The young Yue Maiden, Xiaoqing, was certainly not very old. She practiced a sword technique inherited from the lineage of the Yue Maiden, Aqing.

The Yue Maiden Divine Sword! On this earth, all manner of peerless geniuses have appeared, yet the founder of the Yue Maiden Sect, Aqing, was the most outstanding among them—the myth of defeating three thousand with a single strike.

In this legend, the lowest rank among those three thousand was at least the Great Dao Realm. This single strike forged a myth.

Remember, this "single strike" did not refer to one sword, but rather one move. Yue Maiden Aqing was, without question, the most formidable figure ever known in the southern reaches of this land.

Even the Central Heavenly Dynasty paid heed! South, North, East, West—each possessed its own most preeminent figures.

The largest nation in the North was the Great Ancient Kingdom, but determining the North's strongest individual was not easy. The largest nation in the East was the Great Yi Kingdom, and its strongest figure was rumored to be Ling Donglai.

It was said this man once traveled across all nations and found no opponent who could stand against him; all others in the Great Yi Kingdom were considered secondary to him. However, this man had long since vanished into the Ten Absolutes Pass, rumored to have shattered the void and achieved the rank of Grand Unity Golden Immortal among the Immortals.

The most powerful nation in the West was the Great Rui Kingdom, and its strongest figure was Yan Kuangtu. This Yan Kuangtu was truly unparalleled in his ferocity; he once challenged the masters of several hundred nations single-handedly, causing rivers of blood to flow.

Even those dispatched by the Central Heavenly Dynasty to eliminate him were killed off in great numbers by him. Yet, in the end, this man met his demise, which was a great pity.

Aside from this madman, no one else had ever managed to kill so many figures from the Central Heavenly Dynasty. After all this idle talk, the point was Yue Maiden Xiaoqing.

It was rumored she might very well be the reincarnation of Yue Maiden Aqing. As for the truth of the matter, no one knew.

Turning to the current scene at Yue Lu Mountain, Lu Yuan was relentlessly challenging various masters, constantly pushing his way up the rankings. Upon defeating Yue Maiden Xiaoqing, he had reached the eighteenth spot.

Now, everyone at Yue Lu Mountain knew that Lu Yuan was storming the ranks, with various experts falling before him. Now, even Yue Maiden Xiaoqing, ranked thirteenth, had been defeated.

Who could stop Lu Yuan’s surging momentum? The tenth-ranked master was defeated; he was at the fifth level of the Great Dao Realm, yet he too succumbed to Lu Yuan.

The ninth-ranked Li Guozhi was defeated. Li Guozhi’s mastery of the Sword of Right and Wrong was exquisite, and he had pushed it a step further, transforming it into the Sword Technique of Wrong Built Upon Right.

The seventh-ranked You Tan was defeated; his strongest move was the style known as ‘Roaming Dragon Across the World,’ exuding unparalleled spirit. It was said he had sparred with Xiao Xiongfeng and only lost after enduring nine full exchanges, earning him the title of a contemporary hero.

The sixth-ranked Daoist Huadie was defeated. This Daoist’s technique, ‘Huadie Like a Dream,’ was both real and illusory, often rendering opponents helpless with his illusionary arts.

In the end, all who faced him were defeated. By this point, the people of Yue Lu Mountain were shouting one phrase: “Who can stop Lu Yuan’s relentless charge up the rankings?” The fourth-ranked Master Kuzhan, hailing from the Great Fahua Temple in the Great Qin Kingdom, finally halted Lu Yuan’s ascent.

The Great Fahua Temple possessed seventy-three unique skills, and generally, it was believed that mastering more was better. However, Master Kuzhan only utilized one: the Finger of Plucking Flowers.

Logically, he should have been quite weak. But no matter how many sword techniques Lu Yuan employed, they could not overcome the Finger of Plucking Flowers, which was just a single technique.

That Finger of Plucking Flowers was a technique almost akin to a divine miracle. A single smile that plucked flowers.

Lu Yuan’s momentum in challenging the rankings was finally halted, having been defeated by Master Kuzhan, ranked fourth. He settled into fifth place.

After reaching fifth, everyone across Yue Lu Mountain finally breathed a sigh of relief. Lu Yuan’s constant challenges and ranking assaults had been stopped; otherwise, it felt like he might overturn the very heavens.

However, to reach fifth place in such a short time was undeniably astonishing. In fact, it was far beyond astonishing—it was supremely remarkable.

Every single one of the two hundred people on Yue Lu Mountain was a genius, the elite selection from the Seven Kingdoms. To rank fifth among the elite of the Seven Kingdoms was an honor beyond measure.

The current rankings were: Murong Huangfu first, Zhong Heming second, Murong Shi third, Master Kuzhan fourth, and Lu Yuan fifth. After his defeat by Master Kuzhan, Lu Yuan fell into deep contemplation.

Master Kuzhan was also at the fifth level of the Great Dao Realm, which meant that when facing opponents two minor realms above him, Lu Yuan could not guarantee victory. Of course, if he could attain the Sword Emperor realm, things would be different; crossing two minor realms to fight would then certainly become much simpler.

At the same time, one could not underestimate seemingly ordinary unique skills, like the Finger of Plucking Flowers, which was just a standard unique skill, certainly not a world-shattering ultimate art. Yet, Master Kuzhan managed to force a surrender from him using nothing more than this standard unique skill.

