Dealing with Bizarre Demons?!

All the Foundation Establishment Cultivators' complexions subtly changed. They knew that if two sect disciples came to them, they must have a significant motive, yet they hadn't expected this kind of matter.

Bizarre Demons are taboo for cultivators; the more one understands about them, the more one wishes to steer clear of them.

No one wants to fight something that cannot be killed.

Bizarre Demons are unpredictable, and without treasures capable of restraining them, even Foundation Establishment Cultivators could fall on the spot.

Unable to kill them, one might instead be killed by the Bizarre Demons.

Under such circumstances, why would Foundation Establishment Cultivators be willing to become Bizarre-Suppressing Guards?

The benefits offered by Thousand Illusion Sect and Cold Moon Palace were astounding, but one had to be alive to enjoy even the finest treasures.

"Fellow Daoists, do not hastily refuse," one of them began.

"The number of Bizarre Demons is increasing, and the living space for cultivators grows smaller. If we do not act and let the Bizarre Demons run rampant, there will be no pure land left in the world."

"It's not just for us, but what of our descendants? Without soil to sustain life, how will our lineages continue?!"

"Would you all wish for our future generations to live in a world infested with Bizarre Demons?"

"The Bizarre-Suppressing Guard will provide corresponding Evil-Warding Treasures, so dealing with Bizarre Demons will be worry-free."

Most cultivators were selfish. Why would they risk their lives to Seal the Strange Beasts?

They had worked hard to reach the Foundation Establishment Stage in pursuit of longevity, not to risk their lives for others.

The two sects promised numerous benefits, but many cultivators believed the sects intended to use them as cannon fodder against the Bizarre Demons and remained unconvinced.

After a long wait, there was no response.

Ji Qiong of Cold Moon Palace was unfazed, as she had anticipated this.

Lü Chang of Thousand Illusion Sect, however, had a gloomy look. His gaze swept across the crowd with ill favor, eventually landing on Jia Ren.

"Daoist Xu, are you willing to become a Bizarre-Suppressing Guard?"

Jia Ren's strength was the most formidable, standing out like a crane amongst chickens.

If he agreed to join the Bizarre-Suppressing Guard, inviting others would be much easier.

"I am a free spirit, like the idle clouds and wild cranes, and have no grand ambitions," Jia Ren replied. "Unfortunately, I lack the means to deal with Bizarre Demons."

While Jia Ren greatly admired the Bizarre-Suppressing Guards' deeds, that didn't mean he would do the same.

As he wasn't a native of this land, he wouldn't sacrifice himself for the Barren Extreme Land.

Prudence is the better part of valor, he thought. Voluntarily throwing myself at Bizarre Demons and risking my life to deal with them is akin to courting death.

He preferred to wait until his strength was overwhelming against the Bizarre Demons, or until a definitive solution to deal with them emerged.

There's still a long road ahead, so why rush at this moment?

"HUMPH, I see you're clearly just..."

Before Lü Chang could finish, Ji Qiong from Cold Moon Palace interrupted, "Daoist Lu, don't be so aggressive. Whether a fellow Daoist wishes to join the Bizarre-Suppressing Guard is entirely voluntary."

"If I am not mistaken, Daoist Xu must be an alchemist, with a non-trivial level of pill-making skill."

"The Town Demon Alliance wields vast influence, spanning the entire world. Besides the guards on the front lines, cultivators are also specifically responsible for logistical and resource support."

"Daoist Xu, you wouldn't need to face Bizarre Demons directly. Under the protection of our two sects, all our alchemy techniques would be at your disposal to peruse."

It was not difficult to guess that Xu Sheng was an alchemist, as ordinary loose cultivators could not produce a large quantity of high-quality elixirs.

An army marches on its stomach, as they say. The Town Demon Alliance was desperate for talented individuals, and a high-level alchemist would not be squandered by sending them to confront Bizarre Demons directly.

Learn the alchemy of two great sects?

And receive the protection of two great sects? This is a much grander scale than what Yuding Sect offered.

The tempting thought flickered for a moment before he dismissed it.

Not to mention that he was an Insect External Incarnation with many secrets; to voluntarily entrust one's safety to others would be incredibly foolish.

Jia Ren had experienced some repulsive incidents in Jade Cauldron Market and had long since lost any good feelings he might have had for sects.

Should any problem arise, the sects would readily sacrifice me as a disposable pawn.

