The Tome of Civilization! What Lu Yuan unleashed was, astonishingly, the Tome of Civilization!

Facing the Tome of Civilization, Zhu Renyu was violently thrown backward. At this moment, Zhu Renyu had decisively lost in terms of both righteous energy and literary attainment.

A complete and utter defeat. In truth, Zhu Renyu was formidable in both aspects—righteous energy and literary knowledge—but alas, Lu Yuan was even stronger in both, leaving him no choice but to lose.

Zhu Renyu landed on the ground, gazing at the Tome of Civilization Lu Yuan held aloft, its first page—that of the Primal and Savage Ages—flipped open. Within him brewed resentment and longing: resentment for being defeated so thoroughly, and longing to seize the Tome of Civilization from Lu Yuan.

This tome, though not yet fully refined, could boost the power to impact the threshold of the Civilization Realm by one-fiftieth; truly a divine artifact. Yet, he dared not move again, for three monumental figures of the Civilization Realm sat arrayed against him, any one of whom could crush him as easily as an ant.

Thus, he had to temporarily abandon that hope. The Vice Lord of the Heavenly Principle Civilization fixed an intensely serious gaze upon Lu Yuan.

For one of his stature, a Civilization Realm powerhouse, to scrutinize a World Realm figure so intently was exceedingly rare. He looked at Lu Yuan with utmost gravity: "You call yourself Li Taishi.

I have remembered your name. You should feel an unparalleled honor." Indeed, to be remembered by the august Vice Lord of the Heavenly Principle Civilization was a massive distinction.

The Vice Lord of the Heavenly Principle Civilization then turned to the Vice Lord of the Confucian Civilization: "I did not expect you to take on such a final disciple before your demise. It seems there was a reason you chose him.

Your skill in reading men is good, but what does it matter? You will soon be dead, and how long can the Confucian Civilization hold back my attacks?" The Vice Lord of the Heavenly Principle Civilization laughed aloud, his bearing arrogant.

Yes, he had truly lost this minor skirmish. But the grander campaign, he intended to win.

Once the Vice Lord of the Confucian Civilization fell, the Vice Lord of the Three Books Civilization would be slightly weaker than him, and the Vice Lord of the Integrity Civilization had only recently ascended to the rank, making him no match for his power. Therefore, the Vice Lord of the Heavenly Principle Civilization was certain of victory.

His arrogance stemmed from the belief that the ultimate outcome was already secured. Zhu Renyu also looked at Lu Yuan: "Li Taishi, I, Zhu Renyu, rarely commit names to memory, but yours I have noted.

Furthermore, your Tome of Civilization is impressive. I desire it.

I hope you will proceed to the Civilization Holy Land so that I may forcibly take your tome then." He was not anxious; he felt he had ample time. The journey to the Civilization Holy Land months hence would be the perfect opportunity to plunder Li Taishi's Tome of Civilization.

Kong Ni stepped forward as well: "Zhu Renyu. You edged us out this time in terms of righteous energy and literary lore, but our true combat capabilities remain untested.

When we reach the Civilization Holy Land, we shall settle this score thoroughly." Kong Ni was usually a peacemaker, but having been defeated by Zhu Renyu this time—and nearly losing the character 'Zheng' (Rectitude) to those of aberrant ways—a deep anger simmered within him, fueling his resolve to fight Zhu Renyu at the Holy Land. Zhu Renyu glanced at Lu Yuan, then at Kong Ni: "Very well." The Vice Lord of the Heavenly Principle Civilization raised a large hand: "Zhu Renyu, let us depart." The few figures present vanished instantly into the vast, dark heavens.

This tribulation had finally passed. However, Lu Yuan immediately noticed he was the focus of countless curious gazes.

Among them were the curious looks of Kong Ni, Meng Wei, and Su Yuemian. All three were intensely puzzled.

They had clearly observed Junior Brother Li Taishi learning righteous energy rather slowly, and his study of literary lore proceeding at an even more sluggish pace. How, in the span of a single breath, had this Junior Brother reached the Tenth Level of Righteous Energy, and in literary lore, attained the level of the Tome of Civilization?

How had he matured so rapidly? The Vice Lords of the Three Books Civilization and Integrity Civilization regarded Lu Yuan with equal curiosity.

They never anticipated such a young prodigy—Tenth Level Righteous Energy, the Tome of Civilization. This young man’s future achievements within the Confucian Civilization would undoubtedly be immense.

Limitless Potential, Li Taishi! This was the assessment bestowed upon Li Taishi by the Vice Lords of the Three Books and Integrity Civilizations.

A pity such talent was under the tutelage of the Vice Lord of the Confucian Civilization. After a moment, the Vice Lords of the Three Books Civilization and Integrity Civilization both took their leave.

The Vice Lord of the Confucian Civilization then gestured toward Lu Yuan: "Taishi, come with me briefly." He led Lu Yuan into a side hall. Once they were certain no one else was nearby, he finally spoke: "Lu Yuan, how did you manage it?" "Manage what?" Lu Yuan was momentarily taken aback.

"The Tenth Level of Righteous Energy and the Tome of Civilization," the Vice Lord of the Confucian Civilization stated. "Did I not use the Time Iron Rule's deceleration effect to spend fifty thousand Celestial Grade spirit stones to reach the Ninth Level of Righteous Energy?

