"Bizarre Demons employ unfathomable tactics, and their Bizarre Boats cannot trigger the Evil Warding Talismans. Relying solely on Evil Warding Talismans to counter Bizarre Demons is insufficient; I must prepare new thods of warding off evil."
Jia Ren had always considered Evil Warding Talismans his strongest ans of combating Bizarre Demons. Once the proficiency level of the Evil Warding Talisman had risen to the Extraordinary Saint Level, its status in his mind had escalated to the highest level. This was also his most potent strategy against such peculiarities.
After the incident with the Bizarre Boat, Jia Ren realized that Evil Warding Talismans were not omnipotent against Bizarre Demons. The talismans only activated when Bizarre Demons launched an attack. For interference and confusion, such as effects similar to ’Eyes Open to Bizarre,’ they were utterly ineffective. The Evil Warding Talisman was essentially a Spirit Shield against the bizarre, primarily for self-protection. After reaching the Extraordinary Saint Level, an ability to counter Bizarre Demons with a scorching attack was added, but it still fell short of being an all-powerful solution.
Could an Evil Warding Talisman above the Extraordinary Saint Level make up for these shortcomings? Everything was an unknown. He wouldn’t put all his eggs in one basket; it was best to find more ways to deal with Bizarre Demons.
While operating the Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boat, he continuously searched through the cultivation techniques he had acquired.
For talisman crafting, he only had the Evil Warding Talisman. The True Water Refinent Technique was incomplete and lacked thods for refining Evil Warding Artifacts. The Divine Arms Scripture did record a way to refine a Superior Grade Evil Warding Artifact, the Xuan Yang Fire Spirit Pendant, but it required materials like Xuan Yang Gem and Redfla Spirit Bird Essence. Xuan Yang Gem was extrely precious and scarce. More importantly, the Scarlet Fire Spirit Birds were nearly extinct due to overhunting for the pendants. His alchemy thods, from the Wu Family’s Alchemy Technique, stemd from a family with an insufficient inheritance and foundation, so they included no evil-warding Elixirs. Among his formations, only one was even remotely suitable: the First Order Superior Grade Formation, the Seal-Demon Formation!
The Seal-Demon Formation was used to seal fiends and evil creatures and could restrain Bizarre Demons. It was the only formation capable of combating Bizarre Demons within Jia Ren’s inherited knowledge. Formations like the Yun Luo Illusion Array and the Solid as Golden Soup Formation were mostly ineffective at restraining Bizarre Demons. Otherwise, Jia Ren wouldn’t have failed to prevent the intrusion of a Heart Demon Bizarre during his secluded cultivation, even with formations set up around him.
The Xuan Yang Fire Spirit Pendant and the First Order Superior Grade Seal-Demon Formation—these would be his priorities.
The Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boat flew steadily through the Gangfeng Weak Current Layer, traversing vast stretches of barren land as it headed northeast. No dangers were encountered on the way. An imminent encounter with a flock of Thorn Birds was even sensed in advance by Jia Ren using a Demon-Spotting Talisman, allowing him to avoid them.
「After a day」
The Jade Cauldron Market was within sight. Jia Ren activated his Spirit Eye Technique, gazing into the distance. Life within the Jade Cauldron Market was peaceful, with no unrest or sightings of Bizarre Demons. At this, Jia Ren finally breathed a sigh of relief. He stored the Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boat in his Storage Bag and followed the group towards the market entrance.
"Are you Cultivators coming from the Black Desert Marketplace?" a guard asked. "Please walk by the Profound Black Treasure Mirror over there."
Each entering Cultivator was questioned and made to walk before a Profound Black Treasure Mirror. It was a Top-grade Magical Instrunt, a rare Evil-Warding Artifact of imasurable value.
I really want to take it with ... Jia Ren thought.
"Are you from the Black Desert Marketplace?" the guard pressed.
"Yes," Jia Ren admitted, seeing no need to hide it.
The entrance Guards tensed, their expressions solemn as they instinctively distanced themselves from Jia Ren. Before the Profound Black Treasure Mirror, two Ninth Level Qi Refinent Cultivators stood as if facing a formidable enemy. As Jia Ren and his companions passed, the Profound Black Treasure Mirror showed no unusual reaction. The guards let out a long sigh and allowed them entry.
