"Lei boy, I still vividly recall you returning here, trembling, after killing those people from the Extreme Yin Cave, using Wan Yan's words to lodge a complaint at the manor. It seems like just yesterday. In the blink of an eye, twenty-five or twenty-six years have passed. Now, you are already a cultivator at the sixth layer of the Foundation Establishment stage. And Wan Yan has become your wife. Truly, it makes one sigh with emotion. It's a pity that your Uncle Gui is already over a hundred years old, and has no hope of reaching the Core Formation stage in this lifetime. I won't get to see the day you dominate the world, young Lei."

"Uncle Gui, please don't be discouraged; nothing is absolute," Lei Dong replied with equal sentiment, offering comfort. "Throughout history, there have been instances of people reaching Core Formation in their one-hundreds. I firmly believe you can do it too, Uncle." Despite these words, Lei Dong knew that the older a person got, the more their bodily functions declined. Uncle Gui was already over a hundred; even as a late-stage Foundation Establishment expert, his body had entered a period of rapid aging. And the older one became, the lower the probability of successfully condensing a Core.

Take Lei Dong, for instance; he was not yet forty. A healthy mortal of his age would still be in their prime vigor. Moreover, he was already a sixth-layer Foundation Establishment powerhouse. This peak physical state would last for a long time, only beginning to transition into middle age and gradual decline after he was around eighty. However, Lei Dong was confident he could maintain his youthful state far longer, believing he would reach Core Formation long before hitting eighty.

"Heh, whether I reach Core Formation or not is immaterial to me now," Gui Nu chuckled lightly. "However, your performance, Lei boy, has far surpassed all my expectations for you."

After Lei Dong offered a few more polite words, and the two chatted for a while, the Myriad Ghost Ancestor learned that his prized disciple had arrived. He immediately ceased his cultivation practice and hurried over. Upon seeing Lei Dong, his movements deliberately slowed. With his hands clasped behind his back, adopting an air of extraordinary presence, he spoke unhurriedly, "Dong'er, I didn't expect you to arrive so soon. Rise. You are no longer a child; you need not kowtow to your Master anymore when you see me."

Lei Dong slowly rose with a solemn expression, yet he disagreed with the Myriad Ghost Ancestor’s words, shaking his head. "Master, once a teacher, always a father. No matter my age, before Master, I will always be your disciple."

The Myriad Ghost Ancestor was deeply comforted by this, saying, "Gui Nu, bring out some of the spiritual tea I’ve been hoarding for Dong'er to sample."

"Master, wait a moment." Lei Dong spoke, quickly retrieving a measure of Bodhi Heart-Clearing Tea from his storage bracelet and respectfully presenting it. "Master, I obtained this Bodhi Heart-Clearing Tea by chance while training near the Heavenly Dao Alliance. Though it is not much, please accept it first. I have just successfully transplanted it, and in the future, I will send three qian to Master every year." Lei Dong had heard from Tian Mo that his Master could only sample a tiny pinch of spiritual tea for the novelty of it. This prompted him to think of sharing the tea he consumed with his Master out of filial piety.

"What?" The Myriad Ghost Ancestor’s expression shifted to surprise. "Dong'er, your luck is indeed remarkable; you are a blessed general. Finding wild Bodhi Heart-Clearing Tea is inherently extremely difficult. And you managed to transplant it?"

What was this about good luck? Lei Dong offered a wry smile. Luck, it seemed, had always kept its distance from him. Aside from obtaining that heaven-defying Soul Devouring Pagoda, his luck had generally been poor. As for the Soul Devouring Shadow Tiger, he owed that to his Senior Sister's fortune. The Purgatory Scarlet Lotus Seed, however, was thanks to Qi Feifei. As for the Bodhi Heart-Clearing Tea, Ouyang Rong'er had clearly discovered and transplanted it; he had merely reaped the benefit. As for his other assets, they were either forcefully acquired or obtained through selling Spirit Ghosts.

Of course, in the eyes of the Myriad Ghost Ancestor, this boy's luck was indeed excellent. He could capture a pair of high-grade Spirit Ghosts and return from a stroll laden with top-grade Spirit Artifacts. While the latter might stem from some secret encounter he was reluctant to speak of, the Myriad Ghost Ancestor was generally open-minded about such things. He didn't care how the boy messed around outside, as long as he didn't deny his Master.

Lei Dong did not mind the assumption, so he recounted the matter of Ouyang Rong'er to his Master. The Myriad Ghost Ancestor listened with no small amount of envy. "Why didn't this old man ever have such luck?"

"Master, you jest. Capturing a top-grade Spirit Ghost at the fifth layer of Qi Refining—what is that if not luck?" Lei Dong replied humbly, a bitter smile lingering inwardly.

The Myriad Ghost Ancestor couldn't help but feel a surge of joy recalling that proud moment [Update from Great Devil's Little Beauty Bar], "Dong'er, my top-grade Ghost General is already level twelve. If my cultivation level weren't insufficient to control it, it might have already advanced to Ghost King status." If he could possess a Ghost King, the Myriad Ghost Ancestor would be nearly unrivaled among Core Formation cultivators. After all, the rarity of top-grade Spirit Ghosts could hardly be overstated.

Lei Dong was moved. A level twelve top-grade Ghost General was truly formidable. This suggested his Master was a considerable force even among Core Formation cultivators. After offering congratulations, the master and disciple began drinking tea and conversing. The Myriad Ghost Ancestor started inquiring about the cultivation hurdles Lei Dong had encountered, and Lei Dong honestly asked about every point of confusion he had.

