A thin wisp of black energy endlessly coiled around the tips of Lei Dong's fingers, nimble and keen, like a black snake as thick as a chopstick. Over the past few years, since he intensified his practice of the Dark Dragon's Roar, Lei Dong’s ability to shape and control the Nether Ghost Qi had increased significantly, as had his understanding of it.

As for the form of the control skill, Lei Dong had contemplated it for a long time, but only recently had some epiphanies. The turning point occurred during his convalescence on Fisherman’s Island, where he observed the various fishing methods of the islanders and saw many different kinds of nets. Fishing with nets, in a sense, shared common ground with controlling enemies using skills. Nets came in different types, each with its own unique advantage, but Lei Dong found the most formidable to be the dragnet. This net was woven from lines as fine as silk; any fish that swam into it would be ensnared by the cobweb-like threads, drawn tighter and tighter until escape was impossible.

All other fishing nets, no matter how coarse, were also formed by strands of thread condensing together.

Therefore, if he wished to develop a control skill utilizing the Nether Ghost Qi, the fundamental element was how to condense threads that were both strong and fine. That wisp of black energy spun continuously, faster and faster, while Lei Dong sank into deep thought. Soon, driven by his divine sense and True Qi, the black energy morphed into a thread as fine as a sewing needle. It looked viable, but Lei Dong knew it was an illusion—it would shatter upon the slightest touch.

Lei Dong was a transmigrator, and he utilized knowledge from his previous life to understand the Nether Ghost Qi, which gave him a slightly different perspective than the natives of this world. In his comprehension, the Nether Ghost Qi could be regarded as a gaseous substance, naturally composed of countless molecules. A major characteristic of the Nether Ghost Qi was its viscosity; that is, under pressure, its molecules could be highly condensed together, resisting dissipation. This was also why Lei Dong’s other control spell, the Nether Ghost Claw, possessed a slightly longer duration and greater power compared to typical grasping hands.

The Nether Ghost Qi was also excellent for shaping, a fact Lei Dong deeply experienced. However, transforming the Ghost Qi into a thread form was not difficult; the challenge lay in making that thread sturdy and reliable. For seven or eight consecutive days, Lei Dong labored over how to condense the Nether Ghost Qi into solid threads. Yet, after attempting no fewer than hundreds of methods, all ended in failure. Each thread would snap with a gentle tug, and they required constant divine sense control just to maintain their form, frustrating Lei Dong immensely. Perhaps, relying solely on the Nether Ghost Qi, forming a serviceable thread was simply impossible. Although the threads Lei Dong currently managed could offer some entanglement effect if used in large quantities, the results were far from ideal.

Finally, even Captain Qian could not bear to watch. He approached Lei Dong and began to speak, “Brother Lei, though this touches upon your private matters, this method you are employing is certainly not working—it’s just pointless floundering. The cultivation methods created by our predecessors must have taken countless hours and immense effort. If you could casually create a powerful new spell, wouldn’t that throw the world into chaos?” Captain Qian had discerned Lei Dong’s intent: turning his black energy into solid threads. Unable to stand by and watch him waste time, he stepped forward to intervene.

Lei Dong was somewhat surprised by Captain Qian’s earnest concern. Although Lei Dong believed that in a real fight, the Captain would not be his match, the Captain was, after all, a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator, much older than himself, and had remained at that peak level for fifteen years. Naturally, it was prudent to heed his advice. Lei Dong cupped his hands in salute. “Thank you, Captain Qian, for clarifying my confusion.”

“Brother Lei, although I do not know what cultivation method you practice, if you wish to condense threads for attack, you should seek the experience of Lady Qing. Her Flying Needle Threading is unparalleled. While your cultivation methods are certainly different from hers, exchanging pointers and learning from each other is always beneficial,” Captain Qian said with a serious expression. “In truth, spells, at their core, are fundamentally the same; only their strength differs. Cultivation methods passed down and continuously refined by major sects over tens of thousands of years are naturally far superior to unorthodox, self-taught techniques.”

Lei Dong paused, understanding the logic well enough. Yet, he realized he had fallen into the same trap as many others: self-conceit, believing oneself capable enough to create new arts. In reality, even a rudimentary spell one drafts would still be considered an unorthodox path, or perhaps, one was merely retracing steps already taken by predecessors, likely resulting in something inferior to the arts refined over millennia.

Before Lei Dong could reply, Lady Qing chuckled, covering her mouth. “Captain Qian, you’ve sold me out so quickly! Oh well, the kid seems decent enough. I’ll spar with you. First, let me show you my Flying Needle Threading.”

Though both were at the eighth layer of the Foundation Establishment stage, Lei Dong was not foolish enough to assume he was superior in every aspect. He courteously replied, “Thank you, Sister Qing. I am eager to observe.”

