“Old Ancestor, who is this pauper? What Senior Brother Lei? Is he impersonating someone to deceive you?” Because the conversation between Lei Dong and Zhao Baiwan was conducted via telepathy, the younger generation under Zhao Baiwan had no idea what was transpiring. They only sensed that their Old Ancestor seemed to have encountered an important acquaintance—Senior Brother Lei? Hmph. What kind of person was their Old Ancestor? He hailed from the most prestigious Grotto-Heaven of the current Yin Sha Sect: the Myriad Ghost Cave. Furthermore, their Old Ancestor possessed vast connections; even though he had long since established his own family, which of the deacons or officials in the Yin Sha Sect didn't show him respect?

Now, some down-and-out, low-level rogue cultivator casually appears, perhaps sharing a thread of old acquaintance with the Old Ancestor. But what was there to care about regarding such a destitute, low-ranking cultivator?

Seeing the newcomer acting overly familiar, even slinging an arm around the Old Ancestor’s shoulder, one of the younger members—a handsome youth dressed like a refined young master—couldn't help but mock Lei Dong. It was also a subtle reminder to the Old Ancestor, lest he be swindled by this man. After all, the Old Ancestor was growing too old, and the older one got, the more they prioritized sentiment. Many people resembling "Senior Brothers," "Junior Nephews," or even later disciples from the same sect had visited over the years, begging for wealth or connections. And the Old Ancestor had become increasingly generous. If this continued, how could it be sustained?

Zhao Baiwan was dumbfounded, his mind hazy, nearly fainting. He had just managed to mend fences with Lei Dong, only to have his own descendant create trouble. He turned back and fiercely berated the youth: “Insolent wretch, when did it become your turn to speak? This is my Senior Brother Lei, which makes him your Grand-Martial-Uncle, all you brats combined. Zhao Renjie, kneel and apologize immediately.” Zhao Baiwan was genuinely furious. This great-grandson was usually quite clever, a rare talent, yet at this crucial moment, he had managed to stir up such a mess.

Kneel and apologize? Zhao Renjie, who was quite handsome, had already reached the peak of the Qi Refining stage while still so young, clearly a deeply favored figure in the family. Immediately, instead of fear, his eyes darted around slyly. He pretended: “Old Ancestor, please don’t be angry. Renjie will kneel and apologize right away.” Saying so, he took two steps forward, bowing down as if to kneel, muttering, “Grand-Martial-Uncle, your junior, Zhao Renjie, is now kneeling for you… Heh heh, I’ll reveal your true colors.” Zhao Renjie presumed himself to be at the peak of Qi Refining, and the aura Lei Dong currently displayed was merely the same level.

The folding fan in his hand, seemingly a top-grade Dharma artifact, tapped out several quick strikes, unleashing a few wisps of dark, pale light directly aimed at Lei Dong’s vital spots. The move was utterly ruthless. If this were truly a cultivator of the same level, an unprepared opponent would likely fall victim to his sneak attack.

As for Lei Dong, he had witnessed countless tricks from the Ghost Realm. Trying to injure him with such petty malice was a colossal joke. A cultivator at the peak of Qi Refining was truly no different from an ant in his eyes. Without even stirring up a ripple of internal energy, he allowed the light needles to strike his body.

How powerful was the physique of a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator? Even without channeling defensive energy, those sinister light needles could not penetrate his flesh in the slightest. Ting ting ting, the few needles struck as if hitting wads of cotton, vanishing without a trace.

Lei Dong casually extended a single finger, and one of the needles floated gently to his fingertip. After examining it, he smiled: “What a formidable killing move, ‘Fan Needle.’ Tsk tsk, it seems to be infused with the essence of the venom from a Cold Poison Centipede. I fear even an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator struck by this poison would suffer immediate full-body rigidity?”

Zhao Baiwan was truly stunned. Despite all his calculations, he never expected a fortunate encounter to turn into a disaster of such magnitude in the blink of an eye.

Back when his Senior Brother Lei was young, he was already famous, known as the Ghost Asura. When fighting outside, he was infamous for wiping out entire clans, his hands stained with countless lives.

An overwhelming sense of dread instantly swept through Zhao Baiwan’s entire body, and his legs buckled as he tried to prostrate himself.

However, a gentle force held him steady, preventing him from kneeling no matter how hard he tried.

“Lei, Senior Brother Lei—” Zhao Baiwan was frantic, sweat pouring down his brow, his aged face utterly pale. It wasn’t purely worry for himself; after all, Foundation Establishment cultivators had limited lifespans and were already halfway into the coffin. Rather, he worried for the Zhao Clan he had painstakingly built. All their glory and honor hung on the whim of the person before him.

“Heh heh.” Lei Dong stood with his hands behind his back, shaking his head indifferently. “It’s entirely normal for the younger generation to have some who are brash and impetuous. Our brotherhood spans a century; don’t take such a trivial matter to heart.” With that, Lei Dong tapped out a finger.

