The Azure Quill-Spear struck Oshima's shoulder and arm with a chilling force. The ancient inscription instantly bled a swath of viscous, green venom, causing a paralyzing numbness to spread through Ye's body.

"The paralyzing venom of the Deep Sea Azure Demon Snake King's fangs!"

He was aghast. Daring not to press the fight, he forcefully channeled his magic to suppress the potent toxin, fleeing desperately toward Glazed Island, seeking refuge in his cave dwelling to escape the combined might of Island Master Wang and Ye Qing.

He had installed a defensive array around his residence on Great Glazed Island; if he could just enter it, he could buy himself enough time to force out the intensely paralytic serpent venom. Little Island Master Wang snorted coldly, retracting the Azure Quill-Spear artifact that had served him so well, but he didn't immediately pursue Island Master Zhao. Instead, he stabilized his form mid-air, his gaze sweeping over the fleeing Zhao, then settling upon Ye Qin's Golden Core Skeleton Demon.

Caught between pursuing Zhao and seizing the Golden Core Skeleton Demon, he seemed to hesitate for a moment, weighing which course of action was preferable.

If he could take advantage of the situation to kill Island Master Zhao in one blow, that would, of course, be the best outcome; then he would be the sole master of both Great and Lesser Glazed Islands, and all the benefits would be his. However, capturing the Golden Core Skeleton Demon would undeniably provide an enormous boost to his own strength. With the Golden Core Skeleton Demon secured, he would have a greater chance of killing the wounded Island Master Zhao.

When Ye Qin saw Island Master Wang pause instead of chasing Zhao, fixing his gaze on the Golden Core Skeleton Demon, his heart plummeted, and he inwardly cursed the situation.

Zhao had only just been forced to flee by their combined efforts, and now Little Island Master Wang was growing greedy, eyeing his Golden Core Skeleton Demon. The corpse fluid of this Golden Core Skeleton Demon could corrode even the Nascent Soul artifacts of Golden Core cultivators. It was a potent weapon in cultivator combat; it was no wonder Island Master Wang had turned hostile.

Furthermore, while Island Master Zhao and Island Master Wang were occupied countering each other, his own position hadn't been overly precarious. Now that Zhao was wounded and gone, leaving only him and Island Master Wang, a Golden Core cultivator, at Barren Fan Reef, his situation was far more dangerous than moments before.

"Island Master Wang, Island Master Zhao is gravely wounded now; this is the perfect opportunity to take him down. I am willing to lend my strength to help you pursue him to Glazed Island and secure Island Master Zhao in one fell swoop. What do you think of this proposal, Island Master?"

Before Island Master Wang could finalize his decision, Ye Qin quickly urged him on.

"Hmph, I'll take your Golden Core Skeleton Demon first; chasing that Zhao fellow afterward won't be too late. Will you hand over the demon yourself, or must I kill you to claim it? I advise you to be sensible. Hand it over voluntarily, and I might spare your life, considering your decade of diligent alchemy."

Island Master Wang stared arrogantly toward the heavens, chuckling darkly.

"It is certainly easy for Island Master Wang to kill me and seize the Golden Core Skeleton Demon. However, I will exact an equally painful price from you for my demise! My death is a minor matter. It is a pity that Island Master Wang has missed the heaven-sent opportunity to kill Island Master Zhao and rule Glazed Island alone. Ruling Glazed Island alone is worth far more than obtaining a mere skeleton demon."

Ye Qin's expression also turned cold. He stood proudly on Barren Fan Reef, bearing the immense spiritual pressure emanating from Island Master Wang. He gripped his Nascent Soul artifact in one hand and rested the other on his storage pouch, fully prepared for an all-out battle.

The Golden Core Skeleton Demon also glared fiercely at Island Master Wang, eager for a fight.

Island Master Wang fixed his gaze on Ye Qin and remained silent for a moment.

Ye Qin’s confidence was startling; he didn't seem afraid of an attack. Could he possess some incredible hidden technique? Still, Ye Qin’s performance so far had already been unexpectedly impressive; it wouldn't be strange if he still held back some trump cards.

Even without other techniques, taking down Ye Qin quickly with just the Golden Core Skeleton Demon and three Nascent Soul artifacts would not be an easy task. It would take more than a moment to resolve the situation with Ye Qin. If Zhao returned to his cave on Great Glazed Island, he could activate the protective array and expel the Deep Sea Azure Snake venom in just a few breaths. By then, killing Zhao would be significantly harder.

Between the two objectives, eliminating Zhao took precedence.

