The Black Winged Demon Lord, severely wounded by the surprise attack from Ghost Stab, violently slapped backward with his colossal palm, an impact carrying the force of a collapsing mountain. Unable to evade in time, Ghost Stab was sent flying back dozens of zhang, his spectral form, usually solid, twisting violently and turning translucent with weakness. And Ah Chou wasn't faring any better; his figure flickered like a candle in the wind, barely substantial. Even a weakened Demon Lord, one whose power had already dropped a full realm, was not easily trifled with after unleashing his secret art.

Mutual destruction was at hand.

Both sides unleashed their full might; the entire engagement, from beginning to end, lasted mere heartbeats, yet resulted in a mutual devastation.

This outcome was partly because Lei Dong had underestimated the heavily wounded Black Winged Demon Lord. It was also partly because the Demon Lord had underestimated Lei Dong—he had only anticipated one Ghost King, whereas there were actually two.

This was one of the most perilous battles Lei Dong had faced since his emergence. Yet, he harbored no regret about challenging the Demon Lord. This was the optimal moment to slay him; if the Demon Lord were allowed to recover his peak strength and return, the consequences would likely be irreversible.

The Emperor Demon Seed, crystal clear as the most precious gem in the world, slowly materialized above his brow. His remaining strength transmuted into surging battle intent, forcibly suppressing the injuries to his ruptured internal organs. At this juncture, both man and demon shared a single, relentless thought: kill the other.

Spectral ghosts danced in the air, surging like a tide to engulf and annihilate the Black Winged Demon Lord. Meanwhile, the two Ghost Kings, Ah Chou and Ghost Stab, rallied their spirits, circling the Demon Lord from a distance, seeking an opening.

Even the Golden Core stage Soul Devouring Shadow Tiger stayed back, bombarding the Black Winged Demon Lord from afar with Roar Bombs.

"Aoo~ Aoo~"

Truly worthy of being one of the most tenacious races in legend: the high-grade Demon Race. Ghost Stab’s sneak attack had ripped a massive hole in his back. Yet, mere moments later, the wound began to heal, sealing over with an ugly, bloody cocoon. A formidable demonic energy coalesced around him, forming a black hurricane, spinning at incredible speeds like countless tiny, razor-sharp wind blades. Any spectral ghost caught within was instantly shredded and dissolved.

But the number of spectral ghosts was simply too vast, utterly fearless of life or death, surging toward him as if endless. Even if their sole purpose was to exhaust even a sliver of the Demon Lord's strength, their mission would be accomplished.

The Black Winged Demon Lord naturally understood that continuing in his current state meant only death. This brat named Lei Dong was the most troublesome Core Formation junior he had ever encountered. Wasting no more hesitation, he transformed into a black meteor, sweeping straight toward Lei Dong himself. Utilizing the laws of space, he arrived in an instant.

But Lei Dong, already alert after the initial ambush, felt no fear. Prepared for this maneuver, he opened and closed his wings, instantly relocating several miles away. He continued to direct the ghost sea army to drain the Demon Lord's power. As long as the Demon Lord was kept from closing the distance, he would eventually exhaust his energy and be defeated by the spectral horde.

"Such a cunning brat," the Black Winged Demon Lord nearly spat blood after fully assessing the situation. Was he truly going to be ground down to death by this boy? For a Demon Lord, this was the height of humiliation.

However, as his eyes swept across the battlefield, catching sight of the Soul Devouring Shadow Tiger incessantly attacking from the rear—causing him no small amount of trouble—and the two circling Ghost Kings, the Demon Lord's eyes brightened. It was better to sever one finger than to injure ten. In the era when he thrived, countless races existed, including those specialized in taming beasts and controlling spirits. He knew perfectly well that the deepest spiritual connection between a battle pet or spirit servant and its master was forged through blood sacrifice binding their souls. Consequently, if the pet or servant died, the master’s soul would suffer a severe backlash.

Although his power was already waning to its limits, expending his final reserves to kill these spirit servants and pets might spell the end of his own life. But that was preferable to dying in utter disgrace, and besides, there might still be a sliver of a chance to turn the tide.

Acting on the thought, the Black Winged Demon Lord savagely lunged directly at the Soul Devouring Shadow Tiger, intending to eliminate the little tiger first, then deal with the two Ghost Kings. Suffering such heavy wounds in quick succession, even if this brat ultimately won, his future days would be miserable.

Seeing this, Lei Dong inwardly cursed, realizing the danger, and frantically spread his wings, his figure dissolving into blurred afterimages as he intercepted the Demon Lord. Setting aside the fact that the Shadow Tiger had been with him for many years and they shared a brotherly bond, Lei Dong himself was already running on fumes, barely holding on. If the Shadow Tiger died, his own soul would inevitably sustain a crippling blow, leaving his survival entirely out of his hands.

Positioning himself in front of the Shadow Tiger, Lei Dong intercepted the Demon Lord. The Black Dragon Roar once again bellowed forth; in its peerless state, its power was still not to be underestimated.

