Chaos Outside

Advancing the Intermediate Demonic Arts to the entry level pushed Lin Fan's cultivation up another minor realm.

But he didn't stop there. To be safe, he burned another twenty years of lifespan to push the Blood Gathering Art from entry to mastery.

The higher his cultivation, the greater the risk of exposure.

"If I want to survive here, it's always better to be cautious."

Lin Fan thought to himself.

He didn't linger any longer and headed out of the market.

But he hadn't gone far when he heard a commotion not too far away.

Noise came from that direction, mixed with jeers that carried ill intent.

Lin Fan paused and looked toward the market entrance. Prison carts were rolling in, packed with men and women. Though travel-worn, their looks and bearing were far from ordinary.

The men were handsome and refined, the women strikingly beautiful. At a glance, there were dozens of them.

Nearby Blood Demon Sect disciples and other cultivators wore mocking grins, bursting into laughter now and then.

"The chaos in Great Jin is almost over. The Prince of Linzi led several other princes in a royal rescue, but not only did they fail, the Great Jin Profound Iron Army turned the tables on them."

"The Great Jin Emperor knows which side his bread is buttered. He understands his backing is the Blood Demon Sect, so he sent the princes' families and children here as tribute to the honored immortals."

"They say the princes carry the purest Black Dragon Bloodline of Great Jin. Their offspring make the best Dual Cultivation Cauldrons."

"Look, the one in the lead cart should be the Prince of Linzi's youngest daughter, Wang Shiyun, hailed as the number one beauty of the King of Linzi's City. They say she's skilled in both letters and martial arts, famous far and wide. Too bad she'll end up as nothing but a lowly slave to be toyed with in the Blood Demon Sect."

Lin Fan glanced at the frontmost cart. Sure enough, there was an incredibly alluring woman. Even from a distance, he could make out her figure and exquisite face.

Zhou Wanqing was pretty, but compared to her, there was still a huge gap.

"So the outside world is just as chaotic."

Lin Fan sighed softly.

Even the children and families of several princes were sent to the Blood Demon Sect. This showed the sect's reputation was far greater than he'd imagined.

He'd once harbored a faint hope of escaping this terrifying sect after becoming a Formal Disciple. Now it was clear that unless he became a top-tier powerhouse, he couldn't control his own fate.

"I have to get stronger. Strong enough that no one can stand against me."

Lin Fan silently resolved.

That night.

Lin Fan briefly told Zhou Wanqing what he'd seen and heard in the market that day.

He remembered she'd mentioned before that she came from the King of Linzi's City, the legitimate daughter of a wealthy merchant family.

Zhou Wanqing froze, then said in disbelief, "Princess Anyang was captured too?"

"A lot of people in the market said her name is Wang Shiyun, the Prince of Linzi's youngest daughter."

"Then that's her. Princess Anyang, Wang Shiyun. The most talented beauty in the King of Linzi's City."

Zhou Wanqing's face went pale. She said softly, "My family's business in the King of Linzi's City was backed by a head steward from Princess Anyang's estate."

"I saw her once from afar. In the King of Linzi's City, Princess Anyang was the gifted woman admired by every young talent, the shining jewel looked up to by all the noble daughters."

"If even she was caught by the Blood Demon Sect, then the entire King of Linzi's City has probably fallen."

As she spoke, Zhou Wanqing's eyes reddened.

She'd still held onto a sliver of hope of going home, but now that faint hope was shattered.

"With the help of the Treacherous Minister, the New Emperor of Great Jin usurped the throne. The Prince of Linzi and several other princes raised an army for a Royal Rescue a year ago. Looks like they failed in the end."

"Dynasties change, but cultivation sects endure forever..."

Zhou Wanqing murmured. Suddenly, her expression grew agitated. She grabbed Lin Fan's arm tightly and said solemnly, "Brother Lin, you have to succeed. You have to become a Formal Disciple."

"I know dual cultivation can help you raise your cultivation faster. Don't worry about my body. Use me as you please."

