‘…Brother Blood Fiend, I, Li, was merely joking with you,” Li Yao said dismissively, fanning himself with a folding fan as he laughed. “As for Wan Yan, it all depends on your help.”

‘…Hmph, Brother Li, don’t blame me for being the villain first. Only after I succeed will I hand over the Ding family members to you, and only when I see the Nether River Map from that brat Wan Gui,” Blood Fiend stated indifferently.

‘…It’s just a pity about that top-grade Spirit Ghost. Following Wan Gui, it truly has no future,” Li Yao sighed, shaking his head. “What a shame, what a shame. Once a Spirit Ghost is blood-sacrificed, its life becomes inextricably linked to its master’s. If Wan Gui dies, that top-grade Spirit Ghost will also turn to dust.”

Lei Dong lay prone beside them, and it was only due to his determined will that he managed not to act rashly on the spot. These two bastards were not only scheming against his wife with deceitful tactics but were also plotting for the life-saving treasure of his own Master. As time wore on, Lei Dong focused his spirit and calmed his breath, pushing the Zhou Tian Cang Ri Jue to its absolute limit, revealing not the slightest sound or aura.

Never before had Lei Dong’s heart been so filled with rage and murderous intent, yet his mind was exceptionally clear. From their recent conversation, Lei Dong had understood everything. This man surnamed Li coveted Wan Yan’s beauty, while the Blood Fiend lusted after his Master’s Nether River Map. Lei Dong had witnessed his Master’s spiritual treasure, the Nether River Eye, and its power was indeed extraordinary. Now, it occurred to him that this object was likely not a spiritual treasure typically used by Nascent Soul cultivators; it was very possibly the legendary Innate Spiritual Treasure. Otherwise, given his Master Wan Gui’s Golden Core stage cultivation, it would be impossible for him to control an ordinary spiritual treasure.

It seemed someone must have leaked the news of his Master possessing the Nether River Map to the Blood Fiend. This explained the current scene: they were facilitating each other’s desires in exchange for favors.

If the targets of these two Nascent Soul cultivators were people unrelated to him, Lei Dong would not have bothered to spare them a second glance. However, the objects of their schemes were the people most important to him in this lifetime. He could afford to lose neither of them, let alone both.

Should he let the Heavenly Demon expose their plot?

Perhaps this method could temporarily resolve the immediate predicament. Yet, for Lei Dong, that would be letting Blood Fiend and the man surnamed Li off far too easily.

Therefore, at this very moment, Lei Dong entertained no other thoughts. His sole focus was figuring out how to eliminate these two Nascent Soul cultivators. While this might not be the path of least resistance, it was the most direct, and it aligned perfectly with his temperament. However, any cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage in this world was no simple being; having lived long, they naturally possessed various life-saving techniques. He had to ensure that if he moved, he succeeded completely in one swift action.

Listening for a while longer, he noted they stopped discussing the current matter and drifted into casual chatter. A short while later, they bid farewell to each other, planning to reconnect after the Blood Fiend’s scheme succeeded.

Lei Dong proceeded with extreme caution. Only after they had been gone for a long time did he slip away under the cover of night. Beneath his cold rage, he felt a secret sense of fortune. If he had been showy, returning to the Myriad Ghost Cave with great fanfare, he certainly wouldn't have obtained such astonishing news—which could have led to a catastrophe! It was his meticulous caution, staying hidden and subtle, that saved the day.

Upon returning to Myriad Ghost City, Lei Dong immediately refined several Ghost Envoys and dispatched them with separate messages.

Then, soundlessly, he slipped back into the Myriad Ghost Cave. The Zhou Tian Cang Ri Jue truly lived up to its reputation as an ancient secret art; its effect was astonishing. Even after Lei Dong infiltrated the Myriad Ghost Hall, not a single person detected him. The hall was entirely empty. Fortunately, with a mere thought, Lei Dong’s divine sense located his Master, the Ancestor Wan Gui, cultivating in the secret chamber behind the hall. Of course, Lei Dong’s easy infiltration was not solely due to his cultivation level or the Zhou Tian Cang Ri Jue; it was because he himself was intimately familiar with the Myriad Ghost Cave’s restrictions and even the layout of the mechanisms within the Myriad Ghost Hall.

Immediately, a sound transmission shot forth, piercing into the secret chamber and directly entering Wan Gui’s ears.

Ancestor Wan Gui, hearing the voice of the long-lost Lei Dong, initially suspected he had gone mad from missing his disciple. However, when he emerged from the secret chamber with a strange look on his face, only to see Lei Dong respectfully kneeling and greeting him, he snapped back to reality. Shocked, he almost stumbled several times.

The master and disciple, deeply attached to each other but long separated, naturally had an emotional reunion.

Lei Dong did not conceal anything from his Master, truthfully reporting his current level of cultivation. Hearing that Lei Dong had actually reached the early stage of the Golden Core realm, the usually grim expression on Ancestor Wan Gui’s face broke into a rare look of satisfaction. “Dong’er, I am deeply pleased that you managed to cultivate to the Golden Core stage independently in such a short time. You have not disappointed my expectations for you.” However, he did not mention the matter of having purchased an Ascension Pill for Lei Dong.

‘…Master, your disciple has one more matter to report.” Lei Dong surveyed the surroundings, extending his divine sense outward to monitor everything nearby. Only then did he transmit his voice to Ancestor Wan Gui, relaying the entire encounter exactly as it had happened.

