Maintaining Distance

After a day of copying rune patterns and practicing talisman crafting, Lin Fan was utterly exhausted.

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

"Brother Lin, you're back."

Zhou Wanqing, like a little bird, quickly flew into Lin Fan's arms.

The maiden's eyes were bright and moist, her skin was as delicate as a peach, her waist was slender and her legs were straight and long. A faint scent of her body emanated from her.

Recently, Lin Fan had been returning very late, so Zhou Wanqing had mostly been staying in the cave dwelling with Wang Yuyao, tending to the flowers and plants.

"You seem very happy?"

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

"I have good news for you."

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

Lin Fan was stunned, very surprised.

He had previously given Wang Yuyao the Infatuation Pill but hadn't acted on it, not wanting to take the risk.

After all, she was the sister of a feudal lord, born of noble lineage. Being sent to the Blood Demon Sect as a cauldron was also a pitiable fate.

If it wasn't absolutely necessary, Lin Fan didn't want to take advantage of her situation.

Now, he hadn't expected Wang Yuyao to be willing to submit to him willingly. Had she come to her senses? Or had Zhou Wanqing convinced her?

"The Princess came to her senses on her own, though I did play a part,"

Zhou Wanqing blinked her beautiful eyes and said.

Good sister, you're really something.

Just as they were talking, Wang Yuyao walked out from inside the room.

Her hair was black and smooth, her skin was white and delicate, her features were exquisite and beautiful, and her figure was tall and graceful. Beneath her split-skirted gauze dress, her straight, long legs were full of allure.

Even with Lin Fan's strong will, he couldn't help but feel a stir of desire looking at the stunningly beautiful Wang Yuyao at this moment.

In terms of looks, this sister of the King of Linzi far surpassed Zhou Wanqing, and her noble upbringing and elegant aura were something ordinary women could hardly match.

Wang Yuyao suppressed the heat within her and tried her best to remain calm. She pursed her lips and said softly, "I am willing to serve you. I hope you will treat me well."

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

Besides that, she had also completely come to terms with her situation.

She was no longer the sister of the King of Linzi, nor was she the high and mighty Princess. She was merely a prisoner sent to the demonic sect. If she continued to put on airs, she might die before long.

Rather than dying a miserable death, it was better to obediently follow Lin Fan. At least she could live a little longer.

Living was more important than anything.

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

Seeing Lin Fan still frozen in place, Zhou Wanqing quickly nudged him.

Lin Fan pondered for a moment before walking towards Wang Yuyao.

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

The gauze skirt tore, revealing her fair skin. Lin Fan could no longer hold back. He circulated the cultivation method of the Intermediate Demonic Arts and enjoyed himself three times in quick succession.

Wang Yuyao closed her eyes tightly, as if resigned to her fate, enduring the storm.

Inside the bedroom, the scenery was enchanting, and Zhou Wanqing's face turned red as she watched.

Lin Fan naturally did not let her off either. Before the maiden could react, he scooped her up.

Her clothes tore, her eyes were hazy, and her straight, long legs tightly wrapped around Lin Fan.

After several rounds of cultivation that night, the two women were so exhausted they could barely sleep. Fortunately, Lin Fan gave them each a Foundation Replenishing Pill afterward. Otherwise, with his current body, how could ordinary mortal women withstand it?

Early morning.

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

Before he could take a few steps, the stone door of a cave dwelling not far away also suddenly opened, and a beautiful figure walked out.

"You seem to be in good spirits."

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

"Sister Feng, when did you get back?"

Lin Fan asked in surprise.

Previously, Feng Ling had taken on the task of purchasing supplies at the marketplace and hadn't returned for many days.

"I just got back last night."

Feng Ling smiled charmingly, but her complexion didn't look very good, and there was a hint of fatigue in her brows.

Even so, she was still very beautiful.

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

"And you even have a chance to become a Blood Talisman Master?"

Feng Ling suddenly said.

"Sister Feng, you must have misheard,"

"I do want to become a Blood Talisman Master and am practicing talisman crafting, but it's just too difficult,"

Lin Fan shook his head and said.

"Is that so?"

Feng Ling looked at Lin Fan and then suddenly blurted out, "Lin Fan, you don't have a Dao companion yet, do you?"

Lin Fan was a little confused. Why was Feng Ling asking this?

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

Feng Ling proposed.

Lin Fan was stunned. Was this still the Feng Ling he knew?

Dao companions were different from dual cultivation vessels; they were a relationship of equals. Within the Demonic Sect, many disciples became Dao companions, not for physical pleasure, but more for a certain alliance of interests.

Feng Ling's sudden invitation surprised and puzzled Lin Fan, but he quickly understood her intentions.

