My person, my sword, fears no one, so the Holy Land of Civilization, I must go.” Lu Yuan’s voice was open and frank.

Like his sword, straight, hard, and forward.

The Son of Immortality stood with his hands behind his back, an air of transcendence about his face—very good!

The Son of Immortality’s warning for Lu Yuan not to go to the Holy Land of Civilization was not truly meant to stop him, but rather to provoke him. The Son of Immortality’s nature differed from the Son of the Sword’s. The Son of the Sword resided in the Sword Sect, where he had no equal, thus developing a domineering habit. Although the Son of Immortality was one of the Seven Sons of Destiny, the Immortal Ancient Civilization was teeming with experts; even the Civilization Realm held many. In such an environment, he did not develop a kingly habit. Furthermore, he had learned the art of subtle manipulation from many great figures in the Immortal Ancient Civilization.

Thus, he was attempting to trick Lu Yuan.

While observing the Sect Ranking Battle, the Son of Immortality noticed that Lu Yuan, the eighth Son of Destiny, was slightly stronger than the Son of the Sword. Although far from his own level, Lu Yuan was bothersome and tricky—someone who should be eliminated.

The Son of Immortality immediately thought of the Son of the Desolation.

Therefore, the Son of Immortality deliberately provoked Lu Yuan, deliberately mentioning how powerful the Son of the Desolation was.

He deliberately advised Lu Yuan against going to the Holy Land of Civilization, lest he be killed by the Son of the Desolation.

By doing this, the Son of Immortality secretly thought that given Lu Yuan’s temperament, he would surely declare with resolve that he must go to the Holy Land of Civilization. Indeed, just as the Son of Immortality predicted, Lu Yuan said exactly that.

Everything proceeded according to his expectations: Lu Yuan would definitely go to the Holy Land of Civilization and would certainly be killed by the Son of the Desolation.

In truth, the Son of Immortality’s provocation was calculated to cut off Lu Yuan’s retreat. He wanted to prevent Lu Yuan from finding an excuse to avoid the Holy Land after learning of the Son of the Desolation’s terror. Now that Lu Yuan had publicly declared he would go, backing out was impossible—this was the Son of Immortality’s goading tactic.

The Son of Immortality showed no outward reaction, but inwardly he smiled, awaiting Lu Yuan’s death at the hands of the Son of the Desolation.

To provoke Lu Yuan, the Son of Immortality often said the opposite of the truth. However, the fact that the Son of the Desolation, the first Son of Destiny, had reached the Tenth Heaven of the World Realm was absolutely no fabrication.

This was a concrete reality; even the Son of Immortality knew in his deepest self that he was no match for the Son of the Desolation.

The terror of the first Son of Destiny, the Son of the Desolation, sent chills down one's spine just contemplating it.

When people generally spoke of the Seven Sons of Destiny, predicting they would certainly become Vice-Masters of Civilization, or perhaps even challenge for the position of Master of Civilization, they were referring to the Son of the Desolation.

Of course, after setting Lu Yuan up for disaster, the Son of Immortality adopted the guise of a benefactor. The Son of Immortality was, in fact, the most cunning among the Seven Sons of Destiny.

However, come to think of it, whether the Son of Immortality had spoken or not, nothing would have changed—he would have gone to the Holy Land of Civilization regardless.

The Imperial Son of Martial Arts declared, “The ten individuals who may enter the Holy Land of Civilization, remember this: gather on the Continent of Civilization on the first day of the month, three years from now…” The Continent of Civilization was quite similar to the Continent of Leveling Peace; both were continents much larger than ordinary stars. Of course, anyone from any sect could come to the Continent of Leveling Peace, but the Continent of Civilization was inaccessible to those from Supreme Great Sects, and even the people of Civilization could not approach it freely. Only at specific times could a select group of specific individuals travel there; any others who dared to approach without authorization would be executed without question.

Hearing this, the others envied the ten spots granted to the top ten sects for the Holy Land of Civilization, where infinite benefits could be obtained. Yet, they reasoned that the top ten strongest sects had earned their places through fierce competition, so there was no need for jealousy. If they had the ability, they could fight for it themselves; it wasn't as if the opportunity for competition was denied them.

And so, the Sect Ranking Battle officially concluded.

After the Sect Ranking Battle ended, it was time for everyone to return to their respective sects, like dust returning to dust.

Lu Yuan naturally returned to the Sword Sect.

Life after returning to the Sword Sect became significantly more mundane.

Lu Yuan was not anxious. Upon returning, he slowly tended to his injuries. The severity of the wounds he sustained this time far surpassed any previous occasion. With some time in the Sword Sect, he managed to heal his injuries to about seventy or eighty percent, nearly fully recovered. Taking a deep breath, he felt strong throughout his body; the threat of coughing up blood was gone, indicating near-complete recovery.

Half a year had passed since his return from the Sect Ranking Battle.

It was then that Lu Yuan received a letter. The sender was the Son of the Sword.

“The Battle of Eight Years is postponed by eight years.”

Postponed by eight years? Lu Yuan couldn't help but be slightly startled. Eight years later, so be it. Lu Yuan also surmised why the Son of the Sword had requested the delay. He heard the Son of the Sword was currently cultivating in the Copper Civilization, receiving direct guidance from the Vice-Master of the Copper Civilization. Under these circumstances, postponing the duel by eight years was certainly advantageous for the Son of the Sword.

However, why should he fear the Son of the Sword?

Moreover, his current target was no longer the Son of the Sword, but the Son of the Desolation.

