I am becoming the ultimate demon.

Chapter 32 Three Talents Formation, Trade Fair; Money Sword, News from the False Immortal Sect

"Chief Bai, please don't be offended. I had no choice but to retaliate," Ji Lin said with a cupped-hand salute and a smile.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming, Young Master Ji? I could have made some preparations and done my duty as a host," Bai Zhan said.

"To be honest, the Blood Lotus Cult has been rampant lately, so I've come to purchase some supplies to deal with it, and also to gather some information about the cult," Ji Lin sighed.

"I understand, I understand. This isn't the place to talk. Please come inside." Bai Zhan led Ji Lin into the mansion.

The county government and armed forces here had long been wiped out and incorporated into the rebel army of Bai Zhan. Such things were commonplace in this land, and the imperial court and the prefecture were simply unable to manage them.

Knowing that Ji Lin was coming, Wang Bo came uninvited, bringing several bottles of good wine, and they had a good chat.

Bai Zhan ordered his men to set up a bronze stove, along with various meats and side dishes.

This copper hot pot has two layers: the innermost layer has charcoal for starting a fire, and the outermost layer has water for cooking meat and vegetables.

"Haha, on such a cold day, having a hot pot, a few cups of hot wine, and calling over some friends is both enjoyable and warming." Bai Zhan filled Ji Lin and Wang Bo's glasses with wine and said with a smile.

"Young Master Ji, please try this hot pot rabbit meat; it's incredibly fragrant and tender."

Wang Bo used serving chopsticks to cook a few thin, tender slices of rabbit meat. They were cooked through in no time. He dipped them into Ji Lin's dipping sauce bowl, and the aroma immediately filled the air, making people's mouths water.

After clinking glasses and exchanging pleasantries, the group finally got down to business.

"Young Master Ji, how much do you know about the Blood Lotus Sect, and what are your plans?" Bai Zhan asked.

Wang Bo also put down his chopsticks and looked at Ji Lin expectantly.

"All I know for now is that the so-called Blood Lotus Mother is very likely a monster or a demon maker..."

Ji Lin told Bai Zhan and Wang Bo everything he knew about the Blood Lotus Sect without reservation.

They share a common enemy in dealing with the Blood Lotus Cult, and strictly speaking, they are already in the same boat, like grasshoppers on the same rope.

"It was actually done by an anomaly? No wonder these guys are always appearing and disappearing mysteriously, and their methods are so strange. So that's how it is." Bai Zhan said thoughtfully.

"Does Young Master Ji have any corresponding countermeasures?" Wang Bo continued to ask.

"No. I'm investigating too," Ji Lin replied simply and decisively.

The three of them fell into deep thought, but Ji Lin was more concerned about how to deal with the people of the Pseudo-Immortal Cult.

"Chief Bai, what are the nuances of fighting on the battlefield versus engaging in group battles within the martial world?"

Bai Zhan rested his chin on his hand, thought for a moment, and said, "I don't consider myself a military genius, so I can only tell you based on my experience."

"While battlefield combat and group battles differ, the key to maximizing individual strengths lies in formation. The fundamental principle remains the same: the Three Talents Formation is the simplest and most practical."

"The so-called Three Talents Formation is divided into Heaven, Earth, and Man. Heaven is responsible for offense, Man for defense, and Man for support. On the battlefield, Man plays a crucial role as a surprise force and for observation and command, which can determine the outcome of the battle."

"Simply put, it's a three-in-one approach of offense, control, and defense. This formation is flexible and adaptable, allowing for switching between offense and defense, and its formation can move around."

Bai Zhan spoke eloquently, and Ji Lin began to summarize what he had said.

This formation is very profound, simple and practical. It consists of three people forming the most basic Three Talents Formation. When fighting in a group battle, it can be divided into three units.

Thinking back to the history I learned before time travel, Qi Jiguang's Mandarin Duck Formation was repeatedly victorious against the Japanese pirates. The spear was used for attack, the wolf-tooth rake for control, and the shield for defense. Wasn't that a practical example of the Three Talents Formation?

When used in night patrol teams, in single-team operations, five people form a unit. Those with strong attack power are selected as the Heavenly Position, those with strong physique are selected as the Earthly Position, and those with high agility are selected as the Human Position.

