With Lei Dong's understanding of the Nether Ghost Claw, bolstered by the blessing of the Nether Body, his execution of the technique was no longer inferior to some true Nascent Soul cultivators. However, adding even a trace of spatial law power further amplified its might. Yet, the two ladies, Mei Ji, were, after all, cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage; the formidable Nether Ghost Claws only managed to restrain them for a few breaths before they each burst free.

But in a confrontation of this caliber, a few breaths were enough to accomplish much. The nether ghosts surged forth ceaselessly, as if inexhaustible, from the Netherflame Ghost Banner, completely enveloping the two women. The poor Mei Ji pair, barely freed from confinement, were immediately set upon. The power of the nether ghosts was extraordinary; even though they instantly erected solid crimson shields, under the endless assault of the spectral horde, the shields were destined to break, leading to the complete consumption of their flesh and living souls.

The Netherflame Ghost Banner, refined by Lei Dong through immense effort and sacrifice of life force, proved its power far exceeded his initial expectations. Nearly four hundred thousand ghost soldiers were unleashed, darkening the sky and covering an area spanning a hundred li. Even though the three trapped figures deployed frequent tricks, unleashing spells and magical treasures of every description, they had no way to break through the sea-of-ghosts tactic. Groups of nether ghosts were annihilated, but even more swiftly filled the void in the low-lying terrain.

Meanwhile, the drain was on the true essence of the three Nascent Souls.

When the quantity of any element reaches a certain threshold, it invariably transforms into a change in quality, let alone nether ghosts already possessing considerable strength. Having been refined by the Netherflame Ghost Banner, these specters inherently carried a trace of the Nine Nether Ghost Flame's power, making them formidable and ferocious.

Before long, the three Nascent Souls, having continuously fought their way out, converged, desperately trying to break through the surrounding host. But the ghost tide, stretching for a hundred li, could not possibly be pierced by them. The relentless drain on their true essence rapidly reduced the strength of the three from the Joyful Union Sect to its nadir, filling them with terror. The Golden Core cultivators from the Joyful Union Sect, who had initially dared to approach and surround Lei Dong from a distance, tried to offer aid at first. But after witnessing the power of the Ghost Banner annihilate a batch of their own, none dared approach again; they retreated hundreds of li away, watching helplessly as their three Grand Elders struggled desperately within the sea of ghosts.

Despair began to creep over the three Nascent Soul cultivators. Though their combined efforts had already eradicated no less than one hundred thousand nether ghosts, that amounted to barely a quarter of the host. Their strength was nearly depleted; they had consumed numerous elixirs, but the expenditure of true essence far outstripped the replenishment. This was the most terrifying aspect of the ghost-sea army: it might not instantly wipe out a Nascent Soul cultivator, but it could slowly grind them to death, like ants devouring an elephant.

The injured Yin-Yang Fiend stared in utter stupefaction. He had witnessed his master's ghosts before, having been cornered by a mere thousand spectral entities. He had always assumed that a ghost army exceeding one hundred thousand would be the absolute limit of his master’s capability. He never imagined the sheer immensity of the spectral force his master commanded. Terrifying, truly terrifying. Even high-tier Nascent Soul cultivators, without spatial talismans like the Great Teleportation Art, or the ability to execute instant spatial shifts, would be trapped and slowly worn down to death within it.

However, it seemed even spatial talismans might be useless here. Although only about three hundred thousand ghosts remained, under Lei Dong’s command, they had been dispersed, filling an expanse of nearly two hundred li, and the coverage appeared to be continually increasing. Even if someone possessed the ability to teleport a hundred li in one go, they would still be trapped within the ghost sea, as the thinned spectral waves could instantly reform an unending offensive.

Furthermore, Lei Dong and the Ghost King A’Chou were no pushovers. Immune to the attacks of the ghost sea, they could move within it freely. As such, A’Chou hid behind the densest part of the horde, relentlessly hacking out with blade energy from afar. Meanwhile, Lei Dong activated the Netherworld Great Art, saturating the area within a li radius of the core with pure Nether Ghost Qi. The specters absorbing this energy grew even more frenzied and vicious. Even the injured Yin-Yang Fiend joined the fray, launching repeated long-range attacks on the three trapped Nascent Souls using his spells.

A quarter of an incense stick’s time was all Lei Dong estimated they could last. He began his offer of surrender: "If the three of you continue to resist stubbornly, it is purely a path to death. If you are willing to admit defeat and surrender, I, Lei Mou, will treat you with courtesy and certainly not mistreat you." Lei Dong knew that any Nascent Soul cultivator possessed absolute pride and self-regard; surrendering in battle would not be easy. However, the cultivators of the Joyful Union Sect might possess slightly weaker willpower than others, due to their cultivation methods which often allowed them to take shortcuts through dual cultivation paths during breakthroughs.

Moreover, it was rumored that the cultivators of the Joyful Union Sect were the most fond of pleasure, which was another manifestation of their weaker wills. With so many earthly attachments, they would naturally be reluctant to die.

