Jia Ren realized he had made a big mistake by not conducting market research.

The Break Infant Pill was difficult to sell, and there were even more issues with other aspects.

He returned to Tianma Street to visit and inquire, observing the sales situations of dozens of shops.

The truth was just as he had guessed: Elixirs were still okay, as cultivators would still purchase them. For Magical Treasures, Talismans, and Formations, the shops couldn't sell a single one.

"The difficulty in selling Magical Treasures can be attributed to the combat prohibition. Anyone who initiates a fight, even if they injure just one person, is certain to die."

With dozens of Abyss Coins scattered, Jia Ren got the truth from the mouths of the shop assistants.

There is a combat prohibition within Lingyuan City; no cultivator is allowed to fight for any reason. Should High-Order Cultivators erupt in conflict, just the aftermath of their battles is unbearable for Low-Order Cultivators. How could they possibly survive? A dangerous Lingyuan City was bound to keep people at a respectful distance.

Lingyuan City was different from other cities and markets. Cultivators were unable to leave, and Magical Treasures, Magic Artifacts, and Talismans became redundant. Strict regulations brought safety and stability. The side effect was that the consumption of Magic Artifacts and Talismans plummeted to freezing point, making them hard to sell.

Elixirs were different; they were consumables that helped cultivators enhance their Cultivation Level, so the demand was great, naturally creating a market. The Break Infant Pill was not used as much, but there was still demand for it. The problem was that the Great Sects had Alchemists providing a large supply, and some people made wishes to obtain Nascent Soul Finishing Pills, leading to supply exceeding demand.

The Magical Treasures and high-rank Talismans inside the shops attracted people. At most, cultivators would make an initial purchase when entering the city, but never again.

If I try to make Third-order Talismans, they'll just end up unsold in my hands…

How can I solve this problem?

If there's no demand, then create demand.

A combat arena?

A leaderboard?!

If I could use the power of the Wish Bizarre to create a combat arena, I could rank cultivators by their Realm in combat. Offering fame and rewards to those at the top of the leaderboard would surely attract cultivators who love to strive for fame and profit. By then, the market for Magic Artifacts, Magical Treasures, and Talismans would no longer be stagnant.

Forget it. I can only get a small share of the pie. The upper echelons of Lingyuan City would laugh themselves silly; there's no need for me to expend such effort.

Jia Ren quickly dismissed this idea and contemplated other methods.

He could only refine Elixirs that were easy to sell, using the profits to subsidize the Magical Treasures and Talismans to complete the cycle. The downside was an accumulation of unsellable Talismans.

The Break Infant Pill wasn't without market demand. He needed to change his strategy. Reducing the price to push for volume wouldn't work and would only create enemies for himself, attracting the hostility of various shops.

It wasn't difficult for the New Moon Phantom Face to fool others. However, if a determined individual set their sights on him and monitored his every move, it would inevitably hinder his actions. The best method was to take a high-end route and sell high-quality Break Infant Pills.

Jia Ren couldn't be bothered to sell the Break Infant Pills publicly, as earning Abyss Coins that way was too much of a waste of time. He found a few shops willing to buy them, selling his low-quality Break Infant Pills for 450,000 Abyss Coins apiece. Out of the forty-two Break Infant Pills, only eleven were sold. He couldn't find any more shops willing to buy and received a total of five million Abyss Coins in return.

The remaining thirty-one Break Infant Pills couldn't be sold in a short time.

Sigh... it's the first time in my life I'm worried about having too many Break Infant Pills.

The one-year deadline has arrived; it's time to pay back the Abyss Coins.

Jia Ren hadn't forgotten that the one million Abyss Coins were borrowed, and as the one-year term had come, it was time to repay the debt.

He made his familiar way to Wang Tong Money House. There, he saw Wang Fugui enjoying a cup of tea; Wang Fugui had grown even fatter in the few months since they last met.

"I've found some leads on the information you asked me to look into a while ago." Wang Fugui passed over a cup of tea with a beaming smile.

