This afforded Lei Dong a broader perspective in his research of mystic arts and cultivation techniques than most others. It was precisely because of this that he was able to integrate the Ghost Controlling Arts of the Yin Fiend Sect and the Ghost Controlling Arts of the Ruthless Ghost Sect, and then develop the Demon Emperor Art based on various common-grade controlling techniques.

Several subordinates, including Qian Luo, attempted to cultivate and comprehend the initial version of Lei Dong's Demon Emperor Art. Naturally, Lei Dong also compiled his early insights on ghost control, along with Wen Xiaoxue's accumulated wisdom, into a treatise on ghost control experience, distributing it to everyone in hopes that it would be of some assistance as they cultivated the nascent Demon Emperor Art. Compared to more complex mystic arts, the embryonic Demon Emperor Art contained relatively little material, and the way Lei Dong structured it made it easy to grasp. It didn't take long for those with decent cultivation aptitude to understand the basics, including a rudimentary grasp of the Demon Emperor Art's underlying principles. They then took turns using the blood sacrifice method to refine the high-grade spirit ghosts they had each been allocated.

First was Qian Luo, who successfully completed the blood sacrifice on one ghost. Given his strength as a Golden Core stage cultivator, the high-grade ghost servant refined using his essence blood immediately ascended to the level of an Eighth-Rank Ghost Soldier. Of course, an Eighth-Rank Ghost Soldier was still quite weak. However, with the innate potential of a high-grade spirit ghost, if nurtured meticulously and with significant financial investment, promotion to the Ghost General level was only a matter of time. With Qian Luo’s current formidable strength, having even one Ghost General assisting him would dramatically boost his power; if he could command two Ghost Generals, he would be considered an expert among Golden Core cultivators. While, due to the limitations of the cultivation method, his high-grade Ghost General might not stand a chance in a one-on-one against a Critical Hit Ghost Guard, with the addition of the Netherworld Great Law, the Critical Hit Ghost Guard would secure a decisive victory. Nevertheless, even under these circumstances, Qian Luo would be like a tiger gaining wings, benefiting immensely.

As for the others, they were all extremely excited. When practicing the art of ghost control, many had considered it before; after all, gaining extra helpers was an absolute advantage in combat. However, without the necessary resources, cultivating a Ghost Controlling Art could be a very disheartening endeavor. Firstly, suitable techniques were scarce. While one could certainly find some sort of ghost controlling art if they were willing to spend money, the ghost servants refined using those common-grade methods would inevitably be weak. Secondly, spiritual ghost resources were lacking. Ordinary mid-grade spirit ghosts possessed poor aptitude; after painstakingly cultivating them up to the Ghost Guard level, progressing further became increasingly difficult. Most importantly, nurturing a ghost servant required a substantial investment of both time and spirit stones.

For a cultivator, time equals life; it was better to strive upward while young, perhaps gaining the chance to break through to the Golden Core stage. Spirit stones were an essential resource that cultivators found hard to part with. Rather than investing significant time, energy, and spirit stones to cultivate a not-so-powerful innate ghost servant, while also risking soul damage upon the servant’s death, most people could only look upon the Ghost Controlling Arts with longing. Despite this, many still tried to master the art of ghost control against the odds, often ending up losing far more than they gained, leaving themselves desperately destitute. How many people in this world could rely on the monstrous power of a heaven-defying exotic treasure like Lei Dong? Consequently, the Ghost Controlling Art remained a niche technique. Of course, this didn't mean that high-grade spirit ghosts were worthless.

On the contrary, it was not uncommon for someone who obtained a high-grade spirit ghost to then seek out a Ghost Controlling Art. If one lacked a high-grade spirit ghost, there was little point in expending too much thought and time in this area. Lei Dong himself had stumbled into success, possessing incredible luck in acquiring that heaven-defying treasure. Otherwise, he might still be painstakingly saving spirit stones to raise ghosts in some forgotten corner. Even thinking back now, Lei Dong felt his past choices were perilous; one wrong step, and his entire life could have been ruined by the Ghost Controlling Art.

Lei Dong and his party traveled along an extremely concealed route, frequently moving under the cover of dark and windy nights, and stopping in hidden locations to rest when the weather was exceptionally fair. This approach was primarily for safety, but it also allowed them to travel slowly, simultaneously strengthening the team's overall capabilities, which would hopefully make the road through the Great Barren Desert somewhat easier later on.

Yet, despite their precautions, crisis inevitably descended.

That night, the sky was particularly dark—perfect weather for concealed travel. Lei Dong's flying boat sliced silently through the night sky, gliding through the clouds like a patch of black mist. Though how their location was exposed was unknown, Lei Dong’s divine sense—a power comparable to that of an ordinary early-stage Golden Core cultivator—brushed against some unusual auras.

