Seventy-five people remained now. The last seventy-five souls.

These remaining seventy-five cultivators fundamentally possessed the power of the seventh level of the Great Dao Realm, each one of them possessing strength to an inconceivable degree. They were the ultimate prodigies among the original twelve hundred geniuses.

Even more formidable than the initial twelve hundred talents. The fourth round commenced with fierce urgency: the seventy-five battling for the top thirty-eight spots.

By this stage, the matches were organized into distinct pairings, ensuring every spectacular duel could be witnessed by the billions of spectators across the Four Realms. Lu Wu of the Southern Realm versus the Blood-Clothed Man of the Northern Realm.

Good fortune, Lu Yuan thought, lifting his wine gourd for a swig. What he needed most right now was an opponent from the Northern Realm to temper his Cycle of Life and Death Disk, while simultaneously grasping the essence of the Sunset of Life and Death.

To encounter another opponent from the North was precisely what he desired. Still, the name of this Northern cultivator was rather peculiar.

For instance, the previous one was the White-Clothed Man, and this one was the Blood-Clothed Man. Regardless of the name, Lu Yuan shrugged, stepping into the small arena.

As the rounds progressed, the complexity of these small arenas increased. This particular setting was a modest estate, but upon entry, the terrain features available within the manor vanished entirely.

Lu Yuan looked for his opponent but found no trace of him. Huh?

Where is the opponent? He was clearly displayed as having entered the small arena.

A flicker of doubt immediately gave way to realization: this must be an assassin-type figure, one whose primary objective is the annihilation of the enemy. Against such an opponent, one could not afford carelessness.

Lu Yuan promptly found a relatively open, flat area and sat down, assuming the lotus position. If the goal was to stall, he would stall with him; he was in no hurry.

Sitting there with extreme ease, drinking his wine, Lu Yuan knew the other was still waiting, likely waiting for him to become inebriated. But fate dictated that the more he drank, the more spirited Lu Yuan became.

Time dragged on until nearly an hour had passed. The hundreds of millions of spectators before the Water Mirror were cursing.

Never had a battle dragged on for so long. Yet, neither the two combatants in the center of the small arena could hear the noise, nor would they likely pay heed even if they could.

Facing an assassin wielding the power of the seventh level of the Great Dao Realm, he could not afford to be complacent; stalling now, waiting for the opponent to make the first move, was the optimal strategy. Lu Yuan could believe that if this were not a small arena but the wilderness, this person might wait days, even weeks, or months, or years, for the perfect ambush opportunity.

However, this was a small arena. If the time limit approached an hour without resolution, the match would be declared a draw, resulting in the elimination of both parties.

Time ticked down toward the one-hour mark. The final hundred heartbeats—ninety-nine heartbeats remaining.

In that instant, a viper-like phantom shot directly toward Lu Yuan. When Lu Yuan had witnessed the ‘A Single Red Point’ technique of Da Gu, he thought its Five Methods were swift, but now he realized this Blood-Clothed Man’s swordsmanship was perhaps faster by at least five increments than Da Gu’s.

Such was the magnitude of the gap. Moreover, during the thrust, the speed continued to accelerate until finally, even the phantom image disappeared.

Heaven and Earth were annihilated, leaving only infinite Intent of Death. This Sword Intent of Death targeted him for destruction.

Lu Yuan waved his hand, casting the Cycle of Life and Death Disk into the void. Instantly, that strand of the Five Intents of Death was completely absorbed.

In that moment, an infinite torrent of thoughts related to the Sword Intent of Death surged through his mind, allowing him to comprehend three parts of the Blood-Clothed Man’s Sunset Intent of Death. This man’s Five Intents of Death surpassed those of the White-Clothed Man.

The White-Clothed Man’s Sword Intent of Death merely destroyed all things in heaven and earth, but the Blood-Clothed Man’s Sunset Intent of Death included the intent to destroy himself. In that instant, his understanding of the Sword Intent of Death deepened considerably, granting him a subtle but significant mastery over the Five Intents of Death.

It seemed that the Sunset Intent of Death, one of the most challenging of the Ten Great Five Intents, was on the verge of being mastered by him. And the Blood-Clothed Man’s Five Methods continued their assault.

Lu Yuan projected his Cycle of Life and Death Disk again, seemingly grasping even more of the nuances of the Five Intents of Death. At this juncture, there were ninety-seven heartbeats remaining from the final hundred.

In the span of two heartbeats, the Blood-Clothed Man had struck at least 9,999 times. These 9,999 strikes were both rapid and fierce, yet Lu Yuan opened his Cycle of Life and Death Disk and received all 9,999 swords perfectly, without missing a single one, without error.

Indeed, after absorbing the first strike, he was already established in an invincible position. The Cycle of Life and Death Disk was incredibly effective; having comprehended the Blood-Clothed Man’s Sword Intent of Death, it would be difficult to lose now.

And now, having absorbed more of the Intents, the dark aura representing Death within his Cycle of Life and Death Disk grew increasingly pronounced. In that single moment, Lu Yuan felt as if he could perceive the decay and death of all things: animals perish, plants wither, stones, after eons, also succumb to death, the heavens will collapse, the earth will crack, and even the epoch itself will die away with the passage of time.

Everything in existence is in the throes of death, including himself. If he could not comprehend his own death, he was unqualified to fathom the Five Intents of Death.

