Lu Yuan indeed received an extremely fragmented stream of information. This information concerned the key to the Five Eras.

There were directly ten Era Lords. And because of Dou Tian's concealment, the Lord of the Desolate Ancient Civilization learned certain truths about the Eternal Gate, yet he lost the power of five Eras.

Where exactly had the power of those five Eras gone? No one had ever known, until Lu Yuan finally learned that the power of those five Eras had always resided within the Tomb of the Ancient Sword Master.

And didn't the Tomb of the Ancient Sword Master possess eight fragmented maps? Someone had collected them, but no matter how they were gathered, only seven fragments ever surfaced; the eighth could never be found.

In truth, this was quite simple: the eighth fragment was inside the Eternal Gate. The Eternal Gate was not meant to be intertwined with external objects.

However, due to Jian Gu's Dou Tian, the Eternal Gate became tainted with external matter, thus allowing one fragmented map of the Tomb of the Ancient Sword Master to appear within it. This fragmented map was preserved until the Lord of the Desolate Ancient Civilization formally reopened the Eternal Gate.

Lu Yuan inwardly concluded, "So, with this, I have now obtained all eight fragmented maps of the Tomb of the Ancient Sword Master. I can go challenge the Tomb of the Ancient Sword Master." Excellent!

Lu Yuan wanted to set off immediately, but there were a few things he needed to take care of first. He flew back to the City of Fleeting Moments with the others.

While returning, Lu Yuan noticed that the morale of the entire Faction of Fleeting Moments was very low, including the Lord of the Fleeting Moments Civilization. Finally arriving back in the City of Fleeting Moments, the Lord of the Fleeting Moments Civilization spoke: "Everyone here has witnessed the matter regarding the Desolate Ancient Era." "The situation is clear and unmistakable," the Lord of the Fleeting Moments Civilization continued.

"If the Lord of the Desolate Ancient Civilization truly manifests as the Eternal Lord, displaying might beyond our ability to resist, we would be utterly no match. At that point, if you wish to surrender, do as you please.

The Eternal Lord... ah, the Eternal Lord." "Oh, right, Lu Yuan, your High Heaven-rank Divine Artifact." The Lord of the Fleeting Moments Civilization tossed him a High Heaven-rank Divine Artifact, considering it compensation for Lu Yuan's guidance during the battle.

Lu Yuan caught it. The Lord of the Fleeting Moments Civilization had lost much of his confidence, but Lu Yuan had not.

Hmph, the east wind blows, the battle drums beat—if a real fight breaks out, who’s afraid of whom? Never mind that the Lord of the Desolate Ancient Civilization hasn't succeeded in becoming the Eternal Lord yet; even if he does, I might not necessarily fear him in a true confrontation.

Lu Yuan was brimming with fighting spirit, ready to challenge anyone; there was nothing to fear. As he took the High Heaven-rank Divine Artifact, Lu Yuan suddenly paused.

It was then that Lu Yuan realized he had forgotten something. The Lord of the Civilization of Speed had previously seized quite a few High Earth-rank Divine Artifacts.

Where were those High Earth-rank artifacts now? Lu Yuan immediately searched, and sure enough, he instantly learned that those artifacts were still in the hands of the Lord of the Civilization of Speed.

The Lord of the Civilization of Speed held quite a number of High Earth-rank Divine Artifacts—ten in total. Lu Yuan himself possessed three, so in total, there were a full thirteen High Earth-rank Divine Artifacts.

Thirteen artifacts! Lu Yuan took out four of them and immediately consumed them, simultaneously swallowing large amounts of Heaven-rank Spirit Veins.

Rumble! Lu Yuan vaguely sensed that the connection and profound mystery between himself and the Eternal Gate were beginning to strengthen once more.

Fifteen Eras—Lu Yuan had practically reached the Fifteenth Era at breakneck speed. Upon reaching the Fifteenth Era, he felt his own power surge terrifyingly, truly shocking might, and the quality of his power had also become superior.

That wasn't all. Because this was the layer transforming from the Fourth Layer of Eternity toward the Fifth Layer of Constancy, this stage was rich with profound mysteries.

For instance, Lu Yuan vaguely perceived a hint of 'Constancy.' Furthermore, Lu Yuan discovered that his Eternal Force was making enormous, monumental progress. Eternal Force reached 2.1 percent!

Eternal Force reached 2.2 percent! Eternal Force reached 2.3 percent!

Eternal Force reached 2.4 percent! Eternal Force reached 2.5 percent!

Lu Yuan had now reached the Fifteenth Era, with nine High Earth-rank Divine Artifacts remaining. Alas, reaching the Fifteenth Era meant that further advancement using High Earth-rank Divine Artifacts was useless; he now required High Heaven-rank Divine Artifacts.

He only had one High Heaven-rank Divine Artifact on hand, which wasn't enough to ascend to the Sixteenth Era. Why rush?

The Tomb of the Ancient Sword Master awaited him. Let's go to the Tomb of the Ancient Sword Master.

After bidding farewell to the people of the City of Fleeting Moments, Lu Yuan once again set off on the road toward the Tomb of the Ancient Sword Master. After Lu Yuan vanished from the City of Fleeting Moments, the Lord of the Fleeting Moments Civilization, the Lord of the Ancient Law Civilization, and the Lord of the Martial Ancient Civilization began a discussion.

"Lu Yuan, he's going to cultivate again?" The Lord of the Fleeting Moments Civilization sincerely praised, "He truly has tireless drive. To be so motivated after hearing the Lord of the Desolate Ancient Civilization is about to ascend to the Eternal Lord—he really is young." He suddenly realized then that although his appearance had always been youthful, having used the Law of Fleeting Moments' Birth and Death to keep his spirit equally young, he was, in reality, no longer young.

