72: Trials of the Nascent Soul Group

Stepping into the designated Nascent Soul area of Myriad Sword Valley, the sight before him made Lu Yu's brow twitch.

Unlike the open canyon seen from the outside, the interior was more like a maze composed of countless giant, crisscrossing cracks.

On both sides were steep rock walls as if cleaved by swords, so high their tops were invisible, covered in various marks left by Sword Qi; some marks even glowed faintly, emitting the lingering charm of Sword Intent that was sharp, heavy, or icy cold.

The sky above was cut into irregular strips of light by the narrow rock crevices, the light mottled and kaleidoscopic.

The turbulent flow of Sword Intent permeating the air was even more violent and chaotic, like invisible blades flying in all directions.

Those with weaker cultivation would have to circulate their power to protect themselves and adapt to this harsh environment immediately upon entering.

"Everyone, pay attention!"

The voice of a Heavenly Sword Divine Sect deacon echoed through the valley via a special Magical Artifact.

"The first stage of the Nascent Soul group trial: Sword Qi Corridor! Follow the main crack forward and cross a ten-mile area. During this time, you will encounter indiscriminate attacks from residual Sword Qi, as well as challenges from other trial-takers!"

"Mutual sparring and interception to compete for forward positions are allowed, but malicious maiming or killing is forbidden. Violators will be disqualified!"

"The first three hundred people to pass through the Sword Qi Corridor and reach the Sword Intent Stele Forest ahead will enter the next round!"

"Now—begin!"

As the words fell, the many Nascent Soul Sword Cultivators who had long been unable to restrain themselves immediately rushed toward the deep and winding main crack like arrows leaving a bow!

There were so many Sword Cultivators participating at the Nascent Soul level, at least ten thousand!

These were all individuals from among the Loose Cultivators, Sects, or aristocratic families who had advanced here after a round of screening by the Heavenly Sword Divine Sect.

Only three hundred could make it to the second stage, and in the end, there were only ten spots for the Nascent Soul level Sword Soul Secret Realm. How cruel the competition was!

Many people had barely rushed out before they were forced into a fluster by several invisible Sword Qi blasts suddenly shot from the rock walls, or were disoriented by the chaotic Sword Intent turbulence.

Lu Yu was in no hurry to rush to the front.

He first steadied his form and adapted to the surrounding violent Sword Intent environment.

The Myriad Phenomena Sword Intent in his Sea of Consciousness was like a cat smelling fish, vibrating gently and beginning to actively absorb and analyze the chaotic yet pure Sword Intent fragments around him.

Although each wisp was faint and messy, the sheer quantity made it plenty, which was of great benefit to expanding the database of the Myriad Phenomena Sword Intent.

"Tsk tsk, this place is truly a treasure trove for me."

Lu Yu walked forward slowly while absorbing the surrounding Sword Intent like snacks.

The Sword Intent turbulence that others avoided like the plague was a supplement to him.

This was the power of the Myriad Phenomena Sword Intent!

After walking about a mile, the sound of intense fighting and the sharp ringing of clashing swords came from ahead.

Seven or eight Nascent Soul Cultivators were fighting in a melee, sword light crisscrossing as they fought for a relatively wide passage where the Sword Qi was weaker.

Lu Yu took a glance and had little interest.

This kind of low-level brawl was a waste of time.

Just as he was about to bypass them from the side, a malicious sword light suddenly slashed from an angle, heading straight for his waist!

"Kid, this path is closed! Get back!"

A burly man with a face full of scars and an aura at the sixth level of the Nascent Soul realm grinned hideously, his giant sword slashing down with the force to split mountains and crack stones.

Clearly, seeing Lu Yu alone and walking slowly, he wanted to pick on a soft target and eliminate a competitor in the process.

Lu Yu didn't even stop his steps; he simply raised his right hand, joined his fingers like a sword, and lightly flicked the side of the incoming giant sword's edge.

Ding!

An extremely crisp sound of metal clashing!

The burly man only felt an indescribable force transmit from the sword, the webbing of his hand jolted violently, and half his arm instantly went numb!

