The Blood Demon stared at Lei Dong from afar, then glanced at Tian Mo. The sight of the two standing shoulder-to-shoulder made the Blood Demon somewhat bewildered, yet also faintly alarmed. For the Tian Mo’s posture seemed subtly to place the young man named Lei at the center of their arrangement. A distant look toward the suspended Yi Shen clan member reinforced the sense that the relationship between that individual and the young man named Lei was far from simple.

After a moment of silence, the Blood Demon rested his hands behind his back and spoke in a deep voice, “Lei Dong, state your terms. Moreover, I, this Venerable One, can swear a blood oath that whatever transpired between us can be treated as if it never occurred.” Even when cornered in such a desperate situation, the Blood Demon retained an imposing demeanor, a faint trace of pride lingering in his brow. Yet, at this moment, he dared not underestimate Lei Dong in the slightest.

“Here is a Ghost Gu. So long as Senior is willing to ingest it, the grievances between us will be considered null and void.” Lei Dong raised his hand, presenting a jade vial, and calmly added, “Incidentally, the primary material used to refine this particular Ghost Gu, suitable for a Nascent Soul cultivator, is a top-grade Spirit Ghost.”

“What?”

The Blood Demon’s eyelids twitched violently. He was indeed startled that a top-grade Spirit Ghost served as the main ingredient. What exactly was this Ghost Gu, and why did it necessitate the use of a top-grade Spirit Ghost? While vague suspicions began to form in his mind, he dared not confirm them. He stared coldly at Lei Dong, seemingly awaiting an explanation. Regardless, this object was clearly no trifle.

Lei Dong hesitated no longer and slowly explained the function of the Ghost Gu.

While a tempest raged in his heart, the Blood Demon erupted into a wild laugh. “Lei Dong, though I, this Venerable One, have no idea where you procured such a terrifying, heaven-defying artifact capable of controlling the life and death of a Nascent Soul cultivator, you still underestimate me immensely. How could I, a dignified Nascent Soul cultivator, ever submit to a mere Golden Core cultivator like you? Say no more; take my life.” The Blood Demon was also a shrewd man. Once Lei Dong had thoroughly explained the principles and effects of the Ghost Gu, he knew there was no room for compromise today. It was either life or death. Proposing to compensate with a huge sum of wealth was utterly irrelevant; anyone capable of the extravagance of using a top-grade Spirit Ghost for a Ghost Gu would hardly lack the wealth of the Blood Demon.

However, compared to living the rest of his days as a puppet, neither fully human nor ghost, completely devoid of self, subservient to a Golden Core cultivator, the Blood Demon would rather meet a spectacular end. After all, having lived seven or eight hundred years, he had lived enough.

Lei Dong had long anticipated the Blood Demon’s response. He bowed slightly. “I greatly admire Senior’s integrity. However, I still implore Senior to calm his spirit and focus, to hear what I have to say. If, afterward, Senior still wishes to meet a noble demise, I shall certainly oblige. Furthermore, I guarantee that I will grant Senior a swift end.”

These words provided a brief comfort to the Blood Demon. The stifling feeling of being suppressed and bullied by a junior dissipated considerably; the young man certainly knew how to speak and conduct himself. He then said in a deep voice, “Very well, I shall listen carefully to what you have to say. But you had better abandon this notion quickly. You may take my life—I would even accept being devoured by ten thousand ghosts. But making me submit to you is absolutely impossible.”

Every Nascent Soul cultivator, having survived the tempering of their Heart Tribulation, possessed exceptionally steadfast minds.

However, Lei Dong already had his plans laid out. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke solemnly, “I achieved the Golden Core stage before the age of sixty. This rate of progress, while perhaps not earth-shattering, certainly shows immense potential. If I were to say that the Nascent Soul realm is not an insurmountable path for me, would Senior believe it?”

“Indeed, that is remarkable. Provided you make no critical missteps and your cultivation speed remains constant, achieving Nascent Soul is highly probable. However, boy, the path of cultivation is fraught with countless perils; no one can guarantee success in reaching the Nascent Soul stage,” the Blood Demon conceded, offering a balanced assessment. Simultaneously, he found himself regarding Lei Dong with somewhat greater regard. After all, this was a young man with considerable prospects.

“Senior, observe my strength next,” Lei Dong stated. He then summoned two Ghost Generals. After Lei Dong poured resources into feeding them relentlessly, these two top-grade Ghost Generals had been promoted to the High-Rank tier. Furthermore, Lei Dong’s soul strength now rivaled that of a normal High-Rank Golden Core cultivator, just barely allowing him to command these two imposing generals.

In addition, with a flick of the Myriad Ghost Banner, six fierce ghosts, each at the initial stage of the Golden Core realm, streamed out, forming a circle around Lei Dong, wailing incessantly.

At the same moment, a heaven-shaking tiger roar echoed. The Soul Devouring Shadow Tiger, which had just served as bait and now possessed High-Rank Golden Core strength, swiftly arrived and landed obediently beside Lei Dong, affectionately licking his palm.

