Lei Dong had already calculated everything while provoking the Young Lord of White Bones. If he had revealed his fangs too early, the brat might have escaped using his extraordinary escape technique, especially with three flying ships not far behind him. If he could just stall for a bit, reinforcements could arrive. Perhaps the Young Lord of White Bones dared to rush ahead alone with this very thought in mind. Furthermore, Lei Dong’s intention was never to kill him, but to capture him. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths.

Thus, Lei Dong laid a slight trap, engaging him in a one-on-one fight to keep him locked in combat. Then, he sought an opportunity to keep him pinned down. Under the immense power of the Azure Lotus Sword Art, although the Young Lord of White Bones wasn't injured, his soul was violently shaken. Immediately following this, Lei Dong’s Black Dragon’s Roar slammed into him. Through constant practice and comprehension, the power of the Black Dragon’s Roar was becoming increasingly formidable.

Amidst the splash of black light, it was naturally blocked once again by his extraordinary White Bone Shield. The shield, already showing hairline fractures, was now on the very verge of shattering. Simultaneously, having endured successive massive shocks, the Young Lord of White Bones was locked in a state of rigidity. The ferocious and incessant attacks from the crowd crashed down upon him wave after wave.

For an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator facing a Golden Core master, there would always be an instinctive fear in their hearts. However, Qing Niangzi, Shangguan, and their group felt no such dread toward Golden Core cultivators. The reason was simple: having followed Lei Dong, they had already killed countless Golden Core masters. Under such a massive encirclement, the Young Lord of White Bones was unable to hold his ground. The White Bone Shield shattered instantly, and while spitting out a mouthful of blood, his figure flashed violently, enduring the barrage of attacks as he swiftly retreated toward the perimeter, letting out a sharp screech from his mouth.

To this, Lei Dong was already prepared. Gathering the Ghost General and Shadow Tiger, he flapped his wings and closely pursued. Tantai Bingyun also felt the gravity of the situation; this Young Lord of White Bones absolutely could not be allowed to escape. She immediately spread her wings and chased after him. Lei Dong intercepted the Young Lord of White Bones first, brandishing his Scarlet Refined Flying Sword from afar while letting the Ghost General and Shadow Tiger relentlessly intercept the target.

Tantai Bingyun landed not far from Lei Dong and, without hesitation, summoned her Golden Core puppet and her Golden Core pet, the Red Luan. The two top talents of the younger generation from Kang Zhou joined forces for the first time. Two mere Foundation Establishment cultivators were simultaneously commanding four Golden Core-level pets. Even with the Young Lord of White Bones' formidable strength, facing such a lineup, he could only fall to a disadvantage, his repeated escape attempts being forced back by the pair.

Meanwhile, Qian Luo and the others caught up. The poor Young Lord of White Bones, possessing not weak strength, finally succumbed under Lei Dong’s calculation and tactics of overwhelming numbers. His defenses were shattered, leaving him barely clinging to life on the spot. Qian Luo immediately stepped forward, capturing him, producing chains capable of restraining Golden Core demonic beasts, and shackling his limbs. Furthermore, with practiced ease, he stripped him of his storage bracelets and artifacts, leaving nothing behind, not even items within his soul.

Having survived long in the Boundless Sea Region, Qian Luo had, under Lei Dong’s continuous refinement, developed a set routine for dealing with Golden Core cultivators.

After all, when one's strength vastly surpasses the opponent, capturing them alive yields far greater benefits, allowing for more plunder. Although once squeezed dry, the opponent’s end was still death, this was the rule of this world: the weak are prey to the strong. Lei Dong believed he lacked the ability or the ambition to change or save this world. Therefore, he could only adapt to it, and adapt better than those within it. After capturing the Young Lord of White Bones, everyone breathed a slight sigh of relief. In a one-on-one fight, perhaps Lei Dong could hold his own against him using the Asura Wings, but facing the Young Lord of White Bones' strength, Lei Dong had absolutely no confidence in victory. If Qian Luo and Black Iron Pagoda teamed up, they might win. In a straight duel, Lei Dong would certainly lose. Eliminating such a powerful enemy early would secure the initiative in the subsequent battles.

Perhaps it was the Young Lord of White Bones' roars that worked; the three slow-moving flying ships suddenly accelerated toward them. Especially four powerful Golden Core auras burst forth with light, moving faster than the ships themselves, streaking toward the group. However, their reaction and attitude indirectly proved that they cared deeply about the safety of the Young Lord of White Bones.

Caring is good. After sensing these subtle conditions, Lei Dong immediately directed everyone back to the flying ship. At the same time, he secretly transmitted a message to Tantai Bingyun, telling her to stay close and be ready at any moment.

Another thing that eased Lei Dong’s mind was that the four Golden Core cultivators on the enemy side were clearly all in the early stage of Golden Core. This was likely related to the Ghost Gu from the White Bone Demon Lord, as it probably had no effect on late-stage Golden Core cultivators. If they were mid-stage Golden Core, the White Bone Demon Lord would probably not trust them completely either. What if they had a fortuitous encounter and suddenly reached the late stage? Wouldn't that invite betrayal?

