"Pang, Zhu, and the other cultivators hovered above the vast, empty sea, suspended on their magical artifacts." Although this individual managed to severely injure a peak Golden Core, eighth-rank cultivator with a single strike by relying on a mysterious cloaking artifact and a sneak attack, achieving this much already put him beyond the reach of ordinary Golden Core cultivators. His true strength was indeed formidable, no less than that of the three of us! This person hides his power and is deeply calculating; he is certainly not the type to be content being used by us as cannon fodder in the Desolate Spirit Ruins.

"There is another crucial point. These two seemed not to exert their full strength at all when dealing with that eighth-rank cultivator, Shi. They handled it with ease. Especially Cultivator Ye; I didn't even clearly see what artifact he used to injure Cultivator Cao just now." "That Cao said he was an Elder of the Purple Sword Palace. I didn't believe it at first. Now it seems to be true. Otherwise, he wouldn't be this formidable."

"What a pity. I did not anticipate this sudden change earlier. If I had known that Junior Cultivator Cao would be so seriously wounded, I should have intervened to intercept Grand Cultivator Cao. Perhaps we would have had a chance to wipe out Cao’s entire group of treasure-hunting cultivators while they were down one eighth-rank Golden Core. Missing this fleeting opportunity, it will be difficult to kill the Cao faction next time," Cultivator Pang lamented.

"I also didn't foresee this outcome. Grand Cultivator Cao reacted extremely quickly, swept up the heavily wounded Junior Cultivator Cao, and fled. They are long gone now; it's too late to say anything."

"Regardless, we must be much more cautious when heading to the Desolate Spirit Ancient Ruins and guard against retaliation from Grand Cultivator Cao. Also, the Ye faction—their strength is unfathomable, and they should not be easily offended. It seems the only suitable candidates for cannon fodder are the Wang uncle and nephew. Their strength is weaker, making them perfectly exploitable."

Cultivators Pang, Zhu, and Yang, three late-stage Golden Core cultivators, exchanged swift glances, their expressions complex as they communicated their thoughts via divine sense.

"Fellow Daoists, please hurry and help my uncle! That poison stinger has already entered his bloodline and is flowing backward—!"

The middle-aged Cultivator Wang cried out in anguish. In his arms, a sinister black cold aura was rapidly spreading across the chest of the elder, consuming his magical power entirely. His pulse and breath grew increasingly faint.

The middle-aged cultivator used his magical power to shield the vital heart meridian of Elder Wang, preventing the black aura from invading quickly. He frantically retrieved various bottles of spirit elixirs for detoxifying and dispelling poison from his storage bag and fed them to Elder Wang, hoping to drive out the black energy, but to no avail. He could only turn to the others for help.

"Let me take a look!"

Cultivator Pang glanced over, flew to the side of the Wang uncle and nephew, tore open the magical robe on Elder Wang's chest, and examined the wound. With seasoned eyes, he placed a palm three inches below the wound. A surge of potent magical power phut ejected a five-inch-long, black, barbed needle, trailing a plume of foul, inky blood. "It is indeed a Nether Sea Demon Scorpion Sting! Judging by the length, it should be the tail stinger of an eighth-rank Demon Scorpion!!"

Cultivator Pang protected his palm with magical power and snatched the black stinger. His expression darkened further. He shook his head, "This poison stinger contains both Water and Wood dual-elemental toxins, refined using an unorthodox method. It can penetrate the protective spiritual shield and is incredibly potent, enough to kill a late-stage Golden Core cultivator. The chance of saving your uncle is extremely slim!"

Ye Qin retrieved the Sky Unity Gloomy Water Sword and, with a shimmer, appeared before the Wang uncle and nephew. Seeing the intense, chilling black aura covering Elder Wang’s face, his spirit utterly dejected, almost devoid of life force.

"Brother Pang Qian, is this Demon Scorpion Poison so difficult to expel?"

Ye Qin’s expression was somewhat serious as he inquired.

"It's not just how potent the scorpion stinger is, but the lack of a spirit medicine specifically capable of counteracting this poison. You must understand, the Sea of Blood is vast, and countless sea beasts lurk in the deep. There are tens of thousands of exotic poisons, each different, requiring a specially formulated spirit elixir to restrain. However, we cannot carry spirit elixirs to counteract every exotic poison on our person. I only carry the most common dozens of poison-dispelling elixirs, not one that counters the Nether Sea Demon Scorpion Sting."

Saying this, Cultivator Pang shook his head with evident difficulty, "Of course, there are rare, supreme spirit elixirs that can counter numerous exotic poisons simultaneously. But every single one is astronomically expensive, not easily obtained. 'A scorpion stinger with Water and Wood dual-elemental toxins!?'" Huangfu Bing'er frowned slightly.

