Beside the vast plaza at the headquarters of the Yinsha Sect, a massive crowd had gathered. Ten years prior, when Lei Dong challenged Huangfu Ce, the previous top scholar, across cultivation stages, it quickly sparked a whirlwind reaction within the sect. In truth, a decade ago, the vast majority of people did not hold high hopes for Lei Dong. When he was merely at the first layer of the Foundation Establishment stage, Huangfu Ce was already at the fourth. How much could he have caught up in ten years? Only a small contingent believed that Lei Dong dared to issue the challenge for a reason. Soon enough, within a few years, news surfaced of Lei Dong making his name in the Heart Demon Hall conflict. Rumors spread like wildfire: he reportedly fought on equal footing with Tantai Bingyun and fiercely slew Wang Hui of the Carefree Path. Both of those individuals were considered top talents among the younger generation of their respective sects. Wang Hui was already dead, and the Carefree Path was currently entangled in difficulties orchestrated by its allies, but setting that aside for now. However, Tantai Bingyun had once publicly declared that the "Twin Heroes of Yinsha" should be rephrased as "One Hero and Two Evils." She stated that Lei Dong of the Yinsha Sect was unequivocally superior to both Dongfang Fu and Ding Wanyan, admitting that she herself yielded to him.

Tantai Bingyun was the most exceptional disciple the Tianyin Palace had produced in the last one hundred and fifty years. Now, her fame had soared, making her an iconic figure among the righteous path's younger generation; even some senior figures among the demonic sects had heard her name resounding like thunder. Her high praise for Lei Dong naturally catapulted his reputation among the younger generation and added a significant layer of suspense to this ten-year life-and-death contract. Perhaps many naive youths assumed Tantai Bingyun possessed an open mind, disregarding the schism between righteous and demonic paths, and that her commendation of a demonic rising star showcased extraordinary bearing. Yet, Lei Dong, who understood Tantai Bingyun somewhat, knew it was deliberate. Through such remarks, she intended to make Huangfu Ce wary. Huangfu Ce was no ordinary figure; if he cultivated desperately and prepared meticulously, he might yet slay Lei Dong under his sword. Perhaps this was precisely why he entered a state of sealed life-and-death seclusion five years ago; no one knew his true cultivation level now. Furthermore, Tantai Bingyun seemed intent on crushing Lei Dong with excessive praise. Lei Dong felt no aversion to her methods; rather, he felt a degree of admiration. Against an enemy, especially a mortal enemy, any despicable tactic was permissible, let alone showing mercy. Lei Dong firmly believed that a dead enemy was the best enemy. Of course, admiration aside, this only intensified Lei Dong's resolve to eliminate her should the opportunity arise. This woman was not only formidable in power but also deeply cunning. In that regard, she surpassed both Dongfang Fu and his Senior Sister.

Currently, neither of the main combatants had appeared, yet the enormous plaza was already thronged with thousands of people. Even in the spectator stands, usually reserved for those at the Golden Core stage or higher, five figures were seated. They included the Lustful Demon, Yang Mu, the Netherworld Skeleton, and the Ancestor of Ten Thousand Ghosts. Any other Ancestors not in seclusion were likely to come observe as well. After all, this was a deadly duel between two exceptionally outstanding disciples of the Yinsha Sect. Their success or failure affected their own lives in the short term, and perhaps, on a larger scale, the future power structure of the Yinsha Sect. The lineage of the Ten Thousand Ghosts was growing ever stronger; setting aside the monstrous talent Ding Wanyan, Lei Dong was also a figure attracting immense scrutiny. Could someone capable of matching disciples from various sects in the Heart Demon Hall truly be ordinary? To mention nothing else, the Yinsha Sect disciple who participated in the Heart Demon Hall battle a century ago ultimately perished within it. That deceased cultivator's aptitude was comparable to Huangfu Ce's at the time. This was one of the major reasons those Ancestors were willing to attend this bout. Another reason was simple: those who bet on winning wanted to win more, and those who lost naturally sought to recoup their losses. Ancestor Skeleton, in particular, had suffered a catastrophic defeat the last time, losing every single spirit stone he possessed and being forced to sell off much of his reserve spirit artifacts, magical tools, and several affiliated properties just to barely clear his gambling debts. He was severely weakened, by all accounts.

Conversely, the Lustful Demon and Ancestor Skeleton seemed to have suddenly struck it rich. The Lustful Demon, especially, reportedly managed to pool his winnings together and ultimately acquired an extreme-grade magical treasure, making him insufferably arrogant ever since. As for the Skeleton fellow, he appeared much more generous lately, not only willing to spend exorbitant sums on elixirs for his own cultivation but also bestowing rewards upon his disciples one after another. As a result, the quality of magical artifacts and spirit tools, as well as the cultivation levels of many disciples in the Skeleton lineage, were steadily climbing. Although they could not yet rival the established might of the Heavenly Demon Palace, they were certainly no longer inferior to the other cave-mountain strongholds. Everyone knew what a desolate place the Myriad Ghost Cave used to be.

