Four months. A full four months had passed. In this spectral ghost domain, the group had only scoured a small corner. As their speed and efficiency in capturing Yin Souls increased, the tally of captured spirits now exceeded four million. Lei Dong, stealthily and silently, had used the Soul Devouring Pagoda to refine over ten thousand Soul Pills. Theoretically, these pills were sufficient to forge more than a hundred High-Grade Spirit Ghosts, valued at no less than 150 million Spirit Stones at auction rates.

Qian Luo and the others, though thinking Lei Dong’s extended time spent solely on capturing Yin Souls seemed inefficient, maintained their usual trust and obedience, not uttering a single complaint. It was Tantai Bingyun who felt a measure of discontent; given her nature, four straight months of nightly Yin Soul hunting had pushed her patience to its absolute limit.

At this juncture, Lei Dong ceased the hunt. Among these four million Yin Souls, there were over five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Ghosts and six Mid-Grade Spirit Ghosts. As for High-Grade Spirit Ghosts, there wasn't even half a one. Their collective value was barely ten thousand. Of course, they had slain numerous Wild Ghost Soldiers and Guards, successfully netting two Wild Ghost Generals. While a Ghost General wasn't comparable to a Golden Core-level demonic beast, they certainly fetched a tidy sum. It was precisely the possibility of encountering Ghost Generals in such large Yin locations that made Lei Dong hesitant to venture into similar large Yin grounds when he was in Kang Province.

Not counting Lei Dong’s cheating methods, the total net gain from these four months of effort would not exceed three million Spirit Stones. While seemingly substantial, it was a significant drop compared to his squad’s previous earning efficiency. During this period, they had encountered several disciples from the Grim Ghost Sect who were also capturing Yin Souls. To avoid alerting them, Lei Dong and his group often gave way. However, recently, the Grim Ghost Sect seemed to have noticed others poaching Yin Souls in the Senluo Ghost Domain and had reinforced patrols in the area, with two squads now led by Golden Core cultivators.

Staying longer would inevitably lead to conflict with the Grim Ghost Sect. Not wishing to provoke trouble for now, Lei Dong led the group out of the Senluo Ghost Domain. Finding a secluded and safe spot, he gathered everyone to discuss the spoils of this venture. Since Lei Dong handled all the appraisal work, the others were unsure if they had even secured a High-Grade Spirit Ghost. But Lei Dong was mysterious, taking out a translucent Yin Soul faintly tinged pale green, and laughed, "Brothers, luck was on our side this time. We've acquired a Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghost."

"What?" Everyone was stunned. They had been hoping for a High-Grade Spirit Ghost, considering that an exceptional stroke of luck. But to unexpectedly encounter a Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghost? If a High-Grade Spirit Ghost was a rare commodity, difficult to obtain, then a Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghost was practically a legendary item—rare to an almost unimaginable degree. In the entire Zhao Province, the number of Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghosts, even those held by ancient powerhouses, could be counted on one hand.

After their initial stupor, everyone erupted in excitement, their eyes seemingly glowing. This object could not be measured in Spirit Stones. If sold, the potential revenue was simply unimaginable. Factions like the Grim Ghost Sect, which desperately needed such an item, would willingly commit atrocities—like turning two billion people into the Senluo Ghost Domain—just to acquire one. This illustrated the immense value of a Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghost.

Especially for large sects, possessing one extra Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghost was almost equivalent to adding half a Nascent Soul cultivator to their ranks. After all, a Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghost, with careful cultivation, had a very high probability of achieving the rank of Ghost King.

This particular Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghost was naturally one Lei Dong had cultivated by continuously feeding it a Mid-Grade Spirit Ghost Soul Pill to accelerate its growth. To expect to capture a Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghost directly would be pure fantasy—an unrealistic notion. In fact, despite the sheer volume of Yin Souls Lei Dong had accumulated in his journey thus far, he hadn't even managed to capture a single High-Grade Spirit Ghost himself.

Lei Dong displayed this spirit for several reasons. The first was to once again test the temperament of his teammates, as he planned significant investment in strengthening them next.

Indeed, expressions of awe appeared on his teammates’ faces, along with traces of envy. But mostly, it was a mix of shock and pleasant surprise. Envy, after all, was only human nature. Tantai Bingyun, however, stared wide-eyed, seemingly unable to believe it. After capturing a mere four million or so Yin Souls, they found a Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghost? It made her feel slightly dizzy; how could their luck be this incredible? Still, such fortune wasn't unheard of. In the realm of capturing Spirit Ghosts, miracles sometimes happened, and many tales circulated—like a certain new disciple whose very first captured Yin Soul was a High-Grade Spirit Ghost, or someone who possessed a Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghost back in the Qi Refining stage.

