The Yuyang City, under the jurisdiction of the Purple Sun Sect, was teeming with throngs of people everywhere. The number of mortals surpassed that of cultivators by more than tenfold. Most mortals were accompanied by young children, their eyes filled with longing for the future.

The Insect External Incarnation effortlessly came to know the ins and outs of the matter. It just so happened that these past few days were when the Purple Sun Sect was recruiting new disciples, an event that occurred once every five years. Mortals under the control of the Purple Sun Sect flocked to the sect in succession, hoping to have their descendants become Immortals who could reach the heavens and delve into the earth. This was one of the few opportunities for mortals to change their destiny.

"So many people!"

Looking around, there were no less than five thousand children, most of whom were under thirteen years of age. Those with a Spiritual Root were one in ten, and the vast majority were of Lower Grade Spiritual Root. The Purple Sun Sect's requirements for Spiritual Roots were not low; at the very least, a Middle-grade Spiritual Root Aptitude was required—this criterion excluded ninety-nine percent of the mortals. At the sect-entry assembly held every five years, at most, no more than fifty mortals would join the Purple Sun Sect.

Twenty li away, the 'Immortal Mountain' was shrouded in clouds and mist. White Cranes danced in flight, and from time to time, people would cross the territory on flying swords, fitting perfectly with the mortals' fantasies of the Cultivation World.

"The great disaster is imminent; how many of them can survive?"

The Insect External Incarnation summoned up a sword light and, amidst the envious stares of countless mortals, flew up to the nine heavens, heading towards the distant Purple Sun Sect. The Purple Sun Sect had a sky-prohibiting formation; the flying swords felt heavy, and without a high level of expertise in the Sword Control Technique, one would truly plummet from the sky in haste.

"Who is this senior, and why have you trespassed into the Purple Sun Sect?" Several Escape Lights flew over from the distance. The approaching individuals were dressed in purple Taoist Robes, with the leader being a cultivator in the late stages of Foundation Establishment. The Purple Sun Sect's sky-prohibiting formation was effective only against outsiders; Sect Disciples holding Tokens would not be affected.

"Invited by Wang Fugui."

The three words 'Wang Fugui' seemed to possess a strange magic, for a loud laughter came from afar, "I have been waiting for you, young friend, for a long time."

An old man dressed in a purple-red Taoist Robe, with long white whiskers, appeared out of nowhere. The Purple Sun Sect disciples were stunned for a moment, then quickly saluted respectfully, "We greet the Ancestor!"

The person who came was indeed the Ancestor of the Purple Sun Sect, a late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator.

"You may all withdraw," Ancestor Ziyang said with a gentle smile, exuding an air of immortal grace.

A purple Token was lifted by an invisible force and landed in front of him. The Insect External Incarnation reached out to receive it, and the coercive force also vanished at that moment.

"Let's talk somewhere else."

With the operation of an invisible force, the two disappeared from their original location and appeared out of thin air in the main hall of the Purple Sun Sect. The Insect External Incarnation was delivered here without any resistance.

Divine Skills? No, this was the power of the formations laid out in this area! The purple Token in his hand was of utmost importance; without this Token, Ancestor Ziyang would not have been able to transfer him here.

"If the young friend is interested in this formation, it can be exchanged for the formation," Ancestor Ziyang suggested upon sensing Jia Ren's interest in the formation. As long as the formation met his expectations, Jia Ren wouldn't mind using up one of his slots.

"Elder Wang has already informed me. This is the treasure that the Purple Sun Sect agreed to provide." In front of the Insect External Incarnation was placed a wooden box that flickered with the light of restrictive seals. This wooden box was made from thousand-year-old cold sandalwood, capable of sealing Spiritual Energy, and combined with the restrictive seals, could better preserve the medicinal properties.

The wooden box felt cool to the touch but not piercingly cold. Gently pushing open the thousand-year-old cold sandalwood box, the moment it opened, a rich, strange Spiritual Power rushed towards him.

