A boundless divine sense, vast as the ocean and towering like a colossal mountain, pressed down from above his head.

Yue Xinglou’s body erupted in white radiance, as if attempting a struggle, yet it held for only a few breaths before he crashed heavily onto the main platform. With a thunderous impact, the hard, specialized bluestone ground shattered, sending shards flying.

Then came two dull, crisp cracks; both his lower legs were snapped, forcing him directly to his knees before the Heavenly Demon. As the white light surrounding him dissipated, it revealed a pale, rather handsome face. In his original white fitted attire, he had carried the air of an ethereal young hero. But now, whether driven by hatred or endless agony, his entire face was contorted and ashen.

“Heh heh~ Yue Xinglou, you’re not tough or enduring enough. Old dame has lost interest in playing with you~” the Amorous Demon chuckled coquettishly. With a flicker, her illusory clone vanished, and the red shadow leaped back to her side.

“Since you are here to offer congratulations, you are a junior. You will kneel and speak auspicious words,” Yang Mu, clad in blue robes beneath the Heavenly Demon, commanded coldly. “Today is Master’s grand celebration; after offering your felicitations, scram quickly.” Clearly, Yang Mu had received a private instruction from the Heavenly Demon, otherwise, he would never have dared utter such words.

He inwardly agreed; forcing this so-called righteous figure from Lang’e Mountain to kneel and offer congratulations before the Master would certainly enhance the Master’s imposing prestige.

“Hahahaha, Heavenly Demon,” Yue Xinglou understood that struggling against the Heavenly Demon was futile. Hatred twisted his features into a mad, demonic grimace as he laughed wildly. “Yue has come today only to spoil your celebration; I never planned on leaving alive. You killed my Master; I wish I could eat your flesh and drink your blood. Heavenly Demon, do you remember Tian Xingzi of Langlang Mountain?”

The Heavenly Demon’s deep, icy voice seemed to drift up from the deepest reaches of the Nine Hells. “This Venerable One has killed too many people in this life. What Tian Xingzi, what Di Yuanzi—I simply cannot recall them. What is there to remember about the dead? After you die, I likewise will not remember you.” Yue Xinglou seemed to suffer an immense humiliation, struggling with inexpressible grief and indignation. Yet, under that boundless divine sense, he could not resist in the slightest. The pent-up fury in his heart rapidly drained away. His voice hoarse, he managed, “Heavenly Demon, Yue begs you, since you have reached the Nascent Soul stage, Yue’s hope of killing you for revenge is gone. I only beg for a swift death. Heavenly Demon, you have slain countless people, your enemies span the entire world; sooner or later…”

The Heavenly Demon did not reply, but her disciple, Yang Mu, could not tolerate it any longer. Demonic energy surged, enveloping him. He bowed respectfully to the Heavenly Demon. “Master, allow your disciple to handle this.” As he spoke, fierce malice surfaced in his eyes; clearly, he would not let this brat Yue Xinglou off lightly. Only after the Heavenly Demon nodded did he wrap the fellow Yue Xinglou within a black cloud of demonic energy and sweep away.

“What an idiot,” Lei Dong’s voice sounded, weary and hoarse. His face was pale and inexplicably weak, yet his eyes were sharp, vibrant, and full of spirit. Evidently, he had ultimately broken free from the illusion using sheer willpower.

Wan Gui and Ding Wanyan had been extremely anxious. Although they understood the Heavenly Demon was preventing them, they remained deeply worried about Lei Dong. Seeing him speak, as if snapping out of that agonizing illusion, brought them both a surge of joy.

“A Master is like a father; the vengeance for a murdered Master is irreconcilable. If my Master were killed,” Lei Dong muttered to himself with inexplicable grief and rage, grinding his teeth, “I certainly wouldn't seek death by throwing myself at the enemy. I would hide in the shadows, cultivating desperately. Watching my foe constantly, even if it took a thousand years without regret. Once the opportunity arose, even if my strength was lacking, driven by the will to perish together, I could still smash the enemy to pieces. Why dwell so much on insufficient power?”

Wan Gui’s eyebrows shot up, his face paling with anger. Was there anyone who cursed their own Master like that? However, Wan Gui knew he was somewhat at fault; the other twelve branches protected their disciples, yet he had only used his divine sense to shield Ding Wanyan, leaving him to suffer terribly.

What the boy said made perfect sense, and it was even rather moving. Old Ancestor Wan Gui was so angry his beard bristled, but he couldn't vent. Could he really criticize this filial piety that was worth extolling to heaven and earth?

While Ding Wanyan felt a wave of relief, she also realized her junior brother was deliberately enacting a small bit of revenge on their Master. She had been puzzled why, given Lei Dong’s resilience, he couldn't withstand the Soul-Seducing Technique even under the Master’s divine protection. Later, she realized their Master had seemingly deliberately refrained from shielding him. To endure it using only his own willpower was truly not easy. She couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly, her pretty face flushing slightly, her eyes brimming with clear amusement.

“Lei Dong, what do you mean?” Huangfu Ce, standing not far away, had long disliked Lei Dong. He had been expecting Lei Dong to humiliate himself in front of Ding Wanyan, never imagining he would actually break free from the illusion on his own. Disappointed, he then heard these words. His mind spun, and he started finding fault. “Does my Master have an issue with you? Are you cursing her like this, hoping her enemies succeed in their revenge?”

Lei Dong sneered inwardly a few times. This brat finally couldn't keep his composure and was starting to act up, preparing to make trouble for him.