"Nonsense." The first to speak was Silver Fox, who harbored deep hatred for Lei Dong. He roared, "You expect the three of us Nascent Soul cultivators to surrender to you, boy? Dream on."

Lei Dong was unconcerned; it wasn't the first time he’d been rejected, and he didn’t think much of Silver Fox anyway. He chuckled a few times and said, "Since that is the case, then Senior can rest assured and die." He immediately withdrew the surrounding Nether Ghost Qi, brought his palm forward fiercely, and a black dragon, seven or eight zhang long, shot towards Silver Fox with an eager roar.

Black Dragon Roar was the most powerful offensive spell Lei Dong could wield, possessing extraordinary might. Now, unleashed with his current strength and the effects of the Nether Body, its aura was even more astonishing, surpassing the scope of an ordinary Golden Core cultivator, not much inferior to a full-force strike from a Nascent Soul cultivator. Augmented by a sliver of spatial law power, the black dragon seemed to strike the inescapable Silver Fox the moment it moved. Worthy of being a Nascent Soul expert, even in his depleted state, he managed to block the blow with a wave of his hand. The shockwave rolled through the air, blowing some of the nether ghosts away, granting him a brief chance to catch his breath. Shocked, he quickly shouted, "Wait! Lei Dong, if you agree to spare me, I am willing to offer all my possessions and swear to withdraw from this war, never to oppose you again."

"Killing you will achieve the same goals," Lei Dong remained unmoved, sneering repeatedly. "You are not qualified to negotiate with me."

"Roar! You little bastard surnamed Lei, you forced me to this!" The seemingly frail Silver Fox suddenly roared, turning his hand to pull out a porcelain bottle and gulping down its contents. Simultaneously, an intensely tyrannical aura spread from him. His thin, seemingly weak body began to swell madly, as if inflating a balloon. His eyes, large as washbasins, were filled with a savage and murderous light.

"Silver Fox, you're insane! You actually consumed a Demon King’s Essence Soul? Don't you know that doing this—Ah~" Red Luan, whose face had changed drastically, scolded in a mixture of shock and anger, but she was suddenly seized by a gigantic claw, and her voice cut off abruptly.

"Too much talk." His form had instantly transformed, becoming over ten zhang tall, his features grotesque, with a pair of bat-like black wings sprouting from his back, resembling a demon. With a violent squeeze, he crushed Red Luan, shield and all, into powder. The Nascent Soul resembling Red Luan fled in terror. But the monster Silver Fox had become opened its maw and inhaled both the essence soul and the remaining corpse, swallowing them. It spoke in a cruel, muffled voice, "Useless woman, you might as well contribute your strength to this King. I will personally kill that brat and avenge you."

That barbaric appearance made Lei Dong gasp, a chill running down his spine. Forgetting any pretense of parley, he activated the Shadow Ghost Escape and swiftly retreated backward. The combat prowess displayed by this monster was terrifyingly immense. The Nascent Soul female named Red Luan, though her strength was average and her power nearly exhausted, was still a Nascent Soul cultivator, yet she had been crushed so easily. At the same time, tens of thousands of nether ghosts lunged madly toward the demonic figure.

Even more reactive than Lei Dong was the surviving Mei Ji. After a sharp cry, she crushed a jade talisman with her hand, and an incomparably pure white aura formed an energy shield around her. Simultaneously, she transformed into a streak of light, desperately fleeing outward, paying no mind to the surging tide of nether ghosts.

Unfortunately, although Mei Ji’s escape technique was decent, the ghost tide constantly battered her, slowing her speed to that of a snail. However, the ghost tide did not seem to pose much of an obstacle to the Black Winged Demon King. With a flap of his wings, he tore open space directly and gave chase, raising his sharp claws to viciously strike Mei Ji’s shield. Such a mighty blow failed to shatter her protective shield but instead sent her flying hundreds of zhang away; however, the shield showed faint, spreading cracks. This caused the Black Winged Demon King to pause momentarily, muttering, "Great Protective Art. So you still had this treasure hidden away. But the Great Protective Art won't save you either, Mei Ji. Contribute to restoring my power for this King. Heh heh heh~"

The Black Winged Demon King laughed maniacally and continued the pursuit, reappearing with phantom speed, bringing his mountain-like claw down viciously, as if intent on tearing space apart. Mei Ji’s battered Great Protective Art likely could not withstand a second such attack. Just as she resigned herself to despair, closing her eyes to await her execution, she was suddenly caught in an embrace, followed by a distortion of space.

At this moment, the Demon Emperor Seed on Lei Dong’s forehead was fully manifested, looking like a third, wicked eye. His personal power, unleashed by the Demon Emperor Transformation, had broken through the limits of a Golden Core cultivator, reaching a level nearly equivalent to a Nascent Soul cultivator. With a sweep of his Asura Wings, in the next instant, he was tens of li away.