The Heavens: From Film and Mythology to Conquering Myriad Realms

The situation in the cave study gradually became chaotic, with many people whose martial arts cultivation was insufficient starting to lose control of their true energy.

However, this only applies to those below the Innate Realm. Experts like Murong Fu were not affected at all and even had the strength to protect their retainers.

Just then, a strange fragrance wafted over.

"What's wrong with me?"

The person whose true energy had been out of control slowly regained their senses and looked around in confusion.

"The Western Xia Society has a lot of crooked and evil tricks."

Lu Yao chuckled softly, having discovered the secret of this grotto study.

While the martial arts calligraphy and painting that could cause people to lose control of their true energy is amazing, it shouldn't be enough to cause so many experts at the acquired realm to lose control of their true energy.

The Western Xia dynasty also released a colorless and odorless gas that could numb people's senses, making them more susceptible to the influence of calligraphy and paintings.

The strange smell that suddenly appeared earlier was used to dispel the gas released earlier, allowing the martial artist who had lost control of their true energy to regain control of their internal energy.

But no matter how you explain it, this kind of trick is only effective against people below the Innate Realm. The true energy of an Innate Martial Artist is not so easy to lose control of.

"Please move aside if you are the guest whose internal energy was out of control."

The maid reappeared and eliminated half of the participants.

Only a dozen or so innate masters remained, and a few were acquired martial artists who cultivated special techniques and were able to resist the loss of control over their true qi.

Those who were eliminated were unwilling, but they knew it was because of their lack of ability, so they had no choice but to turn around and leave.

"Gentlemen, please follow me to the next level."

The maid bowed slightly to the remaining people and led them out of the cave study.

......

Lu Yao and the others arrived at an open-air plaza with a huge arena in the middle.

"Gentlemen, this is the second of the three trials: the martial arts test."

The maid turned to explain to the crowd.

They then began announcing the rules of the competition.

Those who wish to participate in the second round draw lots from the maids, go up on stage to compete, and the winner can advance to the next round.

That means half of the people still need to be eliminated.

"I'll come first!"

The Tibetan prince roared and was the first to step forward and draw a lot.

After that, everyone else stepped forward to draw lots.

Lu Yao and Wang Yuyan naturally didn't participate in the lottery; they were just there to watch the fun.

Just as the duel was about to begin, the maid suddenly appeared in front of Lu Yao.

"Is Young Master Lu not participating in the second round of the competition?"

The maid looked at Lu Yao with a puzzled expression and asked softly.

The maid's actions immediately attracted the attention of everyone present.

"Who is this person? With such a big face, why did the maid have to ask him if he was going to participate?"

The Tibetan prince's expression changed slightly, and he felt a surge of anger.

“Prince, that man is Lu Yao, the leader of the Xiaoyao Sect.”

The attendants around the Tibetan prince had already investigated the backgrounds of all those participating in the marriage proposal.

"The Free and Unfettered Sect? Are they that powerful?"

The Tibetan prince was taken aback. He had never heard of the Free and Unfettered Sect and couldn't help but ask.

"Prince, this sect is very powerful. Lingjiu Palace is a branch of the Xiaoyao Sect."

The attendant quickly told the Tibetan prince.

"What! It's the Lingjiu Palace that the Heavenly Child Granny had?"

The Tibetan prince was greatly surprised. He had never heard of the Xiaoyao Sect, but he was very familiar with the Lingjiu Palace.

Just as the Tibetan prince was watching Lu Yao warily, Lu Yao also frowned slightly.

"Is this directed at me?"

Lu Yao thought to himself that the maid was asking him questions alone, which clearly meant she was acting on orders from the Western Xia royal family or Princess Yinchuan.

"Please convey to the princess that I have no intention of becoming her husband."

Lu Yao shook his head and said calmly.

Murong Fu, who was not far away, breathed a sigh of relief after hearing Lu Yao's words.

After this little incident, the competition began quickly.

Murong Fu's reputation in the martial arts world was earned through his strength. His martial arts cultivation was not weak, and with his current mid-stage Innate Realm, he naturally easily passed the second level.

Just as the fierce competition was in full swing, several key figures of the Western Xia Dynasty gathered together in the Western Xia Imperial Palace.

"If Lu Yao has no intention of marrying my daughter, then what is he doing here?"

Emperor Li Qianshun of Western Xia, with a gloomy expression, angrily shouted.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. It seems that Lu Yao did not see the princess's beautiful face, which is why he showed little interest."

A prince of Western Xia saw Li Qianshun's anger and quickly spoke to him.

"Hmph! Then give him another chance, or don't blame me for being impolite."

Li Qianshun snorted coldly, clearly very dissatisfied with Lu Yao.

The Western Xia had long been eyeing Lu Yao. As long as Lu Yao participated, he would definitely be able to reach the third level smoothly, meet Princess Yinchuan, and become her husband.

What the Western Xia coveted was the power of the Xiaoyao Sect behind Lu Yao.

The Western Xia First-Class Hall gradually declined, and after the deaths of the Four Evils and Li Qiushui, there were very few masters left.

Having learned from the experience of the Tianlong Temple in Dali, the Western Xia also realized the consequences of not having a master to protect them, so they set their sights on the Xiaoyao Sect.

As long as Lu Yao, the leader of the Xiaoyao Sect, becomes his consort in Xixia, he will have no shortage of experts at his disposal, especially with a master like the Heavenly Mountain Child Granny around.

But to their utter surprise, Lu Yaoren did come, but he didn't participate in the marriage proposal.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. According to our spies, Lu Yao is quite skilled in martial arts and may not be easy to deal with."

When another member of the Western Xia royal family heard that their emperor was going to take action against Lu Yao, his expression changed drastically.

He was afraid that if he failed to defeat Lu Yao, he would only cause trouble for himself.

After all, the Xiaoyao Sect had many experts, so the Western Xia dared not make a direct move.

"Don't worry, why would I lay a hand on him? If he still doesn't know what's good for him, I'll just detain him and make it a fait accompli."

Li Qianshun's eyes flickered slightly, and he said in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, are you referring to the gentle breeze and the soothing melody?"

The royal member was slightly taken aback, thinking of the most powerful sleeping potion from the Western Xia First-Class Hall.

"The 'Sad Breeze' can even knock out a master of innate cultivation. So what if that kid's martial arts are high? Let's see if he can control himself after a few 'Bliss Pills'!"

Li Qianshun sneered.

......

Meanwhile, Lu Yao was unaware that he had been targeted by the Western Xia.

In Lu Yao's view, after he had made it clear that he had no intention of becoming a prince consort, the Western Xia royal family should have turned their attention to other people who participated in the marriage selection.

The second round of the competition ended quickly.

Only six people were ultimately approved, including the Tibetan prince and Murong Fu.

The Tibetan prince had cultivated a unique Tibetan martial art. Although he was only at the early stage of the Innate Realm, he overpowered other martial artists of the same level and ultimately won.

"Congratulations on passing the second test. You are now able to meet Her Highness the Princess."

The maid smiled and addressed the six winners.

"Young Master Lu, the princess invites you to come along."

The maid turned to look at Lu Yao and invited him softly.

Lu Yao was taken aback by what she said, wondering what the Princess of Yinchuan was thinking. He had already made his attitude so clear, yet she was still giving him a chance.