I transmigrated to a chaotic world and became the sole player.

The battlefield was deathly silent.

Only the lingering stench of blood in the air and the occasional faint clang of the crimson "Burning Heaven" sword reminded everyone of what had just happened.

Zhao Wuji clutched his chest, his face pale, blood still trickling from the corner of his mouth, his eyes fixed on Lu Zhao with a complex mix of emotions. There was surprise, suspicion, apprehension, and above all, an undisguised shock. He considered himself a genius, a top figure among his peers in the Qingyun Sect, but the strength this unfamiliar young man had just displayed, especially that gray-gold finger beam that easily annihilated Yin Wuming's desperate attack, made him feel a strong sense of threat.

Lin Jingyu's expression was equally solemn. He sheathed his sword, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Lu Zhao, and said, "Thank you for your help, fellow Daoist, in resolving our crisis. May I ask your name? Are you a newly accepted disciple of one of the elders of my Qingyun Sect?" He saw that Lu Zhao was so young yet so powerful, and since he happened to be in the Sword Tomb, he assumed that Lu Zhao was a prodigy secretly cultivated by the sect.

The other Qingyun Sect disciples also cast grateful and awe-inspiring glances at Lu Zhao. If Lu Zhao hadn't suddenly intervened, they would likely have suffered a great loss at the hands of the Black Wind Three Fiends, and might even have been in mortal danger.

Lu Zhao's gaze swept over the crowd, finally landing on Lin Jingyu. He shook his head slightly and said, "I am Lu Zhao. I am not a disciple of the Qingyun Sect, but just a rogue cultivator who happened to be passing by."

"A rogue cultivator?" A hint of surprise flashed in Lin Jingyu's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. In the cultivation world, there were many exceptionally talented rogue cultivators, but one as young and powerful as Lu Zhao was truly rare. He clasped his hands in a fist salute again and said, "So you are Fellow Daoist Lu Zhao. Regardless, I will remember your kindness today. If you ever need my help in the future, as long as it doesn't violate my principles, I will certainly lend a hand."

"Senior Brother Lin, you're too kind," Lu Zhao said calmly, but his gaze shifted to Zhao Wuji, whose expression was constantly changing. "This Senior Brother Zhao seems to have some kind of opinion about me?"

Zhao Wuji's face darkened; he did indeed have a problem with Lu Zhao. Firstly, Lu Zhao's displayed strength made him feel threatened, especially at this crucial moment in the struggle for the "Burning Heaven" sword. Secondly, although Lu Zhao's intervention had relieved their predicament, it had also made him appear somewhat pathetic and incompetent in front of everyone, especially Lin Jingyu.

"Fellow Daoist Lu Zhao, your strength is truly admirable," Zhao Wuji said in a deep voice, suppressing his displeasure. "However, this 'Burning Heaven' sword was first discovered by my Qingyun Sect, and we repelled the people from the Xuantian Sect. According to the rules, this sword should belong to my Qingyun Sect. Fellow Daoist, we are extremely grateful for your help in slaying the Three Black Wind Fiends, but please, Fellow Daoist, do not interfere with this sword."

Although his tone was polite, the warning and forceful intent were self-evident. By invoking the name of the Qingyun Sect, he intended to use his power to intimidate others.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhao's lips curled into a faint smile: "Rules? Didn't Senior Brother Zhao just say that treasures belong to those with virtue, and whoever has the ability to obtain them gets them? What, are you talking about rules now?"

"You!" Zhao Wuji's face flushed red, a flash of anger crossing his eyes, as Lu Zhao shut him down. "Lu Zhao! Don't push your luck! Don't think you can act arrogantly in front of my Qingyun Sect just because you have some skills! There are more than just us here in this Sword Tomb!"

"Senior Brother Zhao!" Lin Jingyu frowned, interrupting Zhao Wuji. "Fellow Daoist Lu Zhao has shown us great kindness; how can you speak to us like this?"

"Junior Brother Lin, don't forget, you are a member of the Qingyun Sect!" Zhao Wuji said coldly. "This sword concerns the interests of our Qingyun Sect. How can we let personal feelings override our public duty? Besides, what right does a mere rogue cultivator have to covet such a treasure?"

"Qualifications?" Lu Zhao laughed, a hint of coldness in his smile. "My qualifications are my strength. Without my intervention, Senior Brother Zhao would likely be a corpse by now, let alone the ownership of the treasure."

