When deploying the second finger, the Vice Lord of the Confucian Civilization expressed considerable surprise.

After defeating Lu Yuan, a hint of that astonishment lingered on the Vice Lord of the Confucian Civilization's face: "Your current strength can now withstand a finger attack from a Vice Lord of an Epochal Civilization?"

"Yes," Lu Yuan nodded. "I recently cultivated for a time in the Ancient Civilization, and now I can block a single strike from a Vice Lord of an Epochal Civilization."

The Vice Lord of the Confucian Civilization was extremely pleased. Among the several disciples he had taken, Lu Yuan was the most promising. Lu Yuan’s current strength was comparable to Hua Fasheng’s. With this potential, he was rapidly approaching the level of the Son of the Desolation, and would certainly become a Vice Lord of a Civilization in the future. While the Vice Lord of the Confucian Civilization had his reasons for venturing to the Land of Loss to fight the Vice Lord of the Demon Civilization, he could never fully let go of the Confucian Civilization, constantly fearing some mischief from the Vice Lord of the Heavenly Principle Civilization. Now, with Lu Yuan added to the roster, he was completely relieved. In the future, Lu Yuan would surely protect the Confucian Civilization to some extent, ensuring his life's work was not in vain and that the Confucian Way could persist eternally, its righteous spirit undying.

The Vice Lord of the Confucian Civilization also summoned the two other Vice Lords of Civilizations: the Vice Lord of the Three Books Civilization and the Vice Lord of Integrity. The Vice Lord of the Confucian Civilization briefly explained Lu Yuan’s intention to challenge them. Although he did not elaborate on the Hundred Failures True Scripture, these two Vice Lords would certainly grant him face. Furthermore, the name of Li Taishi—now possessing boundless potential—was already quite renowned, having even defeated the Son of Darkness. He was considered the most promising junior in the Confucian Civilization, and the other two Vice Lords were naturally inclined to nurture him.

Meanwhile, Kong Ni, Meng Wei, Su Yuemian, Kong Mingde, and several other fellow disciples, upon hearing that Li Taishi had returned, all came to watch the spectacle.

The Vice Lord of the Three Books Civilization appeared as an aged man, stroking his long beard lightly: "Are you prepared?"

"I am prepared," Lu Yuan responded solemnly.

The Vice Lord of the Three Books Civilization extended a finger—still a casual gesture—but within this single touch resided an entire treasury. It seemed as if a profoundly heavy book, inscribed with the truths of heaven and earth, was pressing down from the sky. Lu Yuan countered by striking out with the Immortal Book of Righteous Transmission, but alas, he was defeated in a single move.

The Vice Lord of the Three Books Civilization was a Vice Lord who had lived for an immense span of time, his strength far exceeding that of an Epochal level, naturally making him difficult for Lu Yuan to withstand easily.

However, Lu Yuan’s performance was still commendable.

Kong Ni praised, "Junior Brother Li Taishi actually managed to counterattack calmly against the attack from Uncle-Master Three Books. Though ultimately outmatched, it was still quite remarkable." "Indeed," commented Kong Mingde, disciple of the Vice Lord of the Three Books Civilization. "When facing Master, I often couldn't even execute my moves fluidly. I never expected Junior Brother Li to be so completely fluent." Kong Ni and Kong Mingde were essentially the two strongest among the disciples of the Confucian Civilization, both existing at the Half-Step Civilization Realm. Both admitted they were inferior to Li Taishi; others were naturally far less capable in this regard.

This was actually normal. A World Realm cultivator facing a Civilization Realm master would typically be intimidated by the sheer aura, causing hesitation in their movements, making a truly flowing execution impossible.

Even Lu Yuan, the Eighth Son of Fortune, a figure who could contend with the Son of the Desolation, initially exhibited such hesitation when making his first moves. However, having sparred repeatedly in the Ancient Civilization against more than ten Civilization Realm experts, and being inherently adaptive, Lu Yuan had grown accustomed to the pressure exerted by multiple Vice Lords of Civilizations. Thus, he could execute his movements with such smooth fluidity, largely unconcerned by the imposing aura of the Vice Lord of the Three Books Civilization.

