During the near month that Ye Qin, Sun Xing, Cultivator Pang, and the scores of treasure-hunting cultivators were cornered by Old Ancestor Green Robe onto the desolate Spirit Island, fiercely competing for the spoils within its ancient treasury, the pirate ship stronghold in the Sea of Blood had also undergone significant transformations.

In the Sea of Blood, news concerning treasures could almost never be kept completely secret. The treasure-hunting cultivators’ instinct for tracking down valuable goods was even sharper than that of demonic beasts sensing blood. Given the slightest clue, they could nearly overturn the entire Blood Sea to locate any hidden artifact. In the Sea of Blood, any location potentially housing relics of antiquity or spiritual treasures of heaven and earth would inevitably bear the footprints of their perilous expeditions.

Once the thick fog blanketing the Desolate Spirit Great Island gradually dispersed, revealing such a colossal, thousand-mile-wide ruin of antiquity under the clear daylight, it was simply impossible to conceal, and word spread instantly. News of the ancient ruins emerging was relayed by passing treasure-hunting cultivators within a mere ten days, reaching the pirate ship stronghold. They offered varied descriptions of the island ruin: some claimed it was the site of an ancient battlefield, others suggested it was the nesting ground of Blood Mist Demonic Insects, some insisted it was a naturally formed spiritual nexus never before excavated, while still others whispered it was a haunt frequented by ghost cultivators—a den of iniquity and corruption.

Once the news reached the pirate ship stronghold, absolute secrecy became unattainable. It swiftly disseminated across the stronghold’s vast territory, and within half a month, an immense number of treasure-hunting cultivators were aware of it, sending ripples of shock through the various factions operating near the stronghold.

The Nascent Soul Ancestors stationed at the pirate ship stronghold were naturally alerted by this development. Ordinary ancient treasures or rare materials of heaven and earth rarely caught their attention. However, the emergence of an entirely new ancient site was a monumental affair, likely containing vast quantities of forgotten wealth—a situation that even Nascent Soul cultivators of their esteemed stature could not ignore, demanding immediate focus.

Thus, while Cultivator Pang, Ye Qin, Sun Xing, and the initial group of Golden Core treasure hunters who first discovered the ruins were battling desperately inside the ancient vault, far away at the pirate ship stronghold, the Nascent Soul Ancestors began to cast their keen, discerning gazes toward the massive island.

Certainly, the mere stray rumors brought back by the first few Golden Core treasure hunters were insufficient to sway these Ancestor-level cultivators. If it turned out to be false intelligence, leading to an embarrassing farce would cost them—the Ancestors—considerable face. They merely dispatched more subordinates to verify the accurate details.

But as more intelligence regarding the ruins was brought back by the treasure hunters, the matter was proven unequivocally true. Once these Ancestors confirmed the veracity of the news, they immediately converged upon the great island without delay, lest the treasures within the ancient ruins fall into the hands of other Nascent Soul cultivators.

As for the pirate ship stronghold, Golden Core treasure hunters who rushed over upon hearing the news, sinister rogue cultivators looking to fish in troubled waters for illicit gains, solitary itinerant cultivators rarely seen in public, lucky adventurers stumbling upon the location by chance, and cultivators newly arrived to adventure in the Sea of Blood—all poured toward this colossal island.

The Nascent Soul Ancestors’ rare avian mounts and magical artifacts flew at incredible speeds, carrying retinues of elite subordinates directly toward the giant island. The first seven or eight Nascent Soul Ancestors to arrive at the periphery of the ancient ruin island settled their forces among the reefs surrounding the island, establishing positions cautiously, setting up formations to seize advantageous terrain.

The island was shrouded in churning blood mist and ghost mist, and the fiercely swirling Ghost Mist Soul-Confusing Great Formation caused them some surprise. These Nascent Soul Ancestors arrived sequentially at the Desolate Spirit Great Island, surveyed the area separately for a time, but made no rash moves. Such a massive piece of meat could not be swallowed hastily; it was not that simple. Many Nascent Soul Ancestors were already gathered here, and rushing to the forefront did not guarantee securing the greatest benefits.

