Outside Was Chaotic Too

By advancing "Intermediate Demonic Arts" to the entry level, Lin Fan's cultivation rose by another minor realm.

But he did not stop the advancement. To be safe, he spent another twenty years of his lifespan and advanced the "Blood Gathering Art" from the entry level to the mastery stage.

The higher his cultivation, the greater the risk of exposing himself.

"To survive here, it's always better to be a little more cautious."

Lin Fan thought to himself.

He did not linger and instead headed toward the marketplace's exit.

He had not gone far when he heard a commotion from nearby.

Noisy voices came from there, accompanied by mocking laughter filled with ill intent.

Lin Fan halted and looked toward the marketplace entrance, only to see one prison cart after another rolling in. Each cart held several men and women. Though they were all travel-worn, their appearances and bearing were far beyond those of ordinary people.

The Blood Demon Sect disciples and many nearby cultivators all wore amused expressions, bursting into laughter from time to time.

"The chaos in Great Jin is almost settled. The several Princes led by the Prince of Linzi raised troops for the Royal Rescue, but not only did they fail, the Great Jin Profound Iron Army even raided their homes."

"The Great Jin Emperor is quite wise and sensible. Knowing that his backing was the Blood Demon Sect, he sent the relatives and descendants of several Princes to the Blood Demon Sect as an offering to the immortals."

"I hear that several Princes possess Great Jin's most orthodox Black Dragon Bloodline. Their descendants are the most suitable Dual Cultivation Cauldrons."

"Look quickly! The one leading them should be the Prince of Linzi's youngest daughter, Wang Shiyun, hailed as the most beautiful woman in the City of Linzi. They say she is accomplished in both the civil and martial arts and renowned far and wide. What a pity that from now on, she can only be a lowly slave in the Blood Demon Sect, available for anyone to ravage."

Lin Fan glanced toward the prison cart at the very front. Sure enough, there was an incomparably enchanting woman inside. Even from a distance, her exquisite figure and peerless beauty were plainly visible.

Zhou Wanqing was attractive enough, but compared with her, there was still a huge gap.

"So the world outside is in chaos too."

Lin Fan sighed softly.

Even the descendants and relatives of several Princes had been sent into the Blood Demon Sect. It was easy to imagine that the Blood Demon Sect's reputation far exceeded anything he had imagined.

He had once clung to a sliver of hope, thinking that after becoming a Formal Disciple, he might try to escape this terrifying demonic sect. Now, however, it seemed that unless he became a supreme expert, he would have no way to control his own fate.

"I still have to grow stronger—strong enough to be unmatched!"

Lin Fan secretly made up his mind.

That night.

Lin Fan briefly recounted to Zhou Wanqing what he had seen and heard in the marketplace during the day.

He remembered that Zhou Wanqing had mentioned before that she also came from the City of Linzi and was the legitimate daughter of a wealthy merchant family.

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

"Many people in the marketplace said her name was Wang Shiyun, the Prince of Linzi's youngest daughter."

"Then that must be her. Princess Anyang, Wang Shiyun—the most talented and beautiful woman in the City of Linzi."

Zhou Wanqing's pretty face went pale. She said softly, "The backing of my family's trade association in the City of Linzi was one of the chief stewards of Princess Anyang's household."

"I once saw her from afar. In the City of Linzi, Princess Anyang was the gifted woman admired by every young and talented man, and the dazzling pearl looked up to by every young lady from the great families."

"Even she was captured and brought to the Blood Demon Sect. I'm afraid the entire City of Linzi has already fallen."

As she spoke, Zhou Wanqing's eyes reddened.

She had still held on to a sliver of hope of returning home, but now even that faint hope had been shattered.

"With the Treacherous Minister's help, the Great Jin New Emperor usurped the throne. The Prince of Linzi and several Princes raised troops for the Royal Rescue a year ago. Now, it seems they ultimately failed."

"Dynasties rise and fall, but cultivation sects alone endure..."

Zhou Wanqing murmured. Suddenly, her expression grew agitated, and she seized Lin Fan's arm tightly. Solemnly, she said, "Brother Lin, you must succeed. You must become a Formal Disciple."