After paying an entrance fee of Three Fragnted Spirits, they smoothly entered the market. As they walked away, they faintly heard a conversation from afar.
"The Cultivators from the Black Desert Marketplace have been parasitized by Bizarre Demons! Let’s hope the Jade Cauldron Market remains safe."
"They should ban all outside Cultivators from entering the market! What is the Yuding Sect thinking?!"
Has the news already spread? Jia Ren mused. Good news rarely travels, but bad news spreads like wildfire. Matters involving Bizarre Demons always cause great concern among Cultivators.
Upon entering the market, similar discussions did not subside but instead grew more intense. The Black Desert Marketplace wasn’t far from the Jade Cauldron Market, and the threat of the bizarre spreading here at any mont naturally caused widespread anxiety.
First, find a place to stay, Jia Ren decided.
He rented a courtyard. It wasn’t cheap, costing ten Spirit Stones per month, but the space was reasonably ample. His first order of business was to begin crafting Evil Warding Talismans; the more, the better. Despite their diminishing effectiveness against powerful Bizarre Demons, a sufficient quantity could still play a significant role.
As Jia Ren was crafting Evil Warding Talismans, Cultivators from the Yuding Sect, dressed in Taoist Robes, ca to his door. They were quite polite. One of them asked, "Fellow Daoist, do you have information on these Bizarre Demons? This is critical for the Jade Cauldron Market."
There were quite a few of them; five exuded Foundation Establishnt auras, their faces grim. Two days ago, Tianbao Pavilion had evacuated from the Black Desert Marketplace to the Jade Cauldron Market. Little did they know they were tainted with bizarre forces, which then affected more Cultivators. If not for the Yuding Sect’s tily response, using an Evil-Warding Treasure to eliminate the contaminating bizarre forces, the consequences would have been unthinkable. The Yuding Sect was highly concerned about this matter and had co to inquire imdiately upon learning that survivors from the Black Desert Marketplace had arrived.
Even if this information is reported to the Yuding Sect, they might not be able to eliminate the Heart Demon Bizarre, Jia Ren thought. But at least it could cause considerable trouble for it. The Heart Demon Bizarre is known to hold grudges; what if it cos looking for ? It’s better to pass this problem to the Yuding Sect. Let the taller ones bear the weight when the sky falls.
"Bizarre Demons are skilled in manipulating Heart Demons," Jia Ren began to explain. "They are unpredictable, difficult to defend against, and possess considerable intelligence..."
"Furthermore, in the Black Desert Marketplace, there is a type of Bizarre Boat that leads to a world teeming with Bizarre Demons..."
The visitors had not held much hope, but as Jia Ren spoke, their expressions grew increasingly grave. Especially upon hearing about the Bizarre Boat and the world of Bizarre Demons, their faces turned exceedingly grim.
"The Heart Demon-type Bizarre Demon you ntioned," one of the visitors mused, his expression somber, "I seem to recall reading about it in so extrely ancient texts. If it truly is that creature, then we are in deep trouble..."
Another visitor began to elaborate, "The Bizarre Boat, as it’s known, is summoned by intelligent Bizarre Demons and leads to..."
Before he could finish, he was interrupted by the cough of a Foundation Establishnt Cultivator from their group. That cultivator stared intently at Jia Ren, his voice turning icy. "How do you know so much?"
"If you had boarded the Bizarre Boat, it would be impossible for you to have arrived at the Jade Cauldron Market alive."
"Do you understand the consequences of deceiving the Yuding Sect?!"
The Foundation Establishnt Cultivator’s aura burst forth, attempting to pressure Jia Ren into revealing the truth.
Jia Ren no longer maintained his subdued aura. His Foundation Establishnt Stage Spiritual Power Fluctuation erupted in response, and their auras clashed, evenly matched.
He had invested great effort to break through to the Foundation Establishnt Stage and had no intention of being trampled like an insect. In such situations, displaying sufficient strength was the only way to earn respect.
"A Foundation Establishnt Cultivator?"
The Yuding Sect cultivators were visibly shocked; they hadn’t realized Jia Ren was a Foundation Establishnt Cultivator.
"Please do not misunderstand, fellow Daoist," one of them quickly said, their tone softening. "We rely questioned the authenticity of the information and ant no harm. It is highly unusual for a Loose Cultivator to escape such a dire situation."
