Within the Chaos Tower, the spirit residing there, bearing a melodious female voice, muttered incessantly. It was because crafting Supreme Grade Spirit Ghosts required no Heavenly Spirit Stones at all. Having fused with the Chaos Tower spirit for so long, Lei Dong had indeed communicated with her before. However, for some inscrutable reason, the Chaos Tower spirit seemed perpetually unwilling to heed Lei Dong's requests. This infuriated Lei Dong, who, in a surge of rage, used his formidable divine sense to temporarily seal her away in a forgotten corner of the Tower, thus preventing the spirit from contesting control over the Chaos Tower with him.
While she could perceive the outside world, she was utterly incapable of taking any substantive action. As Lei Dong journeyed forth, she had witnessed quite a bit. At the very least, she knew that this current “Master,” though appearing outwardly simple, honest, and respectful of his elders, was in reality exceedingly cunning and black-hearted. His greatest talent lay in bamboozling others.
But no matter how much the Chaos Tower spirit grumbled and complained, it could not alter the sheer astonishment radiating from the Netherworld Ghost Emperor and Xie Feng.
To manufacture Supreme Grade Spirit Ghosts was, in the Ghost Emperor’s estimation, something utterly beyond comprehension. Throughout his millennia of existence, he had attempted various methods to enhance the Spirit Roots of common Spirit Ghosts, but failure had been the consistent result. By the end, the Netherworld Ghost Emperor had ceased to believe that a Spirit Ghost's Spirit Root could be improved, at least not through conventional means; perhaps it would require an enormous sacrifice.
Yet now, hearing the earth-shattering news Lei Dong had just revealed, how could he not be profoundly shaken? What a terrifying achievement it was to be able to create Supreme Grade Spirit Ghosts! If the Netherworld Ghost Emperor possessed an endless supply of them, forming an overwhelmingly powerful Ghost Clan army, unifying the Six Domains and Nine Continents might not even be an impossible dream.
Heavenly Spirit Stones—yes, one was still required for each creation. The Netherworld Ghost Emperor, having lived so long, felt his head about to explode for the first time, dizzy and disoriented by this monumental revelation. But the mention of Heavenly Spirit Stones steadied his mind. Taking a deep breath, he modulated his voice: "Heavenly Spirit Stones? You mean, one Heavenly Spirit Stone is needed to forge a single Supreme Grade Spirit Ghost?"
Supreme Grade Spirit Ghosts were undeniably precious, but Heavenly Spirit Stones were no trinkets either. Generally speaking, Supreme Grade Spirit Ghosts were items for which a market price could not easily be established; whenever they surfaced at auction or private sale, the price typically ranged between five hundred million and one billion Spirit Stones, averaging around seven hundred fifty million.
Heavenly Spirit Stones, while not as exceedingly rare as Supreme Grade Spirit Ghosts, were still highly coveted and similarly difficult to trade. However, their situation was slightly better than that of the Ghosts. Transaction prices usually fell between two hundred million and four hundred million, with an average settling near three hundred million.
Exchanging three hundred million for seven hundred fifty million was an obvious bargain that even a fool could recognize. The true constraint, however, lay in the limited supply of Heavenly Spirit Stones, which precluded any large-scale production of Supreme Grade Spirit Ghosts. If it were only one or two such Ghosts, the Ghost Emperor might not give it much thought; with his overall might, the Ghost Kings under his command already numbered nearly two hundred, placing him among the established powers.
Once Lei Dong reiterated the conditions, the feverish excitement in the Ghost Emperor’s heart began to subside, and he started meticulously calculating how many Heavenly Spirit Stones he could actually mobilize. With nearly two hundred Ghost Kings currently under his command, doubling that number through these Ghosts would make sweeping the entire Netherworld domain an almost trivial endeavor.
However, even for a figure like the Netherworld Ghost Emperor, suddenly procuring two hundred Heavenly Spirit Stones was an unrealistic proposition.
“Lei Dong, no wonder you were so desperate for Heavenly Spirit Stones,” Xie Feng, having recovered from her shock, finally spoke, her voice laced with awe. “This Chaos Tower’s capability is truly heaven-defying. Lei Dong, you are incredible.”
“It is hardly my achievement. This Chaos Tower is a heaven-defying artifact refined by Senior Ming Wang. Senior Ming Wang, I suspect, dedicated his entire life to devising ways to enhance the strength of the Ghost Clan,” Lei Dong replied, his demeanor perfectly unruffled.
“Indeed, only an absolute powerhouse on the level of Ming Wang could forge such a miraculous treasure. Oh, I nearly forgot—Lei Dong, you were already recognized by the Ming Wang Palace as the successor to Ming Wang before you left,” Xie Feng suddenly remarked. “Could it be that destiny truly plays a hand in these matters? Using you to strengthen the Ghost Clan?”
Successor to Ming Wang? The Netherworld Ghost Emperor looked at Lei Dong with a complex expression before gradually regaining his distinguished composure, speaking softly: “Since that is the case, Lei Dong, the Heavenly Spirit Stones I currently possess amount to just over fifty. I can offer you fifty of them. How many Supreme Grade Spirit Ghosts can you trade me for that?”
“Senior Netherworld, I risked revealing this matter for two reasons. Firstly, to assist our allies in raising their overall strength. Secondly, I intended to take this opportunity to earn a few Supreme Grade Spirit Ghosts as profit; I hope Senior will forgive my audacity,” Lei Dong’s voice carried a slight apology. “However, Senior Netherworld has shown me immense favor. I am willing to accept only a ten percent service fee. If Senior provides fifty Heavenly Spirit Stones, you may take back forty-five Supreme Grade Spirit Ghosts.” No one was a fool. If Lei Dong claimed he didn't wish to earn a single Spirit Stone, why take such a risk? Earning a modest fee was actually more believable, as the notion that there was a free lunch in this world simply did not hold water.
