Jia Ren controlled the Black Demon Insects to burrow deep into the muddy nest and discovered a grey Taoist Robe, along with a remaining Storage Bag and a Spirit Beast Bag.

Where was the original owner? No bones to be seen, could they have been devoured by the Black Demon Insects? This only made Jia Ren more wary of the Insect External Incarnation, daring not to cultivate it.

The Cultivator from Thousand Beasts Mountain had died a while ago; the Taoist Robe and the Storage Bag were covered with a thick layer of dust. It was unknown how long the Spirit Beast Bag had been placed there, but the Spirit Insects and Spirit Insect Eggs inside, deprived of sustenance, had long since starved to death, losing their value.

The Storage Bag was ten compartments large, and the first thing that met his eyes was a grey Jade Slip.

"I don't know why, but it feels somewhat familiar..."

There were remnants of restrictions on the grey Jade Slip, allowing only a small part to be viewed; the rest would require breaking the restrictions to see. No matter how one looked at it, it seemed like a version meant for sale. Insect Control Technique, Insect Taming Technique...

The content recorded on the Jade Slip was none other than the Insect Control Scripture, with the sole difference being the absence of the Insect King Refining Technique and the neutered Life Extension Gu, only containing the Method Gate for creating the offspring gu.

"This couldn't be the old fellow selling the Insect Control Scripture for one hundred Spirit Stones, could it?"

"He's the Mosquito Daoist's senior brother, how could he have died here?!"

"It must definitely be the fault of the Insect External Incarnation. Such forbidden techniques truly harm others."

Without finding a solution to the hidden dangers of the Insect External Incarnation, Jia Ren did not dare to cultivate this technique. The incomplete Insect Control Scripture held no value to Jia Ren, and he easily stowed it away.

Besides the Insect Control Scripture, there was another Jade Slip inside. Instead of a Cultivation Technique, what was recorded inside was... the experience and records of the Insect King Refining Technique.

This guy was a refining maniac, fond of blending different species of Spirit Insects to seek a more perfect Spirit Insect. The Jade Slip contained thousands of records of Insect King refining processes, with each blending process meticulously recorded for reference. Most of the records within were of no use. Blending was much more difficult than refining, often ending in failure. The success rate of a single blending was not high, and the number of times it succeeded a second time was very few. Three-time blending had never succeeded even once.

Jia Ren paid close attention to the successful blendings, especially those that succeeded a second time.

"Using the Gale Mantis to refine a Swift Wind Mantis King, then blending it with the Black Demon Insect, one could obtain the Mutated Spirit Insect Black Wind Mantis."

"The Black Wind Mantis inherits the advantages of the Gale Mantis and the Black Demon Insect, possessing speed like the wind, as well as the ability to mist, surpassing its predecessors..."

A stable method for refining mutated Spirit Insects? The Black Wind Mantis is an insect with tremendous lethality, a born assassin.

"What a great find!"

Jia Ren's eyes shone brightly as he reviewed it from start to finish. The record of the Black Wind Mantis was incredibly detailed, emphasizing its abilities: speed, misting, and astounding explosive power. Its single combat ability was considered the best among its peers, and numerous Ninth Level of Qi Refinement Cultivators had been slain by it.

Beyond the Black Wind Mantis, later attempts had been made at a third blending with it. The deceased old fellow had wanted to enhance the Black Wind Mantis even further but, unfortunately, all subsequent blendings and refinings ended in failure. This Jade Slip, in the hands of an Insect Tamer Master, would be invaluable.

"Black Wind Mantis? A combat-based Mutated Spirit Insect?"

Jia Ren had acquired a considerable number of Spirit Insects. Most were auxiliary types like the Earth Corner Worm King, Illusionary Demon Moth, and Green Silk Worm, with weak combat abilities. The only combat Spirit Insects he possessed were the Exotic Black Mosquitoes, which excelled in swarm tactics. A hundred adult Exotic Black Mosquitoes could be difficult for even a Ninth Level of Qi Refinement Cultivator to withstand. He lacked singularly powerful Spirit Insects to carry out assassinations on his behalf. He could only use the Earth Corner Worm King in conjunction with Poison, utilizing insects to control the poison. His Insect Taming Techniques weren't diverse enough, and he lacked straightforward and brutal single-combat power.

