Time, it seemed, had frozen in that moment. Through the dense swarm of vengeful spirits, one could vaguely make out the half-demon Baili Yun’s demonic claws plunging into Lei Dong’s chest, the sudden gust of wind whipping his disheveled long hair backward.

“Lei Dong!”

Ding Wanyan shrieked, trying to rush forward, only to be stopped by a gray-robed elder whose expression was utterly blank. “Interfering with the arena contest is forbidden. Violation results in disciplinary action according to sect rules.”

“Senior Sister Ding, don't be impulsive, don't!” Zuo Chao rushed forward quickly to restrain her as well.

Everyone standing with Lei Dong felt their hearts seize instantly. The cheers and encouraging shouts were choked off as if by an invisible giant hand, ceasing abruptly.

However, the Golden Core Ancestors seated in the viewing stands all sighed inwardly. It was over. Baili Yun was finished.

Before they could fully process their relief, Baili Yun felt a chilling sensation wash over his back. By the time he registered it, it was too late; two sharp blades, one above and one below, pierced through his semi-demonic flesh, aimed directly at vital points.

The immense impact slammed him forward, stumbling against Lei Dong. But what greeted him was a streak of desolate cyan, accompanied by a mournful, wailing sound echoing in his ears.

The Annihilation Dharma Wheel spun violently, striking his half-demonic shoulder. It paused only momentarily before tearing straight through, the whining sound cutting across the arena's protective barrier.

Dark, crimson blood sprayed outward as the Annihilation Dharma Wheel flashed past. That Saint Demon Left Arm spun high into the sky like a lost baton.

“It makes no sense.”

Perhaps the Annihilation Dharma Wheel had been too fast, or perhaps the pain receptors in his semi-demonic body had significantly dulled.

Baili Yun felt no pain, only a single thought resonating: It makes no sense. Even if that Level Ten Shadow Ghoul had managed to approach him, a fierce thrust would only penetrate an inch at most. What, exactly, was it? Baili Yun desperately wanted to turn back and see clearly, even if it meant death—he needed to know what had killed him. But Lei Dong was hardly a softhearted individual; even if he knew what Baili Yun was thinking, he would offer absolutely no mercy.

A smear of shadowy green swept past. Deprived of the constant power supplied by his Saint Demon Left Arm, Baili Yun’s neck was no longer as resilient.

What a massive head, thrown toward the sky. The last image imprinted in his mind was of the chattering, gleefully swarming vengeful spirits—dense, seemingly endless. Until his death, he failed to ascertain the reason for his defeat.

“Ten Thousand Ghosts... you actually dared use a High-Grade Spirit Ghost. You’re ruthless.”

Ku Gu’s grim, ashen face suddenly changed drastically. He angrily flung up his sleeve and stood, spitting out those few words. Then, he conjured that ghastly pale escape light and shot into the air.

“Hahaha, Ku Gu, don’t say I’m unreasonable. Scrape together the money. In three days, this Seat and Yan Mo will come to collect.” Ancestor Wan Gui roared with triumphant laughter.

The outburst caused Ku Gu’s body, hovering in mid-air, to tremble violently, nearly tumbling from his escape light. But he quickly vanished into the clouds, his form unseen.

……

Without needing Lei Dong’s command, the three ghouls present immediately lunged toward the Saint Demon Left Arm rolling across the arena floor. But the Phantom Ghoul that appeared last was a step ahead; its form blurred, enveloping the demonic arm. It then bared its fangs and snarled menacingly at its two companions following close behind, displaying a clear intention to leverage its superior strength to keep all the spoils for itself.

The two Level Ten Ghouls seemed intimidated by the Phantom Ghoul. They reluctantly retreated, their ghostly howls echoing as they used their auras to ward off the lesser spirits surging toward Baili Yun’s corpse. They then dissolved into wisps of mist, enveloping the mangled, semi-demonic body, devouring the soul and flesh that had yet to fully depart.

Meanwhile, Lei Dong kept his head bowed, floating motionless in the air, allowing his subordinate ghouls and evil spirits to seize the spoils based on their individual strengths.

Finally, relying on the replenishing True Qi and medicinal support from the five Guiyuan Pills, Lei Dong ignored his damaged spirit and forced down the splitting headache. He drove the Annihilation Dharma Wheel to deliver the fatal blow to Baili Yun. Yet, this very act compounded the injury to his own spirit. Furthermore, as the final strike exhausted all the energy condensed by the Guiyuan Pills, the after-effects manifested.

All his meridians felt as if they were on the verge of collapse, causing excruciating pain; within his veins and bones, it felt as if countless needles were pricking and countless knives were scraping.

