Few things could truly move those powerhouses at the peak of the Integration Stage. For instance, massive quantities of Chaos Crystals, a Chaos Supreme Treasure ranking in the top twenty, or the sudden appearance of a Supreme-grade expert out of nowhere. But even these paled in comparison to the one thing that could truly stir their souls.

That was the Origin of Chaos.

Those who managed to cultivate to the pinnacle had all, to some extent, tasted the sweet allure of the Origin of Chaos, though certainly not in large amounts. Otherwise, they would likely have long since settled down into secluded cultivation, pushing for the Quasi-Saint level, rather than still messing around outside.

Precisely because of this, the yearning for the Origin of Chaos in the hearts of these peak Integration Stage experts was even deeper than that of those in the early Integration Stage. Because without at least half a piece of the Origin of Chaos, their lifetime achievements would be permanently capped right here. No Chaos Supreme Treasure, no mountain of Chaos Crystals, could alter that tragic conclusion.

The common folk assumed peak Integration Stage experts could live until the Great Tribulation of the Heavenly Cycle Reincarnation. But only they knew that was absolutely impossible. Only Quasi-Saints held that chance. If the Great Tribulation dragged on for a long time, they usually wouldn't even get the chance to attempt the tribulation before their lifespan evaporated, leading to instant death.

Throughout history, how many peak Integration Stage experts had there been? Hundreds, perhaps? And now? Only the Ten Great Peaks remained.

Hence, the aspiration to break through to the Quasi-Saint level was almost the sole desire residing in the hearts of the Emperor-level experts. In their entire lives, only this desire was truly worth the chase.

Never mind a whole piece of the Origin of Chaos driving them mad; even half a piece, or a small fraction thereof, was enough to make them fight with their very lives. Because that represented hope—the hope of ascending to Quasi-Saint, the hope of eternal life. Although, in reality, few Quasi-Saints met a good end, managing to survive until the Great Tribulation of the Heavenly Cycle Reincarnation, let alone successfully pass it.

Indeed, under the profoundly shocking declaration from the Queen of Sorrow, it was as if a massive stone had been dropped into a placid lake. Even the Tiger Emperor and the Heavenly Sword Emperor couldn't contain themselves; their gazes were filled with a feverish, unsteady intensity, their breathing growing ragged: "Infidy, are you serious? Does your Master truly possess a complete Origin of Chaos?"

"Heh heh." Seeing the fish take the bait, the Queen of Sorrow laughed with increasing allure and wild abandon, fully unleashing her aura. It was only slightly less potent than the Three Emperors’. Her eyes swept down from a height over the three figures who were previously positioned above her: "Whether my Master possesses the Origin of Chaos or not, you need only look closely at the level of my cultivation. Thousands of years ago, I, Infidy, had only just reached the mid-stage of the Integration Period."

The Three Emperors had known the Queen of Sorrow, Infidy, for some time and generally understood her cultivation base. They had been wondering why this Infidy seemed significantly stronger than they remembered.

Upon hearing this, the Demon Emperor of Destruction suddenly understood, sucking in a sharp breath: "Infidy, you aren't going to tell us you've absorbed the Origin of Chaos, are you? A fraction? Two fractions?" The Demon Emperor of Destruction had, in his youth, fortuitously savored some Origin of Chaos—about one and a half fractions—which had significantly boosted his aptitude and potential. But this mere one and a half fractions were insufficient to elevate his potential to the Quasi-Saint level.

"A full half a piece," the Queen of Sorrow declared, like a child boasting about a lollipop to hungry peers: "My Master gave a whole piece to me and Fairy Canglan, and we split it. Actually, this thing isn't that nice to consume. Purifying the marrow and washing the essence to increase potential was agonizingly painful, lasting for several months. Once out of seclusion, the entire body was filthy and stank."

The faces of the Three Emperors froze as they looked at Fairy Canglan, then at the Queen of Sorrow. Jealousy immediately bloomed in their hearts. Hearing the Queen of Sorrow's undisguised flaunting, their faces threatened to contort. This was clearly someone reaping benefits while feigning suffering. Agonizingly painful? Infidy, why don't you just die?

Each of the Three Emperors felt an overwhelming impulse to leap forward and strangle the Queen of Sorrow, lest this vixen continue to flaunt and cause them endless internal torment. Half a piece—that was a full five fractions of the Origin of Chaos! If any one of them had obtained half a piece, their potential would surge, giving them a significant chance to assault the Quasi-Saint realm. If they could get a whole piece, it would be even more astounding; Quasi-Saint status would be certain. Perhaps, they might even harbor a sliver of a chance to strike at the Supreme level.

The Three Emperors forcefully suppressed the raging desires in their hearts and exchanged private communications. They all felt that such chaotic chatter was inappropriate, especially in front of a large retinue of subordinates, as it diminished their dignity.

