Before long, two charming young maids arrived carrying hot, lavish meals. After letting them in, Lei Dong settled at the grand dining table in the hall to enjoy the food. Lei Dong, hailing from a reasonably well-off family, could only marvel with every bite. Every dish, from the selection of ingredients to the preparation, showed meticulous care and tasted exquisite. When he casually pointed to a meat dish and inquired about it, the pretty maid immediately responded with extreme caution, laced with palpable apprehension. The main ingredient was pork, but the pigs themselves were bred from superior stock. Each hog was tended by dedicated keepers, fed only cultivated medicinal herbs and spiritual grasses. Consuming this pork regularly was not only highly beneficial for enhancing physical constitution but also indirectly accelerated cultivation speed.

In the mortal world, raising even one such pig might bankrupt a moderately wealthy household. Yet, here in the Yin Sha Sect, it was considered commonplace fare, reserved only for entry-level disciples. Higher-ranking disciples wouldn't deign to eat such meals. The remaining fruits, gourds, and vegetables were all products resulting from painstaking effort, consuming countless hours, immense energy, and vast resources.

After the satisfying meal, Lei Dong, possessing the heart of a grown man, felt a flicker of desire to flirt a little with the two lovely maids. However, he forcibly suppressed this urge. After dismissing them to clear the table, Lei Dong retreated to the study.

Yesterday, Lei Dong had already discovered the abundance of books within the study. They did not concern demonic arts or immortal techniques; rather, they were mostly foundational texts providing general knowledge on cultivation, many presented as broad, conceptual outlines. There were also volumes detailing the geography of the cultivation world, introductions to various sects, and biographical accounts. Reading these materials would gradually help him form an understanding of the cultivation realm.

After reading for half a day, Lei Dong found himself engrossed. However, at this point, the gate attendant delivered a message: all new disciples were to assemble in the Grand Hall of the Myriad Ghost Cave, as the Ancestor had important instructions and arrangements to share.

Upon stepping out, Lei Dong found a sturdy attendant already waiting outside. The attendant respectfully guided him to the vicinity of the main hall before silently receding.

Entering the hall, Lei Dong estimated he was early, as only two young men had arrived before him. They nodded slightly upon seeing Lei Dong. Though only in their early teens, their demeanor was mature and steady, possessing an unusual bearing. Lei Dong recognized them; they were scions from wealthy families in major nations, whose worldly experience and conduct naturally surpassed that of common farm boys.

“Brother Chen Ge, Brother Wei Hua, did you sleep well last night?” Lei Dong approached them, greeting them neither too aggressively nor too subserviently. He held these two in some regard. Although their innate potential remained unknown, and they hadn't interacted deeply, these two youths were considerably more cautious and composed than others. On the path of cultivation, one could never predict what mishaps might occur. Since they were all young men and fellow sect brothers, investing in camaraderie was essential. More friends meant more avenues; mutual support would certainly help them progress further.

“Quite well, quite well. Seeing Brother Lei so energetic, I take it you rested excellently as well,” the preternaturally mature Wei Hua replied with another nod and a smile. Due to his family background, Wei Hua had been shrewd in worldly matters since childhood. He could sense that Lei Dong was significantly more steady and mature than the average youth, making him worth befriending.

“Brother Lei, from now on we are all fellow sect brothers, so please look out for us often,” Chen Ge said. He understood that in any environment, cliques were inevitable. Lei Dong seemed respectable, far superior to the weeping boys and girls around them. Befriending him was unlikely to become a liability.

Lei Dong offered a few modest replies. The three chatted and laughed, projecting an air of cordial harmony. After about fifteen minutes, the other young men and women began to arrive one after another. The last few stragglers kept Lei Dong and the others waiting for nearly half an hour before finally showing up late. However, as Lei Dong observed the assembly, he noted that one young man was still absent.

At that moment, the Myriad Ghost Ancestor from yesterday strode forth from a side chamber. Clad in a black robe, his gaze was sinister. The moment Lei Dong’s eyes fell upon him, he felt an icy chill strike directly at him. He hastily retracted his gaze, lowering his head into an attitude of deep reverence.

