The blood-red cloak billowed, swelling outwards. Beneath the suffusing crimson mist, a defense formed around Lei Dong. As the Number One blue flying sword swept past, it was blocked by the cloak—so soft, yet so resilient—rendering the blade's cutting power utterly nullified. Truly worthy of being Lei Dong’s most valuable top-tier spirit artifact; its defensive capability was astonishing. Even a powerhouse at the twelfth layer of Foundation Establishment, wielding a high-grade spirit artifact, could not break the scarlet cloak with a single slash. However, the once-dense crimson mist noticeably dimmed in an instant. Plainly, that sword strike had not been without significant force.

When Lei Dong first acquired the blood-red cloak, he knew its defense could withstand one or two attacks from an early Golden Core cultivator, which is why he chose to ignore Number One’s assault. He was willing to take that one sword strike just to seize the opportunity to destroy Number One’s Rank Eight Ghost Guard.

Whether it was due to spitting blood after the Ghost Guard’s demise, or perhaps astonishment that Lei Dong possessed yet another astonishingly defensive cloak on top of his supreme spirit shield, Number One’s face was ashen, completely devoid of color. He had lost. The moment he managed to chop down the Ghost Guard while failing to kill Lei Dong, Number One knew he was defeated. Seeing the Soul-Devouring Shadow Tiger, still looking unsatisfied after consuming one Rank Eight Ghost Guard, turn its attention to his last remaining guard, Number One immediately suppressed the trauma in his spirit and shouted, “I surrender.” Simultaneously, he commanded his formidable ghost army and his final guard to retreat in disarray.

According to the dueling rules of the Yin Sha Sect, as long as it was not a fight to the death, once one party conceded, the other was obligated to cease all attacks immediately. With Golden Core cultivators present, Lei Dong certainly did not wish to disregard Commander Ouyang’s authority. With a flicker of divine sense, he instantly halted all offensive actions from his subordinates. He slowly recalled them, then calmly cupped his hands toward Number One with an impassive expression: “Senior Brother Number One, you let me win.”

Number One’s expression was grim. He never dreamed he would be bested by a mere sixth-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator, especially one using techniques from the Netherworld Grand Art lineage. Number One couldn't fathom why Lei Dong’s divine sense was so potent; how could a mere sixth layer summon three Rank Eight Ghost Guards? Furthermore, given his age, it was absolutely impossible to have cultivated mid-grade Ghost Guards to this level. This left only one explanation: all three of his Ghost Guards must be top-tier items. Yet, even if they were all top-grade spirit ghosts, it still couldn't explain how Lei Dong could command three Rank Eight Ghost Guards.

What a pity, what a pity that he hadn’t managed to acquire top-grade spirit ghosts himself. Otherwise, with his twelfth-layer cultivation, commanding three Rank Ten Ghost Guards would have been more than sufficient; even having one or two Rank Elevens would have sufficed. In that scenario, today’s battle would not have concluded so simply.

Within the sect, occasionally obtaining one or two top-grade spirit ghosts would never fall to someone like Number One. While the value of these items was comparable to top-tier spirit artifacts, both being extremely rare treasures, the crucial difference was this: a Golden Core Ancestor might not fight you for a top-tier spirit artifact, but top-grade spirit ghosts are coveted by Golden Core cultivators, who would certainly fight for them. Because of this, for Foundation Establishment cultivators, top-tier spirit artifacts were easier to come by, but top-grade spirit ghosts were simply too rare.

With his public surrender now made, Number One, regardless of his internal indignation, could only return the salute to Lei Dong, forcing a wry smile. “Junior Brother Lei is too modest. With your strength, you already qualify to contend for a captain position. However, you are now Number One. You may call me Forty-Four from now on.”

The crowd below erupted. Everyone had heard that Lei Dong was powerful, but few had expected him to defeat Number One. Instantly, as many looked at Lei Dong, their eyes held increased awe [Update from Da Mo Tou Ba Xiao Mei]. Even the two cultivators whose auras seemed only stronger, perhaps captain-level, regarded Lei Dong with a mixture of vigilance and strong recognition, as if acknowledging this newly joined comrade.

“Good, very good.” Commander Ouyang also displayed an expression of deep appreciation for Lei Dong. “Lei—no, Number One, you are strong. Far stronger than this seat anticipated. Do you wish to challenge for a captain position now? You have one hour to rest.”

“Thank you for your praise, Commander.” Lei Dong bowed respectfully, cupping his hands. “However, this subordinate believes that reaching the Number One position is already the limit.”

Commander Ouyang nodded in agreement. “Well said. You are, after all, only a sixth-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator. But this seat believes that if you remain in the Battle Hall for several years, securing a captain position will be effortless. You will have plenty of opportunities later. Now that the test is complete, Number One, and Zhang Heng, follow this seat. The rest of you may withdraw temporarily for your own cultivation.”

“Yes, Commander.” The group of Foundation Establishment cultivators, any one of whom could command widespread respect outside, responded with unusual deference.

