Chapter 1046: Bloodroot Ginseng

"Form a defensive array and protect me while I meditate," Venerable Ye instructed, sitting cross-legged on the ground as he ordered his four disciples to guard him.

He had just broken the altar's restrictions. Although he was protected by a divine aura, the secret realm's suppression had drained him significantly and worsened his injuries. After leaving the Trial Grounds and entering the Inner Hall, the dangers would be unpredictable. Before that, he needed to meditate and recover to avoid sudden misfortune.

"No opportunity," Qin Sang thought, hidden in the forest. He shook his head inwardly as he watched the scene. These elders were extremely cautious, making it difficult to find an opening. The long-bearded elder and the other two were enough to defend Venerable Ye against an initial sneak attack. He couldn't contact Su Nü to coordinate an attack. Moreover, since Su Nü's life was no longer in danger, she didn't need to fight desperately and probably wouldn't risk confronting a Nascent Soul Grandmaster.

After meditating for a while, Venerable Ye stood up and led his group away. From start to finish, there was no indication of hostility towards Su Nü. Qin Sang waited until the end, confirming his transaction with Su Nü was complete.

"I wonder what this Ghost Seal does," Qin Sang murmured, tossing the seal in his hand. "I'll return it to her if I get the chance later." Before, Su Nü had been pessimistic, even desperate, and hadn't discussed how to return the Ghost Seal. Qin Sang had waited long enough; he had already wasted considerable time and couldn't search for her indefinitely.

As Venerable Ye and his group departed, Qin Sang, who had been hidden in the shadows, appeared silently above the hill. He tried several times but couldn't force out the Divine Platform. Clearly, there were still unknown secrets within. Whatever the East Pole Alliance's plans were, they had nothing to do with him. After a brief pause, Qin Sang stopped pondering and flew towards the stone peak. It was time to leave the Trial Grounds.

The Stone Peak. The Hundred Treasures Pavilion stood tall, its treasures long gone. Passing through the light barrier would instantly teleport one away.

A flash of light appeared before his eyes. Immediately after, a chilling wind swept over him. Su Nü and the others shivered, looking around. They found themselves on a barren hillside, having left the Trial Grounds. The world was dim and gloomy, filled with ruins, completely unlike the celestial treasure land they had imagined.

"This is the Inner Hall," Venerable Ye stated calmly, pointing diagonally forward. "Everyone who enters from the Trial Grounds is teleported to these nearby mountains. Do you see over there? If you don't wish to stay in the Inner Hall, the exit is there."

Following Venerable Ye's direction, they saw a deep valley, sheer cliffs, a high platform, and an open stone gate atop it. Nascent Soul cultivators like Spirit Pearl entered through this very gate.

"Follow me!" Venerable Ye looked left and right, then soared into the depths of the Inner Hall with a streak of light. Su Nü and the others hastily followed. Soon after, Venerable Ye flashed into a stone mountain. No sooner had he landed than a figure emerged from the shadows.

Su Nü and the others were startled at first, then their expressions changed drastically as they recognized the newcomer's face. They rushed forward to salute, "Greetings, Alliance Master!" This person was none other than the East Pole Alliance Master, who had been waiting there after helping Venerable Ye bypass the immortal restrictions.

"Fellow Daoist Ye?" the East Pole Alliance Master asked, his gaze a mix of urgency and inquiry as he looked at Venerable Ye.

"Everything went smoothly. I am honored to have fulfilled the mission!" Venerable Ye replied with a nod, omitting any mention of his setback in the Bewitching Cave.

"Excellent!" the East Pole Alliance Master clapped his hands and laughed heartily. "Thank you for your hard work, Fellow Daoist Ye. If I hadn't already used my chance to participate in the trials, I would have gone myself and wouldn't have let you take such a great risk. How are your injuries, Fellow Daoist Ye? Do you need someone to send you back to recuperate?" The East Pole Alliance Master asked with a face full of concern.

