The Ghostly Shadow Evasion technique, imbued with profound comprehension of spatial laws, had long transcended the realm of ordinary evasion arts. Moving within the fissures of space, when executed by Lei Dong, it became blindingly fast. Of course, this speed was context-dependent. In locations saturated with the dense ghost energy of the Underworld—such as the Nine Hells Abyss or the banks of the Styx—the Ghostly Shadow Evasion was significantly more potent. Conversely, in the intensely yang-dominant Purgatory Domain, its effectiveness would wane.

The same principle applied to the Flame Demon King. If they were deep within a subterranean palace like the core of the Molten Lake, even with Lei Dong employing the Ghostly Shadow Evasion, his speed would at best only equal that of the Flame Demon King. Yet, by some miserable twist of fate, the Flame Demon King had been summoned and dragged into the Bright Holy Domain to stir up trouble. This domain was the ideal environment for ordinary humans to thrive, offering no inherent advantage to either Lei Dong or the Flame Demon King. However, by sheer nature, Lei Dong possessed a slight, inherent edge in speed over the Demon King.

Poor Flame Demon King, how could he have anticipated such a cunning trick from Lei Dong? For a moment, he was genuinely terrified. He cursed inwardly, wondering if this 'Lei' fellow was actually a mid-stage Soul Transformation powerhouse masquerading as a Nascent Soul cultivator just to tease him. He wanted to flee, but he couldn't outrun him; he wanted to fight, but he dared not engage yet.

In reality, even if he had wished to fight, Lei Dong would not have feared him without relying on his puppets. Though he couldn't guarantee a victory, the very nature of the Ghostly Shadow Evasion made a swift defeat unlikely. The current Lei Dong was no pushover; facing a fully intact Soul Transformation expert would still leave him vulnerable, with little room to retaliate.

As the Flame Demon King hesitated for a beat, Mo Ge and the Black Serpent arrived in quick succession, flanking Lei Dong. Together, they formed a triangular formation, encircling the Flame Demon King from a distance. Upon seeing the Black Serpent, the Flame Demon King’s already dampened morale plummeted completely. All will to fight vanished, and he could only bow respectfully towards Lei Dong, flattering him: “Brother Lei, look, this whole affair is a misunderstanding. I, Old Yan, have always admired your heroic prowess, Brother Lei. Even existences like the Purgatory Demon King dare not clash with you head-on. How about you let your brother off this time? I will be eternally grateful and remember this kindness.” Unlike ordinary flame elementals who rarely interacted with the outside world, the Flame Demon King had mingled outside for a long time. Having suffered many losses, he had learned the ways of the world and understood the necessity of bowing low when under someone else's roof.

“Old Yan, Old Yan,” Lei Dong chuckled. “You truly refuse the offer of wine only to demand the harsh penalty instead. Take it easy; what is three hundred years of service? Your elemental kin enjoy the grace of Heaven and Earth; your lifespans are vast. Three hundred years is hardly worth worrying over, is it?”

The Flame Demon King wore a miserable expression, glancing left and right, feeling utterly doomed by the day's events. He had initially thought he was summoned merely to help some quarreling humans for a meager reward. Who knew the opponent would turn out to be that menace, Lei Dong? That fellow had killed the beloved daughter of the Crimson Mist King and stolen the Purgatory Demon King's treasures within the Purgatory Domain, yet still managed to live prosperously.

Now, he deeply understood that escape was impossible. But he couldn't win a fight? Was he truly expected to sacrifice his life in a desperate struggle? Yet, being controlled and forced into service for three centuries was something the Flame Demon King was loath to accept.

The Black Serpent beside them sneered and clicked his tongue. “Brother Yan, we’ve never met, so allow me to speak some honest words. Today, my army was peaceably executing a strategic maneuver—a classic 'lure the snake out of its hole' tactic. Your sudden appearance not only killed our soldiers but also ruined a plan we had cultivated for ages. Given Boss Lei’s temperament, it would be strange if he let you go easily. Don't feel wronged; you haven’t been running around for your first day. You know this world operates on the law of the jungle. If you held all the advantages, why would you ever spare an enemy? If you surrender, we gain a good brother. If you seek your own destruction, we lose nothing; at worst, we'll consider it slaying a wild monster at the Soul Transformation level. The materials from your body alone would cover our costs.”

The Flame Demon King, whose very frame burned with fierce fire, shuddered. Those words truly stung his pride. He cursed inwardly, You’re the wild monster, your whole family are wild monsters. The Black Serpent’s comment had indeed hit a sore spot, as the Flame Elementals had always been regarded as mere wild beasts. The Flame Demon King’s own father, the Flame Monarch, was famously known as the biggest wild monster in the entire Purgatory Domain.

If he could, the Flame Demon King would have dearly loved to slap this loose-tongued Black Serpent to death. But circumstances trumped desire. He could only force an unnatural smile and chuckle dryly. “You are the Black Serpent? You call him Boss Lei? Surely you, a dignified Soul Transformation existence, would not willingly submit to the command of a mere Nascent Soul human? To take him as a master?” This was a clumsy attempt at sowing discord.

