The Ghost Fiend, Don't Push Your Luck

After three or four breaths, the Ghost Soldier suddenly broke free, and the Netherflame Ghost Claw dissolved into nothingness.

Don't underestimate those few breaths. Battles between cultivators could be over in the blink of an eye. Holding an enemy back for even a few breaths might turn the tide of an entire battle. Of course, his lack of proficiency and the Ghost Soldier's strength were factors too.

If Lei Dong used the Ghost Claw to seize someone at the Qi Refining First Layer, they wouldn't escape until the claw's energy ran out. But if he tried to seize someone two or three levels above him, they'd probably break free after just a breath or two. Still, the Netherflame Ghost Claw was a very useful spell. Its strength lay not in killing enemies, but in controlling the battlefield.

Another Three Year Small Competition began before anyone knew it.

Without a doubt, Ding Wanyan was once again the favorite to win among their cohort. Some time ago, rumors had spread that she'd hit a bottleneck at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining. But she'd chosen to travel around the Yin Sha Sect's territory, and half a month before the Small Competition, she returned after breaking through to the Tenth Layer of Qi Refining. This made the Ancestor very pleased. It was said that among all the disciples of their cohort living on the various mountain peaks and in the caves, only one person had reached the Tenth Layer of Qi Refining. Ding Wanyan was the second. Thanks to her astonishing progress over the years, she'd become famous among the disciples of her generation. Most Ancestors knew of her.

At the Tenth Layer of Qi Refining, and with the Ancestor's favor, she was bound to have powerful Magic Tools. Lei Dong reckoned that even if all three of his ghosts attacked at once, he'd still be more likely to lose than win in a direct clash with Senior Sister Ding.

As for Zuo Chao, he hadn't let the Ancestor down either. His progress was steady, and he'd reached the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining. Among the Personal Disciples of their generation, that put him above average. Lei Dong alone lagged behind. Though he was also a Personal Disciple, he was only at Qi Refining Level Six. There was nothing he could do about it. Among ordinary disciples, his aptitude was fairly impressive. Among all the Ancestors' Personal Disciples, however, it was bottom of the barrel.

Fortunately, his status as a Personal Disciple gave him access to many resources ordinary disciples couldn't get. That was how Lei Dong had managed to reach Qi Refining Level Six in just six years. The further one advanced in the Qi Refining Stage, the harder cultivation became, and cultivators often ran into all sorts of baffling bottlenecks.

Chen Ge and Wei Hua had also worked hard at their cultivation. Thanks to the Contribution Value they'd earned in the previous competition, they weren't short on resources for the time being. Lei Dong had overtaken them, but both had now reached the peak of the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining. Their aptitude was about the same as his. They'd started at the Fourth Layer nearly three years ago, yet they'd still fallen behind him. After all, a Personal Disciple's Spirit Cave residence was extraordinarily effective.

As for the other ordinary disciples, a handful had reached the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining, but most were at the Third or Fourth Layer. Many were stuck at the peak of the Fourth Layer, unable to advance. So some ordinary disciples who'd given up hope of reaching Foundation Establishment began turning their attention to skills like alchemy, crafting, and talisman-making while they cultivated. Even a little success in these fields could earn them recognition from the sect and a post managing one of its businesses in some distant region, making them low-level administrators.

It was almost always like this after the first Small Competition. Many accepted the cruel truth and buried their vague hopes of becoming sages and immortals deep in their hearts, settling down to think about survival. Their goals began to diverge.

Among their cohort at Myriad Ghost Cave, only nineteen still had their hearts set on reaching Foundation Establishment. Most were near the upper end of the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining, or around the Fifth Layer. Of course, having the will and determination to push for Foundation Establishment didn't mean one would succeed. Even a genius like Zuo Chao, already at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining, wouldn't dare claim he was certain to make it.

So this competition would be held among the nineteen of them. Disciples who'd already devoted most of their energy to secondary skills were allowed to sit out the Small Competition.