With their varied agendas, the Nascent Soul Ancestors gathered in the sky above to discuss how to divide the potential treasures within the island.

“Old Freak Cen, you’ve come too! Why abandon your Cen Drum Island to join in this ruckus?” A middle-aged cultivator with a greenish face and white beard glared coldly at a short, stout Nascent Soul cultivator, sneering. This middle-aged cultivator wore a magnificent robe of aquatic blue, its hem embroidered with the distinctive emblem of the Blood Merchant Alliance. Adorned with top-grade blue spiritual jade hairpins, pendants, and thumb rings, he appeared exceptionally graceful and luxurious, exuding an extraordinary bearing. However, he seemed to harbor an old grudge against the stout Nascent Soul cultivator, unable to restrain his verbal jabs upon meeting.

“Hmph! I, an old eccentric, am a free-roaming rogue cultivator; I go where I please. As for you, Elder Qing, being an Elder of a Blood Merchant Alliance branch stronghold, why are you here competing for spoils with us rogue cultivators instead of guarding your business?” The stout cultivator, dressed in a coarse brown tunic, sported only a few strands of scorched yellow hair on his high forehead, revealing a protruding belly, and stood barefoot, maintaining a casual and languid appearance, retorted sharply.

“Old Freak Cen, who are you calling someone who seizes by force?” Upon hearing this, the greenish-faced, white-bearded cultivator’s expression immediately turned unpleasant. He was an Elder of the Blood Merchant Alliance, and while he and Old Freak Cen didn't harbor deep-seated enmity, they had once cooperated on a treasure hunt that ended in considerable friction, leading to mutual disdain ever since. Old Freak Cen’s Cen Drum Island, situated near the pirate ship stronghold, was rich in spiritual energy and possessed numerous innate spiritual treasures. Cen Drum Island was forcefully occupied by Old Freak Cen, and Elder Qing had attempted to contest it but failed, eventually giving up for various reasons and swallowing his resentment, allowing Old Freak Cen to maintain control of Cen Drum Island. Since both Nascent Soul cultivators operated around the pirate ship stronghold, inevitable encounters meant they couldn't resist exchanging barbs and arguments. Of course, this minor friction wasn't enough to make them sever ties and fight.

The other several Nascent Soul Ancestors were quite familiar with the history between the two and paid no mind to their spat, exchanging greetings among themselves.

“True Immortal Scarlet Steed, your Scarlet Steed Divine Art is reaching a state of perfect mastery! Earlier on the road, I saw a distant, flying rainbow of scarlet light ahead, and I couldn't catch up no matter how hard I chased, wondering who it could be—such incredible speed! Seeing you now, it is indeed True Immortal Scarlet Steed!” A white-robed Confucian scholar said with a leisurely smile, hands clasped behind his back.

“Haha, Ancestor Su flatters me! My Scarlet Steed Divine Art is only for travel; it cannot compare to the limitless power of Ancestor Su’s divine abilities!” The old Taoist with a head of fiery red hair beside him laughed heartily.

“Fellow Daoists, we often deal with each other at the pirate ship stronghold; why be so formal! In my opinion, we should quickly discuss how to divide the ruins on this massive island. If we wait longer, more and more Nascent Soul cultivators will arrive, and our shares will inevitably become thinner. Although my Star Dou Pavilion doesn't overly concern itself with this particular haul, we are unwilling to see benefits given away for nothing,” A beautiful woman in a yellow tunic surveyed the Ancestors coldly.

“Hehe, Deputy Pavilion Master You speaks rightly; the main business comes first! Let’s not talk about inconsequential matters! My Dark Soul Hall dispatched over thirty disciples in the late or mid-Golden Core stages this time; they shouldn't have come for nothing!” A burly cultivator laughed loudly, gesturing toward the nearby giant island. “Looking at the situation on the island, the periphery is covered in blood mist, once infested by Blood Mist Demonic Insects. But the depths toward the center are permeated with ghost mist, clearly indicating the presence of ghost cultivators deep within the island. Fellow Daoists, given your current cultivation and status, your experiences are profound, and your insight is keen; how strong do you estimate the ghost cultivators on this island to be? Do we have confidence in subduing them?”

