Southern Border, Divine Continent, Taolin Mountain.

Mysterious Emperor’s Dreamland, the fifth act.

By now, Hong Yuan had confirmed his successful selection into the fourth stage of the Hundred Arts Tournament.

Before long, he would be able to enter the sixth act of the dream and, in one fell swoop, become a Master in the Human Race’s Dream Tao!

「That night.」

The moonlight was as cool and clear as water.

Holding a cold sword, Hong Yuan leisurely wandered the Fifth Sword Peak among the nine great sword peaks of the Ye Clan.

It was an ancient peak that, from a distance, resembled a slanted, broken sword, emanating an aura of ages past. It had stood since ancient times, majestic and imposing.

Atop the mountain grew a large, crooked-necked ancient tree, its gnarled branches as strong as ancient pythons, so lush they concealed the sky, lending the place an air of pure, otherworldly serenity. Yet, this only amplified its desolation!

[Sword Tao +1,000]

[Sword Tao +1,000]

[...]

Moment by moment, Hong Yuan’s cultivation in Sword Tao advanced at a terrifying pace.

This was profoundly terrifying because, conventionally, the deeper one’s cultivation, the slower progress becomes. Yet, Hong Yuan was an anomaly; this convention was bizarrely defied in his case!

CLANG!

When Hong Yuan reached the crooked-necked tree at the summit, the cold sword in his hand suddenly emitted a crisp ring.

Beneath the tree’s shade, a handsome young man armed with a longsword seemed to be awaiting his arrival.

He was Ye Tianjian, the Ye Clan’s currently most renowned Heavenly Talent Sword Cultivator. His father was a vigorous Great Saint, in no way inferior to Great Saint Taibai.

The moonlight shone down, illuminating Ye Tianjian’s handsome face.

Ye Tianjian slowly raised his eyes. "Ye Gufan?" he said with interest. "I didn’t expect your aptitude for Sword Tao to be so remarkable. However, are you aware of the dangerous predicament you’re in? Duel with me. If you can satisfy me, I’ll tell you how to escape it!"

Ye Tianjian raised his longsword, its tip pointed directly at Hong Yuan.

Facing Ye Tianjian’s challenge, Hong Yuan smiled.

He could tell that this young Heavenly Talent, upon seeing a worthy opponent, was eager for a challenge and also intended to warn him about Ye Qingcheng.

The challenge, however, was merely a pretext.

Even if that were not the case, Hong Yuan wouldn’t quibble with a junior.

Currently, his sole focus was to quickly master the "Five Finger Fist Dream Sword" Divine Power!

"I’ve never enjoyed dueling in my life, only cultivating. Let’s forget about the sword duel," Hong Yuan said gently, shaking his head as he continued forward.

Upon hearing this, Ye Tianjian said no more, sheathed his longsword, and cleared the path to the Sixth Sword Peak.

However, as Hong Yuan passed him, Ye Tianjian transmitted a voice message using a secret technique and then gracefully departed.

"Beware of Ye Qingcheng..."

Hearing this, a thoughtful look deepened in Hong Yuan’s eyes.

In a super-clan, internal strife is inevitable.

It seemed Ye Tianjian had intentionally waited for him on this Fifth Sword Peak!

Be it insidious plots or open power plays, this world is ultimately one where Great Power reigns supreme. Hong Yuan tightened his grip on his longsword, his expression impassive as he continued forward.

On the path leading from the Fifth Sword Peak, Hong Yuan leaped into the air, transforming into a Green Brilliance Sword Rainbow and descending upon the Sixth Sword Peak.

TAP, TAP...

The sound of footsteps gradually arose.

As Hong Yuan progressed, one high-grade Sword after another circled him.

"The sword is not a sword, the person is not a person..."

"The sword is a weapon, the master of killing..."

"Body as the sword, man and sword as one..."

Wave after wave of Sword Tao enlightenment, transmitted from different Swords, presented themselves to Hong Yuan, free for him to absorb.

The terrifying nature of Great Emperor Level talent was fully revealed at this moment!

Sword Tao insights that would take others a lifetime to grasp, Hong Yuan comprehended in a single glance.

Before Hong Yuan, the path of Sword Tao held almost no obscurities!

[Sword Tao +1,000]

[Sword Tao +1,000]

[...]

Hong Yuan’s proficiency in the Sword Tao Style was skyrocketing.

And as Hong Yuan’s comprehension deepened, this region of heaven and earth began to undergo spectacular changes!

Heaven and earth abruptly changed color, daylight and darkness intermingling.

Countless Swords filled the sky, pressing down to form a vast river of blades, emitting thunderous rumbles and sharp sword cries. The void shattered, sword light scattering everywhere.

Ten Thousand Swords Return to Ancestor!

This phenomenon of Ten Thousand Swords Return to Ancestor directly jolted awake all the members of the Ye Clan, leaving them profoundly shaken.

"What’s going on? Who triggered a Sword Tao phenomenon like Ten Thousand Swords Return to Ancestor!?" someone gasped, recognizing the terrifying nature of this phenomenon, their voice trembling as they spoke.

Most were utterly astounded. Not only did the Ten Thousand Swords Return to Ancestor phenomenon signify that the Cultivator possessed the potential to become a Sword Tao Great Saint, but they also recognized that the one activating it was the recently prominent Hong Yuan.

"’Ye Gufan’ was already a strong contender for Leader of Artifact Refining, and now he has even triggered such a terrifying phenomenon. How frightening must his future be?"

"’The Sword Cultivator lineage is renowned for unparalleled combat prowess, consistently defeating all peers. This ’Ye Gufan’ is likely to lead an era! Our Ye Clan has gained another Kylin Child! Hahaha...’"

Some rejoiced, their words filled with pride. "’The more Masters that appear in the clan, the better the lives of us ordinary clan members will be.’"

"Damn it! This Eternal Azure Lotus Reincarnation truly possesses immense fortune! I was so close to succeeding in my refinement!" Inside the White Gold Palace, Ye Qingcheng, extremely anxious, couldn’t help but curse aloud.

Beside her, Great Saint Taibai’s expression was also grim. He had meticulously planned everything, yet who could have foreseen such a sudden turn of events?

With this, ’Ye Gufan’ would inevitably gain immense fame, and his fortune would soar.

For his granddaughter, Ye Qingcheng, to continue trying to establish a ’root connection’ with ’Ye Gufan’ would now be nothing but Fool’s Dream Talk.