The eighth round concluded, solidifying the top ten sects and determining those who would advance to the Sacred Land of Civilization.

After a brief respite, the ninth round of battles commenced.

The ninth round was set to decide the top four powerhouses.

The pairings for the ninth round were announced.

Tyrant Blade Sect versus Long Spear Gate. One relied on the blade, the other on the spear. Coincidentally, both sect masters were at the eighth heaven of the World Realm. This clash promised to be spectacular. It was whispered that both the Tyrant Blade Sect Master, Heng Zhan, and the Long Spear Gate Master, Li Fangshan, met the news with laughter. They had long desired such a confrontation, and this one had arrived at the perfect, most opportune moment.

Unique Gate was matched against Puppet Gate. While Unique Emperor held a substantial advantage, the Puppet Gate, though weaker in sheer power, was notoriously bizarre and unpredictable—certainly not to be underestimated. It was anticipated that a good show would unfold.

Fragrant Bloom Sect faced Arrow Gate. The strongest combatants from both sides were at the seventh heaven of the World Realm, suggesting a fierce contest ahead.

And finally, Sword Gate against Shaoyang Sect. The Shaoyang Sect Master, the Scarlet Emperor, was a figure of the eighth heaven of the World Realm. Under normal circumstances, Shaoyang Sect was destined for victory. However, Sword Gate had repeatedly achieved the impossible, meaning no one dared to treat them lightly. It was entirely plausible that Sword Gate might pull off another startling maneuver, leading to a Shaoyang Sect defeat.

The final roster of matches was set.

The very first battle of this round pitted Tyrant Blade Sect against Long Spear Gate. Heng Zhan’s tyrannical blade met Li Fangshan’s Unreturning Crimson Spear in the void, truly delivering an explosive fight that left spectators breathless. In truth, this bout represented the highest level of combat witnessed so far, both in terms of overall sect performance and the individual skill of their supreme masters.

Yet, the contest everyone truly awaited was the second match: Sword Gate versus Shaoyang Sect.

After the conclusion of the first fight, the second battle was finally ready to begin.

Sword Gate versus Shaoyang Sect.

The fifty members of Sword Gate leaped onto the stage, quickly followed by the contingent from Shaoyang Sect. Shaoyang Sect's strength far eclipsed that of Blood Gate; this time, they deployed a force numbering seven hundred individuals, including a staggering three hundred cultivators at the World Realm. A pressure so immense descended upon the Sword Gate members that merely bearing witness to it felt suffocating. Everyone in Sword Gate struggled to draw breath; Shaoyang Sect was overwhelmingly powerful.

Of course, even though Shaoyang Sect held an absolute superiority, every single member, from their master, the Scarlet Emperor, down to the figures at the Hun-Dun Realm, treated this match with profound seriousness.

The Scarlet Emperor’s imperial face was etched with stern authority as the might of his eighth heaven World Realm cultivation radiated outward, as if confronting an arch-enemy.

Lu Yuan, however, leaned heavily upon his sword, his face pale, his long hair unbound by the wind, issuing a hacking cough that brought forth a mouthful of blood.

With a swift turn of his hand, the Scarlet Emperor unleashed a colossal fireball aimed directly at Lu Yuan. This was no ordinary flame; it was the Pill Fire Poison Blaze. It was rumored that the Scarlet Emperor cultivated both fire and poison concurrently, fusing fire with poison and poison with fire to forge his unique Pill Fire Poison Blaze. Shaoyang Sect generally followed this same path. This sphere of fire was not only intensely hot but also laced with a peculiar toxin.

In that precise instant, Lu Yuan sprang up, launching his sword forward in a sharp thrust.

Boom! Lu Yuan was slammed backward repeatedly, another gush of blood erupting from his mouth.

So powerful! This was the sheer force of the eighth heaven World Realm cultivation. He had finally experienced what an attack from that level truly felt like.

The Scarlet Emperor moved to concede the match, but Lu Yuan roared out, “I surrender.”

