The softest thing in the world is water, yet nothing can surpass it in attacking the hard; it overcomes the rigid by yielding, conquering the strong with the weak. Softness conquers hardness.

This sword strike descended, as intricate and relentless as before.

It plummeted down like the flooding torrent of the Yangtze River.

Sima Changbai poured every ounce of his remaining strength into the effort; his twin spirit swords, the Sun-in-the-Sky, were pushed to their absolute limit as he unleashed the Sun Shadow Sword! Nine Eclipses of the Profound Shadow! As this technique manifested, black flames—far more terrifying than the crimson flames—wreathed his blade. He countered Lu Yuan's strike with this boundless retaliation.

But Lu Yuan’s sword ignored the black fire entirely.

One swift cut beneath the nose!

In an instant, this single strike shattered every defense Sima Changbai possessed, severing his right hip. Simultaneously, diverse energies of water surged into Sima Changbai's body, wreaking havoc within him. The Water Sovereign Sword Dao began its work of internal destruction, entering every fissure unseen. Sima Changbai cried out in agony.

Defeated!

At this juncture, Sima Changbai was utterly defeated.

Lu Yuan raised his sword to the heavens. "Master, did you see? Your disciple has vanquished Sima Changbai."

"Master, you can finally rest in peace. The greatest threat to your disciple on the North Peak has finally fallen beneath my blade."

"Master..."

A wave of complex emotions washed over Lu Yuan. At the same time, Lu Yuan had finally grasped the ultimate utility of the Water Sovereign Sword Dao.

The Water Sovereign Sword Dao possessed a significant suppressive effect on water-element sword techniques and spells. It also exerted considerable suppression over fire-element sword techniques and spells. Furthermore, it could effortlessly breach an opponent's defensive sword formations, flowing through their defenses like liquid silk.

These were the three paramount functions of the Water Sovereign Sword Dao.

Undoubtedly, the Water Sovereign Sword Dao was far more arduous to master than the White Emperor Sword Dao or the Green Emperor Sword Dao. However, once achieved, its efficacy was truly unparalleled.

And then, an unforeseen development occurred.

Lu Yuan's preceding strike had severed Sima Changbai's right hip. As everyone knew in the cultivation world, spatial artifacts were guarded with extreme secrecy, lest they be stolen. Among these, some cultivators even refined spatial artifacts directly into their bodies—a technique Lu Yuan had mastered, embedding his own artifact in his left hip. To retrieve items from the artifact, his spiritual sense could easily probe it, causing the contents to materialize instantly in his left hand.

He kept it in his left hip precisely because drawing his sword required unimpeded access for his right hand; his sword feel and tactile connection could not be easily altered.

Sima Changbai’s spatial artifact, however, was housed in his right hip.

Lu Yuan’s sword severed Sima Changbai's right hip, and then—by a stroke of sheer, improbable fate—the spatial artifact hidden within that hip was also breached and sliced in two by the seamlessly invasive Water Sovereign Sword Dao. Resources and various spiritual items contained within scattered everywhere.

This loss of property was inconsequential in the immediate situation; no one could conceivably try to loot Sima Changbai at that moment.

However, Lu Yuan glanced down.

This glance was fateful. He happened to spot a letter lying among the debris, upon which the characters Yuan Ling were clearly visible. Sima Changbai was already reaching down to gather his scattered possessions, and the very first item he moved to retrieve was that letter.

Wait. Among the bounty of spiritual artifacts and treasures scattered on the ground—including over twenty massive spiritual beasts and treasures like Heaven’s Enlightenment Stones—why would he prioritize a mere letter? Unless that letter held extraordinary importance, especially marked with the characters Yuan Ling.

Sima Changbai lunged for the letter. Just as his left hand was about to grasp it, a sword materialized, lying horizontally before his hand. This block was exquisitely precise, perfectly intercepting the path of Sima Changbai's forward reach, sealing the area. Sima Changbai shifted his left hand, but the Yang Wu Sword followed the movement, turning with him. No matter how Sima Changbai twisted, the path forward for his left hand remained sealed. He was no longer Lu Yuan's match, and certainly could not overcome him now.

The sword locked Sima Changbai’s advance.

And the letter fell directly into Lu Qingtao’s hand.

This contest for the Peak Master position was ostensibly presided over by Lu Qingtao. Witnessing the sudden turn of events, he leaped down and seized the letter. Upon reading its contents, his expression shifted dramatically. His initial instinct was to conceal it, as it was a deeply embarrassing matter. But then he considered: had the North Peak not suffered enough humiliation recently?

The Yuan Ling rebellion was shameful enough.

And six months ago, when Yuan Ling ambushed Mount Hua, even the North Peak Master, Venerable Yuan Yuan, disappeared—a far greater disgrace. If Lu Yuan hadn't restored some face to the North Peak, the entire faction would surely have become the laughingstock of the cultivation world.

