Lu Yuan’s personal wealth wasn't exactly overflowing; he currently held exactly four thousand Earth-rank Spirit Stones, the spoils from slaying Xuanyuan Wang.

And this Beast Sealing Tablet demanded a hefty three thousand Earth-rank Spirit Stones—truly not cheaply priced. But there was no other choice; Lu Yuan needed this Beast Sealing Tablet. This trading planet was situated some distance from the Li Sword Sect. Lu Yuan had only rushed here after hearing from a Grand Elder of the Sword Sect that a Beast Sealing Tablet had appeared in this location.

“I’ll take this Beast Sealing Tablet,” Lu Yuan told the vendor.

The vendor simply nodded. He had obtained the tablet unintentionally. This specific tablet could seal spirit beasts below fifty thousand zhang, making it quite rare. However, with fewer and fewer people utilizing beast control these days, the tablets weren't selling well, as few people relied on demonic beasts for combat. Thus, he was only asking for three thousand Earth-rank Spirit Stones.

“Oh, I see you use a sword. I heard there’s an extraordinary figure from the Sword Sect, someone named Lu Yuan, right? He actually managed to match the Son of Sword with mere sword techniques.” The man started chatting about Lu Yuan. Lu Yuan’s reputation had recently exploded across the Central Celestial Dynasty, though the young man standing before him was completely unaware that he was talking to Lu Yuan himself.

Lu Yuan merely offered a casual smile. Once the Beast Sealing Tablet was secured, he immediately rushed back to the Sword Sect.

He flew straight back to the Sword Ancestor Star, landing in Cloud Sword City.

What drew the most attention in Cloud Sword City was that massive Wilderness Golden Eye Cloud Soaring Eagle. Although this giant eagle was severely wounded and currently no match for a Middle Ancestor realm cultivator, its astonishing might still permeated the surroundings.

This giant eagle only quieted down somewhat when it saw Lu Yuan descend. Lu Yuan had put it through immense suffering when he subdued it.

It even vaguely sensed that Lu Yuan was like its natural predator, capable of restraining it completely.

Of course, it didn't know that Lu Yuan possessed the Sword of Wilderness Restraint—that was its greatest nemesis.

Lu Yuan landed on the eagle’s massive head, brought forth the Beast Sealing Tablet, and instantly, the Wilderness Golden Eye Cloud Soaring Eagle struggled violently, as if trying to throw Lu Yuan off entirely. It knew that once suppressed and sealed by this tablet, the days of its freedom would be over; it would forever have to submit to Lu Yuan, unless Lu Yuan chose to release it.

However, since it was already inherently suppressed by Lu Yuan, no amount of frenzy now could alter its fate.

Moments later, the Wilderness Golden Eye Cloud Soaring Eagle emitted a golden light, letting out a final screech before finally being thoroughly sealed by the Beast Sealing Tablet.

Finally resolved. Lu Yuan let out a long sigh. Leaving this giant eagle in Cloud Sword City was always going to be trouble.

What to do next?

Lu Yuan realized there was one major task he hadn't completed: refilling his wine skins.

Ah, the thousands of jin of wine he’d filled last time had emptied surprisingly quickly.

No choice but to go fetch more wine.

Getting wine wasn't far; the Sword Gate Star possessed dedicated commercial cities where wine could certainly be acquired. Lu Yuan immediately flew away from the Sword Ancestor Star, heading straight for the Sword Gate Star. What kind of wine should he get this time? He’d check if they had stocked any new brews. Lu Yuan had once heard about the numerous civilizations in the Central Celestial Dynasty and fantasized about a civilization dedicated purely to wine, but regretfully, there was no Wine Civilization at all; the wine-making technology in the Central Celestial Dynasty was about the same level as that of the Jin Kingdom.

In the blink of an eye, he reached the Sword Gate Star and filled up a thousand jin of Osmanthus Wine, a thousand jin of Grape Wine, a thousand jin of Spirit Monkey Wine, a thousand jin of Blazing Knife Liquor, and a thousand jin of Maiden’s Blush.

These five types of wine each offered a distinct flavor. As a true drunkard, Lu Yuan adored all manner of fine spirits.

After stocking up on wine, Lu Yuan flew directly toward the Sword Ancestor Star, intending to decide on his next course of cultivation.

While flying like this, not yet reaching the Sword Ancestor Star, a sense of sudden danger flashed through Lu Yuan’s mind. Simultaneously, his body reacted instinctively, teleporting him to a far distant location, just as a faint sword materialized where he had just been standing. The sword was light, its aura faint, so faint it was almost verging on nothingness.

“Impressive skill, managing to evade my Assassination Sword, which incorporates some profound techniques from the Night Civilization. Remarkable.” A faint silhouette materialized in the void. This person had an ordinary appearance with extremely faint eyebrows, yet Lu Yuan recognized him immediately. This was Xu Xingfeng, a Grand Elder of the Sword Wind Faction, rumored to be a Sword Cultivator at the Third Level of the World Realm.

“You mean to kill me?” Lu Yuan looked at Grand Elder Xu Xingfeng.

“Yes. Not just me—many, many others wish to kill you.”

Lu Yuan instantly sensed over a dozen figures appearing in the vicinity. Every single one possessed formidable power, at least at the First Heaven of the World Realm. To the southeast was Xuanyuan Qiang, the younger brother of Xuanyuan Wang. While lacking Xuanyuan Wang’s cunning, his actual strength surpassed Xuanyuan Wang’s, reaching the Third Level of the World Realm.

And the most terrifying presence wasn’t Xuanyuan Qiang or Xu Xingfeng, but the Sword Wind Middle Ancestor directly facing him. The oppressive power emanating from the Sword Wind Middle Ancestor, at the Fourth Heaven of the World Realm, practically saturated the entire space.

