A cultivator from the Black Demon Sect, protected by a Superior Defensive Artifact, charged towards Jia Ren's residence with a ferocious smile.

How could an ordinary Loose Cultivator be a match for an elite disciple from a Sect?

A Superior Defensive Artifact was an insurmountable barrier that Loose Cultivators could not break through.

With my cultivation at the Ninth Level of Qi Refinement, apart from a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, who else could pose a threat to me?

Wielding the Banner of Thousand Souls, he swaggered towards the stone house not far away.

This guy's wealth should satisfy me.

As an elite disciple with a Special Pupillary Technique, he could see at a glance that Jia Ren's place was different from others. It was guarded by a Formation.

Unfortunately for that guy, the one he encountered was me...

How could the Formation of an ordinary Loose Cultivator pose a threat to me?

Just as he stepped into the range of the stone house, illusions suddenly sprang up, and a gigantic elephant, a few dozen feet tall, raised its hoof to stomp down.

"The fake can never become real!"

A glint of black light flashed in his eyes. He saw through the illusion, deeming it unworthy of concern.

To the left of the elephant, seemingly silent, a Profound Sword slashed towards him.

The sword's light was sharp and piercing, inexplicably filling him with a chill.

This sword is fierce!

"Expand!"

The Bone Shield quickly enlarged, shielding his front.

As a Superior Defensive Artifact, its defensive capability is trustworthy.

The banner waved, and hundreds of ghostly souls condensed into a Ninth-Level Qi Refinement Ghost General, who, with a hideous laugh, charged into the depths of the stone house.

BOOM!

The Profound Sword slashed down, leaving a deep sword mark on the Bone Shield, nearly cleaving it in two with a single strike.

What?!?

What sort of Formation is this?

How can its power be so terrifying?!

That single stroke shattered his confidence, and all previous arrogance vanished.

A Superior Defensive Artifact activated by a Ninth-Level Qi Refinement Cultivator... Aside from Foundation Establishment Cultivators, few could break it.

Could it be a Second Order Formation?

I've been careless!

I vastly underestimated the power of the Formation...

He didn't know that Jia Ren's Formation, though only a Superior First Order, was lavishly powered by Medium-Grade Spirit Stones. This propelled the Mysterious Sword Seven Kills Array to the next tier, making its power comparable to an ordinary Lower-Grade Second Order Formation.

Escape!

The Demon Cultivator, no longer poised as before, fled the area quickly.

Entering the Formation was easy, but escaping was difficult.

The moment this Demon Cultivator entered, his fate was no longer his to decide.

Streams of profound sword light converged, numbering as many as seven.

A single ray of this sword light has killing power surpassing a Ninth-Level Qi Refinement Cultivator. How can I defend against seven?

"This is a misunderstanding! I will leave immediately!" The Demon Cultivator's face changed drastically as he quickly softened his stance.

The seven rays of sword light didn't pause, slashing straight down.

The Demon Cultivator held the Bone Shield up in front of his eyes, a ruthless gleam flashing through them.

"Bloody Ghoul Explosion Technique!"

BOOM!

The Ghost General's body turned red, its aura went berserk, like a ticking time bomb ready to explode.

The Bloody Ghoul Explosion Technique from the Black Soul Manual was a forbidden art. Upon execution, the Ghost General, formed from the hundreds of souls condensed within the Banner of Thousand Souls, would self-destruct, destroying and contaminating the Formation and Magic Artifacts.

This is my only way to break free!

Without the Formation, the threat from that Loose Cultivator will be minimal. I'll undoubtedly crush him to dust!

Before he could even consider how to deal with his opponent, he suddenly felt a chill on his neck, and his vision began to recede. His headless body spurted blood as it toppled heavily to the ground.

The Black Wind Mantis succeeded in its assassination, waving its scythe-like forelimbs and slicing his head to pieces.

Swarms of Exotic Black Mosquitoes surged forward, sucking the blood dry.

The Bloody Ghoul Explosion Technique, now uncontrolled, caused the Ghost General to disperse into countless resentful spirits, which unwillingly burrowed back into the Banner of Thousand Souls.