His fingertip poked lightly at Zhao Baiwan’s heart, and a thread of incomparably pure Nether Ghost Qi drilled into his body. It followed his meridians and blood vessels, nourishing his entire being within seconds. He retracted his finger, leaving that wisp of Nether Ghost Qi anchored in Zhao Baiwan’s meridians. “Nether Ghost Qi is fundamentally the essence of life; it nurtures the spirit and soul, marvelous beyond measure. Senior Brother Zhao must have fought many battles over the years, suffering numerous internal injuries and old wounds. This Nether Ghost Qi, remaining within your body, will help you clear your internal trauma if you find a quiet place to refine it soon. While it cannot extend your lifespan, it will help you clean up your internal injuries, allowing you to live several more years with a clear mind and refreshed spirit.” After completing this, Lei Dong glanced at his younger relatives, who were filled with terror. A sudden sense of weariness washed over him. With a flicker of his form, he vanished before everyone’s sight, a drifting voice echoing around Zhao Baiwan: “With this parting, we likely have no fate to meet again in this life. Senior Brother Zhao, if you face difficulties in the future, feel free to seek out the Grand Elder within the sect; simply state my name.” Moreover, that Nether Ghost Qi could not truly extend Zhao Baiwan’s lifespan, but it nourished his excessively withered soul and flesh, recovering some of his normal longevity.

It could be considered an indirect extension of life; otherwise, Zhao Baiwan might only have ten years left to live.

“Brother Lei Hua, Senior Brother Lei,” Zhao Baiwan called out urgently twice, but he could not find any trace of Lei Dong; he had clearly left the area. He felt a mix of remorse and relief. Relief, because Lei Dong didn't hold a grudge against his subordinate's recklessness; remorse, because the hard-won opportunity had vanished before his eyes.

His group of younger relatives stood like cicadas in winter, silent and terrified. Especially Zhao Renjie, who dared to attack Lei Dong, was so frightened his face turned ashen, and he collapsed onto the ground. By now, how could he not realize that the person he mistook for a charlatan was actually an incredibly formidable and distinguished elder?

While Zhao Baiwan stamped his foot in regret, a pretty girl among his descendants timidly asked, “Great-Grand-Ancestor, who exactly was that senior just now? Was he a Golden Core Ancestor?”

“A Golden Core Ancestor? Heh heh.” Zhao Baiwan was, after all, an old veteran who had lived over a hundred years. Since the opportunity was lost, further regret was useless. Besides, he hadn't gained nothing. Not only did he receive a wisp of incomparably pure Nether Ghost Qi that could extend his life, but he also gained a promise. If he truly faced trouble, using Lei Dong's name to find a Grand Elder in the Yin Sha Sect would certainly grant him face. He sighed lightly, “When I studied under the Myriad Ghost Cave in my youth, I watched this Senior Brother Lei grow step by step. While I don’t know his true cultivation now, he is absolutely not at the Golden Core stage.”

“What? Could it be Nas—Nascent—” The younger generation all displayed looks of horror mixed with extreme reverence. The girl also widened her eyes, clapping a hand over her mouth in a gasp: “Could it be that this Grand-Martial-Uncle is the legendary Ghost Asura Lei Dong, Senior Lei?”

Others might not know Lei Dong’s background, but Zhao Baiwan, who knew him since childhood, certainly did. If one were to speak of the most formidable figure the Myriad Ghost Cave had produced, perhaps it wasn't Ding Wanyan, known as one of the Yin Sha Twin Heroes.

“Zhao Renjie, you are incredible, daring to attack a Nascent Soul senior.” “The most terrifying thing is that you attacked and are still alive.” “Isn’t this all because of Great-Grand-Ancestor’s face? Zhao Renjie, you nearly caused Great-Grand-Ancestor to offend a Nascent Soul Grand Elder.”

Leaving aside the trivial matters around Zhao Baiwan.

Meanwhile, Lei Dong’s initial pleasant mood had completely vanished. Floating in mid-air, he was just about to send out his divine sense to contact his wife, Ding Wanyan, when a series of gloomy, sharp shrieks suddenly erupted from within the Yin Sha Sect headquarters—like a mournful wind passing or endless ghost wails.

This was the Yin Sha Sect’s unique alarm sound, only issued during moments of extreme danger. Lei Dong was startled. He looked over; the Yin Sha Sect headquarters was shrouded in a hazy black miasma, utterly placid. Where was the danger coming from?

As Lei Dong frowned, the Nascent Soul stage elders who had been in seclusion cultivating within the Yin Sha Sect headquarters began flying out like reverse meteors, ascending into the sky. The auras emanating from them from afar felt familiar to Lei Dong. Figures such as Yin Sha Demon Venerable, Black Fiend Demon Lord, Madam Profound Bone, and others were all old-timers of the Yin Sha Sect. What made Lei Dong’s heart tremble even more was that the Myriad Ghost Ancestor—no, now called Myriad Ghost Demon Venerable, Lei Dong’s master—also soared into the air, standing majestically in the void, and Qi Feifei flew out as well.

Immediately following them, Ding Wanyan and Dongfang Fu arrived in the sky together. When the Twin Heroes appeared, their imposing aura surged.

Finally, a massive aura shot straight into the heavens, descending from the storm clouds. This person was gaunt and deathly pale, but clad in a black robe trimmed with gold, his presence exceptionally extraordinary.

Everyone respectfully cupped their hands: “We greet the Nether Demon Venerable.” From a distance, Lei Dong also showed a slight surprise. It turned out this person was the most powerful among the Yin Sha Sect’s Grand Elders, the Nether Demon Venerable. Even Lei Dong was meeting the Nether Demon Venerable for the first time.