Golden Core Cultivators were making a move against the Five Elements Sect! The Five Elements Sect was in grave danger!

The Five Elements Sect had made too many enemies. Now, its adversaries, smelling its impending doom much like sharks drawn to the scent of blood, were swarming in droves.

In a short time, the foot traffic in the Five Elements Marketplace surged, increasing more than threefold. Foundation Establishment Cultivators, once a rare sight, were now seen everywhere, their numbers exceeding a hundred.

As the aging behemoth neared death, Cultivators were as keen as Carrion Vultures, eager to taste the whale's fall.

A whale falls, and myriad creatures thrive.

"The Five Elements Sect has abandoned the Great Wilderness Market!"

With five Foundation Establishment Elders dead, even more Cultivators' lives hung in the balance. The Five Elements Sect, seeing the unfavorable turn of events, retracted its forces and recalled all sect disciples. The Sect Protection Array activated, and they closed their doors, not emerging from seclusion.

Was it really just one person forcing the Five Elements Sect to shut its doors? This is the might of a Golden Core Cultivator!

With no one governing the Five Elements Marketplace, chaos unfolded. Thefts increased, and bouts of fighting became commonplace within the Market. Without 'order,' how could lawless Cultivators behave themselves?

The only constant was at the entrance to the Five Elements Marketplace. There, the five shriveled heads of the Foundation Establishment Elders were lined up, deterring anyone from touching them. The Five Elements Sect Cultivators withdrew back to the sect, and no one could replace the Foundation Establishment Elders to bury their bodies. Loose Cultivators did not wish to bring misfortune upon themselves. If the unknown Golden Core Ancestor mistook them for allies of the Five Elements Sect, trouble would surely follow.

Before long, the entrance to the Market became a macabre spectacle, with every Cultivator visiting the Five Elements Marketplace coming to gaze upon it.

"The Five Elements Sect deserved this! The cycle of karma is unerring; the retribution is fitting!"

"The downfall of the Five Elements Sect is imminent! They must pay for the evil they've done!"

This was the consensus among all Cultivators. Once everyone deemed the Five Elements Sect doomed, the momentum became unstoppable, signaling the sect's imminent demise.

In every tavern and Cave, Foundation Establishment Cultivators of various powers could be seen: Vajra Gate, Thousand Beasts Mountain, Black Soul Sect, Blood Demon Sect... Many lesser-known small sects and clans, all with Foundation Establishment experts, joined in the fray.

"Have you found the mysterious Golden Core powerhouse?"

"We've received intelligence. The individual is suspected to be from Thousand Beasts Mountain."

The Five Elements Sect had immediately locked down information, yet some intel was still leaked by a traitor.

A new Golden Core from Thousand Beasts Mountain? How come we didn't know? Thousand Beasts Mountain was suffering a decline in talent. The sect had few experts, not one having reached the False Core Realm, making it even more impossible for anyone to have formed a Golden Core. They would not admit to such a thing. If Cultivators from Thousand Beasts Mountain used the 'Golden Core' title to claim more resources, it could very well push their sect into dire straits. If there truly was a Golden Core, that would be one thing. But if there wasn't... The Great Sects and clans were the type to devour people without spitting out the bones. If no Golden Core Cultivator from Thousand Beasts Mountain appeared, why would these factions give them any benefits? Fortune and disaster go hand in hand; one reaps only as much as one's strength allows.

Thousand Beasts Mountain's denial led some to believe they were hiding their strength, while others continued to search for the mysterious Golden Core Cultivator, seeking collaboration.

This 'Golden Core Cultivator' was currently at a tavern, hosting a farewell meal for Yang Bingzhi.

"Are you sure you want to leave?"

"The Five Elements Sect treated me well. I won't kick them while they're down."

More and more forces and sects were coming to the Five Elements Marketplace. The Five Elements Sect's downfall was a foregone conclusion. Yang Bingzhi wouldn't try to stop the inevitable for the Five Elements Sect's sake, nor did he wish to 'feed' on his former master. It was best to leave this place of conflict as soon as possible. Everyone had their own standpoint, and Jia Ren wasn't about to persuade him otherwise.

Jia Ren specifically warned, "If you're planning to reach Foundation Establishment, it's best to leave the Barren Extreme Land." He recounted the issue of the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre, reminding Yang Bingzhi to be cautious.