Lu Yuan now understood the full situation. There were thirteen people surrounding him in total—every single member of the Sword Wind Faction.

The Sword Wind Faction consisted of thirteen Grand Elders, and they had Lu Yuan encircled.

The strongest among them was the Sword Wind Middle Ancestor at the Fourth Heaven of the World Realm. Next were Xuanyuan Qiang and Xu Xingfeng, both at the Third Heaven of the World Realm. Then followed five individuals at the Second Heaven of the World Realm. Finally, five more at the First Heaven of the World Realm. Thirteen Grand Elders in total, trapping Lu Yuan in the center.

Lu Yuan couldn't help but feel a surge of surprise. “I’m not surprised you want me dead; after all, we belong to different factions. I’m just intensely curious how you dared to be so bold in trying to kill me. If Old Ancestor Jianmie finds out, you’ll all be in serious trouble.”

“Old Ancestor Jianmie? Can he even get out right now?” The Sword Wind Middle Ancestor shrugged. He then looked pointedly at Lu Yuan: “Old Ancestor Jianmie is a stubborn traditionalist. In this era, the path of the sword is suppressed; the Dao of the Sword has no future. Only by joining the Mace Civilization and transforming our swords into maces is our only way forward. But that old fool Jianmie clings stubbornly to the Sword Dao—it’s laughable. If it weren’t for Old Man Jianmie protecting you, we would have killed you long ago. However, not long ago, the Mace Civilization sent us a secret decree. If we can eliminate you, Lu Yuan, each of us will be provided with massive resources for cultivation in the Mace Civilization, and we will be accepted as disciples under highly accomplished Heavenly Venerable figures.”

“Naturally, the great Strategist Tong Yunchou knew that Old Man Jianmie was obstinate, so he bestowed upon us the Star Sealing Formation. This formation can temporarily seal the Sword Ancestor Star for the duration of two incense sticks burning. The Strategist’s secret order was: the moment Lu Yuan leaves the Sword Ancestor Star, we are to use the Star Sealing Formation to lock the star down for two incense sticks and then strike you down with lightning speed.”

Hearing the Sword Wind Middle Ancestor’s explanation, Lu Yuan finally understood the whole picture.

There had always been a faction within the Sword Gate loyal to the Mace path, something Lu Yuan had long suspected. He just never had proof and couldn't do anything about the Mace Faction. Now, the Mace Faction had received the secret decree from the Mace Civilization and intended to strike him down with overwhelming force.

This was the method of the Ghost-Wailing, Sorrow-Inducing Tong Yunchou. He usually preferred using others to do his dirty work, rarely acting himself, but when he finally did act, it was with the swift destructive force of lightning.

This wasn't the first time Lu Yuan had been ambushed by Yun Chou. The four figures from the Ancient Desolate Civilization who came to kill Lu Yuan previously were also Tong Yunchou’s indirect actions—that was the first time Yun Chou had made his move. If the Law Saint Imperial Son hadn't arrived, Lu Yuan might have perished due to his indirect assassination plan.

Yun Chou’s second move was sending two disciples to secretly aid Xuanyuan Wang. If Lu Yuan hadn't broken through mid-battle, the Sword Gate might have changed masters—that was Yun Chou’s second intervention.

Now came Tong Yunchou’s third attempt, directly mobilizing the thirteen elders of the Sword Wind Faction to surround Lu Yuan.

This Yun Chou was indeed terrifying, truly worthy of being called the First Strategist. But! Lu Yuan swore internally, he would absolutely kill this Yun Chou in the future. Though they had never met face-to-face, his hatred for Gang Yun Chou had already deepened immeasurably.

Lu Yuan glanced back at the Sword Ancestor Star and saw faint shimmering lights already manifesting outside it, sealing the entire star system.

The time of two incense sticks was more than enough for the Sword Wind Middle Ancestor and the others to kill him.

At that very instant, Taishi Kong leaped up, shouting, “Sword Wind Middle Ancestor, you traitor!”

The others present were too weak, none having reached the World Realm. Only Taishi Kong possessed the cultivation of the Second Heaven of the World Realm. As the Sword Wind Middle Ancestor moved, he swept his palm, striking Taishi Kong heavily. Taishi Kong, at the Second Heaven of the World Realm, faced the Fourth Heaven of the World Realm Sword Wind Middle Ancestor; the gap was too vast. He was severely injured in just one move.

At this moment, one of the thirteen Grand Elders intended to pursue and kill Taishi Kong. This Elder, named Ling Qiu, held some past grudges against Taishi Kong and wanted to beat a dog already in the water.

The Sword Wind Middle Ancestor stopped his action: “What time is it? Do you still have time to worry about Taishi Kong? As long as we kill Lu Yuan, each of us can become a high-ranking official in the Mace Civilization, gaining entry under the Heavenly Venerable’s tutelage. We only have two incense sticks of time; time is critical. Taishi Kong isn't worth the effort—let’s deal with Lu Yuan first.”

The thirteen Grand Elders, without exception, encircled Lu Yuan. Thirteen powerful auras locked onto him.

These thirteen Grand Elders consisted of one at the Fourth Heaven of the World Realm, two at the Third Heaven, five at the Second Heaven, and five at the First Heaven.

Lu Yuan’s current strength was only at the First Heaven of the World Realm.

Overwhelming peril enveloped Lu Yuan, making it seem as if he had instantly plunged into a desperate situation.

From any conceivable angle, Lu Yuan had absolutely no chance of survival—ten deaths to every one life, an undeniable dead end.