74: How could Mother have gotten involved with that Lu Yu?!

Enlightenment gradually dawned in Lu Yu's heart; this was a massive inspiration to him!

Previously, his use of the Myriad Phenomena Sword Intent was mostly simple containment and simulation, but now, the Sword Intent from this stone tablet showed him how to organically integrate and dynamically evolve!

Immersed in this comprehension, his Myriad Phenomena Sword Intent was like a parched sponge, frantically absorbing the Dao of change and the pure elemental charms contained within the tablet's Sword Intent.

At a visible rate, his Sword Intent became more fluid and harmonious, its internal structure seemingly undergoing a subtle optimization and reorganization.

Time ticked away, and Lu Yu was completely immersed, oblivious to the outside world.

He didn't notice that not far away, Tang Jia Third Young Master, after choosing that feminine and treacherous stone tablet, didn't start comprehending immediately but first secretly observed his surroundings.

When he saw Lu Yu choose that seemingly ordinary, flowing stone tablet and quickly enter a state of deep comprehension, a flash of surprise and vigilance crossed his gloomy eyes.

Tang Jia Third Young Master snorted coldly in his heart.

"This kid... has some skill, but serious matters come first."

He stopped paying attention to Lu Yu, focused his mind, and began to comprehend the Sword Intent of the stone tablet before him.

The stone tablet in front of him contained the Profound Nether Sword Intent, which held the intent of the Nether Profound Yin.

The Physique he was currently forging was the Nine Nether Profound Yin Body, so this Profound Nether Sword Intent was very helpful to him.

However, the moment he closed his eyes, the damaged universe cauldron on his person seemed to flicker extremely faintly, helping him more quickly grasp the Five Elements Sword Intent before him.

For a Cultivator immersed in comprehension, a single day passed in the blink of an eye.

When the sun tilted west again and the clear chime of a bell rang over the Forest of Stone Tablets, Lu Yu finally opened his eyes slowly.

He let out a long breath of turbid air. His eyes shone with a brilliant light, where thousands of phenomena seemed to flow before being restrained.

In just one day, his gains were immense!

Not only had the Myriad Phenomena Sword Intent grown stronger and its power more terrifying, but more importantly, his understanding of the application and evolution of Sword Intent had undergone a qualitative leap!

Now, when he performed the Four Seasons Sword Art, its power would be incomparable to before.

He looked at the Star Region Cultivator beside him, who had also just woken up. The man was pale with sweat on his forehead, clearly having struggled with the comprehension, but there was a hint of joy from his gains in his eyes.

"Congratulations on your gains, Fellow Daoist."

Lu Yu offered a polite remark.

The Star Holy Land Cultivator cupped his hands with a wry smile.

"Congratulations to you as well. You are truly... a hidden talent, Fellow Daoist."

He clearly felt that the aura of Sword Intent on Lu Yu was even more unfathomable than it had been a day ago.

Just then, the surface of every stone tablet lit up with a soft glow of varying intensity.

The flowing stone tablet in front of Lu Yu shone with a fairly bright, clear light.

Simultaneously, an invisible force swept across the area.

Shua! Shua! Shua!

Nearly two hundred figures flashed with light before being sent out of the Forest of Stone Tablets by a gentle but irresistible force.

They were eliminated.

Exactly one hundred people remained.

Lu Yu was naturally among them.

He glanced around; Xiao Wuqing had remained without suspense, the light from the ice-sealing stone tablet before him being nearly the brightest.

Tang Jia Third Young Master was also there; the dark, sinister stone tablet before him glowed dimly, but it was indeed lit.

Additionally, that Star Region Cultivator from before had actually managed to stay by the skin of his teeth, and was now patting his chest in lingering fear.

"The top one hundred have been decided!"

The Deacon's voice rang out: "The second trial is over. After a day of rest, the final arena ranking battle will be held tomorrow at the Sword Discussion Platform in the main square of the Heavenly Sword Divine Sect to determine the top ten, who will qualify for the Nascent Soul level Sword Soul Secret Realm!"

The crowd stirred again; those who stayed were naturally delighted, while those eliminated could only leave dejectedly.

Lu Yu left the Forest of Stone Tablets and returned outside, where the second stage trials for the other Realms had also concluded.