Lei Dong’s master, the Old Ancestor Fang Gui, was the prime example. He had acquired a Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghost when he was only at the fifth layer of the Qi Refining stage. Although he waited until he reached the Golden Core stage before proudly announcing it, it still caused a massive stir, drawing a wave of envy, jealousy, and resentment. His announcement served a purpose too: from then on, the Yin Sha Sect treated him as a core Golden Core disciple, showing him immense respect and placing high hopes on him. After all, even among Ghost Generals of the same rank, the combat power of a Supreme-Grade Ghost General vastly differed from a High-Grade one, primarily in innate techniques and intelligence.

A Supreme-Grade Ghost General’s combat wisdom was already comparable to that of a human; with more participation in battles, its combat awareness would surge, making it formidable.

Similarly, in Kang Province, the known count of Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghosts did not exceed ten. Only three were within the Yin Sha Sect. If Lei Dong succeeded in returning to the sect this time, the Yin Sha Sect's known total of Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghosts would jump to four. Lei Dong’s standing within the sect would consequently rise again.

Amidst the excitement and admiration, the group finally settled down. No one was foolish; they all considered that if Boss Lei had secretly hoarded this Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghost for himself, no one would have known. Yet, having it, he still brought it out. This display of camaraderie and brotherhood was beyond reproach. Those who already held Lei Dong in high regard and respect found their feelings amplified. They figured if they were in his shoes, they would certainly struggle, and the odds of keeping it secret would be higher. Even Tantai Bingyun looked at Lei Dong with astonishment—what kind of person was he? To gain a Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghost and then share it with his teammates?

The group held their breath, eager to hear what Lei Dong would say next.

"Now, this Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghost was captured by our squad collectively. I dearly wish to keep it for myself. However, while I don't know its exact value, I am aware that even if I bankrupted myself, I couldn't possibly utilize this Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghost. Therefore, I intend to sell it. No matter how much it fetches, our squad will share it equally. Of course, Tantai Bingyun and Black Iron Tower are not formal members of our squad and wouldn't normally share in the profits. However, I am willing, on behalf of everyone, to give you two five million Spirit Stones from the auction proceeds," Lei Dong stated solemnly.

"No, absolutely not." Qian Luo grew agitated, rushing to stop him. "Boss Lei, you cannot sell it, you must not. Something like a Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghost—it took incredible luck to catch one. If you sell it, you might never get a second one in your lifetime. And you primarily cultivate Ghost Control; why not use it yourself? After all, this was just a chance acquisition, and none of us expected to catch a Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghost. So, don't share it. If you must share, Boss, just give everyone a million or so Spirit Stones as a congratulatory gift."

Qian Luo’s words deeply comforted Lei Dong. What a fellow; he hadn't trusted him in vain. Lei Dong could sense the sincerity in his words, utterly devoid of falsehood.

Even Shangguan, usually rather cynical, spoke with gravity: "Old Qian is right. Encountering a Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghost is luck; there won't be a second one. Boss, you should use it yourself. Besides, if you become stronger, you won't mistreat your brothers and sisters."

Old Zhao and Qing Niangzi, subordinates who had followed Lei Dong for a long time, also voiced their disagreement with selling. They proposed taking a million Spirit Stones as a celebratory bonus—it was found money anyway. Seeing the unity of Lei Dong's squad, Black Iron Tower, who was essentially a semi-slave, naturally had no opinion either way. As for Tantai Bingyun, being inherently proud, she calmly requested a million Spirit Stones as a congratulatory token.

Her composure somewhat altered Lei Dong's perception of her. Feeling he had reached a point, he decided to execute his next plan, nodding and smiling: "Since my brothers show me such respect, I, Lei, will not decline. Of course, it’s beyond my capability to actually afford this Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghost. I can only make do. Giving out Spirit Stones would be too formal between us. How about this: I will buy two High-Grade Spirit Ghosts for each of you. With High-Grade Spirit Ghosts, if you cultivate them diligently, you will all become quite formidable."

Two High-Grade Spirit Ghosts? The eyes of everyone lit up, but immediately, Qian Luo retorted indignantly, "Boss, do you think High-Grade Spirit Ghosts are cabbages on the street? If you're buying, you have to actually find some first."

"No worries, we'll buy as many as we can. This area is the Grim Ghost Sect's territory; there are numerous ghosts and many ghost hunters. There should be High-Grades appearing in the auction house," Lei Dong said with a relaxed smile, though in his heart, he was already certain of the outcome. Among the ten thousand Soul Pearls he possessed, half had been refined into five Supreme-Grade Spirit Ghosts. The remainder had forged fifty High-Grade Spirit Ghosts. It would be more surprising if there weren't any High-Grades for sale nearby soon.