CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 56: SWAP A TALISMAN WITH A TALISMAN_1

Wang Qian’s eyes conveyed deep-seated hatred that cut to the bone.

He was not just an individual; he also carried the will of his wrongfully killed fellow Daoists.

Jia Ren opened his mouth, feeling words stuck in his throat that he couldn’t voice.

Fang Wu was an accomplice, but the real masterminds behind the scenes were the Qi Yulong brothers. Killing Fang Wu is useless; the main culprits are still at large. Common people lack complete information; they can’t see the forest for the trees. Even their revenge might mistakenly fall upon a scapegoat...

Jia Ren didn’t tell Wang Qian the truth. Common Loose Cultivators lacked the power to take revenge against an Inner Sect Disciple of the Five Elements Sect.

Should something happen to him, it might even bring trouble upon myself. It is best not to speak too deeply on matters known only superficially. The truth lies hidden in my heart, awaiting the day it will be settled.

"He went to the Inner City..."

Jia Ren was unclear whether Fang Wu had died at the hands of the Qi Yulong brothers or not.

"Fang Wu betrayed us and traded our lives for his own wealth and honor; he deserves death!"

"Thank you, Daoist Jia, for the information."

Wang Qian gave Jia Ren a deep bow and staggered away.

"Wang Daoyou, could you tell me about the state of the war between the two sects?"

Of the thousands of Loose Cultivators forcibly conscripted from the Outer City, only a handful returned alive... The cruelty of sect conflicts was beyond imagination.

Learning more details could prove useful when the time comes. Better safe than sorry.

"The Five Elements Sect has imposed a gag order on surviving Loose Cultivators, hoping you won’t reveal anything; otherwise, it will cause trouble for both of us."

"Rumors from outside claim that the Golden Core Ancestor of the Five Elements Sect has passed away, and Thousand Beasts Mountain sees this as its chance, baring its fangs."

"The Five Elements Sect sent the Loose Cultivators as cannon fodder to charge into battle and wear down the forces of Thousand Beasts Mountain."

"With control spells placed within us and the Misty Sinister Qi in our bodies, we had no choice but to go..."

"Those of us who were drafted early on are all dead... If not for my good luck, I wouldn’t have made it back alive either."

Wang Qian pointed to his wounds, indelible marks left by the war.

The strength of the low-level Loose Cultivators was insufficient to grant the Five Elements Sect an overwhelming advantage; at most, they served to deplete Thousand Beasts Mountain’s Spirit Beasts and Evil Warding Talismans. War is not only a comparison of force between two sects but also a war of attrition; once an advantage is established, it can snowball.

"The Loose Cultivators put on the Robes of the Five Elements Sect, creating the false impression of a continuous retreat, showing weakness to the enemy. Once Thousand Beasts Mountain stepped into the core territory of the Five Elements Sect, the Five Elements Formation trapped and killed Thousand Beasts Mountain’s Cultivators. Then, the Five Elements Ancestor launched a sneak attack, slaying the Golden Core Spirit Beasts of Thousand Beasts Mountain, wiping out their elite forces in one fell swoop."

"Thousand Beasts Mountain only exists in name now; its territories have been annexed by the Five Elements Sect."

"Despite the brutal war, only the Outer City Loose Cultivators died. The Five Elements Sect didn’t even suffer a scratch."

"No matter how many die in the Outer City, there will always be newcomers to take their place..."

Perhaps as a reply to Wang Qian’s remark, Jia Ren felt a Spiritual Power Fluctuation coming from the sky and looked up.

A Flying Boat was approaching the Great Wilderness Market.

Aboard the Flying Boat, hundreds of Cultivators—some middle-aged, others young—most at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refinement or below, chattered excitedly as they neared the swiftly approaching Great Wilderness Market, full of anticipation for the future.

It was as if the cycle for Loose Cultivators had just begun anew at the Great Wilderness Market.

The Five Elements Sect had brought in newcomers from other regions. They would replace the dead, becoming the new bottom-layer Loose Cultivators rooting themselves in the Outer City of the Great Wilderness Market, breathing new life into the once cold, lifeless Outer City.

With a laugh mocking fate, Wang Qian left despondently.

Under the fading light of the setting sun, his shadow stretched out long.

Jia Ren did not pay attention to the incoming Flying Boat but looked towards the Inner City.

Compared to three days ago, the gates of the Inner City were now open.

"Sixth Layer of Qi Refinement? No Inner City identity plaque?"

"Entry fee: Three Fragmented Spirits per day."

"The price increased? Wasn’t it Two Crystal Shards before?"

