Your power is considerable indeed—the pinnacle of Nascent Soul tenth layer cultivation, wielding the terrifying Rank Thirteen Netherflame to shroud the entire island in a Ghost Mist Formation spanning a thousand miles! By these merits alone, you are already a sovereign ruler in the Blood Sea region. If it were not for my Imperial Sacred Body and its great divine abilities, capable of suppressing your Netherflame, I might not have defeated you so easily. Even another Sect Master or Great Power might not have been able to subdue you!
As far as this Sovereign knows, the cultivation methods of Ghost Cultivators differ vastly from those of normal cultivators. All Ghost Cultivators face no so-called cultivation bottlenecks; progressing from the Qi Refining stage to the Soul Transformation stage requires no consumption of pills like the Foundation Establishment Pill, Golden Core Pill, Nascent Soul Pill, or Soul Transformation Pill, allowing a smooth, unimpeded ascent through the realms. However, when a Ghost Cultivator advances a realm, they will still invite heavenly tribulation. Moreover, the danger involved in a Ghost Cultivator’s tribulation is many times greater than that faced by ordinary cultivators.”
The Sacred Emperor looked at the Ghost Lord, a jade slip emerging in his hand, and spoke lightly, “One could say that while Ghost Cultivators find their day-to-day practice easier, far more perish during their tribulations. In the Eastern Sea and Blood Sea, it is exceedingly rare for a Ghost Cultivator to reach the Nascent Soul stage. For you to have survived the Great Heavenly Tribulation of the Nascent Soul stage, you must have paid quite a heavy price.
Your greatest fear now is the Soul Transformation stage tribulation. You spent hundreds of years preparing this island solely for crossing that tribulation; this shows you are a Ghost Cultivator with keen foresight! This jade slip records some of my own experiences preparing for the nascent Soul Transformation Tribulation. It will be of immense benefit to you. If you agree to join this Sovereign in carrying out that great endeavor, this jade slip is yours!” The Ghost Lord fell silent.
What the Sacred Emperor said was true. With the Rank Thirteen Netherflame in its possession, its cultivation had advanced rapidly. Since becoming a Ghost Cultivator hundreds of years ago after the demise of a certain cultivator, it had struggled all the way to the peak of the ninth layer of the Nascent Soul stage, enduring countless hardships.
Yet, it remained overwhelmingly terrified of the Great Tribulation of the Soul Transformation stage.
It had transformed the entire expanse of the Ten Thousand Mile Desolate Spirit Island into a ghostly domain, laying down the Ghost Mist Formation. It intended to use the treasure-seeking cultivators to obtain the core treasure within the treasury and refine it into a supreme Divine Artifact, all in preparation for tribulation.
It never expected, however, that the Northern Abyss Ice Lotus Seed would ultimately be taken by those few treasure-seeking cultivators.
The rage in the Ghost Lord’s heart was naturally indescribable. Since that Ice Lotus Seed had fallen into the hands of the Sacred Emperor, it knew retrieving it was impossible. There was nothing to discuss between it and the Sacred Emperor.
But why had the Sacred Emperor suddenly come here now, offering help with its Soul Transformation Tribulation?
The Ghost Lord felt extremely conflicted, yet it knew the Sacred Emperor had existed for far longer than the lifespan of a Nascent Soul cultivator, meaning it must have ascended to the Soul Transformation stage long ago, only to have its cultivation drop for some unknown reason afterward.
Furthermore, judging by the Sacred Emperor’s demeanor, he did not seem to be jesting.
The Ghost Lord stared at the jade slip, remaining silent for a long while. A glint shone in its eyes, and finally, it nodded, “The Sacred Emperor speaks truthfully. First, tell me, what is this matter that requires the presence of Senior Sacred Emperor to personally negotiate with this Lord? After hearing it, I can then consider your offer!”
“In a few years, this Sovereign plans to venture into the Demon Realm to seek a certain spiritual item!”
“The Demon Realm?”
