Maintain Distance

It had been copying Rune Patterns and practicing the production of talismans. By the end of the day, Lin Fan was utterly exhausted.

As the stone door opened, Lin Fan returned to his cave dwelling.

"Brother Lin, you're back."

Zhou Wanqing was like a little bird, swiftly flinging herself into Lin Fan's arms.

The girl's eyes glistened, her skin was so delicate it looked as if it could be pierced by a gentle touch, and her waist was slender while her legs were straight and long. A faint body fragrance wafted from her.

Recently, Lin Fan had been returning very late. Most of the time, Zhou Wanqing could only stay in the cave dwelling with Wang Yuyao, fiddling with flowers and plants.

"You look quite happy?"

Noticing Zhou Wanqing's expression, Lin Fan asked casually.

"I'm going to tell you some good news."

Zhou Wanqing leaned close to Lin Fan's ear and whispered, "The Princess has already agreed to serve you."

Lin Fan froze, utterly surprised.

Previously, he had given Wang Yuyao the Infatuation Pill but had not intended to touch her because he did not want to take the risk.

After all, she was the younger sister of a Feudal Prince, born to a noble family. Being sent to the Blood Demon Sect to become a Dual Cultivation Cauldron made her a pitiful person as well.

Unless it was absolutely necessary, Lin Fan was unwilling to take advantage of her desperate situation.

He had not expected Wang Yuyao to be willing to offer herself to him. Had she come to terms with it herself? Or had Zhou Wanqing convinced her?

"The Princess came to terms with it herself, of course, though I deserve some of the credit too."

Zhou Wanqing blinked her beautiful eyes and said this.

Good girl, you really came through.

As the two spoke, Wang Yuyao walked out from inside the room.

Her black hair was smooth and lustrous, her skin white and delicate, and her features exquisitely beautiful. Her tall, graceful figure was wrapped in a slit gauze dress, beneath which her straight, slender legs were filled with temptation.

Even with Lin Fan's firm willpower, seeing the astonishingly beautiful Wang Yuyao now made his heart and mind waver.

In terms of appearance, this younger sister of the King of Linzi far surpassed Zhou Wanqing. Moreover, the elegant bearing that came from her noble birth was something ordinary women could hardly match.

Wang Yuyao forcibly suppressed the heat in her heart and did her utmost to remain calm. Pressing her lips together, she said softly, "I'm willing to serve you. I hope you'll treat me well."

After spending some time in the cave dwelling, combined with the effects of the Infatuation Pill, the defenses deep within her heart had already collapsed.

Besides that, she had also come to terms with everything herself.

She was no longer the younger sister of the King of Linzi, nor was she still that lofty Princess. She was merely a prisoner sent to a demonic sect. If she continued to hold herself aloof, she might lose her life before long.

Rather than die a miserable death, she was better off obediently following Lin Fan. At the very least, she could live a little longer.

Being alive was more important than anything.

"Brother Lin, what are you still standing there for?"

Seeing Lin Fan still stunned in place, Zhou Wanqing hurriedly gave him a push.

Lin Fan pondered for a moment, then walked toward Wang Yuyao.

Looking at the beautiful and elegant woman before him, Lin Fan gently lifted her up and placed her on the bed.

The gauze dress tore apart, revealing snow-white skin. Lin Fan could no longer restrain himself. Using the harvesting method of the "Intermediate Demonic Arts," he enjoyed himself three times in one breath.

Wang Yuyao tightly shut her eyes, as if she had resigned herself to fate, enduring the raging storm.

Inside the bedroom, the scenery was alluring, and Zhou Wanqing's little face flushed red as she watched.

Lin Fan naturally did not let her off either. Before the girl could react, he had already swept her up in his arms.

Her clothes tore apart. The girl's eyes grew hazy, and her straight, slender legs wrapped tightly around Lin Fan.

Several rounds of harvesting in one night left the two women so exhausted they could not wake up. Fortunately, Lin Fan afterward gave them Foundation Replenishing Pills. Otherwise, with his current body, how could ordinary mortal women possibly have endured it?

Morning.

The stone door opened, and Lin Fan walked out looking refreshed.

Before he had taken more than a few steps, the stone door of the cave dwelling not far away suddenly opened as well, and a pretty figure walked out.

"You look quite spirited."

Feng Ling's beautiful eyes swept over Lin Fan as she smiled.

"Sister Feng, when did you return?"

Lin Fan asked in surprise.

Previously, Feng Ling had accepted a mission to purchase supplies in the market and had not returned for many days.

"I just came back last night."

Feng Ling smiled sweetly, but her complexion did not look very good, and a trace of weariness showed between her brows.

Even so, she was still beautiful.

"I heard you've been doing quite well lately."

"And that you even have a chance of becoming a Blood Talisman Master?"

Feng Ling suddenly said.

"Sister Feng, you must have heard wrong."

"I really want to become a Blood Talisman Master. I've been practicing making talismans, but it's just too difficult."

Lin Fan shook his head.

"Is that so?"

Feng Ling looked at Lin Fan, then suddenly tossed out another question. "Lin Fan, you still don't have a Dao companion, do you?"

Lin Fan was somewhat puzzled. Why was Feng Ling asking him that?

"If you're willing, why don't we become Dao companions? That way, we can rely on each other."

Feng Ling made the proposal.

Lin Fan stared blankly. Was this really the Feng Ling he knew?