The Netherworld Ghost Emperor let out a subtle sigh of relief while simultaneously letting out an easy laugh. “Lei Dong, you truly are straightforward. I didn't misjudge you. Once I return to the Netherworld Palace, I will gather the Heavenly Spirit Stones for you.” To the Ghost Emperor, Lei Dong claiming a small handling fee seemed entirely reasonable. Furthermore, the matter of using Heavenly Spirit Stones to create Supreme Grade Spirit Ghosts was not something the Ghost Emperor scrutinized too heavily. In his worldview, Supreme Grade Spirit Ghosts were inherently rare; if they could be created using mere refuse, that would feel fundamentally illogical.
While Lei Dong’s ten percent fee might seem excessive at first glance, a careful consideration proved otherwise. If the Ghost Emperor traded fifty Heavenly Spirit Stones for forty-five Supreme Grade Spirit Ghosts, even if he sold them all, he would still clear at least double his investment—a decidedly profitable venture for the Ghost Emperor. Of course, the Ghost Emperor would never hawk Supreme Grade Spirit Ghosts publicly. Firstly, it would be beneath his dignity; for a dignified Ghost Emperor to sell such treasures? Secondly, wouldn't that essentially be aiding the enemy?
“Very well, in that case, I will also invest fifty Heavenly Spirit Stones in exchange for forty-five Supreme Grade Spirit Ghosts,” Xie Feng declared, unwilling to be outdone. “Fortunately, we recently crushed the Corpse Worm Clan, and with you asking me to collect Heavenly Spirit Stones, I actually managed to scrape that many together.”
“Xie Feng, you, a respected member of the Nether Phoenix Clan, why involve yourself with commanding my Ghost Kings?” The Netherworld Ghost Emperor knitted his brow slightly. “I have a proposal; I wonder if you’d care to hear it.”
“Speak freely, Emperor.”
“Supreme Grade Spirit Ghosts are far more crucial to our clan than to yours. The value of a Heavenly Spirit Stone is roughly three hundred million Spirit Stones. I am willing to exchange resources valued at two hundred and fifty billion Spirit Stones for your Heavenly Spirit Stones.” The Ghost Emperor clearly prioritized expanding his Ghost King forces; two hundred billion in resources was not a small sum to offer so casually.
“This…” Undeniably, the price offered by the Netherworld Ghost Emperor was high, making Xie Feng deeply tempted. Two hundred and fifty billion in resources, distributed among the clan members with excellent potential, could significantly boost the strength of the Nether Phoenix Clan. However, the Ghost Clans were historically enemies, and their current relationship was merely one of tenuous truce. Who knew if, after acquiring ninety more Ghost Kings, the Netherworld Ghost Emperor would remain content? Might he not suddenly harbor ambitions of unifying the Netherworld?
It must be remembered that while the strength of the Nascent Soul stage was far inferior to the Deity Transformation stage, quantity could sometimes foster a qualitative leap. A super-army comprising hundreds of Ghost Kings, once formed, would force even Deity Transformation experts to give them a wide berth; to be surrounded by such a force meant near-certain annihilation of soul and spirit—what terrifying power that represented!
“My Lords, if I may interject,” Lei Dong stated calmly. “Though what I say may not be entirely accurate, in truth, both of you are placing too much weight on immediate gains. The Corpse Worm Clan is practically finished, and the Demonic Dragon Clan alone likely cannot withstand the Ghost Emperor’s offensive. What is the point of bickering amongst yourselves? Why not pool your strength and explore the unknown resources within the Netherworld? Consider the Nine Hells—how many regions remain undeveloped? And the Nine Hells Abyss, vast as the Nine Hells itself, resembles the void outside the realms, brimming with countless natural treasures. Instead of conflict, why not focus your efforts on development, striving for mutual strength, lest a powerful expert from the Three Realms descends casually one day and causes devastating repercussions.”
The Netherworld Ghost Emperor and Xie Feng both fell into deep contemplation. Had Lei Dong said this a year ago, especially given the unstable situation, it would have been utterly fruitless. But now, as a peak expert possessing a heaven-defying treasure like the Chaos Tower, his standing in the eyes of the Ghost Emperor and Xie Feng had ascended to their own level. His words were thus worthy of careful consideration and immense respect, particularly since he mentioned the Three Realms.
It was true that at present, the Three Realms and the Six Domains were separated by a barrier against reciprocal passage. But if the avatars of those supreme beings could descend this time, who could guarantee they wouldn't return with an army next? If they failed to prepare preemptively, regret would be inevitable when disaster struck.
“Very well, then let us ally with the Demonic Dragon Clan,” the Netherworld Ghost Emperor said, clasping his hands behind his back with an imposing air. “Our three clans will form an alliance to jointly excavate the depths of the Nine Hells. Xie Feng, do you have any objections?”
“I have no objection, I only worry that Old Dragon might object,” Xie Feng replied noncommittally.
“If he objects, our two clans will simply join forces and wipe out the Demonic Dragon Clan first,” the Ghost Emperor responded with an outward air of detached ease, yet his words carried a chilling undertone of lethal intent.
“Uh, I will go and try to persuade Old Dragon. After all, the situation has changed drastically,” Xie Feng conceded. She had no desire to see the Demonic Dragon Clan destroyed, as that would leave the relatively weaker Nether Phoenix Clan in the position of being mere vassals to the Ghost Clan.