This was only the income from the Qi Refining stage cultivators. As for the tens of thousands of Foundation Establishment cultivators, their contributions were by no means insignificant. Although their base number was dozens of times smaller than that of the Qi Refining cultivators, the wealth of the Foundation Establishment cultivators far surpassed the former, with some having enough reserves to scrape together over a million spirit stones in a short period.

Hence, the lottery tickets targeting Foundation Establishment cultivators were directly priced at one hundred spirit stones each. Though the price was high, the grand prize drove the vast majority of these cultivators into a frenzy. The first prize, a Heaven-Ascending Pill valued at twenty million spirit stones, was coveted even by Nascent Soul cultivators. The other significant prizes were equally eye-catching, such as high-grade Spirit Ghosts and top-grade Spirit Artifacts.

Exchanging one hundred spirit stones for a chance to win the Heaven-Ascending Pill was an almost impossible bargain. Even if he didn't use it himself, selling it would ensure a carefree life forever. Fortunately, only a single stall was set up, with Madam Qing personally leading a contingent of Golden Core and Foundation Establishment cultivators to manage the sales, thus preventing any major trouble. One had to remember that Foundation Establishment cultivators were far more formidable than those at the Qi Refining stage, and many possessed considerable backgrounds.

The lottery tickets, valued at one hundred million spirit stones in total, were completely sold out in less than a day.

Lei Dong's gross profit reached sixty to seventy million. One old cultivator, merely in the early stage of Foundation Establishment, whose prospects were otherwise limited, was struck by incredible luck, winning the Heaven-Ascending Pill with just two tickets. The pill was announced later in the selling period, having been deliberately held back by Madam Qing until the very end before the winner was revealed.

The poor old man, though feeling as if a massive fortune had rained down on him, simultaneously wore a look of utter misery, as if facing imminent doom. How pleasant could it be to have tens of thousands of divine senses sweeping over him? Having no choice, he publicly announced his intention to sell the Heaven-Ascending Pill for twenty million spirit stones.

The result was the appearance of a terrifying Nascent Soul level old demon, apparently a prominent figure from the Demonic Prison Sect. He unceremoniously tossed over twenty Extreme Spirit Stones and took the Heaven-Ascending Pill without another word. It was speculated that the old demon intended this pill for a future successor, as even for an old demon, twenty million spirit stones represented a significant outlay.

However, this transaction did nothing to solve the Foundation Establishment elder's predicament. Fortunately, the old man was cunning; he immediately announced that he would donate the twenty Extreme Spirit Stones to the Yinsha Sect in exchange for an opportunity to join.

Lei Dong certainly wouldn't miss such a golden opportunity. He immediately transmitted a message to Ding Wanyan, who promptly acted, accepting the old man as a disciple on his master's behalf. However, Wanyan was generous, taking only fifteen Extreme Spirit Stones and leaving five for the elder. Although the old man appeared to lose out by joining the Myriad Ghost Cave for fifteen Extreme Spirit Stones, in reality, had he done otherwise, he likely wouldn't have survived to leave the vicinity of Star-Plucking Peak. At that price, even Nascent Soul cultivators would have stealthily made a move.

But now that he had joined the Myriad Ghost Cave, he was effectively a member of the Yinsha Sect. If anyone dared to harm him now, they would be making an enemy of the entire Yinsha Sect.

Lei Dong’s mood soared, and he immediately initiated the lottery activities for the Golden Core stage cultivators. The Golden Core cultivators gathered below Star-Plucking Peak numbered less than a thousand. Yet, one should never underestimate this small group of fewer than a thousand Golden Core cultivators. In the entire Kang Prefecture, there were only a few thousand figures at the Golden Core Ancestor level in total. The weakest among them was a powerhouse in a mid-to-high-tier family or sect.

Golden Core cultivators were significantly wealthier than Foundation Establishment cultivators, especially those who were heads of families, who could be persuaded to part with tens of millions of spirit stones if pressed hard enough.

However, the only thing Lei Dong possessed that could drive Golden Core cultivators to frenzy was a top-grade Spirit Ghost, besides which he had nothing else. Yet, a top-grade Spirit Ghost was an item that even Nascent Soul cultivators would go mad over. To use such an item as a grand prize was practically inviting disaster upon himself.

It was fortunate that just then, Blood Demon, who had journeyed to Zhao Prefecture, returned to the Yinsha Sect, travel-worn and dusty. Upon hearing news of the Heavenly Demon’s impending duel, he came directly from the sect and rushed to Star-Plucking Peak alone.

The temporary courtyard prepared for Blood Demon was crisscrossed with layered formations.

Inside the temporary secret chamber within this very courtyard, a three-person strategy meeting was underway.

The three individuals were naturally Lei Dong, Blood Demon, and Heavenly Demon. If any outsider had been present, they would likely have been scared to death. In this meeting of three, the mighty Blood Demon and Heavenly Demon sat respectfully on either side of Lei Dong.

Blood Demon’s trip seemed to have been taxing; he appeared slightly thinner and older than several years prior. However, his spirit was exceptionally energized. Clearly, his journey to Zhao Prefecture had brought him immense shock. Simultaneously, the look in his eyes when observing Lei Dong now carried a deeper shade of reverence than before.

