...Such beings, naturally, held the weak-willed in utter contempt. For low-level cultivators, talent was indeed crucial, as it signified less resource consumption and faster advancement. But the higher one ascended, the more apparent the manifestation of willpower became. Very few individuals with weak wills ever achieved true greatness. That Wanli whom Lei Dong encountered last time was likely an oddity, someone who, amidst a life of extravagance and privilege, gradually lost his core nature and eroded his resolve.

The anger flashed briefly in Chen Yun's eyes, but it was swiftly suppressed, reverting to the look of a fawning, submissive servant, his gaze once again fixed on Chi Wei with an air of infatuation.

This reaction, however, was immediately caught by Lei Dong, whose divine sense was extremely acute. He mused internally, having almost misjudged the situation. This Chen Yun’s true nature was likely the complete opposite of what he displayed; his willpower was not weak, but rather extraordinarily enduring, capable of abandoning even dignity to cling to life.

In truth, had it not been for the anomaly that was Lei Dong, this approach by Chen Yun might actually have offered him a chance to survive.

“Brat, since you refuse to see reason, don’t blame this old lady for losing her temper.” Chi Wei ignored Qin Ling’s request regarding the Fire Giant and turned instead to the remaining human cultivators: “I’m giving the rest of you a chance. If you are willing to crawl before me and admit you are my dogs, swearing eternal loyalty, I will use the honor of the Crimson Flame Serpent Clan to vow to spare your miserable lives. Otherwise, I will begin the cleanup. Don't even dream of living; I will flay you one by one and subject your souls to the scorching of Yang Fire.” Her eyes held a mixture of contempt and excitement; utterly trampling the dignity of the weak and watching their wills twist brought her a pleasure akin to a climax deep within her core.

“Jie jie, Chi Wei, that’s a fine idea. I, this General, also wish to see what choices these frail humans will make when facing certain death,” Campbell added, showing interest, as if finding a kindred spirit in Chi Wei.

Huo Ling, on the other hand, seemed disdainful. As a descendant of the War Giants, his passions and specialties lay solely in combat and honor. Only battle and glory constituted the pursuit of a Fire Giant’s life. Cowardice and timidity would instill in them a sense of shame toward their ancestors.

Hiss! Several Core Formation cultivators gasped, a chilling tremor running through them at the thought of that terrifying consequence. Having witnessed Chen Yun’s unmanly display earlier, they had all felt a measure of contempt. Yet, when faced with their own life-or-death choice, they found themselves paralyzed. If they refused to trample their own dignity, what reason would the opponent have not to kill them? But if they did trample it, they knew…

They were all extremely conflicted. Chi Wei let out a charming, cold sneer: “Very well, since you all insist on being so tough, this old lady won’t hold back.”

“Wait, Senior.” Gao Fei, who usually appeared dull and quiet, was the first to speak: “I, I am willing, willing to be, to be Senior’s, Senior’s dog.” As he uttered the final word, his face contorted as if something vital within him had shattered, displaying extreme agony.

“Gao Fei, how could you do this?” The Murong sisters, already relatively calm due to the voice transmission from their Senior, watched in astonishment as Gao Fei debased himself utterly just to survive. From their contact thus far, Gao Fei had seemed an honest man, meticulous in his duties and cautious not to err—hardly the type to cling desperately to life. Could he have some hidden difficulty?

Just as Murong Fu was about to send a voice transmission, the ‘Senior’s’ voice echoed in their ears again: “Do not interfere. Let them choose for themselves. This Venerable One also wishes to see who is worthy of saving and who is not.”

“What do you people understand?” the honest-looking Gao Fei suddenly roared, his face fierce and pained: “I cannot die! I truly cannot die!”

“Oh? It seems there is a hidden story?” Even Chi Wei noticed now, momentarily distracted from her tiresome game, putting on an expression of interest: “Tell me, perhaps I’ll be struck with sudden compassion and spare your life.”

Upon hearing this, Gao Fei immediately showed a glimmer of hope and hurriedly spoke, albeit not fluently: “Senior, my wife has been afflicted by a rare poison that has penetrated from her flesh deep into her soul, even contaminating her Golden Core. I have tried numerous detoxifying pills, but they had little effect. Even exhausting my entire family fortune could only sustain her life temporarily. Later, I sought guidance from an expert who said only a pill called the Primordial Golden Elixir could help my wife detoxify. However, that Primordial Golden Elixir is possessed only by the Medicine King Sect, and it is their sect’s greatest treasure. I pulled every connection I had, and the Medicine King Sect finally agreed to sell one, but the asking price was fifty million spirit stones. That’s why I ran to the Purgatory Domain, hoping to try my luck and earn a large sum of spirit stones to save my wife’s life.”

