"Yes, Master," Lei Dong replied respectfully, then rose to his feet, choosing not to use the Ghost Shadow Evasion technique. Instead, he leaped up, landing a few feet away from the Old Ancestor Wan Gui.

"Good, good. To think that in a mere ten years, you have advanced to the sixth layer of the Foundation Establishment stage. Excellent, excellent." A significant portion of the worry lifted from Old Ancestor Wan Gui's heart. Lei Dong's cultivation progress had exceeded his expectations; reaching the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment in only twenty-five years surpassed even his own speed back then. He felt both satisfaction and a touch of apprehension. Satisfied because this disciple, Lei Dong, consistently broke past the limits of his imagination and often brought him pleasant surprises. Worried because although Lei Dong was now at the sixth layer, his opponent, Huangfu Ce, was at the ninth layer—a full three levels higher. Since both were core disciples of the Yin Sha Sect, neither would possess inherently superior cultivation methods unless Lei Dong's spirit artifacts and items far surpassed Huangfu Ce's, making victory difficult to secure.

"Dong'er, how confident are you this time?" After offering his praise, Old Ancestor Wan Gui questioned him via telepathic transmission, his brow furrowing slightly as he added, "If you feel the odds of winning are too low, I will cast aside my reputation and stir up trouble to call off this duel."

Lei Dong could sense the genuine concern for his safety in his Master's expression and tone. While he knew that his Master's goodwill was partly founded on his talent and potential, that was simply the way of this world—without ability, one earned no respect. For his Master to go to such lengths for him, Lei Dong already felt deeply content.

He deliberately showed a hint of frustration on his face, which instantly tightened the heartstrings of those who cared for him. However, what he transmitted was: "Master, your unworthy disciple has an eighty percent chance of killing Huangfu Ce."

Old Ancestor Wan Gui, being a cunning individual, noticed the sharp contradiction between Lei Dong's expression and his telepathic message. A flicker of disappointment crossed his face before he quickly transmitted back, "Dong'er, are you certain of that?"

"Disciple was being conservative with the estimate," Lei Dong replied, lowering his head with a show of shame. Internally, he mused that Tian Mo had revealed everything about Huangfu Ce—his cultivation secrets, the hidden cards and techniques, his weaknesses in combat—as if she wished to introduce his entire lineage of eighteen generations.

Lei Dong was speechless; his Master played the role of the concerned mentor too well... Moreover, she had also gifted him a War Puppet at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, a talisman of the Nether Fire Cannon refined personally by her, and a pill called the Qi Sha Yama. Each item was of the highest quality, and acquiring them had clearly cost her considerable effort.

The peak Foundation Establishment War Puppet, while obtainable with sufficient spirit stones, was different when infused with a wisp of the soul of a Nascent Soul cultivator; such an item could not be measured merely by money. The Nether Fire Cannon was a powerful offensive spell barely usable even by Golden Core cultivators, an advanced version of the Nether Fire Pellet. Although this spell wasn't Tian Mo's specialty, a talisman refined by a Nascent Soul cultivator who expended some of her own cultivation was no trivial matter. If mishandled, it could potentially blast even an early-stage Golden Core cultivator to death. That pill was even more miraculous; as long as half a breath remained, any injury, no matter how severe, could be restored to vibrant health in a short time.

Lei Dong hesitated before accepting these three gifts from Tian Mo not because he succumbed to her superficial threat—that if he refused, she would turn his and Ding Wanyan's wedding upside down—but because he sensed the sincerity in her heart. Each item represented a significant investment of her focus, energy, cultivation, and even risk. Lei Dong could tell she had spent a long time preparing these things.

After exchanging a few more solemn telepathic messages with Old Ancestor Wan Gui, the latter rose, clasping his hands behind his back, and announced in a clear voice, "Fellow disciples, honored guests, my young disciple arrived late because he encountered an ambush outside. As you can see his pale complexion and difficulty in movement are due to internal injuries and soul damage. Therefore, this seat has decided to postpone this duel until my disciple has fully recovered."

The cultivators below, both Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment stage, fell silent. It was evident that many harbored strong dissatisfaction, yet they dared not speak out against a Golden Core Ancestor. However, the Golden Core Ancestors seated alongside Old Ancestor Wan Gui were less restrained.

Especially Old Ancestor Ku Gu, who held a deep grudge against both Wan Gui and Lei Dong, was the first to challenge, letting out a series of sinister cackles. He mocked, "Old Ghost, what right do you have to unilaterally decide the postponement of a life-and-death duel between two individuals? In my estimation, are you not simply afraid? Trying to renege on the agreement?"

Although Old Ancestor Gui Sha still did not know Lei Dong had killed his son, he was already at odds with the Wan Gui Cave over that matter. Seeing this opportunity, he naturally seized the chance to kick someone when they were down, joining the mockery: "What a joke. Wan Gui, you've reached the apex of shamelessness. In this world, is there any duel where victory is guaranteed? Injury? Heh heh, I suspect this is just a drama you two have cooked up yourselves!"

