"That Silver Armored Guard is still useful to this Emperor. You took it without asking from the underground palace back then, and it’s time it was returned to me now," the Saint Emperor stated in a solemn, frigid tone. He had no idea that Ye Qin was preoccupied with other thoughts while conversing with him; if he had known, he likely would have erupted in anger on the spot.

"Senior Saint Emperor, your Lotus Clone has personally agreed to bestow this puppet upon this junior. Senior Saint Emperor should be aware of this matter; why now seek to reclaim it?" Ye Qin showed a look of confusion upon hearing this.

"Ancestor, since your clone already gifted that puppet to Brother Ye, it should not be taken back. Ling Su believes the Ancestor surely has your reasons, but violating a promise for this reason would tarnish the Ancestor's status!" Yin Lingsu interjected at this point. She wished to repay Ye Qin's favor and also felt the Saint Emperor's action was somewhat inappropriate, so she advised him with gentle words.

The Saint Emperor frowned, though he was not angered by Yin Lingsu, but rather fell into contemplation.

After pondering for a while, he waved his hand, casting a sound-insulating barrier that enveloped him and Ye Qin.

Inside the barrier, Yin Lingsu, Huangfu Bing'er, the several Nascent Soul cultivators, and the numerous Golden Core cultivators could not hear a single sound. The assembled cultivators stood quietly with lowered heads, their expressions unchanged. They naturally understood that what the Saint Emperor was about to say was an extremely important secret, one they were not qualified to hear.

"This Silver Armored Guard was refined by this Emperor a thousand years ago, when I first began cultivating Metal Element Puppet Arts. I spared no effort in gathering secret silver materials for it. At that time, my puppet refining skill was lacking, so it only possessed the strength of the Golden Core stage. I intended to refine it again later, elevating it to a Nascent Soul-level Silver Armored Guard for a grand purpose. Unfortunately, I didn't have the chance before being trapped in the underground palace. You already know what happened after that, so I won't elaborate," the Saint Emperor spoke slowly, his expression grave. "When I refined my Lotus Clone, I only copied the majority of my memories to it. However, there are many matters concerning my ultimate secrets, including the true purpose of this Silver Armored Guard, which are of significant consequence; even my clone is unaware of them. The clone's strength is still too weak. If it were captured by a powerful enemy and subjected to soul transference, revealing these ultimate secrets would be disastrous. I sent it to the East Sea Archipelago to recruit personnel for the Saint Emperor Palace, but I never expected that in gratitude to you, it would actually gift the Silver Armored Guard away. This was something this Emperor could not have predicted."

Ye Qin nodded in understanding. So that was the case. The Lotus Clone did not possess the Saint Emperor's entire memory and had gifted the Silver Armored Guard to him unknowingly. For the Saint Emperor, a figure of his stature, to offer such an explanation instead of forcefully demanding it back was already extremely rare. Otherwise, even with ten times the courage, Ye Qin would not dare refuse if the Saint Emperor had simply reclaimed it without a word.

The Saint Emperor paused briefly after speaking. The true intention behind refining the Silver Armored Guard was something even the clone did not know, so he certainly could not tell Ye Qin. However, on second thought, although the Lotus Clone differed from him in some memories and consciousness, it was, after all, his clone. The promise made by the clone naturally represented the will of the vast majority of the main body. In this matter, the Saint Emperor was somewhat in the wrong himself. Given his esteemed status, he naturally did not wish to go back on his word to a mere Golden Core junior. Yet, the great affair he was plotting absolutely required the Silver Armored Guard. This presented a dilemma.

Finally, the Saint Emperor came up with an idea. With a decisive wave of his hand, he declared, "Forget it. Since my Lotus Clone has gifted the Silver Armored Guard to you, there is no justification for this Emperor to forcibly take it back now. However, in a few years, I must use it to re-refine a Nascent Soul-level puppet. That specific matter cannot be accomplished without this item. When I need to use it, you must unconditionally lend the Silver Armored Guard to this Emperor temporarily. Afterward, this Emperor will return a Nascent Soul-level Silver Armored Guard to you! In this way, neither my affairs will be delayed, you will gain a benefit, and the promise made by my clone will not be violated."

"Thank you, Senior Saint Emperor! If Senior needs to borrow it in the future, this junior will certainly not refuse!" Ye Qin immediately agreed with a nod, his suspended heart finally easing. This Silver Armored Guard possessed infinite marvelous uses; he was naturally reluctant to return it to the Saint Emperor. Even the Saint Emperor, a colossal figure of the Heavenly Demon Alliance who had once entered the Soul Transformation stage, valued this puppet so highly, indicating its true worth was far more than just fighting and slaying, as he currently used it for. Moreover, the Great Divine Ability ancient-level North Australia Ice Lotus Seed was still housed within the Silver Armored Guard's core. Ye Qin had no immediate way to retrieve the Ice Lotus Seed, making it even more impossible to return the puppet, lest he lose the seed along with it.

