"This useless stone can actually fetch a price?" The black-robed elder frowned, looking over with some confusion.

Aside from those two blade marks, there was truly nothing remarkable about it. There was also a shallow mark, made by some unknown weapon.

At first, he paid it no mind, but just as the elder was about to shift his gaze, he suddenly froze. A sharp glint flashed in his dry eyes, and he immediately looked back at the massive rock. Then, this elder could no longer tear his eyes away.

"—However, this stone also depends on whose hands it falls into. In the eyes of common folk, it is naturally worthless. But to someone like myself, it is priceless. This object succinctly explains the profound meaning of the sword. If sold, it would fetch at least a hundred fourth-tier beast cores. If given to my uncle, who has long searched for a successor, I could extort a great favor besides!"

Lei Dong spoke with excitement, growing more animated and slipping into reverie: "If it were passed down to descendants, it would be even more incredible. Back in the day, the peerless First Saber God, Lei Dong, before his blade mastery reached its peak, contemplated the martial path at Luoyun Waterfall. By chance, he encountered Zong Shou, the future Sword God Sect Heir, and they debated the way of the sword. Thus, their spirits resonated, and they became sworn brothers. Don't you find that poetic, legendary? Ah, heavens, this stone might be auctioned for an astronomical price in the future—my descendants will be blessed! It is said that a piece of cloud stone where the Saber Saint sat in his youth once sold for ten thousand fourth-tier beast cores. I wonder about my stone? This is truly perplexing. Servants! Quickly carry this stone away! If it is damaged, I will hold you all accountable—"

The black-robed elder's face twitched, leaving him speechless. After a long silence, he finally calmed down: "My lord, is this truly left by the Heir of the Qiantian Mountain Sect, Zong Shou? I heard this person is only thirteen. At thirteen, has he truly glimpsed the Sword Intent?"

"Do you think I would lie to you? When have you ever seen your master speak a single falsehood? And from now on, he is my sworn brother; you shall call him Second Young Master!"

Lei Dong gave a cold laugh, also staring at the massive rock. The stone weighed over a hundred tons; dozens of black-robed servants strained together silently just to move it slightly. Despite exerting tremendous effort until their faces turned crimson, they could not lift it.

Lei Dong sighed internally, thinking these fellows were simply too clumsy. He swung his fifteen-zhang giant saber and, in three swift strokes, shaved away the excess stone, leaving only the essence of the three marks.

He frowned again inwardly. With Zong Shou's sword mark present, wouldn't his own saber marks appear somewhat inferior? He was thoroughly outshone by his sworn brother.

If posterity saw this, wouldn't he be ridiculed? It was unsightly.

His eyes darted around, and Lei Dong swung his saber two more times. Stone chips flew, completely obscuring his original blade marks. Only then did he nod slightly with satisfaction.

The black-robed elder snapped back to reality and immediately gasped: "In this world, there truly exists someone who grasped the essence of the sword path at thirteen. This Heir truly hides his depth well. If that is true, my lord's sworn brother is destined for extraordinary achievements. This old servant will travel to Yunsheng City shortly to ensure his safety! My lord intends to send this stone to the Master. Are you perhaps planning to introduce the Second Young Master to the Master's tutelage?"

"I have that intention, but he might not find it appealing. My brother's nature is soft externally but strong internally; he appears humble, but he is actually quite proud, even a bit eccentric. You may go, but you must not be discovered by him! Follow secretly. I also wish to gauge my sworn brother's capabilities. Whether he wishes to seize the position of the Eastern Lin Yun Continent Demon King or leave the continent entirely, it will be his decision—"

Lei Dong shook his head and gave a few instructions. Seeing that the servants had loaded the massive stone, now reduced by four-fifths its original size, onto a nearby carriage, he walked to the riverbank and gazed into the water.

Reflected in the water was a scruffy, unkempt man, causing him to mock himself again.

