Taishikong stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Yu should be one of the two most gifted disciples in the last five millennia, perhaps even surpassing Yan Cangtian, his most favored disciple.

"Your swordsmanship is truly remarkable now, and it is time for you to learn the Spatial Iron Rule with me," Taishikong said. "Actually, it should be very simple for our Drunken Sage to grasp the Spatial Iron Rule, considering the Dao of Man posits that the universe lies within a flask, and the sun and moon reside within a jug."

Lu Yuan shook his head. "Master, I cannot begin studying the Spatial Iron Rule with you just yet."

"Oh? Why is that?" Taishikong raised a hand, retrieved a wine flask, took a swig, and inquired.

"Because I am currently practicing the Yin-Yang principle," Lu Yuan explained. "A Martial Ancestor Uncle from my time at Mount Hua taught me the art of **Yang Zhi Xue, so I am now focused on Yin-Yang studies."

"Yin-Yang." Taishikong was initially startled, then his eyebrow arched. His longsword flashed, launching a sudden thrust.

This was a sword technique embodying the Star Sword Intent. Lu Yuan casually parried the move. Taishikong immediately shifted, infusing the attack with the Thunder Sword Intent. Seeing Lu Yuan unable to find an immediate flaw, he swiftly transitioned again into a Mountain-style sword move. Lu Yuan instantly spotted the opening, thrusting his sword forward. This strike was exquisite, landing precisely at the weakest point of Taishikong's current attack.

"Indeed, it is Yin-Yang," Taishikong nodded. "I never expected someone from such a remote place to be so adept in the Iron Rule of Yin-Yang. Wait a moment." He frowned. "What is this person’s name?"

"Martial Uncle-Master Zhou Qingxuan," Lu Yuan replied.

"Ah, it is him. He was quite the figure in those days," Taishikong seemed to recall the name.

Xia Hou Shang, standing nearby, chuckled. "Taishikong, we all envy this disciple of yours. A Sword Sovereign in his early thirties, and what's more, he's cultivating the Iron Rule of Yin-Yang. It looks like he has a strong chance of reaching Sword Saint before he turns one hundred—a Two-Iron-Rule Sword Saint before a century! Tsk, tsk. How about this, Taishikong, I'll give you my peerless treasure, the Unscathed Heavenly Armor, and you let me have this disciple."

The peerless treasure, the Unscathed Heavenly Armor, was a supreme artifact belonging to Xia Hou Shang, one which had played a significant role in several major battles.

Taishikong had long coveted this artifact, but Xia Hou Shang had never been willing to part with it. Now, however, Xia Hou Shang was offering it in exchange for the disciple, but Taishikong would never agree: "Don't dream, an excellent disciple like this is naturally mine to teach."

The fact that two Supremes were arguing over a disciple was something few would believe if they heard of it.

In the Sword Gate, there were only nine Supremes in total.

Others would fight tooth and nail just to become a core disciple under one of the Nine Supremes, yet here were two Supremes clamoring for the same student—how could this be credible?

After finishing his exchange with Xia Hou Shang, Taishikong took a drink of wine. "Since you are cultivating Yin-Yang, don't rush into Space. Mastering Yin-Yang step by step and advancing steadily is the correct path. Regarding swordsmanship, I won't teach you for now. You can take time to study the sword techniques of the Central Celestial Dynasty's Sword Gate; 'the stone from other mountains can serve to polish one's own jade.'"

"The best place to hone your sword techniques is the Soaring Sword Tower. Try to avoid using Reincarnation; polish your skills little by little."

"Oh, and take a look at the Star Sword Art when you have time. It is one of the three great foundational sword arts of the Sword Gate, possessing infinite power. Furthermore, I grasped the Spatial Law back then precisely when I was meditating on the Star Sword Art while in a drunken state," Taishikong instructed. "However, there is one thing you must pay attention to: your magical power is truly too weak. Oh, for your age it isn't bad, but compared to your swordsmanship, it is far, far too poor. You must spend time diligently raising your magical power."

"You may retire now. Remember, in three days, I will be right here lecturing on magical power cultivation. Be sure to attend." Taishikong waved his hand, dismissing Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan bowed respectfully and departed. Upon exiting this Qiankun Palace, the fair-faced, red-lipped Daoist attendant led Lu Yuan to a vast courtyard, structured in several successive enclosures.

"This will be Senior Brother's future residence. It hasn't been named yet; Senior Brother is free to name it himself," the attendant said.

Lu Yuan looked at the unscribed plaque on the main entrance gate, drew his sword lightly, and inscribed the words 'Mount Hua Residence'—a gesture to remember Mount Hua.

The fair-faced attendant produced a jade tablet from his sleeve. "Senior Brother, this is the Restriction Jade Tablet for Mount Hua Residence. It contains all the spatial restrictions here and the methods to lift them. These restrictions were personally crafted by the Supreme Lord; they are of the Spatial category. Even other Supremes would require considerable time to break them, and anyone below the Supreme rank would find breaking them impossible."

Lu Yuan took the tablet and sent his divine sense into it, instantly flooding his mind with countless restrictive formations.

