A powerful surge of energy fluctuations emanated from the Water Curtain Cave Abode, becoming increasingly intense.

Zhang Peng Peng stood outside the waterfall, emitting the Spiritual Power Fluctuation of the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining.

In recent years, her cultivation speed was not slow.

Unfortunately, she hit a bottleneck, her Cultivation Level stalled at the peak of the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining.

Has there been a breakthrough?

"SQUEAL! SQUEAL! SQUEAL!"

The Fathead Fish Demon surfaced from the water. It could feel its master's excitement and couldn't stop calling out.

In three years' time, without ever missing a dose of Fish Saint Pill, the Fathead Fish Demon's progress was not slow, having already reached the limit of the Second Order, just one step away from becoming a Golden Core Great Demon.

Jia Ren passed through the water curtain and walked out of the Water Curtain Cave Abode, radiating Spiritual Power Fluctuations many times stronger than before.

"Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage!"

With the Blood Demon Sect's continuous supply of high-quality Spiritual Medicines and the large-scale refinement of Consolidating Yuan Pill (Modified), the quality of the Elixirs improving, how could his cultivation speed not be quick? Leveraging the power of Elixirs, he reached the limit of his cultivation progress and stepped into the Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage in one go.

One step further on the path of cultivation, the Golden Core Great Dao was getting closer and closer.

With a thought, the Proficiency Panel that only he could see emerged.

[Realm: Mid Foundation Establishment (1/6000)]

With his cultivation breakthrough, Jia Ren was in a great mood.

"This is a Jade Yang Pill. It can help you break through to the Ninth Level of Qi Refinement."

Jia Ren tossed a Jade Yang Pill toward Zhang Peng Peng.

Then he took out ten Fish Saint Pills and tossed them to the Fathead Fish Demon.

A gift for advancement, whoever sees it gets a share.

Zhang Peng Peng hurriedly caught it and said with delight, "Thank you, Junior Brother."

With this Elixir, she could break through to the Ninth Level of Qi Refinement, getting closer and closer to Foundation Establishment.

She was happy for Jia Ren's breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage but secretly felt heartache...

The distance between them was getting greater, and if her Foundation Establishment failed, what would she be after a hundred years... She felt like she was becoming a burden...

"I need to go into seclusion to consolidate my Cultivation Level. You should cultivate well and try to achieve Foundation Establishment as soon as possible."

"Don't put too much pressure on yourself, to avoid breeding a Heart Demon."

Jia Ren noticed Zhang Peng Peng's change in emotion. In the past few years, she had been cultivating diligently and was not worse than him.

Neither of them had high talents, but he had the Proficiency Panel, which made him different from an ordinary Loose Cultivator.

"You should make a trip to the Blood Demon Sect."

The Insect External Incarnation appeared from afar, bearing a Foundation Establishment Pill, and set off for the Blood Demon Sect.

Jia Ren returned to the Water Curtain Cave Abode to solidify his Realm.

In just over three years, besides advancing his Cultivation Level to Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage, he did not fall behind in other areas of progress.

The Insect External Incarnation had advanced to the Extraordinary Saint Level, undergoing amazing transformations.

An Insect External Incarnation at the Extraordinary Saint Level could somewhat rival a true External Incarnation.

A hundred Sonic-Thief Mosquito Kings transformed into humans, capable of condensing meridians within their bodies, equivalent to a Cultivator's Spiritual Root.

The Spiritual Root Aptitude was not high, roughly at the level of a False Spiritual Root.

The problem was... with a hundred Sonic-Thief Mosquito Kings making up the Insect External Incarnation, it was equivalent to a hundred weakened Cultivators with False Spiritual Roots cultivating together. Their speed of cultivation was not inferior to someone with a Superior Grade Spiritual Root. The Insect External Incarnation now had meridians and could cultivate, refining Qi just like ordinary Cultivators. Dual Life-bound Magic Treasures... the possibility of success was already there! Two Magic Treasures that could grow with him, the thought alone was exciting.

The other changes to the Insect External Incarnation were also significant.

The Spirit Insects composing the Incarnation had not reached the Mid-Second Order, but their strength had advanced past the main body's, reaching the Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage.

The control range could exceed a thousand li, and operating over large distances was not a problem.

Jia Ren's control over the Insect External Incarnation had tremendously stabilized. With his main consciousness robust, as long as the main body did not die, there was no longer any risk of backlash from the Incarnation.

