CHAPTER 150: CHAPTER 148 MIST BIZARRE BESIEGES THE CITY! SOARING INTO THE CLOUDS_1

A night passed, and as dawn broke, the White-dress Lady Bizarre and the Bizarre Corpse had vanished.

Inside the Market, the number of Cultivators had sharply declined, leaving only a little more than fifty people, a far greater reduction in numbers than before.

The killing power of the Bizarre Demons was far beyond that of Magical Beasts.

The surviving Cultivators wore looks of terror, feeling absolutely no sense of safety.

The key reason many had survived, aside from luck, was the quantity of Evil Warding Talismans they possessed.

Although ordinary Evil Warding Talismans could not harm the Bizarre Demons, they could provide protection.

Those with more talismans, as long as they were not unlucky enough to encounter the White-dress Lady Bizarre, had a decent chance of surviving.

The Meng Family had the most surviving Cultivators, nearly one-third of the total, simply because they possessed more Evil Warding Talismans.

"Where is Talisman Master Zhang? Are there any more Grandmaster-level Exorcism Talismans?"

The Meng Family’s survival was largely due to the numerous Grandmaster-level Exorcism Talismans provided by Talisman Master Zhang.

They had traded many high-quality Evil Warding Talismans with other guilds for various benefits, so their stockpile remained astonishingly large.

The Meng Family had been too ruthless in their exploitation, leaving the Talisman Makers with only meager stocks of Evil Warding Talismans, rendering them unable to hold on.

Very few Talisman Makers survived, and all of them were from the Meng Family.

He who wears lavish robes is not necessarily a silk farmer.

Although many Cultivators had survived, they had run out of Evil Warding Talismans and definitely wouldn’t survive another attack.

Without a fresh supply of Grandmaster-level Exorcism Talismans, they wouldn’t be able to withstand another visit from the White-dress Lady Bizarre.

"I don’t care anymore! We absolutely can’t wait until night, or we will all die!"

"I’d rather risk a desperate attempt than die at the hands of Bizarre Demons!"

The Black Blood Bizarre wouldn’t give them time, nor would it grant them any opportunities.

Members from the several major guilds took out their Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boats from their Hundred Directions Storage Bags, determined to leave. Taking a risk meant a chance of survival, but dragging things out was certain death.

"Look, what is that?"

Billowing white mist continuously rose from the west, expanding gradually, quickly forming a wall of mist over the Great Wilderness Market.

"The Bizarre Mist Maiden?!"

"This is bad! We need to leave now!"

Having just survived the crisis of the White-dress Lady Bizarre and the Bizarre Corpse, they thought they had a chance to catch their breath. But before they could recover, they were confronted by an even more powerful Bizarre Mist Maiden.

Perhaps... the White-dress Lady Bizarre hadn’t fled to spare the survivors in the Great Wilderness Market, but because an even stronger Bizarre Demon was arriving.

There was a clear hierarchy of strength among Bizarre Demons. The Bizarre Mist Maiden, an entity that even the Five Elements Sect couldn’t handle, was far stronger than the White-dress Lady Bizarre.

This was an entity they couldn’t possibly confront; their only option was to flee for their lives.

Once enveloped by the Bizarre Mist, no one would survive.

The Cultivators were just contemplating escape when mist began to rise from all four directions—east, south, west, and north—converging at a frightening pace.

"We can’t wait any longer!"

The Market leaders hadn’t left earlier because they hoped to perfect the Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boats; a larger Flying Boat with enhanced protections would be safer.

Unfortunately, there was no time left. If they didn’t escape now, they would all die in the Market!

One after another, small Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boats ascended, propelled by four Flowing Fire Flying Boxes, soaring high into the sky.

"Evil-Suppressing Treasure Mirror! Open!"

A Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boat shot up into the sky. The Market Master held a green Treasure Mirror, its emerald light clearing the path ahead.

The gathering white mist was momentarily frozen, allowing the Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boat to fly unhindered.

Most of the Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boats were from newly crafted stock, their quality not entirely stable. However, with no other choice, they had to grit their teeth and try their luck.

The other few guilds also brought out their treasured Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boats, with five people boarding each, quickly ascending.

