Master of Heaven and Earth - -

After eliminating the group of miscreants, Leng Yan returned to the stone gate, his sharp eyes fixed intently on the patterns etched on it. The feeling of comprehension surged within him once again, even stronger than the first time!

Realizing this, Leng Yan quickly sat down on the ground, his spiritual awareness diving deep into his mind to grasp the profound meanings behind the patterns on the stone gate.

Seeing this, Xuelan said nothing more. She waved her hand, setting a seal around Leng Yan to prevent any external disturbances, and then began to patrol and protect him.

Having gone through so many life-and-death battles together, the two had developed a strong sense of mutual understanding.

As Leng Yan’s spiritual awareness sank into his mind, he followed the trace left by that profound feeling, step by step. Finally, at the center of the sea of consciousness, he saw a figure with his back turned toward him.

The figure held a sword, its tip pointing to the sky! The appearance of this person was exactly the same as the pattern on the stone gate!

Leng Yan’s spirit was raised; he dared not relax for even a moment because he could not gauge this person’s strength! The figure before him exuded no spiritual power, suggesting either a lack of it or that his strength was far beyond Leng Yan’s!

Just as Leng Yan pondered his options, the figure began to move, slowly turning toward him.

A white halo surrounded the unfamiliar man, obscuring his appearance. The man let out a light chuckle, then waved his right hand, and suddenly the world spun around him.

Leng Yan quickly steadied himself, taking a while to lift his head. The surroundings were no longer the familiar landscape of his sea of consciousness.

Instead, he found himself in a vast mountainous area where two towering peaks stood side by side in the distance, soaring into the clouds, taller than any mountain Leng Yan had ever seen.

The unfamiliar man had appeared beside Leng Yan at some point, still unrecognizable.

Without waiting for Leng Yan to speak, the stranger began.

“I have practiced martial arts since childhood, entering the immortal sect to learn dao techniques at the age of five. By ten, I encountered my revered teacher, and after a decade of sword practice, at the age of twenty, I became unparalleled in the sword way. In the entire world, no one can surpass me in swordsmanship; among my peers, no cultivator can withstand my blade.” The man paused, his voice filled with pride.

“Then, after another decade of no rivals, feeling unchallenged, I dedicated another ten years to research and created the Sword of Heaven and Earth. I challenge the heavens: are you willing to receive this sword?!”

Upon finishing his words, the unfamiliar man stepped onto the ground and ascended into the air. A massive silhouette appeared behind him as he opened his right hand, palm facing the earth, and the stones beneath him swiftly levitated. Before long, a gigantic earth pit was formed.

Meanwhile, in the air, the rising stones coalesced into a huge sword hilt!

The man acted again, raising his right hand high, fingers curled as if holding an invisible sword. The air around began to churn violently, flowing toward the massive sword hilt. A blade, faint yet tangible, began to coalesce on the hilt, solidifying further with the influx of air.

“Young man, watch closely!” the man bellowed. Fist clenched, the giant figure behind him mirrored his movements, grasping the enormous sword.

Without hesitation, the man unleashed a strike, wielding nothing yet wielding something, slashing diagonally toward the distant mountains. A blade wave that spanned heaven and earth swept outward from the gigantic sword.

Wherever it passed, the ground cracked, the sky trembled, and all life seemed to shatter!

The blade wave was incredibly swift; in the blink of an eye, it struck the two great mountains.

Instead of the expected deafening explosion, a moment later, the peaks began to slide down.

The blade wave sliced right through the towering mountains, cleaving them apart with a perfectly smooth edge, as if polished by a mirror!

Even Leng Yan was left dumbfounded by the scene, and it wasn’t until everything faded away that he found himself back in front of the stone gate, snapping back to reality.

Seeing that Leng Yan had opened his eyes, Xuelan hurried over. “How was it? Did you make any discoveries?”

Leng Yan forced a smile, too pressed for time to answer. He immediately sat cross-legged again, replaying the astounding Sword of Heaven and Earth in his mind repeatedly!

