... Though deeply shocked, Ding Wanyan knew a Senior Sister must maintain her composure and reserve. She forcibly stilled her wildly beating heart, yet her voice could not suppress a tremor: "Junior Brother Lei, recount the entire incident from the very beginning, precisely as it happened."

Lei Dong patiently began his narrative once more, detailing the affair from start to finish. After listening, Ding Wanyan pondered for a moment, then spoke with a weighty tone, "It is a pity you didn't capture one alive. Without a witness from the Extreme Yin Cave disciples openly insulting the Ancestor, resolving this matter will be difficult."

"Senior Sister, we actually do have proof," Chen Ge interjected, producing a strange talisman as he spoke, presenting it respectfully to Ding Wanyan. "This Tone-Fixing Talisman has completely recorded every sound from that moment."

Lei Dong had learned of this during their return journey. Chen Ge, being meticulously thoughtful, understood that conflicts were inevitable when traveling outside. He had long since spent spirit stones to acquire several Tone-Fixing Talismans, for no other purpose than to guard against such a day. It was no wonder that before the confrontation, Chen Ge had deliberately used language to bait the opposing party into scorning the Myriad Ghost Grotto and defaming the Myriad Ghost Ancestor.

Ding Wanyan accepted the Tone-Fixing Talisman with surprise. Following Chen Ge’s guidance, she listened to the recording of the confrontation. It was precisely as Lei Dong had described, and the tone of the speaker was even more abrasive than she had imagined. Although her sharp mind detected Chen Ge’s deliberate provocation, the disciple from the Extreme Yin Cave had truly been excessively arrogant and domineering.

With evidence in hand, Ding Wanyan felt somewhat settled. She immediately led them to the entrance of the Myriad Ghost Ancestor’s abode, located in the deepest recesses of the Myriad Ghost Grotto. After instructing them to wait outside, Ding Wanyan proceeded alone to request an audience. After a considerable wait, an elderly man, whose cultivation level the three of them could not penetrate despite their efforts, finally appeared to summon them inside.

Including Lei Dong, the trio followed the elder nervously into the abode. Though intensely curious about what lay within the Myriad Ghost Ancestor’s dwelling, their deep-seated fear and awe of the Ancestor kept their heads bowed as they walked, daring not to look around.

The slight tremor in his heart reminded Lei Dong of the protagonists in the novels and dramas he’d read before his transmigration. He recalled how those characters, despite facing figures hundreds of times stronger who could crush them like ants, always acted insolently and arrogantly, showing utter disregard. At the time, he hadn't given it much thought, but now, looking back, he found it quite amusing—what qualification did they possess? At the very least, even having lived two lifetimes, Lei Dong dared not perform any action that might provoke the Myriad Ghost Ancestor.

The gap in their relative power levels was simply too vast; merely hearing the Ancestor’s name gave Lei Dong a crushing sensation, as if a mountain peak were bearing down upon him.

The elder was somewhat satisfied with the trio’s cautious deference and reverent demeanor. As an established figure of his age, he detested arrogant youths who were ignorant of their own limitations and showed disrespect to their seniors. His originally icy expression softened slightly. He leaned in and instructed them quietly, "When you meet the Ancestor, you must state the matter clearly and truthfully, without any concealment whatsoever. Otherwise, should the Ancestor discover you are lying, no one will be able to protect you."

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior. May I inquire as to your esteemed name?" Chen Ge responded respectfully, producing a few spirit stones and offering them.

"You are thoughtful, but keep those for yourselves," the elder’s tight expression eased further as he waved his hand. "I have no need for such a small offering. Your cultivation is still low; you need these far more than I do. As for my name, forget it. I am merely a servant beneath the Ancestor’s command."

"Yes, Senior," Chen Ge replied, tucking the stones away with genuine obedience.

Though the elder claimed to be a servant, none present truly dared to regard him as such.

Having said his piece, the elder spoke no more. After leading them for a short distance, they arrived in a grand hall permeated by strange, faint fires yet radiating immense power. There, the Myriad Ghost Ancestor sat with his eyes closed, enthroned upon a bizarre chair largely constructed of skeletons. Beside him, Ding Wanyan waited with meticulous caution.

