Zhao Baiwan knew well that the flaw in this flying sword was quite absurd; in fact, he had recommended it to quite a few people already. Yet, not a single one was willing to accept the drawback. The reason was simple: those who truly didn't mind the doubled spiritual stone consumption would rather spend more to buy a genuine mid-grade flying artifact. Meanwhile, those looking to save money couldn't tolerate a spirit-stone-guzzling sword. Consequently, despite the artifact’s decent performance, Zhao Baiwan still hadn't managed to sell it.

The highest offer he'd received was merely one hundred and twenty spirit stones, a price Zhao Baiwan refused to accept. "Junior Brother, precisely because of this flaw, the sword is only valued at three hundred spirit stones. Otherwise, Senior Brother wouldn't have even listed it at fifteen hundred!" Zhao Baiwan put on a show of magnanimity. "How about this, Junior Brother. Giving you face today, take it for two hundred and fifty." You’re the two hundred and fifty!

Lei Dong cursed internally, rolling his eyes. "Senior Brother speaks inaccurately. It consumes one extra spirit stone every thousand li. Once the flight distance totals over a hundred thousand li, every extra thousand li costs another spirit stone." "Junior Brother is joking. By the time you've flown a million li, you'll already be a Foundation Establishment senior.

Why would you still need such a low-grade flying artifact?" Zhao Baiwan returned the flattery without yielding an inch on the price. "One hundred spirit stones. I won't take it for a single coin more." Lei Dong picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and began bargaining discreetly. Zhao Baiwan’s cheek twitched, a mixture of exasperation and amusement on his face. "Junior Brother Lei, stop kidding around.

This treasure cost your humble Senior Brother two hundred spirit stones to acquire. How about this, I’ll be the good guy one last time this time. Two hundred. If you think that works, take it; if not, we can do business some other time." "I only have one hundred and twenty spirit stones on me. If Senior Brother is willing, sell it to me.

Otherwise, I won't be coming here again in the future. I'd rather travel the extra distance to the sect headquarters’ market to buy things." Lei Dong shifted his posture, seeming to prepare to stand up and leave. "Don't be angry, don't be angry. Sit down and let’s talk this over." Zhao Baiwan chuckled bitterly. "It's not that I don't want to sell, it's just that you're haggling too fiercely, Junior Brother.

Fine, fine. One hundred and eighty spirit stones. Consider it me losing a little money to make a friend in you, Junior Brother." Afterward, the two engaged in a difficult back-and-forth. After a full hour, the final price was finally settled at one hundred and fifty spirit stones. As for who profited and who lost at that price, both knew the answer in their hearts.

Taking the Meiying home, he first spent several days refining it. It didn't reach the stage of perfect spiritual connection or sword-man unity, but he did manage to imprint his mental mark upon it, making it barely controllable for flight. On a platform halfway up the mountain in the Ten Thousand Ghost Cave, Lei Dong’s expression was solemn and slightly tense. As he mumbled incantations, a portion of his consciousness gradually attached itself to the Meiying. Simultaneously, the skull mouth of the Meiying flying sword began to draw energy from the spirit stones embedded within it.

The green, bordering on inky black, hue seemed to devour all surrounding light, forming a faint, deep shadow. The flowing energy emanated subtle, rippling waves, flickering restlessly like flames, ever-changing yet mysteriously magnificent—a noble elegance veiled in darkness. Next was the trial of sword flight. Even for someone like Lei Dong, who had lived twice, his mind couldn't help but stir. It wasn't that he had never flown before, neither in this life nor the last.

In truth, neither riding an airplane nor the Bone Ship the Yin Sha Sect used to transport new disciples offered any sense of flying pleasure, much less soaring at will. Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm his emotions. Following the direction of his intent, the Meiying immediately separated from his hand. It cut a perfect arc through the air and gently settled beneath Lei Dong's feet, hovering there silently. He leaped lightly, planting his boots onto the Meiying, and momentarily lost his balance, swaying slightly.

Fortunately, Lei Dong was now a cultivator at the second layer of the Qi Refining stage, his physical capabilities far surpassing those of an ordinary person. He quickly found his center of gravity and stood steady. He then commanded the Meiying forward with his mind. The sword immediately transformed into a streak of black light, shooting forward at high speed. Alas, poor Lei Dong was sent tumbling head-over-heels, crashing hard onto the ground.