Upon realizing Jia Ren was a Foundation Establishnt Cultivator, the Yuding Sect cultivators’ attitudes softened considerably, and their arrogance vanished. A Foundation Establishnt Cultivator, whether from a Sect or a Loose Cultivator, could not be underestimated. Loose Cultivators were also pri targets for Sect recruitnt.
"Since fellow Daoist has stated this, we will not doubt the authenticity of the information and will report the matter imdiately."
"We have yet to ask which Sect fellow Daoist hails from. Or are you a Loose Cultivator? Would you be interested in joining the Yuding Sect?"
"The Yuding Sect is willing to offer generous conditions: Foundation Establishnt Cultivation Techniques, Cultivation Pills. If you wish to start a family and establish a lineage, the Yuding Sect is also willing to provide a suitable territory."
Several Foundation Establishnt Cultivators glanced aningfully at Wang Mingyan and Zhang Peng Peng, who stood behind Jia Ren. The Yuding Sect had recently suffered significant losses in the war among the four sects in the Great Wilderness, and many of their Foundation Establishnt Cultivators had perished. eting a Foundation Establishnt Loose Cultivator was a rare opportunity they couldn’t afford to miss.
The invitation was late, but it had arrived, Jia Ren reflected. No wonder there are so few Foundation Establishnt Loose Cultivators. Faced with repeated invitations from Sects and clans, with such a ’broad road’ laid out before them, how many Loose Cultivators could actually persist in not joining a Sect? Ultimately, most would either assimilate and beco part of a Sect or establish a family subservient to one.
"Although I am a Loose Cultivator, I have no plans to join a Sect at this ti," Jia Ren replied, decisively shaking his head.
"That is truly regrettable, fellow Daoist. If you change your mind, the Yuding Sect’s doors will always be open to you."
They were in a hurry to report the matter and didn’t engage in further pleasantries. Their visit was brief.
Hopefully, the Yuding Sect will find a way to deal with the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre... Jia Ren thought, about to imrse himself in crafting Evil Warding Talismans again.
「Five days passed swiftly.」
All the Rhinoceros Horns had been crafted into Evil Warding Talismans. Nearly two thousand of them were laid out in neat rows, filling the room with the rich fragrance of ink.
Finally, a modicum of security, Jia Ren thought.
After erging from his seclusion, Jia Ren imdiately inquired about the situation in the Market, specifically whether the Heart Demon Bizarre had appeared. Zhang Peng Peng and Wang Mingyan, having just experienced the ordeal with the Heart Demon Bizarre, had not left and were temporarily staying in the small courtyard. During this period, they had been gathering intelligence within the Market.
"We’ve just received news," Zhang Peng Peng reported. "A Bizarre Demon, suspected to be the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre, attacked the Cloud Ink Market, which belongs to the Tian Fu Sect. It didn’t head towards the Jade Cauldron Market."
"Also, while you were in seclusion crafting talismans, a Senior Liu from the Yuding Sect visited. He didn’t want to disturb you, so he asked to pass on a ssage."
"The Bizarre Demon that appeared in the Black Desert Marketplace is called the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre. It was once a rampant and powerful Bizarre Demon."
"It can manifest the Heart Demons of the cultivators it parasitizes. The stronger the parasitized cultivator’s Heart Demon, the greater the power it can exert. Many Nascent Soul Cultivators have perished at its hands."
"A Late Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator managed to seal it using a Magical Treasure. That was over a thousand years ago. To think it has broken free..."
It makes sense, Jia Ren mused. Even a Magical Treasure wouldn’t last a thousand years.
Killed Nascent Soul Cultivators? Even powerhouses of that level couldn’t eliminate this Bizarre Demon? They could only seal it?
The thought of being targeted by such a terrifying Bizarre Demon made Jia Ren instantly restless.
He had known the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre was powerful, perhaps no weaker than the Black Blood Bizarre, but he hadn’t imagined it would be even stronger...
"Senior Liu also wanted to tell you that the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre has likely just escaped its confinent. It must not be allowed to recover its strength."
"The Yuding Sect is already trying to contact the Heavenly Feather Gate, the sect that previously sealed the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre. Perhaps a Nascent Soul Great Being will intervene to seal it again."
Hearing this, Jia Ren’s face showed little joy. A sense of despair began to grow within him. Even Late Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators couldn’t kill this Bizarre Demon?!
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