"You... arrogant!" Zhao Wuji was furious, his aura rising again, as if he was ready to attack at any moment. Although he was injured, he was still at the peak of Foundation Establishment, and he was confident that even if he was no match for Lu Zhao, he wouldn't be too far behind, especially with Lin Jingyu and the others by his side.

"Enough!" Lin Jingyu's face darkened as he stood between the two. "Senior Brother Zhao, Fellow Daoist Lu Zhao, please allow me to say something."

He looked at Lu Zhao and said sincerely, "Fellow Daoist Lu Zhao, it is true that our Qingyun Sect discovered this sword first. However, you have shown us kindness and assistance, and you are also highly skilled and qualified to compete for this sword. How about this: since this sword possesses a spirit, let it choose its own master, what do you say?"

"Let the sword choose its own master?" Zhao Wuji frowned; this was clearly not the outcome he desired. He was confident that his cultivation of the fire-attribute Blazing Sun Sword Technique, which was compatible with the "Burning Heaven" sword's attribute, meant he was certain he wouldn't lose to anyone in a fair competition. However, Lu Zhao's display of strength had left him somewhat uncertain. Letting the sword choose its own master introduced a variable.

"Let the sword choose its master?" Lu Zhao's eyes flashed slightly as he looked at the crimson "Burning Heaven" sword. That was indeed a solution. He could sense that the remaining spirituality and sword intent within the sword, though weakened considerably by the previous outburst, still existed. Forcibly taking it would likely incur a backlash from the sword spirit, and even if he obtained it, he wouldn't be able to unleash its full power. Gaining the sword spirit's approval would naturally be the best option.

"Okay." Lu Zhao nodded in agreement. He was confident in his strength and comprehension, and he had a vague feeling that this sword was not simple.

"Senior Brother Zhao, what do you think?" Lin Jingyu asked Zhao Wuji.

Zhao Wuji's expression shifted. He glanced at Lu Zhao, then at the "Burning Heaven" sword, and finally gritted his teeth: "Fine! Let the sword choose its own master! However, if this sword chooses me, I hope Fellow Daoist Lu Zhao will keep his promise and not cause any further trouble!"

"Of course," Lu Zhao said calmly.

"Then, I shall preside over this." Lin Jingyu walked to the "Burning Heaven" sword, cupped his hands in greeting to the sword, and said, "Senior Sword Spirit, a destined person is here today. I urge you to choose your own master and not let this precious gem be tarnished."

After saying that, he stepped back a few steps, gesturing for Lu Zhao and Zhao Wuji to come forward.

Zhao Wuji took a deep breath, suppressing his injuries, and walked to the "Burning Heaven" sword. The Blazing Sun Sword Technique he cultivated was an extremely yang and powerful technique, which was indeed extremely compatible with the blazing sword intent of the "Burning Heaven" sword. He reached out and slowly grasped the hilt of the sword, while at the same time circulating the Blazing Sun spiritual power within his body, trying to connect with the spirit within the sword.

"Buzz—!"

The crimson longsword trembled slightly, a faint red light flickering on its blade, seemingly reacting to Zhao Wuji's spiritual power. A warm sensation flowed into Zhao Wuji's body through the hilt.

"There's a response!" Zhao Wuji was overjoyed and immediately increased his spiritual power output, trying to establish a deeper connection with the sword spirit.

However, at that moment, the warm feeling suddenly turned into a scorching heat, and then into a burning sensation! It was as if I was not holding a sword hilt, but a red-hot branding iron!

"Ah!" Zhao Wuji cried out in pain, instinctively releasing his grip and retreating backward. His palm was already red from the heat, even emitting wisps of smoke and emitting a burnt smell.

"What... what's going on?" Zhao Wuji was both shocked and furious. He clearly felt that the sword spirit was reacting to his spiritual power, so why did it suddenly backfire?

"It seems Senior Brother Zhao is not destined for this sword," Lin Jingyu sighed, a knowing glint in his eyes. This "Burning Heaven" sword, though fire-attribute, possesses a fierce and violent sword intent, filled with the will to incinerate everything. While its attributes seem compatible with Zhao Wuji's Blazing Sun Sword Technique, their underlying meanings may actually clash. Perhaps the sword spirit sensed some shortcomings in Zhao Wuji's technique, or simply didn't approve of his character, thus rejecting his attempt.

"Impossible!" Zhao Wuji's face was extremely grim; he couldn't accept this result. He was a prodigy of the Qingyun Sect, cultivating a technique perfectly suited to this sword's attributes—how could he have failed?!

