Du Ran and two other Golden Core cultivators from the Shang Tang Palace leaped up from the ruined camp's high ground, transforming into three streaks of gray light that shot down toward the battlefield below, pouncing on the Corrupted Wolves.

The short distance of one or two li was nothing for the explosive speed of Golden Core cultivators; they could cover it in the span of a single breath.

"Vermilion Gold Dharma Sword! Die, foul beast!"

Du Ran, moving the fastest, flung out a Primordial Spirit Dharma Sword ahead of the others.

This sword instantly expanded to fifty or sixty feet in length, erupting with a brilliant stream of vermilion and gold light that shot directly toward the Corrupted Wolf leader.

This sword technique utilized a primary-grade Metal elemental Primordial Spirit Artifact that Du Ran had nourished with his own Yuanshen (Primordial Spirit) for many years.

When forging the sword, he had infused it with rare "Dan Chen Cinnabar," a substance possessing potent demon-dispelling properties, making it a high-grade spiritual sand effective against ghosts and evil spirits, and equally devastating to Corrupted Beasts.

Normally, this Dharma Sword was merely an average Metal-element Primordial Spirit Artifact in terms of power, but in this giant island swarming with Corrupted Beasts, it proved surprisingly effective.

It was thanks to this very sword that Du Ran had managed to escape encirclement by several packs of Corrupted Beasts back in the Blood Mist Wasteland.

Du Ran’s strike burst forth suddenly, aimed with lethal certainty at the Corrupted Wolf leader.

The Corrupted Wolf leader had been locked in fierce combat with the Corrupted Bone Alligator for several hours; its entire body was a bloody mess, with skeletal structures even exposed in places, and its demonic power was nearly exhausted.

Suddenly, it perceived a streak of vermilion and gold light shooting down from the ruins above, carrying a scent of cinnabar that instilled dread.

At such close range, the Corrupted Wolf leader had no time to process what was happening; it frantically spat out a wilted, dim-glowing earth-element Demon Core, about the size of an egg, hurling it toward the vermilion and gold light.

Thin strands of blackness were tangled within the yellowish Demon Core, indicating its ongoing corruption.

"Boom!"

The stream of vermilion and gold light slammed into the Demon Core, exploding in a blinding flash.

The vermilion and gold light relentlessly pressed down upon the Core, rapidly depleting its residual demonic energy.

With its Demon Core exposed, the Corrupted Wolf leader’s strength plummeted instantly, creating an opening seized by the Corrupted Bone Alligator. With a fierce snap, the Alligator clamped onto the leader’s neck, tearing away a large chunk of corrupted flesh with immense force, splashing great clouds of foul blood.

The Corrupted Wolf leader, grievously wounded, could no longer control its Demon Core.

The Vermilion Gold Dharma Sword simultaneously suppressed the Core, then spun in the air for a final slash, cleanly severing the Corrupted Wolf leader’s head.

The Corrupted Bone Alligator snatched the falling, black-tinged, earth-yellow Demon Core, and with its prize, swiftly retreated to Huangfu Bing'er’s side, greedily sucking in the wisps of black miasma to replenish its severely depleted Corpse Qi.

At this moment, Du Ran’s two accompanying cultivators charged toward the other two Golden Core-level Corrupted Wolves that had been keeping Huangfu Bing'er occupied.

Those two wolves were already utterly exhausted. Seeing their leader perish in an instant, they sensed the grim turn of events, let out a howl, and spun around, fleeing back into the Blood Mist Wasteland.

The two cultivators from the Shang Tang Palace would never let them escape; they deployed various Primordial Spirit Artifacts—the "Azure Flame Banner" and the "Heavenly Rock Dharma Sword"—to intercept the fleeing wolves.

The Azure Flame Banner unfurled several tens of feet, tightly enveloping one wolf. Despite its desperate thrashing, it could not break free, as the fierce flames scorched its flesh until it cracked, turning the beast into a pile of ash in just a short while.

Meanwhile, accompanying the Heavenly Rock Dharma Sword, massive boulders fell from the sky, smashing the other Corrupted Wolf into pulp right where it stood.

