Ye Qin saw Sun Xing approaching with a smile and was about to offer a pleasant greeting when his eyes caught a middle-aged man standing not far behind Sun Xing. That man’s face was gloomy, his gaze fixed on Ye Qin with malicious intent.

Ye Qin’s gaze instantly locked onto the middle-aged man, and an uncontrollable surge of fury erupted within him.

“The Cao clan—I didn't expect him to be here too!”

This middle-aged man was none other than Cao Da Wu Xiu!

Just one day prior, while Ye Qin was fleeing the pursuit of the Green Robe Ancestor’s Green Fiend Sword, Cao Da’s sneak attack as an evil cultivator nearly cost him his life. If not for Bing'er's quick action and the top-grade healing elixirs he carried, it wouldn’t have been surprising if he had perished in the Blood Mist Wasteland.

This blood feud—how could it ever be forgotten? As Ye Qin's intense killing intent flared, his expression turned incomparably cold.

However, he made no move. He continued to scan the crowd and soon spotted Cultivators Li and Hu near Cultivator Cao Da. If he moved against Cultivator Cao Da, those two would certainly intervene.

“Cao Da is a treasure-grabbing cultivator at the ninth level of the Golden Core realm. These two other cultivators are both at the eighth level, possessing formidable strength. To kill Cao Da, I must take down all three of them simultaneously! Killing three late-stage Golden Core cultivators at once presents an enormous challenge. With Bing'er and me joining forces, deploying the Great Five Elements Array and the Ice Storm Sword Array, we have about a sixty percent chance of defeating them…” But to ensure none of them escape after defeat, the odds were incredibly slim.”

Ye Qin stood rooted to the spot, his expression instantly turning icy as his thoughts raced.

Huangfu Bing'er understood his mind; she stood by his side, her clear, icy eyes fixed on Cao Da’s group. Should revenge be exacted, she would undoubtedly fight alongside Ye Qin with all her might.

Sun Xing’s heart skipped a beat as he sensed Ye Qin’s murderous intent, letting out a soft gasp of apprehension.

He held no grudge against Ye Qin, so he naturally didn't believe Ye Qin's sudden hostility was aimed at him.

However, Sun Xing had already heard from Cultivators Jiang Ling and Zheng Chenghui about the enmity between Ye Qin and Cultivator Cao Da. He had even witnessed a brief skirmish between Cultivator Cao and Ye Qin right under the nose of the Green Robe Ancestor.

This killing intent was clearly directed at Cultivator Cao.

“Damn it! How could I forget about this? When these two meet, sparks are bound to fly, and a fight is inevitable. Whether Cao dies or Ye lives is none of my concern. But a battle like this will surely lead to significant casualties, likely ruining the entire treasure hunt!”

Sun Xing inwardly cursed his misfortune, yet for a moment, he couldn't devise a way to defuse the conflict. “Hmph! You want to kill me? Do you think you can kill me?!” Cultivator Cao Da had already spotted Ye Qin and, sensing Ye Qin’s murderous gaze, immediately let out a cold snort. The desire in his heart to kill Ye Qin was probably even more intense than Ye Qin’s desire to kill him.

Yet, when Ye Qin was under the pursuit of the Green Robe Ancestor’s Green Fiend Sword, such a perfect opportunity had arrived, and even his sneak attack failed to kill Ye Qin.

Now that Ye Qin was unharmed, attempting to strike him down would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Therefore, upon seeing Ye Qin here, he had refrained from acting rashly. Unless he found an undeniable chance to slay Ye Qin, he wouldn't easily move.

Seeing Ye Qin now harboring killing intent towards him, he refused to appear weak in his response, though he held no real intention of immediately engaging.

“Elder Ye, while you are an elder of the East Sea Violet Sword Immortal Palace and possess extraordinary power, don’t overestimate yourself! Don't think escaping the Green Robe Ancestor by sheer luck gives you license to act recklessly.”

“Your cultivation is merely mid-stage Golden Core, yet you dare challenge us three late-stage Golden Core cultivators at the eighth and ninth levels—you are clearly courting death!”

Cultivators Li and Hu also stepped forward, aligning themselves with Cultivator Cao Da, their voices sharp and severe.

While speaking, the two of them—having suffered losses at the hands of Ye Qin and Huangfu Bing'er before—felt a measure of fear. But they absolutely could not show any weakness in such a public display. If the opposition sensed their apprehension, the situation might immediately turn against them.

This blatant killing intent, this naked confrontation, instantly chilled the atmosphere.

The surrounding cultivators all watched on, remaining bystanders. Having navigated the East Sea Cultivation World and the Sea of Blood for so long, none failed to perceive the intense killing intent between the two parties, which threatened to erupt at any second.

However, the majority among them had no particular relationship with either Ye Qin or Cultivator Cao Da, so they naturally wouldn't casually interfere. No one intervenes in another's feud without reason.

“Brother Ye, if you wish to slay this villain, we two will lend you a hand!”

“Indeed! For Brother Ye to kill them is merely a flick of the wrist. We will add a small effort.”

