A flicker of panic flashed through Zhang Yuhong's eyes before she forcibly regained her composure.

"The new Daoist who moved in is looking for a Dao companion, and I'm just helping him find a match. Why are you always so suspicious?!"

"Do I really appear so untrustworthy in your eyes?"

As she spoke, Zhang Yuhong's eyes brimmed with tears.

She seized the initiative. The bearded man opened his mouth but said nothing, only looking at Jia Ren with suspicious eyes.

"I am Shi Bai, new to the Great Wilderness Market."

"Daoist Zhang wants to help a female Cultivator she knows find a match, and she asked me for my birth details..."

Preferring to avoid unnecessary trouble, Jia Ren went along with her explanation.

"Daoist Shi, please forgive any offense."

The bearded man was not fully convinced and held onto Zhang Yuhong's hand, as if declaring his authority.

Jia Ren watched the two leave with an odd expression, then activated the Solid as Golden Soup Formation and put the matter out of his mind.

The auction in half a month will feature not only Foundation Establishment Pills but also, with high probability, various Cultivation skills and arts. This is my best chance to acquire Cultivation techniques. I've given up on the Foundation Establishment Pill; I can save my resources to compete for the Cultivation skills and arts. This opportunity cannot be missed.

The quality of the Magic Artifacts I have is a bit low; they need replacing. I should first improve the ones that are still usable.

Jia Ren took out the Xuan Guang Shield, the Formless Magic Sword, and the Qing Ling Needle. These three High-Grade Magical Artifacts were the handiwork of Qi Yuhu and also the best three he possessed.

These three treasures were suitable for Jia Ren, saving him the expense of buying new High-Grade Magical Artifacts.

They seemed to harbor the imprint of the Five Elements Sect, so he dared not use them lightly and needed to disguise them slightly.

He ground up Hei Li Stone and Hua Ying Fruit into an ink-like liquid, which he then applied to the surfaces of the Magic Artifacts.

The Xuan Guang Shield, Formless Magic Sword, and Qing Ling Needle now had a matte finish, and their colors had changed.

Among the lower echelons of Loose Cultivators, who often had complicated backgrounds, this was a common way to handle Magic Artifacts that couldn't be exposed to light.

Jia Ren casually took out some Transforming Spirit Mud he had purchased while passing through the Market. He applied it to the Magic Artifacts, making slight adjustments to their appearance.

The appearance and color of the three Magic Artifacts had now changed, making them difficult for anyone to recognize.

After finishing everything, Jia Ren swallowed a Five Elements Spirit Pill as usual and closed his eyes to cultivate, spending the rest of his time crafting Talismans.

The deaths of the Qi Family Brothers failed to stir any major waves. There was no extensive search throughout the Inner City; it was as if their passing were merely an insignificant ripple in a vast ocean.

「Unknowingly, twelve days had passed.」

By regularly consuming Five Elements Spirit Pills and alternating them with Ju Yuan Ling San, his Cultivation Level steadily improved.

The Light Body Talisman Technique, whose Proficiency Level had increased the most quickly, had already reached Grandmaster Level and combined well with the Wind Control Skill.

Today was the day Jia Ren had agreed to meet Yang Shengwu. He left the Great Wilderness Market and waited outside.

Soon after he reverted to his true appearance and aura, a streak of firelight shot toward him from the distance.

Who?

Jia Ren raised his hand to receive it; the Sound Transmission Talisman was from Yang Bingzhi.

"Daoist Jia, have you been well? I'm relieved to know you're alright."

Jia Ren had been missing for a long time and was being pursued by the Qi Family Brothers, so Yang Bingzhi couldn't cultivate peacefully. He had been continuously sending Sound Transmission Talismans to Jia Ren and only received a reply today.

"One hour from now, meet at Grand Wilderness Mountain."

Jia Ren replied with a Sound Transmission Talisman and waited calmly for Yang Shengwu.

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea passed, but there was still no sign of him.

Just as Jia Ren began to worry that something unexpected had happened, Yang Shengwu—dressed in a bloodstained Taoist Robe—hurried over, his face deathly pale and his aura chaotic.

"Brother Yang? What happened?!"

"Who did this?"

Jia Ren looked behind him; no one followed, only Yang Shengwu was there.