In this respect—in experience—no one else could compare to Lu Yuan.

The Vice Lord of the Three Books Civilization easily defeated Lu Yuan. Lu Yuan had now accumulated his fourteenth defeat. The Vice Lord of the Three Books Civilization held back his power significantly, so even in defeat, Lu Yuan sustained minimal injury, allowing him to proceed to challenge the next opponent, the Vice Lord of Integrity.

The Vice Lord of Integrity was a middle-aged man radiating an imposing, unyielding pride toward heaven and earth. He had only recently ascended to the Civilization Realm, possessing the full power of one Epoch. He looked at Lu Yuan: "Are you prepared?"

"I am prepared." Lu Yuan held the Immortal Book of Righteous Transmission in his hand.

"Good." The Vice Lord of Integrity raised his voice and flicked his finger, unleashing a stream of vital energy. As this energy struck out, it transformed into the stern, righteous spirit of heaven and earth. It was as if, deep within the distant flow of time and space, there existed a book radiating righteousness, symbolizing the justice of the cosmos.

A magnificent finger strike!

In that instant, Lu Yuan channeled his strength to the absolute limit. Within his body was the Myriad Swords Return to the Origin technique, while externally, the Immortal Book of Righteous Transmission manifested an exceedingly exquisite maneuver.

The finger of the Vice Lord of Integrity met the Immortal Book of Righteous Transmission of Lu Yuan.

At that juncture, it seemed as if ten thousand layers of celestial clouds exploded, countless beams of righteous energy erupted, and sacred, vast white light incessantly scattered across the sky.

He caught it!

He actually caught it!

Li Taishi actually withstood a finger strike from the Vice Lord of an Epochal Civilization.

This was too astonishing!

Indeed, even though Li Taishi had defeated the Son of Darkness before, this time he had directly held firm against a strike from a Vice Lord possessing the power of one Epoch. This achievement surpassed defeating the Son of Darkness by far. It signified that Li Taishi’s strength had caught up to figures like Hua Fasheng.

The Vice Lord of the Confucian Civilization stroked his beard and smiled; he had anticipated this very turn of events.

But the Vice Lord of Integrity, the Vice Lord of the Three Books Civilization, Kong Ni, Kong Mingde, Meng Wei, and Su Yuemian were all profoundly shaken. After a long pause, they finally recovered, and upon doing so, they began to discuss animatedly.

"Li Taishi actually caught Uncle-Master Integrity's strike." "Boundless Potential Li Taishi—now I truly understand what boundless potential means."

"When Junior Brother Li Taishi first joined us, wasn't he only at the Seventh Heaven of the World Realm? I never imagined he could reach a point where he could withstand Uncle-Master Integrity’s strike without being defeated in such a short time." "I understand now. Junior Brother Li is almost certainly the Son of Darkness." "The Son of Darkness?" "Yes, the counterpart to the Son of the Desolation."

"Where there is light, there must be darkness. With the supremely powerful Son of the Desolation existing, there must be a corresponding Son of Darkness. Although the Son of Darkness's strength might not surpass the Son of the Desolation, it surely wouldn't be far behind. Everyone has long wondered who the Son of Darkness is. If it were Lu Yuan, it would seem unusual for the Son of Darkness to be as famous as him. Many suspected it was the Son of Darkness, but the Son of Darkness was defeated by Junior Brother Li in the battle at the Sacred Land of Civilizations. It seems highly likely that Junior Brother Li is the legendary Son of Darkness." These discussions broke out because Lu Yuan’s ability to withstand the strike from the Vice Lord of Integrity had utterly astounded everyone.

Lu Yuan requested another strike from the Vice Lord of Integrity and was definitively defeated, earning his fifteenth loss. The Hundred Failures True Scripture was now nearly half complete.