Jia Ren hadn't forgotten about the vanished Profound Realm Key. He was isolated and weak in Lingyuan City. Wang Fugui was very mysterious and had extraordinary means. He didn't mind owing a favor to ask for help.

"This is the one million Abyss Coins I owe you, and this is the payment for the information." He handed over the River Mountain Bag full of Abyss Coins and a Jade Box that held a Break Infant Pill.

Since I can't sell this pill, I might as well use it to pay for the information.

Wang Fugui didn't refuse. He pushed forward a Jade Slip.

Jia Ren's divine consciousness sank into the Jade Slip, which recorded the information of a Nascent Soul Cultivator.

Qi Chunan originated from the destroyed Heavenly Feather Gate. He was a Nascent Soul Early Stage Cultivator, suspected of being a true Nascent Soul Cultivator not restricted by Lingyuan City's limitations. He participated in the Xuan Shui Sect's downfall, pursued the people of Xuan Shui Sect, failed to contend for the Sect Leader position of Heavenly Feather Gate, and fled into Lingyuan City…

"The cultivators who make wishes on that day are few; they are loyal to Qi Chunan. Not long after making their wishes, they die mysteriously…"

"This person is the cultivator who plotted against you."

This information is too detailed!

It isn't something accessible to just the son of a merchant guild.

Wang Fugui's identity is no simple matter!

Jia Ren eyed Wang Fugui, not noticing any golden copper coins with the inscription "Wealth can communicate with the divine."

"Thank you for your assistance, Wang Daoyou."

Wang Fugui nonchalantly waved his hand, casually picking up the Abyss Coins and the small gift from Jia Ren. "A Break Infant Pill, you really shouldn't have!"

Wang Fugui glanced at the Break Infant Pill. His expression was unchanged, as if looking at something ordinary.

"Are you perhaps worried about the sales of the Break Infant Pill? I can help you with that." His smile deepened when he looked at Jia Ren.

"Wang Daoyou is tracking me?" Jia Ren's body tensed up, a sense of inexplicable pressure growing in his heart.

Wang Fugui was too mysterious, impossible to see through. It was one thing for him to reveal information about the Profound Realm Key and the World-Devouring Sentinel—a treasure suspected to be related to the Profound Realm Key. His ability to easily find out the details of the one who stole the Profound Realm Key, all of it proved his extraordinary abilities. Jia Ren had sold the Break Infant Pill in disguise, thinking he had been secretive, yet Wang Fugui pinpointed it in one sentence.

"Daoist Zhen doesn't trust me enough, which makes me quite upset. I mean no harm to you; I should be the last person who wants to see anything bad happen to you," Wang Fugui said with sincerity and earnestness.

You're not my ancestor.

One surnamed Jia, the other Wang—not related by any means.

I'm just a cultivator from a remote place; what connection could I possibly have with him?

"I might as well tell you the truth, lest you mistakenly think I have ulterior motives," Wang Fugui began, speaking freely and explaining the ins and outs of the situation.

"I cultivate a top-notch Cultivation Technique: the Golden Scale Wind-Riding Technique. Its cultivation speed is average, but its sole advantage is the ability to invest in hidden dragons and ride the winds and clouds when they transform. The faster these hidden dragons grow, the greater the returns in Cultivation Level I receive.

"Back then, I took a fancy to you and made a casual move, never expecting such astonishing returns.

"Having the good fortune to see you again, naturally, I want to place a heavier bet.

"Whatever opportunity you have is nothing to me; external objects are not as important as increasing Cultivation Level.

"As long as you are alive and your Cultivation Realm increases, so will mine.

"Having placed a heavy bet on you, I am undoubtedly one of the people in the world least wishing for your demise.

"If anyone wants to kill you, they would have to ask for my consent first."

Golden Scale Wind-Riding Technique?

Investing in hidden dragons to enhance one's own cultivation?

Could there be such a miraculous technique in this world? It boggles the mind.

