Cao the Great Cultivator strode out of the inner storage passage of the Wood Repository, gripping three small bottles of white jade in his right hand. A surge of ecstatic euphoria radiated from his heavy brows, completely sweeping away the gloom left by Ye Qin severing his arm earlier.

“Brother Cao, this inner repository truly held Nascent Soul Pills?! You’ve secured them?” In the outer chamber of the Wood Repository, Cultivator Li had been waiting. Upon seeing Cao the Great Cultivator emerge, he rushed forward, unable to suppress his tense inquiry. He tried repeatedly to restrain himself, yet his gaze kept darting anxiously toward the three small white jade bottles in Cao’s hand, which emitted a faint, ethereal white glow. Although his own cultivation hadn't reached the peak of the Golden Core stage, the thought of obtaining a Nascent Soul Pill—a treasure yearned for by countless late-stage Golden Core cultivators—made his heart burn with impatience.

“Indeed, three Nascent Soul Pills. There were quite a few more inside the vault, but alas, the grand token couldn't unseal further restrictions, preventing me from retrieving more.” Cao the Great Cultivator glanced at the three jade bottles in his grasp, then observed Li Cultivator’s eager, covetous expression. A cold smile touched his lips as he waved a hand, tucking the three bottles into the storage pouch at his waist. “Do not fret, Brother Li. I, Cao, promised you one, and I certainly won't break my word. However, your current cultivation is still somewhat distant from the peak of the late Golden Core stage. There’s no immediate need to hand over the Nascent Soul Pill; I shall safeguard it for you for the time being. You have followed me for so long; I would never treat you poorly. Once I break through the Golden Core stage and achieve the rank of an Ancestor of the Nascent Soul, you will surely reap significant rewards.” Having said this, he inquired, “Right, this outer section holds many spiritual elixirs suitable for Golden Core cultivators. Brother Li, did you manage to find any top-tier pills?”

“Junior brother reasoned that our cultivation levels no longer have much need for elixirs focused solely on advancement. Thus, I used my lesser token to procure two bottles of the highest-grade healing elixir, the ‘Purple Gold Origin-Nourishing Pill,’ and one bottle of the toxin-dispelling ‘Green Reed Pill.’ Brother Cao is injured; this healing elixir should serve you well.” Cultivator Li quickly offered the three bottles of elixirs.

“Thoughtful of you! I’ll take one; you keep the rest.” Cao the Great Cultivator nodded, accepting a bottle of the healing elixir. He sniffed it, detecting the pure, milky-cream spiritual fragrance within, which instantly invigorated his spirits. This elixir was refined from a rare spiritual herb called Purple Gold Grass. Due to its extreme scarcity and potent efficacy, it was widely famous throughout the Eastern Sea Cultivation Realm. He considered using it but ultimately did not. Instead, he calmly placed it into his storage pouch, looking satisfied. Though Cultivator Li might not dare tamper with the healing elixir, he would never lightly ingest anything that had passed through Li’s hands. At least not in his current condition; it was absolutely out of the question for now.

Cultivator Li understood that Cao did not fully trust him and dared not voice any complaint. He glanced longingly at the storage pouch hanging from Cao’s waist. “Since Brother Cao is already at the ninth level of the Golden Core stage, merely one final step from breaking the bottleneck, are you preparing to undergo tribulation and form the Nascent Soul right here in the Wood Repository? Once you achieve Nascent Soul status here, no one within this treasure vault will be your match! Dealing with the Ye clan, the Sun clan, and the others would then be but a mere flick of the hand.” Cao the Great Cultivator was noticeably moved by the suggestion. However, after casting a deeply wary look at the multitude of restrictive runes throughout the Wood Repository—especially those terrifying Wood-Type Thunder Pearls—he immediately dismissed the idea, shaking his head. “This location is indeed an excellent place for undergoing tribulation; it could significantly weaken the celestial lightning. But this treasury is too riddled with restrictions, and there are far too many Wood-Type Thunder Pearls. A late-stage Golden Core cultivator’s major celestial tribulation releases too much destructive force. If one element goes wrong and triggers these Wood Repository restrictions, I fear that even if I successfully form a Nascent Soul, I might just end up being blasted into ash by wood lightning.”

