"Zhou Dian is already first, thank you all. Seventh on the weekly recommendation list, I still implore everyone to support with plenty of recommendation votes this week so this book can achieve even better results." …… They traveled for a full seven days. On this day, Lei Dong piloted the Ghost Shroud, soaring to a location marked by perilous terrain—a veritable valley of horrors. This was, of course, to complete the first assigned task.

According to the intelligence report, a Foundation Establishment stage demonic beast had been spotted in this area, known as the Evil Dragon Valley, and a Qi Refining disciple had already lost his life to it. The name Evil Dragon Valley did not imply the presence of an actual evil dragon. Dragon-type demonic beasts, even a lesser Flood Dragon, were far beyond the capability of a Golden Core cultivator to handle; otherwise, that old scoundrel Kugu would not have betrayed his trust over a mere Flood Dragon skeleton. Furthermore, the beast in the report was neither a dragon nor a snake, but a Centipede of a Hundred Segments.

In truth, the Evil Dragon Valley was notorious for hosting vast numbers of centipedes, leading to its alternate name, Centipede Valley. Some low-level disciples enjoyed making the arduous journey here on treasure hunts because the valley produced an excellent item known as Centipede Fruit. Centipede Fruit was slightly cold and mildly toxic; consuming it raw often induced stupor, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, when brewed with other spiritual herbs into a spiritual wine, just a sip or two during combat could restore a significant amount of True Qi.

Fruits from centipedes over a hundred years old were even more potent, and finding such a bounty could lead to a substantial fortune. Centipedes themselves were also valuable commodities. Especially those reaching dozens of segments; capturing and selling one could fetch a decent sum of spirit stones. For low-level disciples, this counted as a small fortune.

But the Centipede of a Hundred Segments was far beyond their ability to manage. Since the target was only an early Foundation Establishment stage demonic beast, Lei Dong dared not be careless. Standing upon the Ghost Shroud, he first summoned the Spectral Ghost Guard, which had recently advanced one rank, ordering it to stealthily hover beside him. Then, he executed the necessary hand signs to summon a Level Twelve Critical Hit Ghost Soldier.

Even though Lei Dong’s divine sense was significantly stronger than that of disciples at the same stage due to his diligent cultivation of the Spirit Forging Art, attempting to summon the Critical Hit Ghost Soldier caused a sharp drain on his spiritual power, resulting in a splitting headache. He had to stop the summoning immediately and instead called forth the Level Ten Shadow Ghost Soldier. Summoning both the Spectral Ghost Guard and the Shadow Ghost Soldier reached the absolute limit for Lei Dong. Given his current level of divine sense strength, commanding even one more Ghost Soldier alongside the Spectral Ghost Guard was nearly impossible.

Summoning the Spectral Ghost Guard and the Shadow Ghost Soldier consumed a considerable amount of Lei Dong’s True Qi. Not rushing the objective, he first landed in a safe spot, consumed a medicinal pill, and began meditating to restore his True Qi. That was a powerful demonic beast, and Lei Dong was not entirely confident in his ability to defeat it. At best, he could attempt it; if it proved too difficult, he would have to rely on the Ghost Soldiers to cover his retreat.

Thus, Lei Dong needed to exert his full effort to bring his True Qi to its peak condition. Moments later, Lei Dong rose, spirit fully restored. He settled onto the Ghost Shroud, with the Shadow Ghost Soldier taking the lead and the Spectral Ghost Guard providing defense. He then activated the Divine Investigation Art, spreading his consciousness outward in all directions to search.

The valley was not large, only about a hundred miles in circumference, but searching it completely in a short time was no easy feat. Fortunately, Lei Dong held onto the faint hope of an unexpected opportunity—some stroke of incredible luck—perhaps stumbling upon a few thousand-year Centipede Fruits, so he did not grow overly anxious. Regrettably, after several days of searching, the largest centipedes encountered were only a few feet long, with perhaps ten or so segments. He did gather some Centipede Fruits, but they were all common age, worth very little.

This caused Lei Dong to muse over his consistently ordinary luck. Had his crossing over and acquiring the Soul Devouring Pagoda somehow depleted all his fortune? Despite being a transmigrator, why was Heaven not showing him more favor? He hadn't even seen a single fruit aged a hundred years, let alone a thousand.

After circling low over the Evil Dragon Valley for another three or four days without finding the Centipede of a Hundred Segments, the initial excitement and tension in Lei Dong’s mood had settled into stagnant water. He searched through the valley like a walking corpse. Seven thousand contribution points were certainly not easily earned. In the last two days, upon seeing ordinary Centipede Fruits, Lei Dong didn't even feel the desire to pick them.

However, salvation arrived on the ninth day. Before Lei Dong's divine sense could detect anything, the Spectral Ghost Guard protecting him let out a sharp squeak. Lei Dong’s heart tightened. He immediately halted his flight and concentrated his divine sense, spreading it rapidly in all directions.

