Zong Shou kept his words concise, glancing deeply at Lei Dong: "It’s just a bit strange. Since my Elder Brother Lei Dong hails from the Five Absolutes Villa, why couldn't he grasp the principle that a mountain remains a mountain, and water remains water?"

Had he known of this person’s distinguished background earlier, he certainly would not have spoken so freely then.

He was also secretly puzzled; the two men’s appearances were clearly somewhat similar, suggesting they must be blood relatives.

Since they addressed each other as uncle and nephew, why did they not share the same surname?

The Five Absolutes Villa specialized in swordsmanship, yet Lei Dong had practiced the saber, and he even carried that damnable surname. At the time, Zong Shou genuinely believed this fellow was a lone cultivator with no backing.

Lei Dong laughed awkwardly, rubbing his nose, and tilted his head back to gaze at the sky. Yan Fan, however, seemed unconcerned. "My Lord, please do not be angry. Dong'er takes his mother's surname, hence his surname is Lei. This fellow had a falling out with me years ago, ran away from home, abandoned the sword for the saber, claiming he wanted to forge his own path without relying on the Five Absolutes Villa. To tell the truth, this time, I must thank My Lord. If it weren't for you, who knows when he would have come to see me!"

Zong Shou suddenly understood, and the anger in his chest calmed slightly, though he still glared furiously at Lei Dong.

It wasn't because of the man's origins, but the knowledge that whatever transpired today, this fellow undoubtedly played a part.

Lei Dong, seemingly aware of his own fault, looked helpless and kept bowing and apologizing to Zong Shou.

If not for that affair with Fairy Taiyuan, why would he have let his treasure—that stone—slip out? And why would he have needed to bring out his own uncle? He had originally intended to keep the stone as a family heirloom.

Suddenly, his mind shifted. He raised a wine jar in his hand and held up three fingers with his right hand.

Across a distance of more than ten zhang, Zong Shou caught a whiff of a crisp, pure wine fragrance, seemingly even superior to that Half-Step Sway from that day—it was clearly in the realm of immortal brews. Thinking of downing a bowl of that wine and being drunk senseless, Zong Shou’s fury flared anew.

He gestured toward Lei Dong, hatefully returning a gesture for the number "ten." Watching Lei Dong's face instantly collapse into a bitter mask brought Zong Shou a moment of satisfaction.

Yan Fan also smiled, as if he hadn't noticed Zong Shou’s small gesture at all. With a casual flick of his sleeve, he sent the wooden container holding the white chess pieces rolling toward Zong Shou, chuckling, "Actually, I have seen that Sword Intent Stone as well. My Lord’s sword path insight at such a young age is truly remarkable! I expect this time it will surely help the two of us resolve our difficulties! Finish this endgame. I recall My Lord has utilized the Startling Cloud Divine Annihilation Sword Intent several times on your journey, have you not?"

Zong Shou remained silent, not foolish enough to ask what these two would do if he refused to play this final game.

Looking at Fairy Taiyuan’s gaze, it was even more ardent than one reserved for a lover. Yan Fan was the same. If Zong Shou didn't know this man was married and deeply devoted to his wife, he would almost suspect the old fellow had questionable sexual orientation.

If he dared to refuse, being threatened by these two would make for an unpleasant scene.

Letting out a cold snort internally, Zong Shou still spurred his Lei Zou Spirit Bone, which moved with a grinding sound to the chessboard. He sat down cross-legged by himself.

When looking from a distance, he hadn't felt much. Now, observing closely, he felt as if a sword, like clouds and mist, was piercing directly toward him from the void. It seemed that in the next instant, it would cleave his head open.

Zong Shou's gaze sharpened, and subconsciously, he heavily pressed a white piece into the bottom-right corner of the board, making a light pa sound.

Strangely, the moment the piece landed, the sword he saw in his eyes was instantly struck by an inexplicable force, forcefully scattered, and transformed into a mass of vapor.

Shui Lingbo and Yan Fan both straightened involuntarily, staring at the position where Zong Shou had played his piece, their eyes shining with pleasant surprise.

Shui Lingbo, whose composure was shallower, unconsciously clenched her fist and pumped it vigorously.

To test a person's mastery and talent in the sword path, nothing compares to the instantaneous reaction in the moment between life and death!

And Zong Shou’s move just now far exceeded their expectations—it was perfect! Double, no! More than three or four times beyond!

Not only did he block the cloud sword, but he forcefully scattered it! That instantaneous counter-strike was truly approaching the level of the Sword Soul!

For a moment, Shui Lingbo's chest swelled with immense joy. Even if there was the barrier of the Heavenly Human realm, even if the divine soul was damaged, she was certain to find a way to remove these obstacles one by one, allowing this child to truly embark on the path of cultivation!

The foundation of their Taiyuan Sect was far beyond what the likes of Lingyun Sect, a minor holy land, could compare to!

Her gaze grew even more fervent, as if trying to completely burn through Zong Shou’s body!

Zhao Yanran’s expression flickered slightly, her hand instinctively moving toward her sword before returning to calm.

She had just felt a powerful martial intent erupt suddenly, causing her to instinctively prepare for defense.

Now, however, she thought to herself, As expected. That battle in the Black Mud Marsh, Zong Shou truly hadn't used his full strength!

If she had faced this game, she would certainly have been thrown a hundred zhang away by the rebound force, unable to cultivate for more than ten days.

