The Void Swamp

"Only lifeforms or materials that have existed inside the Scarlet Fiend Blood Mist for a long time can resist its corrosion. Otherwise, even top-grade materials will be corroded over time. That is why some powerhouses take the trouble to travel near the Netherworld River to gather the Essence of the Scarlet Fiend Blood Mist, using it to refine specialized corrosive magic treasures to defile others' treasures. Its power is formidable and highly unexpected."
"When we return, if we encounter the Essence of the Scarlet Fiend Blood Mist, we hope the Young Master will allow us to gather some. Even if we do not use it ourselves, it can be sold for a very high price."

The eyes of several Ghost King Guards shone with anticipation. Although Lei Dong's group had traveled here smoothly, it was actually due to the presence of the Thunder Dragon and the capabilities of the Harem Vessel. Otherwise, reaching this place would have been an arduous task.
Even so, it had taken Lei Dong's group nearly a year to reach this location. For ordinary cultivators, even a High-grade Ghost King, traveling here was not only fraught with countless dangers, but even if they arrived safely, it would take them several years. If their luck was bad, they could fall at any moment. Most importantly, gathering the Essence of the Scarlet Fiend was even more dangerous; one usually had to venture deep into the Scarlet Fiend Cloud, and those with poor luck or weak strength would certainly perish.
Therefore, although the Essence of the Scarlet Fiend Blood Mist was precious, not many came to gather it, as the profit did not seem to justify the risk. But for the Ghost King Guards, this was a rare opportunity. They did not have to waste years traveling here, and with a Deity Transformation Stage powerhouse accompanying them, the safety factor was greatly increased.

At this moment, all the guards turned their expectant gazes toward Lei Dong.
Lei Dong naturally would not block their path to wealth. Moreover, along the way, these Ghost King Guards had served him attentively and with utmost respect, never showing the slightest arrogance. Thus, Lei Dong went with the flow and said:
"If you see any along the way, feel free to gather them. However, I must state beforehand: no matter who gathers it, it must be split equally among everyone. Even if I, Lei, gather any, I will take out half to share with everyone."

The Ghost King Guards were overjoyed. They had originally intended to offer fifty percent of their harvest to Lei Dong, but they had not expected him to suggest splitting all spoils equally. The leading Ghost King Guard quickly shook his head and said:
"Young Master, I fear that is inappropriate. If we gather any, we will offer thirty percent to you. But if you gather any yourself, there is no need to share it with us."
The others also showed expressions of agreement. Without Lei Dong, they would not even have been able to reach this place; even if they wanted to, they lacked the ability. Furthermore, he had a Deity Transformation Stage brother accompanying them as a protector.

"Since I, Lei, have said we split it equally, then we split it equally. You have served as guides and guards all this way, which has been hard work," Lei Dong said indifferently.
The Ghost King Guards still felt uneasy and wanted to say more, but Xiao You spoke up at this moment:
"Since the Young Master said to split it, then split it. Do not argue further. Just remember the Young Master's kindness in your hearts."

The guards did not dare to argue anymore, but their goodwill toward Lei Dong increased significantly. In truth, along the way, Lei Dong's actions had already won the genuine respect of these elite Ghost King Guards. These guards were the Ghost Emperor's most trusted confidants, as well as the most loyal and elite group of the Ghost Clan. They knew some of the Ghost Emperor's secrets, and they were well aware that their Princess Xiao You seemed to have a relationship with this human cultivator named Lei. The Ghost Emperor even seemed to intend to make this human his son-in-law.
In reality, most of the elite guards had felt displeased about this, though they did not say it aloud. The Heavenly Spirit Ghost was the most noble existence in the Ghost Clan, appearing once in thousands of years; the last female Heavenly Spirit Ghost had appeared tens of thousands of years ago. Most high-grade existences in the Ghost Clan truly accepted Xiao You as their revered Princess, even doting on her, which naturally bred dissatisfaction toward Lei Dong.
The journey here had dispelled much of the dissatisfaction in the guards' hearts, and they were gradually accepting the fact that Lei Dong would become their future "Prince Consort."

After checking and confirming that this vicinity was indeed the coordinate left by the Ghost Emperor, everyone formed a battle formation and cautiously advanced toward their destination. The distance was actually not very far, only about a hundred thousand miles, but this stretch of road was extremely difficult to traverse, and they could encounter unpredictable dangers at any moment.
The guard squad surrounded Lei Dong and Xiao You from all sides, ready to bear the brunt of any danger. After traveling several thousand miles, Lei Dong stopped, looked up into the sky, and commanded:
"Little Snake, search the sky and see what is up there."

The Thunder Dragon lazily swept its Divine Sense around, then curled its lip in disdain and said:
"Big Brother, it is merely a foul Nascent Soul Stage Flying Beast. It is chirping away strangely. To think it could build a nest and live in such a filthy environment, and even look so pleased with itself."
While the two were talking, the Flying Beast seemed to have discovered Lei Dong's group. It let out a few loud shrieks and dived down from the Scarlet Fiend Blood Mist. Its speed was extremely fast, piercing through the cloud layer in an instant and heading straight for Lei Dong's group. When it was still a few miles away, the Flying Beast's seven-to-eight-chang-long body slowed down. After observing for a few breaths, it charged forward excitedly, bringing with it a thick, foul stench as its sharp claws struck toward the guards surrounding Lei Dong.