Even a cultivator of the Blood Demon’s caliber was stunned by this spectacle. How could this youth, who was clearly only at the initial Golden Core stage, possess such might? Especially those two High-Rank Ghost Generals—the Blood Demon knew well that while using Upper-Grade Spirit Ghosts could foster Ghost Generals to the High-Rank, the resources required were astronomical. What made the Blood Demon’s heart tremble slightly was Lei Dong’s earlier mention of refining the Ghost Gu with a top-grade Spirit Ghost—could these two High-Rank Ghost Generals...

How could this be? The Blood Demon subconsciously shook his head violently. In all of Kang State, there were at most ten named top-grade Ghost Generals combined. It was impossible; the matter was too absurd. Yet, even so, what about his soul strength? How could he command two High-Rank Ghost Generals at once?

“Since childhood, I have placed great emphasis on tempering and strengthening my soul. Due to numerous fortuitous encounters—such as the Heart Cleansing Fruit, Soul Fruit, Dragon Turtle Incense, Bodhi Clarity Tea, and more—my soul strength now rivals that of an ordinary High-Rank Golden Core cultivator,” Lei Dong said this with a hint of arrogance. Indeed, there were unparalleled prodigies in this world whose cultivation speed might eclipse his own. But among his peers, how many could match him in soul strength? These were all achievements wrested through his own relentless effort, granting him sufficient grounds for pride.

The Blood Demon inhaled sharply, thoroughly shaken. Indeed, this youth’s soul potential was terrifying. Although standing at the Blood Demon’s height, Lei Dong posed no direct threat even as a High-Rank Golden Core. But what was frightening was the youth’s age. If the former Blood Demon had held some regard for Lei Dong, now he began to believe his words—the chances of reaching Nascent Soul were exceedingly high. For the Nascent Soul itself is formed through the condensation and evolution of the soul; the stronger the soul, the greater the probability of condensation.

“Furthermore, by a twist of fate, I delved deep into the Nether Ghost Domain and happened to intercept a batch of top-grade Spirit Ghosts, along with numerous Upper-Grade Spirit Ghosts. These were reportedly gathered from various regions of the Nether Ghost Domain as birthday tributes for the Nether Ghost Emperor,” Lei Dong stated casually. “Thus, these two Ghost Generals of mine are also top-grade Spirit Ghosts.”

Is this still human?

Even the Blood Demon nearly collapsed. To venture into the Nether Ghost Domain at such a young age was one thing; but to dare intercept the Nether Ghost Emperor’s birthday gifts? Still, how did this boy escape? The Nether Ghost Emperor was a powerhouse comparable to the Spirit Transformation stage; in that man’s hands, the Blood Demon was nothing more than putty to be molded. The Blood Demon was deeply skeptical, yet he could not afford to disbelieve it. Otherwise, how could top-grade Spirit Ghosts appear in such numbers? Even within the Nether Ghost Domain, top-grade Spirit Ghosts were exceedingly rare and precious commodities.

“Senior seems quite curious how I managed it?” Lei Dong chuckled. “It’s nothing much. I have a sworn brother, an Ancient Flying Dragon. His power isn't much—just an Ancient Flying Dragon at the Spirit Transformation level. He’s currently in seclusion, but if Senior is interested, I can take you to meet him. Additionally, I share some minor acquaintance with the Yaksha King; if I asked him for a favor, like eliminating someone, he wouldn't refuse.”

Madness! This world has gone mad! The Blood Demon swayed slightly. A Spirit Transformation level brother, an acquaintance with the Yaksha King. Could a mere initial Golden Core cultivator possibly achieve such things? If anyone else had made these claims, the Blood Demon would have utterly refused to believe it. But Lei Dong’s own monstrous capabilities, his ability to command Tian Mo, the Yi Shen clan, and the Earth Giants, coupled with his vast collection of top-grade Spirit Ghosts, forced the Blood Demon to believe him seven or eight parts. He no longer dared to belittle Lei Dong; psychologically, he had elevated Lei Dong to a near-equal standing.

Lei Dong’s display of prowess was not for mere boasting. It was intended to continuously elevate his standing in the Blood Demon’s mind and increase his leverage.

Seeing the Blood Demon’s reaction, Lei Dong began to apply the truly potent pressure. “If Senior is willing to join my faction, I vow to treat you with respect. Moreover, I am willing to offer one top-grade Spirit Ghost as compensation. Additionally, for one hundred years—if Senior agrees to serve me for a century, afterward, I will remove the Ghost Gu.”

Lei Dong began to lay out his terms. Honestly, knowing the depth of Lei Dong’s background and resources, the Blood Demon’s resistance was not overwhelming, yet it remained difficult to accept. Even for just one hundred years, plus a top-grade Spirit Ghost—his heart had begun to waver.

“Senior, I believe I have already shown the utmost benevolence toward you,” Lei Dong’s expression began to darken. “I treat you with such consideration because we share the same lineage. Senior can imagine: with the resources I command, if we cooperate, our Sect is guaranteed a period of explosive growth. In a few centuries, even unifying the entirety of Kang State might not be impossible.”

“Do you truly care for the Yin Sha Sect?” The Blood Demon’s eyes showed a flicker of hope. “If you swear an oath that, provided the Sect does not wrong you, you will not betray it, I, the Blood Demon, am willing to take a gamble for you.”