"Let me try." Lu Zhao stepped forward, his gaze calmly fixed on the crimson longsword. The Annihilation Sword Intent he cultivated was about destruction and end, which shared some similarities with the annihilation intent of this "Burning Heaven" sword, but they were fundamentally different. He wasn't sure if this sword would choose him.

He reached out and slowly grasped the sword hilt. He didn't channel his spiritual energy, nor did he attempt to communicate; he simply extended his hand.

The instant his fingers touched the hilt of the sword—

"Buzz!"

The "Burning Heaven" sword trembled once more! But this time, it wasn't a faint red light; instead, it erupted with a dazzling crimson glow! A scorching sword intent, like a volcanic eruption, surged from the sword and flowed down Lu Zhao's arm, into his body!

Lu Zhao's body trembled; he felt as if he were holding a sun in his hands! Endless heat, rage, and the will to incinerate everything surged through his mind like a tidal wave!

Before his eyes, another illusion appeared. But this time, it wasn't the cold, deathly darkness of the "Return to Nothingness" broken sword, but an endless sea of ​​fire! The sky was fiery red, the earth scorched black, and the air reeked of sulfur. A crimson greatsword hung above the sea of ​​fire, its blade ablaze with raging flames, as if it would burn the entire world to ashes!

"Burn! Burn! Burn!"

A violent and destructive intent roared in Lu Zhao's mind! This intent was filled with hatred for everything and a desire to destroy, as if it wanted to burn all existence into nothingness!

"Hmph!" Lu Zhao grunted, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth. This incinerating sword intent was far too violent, impacting his soul. If it were an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator, they would probably be instantly obliterated by this sword intent, or assimilated into a sword puppet that only knew destruction.

But Lu Zhao was different. His soul, tempered by the essence of the true dragon and the annihilating dragon energy, was far stronger than that of other cultivators of the same level. More importantly, the annihilating sword intent he cultivated was a higher level of destruction and annihilation. Faced with this violent burning sword intent, he was not only not suppressed, but it also ignited the arrogance and indomitable spirit in his bones!

"A mere remnant sword intent dares to devour my will?" A fierce glint flashed in Lu Zhao's eyes, and the Annihilation Dragon Qi within his body began to circulate wildly! A deeper, more ancient, and purer aura of destruction erupted from his body!

"In the face of annihilation, all things return to nothingness! Your destruction is merely a scene along my path to annihilation!"

"Give me—the town!"

With the blessing of the Annihilation Dragon Qi, his divine sense transformed into a giant gray-gold sword, which slashed fiercely down towards the sea of ​​fire!

"Boom!"

A thunderous roar seemed to explode in his mind! The boundless sea of ​​fire churned violently under the slash of the gray-gold giant sword! The crimson giant sword phantom roared in resentment, but it was forced to retreat step by step under the suppression of the annihilating sword intent!

"Submit, or... be utterly annihilated!" Lu Zhao's will, like thunder from the heavens, reverberated within the sea of ​​fire.

The raging, incinerating sword intent, suppressed by the annihilating sword intent, trembled and retreated like a subject before a king. Though violent, it was fundamentally a level below the annihilating sword intent. Destruction and annihilation are ultimately different things.

"Buzz—!"

Outside, the crimson "Burning Heaven" sword emitted a clear, melodious sword cry! The crimson light on the sword gradually subsided, no longer the violent, all-consuming heat, but a restrained, gentle warmth. The temperature emanating from the hilt also became just right, no longer scalding to the touch.

Lu Zhao slowly opened his eyes, a hint of weariness flashing across them, but more so joy. He could feel a faint connection established between himself and the "Burning Heaven" sword in his hand. Although he couldn't fully control it yet, at least the sword acknowledged him.

"Clang!"

With a forceful pull of his arm, he yanked the "Burning Heaven" sword out of the ground!

The longsword was in his hand, heavy and scorching, but this heat no longer harmed him; instead, it stirred the dormant dragon energy within him. Crimson patterns flowed across the blade, as if magma were flowing within it, radiating a chilling power.

"A top-grade spiritual weapon, and a top-quality one at that, only one step away from being a top-grade spiritual weapon," Lu Zhao judged in his heart. This sword is absolutely astonishing in power, and the residual burning sword intent within it will greatly help him comprehend the Dao of Destruction.

"This...this is impossible!" Zhao Wuji stared at the "Burning Heaven" sword in Lu Zhao's hand, his face ashen, his eyes filled with resentment and disbelief. "You clearly don't cultivate fire-attribute techniques! Why did this sword choose you?!"

He couldn't understand why he, who was most compatible with the "Burning Heaven" sword's attributes, had failed, while a rogue cultivator who practiced an unknown attribute technique had successfully drawn the sword.

