"How dare the Black Soul Sect attack the Market?!"

"What about the Five Elements Sect? Why haven't they made a move?!"

The sudden turn of events had left the Loose Cultivators panic-stricken, all scrambling towards the relative safety of the Inner City.

The Great Wilderness Market was quick to react. Its protective formation activated, and a five-colored light screen fended off the ferocious Malevolent Ghosts, preventing them from invading the Market.

A gargantuan Flying Boat emerged from the dark clouds above. On its deck, hundreds of Cultivators wearing the standard Robes of the Black Soul Sect were faintly visible.

Their eyes gazed upon the Great Wilderness Market with barely concealed excitement.

"Chaos is great!"

"The more Cultivator souls, the better, as they're prime material for crafting Soul Banners."

Demon Cultivators bore ill-repute, infamous for their actions, pursuing personal gain at any cost.

In the Barren Extreme Land, the Blood Demon Sect once exterminated an entire realm, slaughtering hundreds of thousands of mortals just to practice their Blood Demon Technique.

They continuously extended their demonic claws toward the territories of other Sects.

Short-sighted predators fail to plan for the future.

The madness of the Blood Demon Sect provoked widespread fury. This resulted in an alliance of several Sects, including the Five Elements Sect, who jointly struck and eradicated the Blood Demon Sect.

The Black Soul Sect learned from their predecessors' mistakes and became much smarter.

Mortal souls were of low quality; a hundred mortal souls weren't even comparable to a single low-level Cultivator's soul. Harassing mortals would undermine a Sect's foundation and lead to joint retaliation from multiple Sects.

Better to target the Cultivators themselves.

Wherever a war erupted, there the Black Soul Sect could be found.

A Spirit Stone Vein represented opportunity but also foretold chaos.

To this day, no large-scale conflict had broken out—how could this allow the Black Soul Sect an opportunity to exploit?

"Take down the Great Wilderness Market!"

From the Flying Boat, continuous dark beams shot out, along with Magic Artifacts shaped like sinister skulls.

Countless fierce souls launched relentless attacks on the Great Wilderness Market.

The Market was fortified with a formation no weaker than the Sect Protection Array of a branch sect. In full activation mode, it could withstand attacks even from Golden Core Stage Cultivators for a lengthy period.

"Has the Black Soul Sect gone mad? Are they starting a war?"

"Run for it! Demon Cultivators are all lunatics! They're looking to loot amidst the chaos."

"The Black Soul Sect loves to slay and harvest souls; once they succeed, who knows how many will die at the hands of the Demon Cultivators."

Jia Ren's face was grim; he didn't linger in the cave area but hurried back to his residence.

"Assist the Great Wilderness Market in repelling the Demon Cultivators, and receive One Hundred Spirit Stones and a Medium-grade Magic Tool for killing one Black Soul Sect Cultivator."

"The Cultivator who kills the most Demon Cultivators will be rewarded with a Foundation Establishment Pill by the Five Elements Sect."

Urgent voices arose within the Market. Several Foundation Establishment Cultivators, leading members of the Law Enforcement Office, rushed to the front line to defend the Market.

One Hundred Spirit Stones and a Medium-grade Magic Tool for killing a Black Soul Sect Cultivator?

And a Foundation Establishment Pill?

Drawn by the allure of the Foundation Establishment Pill, many Loose Cultivators eager for a bright future joined the fray.

This was one of their rare opportunities to get their hands on a Foundation Establishment Pill; they couldn't miss it.

What about the Five Elements Sect? Why haven't they responded?

Jia Ren activated his Spirit Eye Technique, his gaze piercing through the thick clouds outside the Market and looking towards the area of the Five Elements Sect.

The Five Elements Sect wasn't indifferent to the plight of the Great Wilderness Market, but...

Outside their Sect, scores of Flying Boats gathered. Nearly ten thousand Cultivators convened to assault the Five Elements Sect.

The number of participating Sects exceeded four, with over a hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivators gathered.

Any slight misstep could lead to the Five Elements Sect's destruction.

The Five Elements Sect, the Great Wilderness Market, and the Spirit Stone Vein deep within the Great Wilderness all faced enemies on three fronts, unable to attend to each other.

