CHAPTER 401: CHAPTER 396 XUAN BEAST AVATAR! PIE IN THE SKY AND THREATS!_1

The Bewildering Spirit Bead worked so well with the Mirror Flower Water Moon technique. The Deer Demon couldn’t be fooled before because it possessed an Innate Divine Ability that countered it. The Black Wolf Demon was different. It was completely played by Jia Ren, dying with its eyes wide open in disbelief.

Zhang Peng Peng retracted the Yin Sha Silk. This treasure was damaged and needed repairs. It opened its mouth, as if to absorb the Demon Soul.

"Withdraw the formation!"

The Yin Moon Devil Corpse Great Array was retracted, with no worry of the Corpse Refiner losing control. Jia Ren took out the Yellow Gourd, capturing the soul of the Black Wolf Demon. The soul of the White Deer Demon had not dissipated. Perhaps due to the influence of the Black Wolf’s Innate Divine Ability, the Demon Soul was left fragmented and incomplete. This problem was not hard to resolve. There were secret techniques within the Demon Refining Pot for mending Demon Souls.

This was an unexpected fortune. If not for the life-and-death struggle between the two Fifth-Order Magical Beasts, he wouldn’t have been able to obtain two Divine Transformation Period Demon Beasts at once. The fangs of the Black Wolf were extraordinary. Refining them into a Spiritual Treasure would likely have an effect of absorbing demons. Jia Ren stored the remains of the two Magical Beasts into the Mountain and Sea Pearl, not overlooking the soil soaked with the Deer Demon’s blood either. This beast had consumed the Ancestor Beast Holy Pill and hadn’t been able to fully digest it. Leaving the Demonic Blood here posed a security risk. He could only be at ease if he took it all away.

Jia Ren put away the Corpse Refiner, erased his presence, and decisively departed from the area. The commotion from the fight between the two Divine Transformation Period Demon Beasts had been significant, and it was unclear if it would attract other disciples from the Lingbao Sect. Better safe than sorry. He didn’t want any complications.

As it turned out, his guess wasn’t wrong. Several streams of Escape Light flew toward the area. The arrivals were dressed in purple robes, clearly a True Disciple. Jia Ren deliberately avoided the direction of the True Disciple, choosing the weakest direction to ’break through’.

"Senior Brother, do you know what happened up ahead? Was there a Divine Transformation Period Demon Beast?" The comer was an Outer Sect Disciple in the Middle Stage of the Golden Core, his face alight with excitement. Divine Transformation Period Demon Beasts were rare, almost extinct. Such a beast’s entire body was a treasure, not to be missed upon encountering one.

"Divine Transformation Period Demon Beasts are too dangerous. What are you, a Golden Core Stage Cultivator, joining in the commotion for? Tired of living, are you?" Jia Ren didn’t care for the fellow’s reaction, driving his Escape Light to quickly leave the area.

Those not in the know would think he was scared off by a Demon Beast in a panic, never imagining that the two Divine Transformation Period Demon Beasts had already fallen into his hands. He had a smooth exit from the vicinity, flying toward the marked location of the Earth Vein Purple Lotus. On the way, he hadn’t rushed, searching for suitable Magical Beasts to hunt and casually picking Spiritual Medicines. Now that he had obtained a Magical Beast suitable for creating a Xuan Beast Avatar, there was no need to waste time. The pressing matter was to return as quickly as possible, create the Xuan Beast Avatar, and hasten the growth of Spiritual Medicines.

Two hours later, Jia Ren crossed more than 2,000 miles to return to the area where the Earth Vein Purple Lotus was located. The Formation showed no signs of being disturbed by Cultivators or Magical Beasts, preserving the Earth Vein Purple Lotus intact. At last, Jia Ren’s heart settled down.

The Bewildering Spirit Bead emitted a purple glow, swiftly enveloping the area. The Formation’s concealment capability had improved by more than just one step; even Divinity Transformation Stage Law Enforcement Elders from the Lingbao Sect would find it difficult to detect. With everything ready, Jia Ren entered the Mountain and Sea Pearl.

