Having mastered the eighteenth consecutive strike, Lu Yuan still vaguely felt the possibility of a nineteenth. The first eighteen strikes, frankly speaking, relied on two methods: the first utilized radioactivity, and the second employed differing alternate dimensions—moving from normal space into an alternate dimension and then back to normal space.

So, could he utilize a third method? This third method would involve exploiting the characteristic of penetration through time, using the sequence of past and present: normal time, then a journey to the past, and finally a return to normal time. This required pushing the extreme of temporal manipulation to its limit, which Lu Yuan pondered slowly. However, the nineteenth strike involved temporal complexities so intricate, requiring time reversal that he currently could not achieve.

Next came the testing of the Defense Civilization Vice-Lord's defenses against Lu Yuan's offense. The Defense Civilization Vice-Lord fully immersed himself in this trial, and his defensive armor had seen considerable advancement; yet, it still couldn't withstand Lu Yuan's eighteenth penetrating strike! Consequently, the relationship between the Defense Civilization Vice-Lord and Lu Yuan improved considerably. The Vice-Lord vaguely sensed that the grand tide of the world was about to surge, and in such circumstances, he chose to befriend the tremendously potential Lu Yuan.

And it wasn't just the Defense Civilization Vice-Lord visiting Lu Yuan these days. All sorts of other civilizations, particularly those aligned with Fa Gu and Wu Gu, came to pay their respects. Among them were the Vice-Lords from the Axe Civilization, Wind Civilization, Confucian Civilization, Medicine Civilization, Heavenly Mother Civilization, Holy Light Civilization, Umbrella Civilization, Dragon Civilization, Diagram Civilization, Ice Civilization, Fire Civilization, Night Civilization, Bird Civilization, Qin Civilization, and many others.

The battle between Lu Yuan and the Miao Dao and Miao Gu Civilizations was truly terrifying, astonishing everyone and forcing the formal circles of the Civilization Realm to fully acknowledge Lu Yuan's prowess. As a result, everyone wanted to build a connection with him, and Lu Yuan officially broke into the sphere of the Civilization Ranks.

During these visits, Lu Yuan also acquired some valuable items. Nothing as precious as the Defense Civilization Vice-Lord’s Heavenly Penetration Civilization Art, but there were items of the next tier down. Of course, Divine Artifacts were utterly out of the question; everyone needed those for themselves and wouldn't easily part with them for Lu Yuan.

Furthermore, it wasn't just these visitors. Since nearly all civilizations had converged at the Phoenix Ancient Civilization, news of Lu Yuan's fight against Miao Dao and Miao Gu rapidly spread throughout the Central Celestial Dynasty and the Lost Lands. That battle was fought with terrifying intensity: one against two, Lu Yuan decisively slaying two Civilization Realm experts simultaneously—one from a Two-Epoch civilization and one from a Three-Epoch civilization.

After that battle, Lu Yuan’s name shook the myriad heavens and myriad worlds.

His fame echoed in the halls of the Civilizations!

Lu Yuan even acquired a moniker: the Desolation Slayer!

Desolation, the Desolate Ancient Era!

The Desolate Ancient Civilization oppressed all within and without the universe.

And now, Lu Yuan’s earned nickname was the Desolation Slayer—what an amusing turn of events.

In truth, Lu Yuan had slain many World Realm experts from the Desolate lineage, but only one Civilization Realm expert from that line: the Desolate Eagle Civilization Vice-Lord. Although this hadn't been formally confirmed, it was largely accepted. However, it was estimated that five Civilization Realm experts from the Desolate Ancient faction had died by Lu Yuan’s hand: Desolate Eagle, Strength Saint, Eight-Sided Prism, Miao Dao, and Miao Gu. Having slain five Civilization Realm experts of the Desolate faction immediately upon entering the Civilization Realm, the title of Desolation Slayer was essentially fitting.

Of course, this title hadn't become widely popular yet; it was spreading only in smaller circles.

Because this title touched upon a grave taboo.

A colossal prohibition.

One day, as Lu Yuan was staying at the Phoenix Ancient Civilization, the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden descended. She landed with effortless grace: "The Miao Civilization Vice-Lord is still lurking outside the Phoenix Ancient Civilization. His divine sense blankets the area, ready to strike you dead the moment you leave. It's quite troublesome." In truth, the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden genuinely considered dispatching the Miao Civilization Vice-Lord; with her strength, he was indeed no match for her. However, this thought was suppressed by the Queen Mother of the West. The Master of the Phoenix Ancient Civilization rarely concerned himself with daily affairs, leaving governance to the Queen Mother, the foremost of the seven women, so the Profound Maiden could not act purely on impulse.

The Nine Heavens Profound Maiden stated, "I will teach you a set of the Nine Heavens Wind Concealment Arts. This technique is my exclusive secret manual, enabling complete invisibility. After learning this set of Nine Heavens Wind Concealment Arts, very few at the Civilization Vice-Lord level will be able to detect you. You can use this to leave the Phoenix Ancient Civilization without being confined here."

The Nine Heavens Profound Maiden immediately began instructing Lu Yuan in the Nine Heavens Wind Concealment Arts. This technique was profoundly mysterious and esoteric, truly a secret transmission of the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden. Had it not been for his connection with the Sword Suffering Civilization Vice-Lord, she would never have imparted her ultimate, hidden skill.

Lu Yuan quickly grasped the Nine Heavens Wind Concealment Arts. "Thank you, Senior Nine Heavens." One must show gratitude for what one learns.