Inside was a green Spirit Grass with leaves and stems resembling the meridians of a cultivator. This was the Mysterious Meridian Spiritual Herb, an extremely rare Heavenly Earth Elixir, provided by the Purple Sun Sect for the exchange. Heavenly Earth Elixirs differ from ordinary herbs—they are born from the essence of heaven and earth and cannot be transplanted or cultivated. Under the heavens, it would be difficult to find a second one.

Heavenly Earth Elixirs cannot be faked, and it was confirmed to be genuine at a glance. The Insect External Incarnation hurriedly closed the wooden box to prevent the loss of medicinal properties.

"Thank you, Elder."

The Heavenly Earth Elixir was incomparably precious and greatly to his liking. Jia Ren still had other means to enter the Mysterious Realm, so exchanging the Profound Realm Key—which was now useless to him—for a Heavenly Earth Elixir and ten treasures was not a loss.

"It is we who should thank you," was the reply. "The Profound Realm Key is truly an unattainable treasure without the right connections..."

Too many sects coveted the Profound Realm Key. If not for the fact that the Purple Sun Sect had obtained the Mysterious Meridian Spiritual Herb not long ago and had not yet used it, they would have had absolutely no chance to compete. Ancestor Ziyang wore a look of relief; otherwise, the only means to escape this realm would have eluded them. With the arrival of the Bizarre Demons tide, the Purple Sun Sect's legacy, lasting for thousands of years, would be utterly destroyed.

Jia Ren was a great benefactor to the Purple Sun Sect, a truly esteemed guest. How could the Purple Sun Sect possibly neglect him? Moreover, with the support of Wang Fugui, the Lord of the Zhengui Alliance, behind him, the sect wouldn't have the audacity to stab him in the back even if they had ten times the courage.

"The treasure vault can be opened at any time. When would you like to go, young friend?" What's secured in hand is one's own; the sooner the treasures are taken, the better.

"Let's do it now!"

Ancestor Ziyang nodded and transmitted a message outside, "Ziling, accompany the young friend to the Purple Sun Treasure Vault, and let him take whatever ten treasures he wishes."

After a while, a female Golden Core Cultivator walked into the hall, wearing a white palace dress. The incoming woman had waterfall-like long hair, skin fairer than snow, and eyes like pools of autumn water. Female cultivators were mostly not lacking in beauty, and with the aid of beautifying Elixirs, no flaw could be picked upon their faces. This woman could be considered the most enchanting female cultivator he had ever seen in his life.

Ziling first saluted Ancestor Ziyang respectfully, then turned to look at the Insect External Incarnation and smiled brightly, "Daoist, please follow me."

"Thank you, Daoist," he responded.

Ziling took the lead, a fragrance like orchid and musk wafting from her as she walked. The Insect External Incarnation hurriedly followed, and the two of them walked side by side, exiting the grand hall.

"I haven't had the chance to ask for your esteemed name?" Ziling turned her head, tilting it as her eyes continuously sized up Jia Ren.

"Shi Bai," Jia Ren replied succinctly, his response detached.

"Could Daoist Shi be from the Town Demon Alliance?"

Not many knew about Wang Fugui coming to the Purple Sun Sect to exchange for treasures; only a few Nascent Soul Cultivators of the sect were privy to it. This woman's knowledge suggested she was not of low status. At minimum, she must be a daughter or a direct disciple of a Nascent Soul Cultivator.

"The Purple Sun Sect is too dull, and I haven't had the chance to travel. Daoist Shi, you are worldly and experienced, could you take me with you on your travels?" Desire and longing for the Cultivation World shone in Ziling's eyes.

But perhaps her intentions aren't pure...

A Golden Core Stage female cultivator would be strong; it's unlikely she would lack opportunities to travel. The Purple Sun Sect has countless disciples, and Ziling, with her appearance and temperament, would have many admirers. It couldn't possibly be my turn so soon after we've just met.

His mind remained clear as a mirror, undisturbed by ripples.

Before he could respond, a cultivator riding a sword approached from afar, overhearing their conversation. "Sister Ziling, this brother is willing to accompany you on your travels."

"Who is this fellow? A stranger to me! What merits does he have to earn Sister's favor?"

A Golden Core Cultivator with a folding fan in hand, controlling a Flying Boat, flew in, his eyes brimming with undisguised hostility.