Suddenly, two loud shouts echoed from the crowd. Jiang Ling and Zheng Chenghui flashed forward, landing on Ye Qin’s side.

The two bowed in greeting.

Ye Qin immediately nodded gratefully towards Jiang Ling and Zheng Chenghui.

He understood that Jiang Ling and Zheng Chenghui stepping out at this moment, openly siding with him, carried significant risk. When it came time for alchemy in the future, he would certainly assist them.

“Hah! Another two scoundrels who seek death! No matter how many scoundrels of their caliber join in, what can they do to my Cao?”

Cultivator Cao Da’s face twitched slightly as Jiang and Zheng jumped in to interfere, breaking into a furious, maniacal laugh.

He had always been arrogant; he had killed countless cultivators and cared little about slaying a few more. His hatred for Ye Qin had long since become irreconcilable, and he would certainly not swallow his pride just because the opposition had more people.

Cultivators Li and Hu exchanged a look; they too feigned indifference, though their worries deepened. The Ye couple was already hard enough to deal with, and now with two more mid-stage Golden Core cultivators added, the situation was far more troublesome.

“Then add my nephew and me, the Wang uncle and nephew! Brother Ye saved our lives! I will stake my life on this! Whoever stands against Brother Ye, I will fight them to the death!”

Old Man Wang declared loudly, his expression radiating intense agitation.

Old Man Wang and his nephew moved to stand by Ye Qin’s side.

Not content with standing with Ye Qin himself, Old Man Wang shouted towards the more distant Cultivator Pang, “Brother Pang, our group of seven came here from the Ancient Ship Stronghold to seek treasure, enduring life and death together. That group of treasure-grabbing cultivators, the Cao clan, intercepted and attacked us halfway; we haven't settled that score yet! Now is the perfect time to kill them and root out these scourges of the Sea of Blood!”

Cultivator Pang was momentarily stunned and secretly annoyed at Old Man Wang. “What has the mortal struggle between that Ye fellow and that Cao fellow got to do with me? Who lives or dies brings me no real benefit. Why bother stirring up trouble and putting myself out?”

Although that was what Pang thought, he considered that Ye Qin had rescued them when they were ambushed by Skeleton Demons in the Skeleton Mountain Range—this favor couldn't go unpaid. Furthermore, he had just reached an agreement with Ye Qin to cooperate in the treasure hunt, making it inappropriate to immediately turn hostile.

Now that Old Man Wang had spoken, if he remained silent, Ye Qin would surely resent him later, and further cooperation would be impossible. Cultivator Pang knew well that standing alone made it extremely difficult to obtain valuable spiritual treasures, and even if obtained, protecting them might be another matter.

Besides, given the current circumstances, Ye Qin’s side clearly held the advantage over the Cao clan. Lending Ye Qin a favor now was convenient and required little effort. Cultivator Pang forced a smile, sweeping his gaze over the gathered cultivators.

“We have formed a team; the enemies of Brother Ye are naturally the enemies of this Pang. If anyone dares to lay a hand on Brother Ye, I, Pang, will absolutely not stand by idly.”

These words carried a degree of perfunctory obligation, but they thoroughly clarified his stance. Should a fight break out, he, along with his cohorts, Cultivator Zhu and Cultivator Yang, would stand with Ye Qin.

At this, Cultivator Cao Da’s expression finally changed. He glanced around at the surrounding cultivators, unsure how many of them now stood with Ye Qin.

The issue was no longer about winning, but about preserving their lives.

The twenty-plus Golden Core cultivators present were all astonished by this sudden turn of events.

“I have vaguely heard rumors of a group of Cao clan cultivators who rob treasures around the Ancient Ship Stronghold, notorious for their villainy! However, I had only heard the name, never seen the people. Who knew it was this group!”

“We treasure-seeking cultivators traverse dangerous lands searching for spiritual artifacts. Although we sometimes fight to the death over rare treasures, there is still a bottom line. But these treasure-grabbing cultivators specifically survive by robbing, murder, and plunder—they are infamous. They deserve to die!”

Wang’s words sparked considerable reaction among the treasure-seeking cultivators. None of the other onlookers favored Cultivator Cao.

Ye Qin’s side now boasted a full nine mid-to-late stage Golden Core cultivators, achieving an overwhelming advantage. This sheer superiority was even enough to attempt an encirclement, preventing the three Cao cultivators from escaping.

Even Sun Xing, the nominal leader of the group, finally changed his expression. There were only twenty-three Golden Core cultivators present in total.

Ye Qin had six people committed to him—Jiang, Zheng, and the Wang uncle and nephew were all ready to fight bloody battles alongside him. Moreover, Cultivator Pang and his two companions also stood with him. That made nine cultivators in total, nearly half the total number.

On Sun Xing’s side, only two companions were willing to risk life and death with him.

The other numerous cultivators had their own affiliations, grouping in twos and threes. They followed Sun Xing only because he possessed the greatest strength, but that didn't mean they would risk their lives for him.

This meant that at the critical moment, he, the nominal leader, had almost no real power base.