In this recent period, the four strongest divine sense users—Lei Dong, Black Iron Tower, Qian Luo, and Tantai Bingyun—took turns standing guard. While on watch, they would periodically extend their divine sense as far as possible externally to prevent being ambushed or surrounded by enemies. Lei Dong's divine sense wasn't simply cast outward in a sphere; doing so would limit the detection range even for his powerful sense. Instead, he employed a reconnaissance method designed to maximize his detection range.

He extended his divine sense as narrowly as possible in a fixed direction, like a narrow fan shape pushing outward. With his current divine sense capabilities, this method allowed him to perceive fluctuations and movements tens of miles away. He would then maintain this state, constantly sweeping his sense in fixed directions while circling his focus.

While this method was prone to creating blind spots and made detecting smaller targets difficult, it was quite effective for searching for large moving objects, such as flying vessels. Moreover, this technique allowed for a wide area of search coverage, enabling him to detect enemy flying boats while they were still quite distant. This provided time to evade, counter-attack, or prepare defenses against an assault.

It was precisely because of this method that Lei Dong sensed the large flying boat approaching them when it was still over thirty miles away. Instantly, Lei Dong transmitted a message to everyone aboard. Ten breaths later, everyone gathered at the bow; even the Mute Girl stood solemnly beside Lei Dong.

It was worth noting that during the more than a year Lei Dong’s group spent dealing with the high-grade spirit ghosts, the Mute Girl’s cultivation had advanced again, reaching the tenth layer of the Qi Refining stage. However, Lei Dong had not yet allocated a high-grade spirit ghost to her, mainly because her current low cultivation level meant she didn't require one for combat. Still, her rate of advancement truly astonished Lei Dong; her aptitude performance had far exceeded his initial expectations for her.

Black Iron Tower and Qian Luo, both Golden Core cultivators, deployed their divine senses to scan different directions. A few breaths later, their expressions shifted sequentially. Qian Luo took a deep breath: "Boss, it seems more than one flying boat is tracking us."

"I have a flying boat thirty miles out as well," Black Iron Tower grunted, his dark face looking even blacker in the night.

After repeated investigation and confirmation, everyone verified that indeed three flying boats were maintaining an outer encirclement, trailing them from behind. This was nearly the limit of their current detection range, and they could only wonder if there were other vessels beyond their sensory reach. Based on the speed, direction, and potential targets, everything indicated these flying boats were aimed squarely at Lei Dong’s group.

They wondered if they had inadvertently offended some large local power during their recent arrogant purchase of high-grade spirit ghosts, or if there was some other reason.

"Tantai, use your speed to scout the enemy flying boats up close," Lei Dong frowned deeply. "Also, scan with your divine sense to see if there are any other hostile vessels within a fifty-mile radius of us."

Tantai Bingyun did not hesitate. She unfolded her Winged God King Feathers, enveloping herself in a dense white mist, and gave a slight beat of her wings. In the blink of an eye, she vanished before the others.

Although this was not the first time they had seen Tantai Bingyun’s wings, everyone still looked upon them with unconcealed covetousness. Any one of them, possessing those wings, would see their strength more than double.

"Stop being envious," Lei Dong chuckled. "The value of wings like those is likely not less than that of a supreme-grade spirit ghost. Tantai Bingyun and I only possess such treasures because of the power of our respective sects." This was one of the advantages of belonging to a Sect—often obtaining items that would be virtually impossible to acquire while adventuring alone.

Lei Dong's casual remark slightly eased the tension in everyone's expressions, though they were still moved by the sheer value of those wings.

A value equivalent to a supreme-grade spirit ghost—the price of such an item was truly terrifying. One by one, they resolutely abandoned any lingering avarice.

Since they were not novices, everyone settled down to meditate and adjust their condition, attempting to reach peak readiness for the battle that might soon erupt. The strength of the three enemy flying boats seemed formidable. However, simply considering the strength present on their own vessel brought a degree of reassurance. If the enemy forces were slightly weaker, this could even turn into an unexpected opportunity for gain. Moments later, Tantai Bingyun returned. Her voice was rather icy. "Lei Dong, I made a quick close-range observation of the flying boat on the left. If I’m not mistaken, that is a warship belonging to the White Bone Hall. It seems we were too conspicuous when purchasing the high-grade spirit ghosts earlier, exposing our trail. The only consolation is that the enemy likely only managed to mobilize this level of force. Another fortunate point is that the White Bone Old Demon does not appear to be present."

The mention of the White Bone Hall caused everyone's expressions to darken slightly; that was a notoriously troublesome enemy. However, the fact that the White Bone Old Demon was absent was truly good news. Otherwise, Lei Dong would have only been able to formulate an escape plan.