CHAPTER 261: CHAPTER 256 YOUR HOUSE IS GONE! SMILING BIZARRE!_1

Several years ago, Yu Chang embarked on an adventure with a close friend to hunt for treasures. With the help of Elixirs obtained from the exchange, he successfully broke through to the Middle Stage of the Golden Core.

His Cultivation Level had advanced, and his gains were considerable; it was time to return to his Cave for dedicated, arduous cultivation.

Wanling Island had become extraordinary. A magnificent complex of towering palaces stood there, wreathed in clouds and mist, resembling an earthly fairyland.

Had his close friends informed them in advance?

Could this be a special surprise to celebrate his breakthrough?

"They are thoughtful! My heart is gratified!"

However, Yu Chang was barred from entering Wanling Island. Several Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment Cultivators looked at him coldly, their gazes as if facing a formidable enemy.

"So it is Island Master Yu... Elder. This territory belongs to Star Pole Island now. Please leave."

What’s going on?

He had only left Wanling Island for a few years... and now his home was gone!

Who had stolen his home?!!!

"How audacious! Who dares to seize my Wanling Island? Qi Qing, tell me who it was!"

Yu Chang glared at the Foundation Establishment Cultivator named Qi Qing, his anger making him laugh.

He had thought it was going to be a surprise, but it turned out to be a shock.

When there’s no tiger in the mountains, the monkey claims to be king.

Who had the gall to steal his foundation?

"Island Master Yu, you’ve been absent for a while. Many things have happened on the Qunxing Archipelago. Times have changed. You should leave quickly!"

Had other forces taken over the island?

Yu Chang’s expression shifted slightly, his eyes flashing like lightning as he swiftly surveyed the Qunxing Archipelago.

He didn’t sense the presence of any Golden Core aura.

Had the servants turned against their master?

Who gave them the courage?!

"Scram! You blind dogs, how dare you block my path!"

"Today, I will go on a killing spree!"

Anyone who found their home gone wouldn’t be in a good mood.

If a Late Golden Core Stage powerhouse had occupied the Qunxing Archipelago, he wouldn’t dare utter a peep and would just skulk away.

Did they think they could scare him off without a Golden Core Cultivator?

The aura of his Golden Core cultivation rose like a blazing sun as he executed his Sword Controlling Technique, heading straight for his dwelling.

The defensive Formation around his Cave was still in place, with numerous Formation-breaking tools scattered about. Several Cultivators, terrified, fled in a panic.

Someone coveted his Cave!

"What insolent courage!"

Yu Chang brandished his flying sword Magical Treasure, ready to strike.

He was like a volcano on the verge of erupting, ready to vent the fury in his heart.

Just at that moment, dozens of streaks of light swiftly converged on this location from afar.

"Has the Corpse Demon Sect arrived?"

"Quick, go get Island Master Xu!"

A large number of Foundation Establishment Cultivators gathered. Upon realizing that the newcomers were not from the Corpse Demon Sect, they collectively sighed in relief.

"Island Master Yu... Elder."

Their expressions were peculiar; although the arrivals were not the Corpse Demon Sect Master, they were just as troublesome.

Many had assumed Yu Chang was dead. With the Qunxing Archipelago having ’changed rulers,’ the Cave of a Golden Core Cultivator was a tempting prize, leading some to entertain crooked ideas.

Unexpectedly, the rightful owner had returned.

The Insect External Incarnation, utilizing the deployed Spirit Insects, observed the arrival of the former master of the Qunxing Archipelago. Five Flying Stiffs lined up in a row.

Flying Stiffs?

Five Flying Stiffs, comparable to Golden Core Cultivators, and one that emitted an aura so potent it made even his heart palpitate—akin to a Late Golden Core Stage Flying Stiff.

Who was this person?

Yu Chang stared at the figure slowly emerging from behind the Flying Stiffs, his guard instantly up.

The Corpse Demon Sect Master?!

Aside from the Corpse Demon Sect Master, Yu Chang couldn’t imagine anyone else possessing the resources to control five Golden Core stage Flying Stiffs simultaneously.

"My name is Xu Yi, the master of Star Pole Island."

"What brings Island Master Yu to Star Pole Island? If you wish to join Star Pole Island, I welcome you with open arms. If you intend to fight, don’t blame me for being discourteous."

Yu Chang, who had just advanced to the Middle Stage of the Golden Core, knew he was no match for five Golden Core Flying Stiffs.