"Hmph, playing tricks on this Emperor—you are the first to survive it. This Emperor detests owing favors the most. You aided Shi Hanyang in obtaining the spirit lotus, indirectly helping this Emperor escape confinement. The Lotus Clone gifted you a Silver Armored Guard as thanks—so this Emperor returns a favor in kind. Remain aboard the treasure ship palace, and no one here can harm you. Afterward, this Emperor will escort you safely away from this island. This island is in complete chaos, with numerous Ghost Cultivators and Nascent Soul cultivators vying for treasures. You might well lose your life here," the Saint Emperor waved his hand, dissipating the sound-insulating barrier, and dismissed Ye Qin. Leaning back against the coiled dragon golden chair, he closed his eyes to meditate, clearly unwilling to say more.

Ye Qin hesitated, wanting to speak, but ultimately did not refuse. Given the strength of himself and Bing'er, leaving the Barren Spirit Island safely would indeed be extremely difficult. If they encountered other Nascent Soul cultivators along the way, they certainly wouldn't be as easygoing as the Saint Emperor. Moreover, aboard this treasure ship, besides the Saint Emperor himself, there were as many as seven early to mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, possessing formidable power. Though it would take some time, their safety was absolutely guaranteed.

"Thank you, Senior Saint Emperor!" Ye Qin bowed respectfully and took his leave. In front of the Saint Emperor and the numerous Nascent Soul Ancestors who could dictate his life and death, he did not wish to linger for even a moment longer.

As Ye Qin and Huangfu Bing'er followed Yin Lingsu out of the grand hall, they heard the Saint Emperor mutter almost inaudibly, "I truly don't know what charm you possess, that Shi Hanyang, this Emperor’s Lotus Clone, and even that girl Ling Su are willing to speak well of you."

Ye Qin's steps faltered slightly. Seeing the expressions of the surrounding cultivators remain normal, he realized only he had heard the Saint Emperor's mumble. He couldn't help but let out a wry smile, shook his head, and quickly strode out of the hall.

"Brother Ye, Sister Huangfu, please follow me. There are no restrictions on this treasure ship; most areas allow free movement." Yin Lingsu led Ye Qin and Huangfu Bing'er out of the hall.

"Thank you, Miss Ling Su, for speaking up just now, which made Senior Saint Emperor drop the thought of taking back the Silver Armored Guard. May I ask why the Saint Emperor suddenly led his entourage to this Barren Spirit Island? You cultivators seem so composed; you couldn't have arrived in a rush, could you?" Ye Qin inquired.

"The Ancestor's arrival at the Sea of Blood has two purposes: firstly, to search for clues regarding the whereabouts of his past enemies, and secondly, to rebuild the Saint Emperor Palace. The strength of the Saint Emperor Palace urgently requires vast resources, wealth, and manpower." Yin Lingsu said with a smile. "However, the East Sea Archipelago is occupied by the Heavenly Dao Alliance, the Heavenly Demon Alliance, and numerous smaller factions, making expansion difficult. Only in this chaotic Sea of Blood can we recruit personnel and find massive amounts of wealth. Elder Song of our Palace recently received news that the treasures of an ancient vault on a massive island near the Ancient Ship Stronghold have surfaced. The Saint Emperor brought the entire Saint Emperor Palace with him, tracking the rumor here, entering this island, hoping to secure a portion of the spoils!"

Ye Qin secretly marveled upon hearing this. The Saint Emperor must have returned to the East Sea Cultivation World from the Central Plains Continent not too long ago. Yet, he had already recruited a large number of powerful cultivators. On this treasure ship alone, besides the Saint Emperor, there were seven Nascent Soul cultivators and a large contingent of Golden Core cultivators. Furthermore, the Saint Emperor's Lotus Clone and Shi Hanyang were recruiting cultivators heavily in the East Sea Archipelago. The Saint Emperor Palace’s strength was expanding at an astonishing rate. At least in terms of the number of Nascent Soul cultivators, it already surpassed the Purple Sword Palace.

However, this was understandable. The Saint Emperor was the supreme leader among the five giants of the Heavenly Demon Alliance a thousand years ago, his prestige shaking the East Sea Cultivation World. The enemies he made were as numerous as ants, and the legends surrounding him were almost mythic. After his long absence and subsequent return from the Central Plains Continent, what he could offer to Nascent Soul cultivators was likely something no other immortal palace could provide. The number of Nascent Soul cultivators willing to pledge allegiance to the Saint Emperor must be considerable.

"Brother Ye, Sister Huangfu, the Saint Emperor Palace is severely short of manpower. May this junior take the liberty to ask if you two are willing to join the Saint Emperor Palace?" Yin Lingsu asked with a light smile. This matter had precedent; the Saint Emperor's Lotus Clone had previously attempted to recruit them.

Ye Qin and Huangfu Bing'er had no such intention and politely refused. Yin Lingsu looked somewhat regretful upon their refusal. "Elder Song mentioned that Brother Ye is an elder of the East Sea Purple Sword Palace, so naturally, you wouldn't want to defect to another immortal palace. The Ancestor wishes to groom this junior to be the future Palace Mistress of the Saint Emperor Palace, and I lack many trustworthy individuals by my side. Furthermore, the Ancestor's lifespan is dwindling, and he has many matters to attend to, leaving little time to manage the affairs of the Saint Emperor Immortal Palace. With my current cultivation and abilities, how can I possibly support such a massive Saint Emperor Palace? Alas..." She sighed softly, then brightened her smile again. "However, it is fate that I have come to know Brother Ye and Sister Huangfu. If I ever need your assistance in the future, I hope Brother Ye and Sister Huangfu will not decline."