He saw no wounds on Yang Shengwu, making it unclear if the blood was his own or an enemy's.

"Brother Jia, the situation is dire!"

"These past few days, more and more Cultivators are venturing deep into the Great Wilderness, with Loose Cultivators passing by the Spirit Stone Vein every day..."

Jia Ren understood the underlying reasons. The upcoming auction and the Foundation Establishment Pills had attracted many High-Order Cultivators. A number of them were interested in the Magical Beasts within the Great Wilderness and couldn't resist venturing deeper to hunt them.

The situation should have improved once these visiting Loose Cultivators left. But the unexpected had already occurred...

"Brother Jia, I've been mining underground all this time. A few Cultivators passed nearby. I didn't pay them much mind and just stopped mining."

"They were chasing a Fox Demon. In its panic, the demon broke into the concealed Bear Cave. I also came face-to-face with the Cultivators hunting the demon. I managed to ambush and kill one of them, but another escaped using a Divine Wind Talisman."

"I fear the news about the Spirit Stone Vein may have leaked..."

Yang Shengwu looked regretful. Despite his extreme caution, an incident still occurred.

The exposure of the Spirit Stone Vein was no small matter!

Yang Shengwu didn't know if this person would widely publicize the news of the Spirit Stone Vein, potentially attracting the Five Elements Sect. After failing to catch the escapee, he had immediately informed Jia Ren.

"You are not to blame for this."

The Fox Demon's accidental intrusion was an unforeseen event, and Yang Shengwu had done his best to salvage the situation.

The exposure of the Spirit Stone Vein was indeed the greatest hidden danger, and it was unclear what kind of turmoil it would cause.

"Be careful in your actions and stay safe."

"If the Five Elements Sect learns of this, we'll be in no small trouble."

"It's best you leave the Great Wilderness."

Yang Shengwu had helped him considerably, and Jia Ren didn't want him to come to any harm.

"I've had that thought myself; the Great Wilderness is no longer safe... I'll find a chance to leave today."

With the Law Enforcement Office, the Talisman Cultivators' Association, and now the Spirit Stone Vein situation, Yang Shengwu could hardly guarantee his own safety.

"The bad news is over. Let me tell you some good news."

Yang Shengwu handed over the four Storage Bags hanging from his waist, his smile brilliant.

Good news? Could it be related to the Spirit Stone Vein? Don't tell me you've found Medium-grade Spirit Stones?

The scale of the Spirit Stone Vein they were currently mining was unknown, but it was certainly not a small one; there was still significant potential for further excavation.

The likelihood of it being a Medium-Grade Spirit Stone Vein wasn't low, so discovering Medium-grade Spirit Stones wouldn't be strange.

"Haha, Brother Jia, indeed nothing can be hidden from you!"

"We really found Medium-grade Spirit Stones, but not many."

Jia Ren took the four Storage Bags, all of which were Ten Directions Storage Bags, filled to the brim.

Three of the Storage Bags contained ordinary Spirit Stone Vein, but in the last Storage Bag, within the basin-sized Spirit Stone Vein, one could see deeply colored Medium-grade Spirit Stones, their Spiritual Power even more refined.

It's true! They really are Medium-grade Spirit Stones! The Spirit Stone Vein we've discovered is at least a medium-sized one; the profits far exceed expectations!

For medium-sized Spirit Stone Veins, their value is determined by the quantity of Medium-grade Spirit Stones.

Medium-grade Spirit Stones represented the richness of a Spirit Stone Vein; the more Medium-grade Spirit Stones, the higher the profits.

One hundred thousand or a million Spirit Stones were still distant dreams, but the current amount was by no means small.

The joy in Jia Ren's eyes couldn't be concealed. The Medium-grade Spirit Stones in the fourth Storage Bag might not have been numerous, but they were valuable.

Compared to seven days' worth of mining, the amount and quality had more than doubled.

Especially the Medium-grade Spirit Stones—those were the most valuable part.

Time to split the profits!

The Medium-grade Spirit Stone Vein was split in half, and the Low-grade Spirit Stone Vein was divided equally, each person receiving their deserved portion.

As usual, they cut and divided the Spirit Stones on the spot.

