To the west of Glazed Island's sea, a vast, inky cloud mass grew darker and darker, forming a terrifying vortex spanning over ten li centered around the Bāshàn Reef. Occasionally, flashes of lightning and thunder ripped through the churning clouds, like black serpents dancing wildly.

Even the two Island Masters, floating just outside this dark expanse, ceased their pointless bickering, holding their breath as they watched the spectacle unfold. Having personally experienced a minor heavenly tribulation for cultivators, they understood the perilous nature of such an event; a single misstep could lead to utter annihilation. Whether the Skeleton Demon could overcome this trial through its own power remained highly uncertain.

The Corrosive Bone Crocodile on Bāshàn Reef, sensing its tribulation was imminent, grew increasingly restless and agitated.

It perceived the rapidly approaching danger and desperately spewed forth thick plumes of dense, black mist. Every bit of qi trapped within its skeletal structure was forced out, rising dozens of zhang above its head, condensing into a thick shield several zhang wide. It was precisely enough to entirely conceal its body.

A hint of surprise flickered in the eyes of both Island Masters. The shield of corpse qi resembled a defensive artifact; how could this Skeleton Demon possibly possess such a protective art?

Suddenly, a streak of lightning split from the black clouds with a sharp kacha, striking down towards Bāshàn Reef below. The brilliance of this dark thunder instantly illuminated the sea around Bāshàn Reef, making everything appear starkly pale.

The dark thunderbolt descending from the heavens slammed into the black shield. The sheer destructive power of that dark thunder was astonishing.

With a deafening boom!, the thick corpse qi shield was blasted into fragments inches long, completely shattering and exposing the Skeleton Demon within.

Kacha!

Immediately following, another bolt of dark thunder descended from the sky, hurling itself toward the exposed Corrosive Bone Crocodile.

The Corrosive Bone Crocodile seemed to sense its impending doom. In utter desperation, it opened its massive maw and spat out a large, gleaming black Demon Core, launching it toward the sky. This Demon Core, already at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, unleashed a black pillar of light with all its might, colliding head-on with the dark thunder crashing down from above.

Boom!

That black pillar of light actually managed to block the second bolt of dark thunder.

However, after emitting the light beam, the Demon Core rapidly lost its luster and could no longer hold. The Skeleton Demon quickly retracted the listless Demon Core and gazed at the ominous clouds above with terror. The heavenly tribulation was far from over; the dense black clouds showed no sign of dissipating.

Kacha!

The third bolt of dark thunder descended once more, splitting towards the Skeleton Demon on Bāshàn Reef.

Island Master Zhao’s expression shifted slightly.

In the cultivation world, demonic beasts were unlike cultivators; they could not forge magical artifacts to counter heavenly tribulations. They had to rely entirely on their innate strength to fight against the trial. Very few demonic beasts could survive a heavenly tribulation with just a single successful strike.

It appeared this Skeleton Demon had no other means to defend against the dark thunder; the rest was up to fate.

If he were to intervene and use his own spells to help it withstand the tribulation, he could certainly save the Skeleton Demon. However, Island Master Wang was watching closely nearby, poised to strike and seize the creature. This presented a major complication.

Island Master Zhao hesitated on whether to act.

During his moment of indecision, that strike of dark thunder blasted the Skeleton Demon until its bones cracked, burying it amidst the chaotic debris of the reef rocks. If he didn't act immediately, this Skeleton Demon would be completely destroyed by the minor heavenly tribulation, and this natural treasure would be wasted for nothing.

Island Master Zhao no longer hesitated. With a flick of his sleeve, a cascade of rosy light, dozens of zhang wide, swept out to cover the sky above Bāshàn Reef.

Island Master Wang watched with a cold gaze, standing by idly.

A minor heavenly tribulation in the cultivation world usually unleashed five bolts of dark thunder. This was only the third.

Island Master Zhao was using his own magical artifact to block the dark thunder, helping the Skeleton Demon survive the minor tribulation.