They each employed their own methods, bringing out their most precious Evil-Warding Treasures.

Dew sprinkled from a White Jade Vase, transforming into clouds and rain that dissolved large swathes of the Bizarre Mist.

A beast seal transformed into the shadow of an unknown Magical Beast, its roar dispersing the Bizarre Mist within a radius of several zhang.

They acted in concert, slowing the convergence of the Bizarre Mist.

One by one, the Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boats seized the opportunity to fly out, breaking free from the encirclement of Bizarre Mist.

In the blink of an eye, most of the Cultivators in the Market had left, with only a few remaining behind.

"Take me with you!"

Wang Mingyan watched as the Flying Boat carrying her man reached capacity, casting a pleading look in his direction.

He remained indifferent, looking down and pretending not to see.

He couldn’t possibly give up his precious seat to Wang Mingyan. He had already done his duty by protecting her through the night.

In times of crisis, it’s like birds of the same forest flying their separate ways when disaster strikes.

The seven people left behind watched the nine Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boats depart, their faces etched with despair.

"I want to board!"

Some attempted to forcibly seize a Flying Boat, but they were slain before they could make a move.

How could mere Loose Cultivators compare to the elites of the guilds?

"I refuse to accept this!"

Someone let out a despairing roar, cursing eighteen generations of ancestors of those who fled.

Others, seeing no hope of escape, sprinted towards the horizon, plunging into the surging white mist.

They were the abandoned, destined to be buried in the Great Wilderness.

BOOM!

The ground shook as a Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boat appeared, its ten-foot-long hull adorned with cloud patterns.

Jia Ren stood at the bow; Zhang Peng Peng and Talisman Master Zhang were positioned in the middle and at the stern of the Flying Boat, respectively.

"Defense is up to you two!"

"Take off!"

Jia Ren looked toward the last gap left by the nine departing Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boats and decisively controlled his Flying Boat to take off.

"Take me with you!"

"That Flying Boat is mine! Get the hell out!"

"I can pay any price! I’ll do anything you ask!"

Others crowded around, some with ferocious looks in their eyes, as if grasping at their last sliver of hope.

A black blade-light flashed, and the individuals who dared to make a move were instantly decapitated.

They dare not strike at the guilds but dare to attack us? Do they see us as old and weak, thinking we’re easy to bully?

For such people, there was no need for mercy.

The Black Wind Mantis looked imposing. With a mere wave of its hand, it instantly slew two Qi Refining Eighth Level Cultivators, its combat prowess terrifying to behold.

A flicker of pity crossed Zhang Peng Peng’s eyes. She turned her head away, remaining silent.

Talisman Master Zhang’s expression remained unchanged as he controlled the Yunling Miasma and the Icy Fog Veil, gradually reinforcing the Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boat.

Jia Ren had long ago given him two Magic Artifacts to refine, tasking him with reinforcing the Flying Boat’s hull.

Meanwhile, Impenetrable Defense Formation Plates were set up on the Flying Boat. Each plate was embedded with gleaming Medium-grade Spirit Stones, conjuring a thick, golden protective shield around the vessel.

According to Jia Ren’s usual habits, he would have added a Thick Earth Seal for extra security.

Unfortunately, time was too pressing; there was no time for Artifact Refining.

"Daoist Shi... could you give me a ride?"

"I have a treasure to offer you, Daoist, just for a spot on the boat."

A voice suddenly reached Jia Ren via sound transmission. His initially indifferent expression flickered. After a moment’s pause, he nodded. "Alright."

The Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boat opened a gap, allowing Wang Mingyan to enter.

"Everyone, use a Featherweight Talisman."

Featherweight Talismans could reduce body weight, helping the Flying Boat ascend faster.

Three Flowing Fire Flying Boxes, arranged in a stable triangular formation, erupted with astonishing power. They propelled the Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boat upwards at an even greater speed than before, allowing it to break out of the encirclement just as the Bizarre Mist was about to close in.

The Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boat’s ascent was remarkably swift. The Bizarre Mist "devouring" the Great Wilderness Market seemed to shrink before their eyes as familiar sights rapidly receded into the distance.