Lady Qing was unconcerned. She flicked her finger, and a thin needle shimmering with blue light shot toward Lei Dong at incredible speed.

Lei Dong remained utterly still, fixing his gaze on the needle, not even blinking, let alone activating any defensive shields. Lady Qing’s eyes showed a flicker of appreciation. The blue light needle danced briefly before Lei Dong’s face, then curved, tracing an arc close to his body as it flew upward toward the sky.

“Hmph,” Lady Qing let out a sharp cry, exhaling softly from her ruby-red lips. A thin white thread shot forth from her mouth. To Lei Dong’s surprise, this thread did not shoot straight as anticipated, but snaked through the air with serpentine agility, aiming directly for the blue light needle still soaring overhead. Within two or three breaths, it caught up.

A wondrous sight unfolded: the thin line passed with astonishing precision through the tail end of the blue light needle, neutralizing its forward momentum and forcefully pulling it down. The thread moved as if alive, twisting back toward Lei Dong. Lei Dong watched as the line threaded perfectly through the hole left behind by the blue needle and exclaimed in admiration, “What a move, Flying Needle Threading! Truly divine skill.”

However, the thread’s performance was not yet over. Moving with intense agility, it looped around itself and tied a knot. As the thread contracted and extended rhythmically, it resembled a snake’s flickering tongue, ready to strike and devour. Instinct told Lei Dong that the blue needle was likely a spirit artifact, possibly even laced with fatal poison. No wonder the Captain had warned him to be wary of Lady Qing; a few more of those needles would indeed be hard to defend against. Furthermore, projectile artifacts seemed particularly effective at piercing protective True Qi shields.

“Now, watch my line again.” Seeing Lei Dong’s praise, Lady Qing became even more animated in her demonstration. Her fair, mature-looking hand grasped the fine thread, gave it a slight shake, and the thread swiftly wrapped around Lei Dong’s wrist. With a sharp tug, she pulled his arm taut.

Lei Dong exerted a slight force, finding the thread remarkably unbroken. He immediately applied two or three more points of strength. The thread strained taut but still showed no sign of snapping. Only when Lei Dong exerted five points of force did the line break, yet the remaining segment wrapped around his arm showed no sign of dissipation. This amazed Lei Dong profoundly: a thread capable of withstanding five points of his strength, and one that did not dissipate upon breaking, was precisely the effect he desired. If a net were woven from such threads, perhaps few in the Foundation Establishment stage could escape. After all, it would be easy to wrap someone up like a rice dumpling using such a net. This was not a matter of one or two threads, but a vast woven structure.

At this point, Lei Dong’s expression grew solemn. He cupped his hands toward Lady Qing. “Please, Sister Qing, instruct me. I am willing to pay a price that satisfies you.”

“Price? Heh, as if I care for money,” Lady Qing shot him a flirtatious glance. “I performed this only because I found you pleasing to the eye. My Flying Needle Threading is a secret technique of my sect, requiring coordination with my cultivation method. As for the method itself, even if I were willing to teach you, you would not be willing to learn it. What I can do is share my experience with you so you can implement the threading concept within your own cultivation base. As for payment… hmph, you really underestimate me.”

“Sister Qing, please forgive my offense,” Lei Dong apologized, bowing again. “It was my careless speech. I beg Sister Qing to impart your wisdom.”

“Enough, enough. You call me Sister Qing so readily,” Lady Qing said, proving herself to be straightforward and not one to dwell on trifles. She waved her hand. “I will teach you now. Everyone else, be sensible—no eavesdropping! Silence your six senses, or don’t blame me if my Blue Light Wasp Tail Needles show no mercy.”

It seemed everyone present feared Lady Qing. They obediently retreated behind the small boat, sat down cross-legged, and focused on stilling their minds to seal their senses. Even the Captain and the rather arrogant Shangguan complied. Upon hearing the mention of the merciless Blue Light Wasp Tail Needle, their expressions shifted, which only made Lei Dong slightly more curious. Were those needles truly that formidable? He resolved to witness their power another time.

“The Dharma is not to be transmitted to unintended ears, kid Lei, come closer,” Lady Qing said, tugging Lei Dong to her side. She began whispering into his ear, causing Lei Dong a momentary awkwardness. After all, aside from his senior sister and the Heavenly Demon, he had never been this intimately close to anyone. However, seeing no suggestive expression on her face, he had no choice but to endure it. She wasn't just whispering; she was using sound transmission to convey the intricate techniques bit by bit.

Although Lei Dong’s spiritual root aptitude was poor, his comprehension and memory were excellent. In just under half an hour, Lei Dong had memorized the essentials. What Lady Qing taught was not overly complex, but incredibly subtle; without direct instruction, he likely never would have grasped it in his lifetime.