High in the Thirty-Second Heaven, as all the Supremes focused their gazes upon 'Tan Qiu', Shui Lingbo, who was temporarily controlling the Nine Palaces Sword Formation in place of Zong Shou on the Central Sword Dais, also sensed that something was amiss.

She had initially closed her eyes awaiting death, silently reciting the scriptures of the Common People Dao. Now, however, she opened her eyes, looking with surprise towards the front of the main hall of the Common People Academy.

"Zong Shou?"

She still could not fathom the truth, only sensing that Zong Shou, standing before the Spirit Refining Sword, possessed an astonishing aura at this moment!

Then came his voice—"Though I am not a monarch chosen by the populace, I understand the truth that water can both capsize and carry a boat. Therefore, I grant power to the people and govern with laissez-faire ease. Under my rule, there will be distinctions between rich and poor, strength and weakness, but absolutely no distinction between noble and base. The nation shall be governed by law, ensuring the strong do not bully the weak. Sovereign and subject are one. Transgressors of the law shall be executed!"

A mournful, sharp sword cry instantly rent the nine heavens! Throughout the entire Firmament Realm echoed Zong Shou's clear, calm, yet unyielding declaration.

The Myriad Immortals Illusory Void Thirty-Three Heavens Array, which had been nearly exhausted by the tearing assaults of the nine Supremes, suddenly stabilized.

Not only did the pressure lessen significantly, but a vast, surging torrent of vital energy, like an ocean tide, suddenly poured in. Following the spiritual lines and energy conduits, it flowed in all directions.

Shui Lingbo benefited as well; vigorous vital essence surged back into her depleted meridians. The effect was even several times stronger than the sweet rain provided by Lin Xuanshuang!

She looked around vaguely, vaguely realizing this was due to the vanished celestial might once again permeating the Firmament Realm, preventing the nine Supremes from assaulting the Great Array with their full, unrestrained power.

However, the origin of this vital energy was strange. Upon careful inspection, it seemed to stem from that illusory thirty-two-layered golden pagoda. Tracing it back further, it originated from the youth standing before the main hall, beneath the pagoda.

Behind the youth, a phantom golden pagoda was now suspended in the void. It bore a resemblance to the thirty-two-layered tower, yet it possessed only nine layers.

At this moment, it was radiating boundless splendor, faintly echoing and resonating with the Thirty-Three Heavens Array.

"Why does the Common People Sword Array seem restored? Wasn't this formation shattered by Taishi just now?"

"Even the main sword is damaged, how can there still be a sword array? What on earth is happening?"

"And this vital essence, could it be Ancestor Xuanshuang?"

"No—"

The Firmament Realm continued to tremble, and the six soaring sword energies once again spanned the sky, their resounding echoes seeming to call out to something in response.

Countless cultivators of the Common People Dao, who had fallen into despair, awoke as if from a great dream.

Some exchanged bewildered glances, while others scanned their surroundings, attempting to trace the source.

In just a tenth of a moment, all surprised and bewildered gazes converged upon the space before the main hall of the Academy.

And in the next breath, a heart-rending cry suddenly erupted, almost piercing everyone's eardrums.

"It is the Spirit Refining! The Spirit Refining Sword has chosen its master—"

"That is Tan Qiu! The Azure Heavens have opened their eyes to protect the Firmament Realm of our Common People! Our Dao's fortune is not yet extinguished!"

The entire Firmament Realm instantly erupted in an uproar. Meanwhile, the nine Supremes on the Thirty-First Heaven paused slightly, their faces instantly turning ashen.

Xing Xie snorted coldly and stamped his foot heavily. Tens of thousands of black whirling blades pierced through the layers of celestial membranes, surging toward where 'Tan Qiu' stood.

But as they drew near, a thick membrane of light materialized. The black blades struck it, yet seemed to vanish like mud entering the sea, their whereabouts unknown.

Xing Xie's expression flickered. By the looks of it, he would be unable to stop this. Not only him, but the others felt the same; Zong Shou was clearly under the protection of the Thirty-Three Heavens Array. That previous strike had failed to harm Zong Shou in the slightest, instead colliding with the entire Thirty-Three Heavens Array.

In that very instant, the six streaks of sword light also reacted.

Seemingly angered by his previous actions, they channeled at least half of the celestial might down, forcibly pressing the overwhelming pressure.

Even Xing Xie, the Heaven Treading Monarch, could only grit his teeth and struggle to maintain his footing, having no energy left to spare for anything else. This was the only way to avoid falling back down and having his divine abilities suppressed to less than seventy percent of their full capacity.

"The Master of the Spirit Refining Sword? How interesting. Tan Qiu? I have heard of this person; one of the Six Swords of the Cloud Realm."

Qing Xuan also let out a cold sneer, yet his deep eyes held no hint of amusement, instead brimming with gloom, his expression uncertain and wary.

"However, looking at this Spirit Refining Sword, it seems it has not fully acknowledged this Sword Master. Daoist Xiu Guan, am I correct?"

Xiu Guan smiled; what Qing Xuan said was indeed true, irrefutable. Yet, this person did not know that the artifact spirit of this spirit-refining weapon was already in Zong Shou’s hand. This sword had already recognized its master; it only lacked that single final step.

Now that Zong Shou had pierced through the illusionary fog, no one in this world could stop him from wielding the 'Spirit Refining'!

The only surprise was the nine-layered golden pagoda. He recognized this object; it was also an artifact left by Xi Zi. It was said to have been refined for a sovereign, and its purpose was simple: to suppress all evil spirits and fiends, capable of changing size—large, reaching ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine zhang, weighing ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine minor Sumeru mountains; small, comparable to a mustard seed, lighter than a feather.

Furthermore, it could suppress the corrosive influence of imperial qi upon the nascent soul. Its majesty would be even greater when wielded with kingly martial arts.

At the time, he was very puzzled. Xi Zi’s pursuit was entirely focused on the equality of all beings; why would he specifically refine such a kingly artifact? It was as perplexing as the Thirty-Three Layers of the Grand Heaven Array, which could only be controlled by someone possessing kingly aura.

Even stranger was the fact that no one had ever truly refined this nine-layered golden pagoda. Even if forcibly tempered, all its abilities remained sealed; the only usable function was the suppression of kingly qi. But no one within the Common People Dao could utilize it.

Only today did this doubt begin to clear slightly. Observing this golden pagoda, it was clearly deeply connected to the Thirty-Three Heavens Array, almost seeming to be the core of these thirty-three heavens!

This item must have been gifted to Zong Shou by Wei Xu, and it found the right person. Did Xi Zi foresee this in the past, or was it the fulfillment of destiny?

At this moment, Zong Shou was far more than just the Master of the Spirit Refining Sword!

The clamor from below gradually subsided, returning the entire Firmament Realm to profound silence. This was because Zong Shou’s voice was continuing.

Blood had thoroughly stained every inch of the Spirit Refining Sword's body crimson. Holding the sword, it was no longer merely flesh connected to steel, but body and sword as one.

The nameless sword's violent intent accumulated, and characters continued to impact his mind.

'Vow! Quickly, Ascend to Heaven Emperor, Thirty-Three, Slash! Slash! Slash!'

Zong Shou paid no heed, remaining neither arrogant nor hasty.

"I cannot equalize wealth and poverty, nor can I balance authority. However, if I become the Master of the Spirit Refining Sword, I will certainly carry on my Master's dying wish, vowing to treat all people under my rule with equality! Vowing to protect all beings in this world!"

Thus, the Firmament Realm shook even more violently, the ground cracked open, and the pinnacle of a golden tower violently burst through the main hall of the Academy, surging upward from below! (To be continued)