The First Floor... Lei Dong sought out Yin Yang precisely because he had long heard of this individual’s reputation, possessing the Yin Yang Body and exceptionally high aptitude. He was an anomaly among the rogue cultivators, although admittedly somewhat old, rumored to be well over three hundred years. Nevertheless, given his potential, with abundant resources, there was certainly a chance for him to break through to the Nascent Soul stage. Any cultivator who successfully navigated the heart-tribulation barrier while attempting to reach the Nascent Soul realm would possess an exceptionally resolute mind. Furthermore, Nascent Soul cultivators inherently carry the pride of the mighty. It is exceptionally difficult to recruit individuals of this caliber, even under the threat of death. Lei Dong’s prior success in securing the fealty of the Blood Demon was truly an anomaly resulting from a confluence of various factors. Thus, if Lei Dong wished to recruit more powerful subordinates at the Nascent Soul level, his only logical and reasonable approach was to target Golden Core peak cultivators who held the potential for a breakthrough. Moreover, successfully aiding their advancement would, to a certain extent, significantly increase their loyalty. Of course, even with this strategy, those who fit Lei Dong’s criteria were not found everywhere in droves. As for the Golden Core peak cultivators within the top-tier great sects, there was no point even considering them; the sects were highly unlikely to allow them to roam freely. Each was deeply engrossed in utilizing their sect's resources, striving quietly for Nascent Soul ascension. That left only the Golden Core peak cultivators from smaller sects, or rogue cultivators. Both types were exceedingly rare and hard to come by. Encountering even one such individual was not a simple task.

When Lei Dong extended his offer of recruitment, Yin Yang experienced a surge of shame mixed with indignation. Despite being a rogue cultivator, given his considerable reputation and strength, Yin Yang’s standing in Kangzhou was not low. Even the top-tier great sects treated him with considerable courtesy. Since achieving fame, numerous sects had extended attractive offers to recruit him. If Yin Yang had been willing to join a force obediently, he would have done so long ago; he wouldn't have waited until now. Since childhood, he had been accustomed to discrimination, and what he disliked most were constraints; he cherished acting on his own accord and the feeling of unfettered freedom. So what if this person was a Nascent Soul cultivator? He was not the only one in this world. At this thought, the old fiend Yin Yang roared in fury: "Senior, if you are willing to spare me, this junior will certainly remember your kindness and never forget it. But asking me, Yin Yang, to surrender and pledge allegiance is absolutely impossible." Lei Dong sighed inwardly; recruiting powerful talents was indeed not an easy endeavor. However, since he had already offered a one-time opportunity, Lei Dong naturally could not dwell on the matter further. He formed a hand seal, and myriad ghosts surged forth like a deluge, attacking Yin Yang. "Since that is the case, do not blame me for my impoliteness," Lei Dong raised his hand, unleashing two Nether Ghost Claws that sealed off Yin Yang's escape routes. The immense ghost army promptly surrounded the old fiend Yin Yang, teeth bared, claws extended, howling and tearing at him. The old fiend Yin Yang was desperate, unleashing a flurry of frantic techniques. In mere dozens of breaths, he managed to eliminate over a thousand ghosts. Yet, compared to the sheer oceanic scale of the ghost horde, a thousand ghosts were but a drop in the bucket. At this point, the old fiend Yin Yang was nearly exhausted. Even consuming pills frantically was insufficient to restore his true essence. This was the power of the ghost-sea tactic: relentless, pervasive attacks that could force even a powerful cultivator to depletion in a short time. The ghosts that breached Yin Yang's various defenses immediately inflicted their sharp teeth and claws upon him. Soon, the old fiend Yin Yang experienced the true terror of the Myriad Ghosts Devouring Soul. Not only was his physical body assailed by the swarm, but his very soul was being scorched by the wisps of Nine Nether Ghost Flame. Yet, throughout it all, the old fiend Yin Yang refused to utter a word of surrender. In his somewhat crazed eyes, a flicker of relief seemed to pass. If Lei Dong continued driving the ghost attack for ten more breaths, the old fiend Yin Yang would surely perish within the ghost-sea army, his soul annihilated with no chance of reversal.