“Ku Gu Peak’s Baili Yun versus Ten Thousand Ghosts Cave’s Lei Dong. Lei Dong wins.” As the stunned Foundation Establishment referee shouted this declaration with a slightly elevated tone, Lei Dong felt a wave of relief wash over him, and he could suppress it no longer.

“Pffft—”

He spat out a mouthful of dark red blood and could no longer maintain his position in the air, beginning to fall downward.

“Junior Brother Lei!”

Seeing this, Ding Wanyan could finally not restrain herself. With a pale face, she cried out in alarm. Her form transformed into a faint mist, gliding almost in the blink of an eye over ten zhang, her body solidifying just as she reached out both hands to catch his plummeting form.

“Insolent! How dare you, you serving wench?” The gray-robed elder hadn't expected her to go forward after he had issued a warning. His face changed, and he cursed angrily.

Just as he prepared to ascend and seize her, a surge of chilling wind blasted him aside. Ancestor Wan Gui had appeared—his face dark and sullen—at some unknown point. He roared back at the gray-robed elder: “Arrogant! How dare a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator insult this Seat’s chief personal disciple? If not for your duty, this Seat would grind you into dust! Now, scram.”

That final word, scram, shook the gray-robed elder until his face turned the color of earth, and he quickly fled.

The elders on the platform acted as if they saw nothing. Although the master and disciple pair had technically violated some rules, the contest had been decided, so it wasn't a major issue. Moreover, that boy Lei Dong seemed quite promising—brave, resourceful, and efficient in killing without lingering. Apart from his mediocre aptitude, he was indeed a rare, excellent disciple for the Yin Sha Sect. They all chose to pretend they had seen nothing.

“Wanyan, bring Lei Dong down to this Seat so I can inspect him.” Since Ding Wanyan had already ascended the stage, Ancestor Wan Gui chose not to join the fuss, lest he attract unwanted gossip. His tone toward Ding Wanyan was suddenly gentle, a complete contrast to his ferocious demeanor moments before.

“Senior Sister.” Lei Dong felt a slight warmth as Senior Sister Ding caught and held him in her arms. Seeing the alarmed Ding Wanyan attempting to pull him down, he frowned slightly, his voice raspy and weak: “Senior Sister, I’m fine. Since I walked onto this stage myself, let me walk off it myself.”

“En.”

Seeing that Lei Dong genuinely seemed alright, the tension and anxiety in Ding Wanyan’s heart eased considerably. This seemed to be the first time in her life she had held a man’s body so closely. As she relaxed, her cheeks flushed slightly. She did not insist, gently helping him stand upright.

Lei Dong slowly pulled away from Ding Wanyan’s hand, enduring the discomfort wracking his body. He recalled the few ghouls that had completely devoured Baili Yun and put away the Ten Thousand Ghosts Banner. Only then did he step, somewhat unsteadily but with resolute determination, toward the edge of the arena.

Zuo Chao’s anxiety of the past while had greatly subsided. He quickly rushed forward, congratulating Lei Dong with a simple, honest smile. “Senior Brother Lei, congratulations on your victory! I knew it, Senior Brother, I knew you would win.”

Lei Dong laughed, throwing an arm over his shoulder and patting him twice lightly. “I heard everything on the stage just now. It was all thanks to you cheering me on. Go help me pack up the spoils; I don’t have the strength to pick them up. Sell them, and we’ll split the money fifty-fifty.”

“Yes, thank you, Senior Brother.” Zuo Chao chirped happily and ran onto the stage. Everything Baili Yun used was valuable; although most of it was destroyed during the fight, what could be repaired or sold would fetch a considerable amount of spirit stones. By the rules, these belonged to Lei Dong. However, though Zuo Chao was higher in cultivation, he always regarded Lei Dong as his senior brother, full of respect and admiration. Hearing he could have half, he was ecstatic.

“Greetings, Ancestor. Your disciple has not failed his mission.” Lei Dong staggered over to Ancestor Wan Gui and bowed respectfully.

Ancestor Wan Gui said nothing but took Lei Dong’s wrist, closing his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, he snorted, sounding slightly annoyed. “It’s nothing major.”

With that, he turned and flew away. However, after only flying a short distance, he tossed something back: “This pill is remarkably effective for spirit damage, but your meridians have also suffered severe damage. You don’t need to participate in the next match. Return to the Ten Thousand Ghosts Cave to recuperate.”

Lei Dong reached out and caught the small bottle of elixir. Besides the warmth, he felt a slight awkwardness. He knew that concealing the existence of a High-Grade Spirit Ghost had displeased the Ancestor. But Lei Dong had already prepared his explanation for this matter; it shouldn't be a big problem. As for the anger, he would let the Ancestor stew in it for a while. Inside his heart, however, was an infinite sense of exhilaration: the thorn that was Baili Yun had finally been removed.

……U