Yes, the Son of the Desolation.

Ever since hearing the name of the first Son of Destiny, the Son of the Desolation, from the Son of Immortality, Lu Yuan had spent some effort gathering information about him. This research revealed that this Son of the Desolation was truly an extraordinary figure. He was not old, and his swordsmanship had already reached the realm of perfection. It was rumored that his blade technique was known as the strongest below the Civilization Realm, a technique that had shaken numerous civilizations. Furthermore, his magical power was profoundly deep, his foundation incredibly solid; even in the World Realm, he often defeated opponents a minor realm above him.

And whatever the competition, the Son of the Desolation was always absolutely first.

In the past, the Son of the Desolation overpowered the Son of Immortality, the Son of Martial Arts, and the Son of Law. He even ventured into the Lost Lands and defeated the Son of Demons.

His record was that of a shining, undefeated War God.

Invincible! Invincible! Nothing but invincible! Such was the Son of the Desolation.

This Son of the Desolation was truly terrifying.

The eight-year postponement of the Son of the Sword’s challenge was no threat. The Son of the Desolation would be his greatest enemy below the Civilization Realm. With this conviction, Lu Yuan practiced his sword, drank his wine, and lived a life of ease. It was then that Lu Yuan faintly sensed an aura nearby.

It was an aura that, though quite faint, was unmistakably that of a powerful swordsman.

No, in the Central Celestial Dynasty, swordsmen were few, no more than ten, and Lu Yuan had encountered all of them. How could another powerful swordsman have suddenly appeared beside him? Lu Yuan was residing on New Wine Spring Mountain, quiet and deserted. Lu Yuan felt no rush: “A guest has arrived, please enter.” As a man entered, he was a middle-aged scholar, possessing an air of refinement mixed with a tinge of sorrow, holding a erhu (two-stringed fiddle).

Lu Yuan instantly felt a strange connection to this person. Though he had never met him, the feeling was remarkably familiar. “You are?” Lu Yuan asked, somewhat surprised and uncertain.

The middle-aged scholar smiled faintly. A sword was concealed within the erhu. With a thrust, the sword shot out, aimed directly at Lu Yuan’s chest—it was a move from the basic swordsmanship of Mount Hua.

Lu Yuan returned a sword strike, also a move from the basic swordsmanship of Mount Hua. Lu Yuan and the middle-aged scholar exchanged blows, a thrust meeting a parry. In an instant, they crossed swords more than ten times. Although it was only the simplest basic swordsmanship of Mount Hua, both Lu Yuan and the scholar brought the technique to a level of inscrutable power.

Lu Yuan’s sword stopped and returned to its sheath, as did the middle-aged scholar’s.

“Senior Brother Zhou Qingxuan?” Lu Yuan was certain now. It was the former designation, unified with the appellation used after associating with Yan Cangtian—the three referred to each other as martial brothers, with Yan Cangtian as the eldest, Zhou Qingxuan as the second, and Lu Yuan as the youngest. The reason for his certainty now was simple: swordsmen have distinct styles in their use of the blade, styles that cannot be imitated. It was clear from the current exchange that this was Zhou Qingxuan’s style.

“Yes, it is I.” The middle-aged scholar smiled slightly, returning his sword to the erhu. “The reason I appear this way is because of my previous life—my previous life, which Senior Brother Yan must have mentioned to you—I was a Vice-Master of the Sword Ancient Civilization. I was fortunate enough to undergo reincarnation without perishing, which counts as lucky. Of course, this is not my true body, merely a clone…”

“I have come because I need your help with one matter,” Zhou Qingxuan said.

“Oh, state your business,” Lu Yuan replied without ceremony.

“When the previous Sword Ancient Civilization perished, the surviving sword users were not limited to those who reincarnated and cultivated anew like me, or the turncoat path like the Vice-Master of the Copper Civilization. There was another faction: the Evil Sword Civilization…”

“The Evil Sword Civilization, this sect was completely different from the Sword Ancient Civilization. This sect emphasized slaughter and aggression, using all manner of demonic energy, fiendish energy, evil energy, and killing intent to make their blades more terrifying. To give an analogy, the Sword Ancient Civilization could be considered the Orthodox Path of the Jin State at that time, while the Evil Sword Civilization was the Demonic Path, existing concurrently. However, the Evil Sword Civilization did not belong to the Sword Ancient Civilization; it was the type hunted everywhere by the Sword Ancient Civilization.” “When the Sword Ancient Civilization fell, the Evil Sword Civilization did not perish. The several Vice-Masters of the Evil Sword Civilization did not die; instead, they entered a deep slumber in the Lost Lands. And now, they have awakened…” Zhou Qingxuan continued. “The first thing these individuals will do after awakening is to rule over all the sword sects in the Outer Domain.” “You should know that in the Central Celestial Dynasty, swordsmen are rare, but in the Outer Domain, they are numerous. The Outer Domain is essentially the remnants of the previous epoch, still possessing some sword path destiny, so it is natural for the Evil Sword Civilization to seek to rule all sword sects there.”

“Naturally, this includes the Mount Hua Immortal Sect.”

Zhou Qingxuan looked at Lu Yuan. “The Mount Hua Immortal Sect has already received a Book of Submission issued by the Evil Sword Civilization, demanding our surrender.”

“What!” Lu Yuan was suddenly shaken.

“I am an enemy of the Vice-Master of the Evil Sword Civilization, and my power has not recovered, so it is inconvenient for me to act. But you can act. I will teach you a secret technique.”

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