"Then let's wait a while. Catch your breath." Just ten zhang of distance," Lei Dong chuckled, struggling to sit up. "It's not urgent anyway. They can't run off in a short time. Rest up a bit, Brother Wang, and you'll accomplish it easily."

"Mhm, that's true." Wang Hui saw that by this time, no one among the standing combatants remained upright. Yet, he still held a single Lei Sha Pellet in his hand—essentially clutching a trump card. Normally, no one could survive a direct hit from this pellet, but now, Wang Hui was hedging his bets. This deadly missile must not be carelessly launched. Blasting whomever indiscriminately would leave him with the remaining enemies. Sometimes, keeping a deadly weapon sheathed offered greater deterrence, perhaps even sowing discord and suspicion among the foes.

"Actually, Brother Wang," Lei Dong began to chat casually with him, "what do you cultivators aim for, whether you follow the Demonic or Righteous path? Striving desperately, constantly advancing, becoming stronger and stronger—why?"

"To seek the freedom to follow one's heart, unburdened, wandering at ease between heaven and earth," Wang Hui stated the fundamental tenet of the Carefree Dao.

"Precisely, well said." Lei Dong chuckled, but his expression instantly dimmed. "But how difficult is it to achieve that? The crucial point still lies in strength. Without strength, even your fart makes no sound. What freedom are you talking about then? Right, Brother Wang? If you're just flying along, and suddenly a Golden Core cultivator appears and smacks you dead, where do you go to argue your case?"

"You speak the truth; strength is the ultimate rule," Wang Hui admitted with a touch of melancholy.

"Truthfully, Brother Wang, I initially looked down on you. I thought you only got ahead because of your good background, relying on that Nascent Soul ancestor of yours to cultivate so quickly. Your strength seemed merely superficial, lacking practical fighting ability." Lei Dong smiled with genuine sincerity, playing the initial suppress-then-exalt tactic, then adopting an expression of deep respect. "But after fighting you, all my senses changed. I realized Brother Wang has also endured considerable hardship, climbing to this point step by step through your own efforts."

Wang Hui felt an immense sense of satisfaction. Throughout his life, he had heard countless flattering words, but they all circled the same point, almost always linking his current achievements back to his ancestor. This always soured his mood. But Lei Dong's words made him truly pleased.

There was a saying: only an enemy who is your equal, one you respect, truly understands you. At this moment, Wang Hui felt a strange sense of mutual appreciation toward Lei Dong; what a fine young man.

"What a pity, what a shame. If you had been born within the sphere of influence of the Carefree Dao, you would certainly have become my best friend, Wang," Wang Hui sighed with regret. "Now you and I are destined to be enemies. Still, having a close rival in life is a kind of fortune."

"It is a fortune, but Lei does not like it," Lei Dong lightly laughed, waving a hand at Wang Hui. As Wang Hui started in surprise, he added, "Lei’s principle is this: if someone is Lei’s enemy, it is best to eliminate them quickly. Brother Wang—farewell."

"What?" Wang Hui was utterly dumbfounded, momentarily unable to process the words.

"Bang—"

A cloud of peach-red mist erupted, striking Wang Hui’s back with tremendous force, sending him flying. As his internal organs shattered, another soul-red flying sword pierced precisely through his airborne body, lodging in his heart. As if fearing the blow might fail to kill, the crimson sword zipped back and forth several times. When Wang Hui finally crashed down, his body was already ripped apart. However, the Lei Sha Pellet that flew from his grasp was snatched away by an unseen force, landing in the hand of a tall, captivatingly sensual and charming woman. As his raw soul attempted to flee, it was enveloped by a rush of red mist and pulverized.

Pitiable was the ascendant talent of the Carefree Dao, vanishing without truly displaying himself on the world stage—soul and spirit annihilated, a lamentable end. Yet, Lei Dong felt a great weight lift from his chest. As long as the enemy was eliminated, he cared little for the method used, nor would he harbor any strange feelings of camaraderie with an opponent. While that might lend itself to a legendary tale, in his view, a dead enemy was the best kind of enemy.

The woman materialized with a throaty giggle. "Senior Brother Lei, I didn't realize you possessed such a talent for cajoling people. You managed to fool that Wang Hui into thinking you were a bosom buddy."

"Less nonsense. I had no choice. What if he became enraged and, losing his head, threw that Lei Sha Pellet to achieve mutual annihilation?" Lei Dong glared impatiently. "Hurry up and do what you need to do. Lei doesn't like enemies lingering in this world for too long. Lingering leads to complications." Lei Dong truly felt he had no alternative. He knew some people would discard everything if they went mad, especially after Lei Dong ruined Wang Hui's goals; the man might indeed have lost his wits. Thus, Lei Dong’s actions served two purposes: first, to quell any thought of mutual destruction, and second, to distract Wang Hui, gaining time for Qi Feifei to secure the next successful move. He also feared that if Qi Feifei missed her first strike, Wang Hui might immediately throw the pellet. The moment he noticed Qi Feifei missing from the Heart Demon Hall, he understood: she had already broken free from her inner demons, and she was quite clever.