Lu Yuan could not help but recall the teachings of his ancestor Yan. “What is formidable is not the cultivation method, but the person…” Master Kuzhan, with the use of the common technique, the Finger of Plucking Flowers, had delivered him a potent lesson.

Lu Yuan was currently within the Enlightenment Treasure Pavilion, refining his mental techniques and grasping the Laws. Having achieved fifth rank, his allotted time in the Enlightenment Treasure Pavilion reached twelve full hours per month.

Those ranked below one hundred only received half an hour. This was twenty-four times the duration he previously had.

Lu Yuan understood that his next goal was to break through to the fourth level of the Great Dao Realm: the Unification of Laws. However, achieving the Unification of Laws was far from easy.

That realm required the convergence of numerous Laws, and forcing thirty-four Laws to coalesce was a task of terrifying difficulty. Lu Yuan mobilized his immense magical power, vital energy, and comprehension of the Heavenly and Earthly Laws to assault the fourth level of the Great Dao Realm, but he failed decisively.

Over the following two years, Lu Yuan made continuous progress. However, the four masters ranked above him were also advancing steadily.

Lu Yuan sparred intermittently with Murong Shi, Zhong Heming, and Master Kuzhan, achieving victories and suffering defeats. He eventually stabilized in third place.

In truth, among the four of them, wins and losses were traded back and forth, making any sequential ranking between them reasonable. As for the first position, it was firmly held by Murong Huangfu, who resided at the sixth level of the Great Dao Realm, allowing for no advancement past him.

Naturally, the sixth-ranked masters could not even contend for the top five spots. Two years passed in this manner.

During these two years, Lu Yuan had witnessed the unique arts of the Seven Kingdoms, greatly broadening his horizons. He had dueled Murong Huangfu but remained his inferior.

Concurrently, his own magical power had advanced to the peak of the third level of the Great Dao Realm, involving numerous Laws. Furthermore, he had comprehended two Sword Intents: the Sword Intent of the Moon and the Sword Intent of the Stars, bringing his total grasp of Heavenly and Earthly Laws to thirty-six.

Yet, he still failed to reach the fourth level—the Unification of Laws—this barrier proved immensely difficult. The two hundred cultivators gathered upon the Deer Terrace, all aware that this was the last time they would convene together.

The two-and-a-half-year period was over. During this time, they had spurred each other on, fought, triggered insights, and improved significantly—advances not just in magical power, but also in the Dao of the Sword and the Dao of Magic.

The Grandmasters White Ape, Tianyuan, and Zu Qianqiu, the seven Grandmasters of Yue Lu Mountain, all stepped forward. As usual, Grandmaster White Ape, Yuan Bufan, spoke first: “My esteemed guests, the two-and-a-half years have concluded.

During this time, you have all enhanced your strength considerably, and I trust you have all gleaned significant harvest. Now, with six months remaining until the Hundred Kingdoms Assessment, this period will be used to settle your final standings.” “A half-year rest period, and then the Hundred Kingdoms Assessment commences.” “I hope that during the Hundred Kingdoms Assessment, every one of you will perform brilliantly, striving to gain entry into that assessment…” “Because that is a much vaster world, a grander stage…” “It is there that you can attain even greater power…” “All records of your time here over these two and a half years have been completely sealed, unknown to the outside world.

Therefore, you can conceal your true strength. After all, before the Hundred Kingdoms Assessment, there will be many spies.

If your strength is easily discerned, it will be detrimental to your performance in the assessment.” Grandmaster White Ape, Yuan Bufan, concluded: “Alright, I will say no more. In summary: work hard in six months.

Now, the other Grandmasters will address you.” The speeches from the other Grandmasters were fundamentally similar—all centered on encouraging everyone to strive hard six months hence. Lu Yuan listened to the Grandmasters speak on the Deer Terrace.

Yes, two and a half years had passed; he had progressed immensely, and now it was time to return to Mount Hua. Spending six months at Mount Hua would prepare him for the long-awaited Hundred Kingdoms Assessment.

The plan now: return to Mount Hua. Time remaining: six months.

Following the speeches on the Deer Terrace, everyone began their departures. “Farewell, then…” “Farewell…” Lu Yuan was usually very courteous, showing no trace of arrogance, and had cultivated excellent relationships.

As he prepared to leave, many people waved goodbye to him. Lu Yuan packed his belongings and set off on the road back to the Jin Kingdom and Mount Hua.

As he departed Yue Lu Mountain soaring on his sword, he felt a touch of emotion. Farewell, Yue Lu Mountain, where he had lived and cultivated for two and a half years, and where he likely would not return often, if ever again.

At this moment, Lu Yuan spotted a massive convoy ahead; there must have been over a hundred cloud chariots. This was Murong Huangfu’s entourage.

Murong Huangfu, with his supreme arrogance, flew directly into one and departed in his cloud chariot. Lu Yuan was reminded of when he first arrived and encountered this grand procession of Murong Huangfu.

In a blink, more than two years had passed. Murong Huangfu, we shall meet again in six months at the Hundred Kingdoms Assessment.

Lu Yuan departed with Daoist Yuanyang and others, yet even amidst the crowd, he maintained a solitary elegance, like a man with a sword and a flask of wine. “Then, Lu Yuan, see you at the Hundred Kingdoms Assessment…” Watching Lu Yuan leave, Yue Maiden Xiaoqing bit her crimson lip.

The wind swept through the eyes of those parting.