He got up, rubbed the sore spot, and let out a wry, helpless laugh. He cursed himself for being too careless and pushing the control too hard. Leisurely recalling the Meiying that had flown far off, he resettled his stance. This time, Lei Dong dared not channel his mental energy too fiercely. Instead, he applied the gentlest force he could manage, almost imperceptible.

The Meiying proved exceptionally agile, actually gliding forward slowly, like a turtle. Lei Dong felt a surge of joy in his heart. He didn't rush to accelerate, instead practicing this tortoise-like speed, gliding and turning for nearly half an hour. Only then did he gradually and steadily increase the intensity of his mental command. Sure enough, the Meiying's speed climbed in tandem.

Subsequently, Lei Dong spent an entire day circling and weaving at a low altitude where falls wouldn't be fatal. While he hadn't completely mastered the technique, he could at least manage to use the Meiying to cover ground for travel. Of course, the cost was significant. Although he never exerted even thirty percent of the Meiying's top speed by the end, the entire day consumed two spirit stones. This Meiying was truly a great drain on spirit stones.

The pressing matter was reaching the distant market to dispose of the extra mid-grade Spirit Ghost he possessed and purchase a quality Soul Nurturing Pagoda. Only then could he quietly enter closed-door cultivation over the next few years to catch up to the progress of others. After resting in his quarters for a full day, as evening approached and the sky grew dim, Lei Dong took advantage of the cover. He mounted the Meiying, transforming into a black streak, and swept into the sky in a curve. Since he was flying in a relatively straight line, he gradually pushed his speed.

In no time, he reached half of its maximum velocity. The flickering deep green and inky black ethereal energy, moving so fast, resembled a shooting star across the sky, leaving a long trail of flaming afterglow. Due to the time of day and the nature of the escaping light, his flight in the sky didn't attract much notice. This was the primary reason Lei Dong chose to fly at night. It was safer around the Ten Thousand Ghost Cave; once he left that territory, even though the various caves and mansions were all allied within the same sect, one couldn't rule out encountering some vicious and bloodthirsty individuals whose morality couldn't be measured by conventional standards.

Especially since the Yin Sha Sect wasn't some renowned righteous path; murder and robbery were common occurrences, something Lei Dong had witnessed firsthand. Thinking of that incident, which had yielded no news for months—he wondered if the Old Ancestor of Ten Thousand Ghosts had suppressed it or for other reasons—Lei Dong had a premonition that the matter wouldn't end peacefully. This was the main reason he had been desperately capturing wandering souls, refining Soul Pearls, and cultivating Spirit Ghosts recently. Although the Old Ancestor of Ten Thousand Ghosts offered temporary protection above his head, in this perilous and ruthless world, the only one he could truly rely on was himself. A sense of insecurity constantly surrounded him.

Shaking his head, he pushed those thoughts aside for the moment. Gradually adapting to this speed, Lei Dong continued to press forward under the cover of night. Moments later, the Meiying's speed was pushed to its absolute limit. His mental energy was being consumed rapidly as territory was continuously conquered. Traveling a thousand li in one hour was equivalent to two hundred and fifty miles per hour in Lei Dong's understanding.

At this speed, even though the escaping light deflected most of the gale, the remainder still buffeted his body, making it difficult to remain steady. He was forced to divert some of his True Qi, circulating it in front of him to counter the wind. Simultaneously, he leaned his head forward and crouched sideways, trying to minimize air resistance. Only then did he feel somewhat better. Two nights—he spent two full nights in flight—before Lei Dong finally reached an area near the market indicated on his map.

The intense drain on spirit stones went without saying, but he himself was utterly exhausted, too weary even to move a muscle. Initially immersed in the joy of flying, that pleasure had completely vanished after flying mindlessly in an almost straight line for so long. Prepared in advance, Lei Dong changed into attire that revealed no sect affiliation—low-key and inconspicuous. While he wasn't skilled in the art of disguise, drastically altering one's appearance to look unremarkable was simple enough. After finishing this, Lei Dong slowly stepped into the market, which resembled a small country town...