"How dare you offend my Five Elements Sect!"

The Five Elements Ancestor could no longer sit idle—his thunderous voice resounded, shaking the heavens and the earth.

In the distance, a five-colored sun seemed to rise, stealing the brilliance that rightfully belonged to the actual sun.

Figures flying in the sky fell like dumplings, motionless upon hitting the ground.

The might of a Late Golden Core Stage Cultivator was indeed terrifying!

"Five Elements Ancestor, why must you bully the younger generation at your age?"

"It's been a while since we've crossed hands with the Ancestor; let's have a little spar."

Several Golden Core Stage Cultivators acted, encircling the Five Elements Ancestor.

These included Golden Core Cultivators from the Black Soul Sect, the Heavenly Sword Sect, the Yuding Sect, and the Golden Core Ancestor of Thousand Beasts Mountain who had lost his Golden Core Spirit Beast.

Four Golden Core Stage powerhouses banded together against the Five Elements Ancestor.

"The Five Elements Sect has committed numerous atrocities; its time is up."

The Five Elements Ancestor looked at the Black Soul Sect Golden Core Cultivator who had spoken, "You are the least qualified to say that."

Regardless of how noble their words were, in the end, it was all for the Large Spirit Stone Vein.

The Great Sects did not want the Five Elements Sect to survive another ordeal, let alone stand by and watch it grow strong.

If the Five Elements Sect successfully harnessed the Large Spirit Stone Vein, they could birth several more Golden Core Cultivators. Then, they would surely sweep through the Barren Extreme Land.

The war had dragged on until now because the Great Sects had to summon forces from thousands of miles away.

The distance from each of the Great Sects to the Great Wilderness varied, the farthest being several thousand miles. Such a great distance required time to mobilize and gather Sect elites, as well as transport war materiel.

The great battle had finally erupted!

With the Five Elements Sect struggling to preserve itself, it was in no position to think of the Great Wilderness Market.

Jia Ren withdrew his gaze. Ensuring his safety was of utmost urgency.

He was empowered by the Wind Control Skill and the Featherweight Talisman. Paying no heed to concealing his extraordinary speed, he swiftly headed back to his residence.

Chaos completely broke out within the Market, filled everywhere with combat, slaughter, and looting.

The Great Sects had long planted spies in the Great Wilderness Market and incited some Loose Cultivators to defect. The Market had to defend itself not only from external enemies but also cope with incessant sabotage of its protective formations from within.

The breaking of the formations was just a matter of time; they wouldn't hold out for much longer.

On his swift return to the dark alleys, he found no sanctuary, as battles ensued continuously.

Many Cultivators who hunted Magical Beasts took the opportunity to masquerade as Bizarre Cultivators, venturing out to burn, kill, and plunder.

The greater the turmoil, the higher the price of fish.

Chaos signified death and danger, yet it also concealed opportunities and wealth.

Some seized the chance to rob shops or kill wealthy Cultivators, amassing fortunes they could never have dreamed of before.

"It's too dangerous out there; I'm not going!"

"How did I end up with such a waste like you?! What will you rely on to earn Spirit Stones for our cultivation? Hunting Magical Beasts?!"

"If beasts can be killed, why can't Cultivators?"

"You useless waste, you don't even know how to seize the opportunity before your eyes!"

"If you don't bring back Spirit Stones, don't come back! Get out!"

The neighboring Cultivator surnamed Li was thrown out of his home, and the stone door slammed shut heavily behind him.

"You've seen the state I'm in, Daoist Shi... Sigh, life must go on."

"Daoist Shi, are you interested in teaming up? The Yunfu Shop by the Northern City gate has substantial Spirit Stones. How about we collaborate..."

"Not interested!" Jia Ren declined decisively, reminding him, "Safety first, Spirit Stones second."

"Actually, that's what I was thinking too."

The Cultivator surnamed Li returned to knock on the door, which showed no sign of opening.

"You spineless wretch!"

"Don't you want to consider our future child? Without Spirit Stones, do you want our child to suffer with you?"

The Cultivator surnamed Li sighed deeply, powerless, and ran towards the distant tumult.

For the sake of his future, he had to take the risk.

Jia Ren didn't try to persuade him.