"I know Dual Cultivation can help you improve your cultivation faster. You don't need to worry about my body—enjoy me as you please."

It was as if she had seized the last straw. She gazed at Lin Fan beseechingly as she spoke.

Lin Fan was startled, but soon understood what she was thinking.

He patted Zhou Wanqing's shoulder and comforted her. "You don't need to worry. I'll definitely become a Formal Disciple."

"I believe you."

Zhou Wanqing nodded, then slowly loosened her clothes and said, "I want to..."

The girl's flushed face spoke louder than a thousand words.

Lin Fan was both amused and exasperated. He immediately climbed onto the bed and gave her the response she desired.

The Everlasting Lamp's flame swayed, illuminating an alluring scene. The girl's unrestrained moans and the biting howls of the cold wind outside the window formed a single duet.

As his cultivation improved, Lin Fan's physique had also grown stronger. He tormented Zhou Wanqing for half the night before the beauty sank into a deep sleep.

Lin Fan was still brimming with energy. He rose and sat beside the door to keep watch.

In another room.

The Delicate Girl sat cross-legged. Under the lamplight, her exquisite features made her skin appear even fairer and more supple.

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

The Delicate Girl suddenly spoke.

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

"The last Monthly Test was merely one of their probes. Although we passed for now, who knows how many pairs of eyes are watching this place in the shadows?"

Feng Ling was startled and softly urged her, "Only after I become a Formal Disciple will I have more opportunities to find where that person is being held."

But the Delicate Girl shook her head. "I've already found out everything. The New Emperor sent the descendants and relatives of several Feudal Princes into the Blood Demon Sect."

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

"But it's too dangerous..."

Feng Ling still wanted to persuade her, but the Delicate Girl's expression was resolute. "I want to try. If we can find that person's whereabouts in time, you and I won't have to remain hidden in the demonic sect."

Seeing this, Feng Ling sighed softly and said nothing more.

She knew her senior sister's way of doing things. Once she made a decision, no one could dissuade her.

"To be safe, you and I will separate tomorrow. That way, even if I'm exposed, I can at least protect you to some extent."

At dawn, the morning sun rose.

Lin Fan had just stepped out of his room when he suddenly noticed that the door of a room not far away stood open, with thin trails of blood flowing out from inside.

"Someone else met with disaster last night."

Zhou Wanqing was terrified as she spoke in a low voice.

Every few days, a Menial Disciple would have their door broken through by a demon or evil spirit and be devoured to death. The Menial Disciples on Blackwood Cliff were exploited and squeezed dry while copying books during the day, then had to remain terrified at night, guarding against demons and evil spirits that could attack at any moment.

Hovering on the brink of life and death—this was the Menial Disciples' normal state.

Lin Fan remained silent. He merely patted Zhou Wanqing's shoulder before walking with her toward the Hidden Scripture Pavilion.

The work of copying books had to be done without the slightest carelessness.

Even Lin Fan became dizzy and light-headed after copying continuously, needing to rest for a moment from time to time.

At that moment, Lin Fan suddenly noticed a graceful figure nearby, copying books alone.

She had delicate features, smooth black hair, and long, straight legs. It was none other than the stunning Feng Ling.

"How strange..."

Lin Fan muttered to himself, but quickly withdrew his gaze.

At that moment, Zhou Wanqing suddenly raised her head and said in a low voice, "Brother Lin, that Feng Ling seems to have fallen out with the person she used to share a room with."

She continued timidly, "Brother Lin, I really don't mind. If you're interested, you can invite her to live with us."

"Dual Cultivation with two women should be much faster than Dual Cultivation with one."

Lin Fan was both amused and exasperated. He knew that Zhou Wanqing had misunderstood him.

"You're overthinking it."

Lin Fan shook his head, then lowered it and continued copying the books.

Here on Blackwood Cliff, as long as one possessed sufficient charm and potential, inviting one or two more people to share a room was tacitly permitted.

But Lin Fan knew very clearly that Feng Ling was not as simple as she seemed.

The more entangled he became with someone like her, the easier it would be to get dragged into some kind of trouble.