The (Netherworld Palace), usually a place of profound quietude, was currently teeming with voices. Peak experts, figures who usually commanded vast territories and swept across the world, were all arriving in utmost secrecy.

These peak experts were largely ancient beings, having lived for centuries, their webs of relationships far from empty. Many among the 10,000 Gods Transformation realm experts knew each other, some having cooperated, others having clashed. Upon meeting, old scores were sometimes dredged up, or minor grievances flared into open confrontation, leading to a chaotic mix of affairs.

This situation deeply troubled the intrinsically leisurely (Netherworld Ghost Emperor). It was fortunate that the Ghost Emperor possessed formidable strength and towering prestige. Furthermore, this was his domain; any who dared show him disrespect would have to weigh not only the power of the Ghost Emperor’s (True Words of the Nethergod Art) but also consider the countless, mighty ghost legions under his command.

Only by such a balance could the surging conflicts be barely suppressed. Just as the Netherworld Ghost Emperor was internally venting his frustration at (Lei Dong), his flying vessel silently descended outside the Netherworld Palace that day. Those already housed within the palace were the cream of the crop, and upon seeing the arrival of newcomers, they swiftly emerged to watch the spectacle, each speculating which master had arrived this time.

Lei Dong stepped out first from the vessel, closely followed by three elegantly graceful women, each possessing a distinct and striking charm. Floating centrally was a woman of slender physique, possessed of an air of queenly grace and profound composure, clad in palace attire.

Those unaware of her true identity might mistake her, at first glance, for the venerable matriarch of some grand dynasty. However, those who knew her intimately understood that Lei Dong's legitimate wife, once aroused to ferocity, was certainly no mere Pudu Cihang figure. Because of Lei Dong, (Ding Wanyan) had twice stirred up bloodshed and chaos, earning her the sobriquet "The Beautiful Asura" from busybodies. In her youth, she and (Dongfang Fu) were known together as the "Twin Heroes of Yin Sha." Yet, as Lei Dong’s endeavors grew, Ding Wanyan, despite her noble bearing, rarely traveled far, instead garrisoning the (Yin Sha Sect) to manage Lei Dong's interests from the core. This arrangement suited her perfectly, allowing for steady and rapid development.

The women flanking her were likewise no ordinary figures. The one with a delicate, melon-seed face set in an expression of chilling ice, who kept others at a distance in her flowing apricot-yellow gown, was a renowned and frequently discussed marvel of (Kang Prefecture). She cultivated the (Heavenly Demon Grand Law) primarily, supplementing it with the (Profound Yin Grand Law). She had mastered both techniques to the point of utter perfection and kept an Ice Dragon as her cherished pet, thus earning the elegant title, (Profound Ice Demon Venerable).

The other woman was tall, fair-skinned, and beautiful, possessing a cold, ethereal temperament underlined by a suffocating aura of hostility. Clad in a simple black robe and faintly encircled by wisps of black qi, she was clearly not to be trifled with.

This woman, of course, was the most famous among the trio: the (Heavenly Demon).

Everyone present was a renowned figure from the Six Domains and Nine Continents, and moreover, all were acquainted with Lei Dong. Upon seeing these three women—each a peerless beauty yet possessing vastly different auras—simultaneously revealed to be experts at the Gods Transformation realm, those who knew them gasped internally, wondering how these figures had suddenly advanced. Those who did not know them were even more stunned: when had three such unknown female peak experts emerged among the humans of the Six Domains and Nine Continents? And three at once?

Yet, what caused even greater shock was the appearance of two more Gods Transformation experts immediately following the three women. One was an elder draped in a magnificent black robe, radiating a cold, sinister aura. The other was a youth in a bright azure robe, bearing a seven-tenths resemblance to Lei Dong. Five peak experts? No, six. Most present knew Lei Dong possessed a formidable, combat-capable Gods Transformation puppet, who was also a peak expert. Thus, the entire entourage descending from the flying vessel consisted of six Gods Transformation powerhouses. Specifically, (Lei Long) in the azure robe was at the peak of the early Gods Transformation stage, merely a step away from the middle stage.

Whether newly advanced or long-established, any expert at the Gods Transformation level was no trivial figure. To unleash six such experts in one go demonstrated an exceptionally powerful contingent.

“Brother,” Little You, who had been waiting impatiently for Lei Dong, transformed into a faint mist and drifted before him, embracing him intimately. “Brother, you are finally here! I missed you so much. You passed through the Netherworld Domain several times, how could you not think of visiting me?”

Lei Dong glanced over and perceived that Little You’s aura was immensely powerful, bringing a subtle sense of pressure alongside the affection. He chuckled softly, ruffling her hair: “Little You, I never imagined that in less than a century since we last met, you have already advanced to become a Gods Transformation Ghost Emperor? Wonderful, well done. Silly girl, it’s not that I didn't want to visit. The Ghost Emperor mentioned you were deep in seclusion, striving for the Gods Transformation breakthrough. For that reason, I dared not disturb you and disrupt your cultivation.” The Netherworld Ghost Emperor had long sought a successor and had prepared countless heavenly treasures and cultivation insights for his disciple. After acquiring Little You, he had consistently urged her into seclusion to rapidly assimilate what he had prepared.

