As she continuously danced, the swirling black demonic qi streams shot out like black snakes, crisscrossing and stabbing toward Ding Wanyan. "Heavenly Demon Wild Dance?" "Hmph, this is nothing more than the rudimentary form of the Heavenly Demon Wild Dance." "Even if it's just the rudimentary form, it's still the Heavenly Demon Wild Dance." Below the stage, Lei Dong felt a surge of anxiety for his senior sister. He overheard several Foundation Establishment cultivators nearby discussing Dongfang Fu's bizarre and powerful spell, which seemed quite formidable.

He wondered if his senior sister could handle it. Ding Wanyan’s expression remained unchanged. The surrounding Yin Sha energy churned anew, and her figure suddenly dissolved into a wisp of pale mist, vanishing completely as she merged into the faint, pale-green, translucent, and continuously swirling malevolent energy.

The Yin Sha energy grew broader and wider, instantaneously spanning seven or eight zhang. At the same time, those dozens of snake-like demonic qi streams pierced through the mist from front to back with a swoosh. Like madly dancing golden snakes, the wisps of demonic qi furiously shredded the (Sha mist).

The surging vital force shook the Sha mist into constant rolling agitation, scattering it in all directions. Wan Gui’s expression shifted, and just as he was about to stand up and say something, he heard the other Ancestors glare at him and curse, "Wan Gui, stop muddying the waters! You’ve made everyone lose money." Lei Dong’s heart leaped into his throat.

Although his senior sister’s Ghostly Fiend Evasion was potent, it didn't truly make her body disappear. Under the wild penetration of such dense demonic qi, she would eventually be struck. Just as he was thinking of rushing forward regardless of the consequences to call a halt, a strange phenomenon suddenly occurred.

"Bang~" Within the Sha mist, a clap of thunder erupted from thin air. Immediately, several weaving and piercing streams of demonic qi were scattered. Following this, one clap of thunder after another sounded continuously.

With every explosion, one, or sometimes several, streams of demonic qi vanished into smoke. The spectators below saw clearly that those clusters of Sha mist suddenly condensed, forming tiny, translucent beads. When those beads met the demonic qi streams, they burst open with a bang, resulting in mutual annihilation.

"Condensing Sha into Thunder!" Those who understood gasped in unison. They never imagined that Ding Wanyan had cultivated the Great Yin Sha Art to this extent. The Yin Sha Thunder that Lei Dong used was a consumable item refined by condensing Yin Sha, possessing astonishing power.

In contrast, the "Condensing Sha into Thunder" technique within the Great Yin Sha Art directly condensed and exploded the thunder. Although the explosive power of the Sha thunder she condensed was far inferior to the finished Yin Sha Thunder used by Lei Dong, achieving this level at Ding Wanyan’s cultivation stage was still quite remarkable. Dongfang Fu’s gaze sharpened.

She hadn't expected Ding Wanyan to be so tenacious, having cultivated the Great Yin Sha Art to the stage of Condensing Sha into Thunder. She immediately formed a hand seal, and the demonic qi around her body transformed into dozens of black snakes once more. At this moment, Ding Wanyan reappeared, her delicate form flickering in and out of sight amidst the rolling Sha mist.

Coincidentally, dozens of dimly fluctuating Yin Sha Thunders orbited around her. Perhaps due to both sides consecutively unleashing grand moves and their pride preventing either from being the first to consume a Restoration Pill or similar item to replenish their true essence, both women were now panting heavily, their faces pale. "Go." The two women commanded almost simultaneously with sharp cries.

One unleashed the Heavenly Demon Wild Dance, the other, the Condensing Sha into Thunder—both spells carrying lethal force for cultivators at the Qi Refining stage. Boom, boom, boom. Black energy and Sha Thunder collided in mid-air, stirring up ripples and waves everywhere.

They seemed unwilling to yield an inch; one channeled demonic qi, the other condensed Sha Thunder. The battle was intense and evenly matched, even if their true essence was nearly depleted, pushing them toward exhaustion. "Enough, this match shall be declared a draw." From the highest point of the viewing stand, a terrifying ghost claw, several zhang in size, materialized.

With no flair whatsoever, it disregarded the stage's protective barrier and landed squarely between the two fiercely battling women. Regardless of the demonic qi black snakes or the formidable Sha Thunder, upon colliding with the massive, seemingly solid ghost claw, they left not the slightest trace after the explosions and impacts. Even for Heavenly Talents like Dongfang Fu and Ding Wanyan, expressions of horror flickered across their faces.

