The Deputy Leader of the Desolate Eagle Civilization was rather high-profile. How so? He created a finishing move called the 'Eagle-Swallow Civilization Double Kill.' Quite a few people knew of this technique, but outsiders remained unaware of its true form, leading to much speculation about its actual power.
This news eventually reached Yan Cangtian.
Yan Cangtian was thoroughly displeased.
The ‘Eagle-Swallow Civilization Double Kill’ was truly aimed at the Deputy Leader of the Martial Swallow Civilization.
However, Yan Cangtian was an inherently arrogant individual; this had been apparent long ago. Among the Three Swordsmen of Mount Hua, Yan Cangtian was the most domineering, Zhou Qingxuan the most unfortunate, and Lu Yuan the easiest-going and most lethargic—their temperaments were starkly different. Hearing a title like ‘Eagle-Swallow Civilization Double Kill,’ the imperious Yan Cangtian naturally took offense.
Even if it’s not aimed at me, I’m still not happy. That was Yan Cangtian for you.
Thus, after reaching the Civilization Realm, Yan Cangtian observed the combat records of the Desolate Eagle Civilization's Deputy Leader. Based on this, he meticulously prepared a supreme skill called the ‘Swallow Strike Eagle Sink Civilization Double Kill,’ a grand ultimate move designed specifically to counter the Desolate Eagle Civilization's Deputy Leader. In terms of innate talent, there was no doubt; although both were in the Civilization Realm, Yan Cangtian’s talent surpassed that of the Martial Swallow Civilization's Deputy Leader, perhaps even exceeding Lu Yuan’s.
This move, the ‘Swallow Strike Eagle Sink Civilization Double Kill,’ was terrifyingly potent.
Recently, however, Yan Cangtian had been relentlessly pursued by the Evil Sword Civilization's Deputy Leader. Despite his capabilities, Yan Cangtian was fleeing in utter disarray and had no spare moment to rescue Lu Yuan. But upon hearing that Lu Yuan was being hunted by the Desolate Eagle Civilization's Deputy Leader, Yan Cangtian transmitted the entire 'Swallow Strike Eagle Sink Civilization Double Kill' technique to Zhou Qingxuan. In the recent battle, Zhou Qingxuan had then passed this move on to Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan was inherently a genius in the way of the sword, mastering new techniques incredibly fast. Moreover, having trained alongside Yan Cangtian and Zhou Qingxuan, he was exceptionally quick at assimilating their sword styles.
This technique proved to be a truly formidable ultimate move, yet Lu Yuan had refrained from using it until now.
Only after deploying Sword Six, Overbearing Heaven Shock!, Sword Eight, and Sword Ten, securing the upper hand and transitioning from defense to offense, did he unleash this technique.
Now, Lu Yuan revealed all the killing blows he had prepared specifically for the Desolate Eagle Civilization's Deputy Leader. Lu Yuan’s current advantages were manifold: First, his familiarity with the Eagle-Swallow Civilization Double Kill allowed him to counter it; second, his sixty percent Ke-Character Clone; third, the Sword of Ke; and fourth, this very move, the Swallow Strike Eagle Sink Civilization Double Kill, prepared for the Desolate Eagle Civilization's Deputy Leader, which was now releasing immense power in this instant.
The Desolate Eagle Civilization's Deputy Leader suddenly realized he was trapped in the most terrifying of earthly domains.
He discovered that his ultimate technique had been neutralized by Lu Yuan.
His own magical power was being systematically suppressed by the opponent’s Ke-Character Clone, making even subtle movements difficult. He faintly sensed his essence being devoured by the clone.
Simultaneously, the strike unleashed by his opponent carried echoes of both the Civilization’s Swallow and the Civilization’s Eagle, vaguely resembling his own Eagle-Swallow Civilization Double Kill yet seemingly inherently designed to counter him—a mortal enemy. What technique was this? The Desolate Eagle Civilization's Deputy Leader was overcome with sheer terror.
