112: The grand gathering was a battleground of tit-for-tat.

Quicksand City, as the core of the Wilderness, reached a fever pitch during the Great Gathering of the Wilderness.

The city's largest square—Quicksand Square—had been transformed into a temporary trading zone.

Thousands of stalls were densely packed, with cultivators from all over the Wilderness and even surrounding regions setting up shop.

Shouts, haggling, and discussions about identifying items mixed together, creating a deafening clamor.

All sorts of strange and rare Medicinal Pills, Ores, beast bones, broken weapons, and even some ancient objects with peculiar Qi could be seen here.

Li Ao and Medusa walked through the bustling crowd.

Medusa still existed in her Soul form, but she was enveloped in an extremely faint, seven-colored glow that distorted light, making it difficult for outsiders to discern her exact appearance; they only felt her deep and unfathomable aura.

Li Ao, on the other hand, wore a blue robe, his aura restrained, like an ordinary attendant.

Their goal was clear: they headed directly towards the center of the square, to the most conspicuous giant stone platforms officially set up by the three major tribes.

True treasures, especially supreme items like the blood soul branch, would only appear there.

Along the way, Li Ao's Soul perception, like invisible tentacles, quietly swept over numerous stalls.

Although the Wilderness was barren, it had a long history, and occasionally, some dust-covered treasures could be found.

Relying on his knowledge and perception, which far surpassed ordinary people's, he managed to acquire two auxiliary Medicinal Materials needed for refining the heavenly soul merging blood pill at extremely low prices, which could be considered a small harvest.

Soon, the two arrived at the central stone platform area.

The crowd here was relatively smaller, but those gathered were all powerful experts, at least at the Peak of Dou Wang, and Dou Huang experts were not uncommon.

On the stone platforms, the centerpiece items brought out by various tribes were displayed, shining brightly with strong energy fluctuations.

Li Ao's gaze fell directly on the stone platform belonging to the Flame Scorpion Tribe.

Behind the stone platform sat an old man in crimson scorpion-patterned leather armor, with a sinister face and an aura that had clearly reached the Five-Star Dou Huang Realm; he was none other than the Clan Chief of the Flame Scorpion Tribe—Scorpion Emperor!

Beside him stood several Elders of the Flame Scorpion Tribe with formidable auras.

And in the jade box in front of Scorpion Emperor, a strange branch, about a foot long, dark red all over, twisted and entangled like dried blood vessels, lay quietly.

On the surface of the branch, a faint bloody light flowed, emitting a massive blood Qi and Soul fluctuation—it was the blood soul branch!

As soon as this item appeared, it attracted almost half of the gazes in the central area; countless fervent eyes fell upon it, filled with greed and desire.

“That’s the blood soul branch!”

“What intense blood Qi and Soul Power! If I could get it, my Soul Realm would surely greatly advance!”

“Don’t dream; didn’t you see Scorpion Emperor personally guarding it? How could ordinary people covet such a treasure?”

Discussions broke out.

Li Ao and Medusa exchanged glances and nodded slightly.

Target confirmed.

The two did not immediately step forward but stood at the periphery of the crowd, observing the situation.

They wanted to know what the Flame Scorpion Tribe intended to exchange for this item.

A moment later, a Dou Huang Elder from the Sand Lizard Tribe stepped forward and cupped his hands to Scorpion Emperor: “Scorpion Emperor, my Sand Lizard Tribe is willing to offer three sixth-tier demonic cores, plus one Profound Rank Advanced Dou Technique, in exchange for this blood soul branch. How about it?”

Scorpion Emperor didn't even lift an eyelid; he just faintly uttered two words: “No exchange.”

The Sand Lizard Elder's expression was somewhat unpleasant, but he dared not act out and retreated disgruntled.

Immediately after, an Elder from the Stone Python Tribe also stepped forward, proposing to exchange a batch of rare Ores and Medicinal Materials, but was also rejected by Scorpion Emperor without hesitation.