The Ghost Lord was startled. “Rumor has it that deep within the Demon Sea, there is an extremely perilous spatial vortex that leads to the Demon Realm. Within the Demon Realm reside numerous demon cultivators at the Soul Transformation stage and above! Putting aside whether we can pass through the spatial vortex, even if we entered, with the strength you and I possess, it would be courting death! Why does the Sacred Emperor wish to go to the Demon Realm?”
“Why would this Sovereign wish to go? However, this Sovereign’s lifespan is running short; I must enter the Demon Realm to find that spiritual herb!” The Sacred Emperor sighed slightly, filled with helplessness.
“What spiritual herb is worth such a reckless venture?”
“The Purple Spirit Rejuvenation Grass!”
“What kind of spiritual herb is that?” The Ghost Lord sounded somewhat bewildered, clearly unfamiliar with this herb.
“Heh, this herb is connected to a grand celestial secret. It’s normal that you haven’t heard of it! This item, speaking of it, is related to the Ji River in the Ji World of the Western Nether Continent. Ghost Lord, if you fail to transform into a God and your essence scatters, then nothing else matters. If you manage to enter the Soul Transformation stage, you will inevitably have to go to the Western Nether Continent. If we can truly find the Purple Spirit Rejuvenation Grass, regardless of what happens later, you and I will have a fallback option, standing invincible!” the Sacred Emperor spoke calmly.
“…related to the Ji River? Could it be the legendary…”
The Ghost Lord suddenly thought of something, its expression turning horrified and incredibly agitated. But it still harbored doubt and quickly asked, “How does the Sacred Emperor know for certain that the Purple Spirit Rejuvenation Grass is in the Demon Realm?”
“Heh, naturally, it is information passed down by an ancient mighty cultivator who entered the Demon Realm long ago. A thousand years ago, this Sovereign accidentally obtained a fragment that recorded this spiritual item’s effects. However, at that time, this Sovereign was preparing for Soul Transformation and had no time to deal with it.” The Sacred Emperor took out a palm-sized piece of scorched oracle bone fragment from his storage pouch and said plainly, “To tell you the truth, this inscription was left by an ancient mighty Ghost Cultivator, and it represents an absolute top-tier profound art in the Eastern Sea Cultivation World!”
“Netherworld… the Netherworld Grand Art?” The Ghost Lord looked at the dark, gloomy fragment, truly surprised. It could clearly sense the ancient and vicissimal aura emanating from it.
“Hmph, if this Sovereign weren't certain, why would I risk my very life and fortune! My lifespan is short; this is the final chance. If the Ghost Lord is interested, this Sovereign will accompany you. If not, this Sovereign will not force the issue.” The Sacred Emperor held the fragment tightly, his gaze resolute.
The Ghost Lord fell silent once more.
To the Demon Realm...!
Several days later.
In the sky above the Blood Sea, within the sparse cloud layers, a mass of dark cloud traveled rapidly. Suddenly, this mass of dark cloud slowed its pace.
“Brother Sun, Brother Pang, this place is far from Desolate Spirit Island. My spouse and I have gained much from this trip and are preparing to return to the Eastern Sea. I wonder what your plans are?”
“Haha, Brother Sun has already made many preparations for the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation. Having acquired a Nascent Soul Pill and two minor Divine Artifacts this trip with you all, our chances of surviving the tribulation have greatly increased. I plan to take my leave and find a place in the Blood Sea to prepare for the tribulation!”
“Then I wish Brother Sun success in achieving the Nascent Soul stage and becoming a Nascent Soul cultivator. As for Pang, I still lack some cultivation to reach the peak of the ninth layer of the Golden Core stage, and my preparations are not yet complete. I fear it will be some time before I can advance to Nascent Soul tribulation. When we left the treasury that day, I was forced by urgency to separate from fellow Daoists Zhu and Yang. I have deep ties with those two and cannot set my mind at ease. Pang plans to search for them first.”
“Since that is the case, Ye bids farewell to you two. I hope when we next meet, both Brother Sun and Brother Pang will have reached the Nascent Soul stage!”
“Hehe, with Brother Ye’s strength and fortune, your future achievements will surely surpass ours. We will need Brother Ye to look out for us then! Farewell!” With that, Sun Xing and Cultivator Pang took out their respective flying artifacts, transforming into two streaks of rainbow light, and vanished into the horizon in quick succession.
