When the Heavenly Demon descended upon the main dais, every soul in the vast hall had already dropped to their knees.

Only Lei Dong stood rigidly upright, his back perfectly straight, harboring not the slightest inclination or desire to bow.

This defiance did not go unnoticed for long, especially by the Golden Core Ancestors gathered on the platform, whose divine senses were sharp and permeated every corner.

How could they fail to understand the implication?

Many Ancestors, in particular, held a profound memory of Lei Dong, given the spectacular, life-or-death duel he fought against Ku Gu’s disciple, Baili Yun, in the previous Grand Competition.

More significantly, that fight had involved a massive gamble.

It had resulted in Ku Gu losing everything, his three centuries of accumulated wealth vanishing overnight, forcing him to borrow heavily from the sect just to secure his natal magic treasure.

"Insolent whelp, what madness possesses you at a time like this? Kneel immediately!"

The Myriad Ghosts Ancestor transmitted his furious warning, which detonated in Lei Dong’s ears like a thunderclap, laced with both shock and rage.

"Presumptuous!"

Because of Lei Dong, Ku Gu was now utterly ruined and deeply indebted. He already harbored bitter hatred, yet the Myriad Ghosts Ancestor’s protection and the Sect Elders' favorable view of the boy kept him from acting.

Now, seeing Lei Dong standing steadfast while all the Golden Cores bowed before the Heavenly Demon’s Nascent Soul celebration, displaying the obstinacy of a foolish upstart, Ku Gu’s resentment boiled over.

Immediately, the face, as pale as a corpse, erupted in fury: "Lei Dong, you dare! To remain standing during the Heavenly Demon Lord’s Nascent Soul celebration! Such blatant disrespect to your elders cannot be tolerated..."

With that, he struck a pose of righteous indignation, prepared to strike Lei Dong down instantly.

However, he kept darting glances toward the Heavenly Demon, as if awaiting the slightest flicker of displeasure from her to grant him license.

To Ku Gu’s frustration, he perceived no reaction whatsoever from the Heavenly Demon.

"Ku Gu, you are the one being presumptuous!"

The Myriad Ghosts Ancestor rose, his face dark, and roared: "How dare you use the Heavenly Demon Lord’s celebration to settle personal scores?"

Then, Myriad Ghosts hastily offered a deep bow toward the Heavenly Demon: "My Lord... my humble disciple, Lei Dong, has always revered the Heavenly Demon Lord; his deeds are known by heart. He has more than once offered to assist in managing the trivial affairs of this grand ceremony. Today, he is merely overwhelmed by the shock of finally meeting his idol, forgetting himself completely. I beg your indulgence, My Lord, overlook my disciple’s lapse in etiquette for the sake of my humble reputation."

Having spoken, he turned back to Lei Dong and cursed him fiercely: "You, scoundrel, snap out of it! Hurry and pay respects to the Heavenly Demon Lord you adore the most!"

Lei Dong was deeply unwilling to kneel before the Heavenly Demon. But his Master, who had always defended him, was now disregarding his own status to challenge Ku Gu in full view of everyone, practically pleading with the Heavenly Demon not to be angered.

Despite the thousandfold reluctance and absolute unwillingness in his heart, a sudden, overwhelming sense of emotion—close to tears—washed over Lei Dong.

Knowing he was in the wrong, he swiftly suppressed that burning defiance, rushed forward, and in a few breaths, reached the foot of the main dais. He bent his knees, poised to kneel and offer some flowery words of congratulation, when a familiar, chillingly profound, yet immensely powerful divine sense enveloped him, binding him fast.

No matter how hard Lei Dong tried to kneel, he could not move.

Simultaneously, the Heavenly Demon’s voice, cold and slightly husky, drifted down from the dais: "Enough. There is no need to kneel further. It is common for young men to possess a degree of pride. Myriad Ghosts, your disciple is promising; keep him close and let him observe more."

Myriad Ghosts’ tension eased, and a pleased expression crossed his face. He bowed deeply: "Thank you for your praise and consideration, Heavenly Demon Lord." He then turned to Lei Dong, who looked bewildered and slightly stunned, and sharply scolded him: "What are you still gawking at? Ascend and follow behind this seat."

Though Lei Dong harbored resentment toward the Heavenly Demon, he feared causing trouble for his always-supportive Master. He put on a show of profound gratitude, activated the Ghost Shadow Evasion Technique, glided behind the Myriad Ghosts Ancestor, lowered his gaze, and followed closely.

The Nascent Soul Grand Celebration proceeded smoothly, despite the minor disturbance.

The Golden Core Ancestors, including Myriad Ghosts, took their seats one by one, arrayed like stars orbiting the moon, spreading outward from the Heavenly Demon’s central throne.

Because the Myriad Ghosts Cave, one of the Thirteen Branches, had secured first place in the previous Grand Competition, the Myriad Ghosts Ancestor was seated immediately to the Heavenly Demon’s right. To her left sat Yang Mu, the acting Palace Master of the Heavenly Demon Palace.

In his entire life, Myriad Ghosts had never experienced such glory. Were it not for the Heavenly Demon’s own celebration, this would be the seat reserved for the Chief of the Thirteen Branches. Yet, even so, it filled him with smug satisfaction. He sat erect in his chair, possessing an imposing aura that commanded respect without anger.

Still, inside, his heart hammered with unease.

The behavior of Lei Dong, standing behind him, had been conspicuously aberrant today. Given the boy's intelligence and cunning, how could he make such a grave error in this situation? He did not believe the explanation he had offered the Heavenly Demon for even a second.

He couldn't fathom what had possessed the boy to develop such stubbornness, and to direct it at the Heavenly Demon of all people. Could it be the marriage proposal from the Heavenly Demon Palace that had enraged him? And had he targeted his resentment directly at the master of the Heavenly Demon Palace?