“I beg the Senior to be merciful and spare my life. Once I have saved my wife, I will serve the Senior without complaint, willing to work like an ox or a horse.”

The Murong sisters looked upon him with sympathy. Even Lei Dong was slightly surprised; this Gao Fei shared some similarities with him. Given Lei Dong’s current realm, his heightened divine sense could certainly discern that Gao Fei spoke from the bottom of his heart, with no hint of fabrication.

“Giggle, what a moving tale, such a devoted husband,” Chi Wei laughed, growing more enchantingly seductive, like a true demoness: “What a pity, what a shame. This old lady doesn't fall for such tricks. Since you want to be my dog now, forget all about wives and such. Otherwise, I have plenty of ways to make you kill your own wife with your own hands.”

“You are going too far,” the Murong sisters stepped forward in unison, denouncing her.

“Too far?” Chi Wei sneered repeatedly: “This is his own choice. Everyone must pay the corresponding price for their choices. Gao Fei, I’ll ask you one last time: Are you willing to be my dog? If not, out of respect for the fact that you are still a man, I will grant you a swift death.”

Gao Fei’s face twisted fiercely, wanting to erupt, yet he suppressed it, settling back into a subservient posture: “Gao Fei is willing.”

“You must refer to yourself as my slave.”

“S-slave is willing.”

“Hahahaha, what a good dog, a fine slave,” Chi Wei laughed unrestrainedly. The Purgatory Demon found it amusing, while the Fire Giant remained coldly indifferent, letting Chi Wei play out her cruel entertainment.

The Murong sisters were furious yet helpless, their eyes darting around, seemingly seeking an explanation from the watching Senior as to why they remained silent.

“Stop looking around. What Chi Wei said is correct. Everyone has the right to their own choice. Since he chose endurance, he must pay the price of endurance,” the voice of the ‘Senior’ expert drifted into their ears again.

Chi Wei laughed for a long time, as if finally achieving release, then abruptly addressed the others: “Last chance, who else wishes to be this old lady’s dog?”

With Gao Fei taking the lead, Situ Zhennan couldn't hold back either. He quickly scurried forward, grinning obsequiously: “This old servant greets the Master. As long as the Master gives an order, this old servant fears neither mountains of blades nor seas of fire.”

“I, slave, this servant greets the Master,” Li Xianxian also climbed up from the ground, kneeling with an ingratiating expression: “This servant is also willing to do anything for the Master.”

This made Chi Wei laugh even more heartily: “Humans, truly a frail race. Since the four of you are willing to become my servants, obeying my commands—then I give you your first order: Kill that disobedient hammer-wielding man.”

The ‘hammer-wielding man’ naturally referred to Wu Ji, as he was the only one possessing a hammer-shaped magic treasure.

Li Xianxian and the other three immediately shifted their gazes to Wu Ji, expressions of difficulty appearing on their faces. It was likely not the command itself that was difficult, but rather the fact that Wu Ji was a genuinely formidable character, a late-stage Core Formation expert. Even though he was already injured, pitting three early-stage and one mid-stage Core Formation cultivators against him was likely a losing battle.

As the four hesitated, Chi Wei, seemingly having grown addicted to the game, added fuel to the fire: “Go ahead and fight, all four of you! That strike from me earlier injured his heart meridian; his strength is probably less than thirty percent. If you manage to bring him down, half of all his spoils will be yours.”

The eyes of Li Xianxian and the others immediately shone brightly, filled with greed and ferocity. Only Gao Fei showed a flicker of apology, but it lasted only an instant. Perhaps some had hidden burdens, and perhaps others acted purely out of self-preservation. But in this moment, the instinct for selfish gain was maximized.

“Don’t be afraid, with the Master present, she absolutely won’t stand by and watch others help,” Li Xianxian seemed to regain her assertive demeanor, completely forgetting her earlier attempts to appease Wu Ji. She summoned her magic treasure, aiming its tip directly at Wu Ji: “As long as we cooperate to kill him, not only will we please the Master, but we will also gain immense benefits. Why hesitate? Kill!” she shouted sharply, launching the first attack by remotely controlling an ice-crystal-like flying sword toward Wu Ji’s head.

The other three followed suit, striking at Wu Ji in unison, pouring forth all their strength without mercy.

“Giggle, giggle, humans, what an interesting race! I’m reaching a climax just watching this,” Chi Wei laughed charmingly, her body trembling as she seemed to be in extreme excitement, playing these humans in the palm of her hand was truly exhilarating.

“Sigh—” Lei Dong let out a deep sigh, looking at Chi Wei with a touch of pity. His voice was somewhat low and hoarse: “Demon General Chi Wei. Are you done playing yet?”