Du Ran transformed into a streak of grey shadow, fleeing desperately into the Blood-Colored Wasteland.

“Instant kill! That was a true instant kill.”

From the moment the Ninth-Tier Silver Armored Guard struck, to the annihilation of two Golden Core mid-stage cultivators from Shangtang Palace, merely two heartbeats had passed.

“This damned Elder Ye from Purple Sword Palace actually has such a terrifying trump card! A Ninth-Tier Mithril Puppet like that, something even ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators couldn't possess—where did he get it?!” Du Ran roared internally.

Such terrifying power left him utterly shaken and aghast.

Only by plunging into the Blood-Colored Wasteland and using the boundless snow mist as cover could he escape the pursuit of this terrifying Ninth-Tier Mithril Armored Guard Puppet.

Du Ran used the other two Golden Core cultivators from Shangtang Palace as cannon fodder, fleeing at full tilt, and in the blink of an eye, he reached the edge of the ruined encampment.

Beyond his terror, a sliver of grim luck mingled with sorrow arose, but overshadowing it all was a jealousy so intense it bordered on madness.

Why should someone surnamed Ye possess so many top-tier Primordial Spirit artifacts, and such a powerful Ninth-Tier Mithril Puppet capable of sweeping aside Golden Core cultivators?

He had originally believed that Ye Qin, having been severely wounded by Patriarch Green Robe, had exhausted all his life-saving means and was simply waiting for death. This conviction had spurred him to personally move against Ye Qin and his wife.

Seeing his great success within grasp—with all of Ye Qin’s artifacts, treasures, and wealth about to fall into his hands—he never anticipated that the Ye couple still held such a formidable Ninth-Tier Puppet in reserve, one that cost him the lives of his final two accomplices.

It could be said that he traded the lives of two comrades just to buy himself a chance to escape.

On this treacherous, danger-riddled giant island, within the ruins of the ancient battlefield, he was utterly alone, lacking supplies. His chances of survival had suddenly become drastically slim.

Thinking this, Du Ran fled wildly, his resentment toward Ye Qin growing boundless.

The sheer might displayed by this Ninth-Tier Mithril Puppet had even exceeded the expectations of Huangfu Bing'er, the one controlling it.

In her estimation, if the Silver Armored Guard could merely repel the three Golden Core mid-stage cultivators like Du Ran, she would have been satisfied. Yet, in such a brief span, the two cultivators from Shangtang Palace hadn't even managed a chance to dodge or counterattack; they were instantly slain without withstanding a single blow from the Guard.

This brought a huge wave of relief to her heart. However, what enraged her was Du Ran from Shangtang Palace using his two companions as shields to flee rapidly toward the Blood-Colored Wasteland.

Though incensed, Huangfu Bing'er did not wish to command the Silver Armored Guard to charge into the Blood-Colored Wasteland to pursue Du Ran.

If the Silver Armored Guard moved too far away, any sudden danger arising on her side would be catastrophic.

Just as she considered recalling the Guard,

The Silver Armored Guard suddenly moved on its own accord. Gripping the Giant Silver Spear, its armored body arched, and it suddenly hurled the spear, launching it toward Du Ran, who was already at the edge of the ruined camp, on the verge of plunging into the blood-mist wilderness.

The Giant Silver Spear transformed into a streak of silver lightning, a shocking rainbow tearing through space. Its speed far outstripped that of ordinary Primordial Spirit flying swords, let alone the rapid sprint of a cultivator.

“Not good!”

Du Ran’s hair stood on end. He instantly accelerated his pace, terror gripping his heart. He didn't dare spare a glance back, pouring all his energy into rushing toward the Blood-Mist Wilderness.

The hundreds of feet distance vanished in an instant as the silver light arrived.

Bang!

Before the ominous feeling fully registered in Du Ran’s mind, he felt a crushing impact of immense force. His protective barrier shredded like thin paper, and his defensive armor failed to block the strike. The man was flung through the air; his vision turned crimson, and an unimaginable agony instantly surged from every part of his body toward his brain.

Immediately after, his consciousness was swallowed by an infinite darkness.

His entire body was impaled firmly onto the bloody earth outside the ruined encampment, pinned by a massive, blood-colored silver spear.

