Having spent several days meticulously reviewing and pondering the blood sacrifice technique for spectral ghosts outlined in the Ghost Controlling Art, and with all preparations complete and his vital energy and spirit at their peak, Lei Dong finally made his move. His consciousness merged with the Soul Nurturing Pagoda, locking firmly onto the newly refined spectral ghost. The weakness he felt just a few days prior had vanished, replaced by vibrant energy thanks to the Pagoda’s nourishment.

The spectral ghost seemed to sense what was about to happen, shrieking mournfully and darting about in a panic, desperate to escape the place that had felt so comforting. Yet, the profound mysteries of the Soul Nurturing Pagoda were far beyond the comprehension of this fledgling spirit, retaining only bestial instincts. It met walls everywhere, perpetually tethered by Lei Dong’s focused will.

Simultaneously, Lei Dong chanted indistinctly, pouring his Profound Yin True Qi continuously into the Soul Nurturing Pagoda. Magnified by the structure, this energy descended upon the spectral ghost with crushing pressure. The ghost immediately shivered, dissolving into mist and curling up, unwilling to dare any movement. Only then did Lei Dong probe his will into the ghost’s core. However, after a violent shudder, the spectral ghost began to resist with all its might. A tremendous spiritual pressure, like Mount Tai crushing down, bore upon it once more.

This time, Lei Dong showed no mercy. The Profound Yin True Qi condensed again, transforming into fierce flames within the Soul Nurturing Pagoda, punishing this defiant spectral ghost severely. In less than a few dozen breaths, the continuously wailing spirit was finally on the verge of death, emitting a mental fluctuation begging for mercy. Only then did Lei Dong retract his True Qi and push his consciousness in again. Now, the spectral ghost dared not resist in the slightest.

Though the process felt unfamiliar, Lei Dong ultimately succeeded in the preliminary refinement of this spectral ghost after half an hour. Of course, turning it into a Ghost Servant for his own use would require a subsequent blood sacrifice. At this stage, Lei Dong held complete control over the ghost’s life and death; with a mere thought, the spirit could vanish into smoke. Furthermore, the bond was absolute: "If the master dies, the servant perishes." No matter how high the ghost’s future rank might climb, this relationship could never be severed.

Consequently, Lei Dong could now release it without fear of any harm, not even a malicious thought directed toward him. Once freed, the spectral ghost appeared somewhat lethargic. Yet, perhaps due to its confinement, upon being released, it transformed into a swirling mass of mist, dancing wildly within the small cultivation chamber, occasionally emitting a ghost howl signifying pleasure.

“Come here,” Lei Dong beckoned it. In truth, a master commanding a Ghost Servant needed no words or gestures; the command was understood merely by intent. Even if ordered to its death, it would not hesitate. However, since the entire refinement process was only halfway complete, true, perfect mental synchronization had not yet been achieved.

Understanding Lei Dong’s meaning, the spectral ghost immediately flew to his side and remained motionless.

Lei Dong nodded in satisfaction, hardened his resolve, and sliced the skin on his finger. Drops of blood seeped out. Under his mental direction, the spectral ghost lunged forward, condensing into a small ball that tightly enveloped Lei Dong’s finger. The blood also transformed into mist, merging with the spirit.

The entire process was sustained for nearly half a day. Gradually, Lei Dong’s complexion grew pale, finally losing all color—a clear sign of severe blood loss.

However, the spectral ghost’s aura grew increasingly robust, saturated with crimson. This was the blood sacrifice; only a ghost sacrificed this way could be called a true Ghost Servant, becoming immensely powerful. Just as Lei Dong felt that drawing any more blood might cause him to faint, the Ghost Servant finally released his finger. It floated to the side, its entire crimson body pulsing and contracting rhythmically.

Lei Dong immediately sat cross-legged, swallowed a Small Vitality Replenishing Pill, and began cultivating and meditating urgently. A full night’s effort completely restored his expended True Qi. Yet, his face remained as pale as a wraith. Significant blood loss, the essence blood of his body, was not something that could be quickly recovered. Fortunately, knowing this outcome beforehand, he had already instructed his trusted servants to prepare ample food to restore his vital energy and essence blood.

