Ancestor Jian Mie had long been awakened. He saw the entire Sword Ancestor Star enveloped in a faint starlight. With a bang, he struck the Sealed Star Array with his fist, but the glimmering starlight of the array remained utterly unmoved. At that moment, a colossal water mirror manifested in the void above the Sword Ancestor Star.

"Old ghost Jian Mie, it seems you've realized the entire Sword Ancestor Star is now encircled by the Sealed Star Array."

The image and voice of Ancestor Jian Feng Zhong echoed from the water mirror.

"Old ghost Jian Mie, a wise man submits to the circumstances. Yet you stubbornly refuse. The Way of the Sword has been abandoned; in this era, only the Mace offers a better path to survival. You don't even grasp this. Of course, I know what I say now is useless; you wouldn't listen to me anyway," Ancestor Jian Feng Zhong declared.

"However, I have no interest in playing games with you any longer. You will be trapped within this star for the time it takes two incense sticks to burn. Within that window, I will slay Lu Yuan. The Mace Civilization has already promised us—once Lu Yuan is dead, we can formally seek apprenticeship under a Heavenly Venerate-level figure and enjoy prosperity for all eternity."

Ancestor Jian Feng Zhong laughed heartily, and the image vanished.

"Damn it!" Ancestor Jian Mie roared in fury. "Damn those turncoats of the Mace Faction! If it weren't for preserving the remaining members of the Sword Gate, I would have exterminated you long ago." Ancestor Jian Mie realized he had been too soft-hearted, believing he shouldn't have tolerated these people just because the Sword Gate had fewer members.

Ancestor Jian Mie lunged toward the Sealed Star Array, unleashing his Extinction Dao Immortal Sword in that instant, striking heavily against the formation. The starlight on the array flickered momentarily, but an answering wave of starlight pulsed outward, dissipating the sword qi Ancestor Jian Mie had sent forth. This was indeed the technique of the Mace Civilization.

It wasn't only Ancestor Jian Mie who was alarmed; Sword Child was also stirred.

Sword Child was just about to enter seclusion to break through to the fifth level of the World Realm when he noticed this bizarre incident. Regarding Ancestor Jian Feng Zhong setting up the Sealed Star Array to kill Lu Yuan, Sword Child was naturally ecstatic. He knew perfectly well how terrifying Lu Yuan would become once he truly matured. He was in no hurry, leisurely observing Ancestor Jian Mie’s assault and analyzing the characteristics of his sword techniques.

Meanwhile, on the Sword Gate Star and the Sword Cultivator Star, countless members of the Sword Gate had been alerted.

These Sword Gate disciples had certainly seen what was happening.

But what could they do, even if they saw it?

Outside the Sword Ancestor Star, the strongest individual was Tai Shi Kong, but Tai Shi Kong had been easily injured by Ancestor Jian Feng Zhong. The remaining figures were mere cannon fodder if they intervened; they offered no help whatsoever.

"Damn it, these traitors of the Sword Gate, led by Ancestor Jian Feng Zhong," some Sword Gate members muttered through gritted teeth.

"Isn't this just submitting to the circumstances and being wise?" someone whispered quietly. The very existence of the Sword Gate was, in truth, a tragedy. In this era, resisting and suppressing the Sword Path meant the Sword held no future—this was essentially the consensus among them.

"Lu Yuan is in deep trouble this time," someone observed, including Supreme Xia Hou and others. They knew Lu Yuan’s situation was likely fatal, but what use was it for them to step forward? Their power was far, far too weak, dwarfed by the Supreme Elders on the Sword Ancestor Star.

Thirteen Supreme Elders had surrounded Lu Yuan, locking onto his vital energy.

Ancestor Jian Feng Zhong looked toward Lu Yuan: "Lu Yuan, I didn't want to kill you initially, but alas, the Copper Civilization insists on your death."

Xuan Yuan Qiang, at the third heaven of the World Realm, looked at Lu Yuan: "Lu Yuan, you dared kill my brother; today, I will avenge him." When the proposal to defect to the Steel Civilization and eliminate Lu Yuan arose, he was the first to agree. He had long sought vengeance against Lu Yuan, but he wasn't a fool; under normal circumstances, he couldn't kill Lu Yuan, only if Lu Yuan was allowed to grow. But the current situation was different—Kill! Kill!

Kill! Xuan Yuan Qiang was brimming with exhilarating satisfaction.

"Lu Yuan, I heard your sword is fast. Today, we shall see whose blade is quicker."

Xu Xing Feng, also at the third heaven of the World Realm, stated coolly: "From now on, I will no longer use the sword, but the mace. This final use of the blade must be magnificent."

"Lu Yuan, your prestige has peaked; now you must die," said a Supreme Elder at the second heaven of the World Realm.

"Hahaha! Lu Yuan, today is your road to death."

Lu Yuan was indeed in a situation of certain doom.

So, how could this predicament be broken?

Ancestor Jian Feng Zhong gave Lu Yuan absolutely no opportunity, instantly launching a Wind Immortal Sword strike toward him. His Wind Immortal Sword was renowned for its speed; he was a man of action, moving like the wind. To kill Lu Yuan, he struck immediately, granting Lu Yuan no time to react. The Wind Immortal Sword thrust directly forward—an attack powered by the magic of the fourth heaven of the World Realm. How could Lu Yuan possibly block it?

At that precise instant, a surge of incomparably fierce gales began to howl.

A giant eagle appeared!