After unleashing this strike, the Silver Armored Guard stood motionless where it was. Having lost sight of the enemy within its visual range, it quieted down, the scarlet glow in its eyes gradually fading.

Huangfu Bing’er was stunned; she had not commanded the Silver Armored Guard to attack just now.

In a corner of the ruined encampment, Ye Qin, who had been sitting cross-legged in deep slumber, finally opened his eyes. A calm yet chilling glint flashed within them.

He was awake.

“You’re awake! How is your internal injury healing?” Huangfu Bing'er exclaimed, a mixture of joy and shock on her face. Only then did she realize it was Ye Qin using his spiritual sense to command the Silver Armored Guard to strike and kill Du Ran. With a flash of speed, she moved like a sudden thunderclap and threw herself into Ye Qin’s embrace.

“Mmm, nearly there,”

Ye Qin held the soft fragrance close and smiled. “The Turtle Marrow Spirit Void Pill’s effect on repairing damaged meridians was faster than anticipated. All primary meridians are mended. I only need another half-day of recuperation, and as long as I avoid fierce combat, I’ll be fine.”

Looking at Huangfu Bing’er’s pale face, drained of spiritual power, and her slightly disheveled hair, Ye Qin couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache. He gently stroked her soft locks. “Bing’er, you’ve worked so hard…”

In truth, after consuming the spirit pill and employing the {Sitting in Oblivion Scripture} technique to enter slumber, Ye Qin had managed to repair the major damaged meridians in just over half a day.

Originally, he planned to remain asleep for another half-day to mend the finer meridians for a complete physical recovery.

However, he was startled awake prematurely by the horrifying killing intent emanating from the Silver Armored Guard.

Upon waking, Ye Qin immediately sensed that things were dire.

The Silver Armored Guard being released meant that Bing’er and the Bone-Rotting Crocodile were no match for the opponents; they were on the verge of death.

He swept his divine sense over the battlefield and instantly grasped the situation. However, having just repaired his internal main meridians, he was reluctant to exert his spiritual power and engage directly.

When Huangfu Bing’er controlled the Silver Armored Guard to annihilate two Shangtang Palace cultivators, he was finally able to relax slightly.

Knowing Du Ran was about to escape into the Blood-Colored Wasteland, just as Huangfu Bing’er was about to recall the Silver Armored Guard, Ye Qin finally exerted his [unclear seal/spell] to control the Guard, firing the Giant Silver Spear and instantly killing Du Ran.

If Du Ran had been allowed to escape, while he was alone and less of an immediate threat, he would ultimately remain a future liability.

Huangfu Bing’er blinked, seeing that Ye Qin had recovered. Though utterly exhausted from the fierce battle, she finally exhaled a breath of relief.

Seeing her expression, Ye Qin understood her feelings immediately and said nothing more, deeply moved.

“Bing’er, the fight just now caused quite a disturbance, which could attract other beast hordes nearby. We cannot linger here. You meditate first to restore your spiritual power; I will tidy up the possessions left by these three, and then we’ll depart!”

“Mmm!”

Huangfu Bing’er nodded obediently, sat down demurely, took out a gourd of Crimson Cloud Spirit Nectar, sipped a small mouthful, and began meditating to recover her mana.

The Bone-Rotting Crocodile skeletal demon also lay nearby, diligently absorbing the massive amount of corpse qi contained within the Demonic Core of the Corrupted Wolf Leader to replenish its own depleted corpse energy.

Ye Qin recalled the Giant Silver Spear from the Silver Armored Guard and swept up the artifacts and storage bags left behind by Du Ran and the other two Shangtang Palace cultivators, tucking them all away.

Although Du Ran was a disciple of the Du Clan in Shangtang Palace, he was clearly not part of the core direct lineage. His status was a step below ‘genius’ cultivators like Du Qingliang from Shangtang Palace.

Naturally, he couldn't compare to the direct descendants of Sect Masters like Yu Weifeng or major figures from the Heavenly Demon Alliance like Yan Hao. The top-tier artifacts he possessed were somewhat meager.

Du Ran only had one Primordial Spirit artifact, the "Vermilion Gold Sword," which possessed excellent quality and the effect of dispelling evil. He also had several storage bags filled with a fair amount of wealth, but nothing truly top-tier.

