... However, this was hardly a loss for the three Golden Core cultivators. The spiritual sense projection of Lei Dong and his companions was immensely powerful; with a mere scan, they could reveal treasures hidden deep within the magma. Collecting them was effortless—they merely enveloped the desired items with their divine sense and drew them out. The guardian demonic beasts were as meek as docile kittens, daring not to stir in the slightest. Among demonic beasts, the rule of the jungle was paramount, with a hierarchy even stricter than that of humans. For an existence like Lei Dong, sparing their lives, skinning them, eating their flesh, or taking their core was already an act of extraordinary mercy.

Lei Dong was a man who strictly adhered to rules. Since he was teamed up with Wu Ji and the others, even though changes in strength and personnel loss had altered the profit-sharing ratio, they were currently operating as a unit, and unit operations demanded adherence to established protocol.

Lei Dong unified all the heavenly materials and earthly treasures discovered through his search and handed them over to Wu Ji, who was in a state of extreme excitement, for distribution. It was estimated that this venture would be incredibly lucrative for Wu Ji and the Murong sisters; each would net at least tens of millions of spirit stones, and with luck, perhaps even exceed a hundred million.

Suddenly, Gui Ci, who was scouting ahead, made a halting gesture, sending a cautious mental ripple backward as a warning. Lei Dong’s divine sense, far more powerful and acute than the scout’s, proactively probed forward. About a li away, there was a subterranean pool of molten rock, only tens of li across, yet emanating a potent, faint aura. The group approached this location without alarming whatever lay within, thanks to the masking presence of a strong entity’s divine sense.

With just a sweep, Lei Dong’s divine sense assessed the entity’s size, physical structure, and aura, instantly identifying what it was. He transmitted his findings via mental waves: “Something strange, seems like a phoenix-shaped Flame Elemental. Hmm, its power isn't low—perhaps mid-stage Nascent Soul. Gui Ming, here is a chance for a real test; go eliminate it.”

Gui Ming, still young, shrank his head back and offered a wry smile. “Master, this is a subterranean lava cave saturated with Fire elemental energy. I am a ghost of the Netherworld affinity, and merely a low-ranking Ghost King. Engaging a Flame Elemental Phoenix that enjoys complete environmental advantage—isn't that just asking for trouble?”

Smack—No sooner had Gui Ming finished speaking than Gui Ci flashed over and kicked him flying, roaring his reprimand. “Gui Ming, you dare question the Master’s command? If the Master tells you to kill it, you kill it! Even if it were a God Transformation stage Flame Elemental Phoenix, you would still go. If this happens again, I will execute the Master’s penalty myself and refine you into oblivion.” Gui Ci then swiftly knelt before Lei Dong, bowing deeply. “Master, my instruction of Gui Ming has been lacking. I have failed your trust and commission. I beg your punishment upon me.”

Seeing Gui Ci’s murderous resolve and his deferential kneeling before the Master, Gui Ming was instantly terrified. He dared not argue further. He hurriedly dropped to his knees, begging for mercy. “Master, this time it was my cowardice that failed you. If there is punishment, please mete it out to me, and let Brother Gui Ci be spared.”

Lei Dong glanced coolly at both Gui Ming and Gui Ci, his expression impassive. “Gui Ci, I know you grieve for Brother A’Chou’s death, and this sorrow leads you to indulge and cherish Gui Ming. As your Master, I should be pleased by such brotherhood. However, you have followed me since your Qi Refining stage, and we have endured countless dangers together. You know well the consequences of even slight delay in executing a combat order. Military law is immutable. Your indulgence is a crime. After this matter is concluded, I sentence you to a hundred days of Nether Fire purification. Do you object?”

Gui Ci hurriedly replied, “Your subordinate has no objection and willingly accepts the punishment.”

“Gui Ming, your questioning of my order violated my will, a transgression unforgivable under normal circumstances. But considering your youth and ignorance, I grant you one opportunity. Go, slay that Flame Elemental Phoenix as commanded. If you succeed, the crimes of both you and Gui Ci shall be pardoned. Otherwise, this Sovereign shall grant you death.” Since achieving the second evolution of the Demonic Emperor Transformation—the 'Monarch Descends' state—Lei Dong had increasingly embodied the aura of a supreme ruler, naturally infusing his rulings with an indescribable air of authority.

“Yes,” Gui Ming responded, not daring a flicker of defiance, and immediately accepted the decree. It was fortunate that they had not yet disturbed the Elemental Phoenix, granting him a sliver of a chance. The gravity of the situation made Gui Ming intensely serious; he dared not be frivolous or careless again. His form flickered slightly, transforming into a thin wisp of ghostly mist, cautiously and deliberately approaching the molten pool.

Because Gui Ming possessed half of the Netherworld Physique, and the Netherworld Ghost Body was inherently the most suitable constitution for the Ghost Clan, the execution of his techniques was magnified in power. Even with only initial-stage cultivation, he could contend with an ordinary mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. This very fact was what fostered his initial arrogance and flippancy.

