"The Six Ghosts of Yinxia Mountain extend their deepest congratulations to Lord Heavenly Demon on reaching the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul stage, wishing your longevity rivals Heaven's. We present a ten-thousand-year Purple Yin Bamboo and one hundred high-grade spirit stones."

After the presiding elder delivered a few words, the celebration officially commenced. The first order of the day was for at least mid-tier powers to step forward and present their tribute gifts first. As for the factions boasting only one or two Foundation Establishment cultivators, they were relegated to simply submitting their gifts, adding a mere page to the registry, and concluding the affair with a unified bow.

The so-called Six Ghosts of Yinxia Mountain could be considered a respectable force. The sworn brothers and sisters numbered six, all of them demonic cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Lei Dong looked over and saw six figures—three male and three female—each wreathed in wisps of ghostly, sinister mist, ascending the stage to bow in unison and present their offerings. Among the six, Lei Dong could not clearly discern the cultivation of at least three of them, indicating they were clearly at the third or fourth layer of the Foundation Establishment stage, at minimum.

"Their leader is at the late peak of Foundation Establishment, but due to his age, he is nearly the same as your master. His lifespan is limited. Without a profound opportunity in this life, achieving the Core Formation stage will be difficult." Myriad Ghosts sensed the confusion in his two disciples' minds and transmitted his voice: "The Six Ghosts are extremely united in their actions, and their cultivation methods are exceptional; they must not be underestimated."

Lei Dong secretly gasped at the value of the gifts they presented. Ten-thousand-year Purple Yin Bamboo was an exquisite material for refining Yin-attributed spirit artifacts or treasures, its worth far beyond the reach of a cultivator like himself who had only recently entered the Foundation Establishment stage.

The Heavenly Demon remained impassive, flicking her finger. A jade vial shot out. After the leader of the Six Ghosts caught it, he heard the Heavenly Demon’s cold, slightly deep voice: "This single Heavenly Demon Burning Blood Pill should aid your breakthrough. However, given your aptitude and age, you have at best a thirty percent chance of success. The remaining seventy percent of the time, you will be incinerated to death by the demonic fire."

Upon receiving it, the leader was not shocked but overjoyed, as if he had been granted a supreme treasure. He, along with the other five ghosts, repeatedly bowed their thanks. This was understandable; his lifespan was already short, and for such a chance, even if it were only ten percent, he would fight for it. After the Six Ghosts withdrew, a family with a Core Formation cultivator ascended the platform, also presenting treasures of significant value.

And the Heavenly Demon, based on the differing value of the tributes, would reward them with something in return, often extremely rare items. With every mid-tier power that presented their gifts, Myriad Ghosts would offer brief assessments of his two prized disciples. Those who achieved the status of mid-tier powers were not to be trifled with. Some of the more formidable mid-tier powers possessed strength not inferior to a lineage branch of the Myriad Ghosts Cave.

Lei Dong’s eyes were dazzled. The mid-tier powers present for this homage already numbered over a hundred. The majority of their patriarchs or sect masters were at the Core Formation stage. What made Lei Dong most envious was the sheer value of their gifts. Even the lowest contribution was more than ten times the entirety of Lei Dong's current wealth. After these hundred powers presented their tributes, just how wealthy must the Heavenly Demon have become?

"Stop coveting others' treasures." Ding Wanyan, seeing Lei Dong’s wide-eyed stare, looking as if he wished to claim all those gifts for himself, couldn't help but lightly chastise him via voice transmission with a muffled laugh: "Are you trying to suck up to the Heavenly Demon Palace just because you see them getting rich?"

"Other people's money, no matter how much, is still theirs. I'm just hoping that Senior Sister will also ascend to Nascent Soul soon, and then we can put on a show like this..." Lei Dong transmitted with a hint of melancholy: "Then, we won't have to worry about food or drink for the rest of our lives."

"Stop your glib talk. Relying on me, you might as well rely on Master ascending to Nascent Soul. Then you can help Master collect the congratulatory gifts until your arm cramps up." Ding Wanyan almost burst out laughing from his transmission. So, all this envy for treasures was just so he wouldn't have to worry about daily sustenance?

Myriad Ghosts had noticed his two disciples. With his cultivation, although he could sense Ding Wanyan transmitting, he could not decipher the content. However, in this setting, he could not turn back to reprimand them.

Yet, their private conversation managed to irk two individuals. The first was Huangfu Ce, who was not far from them and whose attention had been fixed on Ding Wanyan. Seeing them whispering and transmitting amongst themselves, he noted that Ding Wanyan, who never smiled at him, was clearly delighted and laughing frequently while chatting with Lei Dong.

He couldn't help but feel jealous and resentful. With his aptitude, character, appearance, and background, which aspect was inferior to that young brat Lei Dong?

The other person irritated was naturally the Heavenly Demon, who was continually receiving homage. Since her last return, she had inexplicably found herself unable to control the urge to dispatch people to investigate everything about Lei Dong of the Myriad Ghosts Cave. It could be said that from the moment he was born until the moment the investigation concluded, every minute detail about Lei Dong was laid bare on the Heavenly Demon's desk. Of course, secrets such as Lei Dong possessing the Soul Devouring Pagoda remained undiscovered due to Lei Dong's extreme caution; his investigators were not immortals, but they could not uncover everything. However, the subtle, almost perceptible mutual affection between him and Ding Wanyan was something she could not avoid learning about. The Heavenly Demon did not even understand why she had done this, or why a sensation of profound discomfort and unbearable irritability had washed over her heart upon reading that news.