His inner heart had aged. He couldn't compare to the genuine drive of a true young man like Lu Yuan.

The Lord of the Ancient Law Civilization said, "Yes, we are all actually old now." "If the Lord of the Desolate Ancient Civilization successfully elevates to the Desolate Ancient Eternal Lord and achieves eternity, none of us will likely be his match," stated the Lord of the Martial Ancient Civilization. He was a middle-aged man with a commanding presence, a long saber resting on his shoulder, sporting a scraggly beard, exuding a rough demeanor.

"And based on our understanding of that Desolate Ancient fellow, he is ruthless and cruel; he will certainly kill us then." The Lord of the Martial God Civilization nearby asked, "If we can't win, what about fleeing?" "Flee? Flee what?" The Lord of the Fleeting Moments Civilization gave a wry smile.

"Which one of us is not a hegemon of heaven and earth, an arrogant figure among the cosmos? To live forever on the run, suppressed the moment we show our faces—can any of us endure that?

Don't forget, the Eternal Lord is incorruptible and immortal; he will certainly live far longer than us." When the Lord of the Fleeting Moments Civilization said this, the others immediately nodded in agreement. Truly, there was no point in living such a life; it would be excruciatingly miserable, not just a little, but miserable to the absolute limit.

Although the Lord of the Law Transformation Civilization was only at the Thirteenth Era, many listened to him because of his intellect. His title as the 'Ten Thousand Transformations Strategist' was well-earned.

He presided over the Great War of the Central Celestial Dynasty, and here, his word carried significant weight. "We truly have no way forward now.

There are only two paths. The first is to hope that the Desolate Ancient does not achieve Eternity." This was hoping the enemy would weaken, yet it was only a hope; it was unlikely the enemy would align with their side's wishes.

"The second path is to place our hope in Lu Yuan. Perhaps he might generate a sliver of hope." "Lu Yuan." "Precisely, Lu Yuan.

Since his birth, he has constantly created miracles. Perhaps this time, he will create another one." The Lord of the Law Transformation Civilization spoke, though he himself did not possess much confidence.

He believed Lu Yuan had the power to create miracles capable of standing against figures on the level of Undying and Fleeting Moments. However, the opponent was the Eternal Lord, a being unseen across countless Eras—how could one feel confident?

Hope was merely an extremely faint possibility. But if they didn't even hold onto this tiny hope, then there would be absolutely no hope left.

Lu Yuan was like a faint ray of light in the darkness—weak, yet undeniably present. "It can only be this way," the Lord of the Fleeting Moments Civilization shrugged.

...... After piecing together the eight fragmented maps of the Tomb of the Ancient Sword Master, Lu Yuan understood the location of the tomb.

The Tomb of the Ancient Sword Master was also located within the Star Domain of Eternity. However, it was absolutely not marked on the star charts of the Domain of Eternity.

The Star Domain of Eternity was unimaginably vast, so large that someone had long ago charted it. Upon entering the City of Fleeting Moments, Lu Yuan had obtained a copy of this star chart.

But this location did not exist on the chart. Lu Yuan activated his Sword Step and flew directly.

The speed of his Sword Step was hard to imagine. Lu Yuan spent some time and finally arrived.

This place was clearly just empty space, yet as the eight fragmented maps of the Tomb of the Ancient Sword Master appeared, Lu Yuan realized he seemed to have been shifted in space. Finally, he had entered the Tomb of the Ancient Sword Master!

Lu Yuan discovered that the space he occupied was a room. The room was empty, save for a platform in the center.

On the platform, there appeared to be a sword and a stone tablet. Simultaneously, there was a door ahead.

Above the door were five vigorous and powerful characters: "Tomb of the Ancient Sword Master." Every stroke, every flick, every downstroke of these five characters was like a sharp sword itself. These five characters constituted an incomparably profound sword formation, seeming capable of instantly transforming into the fiercest killing intent.

The door was a pitch-black gate, much like a sword hilt. Yet, the great door did not open.

Lu Yuan turned slightly and approached the stone tablet. There was a line of text inscribed upon it.

"Here lies a sword, awaiting your first-grade judgment. Only by judging the sword can one enter the Tomb of the Ancient Sword Master." The False Tomb of the Ancient Sword Master had three trials, requiring passage through them to enter the simulated tomb.

But the True Tomb of the Ancient Sword Master had no three trials; it only had one: The Sword Judgment Trial. If one could judge the sword, one could pass the trial.

The Sword. Lu Yuan looked at the sword on the platform.

It was four feet, three fen, and two li long, with a pitch-black hilt and a bright, unswerving blade. What he was meant to judge was precisely this sword.

Since he needed to judge the sword, he would judge this sword thoroughly. Lu Yuan sat cross-legged on the platform and gently stroked the sword with his finger.

At first glance, the sword appeared ordinary, unremarkable. The blade felt ice-cold to the touch, carrying a chilling sensation.

Lu Yuan’s fingers gently began stroking from the sword's hilt—the grip, the guard, the body of the blade—moving inch by inch, centimeter by centimeter, all the way to the tip. Lu Yuan’s expression was completely focused, as if he were caressing his most beloved woman.

Concurrently, the very structure of this sword, every single part of it, entered Lu Yuan's heart completely. (Second update delivered, continuing to strive for earlier releases.

Uh, currently finishing up. Please continue to recommend my new book, Invincible Martial God.)