Subsequently, representatives from several smaller forces attempted to bid, offering various treasures they considered valuable, but without exception, none even qualified for a second glance from Scorpion Emperor.

The scene became somewhat quiet for a time.

Everyone realized that Scorpion Emperor's demands were extremely high, and ordinary items simply couldn't catch his eye.

“What exactly does this old scorpion want to exchange for?” someone muttered softly.

Just then, a slightly hoarse voice rang out:

“Scorpion Emperor, this old man has a damaged Earth Rank low-level movement Dou Technique, ‘Quicksand Illusion,’ here.

Although it's only the first half, its value should be sufficient to exchange for your blood soul branch, how about it?”

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice, only to see an old man in a gray robe with a withered face slowly walk out; his aura had also clearly reached the Four-Star Dou Huang level!

Many recognized him as a well-known Loose Cultivator in the Wilderness, known as “Old Man Grey Vulture.”

Di-rank Dou Technique!

Even if it was incomplete, its value far exceeded that of a Profound Rank!

A collective gasp immediately arose in the square.

Scorpion Emperor finally lifted his eyelids and glanced at the scroll in Old Man Grey Vulture's hand, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes, but ultimately, he shook his head: “Not enough.

What this old man needs is something that can immediately enhance the overall strength of my Flame Scorpion Tribe, or... a Medicinal Pill or rare item that can heal Soul Origin damage.”

Soul Origin damage?

Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly understood.

No wonder Scorpion Emperor valued the blood soul branch so much, yet was willing to exchange it; it turned out that his own Soul or that of an important person in his tribe was damaged, and they urgently needed something to treat it!

Although the blood soul branch could nourish the Soul, its effect on Origin damage was not the best.

Old Man Grey Vulture frowned; even an Earth Rank movement Dou Technique couldn't move the other party, and he had nothing better, so he had no choice but to retreat in resignation.

The situation once again fell into a stalemate.

Just as everyone thought this transaction would fail to find a buyer, Li Ao moved.

He parted the crowd and slowly walked to the stone platform of the Flame Scorpion Tribe, calmly looking at Scorpion Emperor.

“Young man, what do you have?” Scorpion Emperor looked at the young man with an unremarkable aura in front of him, his brows slightly furrowed, his tone carrying a hint of impatience.

He didn't believe a young man could produce what he needed.

Surrounding him, gazes of doubt and curiosity also fell upon him.

Li Ao did not directly take out an item but spoke: “Healing Soul Origin damage is not easy.

While the blood soul branch is good, it can only alleviate, not fundamentally cure.”

Scorpion Emperor's eyes narrowed: “You know the method for a fundamental cure?”

“Perhaps.” Li Ao's tone remained calm, “But I need to know the specific condition of the injured person first, and... whether this blood soul branch is worth my effort.”

His words carried an extraordinary confidence, as if fundamentally curing Soul Origin damage was not difficult for him.

Scorpion Emperor stared intently at Li Ao, seemingly trying to discern the truth from his face.

After a moment, he said in a deep voice: “The injured one is the Grand Elder of my Flame Scorpion Tribe.

A few months ago, while exploring an ancient ruin, he was injured by a peculiar remnant Soul, and his Soul Origin has collapsed by nearly thirty percent.

He is now unconscious, and his life force is gradually fading.

If you can truly save him, this blood soul branch, and even the friendship of my Flame Scorpion Tribe, will be yours!”

Soul Origin collapsed by thirty percent!

This was an extremely serious injury, no wonder Scorpion Emperor was so anxious.

Upon hearing this, Li Ao had a plan in mind.

He smiled faintly: “A thirty percent collapse of the Origin is indeed tricky.

However, it's not without a solution.”

He flipped his palm, and a jade bottle appeared in his hand.

As the stopper was removed, a peculiar Medicinal Pill fragrance wafted out, making one's Soul feel at ease upon smelling it.

Inside the jade bottle, a Medicinal Pill the size of a longan, with gray, white, and gold patterns on its surface, lay quietly.

