Some matters, with just a moment of forbearance, a slight bow of the knee, could be quite simple. But once that breath is held, once that knee is bent, raising it again becomes difficult.

After the first forbearance, the first bend, inevitably comes the second, the third. But a swordsman, one who is unbroken by a hundred bends, absolutely refuses to yield that knee.

This, precisely, is Lu Yuan’s way of conduct. Perhaps living in this world, maintaining such a disposition, is tiring, perhaps it invites all manner of trouble.

But so what? Undoubtedly, he would never take the first path, submitting to the Copper Civilization.

Nor would he agree to the second path, signing a series of unequal treaties with the Ancient Desolation Civilization. And the Heavenly Tribulation still looms overhead, said to be unbreakable.

Therefore, he chooses the third path: the Sword Oblivion Stele. “I choose the third path.

Where is the Sword Oblivion Stele?” Lu Yuan asked. “The Sword Oblivion Stele!” Ancestor Jian Mie looked at Lu Yuan with utmost seriousness.

“Are you certain you choose the Sword Oblivion Stele? From ancient times to the present, every swordsman who chose this path has only seen three successes.

All others failed, ultimately losing all memory of the sword, and even everything else, their minds fractured, becoming madmen. This is the hardest path.” “I choose this path because I cannot yield to the Copper Civilization or the Ancient Desolation Civilization,” Lu Yuan stated calmly.

“No matter how difficult this road is, I must walk it. Furthermore, this path is not entirely without a chance of success.

As long as the will is strong enough, the obsession strong enough, success is possible.” Lu Yuan was not ignorant of the danger of this path. But sometimes, this is the only path available.

Ancestor Jian Mie looked at Lu Yuan’s resolute gaze and could not help but nod. “Very well, I shall take you to the Sword Oblivion Stele.” Immediately, within the circle of Sword Gate’s Grand Elders, many learned of Lu Yuan’s final choice—the Sword Oblivion Stele—and they all wiped a bead of sweat.

Among the three paths, the most difficult, the most perilous, the one with almost zero chance of success, was the Sword Oblivion Stele. Their very first reaction upon hearing the news was to try and persuade Lu Yuan.

To endure a moment’s anger for ten thousand years of peace. This was the normal choice.

But every Grand Elder who intended to counsel him, upon seeing the look in Lu Yuan’s eyes, instantly knew persuasion was unnecessary. Yes, truly, there was no need to persuade him.

What an incredibly firm gaze he possessed. For someone with such resolve, argument was futile.

Immediately, led by Ancestor Jian Mie, accompanied by several Grand Elders, they set off for the Sword Oblivion Stele. Naturally, Lu Yuan was the central figure.

As Lu Yuan was about to depart Sword Gate, Tai Shikong came to see him off. “I am severely wounded and cannot accompany you to the Sword Oblivion Stele.” Tai Shikong tossed a flask of wine to Lu Yuan.

“I didn’t come to persuade you, because I know your nature.” Tai Shikong gulped down a mouthful of the wine in his hand. “I don’t know if you can pass the trial of the Sword Oblivion Stele, or if you will still remember the past when you return.

But for today, sharing a hearty drink together is enough.” Drink! Tai Shikong gulped down his drink.

Lu Yuan also began to drink deeply. Both men cherished wine.

In truth, from the very beginning, there had been a flavor of master and friend between Tai Shikong and Lu Yuan. The wine finished, the man departed.

The group, led by Ancestor Jian Mie—Lu Yuan, along with several Grand Elders such as Yan Cangshan, Cang Ye Ming, and the two Supremes, Xiahou and Dongye—numbered about a dozen, all heading directly towards the Sword Oblivion Stele. Sword Spirit Empress Ji did not come to see him off.

Before this matter arose, she had already returned to the Ancient Law Civilization. Of course, she had heard the news.

Her first impulse was to seek out the Lord of the Ancient Law Civilization. The Lord of the Ancient Law Civilization was in deep seclusion within the Ancient Law Star Palace.

Unlike other places, his palace was vast, built from countless stars. Standing outside the palace, observing the myriad starlights glittering within, Sword Spirit Empress Ji, Yun Xiuxue, knelt directly before the gate.

“Your daughter implores Father to grant the divine artifact of the Primordial Mark.” Yun Xiuxue used her cultivation to send her voice into the Ancient Law Star Palace. From within the Star Palace came a faint, ethereal voice: “Divine artifacts are difficult to find, but as the Lord of the Ancient Law Civilization, I do possess some.

Artifacts of the Primordial Mark were only scattered when this epoch first opened. Even I do not have many.

Though I possess one, it was reserved for you.” “Daughter implores Father to grant this Primordial Mark divine artifact,” Yun Xiuxue commanded again, naturally petitioning for it on Lu Yuan’s behalf. “Alas, alas, my foolish child.” The ethereal voice drifted out.

“Truly, a calamitous fate.” That faint voice echoed. When Yun Xiuxue looked up again, she saw a vermilion, circular stone suspended before her.

This stone radiated an indescribable aura—the aura of a divine artifact, one that only manifests during the destruction and rebirth of an epoch. It floated before her.

Yun Xiuxue immediately stored the vermilion stone in her own Snow Domain. “Thank you, Father.” She rushed out, intending to return to Sword Gate to bring this artifact to Lu Yuan.

If she could deliver this divine artifact to Lu Yuan, he would not need to face the Sword Oblivion Stele, which was an ordeal of ten-out-of-ten oblivion. As Yun Xiuxue journeyed, another ethereal voice sounded through the void: “Why?” This question hung incomplete, without context.