He had arrived intending to demand an explanation, but upon facing someone demonstrably stronger, his attitude underwent a complete one-hundred-and-eighty-degree shift.

"Fellow Daoist, if you are interested in the Qunxing Archipelago, I shall gift this island to you. I will take the items from my Cave and then leave."

A Golden Core Cultivator would be unwilling to submit to another, and Yu Chang certainly had no intention of joining Star Pole Island.

With his Golden Core cultivation, he wouldn’t worry about joining other sects. Even those ten times more powerful than Star Pole Island would gladly welcome him.

Jia Ren had no objections. He harbored no grudges against the former island master and did not stop him.

"Island Master, why not detain him?"

"The Qunxing Archipelago has been taken. He will definitely harbor resentment. We must be wary."

The three Deputy Island Masters approached, attempting to fan the flames.

The Insect External Incarnation glanced at the three of them, his voice indifferent, "Island Master Yu’s Cave—that’s what you all have been trying to break into, right?"

"Inciting me against a Middle Stage Golden Core Cultivator? You have ulterior motives."

Although Jia Ren appeared unconcerned with daily affairs, it didn’t mean he was oblivious to the happenings on Star Pole Island; Elder Zhang Pengpeng of the Talisman Hall acted as an informant within the sect.

The deployed Spirit Insects were his eyes.

The three Deputy Island Masters coveted the treasures in the Golden Core Cultivator’s Cave and were attempting to break its Formation. They hadn’t expected the rightful owner to return, causing their cooked duck to fly away.

They were looking to use him as a pawn!

There were quite a few treacherous individuals on Star Pole Island; these three seemingly loyal ’trusted aides’ were, in fact, harboring ill intent.

"Island Master, you are wronging us!"

"We only had the Island Master’s best interests at heart. Heaven and earth can attest!"

"If he loses Star Pole Island, this person will surely be enraged by the humiliation. With the Corpse Demon Sect as a looming threat and this man as another potential problem, making too many enemies will not benefit Star Pole Island."

Jia Ren waved his hand, unconcerned.

On the island, he alone knew that the threat from the Corpse Demon Sect had subsided and thus had no bearing on the current situation.

The threat from the former Island Master Yu was not taken to heart either.

People naturally seek benefits and avoid harm. Knowing that the hidden danger of the Corpse Demon Sect still lurked on Star Pole Island, Yu Chang surely wouldn’t rush back to seize the Qunxing Archipelago and contend for such a hot potato.

Yu Chang took the treasures from his Cave. Wary of the five Flying Stiffs, he didn’t dare to linger and hastily departed.

"Greetings, Island Master."

Outside the Qunxing Archipelago, dozens of people bowed respectfully.

Having governed the Qunxing Archipelago for a hundred years, he naturally had trustworthy subordinates.

"After I left, what happened on the archipelago?"

They dared not conceal anything and recounted the entire sequence of events.

The Corpse Demon Sect attacked, seizing Star Pole Island to establish their sect? Yu Chang felt fortunate that he hadn’t been on the island. Otherwise, even with his cultivation having surged to the Middle Stage of the Golden Core, facing three Golden Core Cultivators, five Flying Stiffs, and over ten thousand Corpse Refiners... he feared he would eventually have become a Flying Stiff as well...

This man is a remarkable individual. Who knows what secret technique he’s mastered to be able to seize five Flying Stiffs and over ten thousand Corpse Refiners...

Golden Core Cultivators had been powerless against the Corpse Demon Sect’s invasion.

Yet, a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator had turned the tide and repelled the Corpse Demon Sect. Yu Chang felt deeply inadequate in comparison.

A Thousand-Year-Old Black Turtle?! Are you certain?!

Wasn’t Dan Master Shi the one controlling the Thousand-Year-Old Black Turtle?

How did it end up being Xu Yi?

Was that his alias?

Cunning old fox!

"The archipelago is developing well. Aren’t you considering coming back, Island Master? The new Island Master is a hands-off leader, completely neglecting his duties. With your prestige, taking his place would be no problem at all," a trusted advisor suggested.

Star Pole Island was thriving, and it would be no issue for a Golden Core Cultivator to take charge.

If Island Master Xu failed his Golden Core formation, the Qunxing Archipelago would likely return to its original owner.

"Not interested!"

Only I know about the Thousand-Year-Old Black Turtle. This individual has too many hidden methods and trump cards. The power he displays openly is already beyond what I can provoke.

Who knows how many techniques he’s concealing in the shadows?

