"Then we must trouble Steward Li to let us witness your pavilion's top-tier defensive artifacts!" Ye Su said with a faint smile.

"Esteemed guests, please follow me this way; we shall discuss matters further in the private reception room!"

Steward Li smiled, gestured them forward, waved to summon an attendant to make preparations, and then led the pair toward the upper floors of the mercantile pavilion.

Ye Su and Huangfu Bing'er followed Steward Li up to the fifth floor, arriving at a spacious and exquisitely luxurious private reception room.

Steward Li clapped his hands, and immediately, mechanisms within the room began to whir into action.

With a series of sharp kacha sounds as the mechanisms engaged, rows upon rows of equipment racks flipped out from the walls surrounding the room.

It was less a private room and more an exhibition hall for magical artifacts.

Aside from a set of spirit-wood table and chairs in the center, the shelves lining all four walls were filled with containers for various artifacts—storage pouches, treasure chests, and more—housing an array of flying swords, magical sabers, staves, defensive shields, and sundry other implements.

Each item radiated palpable spiritual energy, its light shimmering and flowing in a kaleidoscopic display that almost dazzled the eyes.

Ye Qin’s gaze brightened as he surveyed the flowing brilliance of these top-grade artifacts, quietly discussing choices with Huangfu Bing'er as they began to select items.

These artifacts were of extremely high grade, all forged from Ninth-Tier raw materials, classifying them as Ninth-Tier Magical Artifacts. They represented the strongest implements available to cultivators in the late Golden Core stage.

However, they lacked the crucial material known as 'Primal Essence,' meaning they were not Soul Artifacts. Such items were usually intended for consumption; their destruction would not cause undue regret.

Mighty Soul Artifacts required a cultivator’s vital yuanqi to nurture over a long period; they could not simply be manufactured outright. Once nurtured by yuanqi, a Soul Artifact's power far surpassed that of a comparative standard artifact, and its loss would be nearly impossible to compensate for.

The mercantile pavilion would never sell a newly forged Soul Artifact directly, unless it was a pre-owned one.

The pair only browsed the defensive-type artifacts, barely glancing at anything else.

"All these Ninth-Tier artifacts were refined by our pavilion’s foremost artifact-forging Grandmasters, utilizing superior spiritual materials. They are optimally suited for cultivators at the late Golden Core stage."

Steward Li, keenly observing their expressions, immediately retrieved a foot-long yellow box from among the many chests. He took out a set of five yellow formation flags, each three feet long, holding them up as he explained his recommendation. "Elder Ye, observe this set of Profound Yellow Earthly Barrier Flags. They can establish an Earth-elemental defensive formation.

This set of flags sacrifices all offensive capability and mobility, but its defensive power is nearly equivalent to the defense offered by five Soul Artifacts. Furthermore, these flags are powered by spirit stones, requiring no drain on the user's own mana. This set maximizes defense while minimizing mana expenditure. I wonder if this meets Elder Ye's requirements?"

"A set of formation flags like this, even our pavilion can only refine one per year. They are ideal for arraying one's own cavern dwelling or defending against sneak attacks while resting outdoors. They are highly sought after. This set just arrived a few days ago, so I must say Elder Ye has arrived at an auspicious time!"

"Only one set?"

Ye Qin frowned slightly.

His and Bing'er's cultivation levels were close, and the timing of their Tribulations would not differ greatly, thus they required a substantial number of artifacts for that ordeal. This Earthly Barrier Flag set recommended by Steward Li was a Ninth-Tier artifact, of excellent quality, not inferior to what other major pavilions could offer.

This set of Profound Yellow Earthly Barrier Formation Flags would be quite suitable for surviving the Tribulation. But having only one set was far too few; it probably couldn't even withstand a single wave of heavenly lightning.

"It is true that there is only one set of these exceptionally defensive Earthly Barrier Flags. However, our pavilion possesses other formation flags. Is your esteemed wife cultivating Ice and Fire dual-elemental spells, perhaps?"

Steward Li’s skill in reading people was already perfected. Though he dared not probe Huangfu Bing'er's condition lest he cause offense, he could sense the faint ice and fire energies emanating from the magical robes and accessories she wore. His eyes flickered, and he spoke immediately.

