Lu Yuan beheld countless Celestial Laws swirling around him, seemingly within reach, yet forever slipping through his grasp like fine sand. Lu Yuan summoned the thirty-six ancient talismans hovering above his head, now perfectly unified as one.

The fifth stage of the Grand Dao Realm required the manifestation of the Nascent Soul, achieved through the realization of one's Natal Law. But what was his Natal Law? His temperament was as detached as the clouds; could his Natal Law perhaps be the cloud itself?

Lu Yuan attempted to draw forth the essence of cloud from the thirty-six talismans to serve as his Natal Law. However, the nature of cloud is inherently soft. Each time he tried to extract it, the attempt was instantly crushed by more dominant Laws. He failed every time.

Or perhaps... Reincarnation!

Yet, how does one cultivate Reincarnation as a Natal Law?

Lu Yuan fell into deep contemplation once more.

Through repeated bouts of intense thought, opportunity remained elusive. He sensed he was inches from grasping the key to manifesting the Nascent Soul in the fifth stage of the Grand Dao Realm, yet that sliver of critical understanding always dissolved just before he could seize it. Lu Yuan, however, was not hurried; he would contemplate slowly.

Breaking through to the fifth stage of the Grand Dao Realm to manifest the Nascent Soul was inherently difficult—indeed, every ascent in the Grand Dao Realm was a monumental struggle, with no stage being simple.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Lu Yuan felt an immense force shove against him, a pressure so profound it propelled him outward involuntarily.

Checking the time, a full month had elapsed. One month spent within the Pagoda of Enlightenment was equivalent to ten years of secluded cultivation in the outside world. Yet, he still hadn't grasped it; this manifestation of the fifth-stage Nascent Soul was truly arduous. Fortunately, Lu Yuan’s nature was always easygoing, and he quickly dismissed the failure from his mind.

What next? Perhaps explore other parts of Grand Capital City. He had been diligent in his cultivation recently; it was time to sample the local delicacies. As the largest city in the Southern Territory, it must possess numerous fine foods, unlike the insipid wine here, which was weak beyond belief. He looked forward to it!

A message arrived via a flying sword transmission. Lu Yuan accepted it and read the contents.

The message detailed the Grand Edict Kingdom's upcoming Thirty-Day Genius Cultivation Program. Out of ten thousand prodigies, thirty would be selected for this intensive training. The Kingdom initiated this because nearly half of the top thirty ranked individuals in the recent assessment were citizens of the Grand Edict, and the remaining high-ranking participants were generally of extraordinary natural talent. Cultivating favorable relations with these individuals would benefit the Grand Edict Sovereign.

These thirty geniuses were not simply the first to the thirtieth ranked individuals from the previous assessment.

The selection ran from the second to the thirty-first ranked person.

The first-ranked, Xiao Fengxiong, had secured six months within the Pagoda of Enlightenment and could not participate in the special training, hence the cutoff at the thirty-first place.

Lu Yuan, ranked eleventh, was naturally included in this special training roster.

Lu Yuan quickly reviewed the outline of the training; it involved inviting three figures at the Hun Dong Realm to instruct this cohort. A Hun Dong Realm master was an earth-shattering entity, and deploying three of them for this training demonstrated the high regard held for these prodigies.

Lu Yuan noted that the primary instructor was Nalan De, the second most powerful figure in the Grand Edict Kingdom and a Hun Dong Realm master. Nalan De was rumored to be the supreme expert of the Kingdom, having achieved his current status in less than a thousand years, possessing terrifying strength that nearly rivaled the Sovereign, Zhou Zhongyong. It was said that Zhou Zhongyong intended to ascend to the Central Heavenly Dynasty, with Nalan De poised to succeed him as Sovereign. For someone at Zhou Zhongyong’s level, entering the Central Heavenly Dynasty was simple, but he had lingering concerns that delayed his abdication. However, it was rumored he would pass the reins to Nalan De within the next century.

Besides Nalan De, two other Hun Dong Realm titans were slated to participate.

Lu Yuan scanned the detailed schedule and realized this rigorous training was precisely what he disliked. Yes, Hun Dong masters were leading it, but the schedule was crammed solid: fixed times for cultivation techniques, fixed times for swordsmanship—packed wall-to-wall. For others, this was normal; even the most exceptional talents reaching this stage had overcome grueling practice. But Lu Yuan was inherently laid-back. To be constrained for half a year, practicing like a mindless puppet, did not appeal to him.

Precisely.

Perhaps he should decline this Thirty-Day Genius Cultivation Program and forge his own path.

Lu Yuan had always followed his own will. Although reaching the Central Heavenly Dynasty was a strong desire, he knew that practicing under such rigid conditions might ruin him. This training was too severe, fundamentally conflicting with his temperament.

The decision was made: he would not participate.

Of course, even in declining, he needed to pay his respects; otherwise, it would appear rude.