Inside the Mountain and Sea Pearl, the sounds of chewing echoed as the White Deer and the Yellow Marten Demon tore at the flesh of the Black Wolf Demon. Not only did the flesh retain the medicinal power of the Ancestor Beast Holy Pill, but more importantly, the White Deer knew this was its mother’s murderer—its chance for vengeance. Focused on eating meat, it didn’t mind Jia Ren approaching. The White Deer was an extremely spiritually-natured beast. It knew that humans were not its mother’s murderers and had even avenged it.

Jia Ren used the Heart Language Technique to communicate with the little White Deer. Sensing no resistance from it, he easily formed a master-servant contract. With the contract formed, of course, he wouldn’t mistreat the beast. He fed it an Ancestor Beast Holy Pill and waited for the outcome. The Yellow Marten Demon had initially displayed some resistance, but upon seeing the other creature receiving an Ancestor Beast Holy Pill to eat, it no longer resisted.

The regression lasted a day, and both beasts reverted to their ancestors in turn. A single horn grew on the White Deer Demon’s head, its fur snowy white and bright. What kind of Demon Beast is this? Having reverted to an unseen kind of Demon Beast, it was impossible to discern what kind it was.

"Go hasten the growth of the Spiritual Medicines." Jia Ren brought it to the Medicinal Garden for a trial. Wherever its white light passed, the Spiritual Medicines unfolded and grew faster.

"Good, now I can finally hasten the growth of Spiritual Medicines." Jia Ren confirmed that the White Deer’s talent to catalyze plant growth was still present, and he finally set his mind at ease.

The Yellow Marten Demon hadn’t changed much, having shrunk a size from before. I wonder if its ancestors were exceptionally weak... Jia Ren checked carefully and found its strength was not inferior. Changes in other aspects were unknown, and he couldn’t just let it flatulate in the Mountain and Sea Pearl and contaminate the environment.

"Begin crafting the Xuan Beast Avatar."

The materials for crafting a Xuan Beast Avatar weren’t rare. The Mountain and Sea Pearl had a vast reserve, and he had collected them in advance. With everything ready, Jia Ren didn’t waste time and promptly got started. Various materials melted away as Spirit Patterns were imprinted onto both the little White Deer and himself. Once the Spirit Patterns were complete, they connected in spirit. A wisp of divine consciousness surged into the Xuan Beast, subtly transforming it.

The Xuan Beast Avatar differed from an Insect External Incarnation, possessing a certain degree of autonomy, with the risk of losing control if separated for too long. Jia Ren didn’t care much; the Xuan Beast Avatar had a clear role in his mind: a steward-like incarnation for cultivating Spiritual Medicines and Spirit Beasts. Being constrained within the Mountain and Sea Pearl, there was no worry of it losing control. The task of outward avatars was left to the Insect External Incarnation and the Second Nascent Soul.

While the main body was refining the Xuan Beast Avatar, the treasure hunt of the Insect External Incarnation and the Treasure-seeking Mouse continued. The Giant Forest Secret Realm was a treasury and granary for the Treasure-seeking Mouse, with treasures everywhere. Armed with the Treasure-seeking Mouse, the ’resource detector’, the Insect External Incarnation found searching for treasures quite easy. To the left, it picked a 3,000-year-old Spiritual Medicine; to the right, it encountered a rare Spirit Ore. Treasures were grasped at every moment; it never returned empty-handed. The Treasure-seeking Mouse was initially interested in Third-Rank treasures but later searched for at least Fourth-Rank ones. Its standards rose, and it progressively focused on a high-quality development route.

The Insect External Incarnation did not carry the Mountain and Sea Pearl. In just three days, a River Mountain Bag was filled to the brim with a dazzling array of Fourth-Rank treasures. This was just the beginning; who knew what would be discovered next. With such a speed of acquiring treasures, merely exchanging them for contribution points would make aiming for second place difficult.

I wonder if I can rely on the Mountain and Sea Pearl to conceal the treasures and successfully maintain a second-place ranking? If that doesn’t work, the only option is to negotiate a deal with the person in second place and exchange the first-place rewards for the Treasure Light Body Refining Technique. Under normal circumstances, no one would refuse.

