Talisman Path Novice

"Intermediate Demonic Arts? Senior Brother Zhao, may I ask if this technique is related to the Beginner Demonic Arts that Menial Disciples cultivate?"

Feng Ling's expression shifted slightly as she asked.

"The Beginner Demonic Arts is a simplified version of the Intermediate Demonic Arts."

"This method you must cultivate well; it will speed up the efficiency of condensing your Internal Force."

Having said this, Zhao Wang grinned with a meaningful look and added, "Of course, the effects of Dual Cultivation and plundering will also far surpass what you had before."

Wang Biao's eyes lit up, and he clutched the technique manual as if he couldn't bear to let it go.

His talent was mediocre, and he had worried about how to continue cultivating after becoming a Formal Disciple. Now, with this technique, he could keep using the same method of Dual Cultivation and plundering to grow stronger.

Lin Fan, on the other hand, remained calm, as he had already cultivated the Intermediate Demonic Arts—only accessible to Formal Disciples—to perfection and was intimately familiar with it.

Instead, it was the Talisman Secret Tome that piqued Lin Fan's interest.

Lin Fan immediately asked, "Senior Brother Zhao, is the path of talismans also a main focus for Formal Disciples?"

"You mean this Talisman Secret Tome? Learn some basic talismans, that's enough. As for the advanced talismans recorded in it, I advise you not to try them lightly. Becoming a Blood Talisman Master requires talent and effort that few possess."

Zhao Wang shook his head and said.

The reason Blood Soul Peak could rival the other two peaks wasn't just its overall strength, but also the existence of Blood Talisman Masters.

Yet Blood Talisman Masters were exceedingly rare; across the entire Blood Soul Peak, there were only a handful.

"Also, now that you're Formal Disciples, enjoying the sect's treatment and benefits, you must also fulfill your duties."

"Formal Disciples of Blood Soul Peak must complete one sect mission each year. Currently, on Blackwood Cliff, there are several sect missions: first, follow the orders of an Inner Disciple Senior Brother to go to Mingyang Marketplace and procure supplies for Blackwood Cliff; second, lead a few Menial Disciples to guard the Spirit Beast Garden; third, go to the second floor of the Hidden Scripture Pavilion to continue copying texts and assist me in reviewing the copies made by Menial Disciples for storage."

After speaking, Zhao Wang looked at the three of them.

Lin Fan understood in his heart that even as a Formal Disciple, he couldn't completely detach from labor; he had to fulfill his obligations.

He personally leaned toward the third sect mission but didn't rush to voice his opinion, instead observing the reactions of Feng Ling and Wang Biao.

"I choose the first sect mission—to go to Mingyang Marketplace and procure supplies."

Feng Ling thought for a moment, then spoke.

She had her own calculations. Mingyang Marketplace was a fair distance from the Blood Demon Sect, but it was a rare opportunity to go out.

"Since Junior Sister Feng has chosen to go out for supplies, I'll take the Spirit Beast Garden. I've had enough of the Hidden Scripture Pavilion."

"Junior Brother Lin, it's up to you."

Wang Biao grinned, turning to look at Lin Fan as he spoke.

"What do you think?"

"I have no objections."

"Good, then it's settled."

Zhao Wang nodded, then took out several Pills and handed them to Lin Fan, Feng Ling, and Wang Biao.

"Senior Brother Zhao, these are..."

The three exchanged glances.

"In the sect, loyalty is paramount. Every Formal Disciple must take a Bone-Gnawing Pill, and the sect will distribute an antidote once a month."

"As long as you obey and behave, there's nothing to worry about."

Zhao Wang said expressionlessly.

This was the Blood Demon Sect's iron grip on its Formal Disciples. If any Formal Disciple dared to feign compliance with the sect's orders, they wouldn't receive the antidote for the Bone-Gnawing Pill, and after a month, they would explode and die on the spot.

"A demon sect truly is a demon sect—even the methods of controlling disciples are so cold and ruthless."

Lin Fan was secretly alarmed.

Though reluctant, he still swallowed the Pill.

