Ah, yes, Li Taiming’s title as a Civilization Vice-Lord—that was certainly a matter worth concerning oneself with.

Lu Yuan was momentarily startled; he hadn’t considered this question before. Now, he could only conjure a lie to deceive them. Lu Yuan casually uttered, “Zheng Zhi Civilization Vice-Lord.” He had only thought of that title in passing, but when Li Taishi spoke of the Zheng Zhi Civilization Vice-Lord, the Qijie Civilization Vice-Lord and others were momentarily stunned, though immediate, ecstatic joy flashed across their faces.

Zheng Zhi!

In this expanse, there were two tiers of powerful Civilization Vice-Lords.

One tier possessed the character Gu (Ancient), such as Fagu or Huanggu.

The other tier possessed the character Zhi (Of/Purpose).

Whether bearing Gu or Zhi, these titles signified exceptional standing. The emergence of even one such figure in any civilization was a grand event, far exceeding the significance of a typical Civilization Realm breakthrough. The Confucian Civilization, for instance, boasted only one—the Confucian Civilization Vice-Lord; the other three—Sanshu, Qijie—did not carry Gu or Zhi in their titles.

And now, Li Taishi was called the Zheng Zhi Civilization Vice-Lord. Truly formidable! Of course, Li Taishi did indeed merit the character Zhi, given how rapidly his strength had surged.

It seems the revival of our Confucian Civilization is within sight.

While others were excited, Su Yuemian felt a slight disappointment. What she most wanted to hear was the Warm Jade Civilization Vice-Lord, but instead, it was the Zheng Zhi Civilization Vice-Lord. Yet, she quickly brightened, feeling that the Confucian Civilization was saved.

Just then, a person rushed over breathlessly: “Bad news! Bad news!”

The Qijie Civilization Vice-Lord spoke with measured calm, “State what has happened; there is no need to panic.”

“Yes, sir,” the messenger replied, “Intelligence just arrived: the Heavenly Retribution Civilization has invited representatives from several factions. They plan to completely dismember the body of the Confucian Civilization Vice-Lord in two days, distributing the pieces among the various parties to solidify the Heavenly Retribution Civilization’s alliances.”

What!

This was finally happening, and in just two days.

The messenger continued, “Moreover, the Heavenly Retribution Civilization announced that in two days, they will also slay the Sanshu Civilization Vice-Lord and dismember that body to win over other factions.”

Boom!

Another blow! This Heavenly Retribution Civilization was truly inhumane. Dismembering the Confucian Vice-Lord’s body was already outrageous, but now they intended to kill the Sanshu Vice-Lord and do the same. This! This! This! It was utterly ruthless. The previous atmosphere vanished instantly, replaced by suppressed fury burning in everyone’s hearts.

But what use was anger? The Confucian Civilization was nearly nonexistent now—too weak, too insignificant to confront the Heavenly Retribution Civilization. Li Taishi was certainly powerful now, but the Heavenly Retribution Civilization Vice-Lord was stronger; he possessed the magic power of eight Eras. If they waited for aid from the Law-Martial Alliance, they would surely come, but two days was too short, and the Central Celestial Dynasty was too vast; there was simply no time.

Therefore, this was an unsolvable dilemma.

What to do?

The Qijie Civilization Vice-Lord immediately asked, “Li Taishi, what is your current magical power level?”

Lu Yuan answered directly, “Six Eras.”

Such powerful magic! Already at the Six Eras level—his improvement was astonishingly fast. The Qijie Civilization Vice-Lord reached a decision: “I will go to the Heavenly Retribution Civilization to deal with them. I will see if there is any chance to rescue the body of the Confucian Civilization Vice-Lord and the Sanshu Civilization Vice-Lord. Li Taishi, you take Kong Mingde, Kong Ni, Meng Wei, and the others and leave. Do not involve yourselves in this battle.” The Six Eras Li Taishi stood no chance against the Eight Eras Heavenly Retribution Civilization Vice-Lord, so Qijie had made his decision: he would go to the Heavenly Retribution Civilization to die, ensuring Li Taishi escaped. As long as Li Taishi survived, there was hope for the reconstruction of the Confucian Civilization.

As long as hope remained, what did his own death matter? The Qijie Civilization Vice-Lord certainly didn't wish to die; having reached the Civilization Realm, only a fool would seek death. But he could not stand by and watch the Confucian Vice-Lord’s body be dismembered, nor could he watch the Sanshu Vice-Lord slain and then desecrated. He could not tolerate it, so he chose this path, even if it meant certain death.

“Li Taishi, leave now.”

“Who said I was leaving?” Lu Yuan smiled faintly. “I am also going to the Heavenly Retribution Civilization.”

“But that is suicide,” the Qijie Civilization Vice-Lord argued. “I know you don’t fear death, but the hope, the spark of the Confucian Civilization rests on you. If you die too, the Confucian Civilization will be utterly finished.”

“I understand,” Lu Yuan nodded solemnly. “But since I have been named the Zheng Zhi Civilization Vice-Lord, how can my righteous path allow me to watch my Master’s remains desecrated and my Uncle Sanshu slain and then mutilated?” Li Taishi’s status as the disciple of the Confucian Civilization Vice-Lord made Lu Yuan say with profound seriousness, “To do otherwise would violate my true heart, my righteous path.”

“I must go.” Lu Yuan’s four words were not shouted, but they were resolute and absolute.