Ye Qin smiled faintly and said nothing, simply shaking his head. With Yin Lingsu's status, she was destined to become the Palace Mistress of the Saint Emperor Palace. A cultivator like him, originating from the loose-cultivator path, could not compare. These words should perhaps be said in reverse.

After temporarily lingering in the Dead Spirit Marsh, the massive azure treasure ship, acting as the palace, left and ascended to the shore. It then hovered just above the ground, moving forward at low altitude. There was an aerial restriction on the island, which the Saint Emperor was unwilling to challenge directly. The treasure ship soon arrived at Barren Spirit City, the destination.

The Saint Emperor, the seven Nascent Soul cultivators, and the many Golden Core cultivators all descended onto the deck at the front of the treasure ship. Ye Qin and Huangfu Bing'er were among them, feeling a touch of curiosity. This time, being aboard the treasure ship with the Nascent Soul Ancestors of the Saint Emperor Palace present, they had no concerns about their safety. Instead, they had the leisure to observe the scenery.

When Ye Qin followed the treasure ship back to Barren Spirit City, the once silent and desolate city was bustling and chaotic beyond his wildest imagination. Ye Qin was astonished by the sheer number of Nascent Soul and Golden Core cultivators that had gathered. He saw massive groups of cultivators arrayed in all directions around Barren Spirit City. Among them were cultivators from the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Alliance; their formations were distinct, disciplined, and silent. Until the Nascent Soul Ancestors issued an order, there was no sound other than the whistling wind. The clamor and noise mainly came from the scattered cultivator groups.

What shocked Ye Qin the most was seeing the ghostly figure, whose face was shrouded in black mist—a late-stage Nascent Soul Ghost Cultivator—standing proudly atop the head of a massive, two-headed slime demon, flying in the sky and indifferently observing the cultivators pressing in from all directions. He recognized this late-stage Nascent Soul Ghost Cultivator. Furthermore, standing on the battlements of Barren Spirit City was an extremely tall Skeleton Warrior carrying a bone sword, and a Zombie clad in black robes. From the terrifying ghostly aura and spiritual pressure emanating from them, both turned out to be rare Nascent Soul stage cultivators. Behind these two Nascent Soul-level ghosts stood nearly a hundred Golden Core Skeleton Warriors and Zombie Ghost Cultivators, all standing silently and menacingly, glaring at the surrounding masses of East Sea cultivators.

At this moment, the ghostly aura in Barren Spirit City was intensely thick. In the sky surrounding the two-headed ghost general and the late-stage Nascent Soul Ghost Cultivator, ghostly clouds billowed, faintly revealing countless vengeful spirits and ferocious fiends. These malevolent ghosts and specters, which were experts at interfering with cultivators' spiritual senses, were now surging silently within the ghostly mist, ready to rush out at any moment—eerie and vicious.

"A late-stage Nascent Soul Ghost Cultivator!"

"A transformed Skeleton Demon..."

Ye Qin finally realized the gravity of the situation and shrank his neck, feeling a chill of lingering fear. He exchanged a look with Huangfu Bing'er and saw the terror in her eyes as well. On their journey here, they had failed to notice such a large number of Ghost Cultivators on this island, including Nascent Soul stage ones. If they had carelessly encountered even one of these Nascent Soul cultivators, death would have been certain. The most unbelievable thing was that their group of treasure-seeking cultivators had managed to obtain treasures from this ancient vault and safely board the Saint Emperor Palace's treasure ship—it was truly incredible.

Under the protection of several Nascent Soul cultivators, Yin Lingsu pointed at the ghost cultivators on the battlements and exclaimed with a somewhat naive astonishment, "Are those the Ghost Cultivators on this island? They look truly terrifying. But with the Ancestor here, we don't fear them." With her Foundation Establishment cultivation, she could not discern the true depth of the several Nascent Soul Ghost Cultivators, revealing her ignorance of the danger. However, Ye Qin, as a Golden Core cultivator who had fought Nascent Soul experts before, knew the might of Nascent Soul cultivators and felt lingering apprehension.

These massive contingents of East Sea cultivators arrived at Barren Spirit City from various directions. The Ghost Cultivators on the island were at an absolute disadvantage and could not possibly resist them one by one. They were forced to retreat to the center of the island—Barren Spirit City—attempting to defend this most vital ancient city. Beneath Barren Spirit City, fifty to sixty Nascent Soul Ancestors from the East Sea and Sea of Blood cultivation powers had already gathered, with countless Golden Core cultivators! The Ghost Cultivators faced off against the forces from all sides. The Nascent Soul cultivators released their respective auras and spiritual pressures, making the atmosphere incredibly oppressive, causing the lower-level cultivators to feel suffocated.

(To be continued)