These formations were vast and complex. Lu Yuan only glanced at the disarming methods and entry procedures before stopping; he never enjoyed studying formations anyway. He pushed open the door and entered the courtyard. The layout was elegantly simple: stone bridges, stone tables, ancient trees, and the inner rooms were fully equipped with everything necessary. The attendant asked, "Does Senior Brother require anything else? If so, it will be delivered immediately."

Lu Yuan shook his head. "This is sufficient." He was inherently a casual person, his disposition never seeking luxury.

The attendant continued, "Does Senior Brother require any maidservants? In the Sword Gate, there are many ordinary female disciples, and even core female disciples who are willing to serve as attendants for core disciples."

"Even that is permitted?" Lu Yuan was genuinely surprised.

The attendant explained, "Of course, Senior Brother. As a core disciple, your status within the Sword Gate far surpasses that of ordinary disciples or even true disciples. In our Sword Gate, there are only three to four hundred core disciples, four to five thousand true disciples, and the number of ordinary disciples is uncountable."

"Core disciples generally hold immense power in the future."

Lu Yuan shook his head. "Forget it, I have no interest in that."

After the attendant withdrew, Lu Yuan located the bedroom and immediately lay down to rest. He needed to sleep. Since leaving Mount Hua, he hadn't truly settled down; now he could finally relax a bit. He slipped into a deep slumber, and vaguely, it seemed he had returned to Mount Hua in his dreams.

But dreams must end.

For the sake of his oath, if the Sword Dao offered no path forward, he would carve out a supreme Great Dao with his own sword. He would strive harder after waking.

For these past two days, Lu Yuan enjoyed a rare stretch of leisure.

Practicing his sword when he felt like it, sleeping, and drinking wine. Thus, two days passed, finally leading to the third day.

Today was the day Supreme Taishikong was scheduled to lecture on magical power cultivation, and it was time for him to return to Qiankun Palace.

Lu Yuan flew toward Qiankun Palace, dismounting to approach on foot before entering. He found the palace as casual as ever. His current Master, Taishikong, was seated boldly and informally, and several men and women were already seated within the hall.

These individuals all turned to examine Lu Yuan closely as he arrived.

Taishikong raised his wine flask. "Lu Yuan, these eight are your senior brothers and sisters."

"They are, in fact, my twenty-third through thirtieth disciples."

To date, Taishikong had accepted only thirty-one core disciples—a remarkably small number. Taishikong always maintained this habit: he wouldn't accept anyone he didn't favor. It was strange how his easygoing nature could align with the extremely stern Yan Cangtian of the past.

Taishikong continued, "Since Yan Cangtian departed, I have accepted fifteen disciples in total; you are the sixteenth. Among those fifteen, seven have reached the Chaos Vortex Realm. However, three of those seven Chaos Vortex Realm cultivators are already dead." As Taishikong spoke, the surrounding disciples displayed evident sorrow.

Yes, upon reaching the Chaos Vortex Realm, one could enter the Great Thousand World of the Central Celestial Dynasty and venture outside.

And the outside world was incomparably perilous—three losses out of seven was a steep price.

"After reaching the Chaos Vortex Realm, they cannot remain here listening to my lessons constantly. Thus, there were only eight attending, and now, with you, Lu Yuan, there are nine in total."

The other eight then exchanged customary fraternal courtesies with Lu Yuan, which he returned in kind.

Taishikong stated plainly, "Very well. Now I will explain to these eight why Lu Yuan does not need to attend my swordsmanship lessons. All eight of you, attack your junior brother simultaneously, using pure swordsmanship."

The twenty-third disciple among the group, Qin Shuangcheng, hesitated. "Master, the eight of us attacking our junior brother with swordsmanship... perhaps that isn't appropriate?" He stammered; such timidity was not the mark of someone destined for great things.

Taishikong said calmly, "Go ahead."

"If we go, we go!" declared the twenty-fourth disciple, Zhou Nuchi, a man of explosive temper. His hand moved instantly, a glint of sword light aimed directly at Lu Yuan. Lu Yuan raised his hand and engaged him. Lu Yuan’s sword light subtly suppressed Zhou Nuchi. Seeing him suppressed, the other seven disciples attacked as well. Lu Yuan, facing eight opponents alone, held his ground without yielding an inch.

Lu Yuan had already perceived that while these eight were indeed Sword Kings, their fundamental Dao of the Sword cultivation was mediocre; their sword sense acuity was too low.

"Lu Yuan, use your full strength!" Taishikong commanded. "Let them understand why you don't need to attend sword technique classes."

"Understood." Lu Yuan had gauged the techniques of the eight men. He shifted his sword, unleashed Reincarnation, and rotated his sword light. It swept past the wrists of the eight opponents. Not a single sword cut broke the skin, but each strike left a pale mark. In turn, the eight swords wielded by the others all fell harmlessly into Lu Yuan's grasp.

This...

Qin Shuangcheng, Zhou Nuchi, and the other seven were utterly stunned.

This junior brother's swordsmanship was terrifyingly good!

They finally understood why the Master said their junior brother didn't need sword technique classes. Such skill far surpassed the combined abilities of the eight of them.

Yet, rather than anger, the eight felt joy.

They were genuinely ecstatic. Since the departure of Yan Cangtian years ago, the lineage of the Void Supreme had produced no disciple of true caliber. Now, at last, a genius had emerged.