As Lei Dong’s gaze fell upon Ding Wanyan, focusing deeply on her clear eyes, an irrepressible tremor stirred within his heart. Among these thousands of people, it seemed he could single her out at a glance. In his eyes, even Dongfang Fu and Qi Feifei standing beside her seemed to fade into the background.

“Senior Sister, ten years ago, I said that after killing Huangfu Ce, I would immediately propose marriage to you,” Lei Dong laughed, a genuinely happy sound. “Wait for me a moment.” Even for the poised and graceful Ding Wanyan, having her proposal mentioned so openly in front of countless onlookers caused her cheeks to flush crimson, and she lowered her head. Nevertheless, she thoughtfully nodded gently.

Lei Dong was overjoyed. He flew directly to the viewing stand of the Golden Core Ancestors and descended, kneeling before the Myriad Ghost Ancestor. He spoke with utmost solemnity: “Disciple Lei Dong hereby petitions Master to grant Senior Sister Ding Wanyan in marriage to this disciple.” The Myriad Ghost Ancestor was in an excellent mood today; his precious disciple had not only effortlessly slain Huangfu Ce but had also won him so many spirit stones. Knowing about the childhood sweethearts, he was not overly surprised by the proposal. His other precious disciple, Ding Wanyan, might as well benefit his own apprentice rather than an outsider. He squinted, his eyes crinkling with a smile that almost closed them, yet he said, “Since it is a proposal, where are the betrothal gifts?”

Lei Dong inwardly sighed in relief that he had prepared beforehand. He took out a vial containing four Purgatory Red Lotus Seeds from his storage bracelet and respectfully offered, “Disciple has here four Purgatory Red Lotus Seeds matured to perfection. I ask Master to graciously accept them…”

Had this been in the past, the Myriad Ghost Ancestor might have been moved. But this boy had brought too many surprises time and again. Even when he produced four extremely valuable Purgatory Red Lotus Seeds, the Ancestor showed no astonishment. Instead, he deliberately pouted dismissively, “Hmph. You are quite wealthy now, boy. You carelessly tossed away a Vajra Indestructible Talisman. You think offering so little is enough to marry my Wanyan? That’s rather petty…” Lei Dong found it slightly amusing; they said the older one gets, the more childlike, and his Master certainly fit that description. Since they were family, wasn't a mere formality enough? At this moment, he could only accompany the situation with a forced smile and two words: “Master, your disciple is poor, truly shy of funds. How about this: your disciple also has two Hazy Spirit Returning Pills, ten Lesser Hazy Spirit Returning Pills, twenty Thunder Fiend Bombs, and four Exploding Flame Talismans.” Not only the Myriad Ghost Ancestor but everyone else listening was sweating profusely. Damn, is this person here to fight, or to smash people to death with spirit stones?

“Enough, enough. Keep half of the pills and talismans for yourself; the rest will serve as the betrothal gift. Also, I see your summoned creatures are too numerous, which is detrimental to your own cultivation. Hand over that Foundation Establishment Tier Ten War Puppet.” The Myriad Ghost Ancestor smiled, eyes narrowed.

“Agreed, agreed.” Lei Dong had not deeply refined that silver war puppet. Unlike the other three top-grade spirit artifacts, which were refined with dedicated soul-smelting techniques, removing the seal on this one would be troublesome. Thus, without hesitation, he summoned the silver puppet. A pile of items was placed on the tray. The value of this dowry must be over three million spirit stones—not too shameful.

“It’s too early to agree. Your Master must first ask Wanyan if she is willing to marry you, boy.” The Myriad Ghost Ancestor felt a surge of paternal pride. He remotely called Ding Wanyan over. Although Ding Wanyan was willing a thousand times over, under such public scrutiny, she was still overcome with shyness, flying over to stand beside the Myriad Ghost Ancestor without daring to speak.

“Wanyan, your Master asks you: are you willing to marry Lei Dong as your wife?” the Myriad Ghost Ancestor asked cheerfully. Although Ding Wanyan was not a coy person, under the gaze of so many, she was truly overcome with maidenly modesty and was too bashful to speak.

“If you are unwilling, then your Master will refuse him, and let him give up this notion.” The Myriad Ghost Ancestor frowned. “However, to compensate him, your Master will find him other wives.”

“Master, you are bullying me!” Ding Wanyan was both shy and annoyed, stamping her foot with a red face. “Wanyan is willing.”

“Willing what?” the Myriad Ghost Ancestor chuckled slyly, full of mischievous delight. The sight made Lei Dong mutter inwardly.

“Wanyan is willing to marry Junior Brother Lei as my wife…” After speaking, Ding Wanyan dissolved into a wisp of Yin Sha energy, making it impossible to discern her location.

“Why be shy?” The Lustful Demon, relying on Lei Dong having won a great deal of spirit stones, was inwardly beaming like a radiant flower. It was a rare moment to speak up for Lei Dong: “Although many of us cultivators remain unmarried, there are also quite a few who do. Old Ghost, take this—this is my gift money. Just make sure my share of the feasting isn’t shorted later…”

The Myriad Ghost Ancestor took the storage pouch thrown to him and glanced inside. It held a full two hundred top-grade spirit stones. He couldn't help but laugh heartily. “Lustful Demon, you truly aren’t stingy—two hundred top-grade stones! Your feast won't be lacking.” Then, “Wanyan, come here.” After speaking, the Myriad Ghost Ancestor called Ding Wanyan out again. He handed her Lei Dong’s betrothal gifts and the two hundred top-grade stones, speaking solemnly: “Since you are marrying out of mutual affection, your Master is naturally extremely pleased. However, before you marry, your Master has a few words to say. You appear cold on the outside, but your heart is very pliable. Your Junior Brother Lei, however, has the nature of a scoundrel. If he isn’t properly disciplined, he will inevitably become an unbridled wild horse. Don’t cater to him in everything or yield to him in every matter. If he refuses to comply, just beat him soundly. With your Master backing you, I doubt he would dare strike back…”

Lei Dong, standing to the side, was sweating profusely. Damn, we are all disciples, why such favoritism?

