In the underground world, it was not entirely dark; while most areas remained shrouded in gloom, numerous sections shone brightly due to various decorative stones or other elements. It was much like a poor empire where, no matter how destitute the common folk were, the nobles and high officials in the upper echelons surely lived well.

Here, the light was absolute.

Yue Xiuluo’s attacks grew faster, growing ever more ferocious. She appeared exquisitely delicate, yet like the Male Asura, every part of her body could serve as a weapon—sharp and steadfast as iron. Her cultivation stood at the eighth level of the Qi Condensation stage, traversing the subtle meridians, her magical power considerably stronger than Lu Yuan’s.

Beside her, numerous Earth Puppets coordinated their assault. The attack power of these puppets was not exceedingly high, but they possessed the magical strength equivalent to the second, third, or fourth levels of Qi Condensation, and their sheer numbers made them difficult to handle.

At this moment, Lu Yuan was completely mired in a desperate struggle.

This was the first time he had faced such an arduous battle since comprehending the Sword Intent. The Yangwu Sword in his hand parried left and blocked right, striking and defending in every direction. Each time Yue Xiuluo attacked, he had to imbue his blade with the technique Cloud Intent Lingering.

The One Hundred and Eight Swords of Wind and Cloud was an exceedingly profound sword art, created by the second-generation Patriarch of North Peak, and served as North Peak’s paramount foundational sword technique.

The Five Peaks of Mount Hua each possessed a substantial array of sword techniques.

However, those worthy of the title Paramount Foundational Sword Technique were almost invariably the absolute pinnacle among ultimate skills—truly extraordinary.

As for the Sect-Guarding Sword Technique, those were even rarer, even more ultimate, and even more remarkable. Naturally, the difficulty in mastering them increased proportionally.

The One Hundred and Eight Swords of Wind and Cloud was not solely focused on specific stances; it also addressed the manipulation of magical power. For instance, the move Cloud Intent Lingering was not aimed at deciphering the opponent's techniques, but rather at infusing one's sword momentum with the essence of clouds. With the steady, continuous flow of cloud intent, any magical power directed at the wielder was rendered ineffective, absorbed by the boundless, gathering clouds.

With Cloud Intent Lingering clinging to his Yangwu Sword, a significant portion of the magical force from Yue Xiuluo’s attacks was nullified every time. If this were not the case, he would stand no chance against the eighth-level Qi Condensation practitioner, Yue Xiuluo. This approach was essentially how disciples from great sects, equipped with ultimate skills, put pressure on those from smaller sects lacking such treasures.

Great sects, naturally, possessed many supreme arts.

When used effectively, these ultimate skills could compensate significantly even if the disciple’s raw magical power lagged behind that of a small-sect cultivator.

Nonetheless, Yue Xiuluo’s eighth-level Qi Condensation mastery, representing such abundant magical reserves—a full two levels above Lu Yuan—still exerted immense pressure upon him. Lu Yuan was left parrying and blocking, fundamentally locked in a grueling fight.

While Lu Yuan struggled, Ye Fang and Ye Yuan on the other side had fallen into an even deeper quagmire.

More than ten Earth Puppets remained, surrounding Ye Fang and Ye Yuan. These puppets possessed inferior individual strength, but their sheer numbers, combined with the fact that they would not dissipate unless struck at a vital point and felt no pain, made them incredibly vexing. Ye Yuan fared slightly better; his Circular Sword Dance carved shadows of the blade in the void, successfully fending off the surrounding puppets.

Ye Fang, however, was at a disadvantage. His Square Sword Dance executed its movements rigidly, every stance measured and literal, leading to extremely precarious defense. This was not to say his swordsmanship was inferior to Ye Yuan’s, but rather that Ye Fang’s style emphasized rigid adherence to form; each motion was perfectly straight. While this lent itself to devastating offensive power, its defensive capabilities were significantly lacking.

In contrast, Ye Yuan’s circular sword forms were inherently better suited for defense, though perhaps less effective in offense, lacking some cutting power.

Ye Fang’s style was certainly ill-suited for this defensive siege. During an exchange, he was repeatedly struck by the Earth Puppets. Finally, when one puppet connected with the back of his head, a pale cyan barrier flared to life—his protective talisman had activated. As his pale cyan shield appeared, the Earth Puppets ceased attacking him and redirected their focus toward Ye Yuan.