Yet, before he could perceive anything, a faint, acrid scent drifted into his nostrils. From the dense, waist-high grass near the Shadow Ghost Soldier scouting ahead, a black centipede, several yards long and nearly two feet wide, suddenly shot out. Its body was covered in segments, and the mandibles on its head looked ferocious and cruel. Opening its maw, it spewed forth a dense cloud of black mist.

As the air currents reached Lei Dong, he felt a wave of dizziness. He was inwardly alarmed: this black mist was powerfully toxic, befitting an early Foundation Establishment demonic beast. A direct blast of this poison mist upon himself would likely leave him stripped raw, if not dead. But the poison mist had been directed at the wrong target.

The Shadow Ghost Soldier was a soul body; unless a toxin specifically targeted soul entities, ordinary poisonous fog had little effect. The Shadow Ghost Soldier reacted with extreme agility, rapidly flickering its form away as the mist approached, attempting to create distance from the Centipede of a Hundred Segments. This was part of the established tactic, as the Shadow Soldier, being only Level Ten, was no match for the massive creature. Facing a Foundation Establishment level demonic beast for the first time, Lei Dong was filled with anxiety.

Especially since the Centipede of a Hundred Segments moved with incredible swiftness, covering several yards in a single dash. Although the Shadow Ghost Soldier was quick, its overall strength was vastly inferior to the centipede’s. After retreating only about ten yards, it was caught up by the rushing beast. Its dual mandibles opened wide, snapping directly at the Shadow Soldier.

Bang! Its glossy, black, armored head was struck by a tremendous impact, sending it violently recoiling backward. The Spectral Ghost Guard, which had appeared silently at some point, had saved the Shadow Soldier’s life at the critical moment. But the Centipede of a Hundred Segments was, after all, a Foundation Establishment beast.

Its head merely shook for a few moments before it furiously lunged at the Spectral Ghost Guard. The Spectral Ghost Guard, theoretically equal in rank, certainly did not fear it; it skillfully brandished its twin spikes, employing an elegant footwork to engage it relentlessly. Seeing an opportunity to strike, the Shadow Ghost Soldier rejoined the fray. The two Ghost Soldiers darted above and below, locked in fierce combat.

Black smoke billowed, and dust and stones flew as the centipede fought. Its physical strength was formidable; its powerful body thrashing and slamming often shattered boulders and snapped trees. Seeing that the Spectral Ghost Guard could indeed hold the Centipede of a Hundred Segments, Lei Dong finally breathed a deep sigh of relief. This demonic beast was far less cunning than a human.

If he had relied only on a single Guard and Soldier to face a human Foundation Establishment cultivator, Lei Dong would not have been so audacious. To prevent any unexpected complications, Lei Dong planned a swift resolution. He reached out and gripped the air, and the Nirvana Dharma Wheel—emitting a cold, dim light and carrying an inexplicable aura of desolation—materialized in his hand. Wasting no time, he poured his True Qi and divine sense into it.

When the Nirvana Dharma Wheel shone brilliantly, Lei Dong employed his evasive, phantom-like movement technique to close the distance. The Spectral and Shadow Guards, being his core spirit servants, shared a seamless link with Lei Dong's intent. Simultaneously, they redoubled their efforts to keep the centipede entangled. The Centipede of a Hundred Segments, for all its might, never anticipated that the seemingly unremarkable human held a fatal trump card.

It twisted its body, first swatting the Shadow Ghost Soldier away, then opening its jaws to viciously bite the Spectral Ghost Guard, the one it feared and detested the most. "Go!" Lei Dong’s expression turned somewhat pale. The Nirvana Dharma Wheel was unlike ordinary high-grade artifacts; its cost was simply too immense for him. Woooooo...

The Nirvana Dharma Wheel spun violently, emitting a mournful, heartbreaking wail, like a streak of azure lightning. By the time the Centipede of a Hundred Segments realized something was terribly wrong, it was too late. As the Dharma Wheel sliced into its thick, armored body, it met with heavy resistance but still managed to cleave the beast in two. But at the same moment, Lei Dong rapidly retreated.

Firstly, the bursts of toxic mist posed too great a threat to him, and secondly, he remained cautious, fearing a final counterattack from the dying centipede. He retreated far away, watching the Spectral Ghost Guard cautiously maneuver the severed halves of the centipede until it finally ceased moving. Only when it was completely still did Lei Dong finally let out a heavy breath, his face ashen and his back slick with sweat. Facing a Foundation Establishment level demonic beast for the first time was something he wouldn't have dared without the aid of the Spectral Ghost Guard.

But precisely because of this challenge, the reward was immense, allowing him to maximize his advantages and slowly catch up to Senior Sister Ding's cultivation level. …… (Regarding updates, I cannot manage large bursts of releases during the initial period of a new book. We expect to go on the paid shelf around the May Day holiday, by which time the public chapters will already exceed three hundred thousand words—a relatively rare occurrence. Once we are on the paid shelf, I will strive to release much more frequently.

Please bear with me during this immediate period. Thank you~ And don't forget to cast your recommendation votes~)

For more novels, visit storyread.net.