An immediate, profound silence descended, drawing the gaze of nearly everyone toward this spot.

They were truly taken aback.

Such a thing had almost never occurred: the nineteenth-ranked figure had actually chosen Sword Sect, such a supreme Great Teaching. Although Supreme Great Teachings claimed supremacy, they were, after all, only Supreme Great Teachings, vastly different from a Civilization, and even further removed from an Ancient Civilization.

Yet now, Lu Yuan clearly had the opportunity to enter an Ancient Civilization, so why choose the Supreme Great Teaching of Sword Sect?

It was incomprehensible.

Almost everyone assumed Lu Yuan had lost his mind.

Nearly everyone was stunned into silence.

Only Zhuo Lingyun stood there, hands behind his back. Through correspondence with Zhou Qingxuan, Zhuo Lingyun had been told Lu Yuan would definitely choose Sword Sect, a claim he had initially dismissed. But now, it was indeed the case. He truly was a resolute man, one who, once a decision was made, pursued it without regret. Looking at the situation now, choosing Sword Sect might indeed put him at a slight disadvantage, but this person, outwardly lazy yet inwardly possessing such unyielding will, might accomplish miracles in the future.

He was truly a figure worth anticipating.

The atmosphere was solemn, and profoundly strange.

Beneath the banner of the Sword Sect, the sword-bearing old man asked Lu Yuan once more: "Do not fault me for being tedious; this truly concerns your entire future. This will be my final question for you: are you certain you will join the Sword Sect? Yes or no, please consider it deeply."

"Yes." Without a moment's hesitation, Lu Yuan stated decisively.

Since the decision was made, there was no regret.

What a resolute choice.

At this moment, Fu Chong was practically bursting with the desire to laugh maniacally. In his battle against Lu Yuan, he knew his own strength was no match for Lu Yuan. Even with the Sky Dragon Carving magic artifact gifted by his master, which unleashed one hundred and twenty-six true dragons, he was utterly defeated, shattering his confidence. Although he could enter a Civilization, he felt in this lifetime he would never catch up to Lu Yuan. Yet now, Lu Yuan was actually sabotaging his own future—throwing himself into a Supreme Great Teaching, the Sword Sect. Hahaha, Lu Yuan, your innate talent might surpass mine slightly, but I am entering the Ancient Civilization of Law, while you are entering merely the Supreme Great Teaching of Sword Sect.

The gap has appeared.

Hahahaha, in the Central Heaven Dynasty, Lu Yuan—just wait until I crush you.

Central Heaven Dynasty. One hundred years? No, fifty years, perhaps even thirty, twenty years, and I will surpass you.

Fu Chong felt an extreme sense of elation. Thinking of the coming pleasure of defeating Lu Yuan, he felt so blissful he almost groaned. This was truly a blessing dropped from the heavens.

Silence reigned.

What a resolute decision. After a long pause, the sword-bearing old man of the Supreme Great Teaching Sword Sect finally nodded: "Very well, I shall register you." He felt as if a fortunate pie had landed right in his lap; this was an unparalleled genius. Their Sword Sect rarely absorbed such caliber of individuals. He immediately began the registration process.

Just as the registration was being completed, another cool, clear, and pleasant voice rang out: "Fei Xian also wishes to join the Sword Sect."

Lu Yuan, standing nearby, couldn't help but startle.

He saw the maiden, clad in white like an immortal, carrying a sword on her shoulder, standing beside him and stating calmly.

"What!" This was the second wave of shock. The old man from the Sword Sect was now utterly dumbfounded. What was going on? The ninth-ranked Shi Feixian had also decided to join the Sword Sect! What was happening this year? Such a thing had never occurred before. The sword-bearing old man felt completely bewildered.

He confirmed it once more, but since Shi Feixian was equally resolute in her decision, the old man wasted no more time and began the registration.

This time, the Supreme Great Teaching of Sword Sect had recruited some remarkable individuals. Lu Yuan and Shi Feixian were naturally the two who drew the most attention. Others, slightly less prominent, like the Crimson-Robed Man and the White-Robed Man, while not reaching the level of Lu Yuan and Shi Feixian, were also renowned figures who joined the Supreme Great Teaching of Sword Sect.

In the end, out of the four hundred participants, a total of eight individuals joined the Sword Sect.

Naturally, some were not assigned there by choice, but rather allocated to the Sword Sect.

Lu Yuan from the Southern Territory, Shi Feixian from the Eastern Territory, Tan Yingshou from the Eastern Territory, the Crimson-Robed Man from the Northern Territory, the White-Robed Man from the Northern Territory, Di Yun from the Southern Territory, Cold Blood the Desperate Swordsman from the Western Territory, and Huo Yibu from the Lost Land.

These were the eight.

Among these eight, the most famous were naturally Lu Yuan and Shi Fei, but the Crimson-Robed Man’s strength was not weak. Without the Samsara Disk of Life and Death, Lu Yuan would have found it difficult to defeat him; this was someone who had perfected the Sword Intent of Death to its extreme. There was also Huo Yibu, who possessed an exquisite heirloom sword and wielded the Meteor Sword Style; he was certainly not weak, but unfortunately, he encountered Xiao Fengxiong early and was defeated, though he was capable of competing with Lu Yuan for the top spot.

The Sword Sect had indeed managed to recruit impressive talent this time. Although there were only eight, every single one was formidable.

Of course, it wasn't just the Sword Sect. The other Supreme Great Teachings, Civilizations, and Ancient Civilizations had all recruited many outstanding figures. This year was an unprecedented explosion of brilliant individuals, geniuses, and peerless prodigies—a massive haul for everyone.

