The twelve Grand Elders fought on, their hearts growing ever more alarmed. They had never imagined that Lu Yuan, standing there allowing them to strike, would prove impossible to kill.
That was Floating Life is Like a Dream!
The onlookers from the Sword Sect were similarly struck speechless. They, too, had heard of Floating Life is Like a Dream and had occasionally witnessed its power before.
However, what they had seen previously was merely a fragment. Only now, as the technique truly displayed its might, did they realize how terrifying Floating Life is Like a Dream truly was.
This terror was no longer befitting a divine technique; it felt like the artistry of the Civilization Realm!
“They say this technique was actually created by Senior Brother Lu Yuan himself.”
“Senior Brother Lu Yuan creating such a technique—truly remarkable,” exclaimed a group nearby, filled with admiration.
Lu Yuan, situated within the formation, noticed that the Twelve Sword Grand Array had significantly weakened. Maintaining that array consumed immense magical power; it was never meant to last long. “Oh, your Twelve Sword Grand Array can only hold for this long? Truly useless,” Lu Yuan remarked casually, a hint of mild regret in his tone.
This wasn't bravado; it was simply the truth. If his opponents could attack longer, his Sword Dao Gourd Ear would absorb more Sword Qi. It was a pity they couldn't sustain it.
Fine. Let's relieve them.
“Since your so-called Twelve Sword Grand Array cannot last much longer, it’s about time for me to counterattack.” Lu Yuan glanced dismissively toward Grand Elder Du Yun, who was at the second tier of the World Realm. “You claimed just now that having twelve Grand Elders against one of me guaranteed victory. How naive.”
Lu Yuan arrived before Du Yun, his Nourishing My Immortal Sword descending with astonishing radiance.
It was a brilliant light, a formidable strike, but Du Yun thought, I should be able to block this! He activated his world-class technique, the Nine Star Consecutive Sword Art. Once unfurled, this technique chained nine stars together in a single line, forming an exceptionally strong defense. If I can just hold Lu Yuan off for a moment, the other eleven Grand Elders can attack together. Twelve against one, we cannot lose! Grand Elder Du Yun resolved internally. But before he could even fully react, Lu Yuan’s sword light brutally tore through the Nine Star Consecutive defense and struck down.
What was happening?
Grand Elder Du Yun was stunned, unable to comprehend why his Nine Star Consecutive Sword Art failed against a single blow from Lu Yuan.
But Lu Yuan’s sword technique continued without mercy, slaying Grand Elder Du Yun with that one strike.
One move! Merely one move!
This had to be a joke. Lu Yuan, at the second tier of the World Realm, killing Du Yun, also at the second tier of the World Realm, in a single blow—this was ludicrous, yet the undeniable fact lay before them all.
How did Lu Yuan achieve such an astonishing feat?
The truth was quite simple. Lu Yuan’s current strength surpassed anyone at the third tier of the World Realm without question; the mere Du Yun at the second tier was far from a match. Furthermore, Du Yun’s spirit had been shaken by Lu Yuan’s Floating Life is Like a Dream, instilling deep fear. In a life-or-death struggle within the World Realm, harboring such an internal shadow only hastened his demise.
Lu Yuan then turned his gaze upon Grand Elder Ling Chou. “Oh, Ling Chou. You hold a grudge against my Master. A disciple serves where the master is troubled. Since you bear enmity toward my Master, how about you trade a few blows with me?”
Elder Ling Chou was terrified. His power was comparable to Grand Elder Du Yun’s, and seeing Du Yun dispatched in a single sword strike filled him with dread.
Lu Yuan launched another sword attack at Elder Ling Chou. Ling Chou immediately summoned his God-Slaying Sword Art. This was a world-level technique, notoriously fierce and honed by slaying countless World Realm figures. It was created in ancient times by a fierce being named Jue Shen (God-Slayer). The term itself—Jue Shen, slaying the World Realm—spoke volumes of the bloodshed it represented.
He landed a hit! Elder Ling Chou’s sword pierced Lu Yuan, but he instantly realized something was wrong. It was Floating Life is Like a Dream again! Before he could recover, he was killed by Lu Yuan’s counter-strike.
Lu Yuan’s specific attack wasn't inherently brilliant, but it weaponized the fact that Floating Life is Like a Dream meant he didn't fear an incoming attack. Elder Ling Chou simply couldn't process this completely suicidal style of fighting. Thus, he lost and died at Lu Yuan’s hands.
Of course, Lu Yuan's 'suicidal' style was actually backed by Floating Life is Like a Dream; it wasn't truly reckless.
Having dispatched Ling Chou, also at the second tier of the World Realm, he moved on with another sword! Another single move!
Lu Yuan’s might was too terrifying. Facing figures at the second tier of the World Realm, he ended the confrontation with one strike each.
The remaining ten Grand Elders were mostly trembling in fear.
Xu Xingfeng, at the third tier of the World Realm, immediately sensed the shift. If this continued unchecked, Lu Yuan would become unstoppable. Therefore, he unleashed his Void Assassination Sword and reappeared beside Lu Yuan. Lu Yuan turned back, blocking with his Nourishing My Immortal Sword. “Oh, Xu Xingfeng? You wish to face me? That’s truly laughable. You tried to assassinate me several times with your Void Assassination Sword. I suppose it’s time I returned the favor properly.”
