"Young Master, hurry and utilize the Netherworld Emperor Body Tempering Art while my innate ghostly energy has not yet dissipated, absorbing the essence of the netherworld to temper your body." Xiao You urged him outright, "As for the innate ghostly energy I've expended, I can recover it slowly. This is a rare opportunity; I truly hope you won't waste Xiao You's painstaking effort and innate ghostly energy, otherwise, all the hardship I endured will have been for nothing."

Burdened by such a monumental expectation, Lei Dong could only sigh and begin circulating the Netherworld Emperor Body Tempering Art imprinted in his mind. Xiao You assisted him from the side, patiently explaining the textual nuances that Lei Dong failed to grasp.

The mass of netherworld essence suspended at the heart of the vortex was mysterious and unfathomable. With the residual innate ghostly energy left within Lei Dong's body, he had just enough to operate the Netherworld Emperor Body Tempering Art. However, this technique demanded the complete dismantling and subsequent reconstruction of every part of his physical form through evolution within the netherworld. For a spectral being, this process would incur far less agony, as their ethereal bodies wouldn't produce such intense suffering. But Lei Dong was human; imagining the sheer degree of pain inflicted by applying the profoundly potent Netherworld Emperor Body Tempering Art without any anesthesia was terrifying.

His body was tightly enveloped by that mass of netherworld essence. Every cell was continuously being shattered by the tempering art, only to be nourished by the essence and regrow, becoming healthier and more perfect than before.

"Agh, agh~" Even for someone as steadfast and strong-willed as Lei Dong, he roared and wailed in agony like a wild beast. Yet, once the Netherworld Emperor Body Tempering Art was set in motion, it simply did not allow him to stop. To cease now would not only nullify all the benefits but would also severely damage Lei Dong’s vital energy, potentially causing his cultivation to regress.

A look of heartache crossed Xiao You’s face. Her form dissolved into a spectral wisp, circling him incessantly, using words to encourage him and distract him from the pain.

Time trickled by in these agonizing moments.

Three months. This process persisted for a full three months. Lei Dong’s voice, hoarse from constant screaming, had grown utterly ragged.

Fortunately, the further along he progressed, the more he could endure. Lei Dong had no idea if this sensation surpassed the agony of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Devouring the Soul, but at the very least, he never wished to experience it a second time in his life. The sole belief supporting him was the need to become stronger, strong enough to protect himself and his family.

Every single cell in his body had been tempered countless times. This process pushed Lei Dong to the brink of collapse. But fortunately, with every tempering of his physical form, he could feel himself growing stronger—this was one of the driving forces that kept him going.

Lei Dong cultivated for three months, and Xiao You stayed by his side for all three months. Thankfully, being situated in this location saturated with the densest concentration of netherworld ghostly energy meant Xiao You was continually nourished. Her own vitality recovered significantly; at least her body was no longer so translucent, now appearing once more like a delicate, rosy-skinned human maiden.

Xiao You watched with delight as Lei Dong neared the completion of his divine skill. Only when Lei Dong grew stronger could she grow stronger. This was not merely a matter of Lei Dong being able to suppress her; if he failed, she would suffer. The Blood Sacrifice Art inherently involved one of the most profound and inscrutable laws in existence. Unless specific means were used to dissolve the law, one would be constrained by it for their entire life. At this most critical juncture, just as Lei Dong was about to finish his tempering, with the circulation of his Netherworld Emperor Body Tempering Art, the remaining half—more than half—of the netherworld essence surged madly into his body as if seeing a ghost. In that instant, Lei Dong, who had finally adapted to the pain, couldn't help but let out another hoarse roar.

"Something’s gone wrong," Xiao You panicked internally and rushed forward. Seeing Lei Dong on the verge of exploding due to the unmanageable influx of surging netherworld essence within his body, Xiao You urgently spread her arms and embraced him tightly, pressing her lips against his. She unleashed one of her inherent talents: the Spirit Sucking Art, gulping and drawing fiercely. This somewhat eased the swelling of Lei Dong's body, but it still could not halt his slide toward explosion.

Xiao You hesitated for a moment, her expression tinged with shyness. But as Lei Dong let out another roar of pain, she seemed to make an irreversible resolution. With a slight tremor, she unfastened the beautiful green dress, revealing her crystal-clear, perfectly sculpted, exquisite physique. Abruptly, she pushed Lei Dong back, and streams of pure netherworld ghostly energy enveloped them both.

"Ning~"

A sound that was half-sigh, half-moan, utterly soul-stirring, escaped Xiao You's lips.

Lei Dong, when he first engaged in the Blood Sacrifice with Xiao You, had asked her about any innate magical talents she possessed. Xiao You had answered honestly. However, Lei Dong was unaware that Xiao You had lied about one of her innate arts; that peculiar ability was simply too shameful for her to voice.