“I was prepared beforehand and had already secured an island suitable for tribulation. Having obtained these three Nascent Soul Pills, our chances of forming a Nascent Soul are high. Now, we must exit this treasure vault as quickly as possible, leave this accursed island, reach the tribulation site, and then prepare for the major celestial tribulation to ascend to the Nascent Soul realm. The next time I encounter that Ye fellow, it will be the day he meets his demise!” Cao the Great Cultivator spoke with immense confidence. As he said this, he muttered inwardly, Second Brother, you cannot blame your elder brother for not avenging you now. Having secured the Nascent Soul Pills, forming the Nascent Soul is paramount; everything else must wait. After I succeed, I will scour the entire Sea of Blood to avenge you.

Cultivator Li felt a pang of confusion. He had never known that Cao the Great Cultivator had already selected an island for his tribulation. The Cao clan had never shared such matters with him. “Brother Cao truly misses no detail in his plans!” Seeing that Cao had made his decision, Cultivator Li quickly offered a compliment.

“Let’s go!” Cao the Great Cultivator exited the storage chamber and hurried toward the passage leading out of the Wood Repository. Cultivator Li cast a reluctant look back at the wood chamber piled high with storage pouches before following Cao into the passage.

Using their passage tokens, the two Cao cultivators managed to evade the ancient tree spirits guarding the passage. Midway through the passage, they encountered the cold, lifeless body of Cultivator Hu lying sprawled on the ground. Cao the Great Cultivator didn't spare the corpse a second glance, passing straight by it as if it were not there. Previously, he had brought Cultivator Li and Cultivator Hu into the Wood Repository passage. However, there were only two passage tokens for the Wood Repository, meaning only two could enter the inner vault. The grand token was in his possession. Cultivator Li and Cultivator Hu had fought viciously within the passage to seize the other small Wood Repository token. Hu Cultivator, already injured in the main hall, had lost the fight, allowing Li to snatch the token and enter the vault with Cao. Consequently, Hu Cultivator had naturally perished in the passage. From beginning to end, Cao the Great Cultivator had shown no concern for the struggle between Li and Hu over the token. The Sea of Blood was inherently this brutal. Even brothers had to be abandoned when necessary. Furthermore, among rogue cultivators, there was never any true brotherhood. If one’s insufficient strength led to death, no one could be blamed. Cao the Great Cultivator felt no grief for the loss of an accomplice. Since only three Nascent Soul Pills were obtained, all three of them should have received a share. With one less person, he now held an extra pill, naturally increasing his chances of successfully forming a Nascent Soul. Therefore, Cao the Great Cultivator had watched the dispute with cold indifference from the very start, never intervening.

...

A moment later, the two, holding their tokens, passed safely through a section heavily guarded by wood-elemental spirits in the Wood Repository passage. Just before stepping through the light gate, Cao the Great Cultivator suddenly stopped, hesitating. “I have too many enemies. The Ye faction alone numbers nine individuals. If I run into the Ye faction, it will be disastrous; not only will I lose the Nascent Soul Pills, but my life might also be forfeit. ... Even if I avoid the Ye faction, running into other cultivators would be just as dire. These treasure-hunting cultivators hold no goodwill toward me; if Sun Xing hadn't intervened earlier, they’d all be baying for my blood. As for Sun Xing... Hmph, if he knew I possessed Nascent Soul Pills, he’d certainly turn hostile and try to seize them.” Cao the Great Cultivator’s expression flickered between grim and uncertain as he pondered. Outside the Wood Repository, all his foes were waiting. A single misstep, and he would perish in this ancient treasure vault, his hundreds of years of diligent cultivation turning to naught. Cao the Great Cultivator turned to Cultivator Li, his voice sinking low. “I carry Nascent Soul Pills; I cannot risk leaving carelessly. I have no idea what the situation is outside—whether those treasure hunters are still lingering in the passage or if they’ve already left. I ask Brother Li to scout ahead first and report back to me. If you are cautious, they won't be able to touch you.”

“Very well, junior brother will go out to investigate first.” Cultivator Li knew the outside was dangerous and felt reluctant, but he reasoned that merely checking the exit of the Wood Repository passage and retreating immediately if conditions looked bad posed little real threat. Moreover, he had no ground to refuse, so he agreed. He first reinforced his protective barrier, slapped on a high-grade defensive talisman, and summoned his defensive magic artifact before steeling his nerves and stepping out through the light gate of the Wood Repository passage.

Cultivator Li emerged past the gate and blinked, finding himself back in the central hall of the ancient treasure vault. His gaze swept the hall, which spanned several hundred feet. Aside from a few corpses and fragments of broken artifacts, only the lowest-ranking cultivators—the Wang uncle and nephew, and Cultivator Fan—were present, either meditating in a corner or refining newly acquired artifacts. The Wangs noticed someone emerging from the Wood Repository light gate and immediately turned toward it, their expressions showing unease and palpable anxiety. Cultivator Fan merely frowned, watching Cultivator Li with clear vigilance.