Other Golden Core Ancestors who had poor relations with Wan Gui, or were merely neutral, expressed varying degrees of displeasure at Wan Gui's declaration. Excluding Old Ancestor You Ming, Yan Mo, and Yang Mu, almost everyone else rebuked Old Ancestor Wan Gui. This left Old Ancestor Wan Gui with a fluctuating complexion, his beard and hair seeming to stand on end with rage. He appeared to be forcefully suppressing his fury as he declared, "Everyone, if Lei Dong fights Huangfu Ce now while injured, it is clearly suicide. Even if Huangfu Ce wins, it would be an undeserved victory. Anyone dissatisfied with this seat can take it up with me."

Wan Gui’s statement managed to quiet some of the dissenters. Old Ancestor Wan Gui was no simple figure; he had ascended to the fourth layer of the Golden Core stage thirty years prior. Reports suggested he had achieved several breakthroughs since then, acquiring numerous rare treasures and advancing his cultivation rapidly. In just three decades, he had reached the sixth layer of the Golden Core stage. Most importantly [From the small beauty update on the Great Devil's Den Forum], Old Ancestor Wan Gui possessed an ultimate Ghost General whose current power level was unknown.

The stronger one was, the more one cherished life; surviving to the present day was not easy, and unless victory was highly probable, few would risk a fatal fight. Only Ku Gu persisted, continuously cackling, "Wan Gui, stop your trickery! Are you planning to involve the Elders over this matter? When Lei Dong challenged Huangfu Ce, over a dozen of us witnessed it, and even Lord Tian Mo was present as a witness. Trying to back out won't be easy."

"Lei Dong, you disciple are truly the height of filial impiety," Old Ancestor Gui Sha shifted his attack from Old Ancestor Wan Gui to Lei Dong, sneering repeatedly. "Do you truly wish for your Master to suffer the shame of being called shameless and breaking an agreement in the eyes of the entire world?" Seeing the deep respect Lei Dong held for Wan Gui, Gui Sha sought to provoke him.

The others followed suit, bombarding Lei Dong with accusations to serve their own interests. This made Lei Dong appear pale, sweat glistening on his face. Although Old Ancestor Wan Gui kept urgently sending telepathic messages to Lei Dong, Lei Dong gritted his teeth, knelt heavily before his Master, kowtowing repeatedly, and exclaimed with deep emotion, "Master, please forgive your unfilial son. This time, your disciple wishes to make his own decision. This battle will proceed today."

"Insolent!" Old Ancestor Wan Gui roared at Lei Dong, his face a picture of grief and anger. "You dare defy your Master's orders?"

"Disciple would not dare, but this time, your disciple has decided to fight." A look of resolute determination flashed across Lei Dong's face, and a flame seemed to burn fiercely in his eyes: "Your disciple does not wish to bring shame upon Wan Gui Cave, nor upon Master. Furthermore, your disciple is a man; a man cannot evade battle, even if he dies in it."

"You, you, you..." Old Ancestor Wan Gui looked utterly disappointed and conflicted. After a long pause, he slumped back into his seat, as if all his spirit and energy had been drained. "Alas, I, Wan Gui, after so many years, finally took in two outstanding disciples... Very well, very well. You are right. If you must fight, then fight."

"Thank you, Master, for granting my wish." Lei Dong's face was a mixture of sorrow and joy, carrying a tragic grandeur as he prepared to step off the stage.

But Old Ancestor Wan Gui suddenly bellowed, "Wait." After a moment's pause, under the gaze of everyone present, he said coldly, "Lei Dong agreed to fight today, but he did not specify the time. This means the duel can happen tonight. Therefore, this seat demands that Lei Dong rest for half a day to meditate and heal his injuries. Dong'er, come with your Master." Wan Gui started to move as if to lead Lei Dong somewhere.

"Hold it right there," Ku Gu reappeared to disrupt the proceedings, laughing mockingly again. "Indeed, theoretically, fighting at night is acceptable. But you cannot take him away now. If he needs to heal, he can do it right here on the viewing platform." Ku Gu was deeply afraid Wan Gui might possess some secret technique to rapidly boost Lei Dong's combat power, even at the cost of his life.

"Ku Gu, you!" Wan Gui cursed in exasperation, his face paling with anger.

The others chimed in their agreement. Firstly, they had all placed their wagers on Huangfu Ce, and now that his odds of winning were drastically higher, they were unwilling to allow any unnecessary complications. Secondly, the lineage of Wan Gui had been rising constantly over the last decade or two, encroaching upon the influence of various caves and residences. Eliminating Lei Dong now would be beneficial.

Lei Dong, apparently unable to bear the pressure, let out a frustrated sound and sat down cross-legged, commencing his healing immediately. Wan Gui could only reluctantly produce a top-grade healing medicine and give it to Lei Dong to consume.

"I am changing the upcoming odds! Huangfu Ce to 1 to 1.3, Lei Dong to 1 to 2.5!" Yan Mo cried out, her face pale. But her announcement could not stop the masses; they rushed frantically towards the betting tables, madly placing wagers on Huangfu Ce to win.

... (To be continued. For the rest of the story, please log on to Qidian for more chapters, support the author, and read the genuine version!)