Given the strength of these two Seventh-Tier Corrupted Wolves, they should not have died so easily. However, having battled Huangfu Bing'er for hours, their demonic energy was long depleted, and their severe injuries left them incapable of sustained fighting, making them no match for the full-potential Golden Core cultivators like Du Ran and his group.

All of this transpired in the blink of an eye.

Du Ran and his two companions finished off the three Golden Core Corrupted Wolves, then exchanged sinister smiles, moving from three different directions within the ruins to encircle Huangfu Bing'er and the Corrupted Bone Alligator skeleton-demon.

Huangfu Bing'er was quite surprised to see three Golden Core cultivators rush in from outside the ruined camp to slay the three wolves. As she clearly saw their faces, her expression subtly shifted.

"Cultivators from the Shang Tang Palace!"

Huangfu Bing'er recalled her Ice Fire Flying Sword and eyed the trio with intense vigilance.

She was keenly aware that when her husband served as an Elder of the Purple Sword Palace, he had caused the Shang Tang Palace to lose face, thus incurring their enmity. While it wasn't a mortal blood feud, their relationship was certainly antagonistic and extremely poor.

She had encountered these three Golden Core cultivators from the Shang Tang Palace once before at the ancient ship outpost, enduring a barrage of icy sarcasm that nearly led to an open fight. She absolutely did not believe they would selflessly rush to offer aid.

At this moment, having battled these corrupted beasts for several hours, her potential was severely depleted, and she was barely holding on. The menacing encirclement by the three Du Ran complicated her suspicions.

"Many thanks to the three esteemed Daoist Friends from the Shang Tang Palace for your timely assistance. However, I wonder what brings you here?"

Huangfu Bing'er frowned slightly, her hands controlling her Ice Fire dual-element Primordial Spirit Flying Swords, her tone frigid.

Du Ran was utterly surprised by Huangfu Bing'er’s composure. He hadn't expected her to react with such calm.

He had presumed that with their overwhelming advantage and Ye Qin either dead or severely wounded, Huangfu Bing'er, drained of potential, would display expressions of extreme fear upon their arrival. Instead, her current demeanor clearly indicated she held the three of them in no regard, showing no panic or terror. Aside from a slightly pale complexion and evidence of depleted potential, she seemed secure and unconcerned by their siege.

Doubt immediately surfaced in Du Ran’s mind. Could she still have some hidden reliance?

Du Ran looked toward Ye Qin, who sat cross-legged in a corner of the ruins, eyes closed, utterly devoid of aura, seemingly dead. If Huangfu Bing'er has a fallback, Du Ran was certain it must be Ye Qin.

"But this fellow surnamed Ye should be dead; otherwise, why would he remain utterly silent, allowing her to be besieged by a pack of Golden Core Corrupted Beasts and fall into danger?"

"Wait!... If this fellow surnamed Ye were truly dead, his corpse should gradually accumulate death energy, definitely exuding some corpse-rot aura. However, this fellow surnamed Ye is currently like withered wood or a stone, completely without breath. It must be that all his outward aura has been forcibly concealed and withdrawn! He definitely isn't dead, but is performing some kind of secret art! This art is extraordinary; probing with divine sense reveals absolutely nothing about the severity of his injuries."

"What sorcery is this Ye fellow playing at? Is he attempting a ruse?"

"This fellow surnamed Ye possesses formidable strength and endless tricks; even the Green Robe Ancestor couldn't kill him... If he is fine, the three of us combined might not even be his match."

Du Ran mulled over the possibilities, a tremor of fear running through him as he speculated. Although arrogant, he was always cautious and preferred sending others to take risks, which was why he had survived this long. Despite having superior numbers, he dared not let his guard down. He only dared to step forward now because Ye Qin was on the verge of death from his injuries. If Ye Qin were still hale and hearty, Du Ran would actively avoid this place, let alone risk coming here for scraps.