Upon emerging, she had first used her Surveillance Cloak to turn invisible. Since Lei Dong and Wang Hui were locked in fierce combat, there was no way for him to notice her. Lei Dong had only caught a momentary glimpse of her disappearance before using his soul-fused special senses to confirm her presence.

Qi Feifei shot a charming glance at Lei Dong, giggling sweetly. "Senior Brother Lei, you are too pragmatic, with no appreciation for feminine grace. Why don't I kill that little monk first, leaving Tantai Bingyun for your enjoyment, and then finish the monk? You know, the current Tantai Bingyun, though new to the scene, already has an immense reputation. Riding her, Senior Brother, would certainly be quite satisfying for you. Rest assured, Sister Qi Feifei has plenty of methods to turn this pure and chaste fairy into a lustful doll—ah, Qi Feifei almost forgot, Senior Brother Lei, you are injured right now. What a pity, such a pity."

"Qi Feifei..." Lei Dong glared at her with annoyance. "Hurry up and do it."

Only then did Qi Feifei snap out of it, sticking out her cute tongue and giving Lei Dong an ingratiating, flirtatious look. Her gaze instantly sharpened as she advanced.

"That surname Lei, you scoundrel! Have you forgotten who saved you? It was Senior Sister Tantai who pleaded for you, and I who saved you!" Jiecun cursed in shame and anger. "Has your conscience been eaten by dogs?"

"Stop wasting my time with useless chatter, Jiecun. You saved me so I would kill Wang Hui," Lei Dong sneered dismissively. "It was merely mutual utilization; why make it sound so noble? And Lei has achieved your goal—isn't Wang Hui dead? Lei already repaid your favor, Jiecun."

"Lei Dong, if I have offended you, then kill me instead. Spare Senior Sister Tantai's life," Jiecun urgently called out, then turned frantically to Dongfang Fu. "Miss Dongfang, Lei Dong is a member of your Yin Sha Sect. Please help plead for Senior Sister Tantai."

Dongfang Fu, who had been observing these events with a cold gaze, hesitated slightly, but ultimately shook her head slowly. "Jiecun, please forgive my inability to help. Although I admire Tantai Bingyun greatly, like Lei Dong, I am ultimately a member of the Yin Sha Sect. I cannot stand on an outsider's position to cause trouble for my own sect member. Moreover, when you saved Lei Dong, you stipulated that he would do one thing for you; he has done it. He owes no one any favors. Furthermore, I do not have the authority to command Lei Dong to do anything." Dongfang Fu was quite satisfied with Lei Dong's actions. He had, after all, refused Qi Feifei's repulsive proposal and had shown anger. This was a great relief to her concerning Ding Wanyan, her only close friend. Yet, she also secretly regretted that such an outstanding woman as Tantai Bingyun was about to vanish. It felt like watching a precious and rare piece of art about to be shattered—a reluctance to see it happen.

"Thank you for your understanding, Senior Sister Dongfang. Lei truly dislikes the foolishness of letting a tiger return to the mountains." Lei Dong felt a wave of relief. If Dongfang Fu had unreasonably pleaded for Tantai Bingyun, it would have put him in a difficult position. He still intended to kill her, but it would have inevitably offended Dongfang Fu. Her clear understanding of propriety, of positioning, and of prioritizing closeness—this earned her even greater gratitude from Lei Dong. What Lei Dong feared most was having deadbeats among his own people who failed to handle important matters and were constantly dragging him down.

Despair washed over Jiecun’s face. He hadn't expected Lei Dong to be so ruthless and decisive, showing no mercy whatsoever. Helpless, he could only show anger and threaten, "Lei Dong, you have a cruel heart! The Vajra Temple and the Heavenly Sound Palace will not let you go."

"Nonsense! We are inherently hostile factions. Your Vajra Temple and Heavenly Sound Palace are strong, but is our Yin Sha Sect made of straw?" Lei Dong was utterly speechless at Jiecun's idiocy. Seeing Qi Feifei still dawdling, he roared in reprimand, "Qi Feifei, what are you waiting for?"

"Tantai Bingyun, I apologize," Qi Feifei finally felt that killing Tantai Bingyun was too much of a waste—such a beautiful fairy, perhaps good enough to be given to Senior Brother Lei for a ride. However, seeing Lei Dong's fury, she dared not mess around anymore. She spurred her soul-red flying sword, which transformed into a streak of crimson light, slashing down fiercely toward Tantai Bingyun.

"Aoo—"

A look of profound sorrow crossed Jiecun’s face as golden light flashed around him. He unleashed his final reserves of strength, rushing violently in front of Tantai Bingyun, his face pale as parchment, both hands raised toward the sky. He knew perfectly well he could not block Qi Feifei's incoming strike. Still, he sought peace of mind, making one last effort for Senior Sister Tantai.