"Little Qing is cultivating on the Eighteenth Layer of the Wood Mother Heaven. Her current state of cultivation is good." After conveying information about Little Qing’s condition, the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden prepared to depart. "When you see Jian Ku, please convey a message: I miss him and wish to see him."

Having delivered everything she needed to convey, the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden turned and left.

No sooner had she departed than Lu Yuan received a letter.

The letter came from Zhou Qingxuan, conveying a single request: that Lu Yuan seek an opportunity to acquire a Great Seal of Desolation. In the letter, Zhou Qingxuan explained: "Senior Brother Yan Cangtian is currently being hunted everywhere by the Evil Sword Civilization Vice-Lord. He has fled every available place in the Lost Lands and is nearly out of options. Therefore, he needs the Great Seal of Desolation. If he possesses the Seal, he can bypass the celestial tribulation when entering the Central Celestial Dynasty, allowing him sanctuary there to escape the Evil Sword Civilization Vice-Lord's pursuit."

Hearing this news, Lu Yuan let out an involuntary laugh.

Life! Oh, life!

Indeed, Yan Cangtian, Senior Brother Yan, in his memory, was always the lofty Heavenly Sword, unrivaled, always supremely arrogant. For such a person to face a day so humiliating, a day where he needed Lu Yuan's help—it was truly rare. Since Yan Cangtian needed assistance, Lu Yuan naturally had to provide it. All this time, it had been Yan Cangtian helping him; never before had the situation reversed. It was precious indeed.

Of course, Lu Yuan was aware of Yan Cangtian’s predicament. That Evil Sword Civilization Vice-Lord was an extremely formidable figure, certainly no weaker than the Miao Civilization Vice-Lord. Lu Yuan himself was being cornered so severely by the Miao Civilization Vice-Lord that he couldn't even leave the Phoenix Ancient Civilization, proving he was no match for him.

And Yan Cangtian had been chased by the Evil Sword Civilization Vice-Lord for quite some time—Lu Yuan admitted he didn't possess that level of stamina.

This meant that he now needed to procure a Great Seal of Desolation.

However, obtaining the Great Seal of Desolation was not easy. Never mind how easily Little Qing acquired hers—that was due to the prestige of the Phoenix Ancient Civilization and Qing Nu's unique status. The Great Seal of Desolation was usually extremely difficult to issue. From what Little Qing had learned, possessing the Seal required being a Civilization Realm expert from a Desolate Ancient Civilization of at least Six Epochs. Coincidentally, there was exactly one such expert currently at the Phoenix Ancient Civilization: the Desolate Warmth Civilization Vice-Lord, who was precisely at the Six Epoch level and happened to possess a Great Seal of Desolation. He could be the target. But this opponent was Six Epochs; Lu Yuan's current strength was still somewhat lacking to face a Six-Epoch Vice-Lord.

Regardless of the strength disparity, he decided to monitor the Desolate Warmth Civilization Vice-Lord first. Lu Yuan immediately headed toward the temporary residence of the Desolate Warmth Vice-Lord. Upon arrival, he noticed the Vice-Lord was just about to leave the Phoenix Ancient Civilization. Lu Yuan acted without hesitation, immediately activating the Nine Heavens Wind Concealment Arts and pursuing the Desolate Warmth Vice-Lord. This technique proved remarkably effective; the Vice-Lord noticed nothing at all.

Soon, the Desolate Warmth Vice-Lord exited the Phoenix Ancient Civilization, flying directly southeast, with Lu Yuan trailing behind using the Wind Concealment Arts.

Lu Yuan constantly observed, looking for any chance to strike and kill the Desolate Warmth Vice-Lord, but opportunities were seldom easy to find. Lu Yuan followed for a long time without spotting any opening. Just then, Lu Yuan saw a figure approaching ahead—a handsome young man with a crimson mole between his eyebrows. It was none other than the Son of Immortals.

The Son of Immortals wore flowing white robes, appearing just like an immortal.

Lu Yuan observed that the Son of Immortals had now reached the Civilization Realm, possessing the magical power of a One-Epoch expert. It seemed the Son of Immortals’ foundation was steady.

Due to the concealment of the Nine Heavens Wind Concealment Arts, Lu Yuan couldn't approach too closely, so he only caught fragments of the secret discussion between the Son of Immortals and the Desolate Warmth Vice-Lord, seemingly involving terms like "Lord of the Demon Civilization..." and "Treasure Artifact Civilization..." He couldn't discern the true nature of their private consultation.

A moment later, the Desolate Warmth Vice-Lord turned and departed. Lu Yuan had initially intended to follow him, but then paused. Having tailed the Vice-Lord for so long without finding an opportunity, he decided it was better to follow the Son of Immortals first. The Son of Immortals was the inheritor of Zhen Yuanzi's legacy; he would likely seek the Earth Scroll—a Congenital Spirit Treasure—and the Divine Artifact, the Ginseng Fruit Tree. If he could slay the Son of Immortals, wouldn't he gain this Divine Artifact? Perhaps it could elevate his power to the Four-Epoch level. With Four-Epoch magic power, facing the Six-Epoch Desolate Warmth Vice-Lord with his Desolation-Slaying Sword might give him a fighting chance, allowing him to secure the Great Seal of Desolation to help Yan Cangtian.

His mind settled upon the decision: abandon the Desolate Warmth Vice-Lord for now and deal with the Son of Immortals first.

Son of Immortals, you truly seek death, delivering yourself right to my doorstep. How laughable, how laughable.

(Second chapter delivered. Well, these two chapters were setup; the setup is complete. Extremely satisfying chapters begin tomorrow.) (To be continued)