Traces Revealed

After leaving the Transmission Hall, Zhao Wang arrived at a palace.

A figure had long been waiting here.

With hands clasped behind his back and a golden mask on his face, he exuded a faint, chilling aura. This was Shi Tao, the inner disciple in charge of the entire Blackwood Cliff.

"Senior Brother."

Zhao Wang bowed, deeply respectful.

"How did things go?"

Shi Tao glanced at him and asked coldly.

"The three of them were sensible enough. They've already taken the Bone-Gnawing Pill."

"It seems they all know their place." Shi Tao nodded, then added, "On Blood Soul Peak and throughout the entire sect, loyalty is paramount. If loyalty is not absolute, then it is absolute disloyalty."

"In your view, which of them is most worth cultivating?"

Zhao Wang paused, knowing that Senior Brother Shi was testing him. After a moment's deliberation, he said, "In terms of aptitude, that Yin-Attracting Physique has the greatest potential, though her background is somewhat peculiar."

"Next would be Lin Fan. He's not bad either, and his origins are clear—he was brought up the mountain by the Saintess herself, so there shouldn't be many issues."

"I see."

A sharp glint flashed in Shi Tao's eyes.

"By the way, keep an eye on those Menial Disciples assigned to the Hidden Scripture Pavilion lately. The Market Below the Mountain has been unstable."

"Is something wrong in the market?"

Zhao Wang was startled. The market below the mountain wasn't large, but it was Blood Demon Sect territory. Who would dare cause trouble there?

"Remnants from under a few Feudal Princes have infiltrated. Several people have already died, including one or two Formal Disciples."

"The sect has sent people to search, but it's hard to track them down anytime soon."

Market Below the Mountain.

Lin Fan looked around, a hint of surprise on his face.

Compared to the last time he'd come, both the number of stall owners and shoppers had dropped significantly. At a glance, foot traffic had decreased by at least a third. What was going on?

"Boss, why is it so unusual here?"

Curious, Lin Fan politely approached a nearby stall owner and voiced his question.

"Young friend, you haven't heard?"

"Over the past month, there have been several murders outside the market. One or two Formal Disciples of the Blood Demon Sect died, and even more Menial Disciples."

"They say the deaths were gruesome—not only were their vital essences drained, but even their skin was peeled off."

The stall owner was plump and wore the robes of a Blood Demon Sect Formal Disciple.

He grumbled and continued, "Now hardly anyone dares to set up stalls or shop here, unless they're reckless like you and me."

He gave a self-deprecating laugh, but there was no fear in his expression, as if he had considerable confidence in his own strength.

The stall owners who still dared to set up shop in the market were all tough characters with real skills. Otherwise, who would gamble with their own life?

Realization dawned on Lin Fan. After thanking the stall owner, he quickly set out to find a stall selling Talisman Materials.

Since the market wasn't safe, he needed to hurry, buy the materials he wanted, and leave as soon as possible.

Talisman Materials were a niche item, and with the market so quiet, it took Lin Fan half an hour before he found a stall in a remote corner.

On the stall were various talisman-making supplies: talisman brushes, Talisman Paper, cinnabar, and the like.

"Azure Goat Talisman Brush: increases talisman success rate by 3%. Price: 20 Contribution Points."

"Black Ox Talisman Brush: increases talisman success rate by 5%. Price: 30 Contribution Points."

Just a single glance made Lin Fan's heart sink. Even the most basic talisman brushes were costly, not to mention the other materials.

No wonder Zhao Wang had warned them to think twice before learning from the Talisman Secret Tome. Forget whether they could master it—just the cost of materials was a huge expense!

The stall owner was a woman, tall and slender, with fair, delicate skin.

She wore a black veil, revealing only her bright, water-like eyes. Even so, one could tell she was a captivating beauty.

"Boss, how much would an Azure Goat Talisman Brush, basic Talisman Paper, and cinnabar come to?"

Lin Fan gritted his teeth and asked.

He had just become a Formal Disciple with only twenty Contribution Points. Even adding the points he'd earned from killing Wu Hai, his total was still under two hundred.

But to cultivate talismans, he had no choice but to bleed his savings.

"The Azure Goat Talisman Brush is 20 Contribution Points. The basic Talisman Paper and cinnabar together are 40. I'll take 60 from you."

The stall owner spoke, her voice light and pleasant.

Lin Fan paused. He felt he'd heard that voice somewhere before, but for the life of him, he couldn't remember where.

He didn't dwell on the issue, instead shifting his gaze slightly and testing the waters: "50 Contribution Points, I'll take it."

"60 Contribution Points, not a single point less."

The stall owner refused to budge.

She had seen plenty of Formal Disciples who, ignoring their own talent and circumstances, gambled on buying Talisman Materials to practice talismans like it was a game of chance—only to waste not just Contribution Points and energy, but also miss out on cultivation time.

She had seen plenty of such leeks, and of course she wouldn't warn them, only keep reaping.

"55, I'll take it."

Lin Fan's face twisted in pain.

It wasn't an act—he genuinely felt the sting.

"60, take it or leave it."

The stall owner shot Lin Fan a glance, utterly unyielding.

Because she remembered—last time, it was this same youth who had haggled her down once on a secret manual at her stall.

No matter what, she wouldn't let him get away with it again this time.

"Fine, you win."

Lin Fan was a bit speechless, too lazy to keep arguing, and could only accept the stall owner's price.

Beneath her veil, the female stall owner's lips curled into a pleasing arc.

After the transaction, Lin Fan didn't linger. He took the Talisman Materials and left the Market directly.

"Last time he picked an 'Intermediate Demonic Arts' manual for Formal Disciples, and now he's buying Talisman Materials."

"This kid's no simpleton."

Watching Lin Fan's retreating figure, the female stall owner's eyes flickered as she murmured to herself.

Just then, she let out a soft "Oh?" and caught a glimpse from the corner of her eye—in the direction Lin Fan had gone, one or two figures suddenly trailed after him.

"Interesting."

She clicked her tongue in wonder.

No sooner had he left the Market than Lin Fan sensed something was off.

He hadn't gone far before his brow furrowed slightly.

Lin Fan thought he had been careful enough, but he hadn't expected to still draw the attention of those with ill intent.

A moment later, Lin Fan suddenly stopped, turned to look behind him, and spoke: "I appreciate you two following me for so long. How about coming out and having a word?"

As his words fell, the space behind him remained empty, with no movement at all.

Lin Fan wasn't in a hurry. He stayed put, staring fixedly in one direction.

After a stalemate of half an incense stick's time, a faint rustling sound finally came, and two figures appeared side by side.

One was tall and burly, the other small and thin. Both wore strange masks, their true features hidden.

"Well, well, you little demon sect brat—you actually managed to detect our trail."

The man wearing the Blood-Pattern Mask spoke, his tone laced with a hint of mockery and wariness.

They had concealed their tracks and pulled off many jobs outside the Market, but this was the first time they'd encountered someone who could actively spot them.