After pausing to transmit a private instruction to someone, Steward Li activated a mechanism on a different rack and retrieved four formation flags colored red and white, presenting them before Ye Qin and Huangfu Bing'er.

"This is a set of 'Ice-Fire Profound Extreme Formation Flags' that our pavilion acquired last year. While their defense is slightly inferior to the Earth set, they can gather Ice and Fire spiritual power, amplifying the user's Ice and Fire abilities, and they reduce mana consumption equally well. They are by no means lacking."

"We will take both sets of formation flags. Additionally, please trouble Steward Li to select ten top-tier defensive artifacts, and forty sheets of peak-grade defensive talismans. As long as the grade and quality are high enough, that will suffice."

Ye Qin glanced at Huangfu Bing'er; she seemed quite pleased with the Ice-Fire set, so he nodded his assent.

Both sets of top-tier formation flags and the defensive talismans were consumables during a Tribulation. He only needed to ensure the quantity was sufficient; he held no expectation that these artifacts would be outstanding in every regard.

Steward Li quickly fetched the items, soon returning with ten Ninth-Tier artifacts and a stack of defensive talismans.

"How many spirit stones are required for these artifacts?"

Ye Qin produced a storage bag filled with spirit stones and inquired.

"Elder Ye, Li has an impertinent request. I wonder if Elder Ye might consider trading these artifacts for spiritual elixirs?"

Steward Li hesitated slightly, then refused the spirit stones.

"Why?" Ye Qin asked, surprised.

"To not hide it from Elder Ye, the sales of spiritual elixirs and artifacts in Linhai City have recently surged. Our mercantile pavilion specializes in selling artifacts; we still have a substantial stock of those, but our reserve of elixirs is beginning to run short. Moreover, with the Immortal-Demon War imminent, the major Immortal Palace forces, like the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the Heavenly Fiend Alliance, are hoarding all manner of goods and restricting sales from their alchemy grandmasters. Coupled with competition from the other major mercantile houses, the elixirs that reach our pavilion are few and far between. Our pavilion is currently scrambling to find sources for elixirs. Although we don't rely on these elixirs to earn spirit stones, a complete halt in supply would undoubtedly damage the pavilion's reputation," Steward Li confessed with a trace of helplessness. "Furthermore, if Elder Ye has any high-grade elixirs for sale in the future, we implore you to prioritize this pavilion. We are prepared to purchase them at a price higher than the market rate. What does Elder Ye think?"

Ye Qin was momentarily stunned.

It seemed the Immortal-Demon War was more serious than mere rumors suggested; the major mercantile houses were hoarding supplies, and the shortage of spiritual elixirs was the clearest indication.

The Fengqing Mercantile Pavilion could not compare to the deeply funded great mercantile houses, and its situation was precarious.

However, trading elixirs for artifacts held no disadvantage for him.

Although he had advanced to become an Alchemy Divine Master, he still needed to refine some elixirs below the Ninth-Tier for his own cultivation. Huangfu Bing'er’s elixirs, as well as those refined by the cultivators at the Azure Elixir Workshop in Baifu City, also needed to be sold.

After considering this, Ye Qin exchanged a look with Huangfu Bing'er before nodding. "Since that is the case, we shall conduct the transaction using elixirs. Provided the price is right, I can consider selling a batch of elixirs to your pavilion."

The two browsed the market in Linhai City for a while before utilizing the city's teleportation array to travel north to Baifu City on Poet Island.

Baifu City.

Purple Sword Immortal Palace.

After teleporting into Baifu City, Ye Qin and Huangfu Bing'er separated. He headed alone toward the Purple Sword Palace.

He had not returned to the Purple Sword Palace in decades, but his name still held great weight there.

As soon as he entered the Palace grounds, numerous Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators stepped forward to offer their respects.

Ye Qin walked through the front hall of the palace and entered the Great Hall of the Purple Sword, where he found Palace Master Zhou Yu, Supreme Elder Zhou Hong, and several Nascent Soul cultivators including Zhou Rui, Zhou Yang, and Zhou Rong, deep in discussion.

"Greetings to the Palace Master, the Grand Elder, and all Elders."