"Dong'er, I know you currently possess numerous top-grade Spirit Artifacts and are protected by a peak Foundation Establishment puppet," the Myriad Ghost Ancestor stated after answering all his queries. "But you cannot neglect the cultivation of your own techniques. Although the Netherworld Grand Art is not renowned for its offensive destructive power, it is a profound art capable of infinite variation and boundless might. What you have mastered so far is merely the surface; you must continue to strive for more."

With that, he directed Lei Dong to follow him to the training grounds, instructing Lei Dong to demonstrate all his techniques one by one: the Netherworld Grand Art, Netherworld Ghost Claw, Ghost Shadow Evasion, Nether Fire Bomb, and the Profound Yin Shield.

After multiple repetitions, the Myriad Ghost Ancestor relaxed somewhat, nodding faintly. "It's adequate, but the Profound Yin Shield is lacking; its casting speed is too slow and doesn't reflect your actual strength at Foundation Establishment sixth layer."

Lei Dong lowered his head and admitted obediently, "Your disciple has indeed neglected the cultivation of the Profound Yin Shield."

"Although the Profound Yin Shield's true power is only unleashed by mastering the Profound Yin Grand Art, it is widely practiced by others because even without learning the Grand Art, diligent practice will yield considerable results. Of course, your other techniques are merely described as 'adequate' as well." The Myriad Ghost Ancestor stood with his hands behind his back, pointing out seriously, "From now on, you must dedicate more effort to your techniques. External objects are, after all, just external."

"Yes, Master." Lei Dong nodded, completely convinced.

"Also, regarding the Netherworld Grand Art, while reaching its depths allows for infinite variation, making it completely obedient to the caster's will, and allowing one to do as they please," the Myriad Ghost Ancestor mused for a moment, then stated solemnly, "but let alone you, even I have only just begun to grasp it, achieving only minor success. Therefore, creating set moves can actually enhance its power. Observe this technique of mine."

As the Myriad Ghost Ancestor spoke, dark energy churned around him, instantly enveloping the entire training ground. Suddenly, he lifted one hand in the air, and countless wisps of black energy converged into his palm. In an instant, half of the pervasive black energy vanished. Then, with one hand behind his back, he thrust the hand still clutching the gathered black energy forward sharply. The energy gathered in his palm shockingly transformed into a vivid, lifelike black dragon, faintly accompanied by bestial roars and piercing shrieks, possessing extraordinary might.

Boom! The black dragon struck a cliff face at the edge of the training ground, resulting in a deafening explosion that sent debris scattering everywhere. However, the scattered black energy seemed to respond to an unseen pull, returning to the training ground, swirling excitedly before the Myriad Ghost Ancestor.

As the dust settled, Lei Dong was stunned. On the vast expanse of the cliff face, a massive crater had been blasted open, at least twenty to thirty zhang deep. The power of this single strike was beyond Lei Dong's imagination. Was this the might of a Core Formation ancestor? Lei Dong believed that even if he combined his Indestructible Shield and Scarlet Cloak, he could not withstand this blow from his Master. Furthermore, this was the Netherworld Grand Art, which wasn't even known for its offensive prowess?

"In truth, the Netherworld Grand Art isn't necessarily incapable of offense," the Myriad Ghost Ancestor said with narrowed eyes and a smile. "It depends on the application. You may have noticed that during the Qi Refining stage, you had access to many techniques and various insights that could be readily learned. But upon reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, these become much scarcer. This is partly because sects fear powerful techniques spreading indiscriminately. Secondly, it is also because many cultivators hoard their insights, keeping them strictly within their direct lineage. This technique of mine, called Black Dragon Roar, was not created by me; I spent a significant sum to exchange for it from the Netherworld Old Ghost. Based merely on observing the movement, I estimate you can quickly mimic this technique, but the problem is that the power will be vastly different. The Netherworld lineage has been established for a long time with deep roots, something our Myriad Ghost Cave cannot compare to."

Indeed, Lei Dong could devise various strange applications for Netherworld Ghost Qi. However, powerful techniques often required long periods of refinement, sometimes spanning generations to perfect. Some crucial insights might seem simple and immediately clear upon learning, but the originator would have spent immense time and effort to achieve that moment of enlightenment.

Seeing Lei Dong’s eagerness, the Myriad Ghost Ancestor smiled. "Don't be anxious. Since I called you here, I naturally intend to teach you the Black Dragon Roar. The first step is energy accumulation—not just Netherworld Ghost Qi, but it must be fused with Profound Yin True Qi."

The Myriad Ghost Ancestor patiently broke down the steps of the Black Dragon Roar for Lei Dong. When Lei Dong failed to grasp a crucial point, he would explain it tirelessly and even demonstrate the variations himself. The entire Black Dragon Roar, from its initiation to striking the cliff face, took only a few breaths of time. However, Lei Dong spent several days struggling to grasp the fundamental intricacies of this technique.

Lifting his hand to inhale, the swirling Netherworld Ghost Qi surged rapidly toward his palm. Simultaneously, the Profound Yin True Qi within his meridians accumulated and merged through specialized channels. Lei Dong felt an explosive power trying to break free from his hand. He struck out immediately. What emerged was a distorted and unsightly black pillar, writhing and whistling as it flew. It struck the cliff face, vanishing in an instant with a puff of dust, only managing to knock away a few loose stones—its power was far inferior even to Lei Dong's Nether Fire Bomb.

(Two chapters guaranteed minimum complete~ To be continued. For future developments, please log in to Qidian for more chapters, support the author, and support legitimate reading!)