Of course, this was good news, and Lei Dong was discerning enough not to interfere with her practice. It was said that Heavenly Spirit Ghosts advanced quickly, but this pace seemed excessive even for them. Lei Dong was slightly surprised; he hadn't expected Little You to catch up in time for this Abyss journey.

“Little You sister, save the catching up with Lei Dong for later; he has many matters to attend to,” Ding Wanyan, possessing the natural demeanor of a leading wife and the status to back it up, called out with a light laugh to Little You. “Come here first; we sisters need to chat.”

Little You held both reverence and awe for Ding Wanyan; she regarded her as both an elder sister and a surrogate mother. After all, Ding Wanyan’s status was undeniable, and she was the benefactor who had plucked Little You from a heap of worthless, low-tier ghosts.

Little You hastily jumped out of Lei Dong’s embrace with a blush, respectfully bowing before Ding Wanyan: “Little You greets Sister Wanyan.”

Ding Wanyan, exhibiting the true bearing of the principal wife, took Little You’s hand and began to inquire about her well-being with genuine concern.

Lei Dong paid no mind to the women’s private conversations. After all, the assembly consisted of peak experts, many of them esteemed elders. With a simple step that seemed to fold space, he appeared before the assembled seniors. His movement was fluid and natural, devoid of any earthly trace, revealing the profound mastery Lei Dong now held over the laws of space. Executing this before these Gods Transformation experts, he felt no awkwardness of showing off.

Let alone the early-stage Gods Transformation experts, even the Netherworld Ghost Emperor and the Purgatory Demon King started in shock, exchanging glances. They were likely thinking the same thing: this young man was becoming increasingly inscrutable. His control over the laws of space had undeniably reached the level of consummate skill—a level the Netherworld Ghost Emperor had only just attained himself, while the Purgatory Demon King, a peer, was still slightly behind.

The others were mildly shaken by Lei Dong’s casual display of spatial traversal. Especially (Xie Feng) and Elder Li, who had previously fought Lei Dong, both mused that had Lei Dong displayed this level of attainment during their confrontations, they likely would have been powerless against him.

“Junior Lei Dong pays respects to all seniors and friends,” Lei Dong said respectfully, bowing deeply to the crowd. “I also thank everyone for trusting me and traveling to the Netherworld Palace to attend this gathering after receiving my message.”

“We dare not, we dare not,” Elder Li, now merged with the golden puppet, felt that Lei Dong was not just his equal but perhaps slightly superior. He returned the bow humbly: “Daoist Friend Lei is one of the recognized peak experts; why the formality of ‘junior’? That spatial traversal you just performed, Daoist Friend, was truly executed with sublime mastery.”

As for (Flame Demon King) and (Xuan She), they dared not accept such a salute from Lei Dong and quickly returned the courtesy.

Xie Feng, however, cast a sidelong glance at the women near the flying vessel and chuckled: “Daoist Friend Lei has truly blessed fortune; a bevy of beautiful consorts, each extraordinary, inspiring envy!”

After exchanging greetings with everyone, Lei Dong offered a wry smile to Xie Feng: “Emperor Feng, please do not mock me. Perhaps you could introduce this Daoist Friend here…” Lei Dong’s gaze turned toward a stately middle-aged man standing beside Xie Feng, clad in black armor and a crimson cloak.

Of course, Lei Dong had already guessed the man's identity, but proper etiquette demanded a formal introduction, which also served to shift the topic.

“Old Dragon, come, come, let me introduce you. This is the Lei Dong you constantly speak of wanting to flay and devour, the Great Boss Lei!”

Xie Feng’s charming smile caused sweat to bead on the black-armored man’s forehead.

He quickly stepped forward two paces, displaying a somewhat simple and slightly awkward smile: “Brother Lei, please disregard Emperor Feng’s jesting. I am (Long Qianqiu), humbly leading the Demon Dragon Clan of the Nether Domain for now. I have long admired Daoist Brother Lei; your name rings like thunder in my ears. Meeting you in person is even more impressive than hearing about you. If Daoist Brother Lei does not mind, please call me Old Dragon, just as Xie Feng does.” To clarify, in the very beginning, the Demon Dragon Emperor held a deep-seated hatred for this fellow Lei Dong. Even on the way to this summit convened by Xie Feng, Long Qianqiu had repeatedly murmured various expressions of displeasure toward the late-arriving Lei Dong.

However, upon seeing the five Gods Transformation experts standing behind Lei Dong, he immediately grasped the situation. He resolved absolutely not to become Lei Dong’s enemy; this man possessed genuine, tangible capability and influence, not merely relying on flattering the Netherworld Ghost Emperor to become his son-in-law. Nor was he the mere paper tiger one might imagine, relying on the Ghost Emperor’s backing to act aggressively.

…… (To be continued)