That very uncomfortable feeling had been forcefully suppressed back then. Now, although she was accepting salutations, a wisp of divine sense constantly lingered near Lei Dong. While Myriad Ghosts could not detect the content of their transmission, how could he hide it from a Nascent Soul powerhouse like the Heavenly Demon? Hearing that he dared to engage so casually and intimately with Ding Wanyan right in front of her ignited a flash of anger in the Heavenly Demon’s heart.

From childhood to the present, the Heavenly Demon's life had been one of almost total solitude; she had never known a true friend. Her existence was filled only with countless enemies. And she had never hesitated in her actions. If not for the Elder who owed her a profound debt insisting she hold this celebration, the Heavenly Demon would never sit here like a fool, accepting obeisance merely to awe the world's martial cultivators.

"If you dare transmit a single word to Ding Wanyan again, this Venerable One will tear out your nascent soul and refine it into a soul lamp to be tormented day and night." To act on a sudden impulse—that was perhaps the most helpless aspect of the Heavenly Demon's entire life.

Even during her Core Formation stage, countless people held deep apprehension toward her. Though she wouldn't casually become angry with those of the same sect, once someone provoked her ire, she never showed leniency. This, in turn, made even her fellow sect members fear her more. Others avoided her, feared her, respected her—she cared little, simply following her own path.

Lei Dong was dumbfounded upon hearing this transmission from the Heavenly Demon. What did her words mean? Why did his private transmission to his Senior Sister concern her? Although Lei Dong harbored resentment toward her, at this moment, he truly dared not provoke her anger further. If their grudges spilled over and implicated his Senior Sister and Master, it would be a disaster.

Lei Dong nervously glanced at his Senior Sister and Master, realizing they had not detected the Heavenly Demon's transmission. He couldn't help but feel a slight awe—this Undying Nascent Soul was truly extraordinary. Even Master could not perceive her voice.

Forcing down his displeasure and internal ire, he continued watching the gifts being presented. He secretly mused that if he could one day reach the Nascent Soul stage, he would certainly be even more ruthless in his extortions, wiping out anyone who dared not offer tribute. Of course, for now, it was merely a thought. To speak it aloud would likely earn him ridicule.

Soon, representatives from the upper-tier powers began to present their gifts. An upper-tier power was defined as a faction possessing at least three Core Formation cultivators. A very small number of these superior factions were guarded by a Nascent Soul cultivator. Above the upper-tier powers were the Eight Great Supreme Sects. The Yin Sha Sect was one of those eight.

The quality and quantity of the gifts offered by the upper-tier powers were even more exaggerated. However, Lei Dong was already growing numb from the recitation of so many rare and precious names. What kind of age was this? Did achieving Nascent Soul bring such immense benefits? All sorts of heavenly materials and earthly treasures were being presented to her in myriad ways.

There were twenty such upper-tier powers coming in person to offer congratulations, and the tribute from each one made Lei Dong's heart shudder. If even one fraction of these gifts had fallen into his hands, it would have meant instant wealth.

Seeing Lei Dong's greedy, wide-eyed, and vacant expression, Ding Wanyan was somewhat exasperated by his lack of decorum: "Junior Brother Lei, could you please manage your expression? Don't disgrace our Myriad Ghosts Cave for no reason."

Lei Dong managed a dry laugh. Remembering the Heavenly Demon's warning, he dared not reply via transmission. This woman's heart was as deep as the ocean. If she truly decided to take offense, who knew what she might do? More importantly, Lei Dong knew he was utterly outmatched by the Heavenly Demon in terms of sheer force.

Finally, representatives from allied factions, those friendly with the Yin Sha Sect and belonging to the supreme evil path organizations, stepped forward to present their offerings.

"Mo Yu Sect's Fen Wanli, representing our sect, offers congratulations to Martial Aunt Heavenly Demon on stepping onto the true path of Nascent Soul and casting awe across the universe." A resonant, robust voice boomed across the entire plaza.

A figure enveloped in dazzling demonic fire whistled into view from a distance, truly possessing an extraordinary aura. As the demonic fire receded, he landed on the main platform. The man was tall, with dark crimson hair and eyes that seemed to burn with restless flames—the bearing of an absolute master. He knelt on both knees, speaking auspicious words with solemnity.

At the same moment, all the Core Formation ancestors present, including Old Ancestor Myriad Ghosts, stood up and inclined their bodies to the side. If a Core Formation cultivator from a minor faction were offering congratulations, they could remain seated comfortably. But the Mo Yu Sect was renowned throughout the world alongside the Yin Sha Sect, both belonging to the Eight Great Supreme Sects. And the reputation of Fen Wanli was no lesser than any of the others present?

Only the Heavenly Demon could receive his bow, and even she was uncharacteristically gentle, her icy demeanor significantly lessened: "Your esteemed sect is thoughtful. Wanli, quickly rise. Is your Master in good health?"

Fen Wanli's expression became serious upon hearing this. He clasped his hands in salute: "Thank you for your concern, Martial Aunt. Master is quite well. However, he is currently in seclusion and unable to spare the time, so he commanded Wanli to offer congratulations in his stead."

After a few pleasantries, Fen Wanli began listing the gifts: "One Hundred Thousand Year Profound Ice Heart from the depths of the Northern Ice Plateau, weighing three liang and six qian; one Heart of the Sky-Reaching Divine Wood, cultivated over one hundred thousand years from the Southern Veins; and three Five-Colored Phoenix Tail Feathers, relics of an ancient divine beast..."

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