A fierce battle raged in the newly revealed First Grade Land of Enlightenment. The Network Civilization Lord unleashed a torrent of ultimate techniques—the intangible, wireless network of the Network Civilization, the Grand Law of the Heavenly Net, the ubiquitous net of the law, the inescapable net, the Net of No-Self, the Net of Heaven and Earth, and the Net Within the Heart. Each strike was overwhelmingly potent and maddeningly difficult to counter, while the Needle Civilization Lord darted and weaved, her needles dancing incessantly.

Her needles were exquisite: stark white, crystal clear.

The way she wielded them was equally beautiful, as if she were embroidering the most magnificent flowers.

The Network Civilization Lord’s nets ceaselessly sought to ensnare this beautiful, flitting insect. He roared with absolute dominance, "Needle Civilization Lord, you cannot escape."

"Is that so?" The Vice Lord of the Needle Civilization could not help but lift her head. Her lips were crimson, her chin alabaster. That upward gaze was peerlessly stunning, and as she did, she thrust out her needle—a strike pushed nearly to the absolute limit.

The Network Civilization Lord sneered, "Your needle may be fast, but my net can block it."

The net intercepted the needle once more. Just as the Network Civilization Lord prepared a counterattack, the Vice Lord of the Needle Civilization realized she had fallen into a far greater net.

The Needle Civilization Lord approached then, without a trace of worldly dust about her: "All your nets, including the Intangible Wireless Net, possess tangible form. The net I weave is the true formless, intangible, and wireless one. What I create with my needles is also a net, but this is one you do not comprehend, and thus, you have lost."

The Needle Civilization struck straight, and the Network Civilization Lord was suddenly and severely wounded.

"I yield," the Network Civilization Lord declared, seeing the tide had decisively turned. He surrendered cleanly and swiftly. To refuse might have cost him his life under the Needle Civilization Lord's attack. Though she had won, being of the same Thirteenth Epoch, she dared not press too hard, fearing the Network Civilization Lord’s ultimate, desperate technique—every Civilization Lord possessed such a final resort when facing annihilation.

Such an ultimate, dying blow was terrifying.

The Network Civilization Lord’s surrender meant one win and one loss; the match was a draw.

The third battle was next.

In that instant, the Lord of the One Civilization stepped forward for their faction, facing the Lord of the Limitless Civilization. Both possessed the magical power of the Twelfth Epoch. The Lord of the One Civilization understood that victory was mandatory; a loss meant total collapse, as the fourth match was Lu Yuan versus the Lord of the Primordial Chaos Civilization—a guaranteed defeat. Losing that would mean three losses in total, making the final match unnecessary under the five-game format.

If they lost this way, this First Grade Land of Enlightenment, a priceless territory, would fall to the opposition. Obtaining such a land in the Eternal Star Domain was no easy feat.

......

The hundredth floor was also a test, as the first challenge pitted one against the combat power of a First Epoch Vice Civilization Lord.

However, what was a First Epoch Vice Civilization Lord to the current Lu Yuan? He dispersed it effortlessly with a booming impact.

Lu Yuan felt a deep sense of calm settle in his heart. It seemed this Soaring Sword Tower was indeed designed to challenge Civilization Lords, not Vice Lords.

The original Sword Gate's strongest expert was merely Old Ancestor Jianmie, a Fifth Heaven World Realm cultivator.

To think that hidden within the Sword Gate were items specifically targeting Civilization Lords was astonishing. Yet, considering it was a legacy left by Jian Gu in ages past, it made a certain sense upon reflection.

The one hundred and first floor featured sword techniques purely of the Wood element. Those strands of Azure Wood sword intent caused Lu Yuan a flicker of surprise. Lu Yuan considered himself a master of the Way of the Sword; currently, no one in the world could rival him in that domain. Yet, these Azure Wood sword moves genuinely shocked him. Not that they surpassed Lu Yuan's skill, but that in the category of pure Wood-element sword techniques, these Azure Wood moves were remarkable. In fact, this floor held the techniques of Jian Qing, the Vice Lord of the ancient Jian Gu Civilization. His movements, though soft, radiated vitality. Lu Yuan activated the Myriad Dao Asura technique to study them, simultaneously augmenting his own Azure Civilization Sword Dao.

The one hundred and second floor presented pure Gold element swordplay—a set of moves broad, powerful, and inherently intimidating. This set belonged to Jian Xia, the Vice Lord of the ancient Jian Gu Civilization. The former Vice Lord Jian Xia was a figure of immense strength, renowned for his chivalry, bearing the worries of the world before his own, a tragic hero of righteousness—a truly admirable person. Lu Yuan absorbed the merits of these techniques using his Myriad Manifestations Myriad Forest Sword Dao.

The one hundred and third floor featured swordplay like flowing water, possessing a distinct character. Lu Yuan studied it for a time, and upon completion, shattered it with ease. This belonged to Jian Yu, the Vice Lord of the ancient Jian Gu Civilization.

The one hundred and fourth floor showcased fire-like sword techniques—the signature moves of Jian Lie, the Vice Lord of the ancient Jian Gu Civilization, a man whose temperament was as fiery as his swordsmanship, favoring combat above all else.