“Why are only the Wangs and their associate here? Where did the other treasure hunters go? Did they all enter the passage?” Cultivator Li stopped before the Wood Repository light gate, suspicion clouding his mind. He scanned every inch of the grand hall but found no sign of anything unusual. Unsure of the situation, he barked at the Wangs, “Fellow Daoists Wang, what is the meaning of this? Why are there only three of you left here?”

“Cultivator Ye and his wife, Cultivator Pang, Sun Xing, and the others are still inside their respective vaults and haven't come out yet! The other few cultivators waited for a long time and, seeing you didn't emerge, dared not risk entering the passage. They left using the teleportation array, intending to search the ruins of the city for other artifacts left behind by ancient cultivators,” the elder Wang replied truthfully, following the strategy previously agreed upon by Sun Xing and the others.

“Oh, is that so? Then why are the three of you remaining here instead of going out to search for treasure together?” Cultivator Li’s eyes flickered, and he immediately voiced his doubt.

Elder Wang let out a bitter smile. “Fellow Daoist Li, you jest. What cultivation do my nephew and I possess? Where else could we go if we didn’t wait here? Once outside, whether we encounter ghost cultivators or those from the Savage Island, our fate would likely be grim. That is why we resolved to wait for Cultivator Pang and the others to return so we can leave together, offering each other support along the way. Cultivator Fan shares this sentiment. My nephew and I hold no enmity toward you, Fellow Daoist Li, nor do we possess any crucial treasures. We only ask that you show magnanimity and do not make things difficult for us.” Elder Wang’s fearful demeanor seemed genuine. Cultivator Li weighed the possibilities, finding some credence in the story. He then turned to look at Cultivator Fan, detecting nothing unusual in his expression either.

“No need to worry; I will not trouble you.” Cultivator Li spoke sharply, turned, passed back through the light gate, and returned to the Wood Repository passage to report the situation in the grand hall in detail to Cao the Great Cultivator. “Brother Cao, the hall is normal. I believe we should leave this place quickly. Ye and Sun factions are still in the passages; they could emerge from other vaults at any moment. If we delay and circumstances change, I fear we won't be able to leave.”

“Is that your assessment?” Upon hearing this, Cao the Great Cultivator’s pupils contracted sharply. His gaze sharpened, and he let out a cold laugh. “Only the three Wangs remain in the hall... That fellow Sun, what a calculated move, trying to lure me out! No, it’s not just Sun; that Ye fellow is likely involved too. They have probably joined forces, preparing to set a trap for me. They must have devised a meticulous plan and an ambush to seize the three Nascent Soul Pills I hold! They won’t rest until they have my pills.”

“How is that possible? With my cultivation at the eighth level of the Golden Core stage, I would not fail to detect any anomaly within this several-hundred-foot hall. Brother Cao, could you be mistaken?” Cultivator Li froze in bewilderment. He could not fathom why Cao the Great Cultivator was so certain, without any tangible evidence, that Ye Qin and Sun Xing’s group had already set up a scheme against him.

“There is no mistake! Since there is no ambush in the main hall, they must be hidden within the various passages! There must be traps! I, Cao, have navigated the Sea of Blood for nearly a century; how could I fail to see through such a simple ploy?” Cao the Great Cultivator grew agitated. He paced back and forth in place for a moment, weighing his options repeatedly before finally deciding, “We will wait here inside the Wood Repository; there’s no need to rush out. We can leave after they have departed first.”

“But waiting too long might invite unforeseen complications. Furthermore, even if they have set up ambushes in the passages throughout the vault, they cannot perfectly monitor the hall's situation, nor can they strike simultaneously to intercept us. As long as we are fast enough, the instant we exit the passage, we can rush straight to the teleportation array and leave the vault. It will take but a breath; they won't be able to catch up! Relying only on the two Wangs and Cultivator Fan, they absolutely cannot stop us!” Cultivator Li pleaded desperately. Cao the Great Cultivator, however, was convinced an ambush lay outside and completely disregarded Li’s suggestions.

A day passed, then two... Nearly half a month vanished. Except for Cultivator Li occasionally poking his head out to check the state of the grand hall, Cao the Great Cultivator did not emerge at all. Cao the Great Cultivator’s sudden, inexplicable sense of crisis had saved him from danger. But it left Sun Xiang, Ye Qin, and the group of more than ten treasure hunters they had assembled, waiting miserably. They had no idea how long they would have to wait for the Cao faction to finally emerge from the passage.

