Ghost Fiend, Don't Push Your Luck

A few breaths later, the Ghost Soldier suddenly broke free, and the Netherflame Ghost Claw vanished. Don't underestimate these few breaths; in a battle between cultivators, it can sometimes end in an extreme amount of time. Being able to trap an enemy for a few breaths might just turn the tide of an unfavorable battle. Of course, this also has to do with my lack of proficiency and the fact that the Ghost Soldier is not weak.

If Lei Dong were to use the Ghost Claw to grab someone at the first layer of Qi Refining, they would at least be unable to escape before the Ghost Claw's energy was depleted. However, if trying to grab someone two or three layers higher in cultivation, they would likely break free in just one or two breaths. Regardless, the Netherflame Ghost Claw is a very good Spell, its focus not on killing the enemy but on crowd control.

Unbeknownst to them, another three-year Small Competition had begun.

The overwhelming favorite to win the competition among peers was, without a doubt, Ding Wanyan. A while ago, I heard rumors that Ding Wanyan had hit a bottleneck at the ninth layer of the Qi Refining Stage, but she chose to travel around within the Yin Sha Sect. Just half a month before the Small Competition, she returned after breaking through to the Tenth Layer of Qi Refining. This made the Ancestor very happy. It is said that among all peers in the Cave Mansion mountain ranges, only one other person had broken through to the Tenth Layer of Qi Refining, and Ding Wanyan was the second. Over the years, because of Ding Wanyan's rapid cultivation progress, she had gained significant fame among all disciples of this generation. Most Ancestors knew of her.

At the Tenth Layer of Qi Refining, and being favored by the Ancestor, she would undoubtedly have powerful Magic Items. Lei Dong felt that even if all three of his ghosts were unleashed, a frontal confrontation with Senior Sister Ding would result in more losses than wins.

As for Zuo Chao, he lived up to the Ancestor's expectations, progressing normally to the eighth layer of the Qi Refining Stage. Among the personal disciples of the same generation, he was considered above average. Only Lei Dong, also a personal disciple, was at the sixth layer of the Qi Refining Stage. However, Lei Dong was helpless; his aptitude was considered quite noticeable among ordinary disciples. But when placed among all the Ancestors' personal disciples, such aptitude was considered bottom-tier.

It was fortunate that due to his status as a personal disciple, he could enjoy many resources that ordinary disciples could not legally obtain. Because of this, Lei Dong was able to advance to the sixth layer of the Qi Refining Stage in just six years. It's important to note that the further one progresses in the Qi Refining Stage, the more difficult it becomes to cultivate, and one often encounters many inexplicable bottlenecks.

Furthermore, Chen Ge and Wei Hua also cultivated diligently. With the Contribution Value obtained from the previous competition, they were not short of resources for a while. Although Lei Dong had surpassed them, they were now both at the Peak of the fifth layer of the Qi Refining Stage. Their aptitudes were almost the same as Lei Dong's. They also started from the fourth layer in the last three years, but even so, they were still behind Lei Dong. After all, the Spirit Cave residences of personal disciples had extraordinary effects.

As for other ordinary disciples, a minority had reached the fifth layer of Qi Refining, while the vast majority were around the third or fourth layer. Many were stuck at the Peak of the fourth layer, unable to advance further. Consequently, some ordinary disciples who felt hopeless about advancing to the Foundation Establishment Realm began to study skills such as Alchemy, Artifact Refining, and talisman crafting in addition to their cultivation. Once they achieved some success in these areas, they could be recognized by the Sect and assigned as deacons to various industries, serving as low-level managers.

It was almost the same every generation, starting from the first Small Competition. Many would accept the harsh reality, hiding their ethereal wish of becoming immortals deep in their hearts, and honestly focus on survival. Their goals would then begin to diverge.

Currently, among the Myriad Ghost Cave disciples of the same generation who still had the ambition to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, there were only nineteen left. Most were at the higher end of the fourth layer of the Qi Refining Stage, or around the fifth layer. Of course, it's not that having the ambition and perseverance to break through guarantees success in reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm. Even Zuo Chao, a genius of his level, despite being at the eighth layer of the Qi Refining Stage, dared not claim he would surely reach the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Therefore, this competition would be held among these nineteen people. Disciples who had already focused most of their energy on secondary skills were allowed to not participate in the Small Competition.