“If I protect the three Cao clan members, keeping them alive, they can at least serve as a check at a critical juncture, preventing the Ye faction from becoming too dominant. Otherwise, the subsequent treasure hunt and the distribution of loot will all be dictated by the Ye faction—that would be terrible! At that point, what standing would I, the leader, have?”

Watching Ye Qin’s faction grow unexpectedly strong, Sun Xing felt deeply uncomfortable and entertained the thought of suppressing him.

“Hah, everyone, we are all here to seek treasure in this ancient ruin. Why resort to such drastic measures and fight to the death? This Desolate Spirit City before us was built during the ancient Immortal-Demon War. Based on my deductions and those of a few fellow Daoists, it is likely an ancient military reserve depot. To have such a treasury before us, yet refuse to work together to explore it, choosing instead to fight outside the city—that is truly unwise.”

“Furthermore, this Ghost Island is unpredictable, and we don't know when Ghost Cultivators might appear. The spirit of the Savage Island Evil Cultivation Captain escaped; perhaps the Green Robe Ancestor will arrive at this city within a few hours with a large contingent of Savage Island cultivators. If we begin by fighting and depleting ourselves, forget finding ancient treasures; we might struggle even to protect ourselves.”

“Why don't we search for treasure together first? Once we secure the artifacts, everything else can be discussed. After everyone has obtained their treasures and left this island, you can settle your grudges through combat. What do you think, Brother Ye?”

Sun Xing suddenly laughed, still maintaining an air of confidence. He positioned himself squarely in the center, effectively separating Ye Qin’s group from the Cao clan, preventing any direct clash.

If either side attacked, it would involve him, effectively making them his enemy. As long as both sides considered his stance, daring not to act rashly, he would have a chance to forcefully defuse the tense standoff.

“Brother Sun speaks wisely. Previously, when we were besieged and hunted by the Savage Island Evil Cultivators, we all fought desperately together, enduring the hardship as companions in the same boat. Now that we have arrived below Desolate Spirit City, it is fate. Private grudges can be settled another day.”

“If private grudges lead to massive casualties and ultimately derail the treasure hunt, that is likely a result none of us wishes to see!”

Sun Xing’s persuasion was sound and thoughtful, immediately eliciting loud agreement from several of the observing Golden Core cultivators. They also didn't wish to see Ye Qin’s group kill the three Cao members, making Ye Qin’s faction even harder to control.

Ye Qin scanned the three Cao cultivators and Sun Xing’s group with icy eyes, a cold smile playing on his lips. Sun Xing’s forceful intervention clearly showed he didn't want Ye Qin to kill the Cao clan.

“Brother Sun, if I insist on killing the Cao clan, will you truly try to stop me?” Ye Qin asked Sun Xing coldly.

Sun Xing’s expression flickered, looking displeased. However, being an experienced treasure hunter, he prioritized profit and hadn't given up on persuading Ye Qin.

“The matter of the treasure hunt is paramount, Brother Ye, please reconsider! After we leave the island, I will not interfere in any way.”

While speaking solemnly, Sun Xing secretly transmitted his thoughts rapidly to Ye Qin: “Brother Ye, I have no friendship with the Cao clan; if you wish to kill them, I will absolutely not obstruct you. However, perhaps delay it slightly; let those three live for another half a day. To my knowledge, the dangers inside Desolate Spirit City far surpass those on Ghost Island. If we encounter peril, we can use the three Cao members as cannon fodder to ensure our own safety. With our combined strength, those three will never rise again—their deaths are inevitable sooner or later! What do you say, Brother Ye?”

“Good!”

Ye Qin remained silent for a long moment, his expression unreadable as he processed countless thoughts. He uttered only one word.

Since the Cao clan was doomed anyway, he never truly intended to make an enemy of Sun Xing. If Sun Xing had forcefully blocked him, the ensuing brutal melee might leave few survivors among those present. Furthermore, faced with the combined siege of the Green Robe Ancestor and the Savage Island cultivators, the entire quest for ancient treasures would be utterly ruined.

Ye Qin ignored the Cao clan group and turned back to Bing'er, along with Jiang, Zheng, and the Wang uncle and nephew. They found a spot beneath Desolate Spirit City to meditate and recover their spirit power, while inquiring of Cultivator Pang about how to enter the city.

As for the secret exchange between Sun Xing and Ye Qin, no one knew of it.

Cultivator Cao Da grunted, staring fiercely at Ye Qin, but dared not utter any harsh words. Simultaneously, he felt a slight sense of relief. However, Ye Qin letting him go for the moment was somewhat unexpected. But if he tried to leave now, Ye Qin would likely attack without hesitation. He could only endure it for now and wait for an opportunity to avenge his second brother.

Cultivator Cao Da, his face dark, remained silent, brooding with Cultivators Li and Hu at another resting spot near the city.

Sun Xing forcibly stepping in to mediate was already granting them a tremendous measure of grace. If he were foolish enough to provoke further now, his death would be his own fault.

The battle that was about to erupt was forcibly suppressed by Sun Xing’s words, and the attention of the treasure-seeking cultivators swiftly shifted to Desolate Spirit City before them.