Between heaven and earth, there was utter silence. Everyone from the entire Twenty-One Provinces, including those from the Sword Sect, Dao Sect, and the elders of the Elder’s Platform of the Sacred Land, exchanged glances in disbelief. Wei Nan’s lips opened and closed a few times before he let out a long sigh and closed his eyes, murmuring to himself, "So be it." Grand Elder Yang Tianqing observed the scene before her with a peculiar expression, unsure of how to judge it. Unconsciously, she glanced at Key Smoke, who sat in the high seat with her eyes lowered, her expression inscrutable. Tong Xiu ignored everything around him, indifferent to the many gazes fixed upon him. He then turned and began to walk, step by step, down from the Ascension Platform. Thus, the only figure remaining on the high platform was the solitary one in the bloodstained shirt. All around, everything returned to calm, and only then could the crowd see clearly. The vast expanse of the sky, for thousands of miles, was sliced with innumerable crisscrossing ravines. It was as if more than ten thousand longswords, each carrying tremendous Sword Qi, were interweaving in midair, shredding a portion of the sky. On the Ascension Platform, a scene of devastation lay just about ten feet in front of Su Bei. Yet, the young man remained motionless; even the Qingping Sword in his hand still vibrated with a hum. All onlookers gasped, staring in disbelief at the scene before them, at the sky, at those flying swords. It seemed as though they could faintly hear the low laughter of the figure in white, embroidered with begonias: "I, Su Mou, also have a sword whose name contains the word ’Heavens’." "—Laughing at the Heavens." He had indeed lost, but he stood on the Ascension Platform in a different posture. Perhaps, this was his great victory. Grand Elder of the Sacred Land Yang Tianqing showed a trace of a bitter smile and stepped onto the Ascension Platform. She looked at Su Bei, who had already fainted, and then at the Dao Sect’s last elder, who was also approaching the Ascension Platform with a bitter smile on his face. Then she declared aloud, "Dao Sect... wins." The contest on the Ascension Platform had finally concluded, ending in a manner that everyone found regrettable, yet it was extraordinarily splendid. The destiny of the title ’Number One Sect Under the Heavens’ was finally settled. It seemed just as everyone had anticipated, only with an added touch of breathtaking wonder in the process. Did the Sword Sect lose? It seemed they hadn’t lost... yet neither had they won. The remaining Dao Sect Peak Refining Void elder ascended the Elder’s Platform. In front of all eyes, he raised a grand plaque emblazoned with gilded letters, "The Number One Sect Under the Heavens!" It all seemed to be over. Key Smoke, however, suddenly stood up. She picked up the jade plaque engraved with gilded letters that rested beside her. Under the puzzled gaze of the crowd, she began to walk step by step towards Wenren Pingxin, who had already ascended the platform and was holding the unconscious Su Bei. Chapters fırst released on 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭⟡𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦⟡𝘯𝘦𝘵 A gentle breeze blew, rustling Su Bei’s ink-black hair scattered on the ground. Before Wenren Pingxin’s puzzled eyes, Key Smoke set down the jade plaque she held. Behind Su Bei, those few prominent characters shone brightly. —Half-Step into Dao Integration. Of course, those prominent characters did not mean Half-Step into Dao Integration in the literal sense. Rather, they signified the peak below Dao Integration. Atop Azure Cloud Mountain, everyone’s gaze was heavy as they looked at those characters. It was the highest personal honor, recognized by all under the heavens. It seemed that today, it once again had an owner, even though that person’s eyes were tightly closed, not open to see the honor that was his. Wei Tianqi of the Origin Sect had a complex look in his eyes as he finally let out a self-mocking sigh, "Tong Xiu leaves, and now Su Bei arrives?" Yu Hongxiu’s eyes narrowed slightly, her thoughts unknown. She gently twirled her delicate fingertips and bit her red lips, saying nothing. In an instant, the chatter across Azure Cloud Mountain erupted. "So, Elder Su’s strength is recognized by the Sacred Land?" "The strongest below Dao Integration!" "Elder Su is only at the Late Stage Refining Void. If he’s considered Half-Step into Dao Integration, he might even be able to battle Dao Integration Cultivators..." "The Heavens cannot be defied, yet he still Laughs at the Heavens, huh?" "This is the Sword Sect." Some Sect elders smiled bitterly, seeming to finally understand why, a thousand years ago, the Sword Sect’s name included the words "Under the Heavens." Such spirit, indeed, no one in the current era could match. Wenren Pingxin gently touched Su Bei’s face, her beautiful eyes fixed on his quietly sleeping visage. She reached out to brush away a strand of bloodstained hair from his cheek, a rare tenderness gracing her features. She was not a woman inclined to sorrowful contemplation; indeed, she was stronger than many men. Otherwise, she would not have resolutely taken over the responsibilities of the Sword Sect after the Sect Master departed. But no matter what, she was still a woman. In this moment, she was far from as calm as she appeared. Some people, you might not see them, or even pay them any mind for a long time, but just knowing they are there brings a sense of peace to your heart. In some respects, Su Bei had gradually filled a void in the deepest part of Wenren Pingxin’s heart. Although Wenren Pingxin still looked enchantingly mature, her spirit had inevitably been touched by weariness, especially as the Sword Sect’s strength waned and she grew increasingly disheartened. Alas, the tree may wish for calm, but the wind will not subside! Wenren Pingxin looked at Su Bei, recalling many old friends and past events. She lightly shook her head, then reached out to wipe away the slight dampness at the corners of her eyes. She first mocked herself for her uncharacteristic weakness, and then a bitter, sorrowful smile touched her lips. And Su Bei... for a single promise to her, he had gone to such lengths.