If they were in the Eastern Sea Isles, she might be able to find a way to refine an elixir to expel this poison. But here, in the deserted and desolate Sea of Blood, she was utterly helpless.

"Decades ago, someone refined and sold a spirit elixir at the Gu Ban Stronghold. I recall it was the Fire Phosphorus Golden Elixir. This Fire and Metal-attributed elixir can counteract the poison of the Nether Sea Demon Scorpion Sting."

The quiet Cultivator Zhu suddenly interjected. His memory was surprisingly sharp; he clearly recalled a scene he happened upon during a casual chat with some alchemists at the Gu Ship Stronghold decades ago.

"Fire Phosphorus Golden Elixir? Is this spirit elixir still being sold at the Gu Ship Stronghold? I will rush back immediately to save my uncle's life."

The middle-aged Cultivator Wang was overjoyed. Clutching Elder Wang, he prepared to fly toward the Gu Ship Stronghold.

"It's useless. Too few cultivators needed this elixir, so almost no one bought it. Sales were poor, and later, no one ever refined it to sell again..." Many spirit elixirs are like this, appearing briefly before vanishing forever. Going back to the Gu Ship Stronghold would be a wasted effort."

Cultivator Zhu stopped the middle-aged Cultivator Wang with a sharp shout, shaking his head expressionlessly, "Unless you directly purchase that rare, supreme spirit elixir capable of expelling all poisons. However, that elixir costs hundreds of thousands of spirit stones; don't even think about it unless you have them. Do you have enough spirit stones?"

"Of course, there is a way to save spirit stones: return to the Eastern Sea Isles and ask a Pill Refining Grandmaster to specifically refine the 'Fire Phosphorus Golden Elixir.' Although this is an eighth-rank elixir, its raw materials are cheap, and its selling price isn't high, only one or two thousand spirit stones per pill. But, given your uncle's condition, he can only hold on for another day or two at most. Can he last until the Fire Phosphorus Golden Elixir is refined? Even if your uncle can hold on a few more days, can you definitely find a Pill Refining Grandmaster to concoct this medicine?" Hearing this, the middle-aged Cultivator Wang was struck as if by lightning, his face turning ashen.

Although he and his uncle were Golden Core cultivators, they were financially strained. All the spirit stones they possessed were used for cultivation and supporting their family. They hadn't even refined ordinary Nascent Soul artifacts; how could they possibly have a large sum of spirit stones to buy that supreme poison-dispelling elixir? For a moment, he was at a loss, his eyes vacant, as if his soul had departed. There were many solutions, but not a single one was feasible.

He had followed his uncle in cultivation for one or two hundred years, their relationship akin to father and son; all the hardships they endured seemed to flash before his eyes now... "If he is left alone, it would be cleaner to just die."

The other Golden Core cultivators present, despite having shallow relations with the Wang uncle and nephew, felt a pang of grief at this turn of events, standing silently by, suspended on their swords. They could afford hundreds of thousands of spirit stones. But why should they part with such a large sum?

Countless cultivators perished daily in the Eastern Sea cultivation world; they couldn't possibly help every single one. The Wang uncle and nephew were just one more casualty among the fallen. Helping one after another meant they might as well stop cultivating themselves.

Cultivator Pang's expression was also somewhat troubled. Although he viewed the Wang uncle and nephew as mere cannon fodder, it was a pity for them to die unexpectedly midway.

When Ye Qin heard Cultivator Zhu mention the Fire Phosphorus Golden Elixir, a thought stirred in his mind: "Daoist Friend Zhu, do you happen to know the formula for this spirit elixir?"

"The main ingredient for this pill is 'Fire Phosphorus Serpent Gallbladder Grass'—this grass has scorched yellow leaves, and its flower stamens twist like tiny red snakes. And also 'Golden Silk Rong Grass'—this grass has golden-yellow roots covered in fine fuzz. Plus over ten auxiliary ingredients..." Cultivator Zhu stated the formula expressionlessly, as if reciting it by rote.

Then, he looked at Ye Qin somewhat curiously. "I happened to overhear the formula during a casual chat among some alchemists at the Gu Ship Stronghold decades ago and remembered it. Why do you need this formula?"

"Nothing, just asking," Ye Qin shook his head. After a moment of thought, he turned to Cultivator Pang and said, "Brother Pang, let's find an island to rest for a while first, and use our magical power to help Daoist Friend Wang detoxify. In any case, let's do what we can!"

"Alright, I know of an island ahead—safe and hidden. Everyone, rest there first. We'll see if we can save Daoist Friend Wang before making further plans. Without the spirit elixir, we can only forcefully expel the poison using magical power! Forceful detoxification is one of the most effective methods; perhaps it will have an effect," Cultivator Pang, as the team leader, seeing the varied expressions of the group who had no desire to travel further, reluctantly agreed.

