Golden Elixir Spiritual Medicine, Second-order Alchemy Recipes, Foundation Establishment Techniques... Jia Ren desired many items from the Five Elements Sect, and there were several methods to acquire them.

Join the Five Elements Sect? That would take too long and be too inefficient. He feared that by the time he obtained the treasures he wanted, the Five Elements Sect might already have been annihilated.

The second method was exchange, using Foundation Establishment Pills as a stepping stone to trade with the cultivators of the Five Elements Sect, each getting what they needed. Foundation Establishment Pills were not of much use to Jia Ren, but it was different for the cultivators of the Five Elements Sect. Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage might find them useless, but behind them were their families, disciples, and future generations. The downside was that he could only exchange for Second-order Alchemy Recipes and Foundation Establishment Techniques; the chances of obtaining Golden Elixir Spiritual Medicine were slim to none.

The third method was to destroy the Five Elements Sect. With the Five Elements Sect having failed to produce a Golden Core Cultivator for so long and having made many enemies, and without a strong force as backing, its annihilation was only a matter of time. The timing of the Five Elements Sect's downfall was uncertain, and Jia Ren did not want to waste his energy waiting. His plan was to accelerate the downfall of the Five Elements Sect and plunder its accumulated wealth. This method promised a great harvest but also came with high risks. Jia Ren would have to compete with other sects and powers, which could easily attract attention and cause trouble.

He had killed a Third-order Magical Beast, but that didn't mean he truly possessed the combat power of a Golden Core Cultivator. His true Realm was still at the Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage; if ambushed, the danger would be immense.

Yang Bingzhi was too weak, with no chance of reaching Foundation Establishment anytime soon. Otherwise, there would be a fourth method: to obtain the desired treasures through him.

After much thought, Jia Ren chose the strategies of exchange and accelerating the annihilation of the Five Elements Sect. He would adjust his plan depending on the situation.

Jia Ren sought out Yang Bingzhi because he wanted to make contact with the Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Five Elements Sect through him and use the Foundation Establishment Pills to exchange for the Alchemy Recipes he desired.

If they were willing to trade honestly, everyone would be at peace. But if they want to make a move? Then don't blame me for turning the tables on them.

"Foundation Establishment Pills in exchange for Second-order Alchemy Recipes, Foundation Establishment Techniques, and aged Spiritual Medicine?"

Yang Bingzhi took a long time to recover from his shock.

Exchanging Foundation Establishment Pills for Alchemy Recipes and techniques? Jia Ren wasn't lacking Foundation Establishment Pills; he had so many he could trade them! He had thought those were just words Jia Ren used to console him. Such a drastic change after not seeing him for several years! Exchanging for Alchemy Recipes and aged Spiritual Medicine... could he have refined these Foundation Establishment Pills himself? Foundation Establishment Pills were different from other Elixirs; they could be considered the foundation of a Sect. Many Sects and families had gone to war over Foundation Establishment Pills. A common Foundation Establishment Cultivator showing off Foundation Establishment Pills in the market was asking for a swift death.

"I know a Five Elements Sect Elder with a decent reputation. However, when it involves Foundation Establishment Pills, I can't guarantee..."

"Daoist Jia, it would be best to choose a safe place and a trading partner whose strength isn't too formidable. Set the location at the last moment to avoid them setting a trap..."

Jia Ren listened in silence and couldn't help but laugh wryly to himself. In the past, these would indeed have been concerns for him to ponder. The Five Elements Sect didn't possess much power that could threaten him now. As long as he didn't court death by recklessly storming the Five Elements Sect, his safety was assured. A normal transaction should be fine. Them trying to make a move on me? It was still uncertain who would be the prey.

"My strength is no longer what it used to be; if it weren't so, I wouldn't dare to trade with Foundation Establishment Pills."

"If the person coming is not a Golden Core Cultivator or a Bizarre Demon, there's no need to worry. You can confidently contact the Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Five Elements Sect."

Jia Ren took back the Foundation Establishment Pills he had offered, smiling, "I'll keep hold of the Elixirs for you for now, lest they fall into the wrong hands. You be careful in how you proceed."

Handing the Foundation Establishment Pills over to Yang Bingzhi could lead to complications, so Jia Ren decided to keep them for now.

The two finalized the details, chatted idly for two hours, and then left satisfied. Yang Bingzhi returned to his dwelling, used a Sound Transmission Talisman to request leave from the Law Enforcement Office and, without any delay, went into seclusion with the Third Turn Resurrection Pill to recover from his injuries.