“Are we just going to wait like this indefinitely?” “If you don’t want to enter the Wood Repository and fight the wood-elemental spirits, then we’ll simply have to out-wait the Cao faction!” “If the Cao faction truly intends to waste time in the Wood Repository, I swear I’ll charge in and kill him myself!” Sun Xing gnashed his teeth in frustration. Within the Azure Silk Curtain, the waiting treasure hunters looked at each other, filled with helplessness. Fortunately, being cultivators, they possessed considerable patience. Grasping closed eyes in meditation, half a month could pass by easily. Ye Qin, observing the faces of the other cultivators, showed no impatience whatsoever. Being only in the mid-stage of the Golden Core, he could afford to cultivate while waiting here, enduring years or even decades. A cultivator like Sun Xing, at the peak of the ninth level of the Golden Core, was likely desperate to seize the Nascent Soul Pills from Cao and prepare for his ascension. For every day they waited, their remaining lifespan diminished.

...

“The Wangs and Cultivator Fan are no longer in the hall. I estimate they have already left through the teleportation array with the Ye and Sun factions!” On this day, Cultivator Li emerged from the Wood Repository light gate, glanced into the hall, and then returned to report the situation to Cao the Great Cultivator. He checked Cao’s expression, then lowered his voice. “It’s just us left in this vault now! Must we continue waiting indefinitely?” This was nearly a month into their vigil, involving hundreds of trips in and out to report. He found Cao’s extreme caution somewhat excessive—overly cautious eventually turned into cowardice.

“Is that so?” Cao the Great Cultivator frowned. After waiting inside the Wood Repository for over half a month without seeing any abnormal movement in the hall, his certainty began to waver. He was no longer absolutely convinced there was an ambush outside. He, too, was running out of time. As a wandering cultivator with no deep roots or background in the Sea of Blood, reaching the ninth level of the Golden Core meant his remaining lifespan was meager, perhaps only a few decades. Ascending to the Nascent Soul realm wasn't as simple as swallowing a pill. To maximize the success rate, a vast amount of preparatory work was required: auxiliary items for the Nascent Soul formation, various apparatus for the tribulation, all indispensable. This preparation consumed significant time. If the first attempt failed, he would need time for a second round of preparation. If fate was unkind, and he failed three times, he would need to seek out even more Nascent Soul Pills. The hope was slim, but he could not simply give up. Here, inside the vault, he could do nothing but waste his precious remaining lifespan. At the peak of the ninth level of the Golden Core, he couldn't even cultivate further. Therefore, he could not afford to waste time here stagnating; action was necessary.

“Move!” Cao the Great Cultivator suddenly ceased his hesitation, issuing a sharp command, and stepped out through the Wood Repository light gate. Cultivator Li rejoiced and followed him out into the hall. Cao the Great Cultivator, seasoned and highly vigilant, paused right at the threshold of the Wood Repository passage entrance—a position that allowed him to retreat instantly back into the vault. He surveyed the grand hall with suspicious eyes. The hall was dim and silent, long abandoned; even the Wang uncle and nephew, and Cultivator Fan, were nowhere in sight. Cao first swept the area several times with his divine sense. Then, from his spirit beast pouch, he released a small, silver-furred spirit beast—small, with a long nose, pointed ears, a fox-like face, and a rat-like body. It was fully grown, possessing only the strength of a Foundation Establishment fifth-tier cultivator. This silver-furred spirit fox was named the “Sharp-Eared Spirit Fox.” Although naturally lacking any offensive capability and extremely fragile, this type of fox could hear the slightest sound or movement. Its nose could detect the faintest fluctuations in spiritual energy, meaning even Golden Core cultivators could not hide their tracks under its nose—unless they were Nascent Soul cultivators. This was a rare spirit beast he had painstakingly raised, specifically for tracking prey he targeted, usually treating it like a treasure. It served him excellently now, tasked with verifying the hall's conditions. The strangely shaped Spirit Fox first looked around, sniffed and listened intently for a moment, then trotted in a circle around the hall. It shook its small head, settled down on Cao the Great Cultivator’s palm, revealed its fluffy white belly, and squeaked twice, signaling that there were no ambushes.

“Go!” Cao the Great Cultivator trusted this spirit fox even more than Cultivator Li. Once he confirmed the all-clear, he nodded decisively and quickly sprinted toward the ancient teleportation array in the center of the hall.