Spending What Needs To Be Spent

A cave dwelling.

Zhao Wang, clad in a black robe, respectfully bowed to Shi Tao.

"Senior Brother, please take a look."

Zhao Wang produced a Fire Spirit Talisman and handed it over with both hands.

The runes were clear, and the spiritual light was contained.

Shi Tao glanced at the talisman and asked, "Who made it?"

"Lin Fan, Junior Brother Lin."

"Senior Brother, last time you asked Senior Brother Yun to guide him in Talisman Crafting, and in just one month, Junior Brother Lin can already make a Fire Spirit Talisman on his own."

Zhao Wang didn't hide anything, briefly explaining the whole story. Of course, the part where Lin Fan helped him copy the talisman patterns was naturally omitted.

Shi Tao's eyes lit up, and he murmured, "I never expected this kid to have the potential to become a Blood Talisman Master."

"Senior Brother, Junior Brother Lin is very good."

"If we have the chance, we should help him."

Zhao Wang quickly chimed in.

Shi Tao glanced at him and snorted, "You're speaking up for him so much, did you take something from him?"

"No, really no..."

"I just feel that our Blackwood Cliff has finally produced a good seedling. If we can cultivate him into a true Blood Talisman Master, Blackwood Cliff's standing on the main peak will definitely rise by several levels."

Zhao Wang chuckled sheepishly and said.

Shi Tao pondered for a moment and said, "I will find a way for this matter."

The next day.

Blood Soul Peak's main peak.

In a hidden palace, a gaunt figure sat cross-legged, half of his body shrouded in darkness, his true face invisible.

Shi Tao respectfully bowed and reported the situation Zhao Wang had mentioned, point by point.

After a while, the gaunt figure slowly spoke, his voice hoarse and deep.

"Blood Talisman Masters are indispensable talents, and we also need such talents."

"Master Ruan will be holding a Blood Talisman Gathering at Roaming Cloud Valley next month, observing various demonic beast forms to craft talismans."

"This is a rare opportunity, let this kid go and witness it."

"As for other matters, we'll discuss them later."

"As you command."

Shi Tao respectfully replied.

That evening, Lin Fan had just finished his copying work and was preparing to return to his cave dwelling when he was stopped by Zhao Wang, who suddenly appeared.

"Junior Brother Lin, you have good news, great news."

Zhao Wang produced an invitation and handed it to Lin Fan with a smile.

"Senior Brother, this is..."

Lin Fan was taken aback.

"Bring this invitation and your identification token. Someone will come to pick you up next month to go to Roaming Cloud Valley to participate in the Blood Talisman Gathering."

"This is a rare opportunity. Those who can attend this gathering are all Blood Talisman Masters of the sect, as well as many outstanding disciples with the potential to become Blood Talisman Masters."

"If you can seize this chance, your future will be limitless."

Zhao Wang reminded him again, "This invitation was hard-won by Senior Brother Shi. Although it's a last-minute addition, it was still very difficult to obtain."

"At that time, you must observe and learn as much as possible. If you have the chance to meet Master Ruan, be sure to ask for his guidance."

Lin Fan understood. It was likely that Zhao Wang had reported his success in making the Fire Spirit Talisman, which was why Shi Tao had arranged this learning opportunity for him.

He immediately smiled and said, "Thank you, Senior Brother. I will definitely seize this opportunity and not let down the cultivation of Senior Brothers."

Lin Fan already had some skill in talismans, but he was still a step away from becoming a true Blood Talisman Master. If he could learn something useful through this opportunity, he would naturally be overjoyed.

"You keep up the good work, kid. Senior Brother Shi and I both think highly of you."

Zhao Wang smiled.

"Senior Brother, wait a moment, I have one more thing to ask."

Just as Zhao Wang was about to leave, Lin Fan called him back in time.

"What is it?"

"May I ask, Senior Brother, besides cultivating the Intermediate Demonic Arts, do Formal Disciples have any other more profound Cultivation Methods?" Lin Fan asked tentatively.

Zhao Wang sized up Lin Fan for a moment before breaking into a knowing smile.

He shook his head and said, "Junior Brother Lin, there are naturally more profound cultivation methods. Like the upgraded version of the 'Intermediate Demonic Arts,' the 'Advanced Demonic Arts.' However, within Blackwood Cliff, unless a Formal Disciple reaches the Meridian Condensing Realm, you can't exchange for it in the Hall of Bestowal even if you have contribution points."

"Don't aim too high when cultivating. The stronger the cultivation method, the faster your cultivation speed won't necessarily be."

"You, you're just too impatient."

Zhao Wang spoke with earnest sincerity.

He could understand Lin Fan's thoughts. For Formal Disciples to climb higher, besides possessing special skills, the most crucial factor was their own cultivation.

