"A jest, Senior," Lei Dong replied with a faint smile, bowing respectfully. "Senior is one of the preeminent masters in the world; how could a mere cave collapse possibly trap you?"

"Hmm?" In one glance, the Purgatory Demon Lord noticed the exquisitely crafted, inky-black flying boat, his expression one of deep uncertainty. "This flying boat... it seems to be the favorite vessel of Old Ghost Netherworld. How did it fall into your hands?"

Lei Dong bringing out this flying boat was certainly for this very purpose. The Ghost Emperor of the Underworld and the Purgatory Demon Lord were both supreme masters, possessing a commanding, regal bearing. According to Lei Dong’s knowledge, the two had sparred privately several times, often resulting in a stalemate. Thus, there was a degree of mutual respect and appreciation between them. If the Purgatory Demon Lord failed to recognize the vessel, so be it; but if he did, it would grant Lei Dong additional leverage.

In this world, the weak are prey to the strong. Though Lei Dong disliked relying on borrowed prestige, many necessary actions required it.

This reaction only solidified Lei Dong’s certainty. Maintaining a demeanor neither arrogant nor subservient, he preserved the respect due a junior to a senior, clasping his hands: "Replying to Senior, this flying boat was indeed gifted by Senior Netherworld."

"Tsk, tsk, that old ghost is generous. The last time I asked him for it, he refused." A hint of envy crossed the Purgatory Demon Lord’s ferocious face. "I have sat inside it twice; those courtyards are truly magnificent. Boy, confess now, what exactly is your relationship with the old ghost? Could it be that the old ghost figured out some special method and fathered an illegitimate child?"

Lei Dong couldn't help but feel a sense of wry amusement at his elder's impropriety. He shook his head: "Senior speaks lightly; everyone knows the Ghost Clan's lineage is not passed through procreation. My relationship with Senior Netherworld is one of normal acquaintance, merely favored by his regard."

"Hah, that old ghost is truly rare in taking such an interest in a junior. I can see you, boy, know how to conduct yourself and have considerable potential." The Purgatory Demon Lord laughed heartily. "Good, good. Since the old ghost thinks so highly of you and has been generous to you, tell me, what terms would it take for you to give the Flame Essence Spirit to this King?" In this world, there is no love without reason, nor hate without cause. The Demon Lord’s drastic shift in attitude toward Lei Dong was not solely due to the Ghost Emperor of the Underworld.

Such an exceptional young man already possessed a Spirit Transformation level puppet, and moreover, he had managed to casually escape the joint pursuit of the Flame Demon King and Chi Gui King, leaving his pursuers utterly disheveled. This clearly indicated that the boy had immense potential, truly outstanding potential.

He was naturally aware of the Ghost Emperor of the Underworld's pickiness, which far surpassed his own.

To warrant such treatment from the Ghost Emperor of the Underworld, the boy must possess extraordinary qualities. However, the Purgatory Demon Lord still refused to believe the relationship was merely casual; the highest probability was that of master and disciple. The Demon Lord could perceive that this boy housed the Netherworld Ghost Physique, which perhaps explained why the old ghost valued him so highly.

Otherwise, no matter how close the relationship or how high the regard, the Ghost Emperor of the Underworld would absolutely never pass down a rare Ghost Clan technique like the Nether God True Word Art to a human boy.

Hearing these words, Lei Dong breathed a deep sigh of relief. All the maneuvering, even deploying a batch of Yin-Yang Fiend Thunderbolts, had a singular objective: to demonstrate to the Purgatory Demon Lord that he possessed sufficient strength and value. As long as the Demon Lord kept his word and refrained from using force, Lei Dong was fully qualified and capable of moving freely within the Purgatory Domain.

This was also an indirect message to the Demon Lord: if he wanted the Flame Essence Spirit, he could either break his word and use force—which was uncertain to succeed—or he would have to willingly pay a high price to purchase it.

"Senior, to be honest, I somewhat regret snatching this Flame Essence Spirit. Returning it to Senior is not an issue," Lei Dong feigned an innocent look, beginning to bargain for maximum gain, sighing, "It’s just that I recently made a trip to the Great Qian Continent to procure supplies, and I find myself rather short on Spirit Stones. If Senior could bestow some favor upon me, this junior would be eternally grateful and ready to serve at any request."

Spirit Stones? The Purgatory Demon Lord secretly let out a huge sigh of relief. Damn it, he had thought the boy would demand some supreme treasures of the Purgatory Demon Race. If Lei Dong dared to make an exorbitant demand and cling to it, then he would regrettably have to betray Old Ghost Netherworld. But Spirit Stones were not something a being like the Purgatory Demon Lord valued highly. Waving a hand, he stated, "That is easily managed. Since Nephew Lei lacks Spirit Stones, I shall dispatch someone to send you one billion Spirit Stones later." In his estimation, one billion Spirit Stones was an astronomical sum for an Nascent Soul cultivator.