Everyone’s gaze fixed on the letter in Lu Qingtao’s hand. After all, the audience had not been blind during Lu Yuan and Sima Changbai’s struggle over that very letter; they knew it was a crucial element of the affair.

Lu Qingtao coughed, adjusting his robes. "The contents of this letter will likely interest everyone here. Alas, alas, woe to the Peak Gate, woe! This letter reveals the traitor Yuan Ling colluding with Sima Changbai in a plot to usurp the Peak Master position." The announcement caused an immediate uproar.

Under normal circumstances, Sima Changbai should never have kept such a letter. He retained it because it contained a critical piece of evidence linking him to Yuan Ling, a key connection. He had kept it with extreme caution, placed deep within the spatial artifact refined into his right arm. Logically, hiding it there was the safest measure possible.

Yet, Lu Yuan’s strike had been too perfectly angled, severing the spatial artifact and exposing the letter. The crowd erupted in genuine astonishment.

Yuan Ling colluding with Sima Changbai! It meant Sima Changbai was finished.

Completely ruined; he was summarily expelled from the righteous path.

Sima Changbai was hauled away. Now came the awkward part: Lu Yuan had defeated Sima Changbai, and Lu Yuan was a tenth-generation disciple of the North Peak, barely over twenty years old.

The North Peak—no, Huashan—no, the entire Jin Kingdom had never witnessed anything like this.

A Peak Master at barely twenty years of age.

Such an event had never occurred before, nor would it likely ever again.

By the established precedent, Lu Yuan should indeed become the Peak Master.

However, Lu Yuan was far too young. His combat prowess was certainly sufficient to warrant the position, given the North Peak’s current desperate state. But being a Peak Master involved far more than just fighting ability. There were endless miscellaneous duties.

For instance, as Peak Master, one had to manage governance. The North Peak was riddled with tangled administrative affairs. Could a twenty-year-old handle them? Those tasks required experience and the accumulated wisdom of a long life, things impossible for a youth. Even if Lu Yuan were naturally gifted in this area, using his time to deal with politics while his cultivation strength rapidly advanced would be a tragic waste. Not to mention, Lu Yuan was utterly average in administrative matters.

Hadn't he already entrusted his own minor businesses to Situ Hong, refusing to touch them himself?

Secondly, becoming the Peak Master meant facing myriad external pressures—contests with other major powers within an incredibly complex geopolitical landscape. Opponents wouldn't fight head-on but would constantly lay traps. It would be a miracle if a young man avoided being tricked and humiliated in such scenarios.

There were countless other tedious nuisances associated with the role.

However, the final decision now rested with Lu Yuan.

If Lu Yuan chose to accept, the members of the North Peak had no choice but to support him.

After all, his claim was legitimate and unimpeachable.

Lu Yuan smiled, executed a shallow bow towards everyone at the perimeter of the arena. "This Peak Master position, I am too young, and I fear I am not capable of bearing the responsibility. Given my limited experience, taking the role would likely bring disaster upon the North Peak. Therefore, it is best if I decline this honor. I urge the esteemed elders of the North Peak to select someone more capable."

He then gracefully leaped off the platform, light and unrestrained. How could he possibly take the Peak Master position? Although it carried immense authority, it was far too burdensome. His naturally lazy disposition would never permit him to become a Peak Master. The time spent managing endless political matters and dissecting complex situations would be better spent sharing wine with the heavens. Moreover, one should never abuse oneself. If there was someone taller to stand in front, he would certainly choose to recline. He would only step up to wield his sword if absolutely necessary. How truly free-spirited! As Lu Yuan descended so casually, a few disciples cheered, eager to see the spectacle of the tenth-generation disciple, Lu Yuan, taking charge. However, his withdrawal did not entirely surprise many of the older figures.

Lu Yuan was simply too young; his youth carried complexities beyond his current capacity to handle.

Yet, it was remarkable that Lu Yuan could walk away so nonchalantly, utterly indifferent to the Peak Master title.

A person of such detachment was truly rare.

With this kind of temperament, his future in the path of cultivation was boundless.

Lu Yuan sat back down among the crowd. A few familiar core disciples immediately approached him.

"Sixth Senior Brother, when did your strength advance to this level?" Ye Fang asked.

Ye Yuan nodded in agreement. "Your dedicated training time doesn't seem much longer than mine."

Lu Yuan shook his head and declared with profound seriousness, "You are mistaken. I have been striving continuously, persisting every day, practicing my sword from the deepest morning until the dead of night. This is the result of diligent, grueling effort." This statement nearly made everyone around him retch; they simply couldn't tolerate Lu Yuan's pretense.

This kind of exchange was common among sworn brothers. Lu Yuan leisurely uncorked a bottle of wine; he was finished here, free to await the emergence of the new Peak Master.

At this moment, Sima Bo, and Sima Hao standing nearby, both turned ashen.

Sima Changbai was ruined, and they two were not far behind in devastation.