Anyone who thinks his power stops there will surely meet a dreadful end.

This man has already risen. The Corpse Demon Sect stands no chance.

"Keep an eye on the archipelago’s intelligence for me."

He didn’t stay long and drifted away.

Many of Star Pole Island’s Cultivators had thought a fierce battle would erupt between the new and old Island Masters, but nothing happened.

So much for Golden Core Cultivators... Complete cowards!

「Time flew by swiftly, and more than a year passed in the blink of an eye.」

The Corpse Demon Sect completely vanished, as if they had forgotten this region of the sea entirely.

Star Pole Island developed well. After the establishment of the Sect, it was no longer a collection of disparate individuals.

As long as you were willing to work hard for Star Pole Island, you could accumulate contributions to exchange for Cultivation Techniques and secret techniques from the Transmission Hall.

The strength of the Loose Cultivators on the island improved rapidly, progressing towards becoming true sect disciples.

Star Pole Island established a dedicated commercial alliance. The unique Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures of the Western Extreme Sea gradually began to circulate to the Western Wasteland Domain. The number of shops increased, and the development momentum was promising.

Jia Ren stepped out of his Cave, a beaming smile on his face.

In just over a year, with a generous supply of Extraordinary Saint Level Spirit Origin Pills, his cultivation had just reached Foundation Establishment Completion.

One step further lay the Golden Core Stage, a realm unattainable for countless individuals.

Breaking through from Foundation Establishment to the Golden Core Stage was not easy and fraught with extreme danger. A Golden Core Formation Pill was essential, as were other auxiliary treasures to aid in forming the Core.

He could now begin cultivating the Seven Revolutions Mysterious Primordial Secret Technique obtained from the Fathead Fish Demon.

This secret technique required a minimum cultivation of Foundation Establishment Late Stage, and the optimal time to practice it was when one’s Spiritual Energy had reached its limit.

After cultivating the Seven Revolutions Mysterious Primordial Secret Technique, the Spiritual Power within the body could be refined seven times, becoming exceptionally pure and thus making it easier to condense a Golden Core.

While practicing this secret technique, he also focused on collecting the Thousand-Year Snow Lotus and other treasures to assist in forming his Golden Core.

Finally, there are new Bizarre Demons.

A year ago, the Insect External Incarnation had issued an order on Star Pole Island to seal Bizarre Demons. Cultivators could receive Artifacts for Quelling Trickery to aid in sealing them.

Apart from the five halls—Formation, Alchemy, Artifact Refining, Elixirs, and Corpse Refinement—a sixth hall, the Suppressing Specters Hall, was established.

While other new halls would attract Foundation Establishment Cultivators eagerly vying to join, the Suppressing Specters Hall was entirely different.

Qi Refinement Cultivators were powerless against Bizarre Demons, so the minimum requirement for the Suppressing Specters Hall was the Foundation Establishment Stage.

It was not easy for Cultivators to reach the Foundation Establishment Stage, and how many were willing to risk confronting Bizarre Demons?

The Insect External Incarnation offered generous conditions for accepting missions: one could receive Artifacts for Quelling Trickery, Evil Warding Artifacts, Evil Repelling Talismans, and more. Every sealed Bizarre Demon brought back was rewarded with resources equivalent to at least one hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

Other Sects offered far less.

Jia Ren didn’t care how one captured the Bizarre Demons. He was willing to offer Spirit Stones for their sealing.

Simply providing information on the whereabouts of Bizarre Demons could earn a reward of five hundred to five thousand Spirit Stones.

With such generous rewards, brave volunteers were sure to step forward, and the Suppressing Specters Hall finally sprang into action.

After a year, the efforts had borne fruit: they brought in a Bizarre Demon known as the Smiling Bizarre.

This Bizarre Demon possessed a plague-like contaminating power. Once infected, the victim’s laughter became unstoppable, continuing until death.

Even at the moment of death, their face would bear an eerie smile.

How should the Smiling Bizarre be utilized then?

A Smiling Weird Talisman?

A Smiling Bizarre Pill?

Neither Artifact Refining nor Formations seem suitable for it.

Jia Ren prepared to transfer the seal of the Smiling Bizarre into the Suppressing Fiend Holy Fire Command, intending to cultivate a corresponding Bizarre Object.

Right at this moment, the Insect External Incarnation received a transmission.

"Island Master, an envoy from the Town Demon Alliance has come to see you."

Town Demon Alliance?

Could it be that they want to reclaim the Smiling Bizarre?