“Disciple’s talent is dull, Old Ancestor; I have disappointed you.” Lei Dong kept his head slightly bowed, yet his voice was ringing and firm: “But my absolute loyalty to the Old Ancestor is something Heaven and Earth itself can bear witness to.”

“Enough, enough. I have long understood your sentiments.” Wan Gui Old Ancestor was indeed quite satisfied with Lei Dong; however, talent was something that couldn't be forced. If he spent more effort pushing Lei Dong into the Foundation Establishment stage, he would become a useful asset. As for the Golden Core Dao, over the past seventy years and through countless disciples, only Ding Wanyan had ever given him great hope. Because of this, even if Lei Dong hadn't brought it up, the Old Ancestor would never allow Dry Bone Peak to bully Ding Wanyan and Lei Dong, even if they had struck the first blow. After a pause, he waved his hand again: “Lei Dong, take the Shadow Tiger corpse back with you. While this thing is decent, it doesn't offer me much benefit.”

Anyone else would have seized the opportunity to withdraw gracefully. Yet, Lei Dong took a determined step forward, bowing deeply with grave sincerity: “Reporting to the Old Ancestor, your disciple is utterly worthless and owes everything to your misplaced favor. Only by showing extreme filial devotion can I possibly express a fraction of my gratitude. I beg the Old Ancestor to accept this.”

Wan Gui Old Ancestor’s goodwill toward Lei Dong stemmed precisely from his perceptiveness and commendable filial piety. Although the Shadow Tiger was insignificant in the Old Ancestor’s eyes, it was still worth tens of thousands of spirit stones. He recalled how Lei Dong had immediately presented the high-grade Spirit Ghost he’d acquired earlier. Seeing such genuine earnestness, he nodded: “Lei Dong, your filial piety is truly commendable; I shall accept it. However, since you failed to clean up the murder and plunder this time, I shall award you nothing. As for that Ancient Fiend of Dry Bones—though long famous and exceedingly powerful—I do not fear him. You and Wanyan should both go down and cultivate diligently.” Despite saying this, Wan Gui Old Ancestor felt a knot of frustration. After all, the Ancient Fiend of Dry Bones surpassed him significantly, both in personal strength and the power of his subordinates. More critically, the Fiend had been a Core Formation cultivator for a long time, standing firmly in the Mid-stage. The Old Ancestor himself, after seventy years of arduous cultivation, was still hovering just short of that mark.

The most troublesome part was the Ancient Fiend’s high status within the sect. Should he, like Gui Sha, bring the matter before the Sect Elders, things would become far more complicated. While the Yin Sha Sect did not forbid rivalry and conflict among disciples, it strongly disapproved of secret assassinations resulting in death. For irreconcilable disputes, they preferred formal Life-and-Death Duels.

“Reporting to the Old Ancestor, your disciple happens to have a stratagem that might resolve this impasse.” Lei Dong noticed the Old Ancestor’s contemplative expression, realizing that shouldering this entire burden alone would be taxing, so he offered his counsel.

“Speak,” Wan Gui Old Ancestor’s spirits lifted immediately.

Lei Dong composed himself and said, “This disciple believes that rather than waiting for Baili Yun to file a complaint, leaving the Ancient Fiend of Dry Bones prepared to seek revenge, it would be better to strike first. Let us be the villain who accuses first.”

“The villain who accuses first?” This scheme struck the Old Ancestor as both amusing and infuriating: “Elaborate on the details for me.”

“Where did the conflict occur? It was within the Yin Wind Gorge, under the jurisdiction of our Wan Gui Cave. Your disciple was capturing Yin Souls alone to refine ghost soldiers when I happened upon a Soul-Devouring Shadow Tiger that had just given birth. Overjoyed, I realized I couldn't kill the beast alone and sent a message asking Senior Sister Ding, with whom I have a good relationship, to assist, while I kept watch myself. Unexpectedly, Baili Yun suddenly attacked, forcibly snatching the Shadow Tiger. Unwilling to suffer such humiliation, I resisted and engaged him in a fierce struggle. In moments, Senior Sister Ding arrived and urged him to leave. Who knew that Baili Yun would so brazenly attempt to instantly obliterate me before dealing with Senior Sister? To save your disciple, Senior Sister took two strikes from the Spirit Slaying Finger and suffered grievous injuries. Your disciple erupted in desperate combat, and together, we—a heavily injured Senior Sister and I—unleashed a combined assault. The villain Baili Yun, seeing he was outmatched, utilized the Blood Evasion technique and fled the scene.”

