On Desolate Spirit Island, the battle between the Ghost Cultivators and the Nascent Soul cultivators erupted into complete chaos.

At this critical juncture, the core of the ancient treasury reached an extremely perilous moment.

“Bang! Bang! Bang…!”

Inside the core ice vault, the Nascent Soul-level Ice Toad Demon Spirit violently battered the Earth Prison Cage restraining it. Cracks spiderwebbed across the prison’s yellow exterior, widening with every impact. Each blow shortened the remaining time for Ye Qin, Sun Xing, and the others by an instant; time had become desperately short. If the Ice Toad Demon Spirit broke free before they escaped the ice vault, they would surely perish there.

If they failed to shut down the ancient treasury formation within this brief window, all the immense sacrifices made by the previous cultivators would become utterly meaningless.

However, turning and leaving now was simply unacceptable. After all, they still held a chance to deactivate the restriction formation within the ice vault.

After an initial wave of terror, the five cultivators dared not delay a moment longer, immediately focusing all their attention on the White Jade Lotus Platform at the center of the main hall.

Kong Shi, the formation expert, was already dead. Although Ye Qin and the remaining four were filled with dread, fearing further unforeseen complications, time simply did not allow for prolonged contemplation.

The Fan Cultivator, displaying utter indifference, flew directly toward the Lotus Platform, stopping ten feet away from it. The others exchanged glances, seeing no immediate danger, and cautiously approached as well.

Closer in, the spiritual pressure emanating from the platform grew stronger. Waves of chilling air surged from the platform, nearly freezing their bodies rigid and hindering the flow of their blood. They marveled at the intense spiritual energy contained within the Ice Lotus Seed resting on this platform.

The restriction runes carved onto the White Jade Lotus Platform still circulated with brilliant, five-colored light, completely unaffected. The Ice Lotus Seed floating in the swirling spiritual mist at the center of the platform had also undergone no visible change.

The Fan Cultivator scanned the entire White Jade Lotus Platform and immediately spotted something unusual. “Fellow Daoists, look! On the five lotus petals engraved upon this platform, there are indentations shaped perfectly for a token, seemingly the same size as the access tokens for the other five treasury passages!”

The Wood Vault access token, previously taken from the Great Cultivator Cao, was already in the Fan Cultivator’s hand. Ye Qin, Sun Xing, and the others quickly noticed this and pulled out their respective access tokens to compare. Indeed, the sizes matched perfectly.

“This mysterious lotus seed at the center of the platform maintains the operation of this ancient treasury’s grand formation through the restriction runes carved on the petals of this lotus base. To shut down the formation, we must first sever the connection between them!” Cultivator Pang exclaimed, his expression brightening after making the comparison.

As he spoke, a sharp glint flashed in the Fan Cultivator’s eyes, and his tone became certain. “These five indentations perfectly correspond to the five master tokens for the inner vaults—all of the same general size. It is highly likely that simultaneously inserting all five master tokens will activate or halt the operation of this treasury’s grand restriction formation!”

The Fan Cultivator’s speculation was entirely reasonable, and everyone nodded in agreement.

“Let’s each take a master token and insert them into the corresponding indentations simultaneously!” Sun Xing suggested after a brief thought, immediately concurring.

“Bing’er, Kong Shi still has one master token. We can retrieve that one,” Ye Qin instructed.

Huangfu Bing’er nodded, flying instantly to the ice debris where Kong Shi had fallen. She quickly searched his storage bag and retrieved one master token. She noted that Kong Shi’s storage contained two additional Nascent Soul-level raw materials acquired from the Water Vault.

Kong Shi’s Peacock Flame Plumes were already in the Fan Cultivator’s possession. After Kong Shi’s death, everyone had been preoccupied with the Ice Toad and hadn't had time to search for the other two materials. However, these materials held little attraction for them; they were far less important than Nascent Soul Pills, and they lacked the composure to retrieve them then.

“These two raw materials can be used for artifact refinement or pill forging—perhaps they will be useful to husband!” Huangfu Bing’er murmured, her delicate hand pausing slightly upon seeing the materials in the storage bag. She then retrieved a master token, silently tucked away Kong Shi’s storage bag, and returned to the White Jade Lotus Platform.

“All five tokens are here!”

“Each person takes one master token and stands at the position corresponding to the five-colored petals! Get ready!”

“Press!”

The five cultivators stood in position, each holding a token. After exchanging glances, Sun Xing shouted the command, and everyone simultaneously pressed their access tokens toward the indentations.

The five pitch-black master tokens fit perfectly into the markings carved at the tips of the petals on the Lotus Platform, leaving not a single trace of extra gap.

Instantly, the White Jade Lotus Platform blazed with intense light. Countless five-colored rune shadows rose simultaneously, flickering chaotically. Concurrently, each of the five access tokens shot out a five-colored stream of light, thick as a finger, targeting the mysterious lotus seed in the center. This light complemented the runes, forming a dazzling curtain of light.

The group immediately retracted their hands, shocked by the spectacle, unsure of what would happen next.

