With the stalwart support of my brothers and sisters, we have managed to maintain the number one spot on both leaderboards until now. I am truly delighted; it feels fantastic. I implore everyone to cast their recommendation votes for me this week. It’s the final week for the new book—surely no one wants the dual top ranking to vanish like a fleeting firework. Let’s push on!

…… Lei Dong sighed inwardly. Chen Ge truly understood how to handle people. He grasped the concept of sustainable, long-term relationships rather than being blinded by immediate profit. Chen Ge was right; many collaborations collapse later due to conflicts over benefits if proper ground rules aren't established at the start. After brief consideration, Lei Dong agreed to his terms. In truth, of this massive asset worth a million spirit stones, only about 400,000 was actual spirit stones; the rest comprised artifacts and spiritual tools meticulously collected by Li Chang'an, along with elixirs and talismans. However, most of the artifacts were mid-grade, with only a few high-grade pieces scattered among them. The spiritual tools were almost entirely low-grade. For Lei Dong, the need for these particular artifacts and tools wasn't paramount. A single high-grade artifact was certainly not inferior to a low-grade spiritual tool.

Ultimately, Lei Dong secured 100,000 spirit stones in cash and an equivalent value of 50,000 in elixirs. Lei Dong needed the elixirs even more urgently than spirit stones. Taking that batch directly saved him the trouble of purchasing them later. This arrangement meant Lei Dong instantly gained resources valued at 150,000 spirit stones. Coupled with the rewards from the mission and the proceeds from selling the mid-grade ghosts, he estimated he had nearly enough resources to reach the Foundation Establishment stage, especially since he possessed two Foundation Establishment Pills.

As for the three junior martial brothers, although they each only received resources valued at around 50,000 spirit stones, this allocation would not only enhance the quality of their magical tools and boost their combat strength but also leave a significant portion for purchasing elixirs to accelerate their cultivation. Once the junior brothers strengthened themselves, they would find it easier to acquire more resources, entering a virtuous cycle. In the future, they might become capable aides to Lei Dong.

Some principles are inherently simple, much like in Lei Dong’s previous life. If one starts with absolutely nothing, bare-handed, attempting to amass a fortune of a million would be incredibly difficult. But if one already possesses a million, earning another million becomes significantly easier, with a much higher chance of success. This is the principle of the rich getting richer. After this single venture, the junior brothers had essentially acquired a substantial amount of initial capital. Whether they could build upon this foundation to achieve wealth depended entirely on their individual abilities.

The Yin Sha Twin Heroes had contributed significantly, especially Dongfang Fu. If she hadn't used her reputation and status to sternly intimidate that Liu Wanshan, future complications might have arisen. Furthermore, opportunities to flatter Dongfang Fu were rare. Consequently, the two of them each received a payout of 150,000. Initially, Dongfang Fu adamantly refused to accept, but she couldn't withstand Lei Dong's persistent and sincere persuasion. Compounded by Ding Wanyan's understanding that her junior brother always felt insecure about his survival, and her subtle encouragement aimed at leveraging the Demon Palace, Dongfang Fu finally accepted her share of the spoils. The impression Lei Dong had of her being rather aloof seemed to soften considerably. Thus, Lei Dong’s objective was achieved.

Regarding the remaining 400,000, Lei Dong had already made plans: 250,000 spirit stones were allocated to Martial Uncle Wang Kang, and the remaining 150,000 were set aside for Wu Di. Setting aside the fact that Wang Kang’s potential impact far outweighed Wu Di’s, the mere possibility—even a one-and-a-half-in-ten chance—of Wang Kang breaking through to the Core Formation stage made it worthwhile for Lei Dong to invest heavily in him.

Lei Dong believed that with proper management moving forward, he would reap immense returns from Wang Kang in the future. A powerhouse at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment wasn't something one could casually befriend. Having this opportunity to draw closer to him was exactly what Lei Dong desired, as he would surely find such a connection useful later.

After settling matters concerning his hometown, and to prevent further trouble, Lei Dong conferred with Ding Wanyan and decided to take his parents to settle in Myriad Ghost City. After all, it was a flourishing human city and the core territory of the Myriad Ghost Cave. His parents should live comfortably there.

Lei Dong found Li Chang'an's villa utterly offensive. After emptying all the valuable items, he had intended to burn it down. But Chen Ge vehemently refused, insisting on spending time selling the sprawling estate, splitting the money with Wei Hua, and using it to support his own parents. Seeing his stingy nature, Lei Dong mused that Chen Ge truly was the product of a merchant family, and he let him fuss over the details as he pleased.

