Chapter 1005: Lu Yuan, the Civilization Realm! When the Ten Strongest Martial Arts of the Son of Martial Arts erupted, various moves flashed like crisscrossing lightning, perfectly complementing each other. Even the Son of Law couldn't help but utter a word of praise for such an attack.
Xiao Qing, now barely grasping a superficial understanding, also let out an appreciative sound.
Lu Yuan remained noncommittal, holding the oversized wine goblet in his hand. This type of goblet held half a jin of the potent Qian Du Shao wine.
The Son of Martial Arts merged the nine strongest techniques from his Ten Strongest Martial Arts into a single strike, concentrating the advantages of nine different martial disciplines. As the Son of Martial Arts attacked, Miao Changsheng’s fingers danced, deflecting the onslaught. His fingers were incredibly resilient, meeting the Son of Martial Arts’ Immortal-grade weapon head-on.
First move!
Second move!
Third move!
Three moves passed in a flash. The Son of Martial Arts felt a sudden urgency; this opponent was formidable. After three successive attacks, Miao Changsheng had managed to block them all with mere fingers. This strategy wouldn't work. However, the Son of Martial Arts was the type who grew stronger when frustrated. Even as he attacked, he was already devising a way to breach Miao Changsheng’s defense.
Fourth move!
And the fifth!
Still, Miao Changsheng’s line of defense remained unbroken. At this point, the Son of Martial Arts suddenly spotted a flaw in Miao Changsheng’s stance and prepared to shift his attack.
Miao Changsheng paused abruptly: “Oh? Is this the extent of the strength from the Seventh Son of Destiny, the Son of Martial Arts? That is too weak. Let me break you in one move.” The Miao Dao in Miao Changsheng’s hand suddenly shot out, slicing directly toward the perceived weak point in the Son of Martial Arts’ technique. Initially, Miao Changsheng had retreated for five moves, allowing the Son of Martial Arts to attack, offering only light, casual blocks. Having failed with his five moves, the Son of Martial Arts was inevitably thinking of how to defeat Miao Changsheng, seeking a flaw in his guard. But Miao Changsheng had intentionally exposed a weakness, drawing out the Son of Martial Arts’ true flaw.
And indeed, the Son of Martial Arts’ flaw manifested.
Simultaneously, during the earlier blocks against the Son of Martial Arts' attacks, Miao Changsheng had inflicted hidden internal injuries through counter-recoil force.
Now, the Miao Dao descended. This strike seemed to exhaust the power of heaven and earth, yet it appeared as the simplest cut imaginable. With unmatched, absolute force, it instantly hurled the Son of Martial Arts flying, shattering his Nine Strongest Martial Arts into nothingness before such sheer power.
He had put some calculation into this battle. By defeating the Son of Martial Arts with a single stroke now, he had implanted a shadow in the younger man's mind.
Everyone nearby gasped in astonishment. Miao Changsheng had defeated the Son of Martial Arts with one move—how incredibly powerful! Even the Son of Law hadn't anticipated this outcome. Even the Kun Peng King back in the day could not have managed this feat, and perhaps even Lu Yuan, the current number one on the Heavenly Ranking, could not do the same.
After felling the Son of Martial Arts with one slash of the Miao Dao, Miao Changsheng strode toward Lu Yuan with mesmerizing steps: “Lu Yuan, it’s your turn.” A killing intent surged toward Lu Yuan. If he killed Lu Yuan, then the Yue Nu Xiao Qing would be qualified to contest with Miao Nu Qing Lian. The Son of Martial Arts wouldn't be involved in that matter, but Lu Yuan could be, which is why Miao Changsheng felt a deeper surge of murderous intent toward him. His prior defeat of the Son of Martial Arts was merely a tactic to apply psychological pressure on Lu Yuan.
Miao Changsheng was a veteran of long standing; such individuals were adept at employing various tricks in combat.
The Son of Martial Arts spat out a mouthful of blood.
At some unknown point, outside the door of the I-Zui Bar, a woman appeared. This woman seemed enveloped in an infinite, sorrowful melancholy, utterly surrounded by this profound sense of woe. She appeared as if seen through clouds, rain, and mist—an indistinct figure, only vaguely perceivable.
Both Xiao Qing and Qing Lian were so captivated by the scene that they failed to notice the figure at the entrance. Otherwise, they would have immediately recognized the woman veiled in mist, rain, and clouds as Princess Wu Yu, the one among the Seven Maidens who commanded the element of water. Princess Wu Yu had descended at some unknown time, but she took no part in the confrontation; she was merely observing the spectacle.
The Six Maidens did not intervene in the contest for the true Yue Nu.
Only once the true Yue Nu was confirmed would they welcome her as a sister.
Lu Yuan slowly stood up. Compared to Miao Changsheng, Lu Yuan’s aura was significantly weaker. Lu Yuan glanced at Xiao Qing, whose eyes held a flicker of panic, clearly worried about Lu Yuan facing danger. Lu Yuan shook his head: “Don’t worry. I’ll finish Miao Changsheng quickly.” However, this reassurance seemed insufficient; his opponent was an ancient monster like Miao Changsheng, who had vanished millions of years ago.
Lu Yuan then turned to the Son of Martial Arts: “Son of Martial Arts, if I accidentally kill Miao Changsheng, you won’t mind, will you?”
The Son of Martial Arts spat blood again: “I’d be delighted. I seek revenge, but I don’t need to deliver it personally. As long as that old monster Miao Changsheng dies, it’s fine.”
