The Five Metals Divine Escape is unlike other escape methods, as it renders ineffective any restrictions and formations that contain metallic materials. The divine power of the Five Metals Divine Escape can ignore restrictions involving metallic materials, allowing for an easy escape from the Thousand Mountains Sect's inescapable net. Once this divine power is mastered, the ability to escape greatly increases.

Jade Bell True Monarch didn't pursue?

Jia Ren arrived outside Eastern Forest Market City. After a long while without seeing the Thousand Mountains Sect in pursuit, the Xuan Gui Shield remained unused. His spiritual consciousness probed in their direction, only to find the Thousand Mountains Sect had already left using the teleportation array.

How could they have run off?!

The Thousand Mountains Sect had dispatched a mid-Nascent Soul Stage elder and over a dozen Golden Core Cultivators, easily enough to deal with him alone.

Facing such an advantage, why did Jade Bell True Monarch flee?!

Could it be... related to the Five Metals Divine Escape?

Did they recognize the divine power came from Wang Fugui and got scared off?!

Jia Ren didn't know whether to feel relieved or worried. He was relieved that a 'trouble' had dissipated into nothingness, yet worried that his plan to test the Xuan Gui Shield had fallen through…

No sooner had Jia Ren returned to the cave he rented in Eastern Forest Market City than someone came to visit. The visitors were none other than Fan Xin and the Internal Affairs Director, whom he had met once before.

"Xu Daoyou, this is your Golden Core Formation Pill; it should be returned to its rightful owner."

"Elder Fan is…" Jia Ren trailed off, not understanding why they had come, his heart full of vigilance.

His dealings with the Town Demon Alliance were concluded; there should be no further ties.

Could it be… Jade Bell True Monarch fled to lower his guard, and these two were the real killing move?!

"Xu Daoyou, you're a personal disciple of the Alliance Hierarch, aren't you? How could the Western Bizarre-Suppressing Alliance dare to accept this pill of yours?"

Alliance Hierarch?!

If Jia Ren still didn't understand what was going on after considering the behavior of the Thousand Mountains Sect's Jade Bell True Monarch and the Town Demon Alliance elders, then he truly would be a fool. Wang Fugui being the Lord of the Town Demon Alliance was both unexpected and reasonable. In the Four Great Desolate Domains, the known leaders of the super sects were Divine Transformation Cultivators, and Wang Fugui was the fifth one, wielding the greatest strength among them. If he was to take on a position in the Mysterious Realm, how could he not hold a corresponding post? Wang Fugui was a Late-Stage Divine Transformation Cultivator. He shouldered the most responsibility as Lord of the Town Demon Alliance and was also deeply committed to sealing Bizarre Demons. All of it made sense.

This fat man had hidden his true depth well!

He had assumed Wang Fugui's influence was limited to Wang Tong Money House and the Wang Family; he never imagined it was just the tip of the iceberg.

Why didn't he reveal his identity as the Lord of the Town Demon Alliance?

Jia Ren thought of Wang Fugui mentioning his rotation period was nearing its end and that it wouldn't be long before the 'changeover' for the Lord of the Town Demon Alliance. Seeking benefits through the Town Demon Alliance came with many hidden dangers. With many eyes and ears within the Town Demon Alliance, if news leaked to Wang Fugui's enemies, the moment he entered the Mysterious Realm, those who knew of the Golden Scale Wind-Riding Technique would surely target him. The benefits gained from the Town Demon Alliance would not outweigh the troubles it brought.

"I am not a disciple of Wang Daoyou."

Fan Xin's face showed a strange expression. As merely a Golden Core Cultivator, what right did he have to treat a Late-Stage Divine Transformation powerhouse as an equal and address him as a fellow Daoist?!

Xu Yi's relationship with the Alliance Hierarch was anything but ordinary...

"It's fine, little friend Xu, please accept it."

"Should you encounter any difficulties in the future, notify the Western Bizarre-Suppressing Alliance, and I will assist with all my might."

Fan Xin was amiable, looking at Jia Ren as if he were a close nephew. Wang Fugui had been Lord of the Town Demon Alliance for nearly a thousand years. Countless people wanted him to take them as disciples and pass on one or two divine skills. Unfortunately, not a single person met his standards. The best treatment one could hope for were a few words of guidance. Whether Xu Yi was a disciple of Wang Fugui or not was irrelevant. The mere fact that he could address Wang Fugui as an equal and had received the never-before-taught divine power of the Five Metals Divine Escape was enough. It proved the importance the Divinity Transformation Ancestor placed on him. This person's future was boundless; naturally, he was someone worth befriending.

