"A reward of five hundred Spirit Stones?"

Jia Ren was stunned by Wang Qian's generosity.

His willingness to offer five hundred Spirit Stones as thanks implied that the treasures in the Storage Bag were even more valuable—at least two to three times the reward, perhaps even more.

Even after the Law Enforcement Office confiscated Magic Artifacts worth several hundred Spirit Stones, there might still be one to two thousand Spirit Stones' worth of resources remaining. The potential haul, just from what was apparent, was enough to make one envious.

This indicated that the Cave Wang Qian discovered was no ordinary place; it likely belonged to a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Previously, Jia Ren certainly would have declined the five hundred Spirit Stones.

But thinking of the price of a Formation, he felt the pinch in his finances.

The Demon-Spotting Talisman business was suppressed, leaving him without a stable source of Spirit Stones, making it very difficult to purchase a Formation anytime soon.

Not to mention, his future cultivation would require a substantial amount of Spirit Stones.

"Have you heard any news about Fang Wu lately?"

Seeing Qi Yulong again inevitably made Jia Ren think of Fang Wu.

Wang Qian roared with laughter upon hearing this. "I forgot to tell you! I just received news that Fang Wu is dead."

"What goes around comes around; retribution is certain!"

You have no idea that the person you just met is the true mastermind...

"Let me give you a word of warning: be cautious around the Enforcement Division Cultivator you encountered today."

"Perhaps you haven't seen him before. This person rarely appears at the Northern City's underground market, but he was always inseparable from Fang Wu."

Jia Ren hesitated for a moment but decided to offer the caution anyway.

"Is that really true?!"

Wang Qian was visibly shaken. He wasn't a fool and understood the implication behind Jia Ren's words.

Why would a Loose Cultivator hiding in the Outer City suddenly become a Cultivator of the Five Elements Sect's Law Enforcement Office?

Such a leap in status was immense, far beyond what an ordinary person could achieve.

Unless... he had been a Five Elements Sect Disciple all along.

In that case, this person must be the real mastermind who turned him into cannon fodder, and Fang Wu was merely a scapegoat.

If anyone else had said this, Wang Qian would surely have doubted it.

But Jia Ren's character was trustworthy, and he had no reason to deceive him.

"Thank you for the warning, Daoist Jia. I will be careful."

Wang Qian's elation from avenging his great wrong vanished, replaced by a heavy heart. He departed quickly.

Wang Qian has had some good fortune. If he settles down and consolidates his strength, his progress won't be slow.

In the future, he might even cause Qi Yulong some trouble.

Jia Ren had never given up on the idea of dealing with Qi Yulong. He hadn't warned Wang Qian before because Wang Qian lacked the capability.

Now... he didn't mind having an extra ally.

With enough Spirit Stones, I can buy a defensive Formation.

Clutching the newly acquired Spirit Stones, Jia Ren felt a surge of excitement. Five hundred Spirit Stones were just enough to buy an Impenetrable Defense Formation Plate.

With a defensive Formation guarding his home, he wouldn't have to worry about cultivators forcing their way in or thieves paying a visit.

This matter can wait a bit.

Since he was already in the Outer City, he decided to visit Yang Shengwu first.

Seven days ago, when the Talisman Cultivators' Association had come looking for trouble, Jia Ren had specifically sent a Sound Transmission Talisman to inform Yang Shengwu, but he hadn't heard back since.

He was still somewhat concerned.

The Sound Transmission Talisman flew out, and a response quickly came.

"I happen to have something I need to discuss with you in detail."

Following the directions, Jia Ren arrived at the Northern District.

Only a few days had passed, yet the Northern District was even more chaotic than before.

Though it was still early in the day, he saw several fights already underway.

The combatants were quite restrained, not using Spells, so they naturally wouldn't attract the Enforcement Division Cultivators.

"Friend, the Northern District belongs to the Chang Le Gang. You need to pay your protection fee."

"You might be safe during the day, but what about at night?"

"The Chang Le Gang has plenty of ways to deal with you. Are you sure you want to experience them?"

"Just obediently pay one Spirit Stone for your safety. There's no need to ask for trouble."

They went door to door, forcibly collecting a monthly protection fee of one Spirit Stone.

Refuse to pay? The Chang Le Gang would take action, starting with a beating as a warning. Still refuse? Then they would break down your door at night.

Such chaos!

Where did the Five Elements Sect even find these Loose Cultivators? They've turned the Outer City into a complete mess. Even mortal gang tactics are being used on Cultivators now.

"Are you also a Loose Cultivator from the Northern District? Have you paid the protection fee?"

A brutish-looking Loose Cultivator eyed Jia Ren, intending to extort a protection fee from him.

"Are you tired of living?!"

"Our apologies!"

His companion quickly pulled him back, a forced smile on his face.

The Spiritual Energy in the Inner City was much denser than in the Outer City, and it was also safer. No Late Stage Qi-Refining Loose Cultivator would choose to stay in the Outer City.

The strength Jia Ren displayed was considerable in the Outer City. One would have to be utterly blind to think of extorting a protection fee from him.