But improving cultivation by practicing more powerful methods wasn't a good approach. He had previously encountered several overconfident newcomers who spent a large amount of contribution points to acquire powerful cultivation methods through other channels. However, not only did it fail to achieve the desired effect, but they also ended up cultivating to the point of qi deviation and dying.

"Senior Brother, your reminder is spot on. I was indeed too impatient."

Lin Fan chuckled sheepishly.

It seemed difficult to obtain higher-level cultivation methods through official channels.

Here in the Blood Demon Sect, the Hidden Scripture Pavilion of Blackwood Cliff primarily collected various strange miscellaneous records and had no cultivation methods recorded at all.

The inheritance of cultivation methods was very conservative within the Demonic Sect. Only upon reaching the corresponding realm could one go to the Hall of Bestowal to obtain higher cultivation methods.

Lin Fan didn't want to expose his true strength. The risk of obtaining the 'Advanced Demonic Arts' through the Hall of Bestowal was too great!

A disciple who started as a menial laborer, not only possessing outstanding Talisman Crafting talent but also progressing so quickly in cultivation, would either be dissected and studied by the higher-ups of the Demonic Sect or be suspected of being a spy from the outside.

"It seems I'll have to go to the Marketplace below the mountain."

Lin Fan thought to himself.

Returning to his cave dwelling, Lin Fan saw the two women tending to the flowers and plants.

This was their only way to pass the time.

Receiving the invitation from Roaming Cloud Valley eased Lin Fan's mind slightly. After dealing with the two women for the night, he immediately said, "Tomorrow I'll go to the Marketplace below the mountain. There are a few decent restaurants there. Would you like to try them?"

Grain Abstinence Pills kept them from feeling hungry, but they were also bland and unappetizing.

The two women were very happy. In their monotonous lives, being able to eat delicious food with appealing colors, aromas, and tastes was something worth getting excited about.

The next day.

Before the two women had even woken up, Lin Fan had dressed and left the cave dwelling.

He quickly arrived at the Marketplace below the mountain. He first went to a nearby restaurant to reserve a meal, then walked into the relatively lively Marketplace.

Lin Fan looked at several stalls but couldn't find the cultivation method he needed.

As time ticked by, he suddenly remembered the beautiful stall owner who had sold him the 'Intermediate Demonic Arts' last time.

"If I can find her, maybe I'll have a chance to buy the 'Advanced Demonic Arts'."

With a glimmer of hope, Lin Fan continued to wander around the Marketplace.

Not long after.

"You again..."

The woman wearing a black veil glared at Lin Fan with wide, almond-shaped eyes.

She was tall, with fair and delicate skin, and her split skirt revealed a pair of long, slender, white legs.

"Boss, we meet again."

Lin Fan grinned and greeted her.

He noticed that her stall was different from the previous times; it was selling various precious crystals.

This stall owner was no ordinary person. Every time Lin Fan encountered her, she was selling different kinds of goods.

The beautiful stall owner glanced at him and asked, "What do you want to buy this time?"

Her tone carried a hint of impatience.

Because Lin Fan had haggled down her prices the last two times he bought something, which had annoyed her greatly.

"Do you have any cultivation methods more profound than the 'Intermediate Demonic Arts'?"

Lin Fan thought for a moment and asked directly.

He was just asking casually; if she didn't have it, he would have to find another way.

Unexpectedly, the next second, the beautiful stall owner casually took out a booklet from her embrace.

The cover of the booklet clearly read 'Advanced Demonic Arts.'

"One hundred contribution points."

"Not a single point less."

The beautiful stall owner said decisively.

Lin Fan was stunned at first, then secretly delighted. As expected, as long as he had enough contribution points, he didn't have to worry about not being able to buy the cultivation method he wanted.

But he maintained a calm facade and asked, "Can it be a little less?"

"I only have 80 contribution points left."

If acquiring an Advanced Demonic Arts manual in the Transmission Hall cost at most twenty contribution points, this stall owner was clearly asking for an exorbitant price.

"Fine, don't buy it then."

The beautiful stall owner rolled her eyes and made a move to take the booklet back.

"I'll take it. I'll buy it."

Lin Fan thought about it and finally agreed.

His heart was bleeding. The contribution points he'd obtained from Wu Hai last time were only around a hundred. Now, he was spending them all on a cultivation method, leaving him completely broke.

But to improve his cultivation, he had to spend the money!

"Come again soon."

Watching Lin Fan's retreating back, the woman said with a smile.

Having obtained what he wanted, Lin Fan didn't rush to leave the marketplace. Instead, he found a secluded corner and opened the booklet to examine its contents.

[Do you wish to consume forty years of lifespan to advance the Intermediate Demonic Arts to the Novice level?]

At this moment, a line of text appeared in Lin Fan's vision.