And so, this selection of affiliations finally reached its conclusion.

It was time for the four hundred participants to bid farewell.

Xiao Fengxiong and Fu Ying found Lu Yuan. Fu Ying laughed heartily and said, "The two of us are heading to the Martial Ancient Civilization. You are going to the Supreme Great Teaching of Sword Sect. I fear we won't meet again for a long time, but as true men, we shouldn't dwell on parting sorrows. Let's find a place to have a good drink together."

"That’s true. Perhaps meeting in the future will become increasingly difficult," Xiao Fengxiong agreed.

"Alright," Lu Yuan nodded.

At that moment, several others were quietly observing Lu Yuan. Fu Chong, for instance, watched him with burning hatred. He planned to work diligently to improve his strength in the Ancient Civilization of Law, intending to personally strangle Lu Yuan to death to quench his resentment—a hatred so deep no amount of water could wash it away.

Murong Huangfu was also scrutinizing Lu Yuan. Since their encounter at Yelushan, he had always viewed Lu Yuan as an inferior opponent. He never imagined that in this final assessment of the Hundred Kingdoms Trial, the strength Lu Yuan displayed would far surpass his own. But it didn't matter; Lu Yuan, he vowed, I will certainly grow to a level where you must look up to this Young Master. See you in the Central Heaven Dynasty.

The act of Fu Ying, Xiao Fengxiong, and Lu Yuan drinking together was one way of saying goodbye. Others had their own methods.

For instance, Shi Feixian and Wanwan exchanged glances. Wanwan let out a delicate laugh: "Elder Sister is going to a Supreme Great Teaching, while your little sister goes to the Ancient Civilization of Law. I fear Elder Sister will soon be surpassed by your little sister. When that time comes and your life ends by my hand, do not blame Wanwan for being ruthless." Shi Feixian merely offered a faint smile: "You are welcome to try. Let's see if you can slay this demonic sorceress under Fei Xian’s Empty-Color Sword."

Or consider a corner where Li Chimei wore a strange smile: "Marquis Xiang, if we have the chance in the Central Heaven Dynasty later, let us compete again to see whose speed is greater..." Li Chimei was famous for his speed in the Eastern Territory, yet he had slightly lost to Chu Taxing’s speed this time, making him naturally unconvinced. However, there would certainly be opportunities to compare speed again; once they entered the Central Heaven Dynasty, there would be plenty of time.

Or take Huo Yibu, who was about to depart when Duan Lang, his body wreathed in flames, smirked: "Hey, Huo, let's have another showdown in the Central Heaven Dynasty." Huo Yibu heard him but didn't even spare a glance, continuing to walk forward. Duan Lang didn't seem to care and continued to smirk to himself.

These four hundred geniuses constituted the most outstanding generation in history.

Although the hierarchy had been temporarily established, upon entering the Central Heaven Dynasty, these individuals were bound to stir up even greater storms.

No one accepted defeat; they would settle the score in the Central Heaven Dynasty.

After drinking to his heart’s content with Fu Ying and Xiao Fengxiong, Lu Yuan approached the Water Mirror Art array to bid farewell to the people of Mount Hua. Dayong City had long since set up water mirror links with various nations in the Southern Territory. Lu Yuan waved his hand toward them: "A temporary farewell, everyone from Mount Hua." He waved his hand with superficial nonchalance, but beneath that calm exterior, his heart was surging with emotion.

Indeed, all his growth in youth had taken place at Mount Hua.

He had taken his master at Mount Hua, practiced his sword at Mount Hua, and learned his techniques at Mount Hua.

He had fellow disciples, a master, and seniors at Mount Hua.

There were so many, countless memories of youthful vigor, a continuous stream of sweat.

Unforgettable, hard to part with.

How could one easily abandon all that?

And there, by the Water Mirror Art, many people from Mount Hua involuntarily raised their hands. Although they knew Lu Yuan couldn't see them—this was a one-way mirror connection, not two-way—they raised their hands nonetheless. Master, we will forever remember everything you have done for Mount Hua. Sima Changbai, who schemed for power, was suppressed by you, preventing greater losses during the Three Sect Uprising, and you resolved countless demonic giants. More importantly, during that battle at Mount Hua, when the sect was on the verge of annihilation under Lu Yuan’s assault, you stood up resolutely and fought fiercely, awakening and galvanizing the entire membership of Mount Hua to fight desperately.

At that moment, it was not only the people of Mount Hua raising their hands; the people of Wudang also raised theirs. They remembered that the Wudang members trapped in the Blood Sword Cave were saved by Lu Yuan; the Azure Void Heaven of Wudang was single-handedly salvaged by Lu Yuan. And the fact that Wudang was not wiped out was also due to Lu Yuan.

The people of Kunlun, Qingcheng, and the South Sea also involuntarily raised their hands. The reason they were not destroyed was because Lu Yuan finally defeated the Heaven-Replacing Alliance. Furthermore, Lu Yuan was not just the pride of Mount Hua, but also the pride of the Jin State.

Farewell, Lu Yuan.

Go to the Central Heaven Dynasty.

The path you have chosen—Sword Sect—the path you have chosen to enter the Central Heaven Dynasty is an incredibly arduous one.

Then, use your sword to carve out a way forward.

At this moment, atop North Peak of Mount Hua, before a grave, lay a freshly picked flower.

At this moment, on the Peak of Reflection, a white-haired old man stood waiting, hands behind his back.

At this moment, within the Lost Land, a middle-aged man with a cool, unique temperament and handsome features offered a slight smile.