"Now, in this Subterranean World, this region should only have the three of us left," Ye Fang stated.

"Indeed," Ye Yuan chimed in, "why does it feel like the pressure is so immense."

"Forget it. Calm your minds and just do your best," Lu Yuan concluded.

Yes, only to do one's utmost.

This trial, up to this point, had already served its purpose. The original goal of this training was never for the core disciples to confront Yue Xiuluo, the Demon Sect Master of the Moon Fiend Gate; it was merely for them to experience their first battle against the Subterranean Demons and their first fight within the Subterranean World.

When the thunder shakes the moment, is the serpent transforming into an insect, or merely shedding its skin?

This was the very objective of the trial.

And now, Lu Yuan, Ye Fang, and Ye Yuan had spent a considerable time in the depths, having dealt with numerous Asuras. The purpose of this trial was fulfilled, essentially complete. Their continued presence underground was merely an ancillary task: to gauge precisely how powerful Yue Xiuluo, the Master of the Moon Fiend Gate, truly was.

Since the trial had been successfully passed, anything further was supplemental. Why entertain such stress?

People must teach themselves to relax, to find ease within themselves.

Lu Yuan, by nature, was always one to take things as they came, treating every day with buoyant optimism, as if the sky itself were merely a blanket to cover him if it fell.

At that moment, a delicate, soft laughter drifted in: "Hahahaha, more juniors have arrived to play with me." This graceful laughter was incessant, echoing everywhere. Suddenly, the surroundings were bathed in brilliant light as countless Star-Burning Stones flared to life nearby. Standing not far ahead, an exquisitely beautiful woman posed gracefully.

She was undeniably a woman of arresting beauty. Her features, her figure, her—were practically flawless, save for her height. This Asura stood nearly six feet tall, slightly taller than the average human male. Of course, compared to the male Asuras, she appeared petite and charming.

The Asura Clan was a major branch of the Subterranean Demons.

This large branch possessed certain peculiarities.

Members of the Asura Clan, both male and female, were considerably taller than normal humans, especially the males, who towered nearly ten feet high. Conversely, while the male Asuras were unbelievably hideous, the females were like celestial maidens descended to earth, stirring deep fascination.

The female Asura before them was taller than Lu Yuan. What truly widened Lu Yuan's horizons was her brazen attire: her—were partially exposed, her navel visible, and her long legs revealed. Her skin, as white and smooth as congealed fat, was something Lu Yuan had never witnessed in his current lifetime—such bold dressing.

In his understanding, women ought to keep their garments fastened tightly; the—, waist, and legs were sights reserved only for their husbands, with the exception of courtesans.

Heresy, truly the path of dark deviation.

Indecent, certainly an affront to propriety.

Too vulgar.

Even as his lips whispered of vulgarity, Lu Yuan’s eyes lingered on the female Asura. Such was Lu Yuan’s languid temperament; he was never strictly proper, so it was natural for his eyes to ‘sample the tofu’—a brief, appreciative glance. Yet, even as his eyes indulged, his hand had already settled on the hilt of his Yangwu Sword, poised for immediate action. This female Asura was likely the Master of the Moon Fiend Gate; he would test her mettle.

"Juniors from the Huashan Immortal Sect, judging by the number of severed heads in your sacks, it seems the three of you have slain more of my kin than the group of five from before. Despicable." Yue Xiuluo roared in anger, the reference to the five core disciples from the South Peak obvious.

Naturally, battles between the Subterranean Demons and the Five Great Immortal Sects rarely necessitated lengthy discourse.

The teachings received at the Huashan Immortal Sect dictated: upon encountering a Subterranean Demon, draw your sword and kill, no need for pleasantries.

And the Subterranean Demons invariably viewed the immortal cultivators as vibrant, flowing sources of vital essence—blood food—thus, they too attacked without preamble.

This was the reality between the Five Great Immortal Sects and the Subterranean Demons. Over the years, some individuals, from both sides, had attempted to broker peace. However, every single one of those endeavors—regardless of sect or demon—had failed without exception. Those who sought harmony were invariably crushed under the relentless wheel of history.

