The residence of the City Lord of Yuanxiao City, where Ning Xiao was staying, was built with unparalleled splendor. Now, it had been repurposed as the temporary headquarters for the Third Battalion of the War Hall. Due to the demands of war, all members of the Third Battalion were being redirected here.

Inside a secret chamber serving as Ouyang Mi’s command post, Lei Dong and Zhang Heng, both clad in imposing, yet sleek, pitch-black battle armor, bowed on one knee upon seeing Ouyang Mi. With solemn faces, they declared, "Zhang Heng, Lei Dong, paying respects to Commander."

Only then did Ouyang Mi slowly set down the jade slip in his hand, a rare smile gracing his lips. "You two have arrived. No need for formalities."

"We thank the Commander," the two straightened up in unison, their postures perfectly rigid.

"Zhang Heng, your squad did exceptionally well in this ship-snatching operation," Ouyang Mi chuckled repeatedly. "Not only did you completely annihilate the enemy, but you also brought back all the cargo completely intact, never once failing my trust." As he spoke of the intact cargo, his gaze briefly flickered towards them.

That glance caused beads of sweat to prickle the backs of their necks. Fortunately, they had done nothing shameful. With clear consciences, they were not overly terrified. Zhang Heng clasped his fists and bowed deeply. "This is entirely due to the Commander's meticulous prior arrangements; your subordinate merely acted according to plan."

"Excellent. Do you know the total value of this cargo?" Ouyang Mi asked with a genial smile.

"Your subordinates are unaware."

"The total value is one billion, eight hundred and thirty million spirit points." After stating a number that sent a shockwave through them, Ouyang Mi casually tossed the jade slip to Zhang Heng, chuckling, "The manifest for all the supplies is listed within this slip. And the cargo on the ship matches the manifest exactly. Not a bit more, not a bit less."

Zhang Heng accepted the slip and submerged his spiritual sense into it. Indeed, everything was clearly itemized: how much ore, how many inner cores, how many low-grade spirit stones, and so forth—detailed down to the most minuscule degree. Only then did he feel the relief of surviving a catastrophe. Thankfully, persuaded by Lei Dong, they hadn't touched any of the goods. Otherwise, the greeting awaiting him wouldn't be Commander Ouyang's smile, but the punishment of the Soul Lamp.

"The East Sea is a fertile region. I myself hadn't realized that the Tianyin Palace was harvesting such a frightening amount of resources from the sea territories," Ouyang Mi mused with a touch of awe. "Such wealth accrued in less than half a year... Terrifying. Truly terrifying."

Lei Dong and Zhang Heng exchanged glances. The figure was too staggering. Was this area around the Star Islands in the East Sea truly that profitable? But if there were so many spirit points involved, why weren't Golden Core cultivators escorting the shipment?

Seemingly reading their confusion, Ouyang Mi explained with a smile, "There were, of course, Golden Core cultivators trailing far behind as shadow guards—two of them, in fact. However... dealing with Golden Core cultivators was never meant to be your task."

"This was initially something I and Deputy Commander Xu were preparing to handle, but... hehe. Gentlemen, actually, summoning you here was not my idea. Zhang Heng, Lei Dong, follow me."

The two exchanged a look and trailed closely behind Ouyang Mi. After navigating through the City Lord’s mansion, they finally arrived at the inner residence. Ouyang Mi stopped, cupping his hands respectfully toward the interior. "Your subordinate, Ouyang Mi, brings my subordinates Zhang Heng and Lei Dong to request an audience with the Hall Master."

The Hall Master? Lei Dong and the other shuddered internally. Damn it. Why would the venerable Hall Master be here? Never mind Lei Dong; even Zhang Heng, who had been with the War Hall for twenty or thirty years, had never once seen the mysterious Hall Master. Though rumors had recently surfaced that the position might have changed hands. But a figure of the War Hall Master's stature had absolutely no connection to Foundation Establishment cultivators like them.

"Yes, your subordinate takes his leave now." Ouyang Mi seemed to receive an instruction and responded with solemnity. He then turned to Zhang Heng and Lei Dong. "The Hall Master summons you for an audience." Immediately after, Ouyang Mi's voice transmission reached Lei Dong's ear: "When you meet the Hall Master, tread carefully. Her temper is not mild."

This warning made the two stiffen again. It was utterly perplexing—why would the Hall Master summon two mere Foundation Establishment cultivators? Seeing Commander Ouyang's cautious, even fearful, demeanor, the Hall Master might well be an Nascent Soul Ancestor.

Considering this possibility, they glanced at each other. They advanced with a mixture of trepidation and utmost deference. This was vastly different from Lei Dong's previous life experience of meeting high-ranking corporate executives, as the latter wouldn't instantly end your life over a moment of displeasure. For a Nascent Soul Ancestor, a single misplaced word could result in instantaneous death without any possibility of resistance.

