Don't underestimate this speed; it is common knowledge that the higher one's cultivation, the slower the advancement. Were it not for Lei Dong possessing seemingly inexhaustible medicinal pills and utilizing the Tian Mo Bian for his training, advancing from the Mid-stage Golden Core to the High-stage would have been an almost impossible task given his aptitude. As for what the Blood Demon claimed—breaking through to the Mid-stage in five years—that was merely because he had lingered in the initial stage for far too long. He was only barely on the cusp of a breakthrough; it didn't mean he could jump from the early Nascent Soul stage to the Mid-stage in just five years. If he possessed such talent, the Blood Demon would already be a supreme expert among the Soul Transformation realm.

Setting aside these thoughts, Lei Dong broke through the spatial barrier and returned to the secret chamber. Both the Heavenly Demon and the Blood Demon were eagerly awaiting his return. The moment they saw him, their faces were filled with utter shock. Even the old fiend, the Blood Demon, groaned, "Just over an hour? We've only waited here for just over an hour. My Lord, are you certain you spent the full twelve hours inside?"

"Naturally, not a moment less," Lei Dong was also deeply shaken by the difference in the time flow rate between the two sides. "Doesn't that mean the rate of passage is roughly ten to one? What level of existence was the predecessor who refined this Grotto-Heaven and Blessed Land?"

"Regardless of their cultivation level, they are beings we must look up to," the Heavenly Demon exclaimed in awe. "To wield the Laws of Time to this extent—I truly cannot fathom what kind of existence they were."

"By that calculation, Senior Blood Demon's five years in seclusion outside only amounted to six months in the real world?" Lei Dong began to ponder. "If that is the case, it would be highly advantageous for Senior Blood Demon to enter seclusion inside to assault the Mid-stage Nascent Soul realm. Even if he fails, since this space is refined into my Divine Soul, I can summon Senior Blood Demon to aid me in battle at any moment."

"I thank my Lord for this magnanimity. Your subordinate shall certainly not disappoint your expectations." Achieving the Mid-stage Nascent Soul a day sooner was a great thing for the Blood Demon, who immediately bowed in delight.

"Don't be stingy with the pills either," Lei Dong decided to see the good deed through to the end. "Strive to break through within three years. Furthermore, I will bring in a few more people. The only pity is that this space seems rather small, only about thirty zhang in circumference."

"My Lord need not worry about that," the Blood Demon countered. "I have read texts in ancient records regarding the efficacy of Grotto-Heaven and Blessed Lands. Any item of this nature reverts to its most primal state to conserve consumption once it loses its master. As long as my Lord completely refines it, the mist will part, and the space will expand."

So that was how it was. Lei Dong was somewhat pleased. While the Grotto-Heaven and Blessed Land was indeed a treasure, a thirty-zhang radius was indeed too confined. His goal was to cultivate armies numbering in the thousands. One-on-one combat had never been Lei Dong's guiding principle; strength in numbers was the true path.

Knowing that Lei Dong needed to focus his energy on refinement next, the Blood Demon took his leave so as not to disturb him. However, the Heavenly Demon remained, looking at Lei Dong with a complex expression. Even she had not anticipated that the minor cultivator she could have crushed effortlessly back then would possess such astonishing potential for growth, reaching the Mid-stage Golden Core in such a short time. Now, with the Grotto-Heaven and Blessed Land in hand, the Nascent Soul stage was surely within sight. Even she could not imagine how far he might eventually go.

For something like this, the sooner it was refined, the better. Lei Dong immediately sat cross-legged, enveloping the storage chest with his Divine Sense, and began the slow process of merging it with his Divine Soul. The Heavenly Demon stood guard vigilantly nearby to protect him.

It wasn't that the refinement process itself was dangerous, but rather that this item was of immense importance—an unknown treasure left by an ancient mighty figure—and not a single error could be tolerated.

Fortunately, Lei Dong encountered no unforeseen problems during the refinement, successfully completing the preliminary integration of the storage chest and stamping it with his personal Divine Soul Imprint. Anyone else attempting to enter the Grotto-Heaven and Blessed Land without his consent would have to forcefully erase his Divine Soul Imprint.

Of course, for Lei Dong to completely assimilate the item would still require some time.

In the following period, the area beneath Star Plucking Peak grew increasingly lively. For Lei Dong, the lottery scheme was equally vital. After all, this venture was profitable because it was an unexpected, novel concept that had caught others off guard. Such creativity was easily mimicked by anyone. While he might still profit from issuing lotteries in the future, it certainly wouldn't be as lucrative as it was now.

Since this draw was primarily aimed at Golden Core cultivators, it was naturally handed over to the recently returned Blood Demon to manage. As an established Nascent Soul cultivator of the Yin Corpse Sect, the Blood Demon was a figure renowned throughout the realm. The might of his Hua Xue Da Fa and the power of his Blood Puppets had forged his reputation for savage slaughter. With him presiding, the scene was easily kept in check, while a group of Golden Core and Foundation Establishment cultivators secretly controlled by Lei Dong acted as subordinates.

In Kangzhou, the total number of Golden Core cultivators was likely around three thousand. Even counting hermits or hidden Golden Core masters, the total would scarcely exceed four thousand. Yet, beneath Star Plucking Peak, over thirteen hundred Golden Core cultivators had already gathered. Such an immense assembly was a sight many had never witnessed in their lifetimes—so many Golden Core experts congregated.