The gate-keeping Cultivator didn’t even bother to raise an eyelid, responding indifferently, "Enter or don’t."

Who knows when the Outer City will resume trade.

Jia Ren needed to enter the Inner City to replenish his stock of Blank Talisman Paper and Talisman Ink.

After paying Three Fragmented Spirits, Jia Ren stepped into the Inner City.

His original body had visited the Inner City multiple times, always frequenting places like the Cloud Attire Pavilion and Bliss Residence for pleasure and amusement.

In his memory, the Inner City was bustling with activity, and Loose Cultivators in the Late Stage Qi-Refining were seen everywhere.

Now, the Inner City was just as desolate, with far fewer Loose Cultivators than before.

There were many more shops in the Inner City compared to the Outer City, but the vast majority were closed tight. The few that were open for business were deserted, with hardly any customers.

The prices in the shops were high. Jia Ren, being used to frugality, preferred to shop at street stalls for items other than high-quality necessities like Elixirs and Magic Artifacts. Not all goods at the street stalls were defective; items of good quality and low price were not in short supply. Whether one could find a good deal depended on having a discerning eye.

Is Datong Rice Shop open?

Compared to other shops, many Loose Cultivators were gathered around Datong Rice Shop, with hundreds waiting to buy rice.

Jia Ren looked at the erected Wooden Plaque: "Green Bud Rice, Five Broken Spirits per catty. Sold out."

"I’ve been queuing for three days and still can’t buy rice?"

The gathered Loose Cultivators held Wooden Plaques with corresponding numbers on them.

Spirit Rice was rationed in the Inner City, and people had to queue and take a number. This was also one of the repercussions of the Great Wilderness Mountain Spirit Fields being burnt down.

"Sorry, we have no more Spirit Rice."

"The caravan will bring more Spirit Rice in three days. Please wait patiently, everyone."

Jia Ren walked past the shop and headed to the free trading area in the west.

"Stall fee: Two Crystal Shards."

Compared to the fee of one Fragmented Spirit Stone in the Outer City, this price was also doubled.

Looking around, there weren’t many stalls, and business was sluggish. War had caused many businesses to halt. Loose Cultivators found their Spirit Stones only going out, with none coming in. Moreover, they had to buy food at high prices and thus had no Spirit Stones left for other expenses.

Jia Ren walked through the stalls but didn’t find the old Daoist Lv who sold the Insect Control Scripture.

The old fellow couldn’t have died of old age, could he? He was Mosquito Daoist’s senior brother and probably a Cultivator of Thousand Beasts Mountain. To obtain the complete Insect Control Scripture, I’ll inevitably have to deal with Thousand Beasts Mountain.

"How much for the Blank Talisman Paper?"

Jia Ren passed by a talisman stall. The stall owner was a Talisman Master, with a faint scent of Spirit Ink emanating from him.

His eyes scanned the table, which held many Talismans like the Vajra Talisman, Fiery Flame Talisman, and Evil Warding Talisman. Besides Talismans, there were also the Blank Talisman Paper and Spirit Ink that Jia Ren wanted.

"Are you a Talisman Master too? Your face is unfamiliar."

"A pack of Blank Talisman Paper, ten sheets, costs one Spirit Stone."

"Different Talismans require different Spirit Inks. I can mix most Spirit Inks on the spot. Which Talismans do you specialize in?"

Guessing that Jia Ren was also a Talisman Maker, the owner’s attitude became much warmer.

"Demon-Spottng Talisman."

Jia Ren’s gaze glided over several Talismans, examining them closely. Since he had begun Talisman Crafting, his perspective on examining Talismans had changed; he now pondered the other’s Talisman Crafting techniques to learn from them.

"Elder Wu’s Demon-Spottng Talismans?"

The stall owner seemed to know Elder Wu and looked at Jia Ren with a peculiar expression.

"What is your relationship with Elder Wu? That old man guards the Demon-Spottng Talisman jealously and wouldn’t teach it to anyone else. Could it be that he died at your hands? Don’t worry, his life or death is none of my concern. I’m quite interested in the Demon-Spottng Talisman. Would you be willing to trade Talisman for Talisman?"

"The inheritance you received must not be complete. You can choose a Talisman from the stall to exchange."

Jia Ren was indeed very interested in the owner’s offer to trade Talisman for Talisman, his gaze instantly locking onto the Evil Warding Talisman.

This is a treasure! It can be traded!

"Except for the Evil Warding Talisman."

The stall owner first excluded the most coveted option, and Jia Ren immediately lost all interest.

The fact that the other party wants to trade for the Demon-Spottng Talisman suggests it’s quite valuable. I don’t want to make a losing deal before understanding the situation fully.