In the deep and shadowed Abyss of Nine Hells, a Howling Moon Nether Wolf, its cultivation soaring to the late Nascent Soul stage and possessing a striking appearance, led its pack on a patrol of their dominion. Ahead lay its beloved wolf den. This territory was rich with Nether Ghost Qi and supplied ample sustenance. It was the undisputed tyrant of the nearby aerial domain, rarely meeting a match due to the pack’s formidable mass-assault tactics.

This Howling Moon Nether Wolf was proud and content. As the alpha, it always enjoyed the prime access to the pack's younger, beautiful she-wolves, aggressively spreading its vigorous life essence throughout the entire pack. Possessing considerable innate intelligence, its only minor discontent stemmed from several younger Howling Moon Nether Wolves whose growing strength was beginning to subtly threaten its own kingship.

This situation forced the wolf king to contemplate whether to split the pack or simply tear those restless juniors apart to solidify its absolute reign.

As the wolf king pondered, in the distance, a Ghost Legion of a thousand, perfectly arrayed in armor and radiating a cold, understated aura, stood silently prepared for battle. The leader, a Ghost King whose cultivation also reached the late Nascent Soul stage, wore a traditional mask featuring a blue face and prominent fangs. His entire armor displayed a heavy shade of cyan, and even his hair was a deep, faint azure.

This Ghost King carried himself with remarkable presence; he was a Thousand Ghost Commander serving under Lei Dong’s Ferocious Ghost Army. Due to several meritorious achievements, he had gradually risen from a mere squad leader to a commander qualified to direct a legion of a thousand ghosts. He was known simply as Qing Gui (Green Ghost).

A faint spatial ripple manifested before Qing Gui. From the distortion slipped a stealth reconnaissance ghost soldier. Despite being a mere scout, this subordinate already possessed the strength of an early-stage Ghost King. Perhaps mimicking the renowned senior Gui Ci (Ghost Thorn), this soldier was short and exceptionally adept at all forms of infiltration and assassination.

The reconnaissance ghost soldier saluted Qing Gui, his voice cold and edged with frost: “Reporting to the Commander, that pack of Howling Moon Nether Wolves has been fully scouted. Their numbers are immense: two hundred Golden Core level entities, and thirteen Nascent Soul level wolves. Those below Golden Core are not worth tallying. This is precisely the moment their alpha returns from patrolling the territory.”

With the blue-faced, fanged mask obscuring his expression, Qing Gui maintained his composed demeanor. He raised a hand encased in a cyan metal gauntlet, his voice hoarse and low: “Brothers of the Fifth Command of the Ferocious Ghost Army, the time has come to carve out territory and earn glory for our Master. Every soul above Foundation Establishment, kill them—slay!” With that forceful shout,

Over a thousand neatly organized ghost soldiers roared forth, sweeping away like a flock of inky black meteors. In moments, they had encircled a floating wolf mountain. Instantly, the howls of wolves and the shrieks of ghosts filled the entire sky and obscured the earth.

A little over half an hour later, every Golden Core and Nascent Soul level Howling Moon Nether Wolf on the floating mountain had been completely eradicated. Qing Gui, the commander, used a massive broadsword to unleash a dark energy blade, cleanly severing the head of the formidable alpha wolf. His personal guards immediately released Soul Sealing Orbs, trapping the alpha’s beast soul within.

The spoils of this battle were rich: two hundred Golden Core beast souls and thirteen Nascent Soul beast souls, including three mid-stage and one high-stage. Qing Gui surveyed his haul with satisfaction, gesturing toward the piles of wolf flesh and gore that resembled small mountains: “Brothers, the time for distributing rewards based on merit has arrived. According to the tally of contributions, distribute this flesh amongst yourselves.” Having spoken, Qing Gui was the first to transform into a wisp of ghost mist and happily began devouring the flesh of two Nascent Soul wolves. He showed no hint of humility; these spoils were his due. Consuming this flesh would make him stronger, allowing him to earn more accolades. It was by this method that Qing Gui had risen to his current station.

The remaining ghost soldiers and generals also showed no restraint, but due to strict military discipline, none dared to take more than their share, consuming only what belonged to them. After finishing the flesh, the ghost soldiers systematically began to clean up the floating mountain, meticulously collecting every valuable mineral and medicinal herb, adding them all to the spoils list.

Almost simultaneously, similar scenes were unfolding in numerous locations. For instance, by the Styx River, a Ghost Commander clad in green armor named Lu Gui (Green Ghost) was besieging a group of surprisingly powerful Styx Blood Demons. As Lu Gui fought fiercely, he shouted excitedly about establishing unparalleled merit for the Master to stimulate the fighting spirit of his ghost soldiers.

Furthermore, in the lesser-known Outer Realm Space, two of the most powerful Ghost Domains were stationed, sweeping clean all living creatures of value.

In Kang Province, north of the Hengduan Mountain Range, across the vast and boundless Great Wilderness, an identical operation was underway. The difference here was that the cleanup was overseen by Lei Dong’s direct subordinates, the (Hidden Dragon Army), supported by Swift Bugs, Earth Giants, and the Dragon-type beast legions under Lei Long’s command.