"A sword possesses a spirit; its choice of master is not solely based on attributes," Lu Zhao said calmly, sheathing the "Burning Heaven" sword. "Perhaps, it is I who am destined to be with this sword."

"You...!" Zhao Wuji trembled with rage, his eyes flashing with murderous intent. He had painstakingly planned and even risked antagonizing the Xuan Tian Sect and the Black Wind Three Fiends, all for this sword. Now, he had done all the work for someone else; how could he accept that?

"Senior Brother Zhao!" Lin Jingyu said in a deep voice, stepping in front of Zhao Wuji. "Since this sword has chosen Fellow Daoist Lu Zhao as its master, then it is Fellow Daoist Lu Zhao's opportunity. We have a prior agreement, and we should abide by it. Senior Brother Zhao, do not lose the dignity of our Qingyun Sect because of temporary gains or losses."

"Bearing spirit?" Zhao Wuji gritted his teeth and said, "Junior Brother Lin, are you really going to watch such a treasure fall into the hands of a mere rogue cultivator?"

"Treasures possess spirits and will choose their own masters. We cannot force them," Lin Jingyu shook his head. "Besides, Fellow Daoist Lu Zhao has been kind to us. Senior Brother Zhao, please consider the greater good."

Zhao Wuji's expression shifted rapidly, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. He glanced at the calm Lu Zhao, then at the resolute Lin Jingyu, and then at his fellow disciples behind him, who, though silent, held gratitude and awe in their eyes towards Lu Zhao. In the end, he knew that it was impossible to make a move today.

"Fine! Fine! Lu Zhao, is it? I'll remember you!" Zhao Wuji glared fiercely at Lu Zhao, as if trying to etch his image into his memory. "I, Zhao Wuji, will remember what happened today! Let's go!"

Having said that, he flicked his sleeve, turned and left, not even bothering to pick up the Black Wind Three Fiends' storage bags from the ground. Today, not only did he fail to obtain the "Burning Heaven" sword, but he also lost face in front of everyone and was seriously injured. The frustration and anger in his heart almost overwhelmed him.

The other Qingyun Sect disciples glanced at Lin Jingyu, then at Lu Zhao, hesitated for a moment, and then followed suit.

"Fellow Daoist Lu Zhao, thank you for today's matter." Lin Jingyu clasped his hands in a fist salute to Lu Zhao again, his tone sincere. "Senior Brother Zhao... he has a rather impatient temperament, please don't take it to heart. If there is an opportunity in the future, you are welcome to visit my Qingyun Sect."

"Senior Brother Lin, you're too kind." Lu Zhao had a good impression of Lin Jingyu and returned the greeting with a clasped fist. "Until we meet again."

"Until we meet again." Lin Jingyu nodded, turned and left, catching up with Zhao Wuji and the others.

Soon, only Lu Zhao remained in the arena, along with the corpses of the Three Black Wind Fiends on the ground.

Lu Zhao glanced in the direction Zhao Wuji and the others had left, a cold glint in his eyes. This Zhao Wuji was narrow-minded and vindictive; making an enemy of him today would likely cause trouble in the future. However, he didn't care. Trouble was never in short supply on the path of cultivation.

He walked to the corpses of the Three Black Wind Fiends and collected their storage bags. These three had committed numerous evil deeds, so they must have been quite wealthy. Sure enough, a quick scan with his divine sense revealed that their storage bags contained a considerable amount of spirit stones, pills, and materials. Although there were nothing particularly valuable, it was still a good haul for Lu Zhao.

After collecting his spoils, Lu Zhao looked deeper into the Sword Tomb. There, the soaring sword light still shone brightly, and the fluctuations of the inherited sword imprint were even clearer.

"It's time to delve deeper." Lu Zhao put the "Burning Heaven" sword into his storage bag, placing it together with the broken "Return to the Void" sword. These two swords, one fiery and violent, the other cold and lifeless, have completely opposite attributes, but both are of great reference value to his swordsmanship.

With a swift movement, he transformed into a streak of light and continued hurtling towards the core area of ​​the Sword Tomb.

Shortly after he left, a blurry black shadow slowly emerged from a distant forest of swords. The shadow looked in the direction Lu Zhao had gone, then glanced at the corpses of the Black Wind Three Fiends on the ground, and let out a soft, mocking laugh.

"The Sword Intent of Annihilation... Interesting. However, taking what one shouldn't have comes at a price..."

The sound was fleeting, and then the dark figure slowly disappeared, as if it had never existed.