Truthfully, leaving the Eternal Star Domain was simple enough, but Lu Yuan had no intention of departing.

Why bother going out?

Currently within the Eternal Star Domain, the aura of immortality pervaded the air, an aura immensely beneficial for cultivation.

Lu Yuan was now a figure of the Tenth Epoch. Following established custom, even in the magnificently grand city of Ceti City, he was entitled to his own territory. Using his supreme force, Lu Yuan erected a Mountain of Ten Thousand Swords. Upon this mountain manifested every conceivable form of sword, and at its very apex, Lu Yuan sat cross-legged.

The immortal breath coiled around him, momentarily shifting into the form of a dragon, then a tiger, then a sword.

While Lu Yuan was cultivating here, a distinct presence surged toward him.

Lu Yuan abruptly opened his eyes, casting his gaze forward.

In the vast void ahead, a middle-aged man with extremely long white eyebrows—appearing profoundly strange—and narrow, elongated eyes arrived horizontally, settling into the space above the Mountain of Ten Thousand Swords.

Lu Yuan immediately rose to his feet: "Lord of the Dharma-Change Civilization, senior."

The Lord of the Dharma-Change Civilization smiled faintly: "Are you free right now? Want to go seize a First-Grade Enlightenment Ground?"

"A First-Grade Enlightenment Ground? What is that?" Lu Yuan felt a flash of bewilderment.

"The First-Grade Enlightenment Ground," the Lord of the Dharma-Change Civilization said, lightly stroking his extraordinarily long white eyebrows, "We are all Lords of Civilization. Regarding the Dao, we have grasped so much—there are thousands upon thousands of Daos. He possesses the Dao of the Instant; I possess the Dao of Ten Thousand Changes; you possess the Dao of Sword Righteousness. The Lord of the Archaic Law Civilization holds the Dao of Myriad Laws. Our respective Daos are different."

"Any one of these Daos, if taken to the Central Celestial Dynasty, could establish an entire civilization, perhaps even an ancient one. They count as a major Dao."

"The Dao is boundless; the abyss is unmeasurable."

"However, none of these Daos are the true Ultimate Dao."

Lu Yuan was slightly surprised.

The Lord of the Dharma-Change Civilization nodded: "It seems you grasp what the true Ultimate Dao is. There is actually only one true Ultimate Dao, which is the Dao of Eternity, the principle passed down from the Gate of Eternity. Only by comprehending the Dao of Eternity can one achieve indestructibility through myriad tribulations and live countless epochs."

"However, learning this ultimate Dao, the Dao of Eternity, is not easy."

The Lord of the Dharma-Change Civilization pointed toward the sun in the endless depths of time and space: "Look, that is the Gate of Eternity. The closer one is to the Gate of Eternity, the more of the Eternal Dao one can grasp. But to be extremely near the Gate of Eternity—that is quite difficult, or rather, impossible unless some exceptions exist. The Gate of Eternity repels everything; that immense and glorious repulsive force prevents even us, the Lords of Civilization, from staying long, nor can we comprehend anything within it."

"But, there is always a crack in the heavens—there is always an exception. In the void near the Gate of Eternity, occasional spatial anomalies appear. The repulsive force within these spaces is not overwhelmingly strong. Standing in such a location, we Lords of Civilization can sit quietly and slowly comprehend the Dao."

"Such places are called Enlightenment Grounds."

"And these Enlightenment Grounds are categorized into three tiers based on their proximity to the Gate of Eternity."

"The highest tier is the Third-Grade Enlightenment Ground. These are primarily visited by figures from the Seventeenth to the Nineteenth Epochs. They can grasp more of the Ultimate Dao here. It is rumored that those from the Sixteenth Epoch cannot withstand the cosmic pressure even in a Third-Grade Enlightenment Ground."

"The next tier is the Second-Grade Enlightenment Ground. These are mainly frequented by figures from the Fourteenth to the Sixteenth Epochs. Naturally, the benefits gained here cannot compare to those of the Third-Grade, but they are still quite substantial."

"The lowest tier is the First-Grade Enlightenment Ground. These are primarily for figures from the Tenth to the Thirteenth Epochs. Although the First-Grade Enlightenment Ground is inferior to the Second and Third-Grades, the benefits obtained there are considerable nonetheless."

"Regardless of whether it is a First, Second, or Third-Grade Enlightenment Ground, they are actually arenas where the faction of the Instant and the faction of the Undying contend. Whichever side is stronger gains control over more Enlightenment Grounds." The Lord of the Dharma-Change Civilization explained the origin of these grounds, finally allowing Lu Yuan to understand. So, there were such excellent locations in the Eternal Star Domain—no wonder so many Lords of Civilization hid here to cultivate.

"All along, these three types of Enlightenment Grounds have been extremely rare, so whoever seized them kept them. But there is one principle: the Instant faction cannot fight against the Instant faction, and the Undying faction cannot fight against the Undying faction; internal conflict is forbidden," said the Lord of the Dharma-Change Civilization. "Thus, in reality, there are still people in the Eternal Star Domain who lack an Enlightenment Ground."

"And this time, not long ago, the Gate of Eternity experienced a tremor—such tremors are quite common," the Lord of the Dharma-Change Civilization continued. "The most direct consequence of this tremor was the appearance of a new First-Grade Enlightenment Ground. This new First-Grade Enlightenment Ground can likely accommodate the cultivation of four individuals."

