The Profound Nether Ice Silkworm was an extremely valuable commodity among demon beasts of the same rank, second only to creatures such as Dragons. Even yielding ten catties of silk left behind considerable value, especially when divided among only twenty people. Observing Lei Dong’s confident demeanor, and the rather mysterious air surrounding his group, Bei Ye couldn't afford to be too greedy in the division. If Lei Dong became enraged and decided to seize the spoils with his entourage, it would be utterly counterproductive. After all, he too had backing; even if he were to rob them, as long as it was done ‘fairly,’ no one could fault him.

Bei Ye quickly calculated that if she only assigned twenty people, her profit would triple compared to the original arrangement. However, she was now slightly worried: were so few people too dangerous for dealing with the Profound Nether Ice Silkworm? Given the small number involved, those she selected—her closest associates—were the ones who would naturally be included in the lucrative venture.

Seemingly sensing Bei Ye’s predicament, Lei Dong chuckled, "Fellow Daoist Bei, please rest assured. At the time, you only need to bring your companions to offer token support from the rear. My few companions will be the main force against the Ice Silkworm. As long as your friends don't cause trouble, there won't be any major issues."

These words caused a visible shift in Bei Ye’s expression as she looked at Lei Dong’s three female companions, her demeanor changing slightly. In this world, only strength commanded respect. This naked truth was the most self-evident principle.

If the number of people could be reduced by ten more, Bei Ye thought, just as she was about to agree, she immediately dismissed the idea. Lei Dong and his group clearly possessed formidable power; if she reduced the count too much out of sheer avarice, she would end up fearing they might turn on her instead. Bei Ye was no naive child; this precaution was absolutely necessary. It was a trifling matter—out in the desolate wilderness, even if they murdered people, they could simply blame it on the Profound Nether Ice Silkworm. In Tian Gui City, no one would seek justice for a handful of dead bodies.

Lei Dong was a man well-versed in the ways of the world, able to deduce some of Bei Ye’s thoughts from her fluctuating expressions. He shrugged with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Bei’s concerns are understandable. However, we can invite Commander Tu Lei to join us, and simply reduce the number of uninvolved personnel. Fellow Daoist Bei, this is your first time dealing with me, but I am actually a man who adheres to agreements; what is decided, is what will be. You will understand better if we have the chance to cooperate again in the future."

"Very well, in that case, I shall bring five people, one of whom will be Commander Tu," Bei Ye’s eyes lit up; opportunities to earn extra spirit stones were rare. She was certain that no matter how close Lei Dong was to the Ghost King of Tian Gui, he wouldn't dare kill Tu Lei within the Ghost King's sphere of influence over a mere matter of spirit stones.

"Then it is settled," Lei Dong rose solemnly, smiling. "Let me first wish our cooperation a pleasant and successful outcome."

"I also hope to have more opportunities to cooperate with Fellow Daoist Lei," Bei Ye responded with a narrow-eyed smile.

Lei Dong naturally assured her, "Definitely, definitely."

In truth, he did harbor other considerations. Otherwise, why wouldn't he scheme to simply rob the two Profound Nether Ice Silkworms himself? Why bother sharing? This wasn't purely due to respect for the Ghost King of Tian Gui’s territory.

It must be said that resources within the Nether Domain were indeed inferior to those in the Nine Continents. Yet, it also possessed unique items lacking in other domains and states. To simply go everywhere and kill everyone was the most foolish approach. If one truly wished to develop, the supreme way was to go everywhere and make friends everywhere. Admittedly, the Ghost King of Tian Gui was the local sovereign. But there was a generational gap between them; it was acceptable to trouble him over major issues, but constantly relying on the Ghost King for trivial matters would reveal one's own incompetence.

Therefore, local figures like Bei Ye and Tu Lei held considerable value for forming alliances. This was not only for convenience during this trip to the Nether Domain, but it would also facilitate many future endeavors. Regardless, he had friends in the Nether Domain now. Of course, Lei Dong’s desire to make connections required the other party to be worthy of association. Similarly, Bei Ye’s appeasement stemmed from Lei Dong demonstrating his own worth.

The world was this pragmatic: if one possessed no value worth exploiting, others wouldn't even spare a glance. The most tragic fate wasn't being used; it was lacking the value to be utilized at all.

That night, Bei Ye began summoning a few of her best friends—naturally, also the few with the most exploitable value—to plan the specific actions with Lei Dong’s group. They were confronting two Nascent Soul stage demon insects; without meticulous prior planning that guaranteed a high probability of success and safety, no one dared participate in such an operation; everyone only had one life.

...

Almost simultaneously, in the Nine Nether Abyss, known as the deepest part of the Nether Domain.

A colossal, breath-stealing black palace-fortress rested where the concentration of Nether Ghost Qi was densest. Any informed individual in the Nether Domain knew this was a forbidden zone. Apart from the Ghost Emperor’s personal guard legions, anyone approaching within ten thousand miles without the Nether Ghost Emperor’s summons would be ruthlessly executed by the Emperor’s personal guards, soul and spirit utterly annihilated, with no recourse whatsoever.