"My Lord, this trip indeed yielded plentiful rewards, just as you predicted," Blood Demon said, a hint of excitement flickering in his eyes. "The mechanical puppets, warships, magic cannons, and talismans we brought sold for excellent prices in Zhao Prefecture. At the same time, we acquired a large batch of inexpensive elixirs there. In this exchange, we stand to gain at least three hundred million spirit stones in gross profit. Furthermore, following the contact information you provided, I visited the Barbarian Prophet Kukas and the Saintess Lan Qisi, and we were warmly received. Before departing, the Saintess asked me to bring some local specialties back for you. Here are the manifests for this trade and the Saintess's gifts." Several hundred million spirit stones was an astonishing figure, even for Nascent Soul cultivators.

Lei Dong accepted the two jade slips. He merely let his divine sense sweep over them briefly before smiling and praising, "Senior Blood Demon, your journey was arduous. You even managed to bring back a Pill for Nascent Soul Condensation. We now have the main prize for the upcoming lottery." As for the Saintess's so-called local specialties, Lei Dong didn't examine them closely; they were mostly minerals and medicinal herbs gathered by the Barbarian tribe in the Great Wasteland. However, when he saw the final number, which Blood Demon had added, valued at two hundred million spirit stones, he was momentarily stunned. Truly a batch of shocking gifts.

"Senior Blood Demon, the Barbarians’ artifact refining skill is lacking. When you return, summon a group of master refiners to craft a batch of high-grade standardized war spears and armor for the Barbarians; they adore these weapons. However, Zhao Prefecture harbors deep-seated hatred for the Barbarians and refuses to sell them anything." Since Saintess Lan Qisi had shown such kindness, Lei Dong naturally could not be ungrateful. He was certain that batch of war spears and armor would drive the Saintess wild with joy.

"Yes, I will arrange this immediately," Blood Demon replied. He then regained a solemn expression and stated seriously, "My Lord, fulfilling your trust, I requested the Saintess to take me to see Lord Lei Long. Lord Lei Long helped erase the soul imprint from that storage chest, and I have successfully brought the chest back intact, failing my mission. However, Lord Lei Long placed a restriction on the chest; only you, my Lord, can open it."

Saying this, Blood Demon reverently retrieved the storage chest concealed in the secret chamber. Because the storage chest was a spatial storage artifact, and due to the law that space cannot overlap, the chest had to be transported via flying vessel, personally guarded by Blood Demon. Blood Demon had exerted considerable effort throughout the journey just to safeguard this single chest.

Upon hearing about the storage chest, Lei Dong’s spirits lifted. This object was something Li Yao had expended great effort refining into his soul, treating it as a Spirit Treasure. This indicated how highly Li Yao valued it. Lei Dong even harbored a suspicion that the so-called Eight Sons of Lingxiao coming to Kang Prefecture, ostensibly to avenge Li Yao, were secretly after this storage chest as well.

Lei Dong gently stroked the massive storage chest. Such a large object clearly implied immense internal space. Currently, the chest was firmly gripped by a powerful and sharp divine sense—that of Lei Long, whose presence was very familiar.

The moment Lei Dong's divine sense touched Lei Long’s divine lock, something miraculous occurred: the seemingly unbreakable divine sense melted away like snow meeting a raging fire, retreating completely.

Lei Dong’s spirits soared. A Soul Transformation stage cultivator truly possessed unpredictable means. Seeing the deference mixed with fear in Blood Demon’s expression when mentioning Lei Long, it was clear Blood Demon had suffered under Lei Long’s hand. This was precisely why Blood Demon’s demeanor toward Lei Dong had softened considerably upon his return, showing a degree of awe. Although he was a Nascent Soul cultivator, he couldn't compete with having a Soul Transformation stage sworn brother willing to stand up for Lei Dong.

Originally, Blood Demon had assumed Lei Dong’s relationship with the Soul Transformation senior was merely superficial, and that the talk of brotherhood was exaggerated boasting. However, he never imagined that Lei Dong and Lei Long's bond was as close as blood brothers. Because of this intimacy, Blood Demon had suffered more than a little under Lei Long's hands.

Lei Dong was astute enough to realize that Lei Long had deliberately used his power to thoroughly intimidate Blood Demon.

What a pity, what a pity. Lei Dong felt a faint sense of regret; if only Lei Long could leave the Sacred Domain, then heaven and earth would be theirs to roam freely!

To completely refine the spatial sacred artifact left by the Demonic Emperor Sect, one likely needed Nascent Soul cultivation. It was hard on Lei Long, who still had to remain confined in that dark cell for many more years.

Setting aside this thought for the moment, Lei Dong cautiously submerged his divine sense into the storage chest. This chest was now akin to an undefended treasure vault, open for anyone's divine sense to penetrate. At that instant, however, Lei Dong's divine sense suddenly exploded with a resounding boom, a shock so violent it left him momentarily dizzy.

Yet, at that very moment, a magical event transpired. As Lei Dong slowly opened his eyes, he found himself no longer in the secret chamber but immersed deep within a brilliantly colorful, magnificent Hundred Flower Valley.

With a gentle inhalation, he felt an incredibly pure spiritual energy pouring into his nostrils, instantly refreshing his slightly chaotic mental state. Raising his head, he saw a hazy, indistinct canopy overhead, through which a single ray of sunlight managed to pierce through.