His expression calmed slightly, hands clasped behind his back, looking as if nothing mattered. “What right do you have? I am talking about my own affairs; what business is it of yours?”

“You’re courting death,” Huangfu Ce was stunned. He had intended only to embarrass Lei Dong in front of Ding Wanyan, not expecting this brat to dare address him with such a tone. His face instantly turned sinister, murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

“With you?” Lei Dong chuckled lightly, his tone even and calm. “I’m afraid you’re not qualified.” “Whether I’m qualified or not, we can test it in the arena,” Huangfu Ce had enjoyed the treatment of a favored prodigy since joining the sect. Everywhere he went, people fawned over him. This mere Lei Dong dared to disregard him so completely that he struggled to suppress the urge to strike him dead on the spot, coldly sneering repeatedly. “A life-or-death duel, do you have the guts?” In his heart, he mused, Lei Dong, Lei Dong, you’ve brought this upon yourself; don’t blame me later.

It had started as mere bickering, and Wan Gui had been willing to let them argue a bit. However, he hadn't anticipated Huangfu Ce would directly propose a life-or-death duel. Even Wan Gui’s heart gave a small jolt. He sent a telepathic message to Lei Dong: Do not agree; you are currently no match for him.

Almost simultaneously, the Heavenly Demon’s voice echoed in his ears: Don’t seek death; you are not Huangfu Ce’s match yet. Unexpectedly, Lei Dong already had a plan. With his hands behind his back, his spine perfectly straight, he stared arrogantly at Huangfu Ce without a trace of fear. “Good, I agree.” “Nonsense.” Two voices, filled with a mixture of shock and anger, transmitted their warnings to him at the same time.

“Heh heh, Lei Dong, you asked for this. Don’t blame me in the underworld,” Huangfu Ce rejoiced internally, fearing Lei Dong wouldn't agree. Honestly, given the difference in their cultivation, even if he refused, no one would think he was a coward.

“But there is one prerequisite,” Lei Dong also smiled. “Huangfu Ce, you entered the sect ten years before me. Everyone knows those first ten years are the fastest period for cultivation advancement. I have only one condition: if we are to have a life-or-death duel, you wait ten years for me.” “Nonsense! Are you expecting me to halt my cultivation for ten years just to wait for our duel?” Huangfu Ce felt mocked and cursed in anger. He was in his golden age of cultivation; if he stopped for ten years, what would be the point of defeating him? He would have no hope of reaching the Golden Core stage in this lifetime. However, he was powerless against Lei Dong, as a life-or-death duel couldn't be settled by a mere verbal agreement. It required both parties to sign and file the commitment.

“Huangfu Ce, you are too small-minded,” Lei Dong sneered repeatedly. “You fight me with twenty-five years of cultivation against my fifteen years—the disparity is too great. Do you think winning would be meaningful? But if you have thirty-five years against my twenty-five, I will definitely crush you into dust.” Huangfu Ce’s eyes lit up. “You mean I don’t have to stop cultivating? In ten years, that will be the time for our life-or-death duel?” “Precisely.” “Good, I agree.” “Lei Dong, you need to think this through. Huangfu Ce’s talent far surpasses yours; even if you had twenty years, you couldn't surpass him,” Wan Gui murmured, slightly relieved upon hearing it was ten years later, but then frowned and sent his message.

“Ten years?” The Heavenly Demon’s telepathic message arrived precisely on time. “That shouldn't be a major problem. Come with me; in ten years, you will definitely be able to defeat him.” Lei Dong’s expression turned solemn. He bowed deeply to Old Ancestor Wan Gui. “Master, please forgive your disciple for acting on his own initiative regarding this matter. Your disciple truly cannot agree to Senior Sister marrying this Huangfu Ce.” Old Ancestor Wan Gui also felt a touch of vexation and reprimanded softly, “If you truly don't wish it, just say so. Do you think your Master would disregard Wanyan’s feelings and place her in misery for his own benefit?” “Master, your disciple knows his aptitude is limited. Reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, every subsequent layer is a massive chasm for your disciple. If I follow the conventional path, slowly cultivating, the chance of advancing in this lifetime is slim.” In Lei Dong’s eyes, an unyielding determination shone forth.

“You aim for the Golden Core?” Wan Gui sighed softly. “Lei Dong, it’s not for me to pour cold water on you, but without a unique fortune, it will be difficult.” “You? You actually aim for the Golden Core Great Dao?” Even though Huangfu Ce was hailed as a genius of his generation, his excellent aptitude was only estimated to have a little over forty percent chance of achieving the Golden Core. Hearing Lei Dong overestimate himself to the point of setting his sights on the Golden Core, he couldn't help but mock him with disdain.

Unexpectedly, Lei Dong remained completely unmoved and continued addressing Old Ancestor Wan Gui. “Your disciple knows this path is difficult, but your disciple will never give up. As for that Huangfu Ce, in your disciple’s eyes, he is merely a whetstone.” “You…” Although Huangfu Ce’s aptitude was excellent, his tenacity was inferior to Lei Dong’s. Being called merely a whetstone made his face flush blue.

“Senior Sister, in ten years, after I kill Huangfu Ce, I will marry you,” Lei Dong said softly to Ding Wanyan, his gaze tender.

Ding Wanyan’s expression remained perfectly calm. She replied softly, “Okay, I’ll wait for you.” (Monday—please cast more recommendation votes and monthly passes. I humbly beg you.)A