Lu Yuan was never one for excessive exertion or diligence. Following his sect’s orders—draw sword and kill upon meeting a demon—was simple enough, perfectly suiting his indolent disposition. As for those aiming for the impossible task of achieving peace between the factions? Apologies, he had never entertained such a notion.

Lu Yuan's hand had already begun to draw the Yangwu Sword, but Yue Xiuluo was faster. She lunged forward, instantly appearing before Lu Yuan, bringing a leg sweep down in a devastating arc toward his head.

This downward strike from her long leg came with terrifying speed, aimed directly at his face. With no other immediate recourse, Lu Yuan could only block with his Yangwu Sword held horizontally across the strike.

Bang! Yue Xiuluo’s leg proved to be as hard as tempered iron. At that moment, a genuine surprise registered on Lu Yuan’s face. That single exchange had given him a feeling: this Yue Xiuluo's magical power was not as terrifying as he had imagined. She should be at the Eighth Layer of the Qi Refining Realm: Subtle Meridians.

The Qi Refining Realm comprised ten layers, with certain junctions proving immensely difficult to break through.

First was the Fifth Layer, the Minor Heavenly Cycle. Once this stage was mastered, the internal magical power would become vastly more potent than before.

Second was the Sixth Layer, Qi Forming Astral Mantle. Reaching this step meant the magical power underwent a qualitative transformation from a quantitative change, becoming exponentially stronger. It was difficult for a Fifth Layer cultivator to contend with a Sixth Layer. The Seventh Layer, Qi Manifestation External Control, merely added the ability to project Qi outside the body. The Eighth Layer, Subtle Meridians, involved refining the magic power into the subtle meridians, resulting in a significant, though incremental, advancement in power.

Simply put, while the Eighth Layer Subtle Meridians was stronger than the Sixth Layer Astral Mantle, it primarily represented an increase in sheer volume of power and the addition of external control; significant qualitative changes were absent. Lu Yuan made a rough mental estimation and concluded that he could barely manage a fight against her.

If the opponent were at the Ninth Layer, Great Heavenly Cycle, the fight would be entirely hopeless. The power of the Ninth Layer was nearly the apex of the Qi Refining Realm, vastly surpassing every preceding stage. The quantitative gap would be too enormous to bridge. In that scenario, Lu Yuan would simply concede immediately.

Fortunately, the opponent was still at the Eighth Layer Subtle Meridians; this, at least, felt like a stroke of luck.

Lu Yuan thought he was fortunate that his opponent was manageable, but he was immediately proven wrong—spectacularly so. With a casual gesture from Yue Xiuluo, an Earth Puppet drilled up from the ground. These puppets were roughly human-sized, colored drab yellow, devoid of eyes, nose, or ears. Clearly, this was not the end; more Earth Puppets immediately began to emerge. Damn it, Yue Xiuluo possessed not only strength in direct confrontation but could also summon a vast multitude of these puppets. With a sweep of her hand, a significant contingent materialized.

The strength of these Earth Puppets was not high—only ranging from the Second to Fourth Layers of Qi Refining—but their sheer numbers were staggering. They materialized one by one from the earth. Lu Yuan cursed repeatedly. One opponent, Yue Xiuluo, was enough; having to contend with so many puppets was too much.

Meanwhile, Ye Fang and Ye Yuan were also locked in desperate struggles, suddenly besieged by over a dozen Earth Puppets each, and it appeared the tide of puppets was only growing.

This was the first time Lu Yuan had fallen into a bitter struggle since comprehending Sword Intent—having to hold off a formidable foe like Yue Xiuluo while simultaneously fending off the swarming Earth Puppets.

The Subterranean Demons were indeed formidable foes. Even the master of what seemed to be the lowest-ranking sect could push him into a desperate fight. Lu Yuan realized he had been too complacent, perhaps even arrogant, earlier on.

Lu Yuan began a self-reprimand. A sudden surge in power and swordsmanship might lead to brief bouts of self-satisfaction, but it could not be allowed to fester. The road ahead was long, and he had only taken a single small step. Never mind. Once this trial concluded, he would return to the North Peak of Huashan, rest properly, and immerse himself in good food and fine wine for a time; that should restore his mindset to its original state.