Feng Ling was a spy sent to the Blood Demon Sect by another sect. Her proposing to become his Dao companion now likely meant she saw value in him.

If this had happened when Lin Fan first arrived at the Hidden Scripture Pavilion, he would have eagerly accepted Feng Ling's invitation. But now...

Lin Fan wasn't stupid and didn't want to get entangled in danger.

He chuckled awkwardly, "Sister Feng, stop joking. How could I possibly be worthy of you?"

"I still need to go to the Hidden Scripture Pavilion to copy talisman patterns. We'll talk another time."

With that, he fled as if escaping.

"This kid is getting more slippery by the day."

"But he wants to keep his distance from me? No way."

Watching Lin Fan's retreating back, Feng Ling put her hands on her hips and said indignantly.

After being ambushed while transmitting information last time, she clearly realized how difficult it would be to overthrow the Blood Demon Sect with her own strength. Therefore, she had to win over some people, and Lin Fan was her target.

"A spy from another sect as my Dao companion? If the higher-ups found out, I'd probably die without even knowing how."

"Cherish your life, stay away from Feng Ling."

Lin Fan quickened his pace toward the Hidden Scripture Pavilion.

With a crunch, Lin Fan crushed a Fire Spirit Talisman. It quickly transformed into a blazing inferno, its scorching heat filling the entire second floor of the Hidden Scripture Pavilion.

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

"It's only been a month, and you've already successfully crafted a Fire Spirit Talisman."

"It seems our Blackwood Cliff will have a Blood Talisman Master soon."

Zhao Wang said, his face filled with joy.

How long had it been? Lin Fan's talisman crafting skills had improved so remarkably. If he were given another three or even five years, what level would he reach?

Thinking of this, Zhao Wang suddenly felt a pang of unease and said with a forced smile, "Junior Brother, perhaps you shouldn't bother copying the talisman patterns for me anymore."

If Lin Fan were just an ordinary formal disciple, it would have been reasonable for him to boss Lin Fan around based on his seniority. But now, continuing to order Lin Fan around made Zhao Wang feel uneasy!

"Senior Brother, I enjoy copying talisman patterns."

"It's still copying even if I do it myself. One more isn't too many,"

Lin Fan smiled dismissively.

"Then I'll trouble you."

Zhao Wang breathed a sigh of relief.

"You continue with your work. I'm going downstairs for a bit. These miscellaneous disciples have been getting sloppier with their copying lately."

"I need to teach them a lesson."

Zhao Wang quickly left the second floor of the Hidden Scripture Pavilion.

Seeing him leave, Lin Fan immediately had a thought.

[Do you wish to consume twenty years of lifespan to pre-emptively reach mastery of the Talisman Secret Tome?]

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

He said without hesitation, "Agree to pre-empt."

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

At this very moment, the young man who looked exactly like Lin Fan reappeared.

He sat up straight, holding a talisman brush and sketching on the talisman paper. His movements were much smoother and more fluid than last time.

The light of the runes appeared, and the ink quickly solidified, spreading an even more astonishing fluctuation.

"More profound talisman crafting essentials."

With just a glance, Lin Fan became engrossed.

He subconsciously picked up his talisman brush and, mimicking the youth's movements, began sketching on the talisman paper.

Power gathered at the tip of the brush, and rune light flashed. As the ink solidified and disappeared, an even more astonishing fluctuation permeated from the surface of the talisman.

Time seemed to stand still. After an unknown duration, Lin Fan finished his last stroke and realized he was drenched in sweat.

A talisman took shape, emitting a dark golden luster. It was another first-order talisman recorded in the "Talisman Secret Tome," the Golden Thunder Talisman.

Lin Fan immediately summoned his status panel to check his changes.

[Name: Lin Fan]
[Lifespan: 1405]
[Talent: Pre-emptive Dao Fruit]
[Realm: Meridian Condensing Realm (First Grade)]
[Cultivation Methods: Intermediate Demonic Arts (Mastered), Blood Gathering Art (Proficient), Talisman Secret Tome (Proficient)]

"My talisman crafting skill has reached a new level. The Golden Thunder Talisman is several times more difficult to make than the Wind Blade Talisman, yet I succeeded in crafting it." Lin Fan smiled.

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

"In the past month, the talisman crafting talent I've displayed should be enough to make those above take notice."

"Now, it's my cultivation that's stagnating due to the lack of better cultivation methods to pre-emptively increase proficiency."

"I must find a way to obtain stronger cultivation methods."

While the progress in his talisman crafting brought Lin Fan joy, it also made him aware of the problems he faced.

No matter how high his talisman crafting skill reached, it was ultimately an external means. His own strength was his greatest foundation.