Lu Yuan unleashed the world-ending technique, Big Dipper Main Kill. This supreme-level sword art was nearly unbreakable by Xu Xingfeng. Furthermore, in terms of magical power, Xu Xingfeng held no advantage, immediately falling into a disadvantage. What was even more terrifying was that Xu Xingfeng realized his Void Assassination Sword seemed subtly suppressed by the Big Dipper Main Kill sword style.
The reason was simple: the Big Dipper stars are the primary stars of killing; Void Assassination merely orbits around them. In essence, the Big Dipper Main Kill style was the master, and the Void Assassination Sword was the servant. When the servant meets the master, it is naturally suppressed.
Lu Yuan’s current strength already surpassed Xu Xingfeng’s, and coupled with the inherent counter in their sword arts and the higher grade of Lu Yuan’s technique, Xu Xingfeng was slain within five moves.
Five moves!
Up to this point, Lu Yuan killed Xu Xingfeng (early third tier World Realm) in five moves, Ling Chou (mid-second tier World Realm) in one move, and Du Yun (mid-second tier World Realm) in one move. The remaining nine individuals were on the verge of collapse; Lu Yuan’s overwhelming aura was now practically unmatched. “So, who’s next?”
He issued the challenge: who dared to fight him?
“Lu Yuan, cease your arrogance! Let me face you!” Xuanyuan Qiang roared. “I possess the power of text gifted by the Bronze Civilization—‘Dun’ (Stasis)!” He immediately manifested a character: Dun. Instantly, Lu Yuan’s movements became incredibly slow. With Xuanyuan Qiang’s power at the third tier of the World Realm, Lu Yuan’s slowed movements due to the Bronze Civilization’s Dun character offered Xuanyuan Qiang a massive opportunity.
The remaining eight Elders’ eyes lit up—they finally saw a possible path to victory over Lu Yuan.
Xuanyuan Qiang bellowed and charged at Lu Yuan. Just as he was about to strike, a flash of golden light appeared above Lu Yuan’s head. The essence of the Dun character was instantly absorbed by the Gold-Swallowing Dragon. Lu Yuan’s movements instantly returned to their previous fluid state. Xuanyuan Qiang couldn't react fast enough to Lu Yuan’s recovery speed, suffering an injury from the ensuing strike. Lu Yuan showed no mercy, pressing his sword art relentlessly. Xu Xingfeng was early third tier, but Xuanyuan Qiang was mid-third tier. Precisely because Xuanyuan Qiang was mid-third tier, he held out for two more moves, finally dying on Lu Yuan’s seventh strike.
By this point, Lu Yuan had killed Xuanyuan Qiang (mid-third tier World Realm) in seven moves, Xu Xingfeng (early third tier World Realm) in five moves, Ling Chou (mid-second tier World Realm) in one move, and Du Yun (mid-second tier World Realm) in one move. Single-handedly, he had routed the combined force of the twelve. “So, who’s next?” Lu Yuan roared.
The remaining eight Grand Elders finally broke completely. They scattered, fleeing in eight different directions.
Lu Yuan was not inclined to be merciful. Although these eight were Grand Elders of the Sword Sect, they were staunch members of the ‘Iron Javelin Faction.’ Keeping them would only introduce future chaos to the Sword Sect. Since they fled in eight directions, he could only chase one. He possessed no cloning techniques. He pursued one direction, choosing to slay that Elder.
In total, Lu Yuan killed five Grand Elders. Upon collecting their spoils, he found he had struck it rich. The five combined yielded 14,000 Earth-grade Spirit Stones and 100 Defense Crystals. Including what he already had, he now possessed over 15,000 Spirit Stones and 150 Defense Crystals.
As Lu Yuan concluded his battle, the members of the Sword Sect nearby could hardly believe their eyes.
Lu Yuan, fighting twelve Grand Elders—five at the first tier, five at the second, and two at the third World Realm—had actually won. By all conventional reasoning, Lu Yuan should have had no chance.
Lu Yuan had truly achieved the impossible.
Yet, reflecting on it, Lu Yuan needed only one move against those of equal power, and only a few moves against stronger opponents like Xu Xingfeng and Xuanyuan Qiang. What astonishing dominance!
Lu Yuan’s strength! It was indescribably immense!
Meanwhile, the battle between the Ancestor of Sword Wind and the Wild Gold-Eyed Lingyun Eagle was also nearing its end. The Eagle had already been severely injured beforehand, making it impossible to overcome the Ancestor of Sword Wind. After resisting for the duration of an incense stick, it was finally slammed heavily by the Ancestor, causing it to explode into light and vanish. This giant eagle was sealed within a Beast Sealing Plaque, which automatically made it disappear upon reaching a state of absolute mortal injury, preserving its life so it could recover within the plaque. Given its near-fatal wounds, it would likely need ten years to heal.
The Ancestor of Sword Wind immediately noticed several Grand Elders rushing toward him.
“What’s going on? Did you capture Lu Yuan?” the Ancestor inquired. He had been quite confident; how could the twelve Grand Elders fail to kill Lu Yuan? After all, the twelve included Xuanyuan Qiang and Xu Xingfeng, both at the third tier of the World Realm—victory was certain, the Ancestor had believed.