Damn it, this move again. The Black Winged Demon Lord was wary of this potent technique, but this was his best chance to kill Lei Dong. Once engaged, it would be difficult for the boy to break free.

The Demon Lord struck out with his claws, meeting Lei Dong head-on in a clash. Black light sparked and ripples spread through the air. The violent energy fluctuations sent countless spectral ghosts scattering wildly. Under this direct confrontation, Lei Dong clearly suffered the greater loss, spewing blood from his mouth as his back slammed into a small mountain, sending shards of rock flying.

However, at this critical moment, Lei Dong simultaneously recalled the two Ghost Kings and the Soul Devouring Shadow Tiger, keeping them close for protection. He set his posture, ready for an all-out brawl with the Black Winged Demon Lord. At this point, it was impossible for either side to withdraw.

The Black Winged Demon Lord, despite gaining the upper hand in the exchange, was no better off. Though his lineage was powerful, it had limits. Repeated, grievous injuries had brought his life to the brink of collapse. Yet, demons were inherently fierce and aggressive beings; even now, his only thought was to slay the human brat who had forced him into this desperate situation before he died.

"Sigh," Lei Dong sighed softly, inwardly admitting that this time, the odds were heavily stacked against him.

But the Demon Lord’s savagery ignited a spark of wild arrogance deep within Lei Dong’s bones. If you want to kill me, be it god or devil, I won't let you have an easy time. I'll drag you down with me before I die.

Having settled on this resolution—to end the fight via mutual self-destruction with his beloved pets and servants—

"Zheng~" A crisp, distant sound of a zither echoed.

Azure light swirled across the sky, coalescing into a phantom flying sword that ruthlessly cleaved toward the Black Winged Demon Lord. The Demon Lord’s expression twisted in shock; he hastily summoned his demonic energy to form a shield, but the sword’s power was extraordinary! Furthermore, the fiend was already at the weakest point of his entire existence. Inevitably, the demon shield shattered, and the residual force of the phantom sword slashed a gaping wound across his chest.

Amidst the Demon Lord’s fierce but ultimately hollow roars, a woman dressed in a simple white gown, sporting a pair of pristine white wings on her back, slowly descended from the thick mist. When the spectral ghosts lunged with bared fangs, they were all repelled by an invisible force.

Seeing the arrival, Lei Dong's heart suddenly relaxed, and he quickly commanded the spectral ghosts not to attack the woman.

"Winged race?" The Black Winged Demon Lord roared, momentarily stunned, but quickly dismissed the thought: "No, no, she’s human." A flicker crossed his malevolent demonic eyes before he stated in a deep voice, "Human, this is a private grudge between me and that boy. If you agree to stand aside, I shall grant you endless benefits." "Oh? It seems to be a high-grade demon. Then tell me, what endless benefits can you bestow upon me?" A cold, ethereal voice responded.

The Black Winged Demon Lord was momentarily speechless. Having been reborn through body-snatching, he was virtually penniless—how could he offer benefits? Nevertheless, in a flash, he pulled out three storage bracelets. "These were taken from three Nascent Soul cultivators. Consider them part of the compensation for your non-interference this time."

"The reward seems a bit meager," the woman stated coldly. "You are a high-grade Demon Lord. Do you possess nothing truly special? Something like an Innate Spirit Treasure?" Damn it, if I had an Innate Spirit Treasure, I wouldn't be this pathetic. But the Black Winged Demon Lord dared not offend the woman before him, so he lied: "Of course, I possess Innate Spirit Treasures. But I will give them to you after I kill this boy."

Lei Dong, standing nearby, listened dazedly. Heavily wounded, he was on the verge of fainting and urgently called out, "Bingyun, stop playing around. Hurry and kill this Demon Lord; your man is about to die." Indeed, Lei Dong was puzzled. Based on the timeline of the normal world, only a little over ten years had passed since they last parted. How had this Tantai Bingyun’s power increased so rapidly? Her aura clearly indicated someone in the Nascent Soul stage! Moreover, what were the chances she would appear here so coincidentally?

Despite the flood of questions, now was certainly not the time to ask.

In truth, Tantai Bingyun was merely passing through the area. After returning from the Yaksha Sea, she had skirted the East Sea, intending to visit the Vajra Temple before returning to the Heavenly Sound Palace. Unexpectedly, as she passed outside the East Sea Desolate Valley, she heard the incredibly familiar sound of a dragon roar mixed with the clamor of fierce combat.

Tantai Bingyun was certainly familiar with the sound produced by Lei Dong's Black Dragon Roar, but she couldn't be certain it was him fighting. Still, even that was enough to prompt her to investigate. To her surprise, it was indeed Lei Dong locked in a desperate struggle. She had intended to stage a brief appearance, merely to vex Lei Dong and vent some unnameable frustration she held.

But upon hearing Lei Dong’s panicked words, she was startled, and her spiritual sense swept over him, revealing Lei Dong in a state of extreme weakness, near death. A moment of heart-stopping fear flashed through her mind, and her hatred for the Demon Lord burned intensely. Flush with anger and shame, she coldly reprimanded him: "You dare, fiend!"