95: The final four! This isn't cheating!

On the other side of the crowd, Yao Xiao's bright, big eyes hardly left Lu Yuan.

Her pretty face was filled with excitement and pride, and her gaze towards Lu Yuan was full of undisguised adoration!

Lu Yuan was truly amazing!

Several aunts and uncles from the Yao Family, who were of the same generation as Yao Tianbi, exchanged knowing glances and revealed mischievous smiles.

One of them, a well-preserved and charming lady, chuckled and teased, "Oh my, Xiao, look at Lu Yuan, this child. He's so handsome and outstanding in strength. He's truly a good husband that's hard to find even with a lantern!"

Another slightly plump aunt also chimed in, "Isn't that right! Xiao, you must seize the opportunity. Such an excellent young man is very sought after! When can we elders have a wedding drink?"

"Exactly! We're all waiting!"

The elders' words, one after another, made Yao Xiao's face flush red, like a ripe apple.

"Oh my! Auntie! Uncle! You... what nonsense are you talking about!"

Yao Xiao was both shy and anxious, stomping her little foot, and secretly glanced at Lu Yuan who was not far away.

Lu Yuan naturally heard the commotion on this side and felt a bit embarrassed by everyone's gaze, so he could only rub his nose and let out a dry laugh.

His slightly awkward appearance, however, drew a burst of laughter from everyone, making the atmosphere in the banquet hall even more lively and harmonious.

Yao Tianbi looked at this scene, and a relieved smile also appeared in his eyes.

Midway through the banquet, the hosts and guests were all enjoying themselves.

Yao Zhenchuan excused himself and called Yao Tianbi to the study.

The Yao Family Patriarch put away his usual boisterousness from the banquet, and his expression became solemn.

He looked at Yao Tianbi and slowly said, "Tianbi, I am more and more satisfied with Lu Yuan, this child."

Yao Tianbi nodded and said, "Father has keen insight. Lu Yuan is indeed a rare prodigy, and his character and conduct are also excellent."

Yao Zhenchuan stroked his beard, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes: "I think we can start seriously considering his and Xiao's matter."

"This kid is worthy of my Yao Family's pearl."

Yao Tianbi's heart rejoiced upon hearing this, and he said, "Father means..."

"Hmm." Yao Zhenchuan nodded, "After the matter of the Lost Water Realm is settled, if the time is ripe, we can arrange it for them."

"That scoundrel Tian Xiao, he still has to discuss such a big matter with his third brother. This father is a bit too gutless."

Yao Tianbi: ..."However..." Yao Zhenchuan changed the subject, his expression becoming a bit more serious.

"After today's events, the Zhou Family, especially that old scoundrel Zhou Wanxiong, suffered such a great loss and will definitely not let it go."

"Given his personality, he might not dare to act rashly openly, but secretly, he will definitely make a move."

"Within the Lost Water Realm, the environment is complex and rules are non-existent, making it the best time for them to strike."

"Is Father worried they will harm Lu Yuan in the secret realm?"

"Not worried, but certain!" Yao Zhenchuan said decisively.

"That Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon is already rare, not to mention that mysterious Raging Waves Sea Soul. How could Zhou Wanxiong not covet them?"

"You must remind Lu Yuan that this trip to the Lost Water Realm is fraught with danger, and he must not let his guard down. His top priority is to ensure his own safety."

"Although my Yao Family will send experts to accompany and assist him, there are too many variables within the secret realm, and ultimately, he will have to rely on himself."

Yao Tianbi nodded solemnly: "Father, rest assured, I will convey your message to Lu Yuan and tell him to be extremely careful."

The atmosphere in the study became somewhat heavy due to these words.

The banquet dispersed, and night deepened.

Yao Tianbi saw off the last few elders of the clan and then went directly to Lu Yuan's top-tier cultivation suite.

He relayed all of the Old Master's instructions from the study to Lu Yuan, concerning the Zhou Family's potential foul play in the Lost Water Realm, and repeatedly urged him to prioritize his own safety at that time.

Lu Yuan listened carefully, taking these warnings to heart one by one. He knew very well that Zhou Wanxiong, having suffered such a great humiliation today, would never let it go.

After explaining everything, Yao Tianbi's expression also became a bit more relaxed: "Alright, the matter of the Lost Water Realm is still a few days away. The most important thing right now is tomorrow's semifinals."

He waved his hand, and a light screen unfolded before them, clearly displaying the latest top four list of the Prodigy Competition.

Lu Yuan's name was prominently listed, and alongside him were "blazing sun blade master" Sun Ke, "Medicine Fairy" De Xiner, and another top prodigy from the military, named Duan Mo, the son of the Canglan Provincial Governor! The data showed that his Origin Card was an extremely rare auxiliary gold card, the [Ancient Sky-Reaching Tree], skilled at strengthening allies and weakening enemies, not particularly strong in solo combat, and also one of only two people in this competition with a gold card.