"Coincidentally, within the Eternal Star Domain, our Instant faction currently has exactly four individuals in need of a First-Grade Enlightenment Ground: myself, you, the Lord of the One Civilization, and another known as the Lord of the Net Civilization. That is why I invite you to seize this First-Grade Enlightenment Ground together."

"I see." After hearing the explanation from the Lord of the Dharma-Change Civilization, Lu Yuan stood up abruptly: "Then I request Senior Dharma-Change to lead the way."

"Good." The Lord of the Dharma-Change Civilization nodded, leading Lu Yuan toward the gate of Ceti City. That gate soared ten thousand zhang high, incomparably massive, adorned with countless intricate patterns and runes. This city gate was far more magnificent and profoundly mysterious than the World Gates of many ordinary civilizations, or even the minor heavenly realms of ancient civilizations, that Lu Yuan had witnessed in the Central Celestial Dynasty.

Moments later, the Lord of the One Civilization appeared. He was a peculiar individual whose physique seemed to fluctuate constantly between slender and plump, shifting incessantly between one and zero, existing in a state of seeming reality and illusion.

The Lord of the One Civilization paid his respects to both the Lord of the Dharma-Change Civilization and Lu Yuan, offering courtesies befitting an equal. Although he was vastly older than Lu Yuan, since Lu Yuan had reached the level of a Lord of Civilization, they were treated as peers. This was not unique to Lu Yuan; in the Eternal Star Domain, there were figures from over a dozen epochs, and determining seniority would be chaotic, so all interacted as equals.

The Lord of the One Civilization smiled faintly: "So the fourth person the Lord of the Dharma-Change Civilization sought is Daoist Friend Lu Yuan. A pleasure to meet you. I look forward to Daoist Friend Lu Yuan's performance this time." While his words were polite, he privately held low expectations for Lu Yuan, mainly because he had observed Lu Yuan fail to master even a single ultimate move in the Martial Arts Pavilion previously. However, being an ancient veteran, the Lord of the One Civilization would never reveal such an assessment openly; he wasn't that foolish.

Lu Yuan was unaware of the Lord of the One Civilization’s inner thoughts. Since the other party was courteous, he returned the sentiment: "My own strength is meager; I will rely on the senior for guidance when the time comes." Of course, this was mere politeness.

As the three were exchanging pleasantries, an immensely powerful aura descended from the sky. As soon as this formidable presence touched down, the ground beneath began to crack inch by inch. Such terrifying power! Lu Yuan had already tested the ground; Ceti City was astonishingly durable, forged from some unknown material. Lu Yuan himself could not cause the ground here to crack so easily. The person from the sky then landed. This individual was gaunt, possessing white hair and white eyebrows. However, while the white eyebrows of the Lord of the Dharma-Change Civilization were strangely elegant, this man's white eyebrows radiated an intense malevolence.

Was this the Lord of the Net Civilization? He certainly did not appear to be simple.

The moment this person landed, Lu Yuan felt as if he had tumbled into a net, targeted by a spider—the sensation was intensely uncomfortable. Lu Yuan shifted his form several times and even drew his sword to hack outward, yet he struggled to escape the feeling.

The Lord of the Dharma-Change Civilization shouted sternly: "Lord of the Net Civilization, retract your formless, invisible net! It's truly suffocating to have it wrapped around one."

That person let out a cold laugh and suddenly withdrew his power, and only then did Lu Yuan feel the bizarre sensation on his body vanish.

The Lord of the Net Civilization observed the three present, his gaze finally settling on Lu Yuan: "The fourth person is Lu Yuan? Lu Yuan, you broke through the Star Domain Gate—an Eternal Prodigy. I have heard of you. However, you are merely an Eternal Prodigy whose potential has yet to be realized. In the Eternal Star Domain, you are still a novice."

He turned to the Lord of the Dharma-Change Civilization: "Dharma-Change, are you sure there is no problem finding Lu Yuan as the fourth? He is just a novice of the Tenth Epoch. In the current Eternal Star Domain, he couldn't defeat any single opponent. What use is it to call him?" The Lord of the Net Civilization spoke with brutal directness, clearly looking down on Lu Yuan's current strength.

The Lord of the Dharma-Change Civilization understood his sentiment but couldn't be bothered to explain, as explanation was futile. In the Eternal Star Domain, Lu Yuan was unquestionably the weakest; everyone else possessed power at least equivalent to the Eleventh Epoch. Lu Yuan was the sole practitioner of Tenth Epoch might. The Lord of the Dharma-Change Civilization countered: "But right now, can you find any other suitable candidate?"

The Lord of the Net Civilization mentally reviewed the possibilities and realized he truly had no better options. Finally, he conceded with a helpless nod: "So be it."

A profound humiliation!

Profound humiliation!

Lu Yuan felt his aged face flush hot!

How many years had it been since he was considered dead weight? Now, to be definitively labeled a burden by the Lord of the Net Civilization—blast it all! Today, he absolutely had to prove himself worthy. Failing to do so would be a disservice to his own reputation; after all, a man must have his pride, just as a tree needs its bark.

(First update delivered.)