"Daoist, would you be interested in joining the Chang Le Gang? The terms are generous: Five Spirit Stones a month, plus additional Elixirs."

If the Chang Le Gang gained another Sixth Layer of Qi Refinement Cultivator, their strength would increase significantly.

Jia Ren had no interest in the Chang Le Gang. For some reason, he felt like someone was sizing him up.

A skinny Loose Cultivator, noticing Jia Ren's gaze, flashed a fawning smile.

"What does the Chang Le Gang rely on for income? Surely not just protection fees?"

The name "Chang Le Gang" (Everlasting Joy Gang) always sparked certain thoughts. He couldn't help but recall the Bliss Pill and Ascension Pill he had obtained from a female cultivator half a month ago, and a suspicion formed in his mind.

"Collecting protection fees from Loose Cultivators in the Outer City, and selling Bliss Pills, Ascension Pills, and Longevity Pills."

Just as I expected!

So, the female cultivator who tried to control me with Forbidden Pills and charm techniques, offering herself along with Bliss Pills, was from the Chang Le Gang?

Jia Ren's already low opinion of the Chang Le Gang plummeted.

"What experts does the Chang Le Gang have?"

Gathering more intelligence is crucial; knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory.

"One at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refinement, two at the Sixth Layer. The gang boasts numerous masters."

The man, assuming Jia Ren was considering joining, answered truthfully.

Masters?

As one's strength changes, so does one's perspective. Since when did a Seventh Layer of Qi Refinement cultivator qualify as a master?!

It felt as if in a world without heroes, even the mediocre could become renowned...

The Chang Le Gang's strength wasn't formidable. Their most prominent figure, who was at the same realm as him, was rather lacking.

"The Chang Le Gang has bright prospects, far beyond what other gangs can compare to! The Chang Le Gang needs masters like you to join us and achieve great things together!"

"In the future, the Chang Le Gang could even develop into a Great Sect, and our descendants would be noble Sect Disciples!"

The Chang Le Gang Leader is quite skilled at brainwashing. This fellow looks like he's on an adrenaline rush, his face fervent.

"I have no interest in joining the Chang Le Gang!"

He was acting like a user, gathering intelligence and then promptly dismissing them.

Jia Ren yearned for the Great Dao; he had no mood to play these mortal gang dramas with the Chang Le Gang.

Leaving the area, he didn't enter Yang Shengwu's stone house. Instead, he went into another deserted stone house and communicated remotely using the Sound Transmission Technique.

He wasn't sure if there were any spies from the Talisman Cultivators' Association nearby. It was best not to let anyone discover the connection between him and Yang Shengwu, to avoid unnecessary trouble.

"Brother Jia, you truly are meticulous! Thanks to your reminder, otherwise, the Talisman Cultivators' Association would have come knocking again."

Mentioning the Talisman Cultivators' Association, Yang Shengwu's voice was tinged with resentment.

If the Demon-Spotting Talisman business did well, his life in the Inner City would also improve.

Who would have thought the Talisman Cultivators' Association would resort to such vicious competition, using such underhanded tactics?

"I recently joined a gang and used Loose Cultivators to gather a lot of useful intelligence."

"The head of the Talisman Cultivators' Association manages the Heavenly Talisman Shop and is a Ninth Level of Qi Refinement Cultivator. It's rumored he comes from a prominent family, and his paternal uncle is a Foundation Establishment Elder in the Five Elements Sect's Talisman Hall."

"Leveraging the power of this Five Elements Sect Foundation Establishment Elder, he has monopolized the Talisman business in the Inner City. All shops and Loose Cultivators dealing with Talismans in the Inner City have to pay him tribute."

"The usual cut is ten percent. So why does it jump to thirty percent for us? This is outrageous bullying!"

"The Talisman Cultivators' Association... we can't afford to provoke them..."

Never mind the Ninth Level of Qi Refinement Cultivator; with a Five Elements Sect Foundation Establishment Elder backing him, he's a behemoth.

"You should hold onto the Spirit Stones from the Demon-Spotting Talisman sales for now. Wait until next year when the Spirit Rice is harvested, and the prices of Monster Beast Meat and Demon-Spotting Talismans drop, then you can sell them."

Before the war between the sects, Demon-Spotting Talismans were sold in shops for one Spirit Stone and Five Broken Spirits.

Since Spirit Rice became scarce, capitalizing on the surge in Monster Beast Meat prices, the price of Demon-Spotting Talismans doubled, allowing the Heavenly Talisman Shop to profit immensely.

Even with the doubled price, many Cultivators still purchased them.

Having tasted such sweet and exorbitant profits, the Heavenly Talisman Shop naturally wanted to maintain these high prices indefinitely.

They had cultivated this profitable market, like a well-stocked fishpond, and certainly wouldn't want anyone else fishing in it, much less someone driving down the price of Demon-Spotting Talismans.

This was also why the Talisman Cultivators' Association reacted so fiercely to anyone selling Demon-Spotting Talismans at a low price.

Unless the price of Demon-Spotting Talismans returned to normal and profits decreased, the Heavenly Talisman Shop and the Talisman Cultivators' Association it supported would show no mercy to anyone daring to sell them on the market.

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