Meridian Condensing Realm Seventh Grade

After returning from the marketplace, Lin Fan had been staying in the Ancient Scripture Library, not even Mo Xue daring to disturb him easily.

Looking at the cultivation method manuals before him, Lin Fan finally made up his mind and said softly, "Since I've already learned the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect's 'Sword Control Technique,' learning another cultivation method from the Thousand Hand Demonic Sect won't hurt."

After several days of careful examination, he repeatedly confirmed that the 'Devouring Demonic Art' had few drawbacks, and he finally made his decision.

[Do you wish to consume fifty years of lifespan to pre-emptively reach the Novice stage of the Devouring Demonic Art?]

A line of text, visible only to him, appeared before Lin Fan.

He took a deep breath and said, "Agree to pre-emptively advance."

The next second, fragments of insight into the 'Devouring Demonic Art' rapidly flooded Lin Fan's mind.

That scene reappeared: a youth resembling Lin Fan sat silently on the ground, a faint black fiend qi visible on his skin.

It wasn't that the youth was generating fiend qi; rather, as his cultivation method circulated, fiend qi from the surroundings surged towards him, only to be transformed into his own power by the youth.

Refining fiend qi into breath!

Lin Fan's heart tightened. Compared to the cultivation method he practiced in the Blood Demon Sect, this Thousand Hands Sect's method was wilder and more brutal.

Without much hesitation, he immediately followed the youth's movements and began to draw the surrounding fiend qi into his body.

Traces of black fiend qi surged from the void.

Lin Fan's heart rate quickened, his blood churning. As he slowly absorbed the fiend qi, the twelve strands of Internal Breath that had been stagnant in his body for a long time suddenly began to change, giving rise to the thirteenth and fourteenth strands of Internal Breath.

He didn't know how much time had passed when Lin Fan suddenly opened his eyes. Their pupils turned slightly crimson but quickly returned to normal.

The surrounding fiend qi had been completely refined, and the fourteen strands of Internal Breath in his body were completely stabilized. However, compared to before, under the influence of the fiend qi, his mind had become somewhat restless, giving him an urge to kill and devour.

Lin Fan steadied his mind and immediately summoned his panel to check his latest changes.

[Name: Lin Fan] [Lifespan: 2683] [Talent: Pre-emptive Dao Fruit] [Realm: Meridian Condensing Realm (Seventh Grade)] [Cultivation Methods: Advanced Demonic Arts (Mastered), Blood Gathering Art (Mastered), Talisman Secret Manual (Minor Accomplishment), Sword Control Technique (Proficient), Houtian Gang Qi (Proficient), Devouring Demonic Art (Novice)]

"My cultivation has finally improved again."

Lin Fan's eyes flickered.

After his cultivation stagnated, he had focused more of his energy on the Talisman Secret Manual, Sword Control Technique, and Houtian Gang Qi, so his progress in these areas had significantly improved compared to before.

"Shuang Lang, may I come in?"

At that moment, a knock came from the outer door.

Lin Fan immediately circulated the 'Blood Gathering Art' to conceal his aura, and his appearance reverted to the scarred face Mo Xue was familiar with.

"Come in."

Soon, Mo Xue, dressed in a gauze dress, walked in.

Her hair was as black as ink, her eyes bright, her waist slender, and beneath the split hem of her skirt, her fair, long legs were revealed. She exuded a charming and alluring aura.

Compared to before, Mo Xue had become more mature and seductive. An ordinary man would find it hard to look away after just one glance.

"Shuang Lang, are you alright?"

"You've been staying here since you returned from the marketplace."

"Is something bothering you?"

Mo Xue moved closer and massaged Lin Fan's shoulders with her delicate hands.

"You're overthinking it."

Lin Fan shook his head.

He looked up at the charming woman and asked, "Have there been any recent updates regarding the cultivation sects?"

Long ago, besides having Mo Xue use the Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion's influence to inquire about the marketplace, Lin Fan had also been gathering intelligence on cultivation sects.