When the team is in combat, those with high attack power are led by Big Beard, those with high defense are led by Liu Qingmei, and those who are agile and have control skills are led by Tang Wu.

This makes things clear, so when we encounter the Pseudo-Immortal Cult and the Blood Lotus Cult, we'll know what weapons and equipment to prepare in advance.

"I have a handwritten copy of my insights on the Three Talents Formation here, which I will give to Young Master Ji in exchange for the information about the Blood Lotus Sect I just learned." Bai Zhan took out a thin, yellow booklet from his pocket and handed it to Ji Lin.

Ji Lin was overjoyed, as this was exactly the time he needed it. "Since it's Chief Bai's kindness, I won't stand on ceremony. Thank you for your guidance, Chief Bai; it's truly a godsend!"

"It was nothing, just a small favor. Our two counties should strengthen cooperation. This world is dangerous, please take good care of yourself, Young Master Ji."

After dinner, the group exchanged pleasantries and then went their separate ways.

Ji Lin once again headed to the Mingyue Manor trade fair to exchange for useful information and resources.

He and Yun Cui disguised themselves and entered the venue.

Now that the Pseudo-Immortal Cult has obtained the bone flute, they should not bother him for the time being. Even if they do come again, he is not afraid to fight in an open area. Now it is time for him to cause trouble for the Pseudo-Immortal Cult, find out what they are doing, and where they are hiding.

This time, the trading method is different. Everyone can go on stage to introduce their items for exchange, and then propose the items or information they want to trade.

A woman dressed in a gray outfit with a slightly protruding chest was the first to step onto the stage.

"I have a Heavenly Silk Robe here, which is so powerful that only those who have transcended the mortal realm can harm it in the slightest. I am only selling it because I am short of money. I only ask for one thousand taels of gold or its equivalent in exchange."

This silkworm garment is naturally emerald green, and when it reflects firelight, it displays seven-colored light spots.

It looks as thin as a cicada's wing and as light as a feather, giving people a light and ethereal feeling.

This outfit can be given to Yun Cui or Liu Qingmei. Currently, Miss Liu is in charge of a night patrol team and often has to fight on the front lines. Next, there is also preparation to deal with the dangerous Pseudo-Immortal Sect. So if it is auctioned, it should be given to Liu Qingmei first.

"You're always offering a thousand taels of gold like that? I think five hundred taels is too much. Would you sell it for five hundred taels?"

No one at the scene was satisfied with the price offered by the woman. If Ji Lin hadn't been born in an extraordinary era and could sell some strange items he obtained while carrying out extraordinary missions, he wouldn't have had many thousand taels of gold to squander.

"I'll take it. I'll trade you this bronze artifact with its unusual aura. You'll make a profit."

Ji Lin took out a copper bell, which looked like some kind of magical artifact, and had the effect of temporarily dispelling intermediate abnormalities, but it was of little use to him now.

As the saying goes, small tricks don't need to run, but big tricks can't escape; he understood this principle long ago.

"Okay. I agree to the exchange." The woman and Ji Lin exchanged items, and both were very satisfied.

"Now that I'm up here, I'll exchange something with you."

He casually pulled out a three-inch-long coin sword.

"This money sword is very useful against monsters. It can temporarily restrict a monster that has just entered the intermediate level. It goes without saying what restriction means. There is a chance that it can make a person become an Awakener."

The audience erupted in uproar. Those in the know understood that this item was extremely valuable, and the opportunity to become an Awakened was not easy, especially to cultivate even a mid-level Awakened.

Those who don't understand the situation might think that becoming an awakened person isn't a good thing. At least from the perspective of mainstream values, abnormal people will definitely be scorned by worldly eyes.

Although the Money Sword was precious, Ji Lin had a reason to replace it.

"What I want in exchange is very simple: information about the whereabouts of the False Immortal Sect!"

Another uproar erupted from the audience, even louder than before.

The False Immortal Cult is quite famous in the martial arts world, and no one would easily provoke it unless they were suicidal.

Everyone looked at the young man, wondering what grudge he had against the Pseudo-Immortal Sect that he would offer such a precious item in exchange for a mere piece of information. Perhaps it was some kind of blood feud between them.

At this moment, someone in the audience raised their hand and said:

"I changed it!!!"