"Many thanks, Elder Fan."

One doesn't slap a smiling face; this person's kindness was indeed hard to decline. Having one more friend was always better than having one more enemy.

Connections make all matters smoother.

If he were to need high-quality spiritual medicines, he might indeed have to seek help.

Moreover, what did it matter to him, Jia Ren, if Wang Fugui's enemies knew of Xu Yi?

"Calling me an elder is too formal. If you don't mind, just call me Uncle," Fan Xin offered. "If you need anything in the future, just let me know."

Jia Ren experienced the advantages of having a powerful backer; without much effort on his part, people would naturally try to curry favor with him.

"Many thanks... Uncle."

"I have an audacious request."

Jia Ren decided to press his advantage, thinking about the large amount of Superior Grade Spirit Stones he needed to arrange the Xuanling Cha Infant Secret Array. He was having difficulty acquiring Superior Grade Spirit Stones, but it wouldn't be hard for the Town Demon Alliance with its significant influence.

"Please, nephew, don't hesitate to speak up," Fan Xin said, his expression showing no dissatisfaction. His previous words were not mere politeness.

He truly wished to establish a connection with Xu Yi—no, with Wang Fugui.

The Town Demon Alliance elders had seen Wang Fugui only a handful of times in a century; they had no opportunity to form a relationship with him. They could only settle for the next best thing: forming ties with someone Wang Fugui was on good terms with.

Mutual courtesy exchanges were superficial at best, nothing more than a nodding acquaintance. Only through reciprocal favors could relationships become truly close.

"I would like to exchange low and medium-grade Spirit Stones for Superior Grade Spirit Stones—the more, the better."

Fan Xin frowned slightly, feigning a bit of difficulty. "Superior Grade Spirit Stones are also scarce commodities in the Town Demon Alliance, as large Demon Sealing Formations require them. The Town Demon Alliance has some reserves of Superior Grade Spirit Stones. I'll pull some strings and help you get a batch."

Getting Superior Grade Spirit Stones wasn't difficult for a Town Demon Alliance elder. If it seemed too easy, the other party certainly wouldn't feel indebted. Deliberately 'raising' the difficulty would make the favor more memorable.

The group chatted merrily for several hours. Fan Xin, drawing on his experience as a Nascent Soul Cultivator, pointed out key aspects to pay attention to when advancing to the Nascent Soul Stage. Such guidance on advancing to the Nascent Soul Stage was invaluable, potentially saving Jia Ren from many detours.

「Seven days later,」

One hundred fifty-five Superior Grade Spirit Stones were delivered, each brimming with Spiritual Power.

"The amount of Superior Grade Spirit Stones I can currently mobilize is limited... this is all I have for now," the Internal Affairs Director surnamed Fan explained upon delivery.

Superior Grade Spirit Stones are consumed with each use, becoming fewer and fewer. While the Western Bizarre-Suppressing Alliance is large and wealthy, it's not solely run by Fan Xin; there's a limit to the Superior Grade Spirit Stones he can mobilize. The one hundred fifty-five Superior Grade Spirit Stones far exceeded Jia Ren's expectations. He had previously managed to collect only eighty-four through various efforts; Elder Fan had indeed been very supportive. The Insect External Incarnation offered one million eight hundred thousand Spirit Stones but was refused; Fan Xin's subordinate only accepted one million five hundred fifty thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones, the direct exchange value.

"My thanks for your trouble, Brother Fan," Jia Ren said to the Internal Affairs Director surnamed Fan who had delivered the Superior Grade Spirit Stones.

"This is as much as I can help you with. It's a pity. It's been a hundred years since a new Superior Grade Spirit Stone Vein was discovered. The number of Superior Grade Spirit Stones is dwindling. We've been relying on reserves lately, and they will only become scarcer in the future. I also have a message for you. The Thousand Mountains Sect has proactively sought refuge with the Immortal True Sect and has become its vassal."

Jia Ren had planned to cause trouble for the Thousand Mountains Sect, but to his surprise, they had actually become a vassal of the Immortal True Sect?!

Thinking of taking action against the Thousand Mountains Sect now might attract the attention of Divinity Transformation Ancestors.

