was pleasant to the ear.

"The 'Basic Demonic Art' practiced by the Menial Disciples in the sect is actually a simplified version of the 'Intermediate Demonic Arts.'"

Hearing this, Lin Fan suddenly understood.

Under normal circumstances, once he became a Formal Disciple, he would likely practice this "Intermediate Demonic Arts."

But Lin Fan couldn't wait that long.

Besides, since someone was selling this manual, it meant the Blood Demon Sect tacitly allowed Menial Disciples to use Contribution Points to obtain this technique early.

"Twenty Contribution Points. I'll take it."

Lin Fan's eyes flickered as he tested the waters.

"Thirty, not a single point less."

The woman glanced at Lin Fan and stood her ground.

She had seen many Menial Disciples who, eager to become Formal Disciples sooner, went out of their way to practice the more complete "Intermediate Demonic Arts." In the end, they only wasted Contribution Points and a lot of time.

Of course, she had no obligation to warn them. Why not quietly reap these Menial Disciples like leeks?

"I only have twenty-five Contribution Points—that's all I've got."

"If it doesn't work, then forget it."

Lin Fan deliberately gritted his teeth, putting on a pained expression.

He wasn't short on Contribution Points for now. Before coming down the mountain, he had transferred some of the points from Wu Hai's Token to his own.

But if a Menial Disciple suddenly pulled out that many points and paid without hesitation, it would definitely draw attention.

If ordinary Menial Disciples noticed him, Lin Fan wasn't too worried. But if a Formal Disciple took an interest, it would be deadly!

Being cautious never hurt!

"Deal."

Seeing Lin Fan about to leave, the woman thought for a moment and quickly agreed.

The transaction was completed swiftly, and Lin Fan got his hands on the "Intermediate Demonic Arts" as he wished.

He didn't leave in a hurry. Instead, he circled the Market a few more times to make sure no one was following him, then chose a secluded corner to examine the manual's contents.

"Just as I thought—this manual contains all the content of the 'Basic Demonic Art.'"

Lin Fan nodded to himself. That beautiful female stall owner hadn't deceived him.

[Do you wish to consume thirty years of lifespan to pre-learn Intermediate Demonic Arts to the Entry level?]

Just as he finished reviewing it, a line of text appeared before Lin Fan's eyes.

"Here it comes."

Lin Fan's eyes lit up. "I agree to the pre-learning."

The next second, insights from the "Intermediate Demonic Arts" surged into his mind.

At the same time, the scene reappeared. That youth stretched his legs, his leg techniques even faster, more cunning, and sharper than before.

His legwork grew quicker and quicker, like a flash of lightning, even stirring resonance from the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy.

"The stronger the leg technique, the faster the refinement and absorption of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy!"

Lin Fan's heart jolted.

Following the youth's movements, Lin Fan began to practice the leg technique himself.

His motions shifted from mere proficiency to extreme fluidity, and the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy gathered around him imperceptibly.

A warm sensation spread through Lin Fan's entire body. Inside his dantian, the six or seven strands of Internal Force, each as thick as a hemp rope, quickly grew to eight or nine.

After completing one full round of practice, Lin Fan summoned his panel to check his latest changes.

[Name: Lin Fan]
[Lifespan: 383]
[Talent: Pre-emptive Dao Fruit]
[Realm: Spirit Gathering Realm, Sixth Grade]
[Arts: Intermediate Demonic Arts (Beginner), Blood Gathering Art (Beginner)]

"The Basic Demonic Art in the arts column changed to Intermediate Demonic Arts? And the original mastery level turned into beginner?"

Lin Fan was stunned, his mind full of question marks.

But he quickly realized that the "Basic Demonic Art" was originally just a part of the "Intermediate Demonic Arts." They appeared to be two separate manuals, but in truth, they were one and the same. So the change in the arts column was only natural.