The Desolate Golden-Eyed Soaring Eagle! Facing Ancestor Jian Feng Zhong’s astonishing sword strike, Lu Yuan almost instinctively released the beast from his Beast Sealing Tablet. This giant eagle possessed the magic of the third heaven of the World Realm, meaning it could theoretically overpower Ancestor Jian Feng Zhong. However, being heavily wounded, it was certainly no match for him now. Yet, stalling for a short while should not be difficult.

The situation instantly reversed. Ancestor Jian Feng Zhong became locked in battle with the giant eagle, unable to dispatch it immediately.

Ancestor Jian Feng Zhong had not anticipated such a turn of events. He shouted sternly: "...Xuan Yuan Qiang, Xu Xing Feng, the two of you lead the other eleven to ambush and kill Lu Yuan. Absolutely do not allow Lu Yuan to survive longer than the time it takes two incense sticks to burn."

"Yes!" Xuan Yuan Qiang roared, leading the charge alongside Xu Xing Feng—both at the third heaven of the World Realm—toward Lu Yuan.

At that moment, Lu Yuan suddenly conceived a method for survival.

The previous situation was indeed one of certain death.

But now that Ancestor Jian Feng Zhong was entangled by the Desolate Golden-Eyed Soaring Eagle and couldn't deal with him immediately, only the remaining twelve Supreme Elders were left. Among these twelve, the strongest were Xuan Yuan Qiang and Xu Xing Feng, both at the third heaven of the World Realm; the other ten were no match for him individually.

This meant that if he could just reach the second heaven of the World Realm, he might not fear the combined might of these twelve Supreme Elders.

He was currently at the first heaven of the World Realm. Reaching the second heaven required accumulation, as the second level of the World Realm was about 'Opening Heaven and Splitting Earth'; one needed sufficient accumulation before attempting to break through to this realm.

Accumulation! He had a source!

The Sword Gate Star! Upon the Sword Gate Star lay an immensely vast commercial city where countless items were traded. Even many Supreme Elders on the Sword Ancestor Star would conduct their transactions through the commercial hub on the Sword Gate Star. Consequently, this marketplace held an incredible abundance of rare goods. Normally, these treasures were backed by the Supreme Elders, so no one dared touch them. But what time was it now? It was a time of chaos within the Sword Gate, and his own life was in grave danger. To worry about those belongings at a time like this would be utter idiocy.

Enhancing his strength and eliminating these traitors siding with the Copper Faction was the proper course of action.

Of course, twelve Supreme Elders still blocked his path, descending upon Lu Yuan in unison. At least five of the twelve attacks struck Lu Yuan. Was Lu Yuan eliminated just like that? Had it been easier than anticipated?

"Wrong! This is Lu Yuan's Fleeting Life, Like a Dream," Elder Xu Xing Feng, at the third heaven of the World Realm, shouted first. Almost instinctively, he bolted toward the southeast, where an unharmed Lu Yuan was clearly standing. The other eleven also gave chase.

Lu Yuan began to unleash his speed.

Now, he had to reach the commercial city on the Sword Gate Star before these twelve figures could surround him.

Otherwise, this time, it would be Lu Yuan who was finished.

As Lu Yuan burst into speed, his pace skyrocketed. Lu Yuan had always been known for his velocity; though not as fast as those from the Wind Civilization or the Star Civilization, he was considerably quicker than most others. Racing like this, even the twelve Supreme Elders behind him struggled to keep up. The most problematic was Xu Xing Feng; his strength surpassed Lu Yuan’s, and his speed was slightly quicker as well.

Fast! Lu Yuan fled!

Fast! Xu Xing Feng pursued!

The remaining eleven Supreme Elders were also remarkably swift.

Thus, Lu Yuan fled, and the twelve Supreme Elders gave chase. During this chase, Lu Yuan several times sensed the terrifying sword light emanating from Xu Xing Feng behind him.

Finally, he arrived at the Sword Gate Star.

Upon reaching the Sword Gate Star and seeing Xu Xing Feng about to catch up, Lu Yuan abruptly activated his Wine Spring Mountain. When he constructed Wine Spring Mountain, he had included some interesting features. Wine Spring Mountain hurtled toward Xu Xing Feng and the twelve others. Xu Xing Feng, without hesitation, cleaved the mountain range in two with a single sword stroke. But immediately, he found himself trapped within a space where dimensions were distorted and time was nearly frozen. Moreover, within this realm, the Disk of Reincarnation was spinning rapidly. Yes, Lu Yuan had set up an array within Wine Spring Mountain.

This array trapped all twelve Supreme Elders, including Xu Xing Feng. Naturally, such an array wouldn't hold them for long.

However, gaining even a little time was beneficial. Do not assume Fleeting Life, Like a Dream is invincible; its invincibility is limited to opponents of the same or one tier higher that he can handle. It is effective in large group battles but useless against foes far stronger than him.

In a life-or-death sprint, even a moment is precious. Lu Yuan had already dashed into the commercial city. The city was protected by layers of restrictive spells, which Lu Yuan shattered unceremoniously with a single sword strike, forcing his way inside until a grand treasury unfolded before his eyes.

Wait! Were these the defense crystals, Chaos Origin Qi, Extraterrestrial Stones, and so on that the dozen or so Supreme Elders of the Jian Feng faction had consigned for sale in the commercial city?

The Supreme Elders of the Jian Feng faction had naturally known they were planning a coup, intending to kill Lu Yuan, abandon the Sword Gate, and defect to the Copper Civilization.

They had intended to reclaim everything they had consigned in the commercial city, but they feared drawing the attention of keen observers, so they had ignored those assets.

And now, Lu Yuan had spotted them. Lu Yuan, naturally, showed no courtesy; being polite now would make him an absolute fool.