Having chased away the Ghost Fiend, the Ancestor of Ten Thousand Ghosts exchanged a few noncommittal pleasantries with Elder Tu. Elder Tu, having witnessed the Ancestor’s Ninth-Rank Ghost Generals, treated him with exceptional deference. Knowing the Ancestor would want to comfort his direct disciple, he did not linger, merely setting a time for tea before taking his light-escaping aura and departing.

The Ancestor of Ten Thousand Ghosts then summoned his third disciple into the main hall, offering a few gentle words of solace. He then dismissed the others, keeping only Lei Dong behind.

After everyone else had left, the Ancestor of Ten Thousand Ghosts sat squarely upon the main seat, his expression grave, staring silently at Lei Dong. Lei Dong, under the Ancestor’s gaze, was so overwhelmed that sweat drenched his back, and his face grew pale.

After a long silence, the Ancestor of Ten Thousand Ghosts finally snorted, raising an eyebrow. "Lei Dong, you truly have gall. You dare to kill the Ghost Fiend's son—what else are you capable of?"

A thunderclap sounded in Lei Dong’s mind; he wondered if the Ancestor was testing him. Just as he was about to deny it, a sudden impulse struck him. He immediately knelt down, sweat pouring down his face, and declared, "Reporting to the Ancestor, my slaying of that Ghost Fiend's son was done out of sheer necessity. Though my origins are humble, I still value my own survival."

"Speak," the Ancestor of Ten Thousand Ghosts said, his face ashen, clearly enraged.

Lei Dong felt a weight lift from his chest. He had been terrified the Ancestor wouldn't grant him a chance to explain. Yet, on second thought, if the Ancestor truly didn't intend to protect him, he could have simply handed Lei Dong over to the Ghost Fiend earlier instead of making an enemy of a Golden Core Ancestor. Fundamentally, the Ancestor was still siding with him.

"Yes, Ancestor. This is how it happened…" Lei Dong recounted the entire sequence of events to the Ancestor, subtly altering one detail. He mentioned that his Soul Nurturing Pagoda currently housed several Mid-grade Spirit Ghosts and one High-grade Spirit Ghost. This detail provided a solid, logical reason why he refused to let the ugly youth seize his belongings—even a Golden Core Ancestor would be intensely tempted by a High-grade Spirit Ghost, enough to resort to murder and theft.

Gradually, the grimness eased from the Ancestor’s face. He let out a dissatisfied grunt. "It is one thing for that Ghost Fiend to be arrogant, but his son was utterly tyrannical as well. Lei Dong, why did you impersonate someone from the Extreme Yin Cave? Is my name worth so little?"

"Reporting to the Ancestor, I merely wished to cause less trouble for our sect," Lei Dong replied, though his heart had completely relaxed, his entire body felt saturated and clammy. Feigning profound fear, he said, "Ancestor, forgive my transgression. It was a failure of my judgment."

"Trouble? Heh heh. In your heart, am I some ineffectual wretch who fears stirring up trouble?" The Ancestor of Ten Thousand Ghosts looked deeply displeased. "Or do you believe that if one of my direct disciples suffers humiliation outside, I will simply cower like a turtle?"

"Disciple knows his error; this disciple is willing to accept punishment." Though the Ancestor was reprimanding him, Lei Dong felt no resentment, only a strange warmth. His words were utterly sincere.

"Since you admit your error, after this minor competition, you will reflect in the Small Yin Fiend Cave in the back mountain for one year, without leave to exit." Seeing Lei Dong’s timely repentance, the Ancestor’s expression softened somewhat, though he spoke with lingering frustration. "I am not punishing you for killing the Ghost Fiend's son, but for underestimating me, Lei Dong. If I cannot even protect my own direct disciple, why bother establishing a cave, why establish a mansion? Now scram!"

"Yes, disciple takes his leave." Lei Dong bowed again before turning to leave, slinking away shamefully.

He hadn't gone halfway before he heard the Ancestor's cold shout: "Wait, come back."