However, this surging five-colored light curtain arrived swiftly and departed just as quickly. After circling the mysterious lotus seed once as its core, all the five-colored radiance began to dissipate. The runes engraved across the entire White Jade Lotus Platform simultaneously dimmed, quickly losing their luster.

On the White Jade Lotus Platform, no restriction lights remained active. No spiritual power was transmitted through the five petals to the various ice walls of the vault either. Only a single Ice Lotus Seed, exuding a mysterious aura, lay quietly in the absolute center of the platform. After untold ages, it remained vibrant and full of life, seemingly capable of sprouting at any moment to become an Ice Lotus plant.

“It’s… successful?” Sun Xing stepped back, his aged face etched with disbelief. The restriction of this ancient treasury had actually been halted by the combined efforts of five Golden Core cultivators. Though he had always hoped to achieve this, the reality left him somewhat incredulous. Having accomplished this step, they could now leave the central ice vault and proceed to the other storage rooms to freely claim any treasures within. No restrictions would bar their way.

“Success! The grand formation of this ancient treasury has ceased operation!” The Fan Cultivator’s expression remained as cold as ever, but a trace of excitement flickered deep within his eyes as he stared intently at the mysterious Ice Lotus Seed at the center of the platform. This seed was only ten feet away, within easy reach.

Yet, he did not move to claim it. He knew the potent nature of this item and had no intention of touching it.

Sun Xing, Pang Cultivator, Ye Qin, and the others were certainly not blind. Even a fool could guess the immense value of this mysterious lotus seed—the very source of spiritual power for the entire treasury core. As the operational core for the grand formation of the entire ancient treasury, this Ice Lotus Seed was incomparable to any single item stored within.

The collections in the various storage rooms held vast amounts of items used by Nascent Soul cultivators of the tenth to twelfth tiers: minor Divine Ability artifacts, minor Divine Ability talismans, Nascent Soul-level raw materials, Nascent Soul-level secret manuals, and more. This mysterious Ice Lotus Seed was absolutely not inferior to any of those items, and likely far superior.

Sun Xing and Pang Cultivator’s breathing grew ragged, and the fierce possessiveness in their eyes almost compelled them to snatch the seed from the platform’s center immediately. They were deaf even to the sounds of the Ice Toad Demon Spirit relentlessly pounding the Earth Prison Cage. They would likely abandon all other stored treasures just for this one Ice Lotus Seed.

They refrained from moving to take it because they knew the others were watching them like hawks.

“The seed of the North Sea Ice Lotus?” Ye Qin felt a surge of excitement and shock, recalling the descriptions of the North Sea Ice Lotus in the Lotus Treasure Codex. This seed bore too much resemblance to the records in the book. Furthermore, having seen the Great Divine Ability ancient artifact, the Kui Niu Drum, he assessed that this Ice Lotus Seed’s power was no less than that of the Drum, suggesting it was also a Great Divine Ability-grade item.

Sun Xing and Pang Cultivator had never encountered Great Divine Ability items and did not consider this possibility. However, they knew that such a spiritual entity was infinitely more valuable than minor Divine Ability artifacts. This spiritual entity was right before them, within arm's reach!

There was only one Ice Lotus Seed; who would obtain it? Everyone desired such a top-tier spiritual object, but not everyone could live to secure it.

Ye Qin quickly exchanged a glance with Huangfu Bing’er. Though he was immensely excited and hoped to obtain it, he shook his head, suppressing the thought.

Sun Xing was at the ninth layer of the Golden Core realm and possessed three minor Divine Ability ancient artifacts. Pang Cultivator, at the eighth layer, still held one powerful, unused minor Divine Ability talisman. As for the Fan Cultivator, a seventh-layer Golden Core, his behavior was extremely erratic and unpredictable; they couldn't guess what trump cards he held. Judging by his complete lack of fear, he likely possessed a formidable killing move.

All three were fiercely capable fighters, none easy to provoke. Even if he and his wife joined forces, their advantage would be exceedingly limited. If these three revealed their ultimate trump cards in a desperate fight, the situation would become extremely dangerous; mutual destruction would be the best possible outcome.

Ye Qin held no illusion that he could eliminate all three without sustaining injuries. Moreover, the Ice Toad was rapidly breaking free from the Earth Prison Cage; the threat was imminent. If the five cultivators started fighting amongst themselves now, weakening their strength, whoever ultimately seized the mysterious seed would likely meet a poor end anyway.

In a flash of lightning and flint, Ye Qin calculated the risks and transmitted a mental message to Huangfu Bing’er: “Play it by ear. If we can take it, we will; if not, we abandon it. Later, let’s focus on getting several more Nascent Soul Pills from the Wood Vault!”

“Understood,” Huangfu Bing’er replied with a slight nod.

Ye Qin harbored reservations. Sun Xing shared similar concerns, feeling wary of Ye Qin and Pang Cultivator. These were all unrestrained, arrogant cultivators, none of whom were simple adversaries. The fate of this mysterious Ice Lotus Seed was not for him alone to decide. Sun Xing desperately wanted it, but he feared the reactions of the other four.

“Cultivator Sun, if you wish to take it, just do so. I forfeit!” the Fan Cultivator stated coldly.

