With a crisp snap, and ignoring Li Xianxian’s desperate pleas, the Netherworld Finger strike pierced directly through her skull, shattering her very soul along with her essence. Although the Ghost Clan sustained themselves and accumulated power by devouring souls, Gui Ming, having followed Lei Dong and feasted on Nascent Soul-level spirits, had developed refined tastes; this level of soul held no interest for him whatsoever. He immediately summoned a ball of nether-flame and incinerated her corpse until nothing remained.

In that instant, even the Murong sisters and Wu Ji could only draw a sharp, collective breath. Lei Dong then flicked his gaze toward Gao Fei and that Situ Zhennan. Gui Ming understood the signal, first dispatching Situ Zhennan with a single touch, but as he moved to strike Gao Fei, the Murong sisters flashed forward, positioning themselves between them. They exclaimed somewhat excitedly, “Ding Dong, no, Senior Ding. Gao Fei’s betrayal was understandable; we beg Senior to show mercy.”

Gui Ming subtly glanced toward Lei Dong. Seeing his expressionless face, he let out a ghostly chuckle and unleashed a terrifying Black Dragon Roar directly channeled from Lei Dong. Amidst the piercing shriek of the dragon’s cry, the pale-faced Gao Fei, without even a whimper of agony, was instantly pulverized into dust.

“Hmph,” Gui Ci snorted in ill-tempered displeasure. “Gui Ming, you haven’t suffered the bitterness of power shortages. How many times have I told you to use the most appropriate power to kill the most fitting enemy? Why waste the Black Dragon Roar on an enemy who can be annihilated with a mere flick of the finger?”

“Ah? Ding, Senior Ding, what are you… what are you doing?” The Murong sisters’ incredibly pale faces, beneath their shock, now showed a spark of rising anger.

“What I do requires no instruction from you sisters,” Lei Dong replied mildly, sparing them a brief glance before collecting the storage rings of the three deceased, plus the one Gui Ci had taken from the Purgatory Demon General earlier. After briefly assessing the loot, he turned to Wu Ji, his expression softening. “Brother Wu, I have a matter that requires your assistance.”

Wu Ji hastily gathered his composure from the chaos, concentrating his spirit before responding solemnly, “I wouldn't dare, I wouldn’t dare. Senior Ding, please continue to call me Wu Ji. As long as Senior has a command, this junior will certainly exert every effort.”

Respecting powerful seniors was a fundamental rule of this world, and seeing Wu Ji’s demeanor, Lei Dong paid it no mind. He handed over several storage rings and other items to Wu Ji. “As an elder of the Cloud Mountain Sect, you possess a certain standing. The assets and materials here are more than enough to exchange for spirit stones to purchase a Primordial Golden Pill. I will trouble you to handle this matter.”

Wu Ji sucked in a sharp breath upon hearing this. Senior Ding’s actions were truly peculiar. However, after a moment’s thought, he could grasp the reason behind this method. His expression immediately grew serious, and he respectfully accepted the storage rings and sundry items, solemnly swearing an oath: “This junior swears that if I embezzle these things, may I be struck by the Five Thunders and have my soul utterly destroyed.”

Lei Dong waved a dismissive hand, chuckling. “There’s no need for such an oath. If I did not trust you, I would not entrust you with this task.”

“Ding, Senior Ding.” This scene was incomprehensible to the Murong sisters. They exchanged glances, then mustered their courage to ask, “Since Senior Ding is willing to fund the rescue of Gao Fei’s wife, why—why not spare Gao Fei’s life? After all, he only did it to save his wife…”

Lei Dong surveyed their surroundings, his immense divine sense sweeping out in all directions, attempting to scout an exit, as he spoke coldly. “Regardless of the reason, everyone has the right to choose the path they walk; it is decided in a single thought. I greatly admire Gao Fei’s willingness to endure profound humiliation to save his wife. However, the moment he chose to rebel and point his weapon at his covenant allies, he became our enemy. I have never made a habit of showing mercy to enemies. He chose his path; he must bear the consequences.”

The Murong sisters seemed contemplative but still slightly unconvinced. Just as they were about to press further, Wu Ji quickly pulled them back, whispering urgently, “Senior Ding speaks correctly; he chose his path. Think about it: if Senior Ding had not emerged so unexpectedly, wouldn't those rebels have succeeded? Even I would have perished at their hands. We are all fighting to preserve our lives and our beliefs; there isn't much right or wrong to it. Their failure was merely bad luck. Just as if I had no conviction in my heart, perhaps I too would have surrendered under those circumstances.”

The Murong sisters shuddered, beginning to ponder deeply. If they themselves had been pushed to the brink, without the comforting guidance of Senior Ding’s voice transmission, would they not also have knelt subserviently, begging to become slaves in exchange for survival? For a moment, the sisters felt utterly lost, as they themselves could not be certain if they would have surrendered.