Venerable Ye shook his head. "I've already taken healing pills. If I find a place to meditate for a while, I should recover some of my strength and be able to retrieve that item... Many thanks for the clues you provided, Alliance Master."

The East Pole Alliance Master stopped trying to persuade him, then shifted his gaze to Su Nü and the others. "Only the four of you?"

Venerable Ye praised them, saying, "They did well. Their contributions were vital to such a smooth operation this time. Oh, and here's the Soul Cleansing Liquid..." Venerable Ye took out the Soul Cleansing Liquid and handed it to the East Pole Alliance Master.

The East Pole Alliance Master hummed in acknowledgment, then said, "Indeed. There are several places in the Inner Hall suitable for you to explore. How much you gain will depend on your own abilities. The Merchant Alliance will also heavily reward you upon your return!" As he spoke, the East Pole Alliance Master flicked a jade slip towards them. The long-bearded elder and the others were delighted, their disappointment over losing the Soul Cleansing Liquid somewhat diminished.

Just then, the East Pole Alliance Master suddenly looked at Su Nü and said calmly, "Su Nü, stay here. The rest of you may proceed on your own."

"As you command!" The long-bearded elder and the others, full of questions, secretly glanced at Su Nü but dared not ask anything. They took the jade slip and departed together. Venerable Ye also paid no heed, cupped his hands to the East Pole Alliance Master, and floated away.

Su Nü was bewildered, her mind suddenly on edge. She had thought that leaving the Trial Grounds would conclude everything, but she hadn't expected the East Pole Alliance Master to detain her alone. The East Pole Alliance Master then took out another jade bottle containing a snow-white pill. He handed both to Su Nü and said unequivocally, "Go refine the Soul Cleansing Liquid and this pill. I will personally guard you."

The Trial Grounds.The Heavenly Fire Domain.

Beneath the yellow sand, lava flowed freely, forming underground magma caves. Fire spirits played and frolicked in the lava, occasionally leaping out and diving into the earth's crust. Each time, the lava would boil, sending crimson flames soaring into the sky.

In one of the secret caves, a person sat cross-legged: Ning Wuhui. Ignoring the scorching heat, Ning Wuhui had set up an intricate altar beneath him. Before him floated a fist-sized spiritual ginseng. The altar emitted streaks of brilliant light, merging with the runes Ning Wuhui had inscribed with his essence blood, continuously entering the spiritual ginseng's body. The spiritual ginseng had distinct features and a body as crystalline as blood-red glass. Bound by the altar, its surface runes flickered, and its face contorted in pain, looking exactly like a baby.

Ning Wuhui had not pursued the Soul Cleansing Liquid; instead, he had come to the Heavenly Fire Domain to gather spiritual ginseng. He had been there for an unknown period. The spiritual ginseng was nearly refined by the altar. Gradually, the spiritual ginseng's aura merged with Ning Wuhui's, and its expression became blank.

"The secret art recorded in the ancient texts is correct. With the help of the Earth Blood Ginseng, one can refine something similar to a second Nascent Soul! This Earth Blood Ginseng has a vibrant blood essence and an extraordinary fragrance. Once mature, it moves like a living creature around its growing area, appearing and disappearing unpredictably, making it truly difficult to catch. Fortunately, it grew in the Heavenly Fire Domain, where the fire spiritual energy dispersed its unique aroma, and its blood essence merged with the crimson fire energy, giving it an odd color. This led an elder from the Heavenly Dao Sect to mistake it for an unusual fire spirit, otherwise, it would have been collected long ago. I must also thank that elder for documenting this as a curious tale..."

Ning Wuhui was greatly depleted, yet his expression was joyful. He swept his palm over the top of his head. The Earth Blood Ginseng transformed into a streak of blood-red light and disappeared into his body. Collecting all his items, Ning Wuhui emerged from underground and flew towards the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

I have something to attend to today, so I owe a chapter for now, but I will make it up later.