“Brother Fan doesn’t want this Ice Lotus Seed?” Sun Xing paused, then addressed the others. “What do the rest of you think? Which Daoist friend desires this seed? Time is pressing; the Ice Toad will be out soon, allowing no time for deep thought! If no one wants it, I will claim it.”

Though his words were yielding, everyone could see his overwhelming desire for the seed.

“This Ice Lotus Seed’s grade is too high; it probably won’t be usable until the late Nascent Soul stage. With my wife and my cultivation, we are still far from the Nascent Soul realm and won't be able to use it for a long time, so we won't contest it. However, whoever takes this seed must allow my wife and me to claim two extra shares of the other treasury collections,” Ye Qin announced.

Pang Cultivator hesitated. He only had one minor Divine Ability talisman left. Whether it would be effective against Sun Xing was uncertain. Even if he dealt with Sun Xing, the Ye couple, watching hungrily from the side, would likely turn hostile and seize it once they were unopposed. At that point, stripped of his primary advantage, he would surely be no match for the Ye couple, merely benefiting someone else. After weighing his options, he hardened his resolve. Since the Ye couple, with their strength, chose to step back, he would do the same. After they left, he could ally with the Zhu and Yang cultivators waiting in the main hall, find an opportunity later, use his minor Divine Ability talisman in a sneak attack, kill Sun Xing, and take both the Ice Lotus Seed and the minor Divine Ability ancient artifacts.

With this plan in mind, Pang Cultivator forced a smile. “Pang is also not interested in fighting over it; I will concede it to Brother Sun. But I must receive an extra share of the treasury goods. Time is short, so if Daoist Sun wants it, take it quickly!”

Sun Xing was surprised that everyone else declined. “That’s easy to arrange! If I manage to secure this seed, my share of the treasures will be divided into five portions, and I will only take one small part; the rest will serve as compensation for the four of you.” Sun Xing was overjoyed.

“Hurry up!” the Fan Cultivator urged aloud, but inwardly he sneered, waiting to watch a good show unfold.

Sun Xing no longer hesitated. However, out of caution, he did not move himself. Instead, he patted his storage bag and released a Diamond Spiritual Ape at the early Golden Core stage. This ape, covered in golden-yellow fur, was still shivering fiercely, clearly intimidated by the Ice Lotus Seed on the platform. Under Sun Xing’s urging, it leaped and roared aggressively a few times before lunging toward the seed, reaching out to snatch it.

The instant the Diamond Ape’s arm made contact with the Ice Lotus Seed—

“Whoosh!”

The Ice Lotus Seed ejected a blast of icy cold energy.

“Crack!”

The Diamond Ape froze in the very posture of snatching, its massive eyes wide with terror. Its entire body was enveloped by a white radiance and instantly frozen solid. Large chunks of ice crystals formed effortlessly, encasing the ten-zhang-tall, Golden Core-level ape.

The Fan Cultivator’s expression shifted slightly; he hadn’t expected Sun Xing to possess a Spiritual Ape capable of being ordered to retrieve the seed. Sun Xing’s face turned ghastly pale, fear gripping his heart. This Ice Lotus Seed was too tyrannical. If he had been the one to act just now, he would have been the one frozen. Once frozen, his four or five centuries of arduous cultivation would end completely, leaving him with the same fate as the Cao family members and Kong Shi.

Sun Xing’s heart ignited with rage. His fierce gaze swept over the Fan Cultivator, Ye Qin, and Pang Cultivator in turn. But his killing gaze finally settled on the Fan Cultivator. It was the Fan Cultivator who had first incited him to claim the seed. Ye Qin and Pang Cultivator had only agreed afterward.

“Bastard Fan, you instigated me to take that seed—were you trying to kill me?!” Sun Xing roared.

“What has that got to do with me! You were the one who wanted to take it!” the Fan Cultivator sneered dismissively. He knew the true terror of the Ice Lotus and had indeed secretly plotted to trick Sun Xing and the other three treasure hunters into perishing there. However, with his own strength alone, he was no match for the other four combined, so he certainly couldn't admit to attempting to murder them.

“You dare still argue! Ever since you entered this treasury, I found you furtive and highly suspicious! Since arriving here, you’ve taken nothing, not even wanting a Nascent Soul Pill—what exactly are you plotting? You killed fellow Daoist Kong first, and now you try to kill me! Detestable, I cannot let you live! Die!” Sun Xing was consumed by fury, having narrowly escaped death. He could hold back no longer. The four Earth Array Flags in his hand shot out as four streaks of yellow light, striking toward the Fan Cultivator as he yelled, “Brother Pang, Brother Ye, this person cannot be spared! Quickly, strike!”

“This Fan fellow entered with Kong Shi, and Kong Shi’s various expressions seemed fearful of him—I also found this person suspicious! But without proof, I didn’t want to suspect too much,” Pang Cultivator recalled the Fan Cultivator’s many dubious actions, his face sinking. He waved his Seven Treasure Cover Umbrella, unleashing a sudden attack toward the Fan Cultivator. “Fan, whatever your origin or your goal, die!”

The simultaneous attack from two late-stage Golden Core cultivators was far beyond what the Fan Cultivator could withstand.