There was no need to elaborate on the horrors of Bizarre Demons; those who had seen them were invariably shaken to the core.

"To think there are such terrifying Bizarre Demons in this world... Thank you for the warning, Daoist Jia. Otherwise, I might have fallen prey to them completely unawares..."

"I'll gratefully accept the Foundation Establishment Pill."

"Daoist Jia, your Alchemy Skills are impressive. This is my final gift—it's better to benefit you than strangers," Yang Bingzhi said, taking out a well-drawn map and pushing it towards Jia Ren.

A map?

"I once worked in the Five Spirits Medicine Garden, and this is a map I drew from memory. This Spirit Medicine Garden has existed for over a thousand years and houses numerous precious Spiritual Medicines."

"In the very core area, there are Thousand-Year Spiritual Medicines and even more valuable treasures."

A map of the Five Spirits Medicine Garden? Thousand-Year Spiritual Medicines and valuable treasures?

Many search desperately without success, only to find it effortlessly.

Jia Ren had come to the Five Elements Sect primarily for three things: the Golden Core Main Medicines required for the Golden Core Formation Pill, Alchemy Recipes, and Foundation Establishment Techniques. The most critical were the Spiritual Medicines for concocting the Golden Core Formation Pill. The Five Spirits Medicine Garden was the Five Elements Sect's most precious Spirit Medicine Garden, its inventory of Spiritual Medicines beyond imagination. He hoped he might even find the Golden Core Main Medicines he needed there.

"Thank you, Yang Daoyou! This map is a tremendous help!"

Without Yang Bingzhi, finding the Five Spirits Medicine Garden would not be easy. With the Five Elements Sect Cultivators having retreated behind their gates, opportunities to gather information had vanished. If the Five Elements Sect discovered an impending catastrophe, they would either take the Spiritual Medicines and flee or destroy them. They would not let them fall into the hands of their enemies. Jia Ren's hopes of obtaining valuable Spiritual Medicines grew dim. For him, a map of the Five Spirits Medicine Garden was worth its weight in gold.

"I also have some Talismans for you. Take them for your protection," Jia Ren said, taking out several dozen Talismans and pushing them towards Yang Bingzhi. This was both a token of appreciation for the map of the Five Spirits Medicine Garden and a gesture to ensure his old friend did not come to harm. The Barren Extreme Land was chaotic. A Cultivator in the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining traveling thousands of miles faced extreme dangers. These Talismans would be vital for survival.

Yang Bingzhi started to refuse, but Jia Ren interrupted, "I hope we meet again someday. You must succeed in reaching Foundation Establishment."

"Use the Mind-Guarding Talisman to overcome the Heart Demon Tribulation, and the Divine Wind Talisman to escape…"

"Alas, I owe you far too much. I hope there will be a day I can repay you."

The Mind-Guarding Talisman and the Divine Wind Talisman were indeed very useful and hard to refuse.

"The map of the Five Spirits Medicine Garden is more than enough."

"I will head to the Western Wasteland Domain. I hope we meet again one day."

After finishing their meal, the two said their reluctant goodbyes.

"Take care!"

Jia Ren watched Yang Bingzhi leave and then returned to the Cave he had rented. It was located right next to Yang Shengwu's.

"Brother Jia, you're back."

Not long after Jia Ren returned, Yang Shengwu came over for a visit. He had been in the Five Elements Marketplace for some time and had only managed to kill a dozen or so Qi Refinement Realm disciples of the Five Elements Sect. Not a single Foundation Establishment Cultivator had died, and they hadn't harmed the foundation of the Five Elements Sect. Annihilating the Five Elements Sect was as difficult as ascending to the heavens; he couldn't find an opportunity to strike.

But with Jia Ren's arrival, everything changed. Five Foundation Establishment Elders of the Five Elements Sect were dead, scaring the sect into recalling their disciples and closing their gates. He had followed Jia Ren's advice and spread the rumor that the Five Elements Sect was on the verge of destruction. Yang Shengwu's contribution in attracting so many powerful individuals was undeniable.

"My name is Xu Yi, not Jia," Jia Ren said, skillfully altering his appearance and aura. This was to avoid attracting the attention of the Bizarre Alliance and the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre, thereby minimizing his presence.

"Brother Xu, my apologies."

"What should we do next?" Yang Shengwu asked.