He respected the fate of others and let go of his compulsion to help.

The Yun Luo Illusion Array, the Mysterious Sword Seven Kills Array, and the Solid as Golden Soup Formation were all activated. Additionally, the Medium-grade Spirit Stones in the Solid as Golden Soup Formation Plate had been replaced.

With the three formations at hand, even if multiple Ninth Level Qi Refinement Cultivators broke in, they would likely find it a one-way trip.

This was merely the first layer of defense.

Hundreds of mature Exotic Black Mosquitoes flew out, while the Black Wind Mantis and the Illusionary Demon Moth stood guard, ready for battle.

Dozens of Earth Corner Worm Kings burrowed through the ground, opening several sealed exits. In the event of an encounter with an invincible enemy that the formations could not withstand, an escape was always feasible.

Outside the stone house, dozens of Spirit Insects marked with the Parasitic Spirit Mark acted as eyes, scattered across different areas.

In front of Jia Ren was the Profound Light Mirror Magic Artifact. Its surface reflected everything that occurred within a three-kilometer radius outside the stone house.

Anticipating the enemy, he was prepared in advance.

The dark alleys were mostly inhabited by ordinary Loose Cultivators who had little to offer; most headed straight for the shops, so the number of Cultivators coming here to plunder was low.

Explosions and roars continued in the distance; the chaos did not subside but intensified.

Jia Ren hadn't the mind to cultivate; he remained on high alert at all times.

The lull did not last long. After half an Hour, deafening explosions resounded from afar.

"The formation has broken!"

Thanks to the Profound Light Mirror, Jia Ren could see from afar the countless black vapors rampaging inside the Market. It was as if the Market was being turned into an endless purgatory.

The wailing of ghosts, the cries of agony, the moans of despair...

In the instant the great formation broke, a large number of Loose Cultivators were massacred.

The Great Wilderness Market became a playground for the Demon Cultivators.

Black Soul Sect Cultivators, carrying Banners of Thousand Souls, spread out. The remnant souls of the dead Cultivators flocked into the banners like swallows returning to their nests.

From then on, these remnant souls, enslaved by the Black Soul Sect Cultivators, had no chance of reincarnation.

The Black Soul Sect's attack on the Great Wilderness Market served only one purpose: to kill and harvest souls, thereby increasing the number of living souls in their Banners of Thousand Souls.

The more people that died, the better!

Although the Five Elements Sect was ruthless, they still adhered to certain baselines and principles. On the surface, they maintained a facade of righteousness and order.

The Black Soul Sect cared not for sustainable development; power was their only pursuit.

They showed no hesitation in causing widespread devastation, all to seize enough living souls and cultivation resources.

Many Loose Cultivators were still looting shops. They tried hard to break through protective formations, clutching hundreds or thousands of Spirit Stones and laughing wildly. Then, they would run headlong into a Black Soul Sect Cultivator.

"Don't kill me, please spare me! I am willing to give up all my possessions."

Amidst the encircling Demon Cultivators, survivors held out their Storage Bags, begging for their lives.

"I'll take your Storage Bag, but your life... I'll take that, too!"

A towering Demon Cultivator, about ten feet tall, ghastly appeared behind the pleading man, his claw piercing through the man's heart, leaving a fist-sized bloody hole.

The Cultivator collapsed with an expression of unwilling resignation, as if regretting the risk of venturing out.

The black Soul Banner flicked, extracting the remnant soul. Then, ghastly creatures emerging from the banner feasted upon the corpse.

The slaughter continued unabated; wherever the Demon Cultivators went, no Cultivator survived.

The Outer City swiftly fell; next would be the Inner City.

Without the formation, ordinary Loose Cultivators were like lambs to the slaughter in the face of the wolfish Demon Cultivators.

Wherever the black fog passed, the fallen territories expanded, affecting the still-stable dark alleys.

Loose Cultivators hiding inside stone houses could not evade trouble and were driven to resist.

But the power of Loose Cultivators was no match for the Demon Cultivators, and more and more of them fell.

Is it my turn now? Jia Ren looked into the Profound Water Mirror. His expression was as dark and still as water as he watched a black shadow bolt straight for his dwelling.

It seemed he couldn't dodge this trouble after all.

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