"Although the Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion's influence is greater than ever, those cultivation sects are aloof and rarely interact with the secular world. I've sent many teams to investigate, but there hasn't been much progress yet."

"However, the situation in Ask Heaven City has changed significantly."

Mo Xue paused and continued, "King of Linzi's forces have defeated the Great Jin Dynasty's army and entered the city yesterday with their troops."

"In addition to Ask Heaven City, the other surrounding cities have also been captured by the King of Linzi's army. The entire Eastern Territory will likely return to the control of the various feudal lords."

Her tone was very calm. Regardless of who controlled Ask Heaven City on the surface, the Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion was the most powerful underground force.

Even powerful feudal lords would not dare to offend the Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion lightly.

"It's faster than I expected."

Lin Fan murmured to himself.

According to his original estimate, it would take at least several months, or even half a year, for the feudal lords' army to capture Ask Heaven City. Now, they had captured it ahead of schedule.

It seemed the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect had increased their support for the feudal lords' forces.

The rise and fall of powers meant that the Great Jin's new emperor, secretly supported by the Blood Demon Sect, would likely find it difficult to secure his throne.

However, none of this had much to do with him.

With only a few months left until the three-year mark, Lin Fan needed to gather enough intelligence to decide whether or not to return to the Blood Demon Sect.

With this thought, he said to Mo Xue in a deep voice, "Send more people. We must gather intelligence on those cultivation sects, no matter the cost."

Mo Xue was startled but nodded obediently. "Don't worry, Shuang Lang. I'll have people handle it."

After speaking, she looked at Lin Fan with eyes as tender as flowing water.

"It's getting late. Let's retire together."

As soon as she finished speaking, Mo Xue, without waiting for Lin Fan's reply, stepped forward and began to help him undress.

Lin Fan touched his kidneys, thankful that he could handle it.

When a beauty invited him so warmly, how could Lin Fan possibly disappoint her?

The two soon intertwined, their graceful forms appearing even more alluring under the candlelight.

The night of passion made the internal breath within Lin Fan's body even more refined.

He also noticed that his previously restless mind had returned to normal. It seemed that dual cultivation not only led to progress but also cleansed the negative influences generated by his cultivation methods.

Mo Xue left after waking up. She was now the mistress of the Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion, the leader of a major power in the martial world, and couldn't always be by Lin Fan's side.

Moreover, while they appeared to be deeply in love, their relationship was more about mutual utilization.

As for feelings? Of course, there were some, but they were ultimately dispensable.

Lin Fan dressed himself and, instead of immediately continuing to copy books, decided to test his own strength.

He casually raised his hand, and a powerful suction erupted from his palm.

Under the influence of this power, books several meters away were pulled into Lin Fan's hand through the air.

This was one of the techniques of the Devouring Demonic Art, allowing him to remotely attract objects to some extent.

Furthermore, it could also devour the power of others and convert it into his own energy.

This cultivation method was far more overbearing than any other Lin Fan had practiced before, truly the pinnacle of demonic arts.

"Unless absolutely necessary, I shouldn't use such a method lightly."

"Otherwise, it could lead to unnecessary trouble."

Lin Fan thought to himself.

Then, with a slight movement of his mind, he communicated with his panel again.

[Do you wish to consume fifty years of lifespan to advance the Talisman Secret Manual to Great Accomplishment?]

A line of small text appeared before him.

"Agree to advance."

Lin Fan said without hesitation.

The improvement in his cultivation had greatly strengthened his power, and his attainments in talismans also needed to keep pace. Through his previous battles, Lin Fan had increasingly realized the power of the Blood Demon Talisman.

As long as he could craft stronger Blood Demon Talismans and use them effectively, his combat power could be greatly enhanced.

The world was in turmoil, with constant conflict among the cultivation sects above the mortal realm. In such chaos, the stronger his power, the better.