His heavy and powerful strike had actually been flicked aside by the opponent's single finger!

What horrified him even more was that the thick Sword Intent he had attached to the sword seemed to vanish like a clay ox entering the sea the moment it touched the opponent's finger, swallowed by an even grander and more inclusive Concept?!

This was the top-tier swordsmanship and sword techniques Lu Yu now possessed; on the path of the sword, one could not only look at the Concept comprehension of the Dao of the sword, but also one's own sword techniques and skills!

The combination of sword techniques and skills with the Concept—that was a truly powerful Sword Cultivator!

So the top-tier swordsmanship comprehension previously rewarded by the System was indeed very good.

"You..."

The burly man was terrified.

Lu Yu didn't give him a chance to speak; the finger that had flicked the giant sword away followed the momentum and pointed forward, hitting the man's Shanzhong Point on his chest.

He didn't use spiritual energy; he merely condensed the Myriad Phenomena Sword Intent at his fingertip, carrying a hint of armor-piercing and penetrating Concept.

Puff!

The burly man felt as if he had been struck by a heavy blow; a small hole exploded in the clothes on his chest, and he was sent flying back over ten zhang, crashing into the rock wall with a muffled groan, blood leaking from the corner of his mouth, his aura withered; although not seriously injured, he had clearly lost the qualification to continue competing.

If killing hadn't been forbidden, this person would already be dead!

Lu Yu didn't even spare him a glance and continued forward.

Several nearby Cultivators who had also wanted to take advantage of him gasped at the sight and quickly suppressed their petty thoughts, staying far away from this white-clad youth who seemed leisurely but was actually terrifying.

Having easily resolved the minor interlude, Lu Yu's speed increased slightly.

He was no longer purely strolling but began to consciously apply the Concept from the Four Seasons Sword Art, coordinating with the Myriad Phenomena Sword Intent's prediction and guidance of the surrounding Sword Qi to weave through the complex terrain and violent Sword Intent turbulence; his speed grew faster, his form elusive, as if he had merged into this Sword Intent environment.

Along the way, he encountered several more bouts of fighting; some tried to intercept him, while others were simply belligerent.

Lu Yu avoided them if he could, and if he couldn't, he dealt with them casually, basically finishing things in one move.

He was measured in his strikes; for those who provoked him, he would not let them off easily; though not lethal, it was enough to keep them bedridden for several months.

Gradually, news of a handsome white-clad youth who was not to be trifled with began to spread among some of the Nascent Soul Cultivators.

As they went deeper, the Sword Qi attacks from the rock walls became more frequent and powerful, sometimes even creating small-scale Sword Qi storms, forcing everyone to display their own Divine Abilities to resist or evade.

For Lu Yu, however, this was an even better feast.

The Myriad Phenomena Sword Intent rejected nothing, analyzing and absorbing these even more powerful residual Sword Qi Concepts one by one.

He could even feel his Myriad Phenomena Sword Intent becoming heavier and more solid at a slow but steady pace, and the attributes it evolved became increasingly rich and agile.

After about half an hour, the path ahead suddenly opened up, revealing a relatively open area of rubble.

At the end of the rubble stood over a hundred black steles of varying heights and shapes, each emitting a distinct and intense Sword Intent.

The Sword Intent Stele Forest had been reached!

At this moment, more than two hundred people had already gathered on the rubble, making a final dash or intercepting each other to compete for the top three hundred spots.

The scene was even more chaotic and intense than before.

Lu Yu scanned the area and saw a few familiar faces.

Xiao Wuqing had already arrived and was standing alone on a giant rock, eyes closed as he regulated his breathing, emitting a cold aura that warned others not to approach, so no one dared to provoke him.

He also saw Tang Jia Third Young Master, followed by two helpers who seemed to be Tang Family disciples; the three of them had formed a small sword array and were quite easily fending off the harassment of others, steadily advancing toward the entrance of the stele forest.

Lu Yu didn't plan on greeting Tang Jia Third Young Master; his goal was to enter the next round first.

He had no time to waste here with them on blocking people.