The one hundred and fifth floor's techniques were perfectly integrated, seamless like the very earth—the moves of Vice Lord Jian Yuan. Lu Yuan had studied this person’s style previously and bypassed further learning, shattering the challenge effortlessly.

The one hundred and sixth floor’s sword light wailed mournfully in the wind—the moves of Vice Lord Jian Ku, also known as Zhou Qingxuan. Lu Yuan had long grasped the profound essence of this style and needed no further study.

The one hundred and seventh floor’s sword light crashed down like savage thunder and lightning, holding its own unique insights. This was the ultimate skill of Jian Dian, Vice Lord of the ancient Jian Gu Civilization. Lu Yuan absorbed its core truths while breaking through. After defeating the one hundred and seventh floor, he finally reached the one hundred and eighth—the final level of the Soaring Sword Tower.

What opponent would await him on the one hundred and eighth floor?

With this question in mind, Lu Yuan passed through the staircase and entered the final chamber.

In the one hundred and eighth floor stood an apparition.

This figure seemed poised at the apex of all sentient beings.

He was arrogant, dominant, defiant, expansive, smiling, imperial.

He was the pinnacle; the pinnacle was him.

Though merely an illusion, one could still gauge his past strength.

"Oh, junior, not bad," the figure standing at the peak boomed.

"You are the Lord of the Sword Peak Civilization," Lu Yuan stated firmly.

"Oh? Why do you assume I am not the Lord of the Jian Gu Civilization? After all, I am the Lord of the Jian Gu Civilization," the phantom replied.

"Because you are not like him," Lu Yuan stated calmly. "The Lord of the Jian Gu Civilization, though I have never met him, should possess a temperament that is not so violently overbearing. He should outwardly appear serene, yet possess sword energy that pierces the heavens deep within his core. You are the Lord of the Sword Peak Civilization."

"Hahaha, good. You discerned that I am the Lord of the Sword Peak Civilization. Well done," the phantom chuckled. "Actually, for the one hundred and eighth floor, I am quite pleased to see someone arrive. Our Struggle Against Heaven was neither a complete success nor a total failure. If it were a complete success, the Way of the Sword would endure forever, and everyone would be like dragons. If it failed, this epoch would long since have ceased to be a Sword Dao Epoch, with the Way of the Sword suppressed, peaking only at the World Realm. Since you stand here, it proves our Struggle Against Heaven was not entirely successful, nor entirely a failure. I wonder if that is good news or bad."

The phantom of the Lord of the Sword Peak Civilization exhibited a complex mix of nostalgia and melancholy.

"Forget it; there's nothing to reminisce about. Since it was done, there is no need for sentiment, no need for sighing, and certainly no need for regret. We sword practitioners, whatever we undertake, we carry it out without remorse," the Lord of the Sword Peak boomed. "This Soaring Sword Tower, I created it in a moment of boredom long ago. Since you have come, pass this final test. If you succeed, you will receive the ultimate reward of the Soaring Sword Tower."

The Lord of the Sword Peak Civilization declared, "I will simulate my power to match your magical might, making us fundamentally equal. If you can defeat me, I will grant you eighty percent of the reward. If you can last a hundred moves under my hand, I will give you fifty percent. If you cannot even withstand a hundred moves, there will be no reward."

Lu Yuan smiled faintly. "What if I take you down within a hundred moves?"

The Lord of the Sword Peak smiled nonchalantly. "Though this is only my phantom, it possesses my true capability. How could you possibly defeat me within a hundred moves?"

"Is it truly impossible?" Lu Yuan lightly tapped his sword. "Though it might be disrespectful to a senior, I have greater faith in my own sword. And I do not wish to disappoint my blade."

"Hahahaha, interesting, interesting, truly an interesting junior," the Lord of the Sword Peak roared. "You are currently at the Tenth Epoch, so I shall meet you with the power of the Tenth Epoch, to see just how strong you, the junior, truly are. Moreover, not disappointing one's sword—that is correct. I fully agree with that sentiment."

The phantom of the Lord of the Sword Peak brandished his sword.

The moment he unleashed this single strike, the effect was terrifying.

Everyone has a limit to their techniques.

Generally speaking, the greater the technique limit of a Civilization Lord, the stronger they are in that aspect.

However, the Lord of the Sword Peak's technique limit was only an average number: thirty-one.

But each of his technique limits possessed the feeling of being at the absolute zenith of that principle.

Furthermore, these thirty-one technique limits were arranged in a strange sequence:

Ten, eight, six, four, two, one.

Finally, all potential gathered into the single ultimate peak.

Such was the structure of the Lord of the Sword Peak's techniques. Under the focus of his ultimate point, his thirty-one technique limits manifested the power equivalent to six or seven normal technique limits. This made him far superior to the average Civilization Lord in terms of pure technique power. It was no wonder the Lord of the Sword Peak was so confident that Lu Yuan could not withstand many moves against him.

The Lord of the Sword Peak pressed down upon Lu Yuan with his supreme technique: "Junior, this is my ultimate secret art. My magical power opens my odds—nine, seven, five, three, one—to the peak. My techniques open my evens—eighteen, six, four, two, one—to the peak."

(Second update delivered. Although a new book has started, the old one maintains its two updates per day. My integrity has always been good.)

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