The entire Region was now boiling because of this list.

Countless Card Master enthusiasts, spies from various major forces, and traders from underground betting companies were frantically analyzing the strengths and past achievements of these four top talents.

"The latest odds are out." Yao Tianbi pointed to another set of constantly fluctuating data on the light screen. "Your semifinal match against De Xiner has the closest odds, 1.8 to 1.9, indicating the market's strong recognition of her strength."

Below the light screen, a huge number was rapidly climbing—the total amount wagered on this match.

"It's already close to breaking five hundred million," Yao Tianbi said with a hint of awe. "It seems many people want to make a big bet between you and De Xiner."

Lu Yuan didn't pay much attention to this; his gaze fell on De Xiner's avatar.

It was a beautiful young girl with snow-white skin and an air of aloofness that kept people at a distance in her eyes.

She didn't look that poisonous... "De Xiner, the true prodigy of Deyun Hall's younger generation," Yao Tianbi began to introduce in detail. "A third-tier eight-star Card Master, two full minor realms higher than you. Her Origin Card is a purple five-star skill card, the [Hundred Poisons Heart-Devouring Gu]."

"A skill card as an Origin Card?" Lu Yuan asked with feigned surprise.

"Exactly." Yao Tianbi nodded. "Deyun Hall's approach is quite unique. Many of their core disciples choose powerful skill cards or special equipment cards as their origins, and when combined with potions and secret arts, their combat power is equally terrifying. Once this [Hundred Poisons Heart-Devouring Gu] is planted, it continuously erodes the opponent's Source Power and spirit, silently and extremely viciously."

"More importantly, De Xiner herself is a walking poison-jar. The Source Power cultivation technique she practices complements the [Hundred Poisons Heart-Devouring Gu], making her Source Power imbued with highly toxic properties."

"In battle, she doesn't even need to deliberately activate her card; merely releasing her Source Power can unknowingly unleash colorless and odorless potent poison. It's said that even her exhaled breath carries faint toxicity. If an ordinary Card Master is unprepared, simply being near her for an extended period can lead to poisoning."

Lu Yuan frowned slightly.

He had encountered poison-type Card Masters before; one contestant in the Jiang City Newcomer Competition was among them. But their poison relied more on the card itself.

He had never heard of someone like De Xiner, who had cultivated herself into a source of poison.

This meant that fighting her required not only guarding against her cards but also constantly being wary of the toxicity she herself emitted.

The Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon's lightning power indeed had some purifying and counteracting effects on poisons, but against such a deep-seated, Source Power-integrated potent poison, its effectiveness would likely be greatly reduced.

What's more, the opponent was a third-tier eight-star, with Source Power intensity far surpassing his.

"It seems this match will be even more challenging than the one against Zhou Bufan," Lu Yuan thought to himself.

Just as he was deep in thought, there was a gentle knock on the door.

"Lu Yuan!" Yao Xiao's voice came from outside the door, clearly here to deliver medicine again.

Yao Tianbi and Lu Yuan exchanged glances, and the latter made a "please come in" gesture.

Yao Xiao pushed the door open, and seeing her third uncle there, her little face flushed slightly. She quickly walked to Lu Yuan and slipped a small, exquisite jade bottle into his hand.

"Lu Yuan, this is the 'Hundred Grass Clear Spirit Pill' that Grandpa specially prepared for you. He said it can greatly enhance your resistance to various poisons. You must secretly take it before tomorrow's match!"

"Remember, you absolutely must take it!"

The jade bottle felt warm and smooth in his hand, and he could feel the pure medicinal power and herbal fragrance contained within, even through the bottle.

Yao Xiao blinked her big eyes, anxiously instructing, "That De Xiner, I specifically learned about her, she's so scary! She's covered in poison, you absolutely, absolutely must be careful, it's best to stay far away from her and don't let her touch you!"

She gestured, seemingly trying to describe how terrifying De Xiner was, but didn't know how to express it, making her little face turn red with urgency.

"Although this pill cannot make you immune to all poisons, it can at least keep your mind clear under the influence of her poisonous mist, so you won't have your judgment interfered with by toxins at a critical moment," Yao Tianbi added from the side. "It's the most help we can offer you."

"Just, you know, secretly take it before the competition, no one will find out."

Lu Yuan: ...They're all schemers.

"Thank you, I will take it carefully."

After some thought, he began to convince himself.

Although strictly speaking, taking pills before a competition to boost one's state might be considered a bit of a grey area, as long as it wasn't a combat-enhancing pill that directly increased attack or defense, the competition committee usually turned a blind eye. After all, which family didn't have some hidden resources?

Right?

Yes...