Sima Changbai gently turned his hand, and the Sun Spirit Sword was sheathed.

Dugu Ye stood there, her face ashen, a sudden flush rising to her cheeks, lending a touch of fatal allure to the beautiful woman’s features; she was on the verge of spitting blood.

The disparity in their strengths was, indeed, starkly apparent.

As it turned out, what Sima Changbai had said about Dugu Ye’s One Leaf Foretells Autumn was merely a minor technique for observing subtle movements. Sima Changbai hadn't been boasting; he had stated a simple fact. Although Dugu Ye was fiercely competitive, a loss was a loss, and she was an upright woman; she turned and stepped off the stage.

Sima Changbai stood center stage: "Then... who will challenge me next?"

"I will," Fang Ru stepped forward.

"Senior Brother Fang, are you in a condition to fight with your current injuries?" Sima Changbai couldn't help but be surprised, shaking his head, "Senior Brother Fang's body right now... it would be best not to exert yourself. You are absolutely no match for me." Sima Changbai clearly believed the position of North Peak Lord was already his, so he chose to appear magnanimous now.

Once he became the North Peak Lord, he would first display some benevolence to win the people's respect and loyalty.

Only then would his true era of rule commence.

Sima Changbai was also a man long accustomed to positions of power; he was thoroughly versed in the various stratagems of control and wielded them with practiced ease.

Fang Ru drew his Vast Righteous Spirit Sword—his Gentleman's Sword technique was rigorous to the extreme. Every move, every stance, was methodical and orderly, imbued with boundless, upright righteousness. As he began his display, even the discerning Elders watching from the sidelines clicked their tongues in admiration. He truly was an extraordinary figure. Had he not sustained such grievous injuries, the power of his swordplay would be at least five times what it was now, and at five times its current strength, who besides those in the Great Dao Realm would dare claim victory over Fang Ru? However, his injuries were simply too severe, and thus, he was easily defeated by Sima Changbai.

Next was Chu Fei.

In fact, before the final showdown, the consensus had been for Dugu Ye, Chu Fei, and Fang Ru—those clearly less powerful than Sima Changbai at that moment—to fight first, draining Sima Changbai's spiritual energy, before Ye Yangrong, whose strength was closest to Sima Changbai's, made his move. Chu Fei’s Flying Heaven Swordplay specialized in agility and lightness; his speed was quick, and his sword was even quicker. However, he was swiftly overwhelmed by Sima Changbai’s Blazing Sun Radiance. With Blazing Sun Radiance, the entire stage instantly erupted in flames. No matter how fast Chu Fei flew, he was severely wounded by this single move.

Finally, the battle arrived at the last remaining challenger: Ye Yangrong.

Now, Ye Yangrong was the only one who could possibly challenge Sima Changbai. Ye Yangrong chuckled and walked onto the stage, smiling broadly: "Senior Brother Sima has indeed lived up to his reputation. Very well, let your junior brother have the honor of testing your superiority." Although his plump face wore a smile, there was a sharp seriousness beneath that usual joviality.

Sima Changbai faced Ye Yangrong.

This was the pinnacle confrontation of this Peak Lord battle.

At this point, every spectator focused with serious attention.

Ye Yangrong swung his Yang Circle Spirit Sword, drawing an arc of a circle with the longsword. Ye Yangrong’s style leaned heavily toward defense, employing a strategy of defense followed by counterattack. Ring after ring appeared at the tip of his sword; whenever an incoming attack struck one of these circles, it was quickly neutralized by the circular force. Once an opponent was caught within Ye Yangrong’s Seamless Circle Swordplay, Ye Yangrong would seize the opportunity to counterattack. For a time, countless circles danced around his sword tip.

"Excellent, Junior Brother Ye. I have long heard of the Seamless Circle Swordplay. Today, I finally get to witness it." Sima Changbai’s Sun Spirit Sword shot forward, trailing dazzling light.

"Sun Rising from the East!" This stance bore some resemblance to the Morning Sun Unified Sword.

"Sun at Zenith!" From the gentle transition of the previous stance to the sheer violence and conflagration of this one, the shift was almost instantaneous, allowing no time to react.

"Blazing Sun Radiance!" This move instantly transformed the stage into a violently burning sea of fire. These three moves escalated in ferocity one after another. Facing them, Ye Yangrong exerted his Yang Circle Spirit Sword to dissolve the attacks, but it was clear he was struggling considerably by this point.

"Sunlight’s Wrathful Kill!" Amidst the infinite light and fire, the most ferocious sword intent surged toward Ye Yangrong’s blade.

"The Apex of the Great Sun!" This technique pressed down with immense light and fire.

"The Sun Descends!" This stance was far more terrifying than the preceding sword moves. Once unleashed, it was as if the entire sun itself had plummeted onto the stage. Ye Yangrong realized something was terribly wrong. His renowned defensive style should have been able to withstand it.

The Seamless Circle Swordplay, the foremost defense of the North Peak, was not a false reputation. But this move was entirely wrong. The Seamless Circle Swordplay relied on circles, and The Sun Descends moved in a circle—it was a direct counter to his technique. He was caught completely off guard, nearly vomiting blood.

Likewise, Sima Changbai hadn't initially anticipated that The Sun Descends would perfectly counter Ye Yangrong, but upon discovering this vulnerability, his experience dictated he could not let it pass. He pressed attack after attack, crack! With the final strike, the Sun Spirit Sword sent Ye Yangrong flying off the stage.