Indeed, the next two bolts of tribulation thunder struck that expanse of rosy light. The light shattered, revealing a large hole, growing dim and lusterless. It quickly shrank back into Island Master Zhao's hand, reverting to its original form: a spiritual artifact in the shape of a colored silk handkerchief (cǎipà yuánshén fǎqì).

After the fifth bolt of dark thunder descended, the thick clouds in the sky began to dissipate.

The Corrosive Bone Crocodile crawled out from beneath the rubble, shaking its head. It spat out its Demon Core again and began ravenously absorbing the scattered black corpse qi across several li that had been dispersed by the dark thunder. This dull-looking Demon Core had clearly swollen several times its previous size. It frantically sucked in the corpse qi, transforming into a dazzling, brilliant black sphere that swelled visibly.

Although it remained incredibly weak, the aura it emitted was now no different from that of a Golden Core demonic beast.

The Skeleton Demon had broken through, becoming a Golden Core Skeleton Demon.

Its skeletal bones, previously shrouded in black mist and corpse qi, had all turned silvery-white and crystalline. The cracks inflicted by the first strike of dark thunder were rapidly mending, making the bones even harder than before.

Island Master Zhao retrieved the colored silk handkerchief artifact, his face contorting in pain as he saw the scorched hole in it. This spiritual artifact had been nurtured with his own vital qi for nearly a century, possessing immense defensive power. Today, it was ruined while saving the Skeleton Demon.

Just as Island Master Zhao was lamenting his loss, the ever-watchful Island Master Wang flashed his figure and charged straight toward Bāshàn Reef, intending to subdue the weakened Golden Core Skeleton Demon immediately after its breakthrough.

"How dare you!"

Island Master Zhao roared in fury. He had exerted himself to help the Skeleton Demon withstand the minor tribulation, and now Island Master Wang intended to reap the benefits—such a thing would not stand. He immediately lunged forward.

"Wang, stop being obstinate. Hand this Skeleton Demon over to me, and I will reward you with ten bottles of Ghost Marrow Pills (guǐ suǐ dān). If you refuse, one of us will surely perish here today."

"Stop the nonsense. If this Golden Core Skeleton Demon falls into your hands, will there be any place left for me, Wang, on Glazed Island?"

Two streaks of brilliant light, like roaring thunder, clashed violently above Bāshàn Reef.

It was evident that Island Master Wang was on the losing end.

Ye Qin felt an agonizing headache.

His Skeleton Demon undergoing tribulation here unexpectedly had already put him in a difficult position.

To evade the minor heavenly tribulation, he had submerged himself in the sea near Bāshàn Reef, preparing the South Bright Fire Sword and the Golden Crow Sky-Breaking Sword—both spiritual artifacts—intending to assist the Skeleton Demon at the critical moment against the trial.

However, he hadn't expected both Island Masters to appear simultaneously.

What followed shocked him speechless: Island Master Zhao intervened, using his artifact to block two bolts of fierce thunder, allowing the Skeleton Demon to successfully pass the minor tribulation and become a Golden Core Skeleton Demon.

The two then immediately engaged in fierce combat above Bāshàn Reef to seize the creature. It seemed they would not rest until they had captured it.

Ye Qin remained hidden beneath the sea, suppressing his aura, watching the two Golden Core cultivators battling intensely in the sky. He felt a wave of trepidation, struggling to catch his breath.

Although he was already at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment, the gap between him and Golden Core cultivators remained vast; his strength was utterly insufficient to contend with either of the two Golden Core masters. Yet, he could not simply stand by and watch the Skeleton Demon, which he had painstakingly cultivated for over twenty years, be snatched away.

Island Master Zhao forced Island Master Wang back several hundred zhang, then immediately dove towards the Skeleton Demon, intending to capture it in his spirit beast pouch, bring it back to Great Glazed Island, and spend time taming it.