Indeed, Lu Yuan intended to yield. The only reason he hadn't surrendered immediately was to gauge the precise strength of an eighth heaven World Realm blow. Otherwise, back at Sword Gate, opportunities to experience such concentrated power would be nonexistent. Experiencing a stronger attack was the only path to prompt his own advancement.

The reason for his surrender was simple: the injuries he had sustained previously were too severe. Even after a period of necessary recuperation, he could manage only four true sword strikes now; at best, he might manage five.

In his current state, even managing five strikes would make it difficult to defeat a figure like Blood God King, who was at the seventh heaven of the World Realm, let alone the Scarlet Emperor at the eighth. It was an absolute loss. Having felt the impact of the eighth heaven attack, Lu Yuan surrendered without hesitation. His primary goal—securing a top-ten spot and entry into the Sacred Land of Civilization—was achieved. To continue fighting would only compound his injuries unnecessarily.

The sect ranking battles were merely a preliminary theater of war.

The Sacred Land of Civilization was the true battleground.

In this current arena of sect rankings, Lu Yuan had pushed himself to the absolute limit.

Lu Yuan's surrender startled the Scarlet Emperor and bewildered Shaoyang Sect. They had steeled themselves for a grueling war, prepared for every contingency, marshaling all their strength, only to have their punch land in empty air—a sensation difficult to endure. The audience paused in confusion, but quickly recalled Lu Yuan's current compromised state. Five strikes were a miracle; victory against Shaoyang Sect was impossible.

Although Lu Yuan had voluntarily withdrawn, without question, as he and the Sword Gate contingent departed the stage, every spectator erupted into applause.

It seemed, in that moment, that the victor was not Shaoyang Sect, but Sword Gate—it was Lu Yuan who had truly won.

This reality infuriated the members of Shaoyang Sect. They were the victors, yet they felt as if they had suffered the loss.

It couldn't be helped; Lu Yuan’s prior performances had completely captivated the hearts of the entire audience.

Lu Yuan’s previous battles were filled with novelty, brilliance, the incredible, the passionate spirit of youth, and an unyielding refusal to submit. Among the two thousand sects, the younger generation of most factions now held Lu Yuan in high esteem.

Sword Gate’s journey in this sect competition ultimately halted at the top eight. However, this represented an achievement virtually unprecedented in the sect's history. Upon setting out, their goal had been merely to maintain a ranking within the top three hundred and sixty-five, or at worst, stay within the top thousand. No one had dared dream they would reach the final eight.

The remaining matches were few.

Ultimately, Tyrant Blade Sect claimed first place, Unique Gate second, Shaoyang Sect third, and Arrow Gate fourth.

The grand martial battle for sect rankings slowly drew to a close.

At this point, the most discussed figure was undoubtedly Lu Yuan. Among the two thousand sects, he was unquestionably the most legendary individual. If he was once known as the Son of the Sword, that title was now rapidly being eclipsed by Lu Yuan.

“Lu! Yuan!” A voice descended as if from the Nine Heavens. When this sound resonated, it struck the ears of everyone present like a thunderclap. Yet, strangely, the voice was not booming, but remarkably crisp. As this sound spread, everyone felt an overwhelmingly powerful aura descending from above.

The sheer magnitude of this aura surpassed even that of Heng Zhan, the Tyrant Blade Master, who was fighting at full strength. Heng Zhan was already acknowledged as the supreme master of the major sects, eclipsing Unique Emperor. Who, then, could possess an aura even greater than his?

All eyes turned toward the source of the voice, discovering it emanated from the location reserved for the Immortal Ancient Civilization. Standing there, hands clasped behind his back, was an exquisitely beautiful man with silver hair and white robes. This silver-haired gentleman gazed directly at Lu Yuan.

“Huh? Who is that?”

“You truly lack insight. That is the Son of the Immortal.” “What? The Son of the Immortal? He was the one who narrowly defeated the Son of the Sword in the Tower of Trials—the Son of the Immortal?”