Cultivators Zhu and Yang had expended considerable magical power during the fierce previous fight and were eager to find a place to recover, so they naturally concurred. The group of Golden Core cultivators, led by Cultivator Pang, rapidly flew deeper into the forbidden zone.

On the sea surface.

"What a pity!"

Du Ran and several other Golden Core cultivators from the Upper Tang Palace had been tracking Cao's faction all along, watching the battle from afar until Cao's group fought Pang's faction.

Seeing Cao's faction suddenly retreat, they were filled with immense regret.

"What useless trash, retreating so quickly! They claimed to be the foremost treasure-hunting cultivators of the Gu Ship Stronghold."

Du Ran's face was grim. He had already witnessed Ye Qin's combat prowess, so he wasn't surprised by that. He just hadn't expected his dual cultivation partner to be so formidable, fully deserving the title of a late-stage Golden Core cultivator.

"Senior Brother Du Ran, do you think we should follow that Cao fellow, or directly follow Elder Ye of the Purple Sword Palace and look for an opportunity to launch a sneak attack?"

After a brief deliberation, Du Ran called his group together, "Let's go! Follow that Cao fellow. Both sides sustained minor losses in strength, and after this setback, they won't easily give up. We still have a chance!"

"Yes!"

After flying several thousand miles, they spotted a solitary, small, desolate island ahead. Cultivators Pang and the others retracted their magical artifacts and landed. They found a hidden spot on a secluded peak, manipulated their flying swords, and carved out a large stone chamber to rest temporarily.

Cultivator Zhu silently laid down an array of restrictions around the small island to prevent any covert infiltration and sneak attacks. Cultivators Pang and Yang sat cross-legged inside the stone chamber, recovering the magical power depleted during the combat.

The middle-aged Cultivator Wang was exerting all his effort, using his magical power to expel the poison from Elder Wang. However, with his mid-stage Golden Core cultivation, his magical power was only sufficient to delay the spread of the black poison.

All the cultivators knew that the elder would eventually succumb to the poison within three to five days. Ye Qin said nothing further, carving out a separate stone chamber for himself. Huangfu Bing'er was also cultivating there temporarily.

Several hours later, Ye Qin emerged from his stone chamber, a faint smile on his face. In his hand, he held a small jade vial emitting a slightly pungent medicinal aroma. "Daoist Friend Wang, this spirit elixir is for you!" Ye Qin beckoned, and a dark-red spirit elixir flew out from the vial.

"This is—?" Cultivator Pang opened his eyes, seeing the dark-red spirit elixir in Ye Qin's hand, and could not help but be astonished.

"It's a detoxifying elixir I carry with me!" Ye Qin said calmly. "Let's try the effect."

Cultivator Pang didn't overthink it and shouted, "Brother Wang, hurry and have your uncle take it and test it! If it’s any later, the poison will reach the heart meridian, and even a spirit medicine will be useless!!"

The middle-aged Cultivator Wang, who had fallen into despair, looked up, a spark of hope igniting in his eyes. Elder Wang had been afflicted by the Nether Sea Demon Scorpion Poison sting for several hours. If not for his forceful detoxification efforts, he would likely have perished already. Ye Qin flicked his finger, and the Fire Phosphorus Golden Elixir landed in Elder Wang's mouth. As soon as the elixir entered the elder's mouth, it immediately transformed into a surge of spiritual energy that circulated throughout his body.

Elder Wang groaned deeply, and a moment later, he vomited a large mouthful of black, foul blood. The blackness on his face receded slightly, indicating that the spirit medicine was taking effect.

The middle-aged Cultivator Wang was overcome with joy upon seeing his uncle vomit the tainted blood. "Thank you, Daoist Brother Ye, for saving him with your spirit elixir! If you can save my uncle, I will surely repay Daoist Brother Ye in the future..."

This time, his address of "Daoist Brother" was genuinely sincere. Ye Qin had previously severely injured the junior cultivator Cao who attacked his uncle, and now he had saved his uncle with the antidote. The debt of gratitude his uncle and nephew owed Ye Qin was immeasurable.

"Focus on expelling the poison first. Although the poison has been suppressed by the elixir, it will likely take at least three more days of full effort to expel the toxins completely and preserve Daoist Friend Wang's cultivation level!"

Ye Qin waved his hand lightly, turned, and returned to his stone chamber.

This Fire Phosphorus Golden Elixir was one he had just refined.