The alchemy techniques of two Golden Core Sects were indeed alluring, but the risks were considerable.

He preferred to cultivate safely in the Poisonous Miasma Lake; it wouldn't be too late to venture out once he reached the Golden Core Stage.

With sufficient strength, he would then have the leverage to contend with the higher-ups of those great sects.

"I shall consider it," Jia Ren said, artfully using the tactic of stalling, giving the impression that he might agree.

As long as they still harbored the idea of recruiting him, they would not turn hostile.

"This is the Zhenguai Alliance Order," Ji Qiong said, tossing a token over. "It is itself a Superior Grade Evil-Warding Artifact. If you are willing, Daoist Xu, a drop of your blood on this artifact will make you a member of our alliance and allow you to locate the Town Demon Alliance."

Jia Ren caught it with a raised hand. After confirming there were no tracking marks, he casually placed it in a spare Storage Bag.

With that, the invitation attempt concluded.

Invitations were then extended to the other Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Disinterested, Jia Ren turned to leave.

Yang Shengwu followed closely behind.

"You cannot leave!"

Lü Chang glared at Yang Shengwu, his face reddening, no longer concealing his killing intent.

"Did you think your disguise could fool everyone? A Demon Cultivator from the Blood Demon Sect!"

He had long seen through Yang Shengwu's true identity, biding his time, and only chose to confront him as he was about to leave.

A Blood Demon Sect Demon Cultivator?

The expressions of Hermit Bai He, the Xin Family Foundation Establishment Ancestor, and the Wei Family Foundation Establishment Ancestor changed dramatically, and their gazes towards Yang Shengwu turned hostile.

Over half a month ago, Red Cloud Market had been attacked, and many rare spiritual medicines were stolen, which had caused them great annoyance.

The two Foundation Establishment Ancestors typically stayed within their families, and Hermit Bai He was not often in Red Cloud Market, which had provided the Demon Cultivators an opportunity.

The market's own strength was insufficient, so they hadn't dared to seek revenge directly from the Demon Cultivators' sect.

But with a Demon Cultivator delivering himself to their doorstep, the situation was different.

"Audacious Demon Cultivator! How dare you come to Red Cloud Market! Fellow Daoists, follow me to rid the world of this evil and defend the righteous path!"

Hermit Bai He, both shocked and furious, joined by the Xin and Wei Family Foundation Establishment Ancestors, swiftly surrounded Yang Shengwu.

The other Foundation Establishment Cultivators did not take action, but their eyes were filled with hostility.

Demon Cultivators were infamous; many had suffered at the hands of the Blood Demon Sect. Naturally, upon encountering a lone Demon Cultivator, they would be eager to eradicate him completely.

Their only point of hesitation was... Xu Sheng, the man by his side.

What is their relationship?

Will he intervene?

A Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator was a tough nut to crack; there was no guarantee they could detain him.

If he escaped, the future troubles would be endless.

"Who would have thought I'd still be discovered!" Yang Shengwu couldn't help but sigh. He had believed the appearance-altering secret technique from the Blood Demon Scripture was ingenious, yet his identity had still been exposed.

"He defected from the Blood Demon Sect long ago. Fellow Daoists, could you perhaps give me some face?" Jia Ren interjected.

If only Yang Shengwu had been present, conflict would surely have erupted immediately, with all cultivators attacking him.

However, some still feared Jia Ren's strength, which created a momentary lull.

"You're in league with the Demon Cultivator?!" the loose cultivator in the black iron mask, apparently still holding a grudge about the earlier price haggling, took the opportunity to stir up trouble.

Lü Chang, already displeased that Jia Ren hadn't joined the Bizarre-Suppressing Guard, snorted coldly. "Why should I give you face? If you join the Bizarre-Suppressing Guard, then I'll give you face. Are you willing?"

Seeing Jia Ren remain silent, Lü Chang already had his answer.

"Whether or not you're an accomplice of Demon Cultivators, let's capture you first and sort it out!"

As a Sect Disciple from the Western Wasteland Domain, Lü Chang considered himself superior. Even if they were both at the Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment, he believed his strength was far beyond that of a Loose Cultivator.

"BUZZ!"

Jia Ren opened his mouth, suddenly releasing a startling, deep hum.

The demonic sound penetrated their ears, assaulting their Divine Souls.

One by one, the Foundation Establishment Cultivators collapsed, blood streaming from their seven orifices.