However, for some unknown reason, Lei Dong suddenly retracted his hand seal. The ghost-sea army retreated like a receding tide, all turning back and plunging into the Nether Flame Ghost Banner. Ghost General A Chou and Shadow Tiger landed lightly beside Lei Dong, watching the old fiend Yin Yang with menacing, watchful eyes. This action left even the old fiend Yin Yang bewildered. Panting heavily, he stared at Lei Dong in sheer terror. Though uncertain of the situation, he dared not speak a single extra word. While he might not fear death entirely, who would not wish to live if given the chance? Theoretically, the old fiend Yin Yang had just danced back from the brink of death. He was beginning to waver—if this Senior offered recruitment again, would he accept? Though his innate stubbornness remained, the unwavering resolve he once held had diminished considerably. "Enough. Considering your hardships since childhood, I shall spare you this once," Lei Dong waved his hand expressionlessly. "Go. Return and enter secluded cultivation. Break through to Nascent Soul before emerging again." The old fiend Yin Yang’s tension suddenly eased; he realized his entire back was drenched in sweat. He gazed at Lei Dong from a distance with a complex expression, wondering if this was some calculated tactic of feigned withdrawal. "What? Must this venerated one escort you out?" Lei Dong raised an eyebrow and said coldly, "Hurry up and scram, lest I change my mind and you regret it immensely." The old fiend Yin Yang felt as if a great amnesty had been declared. He bowed deeply toward Lei Dong with a grave expression. "This junior thanks the Senior for the grace of sparing my life. This junior shall now take his leave." With that, he turned, preparing to use his escape technique to flee. "Wait," Lei Dong called out again. The old fiend Yin Yang’s heart leaped, and a sense of dread washed over him. He wondered if this Senior was truly as capricious as rumored, having changed his mind again. However, at this moment, he was like fish on a chopping block; whether to be killed or sliced was entirely up to the superior. He obediently turned back, adopting an image of deference. "Does the Senior have further instructions?" Lei Dong swept his gaze around the surroundings, hands clasped behind his back, and stated coldly, "Only those of us present today shall know of these events. If even a single rumor regarding this Venerable One's strength reaches the outside world, no matter where you flee, this Venerable One will take your life." This warning, however, pleased the old fiend Yin Yang; it seemed his life was truly saved today. It was truly bad luck; he had fortunately discovered the Huanhuan Sect traitor, Qi Feifei, only to end up battering his own resolve to pieces. He dared not slight Lei Dong's command in the slightest, replying with extreme deference, "Senior, even if you hadn't mentioned it, this junior would never dare speak carelessly. Today, this junior has never seen the Senior before." He swept his divine sense outward, bringing the entire scene within a radius of several dozen miles into his perception. Recalling Lei Dong’s glance around and his desire for secrecy, the old fiend Yin Yang instantly knew how to curry favor. He bowed remotely to Lei Dong: "This junior has been presumptuous." With that, a fierce crimson light erupted from his body. Several dozen burning streaks of light scattered outwards like exploding fireworks. The low-level junior cultivators who had not managed to flee but were hidden nearby had no time to escape; they were all incinerated, soul and spirit destroyed by those flames. This demonstrated the sheer power of the old fiend Yin Yang; had he not encountered a Nascent Soul cultivator, or a freak of nature like Lei Dong, perhaps truly no one could have subdued him. In truth, his cultivation realm was comparable to Lei Dong’s master, the Old Ancestor of Ten Thousand Ghosts. However, in terms of actual combat strength, he was likely several degrees inferior to the Old Ancestor of Ten Thousand Ghosts. After all, supported by Lei Dong, the Old Ancestor possessed two top-grade spirit ghosts, making his power extraordinary. Among cultivators of the same rank, those capable of matching the Old Ancestor of Ten Thousand Ghosts were indeed few and far between.

After finishing the clean-up work for Lei Dong, seeing that Lei Dong offered no objection, the old fiend Yin Yang steered his crimson escape light and fled at high speed. The aura he projected upon leaving was as low-key as possible. After flying several dozen miles, the fear in the old fiend Yin Yang’s heart and the tension in his nerves slowly subsided. The feeling of surviving a catastrophe left him nearly depleted. However, Lei Dong's overwhelming power and terror were deeply imprinted on his mind. After much deliberation, he could not fathom the Senior's origin. His techniques and appearance strongly resembled those of the Yin Sha Sect. Yet, no matter how hard he racked his brain, he could not recall any such formidable figure within the Yin Sha Sect. He harbored no doubts about Lei Dong's Nascent Soul cultivation level. Firstly, he could not discern the opponent's cultivation; secondly, if he were not a Nascent Soul cultivator, how could Yin Yang have been so utterly defeated? Those fierce ghosts burning with azure Nether Fire were truly terrifying. The old fiend Yin Yang even felt that even an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator would not stand a chance against that Senior. As for Lei Dong’s youthful appearance, the old fiend Yin Yang simply dismissed it. Many cultivators who achieved great success in the Nascent Soul stage maintained the appearance of youth, and some even resembled small children. These things were not strange at all.

Once the old fiend Yin Yang departed, Chen Ge, Wei Hua, and the other brothers snapped out of their profound shock. They knew Lei Dong was powerful, but their intuition suggested he was merely comparable to peak Golden Core cultivators. They never imagined that even someone like the old fiend Yin Yang would have no room to counterattack in Lei Dong’s hands, being subdued so effortlessly. Surely, even a Nascent Soul cultivator could do no better? Instantly, the gazes of the brothers toward Lei Dong were filled with awe. Even Qi Feifei felt somewhat stunned. She had frequently witnessed Lei Dong’s cannon-fodder fierce ghosts before, but these current fierce ghosts were terrifyingly potent. She admitted that if she had been targeted by this group of fierce ghosts, she would have fared far worse than the old fiend Yin Yang. It was no wonder her beloved husband possessed such confidence, exhibiting no fear of the Yin Yang Huanhuan Sect. At that precise moment, a standard war vessel of the Yin Sha Sect tore through the clouds from the horizon. A supremely powerful, ink-black streak of light descended from above: "Lei Dong, where is the old fiend Yin Yang?"

(I have been extremely busy moving house recently, alas, it is exhausting and frustrating. It is settled now, and I state again: this book will not be abandoned; I will finish it even if I have to die writing it.)