Lei Dong was, in truth, asking the Black Iron Pagoda a question, but his attention had never truly shifted from Tantai Bingyun. In Lei Dong’s mind, this woman was an enemy more terrifying than a Core Formation cultivator. Because opposing the Yinsha Sect meant "a disciple must emerge who is no less formidable than I, Lei Dong." The Tianyin Palace spared no expense, investing heavily in her training, ensuring her spiritual equipment was in no way inferior to his own. Moreover, the Tianyin Palace’s cultivation techniques were equally dreadful; otherwise, they could never have secured their position as one of Kangzhou’s eight great supreme sects.

However, only when he heard her approaching did Lei Dong finally direct his gaze toward her. Hands clasped behind his back, he regarded her with an impassive expression. “You possess considerable nerve. Are you not afraid that I might use the crowd to slay you? Or perhaps you believe I, Lei Mou, am a soft-hearted man?” Their exchange inevitably drew the attention of Qian Luo and the others. After all, this woman named Tantai Bingyun had just proven herself exceptionally formidable, especially with the flamboyant pair of white feathered wings strapped to her back, which amplified her immense power. Yet, she was not a Core Formation cultivator, but only at the twelfth layer of the Foundation Establishment stage. Having just vanquished a Core Formation expert, she displayed not a trace of triumph on her face. What intrigued the onlookers most was that Lei Dong had always been with them over these years, and apart from the mute girl who had saved his life, they had barely seen anyone from his past acquaintances. Thinking back now, it seemed natural; Lei Dong originated from Kangzhou. Of course, aside from that origin, he almost never mentioned his background, which only fueled their curiosity about him. Still, they all surmised his background must be quite respectable; otherwise, achieving such terrifying strength would be impossible.

“Lei Dong, though we are enemies,” Tantai Bingyun stated calmly, “out here in this foreign land, I believe there is no need for such animosity.” With that, she tossed the spoils from slaying the Amorous Scholar, including a Soul Sealing Orb, toward Lei Dong. “I have a request.” Clack. Lei Dong caught the Soul Sealing Orb and the storage bracelet, turning the crystal sphere containing the Amorous Scholar’s captured soul over in his hand, a playful smile curling his lips. “Speak.”

“I admit, you are formidable. Given time, you will surely become a figure who shakes the world,” Tantai Bingyun admitted, a complex look crossing her features. After a moment of contemplation, she continued, “If not for our differing allegiances, we could certainly have been friends. Nevertheless, I still wish to ask you something. Let us return to Kangzhou together, and during that journey, can we be allies?”

“Allies?” Lei Dong chuckled, tilting his head to gaze at her curiously. “Tantai Bingyun, do you truly believe we still have a chance to become allies?”

“In this world, there are no eternal enemies or friends. Back in Zhaozhou, the road home is fraught with peril. I need an ally as strong as you, and you need one too.” Tantai Bingyun looked at him earnestly. “I never expected your spirit soul to be so powerful. At only the tenth layer of Foundation Establishment, you can already command a Grade Two Ghost General and a Core Formation-level Soul Devouring Shadow Tiger. Even my current battle pet is only at the first layer of Core Formation.” As Tantai Bingyun formed a hand seal, she summoned a battle pet.

It was a giant bird, spanning easily two or three zhang when its wings were spread, with magnificent and long tail feathers, entirely cloaked in fiery red plumage, resembling a somewhat slender phoenix. Of course, everyone present recognized what it was. Seeing it, they all gasped in unison, exclaiming, “This, this is a Luan? A Red Luan!” Everyone knew that demonic beasts could not simply be tamed; even if forcibly subdued, they were prone to betrayal. Unless they were raised from the egg or the fetal stage through blood sacrifice. Even so, the price for even common demonic beast hatchlings was astronomically high due to their rarity and the extreme difficulty in capturing them.

The Red Luan, while not an ancient divine beast, was an unusual variant possessing the bloodline of ancient divine beasts.

Tantai Bingyun gently stroked the Red Luan, appearing pleased, then turned back to Lei Dong. “I have also consumed Heart Cleansing Fruit and regularly temper my spirit soul. Only now, at the twelfth layer of Foundation Establishment, can I barely maintain control over this Core Formation-level Red Luan. Lei Dong, you truly surprise me. However, I have one more puppet.” With that, Tantai Bingyun continued her summoning, and a puppet with a distinctly metallic texture materialized before the crowd. It possessed the strength of a first-layer Core Formation puppet, radiating a chilling and oppressive aura.

Lei Dong paused, realizing why Tantai Bingyun had dared to pursue him so relentlessly before, determined to kill him. It turned out she possessed a Core Formation puppet. Core Formation puppets were incredibly rare, even in Kangzhou. Very few existed, and only supreme sects like the Tianyin Palace could manage to acquire one or two. Their value was immeasurably high, as the materials required to forge a Core Formation puppet were invariably rare treasures rarely seen in the world.

