"Have you found the cubs?" Old Ancestor Myriad Ghosts also asked, sounding slightly anxious, his body involuntarily leaning forward.

Lei Dong and Ding Wanyan exchanged a look, and each summoned a Soul-Devouring Shadow Tiger cub from their spirit beast pouches. The two beasts opened their hazy eyes, showing no fear. They merely stumbled over to their masters and circled around them playfully, eager for attention.

Upon seeing them, Old Ancestor Myriad Ghosts felt both joy and disappointment. Joy, because they had indeed found the Shadow Tiger cubs; disappointment, because they had already been blood-sacrificed. However, both were his favored disciples—Lei Dong had even gifted him a high-grade spirit ghost. As their elder, the Ancestor managed a strained smile, "Excellent, excellent! Even if it meant completely offending Bone Peak, securing these two Shadow Tiger cubs was utterly worthwhile. You two have truly lucky stars above you. Ha!"

"That’s thanks to Junior Brother Lei’s persistence. If he hadn't been so set on confronting Baili Yun, we would have missed this incredible fortune," Ding Wanyan admitted. When she first intervened, she only meant to back up Lei Dong. She hadn't expected to end up with two Shadow Tiger cubs; the entire affair was quite unimaginable. Soul-Devouring Shadow Tigers possess a trace of ancient true spirit bloodline, and spirit beasts of this caliber are already rare. For them to conceive is exponentially harder. The more powerful a beast's bloodline or inherent strength, the lower the chance of them leaving offspring.

"This matter is largely due to Senior Sister Ding’s luck as well. If she hadn't happened to cross paths with me in Yin Wind Canyon, even if I had encountered Baili Yun fighting a Shadow Tiger, I wouldn't have dared to harbor wicked thoughts, let alone capture two cubs," Lei Dong said with humble deference, "I benefited entirely from Senior Sister Ding’s influence."

"Stop pushing the credit back and forth," the Ghost Servant, who had watched them both grow up, couldn't help but interrupt with exasperation, knowing exactly what kind of nature lay beneath Lei Dong’s outwardly simple demeanor. "Securing those two Shadow Tiger cubs is indeed a stroke of immense luck. I can’t speak for Lei Dong, but for Wan Yan, this has almost paved the road straight to the Golden Core stage. However, Bone Peak is no ordinary place. You've snatched food from their jaws and gravely injured Baili Yun, someone Old Ancestor Bone Peak holds dear. Have you considered how you plan to withstand their retaliation?"

"Let’s set that aside for a moment, Disciple has something to present to the Ancestor," Lei Dong said, then took the Shadow Tiger carcass from his storage belt and placed it before them. He bowed respectfully, "Disciple has always received the Ancestor’s protection and care. With nothing else to repay you, this Soul-Devouring Shadow Tiger, though not immensely valuable, is a small token of our sincerity."

Old Ancestor Myriad Ghosts, having lived for so many years, could easily discern the petty scheme hidden beneath. He glared, "Lei Dong, are you trying to bribe this venerable self with these trinkets to help you bear the disaster?"

"Disciple has absolutely no such intention." The longer Lei Dong spent with Old Ancestor Myriad Ghosts, the more he understood that while the Ancestor was fierce, he was fiercely protective of his disciples, especially his favorites. Even without mentioning it, the Ancestor wouldn't stand by idly. Because of this, Lei Dong had become much bolder in the Ancestor’s presence. He straightened his expression and flattered skillfully, "As the disciple said, this Shadow Tiger is purely a gesture of filial piety toward the Ancestor." He paused, then adopted a more playful tone, "However, I trust the Ancestor would not stand aside and watch us be bullied by Bone Peak, would he?"

"Nonsense," Old Ancestor Myriad Ghosts cursed, half-amused and half-annoyed, before glaring with mock severity, "Accepting you as a direct disciple was my greatest mistake. Always stirring up trouble outside; I don't care if you live or die. Why didn't you even think of this venerable self when you were blood-sacrificing the cubs? Hmph, acting so hastily, were you afraid I’d get greedy?" Though he spoke sharply, the Old Ancestor was indeed a little covetous. What annoyed him more, however, was that the brat Lei Dong had underestimated him. Did he truly believe that a dignified Ancestor would fight with two junior apprentices he held in high regard over a morsel? Yet, he conceded that if two un-blood-sacrificed Shadow Tiger cubs had been placed before him, the choice would have been genuinely difficult. Lei Dong had saved him the trouble of making that agonizing decision.

