The instant Lu Yuan and the Son of the Sword were set to fight to the death, the Four Great Imperial Scions made their move simultaneously.
The first to stir was the Martial Saint Imperial Scion; he intercepted the Law Saint Imperial Scion, blocking his path, and exchanged several lightning-fast blows with him.
Immediately following were the Mace Saint Imperial Scion and the Wasteland Imperial Scion. These two great scions positioned themselves before Lu Yuan. The Mace Saint Imperial Scion shot out a strike, his finger transforming into a shaft of mace energy aimed straight at Lu Yuan, while the Wasteland Imperial Scion raised a hand to intercept, blocking Lu Yuan’s forward momentum. Lu Yuan’s brilliant sword strike was instantly contained by the two scions, rendering it utterly incapable of even brushing against the Son of the Sword.
The movements of the Four Great Imperial Scions froze instantly.
Each of the Four Great Imperial Scions’ actions possessed its own profound mystery and unique significance.
For instance, the Mace Saint Imperial Scion discovered that his Heavenly Venerate-level mace energy had vanished without a trace, completely absorbed by Lu Yuan—a truly bizarre development.
The Law Saint Imperial Scion roared, “What is the meaning of this?” His shout was laced with palpable anger. In terms of sheer power, he was the apex among them, but facing the combined might of the other three scions, he was clearly no match. Yet, many situations in this world were never determined by raw strength alone. There existed various established rules, set down by the strongest practitioners; the four scions lacked the power to challenge those rules.
And as for the Sword Sect? This territory was governed by the Archaic Law Civilization.
The Law Saint Imperial Scion was overseeing this contest as a representative of the Archaic Law Civilization. The other scions hailed from different major civilizations, and the Martial Ancient Civilization was by no means weaker than the Archaic Law Civilization. Moreover, the Archaic Law Civilization’s domain was not subject to interference from others. When did matters pertaining to the Archaic Law Civilization become the concern of the Martial Ancient Civilization?
That was the crux of the problem.
If this issue were not handled delicately, it risked escalating into a war between civilizations.
Throughout history, the most devastating conflicts were the Era Wars of Destruction and Creation. The tier directly beneath those were the wars between civilizations.
The Desolate Saint Imperial Scion smiled faintly: “No need to rush. We aren’t trying to interfere with the outcome, only to understand the initial premise. This was supposed to be a contest between the Sword Ancestor Star Lord and Lu Yuan, a matter of victory or defeat, why the need for death?”
The Mace Saint Imperial Scion nodded in agreement: “That is precisely why we stopped Lu Yuan. There are many talents across heaven and earth, but geniuses of the caliber of the Son of the Sword and Lu Yuan are exceedingly rare. We must preserve rare geniuses for the sake of the world.” This was clearly a towering falsehood, yet it possessed a kernel of truth. When operating within the established framework, one must adhere to the rules and stand on the side of righteousness.
Evidently, the Desolate Saint Imperial Scion, the Mace Saint Imperial Scion, and the Wasteland Imperial Scion—all three—now occupied the moral high ground. What they said held genuine validity.
It appeared this battle was fated to conclude here. The Son of the Sword looked toward Lu Yuan: “Lu Yuan, is our eight-year pact still valid?” Despite suffering a defeat, given the Son of the Sword’s nature, he could never willingly accept losing to Lu Yuan. The eight-year pact remained in effect; he needed another chance to fight Lu Yuan, and he was certain that in two years, he would surpass him.
“The eight-year pact? Very well, I remember it.” Lu Yuan nodded. Someone defeated by his sword still yearned for a rematch—Lu Yuan was certain he would win again. And frankly speaking, the Son of the Sword was a true benefactor. This time, he had gifted Lu Yuan twenty Sword Dao characters and even the Cliff of Liberation. Where else could one find such a magnanimous person? Lu Yuan fully expected the Son of the Sword to find even better treasures next time and present them to him; he eagerly anticipated it.
