The Myriad Ghost Ancestor saw Ghost Fiend off, then exchanged a few lukewarm pleasantries with Elder Tu. Having witnessed the Level 9 Ghost General at the Ancestor's command, Elder Tu treated him with unusual courtesy. He also knew the Ancestor would want to comfort his Personal Disciple, so he didn't linger. They arranged a time to have tea, and Elder Tu left at once on his Escape Light.
Only then did the Myriad Ghost Ancestor summon his three disciples into the main hall and offer them a few gentle words of comfort. After sending them back, he kept Lei Dong behind.
Once everyone else had left, the Myriad Ghost Ancestor sat upright in the seat of honor, his face grave. He stared at Lei Dong without a word. Under the Ancestor's gaze, Lei Dong broke out in a cold sweat, his face turning pale.
After a long while, the Myriad Ghost Ancestor finally gave a cold snort and raised his brows. "Lei Dong, you've got some nerve. You even dared to kill Ghost Fiend's son. What wouldn't you dare do?"
Thunder boomed in Lei Dong's mind. Could the Myriad Ghost Ancestor be testing me? He was just about to deny it when a thought inexplicably stirred in his mind. He immediately dropped to his knees and said, drenched in sweat, "Reporting to the Ancestor, this disciple had no choice but to kill Ghost Fiend's son. Though I come from humble origins, I still want to live."
"Speak." The Myriad Ghost Ancestor's face was livid, his anger plain.
Lei Dong felt a weight lift from his heart. He'd been afraid the Ancestor wouldn't give him a chance to explain. But then again, if the Ancestor truly had no intention of protecting him, he wouldn't have forced Ghost Fiend to retreat earlier. He could have simply handed Lei Dong over. Why antagonize a Golden Core Ancestor otherwise? At heart, the Ancestor was still protecting him.
"Yes, Ancestor. This is what happened..." Lei Dong recounted everything from beginning to end. He only altered one minor detail: at the time, he had several Middle Grade Spirit Ghosts and one Upper Grade Spirit Ghost inside his Soul Nurturing Pagoda, which was why he refused to let the ugly young man take them. It was perfectly reasonable, after all. Anyone would covet an Upper Grade Spirit Ghost, even a Golden Core Ancestor; killing for treasure was nothing unusual.
Gradually, the Ancestor's expression softened. He gave an irritated snort. "Ghost Fiend is arrogant enough, but his son was just as overbearing. Why did you pretend to be from the Extreme Yin Cave, Lei Dong? Is my name really worth so little?"
"Reporting to the Ancestor, this disciple only wanted to spare the sect some trouble." Lei Dong was now completely at ease, though he still felt soaked from head to toe. He answered with trepidation, "Please forgive me, Ancestor. This disciple didn't think things through."
"Trouble, you say? Heh. Do you think I'm some useless coward who's afraid of trouble?" The Myriad Ghost Ancestor looked displeased. "Or do you think that when my Personal Disciple is bullied outside, I'll just tuck my head into my shell?"
"This disciple was wrong. I'm willing to accept punishment." Though the Myriad Ghost Ancestor was scolding him, Lei Dong felt no resentment at all. On the contrary, he felt a warmth in his heart. He meant every word.
"Since you know you were wrong, after this Small Competition, go to the Small Yin Sha Cave in the back hills and reflect for a year. You're not to leave." Seeing that Lei Dong had promptly admitted his mistake, the Myriad Ghost Ancestor's expression eased somewhat, though he still sounded peeved. "I'm not punishing you for killing Ghost Fiend's son. I'm punishing you because you thought so little of me. If I can't even protect my own Personal Disciple, what's the point of opening a cave or establishing a residence? Now get out of my sight!"
"Yes, this disciple will take his leave." Lei Dong bowed again, then turned and started off, looking thoroughly dejected.
He hadn't even made it halfway when the Myriad Ghost Ancestor barked, "Wait. Come back."