After uttering those words, Lei Dong spoke no more, instead continuing to probe the way forward with his divine sense. After a short while, Lei Dong’s brow furrowed. “The upward paths seem to be completely sealed by an influx of magma. Forging a way through such dense earth will likely not be easy. Wu Ji, you are more familiar with the Purgatory Domain, and this Molten Lake is not your first visit. Offer your opinion.”

“Senior Ding, since the upward path is blocked, we might as well proceed downwards,” Wu Ji said respectfully after thinking for a moment. “Further down, past some dangerous territories, one reaches the Heart of the Molten Lake. This junior once heard the stronger members of our previous team mention that the Heart of the Molten Lake is extremely perilous, seemingly occupied by Nascent Soul-level demonic beasts. For our previous Golden Core team, I would never have dared contemplate it. But now, with Senior Ding’s strength…” At this point, Wu Ji looked up at Lei Dong with renewed awe. How was this Senior Ding not just powerful? He was practically unparalleled in his might. Leaving aside his monstrously powerful ghost servants, Lei Dong himself had instantly vaporized a mid-stage Nascent Soul Fire Giant fleeing for its life—such power was unheard of by Wu Ji.

Lei Dong naturally understood his implication and nodded, hands clasped behind his back. “Indeed, Nascent Soul level is not an issue; even one or two peak Nascent Soul demonic beasts won’t pose much of a problem. The question is whether the Heart of the Molten Lake has another exit.”

Hearing Lei Dong’s light, casual remark, Wu Ji was utterly shaken. Even one or two peak Nascent Soul beasts were manageable? Heavens above, how many trump cards did Senior Ding still hold back? What kind of existence was he, truly? At the very least, in Wu Ji’s mind, any Nascent Soul cultivator was a powerhouse he had to look up to, let alone a peak Nascent Soul expert just a single step from the Spirit Transformation realm? And Senior Ding did not seem like someone prone to exaggeration; if he said it wasn’t a problem, it surely wasn't. Wu Ji felt his luck was finally turning; perhaps venturing to the Heart of the Molten Lake with Senior Ding would yield unexpected benefits. Judging by Senior Ding’s demeanor, he didn't seem like someone who would fight with juniors over minor gains. He was set for life.

Wu Ji’s face lit up with excitement. “Replying to Senior Ding, although the Heart of the Molten Lake lies several thousand miles beneath the lake, there are actually several channels leading there. It’s just that the journey is treacherous, and no powerful Nascent Soul cultivator dared traverse it alone. Now that Senior Ding is here, those dangerous routes are naturally no longer a concern. Furthermore, Senior Ding mentioned earlier that he intended to use excellent Earth Fire to refine some treasures. This junior knows that at the Heart of the Molten Lake, there is a natural vein of Six Yang Fire.”

“In that case, Gui Ci, you and Wu Ji will take the lead,” Lei Dong said, no longer hesitating. Since human cultivators of Nascent Soul strength had previously explored this area, it meant there were no Spirit Transformation realm existences present. For Lei Dong, the absence of Spirit Transformation enemies meant no significant danger. Moreover, being able to utilize the Six Yang Fire along the way would be quite convenient. Even if he used the Flame Essence Soul to refine a Spirit Treasure first, it would significantly delay the time required to forge other items. If he could seize this opportunity to refine the Spirit Transformation Puppet, it would be a benefit on both fronts.

At the same time, Lei Dong handed the Murong sisters an Ember Beast Egg he had taken from Chen Yun’s storage ring, along with that ice-elemental jade pendant. “These are what I promised you previously, and this jade pendant, thank you both for your service.”

The Murong sisters paused. Being no fools, they understood the underlying meaning of Lei Dong’s words. Their expressions dimmed slightly as they accepted the two items and bowed to him. “Thank you, Senior, for your bestowal.”

Lei Dong offered no further words. Ultimately, he and the sisters belonged to entirely different worlds; any further connection after this point was virtually impossible. The reason he had warned them and given them a helping hand was purely out of gratitude for the care they had shown him in recent days, even if that care might have been rooted in some ulterior motive. But it was still a favor owed, and Lei Dong felt he could only be at ease after repaying it.

The group proceeded downward. With Lei Dong’s collection of powerful ghost servants and battle pets leading the way, there was naturally no great danger. Occasionally, within hidden currents of lava or obscured nests, a one or two Golden Core fire-elemental beasts would appear, but before they could leap out to attack, the aura intentionally released by Gui Ci would terrify them into stillness. For Lei Dong and his company, killing these Golden Core beasts was entirely unnecessary—a waste of effort for little reward.

As for Wu Ji and the other two, they were exceedingly fortunate this time. Among the several passages leading to the Heart of the Molten Lake, this one was the most unfamiliar, having been infrequently visited. Along the way, they managed to pick up a considerable amount of rare natural treasures, diverse and highly valuable. Wu Ji, being adept at navigating social dynamics, honestly divided the treasures into ten portions, taking only three himself along with the Murong sisters. The remaining seven portions were respectfully presented to Lei Dong.

Lei Dong did not refuse. Sometimes, rules are rules, and it is best not to break them. Unceasing charity was not a kingly path.