The Early-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators wailed incessantly, unable to withstand the impact of the demonic sound piercing their souls.

In over three years, the Sonic-Thief Mosquito King's power had indeed increased, now approaching the mid-grade of the Second Order.

The Insect External Incarnation, at the Extraordinary Saint Level, was optimized and integrated. Its strength was comparable to a Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. When it unleashed its innate demonic sound, its power was more than three times greater than when it had faced the four Foundation Building Demon Cultivators of the Blood Demon Sect.

Jia Ren released and retracted the demonic sound in an instant; he had no intention of killing.

The Bizarre-Suppressing Guard, who vanquished Bizarre Demons and protected humanity, deserved respect.

Only by demonstrating the Insect External Incarnation's absolute power would some people quiet down and listen.

Jia Ren swept his gaze around and spoke with an indifferent tone, "How about giving me some face now?"

It was the same question, but asked before and after unleashing the demonic sound, it carried an entirely different weight.

The Early-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators felt their ears ringing ceaselessly, still unable to recover, and their hearts pounded with terror.

Even Lü Chang, the strongest among them, was in no better state. His head swam, and he saw double when he looked at Jia Ren.

Too strong!

Is this a Loose Cultivator?!

An attack that targets both sound waves and the Divine Soul?

What a terrifying method!

Everyone was immensely relieved that their opponent harbored no malicious intent and hadn't prolonged the demonic sound; otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

"Thank you, fellow Daoist, for showing mercy." Lü Chang bowed to Jia Ren, his previous arrogance completely gone.

He knew that with the strength Xu Sheng had displayed, killing all the Foundation Establishment Cultivators present would not be a problem. Though they were cultivators of the same stage, the disparity in their power was too immense.

The other cultivators hadn't yet recovered, and no one dared utter a word.

The loose cultivator in the black iron mask who had incited trouble was terrified, fearing Xu Sheng would remember his transgression, and dared not even breathe loudly.

"I have no ill intentions towards you and do not wish to cause trouble," Jia Ren stated.

"He has already defected from the Blood Demon Sect. Give him a chance to repent. If you press too hard, don't blame me for being impolite."

Jia Ren didn't want to stir up trouble. However, to avoid potential future complications with Cold Moon Palace and Thousand Illusion Sect, he still delivered a clear warning.

After speaking, he and Yang Shengwu drifted away.

"Daoist Xu, the door of the Bizarre-Suppressing Guard is always open for you!" Ji Qiong from Cold Moon Palace called out, having just recovered from the demonic sound.

"I will consider it."

His voice faded into the distance, and his figure was gone.

Not until Jia Ren had truly left did the other cultivators present finally breathe a collective sigh of relief.

"That was terrifying!"

They had long known Xu Sheng was not to be trifled with, but they hadn't expected his Divine Skills to be so astounding that even Lü Chang of Thousand Illusion Sect was no match for him.

"If any of you fellow Daoists change your minds and wish to join the Bizarre-Suppressing Guard, feel free to contact us at any time," Ji Qiong said.

She and Lü Chang didn't linger and quickly departed.

Shortly after Jia Ren and Yang Shengwu left Red Cloud Market, Yang Shengwu turned and thanked Jia Ren. "Brother Jia, thank you for your help. Let us part ways here today."

"You're not coming with me?" Jia Ren looked at Yang Shengwu, perplexed.

"I have deep-seated hatreds and face peril at every turn."

"You've already guided me and helped me achieve Foundation Establishment. How could I dare ask for more!"

"My enmity with the Five Elements Sect runs as deep as the sea; I cannot drag you into these troubled waters."

"Traveling with me would only tarnish your reputation needlessly."

"The world is vast, and our paths are long. I hope we meet again someday."

Jia Ren saw that Yang Shengwu's decision to leave was final and did not try to stop him.

The Insect External Incarnation's movements were ultimately restricted; it couldn't stray too far from its main body.

Yang Shengwu clasped his fists to Jia Ren in a salute and then departed.

Under the blood-red sunset, his figure cast an ever-lengthening shadow.

Jia Ren thought of his other close friend, Yang Bingzhi, and didn't want his two good friends to end up in a life-or-death battle. He called out to Yang Shengwu's receding figure, "If you happen upon a kinsman of yours in the Five Elements Sect, Yang Bingzhi, I hope you can show him some mercy!"

Yang Shengwu's voice drifted back, "Till we meet again!"

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