Seeing the Myriad Ghost Ancestor, the three dared not show the slightest neglect. They immediately knelt and paid respects, chanting in unison, "Disciple Lei Dong, Chen Ge, Wei Hua, pay respects to the Ancestor. May the Ancestor be well, and may we wish the Ancestor early success in achieving the Nascent Soul stage." Their expressions displayed a reverence that perhaps even the Emperor of the mortal realm would not command. In fact, this was true; the Myriad Ghost Ancestor was infinitely more formidable than any emperor. Especially concerning lifespan, even the most health-conscious emperor rarely lived past a century, whereas the Myriad Ghost Ancestor, though not immortal, possessed a lifespan of three to four hundred years.

"You may all rise," the Myriad Ghost Ancestor stated calmly, revealing absolutely no hint of his temper.

Even though the Ancestor had not exerted any oppressive aura upon them, the three felt their backs grow faintly damp after thanking him and rising. This individual before them controlled not only their careers and destinies but also held their very survival in his grasp. No—to be precise, if they managed to anger him, even death might not be an easy escape.

"Lei Dong, recount the proceedings to this Seat once more," the Myriad Ghost Ancestor commanded abruptly, opening his eyes to fix his gaze upon Lei Dong.

Lei Dong felt as if struck by lightning, momentarily unable to draw breath under the pressure. Yet, he managed to grit his teeth, respond, and begin detailing the entire chain of events from beginning to end, daring not to fabricate a single word. He omitted nothing, not even the amount of loot acquired after the killings or the fact that he had commanded his ghost servants to devour their flesh and blood.

The Myriad Ghost Ancestor listened silently, his eyes never leaving Lei Dong’s face. Only when Lei Dong finished did he withdraw his gaze, as if nothing significant had transpired. Lei Dong, however, was drenched in sweat; had his willpower not been reasonably firm, his legs might have buckled, causing him to collapse.

"Chen Ge!" The Myriad Ghost Ancestor then called his name, his voice acquiring a sharp edge. "This Tone-Fixing Talisman, did you prepare this beforehand? Are you suggesting you anticipated someone might target you? That you calculated the outcome, instigated disrespect toward this Seat through provocation, and then planned to present this talisman as evidence to plead your case?"

"This disciple does not—" Chen Ge’s face turned the color of parchment from sheer terror, and he almost blurted out a denial. However, remembering the elder’s prior warning, he forced himself to answer through gritted teeth, "Reporting to the Ancestor, yes. It is true. Not long after I joined, I learned that disciples from the various Caves and Mansions within our Yin Sha Sect often have friction. Conflicts are inevitable, especially when executing missions in the wilderness. I prepared several Tone-Fixing Talismans merely as a precaution. Furthermore, I admit I did instigate them verbally. However, that Qi Refining second-level disciple from the Extreme Yin Cave was indeed excessively arrogant, clearly holding the Ancestor in contempt. I implore the Ancestor to see the truth." Chen Ge’s voice grew increasingly shaky, for he knew his life now rested solely on the Ancestor’s whim—whether he lived or died was beyond his control.

Wei Hua, who had not been addressed, trembled with apprehension. He understood that at this juncture, regardless of his silence, their fates were inextricably linked.

The Myriad Ghost Ancestor remained in deep thought, but for the three disciples, time crawled by agonizingly; every passing second made their hearts sink further.

After a long pause, a rare smile touched the Ancestor's expressionless face, devoid of surprise or pleasure. He praised, "Good, very good. I heard that your cultivation to the first level of Qi Refining was already considered top-tier among your peers; your aptitude, while not exceptionally supreme, is passable. I did not expect that you three possess not only courage but also cunning. Even under my coercion, you managed to maintain control, speaking without babbling and maintaining some semblance of order. Ghost Servant, you have a discerning eye; tell me, are these youngsters acceptable?"

Hearing the Ancestor’s commendation, the three felt the knot of anxiety lodged in their throats loosen significantly. An uncontrollable surge of elation rose within them. It was clear that the Ancestor was not only unoffended by the matter but rather appreciated their actions.

"Master, those impudent lads from the Extreme Yin Cave truly deserve to die ten thousand deaths. If they fell into my hands, I would extract their souls and forge them into soul lamps, keeping them burning with Nether Fire for ten years, perhaps eight, before I’d cease," the elder replied, his own face showing a hint of satisfaction. "But these few from the Myriad Ghost Grotto have not done badly at all. They possess both valor and strategy, and their methods are ruthless and clean—truly rare talents and fine jade."

...