Ye Qin could endure no more. The Skeleton Demon was extremely weak just after its tribulation, massively absorbing the corpse qi surrounding the Bāshàn Reef rocks. Interrupting this process now would severely impact its recovery of vital energy.

A fist-sized black sphere suddenly shot out from the sea, blocking Island Master Zhao’s path.

Island Master Zhao abruptly stopped, hovering mid-air. He sensed the aura within the black sphere—it was the energy of the minor heavenly tribulation’s lightning. If this sphere detonated, its power would equal that of one dark thunder bolt.

"Who is hiding here? Come out!"

Island Master Zhao roared, sweeping his divine sense across the seabed.

Ye Qin knew evasion was impossible. He ceased hiding, grasping a Bursting Talisman (bàoliè fú), and rode his sword soaring out of the sea, cupping his hands with a faint smile. "Ye Qin, paying respects to both Island Masters!"

"Nephew Ye, why are you here?"

Island Master Zhao frowned upon seeing Ye Qin.

He then noticed that Ye Qin was already a ninth-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator and couldn't help but be surprised.

Ye Qin had deliberately remained secluded in his residence over the years, only sending low-level Qi Refining cultivation attendants to deliver spiritual pills to the two Island Masters, so they were unaware of the progress of Ye Qin’s cultivation.

To ascend from the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment to the ninth layer in just ten years was an extremely rare occurrence in the cultivation world. However, this could only further attest to the profound skill of Ye Qin’s alchemy; otherwise, how could his cultivation progress so rapidly?

"I rented the Bāshàn Reef from Han Zhengfeng and have been hunting sea beasts here. This Skeleton Demon is one I refined, and it was undergoing its tribulation here. I must also thank Island Master Zhao for his timely assistance in helping my Skeleton Demon successfully pass the minor tribulation and become a Golden Core Skeleton Demon." Ye Qin said with a slight smile.

"Nonsense, Nephew Ye, stop speaking without proof. This Skeleton Demon is an object without a master. I suggest you leave this place quickly to avoid being accidentally harmed." Island Master Zhao’s expression was unpredictable as he spoke coldly. Out of respect for Ye Qin's alchemy skills, he did not wish to kill him. But he was determined to have this Skeleton Demon; no obstruction would be tolerated.

Ye Qin remained silent for a moment, then suddenly addressed the nearby Island Master Wang, "Island Master Wang, it seems Island Master Zhao has taken a liking to my Skeleton Demon. I have always heard that Island Master Wang handles matters justly and is revered by the cultivators of Glazed Island. I ask Island Master Wang to uphold justice!"

Island Master Wang, who had been following behind, instantly understood the situation and burst into laughter.

"Hahaha, so it is Nephew Ye cultivating here. This Skeleton Demon must belong to you as well. Island Master Zhao is a senior; how could he seize the treasure of a junior? Nephew Ye need not worry, with me, Wang, here, he cannot harm you!"

He took Island Master Wang’s side with virtually no hesitation. He clearly understood that although Ye Qin’s cultivation was somewhat lower, his ability to control this Golden Core Skeleton Demon meant a level of strength incomparable to ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators. Alone, he could not overcome Island Master Zhao and seize the Skeleton Demon. But if he could prevent Island Master Zhao from succeeding and successfully court the allegiance of Ye Qin, then their combined forces might be able to suppress Island Master Zhao. From this day forward, the two Island Masters holding equal footing—this scenario was perfect for him.

"Thank you, Island Master Wang, for your righteous words!" Ye Qin smiled faintly, turning to fix his gaze on Island Master Zhao.

Indeed, he could not contend with Island Master Zhao, a Golden Core cultivator. But he shouldn't forget that there was also Island Master Wang, who was strategically opposing Island Master Zhao. Island Master Wang certainly did not wish to see Island Master Zhao become so powerful as to be beyond restraint. With Island Master Wang providing a check, it would not be so easy for Island Master Zhao to snatch away his Golden Core Skeleton Demon.