The prospect of using the Soul Fusion Technique to control a Core Formation stage cultivator deeply tempted Lei Dong. However, he knew his own limits. He had already fused his soul with Qi Feifei's once before. Fusing another soul into his own now carried a significant risk of Qi Deviation or developing symptoms akin to personality compartmentalization.

This meant the opportunity would have to benefit his other teammates. Yet, the three Foundation Establishment cultivators had comparatively weaker souls. Even attempting to control a wisp of a Core Formation cultivator’s soul would likely prove unsustainable, leading to a high chance of backlash. Only Qian Luo possessed the capability to ensure the Black Iron Tower would have no chance to resist during the soul fusion process.

Upon hearing about soul fusion, the Black Iron Tower gasped sharply. He was still in the wolf’s den, not yet escaped, and already falling into the tiger’s maw. A flash of anger crossed his dark countenance. “Brother Lei, if you use soul techniques to control me, I will absolutely not surrender. I would rather die in battle than continue to lose my freedom.”

“Black Iron Tower.” Lei Dong looked at him with grave seriousness. “I can give you a promise. Twenty years. If you pledge absolute loyalty to my commands for twenty years, I will grant you freedom and return that wisp of your soul. Wherever you wish to go then will be entirely up to you. Furthermore, as Tantai Bingyun just mentioned, she already has a solution for the Ghost Gu technique. With only twenty years, you can attain complete freedom. This condition isn’t excessive, is it? First, we help you resolve the Ghost Gu issue, and second, you owe me a debt for sparing your life, wouldn’t you say?”

Faced with this condition, the Black Iron Tower was deeply moved, his tense expression softening. Nevertheless, he stared intently into Lei Dong’s eyes. “A very fair exchange, but why should I trust your twenty-year promise?”

“Lei Dong, while perhaps ruthless and cunning, generally keeps his word regarding personal conduct,” Pangtai Bingyun coolly interjected. “Moreover, in twenty years, Lei Dong’s cultivation progress will surely surpass yours. Do you imagine he’d risk tarnishing his reputation for someone as insignificant as you? Besides, your life is currently in his hands. Unless you wish to die immediately, the terms he has offered are quite generous.”

The Black Iron Tower’s expression shifted between grim and hopeful. After long consideration, he nodded heavily. “Very well. I hope, Brother Lei, that you will honor your promise and grant me freedom in twenty years.” The Black Iron Tower had thoroughly considered the situation. Given the White Bone Demon Lord’s nature, he knew true freedom would never come from him. However, Lei Dong offered a real possibility of achieving genuine liberty. Core Formation cultivators typically live three to four hundred years; he was barely over one hundred now. Twenty years was not an excessively long time.

“Qian Luo, you take his soul,” Lei Dong instructed. “My soul has fused with someone before; I don’t want to take unnecessary risks.”

Qian Luo paused, his face lighting up with ecstatic joy. He beamed at the Black Iron Tower. “Brother Hei, my apologies—this is Elder Brother Lei’s command.”

The Black Iron Tower put on a thoroughly aggrieved expression, looking exactly like a young maiden or new bride about to be mistreated by a powerful lord, his eyes brimming with tears. “Brother Qian, I ask that you swear an oath.”

Qian Luo had never expected the opportunity to control a Core Formation expert. Hearing the Black Iron Tower’s request, he quickly swore, “I, Qian Luo, swear to the heavens: although I am fusing souls with the Black Iron Tower now under Elder Brother Lei’s order, as long as the Black Iron Tower betrays neither Elder Brother Lei nor me, Qian Luo, I will forever treat the Black Iron Tower as my own kin.”

Qian Luo was not weak, being a Core Formation cultivator himself, but more importantly, his final words greatly comforted the Black Iron Tower. What he feared most was being used as a mere slave without any shred of dignity after the soul fusion. Though still reluctant, he felt far more balanced. Gritting his teeth, he voluntarily offered a wisp of his soul.

Qian Luo integrated the wisp of soul into his own, taking a moment to successfully complete the Soul Fusion Technique. It must be said that this technique was infinitely profound, capable not only of controlling a cultivator’s life and everything about them, but also creating a subtle mental resonance during combat, leading to superior coordination. However, it had significant drawbacks, such as the inability to fuse too many souls. Furthermore, if the gap between the controller and the controlled was too vast, severe backlash could easily occur.

Yet, one had to admit it was an extraordinarily potent magical art. After all, people crave life and fear death; the higher the cultivation, the more one resists dying. As long as one lives, there is hope.

Once the fusion was complete, Lei Dong’s team now boasted another Core Formation cultivator. Two Core Formation experts, plus Pangtai Bingyun whose actual combat power surpassed that of an ordinary early-stage Core Formation cultivator—Lei Dong’s confidence in reaching home increased significantly. He then turned to Pangtai Bingyun and asked, “Tell me about the Ghost Gu.”