“Some things must be done, no matter how difficult they are,” Lu Yuan looked at the Qijie Civilization Vice-Lord. Indeed, Lu Yuan knew perfectly well he held almost no chance of victory against the Eight Eras Heavenly Retribution Vice-Lord, but he had to go—that was simply his nature.

The Way of Heaven and Earth’s Righteousness, My Justice—these eight characters might seem ridiculous to many, but not to him.

The Qijie Civilization Vice-Lord looked at Li Taishi, finally letting out a breath of relief. He knew he could no longer dissuade him, for the look in Li Taishi's eyes was utterly sincere. “Since you are determined to seek death, then we shall seek death together.”

“I’m coming too!” Kong Ni shouted. “If it’s a death march, count me in.”

Kong Mingde smiled faintly. “Counting me in won’t make the group too large, right?”

“Hey, hey, so eager for death,” Meng Wei shrugged. “But count me in as well.”

“Since you are all men, count me in as one woman,” Su Yuemian smiled slightly, brushing back her hair.

“Count me in too,” another person said.

“Count me in,” yet another stated.

Each person calmly faced death. This was the very philosophy of the Confucian Civilization, allowing them to meet their end with such composure. A collective willingness to die so serenely was rare indeed—this was the unique charisma of the Confucian Civilization, Lu Yuan mused internally; only in such a civilization was it worthwhile to remain. In the end, the Qijie Civilization Vice-Lord had no choice. He insisted that only those at least at the Celestial Venerable level could join the death expedition, as the others offered no real combat value, finally quieting this sudden fervor for self-sacrifice.

The Qijie Civilization Vice-Lord smiled slightly, watching so many ready to die. He felt a touch of pride. Yes, the Confucian Civilization was currently the weakest among the thirty civilizations, but as long as this spirit remained, their vast righteousness would endure forever, standing firm between Heaven and Earth. “The Heavenly Retribution Civilization is the closest of the thirty ordinary civilizations. It will take slightly more than a day to reach them, and we still have two days. We should not rush to depart yet. Li Taishi, first upgrade your Chuanzheng Immortal Book.” His insight was keen; he recognized that Li Taishi’s Chuanzheng Immortal Book was merely an Immortal-grade weapon, inadequate against Divine-grade artifacts. Since Li Taishi was their strongest fighter and their last sliver of hope, improving his strength was paramount.

The Qijie Civilization Vice-Lord brought out the Confucian Civilization’s treasured Civilization Divine Iron and explained the method for forging and upgrading divine weapons. Lu Yuan had experience forging divine swords before, so he was ready. He immediately began the forging process: first, incinerating the Civilization Divine Iron and the Chuanzheng Immortal Book at high temperatures, then plunging the book and the iron together into water of extreme cold, quenching and tempering them repeatedly.

Lu Yuan knew that by refining the Zheng attribute, he could gather fifteen strands of the Civilization Divine Weapon Light; he had long confirmed this. This time, forging the Chuanzheng Immortal Book proceeded without incident. When the Chuanzheng Immortal Book was upgraded to the Chuanzheng Divine Book, it attracted fifteen strands of the Civilization Divine Weapon Light, making the Divine Book far superior to ordinary books.

Lu Yuan was unconcerned, having expected this outcome.

However, Lu Yuan’s calm astonished the Qijie Civilization Vice-Lord and the others, their eyes wide. The Qijie Civilization Vice-Lord knew well that typically, items bearing the Zheng attribute suffered a disadvantage in attack power, usually attracting only seven strands of the Civilization Divine Weapon Light when attempting attraction, while the norm was ten strands. The Qijie Civilization Vice-Lord himself had been outstanding, attracting eight strands, and the Sanshu Civilization Vice-Lord had attracted nine, which became legendary. The most exceptional was the Confucian Civilization Vice-Lord, who was said to have attracted eleven strands in his day, hailed as an epochal genius. And now, the Civilization Divine Weapon Light attracted by Li Taishi was a staggering fifteen strands—far surpassing the Confucian Vice-Lord’s achievement. This was simply too exaggerated.

The Dark Child Li Taishi was truly extraordinary, a figure worthy of contention with the Children of the Desolation and Lu Yuan himself.

Yet, even with fifteen strands of Civilization Divine Weapon Light, the combat strength could only be slightly enhanced. The chances of success going to the Heavenly Retribution Civilization remained slim; it was still essentially a suicide mission.

Only death remained; there was no other path.

“Then, let us depart,” said the Qijie Civilization Vice-Lord.

“Yes, let us depart,” Lu Yuan replied.

In the Confucian Civilization world, there were thirty-three individuals below the Civilization Realm but above the World Realm. Adding Qijie and Li Taishi, they totaled thirty-five people.

Thirty-five people set off together.

All thirty-five traveled aboard a kind of swift Wind-Riding Vessel. Countless stars streaked by as they passed. The thirty-five remained silent and solemn; each person wore a white sash tied around their head, radiating an atmosphere of heroic fervor, tragic grandeur, and ultimate sacrifice. Few in history have calmly walked to their deaths, yet here were the thirty-five of the Confucian Civilization, all prepared to die with composure.

Someone produced wine, and Lu Yuan accepted it without ceremony, taking a drink. Usually, in his guise as Li Taishi, he maintained the image of a gentle, jade-like gentleman, but in this moment of great sorrow and grandeur, drinking was necessary.

The vessel was still, but the blood was boiling.

(First update delivered.)