Bang, bang, bang—the Profound Yin Shield shuddered repeatedly, its surface rippling and distorting. The combined assault of master and two servants proved overwhelming; in a mere seven or eight breaths, Zhou Minghua’s Profound Yin Shield was violently pierced and shattered, the resulting energy scattering like a blast of cold wind. The two semi-transparent spectral minions surrounding him wore expressions of savage ferocity. Zhou Minghua could already feel a chilling sensation wrapping around his neck. His face contorted in pain and regret—why had he provoked Lei Dong? Why had he signed the life-and-death contract? Why was Lei Dong so ruthless? Unwilling! So unwilling! My innate talent was superior to yours…

The massive head tumbled skyward amidst the savage howls of the bloodthirsty spectral minions. The two minions shrieked in excitement, coalescing into a dense fog that swept up Zhou Minghua's corpse and the scattered, ethereal sliver of his soul.

Screech, screech—Hiss, hiss—The two minions joyously devoured the flesh and soul. A cultivator at the fifth level of Qi Refining, especially one who had undergone several marrow washes and bodily purifications, was far superior to ordinary mortals or wild beasts. For these minions, it was a potent tonic. Even without Lei Dong's command, instinct alone drove them to consume the enemy’s flesh and soul after a battle.

But among the onlookers below, some turned ashen-faced, particularly recalling the pleading and begging Zhou Minghua uttered in those final breaths. The soul being devoured seemed to vividly manifest his agony. One moment, a highly respected direct disciple; the next, mere fodder for monstrous appetites. A chill swept through them, matched by a sudden realization of life's impermanence. Zhou Minghua’s few followers, gazing at Lei Dong standing aloof, hands clasped behind his back atop his flying sword, involuntarily began to tremble, their jaws chattering. Their previous looks of contempt and disdain had morphed into something akin to awe.

The minions were quick feeders. In less than a minute, front and back, left and right, flesh and bone were entirely digested. All that remained were a set of robes, an icy Yin Flying Sword, and a storage belt. Lei Dong unceremoniously collected the flying sword and the storage belt. Regarding life-and-death duels, Lei Dong had thoroughly studied the sect rules. The victor had the right to claim everything belonging to the vanquished—not just material possessions, but even the status of a direct disciple.

In a sense, as long as the Ancestor did not object, he, Lei Dong, was the new direct disciple. Of course, obtaining the vast resources afforded to a direct disciple would inevitably invite immense jealousy. If someone coveted his position and genuinely believed themselves superior, they could initiate a life-and-death duel, although Lei Dong technically had the right to refuse. However, repeatedly rejecting challenges from ordinary disciples while holding the title of the Ancestor’s direct disciple would damage his reputation and displease the Ancestor himself.

This, in fact, served as a measure of incentive and discipline: as a direct disciple enjoying abundant resources, one must advance faster and stronger than the common disciples. Otherwise, the rule of survival of the fittest would inevitably take hold. This explained Zhou Minghua's extreme reaction to being mocked for his underperformance after achieving the rank of direct disciple.

Certainly, direct disciples enjoyed immense advantages, but the pressure they faced multiplied tenfold.

"Round Thirteen, Match Two on Arena A: Zhou Minghua versus Lei Dong. Lei Dong wins, scoring one point." The Foundation Establishment referee seemed utterly unfazed by the carnage, patiently waiting until the minions had finished their feast before announcing the final match result.

Only then did Lei Dong recall the two minions, whose bodies were now flushed crimson from their meal, and slowly descended from the stage.

"Senior Brother Lei, Senior Brother Lei." The previously reserved male and female peers now crowded around, respectfully addressing him as Shixiong. Yet, many more watched from a distance, regarding Lei Dong with deference.

Lei Dong merely inclined his head and walked toward Chen Ge and Wei Hua. Both men looked at him with undisguised astonishment. Though they knew Lei Dong possessed extraordinary means, witnessing him actually slay Zhou Minghua left them deeply moved.

"Senior Brother Lei, congratulations," Chen Ge suddenly said with a solemnity that made him address Lei Dong as Shixiong.