“Understood, Master.” Ding Wanyan could only resume her original form, taking all the items with a shy expression.

“Lei Dong, stop wearing that look that deserves a beating and come here.” The Myriad Ghost Ancestor beckoned with a serious expression, and only after bringing Lei Dong beside him did he speak gravely: “Your Master has always treated Wanyan as his own daughter. Now that I agree to marry her to you, you must cherish her well. Moreover, her nature is pure, while you, since childhood, have been cunning and fierce. You are absolutely forbidden from bullying her…”

Lei Dong muttered inwardly, Even if I’m cunning and fierce, I can’t compare to you, Master. However, on his face, he displayed an expression of utmost respect and replied, “Understood, Master.”

“Since you offered such a valuable betrothal gift, your Master cannot be too stingy with the dowry,” the Myriad Ghost Ancestor said, taking out a specialized spirit stone pouch and tossing it to Lei Dong. “Take it. Cultivate diligently from now on, and strive to step onto the Great Dao of the Golden Core realm soon…”

Lei Dong took the bag and swept his divine sense over its contents. There were fully one thousand top-grade spirit stones, more than triple the value of his own betrothal gift. So, his master’s dowry was based on three times his gift? He immediately made a face, saying, “Master, your disciple also has a peak Foundation Establishment puppet, and as for the supreme-grade spirit artifacts, your disciple will suffer a small loss and spend some time erasing the soul imprints. All of that can serve as the betrothal gift…” As he spoke, he blinked his eyes at the Myriad Ghost Ancestor, hoping he might offer a little more. Besides, the betrothal gifts would all be returned to his wife anyway—what a profitable arrangement!

“Get lost, you little bastard!” The Myriad Ghost Ancestor was thoroughly angered, bristling and glaring. He then turned to Ding Wanyan: “Wanyan, did you see? You can’t treat this boy too well! If you’re too kind to him, he’s guaranteed to climb higher. Your Master also has a supreme-grade spirit artifact whip here; give it to you as well. Whip him often if needed; he actually becomes quite obedient and likable then.” Ding Wanyan secretly glanced at the crestfallen Lei Dong, suppressing a laugh, and accepted the supreme-grade spirit artifact whip, whispering, “Wanyan will strictly abide by Master’s teachings.” After settling his family matters, the Myriad Ghost Ancestor smiled genially at the other Golden Core Ancestors. He smiled very kindly: “Fellow sect members, my two precious disciples are getting married. I sincerely invite all of you to come for a wedding banquet on the eighteenth of next month. As for the gift money, we will send formal invitations to your residences. Of course, regarding gift money—we’ll waive it if we can. Your presence alone will be the greatest honor for the Myriad Ghost Cave…”

Lei Dong was initially confused upon hearing they wouldn’t accept gift money. But upon reflection, he realized the older one is, the wiser. If the Myriad Ghost Ancestor dared to accept monetary gifts for his disciple’s wedding, wouldn’t that cause significant trouble? The population of the Myriad Ghost Cave was far less prosperous than that of other caves… The Myriad Ghost Ancestor had simply blocked that loophole preemptively. He mused inwardly, Impressive, truly impressive. And besides, if people really showed up, wouldn't they still offer some sort of meeting gift?

The others, recently terrified of losing money, felt a wave of relief upon hearing gift money was not required. Although Lei Dong had caused many people to lose their fortunes, they had to admit the boy was formidable, and there was a strong possibility a Nascent Soul cultivator was backing him. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to command that peak Foundation Establishment puppet, not to mention his eight-level Ghost Guards and the abnormally powerful Myriad Ghost Banner. People always held reverence for levels they had not yet reached. Just as Foundation Establishment cultivators assumed Golden Core Ancestors were omnipotent, Golden Core Ancestors believed Nascent Soul Elders were omnipotent. However, this was exactly the result Lei Dong desired. Any aspect of himself that seemed unreasonable could be attributed to the potentially existing Nascent Soul cultivator behind him.

With the Ancestors’ matters settled, Lei Dong offered an apology and flew down from the viewing stand. Ding Wanyan followed closely behind him. He waved toward Chen Ge and the others who were peeking over from the side, and Chen Ge and his group immediately bounded over with beaming smiles.

“I don’t accept it! I don’t accept it!” Chen Ge started shouting first, jumping up and down. “Why? Why should our peerlessly beautiful Senior Sister marry you? Duel! Lei Dong, I challenge you to a duel!” “Scram, you little pup!” Lei Dong laughed and gave him a playful kick, pulling off his cloak. “Oh, look at you! You’ve reached Foundation Establishment already! Tsk tsk. But why are you bunch of people sneaking around looking so shifty? What illicit business are you up to? Are you planning to take advantage of the chaos to molest those pretty female disciples?”