Just as he was about to look for Mu Lingxi and Lin Wanqiu to ask about their situation, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a somewhat familiar moon-white figure hurrying along a side path.

It was Liu Yunshu.

Her face seemed even paler than when he had seen her yesterday, and her steps were somewhat unsteady. One hand was unconsciously pressed against her lower abdomen, and her brow was knit with an inseparable pain and anxiety—it was the feeling of being tormented by some force within her body.

Was the Desire Poison about to flare up?

Lu Yu's heart stirred; from the looks of it, it would likely happen within a day or two.

Liu Yunshu clearly saw Lu Yu as well, and her steps faltered slightly. She recognized him as the handsome man who had caused her body to react yesterday.

A flash of panic and embarrassment crossed her face, and she seemed to want to lower her head and walk past quickly, but the waves of discomfort from within made her sway.

Seeing this, Lu Yu stood up and walked over, stopping a few paces away from her and speaking in a calm tone.

"Madam, are you feeling unwell? Do you need help?"

Liu Yunshu looked up and met Lu Yu's crystal-clear and concerned gaze. Her panic intensified, and she hurriedly waved her hands.

"N-no, it's nothing... Thank you for your concern, young friend. It's just an old ailment. I'll be fine after a little rest."

Her voice was gentle, yet it carried a suppressed tremor.

"An old ailment?"

Lu Yu frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping over her hand pressed against her lower abdomen, pretending to be in thought.

"Madam, your complexion... doesn't seem to be just an old ailment. It looks more like... a symptom of some stagnated yin fire and disordered internal breath. I know a bit of medicine and have seen similar symptoms before."

His words were half-true; combining the information about the Desire Heart White Lotus Body from the System with his observation of Liu Yunshu's state, he could roughly guess the situation.

Hearing this, a flash of surprise and a faint glimmer of hope appeared in Liu Yunshu's eyes, but it was immediately replaced by deeper shame and wariness.

How could she speak of this illness to an outsider?

Especially when the other party was a young man.

Could she bluntly tell him: I need your big corn for treatment?

"Really... there's no need."

Biting her lower lip, she lowered her head, wanting to bypass Lu Yu and leave.

Just then, the scorching, churning, and distracting power within her body seemed to surge violently!

"Ngh..."

Liu Yunshu let out a muffled groan, her legs went weak, and she actually started to fall to the side!

Lu Yu was quick-witted and agile; he lunged forward and grabbed her arm to support her.

Where he touched her, through the thin fabric, he could feel an alarming heat and a slight trembling.

"Madam!"

Lu Yu's tone carried just the right amount of urgency.

"Your condition is no small matter. This place is crowded and chaotic; if it isn't channeled in time, I fear it will damage your Origin. I mean no harm; I simply cannot bear to see you suffer like this. I am the Tianyan Immortal Sect Divine Son, Lu Yu. If you trust me, please come with me to a secluded spot to alleviate the symptoms first."

Liu Yunshu was dazed by the Desire Poison and sudden weakness, her consciousness becoming somewhat blurred.

Feeling the surprisingly steady and comfortingly cool power coming from Lu Yu's arm, her thoughts of struggling immediately weakened.

The Haori aura emitted by Lu Yu's Nine Yang Haori Body had the ability to suppress all things lewd and evil, and it also had a restraining effect on the Desire Poison within her.

Besides, he was right; there were people coming and going here. If she lost her composure in public... the consequences would be unthinkable.

"I-I'll trouble you then, Fellow Daoist..."

Her voice was as thin as a mosquito's buzz, having used up almost the last of her strength.

Lu Yu felt certain in his heart; he knew the opportunity had arrived.

Supporting Liu Yunshu, he didn't head toward the bustling Sword Discussion Platform but turned toward the deeper part of the canyon, into a secluded forest where few people went.

He didn't notice that shortly after he left with Liu Yunshu, Tang Jia Third Young Master appeared and spotted their retreating backs. Looking in the direction where they disappeared, his face was so gloomy it looked like it could drip water.

His eyes were filled with shock, anger, suspicion, and a hint of... violence, as if a reverse scale had been touched!

"Mother... how could she be involved with that Lu Yu?!"