Elder Peng’s Primordial Spirit artifact, the “Heavenly Rock Flying Sword,” had sustained minor damage but was still usable.

The young cultivator’s Azure Flame Banner, however, was completely destroyed, reduced to scrap.

Ye Qin shook his head.

The various treasures—Upper-Grade Spirit Stones and High-Tier Artifacts—in their multiple storage bags were considerable, equating to a decent sum.

But for a cultivator like Ye Qin, who was already wealthy, possessing five Primordial Spirit artifacts and even Minor Divine Ability artifacts, this wealth was rather low-grade, amounting only to a small fortune, a minor gain.

At this moment, Ye Qin had no time to examine things closely; he stored away all their leftover storage bags.

Next, Ye Qin conjured a fireball and thoroughly incinerated the corpses of the three Shangtang Palace members, leaving no trace behind.

He held no mercy for these three; those who attempt to ambush and plunder others must be prepared to be killed themselves.

Ye Qin suddenly pricked up his ears, listening intently for a moment, then flashed to Huangfu Bing’er’s side.

“There are many faint footsteps approaching—likely a beast horde. The bloody scent in the air has attracted them. We cannot stay here any longer!”

Ye Qin waved his hand, retracting the Bone-Rotting Crocodile into his spirit beast pouch, and quickly told Huangfu Bing’er.

“Mmm, let’s go!”

Huangfu Bing’er, having recovered a slight amount of spiritual power, replied softly and stood up.

Together, they transformed into two faint streaks of cyan light, heading deeper into the Blood-Mist Wilderness.

They had only been on this ancient ruin island for less than a day.

Ye Qin was certain that Patriarch Green Robe and his group of savage island heretics, intending to seize this ancient ruin, certainly hadn't left yet and were currently scouring the entire island for their whereabouts.

They dared not leave the giant island now; doing so would be walking straight into a trap.

They could only press further inland, minimizing the chances of being discovered by Patriarch Green Robe and the savage island heretics. Only once the heretics grew complacent after time passed could they figure out a way to leave the island.

The Blood-Mist Wilderness was silent and desolate.

Across the boundless wasteland, various corrupted beasts roamed: Corrupted Wolves, Corrupted Bears, Corrupted Snakes, and more.

Ye Qin and Huangfu Bing’er did not travel quickly, carefully avoiding collisions with large beast hordes, threading their way through the gaps in the beasts' activity zones.

Occasionally encountering a lone corrupted beast, Ye Qin ensured swift resolution—a single strike and gone—to avoid alerting other beasts and inviting unnecessary, draining battles.

Such skirmishes yielded almost no profit.

The materials derivable from these corrupted beasts—fur, claws, demonic cores—were largely rotted and foul-smelling. Even the demonic cores were contaminated with corpse qi and gradually mutated.

Ordinary cultivators could hardly make use of the refining materials from these corrupted beasts.

Only ghost cultivators could utilize these corrupted beasts to their fullest extent, crafting various malevolent ghost-type artifacts, skeletal minions, skeletal demons, or ghost cores.

Although Ye Qin had some knowledge of ghost path arts, he couldn't justify dedicating the necessary energy to specialize in them.

“The sheer number of corrupted beasts on this island—does it have anything to do with the ghost cultivators inhabiting it? ... If there truly are ghost cultivators here, they would be far more troublesome than the corrupted beasts.”

Ye Qin felt a rising suspicion.

He shook his head, but the thought lingered stubbornly in his mind.

Throughout their journey in the Blood-Mist Wilderness, besides the corrupted beasts, Ye Qin also spotted very few Blood-Colored Spirit Grasses. Most were crimson, or intensely foul-smelling and lethally toxic, inspiring awe and dread.

Ye Qin, however, experienced unexpected delight.

For spirit grasses to grow amidst the blood mist, their vitality must be comparable to that of the corrupted beasts. Furthermore, spirit grasses growing in such hostile environments often possessed potent toxins, or the effect of dispelling poison.

He carefully collected them, intending to study them later, using them to concoct both detoxification pills and poison pills.

Several hours later, through the hazy Blood-Mist Wilderness, Ye Qin and Huangfu Bing’er vaguely discerned a continuous chain of towering, majestic mountain ranges ahead.