“I wish I could,” the Black Serpent replied, his face—that of a sinister middle-aged man—wearing a comically aggrieved expression. “Unfortunately, my master is the Evil Phoenix boss of the Nether Domain. Flame Demon King, you don't know what a stroke of luck it is to follow Boss Lei. If you ever encountered Evil Phoenix, you’d learn what truly inhuman treatment means.” Thinking of the Evil Phoenix, the Black Serpent couldn't help but shiver. In the years immediately following his servitude to the Evil Phoenix, the Serpent had endured more than his fair share of non-human hardships.

“To be suppressed and taken as a servant—how is that lucky for a Soul Transformation powerhouse?” the Flame Demon King scoffed dismissively. “You are disgracing the facade of a peak expert.” Having failed with his “first scheme,” the Flame Demon King moved on to the “second.”

“Disgraceful? Hehe, while I admit it feels a bit humiliating, if it’s Boss Lei, then there’s no need to feel disgraced,” the Black Serpent laughed indifferently. “Boss Lei has an extraordinary background; sooner or later, he will soar to the heavens and reach the highest nine layers of the firmament. Moreover, when I, Black Serpent, was gravely injured, Evil Phoenix only grudgingly gave me some miscellaneous elixirs. But Boss Lei gave me one of his only two Innate Spiritual Pills. Not only did it fully heal my injuries, but it also helped me break through a bottleneck that had troubled me for ages.”

“Innate Spiritual Pills?” The Flame Demon King couldn't help but swallow hard, fixing his gaze on Lei Dong as he chuckled nervously. “Boss Lei, you gave one to the Black Serpent, so if you give the remaining one to me, I am willing to serve you for three hundred years.” At this point, after weighing his options, the Flame Demon King’s heart had begun to waver. It wasn't that the Innate Spiritual Pill was so potent that it could compel his three centuries of service. Rather, he figured that resisting now was futile, and he might as well comply honestly while securing extra benefits.

“There are none left,” Lei Dong stated flatly, rolling his eyelids.

“What? Who got that pill?” The Flame Demon King felt a stab of pain in his heart. That was an Innate Spiritual Pill! He had enough knowledge to understand that any such pill required at least one Innate Spiritual Herb as its main ingredient. Damn, an Innate Spiritual Herb! That was a treasure of immense attraction to Soul Transformation experts, something he had never even seen. Of course, not only had he never seen one, but many Soul Transformation experts hadn't either. Even the Evil Phoenix, leader of her clan, was left distraught and consumed by infinite possessiveness upon seeing the immature Chaos Golden Lotus—it was the first time she had ever witnessed one.

Unfortunately, that Chaos Golden Lotus was completely consumed by Lei Dong before it could fully mature.

“I ate it. Are you unhappy?” A young man, looking seven-eighths like Lei Dong, materialized beside him in a flicker, bowing respectfully. “Big Brother, last time you mentioned there was someone in the Purgatory Domain named Flame Demon King who wanted to team up against you while you were fighting the Crimson Mist King? Is this the brute?” Lei Long glanced at the Flame Demon King with killing intent burning in his eyes. “Since this fellow delivered himself to our door looking for death, let your little brother exterminate him and avenge Big Brother.”

The Flame Demon King was truly shocked upon seeing Lei Long. How could another Soul Transformation powerhouse suddenly appear? With Mo Ge present, that made three Soul Transformation experts on the opposing side. This was absurd, utterly exaggerated! And this newcomer addressed Lei Dong as 'Big Brother'? Could it be that Lei Dong was truly an ancient monster playing the role of a pig to catch the tiger? Moreover, this new arrival possessed a fearsome murderous intent and an imposing aura. Judging by his energy, he seemed slightly stronger than the Demon King himself. In that moment, the Flame Demon King was utterly crushed by despair and hurriedly fawned, “Esteemed brother, it’s a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding. Back then, I was merely joking with Boss Lei, just a small joke.” A joke? He dared not harbor the slightest defiance! Surrounded by three Soul Transformation experts, he had no choice but to comply.

“Old Yan, I’ll consider you somewhat tolerable; just surrender honestly to Boss Lei. If it were me, I’d gladly serve for three thousand years, let alone three hundred,” the Black Serpent resumed his psychological assault. “You must understand, following Boss Lei brings countless benefits. It's far better than being a wild monster struggling everywhere, never making a name for yourself and easily getting wiped out.”

“Benefits?” The Flame Demon King looked longingly at Lei Dong, clearly hoping Lei Dong would offer some tangible reward to give him a graceful exit. Otherwise, if word got out that he surrendered with nothing gained, it would be a complete loss of face for the Flame Elemental Clan.

Lei Dong knew he had pushed the Flame Demon King to his psychological limit. He languidly stated, “For this trip to the Bright Holy Domain, do you know what our goal is?”

“Uh? This is the Bright Holy Domain? Damn it, that place belonging to those arrogant, unreasonable bird-people?” The Flame Demon King visibly shuddered at Lei Dong's words, his surrounding flames dimming slightly.

“Such poor showing! And you call yourself a Soul Transformation level existence,” the Black Serpent feigned disgust. “So what if they are bird-people? Let me tell you, we came to the Bright Domain specifically to cause trouble for the bird-people and steal their treasures!”

“Hiss.” The Flame Demon King gasped, thinking these fellows were truly audacious to even target the bird-people. However, the thought of the bird-people’s good stuff immediately made his eyes burn with avarice. “In that case, can I have a share of the bird-people’s Life Divine Water?”

... (To be continued)