"Three years of contemplation, traveling to a hundred scenic spots across the world. Beyond the scenery and the saber, there was nothing else in my heart. Unexpectedly, in this short time, I have become this wretched appearance. If the Young Miss saw me now, I don't know how heartbroken she would be!"

Tsk-tsking, Lei Dong shockingly raised his exaggerated fifteen-zhang giant saber and used it to scrape his beard.

After a brief wash and a change of clothes, he transformed into another person. His imposing build remained, but his features were now handsome and well-defined, imbued with a touch of scholarly refinement.

Holding his saber in his right hand, he looked up at the sky with bold ambition, unleashing his saber intent wildly.

The Mad Saber Lei Dong, who had been absent for three years, had returned today. He wondered if his old friends in the Central Cloud Continent were ready?

As he arrogantly surveyed the sky, Lei Dong's brow suddenly furrowed again.

"Who is up there? Riding the air?"

In his vision, two small dots appeared. Looking from afar, they seemed to be two women, moving through the sky.

And he happened to recognize both of them.

"Is that the old madam from the Taiyuan Sect? The Taiyuan Immortal, Shui Lingbo? Why is this person in the Eastern Lin Yun Continent? The one following her is Zhao Yanran from the Seven Spirits Sect."

A thought struck him, recalling Zong Shou's earlier words: the one who had attained the Sword Dao spiritual connection was the latter.

"No wonder this old madam has suddenly appeared; she must be looking for a disciple. Heh heh! If my sworn brother were to become a disciple of the Taiyuan Sect, wouldn't that be amusing?"

The corner of his lip curled up, and Lei Dong suddenly soared into the air. A flash of saber shadow swept across the sky.

The figures in the sky reacted just as quickly; their bodies flickered slightly, narrowly dodging the attack.

One of them was indeed Zhao Yanran. The leader, clad in a bright red robe, swept her iron-gray face downwards, scanning below.

"Which reckless lunatic is this?"

Upon seeing the figure charging upwards, Shui Lingbo's expression instantly changed: "Mad Saber Lei Dong? You already have enough trouble, yet you dare to provoke me now! I am busy right now; I have no time for you, get lost!" She stomped her foot heavily, crushing another blast of saber energy into dispersal.

But Lei Dong laughed heartily: "My saber intent has achieved minor success today, and the Hundred Dragon Saber has increased to level twenty-five. I was just looking for someone to test my depth! Taiyuan Immortal, you have arrived at the perfect time!"

The saber shadow flashed and vanished, only to reappear the next instant, filling the clouds, the light of the saber like dragons, nearly obscuring the heavens.

Shui Lingbo's gaze instantly turned incredibly cold. At this moment, Lei Dong's saber was like an ink-wash landscape painting—unrestrained, wildly unrestrained. Though devoid of killing intent, the will to battle was overwhelmingly fierce!

Her expression grew colder than frost, reaching an extreme sharpness. She drew a crimson sword and thrust it straight down from the clouds. The sword shadow exploded, resembling the scorching midday sun, colliding violently with the rising saber light.

Anyone who dared to obstruct her now deserved only 'death'!

With a sharp 'clang,' countless fierce winds suddenly erupted in the sky. The entire expanse churned with dust and stones flying everywhere. The trees on the ground were either broken or completely uprooted by the sheer force of the wind.

Countless beasts and birds in the forest scattered in all directions.

Not far away, Zhao Yanran observed leisurely, calmly watching the spectacle. Although she could not ride the wind, once she opened a red umbrella, her figure drifted down lightly.

After descending about four hundred zhang, Zhao Yanran's eyes suddenly narrowed, fixing on a stone loaded onto a carriage below.

Up above, even with the surging torrents of power, the clash could no longer capture her interest. Her gaze remained fixed intently on that massive rock.

The next moment, a knowing smile crossed her face. That was how it was. Given that person's disposition, how could such an unparalleled treasure remain hidden in the dust forever?