"The Thousand Directions Mountain River Bag is priced at ten thousand Spirit Stones. Is Daoist Shi satisfied?"

The larger the space in the Storage Bag, the higher its value. A River Mountain Bag with a five-hundred-square capacity is only worth two thousand Spirit Stones. I could accept two thousand Spirit Stones for a Thousand Directions Mountain River Bag, let alone ten thousand. The Second Order Black Gold Silkworm Silk and Second Order Soul-Devouring Spider Silk used to refine River Mountain Bags are both Second Order materials that can be produced by my Spirit Insects. The only consumable is the staple Worm Saint Pill. Other expenses are small; the combined cost of Elixirs and refining materials is less than one thousand Spirit Stones. Selling a five-hundred-square River Mountain Bag for two thousand Spirit Stones would yield a substantial profit. Not to mention, my skill in refining River Mountain Bags has reached the Grandmaster Level, and I can reliably produce bags with a capacity of four thousand squares. Bags of such quality won't be put up for sale. The two-thousand-square River Mountain Bag is the limit for what I'll sell.

"How much is a two-thousand-square River Mountain Bag priced at?"

Jia Ren took out a two-thousand-square River Mountain Bag, and the female cultivator's face lit up with a radiant smile. They liked River Mountain Bags of this quality and were willing to pay a higher premium.

"What is rare is precious. The Thousand Illusion Sect is willing to pay thirty thousand Spirit Stones."

Such a treasure is to be offered to the Golden Core Ancestors within the sect; they are still using thousand-square Storage Bags. The Golden Core Ancestors of the Cold Moon Palace have them; it wouldn't do for the Golden Core Ancestors of our Thousand Illusion Sect not to have them.

"I'll take as many River Mountain Bags as you have."

The influence of Cold Moon Palace and the Thousand Illusion Sect extends beyond the Barren Extreme Land. There are numerous Golden Core Ancestors in the Western Wasteland Domain who would value these rare River Mountain Bags; they could please them. It is a symbol of status.

I like dealing with wealthy cultivators, Jia Ren thought. After a slight hesitation, he decided not to take out all the River Mountain Bags at once. I'll sell them slowly to avoid flooding the market and causing the price to drop. Besides, if I sell a large quantity of River Mountain Bags at exorbitant prices, I fear it might attract Golden Core Ancestors to become Bizarre Cultivators. Food must be eaten slowly; haste won't get you hot tofu.

He took out ten five-hundred-square River Mountain Bags, five Thousand Directions Mountain River Bags, and three two-thousand-square River Mountain Bags, totaling one thousand six hundred Medium-grade Spirit Stones. One thousand two hundred Medium-grade Spirit Stones were used to settle the cost of recently purchased materials, leaving him with a gain of four hundred Medium-grade Spirit Stones. Jia Ren put the large quantity of materials he had just bought, as well as the four hundred Medium-grade Spirit Stones, into his pouch before leaving contentedly.

「No sooner had he stepped out of the Thousand Illusion Tower than he turned and went to Han Yue Fang.」

The Foundation Establishment Cultivator serving on the second floor had changed; it was now a young male cultivator. Jia Ren went through the same routine, inquiring if they had any Second-order Pill Recipes, Golden Core-forming treasures, or Foundation Establishment Techniques for sale, but the result was disappointing. He could only purchase the necessary resources. Compared to half a year ago, the quantity of resources in Han Yue Fang had not increased but had instead decreased.

"Spiritual Medicines and materials over a hundred years old are scarce, as most are supplied to the sects," the young cultivator explained. "The availability of high-vintage medicinal materials will only diminish. The quantities of various materials have declined. We've barely managed to gather resources worth eighty thousand Spirit Stones. The flow of resources from the two sects into the market is limited. It's more of a tactic to attract people; they won't sell all the cultivation resources their sects need."

He then added, "If Daoist friend wants more resources, you can join the Town Demon Alliance. The alliance has a vast number of treasures, and the Alchemy Recipes you want to buy can also be exchanged there."

Joining the Town Demon Alliance is out of the question. No matter how good the cultivation resources are, I won't risk my life for them.

"Do you buy River Mountain Bags?" Jia Ren asked.

"Is Daoist friend the Vajra Gate cultivator who sells River Mountain Bags? Shall we continue to purchase them at the previous price?" the young cultivator inquired.