Given Lei Dong's current strength, he knew he was a cut below Senior Sister Ding. But he was confident he could beat Zuo Chao, and had a good chance of taking second place. The problem was that he'd recently killed the Ghost Fiend Ancestor's own son.

Worse, rumors had recently reached his ears. Somehow, the Ghost Fiend Ancestor had learned through a secret technique that his precious son was dead. He was beside himself with rage and had sworn to hunt down the killer and subject him to every one of the Yin Sha Sect's most terrifying and vicious punishments.

So Lei Dong figured it was best to keep a low profile. If he beat Zuo Chao and became too famous, he might land on the Ghost Fiend Ancestor's list of suspects. Who knew if a man whose son had died might turn into a mad dog, biting everyone in sight? But he couldn't keep too low a profile either. If he wound up at the bottom of the rankings, someone might start to suspect him.

Since he was at Qi Refining Level Six, he'd simply show the strength one would expect from someone at that level.

Time passed at an unhurried pace. With no pressure to chase a high ranking, Lei Dong could relax after each match and practice his spells in his residence: the Profound Yin Shield, Ghost Shadow Escape, and Netherflame Ghost Claw.

During the sixth round of the Small Competition, the Ghost Slave suddenly summoned Lei Dong to the Ancestor's main hall, his face grave.

When Lei Dong arrived, he saw that Ding Wanyan and Zuo Chao were already there. The Ancestor sat in the seat of honor, his face dark.

After paying his respects, Lei Dong obediently stood beside Zuo Chao, upright and silent. Zuo Chao lowered his voice. "Junior Brother Lei, people from Ghost Fiend Mansion are investigating the killer. Be careful. The Ghost Fiend Ancestor is..."

"Chao'er, enough." With the Myriad Ghost Ancestor's cultivation, he'd naturally heard Zuo Chao. He immediately snapped at him, his face turning cold. But soon, his expression softened. "The three of you needn't be nervous. It's only routine questioning." He paused, then added, "Chao'er is right. That shorty Ghost Fiend is in a foul mood, so be careful not to provoke him. Hmph, if he hadn't asked Elder Tu to intervene on behalf of the sect, would I have let him question my Personal Disciples whenever he pleased?" From his words, it seemed he was quite wary of Elder Tu.

"Yes, Ancestor," the three replied in unison, their expressions solemn.

A moment later, an old man's mellow voice rang out from the sky. "Heh heh, is Myriad Ghost here? This old man, Tu Ling, has come to pay a visit, bringing Ghost Fiend with me."

The Myriad Ghost Ancestor's expression immediately warmed. He laughed heartily. "Brother Tu, what a rare guest! Forgive Myriad Ghost for failing to welcome you. And Brother Ghost Fiend, do come in." With that, he led his three Personal Disciples to the entrance of the main hall to greet them.

Two imposing Escape Lights, swirling with mist, suddenly descended. When the illusions faded, two old men stood before them, one tall and one short.

The tall one wore a gray robe and had a genial smile. He looked nothing like an elder of an Evil Sect, more like a kindly neighbor. The short one, however, had a pockmarked face and a turned-up nose, with a terrifying, fiendish look as though he meant to devour someone. Before he'd even come to a stop, his gaze swept over Lei Dong and the other two. An immense, chilling aura bore down on them like Mount Tai.

Lei Dong didn't know how the other two felt. He only knew he felt as though some peerless ferocious beast had fixed its gaze on him. Goosebumps rose all over his body, and a fearful chill crawled from his tailbone to the crown of his head. Numb and unable to move, he was nearly at the end of his strength. His legs were giving way, and he was about to collapse—

Then the Myriad Ghost Ancestor gave a furious snort. His own overwhelming aura surged forth, shielding all three of them behind him. "Ghost Fiend, don't push your luck!" he rebuked, his killing intent rising.

Lei Dong felt all the pressure, fear, and discomfort vanish without a trace. Looking at the Myriad Ghost Ancestor's towering, imposing back before him, he found himself feeling an inexplicable sense of reliance and gratitude, even a little admiration.