So strong!

Sima Changbai’s combat power was terrifyingly potent, far surpassing that of an ordinary cultivator at the Ninth Layer of the Longevity Realm.

In that instant, countless drops of rain seemed to recoil heavenward, unable to withstand the searing heat radiating from Sima Changbai’s body. He stood there like a demon god forged in fire, the very embodiment of the flame. Flames crackled violently, scorching the platform black, and burning deep into the hearts of the onlookers.

Ye Yangrong continued to cough up blood, his face grey and defeated. He had possessed enough fighting strength for another round, but he had never imagined that Sima Changbai’s The Sun Descends would perfectly counter his Seamless Circle Swordplay.

Sima Changbai stood still—his outward expression unchanged, yet internally, his heart churned with surging tides.

Sima Changbai had always possessed immense ambition. Since childhood, he desired only the best. Born of noble lineage, a disciple of Sima Qinggui, those around him naturally deferred to him. However, this changed when the true disciples of that generation finally assembled. Among them, he detested three individuals the most.

One was the Eldest Senior Brother, Yuan Yuan. Of course, at that time, Yuan Yuan was not yet a Venerable. Yuan Yuan presented himself as exceedingly loyal, the epitome of a kind, honest man, seemingly useless. Yet, he proved impossibly difficult to deal with. Sima Changbai could usually manage a minor victory over him, but when it came to critical matters, Yuan Yuan was always superior.

Then there was the Second Senior Brother, Yuan Ling, who possessed astonishing, unparalleled genius. In every aspect, Sima Changbai could not hope to catch up to Yuan Ling; the gap was vast, almost despair-inducing.

Ah, and then there was Li Yuanbai. While Yuan Yuan and Yuan Ling far surpassed him in every respect, Li Yuanbai was not significantly stronger than Sima Changbai. However, Li Yuanbai’s master was Sima Changbai’s master’s ancient rival, and in the comparisons constantly made between Li Yuanbai and Sima Changbai, Sima Changbai frequently lost.

Following this, Sima Changbai’s ambitions grew even grander.

But then, Yuan Ling betrayed them, transforming into a terrifying demonic heretic. Yuan Yuan Venerable became the North Peak Lord, his strength now far exceeding Sima Changbai’s. Sima Changbai and Li Yuanbai had been locked in a constant struggle, never once achieving a smooth path.

However, good news finally arrived: Li Yuanbai was gravely injured and near death—that was minor in itself. More importantly, afterwards, Yuan Yuan Venerable and Yuan Ling Venerable fought each other and both disappeared; in Sima Changbai’s estimation, it was highly likely they were both lost.

And now, his ambition was finally about to be realized.

The seat of the North Peak Lord, which he had gazed up at and coveted for so long, was about to fall into his hands.

In Sima Changbai’s heart, there was nothing but boundless satisfaction.

Yuan Yuan Venerable, Yuan Ling Venerable, Li Yuanbai—the three figures of the past—had ultimately failed. Sima Changbai was the victor.

Hahahaha!

In his mind, Sima Changbai roared with silent laughter.

As the crowd reeled in shock at Sima Changbai’s immense fighting prowess, having consecutively defeated Dugu Ye, Fang Ru, Chu Fei, and Ye Yangrong, they simultaneously grasped the inevitable: Sima Changbai would be the next North Peak Lord. No one else remained who could stop his ascension.

Sima Qinggui stroked his beard. He himself had never achieved the Peak Lord title, but for his disciple to succeed was not a bad outcome.

Excitement flashed through Sima Bo’s mind. Sima Hao looked triumphantly at Lu Yuan, laughing inwardly: Ha! Now that Grandfather is the North Peak Lord, will there be fewer chances to exact revenge on you? The Elders who had consistently sided with Sima Changbai secretly rejoiced; siding with Sima Changbai had truly paid off.

Elders from the other Peaks and Immortal Sects began contemplating how their relationships with the North Peak would shift. Regardless, cultivating a good relationship with the North Peak meant cultivating a good relationship with Sima Changbai.

"Ahem..." Lu Qingtao, who was presiding over this North Peak contention, cleared his throat: "It seems... no one else can challenge him now." He swept his gaze across the assembly of Elders. The strongest among them was only at the Seventh Layer of Longevity Realm; how could they possibly contend with Sima Changbai? Naturally, none dared to step onto the stage.

Lu Qingtao cleared his throat again: "Then, the next Lord of the North Peak shall be Sima—" "Wait a moment." Just as Lu Qingtao was about to make the announcement, a voice calling out "Wait a moment" suddenly cut through the air—a voice clear enough to reach every corner of the hall.

All eyes turned, wondering if a reversal was about to occur. Who had spoken that interruption?

As they looked, they saw that the one who had called for a pause was none other than a young man dressed in green robes, holding a wine gourd, wearing an air of complete ease.

Lu Yuan.

Everyone knew the long-standing animosity between Lu Yuan and Sima Changbai, but why was Lu Yuan stepping forward now? Curiosity flared among the crowd.

(The Six Sword Immortals of the North Peak originally had significant roles, so this section is afforded half a chapter. After all, if they don't make their move now, their opportunities to do so will only diminish as the story progresses. Now, onto the main event.)