Qian Luo’s eyes were nearly popping out. Ever since admiring Lei Dong’s puppet, he had considered acquiring one himself. But setting aside Core Formation, even a late-stage Foundation Establishment puppet was beyond his means. As for the Core Formation variety, he had never even heard of one, let alone seen one. This revealed the astronomical amount of spirit stones such a thing must cost! Qian Luo had an instinct that even selling himself might not procure a single Core Formation puppet.

A Core Formation battle pet Red Luan, a Core Formation puppet, and a pair of seemingly extraordinary white wings. The crowd felt dizzy from the display of power she unveiled. Who in the heavens was this woman? How could she be this terrifying? Having one freak like Lei Dong was already chilling enough, yet now another monster, no less formidable than Lei Dong, had appeared.

But Lei Dong knew that these assets were all provided by the Tianyin Palace. Their objective was clearly to foster the number one young figure of their generation, and naturally, to eliminate him. Only by killing him under the public eye could she secure immense glory for the Tianyin Palace.

Lei Dong also understood that by showcasing such powerful assets, she intended to prove to him that forming a temporary alliance would bring tremendous benefits to both sides. Lei Dong was indeed tempted; if she were a sincere ally, the journey home would become significantly safer and more reliable. After all, Tantai Bingyun was certainly no weakling.

“An alliance is possible, but you must swear a deadly oath in the name of Ji Qingtong and your master,” Lei Dong stated coldly. “Furthermore, our alliance automatically dissolves one month after we return to Kangzhou.” Ji Qingtong—Lei Dong had heard the Night Yaksha King mention her—was a Supreme Elder of the Tianyin Palace, presumably with Nascent Soul cultivation. She seemed to have taught Tantai Bingyun, and it was evident how much respect she held for Ji Qingtong. Thus, only by forcing her to swear a deadly oath would Lei Dong trust her. Before his transmigration, Lei Dong knew oaths were generally unreliable, but it seemed the people of this world held a deep reverence for them, especially deadly oaths sworn in the names of their closest kin.

“You…” Tantai Bingyun’s expression shifted, turning cold. She stared at Lei Dong intently for a long moment before seeing his unyielding posture, and then spoke curtly, “Only if you are willing to swear a deadly oath in the name of Ding Wanyan and the Myriad Ghost Ancestor.”

“Tantai Bingyun, you need to be clear on one point,” Lei Dong said, arms crossed, unmoved. “It was you who came seeking to ally with me. I am merely reluctantly agreeing. If we cannot agree on terms, then you take the sunlit road, and I will take my single-plank bridge. If oaths must be sworn, I will at most swear on myself.”

Tantai Bingyun stared deeply at Lei Dong, pondering for a moment, then conceded, “You’re ruthless.” Immediately, with a flicker of displeasure, she swore the deadly oath, covering clauses such as the duration of the alliance and the stipulation that neither party could betray the other under any circumstances during that period.

Lei Dong considered her oath carefully; there appeared to be no verbal loopholes or traps. He then solemnly swore an oath in his own name. The two then sealed the pact with three claps of their hands, officially forming their alliance.

After their alliance was forged, the Black Iron Pagoda finally spoke, “Little brother, you have been fooled by her. The White Bone Demon Lord values Tantai Bingyun greatly and has already taken her as a disciple. If you take her away, the Demon Lord absolutely will not let the matter rest. Furthermore, I believe there is a Gu-Worm within Tantai Bingyun’s body. You have saddled yourself with a major problem.”

“I know,” Lei Dong replied casually. “What she said just now was true, and I knew it the moment she mentioned it. Although this matter is troublesome, I believe Tantai Bingyun already has a solution; otherwise, even allying with me would be useless to her. Besides, even though our positions are opposed, we are both core disciples of the eight supreme sects of Kangzhou, and we are from the same region. There is no reason to stand by and watch a mere Demon Lord bully people from our Eight Great Sects.” The Black Iron Pagoda paused, somewhat surprised. “So, you are from Kangzhou? No wonder, no wonder you two possess such outstanding cultivation at such a young age, and your combat strength is so fierce. You are disciples of the eight supreme sects of Kangzhou. I have incidentally heard of those sects; they are powerful, immensely powerful. Unlike Zhaozhou, where supreme sects are few, and the region is mostly dominated by contending factions.”

Lei Dong said this partly to encourage the Black Iron Pagoda to submit. After all, he wasn't some unknown rogue cultivator, but a core disciple of a supreme sect, highly valued by his organization, possessing boundless prospects.

Hearing Lei Dong’s words, Tantai Bingyun let out a small sigh of relief. Uncharacteristically, she offered Lei Dong a slight pleasant look, cupping her hands. “Thank you for your trust, Brother Lei. Bingyun indeed has a way to resolve this. However, I need to borrow your captive, the Black Iron Pagoda. I ask Brother Lei to first use the Spirit Soul Fusion technique to subdue the Black Iron Pagoda and make him your loyal subordinate.”