The Spirit Sucking Art—this strange innate technique made Xiao You nearly break down. Utilizing it through kissing, while it had some effect, never managed to utilize even one-tenth of its true power. Only the full version of the Spirit Sucking Art could truly alleviate Lei Dong’s explosive condition. Had this unusual incident not occurred, Xiao You intended to hide this innate talent from Lei Dong for her entire life. Such a gift was too humiliating. Furthermore, Lei Dong had always regarded her as an adorable younger sister. What would he think if he knew she naturally possessed such a "scandalous" innate magic?

But in this moment, Xiao You no longer cared. Even losing all her dignity, pride, and self-respect in front of Lei Dong was insignificant. The towering image of Lei Dong standing resolute before the Ghost Emperor Tian had been deeply etched into the very core of her soul—a scene she would never forget, even across millennia.

As long as she could save Lei Dong, sacrificing her own life would be a small price to pay. Never mind just her physical body.

Here, in the deepest part of the Netherworld Ghost Realm, the Nine Hells Abyss, a warmth akin to spring bloomed. As the seemingly endless, infinite netherworld essence flowed from Lei Dong's distended, tempered meridians into Xiao You's body, her delicate, petite form, like a piece of art, became even more lustrous and radiant. The pain on Lei Dong’s face quickly subsided, replaced by an intoxication of endless ecstasy.

"Netherworld old ghost, your stamina is worse than I imagined," in just a few months, the Ghost Emperor Youming, already weak to an extreme degree, had become nearly transparent after being cut off from the nourishment of the Nether Ghost Cry. Even the formation banners for the Nether Black Evil Formation he had laid down were flickering in and out of existence. Even a defensive formation required the Ghost Emperor Youming to constantly expend power to maintain it. While the drain wasn't overwhelming, several consecutive months had become the final straw for the Ghost Emperor Youming.

In fact, if the Ghost Emperor Youming hadn't twice invoked the tremendously power-draining Nether God True Word Incantation at the last moment to save Zhong You and Lei Dong, he wouldn't have ended up in this state.

"Everyone, I am nearing the end of my tether," the Ghost Emperor Youming, who had remained silent until now, said apologetically to Ding Wanyan and the others. "What I promised Xiao You a while ago, I fear I cannot fulfill perfectly. Now, I have one breath left, and I will forcibly cast the Nether God True Word Incantation one last time to aid your escape. After that, whether you live or die rests entirely on your own."

"Senior Ghost Emperor, for these past months, we have relied entirely on your protection. For this, your juniors are infinitely grateful," Ding Wanyan, after all, was a woman of considerable bearing. Her injuries had mostly healed by now. She rose and bowed sincerely to the Ghost Emperor Youming. "Senior, if you have any strength left, please prioritize your own escape. We are willing to hold back Ghost Emperor Tian for a short while."

"Indeed. That villain Tian Gui is treacherous. Once he assumes the Ghost Emperor position, the Nether Domain will surely descend into chaos, and even my Yin Sha Sect will be affected," Dongfang Fu, also fully recovered, stood up and spoke fluently. "Given his nature, even if we escape with our lives, there will undoubtedly be great repercussions later. It is better for you, Senior, to leave now so that you might one day avenge us younger generation."

Qi Feifei also supported this sentiment. "You are Lei Dong's wives? Hmph, that boy certainly has good fortune with women." The Ghost Emperor Youming had not expected these women to possess such noble character. His grim expression softened considerably, and he sighed a little. "If I had met you all in my younger years, I would certainly have admired you and possessed the ability to look after you. Alas, the cycle of heaven’s mandate moves on; the mistakes I made in the Netherworld back then must now be paid for. There is no point in saying more. I see you are all extraordinary individuals with bright futures ahead. If there is even a fraction of a chance to escape with your lives, try your best."

"Hahahaha, Netherworld old ghost, have you finished giving your last instructions?" The Ghost Emperor Tian saw that several formation banners could no longer hold and vanished. With even a slight gap in the formation, its power would likely decrease by nine parts. He could no longer restrain himself and charged in. "I wonder who can save you this time, old ghost."

"Ghost Emperor Tian, to think you are a grand master," Ding Wanyan cried out righteously and rebuked him. "You possess absolutely no grace befitting an elder; you behave like a street ruffian, breaking your word with despicable actions."

The Ghost Emperor Tian felt a slight pang of shame, and his expression darkened upon being cursed. However, he refused to show weakness and merely sneered, "Little Miss Ding, don't be so sharp-tongued. Your husband, Lei Dong, was thrown into the abyss three months ago by me and turned into dust."

Just as Ding Wanyan’s face changed drastically, a languid voice sounded, "Who said that?"