Upon entering the main hall of the inner residence, their peripheral vision caught sight of a figure seated upon the main dais. Clad in a black robe, the person was enveloped in a dense shroud of dark energy, rendering them indistinct. Although the figure made no deliberate effort to exude the terrifying aura of a Nascent Soul cultivator, Lei Dong and Zhang Heng clearly perceived an immense presence, vast as the boundless ocean. Such an aura could not be faked. The two immediately dropped to their knees with a thud, proclaiming in unison, "...Your subordinates, Zhang Heng and Lei Dong of the War Hall's Third Battalion, pay respects to the Hall Master..." The fear surging within them was born from that inherent gulf between a Foundation Establishment cultivator and a Nascent Soul Ancestor—the terror induced by the power to decide another's life or death with a mere thought. Although this was a Nascent Soul Ancestor of the Yin Sha Sect, and they usually wouldn't casually execute fellow sect members without reason.

However, this did little to dispel the crushing psychological disadvantage imposed by such a massive hierarchical difference. It was like a little white rabbit standing before a magnificent tiger; no matter how amiable the tiger was, it could not erase the rabbit's inherent feeling of delicate helplessness. True inner strength, too, required the support of physical might.

"Zhang Heng, Lei Dong..." The Hall Master's voice echoed, sounding somewhat ethereal, impossible to discern as male or female, and utterly devoid of inflection. "You two have performed well. You possess a degree of sense. Especially you, Lei Dong. For not only pulling back from the brink yourself but also alerting your companion to the danger—rare, truly rare."

These words instantly caused sweat to pour anew from the bodies of the two. Their private vocal transmissions aboard that transport airship had evidently not escaped the ears of the remote Nascent Soul Ancestor. It was terrifying. Although Lei Dong had known that a Nascent Soul cultivator could intercept the voice transmissions of Foundation Establishment cultivators, their shared greed for that cargo had been laid bare before this Ancestor. While she spoke of rarity, who knew what she truly thought deep down?

Even though Zhang Heng was considered an exceptional figure among Foundation Establishment cultivators, hearing the Ancestor's words nearly caused him to collapse onto the floor, trembling uncontrollably.

"Enough, there is no need for you both to be so nervous," the Hall Master's voice wavered uncertainly, seemingly coming from nowhere. "Greed is only human nature. As long as you understand right from wrong and exercise self-restraint, that is sufficient. You are both outstanding members of the younger generation. So long as you serve the sect with unwavering loyalty, treating the sect as your own, the sect will naturally treat you well. Intercepting the Tianyin Palace transport ship was my design in the first place, and it also served to test your temperaments. The result has greatly satisfied me..." The Hall Master, perhaps realizing she had scared them too much, offered words of comfort.

Hearing this, the two finally let out heavy breaths, their voices still slightly shaky. "We thank the Ancestor for her understanding..." A profound sense of reprieve washed over them, as if they had just taken a tour of the gates of hell and returned. The undergarments beneath their battle armor were completely soaked with sweat.

"Since you have passed the test, from this day forward, you will become core members of the War Hall. Henceforth, the sect will grant you the utmost trust and support. Your squad's contribution points for this ship-snatching mission will be immediately doubled. Go now, cultivate diligently, and strive to reach the Golden Core stage soon," the Hall Master encouraged them before waving them away.

Lei Dong and Zhang Heng dared not speak more. After bowing their thanks once more, they respectfully began to retreat. Before they had even gone halfway, the Hall Master's voice stopped them. "Zhang Heng, you may leave first. Lei Dong, you remain. This Venerable One has further questions for you..."

Zhang Heng dared not hesitate and withdrew immediately. Lei Dong, however, braced himself and returned to the main hall. Just as he was about to kneel again to receive the Ancestor's reprimand, a slightly deeper, magnetic voice suddenly reached his ear. "Never mind. This Venerable One knows you are unwilling to kneel to me. So as not to cause resentment in your heart..."

As that familiar tone registered, Lei Dong's body stiffened, a strange, wry smile crossing his face. He gasped, "How could it be you?" Looking up again, the dark energy surrounding the Heavenly Demon had dissipated, revealing her slender, graceful form.

"Why shouldn't it be me?" The Heavenly Demon’s voice echoed lightly as she stood with her hands clasped behind her back. "This Venerable One originated from the War Hall. At the late Golden Core stage, I was the Deputy Hall Master. Later, when I attained Nascent Soul, the old Hall Master joyfully handed the position of Hall Master over to me. He retreated behind the scenes to enjoy his leisure."

Lei Dong was momentarily speechless. The Nascent Soul Ancestor who had just terrified him half to death turned out to be her. Thinking back on his own subservient behavior, Lei Dong felt a surge of indignation.

"You called me Ancestor, and you sounded quite pleasant. Say it a couple more times," the Heavenly Demon felt an intense satisfaction remembering Lei Dong's unprecedented obeisance just moments before.

"Do you really enjoy being called old by me so much?" Lei Dong couldn't resist retorting.

"Insolence. My shoulders are sore, come and knead them." She seemed to be enjoying this particular game more and more, especially Lei Dong’s previous submissive demeanor, which had brought her immense pleasure.

"Hey, hey, don't mess around! What if someone sees... Hey..."