Within the Wood Mansion in his Purple Mansion, he cultivated vast quantities of spirit medicinal herbs from seeds. These seeds had been collected by Shen Bao over several decades from White Float City, numbering over ten thousand different varieties.

It could be said that the spirit medicinal herbs in his Purple Mansion now included almost all the seed varieties available on the market in White Float City, stored for future use. As long as he had spirit stones, he could continuously grow spirit medicines.

The two main ingredients for refining the 'Fire Phosphorus Golden Elixir'—the Fire Phosphorus Serpent Gallbladder Grass and the Golden Silk Rong Grass—along with the other dozen or so auxiliary medicines, were eighth-rank spirit medicines but not particularly rare ones. His Purple Mansion happened to contain the seeds for these spiritual herbs. However, before refining the elixir, Ye Qin dared not make any rash promises.

In the stone chamber, he spent several hours until he had refined a small furnace batch of the spirit elixir. He then took them out. While Ye Qin's action was partly motivated by compassion, a larger reason was to be prepared. He gave one to Elder Wang to test its effect. He kept the remaining nine as spares.

Ye Qin had a strong premonition that the Cao brothers were inherently fierce, and he had nearly taken half the life from Junior Cultivator Cao. They would not give up so easily.

There was a high probability they would encounter Cao's faction again on their way to the Desolate Spirit Ancient Ruins. This elixir would serve as a defense against another sneak attack using the Nether Sea Demon Scorpion Sting.

He always believed that the more leverage one possessed, the stronger one's overall strength and the higher the chance of victory. Spending a few hours refining a furnace of eighth-rank Fire Phosphorus Golden Elixirs was entirely worthwhile.

"Although the poison Daoist Friend Wang suffered has been suppressed, he won't recover quickly. He must detoxify with focus. Forcing travel now would be improper. We should rest on this island for a few days until Daoist Friend Wang has completely expelled the scorpion venom before traveling is not too late. What do you think, Brother Pang?" Ye Qin said calmly.

"Agreed!"

Cultivator Pang glanced at Ye Qin and agreed quite readily.

He had no choice but to agree. The Wang uncle and nephew clearly would not leave this island now. And Ye Qin and his wife showed no intention of leaving either. They could only wait a few days.

Cultivator Zhu's expressionless gaze followed Ye Qin, who was returning to his stone chamber. He pondered deeply, his sense of caution deepening even further. To refine a batch of 'Fire Phosphorus Golden Elixir' in just a few hours... there were two possibilities.

One possibility was that this Ye cultivator was a hunter of Nether Sea Demon Scorpions, preparing in advance for potential poisoning. But observing him, Ye Qin clearly seemed to be seeing the Nether Sea Scorpion Sting for the first time. Moreover, there were no Nether Sea Demon Scorpions near the Gu Ship Stronghold, so this possibility could be ruled out.

The other possibility was that this person was an extremely rare Pill Refining Grandmaster in the Eastern Sea cultivation world. Only a Pill Refining Grandmaster could easily refine an eighth-rank spirit elixir in such a short time.

However, if he were truly a Pill Refining Grandmaster cultivated with the utmost care by the Immortal Palace, why would they allow him to risk his life alone in the treacherous and unpredictable Sea of Blood? "Purple Sword Palace Elder, cloaking artifact, Pill Refining Grandmaster..." This person's true identity was unknown. This thought flashed through Cultivator Zhu's mind before he secretly shook his head.

Ye Qin arrived beside Huangfu Bing'er, who was sitting cross-legged in meditation, and took out the Lotus Canon he had acquired from the Saint Emperor.

Ye Qin and Huangfu Bing'er were not in a rush for their experience; these three to five days were perfectly sufficient for cultivation without delaying their progress.

The Lotus Canon was a top-tier cultivation secret text, passed down from ancient times, integrating artifact refining and immortal cultivation. Its entire content was recorded within this crystal lotus seed, which radiated a soft glow surrounded by countless mysterious characters.

However, this top-tier canonical text had extremely high cultivation prerequisites. Firstly, it required the cultivator to have late-stage Golden Core cultivation. Secondly, it needed a complete set of Lotus-elemental Nascent Soul artifacts to unleash its full power. Ye Qin's Purple Mansion possessed a tenth-grade Dark Nether Lotus, which was perfect for refining a set of supreme Nascent Soul artifacts.

He had already gathered the Great Five Elements Sword Formation artifacts, which were sufficient for his Nascent Soul equipment. Only the legendary Minor Three Marvels Sword Formation would bring a substantial change to his combat strength, and he wouldn't waste precious Nascent Soul essence on that for now.

Therefore, this Lotus Canon was specifically acquired for Bing'er. Since Bing'er's current cultivation had not yet met the requirement, he was keeping it for her and preparing the necessary conditions for her future cultivation.