He perceived himself standing at the threshold of life and death, realizing that a moment’s lapse could lead to his demise at the hands of this newcomer.
Impossible! How could I die? I am an entity transcending epochs, impervious even when heaven and earth crumble—a supreme, invincible Civilization Body.
But the memory of the Eighth Prism Civilization's Deputy Leader's death earlier caused his heart to sink involuntarily.
The Desolate Eagle Civilization's Deputy Leader gathered all his focus to respond. All his finishing moves were unleashed in a single instant, striking at precisely the right points to fend off Lu Yuan’s overwhelming assault. He displayed the formidable might inherent in being a Civilization Realm master; every such master was exceedingly difficult to fell. The Desolate Eagle Civilization's Deputy Leader did not intend to die easily. He vaguely felt that although his opponent was strong, he should still be within a manageable range. If the power increased much further, he feared he would not be able to endure.
But how could the current intensity of attack possibly be surpassed?
The Desolate Eagle Civilization's Deputy Leader had never believed in such a possibility.
Now, Lu Yuan and the Desolate Eagle Civilization's Deputy Leader both brought forth their peak states, meeting peak against peak. In that single moment, they might have exchanged ten thousand blows. Although Lu Yuan held the advantage with his four key strengths, dispatching the Desolate Eagle Civilization's Deputy Leader was not easy. The peak state of both combatants passed in a flash.
He finally weathered Lu Yuan’s attack. So close, so close to death right here. The Desolate Eagle Civilization's Deputy Leader dared not relax, terrified by Lu Yuan’s ultimate sword strike.
It was at this precise moment that Lu Yuan delivered a strike.
“The sorrow of night rain over the Xiang River breaks the heart; the mournful cry of the cold cicadas brings forth human tears.” It was Zhou Qingxuan’s signature move. This technique had evolved from the Heartbreak move. Lu Yuan had learned Zhou Qingxuan’s swordsmanship, witnessed this specific strike when breaking through to the Civilization Realm, and also learned the original version, Heartbreak, making his mastery of this technique entirely plausible.
The sword styles of other experts reached their zenith at their peak moments.
But Zhou Qingxuan was the exception; his sword techniques were strongest during his trough periods. This was a peculiarity among the Civilization Realm masters of the Central Heavenly Dynasty.
No one’s technique could remain at maximum strength perpetually; there were peaks and valleys, much like the waxing and waning of the moon. The more intense the peak, the deeper the subsequent trough.
Lu Yuan’s peak had now passed, plunging him into a trough, and the Desolate Eagle Civilization's Deputy Leader’s peak had also waned, casting him into a low point as well.
Precisely when both were in a valley, Lu Yuan’s swordsmanship channeled the subtle genius of Zhou Qingxuan, displaying astonishing brilliance during this low ebb. The Desolate Eagle Civilization's Deputy Leader, already pushed to his limits by Lu Yuan’s prior four advantages, found this strike—“The sorrow of night rain over the Xiang River breaks the heart; the mournful cry of the cold cicadas brings forth human tears”—delivered during Lu Yuan’s trough, to be the final, crushing straw.
The sword light, imbued with infinite sorrow, pierced the heart of the Desolate Eagle Civilization's Deputy Leader. Across heaven and earth, a sorrowful melody swelled once more; the firmament wept with the cosmos, and the winds and clouds grieved in unison.
This was the Civilization Elegy!
Another Civilization Realm master had fallen!
This was the second Civilization Realm master slain by Lu Yuan!
Civilization Realm masters inherently existed outside the Three Realms, beyond the Five Elements, making their demise exceedingly rare—perhaps one in a hundred thousand years. Yet now, two had fallen in rapid succession, an event that shook the very foundations of existence, utterly unbelievable. Initially, four masters besieged Lu Yuan, and in the blink of an eye, the situation had devolved into two masters attacking one.