“The Ghost Gu technique is a secret art the White Bone Demon Lord acquired from an unknown source,” Tantai Bingyun frowned slightly. “This technique is incredibly bizarre. After refining a Ghost Gu and placing it within a cultivator’s soul, it lies dormant. However, if the special antidote is not taken within three years, the Ghost Gu activates and devours the host’s soul. Of course, this item isn’t without limitations. Firstly, it is only effective against cultivators at or below the late Core Formation stage. Secondly, the material for refining the Ghost Gu is primarily a High-Grade Spirit Ghost, combined with a series of precious ingredients. I attempted to strip and refine it from my own soul, but it clings tightly to the spirit. Touching it even slightly causes agonizing pain.” At this point, Tantai Bingyun’s face turned pale, tinged with dread.

“What is your solution?” Lei Dong asked, frowning, though his mind was already alight with interest regarding the Ghoul Gu. If he could obtain the Ghost Gu secret art, his power would increase dramatically. For others, High-Grade Spirit Ghosts were exceedingly rare. But for him, obtaining them would require only a little effort. The power these items could yield in his hands would far exceed that under the so-called White Bone Demon Lord.

Tantai Bingyun took a deep breath and continued, “The White Bone Demon Lord valued my cultivation potential and took me as his disciple. Over the years, I played along, maintaining a good relationship with him. Two years ago, the White Bone Demon Lord let slip that he obtained the Ghost Gu from an unusual treasure—a powerful artifact with a special function that allows High-Grade Spirit Ghosts, following a specific formula, to be refined into Ghost Gu. However, many years ago, he trusted a favored concubine too deeply, leading to her betrayal where she stole the formula. In truth, having the formula alone is useless; the artifact is essential for the refinement.” As she spoke, a look of anger and sorrow crossed Qing Niangzi’s eyes.

“Since there is an artifact, the White Bone Demon Lord must carry it with him,” Lei Dong deduced, frowning. “How could you possibly steal that artifact?”

“Naturally, stealing it is nearly impossible. However, while the formula cannot refine the Ghost Gu without the artifact, it can refine the antidote,” Tantai Bingyun suddenly fixed her gaze intently on Qing Niangzi. “Miss Hong Ji, might I trouble you to lend us your formula?”

Qing Niangzi knew that hiding the truth was no longer an option. She let out a cold snort. “Miss Pangtai, even if I were once Hong Ji, now I am Qing Niangzi. Yes, the formula is in my possession. But why should I lend it to you?”

“Lei Dong, please prioritize the greater good here.” Tantai Bingyun did not press her, knowing Lei Dong was the leader of the group. She looked at him earnestly. “We are allies now. I implore you to secure the formula and honor your commitment. The reason I waited to discuss this until after you subdued the Black Iron Tower was precisely to avoid any misunderstandings between us.”

“The greater good?” Lei Dong scoffed. “Tantai Bingyun, do not try to pressure me with talk of the greater good. However, remembering that you are from my region and an ally, I will assist you this once.” Lei Dong then turned to Qing Niangzi. “Sister Qing, would you perhaps loan this formula to me for inspection?” In the span of a blink, Lei Dong had grasped Tantai Bingyun’s meaning. She truly did not want any seed of distrust sown between them, which was why she brought this up at this moment. In fact, Lei Dong understood even better that if he were to break this alliance now and use the Ghost Gu to control Tantai Bingyun, given her temperament, she would sooner return to being the White Bone Demon Lord’s disciple. Moreover, knowing her character, if she instigated the White Bone Demon Lord to move against him, probably no one would leave Zhao Province alive. Tantai Bingyun knew these things, and Lei Dong knew them too. It was simply an unspoken understanding between them.

In response to Lei Dong’s request, Qing Niangzi became considerably more compliant. She hummed softly and nodded. “Everything is subject to Elder Brother Lei’s decision.” With that, she took out a jade slip from her storage bracelet.

Lei Dong took it and examined it aboard the jade boat. Indeed, it documented the formula for refining the Ghost Gu, the three-year antidote, the permanent antidote, and so on. Regarding the Ghost Gu formula itself, aside from the High-Grade Spirit Ghost being difficult to locate—even purchasing one required good fortune—the other materials, while costly, could be acquired with sufficient spirit stones. However, the Ghost Gu required the White Bone Demon Lord’s peculiar artifact to complete the refinement. Though Lei Dong intensely desired that artifact, he dared not carelessly scheme against the White Bone Demon Lord.

Consequently, Lei Dong immediately turned his attention to the permanent antidote. After a careful review, he found that refining the permanent antidote posed no significant issue; it would merely consume materials. The only thing Lei Dong regretted was that using the permanent antidote would cause that specific Ghost Gu to dissipate forever. Otherwise, possessing several Ghost Gu items while traveling to Kang Province would have been extremely advantageous.