As usual, Jia Ren took out the same quantity of River Mountain Bags to offset his purchases, the exact number he had provided to the Thousand Illusion Tower. Items are valued for their rarity. River Mountain Bags can hold more goods and are highly practical. For instance, after killing a massive high-rank Demon Beast, a regular Storage Bag has limited space, forcing one to waste parts of the precious Monster Beast Meat and Demon Beast Blood. A large-capacity River Mountain Bag, however, can hold everything.

Jia Ren pocketed a large number of materials, along with an additional eight hundred Medium-grade Spirit Stones. Such astounding wealth made even the sect's Foundation Establishment Cultivators, like the young man attending to him, incredibly envious. Though a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator could be considered a regional powerhouse, the young man dared not entertain any devious thoughts and simply smiled broadly as he saw Jia Ren off.

Jia Ren was in no rush to leave and continued to visit other shops to purchase materials. The Talismans I need to refine include the Banishing Evil Talisman, Fire Bullet Talisman, Divine Wind Talisman, Firebird Talisman, Descent of Cold Frost Talisman, and Thunder Strike Talisman... For Magic Artifacts, it's mainly two types of Fu Wan, plus materials for others. For Elixirs, I need baits for Spirit Insects, Spirit Fish, and Spirit Beasts, as well as various grades of Elixirs. Lastly, materials for Formations.

I'm simultaneously cultivating Formations, Alchemy, Talismans, and Artifacts. With the Proficiency Panel, my progress is astonishing, but it's still overwhelming. Formations are difficult to master, consume vast resources, and the materials are hard to find. Learning and mastering all types of Formations is too arduous. I've given up on mastering all of them, focusing instead on stealth, spirit-gathering, trapping, and formations to Seal the Strange Beasts—these are more useful to me.

The quality of Spiritual Medicines and treasures in the other shops was much lower than those in the Thousand Illusion Tower and Han Yue Fang, but the sheer number of shops compensated for this. After visiting dozens of them and frantically buying up goods, Jia Ren acquired a significant amount of usable items. The Spirit Stones he had just received, barely warm in his pouch, were all spent, and he even had to dip into his existing funds.

Let's bring them back first!

Carrying such a vast amount of acquired goods, Jia Ren felt uneasy. He immediately returned to the Water Mansion to have his true self refine them into Elixirs and various treasures.

「Seven days later, the Insect External Incarnation once again arrived at the Yunxiang Wine House in Qingfu Fang Market.」

To the naked eye, the wine house appeared empty. Loose Cultivators passing by seemed to be repelled by an invisible force field, unable to approach.

What kind of Formation is this?

The Insect External Incarnation stood in front of the Formation, examining it closely.

"Does Daoist friend understand Formations?" a voice suddenly asked. "This should be a simplified version of a Forbidden Formation. Powerful sects in the Western Wasteland Domain maintain special Secret Realms, and Forbidden Formations can restrict cultivators of different Realms from entering and exiting."

Looking towards the source of the voice, Jia Ren saw a man clad in a White Taoist Robe approaching slowly. He waved a feather fan adorned with beauties with his right hand and had his left arm around an attractive female cultivator, his smile beaming.

Jia Ren's gaze immediately landed on the River Mountain Bag displayed prominently on the outside of the man's Taoist Robe. Normal cultivators keep their Storage Bags at their waist, usually hidden beneath their robes. Not flaunting wealth is the proper way. This fellow, however, has deliberately hung his River Mountain Bag outside his Taoist Robe, in a conspicuous spot on his waist, as if terrified others won't see it.

"Haha, Daoist friend has recognized it," the man said, his fan-waving speed increasing by a third, his smile carrying a hint of smugness. "This is an extremely rare ancient treasure, the River Mountain Bag. It's of great value and sought by ten thousand spirits."

What? Deliberately showing off his River Mountain Bag? I recognize it at a glance; it's one I crafted, the smallest five-hundred-square capacity type. Sought by ten thousand spirits? Isn't it just two thousand Spirit Stones? Either he's deliberately inflating the price to boast, or the Thousand Illusion Tower and Han Yue Fang sold it at a steep markup.

He offered an awkward yet polite smile, discreetly pressing down his sleeve to prevent the dozens of River Mountain Bags hidden there from being seen. With insincere flattery, he said, "Daoist friend is truly incredible to possess such an ancient relic!"

