Within the Heavenly Dao Alliance, countless cultivation families, large and small, gathered in the mountainous territory of the Zheng family, numbering in the thousands.

Of course, the overwhelming majority were Qi Refining stage cultivators, with some at the Foundation Establishment stage, and only two at the Golden Core stage. This reflected the reality of cultivators in this world, where the largest and most populous contingent has always been those in the Qi Refining stage. Given the current level and standing of the Zheng family, managing to invite two Golden Core cultivators for the celebration was already a considerable mark of prestige.

Naturally, not all these people were invited guests of the Zheng family; many were rogue cultivators who had heard the news and flocked over, hoping to stumble upon some unique opportunity. Although rogue cultivators at the Qi Refining stage occupied the lowest rung of the cultivation world's society, the desire to struggle upwards burned in them even more fiercely, and their path was far more arduous, than that of the elite disciples of the major sects. Even so, Lei Dong had never considered recruiting subordinates from among the rogue cultivators; after all, any truly gifted and promising cultivators had long since been snapped up and absorbed by various factions. There would be nothing left for him.

On the central city plaza, the Zheng family Patriarch sat upon the designated seat with a somewhat heavy expression. His core confidantes, several Foundation Establishment cultivators, also wore looks of deep worry, as the situation seemed exceptionally disadvantageous for them.

In stark contrast, Zheng Xiong, seated among the elders, was beaming with vigor and high spirits, his face flushed with vitality. In a short span, he had successfully courted numerous influential figures within the family, establishing a substantial power base belonging to him.

Soon, the ceremony began. After the Patriarch delivered some requisite pleasantries, several elders, who had been bought over by Zheng Xiong, began to step forward, trading barbs and insults directed at the current Patriarch while loudly extolling Zheng Xiong’s merits.

Most cultivators were not ones to be easily fooled. Merely by observing the scene, everyone present knew that a significant upheaval was imminent today. It was abundantly clear that Zheng Xiong coveted the position of Patriarch. However, such matters were incredibly common; the law of the jungle—the strong preying on the weak—was the most fundamental rule of this world, and incidents akin to this occurred almost daily across the vast realm. As guests, all they needed to do was witness the victor and secure the favor of the winner.

The Patriarch’s faction retaliated as well, apparently well-prepared, engaging in a barrage of sharp retorts. They even brought forth the two Golden Core cultivators to act as external support, seemingly intending to suppress Zheng Xiong through external power. Some elders loyal to the Patriarch immediately accused Zheng Xiong of treason.

Zheng Xiong merely sneered at the two arrogant Golden Core cultivators, who hailed from a major sect within the Heavenly Dao Alliance, acting as if he had anticipated this development. He rose to his full height and announced in a clear voice, “Esteemed Daoist Friends, this is an internal matter of the Zheng family. If you insist on interfering, do not blame Zheng for being ruthless.”

This declaration immediately enraged the two Golden Core experts, who, accustomed to deference wherever they went due to their distinguished backgrounds.

A confrontation disguised as a sparring match became inevitable. Most observers did not favor Zheng Xiong; even though he was also a Golden Core cultivator, his ascension had been too recent, and his assets were meager. Unexpectedly, the moment Zheng Xiong attacked, he produced a High-Grade Magical Treasure—a colossal hammer engulfed in raging flames, possessing a power that was supremely domineering and fierce.

The Golden Core cultivator exchanging blows with him turned pale with shock. He had been a Golden Core stage expert for over a decade and had only managed to accumulate one Mid-Grade Magical Treasure, with the rest of his equipment being excellent Magical Artifacts suited for the Foundation Establishment stage. Dealing with an ordinary newly ascended Golden Core cultivator would normally be more than sufficient. However, Zheng Xiong was one of the chess pieces meticulously positioned by Lei Dong; his arsenal of magical treasures was comparable to that of Golden Core cultivators of several decades, even centuries. Furthermore, his supply of various pills and talismans was superior in quality and abundant in quantity, causing the opposing Golden Core cultivator’s eyes to nearly pop out, leaving him completely on the defensive during the battle.

The other Golden Core expert could not simply stand by and watch his companion fall into disadvantage. Disregarding decorum, he leaped onto the stage, creating a two-against-one scenario, determined to eliminate Zheng Xiong. History, after all, is written by the victors. If Zheng Xiong were to be cornered and killed without powerful backing, his name in the family annals would assuredly be that of a traitor.

Just as Zheng Xiong began to show signs of strain fighting against two opponents, a black-robed figure enveloped in demonic energy emerged from the shadows with a sinister cackle, “Bullying the few with sheer numbers? Black Robe detests this sort of thing the most!” Without another word, he unleashed a banner covered in chilling black mist. Fully several thousand resentful ghosts shrieked forth, appearing like a massive army blotting out the sun and sky.

“Old Monster Black Robe?”

The faces of both Golden Core cultivators changed instantly. They hastily retracted their magical treasures and retreated backward, crying out, “Black Robe, we have no feud with you recently, nor any past grievances. We admit defeat this time. We withdraw from this matter, farewell.”

Though Black Robe was as docile as a lapdog in the presence of Nascent Soul cultivators like Blood Fiend or Heavenly Demon, he had, by sheer chance, learned formidable demonic arts as a rogue cultivator. He had carved out a significant reputation in both the Yin Sha and Heavenly Dao territories. Known for being brutal and cunning, he was a notorious figure whom ordinary Golden Core cultivators found extremely troublesome. The two Golden Core cultivators fled upon seeing him, awed by his notorious reputation.

