Lu Yuan pushed his swordsmanship to the absolute limit in that instant. Such swordsmanship would earn a nod of approval even from the First Imperial Scion.

But it was useless. Truly, it had no effect whatsoever.

His opponent’s move was simple, just a single finger, entirely without variation. But the power behind it was too immense, far too great—it was the power of the Civilization Realm.

One finger pressed down, collapsing every single technique Lu Yuan employed. Boom!

Lu Yuan sustained another heavy injury. “That sword strike was good, but unfortunately, the gap in power is too vast; you still couldn’t withstand my single finger.” The First Imperial Scion stated coolly, without boasting, nor did he need to.

The gulf between the World Realm and the Civilization Realm was terrifyingly large; even the strongest swordplay was pointless against such a disparity. The second defeat was secured!

This was the second loss among the Thirty-Three Defeats. In this second failure, Lu Yuan faintly perceived a power that was esoteric and ethereal, suggesting he had gained further insight from the Scripture of Hundred Defeats.

However, this defeat ignited the innate pride within Lu Yuan’s bones. Yes, the Scripture of Hundred Defeats demanded facing thirty-three losses against the Civilization Realm.

But why, in every failure, couldn't he even withstand a single finger? He yearned to challenge, to be able to endure one finger from a Civilization Realm expert.

To be instantly finished by a Civilization Realm finger was truly unacceptable. This was Lu Yuan’s genuine, soaring ambition, because, between heaven and earth, those below the Civilization Realm who could withstand a single finger from a Civilization Realm master were pitifully few.

Every person capable of blocking such an attack was worthy of immense praise, an achievement far more vaunted than Lu Yuan’s victory against six opponents at the Civilization Holy Land. And Lu Yuan was currently setting himself the most magnificent of goals.

In the time that followed, Lu Yuan healed his injuries while deeply contemplating the First Imperial Scion’s strike. The Lord of the Ancient Law Civilization was one of the top ten beings alive across more than ten epochs; his finger strike was fundamentally impossible to counter—it was simply too mighty.

Therefore, Lu Yuan focused solely on the First Imperial Scion’s move, contemplating all the while how he must elevate his strength to meet that single blow. A month passed in this manner.

Lu Yuan issued another challenge; this time, his opponent was Empress Dream Lake. Empress Dream Lake was a supreme empress, having attained the initial character of this world: ‘Dream.’ “Oh, seeking this Empress as an opponent?” Empress Dream Lake paused in surprise.

“It is Father’s instruction,” the First Imperial Scion replied. Only the Lord of the Ancient Law Civilization and the First Imperial Scion knew of the Scripture of Hundred Defeats; they had not intended to inform anyone else, but now Empress Dream Lake was brought into confidence.

After all, as the sole Empress of the Ancient Law Civilization, her status was noble, second only to the Lord himself. “I see.” Empress Dream Lake nodded.

“Then this Empress shall make her move. Lu Yuan, are you prepared?” Lu Yuan’s hand rested on his sword hilt.

Although this Civilization Realm master was not exerting any pressure, a Civilization Realm expert was still a Civilization Realm expert. Lu Yuan felt immense pressure, his hand poised on the hilt, ready to draw his sword at any moment.

Empress Dream Lake lightly flicked a fingernail; her fingers were long, and her nails exceptionally beautiful. Just as Lu Yuan prepared to draw his sword, he suddenly found himself trapped within a dream.

In this dream, akin to awakening within a slumber, Lu Yuan discovered his ability to think almost entirely lost, as was his capacity to act. Is this a dream?

Boom! The dream shattered, and Lu Yuan was hurled backward.

Empress Dream Lake had defeated him. She was not the Lord of Civilization, and thus could not achieve feats as terrifying as the Lord of the Ancient Law Civilization.

However, she commanded the character of Dream and practiced similar divine arts; even Civilization Realm masters often fell into a trance against her before being struck. Lu Yuan, not even a Civilization Realm master, naturally suffered the same fate.

The third defeat was registered. Lu Yuan also felt that he had taken another step closer to the Civilization Realm.

He was suddenly struck by a realization regarding the Scripture of Hundred Defeats: each failure seemed to accumulate one-thirty-third of the required insight; meaning, accumulating a certain number of defeats was sufficient, not necessarily completing all thirty-three. This was excellent news, immensely beneficial for his ascent to the Civilization Realm.

The opponent for the fourth bout was an ancient figure from the Ancient Law Civilization, the Vice-Lord of the Meng Law Civilization. This Vice-Lord naturally did not understand why he was ordered to fight someone short of the Civilization Realm.

The First Imperial Scion had not disclosed the matter of the Scripture of Hundred Defeats, but since the Scion stated it was the will of the Lord of the Ancient Law Civilization, he complied without question. This Vice-Lord of Meng Law also possessed astonishing might.

Although Lu Yuan resisted with every ounce of his energy, he could not block that single finger. A finger strike from the Civilization Realm was truly terrifying.

Lu Yuan now understood this fact completely. “You need not be discouraged,” the First Imperial Scion advised.

“These consecutive defeats benefit your attempt to break into the Civilization Realm; that is the first point.” “Secondly, Hua Fa Sheng’s true strength is barely enough to withstand one finger imbued with the power of one Epoch of the Civilization Realm. My single strike, Empress Dream Lake’s, and the Vice-Lord of Meng Law’s—Hua Fa Sheng could not endure them either.