“Because… forget it, I won't explain now,” came the faint voice of the Lord of the Ancient Law Civilization from the void. Yun Xiuxue, delighted by her success, prepared to summon her treasure, the White Jade Painted Barge, to speed back to Sword Gate.

This barge was exquisitely crafted, possessing extremely high defenses, making it nearly impregnable. With the two guards, Lian Xing and Wen Yue, no one would dare attack anyway.

However, at that moment, the Imperial Son of the Ancient Law suddenly appeared, blocking her path. “Brother, what is it?” Yun Xiuxue asked, feeling buoyant after obtaining the artifact.

“Are you returning to Sword Gate?” The Imperial Son of the Ancient Law inquired. “Yes.” Yun Xiuxue nodded.

“There’s no need to return to Sword Gate. Lu Yuan has already left for the Sword Oblivion Stele.

I had expected him to hesitate, giving you time to secure the artifact and present it to him, thus sparing him the journey. But I never imagined Lu Yuan would be so resolute, leaving for the Sword Oblivion Stele without the slightest hesitation,” the Imperial Son of the Ancient Law explained.

Indeed, he had miscalculated. “What!” Yun Xiuxue felt the world spin around her.

“Yes, he has already gone to the Sword Oblivion Stele,” the Imperial Son of the Ancient Law confirmed. “However, we can be fast.

If we hurry, we might catch up and deliver this artifact to Lu Yuan before he reaches it.” The Imperial Son of the Ancient Law waved his hand and summoned the Sacred Speed Ship. “We’ll use my Sacred Speed Ship.

I’ll go with you.” Yun Xiuxue reacted instantly, boarding the Imperial Son’s vessel. The ship transformed into a streak of lightning, shooting toward the direction of the Sword Oblivion Stele.

We must catch up! Yun Xiuxue’s exquisitely beautiful face turned pale, her fingers gripping tightly until they were white.

She had to catch him. Lu Yuan, I don't want you to forget your memories, don't forget me, because I, in this lifetime, can never forget you.

The Imperial Son of the Ancient Law also knew the gravity of the situation and immediately accelerated. This was a strange and unique location in the world.

It resided within the Central Heavenly Dynasty, somewhat distant from the Ancient Law Civilization, yet considerably closer to the Ancient Desolation Civilization. Here stood a colossal stele piercing the heavens.

This monument soared perhaps ten thousand zhang high, and it was utterly immune to all forms of attack, seemingly integrated with the very fabric of the Central Heavenly Dynasty itself. One could not casually sit upon this Sword Oblivion Stele.

If others sat upon it, they would lose a portion of their memory—which part was unpredictable, most likely memories related to emotions. But if a sword cultivator sat upon it, they would lose all their memories.

Throughout history, across all epochs, only three individuals had been the exception. Ordinarily, the Sword Oblivion Stele was utterly monotonous and tranquil, visited by almost no one, as it offered no benefit.

Why would anyone come here? Occasionally, men and women heartbroken by love might seek it out, hoping to erase those experiences.

But this time, the vicinity of the Sword Oblivion Stele had become completely lively. At this monument, an immense crowd had gathered, drawn from countless sources.

On one side were figures from the Wind Civilization. Feng Ershisi and Feng Wenyue, both of whom shared some connection with Lu Yuan, had rushed here upon hearing he was heading to the Sword Oblivion Stele.

Feng Wenyue, the Wen Yue Imperial Princess of the Wind Civilization, harbored a deep, quiet affection for Lu Yuan, but now felt powerless knowing his destination. A distinguished Imperial Son from the Medicine Civilization was also present: the Sacred Medicine Imperial Son.

He was not here by design; he had merely stumbled upon the news while near the Sword Oblivion Stele and rushed over. The group situated further away was decidedly not from the Copper Civilization, and their presence was significant.

They included the Sacred Copper Imperial Son and the Copper Civilization’s foremost strategist, Tong Yun Chou. Tong Yun Chou fanned himself languidly with a feather fan, exuding an air of unconcerned ease.

They were certainly here to watch the spectacle—the spectacle of Lu Yuan. And the people gathered to the east were even more formidable: members of the Ancient Desolation Civilization, represented by the Sacred Desolation Imperial Son.

The Sacred Desolation Imperial Son had long desired Lu Yuan’s death, but in past years, constrained by pressure from the Ancient Law Civilization, he had been forced to hold back. Now, however, there was no such constraint.

He simply waited for Lu Yuan to seek his doom at the Sword Oblivion Stele. Ha ha ha!

While the Ancient Law Civilization held a slight edge over the Ancient Desolation Civilization, it wasn't overwhelming. The Ancient Desolation Civilization had shown sufficient deference previously, but to refuse to sign those protocols and still expect the Mark of Desolation?

Impossible! The Sacred Desolation Imperial Son’s gaze was sharp as an eagle’s, filled with the coloring of a ruthless schemer, and he laughed with unconcealed delight.

In addition to them, there were representatives from numerous other factions. Some factions were too distant to arrive yet, but most nearby powers had already congregated.

There was no choice; Lu Yuan’s affair had stirred up too much dust. When the Lord of the Ancient Desolation Civilization personally made a declaration—that if Lu Yuan refused the protocols, he would not receive the Mark of Desolation—even a minor matter escalated into an event that convulsed the entire Central Heavenly Dynasty.

Consequently, the news of Lu Yuan's impending visit to the Sword Oblivion Stele spread with astonishing speed, attracting countless observers.