We have the Sword Son, and then there’s Lu Yuan!

Whoever wins between these two will seize the destiny of the sect, leading the Sword Gate toward a far grander future.

Ancestor Jian Mie understood this perfectly, which is why he didn't interfere with the duel between the Sword Son and Lu Yuan in the slightest. Naturally, he also knew he couldn't stop either of them. Both the Sword Son and Lu Yuan possessed potential that far surpassed his own. He might currently hold a slight edge based on age, but it was only slight; once the Sword Son and Lu Yuan matured a bit more, they would both surpass him.

The Sword Competition had officially begun.

A total of forty-six Grand Elders were participating in the tournament.

These forty-six Grand Elders were arranged into twenty-three matches. The ordering was generally structured to avoid pitting members of the same faction against each other where possible, but sometimes, a direct clash was unavoidable.

“Round One, Match One: The Sword Son versus Yan Cangshan.”

The first to take the stage was none other than the Sword Son, Jian Wenchang, against Yan Cangshan. Lu Yuan felt a flicker of interest; he had never seen Jian Wenchang fight before, so this was a chance to observe. Soon, the Sword Son and Yan Cangshan were facing each other. The Sword Son barely spared Yan Cangshan a glance, not even bothering to draw his actual sword; instead, he formed a sword with his hand. Instantly, sword light rained down, a dense cascade washing in. Yan Cangshan rushed to defend, but the technique was shockingly subtle. He thought he had blocked the strike, only to realize he had already been wounded by the Sword Son’s sword qi.

One move! Yan Cangshan was defeated in a single exchange, not even reaching the point to parry the second.

In truth, a genuine contest wouldn't usually end so abruptly, as Yan Cangshan's swordsmanship was respectable.

It was just that the Sword Son carried an aura of invincibility, compounded by the psychological shadow of having been defeated by the Sword Son previously, which caused Yan Cangshan’s swift collapse.

“Round One, Match Two: Lu Yuan versus Zhang Daosheng.”

The spectators had barely digested the Sword Son’s one-move victory over Yan Cangshan when the second contest was announced: the currently trending Lu Yuan facing off against the Sword Son’s own master, Zhang Daosheng.

Lu Yuan leaped onto the platform. The Star Barrier was not deployed here because participants were maximizing the use of pure technique rather than relying on augmented spiritual power.

Zhang Daosheng also stepped onto the stage. He smiled faintly and said, “It’s Lu Yuan. I’ve heard quite a bit about your recent exploits.”

Lu Yuan shrugged. “We don’t have much to talk about, do we? Let’s begin.”

Zhang Daosheng felt a pang of regret. He had hoped to use conversation to probe for intelligence on Lu Yuan. Zhang Daosheng’s own direct combat strength wasn't exceptional, but he was a master of intelligence gathering, strategy, and adaptability. Since Lu Yuan refused to give him an opening, what could he do? With that thought, Zhang Daosheng drew his sword.

Zhang Daosheng’s first strike was exquisite. It was named No Path Where Heaven Ends.

It was impossible to describe; the strike wasn't fast, nor was it brutally forceful, but it was simply absolute.

So absolute that Lu Yuan seemed unable to evade, fated only to be struck.

The sword narrowly missed piercing Lu Yuan, and judging by the situation, Zhang Daosheng had seized the advantage. Seeing his lead, Zhang Daosheng immediately pressed his attack.

The second strike was Sorrow Greater Than A Dead Heart—this one radiated immense grief! It was another bizarrely tricky move.

This sequence of swordsmanship Zhang Daosheng employed was called the Heart Burial Sword Style, a style that moved according to the practitioner’s emotional state.

The third strike: Tugging One Hair Moves the Entire Body.

The fourth strike: Unforeseen Changes in Wind and Clouds.

The fifth strike: No Place for Burial.

This entire Heart Burial Sword Style consisted of maneuvers so strange they seemed to exploit the inherent weaknesses hidden within a person’s current feelings. Facing Zhang Daosheng’s swordplay, Lu Yuan was constantly on the defensive.

Yet, the longer the fight went on, the stranger Zhang Daosheng’s movements became. He was, after all, an exceptionally shrewd man, and he naturally noticed something amiss. Lu Yuan appeared to be losing ground with every exchange, yet none of the strikes managed to land a meaningful blow. This implied Lu Yuan was intentionally allowing himself to be disadvantaged. Why would Lu Yuan deliberately fall behind? Could it be...?

“Ah, you’ve realized it. Unfortunate for you. I am going to learn your moves. Receive this—No Path Where Heaven Ends!” Indeed, Lu Yuan’s current move was the very first one Zhang Daosheng had deployed. This technique, No Path Where Heaven Ends, was the most bizarre and crucial part of the Heart Burial Style. Zhang Daosheng had practiced this move until it was second nature, reacting almost instinctively to parry it. But when he tried to counter, he realized it was too late. Lu Yuan’s No Path Where Heaven Ends was not the original; it was even more potent than the original, and trying to block it using the familiar defense was impossible.

A low murmur spread through the crowd below.

“Lu Yuan is using that trick again.”