Lei Dong stopped immediately,
then returned and stood with his head bowed.
"When you get a chance, go retrieve those Magic Tools you hid. Hmph. Ghost Fiend doted on his son so much, he must have bestowed plenty of good things on the brat." The Myriad Ghost Ancestor paused, his brow furrowing. "I'll reforge them for you. Don't let anyone recognize them when you use them. Ghost Fiend may not amount to much, but if he finds out you killed his son, he won't let it go. How could a little Qi Refining Stage disciple at the sixth layer like you defend yourself against him? But you'll have to give one to your Senior Sister Ding. She took the blame for you and suffered plenty."
Lei Dong was overjoyed. He hurriedly bowed again. "Thank you, Ancestor. I'll go retrieve them at once. As for what to give Senior Sister Ding, I'll leave it entirely to you." With the Myriad Ghost Ancestor reforging them, the results would surely be far better than if Lei Dong tried to learn artifact refining and disguise them himself.
The Myriad Ghost Ancestor scolded him a few more times, but Lei Dong left the Myriad Ghost Cave with his heart full of joy, feeling warm and at ease. The Ancestor might have a fierce face, but he truly did protect his disciples. Lei Dong eagerly retrieved the treasures he'd hidden away. He was a little pained at having to give one to Senior Sister Ding, but he had to admit the Ancestor was right. Ding Wanyan had taken a huge fall for him, and Ghost Fiend seemed to have turned his attention toward her.
The Myriad Ghost Ancestor examined the things Lei Dong had stolen and was a little astonished. He'd known Ghost Fiend doted on his son to an excessive degree, but the gifts he'd given him were truly exceptional. Lei Dong had managed to trick and ambush the boy despite being so outmatched. He had to admit the kid had some skill. Even among Upper Grade Magic Tools, these few were outstanding.
"This Upper Grade Law Shield will go to your Senior Sister Ding to calm her nerves." The Myriad Ghost Ancestor made the decision without hesitation. He still seemed annoyed with Lei Dong, and waved him away. "Get back and cultivate properly. Come collect them in three days."
Back in his own quarters, Lei Dong was brimming with relief. The fear and oppression he'd felt since killing Ghost Fiend's son had been swept away. He'd especially seen a different side of the Ancestor. He'd thought that because Ghost Fiend was involved, the Myriad Ghost Ancestor would hand him over to be dealt with if he found out Lei Dong had killed Ghost Fiend's son, all to avoid damaging their relationship.
But now Lei Dong knew he'd truly underestimated the Myriad Ghost Ancestor. As a Golden Core master and the lord of a cave, the Ancestor had to be magnanimous. What moved Lei Dong, too, was how fiercely the Myriad Ghost Ancestor protected his Personal Disciples. He could scold and punish his own disciples at home—that was family business. But no one else was allowed to bully them. And when the time came to stand firm, he stood firm; when it was time to fly into a rage, he didn't hold back. Lei Dong couldn't help thinking the Myriad Ghost Ancestor was a pretty decent fellow, someone worth being loyal to.
Vaguely, Lei Dong had also grasped something of what it meant to carry oneself with dignity. Whether in the Evil Sect or the orthodox path, a grandmaster of a generation naturally had to possess the bearing of one.
But Lei Dong knew that at the mere sixth layer of the Qi Refining Stage, trying to act with dignity would be asking for death. Before long, he put the matter out of his mind.
He would calmly get through the Small Competition, collect the Magic Tools after the Myriad Ghost Ancestor reforged them, and then obey the Ancestor's orders. He packed his things and went straight to the Small Yin Sha Cave in the back hills.
The place was a punishment ground set aside for Myriad Ghost Cave disciples. Yin Wind blew through it, and Killing Intent churned everywhere. Even disciples who had made some progress in their cultivation were tormented day and night by the Yin Sha Qi. The moment Lei Dong stepped into the cave entrance, he couldn't help shivering. Goosebumps rose all over his body.
Before you continue