However, unbeknownst to all, a Nascent Soul stage cultivator was secretly observing this entire spectacle from the shadows...

In a position very close to the front of the plaza, two women hovered silently three feet above the ground. By both appearance and demeanor, these two were paragons among female cultivators. Yet, not a single person dared approach their immediate vicinity. With the growth of their power, the title of "Twin Heroes of Yinsha" had reached a point where they could only be admired from a distance. On the left, Dongfang Fu still wore a veil, her hands clasped behind her back. A noticeable ripple disturbed her usually calm gaze as she softly transmitted her voice to the woman beside her: "Wanyan, still no news of Lei Dong?" Ding Wanyan, clad in the attire of a Foundation Establishment female disciple, stood suspended, looking energetic yet accentuating her exquisite figure. Ten years had passed without significant physical change, but her eyebrows carried less girlishness and more mature gravitas. Her eyes, in contrast to Dongfang Fu’s, appeared firmer and calmer. She replied, "Don't worry. There is no way he will miss this match..."

Dongfang Fu said no more, merely nodding slightly. Although she had limited interaction with Lei Dong, she, too, firmly believed he would not evade the fight.

Time ticked by, minute by minute. By the time it was nearly noon, neither of the two main figures had shown up. Not only were the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators below growing impatient, but even the few Golden Core Ancestors on the platform were showing signs of annoyance. These juniors were acting too high and mighty; they had shown them the courtesy of attending, and yet they had been waiting for a considerable time without either appearing. The number of Golden Core Ancestors had now increased to eight. The crowd below was packed even tighter, comprising not only many Yinsha Sect disciples but also members from other sects who had come to witness this spectacle, such as those from the Asura Heaven, the Demon Prison Sect, and the Yin-Yang Union Sect.

Prominent disciples from these major sects all had some history with Lei Dong. For example, Wu Peng of Asura Heaven, accompanied by several Foundation Establishment junior brothers and sisters, had come to watch Lei Dong's bout. Despite Lei Dong having once saved his life, Wu Peng remained deeply cautious of him. This man, both in intellect and power, was a foremost talent in this world.

The seven or eight individuals from Asura Heaven were all quite young, clearly representing the elite of their generation. Those who are young and powerful often suffer from excessive arrogance. Although Wu Peng had repeatedly told them how formidable Lei Dong was, they remained unconvinced in their hearts.

The contingent from the Demon Prison Sect numbered nine, all young men as well. It was likely their master, upon hearing the news, had instructed them to observe, as public contests between such rising talents were rare. Leading them was the tall Li Huntian, who stood out like a crane among chickens. Proud by nature, he maintained a deliberate distance from the Foundation Establishment youths behind him, solitary and aloof. Although Li Huntian and Lei Dong had never directly clashed, Li Huntian had perceived Lei Dong’s strength during that previous transaction. Of course, he believed Tantai Bingyun was exaggerating, merely trying to push Lei Dong into a perilous position through excessive praise. Despite his wariness, he did not believe he was inferior to Lei Dong. Having gained considerable benefits in the Heart Demon Hall, along with a Heart Cleansing Pill, Li Huntian had cultivated frantically over the years, stimulated by competition. Coupled with his excellent aptitude, he had now reached the seventh layer of the Foundation Establishment stage. Achieving such a feat under the age of forty certainly marked him as a prodigious talent.

However, his gaze was currently fixed intently on Dongfang Fu and Ding Wanyan, an ineffable frustration rising within him. Their current cultivation level was the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment. This nearly made Li Huntian spit blood from sheer anger. What kind of absurdity was this? Having one monstrous talent was perhaps tolerable, but the Yinsha Sect had produced a pair! Then again, Tantai Bingyun of the Tianyin Palace was also said to be at the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment—equally monstrous.

In another secluded corner, a group of young men with pale complexions and fashionably lavish clothing stood alongside young women who were graceful and charming. They looked around conspicuously. Their leader, however, stood suspended in the air, wearing striking red robes, hands behind her back. Today, she had uncharacteristically covered her face with a red veil, staring somewhat antagonistically at one of the Yinsha Twin Heroes from a distance, muttering inwardly, So that’s Ding Wanyan. She truly is an astonishing woman.

But perhaps not as astonishing as me.

Just as she was scrutinizing the other woman, Ding Wanyan seemed to sense something. She turned her delicate head, glanced across the distance at the veiled Qi Feifei, and gave a slight, knowing smile, nodding once.

That single glance sent a jolt through Qi Feifei’s heart. She wondered if Ding Wanyan had already seen through her disguise. A feeling of being caught like a thief settled in her mind. She quickly shifted her thoughts to Lei Dong: that fellow had vanished into thin air after she helped him purchase a mountain of goods. Why hadn't he shown up yet?

"He's here! He's here!" A surge swept through the crowd. Everyone turned their gaze upward to the sky, where a streak of blood-red light was streaking toward them at incredible speed.