If the Son of the Sword knew that Lu Yuan currently regarded him as nothing more than a walking treasure trove, he would surely weep bitter tears.
The Son of the Sword immediately departed to heal; he had been grievously wounded by Lu Yuan’s ultimate strike, Sword Six: Singular Sword! Lu Yuan floated back down to the central plaza of the Sword Ancestor Star. Everyone else also descended onto the central plaza of the Sword Ancestor Star. Lu Yuan looked toward the Mad Swordsman True Person: “Mad Swordsman True Person, weren't you here to contend for the position of the Sword Ancestor Star Lord? Now it is your turn.”
At that instant, the Mad Swordsman True Person felt an urge to kneel.
He had intended to flee long ago, but the fact that someone was watching him constantly made escape impossible.
The Mad Swordsman True Person realized the younger generation was terrifyingly ferocious. Whether it was the Son of the Sword or Lu Yuan, his own past rivalry with the Old Ancestor Jian Mie had never reached this extreme level; it was far inferior to the battle between Lu Yuan and the Son of the Sword. Alas, how was an elder supposed to survive when the youths were so brutal? Of course, the Mad Swordsman True Person’s primary concern now was how to navigate the current situation. He knew he could not defeat Lu Yuan; the gap in power was simply too vast.
The Mad Swordsman True Person coughed lightly: “Alas, I am old, and I carry old wounds. Furthermore, as a senior, it is improper for me to contend with a junior. Let us forgo this matter; I shall not vie for the position of the Sword Ancestor Star Lord.”
Lu Yuan smiled faintly: “Senior Mad Swordsman, then please grace me with your guidance.” This time, his demeanor did not suggest he would refuse to stop until he had thoroughly beaten the Mad Swordsman True Person.
The Mad Swordsman True Person truly felt like kneeling. He realized Lu Yuan had cornered him, leaving him absolutely no retreat.
Thus, the Mad Swordsman True Person had no choice but to step onto the stage.
The previous bout was the Son of the Sword versus Lu Yuan—a fight of absolute peak dominance.
This subsequent match between the Mad Swordsman True Person and Lu Yuan was supposed to be a lingering echo of that intensity. When the Mad Swordsman True Person first appeared, he exuded the bearing of a grand master. Everyone assumed that even if he couldn't win, he should at least be able to hold Lu Yuan off for a time.
The Mad Swordsman True Person and Lu Yuan exchanged the Sword Bow salute.
Lu Yuan offered a faint smile: “I ask the Senior to guide me.” This smile caused the Mad Swordsman True Person’s heart to seize with panic.
The Mad Swordsman True Person replied, “I ask for your generous guidance.” He genuinely begged Lu Yuan to go easy on him and spare him.
The battle commenced immediately after the salute. The Mad Swordsman True Person initiated the engagement with his set of the Frenzied Sword Art. This technique was characterized by madness intertwined with mania, mania fused with madness, resulting in an extraordinarily bizarre sword style. The Mad Swordsman True Person had talent in his younger days; after being expelled from the Sword Sect, consumed by despair, he nearly went insane, and from that state, he forged this sword technique. After creating it, he had considered challenging the Old Ancestor Jian Mie, but lacking the necessary confidence, he postponed it until now. However, the Mad Swordsman True Person’s frenzied style met Lu Yuan, and he was immediately crushed. He lost within three moves.
Three moves!
Indeed, only three moves.
It was unexpected that the Mad Swordsman True Person could only sustain Lu Yuan for two strikes before succumbing on the third.
Initially, the Mad Swordsman True Person had taken the stage reciting lines like, “Half-mad, half-foolish, half-laughing; half-obsessed, half-manic, half-wild,” displaying immense presence, seemingly an otherworldly master. Yet, this so-called master was defeated so swiftly under Lu Yuan’s sword, astonishing everyone present.