Ye Du smiled faintly, steering the Cloud Concealment Barrier, continuing his flight towards the Ancient Ship strongpoint with Huangfu Bing'er.
After flying for a day, they discovered an uninhabited, desolate island.
Ye Qin flew around the island for several hundred miles, finding no other cultivators. He then landed on this desolate island, several dozen miles wide.
Ye Du summoned the Golden Crow Radiance Halberd and swiftly eliminated the few demonic beasts on the island. He carved out a simple grotto-cave dwelling in one of the island's peaks.
The two entered the dwelling.
“My Liege, what is this?”
Huangfu Bing'er asked, somewhat puzzled.
“The Silver Armored Guard collected an Ice Lotus Seed, and then it absorbed the Ghost Lord’s Netherflame. I never had a chance to inspect them previously, and I don’t know if any problems might arise. Once we return to the Ancient Ship strongpoint and the Lin Hai Domain, with so many eyes around, the spiritual pressure fluctuations from the Northern Abyss Ice Lotus Seed might cause trouble. Furthermore, if the lotus and the nether fire remain trapped inside the Silver Armored Guard indefinitely, even the Guard cannot be used again. I will resolve this issue on this island first,” Ye Qin explained.
“En! This trip to the Blood Sea, the greatest gain has likely been this Ice Lotus Seed. Let’s see what kind of spiritual object it truly is!” Huangfu Bing'er nodded and stepped back.
Ye Qin then tossed out the Puppet Bag and released the Silver Armored Guard.
As soon as the Silver Armored Guard, tormented by the chilling spiritual energy of the ice lotus, appeared, an intense, bone-piercing cold rushed toward them. A powerful, icy aura rapidly condensed a layer of frost on the ground near the Guard, showing signs of spreading widely.
Ye Qin was forced back several steps by this chilling aura.
His expression grew solemn. A wisp of his divine sense probed into the Silver Armored Guard’s interior.
In the small space within the Silver Armored Guard’s abdomen, the Ice Lotus Seed rested within a mass of dense, condensed ice-cold spiritual energy. The Netherflame was still sealed by the formidable ice spiritual energy. Within the translucent ice crystals, the dark Netherflame had not been extinguished; instead, it flickered and pulsed, as if still burning.
“This Netherflame is a Yin Fire; it doesn't consume itself against ice spiritual energy like Yang Fire. Judging by the current situation, the Netherflame being sealed by ice should pose no immediate problem. I will try to see if I can extract the Netherflame and unseal it. The fragment of the Netherworld Grand Art inscription mentions that top-grade Yin Fire can be used to refine Ghost Pills,” Ye Qin remarked with a hint of surprise after a brief assessment of his thoughts.
“My husband, be careful!”
Huangfu Bing'er replied softly, focusing intently on guarding Ye Qin.
The entire Silver Armored Guard was encased in ice. Ye Qin condensed his divine sense into a single thread, highly focused, but upon entering the Guard’s opening, it immediately became sluggish and slow, unable to advance.
“Cannot get in?!”
Ye Qin frowned. He exerted his divine sense to break through, reaching below the Guard’s throat, only to instantly feel a stinging pain, accompanied by a hallucination in his sea of consciousness that his divine sense itself was being frozen!
He quickly severed the connection of his divine sense and retreated a step, his face pale.
“My Liege, what is wrong?”
Huangfu Bing'er exclaimed.
“This Northern Abyss Ice Lotus Seed can even freeze the divine sense I project. It seems this object is no longer something a Golden Core cultivator can touch! With my current cultivation and divine sense, let alone moving it, even making contact is extremely difficult. This item cannot be retrieved from the Silver Armored Guard’s interior. It seems this Silver Armored Guard is now useless and cannot be deployed again.” Ye Qin’s face showed a trace of frustration as he shook his head.
“If it really cannot be done, then let it be! Without the Silver Armored Guard, we still possess sufficient strength,” Huangfu Bing'er said helplessly.
“One person, one day, one vote.”