Island Master Wang pondered for a moment, made his choice, snorted, and laughed heartily, "Very well, you have guts, boy. I won't rob you of what you value! Accompany me now to kill Zhao. When it's done, I'll give you half of Lesser Glazed Island. Let's go!"

With that, Island Master Wang abandoned the idea of seizing Ye Qin's Golden Core Skeleton Demon and gestured toward Great Glazed Island, inviting Ye Qin to join him there to fight Zhao.

"If you refuse to come with me, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Under Island Master Wang's intense scrutiny, Ye Qin reluctantly brought the Skeleton Demon along, transforming into a streak of light on his sword, flying toward Great Glazed Island.

Island Master Wang closely followed, speeding toward Glazed Island.

By this time, the ominous clouds that had formed the minor heavenly tribulation had long since dispersed, leaving the sea surface clear under the bright sun.

In the direction of Glazed Island, a large group of over a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators, clad in blue and green robes, flew fearfully toward Barren Fan Reef to ascertain the situation. They had all witnessed the fierce aerial battle between Island Master Zhao and Island Master Wang over the reef. These Foundation Establishment cultivators belonged to the two Island Masters, forming two distinct factions that usually held mutual disdain. Now that their leaders were fighting desperately, how could their subordinates stand idly by?

"Kill!"

"Island Master Zhao was wounded by the Little Island Master! Brothers, avenge the Great Island Master!"

"Brothers, no longer suffer the arrogance of the Great Island cultivators! Kill all these cultivators from the Great Island!"

The entirety of Glazed Island descended into chaotic melee. The two factions of cultivators, who had hitherto maintained peace, began a frenzied bloodbath. Even ordinary cultivators unaffiliated with either faction were caught up in the turmoil.

Under Island Master Wang's watch, Ye Qin was forced to fly toward the Great Island, feeling helpless but secretly anxious, desperately seeking a contingency plan.

As long as the two Island Masters were locked in conflict, he retained some value and had miraculously preserved his life. But once a victor emerged, he would certainly be finished. Neither Island Master would ever tolerate a Foundation Establishment cultivator possessing a Golden Core Skeleton Demon remaining on the island. Moreover, neither would ever let him leave with the Golden Core Skeleton Demon; they would certainly move against him. On this point, there was no difference between Island Master Zhao and Little Island Master Wang.

Trapped between a tiger in front and wolves behind, Ye Qin felt utter despair.

Great Glazed Island, Main Peak.

A sealed cave dwelling atop the summit. A brilliant golden radiance shimmered around the entrance, clearly protected by a powerful array. A group of twenty to thirty Foundation Establishment cultivators in blue robes stood guard before the entrance, their eyes bloodshot, holding their artifacts, desperately resisting the fierce assault of another group of forty to fifty cultivators in green robes.

In just a short while, the blue-robed cultivators, lacking a central anchor, were being slaughtered and rapidly collapsed, forced to retreat and make their last stand outside this cave dwelling. It seemed they could not hold out much longer. Ye Qin watched all this silently.

Though the cultivators below fought fiercely, he remained detached. The faster the blue-robed cultivators lost, the colder his heart grew. He desperately wished to escape Glazed Island on his sword and fly as far away as possible.

However, Ye Qin glanced at Island Master Wang, standing not far away, and dared not make any rash moves. No matter how great his ability, he could not outpace this Island Master Wang. He dared not truly enrage him. If Island Master Wang were to furiously pursue him without regard for anything else, he would surely perish on Glazed Island today.

Ye Qin’s expression remained calm as he patiently waited for an opportunity. As long as Island Master Zhao was not dead, he still had a chance to slip away.

Island Master Wang held a formidable Azure Quill-Spear, several feet long, watching the battle with cold eyes. His slender frame stood proudly. Suddenly, he let out a loud, sharp cry, "Island Master Zhao, come out and meet your end! If you don't appear now, all your disciples and grandchildren will be wiped out. Then, as a lonely man, life will hold no meaning. Why not come out now and die!"

As the shout faded, with a loud "Boom!", the cave entrance burst open. Island Master Zhao, slightly plump, emerged striding out, wielding a massive Yellow Moon Profound Blade. Having taken the brief respite inside the cave to purge the poison, the wound on his shoulder had completely healed, and no trace of the green venom remained, indicating the paralyzing toxin of the Azure Demon Snake King's fang had been driven out.

As Great Island Master Zhao appeared, a surge of powerful spiritual pressure enveloped the cave entrance. The blue-robed cultivators immediately breathed a sigh of relief, their morale soaring. Conversely, the green-robed cultivators were forced back by this pressure, retreating several steps.