The Cave was enveloped by a soundproof barrier. Jia Ren, ever cautious, reflected on the situation. This intervention had not been his original intention. If the transaction had gone smoothly and he had acquired his desired treasures, Jia Ren wouldn't have harmed any Five Elements Sect Cultivator. The Five Elements Sect, however, was accustomed to acting with impunity. They had demanded more and more, believing they held the upper hand, expecting a no-cost deal to obtain both the Foundation Establishment Pill and the Alchemist. With the plan for a peaceful transaction thwarted, he had been forced to resort to the annihilation plan.

Jia Ren did not intend to continue taking action and attracting more trouble. By spreading the news of the Five Elements Sect's impending destruction, they had ensured that all who came bore ill will towards the sect. The forces gathered already far surpassed those of the Five Elements Sect.

He finally said, "Wait."

More sects and forces continued to arrive. However, many would not rashly join in. If they clashed with the Five Elements Sect, they would have to bear the brunt of the sect's wrath. They wanted the spoils, not the fight.

When they grew impatient, they would only have two choices: either leave the Five Elements Sect's territory, abandoning their chance to strike, or attack the Five Elements Sect and seize resources.

Leaving is out of the question – watching others profit while they get nothing is more unbearable than death itself.

Next, he needed to find a way to guide the situation to their advantage and create opportunities. By that time, everyone who had come could be turned to his advantage, becoming a force to help break the Five Elements Sect.

Of course, that was the previous plan. Now...

Jia Ren had lost much of his interest in annihilating the Five Elements Sect. Attacking the sect posed too great a risk, including the possibility of exposing himself. Adventurous undertakings, even if carried out by his Insect External Incarnation, he was reluctant to attempt. He considered his Insect External Incarnation a second life, not to be risked lightly.

Having just obtained the map of the Five Spirits Medicine Garden from Yang Bingzhi, he was wholly focused on slipping in unnoticed to obtain the precious Spiritual Medicines. The various sects and forces seeking the Five Elements Sect's destruction would become targets, conveniently distracting the sect's attention. What Jia Ren had to do was sneak into the Five Spirits Medicine Garden quietly and harvest as many Spiritual Medicines as possible.

Forcefully breaking in isn't feasible; silent infiltration is the best approach.

The Five Spirits Medicine Garden was the Five Elements Sect's largest supplier of Spiritual Medicine. It contained many such herbs and was certainly protected by numerous prohibitions and Formations.

Burrowing in definitely won't work.

I wonder if there's a Formation restricting the use of escape techniques?

The feasibility of using escape techniques isn't high. If the Formations and prohibitions were poor, the Five Spirits Medicine Garden wouldn't have existed for a thousand years.

"Do the Five Elements Sect's Elders possess anything useful?"

Jia Ren took out the five Storage Bags belonging to the Five Elements Sect Elders to take stock of the haul. In total, there were seven Storage Bags, each with a thousand cubic feet of space filled with abundant resources.

There were 761 Medium-grade Spirit Stones and 36,985 Spirit Stones.

There were sixteen Top-grade Magical Instruments. Most were offensive Magic Artifacts, with only six being Defense Artifacts.

There was no shortage of Elixirs; one was a Spirit Pill intended for Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage Cultivators. Before obtaining the Red Spirit Pill Alchemy Recipe, he might have been interested in replicating it, but now, it held little value. He wouldn't consume lower-quality Elixirs. They were mostly for exchanges with other Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Next were various Talismans, strange Ore Stones, and Spiritual Medicines, all useful for Alchemy or crafting Magic Artifacts. A few Jade Slips recorded obscure information, including much about Bizarre Demons, somewhat supplementing his limited knowledge.

Last were five Identity Tokens, which the Five Elements Sect had likely deactivated. They held little worth.

Jia Ren couldn't be bothered to meticulously inventory everything, so he stowed it all in his River Mountain Bag. His mind pondered how to break through the Formations.

Ban-breaking Finger!

Normally, the Ban-breaking Finger had little use. Its Proficiency Level had reached Grandmaster Level but had not advanced further. Now that he was preparing to go to the Five Spirits Medicine Garden, he could upgrade it to the Extraordinary Saint Level. By then, breaching prohibitions and common Formations would not be difficult. It would become a crucial tool for entering the Five Spirits Medicine Garden.

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