Seeing Lin Fan take the poison, Feng Ling's brows furrowed slightly, but she too downed the Pill in one gulp.

Wang Biao hesitated and fidgeted, but when Zhao Wang shot him a glare, he obediently swallowed the poison as well.

"Don't worry. This Bone-Gnawing Pill isn't just poison; it's also a tonic. As long as you get the antidote each month, it will boost your cultivation efficiency to some extent."

Zhao Wang said with a half-smile.

"Alright, that's enough for today. Starting tomorrow, the three of you will begin your missions."

"Dismissed."

With that, he turned and drifted away.

Wang Biao hung his head and didn't linger either, leaving.

Soon, only Lin Fan and Feng Ling remained in the pavilion.

Feng Ling turned to leave.

Lin Fan was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Sister Feng, going out to procure supplies is very dangerous."

"How do you know?"

"I guessed."

Lin Fan continued on his own: "The area we're staying in has over a dozen Cave Mansions, but according to what Senior Brother Zhao mentioned, Blackwood Cliff only has a few Formal Disciples. Those empty Cave Mansions..."

Lin Fan didn't finish his sentence. He believed Feng Ling could understand his meaning.

"I have my own plans."

Feng Ling said softly.

Lin Fan shook his head and said nothing more.

Of course he knew what Feng Ling was thinking—she wanted to take this opportunity to send word to the outside world. But would the demon sect give her that chance?

Few undercover agents infiltrating the demon sect met a good end. If Feng Ling hadn't tipped him off before, Lin Fan wouldn't have bothered to speak up.

After becoming a Formal Disciple, the treatment was far better than that of a Menial Disciple.

For example, Contribution Points—twenty per month. Plus, a fixed supply of twenty Grain Abstinence Pills and ten Blood Spirit Pills for cultivation each month.

On top of that, completing sect missions also earned a certain amount of Contribution Points as rewards.

There were also perks like the "Dual Cultivation Cauldron" provided by the sect.

In short, compared to Menial Disciples, the benefits for Formal Disciples were overwhelmingly better.

After leaving the pavilion, Lin Fan immediately examined the "Talisman Secret Tome."

[Consume ten years of lifespan to Pre-emptive the Talisman Secret Tome to Beginner?]

Soon, a line of glowing text appeared before Lin Fan.

"Agree to Pre-emptive."

Lin Fan said without hesitation.

The next moment, a portion of insights regarding the "Talisman Secret Tome" flooded into Lin Fan's mind.

At the same time, a scene abruptly appeared—a youth who looked like Lin Fan was holding a talisman brush, tracing special symbols on pure white Talisman Paper.

Power gathered at the brush tip, and runes leaped onto the paper. The movements started clumsy but gradually became smooth.

"The essentials and motions of drawing talismans!"

Lin Fan's eyes lit up.

He casually picked up a wooden stick, treating it as a talisman brush, and slowly traced in the dirt.

Power gathered at a single point, runes shimmered faintly in the soil, then slowly faded. A faint, barely perceptible ripple spread outward from Lin Fan.

As the last glimmer of talisman light vanished, Lin Fan's mental energy relaxed, and fine beads of sweat had already formed on his forehead.

He didn't bother wiping the sweat, quickly summoning his panel to check his latest changes.

[Name: Lin Fan]

[Lifespan: 525]

[Talent: Pre-emptive Dao Fruit]

[Realm: Meridian Condensing Realm (First Grade)]

[Techniques: Intermediate Demonic Arts (Perfected), Blood Gathering Art (Proficient), Talisman Secret Tome (Beginner)]

"So besides cultivation techniques, talisman manuals can also have their proficiency Pre-emptived."

Lin Fan was pleasantly surprised.

This way, he could not only improve his cultivation but also train in the art of talismans.

If he could achieve something in talisman arts, he'd become a technical specialist within the demon sect—far better off in both treatment and status than ordinary disciples.

"For now, the priority is to buy some talisman-making materials so I can test my talisman-drawing ability."

"Looks like I'll have to make a trip to the market at the foot of the mountain."

Lin Fan thought for a moment, then headed outside.