Qi Feifei turned her head and saw Dongfang Fu and Ding Wanyan suspended lightly before her. Facing Ding Wanyan, Qi Feifei inexplicably felt a sense of guilt. Yet, even with that guilt, she couldn't just turn tail and flee; besides, running away would mean losing all momentum.

It was Ding Wanyan who smiled faintly and nodded at her: "This must be Qi Feifei from the Hehuan Sect, Junior Sister Qi? Truly a heroine among women, with an extraordinary bearing. I am Ding Wanyan from the Wan Guiku of the Yinsha Sect. Greetings, Junior Sister Qi."

Seeing her so composed and courteous, Qi Feifei was unwilling to be outdone. She nodded lightly: "Qi Feifei of the Tiannü Palace in the Yinyang Hehuan Sect. Greetings, Senior Sister Ding, Senior Sister Dongfang."

Thus, the two began a desultory small talk, appearing quite delighted in their conversation. However, what each was truly contemplating in their hearts, only the individuals themselves could possibly know.

While this side was eagerly awaiting, Lei Dong had actually arrived outside the Yinsha Sect's main gate long ago. He remained hidden in the shadows. At this moment, he knew that Huangfu Ce had arrived on the scene. Just as he was about to slip through the mountain gate, a sudden gust of black wind rose from thin air and swept toward him. Lei Dong was instantly aghast. The enemy was so close, yet he hadn't detected them—could it be a Golden Core stage cultivator? He hurriedly employed the Ghost Shadow Evasion technique, his figure moving like a phantom, leaving trailing afterimages as he retreated rapidly backward, faint wisps of blood mist swirling around him. His movements were so swift that those with lower cultivation bases could barely track his whereabouts.

"Oh?" A strange, soft 'yi' sound came from within that fierce black gale. But immediately afterward, the black wind surged several times its size, its speed increasing even further. Lei Dong dodged frantically, yet he was still swept into it, carried away toward the distance.

In a secluded, small mountain hollow, Lei Dong stared dubiously at the retreating figure before him. Clad in a smooth black robe that couldn't quite conceal her tall and graceful physique, her long black hair danced in the wind. Faintly, a subtle, delicate fragrance drifted into Lei Dong's nostrils and stirred his heart. Without her turning around, Lei Dong already knew who she was—this very figure etched clearly in his soul.

Lei Dong had never imagined that at a time like this, she would transform into a strange wind and whisk him away here. What was her purpose? But what concerned Lei Dong more was the chasm in their strength. He had always thought that as a sixth-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator, equipped with top-grade spirit artifacts and treasures, he was undoubtedly a powerhouse. Yet, before this woman, he felt as weak as an ant. For some inexplicable reason, his normally well-controlled emotions would always surge and become difficult to manage in her presence.

A flash of anger flared within him, and his voice carried a note of resentment: "Demon Lord, may I ask the purpose of summoning your disciple?" In his heart, however, a malicious thought arose: Could she have discovered the trove of treasures he possessed and come to cause trouble on behalf of her disciple?

"Hmph!" A cold, disdainful snort sounded, followed by a hoarse, low voice: "To measure a noble heart with a petty mind. Lei Dong, is this all the mettle you possess?"

Lei Dong’s heart clenched. He was almost provoked into cursing back: "Yes, I, Lei Dong, have no mettle. But what business is that of yours?"

"Insolent~" The Demon Lord suddenly turned back, and a trace of furious shame marred her peerless features: "Do you truly believe this Venerable One dares not kill you?" With that, she raised a hand and made a grasping motion, forming a demonic hand seemingly condensed from a mass of black mist [Great Demon Hand, courtesy of Xiao Mei’s updates], sweeping toward Lei Dong. The Great Demon Hand—it was this very move again. It was this Great Demon Hand that had pulled Lei Dong down from the Ghost Shroud previously.

Lei Dong’s expression turned cold, and he retaliated by blasting forth a Nether Fire Bomb. It was swift and fierce, heading straight toward the incoming attack. Of course, he didn't expect this single strike to shatter the Great Demon Hand. Simultaneously, the Scarlet Refining Flying Sword materialized before him in the air, and True Qi poured inward fiercely. The flame, nearly scorching white, burned intensely. With a cry from Lei Dong, it instantly transformed into a streak of scarlet light, slashing violently toward the Demon Lord.

Boom—The Nether Fire Bomb slammed heavily into the Great Demon Hand, scattering spectral flames everywhere. However, the demonic hand merely paused before continuing its advance toward Lei Dong. In front of Lei Dong, a silver and ornate shield manifested. Facing the oppressive force of the Great Demon Hand, the shield, originally only palm-sized, seemed to swell as if catching the wind. In an instant, it expanded to nearly ten feet across, blocking the demonic hand, radiating dazzling light and appearing majestic and formidable.

With a resounding crash, the two forces collided. The 'Indestructible' Shield successfully repelled the Great Demon Hand, and the waves of divine light began to erode the demonic energy.

Almost at the same moment, Lei Dong's Scarlet Refining Flying Sword cleaved heavily into the Demon Lord, who made no attempt to dodge. But before it could reach her, it was halted by a barrier of transparent energy, resulting in a burst of firelight and rippling distortions. The force was strong enough to bend the surrounding trees outward.

"A Supreme-grade Spirit Shield? A Supreme-grade Spirit Sword?" The Demon Lord showed a slight hint of surprise. That initial Great Demon Hand attack had been merely casual play, far from her true power, but Lei Dong managing to block it with his own abilities surprised her.