It was precisely the Peak seventh-grade Medicinal Pill he had refined at the Alchemy Conference finals—the soul fiend barrier-breaking pill!

Although this Medicinal Pill's primary effect was to break through Soul fiends and counter the evil arts of the Hall of Souls, its medicinal properties were balanced and gentle, containing immense Soul Power and a purifying essence.

It also had an excellent effect on stabilizing and nourishing a damaged Soul Origin, especially suitable for situations like being injured by a peculiar remnant Soul!

Its value, in some respects, was even higher than a mere blood soul branch!

“This Medicinal Pill is called the ‘soul fiend barrier-breaking pill,’ a Peak seventh-grade Medicinal Pill, specifically designed to counter various Soul erosions and Evil Qi, and it can also stabilize and nourish the Origin.

It should have a miraculous effect on the injuries of your esteemed tribe's Grand Elder,” Li Ao calmly introduced.

“Peak seventh-grade Medicinal Pill?!”

“soul fiend barrier-breaking pill? Never heard of it!”

“What pure Soul medicinal power! Just by smelling it, I feel my Soul has solidified a bit!”

The square instantly erupted!

A seventh-grade Medicinal Pill, in this land of the Wilderness, was practically a legendary existence!

Countless fervent, greedy, and incredulous gazes fixed on the jade bottle in Li Ao's hand!

Scorpion Emperor even stood up abruptly, staring intently at the Medicinal Pill, his breathing becoming heavy!

With his eyesight, he could naturally perceive the immense and pure medicinal power contained within this Medicinal Pill, as well as the purifying essence that even made his heart palpitate!

This Medicinal Pill was absolutely real!

And, it precisely matched his symptoms!

“You... you are truly willing to use this Medicinal Pill to exchange for the blood soul branch?” Scorpion Emperor's voice trembled slightly, filled with excitement and disbelief.

In his opinion, the value of this Medicinal Pill far exceeded the blood soul branch!

“Indeed.” Li Ao nodded, “The blood soul branch is also of great use to me.”

“Exchange! I'll exchange!” Scorpion Emperor had almost no hesitation; he grabbed the jade box containing the blood soul branch, ready to exchange it with Li Ao.

However, at this moment, a cold voice, like a venomous snake, suddenly rang out:

“Wait!”

The crowd parted, and a figure in a black robe, his face hidden in the shadow of his hood, slowly walked out.

His body exuded a cold, deathly aura, completely out of place with the bustling Wilderness.

Li Ao and Medusa's eyes instantly turned as cold as blades.

The people from the Hall of Souls had finally appeared!

The Black Robed Man ignored the surprised and uncertain gazes around him and walked directly to the stone platform.

He spoke to Scorpion Emperor in a hoarse voice: “Scorpion Emperor, my Hall of Souls wants this blood soul branch.

As for the Medicinal Pill you need, my Hall of Souls can give you a ‘Soul Condensing Pill’ with an even better effect.”

He flipped his palm, and a Medicinal Pill emitting a dark glow, with equally strong medicinal fluctuations, appeared in his palm.

It was also a seventh-grade Medicinal Pill, but the Soul Power contained within it carried a hint of netherworld Qi, not as balanced and gentle as Li Ao's soul fiend barrier-breaking pill.

Hall of Souls!

These two words were like magic, making the entire square instantly fall silent; fear appeared on everyone's faces.

The strange incidents that had recently occurred in the Wilderness, as well as the notorious reputation of the Black Robed Man, had long spread.

Scorpion Emperor's face also became extremely ugly.

He naturally knew the notorious reputation of the Hall of Souls.

The other party's intervention at this moment clearly meant trouble.

The Black Robed Man then turned to Li Ao, his gaze from under the hood like a venomous snake: “Young man, hand over your Medicinal Pill, and the Heavenly Flame on your body, together.

Perhaps, this Protector can spare your life.”

He finally revealed his true intentions!

His target was directly Li Ao's Medicinal Pill and Heavenly Flame!

The atmosphere instantly became tense!