Jia Ren collected the Storage Bags and Magic Artifacts. Then, with a wave of his hand, a fireball incinerated the corpse, eliminating any chance for the Demon Cultivator's bizarre and malevolent techniques to manifest.

Thus, a Ninth-Level Qi Refinement Demon Cultivator from a Sect met his tragic demise here.

The battle ended.

Through the Profound Water Mirror and the deployed Spirit Insects, Jia Ren confirmed there was no danger approaching before starting to count his gains.

First, there was a damaged Superior Defensive Artifact, the Bone Shield. It wasn't too severely damaged, and he could repair it himself once his Refining Level improved.

Next, a High-Grade Magic Artifact, the Banner of Thousand Souls, and a Middle-Grade Defense Robe.

There were five Storage Bags in total: two Ten Directions Storage Bags and three Trilateral Storage Bags.

The contents were quite chaotic. One must have been the Demon Cultivator's own Storage Bag, as it also housed a Superior Attack Artifact, the Black Soul Trident, in addition to spare Middle-Grade attack and defense Magic Artifacts.

The other four Storage Bags were likely obtained from Loose Cultivators. The Magic Artifacts and Spirit Stones within, both in quality and quantity, were a tier below; their combined value didn't match that of the Sect Disciple's Storage Bag.

He tallied them. Quite a few Spirit Stones, over two thousand one hundred in total.

There was also a good amount of Elixirs, Talismans, Spirit Rice, and other supplies, altogether exchangeable for resources worth over a thousand Spirit Stones.

Jia Ren satisfiedly packed up the Storage Bags, quietly waiting.

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea later, more Demon Cultivators began to wreak havoc.

One after another, Loose Cultivators hiding in their residences perished.

Before long, battle broke out in a nearby stone house. Li Yuhong fled in disarray, a Demon Cultivator hot on her heels.

"Daoist Shi, save me!"

Regret shone on her face. Why did I let my companion risk going out?

Otherwise, if trouble came, at least he would be here to protect me.

The first person Li Yuhong thought of was Shi Bai. Previously, a Demon Cultivator had barged into his residence and hadn't been seen leaving alive; he was highly likely killed by Shi Bai.

This person could save my life!

Jia Ren remained silent, his expression grim.

I have no fondness for Li Yuhong. What disgusts me most is that she led a Demon Cultivator to my doorstep! Isn't that just inviting trouble for me?

Did she even consider if she could resolve the problem herself?

Why should anyone else risk their life to save her?!

Jia Ren didn't respond, his face cold and indifferent.

I'm not her father or mother. Why should I risk my life to save her?

"Fellow Daoist, save me! I am willing to do anything!"

Despair filled Li Yuhong's face as the Bizarre Cultivator chasing her sliced off her head with a single blow, killing her instantly.

"You really are a coward!"

The Bizarre Cultivator slowly put away the Storage Bag on Li Yuhong's body, extracting her soul, his gaze continuously sweeping over Jia Ren's residence.

This one is at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining, far more cautious than the previous Demon Cultivator.

With a wave of his hand, a gloomy ghostfire flew towards the stone house, and a golden light screen appeared, blocking it outside.

"There's even a Formation for protection?"

"There are many Loose Cultivators in the Great Wilderness Market. Fellow Daoist, you should go find someone else."

Even though Jia Ren said this, an invisible moth silently left the Formation and flew towards the top of the Bizarre Cultivator's head.

I don't trust this man to just leave.

What if he leaves only to return with more Black Soul Sect Cultivators to besiege my residence?

If Foundation Establishment Cultivators get involved, my only option would be to flee.

That's not an outcome I want.

"Heh heh, that's not for you to decide."

Hearing Jia Ren's submissive words, the Demon Cultivator laughed wickedly.

A Loose Cultivator with a Formation is a rare fat sheep! Array Plates are even more expensive than ordinary Middle-Grade Defense Magical Implements. Naturally, I can't miss out on this.

"Kid, just come out obediently, and I'll let you suffer less before dying."

The Demon Cultivator's fingers formed hand seals, apparently preparing a powerful destructive Spell.

Before the Spell could be fully cast, his vision blurred, and multiple overlapping images appeared before him.

His vision became illusory and hazy; he felt his body growing lighter, as if it were about to be pulled from this world.