Ye Qin offered a slight bow to Zhou Yu and Zhou Hong seated in the hall, then turned his gaze. To his slight surprise, Palace Master Zhou Yu’s cultivation had deepened significantly; his gaze was steady and profound, his aura restrained, making him even harder to fathom—it was highly likely he had already entered the late Nascent Soul realm. With him, in addition to Supreme Elder Zhou Hong, the Purple Sword Palace now boasted two late Nascent Soul cultivators.

"Heh heh, Elder Ye, you have worked hard these years traversing the Blood Sea! Your return is timely; I was just conferring with the Elders about matters."

Palace Master Zhou Yu studied Ye Qin upon his entrance, his expression shifting to surprise mixed with joy, and he smiled. "Your cultivation has advanced rapidly! Reaching the seventh layer of the Golden Core stage, it seems the reputation of the Purple Sword Palace's Grand Five Elements Sword Array—invincible among Golden Core cultivators—will soon become famous throughout the Eastern Sea cultivation world."

Ye Qin could only manage an awkward smile. In one-on-one combat against a Golden Core cultivator of the same stage, without using his minor divine-ability-level artifacts, he was confident of not being defeated. However, if faced with a siege by many Golden Core cultivators, even with the Grand Five Elements Sword Array, his only recourse would be to flee for his life.

"If Elder Ye can achieve Nascent Soul cultivation before the Immortal-Demon War, our Purple Sword Palace will gain another powerful general! ... However, this battle is imminent; it seems it will commence before long. Elder Ye may not have time to form his Soul before the war begins."

Supreme Elder Zhou Hong studied Ye Qin, his features benevolent as he smiled. "It is imminent. Elder Ye, do you have any definite news regarding when the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the Heavenly Fiend Alliance will declare war on the Demon Race?"

Ye Qin, sensing an underlying meaning in Zhou Hong's words, asked with surprise. If the Immortal-Demon War were to erupt soon, it would certainly disrupt his plans for forming his Soul and undergoing the Tribulation.

As an Elder of the Purple Sword Palace, Ye Qin was qualified to access high-level secrets, so Zhou Hong had no need to hide matters from him.

"Before the passing of Sect Master Yu, the five Sect Masters and five paramount figures of the two great Immortal Alliances held a secret consultation. After deliberation, both alliances decided to construct ten massive Immortal Cities in the Sea of Blood."

Supreme Elder Zhou Hong nodded gravely. "Each lineage will be responsible for constructing one of these cities, serving as the first step in our Eastern Sea cultivation world's expansion into the Blood Sea."

"The grand strategy for this war has long been determined. The only remaining uncertainty is the timing for commencing city construction, as the preparation of wartime resources and personnel assignments varies among factions. More preparation time is likely needed."

"Constructing a massive Immortal City is a monumental undertaking, requiring immense time and unknowable cost. But once the Immortal City is completed, its overwhelmingly strong defenses will offer a significant advantage to our Eastern Sea cultivators fighting the Demon Race. Establishing such cities across the Blood Sea is key to reversing the tide of the conflict."

"Our Northern Lineage is responsible for constructing one of these Immortal Cities."

At this, Supreme Elder Zhou Hong sighed. "But since the passing of Sect Master Yu, our Northern Lineage is currently without a leader. The Purple Sword Palace, Shangtang Palace, Wanluo Palace, and Wunuer Palace are all fiercely contending for the position of Sect Master, engaging in open and hidden struggles. Until the four great Immortal Palaces resolve their disputes and decide who inherits the Northern Sect Master position, no single Immortal Palace has the authority to rally the cultivators of the entire Northern Lineage to unity. Therefore, this upcoming war does not bode well for our Northern Lineage; we face numerous crises. The Palace Master and Elders have been discussing countermeasures, but we have yet to devise a solution. Should we suffer defeat, the entire Northern Lineage risks devastating losses."

"So that is the situation."

Ye Qin was astonished, gradually grasping the dilemma. The four great Immortal Palaces simultaneously vying for the Northern Sect Master position while needing to construct cities for war against the Demon Race—the difficulty was self-evident.