After much speculation, this seemed the only plausible answer. This forced Myriad Ghosts to periodically send his divine sense sweeping over Lei Dong, terrified the boy might impulsively cause further chaos that could lead to an irreversible situation.

Having interacted extensively with Lei Dong, Myriad Ghosts knew his disciple was anything but a docile follower. Despite his usual cautious, life-fearing demeanor, when his courage flared, he was capable of challenging even the heavens.

Damn it, absolute fool! The Heavenly Demon was hardly someone to trifle with. Even Myriad Ghosts dared not show her the slightest disrespect. If she hadn't shown him some deference and chosen not to quarrel with a junior disciple in public, Ku Gu might have succeeded in using this incident to stir trouble.

Yet, no matter how hard Myriad Ghosts racked his brain, he could never have imagined that his precious disciple had become intimately involved with the very Heavenly Demon Lord whom even he feared and revered, and that both were currently tangled in some inexplicable emotional conflict. If he had known, he would have been terrified to death, spitting blood thrice over.

Fortunately, Lei Dong now stood behind him looking perfectly composed, showing no movement, adopting an obedient posture that somewhat settled Myriad Ghosts’ nerves. However, he worried that having only Lei Dong on the platform made him too conspicuous, risking envy.

He coughed lightly and turned to the Heavenly Demon, speaking in a low voice: "My Lord, the main dais is traditionally reserved for Golden Cores only. While my disciple is honored by your favor, my Yin Sha Sect has countless talented disciples among the younger generation. Might I suggest inviting two more young disciples from each branch to display the might of the Yin Sha Sect’s rising power to the assembled dignitaries?"

The Heavenly Demon, seated centrally, acknowledged Myriad Ghosts’ suggestion with a soft ‘Hmm.’

The Ancestors of the various branches of the Yin Sha Sect, who had been somewhat envious seeing only Lei Dong ascend, immediately selected their most favored disciples to come forward and display their prestige once they heard the dialogue between Myriad Ghosts and the Heavenly Demon.

The other individual coming up from the Myriad Ghosts Cave branch was, without question, Ding Wanyan. In only fifteen years of cultivation, she had already reached the second layer of the Foundation Establishment stage, Peak of the Bo Fen.

After ascending, she stood beside Lei Dong, flanking the Myriad Ghosts Ancestor. She had witnessed the preceding scene, and her heart had nearly leaped into her throat. Ding Wanyan had heard from Dongfang Fu that the Heavenly Demon was not easily approachable and had been notorious for slaughtering those who offended her since her debut. Angering her was tantamount to seeking death.

Now that the situation had calmed, she still felt a lingering worry. Her conjecture, much like the Ancestor’s, was that Yang Mu and Huangfu Ce’s marriage proposal had caused Lei Dong to develop intense dissatisfaction toward the Heavenly Demon.

Dongfang Fu and Huangfu Ce also ascended the stage under Yang Mu’s instruction, positioning themselves behind the Heavenly Demon.

The prized disciples from the other branches followed suit. Such a multitude of young Foundation Establishment cultivators would be considered a treasure in any minor sect. Yet, the Yin Sha Sect possessed them in such numbers. This demonstrated the profound depth of the sect's foundation, leaving the visiting Sect Masters and Clan Leaders envious and awestruck. They could clearly see that the Yin Sha Sect was poised for continued dominance. Especially the two rising talents known as the Yin Sha Twin Stars, who were almost guaranteed a future position as Golden Cores.

It was Lei Dong’s first time seeing Huangfu Ce. Tall and broad, with sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, and flowing robes, he possessed the refined bearing of a true elegant young master. Such looks, Lei Dong mused, would effortlessly deceive any unsophisticated young girl.

However, Lei Dong found him profoundly irritating the more he looked. This boy dared to set his sights on his Senior Sister; he was simply courting death. Why didn’t this young man pursue Dongfang Fu, who was standing so near him?

Suddenly, a thought struck Lei Dong: The Heavenly Demon. Could she be the true mastermind? Contemplating this, Lei Dong’s annoyance and jealousy toward the Heavenly Demon intensified, and he subconsciously cast a cold glance over her back.

With the Heavenly Demon’s cultivation level, how could she possibly miss the hostile gaze Lei Dong had fixed upon her back?

To outsiders, the Heavenly Demon sat with extraordinary composure, accepting the homage of countless heroes to showcase the imposing presence of the Yin Sha Sect. Who could guess that her heart was far from still?

The madness of that single night five years ago had replayed in her mind countless times since their parting, becoming clearer with each iteration. Especially the look—nothing but cold detachment—in Da Mo Tou Ba Tianyu’s eyes before he left. It seemed etched into the deepest recesses of her heart, bringing recurring, inexplicable pangs of pain that she could not erase.

Why was this happening? The Heavenly Demon herself could not understand it, only knowing that the harder she tried to forget him entirely, the harder it became. Perhaps killing him would offer release. This thought had circulated in her mind countless times. Only today, upon seeing his unyielding gaze again, and realizing the flicker of hatred and near-lethal intent she felt toward Ku Gu, did she understand: the reason she couldn't strike him down the first time meant she likely never would be able to steel her heart to do so in this lifetime...

"Master, could he be... the great calamity foretold when you burned your life force to calculate my fate before your passing?"

The Heavenly Demon’s thoughts drifted aimlessly.

(First chapter for VIP launch, thank you all for your subscription support. It is currently the double monthly ticket period for May Day. I earnestly beg my brothers and sisters to cast your precious monthly tickets for The Great Demon Head; this new book needs your strength to support it... X)