Lei Dong immediately froze and walked back, standing bowed.

"Find some time to retrieve those magical artifacts you’ve hidden. Hmph. That Ghost Fiend doted on his son so much, he must have gifted the brat plenty of good things." The Ancestor paused, his brow furrowing with solemnity. "I will help you re-refine them. Don't let anyone recognize them when you use them. Although that Ghost Fiend is insignificant, if he ever learns you killed his son, he certainly won't let it rest. You, a mere junior at the sixth layer of Qi Refining, how can you defend yourself? However, you must give one piece to Senior Sister Ding; she took the brunt of the blame for you and suffered considerable grievance."

Lei Dong was overjoyed and immediately kowtowed again. "Thank you, Ancestor, this disciple will go retrieve them now. As for what to give Senior Sister Ding, that is entirely up to the Ancestor's decision." Having the Ancestor help him re-refine the items was infinitely better than him trying to learn artifact refining and changing their appearance himself.

After receiving a few more dissatisfied scoldings from the Ancestor, Lei Dong left the Cave of Ten Thousand Ghosts filled with buoyant joy, a warm comfort settling in his chest. Although the Ancestor's face was fearsome, he was undeniably protective of his disciples. He scurried off to retrieve the treasures he had hidden. As for giving one to Senior Sister Ding, though a small pang of reluctance hit him, he had to admit the Ancestor was right. Ding Wanyan had taken significant heat for him, and the Ghost Fiend seemed to have focused his suspicion onto her.

When the Ancestor of Ten Thousand Ghosts took the stolen goods Lei Dong had collected, he was somewhat astonished. Although he knew the Ghost Fiend had excessively doted on his son, the items gifted were truly exceptional. That Lei Dong managed to trick and ambush the brat despite the massive disparity in power had to be credited to Lei Dong’s own skill. These few artifacts were top-tier even among High-grade magic tools.

"This high-grade defensive shield will serve as a calming gift for Senior Sister Ding," the Ancestor decided without a word. Still seemingly cross with Lei Dong, he waved his hand. "Scram back and cultivate properly. Pick them up in three days."

…

Returning to his quarters, Lei Dong felt an overwhelming sense of relief. The fear and suppression that had weighed on him since killing the Ghost Fiend’s son vanished completely. Most of all, he had glimpsed a different facet of the Ancestor. He had initially assumed the Ancestor would hand him over to the Ghost Fiend to avoid offending him, given the victim's parentage.

However, Lei Dong now understood he had gravely underestimated the Ancestor of Ten Thousand Ghosts. He had to admit that as a Golden Core Grandmaster and the master of a cave, the Ancestor possessed true magnanimity. What touched Lei Dong most deeply was the Ancestor’s fierce protectiveness over his direct disciples. Punishments within the family were one thing, but no outsider was allowed to bully his disciples. Furthermore, the Ancestor knew when to be firm and when to erupt without hesitation. Lei Dong genuinely felt the Ancestor was a fine individual, someone worthy of his loyalty.

Subtly, Lei Dong began to grasp the essence of true temperament. Regardless of whether one belonged to an Evil Sect or a Righteous Path, a generation's Grandmaster must possess the bearing of a Grandmaster.

Yet, Lei Dong knew that at his current level—a mere sixth layer of Qi Refining—contemplating bearing was courting death. He soon dismissed the thought.

After calmly passing the minor competition and retrieving the artifacts re-refined by the Ancestor, he dared not disregard his master's command. He packed his things and headed directly for the Small Yin Fiend Cave in the back mountain.

That place was an execution ground designated for punishing disciples of the Cave of Ten Thousand Ghosts. Cold winds perpetually blew there, and malevolent Fiend Qi surged violently. Even disciples who had achieved minor success would suffer the torment of the Yin Fiend Qi day and night. The moment Lei Dong stepped into the cave entrance, his entire body shivered uncontrollably, raising goosebumps across his skin.