Originally, Lei Dong planned for Zuo Chao to take Lei Qing'er, while he and Ding Wanyan escorted his parents directly toward the Myriad Ghost Cave. Unexpectedly, the usually silent Dongfang Fu produced a rare flying vessel, leaving Lei Dong utterly stunned. Flying vessels of this size were generally more common among treasures used by cultivators at the Core Formation stage, though occasionally seen even among spiritual tools. A low-grade artifact-level flying vessel, however, was exceedingly rare. This vessel was crystalline, exquisitely fashioned, and quite beautiful, yet remarkably petite. After loading Lei Dong's family and Ding Wanyan aboard, Dongfang Fu coldly stared at Lei Dong and Zuo Chao, suggesting she would not be polite if the two of them dared to step onto the vessel named the Exquisite Flyer.

Lei Dong understood that this flying vessel was Dongfang Fu's private possession; many powerful cultivators treated their vessels as extensions of their homes. This small vessel must be akin to one side of Dongfang Fu’s private chamber. Her agreement to carry Lei Dong’s father was already a significant gesture. Not wanting to cause offense, Lei Dong wisely pulled Zuo Chao aside, claiming he had several outstanding tasks along the route and needed Zuo Chao to accompany him.

Ding Wanyan would have preferred to accompany Lei Dong on his errands, but Lei Dong couldn't leave his family unattended, so she stayed with them.

After a temporary farewell to his parents, Lei Dong pinched Lei Qing'er’s plump little cheek until she burst into loud sobs. Then, he unfurled his movement technique, cloaked in phantom shadows, and shot deep into the sky. Immediately, a chilling, profound ghostly aura enveloped him, and he streaked away into the distance like a dark, swift meteor.

Seeing this, Zuo Chao quickly urged his high-grade flying artifact, the Demonic Spirit Sword, forward. Black mist coiled around him as he shouted heartily, "Senior Brother, wait for me!" and immediately gave chase.

…… With this substantial influx of resources, Lei Dong wouldn't need to risk selling mid-grade spirit ghosts for a while. However, since he had accepted the tasks related to them, he still intended to complete them along the way. Zuo Chao’s aptitude was quite good, certainly better than Lei Dong's. Already at the tenth level of Qi Refining, he was now showing subtle signs of an impending breakthrough. Coupled with his respectable magical tools and decent spell techniques, he was a powerful assistant.

With his help, jointly slaying early Foundation Establishment demonic beasts became safer and easier. Consequently, the few tasks along the route were completed cleanly and swiftly without any mishaps. During this journey, while completing missions and passing through market towns, Lei Dong managed to procure some elixirs he urgently needed. Although the prices were slightly higher than exchanging spirit stones for contribution points within the sect, it was still far better than converting spirit stones directly into contribution points for subsequent exchanges.

Taking a slight detour, the entire journey consumed two full months. During this time, Zuo Chao successfully broke through to the eleventh level of Qi Refining, establishing himself as a minor expert.

Returning smoothly to the Myriad Ghost Cave with Zuo Chao, Lei Dong first paid his respects to his parents. The capable martial sister had secured a quiet courtyard for the elderly couple to reside in within Myriad Ghost City. His father’s injuries had mostly healed. Being a small-time businessman by nature, he grew restless staying idle and rented a shop, returning to his true passion: commerce.

After accompanying them for several days, Lei Dong returned to the Myriad Ghost Cave. With his parents settled securely in Myriad Ghost City, his heart felt much lighter. Although frequent necessary seclusion for cultivation prevented him from visiting often, his mind was finally at ease.

After submitting the various mission reports, Lei Dong’s contribution points accumulated to over thirty thousand. Coupled with the massive benefits gained from the incident at the Li Family of Wanxi, Lei Dong had absolutely no reason to wander about aimlessly instead of focusing on cultivation. Especially since several thorns lodged in his heart seemed to constantly spur him toward greater strength.

The first thorn was the existential crisis: this world was too terrifying. Never mind the Nascent Soul cultivators, who were unseen and untraceable; even a mere Core Formation ancestor could casually snuff him out if he wished. This lingering, pervasive fear drove him to cultivate desperately, seeking complete control over his own destiny—at the very least, escaping the embarrassing predicament of being easily dispatched by anyone.

The second was the gap between himself and Martial Sister Ding. After arranging for her own family, she personally took Lei Qing'er with her into seclusion. It seemed she felt the time was ripe to attempt a breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Finally, the image of that proud, cold, yet subtly lonely and sorrowful woman in black robes surfaced in Lei Dong’s eyes. After she had forcibly taken something from him, Lei Dong now harbored a fierce impulse: sooner or later, he would make her taste what it felt like to be forcefully taken advantage of. But this required strength—absolute strength.

…… (This is the second update for today; there will be a third one. Please support vigorously with your recommendation votes and help us stay number one on both leaderboards! Hahaha, let’s go!)