Hard, and let her taste the ruthlessness of having her root plucked out. The mere thought of washing away his shame in that manner set Le Dong’s heart ablaze, fueling his drive to cultivate and grow stronger. After dealing with all the miscellaneous matters, Le Dong decided to enter a life-or-death secluded cultivation.

Zhao Baiwan, despite his petty greed, was entrusted with many of Le Dong’s business dealings. The reason was simple: those who love taking small advantages cherish their lives the most. Given Le Dong’s current status, Zhao Baiwan would never dare to trifle with him. Instead, he was diligently and honestly earning his share. The greatest advantage was that the man was resourceful, having drilled into Le Dong’s business network for years, achieving modest success.

Now that Le Dong was entrusting him with major long-term ventures, as long as Zhao Baiwan’s brain wasn't addled, he was sure to grow even bigger in the future. Consequently, he practically revered Le Dong as a God of Wealth. Whenever Le Dong needed an item acquired, he would run errands tirelessly without a single complaint.

Thus, Le Dong provided him with a list of elixirs, asking him to search the world for those specific items. Elixirs like the Yuan Nurturing Pill, though suitable for Le Dong’s current cultivation level, were rejected. The elixirs he requested were all precious ones with exceptional auxiliary cultivation effects but extremely high prices. Take the Creation Pill, for instance; a single pill cost around five hundred spirit stones, yet Le Dong listed a demand for one hundred.

The Earth Spirit Pill, which was highly effective for Qi Refining stage cultivators breaking through bottlenecks, was also requested in a batch of ten. The materials required for this pill were all rare spiritual herbs, with a single pill costing four or five thousand spirits. Even cultivators often hesitated to consume such an Earth Spirit Pill, even when facing major bottlenecks, but Le Dong intended to take one if he encountered any minor setbacks or hitches during his cultivation.

Furthermore, Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, valued at a hundred-plus lower-grade spirit stones each, were listed for purchase at a staggering two hundred. If not for his currently limited financial resources, Le Dong would have wished to replace them all with High-Grade Spirit Stones. The terrifying exchange rate of ten thousand lower-grade stones for one high-grade stone was something even the Old Ancestors hesitated to use long-term, let alone Le Dong.

Elixirs for Sustaining Vitality (Bigu Dan) were requested in uncountable numbers.

Such reckless cultivation might not even be permitted by Golden Core Old Ancestors for their descendants. However, Le Dong had no choice. Cultivating in the most economical way meant it would take another twenty years just to reach the Foundation Establishment stage. Even through the most cost-effective methods, Foundation Establishment was completely out of reach for at least a decade.

Time, for Le Dong, was the most crucial element. With this level of extravagance, Le Dong planned to ascend to the Foundation Establishment stage within three to five years. Given his aptitude, without extraordinary fortune or a powerful background, the chance of him ever reaching Foundation Establishment in his lifetime was slim. Therefore, factoring in the previous decade plus another three to five years, achieving Foundation Establishment would truly be a great blessing.

He spent some contribution points to exchange for a Netherworld Ghost Art, along with corresponding techniques like the Nether Fire Bomb. Ever since witnessing the Netherworld Ghost Art from the Myriad Ghost Old Ancestor last time, Le Dong had been itching to master it, deciding to thoroughly comprehend it during his leisure hours in this critical secluded cultivation.

Within the Myriad Ghost Cave, Le Dong’s dwelling was perpetually marked with a seclusion sign.

Once a year, he would meet Zhao Baiwan to receive the spiritual essence from the elixirs he had collected and purchased. He avoided everyone else, even his Senior Sister. Perhaps spurred by Le Dong’s example and not wishing to fall too far behind, Chen Ge and Wei Hua also entered secluded cultivation after procuring a batch of Yuan Nurturing Pills upon their return.

Thus, year after year passed.

In the blink of an eye, the resources consumed annually were astonishing. And Le Dong’s cultivation advanced little by little amid this incredibly lavish practice. Even if the sky fell outside, he would not step out half a pace, utterly oblivious to whatever was transpiring in the outside world.

Loneliness, endless loneliness. But if one cannot endure loneliness, how can one speak of cultivation? How can one speak of defying the heavens?

The maidservants sent by the Ghost Slaves to stand guard outside were rotated monthly, countless batches already having passed. They never knew if the people inside the Azure Stone Gate were still alive. Bound by the prohibition, they dared not approach the dwelling even half a step unless summoned. They could only watch day after day as the dust accumulated on the Azure Stone Gate, yet they dared not cross the line to sweep it clean. All they could do was wait silently, waiting for the mysterious figure inside to call upon them someday.