“Yes, it’s exactly the same tactic he used against Kong Shangyi. He watches an opponent’s technique once, copies it, and then executes a more perfect version.”

“We thought his performance against Kong Shangyi was a fluke, but now it’s clear it wasn’t.”

“To watch someone’s swordplay once and then replicate it? That’s outrageous, a sheer fabrication.”

“Truly worthy of being called the next Sword Dao prodigy after the Sword Son.”

Those aligned with Ancestor Jian Yunzhong were ecstatic. Lu Yuan belonged to their faction, and his incredible performance filled them with joy. Previously, Ancestor Jian Xuzhong’s faction boasted the Sword Son, who was truly awe-inspiring. Now, Ancestor Jian Yunzhong’s side had Lu Yuan. While he couldn't yet challenge the Sword Son directly, his potential was immense.

Another person was immensely pleased: Kong Shangyi. He had been ridiculed when Lu Yuan stole his moves, but now, not only was he vindicated, but Zhang Daosheng, his master, had his ultimate technique copied as well. Lu Yuan’s talent for absorbing and mastering others' techniques was truly monstrous.

The second match of the first round concluded with Lu Yuan’s victory.

The first round consisted of twenty-three bouts. The subsequent matches weren't quite as astonishing. Of course, this didn’t mean there were no experts among the rest. For instance, Ancestors Jian Xuzhong, Jian Yunzhong, and Jian Fengzhong—the traditional three powerhouses—though they held back on using spiritual power, their comprehension of technique surpassed that of others, leading them to easy victories. Former Sword Master Zhuge Zhishang, who before his injury was at the fourth level of the World Realm, also possessed an extraordinary understanding of the sword and advanced smoothly.

The first round ended like that.

When the second round began, for some unknown reason, the Sword Son was again placed in the first match. This time, his opponent was Cang Yenming, the Grand Elder who had nearly been critically wounded by the giant eagle. Cang Yenming practiced the Desireless Sword Style, which did hold some renown.

Unfortunately, the Sword Son gave him no opportunity to showcase its merits. With just three fluid moves, he defeated Cang Yenming, leaving him almost no opportunity to act.

Who would contest the second match of the second round? As everyone speculated, the list appeared: Lu Yuan versus Zhou Ziliang. Zhou Ziliang was a Grand Elder belonging to Ancestor Jian Yunzhong’s faction and possessed considerable strength. However, Zhou Ziliang found himself in an awkward spot. He knew Lu Yuan had the means to copy others' ultimate skills, so how could he attack?

In the end, Zhou Ziliang reluctantly deployed the Blissful Sword Style, another sword form that manipulated emotions: Blissful Rebirth, Blissful Samsara, Blissful Demise. The style was incredibly beautiful, and its beauty wasn't just inherent to the sword movements; fighting against it induced a series of illusions, as if one were transported to paradise, seeing countless beautiful cherry blossoms flutter down, visions of beautiful women, wealth, resources, and power—this was the Blissful Sword Style.

Initially, Lu Yuan seemed to be sinking into danger amidst these visions of absolute bliss.

But just as Zhou Ziliang felt a surge of hope, thinking he might finally win, Lu Yuan’s counterattack began. His Yangwu Immortal Sword struck in the void, executing Blissful Rebirth. And Lu Yuan’s version of Blissful Rebirth was even more terrifying than Zhou Ziliang’s. Zhou Ziliang himself nearly fell into a trance. When he snapped back to reality, Lu Yuan’s Yangwu Immortal Sword was terrifyingly close to his throat.

Zhou Ziliang lost this fight without question, muttering an internal curse about his bad luck.

That move again! Lu Yuan’s current method—learning an opponent’s technique and then refining it to use against the originator—was proving utterly unbeatable.

Undoubtedly, Lu Yuan and the Sword Son were once again the focal points of the second round.

Following them, Ancestors Jian Yunzhong, Jian Xuzhong, Jian Fengzhong, and Zhuge Zhishang all continued to secure victories.

In the third round, the Sword Son still won in just a few moves, while Lu Yuan continued his pattern of learning an opponent’s technique before defeating them. Their fighting styles were one fast and one slow, but whether fast or slow, both were heart-stopping. Everyone else felt bewildered, wondering where these two monstrously gifted prodigies had come from.

Alas! The rest of the participants felt their careers were wasted. The pressure exerted by these two was immense. The two young men were locked in a fierce confrontation, employing different tactics but wielding the same level of terrifying might.

They continued along this path until finally, only six individuals remained.

Lu Yuan, the Sword Son, Ancestor Jian Yunzhong, Ancestor Jian Xuzhong, Ancestor Jian Fengzhong, and Zhuge Zhishang.

If the previous rounds were merely appetizers, what followed would be the main course.

Because every single one of the remaining six was a giant, representing the strongest beings on the Star of the Sword Ancestors. Who would triumph among this group, who would face whom—regardless of the pairing, spectacular battles were guaranteed.

Ancestor Jian Mie looked at the six remaining competitors. “The order of combat for the final six will be...” A profound silence fell over the arena. Everyone listened with absolute focus for the announcement of the next match sequence.