The Black Wind Mantis was a good choice; he had just obtained a fair amount of Black Demon Insects. The only thing left to find was the Gale Mantis. Splurging a bit more on Spirit Stones to purchase it wouldn't be difficult.

Jia Ren contentedly stowed away the Jade Slip and started to inventory the other items in the Storage Bag.

Three hundred thirty-five Spirit Stones and two Fragmented Spirit Stones.

Seven bottles and sixty-three Spirit Nourishing Pills.

Three bottles and twenty-one Blood Rage Pills.

Four Featherweight Talismans, two Flying Charms, two Ni Zhao Fu (Mire Charms), one Invisibility Talisman...

Besides these, there were numerous other odds and ends.

He didn't find the Spirit Nourishing Pill formula he wanted. With Spirit Nourishing Pills in hand, if he could deduce the needed medicinal materials for production and combine them with Spirit Attracting Bait for an improved formula, success might not be out of reach.

The appearance of the Black Wind Mantis and Spirit Nourishing Pills left him thrilled, and he departed, satisfied.

Jia Ren went to the Pill Cauldron Pavilion to purchase Elixirs, as usual, inquiring about the Five Elements Spirit Pill. To break through to the Ninth Level of Qi Refinement, the Spirit Pills used to enhance his Cultivation Level had long since depleted, making it necessary to replenish them.

The shop assistant said, "Fellow Daoist, I'm sorry, but we don't have any Five Elements Spirit Pills."

Jia Ren requested, "Two bottles of Spirit Enhancement Pills."

He was accustomed to this, never once buying a Five Elements Spirit Pill in three months' time.

"Sincerely priced at two hundred Spirit Stones in total," the assistant stated.

Two hundred Spirit Stones? Weren't they one hundred and sixty Spirit Stones before? Bullying because of store size?!

"Fellow Daoist, the price of Spirit Enhancement Pills just increased recently. You will find the same price at other shops if you go to buy them." Such situations had occurred before, and the shop assistant explained patiently.

Jia Ren asked, "The price of the Spirit Enhancement Pill has always been stable. How could it suddenly increase?"

With the price of each Spirit Enhancement Pill rising by two Spirit Stones, this was no small amount for Loose Cultivators to consider, affecting whether they were willing to spend their Spirit Stones or not.

Perhaps due to Jia Ren's large purchase, she didn't skimp on the explanation, "It's not just the Spirit Enhancement Pill that's gone up in price; other Elixirs have also seen considerable hikes. The Alchemists we collaborate with have all been invited by the Five Elements Sect."

Is the Five Elements Sect really going to start a war with the Black Soul Sect? Before troops move, grain goes first. Once battle commences, consumables related to the war will be the first to be affected.

Jia Ren decisively paid the Spirit Stones and went to check other shops. The prices of Talismans increased to varying degrees, but it was mostly the Loose Cultivators who reacted the slowest. Most Talismans and Elixirs at their stalls had yet to see a price increase.

The possibility of war wasn't low.

Jia Ren decisively bought in bulk, especially the Talisman-Making Materials and Spiritual Medicines he needed. For items like Elixirs, safety was the priority, so he only purchased them from shops.

Spirit Rice was the most important. As someone who had lived through war, Jia Ren was all too aware of the importance of Spirit Rice. The few hundred catties he had were far from enough; he didn't feel secure. The best way to avoid the war was to leave the Great Wilderness Market. Unfortunately, he couldn't bear to leave the easily obtainable Foundation Establishment Pills behind. Moreover, the war wasn't a certainty; it wasn't guaranteed that a Sect war would break out. He hoped it was just rumors...

Jia Ren requested, "Three hundred catties of White Corn."

As Jia Ren expected, the price of Spirit Rice rose with the rest, and it did so quickly. At a high price of eight Fragmented Spirit Stones per catty, he still purchased five hundred catties. This wasn't the end; to prevent attracting attention from bulk purchasing all at once, he changed his disguise several times, making consecutive purchases, each time buying five hundred catties of White Corn.

As more people became aware of the war news, it sparked a hoarding frenzy, and more and more Loose Cultivators rushed to buy Spirit Rice. On his subsequent two purchases, the price of White Corn was one Spirit Stone per catty, and one Spirit Stone and two Fragmented Spirit Stones per catty, respectively. By the time he went for his fourth purchase, he was met with the news that it was sold out.