If Wang Fugui isn't lying, then this technique is truly unparalleled.

With the vision to place bets on a few cultivators with exceptional talent, one could become stronger by simply lying down!

Is there a more enjoyable technique than this?!

Wang Fugui has a good eye for people; he certainly considers me a 'hidden dragon.'

With the Proficiency Panel, my cultivation speed is astonishing. If Wang Fugui can ride my momentum, his future cultivation progress won't be slow either.

"Your Cultivation Level is far beyond the Foundation Establishment Stage, isn't it?"

Since everything is out in the open, I might as well get to the bottom of it.

"It's no harm telling you," Wang Fugui continued. "I once invested in an unparalleled genius. His Cultivation Level soared extremely fast, and in less than a thousand years, he advanced from the Foundation Establishment Stage to the late Divinity Transformation Stage.

Is he even serious?!

I work so hard to cultivate, toiling for Elixirs and cultivation resources...

And he reached the late Divinity Transformation Stage just by lying down?

Jia Ren felt as though he had eaten a lemon, his gaze towards Wang Fugui tinged with envy.

"Although that guy was a genius, he loved fighting and challenging those beyond his level. One day, he carelessly provoked someone who could kill him with a single slap. And then... he was gone.

"I've learned from that lesson and now prefer to invest in cultivators who act with caution.

"Your talent is no less than that man's, and your prudent actions are to my liking."

Mentioning that unparalleled genius, Wang Fugui couldn't hide his resentment. If that guy hadn't courted death, Wang Fugui wouldn't be stuck at the late Divinity Transformation Stage and would have advanced further.

Jia Ren guessed that Wang Fugui's Realm was not low, probably a Nascent Soul Cultivator, but he had still grossly underestimated his level.

"Which Great Sect's Sect Master are you, Senior?"

It is known that the Sect Masters of the Great Sects in the Four Desolations Domain are all Divine Transformation Cultivators. Which one could Wang Fugui be?

"I'm different from them. I walk alone."

Being a lone wolf could be better than being a Sect Master. A Sect Master has to invest energy into their sect, while a lone wolf has more free time.

With a late-stage Divine Transformation Cultivator looking out for me, wouldn't I be able to do as I please?

If Wang Fugui takes action, can he deal with the person scheming against me?

"Ahem, Elder Wang, I'll be counting on you to look after me in the future," Jia Ren chuckled, unabashedly moving closer.

Wang Fugui wants to ride my momentum; that's an investment in the future.

But for now, it's I who am benefiting from the favorable circumstances provided by a late-stage Divine Transformation Cultivator.

"I know what you are planning," Wang Fugui said. "The moment Qi Chunan leaves Lingyuan City, the Profound Realm Key will naturally return to its rightful owner.

"I can't act within Lingyuan City to seize the treasure; otherwise, I'd incur the curse of the Wish Bizarre.

A curse?

"It's the troublesome curse resulting from the deaths of numerous cultivators who made wishes in Lingyuan City. I don't want to attract that trouble to myself.

"Rest assured, your Profound Realm Key isn't going anywhere.

"My term here is almost up, and at most, I will remain in this realm for another thirty years, during which I will ensure your complete safety.

"Once I retrieve the Profound Realm Key for you, whether you wish to follow me out of this realm or stay is entirely up to you."

A Divine Transformation Cultivator protecting me?

This is definitely V.I.P. treatment!

"Term? Are you not a cultivator of this realm, Elder Wang?" Jia Ren caught onto a peculiar term and asked.

"Don't call me Elder Wang. It's better to call me Daoyou, as I only wish to win without effort, and I'm counting on you to take me higher in the future," Wang Fugui replied.

"There are some things I prefer not to disclose. Once you leave this realm, I will share the answers with you.

"Staying in this place is not only perilous but also holds no future.

"Thirty years from now will be the Bizarre Demon tide, an event that occurs once every ten thousand years. Their numbers will be at least ten times the current size. I believe you will make the right choice."

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