Spring turned to autumn, and every year Ding Wanyan would visit once, never disturbing Le Dong’s practice. She would simply stand outside the door quietly for a day before leaving with a tranquil gaze. No one could detect the fleeting trace of heartache that crossed the deepest part of her eyes. As she departed, she would always wave a sleeve, her killing intent gently sweeping out, brushing away all the dust.

Several Junior Brothers would also visit Le Dong at irregular intervals, standing silently outside the door for a moment before leaving. Their appearances grew more mature year by year. Zuo Chao, in particular, showed a striking transformation. From a green youth, he had grown into a tall, strapping, sunny, and handsome young man, his smile honest and simple, completely lacking the sinister malice expected of a demonic young star from an unorthodox sect.

And then there was Lei Qing’er. As she gradually grew up, through Ding Wanyan's recounting, she slowly learned about this elder brother. Especially every time she heard how her brother, upon learning of her abduction, flew into a rage and annihilated the entire clan of that vile Li Changan, Lei Qing’er's heart would warm. Le Dong’s image, beautified by Ding Wanyan's longing, became exceptionally towering in her mind.

With her level of cultivation, she didn't need long secluded sessions. Whenever she had free time, she would stand guard outside her brother's door from a distance, hoping to witness his peerless demeanor with her own eyes. As a child, she hadn't understood and had even thought of him as a bad person—why else did he have such a gloomy expression and fierce eyes? The eight-year-old girl seemed to be growing up day by day, and her cultivation was also increasing daily.

Two years later, the Myriad Ghost Old Ancestor, upon returning, was slightly taken aback to learn that Le Dong was in life-or-death seclusion, vowing not to emerge before reaching Foundation Establishment. A flicker of gratification crossed his eyes. He knew this boy Le Dong would never undertake such a feat without great certainty. Thus, it seemed highly likely he would gain another disciple soon.

Especially Lei Qing’er, whom the Old Ancestor found immensely satisfying. Although her aptitude wasn't as rare as the Yin Fiend Twin Heroes—a talent seen once in a century—it was comparable to Nangong Li, the newly accepted Chief Disciple. Nangong Li was the top talent of the current generation, after all. Such a heaven-sent precious disciple naturally made the Myriad Ghost Old Ancestor grin from ear to ear. Even his anger over Le Dong hiding the matter of the High-Grade Spirit Ghost from him was significantly reduced.

When the Ghost Slaves reported that Ding Wanyan had used the Myriad Ghost Token to save this little girl, and had destroyed the descendants of an Elder who had returned to establish his family lineage, the Myriad Ghost Old Ancestor merely grunted: "It’s probably Le Dong’s trick again. I was wondering where he got so many spirit stones to buy so many Creation Pills and Earth Spirit Pills. Turns out he robbed them. But destroying them was good. If he hadn't done it, and the news got out, how could our Myriad Ghost Cave retain any face within the Yin Fiend Sect?"

Month after month, year after year.

In the blink of an eye, five years into his seclusion arrived. In the long-silent dwelling of Le Dong, on this very day, a sharp roar finally erupted, causing the very walls to tremble.

It was like a starved tiger breaking free from its cage, roaring continuously, an outburst born from long-suppressed pressure.

Four years and more, a full four years. Le Dong had never endured such a long period of seclusion in his life. The accumulated long-term isolation had pushed him to the verge of collapse. Every day, it was nothing but cultivation, and more cultivation. At this moment, he needed to vent the depression and excitement bottled up inside.

In the area reserved for direct disciples, Le Dong was not the only one. The others, hearing the roar that sounded like a wail mixed with a ghostly cry, couldn't help but gather.

Those residing in the nearby Foundation Establishment disciple area also heard the extraordinary nature of the sound with shock. One by one, they activated exquisite movement techniques, appearing eerily outside the main hall door.

A faint, almost invisible wisp of smoke drifted past, and Ding Wanyan, holding Lei Qing’er’s hand, quietly materialized outside the corridor. Her gaze was somewhat excited, yet trembling, as she stared at the constantly shaking wall.

"Boom~"

The azure stone wall exploded outward, and Le Dong, his face somewhat gaunt yet exceptionally spirited, appeared proudly before the crowd.

…… (Please don’t mind my frequent requests for votes; an opportunity for first place on both rankings might only happen once for this humble writer. I ask everyone to please cast their votes for me this week~ Thank you~) [] Mobile Games (10,000 Cracked Versions): Plants vs. Zombies, Need for Speed 14, The King of Fighters 2011, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Pokémon, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs, Pet Kingdom 5, Dungeon & Fighter, CrossFire.....U