"Senior Brother Chen, must we stand on ceremony between us?" Lei Dong shook his head and smiled. Frankly, Zhou Minghua was no weakling. Had it not been for Chen Ge and Wei Hua’s prior setup that tricked Zhou Minghua into expending nearly half his true energy and losing one shield, this fight would have been exceedingly difficult. He might even have been forced to reveal his third minion. Lei Dong felt genuine gratitude toward the pair. They had shared some of their scarce spirit stones with him at the beginning. Even though it was clearly an investment, it demonstrated their sincerity and courage. Even the strongest need allies; the solitary are easily bullied.

"I knew it. Senior Brother Lei isn't the type to turn his back on friends once he gains status," Wei Hua said, his expression noticeably easing.

Lei Dong appeared relaxed, but inwardly, his tension was immense. After all, he had publicly executed the Ancestor’s direct disciple. Who knew what the Ancestor's reaction would be? The power of the Ancestor, one treading the path of the Golden Core Great Dao, was notoriously unpredictable.

As he wrestled with anxiety, the faint voice of the Ghost Servant reached his ear: "Little Lei, growing ever more ruthless, aren't you?"

This single sentence made Lei Dong's hairs stand on end, beads of sweat instantly soaking his brow. He gauged the Ghost Servant’s power to be at least at the Foundation Establishment level. That meant, without the Ancestor lifting a finger, this subordinate could easily obliterate his soul with a mere gesture. Suppressing his terror, his face pale, he turned with reverence toward the Ghost Servant floating in mid-air.

"Now you know fear, do you? Quite the bold one you are. Tomorrow morning, you will accompany me to meet the Ancestor." After delivering these words, the Ghost Servant vanished, leaving a drenched and sweating Lei Dong behind.

Chen Ge and Wei Hua noticed Lei Dong’s distress and glanced at the departing Ghost Servant, their faces growing grave.

"Don't worry, it's likely not bad news," Lei Dong managed to exhale, clapping their shoulders. "I need to get back and rest properly. I must see the Ancestor tomorrow."

After bidding farewell, Lei Dong returned to his quarters, swallowed a Qi Condensing Pill, and began practicing meditation to fully replenish his true energy. Only then did he quietly and meticulously review the entire incident. Although meeting the Ancestor tomorrow was probably not a negative event, how could he not feel anxious before the outcome was known?

He spent a sleepless night, reading through various notes until dawn. Then he bathed, purified himself with incense, and calmed his mind. Only then did he hurry to the entrance of the Ancestor's palace and ask the attendant to announce him to the Ghost Servant.

Moments later, the Ghost Servant appeared and led Lei Dong toward the side hall. The servant remained completely silent along the way, which only added to Lei Dong's apprehension.

After being settled in the side hall to wait for nearly half a day, Lei Dong finally received word that he could petition the Ancestor. He took a deep breath, forced a semblance of energy, and strode into the main hall. Spotting the Myriad Ghost Ancestor seated upon the dais, cloaked in black robes, Lei Dong dared not delay. He quickly approached and bowed formally: "Disciple Lei Dong pays respects to the Ancestor. May the Ancestor soon ascend to the Indestructible Nascent Soul Realm, enjoy longevity equal to the heavens, and achieve eternal life."

"Rise," the Myriad Ghost Ancestor commanded blandly, waving a hand, giving no hint of his mood.

"Thanking the Ancestor for his great grace." Lei Dong felt a slight release of tension, stood up, but dared not raise his eyes to meet the Ancestor’s gaze, standing silently and respectfully.

"Lei Dong, you truly possessed immense nerve this time," the Myriad Ghost Ancestor’s voice turned cold.

"Disciple dares not," Lei Dong immediately fell to his knees again, his back becoming clammy, but he forced himself to remain calm. "This disciple knows his offense." He understood that the conclusion regarding this affair was likely already set in the Myriad Ghost Ancestor’s mind. If it was fortune, it couldn't be avoided; if it was disaster, running wouldn't help. Therefore, arguing would only risk incurring the Ancestor’s wrath. Humbly admitting fault was the wiser path.

After this mild chastisement, seeing that Lei Dong's reaction was indeed satisfactory, the Ancestor’s tone softened. "My Yin Fiend Sect is one of the great powers of the Cultivation World's unorthodox path; we are not running a charitable enterprise. Furthermore, the jungle law—the weak serving the strong—is the fundamental principle of the cultivation world. Zhou Minghua, though his aptitude was acceptable, was impetuous, rash, and incapable, unable to achieve great things. You replacing him aligns with our sect's principles. Rise. From this day forward, you are one of my direct disciples."