The obvious solution flashed through Ye Qin’s mind: The four Immortal Palaces of the Northern Lineage should set aside their grievances and unite to fight the Demon Race. However, being politically astute, he kept the thought unspoken.

If even he could see this simple path, Palace Master Zhou Yu and Supreme Elder Zhou Hong must have considered it long ago. It was an excellent notion, but the problem was that for the sake of the succession, even blood relatives might resort to conflict. How much less likely were the four Immortal Palaces, who shared no such bond, to yield? When stakes are high, anything can happen; such occurrences were not uncommon in the Eastern Sea cultivation world. Since no Palace was willing to voluntarily surrender the Sect Master position, they had no choice but to fight until the end—a regrettable necessity.

"Oh, yes. Elder Ye, is there an important matter that brings you back this time?" Palace Master Zhou Yu inquired, as he had not ordered Ye Qin to return from the Blood Sea.

"I have returned for two reasons, first, to report the situation in the Blood Sea to the Palace Master, and second, to transfer the intelligence-gathering mission, as well as return the Purple Sword Palace's war token. I am now at the seventh layer of the Golden Core stage and still have several decades before I face the Tribulation for forming my Nascent Soul. During this period, I need to prepare for the Tribulation and find a secluded place to focus entirely on that endeavor. Therefore, I request the Palace Master to transfer the intelligence mission in the Blood Sea and my war token to another Elder of the Purple Sword Palace, so as not to affect the war preparations." Ye Qin stated calmly.

"Mmm, that is acceptable. Forming your Nascent Soul Tribulation is a major event and should not be distracted by other miscellaneous duties. I shall assign the Fourth Elder to take over your intelligence mission and temporarily hold your war token. Elder Ye, when the time comes, do you require me to assign an Elder to assist you through the Great Heavenly Tribulation?"

Palace Master Zhou Yu pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement.

"Thank you, Palace Master, but I will manage without assistance. I have my own preparations." Ye Qin shook his head, declining the offer, and handed over the Purple Sword Palace's war token.

His relationship with the Purple Sword Palace had always been one of mutual exchange. He had given the palace the damaged Great Divine Ability ancient artifact, the Niu Gu drum; in return, the Palace granted him the status of an Immortal Palace Elder, along with the latter volumes of the Purple Sword Art, including the Minor Three Wonders Sword Array, and more.

He was not a dependent cultivator surviving only because of the Purple Sword Palace, nor did he share any familial bonds with them. Their connection was a single exchange. If scrutinized closely, the benefits he conferred upon the Purple Sword Palace exceeded those he received. Simply put, they each took what they needed; neither owed the other.

Ye Qin was unwilling to incur a massive favor from the Purple Sword Palace just to survive his Nascent Soul Tribulation. The breakthrough from a Golden Core cultivator to a Nascent Soul cultivator was a monumental event for Eastern Sea cultivators. Once such a great favor was accepted, it would be difficult to repay, potentially placing him in a difficult, compromised position later due to that obligation.

Moreover, Ye Qin knew his own situation best. Before his Nascent Soul Tribulation, he absolutely had to refine the 'Spiritual Root Potential Elixir' for Bing'er to compensate for her insufficient spiritual root. Such a heaven-defying elixir that could enhance spiritual root potential would tempt anyone, including Nascent Soul cultivators. He would not stake his life on trusting any cultivator other than Bing'er. Therefore, he could not allow a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Purple Sword Palace to assist him.

Besides, Ye Qin possessed a Tenth-Tier Transformed Skeleton Demon, and recently assembled a small divine-ability-level Great Wing Warship. He essentially had two powerful early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators protecting him during his Tribulation; his own strength was sufficient. There was no need to seek the aid of another Nascent Soul cultivator from the Purple Sword Palace and incur a massive debt of gratitude.

"You require no escort? Very well. Since your mind is set, I shall not press further. Here is a Nascent Soul Pill. This was promised to you when you gave the Great Niu Gu drum to this Palace. Elder Ye, if you require anything at all, please feel free to inform me at any time."

Palace Master Zhou Yu looked slightly surprised but, seeing Ye Qin’s resolute stance, he paused and did not insist. He took out a Nascent Soul Pill and handed it to Ye Qin. After all, the Nascent Soul Tribulation was Ye Qin's personal affair; if he insisted he needed no help, the Palace Master would not press the issue.

