Lei Dong nodded, a gentle smile spreading across his face. "The fact that my Saber Intent has achieved mastery today is entirely thanks to you, young brother. Such a great kindness—how can I possibly repay you?"

Zong Shou was not one to stand on ceremony; the notion that kindness should go unrewarded was utter nonsense. Having helped someone, one naturally expected some benefit. After only a brief pause for thought, he spoke without reserve: "Even without my further instruction, this Mountain and Water Saber Intent should be graspable within a fortnight or so. To call it a 'great kindness' is an overstatement. How about you simply escort my master and me, the three of us, to Cloud Saint City?"

"A fortnight? While it’s true I was only separated from minor attainment in Saber Intent by a thin membrane, it certainly wasn't something I could grasp in a mere fortnight; it would take at least three to five years. Besides, didn't I just say? This time, it wasn't just a mere suggestion—you saved my very life! How can that not be a great kindness?"

At this, Lei Dong snorted heavily, his expression hardening into one of clear displeasure. "Just escorting you to Cloud Saint City to settle the debt? Are you looking down on me, Lei Dong? Or do you believe my life is only worth that little?"

Zong Shou was momentarily speechless. A life-saving debt? It seemed this Lei Dong had actually been contemplating suicide.

"Wait a moment! Young Master of Qiantian Mountain, I seem to recall hearing that name!"

Lei Dong's expression suddenly shifted, showing a flicker of remembrance. The next instant, he roared at his servants, "You lot, hurry up and find me an altar!"

His retainers were extremely quick-witted. In just a moment, they produced an incense burner from somewhere, along with a narrow table.

After selecting an open space and setting everything up properly, Lei Dong ordered his men to find two wine cups, candles, sandalwood incense, and even the requisite sacrificial offerings of three animals.

Zong Shou watched, completely bewildered as to the meaning of this display. Then, he saw Lei Dong grab him and pull him over to the makeshift altar before commencing a solemn rite of burning incense and praying.

"Heavens above, I, Lei Dong, today swear brotherhood with Zong Shou of Qiantian Mountain! From this day forward, we shall share fortune and disaster, our lives intertwined! If I, Lei Dong, violate this oath, may I be forbidden from drinking Miss Zhenru's Snow Spirit Wine for nine hundred years!"

Though his voice was bold, the oath itself was rather comical. Yet, Lei Dong’s face kept twisting in pain, as if being deprived of Snow Spirit Wine for nine centuries was an agonizing prospect for him.

Zong Shou stood frozen, unable to comprehend why they were suddenly becoming sworn brothers. What kind of bizarre situation was this?

Before he could figure out what to do, Lei Dong glared at him. "Why aren't you speaking? Does Brother Zong perhaps think this old Lei unworthy of being your brother?"

Zong Shou’s breath caught instantly. At that, he had no choice but to take the three sticks of sandalwood incense and swear his own oath toward the altar. The preceding words were mostly the same—the usual vows of life and death. Only the final clause was slightly different.

"—If I violate this oath, may I, Zong Shou, be forbidden from touching a book for my entire life!"

He didn't want to wish for a terrible death or eternal ruin. However, being unable to read for his entire life was also a profoundly serious vow.

In his previous life, he had loved reading. The very reason he lingered in the library archives after achieving cultivation success was the sheer volume of books housed there.

A life without books made Zong Shou's heart clench. He secretly regretted whether the oath was too severe. What agony would that be? Perhaps that Snow Spirit Wine was merely an optional pleasure for this fellow.

Hearing this, Lei Dong burst into loud laughter and slapped Zong Shou heavily on the shoulder. "So, little brother is also a man of spirit! Your temperament suits me perfectly! Nine hundred years without Snow Spirit Wine, and a lifetime barred from books—that's perfectly balanced!"

Lei Dong hadn't controlled the force of that slap at all; it nearly shook Zong Shou to pieces. Fortunately, his Marrow Refining had achieved success, opening many channels and acupoints, allowing him to narrowly avoid spitting blood.

Lei Dong paid him no mind. He took the two wine bowls already filled by his servants, forced out several dozen drops of blood from his fingertips, and then forcibly grabbed Zong Shou’s hand, slicing his wrist artery with a blade-like surge of qi to let the blood drip into the bowl. He then seized one bowl, downed it in a single gulp, and hurled it to the ground with unrestrained bravado.

"Today, I and Zong Shou have made a Blood Pact, witnessed by the Heavens! From this day forward, we are brothers unto death!"

Zong Shou looked at the wound gushing blood on his right wrist, feeling a desperate urge to weep. A Blood Pact was indeed customary for sworn brotherhood ceremonies.

But why did Lei Dong only need to force out a few dozen drops while Zong Shou had to slice his own artery? Was this intentional or accidental?

Having no other recourse, he downed the wine in the other bowl in one swift draft. At first, it only tasted fragrant and smooth, unlike ordinary liquor. But the very next moment, a fire seemed to explode within his chest and abdomen. His throat felt as if it were being sliced by a knife.

His head began to spin. What kind of wine was this? It looked just like common liquor—the color and aroma were identical—so why was the kick so potent? It rivaled the rare, legendary immortal brews of later eras?

Then, he saw Lei Dong blinking at him, his face full of disbelief. "This is 'Half-Step Sway,' personally brewed by Miss Zhenru. Just a few drops can intoxicate a grown man. With my current cultivation nearing the Fourth Meridian of the Heaven Wheel, I only dare drink three bowls at once. Brother Shou drank an entire bowl in one go—truly formidable! Though Brother Shou's body is a bit frail, this sheer audacity is unmatched by common men!"

Zong Shou felt utterly depressed, wishing at that moment he could smash Lei Dong's face into a bloody pulp.

A few drops could fell a strong man—why hadn't he mentioned that sooner? Audacity, my foot! If he had known the wine was this potent, no one would have foolishly downed the whole thing.

Just as all his awareness began to fade, Lei Dong’s expression turned solemn, his entire demeanor shifting to one filled with murderous intent.

"From this moment on, you, Zong Shou, are my brother, Lei Dong. No matter who it is, if they dare lay a single hair on you, I, Lei Dong, will certainly slaughter their entire family!"

His words were laced with hidden sharpness, as if concealing a domineering, razor-edged saber. The colossal ten-zhang saber planted dozens of zhang away suddenly hummed, as if responding to Lei Dong. A vast, absolute Saber Intent abruptly swept outward in all directions.

Zong Shou stared blankly for a moment, fixing Lei Dong with a gaze, a slight smile touching the corner of his lips. Then, he tilted his head to the side and fell into a deep blackout.

When Zong Shou awoke groggily once more, he found himself inside a Cloud Turning Carriage. His head throbbed with severe pain, leaving him dizzy and profoundly unwell.

Initially, his mind was a blank slate; he couldn't recall anything. It wasn't until a full moment passed and the headache gradually receded that he vaguely remembered the events leading up to his collapse.

He seemed to have sworn brotherhood, then been 'ambushed' and completely intoxicated by a bowl of Half-Step Sway.

"Hmph, tricked! Lei Dong, you scoundrel! Bullying the weak, are you? Very well, I've noted this down. I can't deal with you now, but there will come a day when you’ll pay!"

Muttering curses under his breath, Zong Shou looked out the window. It was still a single Cloud Turning Carriage, traveling solitary upon the road.

The next moment, a delicate figure walked into the carriage compartment. Seeing Zong Shou awake, she brightened instantly. "Young Master, you're awake! It's already been four days; Xue'er was truly frightened this time."