As Jia Ren pondered, he sensed the presence of Cultivators in the distance and subconsciously avoided them. Unlike Cultivators who grew up in the Lingbao Sect, he had a relatively low sense of belonging to the Sect. Having cultivated alone for a long time, he didn’t really mingle with groups. This was also why Great Sects often only recruited children as disciples. They are highly malleable and possess a strong sense of collective honor, making it easier for them to follow the Sect’s commands. The Lingbao Sect also had routes to become a Protector or a treasure-contributing disciple, but the quotas were exceedingly scarce. Such disciples often hit a ceiling as Inner Sect Disciples. Very few were favored by the higher-ups enough to become True Disciples and join the ranks of the Sect’s leadership.

Jia Ren didn’t want to interact with fellow disciples. However, after an Inner Sect Disciple spotted him, he was doggedly pursued. Have they discovered the Treasure-seeking Mouse?! Although the Treasure-seeking Mouse was nearly extinct, it didn’t mean no Cultivator would recognize this Magical Beast. Jia Ren quickly stashed away the Treasure-seeking Mouse and spoke with a cool expression, "Senior Brother, why are you chasing me? Could it be that you wish to kill me for my treasures?"

The Lingbao Sect’s rules were strict, forbidding the killing of fellow disciples, with extremely severe punishments. The trial was not a lawless place. Law Enforcement Elders were following along, and any leaked information about a murder would ensure a fate worse than death. Even if driven by greed, a Lingbao Sect disciple wouldn’t foolishly destroy their own foundation.

Yan Zhiqing was startled by Jia Ren’s words. He hurriedly stopped his Escape Light and didn’t dare to approach any closer. He quickly chuckled and explained, "Junior Brother Jia, I mean no harm. Breeze Senior Brother intends to cooperate with a few junior brothers and wishes to invite you to join."

Cooperate? Could it be that they want to pool resources onto one Cultivator, concentrating their efforts to take the lead? If the Lingbao Sect can’t accurately record the source of every treasure, there would be leeway for manipulation. Resources gathered by several Lingbao Sect disciples, if concentrated on one person, could elevate them to the top ranks. By then, they would be eligible to compete for the top two rewards.

True to Jia Ren’s expectations, Yan Zhiqing smiled and said, "Breeze Senior Brother is a True Disciple. If you are willing to help him, you will be one of us, which brings immense benefits. If he can secure one of the top three rewards, he will show his gratitude generously, and he will help you become a True Disciple in the future." The voice was filled with temptation, promising a bright future.

Where there are people, there are bound to be complications. As long as there are loopholes in the rules and profit to be made, people will go to great lengths to gain an advantage.

"I’m touched by your brotherly concern, but let’s part ways here." Jia Ren cupped his hands and turned to leave.

Empty promises without tangible benefits, yet he expects me to give up the profits I’ve already secured? His approach is truly unsightly. He had no interest in helping others out of sheer benevolence. Having joined the Secret Realm trial, he sought the Treasure Light Body Refining Technique and naturally wouldn’t just hand it over.

"Do you realize what you’re rejecting?" Yan Zhiqing’s expression darkened, his tone carrying a hint of threat. "Even if you’re backed by a late-stage Divinity Transformation Sky Palace Observatory Master, you still aren’t untouchable in the Lingbao Sect. Behave obediently, and you can continue staying peacefully in the Lingbao Sect. Do you really think the Sect rule against fratricide is your amulet? Offend those you can’t afford to provoke, and even your backers will be implicated."

Jia Ren, being a rare treasure-contributing disciple of the Lingbao Sect, naturally attracted interest regarding his background. There are no secrets that cannot be unearthed; uncovering a disciple’s background isn’t difficult. Initially, many female Cultivators sought to attach themselves to him, but they later vanished. This wasn’t just due to Jia Ren’s aloofness and his rejection of them. His background wasn’t strong enough. If he were the offspring of a Fusion Ancestor, even with a supposed infatuation for corpses, plenty of people would still be eagerly trying to get close. With a weaker status, the treatment one received naturally varied wildly.

The trial rewards and the collected Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures were enticing, naturally leading some to entertain crooked thoughts. One additional person affected the rankings and Spiritual Treasure rewards, so vile and despicable methods would inevitably emerge.

Jia Ren’s gaze towards Yan Zhiqing turned cold. "You should know, the Sect rule against fellow disciples killing each other isn’t there to protect me... It’s there to protect you!"