“A few days ago, I heard a reliable rumor. It is said that Old Ancestor Green Robe of the Barbarian Island faction from another stronghold led a group of Golden Core disciples into the ruins and has not emerged alive since,” Elder Qing mused, saying, “Moreover, I have encountered Old Ancestor Green Robe several times. Our strengths are likely on par with his!”

“Oh?! This suggests the ghost cultivators inhabiting this island are at least at the Nascent Soul level!” The beautiful woman in the yellow tunic exclaimed in surprise.

“The ghost mist enveloping this great island cannot be the work of ordinary early-stage Nascent Soul ghost cultivators... It must be a mid-stage, or perhaps even a late-stage Nascent Soul ghost cultivator, powerful enough to prevent Old Ancestor Green Robe from escaping,” Elder Qing nodded in agreement.

“These ghost cultivators here are truly insidious, using the power of the Blood Mist Demonic Insects to hide so deeply right under our noses for so long. Their secretive gathering here, generating such intense ghostly energy, is truly malicious!” The burly cultivator grumbled indignantly.

“Hmph, merely a bunch of cowardly specters who dare not show their faces. Before us, the assembled Nascent Soul Ancestors, they are nothing more than weaklings, unworthy of mention. If we join forces and storm in, we could wipe out every ghost cultivator on the island in less than a day,” Old Freak Cen spoke with utter contempt for the ghost cultivators.

“That is not the most crucial matter. I have already sent some disciples to investigate inside. There are many temporary encampments left behind, likely dating back to the era of the Ancient Immortal-Demon Grand Array. There must be numerous ancient relics left behind! How can they be occupied by ghost cultivators?” Elder Qing stated, shaking his head slightly with a frown. “If that is the case, then we might have real trouble! Because many relics were left by the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Alliance. These two great cultivation alliances are notoriously domineering and would never agree to allow things they left behind to fall into the hands of other cultivation powers.”

“In my estimation, once the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Alliance receive word, they are highly likely to intervene! Deploying large numbers of cultivators to take control of this area. If that happens, we small factions of the Sea of Blood will stand no chance of claiming this ancient ruin.”

“Hmph, so what if they come! This is the Sea of Blood, the domain of our cultivators. This place is far removed from the East Sea; it is not somewhere the Heavenly Dao Alliance or the Heavenly Demon Alliance can casually interfere. They are busy managing the East Sea Islands; where would they have the spare capacity to meddle in the trivialities of the Sea of Blood?” Old Freak Cen sneered.

“Elder Qing’s intelligence is always reliable. Regardless, we should hurry to divide the treasures here before the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Alliance intervene. Once we have parceled out the relics, even if they arrive, it will be to no avail,” The white-robed Confucian scholar surnamed Su said with some worry.

“My Blood Merchant Alliance will do its utmost to suppress the news and prevent the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Alliance from learning the situation here. However, the Blood Merchant Alliance must claim one-third of this site! After all, our Alliance is risking the displeasure of the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Alliance,” Elder Qing declared immediately.

“Hmph, this is not your Blood Merchant Alliance’s territory; anyone who sees something gets a share! Why should you take more! Fellow Daoists from the Dark Soul Hall and Star Dou Pavilion—should they receive less?” Old Freak Cen cried out in protest.

“I think an equal division is most appropriate!”

“No, no! It cannot be divided equally!”

Seven or eight Nascent Soul Ancestors began to argue, their faces flushed red.

“Enough arguing! Whoever seizes the treasures here keeps them; what is there to discuss!” Old Freak Cen, seeing the deadlock, roared in frustration and shouted down to the Golden Core cultivators on Cen Drum Island below, “My children, attack for your Old Ancestor!” Old Freak Cen ceased his fruitless chatter with the other Nascent Soul Ancestors, transforming into a fierce gust of wind, and led his contingent of Golden Core cultivators straight toward the Desolate Spirit Great Island.

