Yin Yang congratulated himself; his Yin-Yang Divine Art was profoundly subtle, especially his mastery of evasion techniques, which had saved him from Nascent Soul cultivators more than once. This was the very foundation of how he had managed to survive for so many years in Kang Province, despite accumulating countless enemies through his misdeeds.

But now, he was gripped by sheer terror. That shadowy, indistinct figure clung to him like maggots to bone, watching intently. With a flicker, the figure materialized directly in front of him, startling the Old Monster Yin Yang into channeling his full divine power to unleash a blast of crimson light. The light's potency was extraordinary; a mere graze would subject ordinary cultivators to a vicious corrosion of their very soul and physical form by poisonous miasma.

However, Ghost Thorn possessed the inherent nature of a high-grade Spirit Ghost, its natural aptitude already astonishing. After gaining sentience, it had meticulously practiced various Netherworld sorceries, resulting in a strength that was impossibly formidable. It sneered, "A mere firefly daring to cast its meager light." Two dagger-like spikes, sharp as needles, spun rapidly in its hands.

Streaks of black light erupted like a myriad of arrows firing simultaneously, dancing across the expanse, and the crimson beam was instantly and utterly consumed by the inky darkness.

"Ghost King?" Old Monster Yin Yang groaned in despair. Why, of all things, while hiding from the Demon Sha Sect's pursuit, had he managed to provoke a Ghost King? Could it be that the Netherworld Ghost Domain was actually invading Kang Province?

Daring neither to attack nor to flee, he remained obediently suspended in mid-air, offering a respectful salute. "I wonder which venerable Ghost King honors me with this visit. Your junior is merely a humble rogue cultivator from Kang Province, holding no past grudges nor recent enmity with Your Excellency. I implore you to spare this junior's life."

"Jie jie, enough chatter. My Master wishes to speak with you." Ghost Thorn’s form was elusive and unstable; its power as a low-tier Ghost King projected an aura of oppression that was utterly terrifying to Old Monster Yin Yang.

Old Monster Yin Yang’s heart clenched. A dignified Ghost King actually had a master? Could this Ghost King be the spirit servant of some powerful senior? Despite being riddled with questions and fear, he dared not utter another word. He obediently followed Ghost Thorn as it phased away.

Lei Dong watched Old Monster Yin Yang’s crestfallen face and chuckled, hands clasped behind his back. "I wondered whose looked so familiar; turns out it’s that Yin Yang brat."

Due to the Zhou Tian Concealing Sun Art, Old Monster Yin Yang could not discern Lei Dong's true power at all. Coupled with his prior preconceptions, he naturally assumed Lei Dong was some immensely powerful senior. He forced a bitter smile and bowed respectfully. "This junior, Yin Yang, pays respects to Your Excellency. I thank Your Excellency for sparing my life previously at Star Picking Peak." Recognizing Lei Dong, his heart settled somewhat; first, he knew he couldn't win in a fight, and second, this senior had let him go once before. This time...

Seeing his disheveled state, Lei Dong also smiled. "I didn't let you go last time; I told you to cultivate diligently and break through to Nascent Soul. Why do you have the leisure to hide here watching this venerable one drill troops?"

Old Monster Yin Yang jolted at the words. So this entire army of the Ghost Clan belonged to this senior? Elite troops, truly a sharp and refined company. He had witnessed their methods just moments ago, knowing he might not even prevail against them with his own strength. His heart tightened, and he immediately offered another wry smile. "Reporting to Your Excellency, this junior originally intended to heed your command and find a secluded spot for dedicated closed-door cultivation. However, I inexplicably offended the Heavenly Demon of the Demon Sha Sect, and for years I’ve been hunted like a stray dog. Convinced that the most dangerous place is the safest, I hid in this remote corner within the Demon Sha Sect's territory. Yet, after only two brief years..." He dared not utter the rest of the sentence.

"So that's how it is. I apologize for interrupting your plight. Tell you what, find another place to hide. Once you achieve Nascent Soul, it shouldn't be much of an issue. It’s best if you go to another province to avoid further pursuit," Lei Dong considered before speaking. In truth, he didn't have a bad impression of Old Monster Yin Yang. Despite his past villainy, the man was somewhat pitiable. Lei Dong always conducted himself without being swayed by mundane judgments.

