This was truly tremendous news for Yan Shi; for one, who wouldn't wish their sworn brother to be powerful, the stronger the better. Secondly, as the tribe continued to expand, some of the older members still fondly remembered Lei Dong's past contributions, speaking highly of him, which led them to strongly support the Chief in maintaining a good relationship with Lei Dong. However, among the newer members, there were inevitably some rebellious sorts who, upon hearing that Lei Dong’s original strength was quite low, would utter all sorts of disparaging remarks. If his own brother was already a Nascent Soul cultivator, most of those discordant voices would vanish completely. The law of "strength reigns supreme" is universally applicable in every corner of this world.

It wasn't just Yan Shi who was stunned; even the two Golden Core-level Earth Giants who had just been soundly disciplined by Lei Dong showed looks of awe. Although Lei Dong had beaten them into a miserable state earlier, akin to two stray dogs, he had never displayed the imposing aura expected of a Nascent Soul cultivator. Thus, while these two Earth Giants felt fear, they held no genuine respect. Now, upon hearing that this person was, in fact, a Nascent Soul cultivator, reverence blossomed spontaneously within them. This had nothing to do with race; it was simply that the notion of respecting the strong was so pervasive in the world, ingrained deep within the very bones of every person, even those of every race. Respecting the powerful, standing in awe of the mighty—even the fiercely defiant Earth Giant clan was no exception.

“Heh heh, your younger brother was merely favored by luck, having encountered some fortuitous opportunities, succeeding in breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage by chance,” Lei Dong said with a tone of light, untroubled ease, then smiled faintly: “My own achievements are hardly worth mentioning. However, it is Brother Yan Shi whose prestige has grown immensely these past few years. Not only have you broken through the shackles of the Earth Giants to reach the early Nascent Soul stage, but you have also expanded the tribe into a mid-sized one. Congratulations are certainly in order.”

Yan Shi was in high spirits, chuckling and scratching his massive head, mimicking human humility: “All of this is thanks to my brother’s efforts. Had you not supplied me with vast quantities of top-grade elixirs and dispatched your subordinates to help manage things, your elder brother would never have achieved such a status.”

Seeing Yan Shi’s learned demeanor, Lei Dong also laughed. It was clear that Yan Shi had put considerable effort into studying human culture, customs, and etiquette. Otherwise, given the inherent crudeness of the Earth Giants, he would never employ phrases like "your elder brother" (Yu Xiong); boasting was common, but humility was rare.

“Hmph, a wolf with ambitions.” That Kui Tu, clearly an Earth Giant with some knowledge, interjected again: “Brother Yan Shi, we are descendants of the great Ancient Giants. As the Chief, you must have received some inheritance. Do you know how our ancestor Giant race perished? Hmph! Whether it was the Immortal Clan, the Demon Clan, or even the Beast Clan, they all outwardly showed respect to our ancestors but, in reality, used them as mere tools for war. You must not be deceived by this human; none of the outsiders are good folk.”

“Brother Kui Tu, Lei Dong and I are brothers; things are not as sordid as you imagine. Since you look down upon humans, why do you have a group of humans in your own tribe?” Yan Shi retorted, clearly displeased.

“Those humans in my tribe are merely slaves I use to learn human knowledge and who remain under my control. Our Earth Giant race possesses the noble bloodline of the great Ancient Giants. Sooner or later, we will stand atop the Nine Continents once more and become the sovereigns of this world.” Kui Tu’s words carried not only scorn for humans but also a flicker of undisguised ambition: “I study human knowledge so that our Earth Giant race will not simply end up as war tools for other races.”

“Kui Tu, you are being too biased,” Yan Shi slowly shook his head. “I admit that many other races wish to exploit us Earth Giants as instruments of war, but I believe Brother Lei Dong is not one of them. Up until now, he has been the only one consistently helping me and my tribe. Furthermore, Brother Lei is a great hero among humans, an extraordinary figure, a talent unseen in this age. He has never sought to take advantage of us Earth Giants. In the short decade or two I have known him, he has progressed from the Foundation Establishment stage to Nascent Soul. His future is boundless.”

“Yan Shi, don’t be foolish. Why would this human help you and your tribe without some ulterior motive?” Kui Tu stared at Lei Dong, somewhat agitated and angry. “He must have some scheme in mind. Look at his Nascent Soul strength, yet he restrains his aura to appear as if he is only at the Golden Core stage. Who knows if he wasn't already suppressing his aura back in the Foundation Establishment stage? Perhaps he is an ancient monster who has been at the Nascent Soul stage for ages. Yan Shi, join forces with me. We two brothers can unite all the Earth Giant tribes, and then carve out a new domain where our Earth Giant race can live proudly on this world again, instead of the precarious, unsettled existence we currently endure.”

