The Heavenly Sword Ancestor retreated, and the Black Soul Sect left safely.

Upon witnessing this scene, Cultivators had only one thought in their hearts. The balance between the sects is broken, and peace cannot last. With the Five Elements Sect gaining support, will they make a comeback? Seize control of the Great Wilderness Market once again?

"There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests."

The flesh of the Black Soul Sect's Golden Core Ancestor was slain by the Five Elements Ancestor. Additionally, a large number of Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Five Elements Sect died at the hands of the Black Soul Sect, creating deep-seated hatred between the two sects. To confront the combined forces of the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Yuding Sect, the Black Soul Sect allied with the Five Elements Sect, which unexpectedly seemed to gain the upper hand.

What about Thousand Beasts Mountain? Which side will they choose to help? The numbers at Thousand Beasts Mountain had dwindled, with only a few members remaining. Thousand Beasts Mountain held deep resentment towards the Five Elements Sect. However, during the division of the Spirit Stone Vein, the Heavenly Sword Sect and Yuding Sect excluded them to claim more Spirit Stones. The lessons were vivid in their minds, leaving Thousand Beasts Mountain dissatisfied with everyone. They're probably busy watching the tigers fight from a safe vantage point, ready to pick up any scraps.

Jia Ren sighed and decided not to pay attention to this matter, focusing instead on his own cultivation.

Although the conflict between the two sects hadn't erupted, a period of calm had followed, as if the alliance of the Black Soul Sect and Five Elements Sect was merely an illusion to outsiders. In reality, the cooperation between the two sects had long since fallen apart. Only a select few remained alert, and Jia Ren was one of them.

Foundation Establishment Pill! The Five Elements Sect had crafted a large number of Foundation Establishment Pills. The cultivators who obtained them would definitely seize the time to go into seclusion and strive to break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage. Once they digest the Foundation Establishment Pills, the Five Elements Sect will gain at least a dozen more Foundation Establishment Cultivators. That's when the Five Elements Sect will truly make their comeback. It would be best to leave the Great Wilderness Market during this time and find a safer place. Otherwise, I will inevitably be affected by the war.

There were many Loose Cultivators who shared similar thoughts, but the problem was... they couldn't leave. Most Loose Cultivators came to the Great Wilderness Market by riding Sect Flying Boats or following merchant caravans, taking comparatively safe routes. As of today, there was no trace of the merchant caravans. Relying on oneself alone to travel through thousands of miles of desolate land, who knew what dangers one might encounter, or how many Magical Beasts and Bizarre Demons? Successful travelers were one in a hundred.

Jia Ren could only hope for the war to end soon, allowing him to leave this place of trouble. In the meantime, he worked on raising his Cultivation Level quickly, aiming to reach the pinnacle of the Qi Refinement Realm as soon as possible. Cultivating, improving Elixirs, enhancing Xuan Yuan Heavy Water, and crafting Elixirs became Jia Ren's orderly daily life.

On the fifth day, Jia Ren crafted the twenty-fourth experimental product, and an odd Elixir scent filled the air. Before even testing it, the scent agitated the Spirit Insects in the Insect Breeding Room, making them uncontrollably excited. Even the insects outside, used for guard duty, gathered towards the stone house. All were attracted by the Elixir's scent, their thoughts conveying intense longing. This was the first time Jia Ren encountered such a situation after improving the Alchemy Recipe.

Was it a success?

Jia Ren controlled the flames steadily, not wanting to spoil the rare chance of a successful Elixir creation. The medicinal scent grew richer, causing the Spirit Insects to behave almost uncontrollably. If it weren't for Jia Ren's high Proficiency Level in Insect Control Technique and Insect Taming Technique, it would have been impossible to manage them.

He performed a spell, and nine black-glowing Elixirs were retrieved. Each Elixir was the size of a little fingertip, gleaming with a dark luster like a fine pearl. The Proficiency Panel appeared, adding an unnamed Elixir.

I hope the effects don't disappoint me.