"Ha ha!… Lady Ye worries too much. When a fellow Daoist is in peril, how could I stand by and watch? We cultivators of the Shang Tang Palace have long admired the renown of Grand Elder Ye of the Purple Sword Palace. Witnessing Elder Ye's astonishing escape from the Green Robe Ancestor’s clutches only filled us with further admiration. Since we met in this dangerous place, offering aid is only natural! I wonder, Elder Ye, what great technique you are performing? Why is there no sound at all?"

Du Ran’s eyes flickered as he pointed toward Ye Qin and chuckled.

"We would also like to witness Elder Ye's secret skill. Why not have him tell us himself, how about it?!"

The other two Shang Tang Palace cultivators stepped forward a few paces, seeming to understand Du Ran's intent. They coordinated with him, both sneering, attempting to force out the truth of Ye Qin’s condition.

"Since you Daoist Friends have offered assistance, my husband and I will personally visit the Shang Tang Palace another day to offer our gratitude! My husband is currently cultivating and does not wish to be disturbed. I ask that you all leave!"

Huangfu Bing'er’s face was like ice, her rebuke sharp.

"Oh, is that so?"

Du Ran eyed Huangfu Bing'er with suspicion, paying little heed to her cold dismissal. When his probing elicited no reaction from Ye Qin—not even a change in his aura—Du Ran finally relaxed, concluding that Ye Qin, dead or alive, was presently unable to act.

"She is likely just being evasive, trying to buy time."

Understanding this, Du Ran’s gaze shifted to Huangfu Bing'er. Beneath her thin veil-hat, he saw her exquisitely beautiful face, a mixture of anger and affection, and her delicate, graceful figure, igniting a sudden surge of lust. He began to laugh wantonly and without restraint.

"Ha! Lady Ye is truly silver-tongued; you almost tricked me. This Ye fellow, after the heavy blow from the Green Robe Ancestor, is a man close to death. He won't survive long on this island overrun by Corrupted Beasts. With your peerless talent, there's no need for you to be buried with him."

"I am not unworthy, and I wish to take you as my dual cultivation partner. As a direct descendant of the Du family within the Shang Tang Palace, I certainly would not disgrace you. Moreover, our Palace Master is poised to seize the Northern Sect Lord position in the Heavenly Dao Alliance. When that happens, the prestige of the Shang Tang Palace will be unrivaled, and spiritual items and artifacts will be inexhaustible. We will have high hopes of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage. For your sake, I can even leave Elder Ye a complete corpse, how about it?"

Du Ran’s words sounded gracious, but they hid a threat: refuse, and he would grind Ye Qin’s bones to dust, leaving nothing behind.

"Shameless wretch, you seek death!"

Huangfu Bing'er trembled with rage, her eyes glacial, and she struck out fiercely. Her Ice Fire Primordial Spirit Artifacts instantly formed an Ice Fire Sword Array; thirty-two small flying swords shot out like a deluge toward the leering, vicious Du Ran.

"Hmph, you choose the hard way when the soft way was offered! Don't blame me, Du, for being impolite! Trap her and completely exhaust her magical power!"

Seeing this, Du Ran’s face turned instantly grim. He hastily raised his Vermilion Gold Dharma Sword to parry the incoming Ice Fire Flying Swords. The other two Shang Tang Palace cultivators rushed to control their own spirit artifacts, the "Azure Flame Banner" and the "Heavenly Rock Dharma Sword," along with various high-grade and top-grade artifacts from their storage bags, frantically intercepting the onslaught of Huangfu Bing'er’s swarm of small swords.

The power of each individual small sword was far less than the Primordial Spirit Artifacts they wielded. However, allowing even one small sword to slip through would cause them considerable trouble.

After launching the Ice Fire Sword Array, Huangfu Bing'er immediately retreated rapidly.

Simultaneously, she tossed out a Puppet Bag.

A flash of silver light erupted, enveloping the ruined camp area.

A colossal, five-zhang-tall, silver-armored Guardian Puppet, wielding a silver long-spear, stood firm on the battlefield. Its mysterious aura, immense cold power, and dazzling silver glow caused the surrounding blood mist to recoil like a tide.