Immediately, each coughed lightly, regaining their proud composure. Yet, privately, they began sending covert divine sense fluctuations toward the Queen of Sorrow, attempting to probe for more information. At the same time, their hearts were intensely moved. If the Queen of Sorrow's Master truly possessed Supreme-grade strength and several pieces of the Origin of Chaos, they might just dare to take a desperate gamble.

Gaining the Origin of Chaos, retreating far away—even the Three Realm Supremes might not be able to track them down. Even if they did come, it would depend on whether the Queen of Sorrow's Master could handle them.

Even defecting from their own clans to pledge allegiance to another for a piece of the Origin of Chaos was an undertaking of extreme risk for the Three Emperors; it required caution.

The Queen of Sorrow patiently explained through divine sense fluctuations, though she admittedly exaggerated significantly. She claimed that since her Master could reward subordinates as useless as her and Fairy Canglan with the Origin of Chaos, he must have consumed many pieces himself. His strength, while perhaps insufficient to fight the combined might of the Three Supremes, could at least handle two of them.

In reality, Lei Dong currently couldn't handle even one.

However, to the Three Emperors, this information was monumental. They relentlessly questioned, listened intently, analyzed, and discussed amongst themselves. For experts of this caliber, time was both precious and disposable.

Spending a mere few days discussing and investigating such a crucial matter was inconsequential. They hadn't discounted the possibility that their opponent was merely stalling, but what use was stalling for a few days?

The Three Emperors never imagined that their opponent possessed the Chaos Supreme Treasure known as the Nether King Banner, rumored to be capable of unifying the Three Realms. While they had witnessed the might displayed by those Nether Ghost Kings previously, they were somewhat puzzled as to when the Ghost Clan had managed to repair their flaws to such a degree?

But strange as it was, they hadn't connected it to the Nether King Banner. Firstly, the Nether King Banner had been missing for a very long time, and in the few instances it reappeared, it hadn't demonstrated overwhelming power, clearly having been sealed by the Quasi-Saint level Fairy Bibo through heaven-defying means.

Without any significant warning signs, why would they jump to that conclusion?

Who would have thought that after a mere few hours, Nether Consort whispered into Lei Dong’s ear: "Master, those eleven nascent souls at the Integration Stage have all been refined into Nether Ghost Kings, ready for battle at any moment."

"Kill!"

The goal of delaying the enemy had been achieved. Lei Dong issued a low command via divine sense fluctuation. Everyone moved in unison, activating various spatial escape techniques, charging forward abruptly. Although obtaining the allegiance of one of the Three Emperors using a piece of the Origin of Chaos might have given Lei Dong pause, with the Nether King Banner in hand, what use was their allegiance?

Whether refining them into Nether Ghost Kings at the peak Integration Stage or devouring them to convert into Chaos Crystals and Origin, it was an extremely profitable endeavor. Furthermore, Lei Dong coveted the immense wealth accumulated by the Three Emperors over tens of millions of years. Even if they were willing to betray their respective Supremes to serve him, Lei Dong would refuse—it would be thankless effort and prevent him from seizing their fortunes. Moreover, since Lei Dong's demonization, his disposition had shifted accordingly, becoming far more ruthless, cruel, and bloodthirsty.

Consequently, annihilating them entirely was the natural course of action, allowing him to do as he pleased. The least conspicuous among them was Lei Dong, yet he was also the most visually striking. As he pierced through the void, his body writhed and warped, transforming into a human form approximately seven or eight zhang tall.

After extensive practice, Lei Dong could now shift back and forth easily. Not only was the speed immense, but the pain was also significantly reduced. However, this early Integration Stage demonic body was merely a prop to disguise his identity. Lei Dong's current true form far surpassed the demonic body in strength.

Unreservedly displaying the massive aura of a powerhouse upon him, it was absolutely no less imposing than any Emperor-level expert. Relying on his profound understanding of spatial laws, Lei Dong burst forcefully into the ranks of the Integration Stage powerhouses in the blink of an eye.

Pure, ultimate Nether Ghost Qi erupted from him, instantly enveloping a radius of a thousand li. Having reached this level of cultivation, he had completely absorbed and comprehended the profound mysteries of the Nether Law. Based on the Nether Law alone, he was only slightly inferior to the Nether God—at least reaching a level of six fen.

When such refined Nether Law was unleashed, the entire small space filled with Nether Ghost Qi, resembling a terrifying and somber Senluo Underworld Realm.

But this was only the beginning. Today was destined to be the day the long-silent Lei Dong re-stepped onto the world stage. Within the dense Nether Ghost Qi, those with weaker power found their various senses blunted by at least several tens of percent.

He casually condensed a wisp of ghostly energy, shaping it into a terrifying spectral claw, capturing a nearly hundred-zhang-tall war giant from the early Integration Stage. He held it as if it were a mere child, lifting it high, yet the giant could not break free.

...(To be continued)RQ