Unable to wait, Jia Ren immediately went to the Insect Breeding Room and placed the new Elixirs in front of the Spirit Insects. The scene resembled the temptation of Spirit Fish, as numerous Spirit Insects swarmed to consume the Elixirs rapidly. There were only nine Elixirs, and Jia Ren gave special attention to the Earth Corner Worm King. The Earth Corner Worm King was one of the first Spirit Insects to follow him, digging tunnels and earning significant merit, so naturally, it couldn't be neglected.

After swallowing three Elixirs, the Earth Corner Worm King fell into a deep sleep. Specks of gold were clearly visible on its back, gradually expanding. When the Earth Corner Worm King's carapace completely turned gold, its metamorphosis would be successful.

Jia Ren memorized the experimental Alchemy Recipe, pondering over it again to confirm whether there was still room for further improvement. It took three Elixirs for the Earth Corner Worm King's bloodline to advance; the effect is slightly lacking and doesn't meet expectations.

Through successive refinements and adjustments, he fully integrated the medicinal effects to increase efficacy. His Proficiency Level rose rapidly, each change bringing new insights, which he continued to use to improve the Alchemy Recipe, creating a positive feedback loop. From initially requiring three Elixirs for the Earth Corner Worm King to metamorphose, now only two were needed. Progress was swift.

This is my current limit. It won't change unless the Proficiency Level reaches Grandmaster Level, or even the higher stage also termed Grandmaster Level.

A Spirit Pill specifically crafted for the metamorphosis of Spirit Insects... I shall name you Ancestral Worm Pill.

Compared to the Spirit Attracting Bait (Insect), the name Ancestral Worm Pill was more direct; this Spirit Pill aimed to allow Spirit Insects to revert to their ancestral bloodline. The unnamed Elixir on the Proficiency Panel changed to Ancestral Worm Pill, and the Proficiency Level rose to Master Level.

The Earth Corner Worm King, which had consumed the Ancestral Worm Pill earliest, had already undergone ancestral reversion and completed its metamorphosis. Its body was slightly smaller than before, and its carapace had changed from black to gold. It transformed from a pure burrowing Spirit Insect into a new combat-capable Spirit Insect. Its grade metamorphosed from a First Order lower-grade Spirit Insect to a First Order superior-grade Spirit Insect.

I shall name you Golden Armor King Worm.

With a thought from Jia Ren, dozens of Golden Armor King Worms converged on his body, forming a shining Golden Armor that protected him completely, leaving no spot exposed. Clutching a High-Grade Magical Artifact, the Shadowless Sword Talisman, in hand, he slashed at the Golden Armor. A crisp clanging sound echoed, but the Magic Sword could only leave an almost imperceptible white mark on the surface.

Such strong defensive power! It's even greater than Superior Defensive Artifacts. I wonder how it compares to a Top-grade Magical Instrument?

Top-grade Magical Instruments were precious and usually in the hands of Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Jia Ren was unsure how the Bug Armor formed by the Golden Armor King Worms compared to a Top-grade Magical Instrument. One thing was certain, though: Qi Refinement Realm Cultivators would probably be unable to break through the Bug Armor's defense.

Not bad, my sense of security has greatly increased. From now on, you've shed your identity as a mining laborer and have officially been promoted to a defensive Spirit Insect.

Jia Ren dispersed the Bug Armor, reverting it back into Golden Armor King Worms.

After experimenting with the Golden Armor King Worms and finding their combat prowess far exceeded expectations, Jia Ren's gaze turned to the Exotic Black Mosquitoes. Their combat abilities far surpass those of the Earth Corner Worm King. What heights could they reach once their bloodlines revert to their ancestral state? If the reversion is successful, with hundreds of bloodline-reverted Spirit Mosquitoes, even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator might have to give them a wide berth.

Jia Ren took out an Ancestral Worm Pill, melted it into liquid, and fed it to the Exotic Black Mosquitoes, awaiting their subsequent transformation.

What remained were the Puppet Bug, Green Silk Worm, Illusionary Demon Moth, Black Demon Insect, and Black Wind Mantis. They all had considerable potential. After being fed the Ancestral Worm Pill, the results should be quite impressive. It was something to look forward to.