Lu Yuan drew a deep, ragged breath. Killing two Civilization Realm masters while besieged by four formidable opponents was an arduous feat. One must not assume that few moves were required for any target; look at the techniques used—they were all ultimate skills. Furthermore, the timing, placement, and psychological impact on the opponent all needed meticulous selection. Frankly, slaying those two Civilization Realm masters had drained a significant portion of his magical power and immense mental fortitude.
However, the battle was far from over.
He swiftly swept the remains of the Desolate Eagle Civilization's Deputy Leader into his nascent Sword World.
Lu Yuan glanced coolly at the Son of Immortals: "Son of Immortals, if you do not wish to die, then immediately vanish far from here."
The Son of Immortals hesitated, wavering uncertainly. The deaths of two Civilization Realm masters at Lu Yuan's hands had struck him with devastating force. After all, the Son of Immortals had not yet reached the Civilization Realm, and his nature was that of one who preferred to lurk in shadows and strike treacherously, never showing his face. His decision to come and kill Lu Yuan this time was based on the belief that his own recent power surge, nearing the Civilization Realm, would make killing Lu Yuan as easy as crushing poultry. Now, faced with Lu Yuan’s overwhelming strength, the thought of retreat took root. Wait, is Lu Yuan saying this merely to scare me off, implying he’s nearly spent? But if he isn't bluffing, and I stay, what then?
The Son of Immortals wrestled with his internal conflict for a moment, then made his decision: flee. Without hesitation, he vanished instantly. He knew he could not defeat Lu Yuan now. He still possessed the myriad inheritances of the Immortal Ancient Civilization, the Earth Tome of Zhen Yuanzi, and so much more. He had no intention of sacrificing this precious life here.
As for abandoning his companion? Even if the Saint Force Civilization's Deputy Leader was a Second Epoch entity, he couldn't possibly touch the Immortal Ancient Civilization's heir. What could he do to him?
Such was the insidious nature of the Son of Immortals.
As he retreated, the Son of Immortals left behind a voice transmission: "Brother Lu Yuan truly possesses formidable skills; I am indeed unmatched. I swear I will never again be an enemy to Brother Lu Yuan." This was a cascade of blatant lies. He merely sought to divert some of Lu Yuan's hostility. Should Lu Yuan show the slightest weakness, the Son of Immortals would pounce back like a starving dog. Such treachery was well within his capabilities.
The Son of Immortals appeared handsome and refined on the surface, but underneath he was treacherous, venomous, fond of veiled malice, and petty-hearted.
With the Son of Immortals gone, Lu Yuan turned his gaze to the Saint Force Civilization's Deputy Leader: "Now only you remain, Deputy Leader of the Saint Force Civilization." Finally, this battle was nearing its end. Lu Yuan was eager to conclude it swiftly. He now possessed the remains of two Civilization-grade entities within his new Sword World. With such assets in hand, he could secure considerable benefits. He looked forward to using this opportunity to enhance his strength after the fight. Although his opponent was merely a Second Epoch power level, Lu Yuan had already discerned that a steady victory was within his grasp in this final engagement, which should not take much time.
"Not bad, not bad. I now have the legacies of two First Epoch Civilizations, which can help me boost my strength. However, I suspect the Second Epoch Saint Force Civilization's Deputy Leader might be wealthier. Deputy Leader of the Saint Force Civilization, what good things do you have on you? Hand them over obediently," Lu Yuan inquired casually, clearly treating the Saint Force Civilization's Deputy Leader like a pig prepared for slaughter.
The Saint Force Civilization's Deputy Leader was livid beyond measure!
He was the dignified Deputy Leader of a Second Epoch Civilization, an object of reverence wherever he went, renowned across all the myriad worlds. Everywhere he went, people offered praise. Yet now, this Lu Yuan looked at him as if he were livestock awaiting butchering, openly demanding his valuables.
The terrible irony was that the Saint Force Civilization's Deputy Leader genuinely possessed valuable treasures. (To be continued)