All eyes were fixed on Le Dang. A divine transformation beast had come to him as an ally borrowed from the Blood Phoenix? The implications alone sent waves of shock through them, but it also filled their hearts with exhilaration—how could this kid have secured a Yuying Xianshe from the Blood Phoenix?

"This brat's connections are truly impressive," someone muttered. The Blood Phoenix was one of four sovereigns in the Underworld Realm, commanding legions of powerhouses beneath her banner. Though her clan numbered barely into the thousands, their count of yuan-level cultivators surpassed even the Ghost Clan. In terms of overall strength, it would be at least tenfold—perhaps twentyfold—the previous Yinsha Sect's might. Even that night demon lord in couldn't match the Underworld Phoenix Clan's power unless all scattered tribes united.

Even the Ten Thousand Ghosts Demon Sovereign stared open-mouthed at his disciple, dumbfounded by this increasingly bizarre situation. Ting Wanyan rolled her eyes. When had Le Dang become so close to the Blood Phoenix? She hadn't heard a single detail about it.

"Kid Le," Youming Demon Lord exhaled in relief as he materialized beside him, slapping his shoulder with enough force to rattle bones. "Your prestige outside this sect dwarfs ours combined. How about you take over running things now?"

Le Dang shook his head wryly. "You're still underestimating my patience for bureaucratic drudgery." Yet as he reflected, life's twists were always humbling. He remembered when he was just a lowly dantian disciple buried at the bottom of the sect hierarchy. That fateful ten-year competition where Youming Demon Lord's Yuying Ghost Claw had nearly shattered him—how formidable an obstacle it seemed back then.

Recalling that ghost claw still sent shivers down his spine. It had become his personal benchmark for cultivation progress. Now he considered himself unrivaled in yuying techniques, and even this non-specialist in such arts could no longer keep pace with him.

Those once towering figures who'd ruled the sect with their titles now stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him, exchanging casual banter as if he belonged fully among them. The transformation was enough to stir any heart.

The summoned Yuying Xianshe materialized moments later. A storm of black clouds rolled in, darkening the skies like an impending apocalypse. From within that churning void emerged a hundred-zhang serpent with obsidian scales, its very presence suffocatingly oppressive. Most recognized it as the infamous Yuying Xianshe from underworld legends—except this one was monstrous enough to induce cardiac arrest.

Le Dang's fellow yuan elders stiffened in alarm. Even Youming Demon Lord himself activated his divine transformation aura, fearing the beast might rebel and unleash chaos on their headquarters. Countless junior disciples could perish if it went berserk here.

Le Dang snorted coldly. With a flick of his will, he conjured an enormous ghostly hand ten zhang long to deliver a thunderous slap across the serpent's head. The impact sent shockwaves through the cloudmass, nearly toppling the beast mid-formation.

The elders watched in horror. Any divine transformation beast possessed human-level intelligence and terrifying pride. Though subdued by the Blood Phoenix's authority, such brute force could easily provoke its wrath...

"Hey big brother Le," the serpent morphed instantly into a sallow-skinned black-robed middle-aged man with servile eyes. "You called for little snake? What do you need?"

Little snake?

The elders nearly lost their balance in midair as they stared at this absurd display. How could such an apex being reduce itself to this subservient state? Ting Wanyan and others knew better—Le Dang's understated demeanor often masked his true capabilities. After all, he'd once convinced a divine transformation ancient dragon to become his sworn brother.

The serpent's servility stemmed from experience. After years of the Blood Phoenix's brutal domination, it found sanctuary in Le Dang's protection. Now empowered with primordial treasures and potent elixirs, its power had grown exponentially compared to its previous state.

Le Dang introduced the elders first. "This is Youming Demon Lord," he said, gesturing toward the elder before turning back to his servant.

The serpent scanned Youming respectfully. "I heard your sect lacks divine transformation cultivators currently. Although you've achieved this level, your aura remains unstable. I'd be happy to share some insights on stabilizing it."

"You're very kind," Youming nodded thoughtfully. He'd indeed been seeking advice on his recent breakthrough.

"Actually," Le Dang interjected smoothly, "I'll need a few years of seclusion as well. If you don't mind, Senior Elder, let him accompany you for now."

With that, the serpent bowed deeply to Youming before being formally introduced to Wan Yan and others. When told about his marriage to Ting Wanyan, he instantly switched to fawning mode with excessive praise.

After settling in at the headquarters for several days, Le Dang hurried to to check on Tianmo's condition. Deep within the Night Demon Sea lay a crystalline cavern filled with prismatic light—the sacred gateway of the Night Clan, guarded by heavy forces.

Tianmo rested there amidst coral spires and iridescent waterfalls. The purified elements from the Li Shui Zhi Po crystal encased her like an ice sphere, preserving her pale but peaceful visage as if she merely slept.

According to the Night Demon King's report, her condition remained stable though unchanged for another seventy years was achievable under the artifact's protection.

"Miejie," Le Dang murmured solemnly. "Even if I must become a world-destroying villain and slaughter every living soul in the Light Realm, I'll bring you the Water of Life."