Nascent Soul and Golden Core level beasts were slain one after another, their demon souls and essence extracted and sealed, then transported toward Lei Dong’s location.

In the Yaksha Sea, the Yaksha armies utilized their masterful aquatic combat skills, forming elite legions that swept through the endless seabed. They hunted down and killed the Nascent Soul overlord-level sea beasts dwelling in the deep—this was the Yaksha King’s direct order, as slaying these beasts could be exchanged with Lei Dong for much-needed precious resources.

In Da Qian Continent, within the secluded chamber of the Grand Elder of the Myriad Puppets Sect, a golden puppet, the size of a normal human, sat cross-legged. Its gaze was somewhat benevolent as it watched the peak-level short Ghost King who had come to visit: “Fellow Daoist Gui Ci, welcome to Da Qian Continent. Thirty years have truly flashed by in a moment. Your cultivation has advanced greatly since we last met; perhaps you are not far from the Spirit Transformation stage.”

Gui Ci managed an awkward smile and bowed: “Elder Li, Miss Chu Chu, the Master sends his regards to both of you.”

“Good, good. And give our Master, Lei Dong, my best wishes too,” Elder Li, inhabiting the puppet body, was clearly in an excellent mood. When he had first traded the Spirit Transformation Puppet Art with Lei Dong, he had taken a considerable risk. Over the years, he frequently inquired about news from the Holy Domain of Light. It wasn't until about ten years ago, when a massive upheaval struck the Continent of Dawn within the Holy Domain of Light, that Elder Li was certain Lei Dong had amassed enough power and begun his move. Now that Lei Dong’s personal ghost servant had arrived, he must surely bring the coveted item he had long awaited: the Water of Life.

Li ChuChu, sitting behind Elder Li, whose appearance hadn't changed much though her grace carried a touch more maturity, seemed slightly displeased. “Senior Gui Ci, why did Lei Dong not dare to come in person? Is he perhaps afraid of me, his creditor?”

Elder Li chuckled, not stopping his great-granddaughter from venting her frustration. Firstly, he doted on her immensely. Secondly, he held great faith in that young man Lei Dong. Daring to infiltrate the Holy Domain of Light for the Water of Life proved he had immense potential. If his great-granddaughter could form some bond with him, it would benefit him, the sect, and the family greatly. Most importantly, his great-granddaughter seemed quite willing.

Gui Ci knew a little about the connection between the Master and Miss ChuChu. At this moment, he could only offer a wry smile and replied with some difficulty: “Reporting to Miss ChuChu, the Master is occupied with crucial matters and could not come to fulfill his promise personally, so he sent this subordinate to make the trip.”

“Hmph, I bet he got the Water of Life, revived his wife, and is now happily indulging in their reunion,” Li ChuChu’s teeth itched with anger, her words laced with both resentment and jealousy.

“Hehe, Gui Ci, let me first congratulate Miss ChuChu on successfully advancing to the mid-stage Golden Core. Your future prospects are boundless,” Gui Ci said, awkwardly shifting the topic as he retrieved a gift from his storage ring: “These trinkets were amusing things the Master obtained during his conquest of the Continent of Dawn. He asked me to bring them for you, Miss ChuChu.”

Oh? Li ChuChu instantly felt a flicker of joy. She hadn't expected that ruthless rogue to possess such a thoughtful side. The displeasure in her heart dissipated by more than half. She took the items and examined them—they were finely crafted, ingenious mechanical objects. Her delight grew, realizing he remembered her fondness for mechanisms. She couldn't help but let out a delicate snort: “I’ll count that as thoughtful. Tell him that when this Miss reaches the late-stage Nascent Soul, I will pilot a Spirit Transformation Puppet to go beat him up.”

Li ChuChu had no idea that Lei Dong lacked the leisure to collect such trinkets. These were gifts arranged by Gui Ci’s primary mistress, Ding WanYan. After carefully inquiring about Lei Dong’s experiences in Da Qian Continent, she had specifically assigned Gui Ci this task, forbidding him to inform Lei Dong.

Gui Ci had always treated the words of Primary Mistress Ding WanYan as imperial edicts, thus, he secretly managed this matter without Lei Dong’s knowledge.

After dealing with Li ChuChu’s issue, Gui Ci produced a bottle of crystalline liquid and respectfully presented it: “Elder Li, this bottle of Water of Life is the item the Master instructed me to deliver. I request Elder Li to inspect and accept it, and return the Covenant Jade Slip voucher so I may report back to the Master.”

Elder Li, in his golden puppet form, snatched the Water of Life impatiently. He opened it slightly, took a sniff, and immediately burst into laughter: “Your Master, Lei Dong, is indeed trustworthy. He delivered a bottle of the Water of Life as agreed—excellent, excellent! Here is the covenant jade slip; Daoist Gui Ci, please take care of it.” He was overwhelmed with joy; with this bottle of Water of Life, not only could his divine sense strength ascend another level, but his Nascent Soul would also be rejuvenated by this divine medicine, granting him about three hundred extra years of life.

Gui Ci calmly accepted the covenant, then respectfully added: “Elder Li, I have one more task this time: delivering this jade slip. The Master has a critical matter he wishes to discuss with Elder Li.”

……(To be continued……RQ