Old Monster Yin Yang was stunned. He had assumed that having been spared once, he would be spared again now that he had fallen into this predicament? Since childhood, unloved and scorned, he had endured nothing but bullying and humiliation. Once he gained some power, wherever he went, he was met either with aversion or fear. The one sensation he never felt was respect. Looking at the senior’s attitude last time, he must have intended to recruit him as a subordinate. But to think that after his refusal, this senior had genuinely not troubled him further.

Listening to Lei Dong’s words of counsel, Old Monster Yin Yang felt a sudden urge to weep. This reaction was fundamentally because Lei Dong’s power was so overwhelming, capable of crushing him with a mere gesture. In his subconscious perception, this mysterious senior possessed such might that eliminating him would be as easy as playing a game. To receive a casual word of concern from such a person must surely be sincere, without any ulterior motive. It certainly couldn't be a tactic of playing hard to get; otherwise, why advise him to flee to another province? Furthermore, his meager strength was hardly worth the senior's notice anyway.

His intuition was not wrong. Lei Dong genuinely had no immediate intention of recruiting him; he simply felt a degree of pity and did not wish to cause trouble. Seeing his face shift between moods, Lei Dong smiled and waved his hand. "What are you standing around for? Do you expect this venerable one to invite you for tea? Scram, and remember this: you are forbidden from speaking of my secrets."

With that dismissal, Old Monster Yin Yang suddenly felt reluctant to leave. Throughout his life, there had been many times when people showed him deference. But he knew that was because they feared him or coveted his power. This senior, however, sought nothing from him, yet displayed such unexpected warmth and care.

"Se-Senior," Yin Yang stammered, "I have offended the Demon Sha Sect, and I dare not visit any market to purchase even basic cultivation pills. Like a stray dog, I beg Your Excellency, perhaps you could..."

Lei Dong was startled by his audacity. Damn it, he was showing rare benevolence by not robbing him and letting him go, and this brat actually dared to ask him for elixirs? He must have lost his mind. But seeing his genuinely pathetic appearance, his heart softened, and he casually tossed out a vial of pills. "You are quite skilled at pushing your luck. Here is a bottle of Profound Origin Pills. They aren't anything too special. Take them and get lost."

Old Monster Yin Yang took the bottle and sniffed it—indeed, they were top-grade Profound Origin Pills. An indescribable emotion swirled within him. In his entire life, no one had ever been kind to him without expectation of reward. Even the senior's scolding now felt strangely intimate.

After a brief internal struggle, his expression became solemn as he bowed deeply. "Several years ago, below Star Picking Peak, I heard Your Excellency seemed to be seeking subordinates. Does this junior perhaps possess the honor of following Your Excellency’s banner and serving?" Yin Yang had finally understood: in this world, one cannot achieve anything substantial alone. Just like those from the Demon Sha Sect—even a Foundation Establishment brat dared to claw at him, yet he himself couldn't strike back decisively. Why? Because he lacked a powerful backer.

He had considered finding an organization or a backer before. But having struggled to survive since childhood, he knew perfectly well that even if someone accepted him, it would only be for his strength, to use him as a thug or enforcer. Genuine, heartfelt respect was impossible to obtain.

It was better to pledge allegiance to this senior than to anyone else. At least this senior, who appeared to be a young man, had treated him kindly, harboring no malicious intent.

Lei Dong was taken aback; he hadn't expected his casual display of kindness to prompt Old Monster Yin Yang to actively seek allegiance. He fell into thought, furrowing his brow as he considered the implications. "Yin Yang, do you know my background?"

"This junior does not know, but in this junior’s view, Your Excellency is at least a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, and certainly no ordinary figure," Old Monster Yin Yang said, glancing furtively at Ah Chou and Ghost Thorn with utmost respect. This was not a lie; anyone capable of controlling two low-tier Ghost Kings could hardly be common.

"Since you wish to join me, I must be upfront with you. First, if you follow me, the future will be very perilous. Second, my actual strength is not as high as you imagine; in terms of true cultivation, I am merely a peak Golden Core cultivator, slightly weaker than you." Lei Dong stated seriously.

"What? That’s impossible! How can a peak Golden Core control two Ghost Kings? No, moreover, Your Excellency's mastery of spatial laws already surpasses that of ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators." Old Monster Yin Yang, having lived two or

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