「Three days later, Yang Bingzhi opened his eyes.」

His foundations were restored and his breath was steady. With a few days of diligent cultivation, returning to the Ninth Level of Qi Refinement would not be hard. But now was not the time for cultivation; he still had the task assigned by Jia Ren to complete.

Yang Bingzhi first visited the Five Elements Sect, looking for a Foundation Establishment Elder to express his desire to sell Foundation Establishment Pills. A Qi Refinement Realm cultivator suggesting he wanted to sell Foundation Establishment Pills would only be taken as a joke by Foundation Establishment Cultivators and not taken seriously. If one truly had Foundation Establishment Pills, they would most likely consume them themselves and would not easily reveal them.

Yang Bingzhi had previously reported on a Spirit Stone Vein, for which the Sect had rewarded him with one Foundation Establishment Pill, and he had exchanged for another using the Sect's contribution points. His attempt at Foundation Establishment failed, wasting one; logically, he should still have had one remaining. Many had coveted this remaining Foundation Establishment Pill, searching all likely hiding spots to no avail. The matter eventually fell by the wayside.

Who would have thought he still had a Foundation Establishment Pill? No one would complain about having too many Foundation Establishment Pills; most Elders had descendants and would not miss the chance for a Foundation Establishment Pill that came knocking at their door.

"No Spirit Stones are needed; they can be exchanged for Second-order Alchemy Recipes, Second-Order Formation Technique Legacies, and Foundation Establishment Techniques."

Jia Ren had an extensive list of desired items; such an opportunity was rare and not to be missed.

"If the Elder is willing, we can agree on a location to trade."

Second-order Alchemy Recipes, Formation legacies, and Foundation Establishment Techniques, though precious, were far less valuable in the hearts of cultivators than Foundation Establishment Pills. Yang Bingzhi was responsible for making the connections and arranging the location for the trade.

「Three days later, in the Red Maple Forest.」

It was deep autumn, and the red maple leaves were falling like confetti. Elder Jiang looked at the Five Elements Marketplace, just a few dozen miles away, and felt quite satisfied.

His Insect External Incarnation revealed itself, exuding the aura of the Foundation Establishment Late Stage. Elder Jiang's expression turned stern, and he inwardly felt relieved that he harbored no ill intentions and had brought the required items.

"This is a Foundation Establishment Pill." Jia Ren wasn't worried that the other party would take the pill and run. He tossed over the vial containing the Foundation Establishment Pill, showing his sincerity. Alchemy Recipes and legacies aren't easy to seize; killing someone won't necessarily get you what you want.

"Daoist friend is indeed straightforward." He confirmed there was nothing wrong with the Foundation Establishment Pill; its quality was much better than he had anticipated, and he couldn't hide the joy in his eyes. "Daoist friend's Foundation Establishment Pill is of extraordinary quality. Could it be that Daoist friend is an Alchemist?"

Jia Ren didn't respond but said coolly, "What about the Alchemy Recipe you promised, Daoist friend?"

"The Red Spirit Pill Alchemy Recipe and two five-hundred-year-old Spiritual Medicines." Elder Jiang took out a blank Jade Slip, recorded the information, and tossed it to Jia Ren.

The Red Spirit Pill Alchemy Recipe was a Second-order Alchemy Recipe, and the Elixir produced could enhance the Cultivation Level of those at the Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage. One Alchemy Recipe was not enough to trade for a Foundation Establishment Pill, so two five-hundred-year-old Spiritual Medicines were added to the deal. The total value was greater than that of a Foundation Establishment Pill. However, the Spiritual Medicine needed for refining Foundation Establishment Pills was scarce, and the Sect only produced them in ten-year cycles. If he hadn't failed to find what he was looking for within the Sect, he wouldn't have thought of searching in the outside world.

Jia Ren took the Spiritual Medicine and Alchemy Recipe, confirmed they were correct, and a smile appeared on his face.

"I still have a few Foundation Establishment Pills. If Daoist friend has Second-order Alchemy Recipes, Foundation Establishment Techniques, or special secret techniques, they can all be exchanged with me."

The transaction was completed, and both guest and host were happy. The result of the first transaction was satisfactory. He had exchanged Foundation Establishment Pills for Elixirs suitable for the Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage, along with five-hundred-year-old Spiritual Medicine—a good haul.