Originally, with Lei Dong's current strength, although he admitted he was inferior to Senior Sister Ding, he was very confident in overpowering Zuo Chao. There was a high probability of him contending for second place. However, the problem was that he had recently killed the biological son of the Ghost Fiend Ancestor.

Not only that, but he had already heard the news from recent rumors. The Ghost Fiend Ancestor, using some secret technique, somehow knew that his beloved son was dead and was furious, vowing to hunt down the killer and subject them to the Yin Sha Sect's most terrifying and vicious punishments, one by one.

Therefore, Lei Dong felt it was better to keep a low profile. If he became too famous after suppressing Zuo Chao, he might fall into the Ghost Fiend Ancestor's suspicions. Who knew if he, having lost his son, would turn into a mad dog, biting indiscriminately? But he couldn't be too low-profile either; if he performed terribly in this Small Competition, finishing last, he would also arouse suspicion from those paying attention.

Since he was at the sixth layer of the Qi Refining Stage, he should just display the normal strength of someone at the Qi Refining Level Six.

The days passed uneventfully. Without the pressure of competing for high rankings, Lei Dong could leisurely practice Spells in his room after each match, such as Profound Yin Shield, Ghost Shadow Escape, and Netherflame Ghost Claw.

During the sixth round of the Small Competition, Lei Dong was suddenly summoned to the Ancestor's main hall by a Ghost Slave with a grave expression.

When Lei Dong arrived, he saw that Ding Wanyan and Zuo Chao were already present. The Ancestor sat on the main seat with a somber expression.

After paying respects to the Ancestor, Lei Dong stood obediently beside Zuo Chao, silent and still. Zuo Chao, however, whispered, "Junior Brother Lei, people from Ghost Fiend Mansion are investigating the killer. Be careful how you respond. Ghost Fiend Ancestor is currently..."

"Chao'er, silence." With Myriad Ghost Ancestor's cultivation, he naturally heard Zuo Chao's words. His expression immediately turned cold, and he rebuked him. But soon, his expression softened. "Don't be too tense, the three of you. This is just a routine inquiry." He paused, then added, "Chao'er is right. Ghost Fiend is in a bad mood right now. Be careful how you respond and don't anger him. Hmph, if it weren't for him inviting Elder Tu from the sect to intervene, would I allow him to casually question my personal disciples?" His words seemed to show a hint of apprehension towards Elder Tu.

"Yes, Ancestor." The three replied solemnly in unison.

A moment later.

A hoarse and gentle voice echoed from the sky: "Heh heh, is Myriad Ghosts brother here? This old man, Tu Ling, has come to visit with Ghost Fiend."

Myriad Ghost Ancestor's expression immediately turned cheerful, and he laughed heartily, "Old Brother Tu, you are truly a rare guest, a rare guest. Forgive Myriad Ghosts for not welcoming you properly. And brother Ghost Fiend, please come in quickly." With that, he led the three personal disciples to the entrance of the main hall to greet them.

Two astonishing Auras, shrouded in misty Qi, descended in Escape Lights. After the illusions dissipated, two Old Men, one tall and one short, appeared.

The taller one, dressed in a grey robe, had a smiling and extremely amiable face. He didn't seem like an Elder in an Evil Sect, but more like a kindly elder next door. The shorter one, however, had a pockmarked face, an upturned nose, and a fierce and malevolent expression, as if he were about to devour someone. Before he even settled, his gaze swept over Lei Dong and the other two. A powerful and chilling Aura descended like Mount Tai, pressing down on them.

Lei Dong didn't know how the other two felt, but he felt as if he were being stared at by a peerless ferocious beast. Goosebumps erupted all over his body, and a chilling fear spread from the base of his spine to the top of his head. He was numb and unable to move. Just as he was about to collapse, his legs weakening, He heard Myriad Ghost Ancestor let out an angry snort. He too unleashed a sky-shattering Aura, shielding the three tightly behind him, and angrily rebuked with killing intent: "Ghost Fiend, don't push your luck."

Lei Dong felt all the pressure, fear, and discomfort vanish instantly without a trace. Looking at the tall and majestic back of Myriad Ghost Ancestor in front of him, he inexplicably felt a sense of reliance, gratitude, and even a bit of admiration.