The Nether Palace, one of the Ten Great Forbidden Zones of the Nether Domain, had historically been the sleeping quarters of the Nether Ghost Emperor, one of the four great Emperors of the Nether Ghost Territory. The Nether Ghost Emperor was the king and ruler representing the entire race of wandering spirits.

Typically, those who successfully ascended to the rank of Ghost Emperor were the most outstanding Heavenly Spirit Ghosts among the wandering spirits. This current Nether Ghost Emperor was no exception. Four thousand years ago, the Nether Ghost Emperor achieved his imperial ascension. Following the ancient rules passed down in the Nether Domain, he challenged and slew the old Ghost Emperor, completing the transfer of power and becoming the supreme ruler of the wandering spirit race.

However, something peculiar had occurred. Historically, the succession and replacement of the Nether Ghost Emperor took anywhere from a few hundred years at the fastest to two thousand years at the slowest. It was rare for any Emperor to retain the imperial throne for a full four millennia.

Even the Nether Ghost Emperor, whose strength rivaled that of a human Soul Transformation stage cultivator and who possessed a lifespan superior to humans, could not entirely resist the erosion of time.

The Emperor now, tall and slender, his aura restrained yet emanating infinite majesty, stood quietly atop the Nether Palace, gazing into the dark, churning sky of the Nine Nether Abyss, and at a massive, voluptuous, blood-red moon half-veiled by clouds.

Even as he stood so still, his long, snow-white hair and mature yet handsome features exuded an aura of noble royalty. Two personal guards, both high-ranking Ghost Kings in terms of power, hovered diligently at his back, not daring to draw a deep breath.

Suddenly, a streak of red cloud rolled past, and a fine drizzle of blood-red rain began to fall.

The Nether Ghost Emperor allowed the light rain to splash upon him, soaking his hair and gradually drenching his body.

After an unknowable length of time, the rain slowly ceased. The Nether Ghost Emperor let out a soft sigh, as if speaking to himself, "Four thousand years. I have been Emperor for four thousand years. Ao You, Ao Ming, you two brothers have followed me for nearly a thousand years. Tell me, have I truly grown old?"

"Your Majesty."

Ao You and Ao Ming, the two high-ranking Ghost Kings, immediately knelt down in obeisance, both declaring in unison, "Your Majesty is still young. Once we successfully absorb the Nether Essence Soul this time, Your Majesty’s lifespan will extend by at least another two thousand years. Therefore, Your Majesty is not old at all."

"Two thousand years? Heh, even if I serve as Emperor for another two thousand years, what meaning would it hold?" The Nether Ghost Emperor chuckled softly, but his eyes revealed an endless weariness, his voice slightly hoarse.

"If Your Majesty is granted another two thousand years, Your Majesty will certainly break through the shackles and ascend," Ao You said with utmost reverence.

"Ascend? I have been Ghost Emperor for over four thousand years, and I am merely at the mid-stage. Ascending—how easy is that? In the five thousand-plus years I have lived, I have never seen anyone ascend," the Nether Ghost Emperor’s voice sounded ancient and tired as he sighed. "I only regret why I made the choice I did in the past. The inheritance of the Ghost Emperor is meant to be the cycle of the Heavenly Dao, yet I..."

"Your Majesty need not blame yourself. Since assuming the throne, Your Majesty has secured several times the living space for the wandering spirits of the Nether Domain compared to before. The other three Emperors of the Nether Domain all look to Your Majesty for leadership," Ao Ming’s eyes shone with adoration. "If Your Majesty is given just another two thousand years, Your Majesty will certainly unify the Nether Domain and achieve supreme glory."

"I merely take advantage of my longevity to bully a few juniors from other races; what is there to boast about?" The Nether Ghost Emperor’s mood improved slightly upon recalling his achievements, but then he smiled and shook his head again. "Do you think I absorb the Nether Essence Soul because I truly wish to expand my territory? In truth, my greatest desire now is to find a worthy successor and cultivate them well. Otherwise, no matter how vast the territory I establish, it will turn to dust once I die."

"Your Majesty, the matter of the Young Master can wait. Since ancient times, a Heavenly Spirit Ghost of our race appears only once every thousand years," Ao You advised seriously. "And Your Majesty still has two thousand years of lifespan remaining, ample time to find the Young Master and train them to become the next Ghost Emperor."

"I hope so," the Nether Ghost Emperor continued to gaze up at the Nine Nether night sky, so familiar after millennia of looking. A slight glimmer of hope appeared in his eyes. "I only wish this day would arrive sooner."

As he uttered the final word, the Nether Ghost Emperor's immense and incomparable presence suddenly erupted. The red clouds in the sky within a radius of tens of miles were forcefully driven back, and for a moment, the red moon in the heavens appeared clear and transparent.

...RO