And that blazing, fiercely burning sword seemed far more potent than an ordinary spirit artifact. Lei Dong certainly wasn't arrogant enough to think he could trade blows with the Demon Lord and emerge unscathed, but after landing that strike on her, he felt a measure of satisfaction. He recalled the Scarlet Refining Sword, his expression calming somewhat. He nodded: "That shield is called Indestructible, the sword is Scarlet Refining, and the cloak is Blood-colored. All are Supreme-grade Spirit Artifacts." Lei Dong felt no need to conceal this from the Demon Lord; he admitted he had been somewhat agitated just now.

Three Supreme-grade Spirit Artifacts?

The Demon Lord’s mind felt a little hazy. Although with her power, obtaining three Supreme-grade Spirit Artifacts would be effortless, seeing this happen with Lei Dong was somewhat incredible, causing her to look at him with a touch of astonishment: "Not bad. Your progress is substantial; you’ve reached the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment. Coupled with three Supreme-grade Spirit Artifacts, you indeed have the capability to fight Huangfu Ce. However, you must be careful. Huangfu Ce also possesses a Supreme-grade Spirit Artifact called the Blood God Blade. He has recently used the essence of over a million lives as a lure to feed it. The current power of the Blood God Blade slightly exceeds that of an ordinary Supreme-grade Spirit Artifact."

Lei Dong was stunned. Not only was the Demon Lord not assisting her own disciple, but she was actually revealing his trump card to him. Feeding the Blood God Blade the blood of millions of people—this Huangfu Ce was far more ruthless than Lei Dong had imagined. Still, Lei Dong was confident that with the many treasures he possessed, killing Huangfu Ce was achievable. His opinion of the Demon Lord also improved greatly. He bowed respectfully: "Thank you, Demon Lord, for informing me truthfully."

Seeing his respectful and polite demeanor, the Demon Lord felt an inexplicable wave of discomfort. Lei Dong's resentment toward her, for some reason, had felt more comfortable to her. This way, it acknowledged the deep imprint he held in her mind. She too wished to completely forget that incident, to wipe Lei Dong's shadow from the deepest recess of her heart. Yet, the more she tried to forget, the more indelible it became, growing ever deeper.

From childhood, from the Qi Refining stage to the Nascent Soul stage, she had never experienced anything like this. She intensely desired to crush him with one hand, yet she couldn't bring herself to strike him. Moreover, her emotions were constantly and unconsciously swayed by his every word and action. This time, fearing Lei Dong might not be a match for Huangfu Ce, she intentionally waited by the sect entrance to gauge his current strength. Only after seeing that he possessed three Supreme-grade Spirit Artifacts did the heavy stone in the Demon Lord's heart finally lift. She held absolutely no affection for Huangfu Ce, her nominal disciple. Since accepting the mandate of her Master to command the Demon Lord Palace, the only disciple she had truly taught was Yang Mu and Dongfang Fu. The other disciples of the Demon Lord Palace were taught by Yang Mu. Her own nature was inherently cold; the only ones capable of eliciting any emotion from her were her Master, and the select few like Yang Mu and Dongfang Fu. As for the life or death of Huangfu Ce, in her view, there was no difference.

Suddenly, she seemed to recall something, and her expression turned cold: "I almost forgot to ask—what is going on between you and that little girl from the Hehuan Sect?"

Lei Dong was contemplating the Demon Lord's motives when he was suddenly struck by this question. He nearly choked, his eyes widening: "This... this seems to be my private matter, doesn't it? Demon Lord, while your status is supreme, surely you don't oversee my personal affairs, do you?"

Addressing her strictly as "Demon Lord" at every turn, and maintaining an expression as if nothing of consequence had ever transpired between them, instantly agitated the Demon Lord's heart, causing it to flare up. Her face darkened: "Lei Dong, I have a short temper. Do not test my anger." Her nature was to act on impulse, rarely considering consequences. Regarding Lei Dong, she believed she had already behaved exceptionally well, only to be met with a cold shoulder despite her warmth.

Lei Dong's previously calmed heart suddenly ignited. If the Demon Lord had spoken to him normally, he might have endured it. But when her temper flared, it ignited his own fury, and he spoke coldly: "My Lord, you are the master of the Demon Lord Palace. I am a disciple of the Wan Guiku. There is no connection between us. Why should I tell you? Yes, your strength is immense; you could crush me with a flick of a finger. Kill me if you wish. If I, Lei Dong, were to so much as frown, I would be a dog born from your breath."

"I don't care anymore; thinking about it is driving me mad," the Demon Lord said, enraged by shame. Demonic energy surged around her, forming a strange wind that swept directly toward Lei Dong: "Regardless, from today forward, you belong to me."

Lei Dong flashed away repeatedly, yet he couldn't evade the rolling, overwhelming demonic energy. Her words infuriated and angered him: "What do you want to do?"

"That's none of your business. My fist is my authority; I do whatever I want." The Demon Lord had never experienced romantic entanglements in her life and maintained an aloof and silent disposition. When faced with matters concerning Lei Dong, she didn't know how to handle them. Failing to placate him, she resorted to force, deciding to settle it with martial power.

Every word nearly made Lei Dong swoon. He realized that line was one he had once said to Ouyang Rong'er. Truly, what goes around, comes around.

Sand and stones flew, strange winds roared. In the small valley, demonic energy surged turbulently.

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