Jia Ren continued to refine Ancestral Worm Pills until he exhausted all relevant Spiritual Medicines. His Proficiency Level soared to Master Level in one go, and the effectiveness of the Ancestral Worm Pills improved significantly.

Most of the major Spirit Insects fell into deep slumber, with the exception of the Illusionary Demon Moth and Black Wind Mantis. It seemed their mutation had altered their bloodlines, rendering the Ancestral Worm Pills unable to achieve their intended effect, much less cause them to revert to their ancestors. Since their mixed refinement and mutation, they had become unique individuals; they themselves were their so-called ancestors. The Ancestral Return Pill being ineffective on them is indeed a significant disappointment.

Jia Ren was not one to be constrained by conventional thinking; he had mastered the mixed refinement methods for both the Illusionary Demon Moth and Black Wind Mantis. Starting from the source, if I first revert the bloodlines of the Spirit Insects used before their mixed refinement, and then combine them again, could I create even more powerful versions of the Illusionary Demon Moth and Black Wind Mantis? This still needs to be tested and will require collecting a large number of Spirit Insects.

As usual, Jia Ren headed to the Market. Seven days had passed since he first entered seclusion for cultivation, including the time spent improving Alchemy Recipes and reverting the Spirit Insects' bloodlines. The number of stalls in the Market had surprisingly increased. The Spirit Stone Veins of the Great Wilderness had attracted the attention of the five major Sects. If Loose Cultivators entered the Great Wilderness, they might run into Sect Disciples at any moment—trouble that Loose Cultivators couldn't handle. The current situation was chaotic, and war could break out at any time. It was far safer to stay in the Market than to risk being caught in the turmoil outside. With no other source of Spirit Stones, setting up a stall became the only economic lifeline for Loose Cultivators.

Jia Ren swept his gaze across the stalls. There were still very few Spiritual Medicines, and the butchers who sold Monster Beast Meat had vanished. The Spirit Insect Eggs he wanted were nowhere to be found, which was disappointing. Reluctantly, he could only proceed to large shops like Tianbao Pavilion to purchase the necessary Spiritual Medicines. With the Great Wilderness under the control of the Great Sects, there was no shortage of Spiritual Medicines. Furthermore, Tianbao Pavilion was backed by the Pill Cauldron Sect and had ample reserves.

"Fellow Daoist, are you looking to buy Spiritual Medicines? Are you an Alchemist? You need to go to the Pill Alliance for Alchemist certification before you can purchase Spiritual Medicines at Tianbao Pavilion."

What in the world? Jia Ren doubted his ears. Certification by the Pill Alliance? What is this about? Isn't the Pill Alliance part of the Five Elements Sect? Since when did it start collaborating with the Yuding Sect? Needing Alchemist certification to purchase Spiritual Medicines is truly troublesome.

Jia Ren faintly sensed something unusual and decided to leave.

On the second floor, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator overseeing Tianbao Pavilion glanced at Jia Ren twice without much interest and then withdrew his gaze. Where is the Alchemy Grandmaster hiding? It's been almost a month, and there's no trace of him. Could he have been killed by the Black Demon Sect?

Jia Ren was unaware that the requirement for Alchemist certification had arisen because of him. An Alchemy Grandmaster had made the Pill Cauldron Pavilion particularly concerned. They first took control of the Pill Alliance, carefully searching for any signs of such a Grandmaster. Not finding the person they were looking for, the Pill Cauldron Pavilion did not give up. They hoarded the Spiritual Medicines on the market, betting that if the Alchemy Grandmaster was still around, he would eventually come to them. The idea was good, but even after more than a month of implementing the plan, there was still no trace of this person.

Jia Ren returned to his residence and began secluded cultivation, temporarily setting aside the refinement of Ancestral Return Pills. He cultivated assiduously for half a month, making astonishing progress. His cultivation progress was more than halfway complete, moving him ever closer to the limit of the Ninth Level of Qi Refinement.

BOOM!

Thunderous noises came from the sky, accompanied by a chaotic clamor. Dark clouds loomed overhead, and dozens of Flying Boats converged, encircling the Great Wilderness Market.

"The Five Elements Sect is attacking!"

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