"This is the treasure I promised."

Wang Mingyan took out a storage bag and tossed it to Jia Ren.

Inside was only a Jade Vase, emitting a chilling aura.

Upon opening the Jade Vase, three drops of clear, milky-white liquid swirled at the bottom.

Jia Ren leaned in to inhale its fragrance; his mind instantly felt refreshed, his thoughts purified.

"Pure Spirit Jade Milk."

"Your Wang Family is indeed extraordinary!"

Pure Spirit Jade Milk was an exceedingly rare treasure capable of strengthening the Divine Soul, making it exceptionally precious.

When consumed during one’s breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, it also possessed a miraculous effect in warding off Heart Demons.

A single drop was worth more than a thousand Spirit Stones.

Most importantly, it could not be purchased with Spirit Stones.

Jia Ren had searched extensively for treasures to help combat Heart Demons during Foundation Establishment, never expecting to obtain one from Wang Mingyan.

The Wang Family has been annihilated, so she must have acquired a portion of their hidden ancestral treasures.

"Daoist Shi, I knew you were still alive!"

The occupants of the other Flying Boats were astonished to see a new vessel overtake them at an inconceivable speed.

It was only when they recognized Shi Bai piloting the Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boat that understanding dawned.

A peculiar expression flickered across Meng Changlin’s face as he observed Shi Bai and Talisman Master Zhang. I didn’t expect them to know each other. No wonder they survived the night of Bizarre Demons. To discard those precious boat tickets like worn-out shoes meant he either had given up or possessed another means of escape.

"The Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boat has limited flight time," Jia Ren interjected, "We should focus on getting away quickly! Let’s part ways here."

He couldn’t be bothered to waste time chatting. Every moment of flight time was precious and would determine if he could escape.

Their flight speed steadily increased, and soon they reached an altitude of three thousand zhang, brushing against the Gang Wind Layer.

The violent Gang Winds blew past, as if several Magic Artifacts were constantly striking the outer Impenetrable Defense Formation. Even Medium-grade Magic Tools couldn’t withstand such an assault for long.

Three thousand zhang wasn’t enough; they continued to ascend, flying upwards until they reached ten thousand zhang.

At ten thousand zhang, the intensity of the Gang Winds soared to another level. Even the golden light from the Impenetrable Defense Formation, activated by Medium-grade Spirit Stones, warped under the pressure of the winds, looking like it might break at any moment.

If powered by Low-grade Spirit Stones, it definitely wouldn’t last more than three breaths.

To ensure the Flying Boat wouldn’t disintegrate, Jia Ren slightly lowered their altitude, reducing the intensity of the Gang Winds.

From an altitude of nearly ten thousand zhang, the Great Wilderness Market appeared as a mere speck below.

At such an altitude, we should be out of the Black Blood Bizarre’s range of influence...

Their next challenge was to escape the Great Wilderness before the Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boat disintegrated.

Jia Ren took out a map of the Great Wilderness and, locating the Jade Cauldron Market, changed direction.

He carefully maneuvered one Flowing Fire Flying Box to the stern. Instantly, its power surged, and the Flying Boat, trailing a fiery plume, shot eastward.

The other nine Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boats also powered up, parting ways and heading in different directions.

One by one, the Flying Boats grew more distant, accelerating their escape.

"AH! My eye!"

Suddenly, a scream pierced the air from a distant Flying Boat. A Cultivator, having used a Pupil Skill to peer downwards, had apparently seen something forbidden. His eyeballs burst, and black blood streamed endlessly from the empty sockets.

He shrieked madly, his cries deafening.

"None of you will escape!"

The voice was eerie, inhuman.

BOOM!

His body exploded, transforming into black blood that contaminated four other Cultivators.

"No!"

The other four occupants were still concentrating on piloting the Flying Boat, completely unprepared for the sudden catastrophe.

Within the cramped confines of the Flying Boat, there was no room to dodge, and their few remaining Evil Warding Talismans offered insufficient protection against the contamination.

The Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boat lost control, plummeting rapidly downward.

Could it be that they still hadn’t escaped the Black Blood Bizarre’s range of influence?