The three returned to the side hall of the main temple. Commander Ouyang, with meticulous precision, registered Lei Dong’s name within the Battle Hall records. Moments later, someone delivered a token. Lei Dong took it from Commander Ouyang’s hand and examined it. The face bore a large character for ‘War.’ The reverse side was embossed with the words: Second Commander of the Yin Sha Battle Hall, Ouyang Mi’s subordinate, War Soldier Number One, Lei Dong, and others.

Lei Dong ran a finger over the token, noting that it was forged from some unknown material, feeling ice-cold yet remarkably comfortable to the touch.

“This is the method for refining the token, along with some of the Battle Hall rules.” Ouyang Mi handed Lei Dong a jade slip. He explained, “Once you refine this token, should you perish, the Battle Hall will be instantly notified and will immediately investigate the culprit. We swear not to rest until revenge is exacted. Furthermore, these tokens possess mutual sensing capabilities; within a range of tens of thousands of miles, you can sense the presence of other Battle Hall disciples, as well as minor functions like recording your merits, which you can explore at your leisure. As for the rules, Number One, you must memorize them thoroughly. Violation will result in the severest penalty. Do you understand?”

“This subordinate understands.” Lei Dong bowed with solemn gravity.

“Number One, this is Zhang Heng, Captain of the First Squad. For now, you are under his command. From now on, you are all brothers; grow closer to each other. Zhang Heng hails from the Ghost Fiend Mansion and is currently at the twelfth layer of Foundation Establishment, nearing the peak state.” Ouyang Mi began to introduce Zhang Heng, but his expression soon hardened. “This seat is aware that there are some lingering grievances between the Ghost Fiend Mansion and the Ten Thousand Ghost Cave. However, as long as you are within our Battle Hall, there are only brothers, no factional prejudices. Have you both understood?”

“This subordinate obeys.” Lei Dong and Zhang Heng answered in unison.

“Zhang Heng, introduce Number One to the scope of our Third Legion’s duties, and the responsibilities of your First Squad.”

“Yes, Commander.” Zhang Heng responded with a serious demeanor, then turned to Lei Dong with a friendly expression. “As the Commander stated, within the Battle Hall, we rely on each other for our lives. Our Battle Hall handles matters of war. When those responsible for decision-making and negotiations fail, it is our turn to go out and kill. Therefore, if we are not united internally, we are inviting our own demise; no one wishes to court death. Take the former Number One for instance—though you defeated him and destroyed his Ghost Guards, if you were on a mission together, he would never seek personal revenge against you, and he would entrust his life to you. This is because we are all members of the Battle Hall; as long as we are here, we are brothers and sisters. Number One, I hope you can adhere to this principle. Otherwise, the Battle Hall regulations will show no mercy.”

“Yes, Captain.” Lei Dong felt a slight stir of emotion. No wonder his own master seemed so nostalgic and wistful about his past in the Battle Hall. The Battle Hall truly possessed certain distinct qualities, different from what he had imagined before entering.

“If there are private grudges between members, they can be settled on the dueling platform. However, fights to the death are not permitted within the Battle Hall. Whoever wins or loses, let the matter be forgotten with a smile.” As Zhang Heng spoke, his tone grew more serious. “If there is an irreconcilable conflict, you may apply to leave the Battle Hall and challenge under the status of an ordinary sect disciple for a death match. But remember this: once you leave the Battle Hall, you can never return.”

“This subordinate will bear it firmly in mind.” Lei Dong replied very seriously.

“Alright, I won’t drone on with trivialities.” Zhang Heng’s attitude relaxed somewhat as he began to explain, “Our Third Legion is primarily responsible for disputes in the scattered territories to the southeast. From south of the Heaven Vein down to the Great Barren Rift Valley, including the eastern sea coast and the islands within the sea—any region not directly governed by the Eight Great Sects falls under our Third Legion’s jurisdiction. Within this area, there are two massive powers: the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the Heavenly Sound Palace. However, the Heavenly Dao Alliance is a loose coalition, and its desire for external control is far weaker than that of the Heavenly Sound Palace. Consequently, in that area, the Heavenly Sound Palace is our greatest enemy because they occupy certain geographical advantages.”

Lei Dong listened with grave concentration, simultaneously mapping the area in his mind and calculating the scope of responsibilities his unit would handle.

“But, any scattered territory holding significant profit is a fat fish that no sect is willing to let go of. I mentioned the Heavenly Sound Palace as the greatest enemy, but that doesn’t mean they are our only foe. In truth, every piece of scattered territory contains the shadow of major top-tier sects or other forces. It’s just that for the same area, some sects exert stronger control, while others are weaker. In the region managed by our Third Legion, the Heavenly Sound Palace is strongest, followed by our Yin Sha Sect.” Zhang Heng spoke fluently. “Now that you are a member of the Battle Hall, and the Number One Soldier, it’s fine to tell you this: the strategic goal of our Yin Sha Sect in the southeast region for the next thirty years is to reach parity with the Heavenly Sound Palace in terms of control and influence over the scattered territories. This is a very difficult task, but perhaps this is also a significant reason why you were assigned to the Third Legion.”