Lei Dong knew the Ancestor was probably vexed about the cubs. He had long prepared a countermeasure and plastered a fawning smile on his face. "Yes, yes, the Ancestor teaches us well; it was this disciple being small-minded. But, if you look at it this way, letting the disciples raise the Shadow Tiger cubs yields the same result as if the Ancestor raised them personally. Perhaps even better results."

Old Ancestor Myriad Ghosts sat back on his main seat, glancing sideways at him, "Oh? I’d like to see just how much 'better' you think it could be. Let's hear what wonders you can conjure up."

Lei Dong coughed twice, his expression suddenly serious and solemn, "When the Ancestor opened the sect gates and established his cave abode, taking in disciples broadly, what was the ultimate goal?" He paused, then continued, "This disciple dares to speculate that the Ancestor certainly didn't do it out of boredom, nor was it an act of charity."

Old Ancestor Myriad Ghosts snorted coldly, glaring at him, "Continue."

"In truth, the Ancestor knows well. In this cultivation world where the strong prey on the weak, those who walk alone rarely survive. Therefore, the Ancestor desires to establish his own foundation and a power base belonging solely to him." Lei Dong kept his head slightly bowed, his expression earnest and stern, "Other disciples, I cannot vouch for. But Lei Dong, since swearing fealty to the Ancestor, evolving from initial fear and apprehension to now being able to speak frankly before you—that is because the Ancestor has truly shown unparalleled favor and protection toward this disciple. Though ruthless towards enemies, this disciple holds only four sentiments toward the Ancestor: reverence, admiration, and deep respect. To have been fortunate enough to be accepted under the Ancestor's tutelage is truly the greatest fortune of this disciple’s life."

"Hmph, flattery," Although Old Ancestor Myriad Ghosts scoffed disdainfully, his heart was undeniably pleased. Everyone enjoys flattery. Especially since Lei Dong’s words were so heartfelt and sincere. While it was indeed flattery, one had to admit, the sentiment was genuine. With the Ancestor’s insight, how could he not see that? Moreover, the Ancestor genuinely believed he had treated Lei Dong exceptionally well. Lei Dong’s words were not exaggerated.

"This disciple can swear to the heavens that every single word spoken regarding the Ancestor comes straight from the heart. If I lie, may I suffer the death of a myriad ghosts consuming my soul." Lei Dong swore solemnly, experiencing no mental barrier. This wasn't merely because he was a transmigrator who didn't believe in oaths. It was because, toward the Ancestor, he truly felt a deep-seated reverence and admiration. He had to admit, the Ancestor’s presence and care had deeply moved him. Especially that time when, facing the might of the Ghost Fiend's pressure, the Ancestor suddenly appeared before him—that mountain-like, imposing back had stirred his soul.

Furthermore, his apprenticeship under the Ancestor was an established fact. To betray the sect now would not only be courting death but would also implicate his earthly parents and family in this life. The methods the Yin Fiend Sect used against traitors were enough to make one shudder. Thus, since life was like being raped, if resistance was impossible, one might as well enjoy it.

Rather than clinging to a transmigrator's sense of superiority, harboring secret resistance toward a powerful figure like Old Ancestor Myriad Ghosts, leading to constant friction, it was better to sincerely revere the Ancestor, genuinely viewing him as his elder and backer, and serve him as a junior disciple. By doing so, he would navigate the sect much smoother and could cling to the Ancestor, that towering tree, hoping one day to achieve the Golden Core Dao.

Of course, having firmly decided to attach himself to the Ancestor, vacillation was out of the question. If his heart wasn't sincere, how could the Ancestor, an ancient monster who had lived for so long, possibly fail to perceive it? Lei Dong's goal was simple: to survive in this magnificent world, and then climb—the higher the better.

However, his innate talent was mediocre. If he couldn't rely on cunning and superior combat power to seize cultivation resources from others, there was absolutely no possibility of him reaching the Golden Core stage. And which cultivators held substantial resources weren't backed by powerful figures? Without a patron, he would inevitably be swatted away like a fly during the struggle for resources. Once he understood this point, Lei Dong felt no resistance whatsoever toward sincerely serving Old Ancestor Myriad Ghosts.

Old Ancestor Myriad Ghosts gazed at Lei Dong for a long time, letting out a soft sigh, "Lei Dong, you are a rare disciple. If only your innate talent were slightly better, even just comparable to Zuo Chao, you would be perfect."

... (A pre-order request to my brothers and sisters for recommendation tickets for next Monday. Although it's tough, I still want to try and hit the weekly recommendation list. Thank you all in advance—if you have time next Monday, please help cast a recommendation vote. Monday!)