...

Lu Yuan stayed in the Confucian Civilization for some time, intending to travel elsewhere later to continue gathering the sections of his Hundred Failures True Scripture. Suddenly, Lu Yuan felt a sharp pang in his heart, accompanied by the sensation of an overwhelmingly powerful aura surging into the entire minor world of the Confucian Civilization. Simultaneously, a booming laugh echoed: "Today, this Civilization shall annihilate the Confucian Civilization!"

Who dares destroy the Confucian Civilization! Lu Yuan found the declaration explosive; in his time in the Central Heavenly Dynasty, he had never heard of anyone openly declaring the annihilation of an entire Civilization.

The Vice Lord of the Confucian Civilization swept his great sleeve, instantly transporting Lu Yuan, Kong Ni, and others outside the Confucian Civilization, positioning them in the void. Immediately, the Vice Lord of the Three Books Civilization and the Vice Lord of Integrity, along with other Vice Lords, were alerted. They materialized instantly outside the Confucian Civilization, eager to see who harbored such arrogant intent to destroy them.

Lu Yuan gazed out and saw a boundless throng of people standing outside the Confucian Civilization—the sheer number was unimaginable. Standing at the absolute forefront, in the leader's position, was a handsome yet chillingly cold middle-aged scholar. Lu Yuan had encountered this scholar twice before; he was none other than the Vice Lord of the Heavenly Principle Civilization, a figure whose strength slightly surpassed even the Vice Lord of the Three Books Civilization.

Beside the Vice Lord of the Heavenly Principle Civilization stood a middle-aged Confucian man, clad in high coronet and flowing robes, his hands clasped behind his back. This man also exuded a cold, venomous aura, and bore a noticeable scar across his forehead. Furthermore, he carried an air of contempt for all things, viewing all life as insignificant.

The Vice Lord of Integrity let out a muffled exclamation: "It is you, Heavenly Venerable Mielun—no, Vice Lord Mielun of the Annihilation Civilization. You have ascended to the level of Vice Lord of Civilization!"

The high-crowned, scar-faced middle-aged man nodded: "Vice Lord of Integrity, we were old rivals back then. Now that you have reached the Vice Lord of Civilization Realm, do you suppose you can prevent me from ascending to the Civilization Lord Realm?"

The Vice Lord of the Heavenly Principle Civilization smiled faintly: "Precisely because Mielun has reached the level of Vice Lord of Civilization, I have come to destroy the Confucian Civilization." Normally, established Civilizations did not allow open warfare. Even between the Heavenly Principle Civilization and the Confucian Civilization, despite their long-standing animosity, intervention from the Ancient Civilizations was difficult.

And this time, the Vice Lord of the Heavenly Principle Civilization had clearly come with ill intent. With the Vice Lord of the Heavenly Principle Civilization and the Vice Lord Mielun of the Annihilation Civilization arriving together, the situation was grim.

On the side of the Confucian Civilization, the Vice Lord of the Confucian Civilization possessed little actual combat strength and could essentially be discounted. The Vice Lord of the Three Books Civilization was weaker than the Vice Lord of the Heavenly Principle Civilization. As for the Vice Lord Mielun and the Vice Lord of Integrity, both were Vice Lords with the power of one Epoch, their strengths likely neck-and-neck.

Therefore, the Vice Lord of the Heavenly Principle Civilization held a distinct advantage.

Simultaneously, behind the Vice Lord of the Heavenly Principle Civilization, a cold gaze fixed upon Lu Yuan. Lu Yuan felt profoundly uncomfortable under this scrutiny, as if a venomous snake had bitten his ankle. This time, the Heavenly Principle faction’s arrival was truly menacing.

Yet, Lu Yuan felt a flicker of exhilaration. This was the first grand scale Civilization War he would ever experience in his life. It appeared grander and far more stimulating than any battle before. He wondered what sort of opponent awaited him this time.