Not wanting to interrupt, Xuelan remained silent and continued to protect him.

Ultimately, Leng Yan spent a full three days contemplating that sword! He could sense that combined with his Immortal-Slaying Sword, the power of the Sword of Heaven and Earth would be nothing short of astonishing!

“You’re finally awake! Do you know how worried I’ve been for these three days?” Xuelan chided him gently, her concern evident.

“Alright, alright, I’m sorry. The things brought forth by this stone gate are incredibly profound; I wasn’t able to grasp it all in just three days,” Leng Yan replied, expressing his regret.

“What could be that powerful?” Xuelan murmured softly.

Just as Leng Yan was about to explain, the stone gate began to ripple as if draped in a curtain of water.

The two quickly took several steps back, fully on guard.

A beam of white sword light shot out from the stone gate, hovering before the two- it was Yi Shuihan!

“Leng Yan, long time no see,” Yi Shuihan said with a light smile.

Recalling Yi Shuihan’s previous actions, Leng Yan’s face hardened, a murderous look flashing in his eyes as he drew out the Immortal-Slaying Sword.

“Why did you do this?”

“People die for wealth, just as birds perish for food. I must have this swordsmanship inheritance. I couldn’t open the stone gate by myself, so I had no choice but to use your strength to activate this teleportation formation. Unfortunately, it can only transport one person-my apologies,” Yi Shuihan sneered, showing no trace of remorse.

“Now that I have obtained this swordsmanship inheritance, what can you do about it?” Yi Shuihan taunted, his contempt for Leng Yan clear as day.

“Oh, is that so?” Leng Yan remained impassive, showing no sign of joy or anger in his expression.

Seeing Leng Yan’s calm demeanor, Yi Shuihan’s heart wavered. However, knowing there was no turning back, he hardened his resolve, determining not to waste any more time!

At this moment, Leng Yan turned to Xuelan and softly said, “You were wondering what’s behind this? Let me show you.”

As soon as he finished his words, the moment Yi Shuihan made his move, Leng Yan moved too!

Yi Shuihan, now having gained the swordsmanship inheritance, was indeed much stronger than before. His sword qi was sharper, and his sword intent more refined, forcing Leng Yan to retreat step by step.

“I thought you had something impressive; it’s just all bluster! This should be the end!” Yi Shuihan sneered, intensifying his assault.

“Yes, it should be the end,” Leng Yan replied as he quickly retreated under Yi Shuihan’s force.

Then, he leaped into the air, summoned the Immortal-Slaying Sword, firmly gripping it in his right hand while repeatedly recalling the Sword of Heaven and Earth he had comprehended earlier.

“I wield a sword that can shake heaven and earth!” At that moment, Leng Yan resembled a celestial being, his words resonating like sacred sounds. Then, he slashed downward with the Immortal-Slaying Sword, and upon closer inspection, a giant shadow loomed behind him!

The soaring sword wave surged toward Yi Shuihan. Being exceptionally talented, Yi Shuihan reacted swiftly, meeting the wave with his sword, transforming into a beam of golden sword light that charged toward the encroaching blade wave.

Boom… After a massive explosion, the blinding light dispersed, and the silhouette of a person crashed heavily to the ground.

In the end, Yi Shuihan was unable to withstand the power of the Sword of Heaven and Earth.

Xuelan stood to the side in shock, her mind racing: Could she block that sword strike? The thought sent a chill down her spine, making her fear for the worst.

Leng Yan approached Yi Shuihan, coldly scrutinizing him.

“To die… by your hand… is not entirely disgraceful,” he murmured, acknowledging the end of a once-promising swordsmanship talent.

Searching through Yi Shuihan’s belongings, Leng Yan tossed them into his storage space.

“Let’s go home,” he called out to Xuelan as he turned to leave.

Just then, his body went limp, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

“That attack truly drained my vital energy!”