Dao companions were different from Dual Cultivation Cauldrons. They had an equal relationship with each other. Within the demonic sect, quite a few disciples became Dao companions—not for physical pleasure, but more as a kind of alliance based on mutual interests.

Feng Ling's sudden invitation left Lin Fan shocked and suspicious, but he soon understood her purpose.

Feng Ling was a spy sent to the Blood Demon Sect by another sect. Her proposal to become Dao companions with him at this time was most likely because she had taken a liking to his value.

If Feng Ling had made this invitation back when Lin Fan had first arrived at the Hidden Scripture Pavilion, he would have agreed immediately. But now...

Lin Fan was not a fool. He did not want to be dragged into danger.

He gave an awkward smile. "Sister Feng, stop joking around. How could I possibly be worthy of you?"

"I still have to go to the Hidden Scripture Pavilion to copy Rune Patterns. We'll talk next time."

With that, he fled as if escaping.

"This kid is becoming more and more slippery."

"But if he thinks he can keep his distance from me, he's dreaming."

Watching Lin Fan's back, Feng Ling planted her hands on her hips and huffed angrily.

After being ambushed the last time she had delivered intelligence, she had clearly realized that overturning the Blood Demon Sect with her own strength alone would be extremely difficult. She therefore had to recruit some people. Lin Fan was her target.

"An outside sect's spy wants me as his Dao companion? If the people above discover it, I'm afraid I wouldn't even know how I died."

"Cherish your life. Stay away from Feng Ling."

Lin Fan quickened his pace and headed toward the Hidden Scripture Pavilion.

When Lin Fan crushed a Fire Spirit Talisman, it quickly transformed into a mass of roaring flames. Waves of heat billowed forth, filling the entire Hidden Scripture Pavilion Second Floor.

"Junior Brother Lin, you truly have the potential to become a Blood Talisman Master."

"It has only been a month, yet you've already successfully produced a Fire Spirit Talisman."

"Looks like a Blood Talisman Master will soon emerge from our Blackwood Cliff."

Seeing this, Zhao Wang's face was full of delight.

How long had it been? Lin Fan's attainments in talismans had already improved so remarkably. If he were given another three or even five years, to what stage would he grow?

At this thought, Zhao Wang suddenly felt guilty. He gave an embarrassed smile and said, "Junior Brother, why don't you stop copying Rune Patterns for me?"

If Lin Fan were an ordinary Formal Disciple, it would be perfectly reasonable for him to order Lin Fan around by relying on his seniority. But continuing to order Lin Fan around now made Zhao Wang uneasy.

"Senior Brother, I like copying Rune Patterns."

"I'd be copying them anyway, so one more set doesn't hurt."

Lin Fan smiled, completely unconcerned.

"Then I'll have to trouble you."

Zhao Wang let out a sigh of relief.

"You keep busy. I'm going downstairs for a while. The books these menial servants have been copying lately are becoming more and more careless."

"They won't do unless they're taught a lesson."

Zhao Wang soon left the Hidden Scripture Pavilion Second Floor.

As soon as he saw Zhao Wang leave, Lin Fan's thoughts stirred.

Would you like to consume twenty years of lifespan to pre-emptively cultivate the Talisman Secret Tome to proficiency?

The next second, a line of text visible only to Lin Fan appeared before him.

Without the slightest hesitation, he said, "I agree to the pre-emptive cultivation."

Soon, another portion of insights regarding the "Talisman Secret Tome" surged into Lin Fan's mind.

At that same moment, the youth who looked identical to Lin Fan appeared once more.

He sat upright, holding a Talisman Brush as he outlined patterns on Talisman Paper. Compared with last time, his movements had become even smoother and more fluid.

The light of the runes emerged, and the ink rapidly solidified. An even more astonishing fluctuation spread outward.

"Even more profound talisman-making techniques."

With just one glance, Lin Fan became completely absorbed.

He subconsciously picked up his own Talisman Brush and followed the youth's movements, outlining patterns on the Talisman Paper.

Power gathered at the tip of the brush. Rune light flashed, and as the ink solidified and vanished, an even more astonishing fluctuation spread from the surface of the talisman.

Time seemed to stand still. No one knew how long had passed before Lin Fan finally lowered his brushstroke, only to discover that he was drenched in sweat.

A talisman took shape, shimmering with a dark-golden luster. It was another First-Grade Talisman recorded in the "Talisman Secret Tome": the Golden Thunder Talisman.

Lin Fan immediately summoned the panel and examined the changes within himself.

Name: Lin Fan

Lifespan: 1405

Talent: Pre-emptive Dao Fruit

Realm: Meridian Condensing Realm (First Grade)

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

"His attainments in talismans have risen another level. The Golden Thunder Talisman is several times more difficult to make than the Wind Blade Talisman, yet I successfully produced it."

A smile appeared on Lin Fan's face.

This meant that he was one step closer to becoming a Blood Talisman Master.

"Over this past month, the talent I've displayed in talisman-making should be enough to make those above take notice."

"Instead, my cultivation has stagnated because I have no stronger technique whose proficiency I can pre-emptively cultivate."

"I have to find a way to obtain a stronger technique."

The improvement in his talisman attainments made Lin Fan happy, but it also made him realize the problem he faced.

No matter how high his attainments in talismans became, they were ultimately merely external means. His own strength was his greatest source of confidence.