She spoke to him like a drowning woman grasping at her last straw.

Lin Fan was startled, then quickly understood her thoughts.

He patted Zhou Wanqing's shoulder and comforted her, "Don't worry. I'll definitely become a Formal Disciple."

"I believe you."

Zhou Wanqing nodded, then gently undid her clothes. "I want..."

The girl's blush said more than a thousand words.

Lin Fan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He climbed onto the bed and gave her the response she wanted.

The Everlasting Lamp's flame flickered, casting light on a scene of passion. The girl's unrestrained moans and the biting wind outside the window wove together into a duet.

With his cultivation improved, Lin Fan's physique was stronger too. He kept Zhou Wanqing busy for half the night until the beauty finally fell into a deep sleep.

Lin Fan was still full of energy. He got up and sat by the door to keep watch.

Another dwelling.

A delicate young woman sat cross-legged, her refined features illuminated by the lamplight, making her skin appear even fairer and more supple.

"Junior Sister, I don't want to wait any longer."

The delicate young woman suddenly spoke.

"Senior Sister Qiao'er, don't act rashly."

"Last month's test was their probe. We passed for now, but who knows how many eyes are watching from the shadows."

Feng Ling startled, then gently advised, "Wait until I become a Formal Disciple, then I'll have more chances to find where that person is imprisoned."

But the delicate young woman shook her head and said, "I've already found out—the New Emperor has sent several Feudal Princes' families into the Blood Demon Sect."

"This is a rare opportunity. While the Blood Demon Sect is processing the Feudal Princes' kin, I might be able to follow the trail and find clues about that person."

"But it's too dangerous..."

Feng Ling wanted to dissuade her further, but the delicate young woman's face was set with determination. "I really want to try. If I can find that person's whereabouts in time, we won't have to keep hiding in this demon sect."

Seeing this, Feng Ling let out a soft sigh and said no more.

She knew her Senior Sister's way of doing things—once a decision was made, no one could talk her out of it.

"To be safe, we'll split up tomorrow. That way, even if I'm exposed, I can protect you to some extent."

Early morning, the sun rose.

Lin Fan had just stepped out of his dwelling when he noticed that not far away, a dwelling's door stood wide open, with traces of blood seeping out from within.

"Someone else fell victim last night."

Zhou Wanqing said in a frightened, low voice.

Every few days, a Menial Disciple would have their door smashed open by an evil spirit and be devoured. On Blackwood Cliff, the menial disciples were squeezed dry copying scriptures by day, and by night they had to stay on edge, guarding against the sudden attacks of evil spirits.

Living on the edge of life and death—that was the norm for menial disciples.

Lin Fan said nothing, only patted Zhou Wanqing on the shoulder as they headed together toward the Hidden Scripture Pavilion.

The work of copying scriptures had to be meticulous.

Even Lin Fan, after continuous copying, found his head spinning and needed to rest from time to time.

Just then, Lin Fan noticed a graceful figure not far away, copying scriptures alone.

Her features were delicate, her black hair soft and smooth, her legs long and straight—it was the strikingly beautiful Feng Ling.

"Strange..."

Lin Fan murmured to himself, but quickly looked away.

At that moment, Zhou Wanqing suddenly raised her head and said in a low voice, "Brother Lin, it seems Feng Ling had a falling out with her original roommate."

She added weakly, "Brother Lin, I really don't mind. If you want, you could invite her to live with us."

"Dual Cultivation with two women is much faster than with just one."

Lin Fan found it both amusing and exasperating, knowing Zhou Wanqing had misunderstood him.

"You're overthinking it."

Lin Fan shook his head, then lowered his head and continued copying scriptures.

On Blackwood Cliff, as long as you had enough charm and potential, inviting one or two more people to live with you was tacitly permitted.

But Lin Fan was well aware that Feng Ling was not as simple as she seemed.

The more ties you had with someone like that, the easier it was to get dragged into some kind of trouble.