Lei Dong spoke with fluent eloquence, but Ding Wanyan listened, utterly dumbfounded. This fellow truly knew how to twist reality; she was the one who got hit by two Spirit Slaying Fingers? And he was unwilling to suffer humiliation and rose up in resistance?

Lei Dong had already considered the most advantageous aspect: the confrontation occurred in the Yin Wind Gorge, not on the territory of his Dry Bone Peak. They could easily pin the crime of attempted murder and plunder squarely onto Baili Yun.

Of course, Baili Yun would vehemently deny everything and relate the true sequence of events. But with no third-party witnesses present, it would become a case of one person’s word against the other. Why should Baili Yun’s version be the truth while the testimony from Wan Gui Cave was considered a lie? If the dispute devolved into endless quibbling, it would certainly become a muddy mess. And if it was mud, there would be no way to clearly discern right from wrong.

The Old Ancestor pondered for a moment, then chuckled lightly: “Though it’s a crooked tactic, it’s certainly better than waiting for the Ancient Fiend of Dry Bones to come knocking for retribution. Come, I shall accompany you now to play the villain in the sect.”

“Reporting to the Old Ancestor, Wanyan believes that if we are to put on an act, we must see it through completely,” Ding Wanyan stated with solemnity.

Lei Dong’s expression shifted, and he cried out loudly, “Senior Sister, absolutely not! Then we should slightly revise the script. Let little brother take two hits instead.”

“Martial Brother Lei, Baili Yun is a known quantity among the Sect Elders; he is a potential disciple who has a significant chance of reaching the Golden Core stage in the future. If Martial Brother Lei is injured, the Elders might naturally lean toward Dry Bone Peak. Senior Sister is not without merit; her standing in the Elders’ minds is no less than Baili Yun’s. Only this way will both sides carry equal weight.” Ding Wanyan’s gaze was firm as she turned to the Old Ancestor: “I request the Old Ancestor to decide.”

The Old Ancestor’s face darkened as he thought for a moment, finally sighing lightly, “Wanyan, I am afraid you must be wronged in this matter.”

“This trouble was already partly mine to begin with. I cannot simply stand by while the Old Ancestor and Martial Brother exert themselves in struggle, can I?” Ding Wanyan offered a gentle smile. “Furthermore, didn’t Wanyan also obtain a Soul-Devouring Shadow Tiger? Any person, given two harmless strikes from the Spirit Slaying Finger, who could walk away with a Shadow Tiger cub, would probably be lining up for the blow, wouldn’t they?”

“Old Ancestor, I—” Lei Dong held an extremely high opinion of Senior Sister Ding, but seeing his flawed plan about to cause her great suffering, he couldn't help but want to change the script.

“Enough, my mind is made up on this matter. Lei Dong, stop speaking,” Wan Gui Old Ancestor clearly felt deep concern for Ding Wanyan, which led to a touch of impatience directed toward Lei Dong. He waved his sleeve with a huff: “Don't think you’re off the hook; once this affair is settled, wait to see how this Old Ancestor punishes you.”

Lei Dong sweated slightly but dared not speak further, merely bowing his head to admit his fault: “Yes, your disciple willingly accepts punishment.”

“Gui Nu, your execution of the Spirit Slaying Finger is excellent; pay attention to the timing.” Wan Gui Old Ancestor instructed.

“Old Ancestor, please rest assured.” Gui Nu drifted near and then spoke apologetically to Ding Wanyan: “Wanyan, please forgive my offense.”

“Uncle Gui, please proceed as you deem fit,” Ding Wanyan replied calmly, laughing softly. “If I cannot endure such a small hardship, how can Wanyan speak of defying Heaven to cultivate immortality?”

“Good girl, your courage commands this old slave’s respect.” As Gui Nu spoke, he pointed twice in the void. Two surges of azure light tore through the air, striking fiercely toward Ding Wanyan.

Since this was an act, Ding Wanyan did not raise her Profound Yin Shield, but she did erupt with true qi to protect her body.

Thwack! Thwack! Two successive, nearly continuous light sounds.

The Spirit Slaying Fingers forcibly broke through the protective true qi she had condensed and pierced her body; one struck her chest and the other her right shoulder, sending blood spraying outward. However, she immediately used her own true qi to staunch the bleeding.

Lei Dong looked upon Ding Wanyan’s face—which remained tranquil and resolute despite the event—with shame. Perhaps it was the pain, but her complexion had momentarily turned an unhealthy, bloodless white.

…… (Sigh, I’m out of Essence points, never enough Essence~ Also, booking recommendations for my brothers and sisters for next Monday’s votes~ Thank you all.)