“Very well then,” Lu Yuan nodded. “It seems I don't need to hold back any longer.” Lu Yuan’s demeanor suggested he could dispatch Miao Changsheng with ease, which drew gasps of astonishment from the onlookers. The strength Miao Changsheng was currently exhibiting was stronger than what Lu Yuan displayed after the Kun Peng World. Where did Lu Yuan find such confidence? Everyone was dumbfounded.
Miao Changsheng laughed heartily: “Lu Yuan, you certainly are self-assured. Sadly, I must inform you that below the Civilization Realm, I essentially have no peer. Your so-called Heavenly Ranking number one is nothing more than a joke to me.” He wildly spurred his imposing presence, which transformed behind him into countless wisps of Civilization Aura. Furthermore, a slightly unstable Civilization Heavenly Track began to form around him.
The Heavenly Track! The Civilization Heavenly Track used by the Vice-Master of the Desolate Eagle Civilization!
Miao Changsheng could actually manifest the Civilization Heavenly Track! Even if it wasn't a genuine one, it was astonishing enough. Miao Changsheng must be incredibly close to the Civilization Realm. Lu Yuan no longer held any chance of victory.
“Is that so?” Lu Yuan called out faintly. At first, the sound held little weight, but gradually, it seemed to resonate in everyone’s ears like the thunder of a Thunder God, growing into a deafening rumble, as the crowd watched Lu Yuan’s entire aura continuously radiate outward.
Lu Yuan’s aura began to climb in stages. Around him, the forms of dragons and tigers materialized—the Dragon of Civilization! The Tiger of Civilization! Wind Tiger, Cloud Dragon.
And surrounding this spectacle, a second Civilization Heavenly Track appeared. This track was far more complex and intricate than Miao Changsheng’s; it was no longer crude but whole and complete. The track was filled with profound principles and secrets, appearing like an exquisitely beautiful work of art.
As Lu Yuan’s aura ascended, everyone present felt that Lu Yuan was no longer emanating his previous aura, nor a Divine-level aura, but something transcending all things. He seemed capable of effortlessly looking down upon countless others, and the crowd found themselves utterly incapable of forming any thought of resistance.
The Son of Martial Arts and the Son of Law both sucked in a sharp breath! What were they witnessing? A Civilization-level aura, and a complete Civilization Heavenly Track!
Heaven!
Among those who gasped alongside the Son of Martial Arts and the Son of Law were quite a few others.
Miao Changsheng cried out in shock: “Civilization Level!”
The Civilization Realm?
Lu Yuan was in the Civilization Realm? This couldn't be a joke!
The Civilization Realm was known as the first ultimate threshold. Countless individuals were stuck in the Heavenly Ranking, unable to advance—Gu Shi, for example, had been number one on the Heavenly Ranking for ages; the Kun Peng King was another; and now Miao Changsheng himself was similarly stalled at this barrier, unable to progress.
The difficulty of reaching the Civilization Realm had driven so many to despair.
And now, Lu Yuan was plainly exhibiting the aura and the Heavenly Track of the Civilization Realm.
Miao Changsheng, who had been striving for the Civilization Realm for many years without taking that final half-step, was filled with both shock and suspicion: “You are in the Civilization Realm? No, you absolutely cannot be in the Civilization Realm.”
“What a pity, but I am indeed in the Civilization Realm,” Lu Yuan stated casually, carrying an imposing air that suggested he could reduce all things to ash with a mere thought.
The moment Lu Yuan admitted this, countless people felt an indescribable swirl of emotions in their hearts. Miao Changsheng, for instance, was both fearful and furious. He feared facing a foe in the Civilization Realm—how terrifying it was to contend with such an entity. He was furious because he himself had been stuck at this barrier for years without breaking through, yet Lu Yuan, this mere young brat, had somehow reached the Civilization Realm.
The Son of Martial Arts and the Son of Law could only offer wry smiles. They understood the gulf separating them from the echelon of Lu Yuan and the Son of Desolation. Both of these figures had reached the Civilization Realm. Whether Lu Yuan was present or not, it would be exceedingly difficult for them to hold back the Son of Desolation; with Lu Yuan here, they might be able to defend against him.
Yue Nu Xiao Qing couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. Whenever Lu Yuan grew stronger, she rejoiced. Every previous instance she had heard news of his advancement brought her happiness.
Miao Nu Qing Lian, however, felt a mixture of shock and anger. Lu Yuan had actually become a Civilization Realm expert! This! Damn it, Miao Nu Qing Lian was furious. Yue Nu Xiao Qing now had a powerhouse ally; while perhaps not yet enough to challenge the Civilization of Miao, it certainly complicated matters considerably.
Princess Yun Wu, among the Seven Maidens, remained obscured within the clouds, mist, and rain, her expression unreadable, though a hint of playful amusement touched her lips. Interesting.
Everyone else was similarly immersed in profound shock. Another Civilization Realm master had appeared upon the world! This Lu Yuan truly lived up to his reputation as someone capable of contending with the Son of Desolation, the very person who had successfully ambushed and defeated the Son of Desolation once before. They had both reached the Civilization Realm simultaneously.
Those who had just moments ago dismissed Lu Yuan’s words as utter arrogance now silently retracted their thoughts. Lu Yuan had not been arrogant at all; after all, Lu Yuan was in the Civilization Realm! If one is in the Civilization Realm and doesn't possess such arrogance, what would one call the Civilization Realm? In fact, Lu Yuan wasn't being arrogant enough!
Lu Yuan gazed at Miao Changsheng, his voice bursting with absolute authority: “Miao Changsheng, you intended to kill me just now. Now, I shall kill you. I’d like to see how many moves you can withstand in my hands. Heaven or earth, above or below, no one can save you.”