The only thing that could transcend death was the genesis of all life—the Gate of Eternity. That realm was pitch black, filled with endless death, and within that endless death, the sole point of light was immeasurably far away, beyond reach both visually and tangibly.

Lu Yuan suddenly opened his eyes. As his eyes opened, an ancient talisman manifested above his head.

Countless wisps of death energy converged toward this ancient talisman. As they gathered, that space became pure void, devoid of the slightest trace of vitality or light.

Within this void, a single character, ‘Death’ (), gradually coalesced into an ancient talisman. The ancient talisman representing Death, a symbol perhaps five times the size of his other thirty-six ancient talismans.

His other thirty-six ancient talismans seemed to instinctively recoil from this one, as if fearful of the ancient talisman of Death. Only his innate law, the Law of Clouds, managed to envelop and contain the Law of Death.

He had finally comprehended the Law of Death! One of the ten most difficult laws between heaven and earth.

Lu Yuan opened his eyes. Only thirty-three heartbeats remained until the end of the time limit.

“Your Wheel of the Void is quite interesting…” The Blood-Clothed Man lowered the sword in his hand. In truth, he had stopped his sword techniques after the ninety-seventh heartbeat.

He realized he could do nothing to Lu Yuan and saw no point in continuing. “It seems entering the Central Celestial Dynasty promises some excitement; I can witness many intriguing cultivation methods…” The Blood-Clothed Man spoke coolly, “I have used my own Death Intent to help others train on no fewer than a thousand occasions in my life, yet no one has ever achieved what you have.

You are the first. I cannot prevail against you.

This battle is yours…” At that moment, only ten heartbeats remained before the end. “Those from the North who practice the Sword Intent of Death to its zenith should be like me.

I hope you encounter those who cultivate the Life Intent, perhaps Li Qiuhuan, Chu Taxian, or Lu Simie. These individuals cultivate the Five Intents of Life, kill rarely, and sometimes never at all.

Especially Li Qiuhuan, who has truly mastered the Apex Intent of Life. Your Wheel of the Void meeting the Five Intents of Life should result in a wondrous transformation.” The final heartbeat!

“Victory to Lu Yuan of the Southern Realm! He advances to the top thirty-eight!” Lu Yuan fell into deep contemplation.

Truly mastering the Five Intents of Death was profoundly difficult, and his current path—achieving mastery through a stratagem—had earned him the thirty-seventh ancient talisman, which was a relief. As for the Five Intents of Life, had Li Qiuhuan, Chu Taxian, and Lu Simie, these Northern figures, truly cultivated it?

He hoped to meet these individuals in the subsequent rounds, Lu Yuan mused inwardly. This Cycle of Life and Death Disk—the Wheel of Reincarnation—was clearly going to be immensely interesting.

He felt a sense of anticipation. “That Lu from the Southern Realm is so strong; he just defeated the Blood-Clothed Man, one of the Northern Realm’s Ten Great Experts.” “Indeed.

I heard even Chu Taxian lost to the Blood-Clothed Man’s Five techniques before.” “Wait, what’s his name again?” “Lu Yuan, a cultivator from a small nation in the Southern Realm.” “Our Southern Realm has truly produced an extraordinary figure.” On the Water Mirror, discussions erupted. If Mo Zihe, though at the early stage of the seventh level of the Great Dao Realm, was not considered a genuine top-ten expert across all realms, then this Blood-Clothed Man was unquestionably a bona fide top-ten expert of the Northern Realm, and Lu Yuan had eliminated him.

The title of Strongest Among Geniuses was officially affixed to Lu Yuan’s name. He hoped to face Chu Taxian, Lu Simie, and Li Qiuhuan next, but sometimes fate proved contrary.

Advancing from the thirty-eighth to the top nineteen bracket, his opponent was Han Qingbai from the Eastern Realm, one of the Eastern Realm’s Ten Great Experts. This man was rumored to be deeply lecherous, frequently cultivating through dual cultivation, possessing over a dozen wives and concubines.

Furthermore, one of his wives, Qin Menghun, was also listed among the Eastern Realm’s Ten Great Experts—the only married couple among the Ten Great Experts across the Four Realms and the Lost Land. This small arena setting was a lake.

Lu Yuan waited calmly for the clash with Han Qingbai. However, after the initial engagement, Lu Yuan felt a sense of disappointment.

Yes, Han Qingbai’s magical power was indeed different during their exchange, but Lu Yuan identified a very clear weakness. This person seemed proficient in all Eighteen Martial Weapons, mastering everything superficially, yet proficient in nothing deeply.

When faced with a master of the Five Great Ways like Lu Yuan, all his vulnerabilities were instantly exposed. He was defeated easily by Lu Yuan’s techniques.

His swordsmanship clearly mirrored that of Fu Ying; rumor had it that Fu Ying had even taught him a few moves, but he had learned too superficially and without dedication, clearly lacking true skill. Simply put, this man relied too heavily on sheer good fortune and lacked genuine personal effort.

“Victory to Lu Yuan of the Southern Realm.” Lu Yuan stepped out of the small arena. This was the second of the Ten Great Experts of the various realms he had defeated, and the victory had been far easier than his battle against the White-Clothed Man—somewhat undeservedly so.

Now, it was nearly time for the contention for the top ten spots. This round of battles witnessed an unexpected upset: Murong Huangfu of the Southern Realm was surprisingly defeated by Fu Chong, also of the Southern Realm.

This defied logic, as Murong Huangfu’s strength was supposed to surpass that of Fu Chong of the Great Yong Kingdom.