Sichu Xue and Lian Fan, observing from behind, reacted differently again. They couldn't feel the clash of that instant, only that when Zong Shou placed that one piece, it felt as if there was a power capable of shaking heaven and earth!

After the sound of that placement, the mist and clouds swirling in the space between heaven and earth had visibly thinned by at least twenty percent!

Chuxue couldn't help but re-examine the chessboard in astonishment. She blinked, wondering if this pervasive fog was truly due to this game. "Good move! Excellent move! This piece was placed exquisitely, a surprise thrust! Yet it also accounts for the overall situation!" Yan Fan clapped his hands in admiration, as if they were all playing a casual game. He picked up a black piece and casually placed it in the center of the board.

"Then, My Lord, how do you plan to respond to this move?"

Before Zong Shou could even wipe the cold sweat from his brow, the cloud and mist condensed once more. This time, the cloud light shifted, appearing and disappearing within the mist, threading its way in. There were no visible traces, yet he could feel danger approaching stealthily.

Moreover, this illusion before him was completely real; Zong Shou couldn't break free even exerting all his strength. Cursing inwardly, Zong Shou didn't hesitate and struck out another piece, again landing in the bottom-right corner.

However, the moment he played the piece, Zong Shou had already cast aside all reservations. Since he had already revealed some of his hand force earlier, there was no need to deliberately conceal anything.

Thus, his words were entirely unrestrained.

"This Cloud Illusionary Sword, though ethereal and traceless, is ultimately too soft. Furthermore, can light and shadow truly change completely without form or trace? This is not the true essence of the Startling Cloud Divine Annihilation Sword Art! This level is truly too ordinary—" With a sharp ding, a white misty sword was suddenly flicked out of the cloud and mist. Without any suspense, it was pulverized!

Seeing this, Yan Fan was not annoyed; instead, his eyes shot out sharp light, and the traces of joy were almost irrepressible. He nodded slightly. "Indeed, it is somewhat lacking! Concealment in the mist is merely a petty trick! Then what about this move of mine?"

It was also a cloud-light illusory sword, but halfway through its journey, it transformed into four, and those four transformed into eight, attacking from all directions.

Zong Shou smiled upon seeing this. If it were anything else, perhaps, but the path of illusory swordsmanship, he was an expert in that field.

Without hesitation, he executed a corner approach. A white piece was placed right next to the black piece.

"This sword is not bad, but it has the flavor of cramming before battle! Still lacking a bit of spirit. You cannot fool me, nor is it hard to break. Villa Master is not proficient in this art, so why force it..."

Most martial artists in this world specialize in only one path. How could they be like him, studying every sword technique, regardless of its subtlety, in order to integrate the strengths of a hundred schools of swordsmanship? He had researched nearly all the supreme sword arts circulated in the Cloud Realm, truly achieving a synthesis of the strengths of a hundred families!

The Villa Master of the Five Absolutes Villa had tested him with the Startling Cloud Divine Annihilation Sword Art, but he himself had not seen the complete essential teachings of the Startling Cloud Divine Annihilation Sword, nor had he spent time studying it normally. Although the path of martial arts is understood by understanding one, and Yan Fan had already reached the Spirit Martial Venerable realm, only half a step away from the Immortal Martial realm, he still couldn't compare to one who practiced daily!

Martial cultivators of this era could not utilize virtual environments like him to hone their sword skills through practical combat day and night.

To call it cramming before battle would not be an exaggeration!

As expected, the central one of the eight swords suddenly vibrated, and then all the swords crumbled and vanished.

Yan Fan's breath hitched slightly; Zong Shou's evaluation hadn't been wrong.

Lei Dong behind him let out a derisive chuckle.

Yan Fan raised an eyebrow, turned back to glare coldly at his nephew, but did not play another piece. Instead, filled with satisfaction, he looked back toward Fairy Taiyuan. He had learned enough about Zong Shou's talent and sword mastery; there was no need for further testing.

Truly, it was Sword Path Insight! Manifesting the reality of sword intent at the level of Sword Charm!

Such fine material was rare to see even in a hundred years. Shui Lingbo did not stand on ceremony either, tossing a black chess piece onto the board.

And in Zong Shou's mind, the scene changed again. Those countless clouds and mists condensed once more. This time, the sword momentum was different from Yan Fan’s.

Utmost strength and rigidity, fierce and tyrannical. Its imposing nature was several times stronger than the first sword!

Zong Shou’s breathing hitched slightly, his spirit subtly encroached upon by the formidable sword momentum.

His gaze instantly sharpened, then quickly dissipated.

"Indeed, the sword reflects the person! This sword momentum is truly overbearing!" With those words, he subtly jabbed at the two people present. Zong Shou’s expression returned to placidness.

"However, the essence of the Startling Cloud Divine Annihilation Sword Art requires a balance of hardness and softness. Being overly rigid leads to breakage! Your sword is not a cloud sword; it is clearly an ice sword!"

He dropped a piece, which landed with another crisp pa sound, resonating faintly.

The most rigid and powerful sword instantly shattered like ice dust, and the formidable momentum vanished without a trace.

Shui Lingbo was overjoyed, her eyes flowing with brilliant light. If that detestable old man Yan Fan hadn't been right beside her, she might not have won. She desperately wanted to snatch Zong Shou away immediately.

For now, she could only suppress it, knitting her brows into an expression of enraged shame, and coldly shouted: "You are merely at the cultivation level of the Eight Meridian Secret Arts, how dare you say I am wrong~"