Anyone who can withstand a single finger carrying the power of one Epoch in the Civilization Realm can be called the strongest beneath the Fifty Celestial Rankings.” The Civilization Realm divided strength by Epoch; Civilization Realm First Genesis was the weakest level within the realm. “If you can withstand a single finger imbued with the power of one Epoch of the Civilization Realm, you will have matched Hua Fa Sheng’s strength.” Lu Yuan could gauge Hua Fa Sheng’s power.

At the Civilization Holy Land, Hua Fa Sheng had displayed strength nearly comparable to the Son of the Wilderness, only being bested after the Son of the Wilderness broke through. Even after the expedition to the Holy Land, Lu Yuan felt he was still far from Hua Fa Sheng’s level.

He hadn’t expected his immediate goal to be Hua Fa Sheng’s current strength; it was quite a lofty target. But no matter how high the goal, he truly intended to achieve it.

He must withstand one finger carrying the power of one Epoch from the Civilization Realm! The opponent for the fifth battle was a Vice-Lord from the ancient Kong Law Civilization.

This Vice-Lord’s esoteric arts were the most subtle and difficult to perceive; often, one would be struck before even seeing his technique. This was exactly what happened to Lu Yuan this time; he was defeated without even witnessing the technique.

Defeated cleanly and utterly. Damn it, still couldn’t withstand one finger.

Unwilling! He must withstand a single finger from the Civilization Realm!

The opponent for the sixth bout was named the Vice-Lord of the Miao Law Civilization. Surprisingly, this Vice-Lord was a woman, resembling a young, exquisitely beautiful nun—a truly rare sight.

The Vice-Lord of Miao Law, this peerless young female ascetic, looked at Lu Yuan: “Amitabha, you wish to clash with this poor nun?” The Vice-Lord of Miao Law sent forth a finger strike, within which surged formidable, overwhelming power, like a raging sea. Lu Yuan was defeated without ceremony.

Six defeats secured. The opponent for the seventh battle was also a Civilization Vice-Lord, but he failed again—this was the seventh defeat.

The opponent for the eighth battle was still a Civilization Vice-Lord, but he failed again—this was the eighth loss. The opponent for the ninth battle was the Vice-Lord of the Liuli Civilization, a young and stunning maiden.

This young, beautiful Vice-Lord looked at Lu Yuan with a faint, knowing smile: “Oh, you are Lu Yuan? I heard the Vice-Lord of the Heavenly Mother Civilization planned for you to become the Stud of the Epoch.

They say being the Epoch’s Stud is quite enjoyable.” This young, peerless maiden flicked her finger, sending forth a stream of liuli-colored energy. Lu Yuan still could not withstand it; defeated—this was the ninth loss.

Nine strange and profound energies entered Lu Yuan’s body. His grasp on breaking into the Civilization Realm increased by a fraction.

Logically, this should be a satisfying progression, yet Lu Yuan felt somehow displeased. Indeed, it was an established fact throughout countless epochs that World Realm cultivators could not defeat Civilization Realm masters.

But not even being able to withstand a single finger was truly vexing. Lu Yuan opened his eyes and exhaled a plume of white vapor.

This breath shot out, striking a mountain range within the Ancient Law Civilization; with a resounding crash, the entire range collapsed. The First Imperial Scion stood with his hands clasped behind his back: “Hard to accept, but it is the truth.

Hua Fa Sheng, the foremost expert below the Fifty Celestial Rankings, can barely withstand a single finger. It is normal that you cannot, but judging by your expression, you are desperate to change this, aren’t you?” “Yes,” Lu Yuan admitted frankly.

“It seems it is time to entrust you with something,” the First Imperial Scion said. “Perhaps with this item, you can reach Hua Fa Sheng’s level and withstand a finger from an Epoch Civilization Vice-Lord.” “What is it?” Lu Yuan was startled.

The First Imperial Scion was going to give him something? Could something drastically increase his strength?

“In the previous Epoch, the Ancient Sword Civilization went to fight Heaven. Several among them were quite friendly with me, so they left some items for me to safeguard, to be passed on to a suitable candidate when discovered,” the First Imperial Scion stated calmly.

This was the first time Lu Yuan had heard of such a thing, and he immediately inquired: “What is this ‘Fighting Heaven’?” “When the time comes that you need to know, you will know,” the First Imperial Scion replied. “And as for this item, I have long been searching for a successor.

The successor must pass a test of virtue. After such rigorous selection, I have finally chosen the successor, and that successor is you.” Lu Yuan’s curiosity was fully piqued.

What could this item possibly be? “It is a cultivation method,” the First Imperial Scion declared.

“A supreme Sword Dao cultivation technique that can coexist with other methods.” A supreme Sword Dao technique! And one that could coexist with other techniques, meaning it could run alongside the Formless Devouring Art.

Lu Yuan’s curiosity skyrocketed. What kind of technique could this be?

“This technique is the Grand Method of Ten Thousand Swords Returning to the Source,” the First Imperial Scion slowly uttered the name of this supreme Sword Dao technique. The Grand Method of Ten Thousand Swords Returning to the Source!

It sounded familiar. How could it not sound familiar?

Lu Yuan had resided in the Samsara of Ten Thousand Swords, and he himself had created a sword technique called One Sword Becomes Ten Thousand. Therefore, the Grand Method of Ten Thousand Swords Returning to the Source resonated deeply.

But a name claiming to be the supreme technique of the Sword Dao must be extraordinary, certainly not comparable to the Samsara of Ten Thousand Swords or One Sword Becomes Ten Thousand.