The Insect External Incarnation had undergone a qualitative change, sufficient to become the secret technique that a top Sect would treasure.

Besides the Insect External Incarnation, Jia Ren's main secret techniques also did not stop progressing.

The Xuan Yuan Heavy Water Technique advanced to Six Xuan Yuan Heavy Water, condensing three drops in total.

The Xuan Shui Escape reached the Grandmaster Level. Its utilization distance increased to fifty li. After consuming a Grandmaster-level Profound Water Pill, the escape distance would reach a hundred li.

This would become his strongest means of escape at hand.

The Xuan Gui Aquatic Gift was at Master Level, Xuan Shui Boundless at Master Level, Xuan Guang Water Mirror at Master Level, Furious Sea Nine Heavy Waves at Skilled Level, and Drowning Water Prison Technique at Master Level.

Next, there was progress in the realms of Talismans, Artifact Refining, and Formations.

His progress in Talismans was not slow. Having learned the Heavenly Talisman Treasure Scroll, he focused on Second Tier Talismans. The Proficiency Level of the Divine Wind Talisman, which he prioritized learning, had reached Master Level.

It will become the advanced version of the Featherweight Talisman, an essential treasure for escape.

The progress of Defense Artifacts was the fastest, with the Proficiency Level of the Fish Scale Inner Armor reaching Grandmaster Level.

The replication of three Ancient Inscriptions and the River Mountain Bag was nearing its end. He had attempted several imitations and replicated two lower-quality River Mountain Bags.

The quality of the replicated River Mountain Bags was poor. They were missing the material Void Profound Stone, essential for crafting spatial Magical Treasures, and ultimately failed to meet requirements.

The replication of Mysterious Instruments encountered problems. Without Bizarre Demons as test subjects, progress had halted.

He couldn't just risk danger and deliberately seek out Bizarre Demons for the sake of replicating Mysterious Instruments.

Progress in Formations was slow due to the need for many complex materials for arrangement. Many of these could not be substituted, even at the Blood Demon Sect, leading to a halt.

The main body continued his secluded cultivation while the Insect External Incarnation, altered to look like Elder Ying, employed the Sword Control Technique and hurried toward the Blood Demon Sect's location.

「After half an hour, the Blood Demon Sect was in sight.」

Three years had passed, and the situation at the Blood Demon Sect's station had greatly changed.

Subsequently, two Foundation Establishment Pills were released, obtained by two Demon Cultivators respectively.

One of them failed Foundation Establishment. Only the other Demon Cultivator succeeded, and he wanted to take over power from Yang Shengwu, taking charge of the exchange of Spiritual Medicines.

This is a coup!

The Insect External Incarnation had no choice but to make an appearance and stand in opposition.

The Insect External Incarnation gave Yang Shengwu a high-quality Foundation Establishment Pill, aiding him in successfully establishing his foundation.

With the Foundation Establishment Pill and precious Magical Treasures like the Mind-Guarding Talisman assisting him, Yang Shengwu successfully achieved Foundation Establishment.

Two Foundation Establishment Cultivators against one pressed their opponent without any chance to fight back.

「Two months ago, that opponent left in disgrace and headed to other branches of the Blood Demon Sect.」

"How have things been lately?"

The Insect External Incarnation, as Elder Ying, didn't hide its presence. Not long after its arrival, Yang Shengwu came out to greet it.

His body radiated a rich blood energy. His short black hair had turned a deep red color, thick like blood, whether from the influence of the Blood Demon Scripture or for other reasons.

"Things are not looking good. The number of Qi Refining Demon Cultivators has doubled, nearing five hundred..."

What?!

"The other branches became aware of the situation and came to join. Other Blood Demon Sect strongholds condemned us, rebuking us for poaching their members."

The news of exchanging special contributions for Foundation Establishment Pills had spread. With successful cases before them, Cultivators from other Blood Demon Sect strongholds journeyed far to join.

Demon Cultivators flock to where the benefits abound. Moreover, since they still belong to the Blood Demon Sect, it's not considered defection. An increase in the number of Cultivators at a stronghold is not a strange occurrence.

Nine Storage Bags were handed over. The Insect External Incarnation took one look and was stunned. "So many..."

The amount had more than tripled compared to the initial count, showing just how fervent the Demon Cultivators' enthusiasm for gathering Spiritual Medicines had become.

"The Spiritual Medicines within a radius of three thousand li have been harvested bare, with high-quality Spiritual Medicines growing increasingly scarce," Yang Shengwu continued.