What kind of technique is this?

An Illusion Technique?!

When did I fall for it?

Why didn't I notice anything?!

By the time he realized something was wrong, it was already too late.

Before he could react, a buzzing sound filled his ears, similar to the noise of mosquitoes flapping their wings rapidly.

His body-protecting Magic Artifact lost its connection, his Spiritual Power shield shattered, and an itching sensation spread all over his body as his blood was rapidly drained.

BANG!

A desiccated corpse fell heavily to the ground, its face frozen in the terror it had felt right before death.

I never imagined I'd die here...

Hundreds of Exotic Black Mosquitoes acted quickly, dragging the corpse back to the dwelling.

Jia Ren disposed of the body and collected the spoils of war.

Safety was restored.

Killing two Demon Cultivators brought a brief peace to the area.

It was unknown whether the Demon Cultivators realized a ruthless character was hidden in the dark alleyways, or if they were drawn to other areas, but regardless, this place experienced a brief period of peace.

Jia Ren sent several Spirit Insects flying towards the distance to gather information.

The uncertainty of the situation made it impossible for him to feel at ease; it was like a stone hanging heavily in his heart.

"The great war has driven people mad. Over forty Foundation Establishment Cultivators have fallen, the Five Elements Sect's protective Formation collapsed, and its disciples suffered heavy casualties."

"The Five Elements Ancestor, enraged, used forbidden arts. He severely injured four Golden Core Cultivators and destroyed the physical bodies of the Black Soul Sect's Golden Core Cultivators, allowing only their souls to escape."

"The Five Elements Ancestor, having used forbidden arts, has little lifespan remaining. Once he is gone, the Five Elements Sect will be defenseless and could be annihilated at any moment."

Rumors flew everywhere, and it was unclear whether the information was true or false.

The Five Elements Sect suffered heavy losses?

Is Yang Bingzhi still alive? Did he die in the battle where the Five Elements Sect was besieged?

Is there still hope for my Foundation Establishment Pill?

A series of questions lingered in his mind, accompanied by a sense of powerlessness against the grand tide of events.

Who would have thought that the Five Elements Sect, once like the midday sun and on the verge of a great resurgence, would now be on the brink of annihilation?

Acquiring the Large Spirit Stone Vein was the foundation of the Five Elements Sect's resurgence, but it also became the source of its destruction.

Once the Five Elements Ancestor passes, the Five Elements Sect will be without a Golden Core Cultivator. Other Sects will surely pounce on them like hungry wolves.

When a great whale falls, myriad life flourishes.

It would be a scene reminiscent of how the Five Elements Sect itself had annihilated other Sects in the past.

Time marches on. How many Sects have already vanished into the dust of history?

The destruction of the Black Soul Sect's Golden Core Cultivator's physical body was still fresh in everyone's minds. With the Five Elements Ancestor still alive, the other sects dared not press too hard.

A powerhouse at the Late Golden Core Stage could easily take an enemy down with them in a final, desperate gambit.

No one wanted to be that unfortunate one.

More importantly, there was the struggle for control over the Great Wilderness Market and the Large Spirit Stone Vein.

That was their first issue to address.

The Black Soul Sect, Heavenly Sword Sect, Yuding Sect, and the scattered remnants of Thousand Beasts Mountain had allied to fight the Five Elements Sect. Now, however, they showed a completely different face to one another.

They had united because of gain and divided for the same reason.

A great war between the four Sects erupted, and the weakest, Thousand Beasts Mountain, was the first to be eliminated.

Next, the Heavenly Sword Sect and Yuding Sect joined forces against the Black Soul Sect.

"Demon Cultivators—everyone has the right and duty to execute them!"

When cooperating, they were allies.

But when it came to dividing the spoils, they disdained associating with Demon Cultivators.

The Black Soul Sect was still pillaging the Great Wilderness Market, having occupied it for less than half a day, when thousands of sword lights converged above it.

The once arrogant Demon Cultivators instantly cowered like quails, fleeing the Great Wilderness Market in a miserable state.

Ten Thousand Swords sang together, and a new voice echoed above the Great Wilderness Market.

"From now on, the Great Wilderness Market belongs to the Heavenly Sword Sect!"

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