The Golden Core stage was called the 'Ancestor' realm for good reason. While the total number in Kangzhou seemed exaggerated, across the vast territory of Kangzhou, Golden Core cultivators were still quite sparse. It was worth noting that Lei Dong controlled several dozen Golden Core cultivators through the Ghost Gu, mostly in the early to mid-stages, with only a few High-stage ones. Even so, this represented a considerable force. If they attacked without regard for casualties, they could likely contend with a relatively weak early Nascent Soul cultivator. Even an ant, when numerous enough, can bite an elephant to death, let alone a crowd of Golden Core cultivators who already possess formidable destructive power.

If all the Golden Core cultivators in Kangzhou could be assembled into an army, even a solitary Soul Transformation expert might flee upon encountering them. Quantity, when reaching a certain threshold, leads to a qualitative change.

The wealth commanded by over a thousand Golden Core cultivators was staggering. If all their assets were liquidated, the total value would certainly exceed twenty billion Ling Chao. This illustrated that a large contingent of Golden Core cultivators represented an immense vein of riches. In fact, even the greatest mineral deposits couldn't yield this many spirit stones.

The advance publicity over two days ensured that all Golden Core cultivators knew the grand prize for this lottery draw was a Nascent Soul Condensation Pill—what was that? It was an item that could drive every Golden Core cultivator in the world to madness. What mattered most to a Golden Core cultivator? Life, certainly, was important. But for the chance to break through to the Nascent Soul realm, many would gamble their very lives.

The Nascent Soul stage was a realm desperately coveted by every Golden Core cultivator. No one, not even the most transcendent genius, could claim they were certain to break through to Nascent Soul. The Nascent Soul Condensation Pill represented this hope—a heaven-defying elixir that greatly increased the chances of breaching the Nascent Soul barrier. This item was priceless and exceedingly rare; often, even possessing spirit stones wasn't enough to acquire one.

In Kangzhou, an auction price casually reaching over a hundred million spirit stones could bankrupt an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator. What hope did a mere Golden Core cultivator have?

Because of this, a single Nascent Soul Condensation Pill stirred up massive waves, its buzz rivaling that of the impending pinnacle duel.

According to the rules, lotteries tailored for Golden Core cultivators were launched, each priced at ten thousand spirit stones. A mere ten thousand spirit stones was next to nothing for a Golden Core cultivator. The poorer ones would spend hundreds of thousands; many Golden Core masters would pour in millions, even tens of millions of spirit stones, buying huge stacks of tickets to peel open on the side. Soon, someone would shriek in excitement, having pulled out a prize of a certain rank. Setting aside the Nascent Soul Condensation Pill, the remaining prizes were also valuable—such as Mid-grade Magical Treasures, medicinal pills, and more, valued anywhere from several million to tens of thousands of spirit stones.

Almost as soon as sales began, the initial cost of three hundred million spirit stones deployed by Lei Dong was recouped. By the end of the day, the sales trend finally plateaued only after someone spectacularly revealed they had drawn the Nascent Soul Condensation Pill. But the total sales figure had already reached over 1.2 billion spirit stones. From this single event, Lei Dong had netted nine hundred million. Once the final tally was out, even Lei Dong himself was somewhat stunned. The Blood Demon, who hosted the draw, nearly spat blood beside him. He had labored diligently for the better half of his life, and his accumulated wealth barely exceeded two hundred million spirit stones. Moreover, his perilous journey to and from Zhao Prefecture had ultimately earned Lei Dong a gross profit of three hundred million.

But Lei Dong had made nine hundred million merely by playing this game—how could the Blood Demon not feel like spitting blood?

Lei Dong now possessed usable financial resources around fifteen hundred million spirit stones, excluding his heaven-defying treasures and top-grade Spirit Ghosts. Even if all of it were converted to top-grade spirit stones, it would amount to fifteen hundred stones. Such wealth, if publicized, could infuriate a Nascent Soul stage cultivator to death.

Yet, Lei Dong still felt slightly unsatisfied. He began preparing for the final gambit. From the moment the lottery began, various rumors had started circulating. Stories emphasized the might of the Grand Supreme Sect. The hot-headed young nationalists of Kangzhou were beginning to gain a sobering perspective. A sect that had existed since ancient times—the secrets it held were surely unfathomable. Another rumor alleged that the Grand Supreme Sect’s Eldest Senior Brother had summoned a Celestial General comparable to a High-stage Nascent Soul expert for Fan Quqing. A High-stage Nascent Soul Celestial General? This sent a chill through everyone; such a thing was terrifying. Soon, the majority believed the Heavenly Demon's chances of victory were slim, as the Yin Corpse Sect's foundation was far inferior to the Grand Supreme Sect's.

At this critical juncture, Lei Dong, through the Blood Demon and his subordinates, released the odds for the upcoming wager. Heavenly Demon to win offered odds of one to three (a return of three for every one wagered). Fan Quqing to win offered odds of one to one point five. This meant betting ten thousand spirit stones on Fan Quqing would yield only five thousand in profit if he won. On the Heavenly Demon's side, the return was double. Yet, even with these odds, the number of people betting on Fan Quqing continued to climb rapidly. Emotionally, everyone sided with the Heavenly Demon, but rationally...