Now, Lu Yuan’s true objective became apparent. The Mad Swordsman True Person’s initial performance as a grand master was overly theatrical—tattered robes and recited poetry proclaiming his eccentric genius. Lu Yuan held the deepest contempt for such hypocritical masters, and he made sure to shatter that image without mercy.
To be honest, demolishing a false master felt utterly satisfying.
If you aren't a master, stop pretending to be one.
“Lu Yuan wins.” The final declaration named Lu Yuan the victor. Since Lu Yuan had defeated the Son of the Sword, the Mad Swordsman True Person, the Old Ancestor Jian Mie, and the Ancestor Jian Feng, the position of the Sword Ancestor Star Lord naturally fell to him.
“Wait a moment.” Lu Yuan smiled lightly: “I said from the beginning that I wasn't here to compete for the Star Lord position. I only came to collect debts. While I didn't receive the full debt today, I certainly gave the Son of the Sword and the Mad Swordsman True Person a thorough beating. I will be leaving now.” Lu Yuan gracefully stepped down from the stage. He had no desire for such an arduous task. Huashan had been too chaotic previously, lacking anyone capable of bearing the great responsibility, forcing him to reluctantly take charge. Now, the Old Ancestor Jian Mie still possessed strength; why should he bother taking over? He was inherently lazy.
As for the future of the Sword Dao, the truth was, as long as he remained powerful, the Sword Dao would naturally have a future. The Sword Sect was a minor stage; his personal ascension and the fate of the entire Central Celestial Dynasty were the grander picture.
Lu Yuan’s nonchalant descent into the arena stunned those remaining.
What was this all about?
The final victor had made it clear he would not accept the Star Lord position. If that was the case, the seat would likely revert to the original Star Lord, the Old Ancestor Jian Mie. It seemed as though the entire event was fought for nothing. No, not entirely for nothing; after this confrontation, the Son of the Sword’s faction was half-crippled. From this day forward, unless the Son of the Sword could surpass Lu Yuan, he and his cohort, including Ancestor Jian Xu, would never again stir up significant trouble within the Sword Sect.
Simultaneously.
Upon a mountain range on the Sword Ancestor Star, the Son of the Sword roared in fury: “Damn it, damn it, Lu Yuan.” He was on the verge of madness, his entire plan having been shattered by Lu Yuan. More infuriatingly, Lu Yuan had seized many of his vital magical artifact characters. Being defeated in the same sword-wielding generation by Lu Yuan was an insult beyond measure.
The Son of the Sword had never experienced such profound humiliation and rage in his entire life.
“Lu Yuan, I swear you will die!”
Just as the Son of the Sword was consumed by his rage, he suddenly shouted, “Who is there?”
“To remain so calm and notice me while in such a state of fury—truly impressive.” The figure who appeared was undeniably an emissary carrying a mace.
“Someone from the Mace Civilization?” the Son of the Sword asked in surprise.
“Correct. Our Civilization’s Vice Lord wishes to invite you to the Mace Civilization,” the mace-bearer stated.
“I only wish to be the Son of the Sword; I have no interest in becoming the Son of the Mace,” the Son of the Sword replied coolly.
“Our Vice Lord doesn’t require you to be the Son of the Mace. Our Vice Lord merely wishes to assist you in growing stronger, to surpass Lu Yuan,” the mace-bearer countered.
“Is that so?” The Son of the Sword paused briefly in thought before nodding.
Setting aside the identity of 'Mace,' the true strongest sword master in this realm was the Vice Lord of the Mace Civilization. Furthermore, the Vice Lord hailed from the Archaic Sword Civilization of the previous Sword Era. If he was willing to teach him, overcoming Lu Yuan would be a simple, effortless task.
“Hahahaha, Lu Yuan, I am one of the Seven Sons of Fortune. Now, with even greater fortune descending upon me, you are destined to fall before me!” The Son of the Sword laughed loudly, rising to his feet.