Jia Ren processed his share into ninety-two Medium-grade Spirit Stones, as well as nineteen Mid-grade Fragmented Spirit Stones cut from the Medium-grade Spirit Stones. These nineteen Mid-grade Fragmented Spirit Stones couldn't be circulated; he would have to use them himself.

This amounted to 2,432 Spirit Stones and seven Fragmented Spirit Stones.

One Medium-grade Spirit Stone could be exchanged for one hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones, so the ninety-two Medium-grade Spirit Stones were worth at least 9,200 Low-grade Spirit Stones.

The Spirit Stones obtained this time far exceeded expectations, totaling 11,632 Spirit Stones and seven Fragmented Spirit Stones, far beyond Jia Ren's initial estimate.

Adding the Spirit Stones he already possessed and the wealth from the three Five Elements Sect Cultivators, his total Spirit Stones now exceeded 14,000.

Jia Ren also possessed many high-quality Magic Artifacts, which would convert to a considerable sum of Spirit Stones.

Even Foundation Establishment Cultivators might not be as wealthy as I am. Once my wealth is exposed, even Foundation Establishment Cultivators might not be able to resist killing and plundering.

"I'm not comfortable holding onto these Spirit Stones. I plan to head to the Jade Cauldron Market."

"Be very careful! Do not reveal your wealth under any circumstances. Once my business in the Great Wilderness Market is concluded, I won't stay here much longer either." Jia Ren also harbored thoughts of leaving the Great Wilderness Market.

That would have to wait until after the auction ended and the Spirit Stone Vein matter was dealt with.

"Take care!"

The Cultivation World is vast. Who knew if, after this parting, they would ever meet again.

Jia Ren watched Yang Shengwu leave and fell into deep thought.

Should I give up on the Spirit Stone Vein? No, how could I let such wealth fall into someone else's hands?!

Jia Ren immediately thought of Yang Bingzhi. Why not partner with him? Whether he approached the Five Elements Sect as the discoverer of the Spirit Stone Vein to trade for benefits, or eliminated the potential risks and continued mining, both were good options. It was always better to benefit an acquaintance than a stranger. Moreover, helping Yang Bingzhi rise using the Spirit Stone Vein could, in turn, help Jia Ren obtain powerful secret techniques from the Five Elements Sect, as well as various cultivation arts. This was a mutually beneficial exchange.

「Jia Ren took flight with his Wind Control Skill, heading toward Grand Wilderness Mountain.」

Grand Wilderness Mountain was eerily quiet, with hardly any Spirit Farmers to be seen.

The Corner Worm plague had damaged the local Spirit Vein. It hadn't recovered yet, so Spirit Rice couldn't be planted for several years.

Coupled with the fact that many Spirit Farmers had been conscripted for Sect wars, the sparse population wasn't surprising.

Familiar with the area, Jia Ren headed straight for Yang Bingzhi's former residence.

Yang Bingzhi's dwelling was still in ruins. He was sitting under the Spirit Jujube Tree at a stone table, brewing tea while waiting for Jia Ren's arrival.

"Daoist Jia, you disappear for a hundred days at a time! Finding you is really not easy!"

Jia Ren smiled and sat down opposite him. He accepted the tea offered by Yang Bingzhi, confirmed there was nothing amiss with it, and drank it in one gulp.

"If I weren't skilled at self-preservation, I might have already died at the hands of the Qi Family Brothers."

"That pair was relentless; I had to be extremely careful."

Upon hearing the name "Qi Family Brothers," Yang Bingzhi's smile vanished, and his voice turned colder. "Qi Yuhu is no simple character. He serves the Chief of the Law Enforcement Office; I can't afford to provoke him."

"In the past half-month, those brothers have mysteriously disappeared. Does Daoist Jia know anything about this?"

The Qi Family Brothers hadn't mysteriously disappeared; the soul tablets left behind by their Sect had shattered. They were dead, not missing.

The fact that the normally cautious Jia Ren dared to show himself indicated he already knew about this.

The deaths of the Qi Family Brothers were likely connected to him.

"Hehe, indeed nothing can be hidden from Yang Daoyou."

"Yang Daoyou must be puzzled as to why the Qi Family Brothers were so bent on pursuing me."

"I won't beat around the bush; let's get straight to the point."

"I know of a Spirit Stone Vein, at least a Medium-Grade Spirit Stone Vein. Would Yang Daoyou be interested?"

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