Even the Divine Transformation-grade Magic Treasure, the Xuan Gui Shield, would be at risk of being snatched away.

This matter would have to be postponed...

Jia Ren saw the Internal Affairs Director surnamed Fan off and began to count the Superior Grade Spirit Stones in his hand. He now had a total of two hundred thirty-nine Superior Grade Spirit Stones, still one hundred twenty-one short of what he needed. Getting the remaining one hundred twenty-one wouldn't be easy. He couldn't just keep using Wang Fugui's reputation to go around asking for handouts from Great Sects and the Town Demon Alliance...

Time to head for the Barren Extreme Land.

Jia Ren remembered the Superior Grade Spirit Stone Vein deep within the Great Wilderness, and the Bizarre Demons like the Shadow Bizarre and Flesh Phantom Trees he had encountered in the Black Demon Forest—entities once so powerful he would have avoided them at all costs.

Now... apologies, but I must send you all to the Demon-Sealing Tower for reformation through labor.

I can't stay in this realm for too much longer; it's better to prepare sooner rather than later.

The more Bizarre Demons in the Demon-Sealing Tower, the more Sacrificial Fire they would provide, and the stronger its effect would be in the future.

A person without foresight will inevitably face imminent troubles. Jia Ren couldn't guarantee he wouldn't encounter unexpected crises. It's best to fill the Demon-Sealing Tower with Bizarre Demons first.

How can I enter the Barren Extreme Land without being detected by the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre?

The New Moon Phantom Face had strong disguising abilities, but it couldn't possibly fool the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre, a progenitor of illusion techniques. The best solution was to don a 'shell' that wouldn't attract the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre's attention. Bizarre Demons and Bizarre Persons wouldn't attract the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre's attention. If he had a similar shell, solving the problem wouldn't be difficult.

Impersonating Bizarre Demons or Bizarre Persons isn't easy; the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre would see through it at a glance.

What if I have the Smiling Bizarre create a Laughing Spook Mask?

The Smiling Bizarre was sealed on the second floor of the Demon-Sealing Tower. It was the very first Bizarre Demon Jia Ren had sealed within the tower, and he had once used it to create Smiling Weird Talismans. That item caused indiscriminate harm, even affecting himself, so it had been shelved ever since. Jia Ren could create a Bizarre Tool to infiltrate the Barren Extreme Land without drawing their attention. He had experience creating Smiling Weird Talismans and Mysterious Instruments, and the Bizarre Garden also had a dedicated Bizarre Herb Garden, so making a Laughing Spook Mask wouldn't be difficult.

「Half a year later,」

The Insect External Incarnation left Eastern Forest Market City and flew towards the remote Barren Extreme Land. When he was over thirty thousand miles from the Barren Extreme Land, he stopped his Escape Light.

Continuing forward, he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't encounter spies of the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre; it wasn't safe to proceed.

The Insect External Incarnation located a spot devoid of fish, insects, birds, and beasts, and summoned a dazed-looking Swift Wolf Beast. This was a Swift Wolf Beast 'vehicle' he had created after half a year of effort. The Soul Searching Technique had been used to render it simple-minded. After establishing a Spirit Contract, the Heart Language Technique was used to implant the idea of heading towards the Barren Extreme Land, and he mentally outlined the route for it.

"Laughing Spook Mask!"

The Insect External Incarnation, after donning the Evil-Warding Full Body Armor, took out the River Mountain Bag containing the Bizarre Object. A mask that seemed alive and emitted strange laughter was placed on the Swift Wolf Beast's head. The Swift Wolf Beast still looked the same, but its face now bore an incredibly bizarre smile, and it continuously emanated eerie laughter that sent chills down one's spine. A bronze mirror protected the Swift Wolf Beast's mind, preventing it from being corrupted by the Laughing Spook Mask and dying miserably en route. The Insect External Incarnation then hid within the Swift Wolf Beast's body, inside the Mountain and Sea Pearl he had prepared earlier.

"Go!"

"To the Barren Extreme Land!"

The Swift Wolf Beast sprinted wildly toward the Barren Extreme Land, moving at great speed.

「After twelve days,」

The Swift Wolf Beast entered the Barren Extreme Land. Through his connection with the Swift Wolf Beast, the Insect External Incarnation used the beast's eyes to survey their surroundings. Occasionally, he would also issue commands to change direction. They entered the Barren Extreme Land, the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre's territory, without any obstruction.

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