"The River Mountain Bag, a Magical Treasure, can contain mountains and rivers, encompassing the waters of the four seas," the man boasted. "My River Mountain Bag is just a Magic Artifact; though not as precious as such a wonder, it's also a rare treasure capable of containing living creatures. I almost forgot, my name is Celestial Twilight Elder."

The two made small talk for a bit before Celestial Twilight Elder released the female cultivator from his embrace. They then entered Yunxiang Wine House one after the other, unaffected by the Formation and entering smoothly. Their vision blurred for a moment, and it was as if the inside and outside of the Formation were two different worlds. A quick scan revealed dozens of Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Acquainted cultivators gathered together, exchanging conversations.

Jia Ren's gaze swept over the crowd, finally resting on a woman with a pale yellow complexion.

Luo Yuzhu from the Yuding Sect! She's still alive? And she's achieved Foundation Establishment?! I thought she had perished with the destruction of the Yuding Sect. I never expected her to be alive, let alone to have successfully reached Foundation Establishment.

Feeling Jia Ren's gaze, Luo Yuzhu looked up, her eyes sparkling.

The Alchemy Grandmaster who refined the Profound Water Pill? Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivation?! I remember when we first met, Shi Bai was only at the Qi Refinement Seventh Level. Just a few years have passed, and now he's at Foundation Establishment Late Stage? Has he been hiding his strength all this time?! Unless he consumed some legendary divine medicine, such a heaven-defying improvement would be impossible!

"Daoist Shi has arrived," someone announced.

"This esteemed Daoist Shi has come by my recommendation," Celestial Twilight Elder declared.

"Greetings, Daoist Shi!" others chimed in.

"Daoist friend's strength has reached Foundation Establishment Late Stage; Golden Core is in sight. May I ask which sect you hail from?" one cultivator asked. Among those present, there were three cultivators at Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage, and only one other at Foundation Establishment Late Stage besides Jia Ren.

"Haha, Daoist Shi is from Vajra Gate," a female cultivator interjected before Jia Ren could speak. It was the same woman who had been in charge of Han Yue Fang six months ago.

Vajra Gate? He's from Vajra Gate? Luo Yuzhu stared at Jia Ren, the brightness in her eyes quickly fading.

"Vajra Gate?" a voice questioned. "How come I don't recognize this senior brother?"

A middle-aged man with a cold expression, who had been standing on the second floor scanning the room indifferently, leaped down and landed in front of Jia Ren. The man was bald, without a single hair on his head, had sparse eyebrows, and a fierce expression. "Why are you pretending to be a cultivator from Vajra Gate?"

Is he bullying Vajra Gate, thinking we have no one left?! the bald man fumed internally. If Jia Ren's strength weren't so much greater than his own, he would have attacked already. Vajra Gate has been in decline for over two hundred years. All the talented cultivators with good Spiritual Root Aptitude have been snapped up by the major sects. We've only managed to hold on this long because of our past foundation. Vajra Gate... has no successors. The entire sect only has four Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and not one has reached Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

"Not a cultivator from Vajra Gate?" The crowd murmured in surprise, not expecting Shi Bai to have falsely claimed his sect affiliation.

Jia Ren was stunned. Vajra Gate became a thing of the past... I thought all its members were gone. I can't believe I've run into a genuine one. It's like Li Gui meeting Li Kui—the impostor facing the real deal.

Jia Ren snorted coldly and scrutinized the man. "I am from an accidentally lost lineage. Many years have passed, and the inheritance is incomplete. The legacy I received from Vajra Gate was lacking, so I had to switch to cultivating other techniques later. True or false? One glance is all it takes."

He lifted his palm, and a dark golden light suffused it, then spread to cover all his exposed skin. He tapped his transformed skin, and it emitted the sound of colliding metal.

With my control over the Mixed Refinement Black Dragon Body, it's no problem to temporarily suppress the Black Dragon Scales and maintain the Dark Gold Body state.

"Mixed Refining Vajra Body?! Dark Gold Body?" the bald man exclaimed, staring blankly as the dark golden light on Jia Ren's palm faded. Then, his face lit up with frantic joy.

"Senior brother!" he cried out. "Vajra Gate has declined! We ask you to return to the sect and oversee the situation. If senior brother is willing, I can recommend you for the position of Sect Leader!"

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