Four early-stage Golden Core cultivators—Lei Dong already planned to devour them. The enemy was still tens of li away. Although at full speed it was only about a hundred breaths’ journey, the coincidence was that their flying ships were already positioned in three directions surrounding Lei Dong. Therefore, their approach directions were different. This meant that the Golden Core cultivators approaching from two directions were isolated targets.

As murderous intent rose in Lei Dong’s heart, he immediately beckoned Tantai Bingyun to rush with him toward the unlucky soul on the port side. When the two moved at full speed, they could reach that location in just a few moments to intercept that lone early-stage Golden Core cultivator. As for the remaining three Golden Core cultivators, Lei Dong didn't believe Black Iron Pagoda and the others couldn't temporarily hold them off using the battle ship’s advantage.

It must be said that the wings possessed by Lei Dong and Tantai Bingyun were truly monstrous assets. Beings possessing such wings could execute numerous elaborate tactics. Such as this one now. If the two faced an ordinary early-stage Golden Core cultivator alone, they might win, but it wouldn't be a quick affair. If the two joined forces now, then the vast majority of Golden Core cultivators would meet misfortune.

That lone Golden Core cultivator was an example of such bad luck. However, even with the two joining forces against one early-stage Golden Core cultivator, it still took about a hundred breaths of time to forcefully blast him apart. After quickly collecting his nascent soul and miscellaneous items, Lei Dong and Tantai Bingyun sped back to support Qian Luo and the others. After all, Shangguan and the others, although quite formidable now, couldn't handle Golden Core cultivators yet. Even with the battle ship, the two sides were likely only evenly matched. If they delayed any longer, and the remaining three flying ships surrounded them, this battle would become much tougher.

Lei Dong and Tantai Bingyun returned to the battleship area, radiating intense killing intent, only to find the three remaining Golden Core cultivators furiously bombarding the battleship in a frenzy of shame and anger. Lei Dong and Tantai appeared simultaneously behind one Golden Core cultivator, commanding their puppet pets to charge forward. At the same time, Lei Dong shouted: "Qing Niangzi, if any of us gets injured, immediately kill the Young Lord of White Bones."

Qing Niangzi had a history with this White Bone family, an extremely antagonistic one. Hearing Lei Dong’s words, she let out a series of charming giggles: "No problem, this brat currently has no power to even truss a chicken." Having collaborated with Lei Dong for many years, Qing Niangzi knew his intentions perfectly. She immediately seized the Young Lord of White Bones, who was breathing out more than breathing in, and with a snap, directly twisted his arm.

"Ah—!" The Young Lord of White Bones let out a piercing, agonizing scream. Lei Dong's threat, coupled with the scream of the Young Lord of White Bones, instantly made the movements of the few Golden Core cultivators pause. Their fierce strikes suddenly became gentler; they needed to avoid being injured by Lei Dong and his group, yet dared not use heavy force, lest the ruthless opponents actually kill the Young Lord of White Bones. In that case, even if these Golden Core cultivators returned alive, they would undoubtedly face a grim end. Every one of them was extremely furious, especially cursing the Young Lord of White Bones for being brainless, relying on his strength to seek death alone. Now look—trouble arrived? They could only take hits and not strike back, feeling utterly stifled.

This was exactly the effect Lei Dong desired. He transmitted a message to Tantai Bingyun and simultaneously increased the intensity of his attacks, laughing heartily: "Now that the Young Lord of White Bones is in my hands, even if you return alive, the Old Demon Lord will definitely not treat you well. You all know his methods very well.

"Now, I offer one of you freedom. Whoever is willing to surrender and serve me for twenty years will gain freedom, absolute freedom. I can even help you break the Ghost Gu prematurely." Lei Dong didn't believe that with the Old Demon Lord's character, he wouldn't have placed Ghost Gu on these subordinates.

The words about breaking the Ghost Gu made the movements of the three Golden Core cultivators pause, though their eyes showed clear distrust. No one had ever heard of anyone other than the Old Demon Lord being able to break the Ghost Gu.

"Believe it or not, it's up to you," Lei Dong smiled calmly. "You all know Black Iron Pagoda, don't you? Those who are familiar can ask him if what this Young Lord says is true."

Black Iron Pagoda spoke earnestly upon hearing this: "Young Master Lei speaks the truth. He can indeed break the Ghost Gu. Moreover, serving him for just twenty years grants absolute freedom."

The movements of the three Golden Core cultivators noticeably slowed. Although disbelief lingered on their faces, they were clearly starting to feel tempted.

Lei Dong wanted to take all three, but he knew he couldn't. If he took them all, they might form a faction and pose a threat to him later. Taking only one was the absolute best plan. He then sneered: "Old Hei, you pick one to surrender. We will kill the other two directly."