Black Robe intended to incite Zheng Xiong to pursue them together, but a sharp cry reached his ear, and he immediately complied, quieting down. After a few strange laughs, he vanished. The person transmitting the voice was naturally Maiden Qing, hidden in the shadows. Maiden Qing was acting under Lei Dong’s orders to expand influence and set up the grand strategy; it was unlikely she would carelessly offend major sects. She was acutely aware that Lei Dong’s foundation was still shallow, and what he needed most was time for stable development.

This entire scene greatly intimidated all the guests present. Not only had Zheng Xiong himself advanced to the Golden Core stage and displayed extraordinary strength, but he also possessed such formidable friends assisting him. Everyone could see that the now ashen-faced Patriarch had lost the final trump card needed to resist him. Some neutral and wavering members of the Zheng family began pledging allegiance to Zheng Xiong, loudly accusing the Patriarch of colluding with outsiders and undermining the unity of the clan, arguing he should step down and yield the position.

At this point, Zheng Xiong’s acquisition of the Patriarch position was without suspense. With the former Patriarch showing good sense, he assumed control of the Zheng family leadership. Following a stirring, impassioned speech, he initiated a grand feast for the guests, actively seeking allies and absorbing rogue cultivators with decent strength. Instantly, the prestige of the Zheng family soared. Of course, this surge in prestige was only directed toward some mid-to-low-tier sects and families, as well as rogue cultivators. Those large, established sects and families maintained their lofty demeanor; even if they incidentally heard of this matter, they would simply dismiss it with a faint smile and forget it in the next moment.

In less than ten days, three bewildered children from the Zheng family nervously followed Maiden Qing away. These three children were, naturally, the most exceptionally talented among the younger generation of the Zheng family, meeting the standard required for Lei Dong to focus his training efforts upon them. The Zheng family, after all, deserved its reputation as a family possessing a profound foundation, as producing three such talents at once somewhat exceeded Maiden Qing’s expectations.

…

And nearly simultaneously, Han Chao began traversing various cultivator markets and cities. Of course, his movements were erratic; every appearance presented him in a different guise and demeanor—sometimes dressed as a young master, sometimes as an aloof hermit, and other times as a rough, large man. The medicinal pills brought back from Zhaozhou, and the beast materials procured from the Great Barren Desert, were gradually sold off by him, exchanging them for vast sums of spirit stones while also beginning to trade for materials scarce in Kangzhou but common in Zhaozhou, such as puppets, talismans, flying boats, and spell cannons.

Lei Dong, possessing the map and the assistance of the Earth Giant tribe, certainly would not forgo this highly profitable trade route. A single successful round trip was enough to more than double Lei Dong’s capital. The extensive use of spirit stones during this period had created a significant deficit in Lei Dong’s reserves.

…

Within the sphere of influence of the Yin Sha Sect, due to the local geography, Yin Sha spiritual energy has always been quite intense.

This had resulted in several Nether regions renowned throughout all of Kangzhou. A Nether region is defined as an area saturated with dense Nether Ghost Qi, hosting countless specters and monsters, similar to the Ghostly Domains found in the Six Realms. Some of these Nether regions are naturally occurring, some are formed post-emergence, and others are artificially cultivated. But they all share one common trait: an immeasurable number of fierce ghosts and malevolent spirits reside within.

The older and vaster the Nether region, the more perilous it becomes. Some ancient and powerful Nether regions even attract the attention of the Ghostly Domains, which spend vast amounts of effort and resources to construct Nether Portals, effectively incorporating them as a component part of the Ghostly Domain.

Within the territory of the Yin Sha Sect, there exists such a passage leading to the Ghostly Domain—a vast area spanning tens of thousands of miles, affectionately termed the Yin Sha Ghost Domain.

While numerous locations across the entire world connect to the Ghostly Domain of the Six Realms, in Kangzhou, the Yin Sha Ghost Domain is the sole example.

It must be noted that the Yin Sha Ghost Domain is not only replete with Nether Ghost Qi, but its Yin Sha energy is also the most robust and pure in all of Kangzhou. Due to existing agreements, the Ghost King of the Yin Sha Ghost Domain does not prohibit disciples of the Yin Sha Sect who have reached the Golden Core stage from entering the domain to cultivate or search for heavenly materials and earthly treasures. The prerequisite, of course, is the prohibition against wantonly slaughtering Ghost Guards or Ghost Generals.

When Ding Wanyan returned to the Myriad Ghost Cave, unable to tolerate the harassment from Li Yao, she feigned taking on an assignment and secretly fled into the Yin Sha Ghost Domain. Her purpose was twofold: to avoid trouble for a time, and secondly, to utilize the purest Yin Sha energy here to practice her Yin Sha Grand Art.

At this moment, she sat cross-legged near a Yin Sha vortex, cultivating in meditation. The vicious winds roared, sharp as blades. Any cultivator of lesser strength caught in the vortex would surely be ground to dust. However, this pure Yin Sha energy was the finest cultivation tonic for Ding Wanyan, who possessed the innate Yin Sha physique. While it could not cause her cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds, it could elevate the power of her Yin Sha Grand Art to a higher level.

In between her diligent cultivation sessions, Ding Wanyan would occasionally collect a batch of Yin Souls for inspection. This was not mere idleness; she was hoping that, with good luck, she might capture a top-tier Spirit Ghost to surprise Lei Dong upon his return. Yet, it was during this casual, almost unintentional act that a bizarre event unfolded…