"As the exchange period draws near, many Demon Cultivators are paying out of pocket to buy high-quality Spiritual Medicines from other branches. Some have even gone to other Markets to plunder Spiritual Medicines."

"This is an unprecedented event for the Blood Demon Sect in a thousand years!"

With Foundation Establishment at stake, the Demon Cultivators couldn't help but become frantic, resorting to all sorts of desperate measures. It's understandable that they would pay out of their own pockets to buy low-priced century-old Spiritual Medicines from other Blood Demon Sect branches—a pay-to-win strategy. But when the news that Demon Cultivators were looting Markets for Spiritual Medicines came out, the Insect External Incarnation couldn't remain calm anymore. Respectable Demon Sect Cultivators! Not content with stealing Spirit Stones, Magic Artifacts, or Talismans, when did they start feuding with alchemists over Spiritual Medicines?!

"The situation is quite bad! The Main Blood Demon Sect is probably targeting this place now..." Yang Shengwu said gravely.

It's time to pack up and leave. With a vast quantity of Spiritual Medicines at hand, enough for the next few decades, the Blood Demon Sect's usefulness has decreased while the risks have increased. Save a Foundation Establishment Pill and run for it! There's no need to continue investing... to aid these villains.

Following the decision to flee, Yang Shengwu decisively spent all his Sect contribution points, swiped a batch of cultivation resources from the inner treasury, and promptly made his getaway with the Insect External Incarnation.

Many Blood Demon Sect Demon Cultivators were waiting for a new Foundation Establishment Pill, anticipating the moment the results would be revealed.

To keep the competition intense and prevent excessive special contributions from discouraging latecomers and their efforts in gathering Spiritual Medicines, a hidden mechanism for special contributions was always used, with the truth only revealed at the last moment.

The Demon Cultivators who had submitted the most century-old Spiritual Medicines felt anxious, unable to be certain they had made the most special contributions.

They looked forward eagerly, waiting for the Foundation Establishment Pill.

From afar, a few Demon Cultivators emanating Foundation Establishment Spiritual Power Fluctuations approached the Blood Demon Sect stronghold. For a moment, countless hopeful eyes turned towards them.

"Elder Li Wuqing from the Main Blood Demon Sect."

"Elder Zuo Chang from the Blood Demon Northern Abyss Branch."

"Elder Ji Qing from the Blood Demon Black River Branch."

"..."

"Where is Disciple Ying?" one of them asked.

Seven or eight Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivators arrived together.

The influence of exchanging special contributions for Foundation Establishment Pills was widespread, drawing large numbers of Demon Cultivators from both the Main Sect and branch Sects to this location.

Without interference, all the Qi Refining Demon Cultivators from the branches would be gone... This farce must end! The new source of Foundation Establishment Pills must also be firmly grasped by the Main Sect for redistribution.

They searched high and low throughout the stronghold but couldn't find any trace of a Cultivator surnamed Ying.

Moreover, the newly promoted Foundation Establishment Elder Yang Shengwu, responsible for recording special contributions, was also nowhere to be found.

The recently collected century-old Spiritual Medicines had vanished, and the inner treasury was empty, as if plundered by thieves.

Even the dimmest among them could grasp the truth by now.

Elder Ying and Elder Yang have absconded with the Spiritual Medicines! The Foundation Establishment Pills are gone!

The Demon Cultivators' efforts over three years, including brazenly attacking Markets to rob Spiritual Medicines, had culminated in this outcome.

How could they not be enraged?

The seven or eight Blood Demon Sect Foundation Establishment Elders, who had come to investigate and assert control, were dumbfounded. They realized the situation was dire and wanted no part in this mess.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

The furious Demon Cultivators surrounded them completely, giving them no chance to even identify the true culprits.

The consequences that Jia Ren and Yang Shengwu should have faced were perfectly passed on to the Blood Demon Sect to bear.

「The masterminds behind the chaos had long escaped; the two of them moved towards the southwest through the dark, dense forest.」

The Insect External Incarnation had no intention of returning to the Water Curtain Cave Abode. It planned to head to a Market to acquire some necessary materials.

As the two of them traveled together, they moved further and further away.

Meanwhile, only the Blood Demon Sect's Foundation Establishment members were left behind, struggling to deal with the mess Jia Ren and Yang Shengwu had created, completely overwhelmed.

They hadn't gained any benefits but had instead attracted a host of troubles.

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