"Elder Ye, the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the Heavenly Fiend Alliance are likely to make major moves in the next few years, conscripting large numbers of Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators to build Immortal Cities in the Blood Sea. The Blood Sea will soon become a massive battlefield. This is precisely a time when this Palace needs capable hands. Your resignation from all duties now means the Purple Sword Palace loses a source of combat strength."

"The Palace Master need not worry. If the Immortal-Demon War has not erupted, I will first find a place to undergo my Tribulation. If the Immortal-Demon War does break out, I will certainly participate. I take my leave now."

Ye Qin accepted the Nascent Soul Pill with an indifferent expression and retreated from the Great Hall of the Purple Sword.

After Ye Qin departed, Palace Master Zhou Yu fell into deep contemplation. Ye Qin was at the seventh layer of the Golden Core stage, and his desire to hand over his duties to prepare for his Nascent Soul Tribulation was understandable; the Palace Master could not reasonably dissuade him from leaving.

Huangfu Bing'er returned to Baifu City, traversing the streets and alleys toward the location of the Azure Elixir Workshop.

She and Ye Qin had not been back to Baifu City for nearly twenty years, and some of the scenery and architecture had changed subtly. This feeling of familiar strangeness, coupled with her approaching the Azure Elixir Workshop, stirred a wave of emotion within her—a certain inexplicable excitement.

In previous years, she had refined some Golden Core Pills and entrusted a few Golden Core Senior Brothers from the Azure Elixir Workshop to carry them back to Linhai City for the Foundation Establishment disciples of their Azure Elixir lineage to consume. For the past two decades, she and Ye Qin had sent many Ninth-Tier elixirs back to the Azure Elixir Workshop via these Senior Brothers in exchange for spirit stones to maintain the workshop's normal operations and the cultivation of their Azure Elixir disciples. Thus, she felt no worry that the workshop would decline during her absence.

When she passed the final small alley and saw the plaque reading "Azure Elixir Workshop," Huangfu Bing'er could not help but show a slight surprise. Over the past twenty years, besides sending back elixirs, she had seldom concerned herself with the workshop's affairs, leaving management entirely to her fellow Senior Brothers. Seeing it now, she realized that over several decades, the Azure Elixir Workshop had expanded considerably, no longer resembling the humble, ten-odd-acre initial refining hut.

Where the old Azure Elixir Workshop site once stood, a dignified yet unadorned pavilion, over ten zhang tall, now towered, bearing the "Azure Elixir Workshop" plaque. Centered around this pavilion, a courtyard spanning forty to fifty acres had been demarcated as the workshop's property and newly reconstructed into a medium-sized compound. Within the courtyard, several gardens of varying sizes were arranged. Spiritual herbs, spirit woods, rockeries, and over a hundred large and small refining cauldrons were interspersed in an orderly fashion. Numerous cultivators were moving in and out, creating a lively, prosperous spectacle.

"The Azure Elixir Workshop has been rebuilt?"

Huangfu Bing'er stopped before the main gate of the Azure Elixir Workshop. If not for the three large characters clearly inscribed on the plaque, she would have thought she had taken a wrong turn.

A slender, handsome woman clad in a fitted white shirt embroidered with gold patterns was sitting near a carved mythical beast by the steps of the pavilion. She rested her chin on her hands, propping up her face, looking bored and muttering something to herself. Lying horizontally on the bluestone bricks beside her was a fearsome, azure ancient halberd, several zhang long, completely unconcerned about whether it might obstruct cultivators entering or leaving the pavilion. However, the cultivators entering and exiting the Azure Elixir Workshop seemed to hold her in a degree of reverence.

"Bing, Sister Bing'er, when did you return?"

The beautiful woman in the white shirt suddenly looked up when she sensed someone watching her, turning toward Huangfu Bing'er. Her face instantly showed a mixture of shock and delight as she cried out. She snatched up the azure halberd, and her figure flashed swish—she instantly appeared before Huangfu Bing'er, yet she seemed hesitant and afraid to move closer.

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