The Money Had to Be Spent

Some cave dwelling.

Dressed in Dark Robe, Zhao Wang respectfully saluted Shi Tao.

"Senior Brother, please take a look."

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

The rune patterns were clear, while the spiritual light remained restrained.

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

"Lin Fan, Junior Brother Lin."

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

Zhao Wang did not hide anything. He briefly explained the whole story, naturally omitting the matter of Lin Fan helping him copy the Rune Patterns.

Shi Tao's eyes lit up, and he muttered, "Who would have thought this kid truly had the potential to become a Blood Talisman Master."

"Senior Brother, Junior Brother Lin is quite impressive."

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

Zhao Wang hurriedly echoed him.

Shi Tao shot him a glance and snorted. "You're speaking up for him so much. Did you receive some benefits from him?"

"No, I really didn't..."

"I just think that Blackwood Cliff finally has a promising seed. If we can nurture him into a true Blood Talisman Master, Blackwood Cliff's standing at the main peak can definitely rise by several levels."

Zhao Wang gave an awkward smile and said.

Shi Tao pondered for a moment before speaking. "I'll find a way to handle this."

The next day.

The main peak of Blood Soul Peak.

In a hidden palace, a gaunt figure sat cross-legged, half its body concealed in darkness. Its true appearance could not be seen.

Shi Tao respectfully saluted and reported every detail of the situation Zhao Wang had mentioned.

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

"Blood Talisman Masters are indispensable talents. We also have a great need for people like that."

"Master Ruan will hold a Blood Talisman Gathering in Roaming Cloud Valley next month, observing the forms of various demonic beasts and incorporating them into talismans."

"This is a rare opportunity. Let this kid go and broaden his horizons."

"As for the rest, we'll talk about it later."

"Understood."

Shi Tao respectfully replied.

That evening, Lin Fan had just finished his copying work and was preparing to return to his cave dwelling when Zhao Wang suddenly appeared and called out to him.

"Junior Brother Lin, you've got good news—wonderful news."

Zhao Wang took out an invitation and handed it to Lin Fan with a beaming smile.

"Senior Brother, this is..."

Lin Fan froze.

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

"This is a rare opportunity. Everyone attending will either be a Blood Talisman Master from the sect or an outstanding disciple with great potential to become one."

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

Zhao Wang reminded him again, "This invitation was hard-won; Senior Brother Shi had to plead for it. Though it's a last-minute addition, it still wasn't easy to obtain."

"When the time comes, watch and learn as much as you can. If you get the chance to meet Master Ruan, be sure to ask her for guidance."

Lin Fan understood. Most likely, Zhao Wang had reported that he had made a Fire Spirit Talisman, which was why Shi Tao had arranged this opportunity for him to study.

He immediately smiled. "Thank you, Senior Brother. I'll make sure to seize it and won't let down your cultivation of me."

Lin Fan now possessed a certain level of attainments in talisman-making, but he was still one step away from becoming a true Blood Talisman Master. If he could use this opportunity to learn something useful, he naturally could not ask for more.

"Keep it up, kid. Senior Brother Shi and I both think highly of you."

Zhao Wang smiled.

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

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

"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 Lin Fan up, then revealed a smile that said, "I understand."

He shook his head. "Junior Brother Lin, of course there are other, more profound cultivation methods. For example, the upgraded version of the Intermediate Demonic Arts—the Advanced Demonic Arts. But at Blackwood Cliff, unless a Formal Disciple reaches the Meridian Condensing Realm, even if you have Contribution Points, you still can't exchange for it at the Transmission Hall."

"Don't reach for what's beyond your grasp in cultivation. A stronger cultivation method doesn't necessarily mean you'll cultivate faster."

"You're too impatient."

Zhao Wang spoke earnestly.

He could understand Lin Fan's thoughts. For a Formal Disciple who wanted to climb higher, aside from possessing a special skill, the most important thing was his own cultivation.

But using a more powerful cultivation method to improve one's cultivation was not a good approach. He had encountered several clever newcomers before who had spent huge amounts of Contribution Points to obtain powerful cultivation methods through other channels. Not only had they failed to achieve the desired results, they had instead cultivated until their cultivation went awry, dying with their souls scattered.