Ancestor Wan Gui grew angrier the more he listened. He suddenly slammed the chair hard, his face ferocious as he transmitted his voice to Lei Dong: “That old villain Blood Fiend and the bastard Li have gone too far! The bastard Li is one thing; he is from the Great Qian Continent, and it is his prerogative to target us. But the old villain Blood Fiend is a high-ranking elder in our Sect! To plot so viciously over a mere Innate Spiritual Tool is despicable.”

‘…Master, please calm your anger,” Lei Dong’s expression was equally grim, but his transmission remained steady. ‘…Regardless of the reason, these two are now enemies of our master and disciple. Becoming overly furious over an enemy will only harm your own body.”

‘…Indeed, indeed. You are calm, Dong’er,” Ancestor Wan Gui’s expression gradually stabilized, his brow furrowed into a deep line as he transmitted, ‘…Two Nascent Soul cultivators are certainly beyond the capability of our Myriad Ghost Cave to contend with. But Dong’er, do not worry too much. Lord Heavenly Demon is currently favoring the Myriad Ghost Cave greatly. I will request Lord Heavenly Demon to step forward and expose the insidious plots of these two shameless wretches to the Sect. Given the temperament of Lord Heavenly Demon, he would surely not tolerate such behavior.”

Seeing Lei Dong standing silently, Ancestor Wan Gui assumed he was feeling resentful and let out a soft sigh before transmitting, ‘…Dong’er, you must understand, this world is one where the strong prey upon the weak. If we are inferior in strength, it is inevitable that we will be schemed against and hunted. Once we weather this storm, give me a few decades to reach the Nascent Soul stage, and I will certainly make that Blood Fiend pay. A gentleman’s revenge is never too late, even after ten years.” As Wan Gui said this, confidence shone in his eyes. Once he reached the Nascent Soul stage, he could evolve that peak top-grade Ghost General into a Ghost King. Combined with being able to wield the Nether River Eye with complete mastery, he believed his chances of victory against the elder Blood Fiend would be substantial.

‘…Master, your disciple understands this principle. Just as when we see a non-essential Foundation Establishment cultivator possessing a good item, we will naturally find a way to seize it,” Lei Dong’s face grew calmer, nodding in agreement. ‘…However, concerning this matter, your disciple has a different plan for resolution.”

Wan Gui knew his disciple’s ideas were always unexpected and that he possessed many ingenious schemes, so his eyes lit up, and he pressed further. Relying on the Sect’s power to stop this conspiracy would save both him and Wan Yan from harm, but honestly, Wan Gui would find that outcome deeply suffocating. If his own disciple had a way to handle it, wouldn’t that be even better?

‘…Master, actually, while I was away these years, I developed some influence,” Lei Dong did not hide anything from Ancestor Wan Gui, transmitting calmly, ‘…Not only did this disciple recruit some Golden Core cultivators, but I also gained the trust and friendship of a small Earth Giant tribe in the Great Barren Desert.”

What? Ancestor Wan Gui shot to his feet, looking at Lei Dong with mingled shock and joy. His disciple had the capability to recruit Golden Core cultivators? That was not all—he had gained the trust of the Earth Giants? Wan Gui was no ignorant country cultivator; he naturally knew the power of the Earth Giant clan, or at least had encountered relevant literature concerning them.

‘…Upon returning this time, your disciple also brought twenty Golden Core level Earth Giants. Combined with those Golden Core cultivators loyal to me, and the two of us master and disciple, our combat strength is already considerable,” Lei Dong’s eyes now revealed undisguised killing intent and ruthlessness. ‘…Since those two dared to scheme against Wan Yan and Master in this way, merely exposing their plot is far too lenient for them. This disciple must let the fierce ghosts devour their flesh and use Nether Fire to torment their Nascent Souls to truly quench this disciple’s hatred.”

Ancestor Wan Gui’s face also turned fierce. ‘…Indeed, according to my disposition, that is how it should be done. However, Dong’er, while the strength you possess now is not weak, it is far from enough to deal with Nascent Soul cultivators. Unless you can bring dozens more Earth Giants, we will have a high degree of certainty. After all, failing to slay the tiger and getting injured in the process is unacceptable. Furthermore, it would leave evidence in the hands of the Blood Fiend, and then, regardless of our status, we would never be able to clear our names.”

‘…If we add Lord Heavenly Demon’s strength into the equation…,” Lei Dong stated coldly, ‘…then the certainty of retaining one Nascent Soul cultivator would be extremely high.”

‘…That is true… but whether Lord Heavenly Demon would agree…” Ancestor Wan Gui began to ponder, knitting his brows in thought for a moment. Then, his expression hardened. ‘…Since without your discovery, my life would not have been saved anyway, I might as well consider this life a bonus. Let us present the Nether River Map to Lord Heavenly Demon and request him to act on our behalf in secret. To vent this surging anger, it is worth it.”

Lei Dong was startled; his Master was truly willing to part with it. However, his heart warmed, because Lei Dong understood that his Master was not only seeking revenge for himself. In reality, he was most likely hoping to help his disciple vent his anger. After all, at his age, what kind of things hadn’t he witnessed? How could he trade away an Innate Spiritual Treasure just to soothe his own temper?

…, (To be continued RH

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