Lei Dong rubbed his nose, shaking his head with a bitter smile. "Senior, I personally heard that to persuade the Crimson Refining Fire Snake and Fire Giant races to withdraw from the competition for the Flame Essence Spirit, even with only minor assistance, you offered three cities with annexed territories, plus ten million Fire Command Tokens." The implication was clear: that was far too little. Did he think Lei Dong was a beggar?

The Purgatory Demon Lord felt quite embarrassed. He had initially assumed Lei Dong stumbled upon this matter accidentally, never dreaming it was premeditated. However, he admitted he was being stingy in this matter. With his entourage boasting Spirit Transformation level puppets and the Ghost Emperor of the Underworld's vessel, one billion Spirit Stones truly underestimated Lei Dong. He chuckled dryly twice. "Nephew, please do not be angry. Why don't you name your price directly? As long as I can afford it, I will agree without question."

"Senior, this junior does not lack common Spirit Stones," Lei Dong said airily. "If Senior could support this junior with eighty or ninety Heavenly Spirit Stones, and one Flame Spirit Treasure capable of reaching the level of Sixth-Order Yang Fire, that would suffice."

"What?" The Purgatory Demon Lord reacted as if his tail had been stepped on, his bovine eyes wide as he stared fixedly at Lei Dong. "Boy, do not overstep your bounds and think this King is easy to bully! Do you know that this King speaks to you so courteously purely out of respect for Old Ghost Netherworld? Do not erase that small sliver of goodwill!"

Lei Dong's demands had indeed enraged the Purgatory Demon Lord. Putting aside the Heavenly Spirit Stones, a Flame Spirit Treasure capable of emitting Sixth-Order Yang Fire was extraordinary. Ordinary fire-attributed spirit treasures could barely manage to trigger the release of Samadhi True Fire, while treasures reaching this level were either Supreme Grade Spirit Treasures or Innate Spirit Treasures—each a supreme treasure whose value could not be measured in mere Spirit Stones.

The entire Purgatory Demon Race, residing in the Purgatory Domain—a place abundant in fire-attributed resources—possessed perhaps three or four spirit treasures of this caliber. Yet, each one was beyond the description of 'priceless'; even ten billion Spirit Stones would hardly acquire one. How could the Demon Lord not be furious when Lei Dong demanded items of this magnitude?

"Senior is joking," Lei Dong said. Purely judging by raw strength, he was indeed wary of the Purgatory Demon Lord; escaping him would be difficult. However, after a discussion with Zhen Mo, he learned that the Flame Essence Spirit's significance to the Demon Lord might far exceed that of an ordinary treasure. A treasure that could significantly boost the strength and lifespan of a powerful figure like him—how could it not drive him mad?

Lei Dong put himself in the Demon Lord’s shoes: in that position, he would risk his life and ruin to obtain such an item. With it, he could rise above the few supreme experts and become the strongest entity in the Six Domains and Nine Continents, commanding absolute power thereafter.

Lei Dong anticipated the Demon Lord's fury, yet his tone remained exceptionally calm. "Senior, a transaction requires equivalent value and mutual consent. A spirit treasure emitting Sixth-Order Yang Fire is indeed valuable. However, if this junior refines this Flame Essence Spirit into a spirit treasure, its power might surpass that of a Sixth-Order Yang Fire spirit treasure, wouldn't it? How can asking for one Sixth-Order Yang Fire spirit treasure be considered excessive?"

The Purgatory Demon Lord snorted angrily. "A finished spirit treasure cannot compare to this Flame Essence Spirit! You would need billions of Spirit Stones just to find matching materials. Moreover, you dare ask for eighty or ninety Heavenly Spirit Stones? Do you think Heavenly Spirit Stones are like the red rock found everywhere? Furthermore, this King requires Heavenly Spirit Stones for cultivation. Do you think I would willingly give them to you?"

Seeing that the Demon Lord hadn't immediately become so enraged as to try and kill him, Lei Dong knew his gamble had paid off. He estimated that the Purgatory Demon Lord’s desire for the Flame Essence Spirit was no less intense than his own speculation; he was indeed determined to obtain it. However, he would absolutely refuse to pay such a monumental price unless absolutely necessary.

Lei Dong was a master of negotiation. Armed with intelligence and an understanding of the Demon Lord's psychology, he could hardly be intimidated. Unhurriedly, he continued, "Senior’s words are misplaced. While Heavenly Spirit Stones are important to you, they can eventually be gathered at a cost. But in these Six Domains, there is only one Flame Essence Spirit. I believe merely slaying a Spirit Transformation level Fire Elemental will not yield it. Otherwise, Senior would have already moved to kill the Flame Demon King instead of lingering in this entanglement."

"Jie jie, do you think, boy, that this King is set on obtaining this Flame Essence Spirit?" The Purgatory Demon Lord put on a pretense of power, unleashing terrifying might. "You are pushing this King too far. This King would rather forgo the Flame Essence Spirit than let you off with such unimaginable, heavy consequences."

"Oh? Is Senior intending to go back on your word?" Lei Dong feigned utter astonishment. "Everything Senior previously said has been recorded by this junior using a Sound Imprint Talisman. Though I may have no other skills, even if I perish, within a short time, every expert across the Six Domains and Nine Continents will know of Senior's despicable conduct."