“Yes, that’s him.” “The Son of the Immortal ranks quite high among the Seven Sons of Destiny.” “Indeed. We didn’t even notice the Son of the Immortal had arrived.” “The Son of the Immortal is so strong. His magical power seems even greater than the Tyrant Blade Master Heng Zhan’s.”

“Right, why is the Son of the Immortal looking for Lu Yuan?”

“The Son of the Immortal is one of the top few Sons of Destiny, while Lu Yuan is the eighth. I wonder what he wants.” Everyone watched intently, as if the Son of the Immortal’s sudden call had instantly illuminated the entire scene.

The Son of the Immortal and Lu Yuan met gazes. The Son of the Immortal’s white hair fluttered, his silver locks dancing in the breeze. Lu Yuan, clad in green, stood alert, his long hair moving with the wind.

The Son of the Immortal possessed an ethereal, transcendent aura. Lu Yuan carried an aura of languid detachment.

“Son of the Immortal?” Lu Yuan demanded.

“Correct,” the Son of the Immortal affirmed with a nod.

“What business do you have with me?” Lu Yuan asked directly.

“Your sword techniques are exquisite,” the Son of the Immortal nodded. “I have witnessed your Sword Eight: Sword Zero through Sword Seven. In total, I have seen eight swords. The first seven are passable, but Sword Eight is truly magnificent! Sword Eight: Myriad Swords Return to One! I have memorized this single strike; even I might not be able to execute a technique like it.” The Son of the Immortal was indeed the Son of the Immortal; he could replicate the level of the other swords—this was what set him apart. However, Sword Eight, Myriad Swords Return to One!, was beyond his grasp. Naturally, he was unaware that Lu Yuan possessed an even stronger sword, Sword Nine: The Sword of Seven Emotions!

“However, I advise you of one thing: it would be best if you did not travel to the Sacred Land of Civilization.” The Son of the Immortal spoke sharply.

“Why?” Lu Yuan’s lips curved slightly as he asked, curiosity piqued. “Are you going to stop me?”

“I have no interest in stopping you,” the Son of the Immortal said, hands clasped behind his back. “Because the Son of the Desolation will be at the Sacred Land of Civilization, and the Son of the Desolation declared not long ago that he intends to kill you.”

“Son of the Desolation?” Lu Yuan paused.

“Yes, the Son of the Desolation, the strongest among the Seven Sons of Destiny. Among the myriad Civilization Masters, the Lord of the Desolation Civilization was born most recently, which perhaps suggests he is the weakest. But the Son of the Desolation is different. All Seven Sons of Destiny were born in this era, but the Son of the Desolation is truly the Son of this entire epoch; his strength far surpasses ours.”

“The Son of the Desolation is the true foremost Son of Destiny. All the rest of us—myself, the Son of War, the Son of Law, the Son of Demon—are somewhat inferior, and the Son of the Sword trails much further behind. The Son of the Buddha is vastly, utterly distant.”

“Of the Seven Sons of Destiny, the Son of the Desolation reigns supreme. He has already reached the tenth heaven of the World Realm and is currently striving for the Civilization Realm.”

“The Son of the Desolation is Desolation; you are the Sword. If the Son of the Desolation desires your life, and you proceed to the Sacred Land of Civilization, you will likely perish by his hand before you even set foot inside.” The Son of the Immortal offered this solemn warning.

Lu Yuan fell silent, and then erupted into wild laughter.

“Hahahaha! The Son of the Desolation? Do you think I, Lu Yuan, fear anyone? In my entire life, I have never feared a single person. If the Son of the Desolation wishes to come, let him come!” Lu Yuan shouted, this being his unequivocal reply. What did it matter if the tenth heaven World Realm Son of the Desolation sought to oppress him? He had never bowed to fate.

A sword cultivator is one who is never broken by trials.

A sword cultivator is one who remains unyielding and upright.