Was the training to be held in the Grand Capital City's Imperial Palace? He decided to go there. Lu Yuan flew directly on his sword toward the palace. After presenting his credentials, he was ushered into a side hall to await the Hun Dong giant, Nalan De.

The side hall was overwhelmingly opulent. The floor was white jade, the walls draped with countless shimmering hangings, radiating splendor. Above, the Seven-Star Lamp pulsed with seven alternating colors. Lu Yuan felt not an ounce of interest in such extravagance; if there had been landscape or pastoral paintings, he might have paused to admire them.

At that moment, a figure entered.

Even before the man stepped fully inside, Lu Yuan felt an immensely powerful aura—more overbearing, more unmatched in dominance, and far more terrifying than anything Zhou Zhongyong projected. Lu Yuan looked up and saw Nalan De: tall, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and a strong back, exuding an aura of ultimate dread. His chiseled face bore a distinct sword scar.

"Greetings, Second Sovereign Nalan," Lu Yuan saluted.

Nalan De studied Lu Yuan, then pointed to the scar on his face. "Tell me, do you know how I acquired this mark?"

Lu Yuan, naturally, did not know, looking slightly puzzled.

Nalan De gave a slight smile. "This scar? My late ancestor, Yan Cangtian of your lineage, left it on me during the Hundred Nations Assessment years ago."

"Such a sharp sword. I still remember the piercing chill of that strike. Yes, your Yan Ancestor possessed greater innate talent than I. Pity his intellect wasn't as profound as mine. In the Central Heavenly Dynasty, I managed to maneuver him into offending the Civilization Lord's son. Consequently, he could not remain long there. I hear he has fled to the Land of Lost Things now. Ha ha ha, ha ha ha!" Nalan De laughed with unreserved delight.

Lu Yuan’s presence instantly shifted, becoming as sharp and cold as tempered steel. "What do you mean?"

Nalan De roared with laughter. "You are Yan Cangtian's successor, are you not? No need to deny it; I can tell from your swordsmanship. Rest assured, your eleventh-place ranking has already put you on the map for the Central Heavenly Dynasty. I cannot kill you, lest I invite my own demise. That is the iron rule of the Central Heavenly Dynasty. As for the month granted in the Pagoda of Enlightenment by the current Sovereign, Zhou Zhongyong, I cannot interfere—I still have a hundred years before taking the throne. However, Zhou Zhongyong is in seclusion and won't emerge for another six months. The Thirty-Day Genius Cultivation Program was initially planned by Zhou Zhongyong to include you, but I have removed your name. You will not participate."

"Instead, I have given this opportunity for the Thirty-Day Genius Cultivation Program to my nephew, Mo. Nephew Mo, come out."

From behind the main hall, Mo Zihe strolled forward, a look of profound smugness on his face as he fanned himself. "Lu Yuan, you are ultimately just a lowly remnant of Immortal Splendor Peak. Your higher ranking this time was pure luck for me. Now, I have the meticulously crafted Thirty-Day Genius Cultivation Program of the Grand Edict Kingdom, the Hun Dong masters, and all the spirit stones this nation provides. In six months, I will be vastly stronger. In the final assessment, I will crush you."

"Ha ha ha, ha ha ha!" Mo Zihe laughed wildly, his laughter brimming with ineffable satisfaction.

Nalan De stared at Lu Yuan, his gaze carrying an indescribable chill.

Lu Yuan was infuriated!

Infuriated beyond measure!

He hadn't intended to join the Thirty-Day Genius Cultivation Program anyway, but before he could even state his decision, Nalan De had stripped him of the privilege, watching him with the predatory gaze of a hawk observing a chick. Mo Zihe had then smugly taken his spot and gloated over him.

A pressure built deep within Lu Yuan's heart, heavy and suffocating.

This pressure made him intolerably displeased.

Lu Yuan looked at Nalan De, then at Mo Zihe. "I have no desire for the Grand Edict Kingdom's Thirty-Day Genius Cultivation Program. Farewell, then." There was nothing left to keep him in Grand Capital City. Lu Yuan intended to return to Mount Hua. In six months, he would return to the Grand Edict Kingdom—surely, without their mentorship program, he wouldn't fail to surpass a wretch like Mo Zihe?

A tide of suppressed fury churned in Lu Yuan's core.

The State of Jin, Mount Hua, Reflection Peak.

Zhou Qingxuan stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his white hair streaming behind him, looking like an immortal about to ride the wind to the clouds.

The wind brought birdsong and a faint scent of flowers, and with it, a message transmission.

It was from the Grand Edict Kingdom, signed by "Zhuo Lingyun"—a name known throughout the Kingdom as a Hun Dong Realm master.

Zhou Qingxuan read the message: "Nalan De? How amusing. This junior brother—my former vanquished foe—is so conceited now that he's merely at the third level of Hun Dong. You deny Lu Yuan the specialized training? Do you think I cannot train him?"

"Senior Brother, Senior Brother, how have you progressed in the Land of Lost Things? I am truly looking forward to it," Zhou Qingxuan murmured, hands behind his back.