Seeing this, the other Nascent Soul Ancestors fell silent. Negotiation was clearly futile.

It was time to fight for it! Since they had all brought large retinues, searching and contending for the ancient treasures within the island would not necessarily result in a disadvantage.

The Nascent Soul Ancestors all ordered their subordinates into action, forcibly charging into the Desolate Spirit Great Island. Along with them, the Golden Core cultivators from various other sources charged into the island as well.

Deep within the Desolate Spirit Great Island, the Skeleton General, hidden within the ghost mist of the Skeleton Mountain Range, was lamenting his misfortune. With so many Nascent Soul Ancestors present, he dared not venture out. If he did, those seven or eight Nascent Soul Ancestors could surround him, unleashing a torrent of sword strikes that would reduce him to a pile of scattered bones and dust.

He could only dispatch a hundred Golden Core-level ghost cultivators to command the tens of thousands of skeletons from the Skeleton Mountain Range, the thousands of zombies from Zombie Ridge, the fierce souls and resentful spirits from the Dead Soul Lake, and the swarms of rotting beasts from the Blood Mist Wasteland to put up some initial resistance against these treasure-hunting cultivators.

“Kill!”

“Whoever snatches the ancient treasures claims them!” Hundreds of Golden Core treasure-hunting cultivators, having received their Ancestors’ orders, roared excitedly and swept into the interior of the Desolate Spirit Island, engaging in fierce combat with the vast numbers of low-level ghost cultivators, skeletons, zombies, and vengeful spirits across the Skeleton Mountain Range, Zombie Ridge, and the Blood Mist Wasteland.

In the desperate struggle to occupy the entire ancient ruin island, the fighting among the treasure hunters reached a frenzied state, as did that of the ghost cultivators. In less than half an hour, the entire giant island was engulfed in the carnage of war and blood.

Under the leadership of the Nascent Soul Ancestors, the ghost cultivators were being slaughtered extensively, suffering heavy casualties. ...

The flames of war swept across the entire Desolate Spirit Great Island but did not immediately spread to the base of Desolate Spirit City. The Corpse King had already reported the urgent battle situation to the Desolate Spirit Ghost Master. In a fit of rage, the Ghost Master went out to confront the intruders, only to find that a large number of treasure-hunting cultivators had already stormed to the foot of the Skeleton Mountain Range. More than half of the entire Desolate Spirit Ghost Island had been seized by the treasure hunters. The Skeleton General was simply incapable of stopping such a multitude of intruders.

“Damn it, defiling my island, you seek death!” The Ghost Master, riding atop a mass of ghost mist, floated in the sky, gazing down at the battle raging below, the sight of the furiously fighting cultivators igniting uncontrollable fury. A ball of inky black Netherflame, the size of a fist, was burning fiercely within its skeletal chest cavity. This ball of Netherflame within its body was not immense, but this fire was not the ghost flame of a Nascent Soul cultivator; it was the Netherflame of a Soul Transformation stage ghost cultivator, capable of causing any living thing to incinerate. Even a tiny spark from this Netherflame could reduce the body of a Nascent Soul cultivator to ashes.

This ball of Netherflame was not a ghost fire refined by itself but was obtained during a chance perilous adventure—it was incredibly precious. It could even be said that its ability to cultivate to the late Nascent Soul stage and become a Ghost Master was entirely due to this Netherflame. Conversely, because it was not a ghost fire it refined itself, the Netherflame would gradually diminish with use. It had originally been reserved for crossing the Soul Transformation Tribulation. At this moment, however, he could no longer afford to hold back. If he didn't teach these Sea of Blood cultivators a lesson, they would assume the Desolate Spirit Ghost Island was their private residence, a place they could enter and slaughter at will.

The Desolate Spirit Ghost Master let out a sinister, cold laugh, and beneath his black robe, his withered palm flipped, conjuring seven lotus-shaped flares of Netherflame out of thin air in his ghostly claws.