The Solidifying Yuan Pill's effect was somewhat lacking; it would take at least another seven or eight years to reach the Foundation Establishment Late Stage. By switching to the Red Spirit Pill, once his Proficiency Level increased, he estimated the time could be shortened by half. Jia Ren looked over the Red Spirit Pill Alchemy Recipe. The required Spiritual Medicine wasn't difficult to gather, and there was still plenty of stock in the Spiritual Medicine Repository; refining it would not be a problem.

"I must trouble Yang Daoyou to continue finding people." If he could obtain what he wanted smoothly, Jia Ren didn't want to introduce more complications.

「The next day, Yang Bingzhi brought a new Foundation Establishment Elder to the same location.」

Before the transaction even started, several more Foundation Establishment Cultivators appeared, totaling five people. Among them, surprisingly, was Elder Jiang from yesterday's transaction.

"Sigh, I thought the Five Elements Sect had changed its ways and would act with integrity. It seems I overestimated you." Jia Ren's eyes held little surprise, as if he had anticipated this.

The fish rots from the head down. The roots of the Five Elements Sect had long rotted; they had committed too many evils. Forcing Loose Cultivators in the Great Wilderness Market... would ordinary disciples dare to do such things without a nod from above? Allowing Bizarre Demons to run rampant among Loose Cultivators, the higher-ups of the Five Elements Sect turned a blind eye, simply because it made coercing Loose Cultivators easier, and the Bizarre Demons could also affect the cultivators of Thousand Beasts Mountain. In the Outer City, they permitted and supported the Chang Le Gang, allowing Forbidden Pills to circulate and bleed the Loose Cultivators dry. To seize Foundation Establishment Spiritual Medicine, they would call white black, labeling merchant groups as Demon Cultivators, plundering their wealth, and then taking their heads to exchange for rewards. Such incidents were countless.

"Daoist friend is an Alchemist, right? The quality of your Foundation Establishment Pills even surpasses those from our Five Elements Sect's Pill Hall Elders."

"Since you've come to the territory of the Five Elements Sect, why not visit our Sect as a guest? Allow us to show you some hospitality."

The smiles on their faces were radiant, not because they wanted to kill and steal treasures, but rather… they wanted Jia Ren to become an Alchemist for the Five Elements Sect. Alchemists were already in high demand, not to mention that the quality of the Foundation Establishment Pills this person refined was even better than those from the Five Elements Sect. It would be strange if the cultivators of the Five Elements Sect weren't tempted.

"I don't want to visit the Five Elements Sect, let alone join it," Jia Ren bluntly refused, without a shred of hesitation.

"That's not up to you."

"Do you think that with your Foundation Establishment Late Stage strength, we can't handle you?"

"Not joining the Five Elements Sect? Then kill him!"

The newcomers consisted of three Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage Cultivators and two Foundation Establishment Early Stage Cultivators. Facing a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator whose strength surpassed their own, the five showed no fear, brimming with confidence.

"Form the Five Elements Formation!"

The five united, forming the Five Elements Formation. Although it couldn't kill a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator, trapping the target would not be difficult. This was the territory of the Five Elements Sect! Once they sent out a message, the Five Elements Sect could provide rapid support. So what if he was at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage? If they wished, he could die here at any moment.

"Elders, he has no ill intentions towards the Five Elements Sect. I hope you'll be magnanimous." Yang Bingzhi had thought the second transaction would proceed without incident, but the outcome was beyond his expectations. He tried to plead on Jia Ren's behalf.

"Traitorous scum! Get lost!" A tremendous Spiritual Pressure erupted, suddenly sending Yang Bingzhi flying. The explosion of Spiritual Power from a Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage Cultivator was not something an Eighth Layer of Qi Refinement cultivator could withstand. Caught off guard, Yang Bingzhi was seriously injured.

The five Foundation Establishment Cultivators took positions in five directions, encircling Jia Ren. A five-colored light screen manifested, a single entity, cycling and regenerating. This was the unique Five Elements Formation of the Five Elements Sect. With the five elements generating and nourishing each other, the formation was unceasing. A Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator would find it difficult to break through without using powerful talisman treasures.

Jia Ren was not flustered and maintained a calm demeanor, "Did you bring the Alchemy Recipe?"

"We did. Why don't you come back with us to the Five Elements Sect and have a look!" The five Foundation Establishment Elders of the Five Elements Sect smiled radiantly, as if they had Jia Ren completely under their control.

Jia Ren laughed and retorted, "Did you ever think that this was a trap prepared for you?"

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