Ye Yuan’s defense was strong, but when the entirety of the remaining Earth Puppets suddenly converged on him alone, even he could not sustain it. Barely ten exchanges later, he too reluctantly allowed his pale cyan protective talisman to activate.

At this juncture, the dozen or so Earth Puppets, along with Yue Xiuluo as the primary aggressor, all turned their attention toward Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan’s pressure escalated to the absolute limit.

Ye Fang and Ye Yuan inwardly conceded, realizing that their attempt to take down Yue Xiuluo had failed. Still, reaching this stage in the underground trial was a success in itself; though failing to defeat Yue Xiuluo in the end was a pity, the outcome was commendable enough for them to feel satisfied.

Just then, Lu Yuan suddenly spoke, “Truthfully, for someone as indolent as myself, reaching this point in the trial feels nearly complete. However, seeing you right here, it would be a real shame not to try and take you down.”

Yue Xiuluo couldn't help but laugh at his words. “What a pitiable junior, actually presuming to defeat me. How utterly absurd; overestimating yourself.”

“Whether it's overestimating or not, we’ll only know after the attempt,” Lu Yuan declared. At this moment, the spirit of competition deep within him flared anew. The Yangwu Sword suddenly unleashed a rapid series of strikes—a flurry of swift attacks, edges chilling, sword light flashing—aimed directly at Yue Xiuluo’s left foot toes.

All his magical power surged into the Yangwu Sword, causing the aura of righteous energy emanating from it to intensify, and the sword light erupted fiercely.

Under the glare of this piercing light, Yue Xiuluo couldn't help but frown. Could this descendant of the Immortal Sect have discovered something?

Meanwhile, Ye Fang and Ye Yuan watched in astonishment as, while Lu Yuan attacked the toes of Yue Xiuluo’s left foot, the nearly twenty Earth Puppets froze entirely, standing as if stupefied.

Lu Yuan then continued to strike at Yue Xiuluo’s left foot toes, sword strike after sword strike.

Yue Xiuluo finally shrieked, “How did you know?”

“If I hadn't figured it out after fighting this long, it would be laughable,” Lu Yuan grinned. “Every time you command the Earth Puppets to attack, you must first press down on the toes of your left foot to issue the command. Based on the subtle shifts of your five left toes against the ground, the corresponding attacks from the Earth Puppets are generated. These puppets are mere condensations of earth; they possess no true sentience. Thus, by controlling your left foot's toes, your Earth Puppets become useless. Unfortunately, I discovered this a bit too late. And yes, I must thank you for your aversion to wearing shoes.”

That works too? Ye Fang and Ye Yuan were completely dumbfounded. Lu Yuan made it sound simple, but executing it was anything but easy. Under Yue Xiuluo’s tempestuous assault, compounded by the coordinated attacks of numerous Earth Puppets, merely defending was immensely difficult; yet he maintained the composure to observe his opponent so keenly. Ye Fang and Ye Yuan both admitted they lacked that capability.

Lu Yuan smiled, a look of utter confidence crossing his face. “Enough of letting you attack. Now, it is my turn to press the offense.”

Lu Yuan had his reasons for launching his assault precisely at this moment.

First, Yue Xiuluo did not have abundant magical power remaining. The combined might of the five chief disciples of South Peak, Sword Sect, was formidable. While South Peak disciples might not boast the strongest raw magical reserves, their sword techniques were wondrously intricate; Sword Sect was home to countless bizarre and strange sword arts. The five chief disciples joining forces must have depleted a significant amount of Yue Xiuluo’s power, and now, fighting three opponents for this long had further weakened her reserves.

Second, Cloud Intent Lingering from the One Hundred and Eight Swords of Wind and Cloud, when attached to the sword, could nullify a portion of the opponent’s magical power.

Third, when Yue Xiuluo began her assault, her momentum was at its peak. But momentum follows the principle: the first thrust pushes, the second wanes, the third exhausts. At this point, Yue Xiuluo’s aura had begun to decline, signaling that it was now Lu Yuan’s time to strike.

(Although this is classical Xianxia and the atmosphere requires depth, which limits speed, I can guarantee two updates per day. Hooray!)