They quickly turned mid-air and bowed elegantly: "Greetings, Ancestor." Seeing this scene, the various Cave Ancestors and Golden Core Elders in the stands also changed color. They hastily rose and turned around, bowing deeply: "Greetings, Ancestor." Unease churned in their hearts. Hadn't the Ancestor left gracefully after the ceremony?

Could it be he never departed? A sense of apprehension filled them. Lei Dong was aghast.

He glanced up toward the distant stands, but could only perceive a mass of black mist; the person was completely invisible. After momentarily satisfying his curiosity, he quickly averted his gaze. Who knew the temperament of a Nascent Soul Ancestor?

Would looking at him for a few extra seconds invite a casual strike from the Netherworld Ghost Claw to smash him dead? Lei Dong considered himself somewhat knowledgeable about the Netherworld Ghost Claw, but his execution paled in comparison to the Ancestor’s—like an ant versus an elephant. "Very good.

This Elder is very satisfied with this Grand Competition," the Ancestor’s voice drifted down ethereally. "Dongfang Fu, Ding Wanyan. Your cultivation and spells are equally matched, sharing first place in this Grand Competition.

You are both pillars of my Sect. This Elder will postpone his seclusion and personally instruct you both for one month as an exception." "Thank you, Ancestor," Dongfang Fu and Ding Wanyan responded in unison. Below, Lei Dong listened with extreme envy.

A month of guidance from a Nascent Soul Ancestor? What a pity he wouldn't have such an opportunity... After speaking, the Ancestor vanished instantly into thin air.

After a while, the group of Golden Core Ancestors exchanged glances, realizing this was the final outcome. A draw, a scenario rarely seen in the history of the Yin Sha Sect, had materialized under the Ancestor’s single declaration. Those who had bet on Ding Wanyan winning, and those who bet on Dongfang Fu winning, all wore grim expressions.

The happiest was undoubtedly Yan Mo, who laughed charmingly and seductively: "Looks like it's time for this old lady to strike it rich! Come on, everyone, hand over your spirit stones to me." ... Several days later, Lei Dong slowly rose from his meditative state in his private quarters.

The injuries to his meridians and soul had nearly healed. This Grand Competition had been highly beneficial; the slot for a Foundation Establishment Pill was secured. The Contribution Points earned for third place also amounted to a substantial thirty thousand.

If he were to exchange these thirty thousand points for low-grade spirit stones, according to that exploitative system, he would only receive three thousand. However, if he used them to exchange for cultivation techniques or various elixirs, thirty thousand points would be far more useful than three thousand spirit stones. The greatest gain, perhaps, was that artifact, the Wheel of Annihilation.

Although its use demanded high spiritual sense and consumed significant energy, the power it wielded made even Lei Dong shudder just thinking about it. During the gaps in his recovery these past few days, Lei Dong had pondered much. Despite securing third place, his cultivation and true combat strength lagged significantly behind Dongfang Fu and Ding Wanyan.

Against them, if they used all their magical artifacts and fought at full capacity, even if he unleashed all three of his ghosts, his chances of winning would be slim. Their cultivation talent and combat prowess inspired both his admiration and deep envy. Yet, envy aside, spiritual root aptitude seemed something that could never be changed.

Thinking of spiritual root aptitude led Lei Dong to consider his Soul Orb. The Soul Orb was something that defied the heavens, capable of changing the quality of ghost soldiers. Lei Dong had wondered if this item might work on humans.

However, being cautious, he dared not randomly use himself as an experiment. Nor did he dare try it on other disciples, even those from different caverns. If the matter leaked, he would face inescapable disaster.

Even if he wished to experiment, he would have to leave the Yin Sha Sect and slowly find someone to try it on. Of course, Lei Dong dared not place too much hope in this item. He knew the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.

If something as fundamental as spiritual root aptitude could be changed so easily, then true chaos would reign. Strength—true strength—was what mattered most. After witnessing the duel between the Yin Sha Twins, Lei Dong felt his spirit surge, but also immense pressure.

Having entered the sect at the same time, they were now incredibly powerful and close to reaching the Foundation Establishment stage. But where was he? Only at the eighth layer of Qi Refining.

Lei Dong secretly analyzed his situation. In terms of actual combat effectiveness, he wasn't entirely weak now. The only thing truly limiting him was insufficient cultivation level.

Therefore, raising his cultivation tier was his most urgent priority. ...M