"Senior Brother's reminder is right. I was too impatient."

Lin Fan gave an embarrassed smile.

It seemed that obtaining a higher cultivation method through the proper channels would be difficult.

Here in the Blood Demon Sect, the books collected in Blackwood Cliff's Hidden Scripture Pavilion were basically all strange anecdotes and miscellaneous records. It contained no cultivation methods at all.

The inheritance of cultivation methods in the demonic sect was tightly guarded. Only after reaching the corresponding realm could one go to the Transmission Hall to obtain a higher cultivation method.

Lin Fan had no intention of exposing his true strength. The risk of obtaining the Advanced Demonic Arts through the Transmission Hall was too great!

A disciple born from menial service who not only had outstanding talent in talisman-making but also cultivated so quickly—the higher-ups of the demonic sect would either drag him away for dissection and study or suspect him of being an outside spy.

"It seems I can only go to the Market Below the Mountain."

Lin Fan thought to himself.

When he returned 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.

Obtaining the invitation to Roaming Cloud Valley eased Lin Fan's heart somewhat. After dealing with the two women that night, he immediately said, "Tomorrow I'll go to the Market Below the Mountain. There are several decent restaurants there. Do you want to try them?"

Grain Abstinence Pills could stave off hunger, but they were tasteless and dull.

The two women were delighted. In their monotonous lives, being able to eat a meal that satisfied the eye, nose, and palate was something worth getting excited about.

The next day.

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

He soon arrived at the Market Below the Mountain. First, he went to the nearest restaurant and reserved a meal, then entered the fairly lively market.

Lin Fan looked through several stalls but could not find the cultivation method he needed.

As time slowly passed, he suddenly remembered the beautiful female stall owner who had sold him the Intermediate Demonic Arts last time.

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

With the intention of giving it a try, Lin Fan continued wandering around the market.

Not long afterward.

"It's you again..."

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

She was tall and slender, with snow-white, delicate skin. Beneath the slit of her skirt, a pair of long, fair legs was revealed.

"Boss, we meet again."

Lin Fan grinned and greeted her.

He noticed that, unlike the last few times, her stall was now selling all kinds of rare crystals.

This stall owner was no simple person. Every time Lin Fan encountered her, she was selling a different type of goods.

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

A trace of impatience colored her tone.

The reason was that the last two times Lin Fan had bought something, he had tried to haggle down her price, which had annoyed her greatly.

"Do you have a cultivation method more profound than the Intermediate Demonic Arts?"

Lin Fan thought for a moment before asking directly.

He was only asking on the off chance. If she did not have one, he could only seek another way.

Who would have thought that in the next instant, the beautiful stall owner would casually take a booklet from her robes.

The words "Advanced Demonic Arts" were written conspicuously on the cover.

"One hundred Contribution Points."

"Not a single point less."

The beautiful stall owner's tone was firm and decisive.

Lin Fan was stunned at first, then secretly delighted. As expected, as long as he had enough Contribution Points, he need not fear being unable to buy the cultivation method he wanted.

Yet he maintained a calm expression and asked, "Can you lower it a little?"

"I only have eighty Contribution Points left."

If obtaining the Advanced Demonic Arts from the Transmission Hall would cost at most ten or twenty Contribution Points, then this stall owner was clearly demanding an exorbitant price.

"Then forget it."

The beautiful stall owner rolled her eyes and made as if to put the booklet away.

"I want it. I'll take it."

Lin Fan thought it over and ultimately agreed.

His heart bled. The Contribution Points he had obtained from Wu Hai last time had been reduced to around one hundred, and now he had taken them all out to buy a cultivation method. He was truly penniless now.

But to improve his cultivation, the money had to be spent!

"Welcome back next time."

Watching Lin Fan's departing back, the woman smiled sweetly.

Having obtained what he wanted, Lin Fan did not hurry to leave the market. Instead, he found a secluded corner and opened the booklet to examine its contents.

Would you like to spend forty years of your lifespan to advance the Advanced Demonic Arts to the introductory level in advance?

At that moment, a line of text surfaced in Lin Fan's vision.