After a hearty meal, Lei Dong finally had the leisure to examine his new Ghost Servant. It had settled onto the floor, forming a blood cocoon about the size of a football, emanating a heavy scent of gore. According to the records in the Ghost Controlling Art, a spectral ghost after a blood sacrifice required time to digest the fruits of that ritual.

And Lei Dong, too, required significant time to recover the True Qi and essence blood lost during the sacrifice, necessitating not only meditative cultivation but also intensive dietary supplementation. Luckily, being in the Yin Fiend Sect, specifically the Myriad Ghost Cave, where practicing the Ghost Controlling Art was commonplace, his servants were intimately familiar with the necessary post-sacrifice recovery diet.

Time sped by, and half a month passed.

Lei Dong’s body had largely recovered, though his complexion still carried a faint pallor. However, the Ghost Servant had broken free from its cocoon. Its soul-form was now condensed and luminous, seemingly radiating a potent energy. The ghost’s spherical body twisted and shifted continuously. Gradually, limbs and a torso formed. Furthermore, a set of semi-transparent energy armor and a blade and shield materialized upon its form. Its physique was robust, possessing an imposing aura.

Seeing such a transformation filled Lei Dong with immense joy. It was worthy of being a spectral ghost; even a low-grade spectral ghost, after a single blood sacrifice, had advanced to the rank of Ghost Soldier. Although Lei Dong’s inspection revealed it to be only a First-Level Ghost Soldier, equivalent in strength to a cultivator at the first layer of the Qi Condensation stage, Lei Dong was exceptionally satisfied. Ordinary Yin Souls, even after blood sacrifice, could rarely reach the level of a First-Level Ghost Soldier.

Moreover, ordinary Inferior Ghosts developed agonizingly slowly, making advancement extremely difficult. This was akin to humans: those possessing spiritual roots, even poor ones, could cultivate, albeit slowly and with hardship. The worst cases might take two or three years to reach the first layer of Qi Condensation. But those without spiritual roots, unless by extraordinary fortune, might struggle for ten or twenty years to achieve the same breakthrough. This was precisely why ten million Inferior Ghosts were less valuable than a single spectral ghost.

No one would willingly use an Inferior Ghost for a blood sacrifice unless absolutely cornered. Even after half a month, Lei Dong had not fully recovered; his body remained weak. To invest so much for an Inferior Ghost with no future prospect would surely breed reluctance. But for this spectral ghost, Lei Dong was utterly willing.

Of course, if this Ghost Soldier possessed an innate spell, it would be even more formidable. But if it lacked an inherent spell, that was fine too; another blood sacrifice might grant it one. Naturally, having one bestowed initially was best, but another sacrifice was impossible in the short term. Furthermore, the chance of a blood sacrifice granting a Ghost Soldier a spell was low, perhaps only two or three in ten attempts. Some individuals might perform over ten sacrifices without acquiring a single spell. Lei Dong swiftly executed the Ghost Controlling Art, commanding the Soldier to activate its skill.

“Tear.” A pleasing sound echoed. The entirely semi-transparent and crystalline Ghost Soldier instantly flushed a deep crimson, and its normally placid eyes turned scarlet and ferocious. The entire aura of the Ghost Soldier sharpened notably.

It was the Bloodthirst Art!

Lei Dong exclaimed in excitement. While the Bloodthirst Art was a common skill for Ghost Soldiers, that didn't imply it was useless. Typically, after casting the Bloodthirst Art, a Ghost Soldier became exceptionally savage, its combat power increasing by thirty percent while ignoring defense. However, the effect only lasted the duration of one stick of incense. And the Bloodthirst Art was not a skill meant for continuous, rapid use. Nevertheless, even so, it provided a substantial boost to the Ghost Soldier's fighting capability.

“Satisfying!” The gloom from three consecutive months without capturing a spectral ghost vanished entirely. Lei Dong had every reason to believe he would possess a significant advantage over cultivators of the same rank, after all, it was two against one. Of course, countless powerful techniques existed in the world, and nothing was absolute. Fortunately, a miraculous art like the Ghost Controlling Art did not restrict a practitioner to just one spectral ghost. If he were to bring three or more Ghost Soldiers into battle, he would truly be rarely matched among his peers.