From the fragmented pieces of cultivation common knowledge he had absorbed, Lei Dong vaguely understood that this Myriad Ghost Ancestor was a figure on the Golden Core Dao, immensely powerful. He likely wouldn't need to move a finger to utterly annihilate Lei Dong. Facing this irresistible sense of danger, Lei Dong’s heart pounded with anxiety, making him even more careful not to show any disrespect toward the Ancestor.

The three highest-ranked disciples from yesterday—a boy around twelve or thirteen, a girl of fourteen, and the last, a small boy of only six or seven—followed closely behind the Myriad Ghost Ancestor, their expressions full of unquenched curiosity. The little boy, especially, was looking everywhere, beaming with delight.

The Myriad Ghost Ancestor swept his gaze lightly across the crowd, and when it landed on Lei Dong, the irresistible cold dread washed over him—a sensation akin to a tender little white rabbit being cornered by a fierce tiger, facing imminent doom. It felt as though the Ancestor could crush him, this insignificant shrimp, with the slightest passing thought. Though internally horrified, Lei Dong could only externally display fear, terror, and yet also reverence and awe. Fortunately, this intense moment lasted only a brief span. The pressure on Lei Dong abruptly lessened as the Ancestor's gaze shifted elsewhere. As relief flooded his mind, he was horrified to realize his back was drenched in sweat.

Lei Dong secretly glanced at Chen Ge and Wei Hua beside him, noting that their temples were also glistening with sweat, yet their faces maintained expressions of deep respect and adoration. He couldn't help but muse that children from powerful and wealthy families were indeed far more seasoned.

Lei Dong and the two others managed relatively well, but a few others were so terrified they collapsed onto their seats, and some, unable to bear the terror, simply fell to the ground, weeping hysterically.

Without needing to guess, Lei Dong knew the Myriad Ghost Ancestor was deliberately testing everyone's mental fortitude today. Those who displayed poor composure would certainly not earn his favor. As expected, a group of robust attendants burst in with menacing expressions. After apologizing to the Ancestor, they immediately seized the sobbing and shrieking boys and girls, two to each attendant. They raised whips with hilts fashioned from dry bones and cracked them down, one after another. Every strike tore flesh from bone, a horrifying sight. Watching them strike relentlessly, it was impossible to know how many lashes were intended.

Soon, the more quick-witted among them hastily stifled their cries. For those who stopped wailing, the attendants immediately ceased their beating, instead pulling out spiritual elixirs to treat the gruesome, horrifying wounds on their backs. Most who reached this place were not fools. Seeing that stopping the crying meant avoiding the beating, they all learned quickly and silenced themselves.

The continuous sound of the whip finally died down, though the lashings were not directed at him. Lei Dong’s heart remained shaken, and his face adopted an even more respectful expression as he stood quietly to the side, daring not to move an inch. Everyone else was the same.

Only then did the Myriad Ghost Ancestor’s expression soften slightly, even offering a smile that looked worse than crying. He ceased radiating oppressive power over the disciples and spoke in a kind voice: “All disciples of the Myriad Ghost Cave in my Yin Sha Sect…” He droned on with a lengthy speech, but thanks to the earlier lesson, no one dared to show the slightest hint of impatience.

Finally, after the Myriad Ghost Ancestor finished his admonishment, the attendants distributed a box to each person—a supposed benefit for new initiates. Once the Ancestor departed, the twenty-odd new disciples dispersed. Lei Dong exchanged nods with Chen Ge and Wei Hua before returning to his own quarters.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Lei Dong finally felt his legs trembling, and a deep chill gripped his heart. That Myriad Ghost Ancestor was truly an entity of terrifying power; it felt as though a mere glance could leave one nowhere to hide and utterly ruined. After taking several deep breaths until his breathing steadied, Lei Dong opened the box and carefully laid out its contents on the bed, examining each item meticulously.

The first item was a suit of pitch-black clothing, soft to the touch and slightly cool, woven from an unknown material. Judging by its style, it was likely the uniform for entry-level disciples like himself.

In addition, there was an object resembling jade but not quite, carved into the shape of a small scroll. Having undergone some preliminary training before officially joining, Lei Dong recognized it instantly: a Jade Slip, used by cultivators to record or read information. His heart involuntarily thrilled—could this contain cultivation manuals? Holding it, he slowly focused his attention onto the slip, following the instructions given during his training.