Lei Dong allowed this moment to serve as a necessary lesson. Gui Ming possessed considerable intelligence and vast potential, but if he became conceited and ignored commands, such a subordinate would ultimately be useless.

In a direct confrontation, given equal conditions, their strengths would likely be comparable. However, this was an extremely hot region, abundant with high-quality free-roaming Fire elemental energy. The Flame Elemental Phoenix fighting on home turf, leveraging the environmental advantage, would likely be three to four times stronger than normal. This put Gui Ming at a definite disadvantage.

But Gui Ming still had a chance. The Flame Elemental Phoenix appeared to be in a dormant state. If a surprise attack could successfully inflict heavy initial damage, victory was still possible. It all depended on whether Gui Ming could seize that opportunity.

At this moment, Gui Ming’s heart was filled with apprehension. He knew well that the Master’s word was law. If he failed to kill the Flame Elemental Phoenix this time, he feared there truly would be no escape, and he would drag his Brother Gui Ci into enduring a hundred days of searing Nether Fire.

With retreat impossible, Gui Ming pushed his Netherworld series spells to their absolute limit. Maintaining utmost stealth to avoid alarming the enemy, he arrived near a block of cinnabar rock beside the molten pool. He dared not use his divine sense, relying instead on his eyes to scrutinize the Flame Elemental Phoenix. The phoenix’s body seemed almost fused with the molten pool, impossible to distinguish, yet a keen observer could note subtle differences.

The Elemental Phoenix lay perfectly still, completely unaware of the enemy lurking nearby. But Gui Ming was rapidly cycling through tactical plans in his mind. This battle demanded swift conclusion; in such unfavorable surroundings, any delay meant disaster for him.

Elemental beings differed significantly from traditional life. Their bodies were composed almost entirely of elemental matter, allowing them to manifest forms while simultaneously seeming both substantial and ethereal. Even striking them often caused little real damage. They were notoriously troublesome. However, these beings possessed a weakness: every Elemental creature housed an Elemental Core, and only by shattering this core could the life truly be ended.

Naturally, Elemental beings were acutely aware of this vulnerability, thus every one would conceal its Core meticulously, rendering it inscrutable. Some cunning Elementals even fabricated false Cores internally, deliberately exposing them to mislead assailants.

Contemplating these characteristics, Gui Ming’s headache intensified. If he could not strike and damage the Core during the initial ambush, his chances of winning would plummet.

Yet, despite searching for a long time, he could not locate the Core. Just as panic began to set in, a flash of insight struck him. He cautiously retreated back toward Lei Dong. Before Lei Dong could rebuke him, Gui Ming knelt and transmitted his request via sound transmission: “Your subordinate begs to borrow the Master’s Flame Essence Pearl for a moment.”

Lei Dong understood Gui Ming’s plan in an instant. With a cold snort—a gesture of veiled disapproval—he nevertheless handed over the Flame Essence Pearl. Gui Ming was overjoyed. He hastily wrapped the Pearl in his Nether Ghost Qi, returned to his hiding spot behind the crimson rock to finalize his preparations, and then suddenly dispersed the Ghost Qi, injecting his true essence power into it.

As the true essence activated, the Flame Essence Pearl flared brilliantly, emitting an aura of dense, pure Fire elemental energy. For any Flame Elemental creature, the greatest delight was consuming exceptionally pure Fire essence to strengthen itself. In the Nine Continents and Six Realms, few things surpassed the purity of a Flame Monarch’s residual essence.

In mere seconds, the Elemental Phoenix was roused. Ripples spread across the tranquil surface of the molten pool. A phoenix, dozens of feet long, seemingly formed from dancing flames, slowly ascended. It appeared drowsy, as if just waking, but the concentrated, pure Fire Spiritual Qi instantly invigorated it. It scanned its surroundings and spied a shimmering jade stone floating on the molten surface. A Flame Essence Pearl? The Elemental Phoenix was instantly overwhelmed with delight, its judgment clouded by greed. With a swoosh, it darted forward and swallowed the Pearl whole.

When consuming an essence pearl, Elemental beings do not use their external, physical forms but employ their foundational Core for assimilation. After entering its abdomen, the Flame Essence Pearl rapidly traveled toward the area beneath its left wing, and as it settled there, another, much dimmer, essence core slowly surfaced. Just as the Elemental Phoenix prepared to feast upon this unprecedented delicacy, a black streak, sharp as an arrow, shot forth from close range, arriving silently. Startled, the Elemental Phoenix twisted violently to evade the lethal strike, narrowly dodging the blow. However, the black streak acted with intelligence, immediately turning back. Vaguely discernible within the mist, one could see a ferocious ghost face sneering as its withered, black claws raked fiercely towards its left flank.

...