"Island Master Wang, you are too arrogant! Do you think by teaming up, the two of you can drive my Zhao family off Glazed Island? Today, even if I deplete my true essence, I will slay you both here!"

Great Island Master Zhao narrowed his eyes, glaring at Little Island Master Wang and Ye Qin, his gaze flashing with fierce light.

"Who said I'm teaming up with Island Master Jiang?"

Ye Qin, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up to deny it.

"What? Aren't you allied with Island Master Wang?"

Great Island Master Zhao was momentarily stunned.

"Previously, Island Master Wang and I joined forces only because you sought to take my Golden Core Skeleton Demon. As long as you do not covet my demon, I naturally will not oppose the Great Island Master; I could even cooperate with him."

Ye Qin stated calmly.

Great Island Master Zhao suddenly understood. He immediately drew a blood line across his right index finger with the tip of his blade, drew a spell talisman in the air, and shouted toward Ye Qin, "Nephew Ye, I swear by the Blood Curse that if you defect to my side and help me kill Island Master Wang, I will take you as a personal disciple, fully assist you in reaching the Golden Core realm and passing your minor heavenly tribulation. From this day forward, whatever I possess, you shall possess. This Lesser Glazed Island will also be yours. How about it?" To swear by the Blood Curse—if violated, one's blood essence would flow backward—was considered an extremely severe oath in the cultivation world, demonstrating Zhao's absolute sincerity.

"Good!"

Ye Qin agreed in a deep voice. All he wanted now was to leave Glazed Island as quickly as possible. However, before that, he absolutely had to sow discord between Great Island Master Zhao and Little Island Master Wang, making them fight, so he could find an opening to escape.

"How dare you! I will kill you!"

Island Master Wang, however, was enraged upon hearing this. He had not anticipated Ye Qin suddenly switching allegiance to Zhao, nor had he expected Zhao to go to such lengths to win Ye Qin over. If Ye Qin were successfully recruited, the combined strength of Zhao and Ye Qin would place him in an extremely perilous situation.

In his furious rage, Island Master Wang thrust his Azure Quill-Spear wildly toward Ye Qin.

Ye Qin immediately flashed away to evade, simultaneously flinging out three Nascent Soul artifacts to block the Azure Quill-Spear.

Island Master Zhao laughed heartily, waved his hand, and the Yellow Moon Profound Blade transformed into an unparalleled streak of yellow light, sweeping out fiercely to entangle the Azure Quill-Spear, preventing Ye Qin from being overwhelmed.

The delighted Island Master Zhao and the furious Island Master Wang clashed once more. The surrounding groups of twenty to thirty blue-robed cultivators and forty to fifty green-robed cultivators all hurled their artifacts, engaging in mutual attack.

"Gentlemen, you fight on. I regret I cannot stay to entertain you!"

Seeing the two Island Masters locked in battle, Ye Qin knew the opportunity was fleeting. He promptly cast out a cloud of Obscuring Mist and prepared to fly away from the chaotic Glazed Island.

"Stop him! Don't let him escape!"

Island Master Wang felt utterly tricked, screaming in fury and shame at the assembled green-robed cultivators.

"Yes, Island Master!"

Immediately, ten low- to mid-level Foundation Establishment cultivators in green robes controlled various artifacts and moved to encircle and attack Ye Qin.

Ye Qin glanced at the surrounding green-robed cultivators, snorted coldly, waved his hand, and simultaneously unleashed his three Nascent Soul artifacts, which erupted in dazzling light, shredding toward the surrounding green-robed cultivators.

"Crack!"

"Crack!"

The power of the three Nascent Soul artifacts was not something common artifacts could withstand. When they collided with the dozen or so lower-grade artifacts, the lower-grade artifacts instantly shattered one after another with loud crackling sounds. The Golden Core Skeleton Demon spat out a stream of thick, murky corpse fluid; two Foundation Establishment cultivators who couldn't dodge in time perished instantly.

The dozen or so green-robed cultivators gasped in horror and retreated several dozen feet, staring fearfully at Ye Qin. It was no wonder both Island Masters were vying to recruit this individual. The strength of this ninth-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator was utterly beyond what they, as low-level Foundation Establishment cultivators, could contend with.

With no one to stop him, Ye Qin mounted the Obscuring Mist, taking the Golden Core Skeleton Demon with him, soaring into the sky and vanishing above the heavens of Glazed Island.