Fairy Zi Ling looked upset and hid behind the Insect External Incarnation. This was enough to trigger the protective instincts of male cultivators.

Jia Ren couldn't help frowning.

If you hide behind me, where can I take cover?

"The matter of Fairy Zi Ling's travels can be left to you," Jia Ren said to the newcomer. Then, turning to Ziling, "Fairy Zi Ling, shall we continue on our way?"

The cultivator holding the folding fan burst into laughter, "I think I get along well with you, Daoist friend. We should have a drink when there's time."

Before the laughter could continue, a white silk ribbon shot out, instantly binding the man into a zongzi-like shape.

Facing the astonished gaze of the Insect External Incarnation, Fairy Zi Ling smiled sheepishly, "I'm not usually like this..."

Fairy Zi Ling inwardly cursed someone for ruining her plan, and the white silk ribbon tightened even more; the man inside let out a pig-slaughtering scream.

After that incident, there were no more disturbances, and they successfully reached the back mountain of the Purple Sun Sect. Guards could be seen patrolling the area intermittently, with numerous restrictions and formations in place, creating stringent security. Fairy Zi Ling took out a Token, which caused no trouble.

"Open!"

The spell was cast into the Token, projecting a beam of light that hit a distant rock wall. The rock wall rippled like water, revealing a gate formed from condensed purple flames.

"Permission granted!"

The purple flames gradually solidified into amethyst, and the gate became substantial.

"The treasure vault of the Purple Sun Sect is not located here; this is a spatial rift." Fairy Zi Ling stepped in first, and before her were treasures emitting various glows.

The Purple Sun Sect's treasure vault was divided into an inner and outer section; although they seemed to be at the same place, casting different spells opened different vaults. Jia Ren chose the inner vault, the essence of the Purple Sun Sect, where the least valuable items would still befit a Golden Core Cultivator.

Superior Grade Spirit Stones?

In the distance, a pile of Superior Grade Spirit Stones lay scattered, rich with Spiritual Energy; in total, there were over five hundred pieces. If it had been earlier, he would have definitely been tempted by the Superior Grade Spirit Stones. But ever since he acquired a decent amount of Superior Grade Spirit Stones in the Barren Extreme Land, and after dividing and discarding the useless parts, he had over thirteen hundred Superior Grade Spirit Stones. He wouldn't waste a precious exchange opportunity for Superior Grade Spirit Stones.

Jia Ren's gaze first settled on the Jade Slips for Cultivation Techniques; this was the most lacking part of his heritage. The Corpse-Eating Bizarre Pill could only supplement to a certain degree and was far from competing with the heritage of the top sects.

"Ziyang Heart Sutra," "Ziyang Divine Fire," "Radiant Escape," "True Yang Heart Fire Technique"... Cultivation Techniques, secret techniques, Divine Skills, they had it all.

There was no need to switch Cultivation Techniques, and with the Five Metals Divine Escape, ordinary escape techniques didn't appeal to him. The Ziyang Divine Fire was impressive, a mighty flame. Its effectiveness in Alchemy and Artifact Refining far surpassed that of Elixir Fire and Infant Flame.

He had found his first target.

He found no other Divine Skills or secret techniques to his liking. Having acquired the legacies from the Xuan Shui Sect and the Heavenly Feather Gate, Jia Ren already had similar alternatives. Even if the secret techniques were slightly superior, there was no need for a switch. Only one suitable Divine Skill was found, which was disappointing.

His gaze swept over the Magical Treasures for a few moments; dozens of different Magical Treasures were arranged. There were Magical Treasures left by predecessors as well as newly forged ones that had yet to acknowledge an owner. Additionally, there were several Ancient Treasures. They were a pair of silver wings, a green oil lamp, and a golden ring.

Having never used Ancient Treasures, he could not confirm their effectiveness. Jia Ren had the Demon-Sealing Tower Treasure, capable of refining growth-capable treasures with Sacrificial Fire. The power of Ancient Treasures was limited and could only be utilized for a short time. If the three Ancient Treasures proved effective, he could replicate them to create treasures suitable for himself. In the future, they would outshine their originals.

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