Green Bud Rice? The poorer Loose Cultivators were more numerous; it sold out even sooner than the White Corn. The remaining regular rice, too, was bought up in the selling frenzy. The concern of being without rice once again hovered over the heads of the Loose Cultivators.

With no Spirit Rice left, the next items to be swept up in the panic buying were Spiritual Beast Meat, with its price increasing by half per catty.

"The Ming Family should still have Spirit Fish."

With nearly 1,700 catties of White Corn, over 300 catties of Spirit Bud Rice, and about 200 catties of Spiritual Beast Meat in his possession, Jia Ren could be called the number one hoarder. Even so, he still felt it wasn't secure enough and immediately thought of the Ming Family. Before, he raised Spirit Fish more as an experiment, only raising three without expanding the operation. Purchasing Spirit Fish was both for reverting more fish to their ancient state and for increasing his food stores.

Many Loose Cultivators had the same idea, making the Ming Family's residence bustling with activity. The family had quicker access to information than ordinary Loose Cultivators and received news ahead of everyone else. The price of Green Scaled Carps, formerly five Fragmented Spirit Stones per catty, rose to eight Fragmented Spirit Stones per catty. Other Spirit Fish and Spirit Chickens also saw price hikes ranging from a third to half.

"The price is too high, isn't it?" one Cultivator complained.

"The Ming Family has quite the nerve!" another exclaimed.

"Can you sell them cheaper?" a third pleaded.

Spirit Rice and Monster Beast Meat sold out too quickly. Those who were a little slow to react couldn't even buy any Spirit Rice. All Loose Cultivators, having suffered food shortages during the fight between two Sects, were desperately hoarding food.

A Ming Family Cultivator retorted, "Take it or leave it—if you don't buy, others will."

Another added, "In two more days, the price will go up again!"

The Ming Family's Cultivators were arrogant in their attitude, knowing full well that these people would purchase Spirit Fish and Spirit Eggs no matter what. More Loose Cultivators continued to arrive, resulting in a highly intense selling scene.

Jia Ren purchased one hundred fifty Spirit Fish, totaling over four hundred catties. Although some had malicious intentions towards Jia Ren, upon sensing his Ninth Level of Qi Refinement cultivation, they prudently abandoned any thoughts of folly. People always look for the easier target. Bizarre Cultivators are not foolish—they certainly wouldn't attempt to strike at a target far stronger than themselves.

The frenzied selling lasted three days, leaving many Loose Cultivators still entrenched in the worry of not having enough rice.

「Meanwhile, at the Ming Family's residence」

Many Ming Family Cultivators gathered together, looking at the pile of more than ten thousand Spirit Stones on the table with undisguised elation.

"Ming Wu is truly clever!" one exclaimed. "He spread a few rumors, and immediately the hard-to-sell Spirit Fish fetched a higher price, selling out completely."

"We've made a fortune off of this batch of Spirit Stones!" another cheered.

"Ten thousand Spirit Stones—they could buy a Foundation Establishment Pill!" a third marveled.

The Ming Family was overjoyed as they divided up the Spirit Stones. Spirit Rice and Monster Beast Meat remained high and out of reach; many bottom-tier Loose Cultivators couldn't afford them and had to use Spirit Stones to buy regular rice while the sale of Spirit Fish slowed. The trickle of Spirit Stones into the clan reduced, and they couldn't accept that.

The Mings discussed spreading rumors that the Black Soul Sect would battle the Five Elements Sect. For some reason, the Five Elements Sect had blocked off the Great Wilderness, convincing many Loose Cultivators it was true. Combined with the encouragement of those who profited, this led to the rise in prices and the sellout of food supplies. In just a few days, the earned Spirit Stones equaled nearly a decade of the Ming Family's previous income. Relishing in their gains, the Ming Family counted their Spirit Stones, reveling in the joy of their windfall.

「Outside the Ming Family's residence」

Dozens of dark figures converged, their gaze fixed on the distant lights.

One figure rasped, "The Black Soul Sect doesn't take kindly to defamation."

Another declared, "Since some people believe it, let's turn the rumor into reality!"

The Black Soul Sect was less active in the Great Wilderness, not dead.

A third voice, filled with malice, added, "The Five Elements Sect wiped out the Wang Family we supported. It's time to get a little interest back from the Mings!"

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