And just now, from the moment Senior Sister Su began battling the opponent, I had a spontaneous breakthrough to the Tenth Level of Righteous Energy. I don't know why, but I always seem to break through mid-conflict." This explanation left the Vice Lord of the Confucian Civilization deeply moved.

Figures of the Destiny Seven cycle were truly different; achieving spontaneous breakthroughs was as effortless as drinking water for them. "As for the Tome of Civilization," Lu Yuan shrugged, "I had certain shortcuts for rapid advancement.

For instance, the broken sword scroll from the Minor Thousand World represented the decline of the Sword Civilization, and other miracles like it, which largely constructed the bulk of my Tome of Civilization." Lu Yuan spoke casually, as his competition with the Son of the Sword for the scroll was no secret, making it natural for the Vice Lord of the Confucian Civilization to know. "So that is how it is.

Truly a person blessed with great fortune," the Vice Lord of the Confucian Civilization murmured. "Now, I shall transmit the Initial Character 'Zheng' (Rectitude) to you." The Vice Lord of the Confucian Civilization’s expression suddenly became solemn.

Hearing this, Lu Yuan showed surprise. "Why the astonishment?

I was always going to pass on this Initial Character 'Zheng'; my life is nearing its end anyway. Better to pass it sooner than later.

Normally, I could not bestow it so early, lest you be hunted for it. But now, your identity is Li Taishi.

Once you revert to Lu Yuan, who will know you possess 'Zheng'? However, while in the identity of Lu Yuan, you can only use 'Zheng' defensively, never offensively.

This is to prevent anyone from discovering your 'Zheng' and connecting it to you as Li Taishi. Sometimes, one must operate across separate identities, not always relying on one name alone, lest a reputation grows too bright and invites the harsh wind." The Vice Lord of the Confucian Civilization offered his instruction.

"The character 'Zheng' can repel all aberrant and evil ways. Having obtained the Initial Character 'Zheng,' you will be free from the disturbance of inner and outer demons.

Your restraint capabilities against all evil entities will be greatly enhanced, allowing you to inflict far greater harm upon them. In the future, when you face the evil forces of the Lost Lands, you will recognize the immense destructive power held within this character." The Vice Lord of the Confucian Civilization waved his hand, and the physical character 'Zheng' seemed to retract into his palm.

Yet, he waved his hand again, and above the Myriad Bookhouses, another character 'Zheng' materialized: "The true body is in my keeping; the character above the Myriad Bookhouses is a façade, ensuring others do not immediately know this Initial Character has fallen into your hands." "Now, truly absorb the character 'Zheng'." Lu Yuan violently drew the character into his New Sword World. As 'Zheng' entered the New Sword World, a character 'Zheng' began to rise slowly from the void.

The moment this Initial Character appeared, Lu Yuan felt as if he had glimpsed an infinitely vast Gate of Script. Almost in a trance, an imprint was driven into his divine consciousness—the trace mark of the Gate of Script.

Each Initial Character obtained grants one such imprint, though Lu Yuan did not yet know the imprint's function. As Lu Yuan absorbed 'Zheng,' its light shone like the sun, eclipsing even the radiance of the Dao Character Clone.

'Zheng' was upright, bright, and supremely grand. This light possessed not the fierceness of the sun, but a steady warmth that radiated outward in all directions.

Instantly, Lu Yuan’s New Sword World seemed illuminated by two suns. Concurrently, a realization dawned in Lu Yuan’s mind: the Initial Character 'Zheng' he had obtained held an extraordinarily significant role.

From this moment forward, he could repel all inner and outer demons. This included the inner and outer demons that tested one during the heavenly tribulation when breaking through to the Civilization Realm.

Yes, it repelled even the most terrifying inner and outer demons faced during the Civilization Realm ascension tribulation—this was the profound utility of the character 'Zheng'. Among the various Initial Characters, only 'Zheng' possessed this specific function.

Other Initial Characters might surpass 'Zheng' in offensive power, but they absolutely lacked this protective capability. Lu Yuan let out a long breath.

The first Initial Character he acquired, 'Zheng,' held such immense power. He glanced at his other characters: the Initial Character 'Feng' (Sharpness) still lacked three secondary characters—'Qian' (Hidden), 'Ling' (Spirit), and 'Xiong' (Mighty)—preventing its full assembly.

The Dao Character Clone was only at the one-tenth completion mark, as was the Conquer Character Clone. Lu Yuan also noticed that since the descent of the Initial Character 'Zheng,' his New Sword World had begun to change.

Under the gentle and profound illumination of its light, patches of greenness began to sprout from the desolate earth, giving rise to all manner of plant life, an explosion of vitality appearing everywhere. Lu Yuan could clearly sense that this Initial Character 'Zheng' was accelerating the evolution of his New Sword World.

Right, he wondered how far his New Sword World had evolved. Once it completed its evolution, he could reach the Eighth Heaven of the World Realm—the True Realm.

He had been waiting a long time to charge toward the True Realm. Lu Yuan opened his eyes.

The Vice Lord of the Confucian Civilization smiled faintly, appearing slightly older. "Junior Brother Li, I have heard Master praise your abilities in combat techniques.

Shall we exchange a few blows?" Just as Lu Yuan emerged from the main hall, he encountered Second Senior Brother Meng Wei, who issued the challenge.