A hundred miles away from Baishi Lake, in a mountain cave covered by ancient trees.
Qin Wang instructed Zhang Fujiang to stand guard outside while he held the Soul Gathering Bowl, his spiritual sense probing inside.
"Qin Gongzi, we have no enmity between us. Why do you want to harm me!?"
As soon as Qin Wang's spiritual figure appeared in the Soul Gathering Bowl space, Situ Yunfei's elderly soul projection rushed over, eyes full of suppressed anger.
"Because you have the Millennium Soul-Nourishing Wood and your Situ family plotted against me. Of course, the main reason is that you practiced the Soul-Stealing Devil Technique for longevity, committing heinous acts. I'm avenging the infants you harmed!"
Qin Wang looked at Situ Yunfei, speaking calmly.
It seemed that after entering the Soul Gathering Bowl, this old creature had learned about his name and methods from the souls of Zheng Kecheng, Chen Kun, and Madam Chen. He didn't immediately fight back.
"What will it take for you to let me out? I'm willing to pay any price to redeem my life."
Situ Yunfei was silent for a moment before speaking in a low voice.
He didn't believe the nonsense about avenging the infants. The Soul-Nourishing Wood was likely Qin Wang's true objective!
As long as he could be freed, any price would be worth it.
"What else do you have to offer for your life?"
Qin Wang's eyes flashed. This old creature was left with only his soul. Did he still have other treasures hidden somewhere?
"I can trade a Golden Core opportunity for my life! How about that?"
Having observed the many souls in the bowl over the past few hours, Situ Yunfei knew Qin Wang was ruthless, even collecting his enemies' souls and refining them with ghost fire. Such torment was worse than death!
This approach was more than ruthless—it was utterly relentless!
Hence, despite his rage, he could only negotiate politely. As a monster who had lived for centuries, he knew that only profit could sway people.
The Golden Core opportunity he mentioned was from a place he had been. Qin Wang seemed close to Foundation Establishment, and preparing for the Golden Core opportunity would be prudent.
If this didn't move Qin Wang, nothing would.
"A Golden Core opportunity?"
Qin Wang's eyes lit up. Situ Yunfei, once a Golden Core stage expert, wouldn't lie about such an opportunity.
Moreover, he himself was nearing Foundation Establishment.
Upon successful Foundation Establishment, he would need to seek out the Golden Core opportunity.
Regardless of whether his proficiency panel would allow him to form a Golden Core without it, he still needed to prepare for it as a backup.
"Indeed. Back then, I secured a Golden Core opportunity from that place. Some are guarded by powerful monsters. Having acquired two opportunities, I didn't continue the risk. I can lead you there. In return, you must let me go afterward!"
"Having already performed one soul transfer, can you do it again?"
Qin Wang didn't immediately agree, instead asking calmly.
He knew that after one soul transfer, the rules of heaven prevented another unless one turned to ghost cultivation techniques.
"I have a way. What do you say, Qin Gongzi?"
Situ Yunfei looked at Qin Wang with a calm expression.
"Submit your soul blood, and I'll spare your life!"
Qin Wang said flatly.
Let Situ Yunfei leave? Impossible.
Such a valuable Golden Core stage soul should be well utilized.
Accepting him as a servant meant the Golden Core opportunity would be his, and he'd gain a powerful soul as an enforcer!
"You…"
Situ Yunfei's eyes widened in anger. He hadn't expected that even offering the Golden Core opportunity, Qin Wang wouldn't let him go!
"Heh, Situ Yunfei, you have no choice."
"Serve me well, and I might spare you someday. That powerful soul needs supplements like yours…"
Qin Wang's tone was full of threat.
Situ Yunfei stared at Qin Wang, silent for a long time, then sighed deeply, bowing respectfully. "Old slave Situ Yunfei, greets the master!"
He knew he had no choice.
If he didn't comply, he'd likely be devoured by that powerful soul, truly ending his existence.
Better to live miserably than to die utterly.
Situ Yunfei forced out a pigeon egg-sized drop of pale white soul blood, sending it to Qin Wang.
"Very good."
Qin Wang nodded, collecting and refining the soul blood.
A quarter-hour later, he felt a pale white dot in his consciousness sea, representing Situ Yunfei's soul blood. He could now control Situ Yunfei's life or death with a thought.
"You'll stay here for now. I'll call you when needed."
Qin Wang exited the Soul Gathering Bowl space.
"So, this is the Millennium Soul-Nourishing Wood?"
Qin Wang sat cross-legged in a newly dug cave by Zhao Hun and others, looking at a blackened, five-foot-long, bowl-thick piece of wood with mottled bark. It was so hard it seemed like cast iron or steel. Knocking on it produced a dull thud.
At this moment, Wu Su had exited the Soul Lock Jade, entering the Millennium Soul-Nourishing Wood.
"Thank you, Qin Wang!"
Seeing Qin Wang's spiritual sense enter, Wu Su opened her bright eyes, showing gratitude.
"Wu Su, we help each other. You taught me the Across Ages Sword Technique; I helped find the Soul-Nourishing Wood."
"Besides, you've helped me a lot along the way."
Qin Wang chuckled.
Wu Su's restored soul was a great boon, akin to having a 'grandmaster' around.
Wu Su smiled at Qin Wang, saying after a while, "Without you, I'd dissipate in a century. Be cautious of the Eighteenth Prince's pursuit. If you need help, ask me. With the Soul-Nourishing Wood, Chu Yunxiao's soul imprint won't trouble you."
"Understood."
Qin Wang nodded, storing the Soul-Nourishing Wood and heading off with Zhang Fujiang.
With Wu Su's assurance, his next step was to eliminate the Eighteenth Prince Chu Ping.
For this, careful arrangements were needed.
Setting up the Yin-Yang Illusionary Formation, hiding Situ Yunfei, the mutated Earth Dragon King, Mu Hun, and Wu Su inside, and then striking with lightning speed would ensure success!