Hearing the term "Nascent Soul old monster," Lei Dong couldn't help but laugh. Indeed, many human cultivators habitually referred to others that way. But hearing it from an Earth Giant, especially one at the Nascent Soul stage, struck Lei Dong as quite amusing. He couldn't be bothered to listen to their protracted arguing any longer and stated calmly: “You are Kui Tu, correct? I can see you’ve learned quite a bit from those human slaves. In truth, just as Brother Yan Shi said, among humans, there are both good and bad elements. My association with Brother Yan Shi is our business alone. However, since you have an opinion and intend to interfere, I might as well lay my cards on the table. Admittedly, in befriending Brother Yan Shi, I naturally possess some degree of intent to utilize the strength of the Earth Giant race.”

“What?” Kui Tu and Yan Shi both cried out in a muffled tone of shock. Kui Tu couldn't believe Lei Dong would be so blunt. Yan Shi, however, appeared surprised and deeply disappointed, as if struck by a major blow. Clearly, Lei Dong’s self-interest had tarnished the purity of their brotherhood.

Lei Dong remained utterly unfazed by their reactions, gazing calmly at the somewhat crestfallen Yan Shi, and slowly said, “Both of you have studied human civilization and history; you have learned human culture. You certainly know how humanity rose up to stand upon this land and become the master of the Nine Continents. Yan Shi, I know you are disappointed, seemingly blaming me for approaching you with a utilitarian mindset. But, Yan Shi, how can you not understand? Between people, between races, there are never eternal enemies, nor are there everlasting friends. There is only the convergence of interests. Yan Shi, I ask you, if one day a serious conflict of interest were to arise between us, how would you treat me?”

“You are my brother. If you require anything, I will give it to you, even if it means sacrificing my own life, Yan Shi,” Yan Shi, valuing loyalty above all else, spoke with genuine sincerity that seemed entirely without falsehood.

“Yes, I believe you, Yan Shi, would do that,” Lei Dong smiled. “But what about your tribesmen? Wouldn’t all of your people harbor resentment if you gave everything to me?”

“They…” Yan Shi started to say they wouldn't dare, but the words caught in his throat halfway through. Indeed, even setting aside a situation of severe conflict of interest, even now, a portion of the newly integrated tribesmen expressed grievances about his association with Lei Dong. Although some of that was fueled by Kui Tu and others stirring things up, it was true that if a major conflict of interest arose, many tribesmen would undoubtedly step forward to oppose any arbitrary decision he made. Realizing this, Yan Shi could only lower his voice with shame and say, “A portion of the tribesmen might not agree, but I, Yan Shi, would forfeit my life for you.”

“What use would your life be to me?” Lei Dong chuckled lightly. “That’s why I say only a relationship mutually beneficial has the right to endure. Otherwise, with continuous taking, even the greatest debt of gratitude will eventually be exhausted. My association with you, Yan Shi, is firstly because both of us share long-term, common interests that bring great benefits to us both. Secondly, I genuinely appreciate your character, Yan Shi, and wished to become brothers with you. To be honest, initially, my association with you certainly carried a significant element of self-interest, but as we spent more time together, I truly came to regard you as a brother. There is a saying: people don't fear being utilized; they fear not even having the value to be utilized. Yan Shi, if you feel that my pragmatism warrants disdain, and you wish to sever our bond, I will have nothing more to say.”

“Brother Lei Dong, I was wrong,” Yan Shi appeared somewhat flustered and ashamed, slowly speaking with gravity. “I was indeed dissatisfied and disappointed in you just moments ago. But after hearing your reasoning, I truly feel I have wronged Brother Lei Dong. The brotherhood between us will be like the sun, moon, and stars in the heavens—eternal and undying.” Fundamentally, Yan Shi also felt that he and his tribe could no longer do without Lei Dong. Otherwise, the current positive momentum in development would likely halt immediately, or even regress. Gradually, he came to understand Lei Dong’s so-called alliance of interests.

Kui Tu, seeing that his attempt to sow discord had failed, was naturally disappointed. He stared at Lei Dong with a look of disdain mixed with hatred: “Kid, you have a silver tongue. However, our Earth Giant race values strength above all. Though you are a Nascent Soul cultivator, over the past thousand years, I have killed more than one or two Nascent Soul cultivators I’ve fought. Today, let’s settle this with strength. If you lose, you will get out of the Great Barren Desert and never again lay claim to the resources of our Earth Giant race. If you win, I will place my life in your hands to dispose of as you see fit.”

“Heh heh, it’s a deal.” Lei Dong’s eyes lit up. This Kui Tu’s tribe must be substantial. A fine meal delivered right to his doorstep—how could he refuse?

“Brother Lei, absolutely not!” Yan Shi’s face drastically changed. “Kui Tu is a mid-stage Nascent Soul Earth Giant, immensely powerful. He once single-handedly slew a late-stage Nascent Soul fierce beast.”

Slaying a late-stage Nascent Soul fierce beast? Lei Dong’s interest was piqued slightly. “Since that is the case, perhaps we should raise the stakes further. If I lose, I will not only forfeit my life to you but also hand over elixirs worth ten billion spirit stones with both hands. Kui Tu, do you dare accept?”