"Ah Ling, this Ladder of Inquiry is no joke, are you really going to climb it?" Long Qi rushed to his side and said anxiously.

Long Ling stopped and looked at Long Qi, her eyes resolute, and said, "If climbing up can save the little fox's life, then I'm willing to climb."

"But it's just a fox... Is it worth it?"

"If I can survive, then it will be worth it." Long Ling looked up at the direction of the Ladder of Inquiry and revealed a faint smile.

Long Qi wanted to say something more, but seeing Long Ling's resolute expression, he knew he couldn't change his mind.

“Alright, then I’ll go with you,” Long Qi said, not wanting Long Ling to face the danger alone.

"Aqi, this is my own decision. I can't let you take this risk with me!" Long Ling frowned, her face full of disapproval.

"What are you saying? Don't you consider me a friend anymore?" Long Qi stepped forward, grabbed his arm, and pulled him directly towards the Ladder of Inquiry.

“Aqi…”

"Alright, alright, stop talking and let's go. If we don't reach the summit before dawn, we won't get the Dragon Ball!"

Only after the two figures had walked away did Long Zhenzhu turn her gaze away and ask Long Qianling, who was standing beside her.

"Young Master, are you really going to lend them the Dragon Balls?"

Long Qianling glanced at her: "Of course, since I promised him, I will not go back on my word."

"But that's something to consider after they've actually climbed the Ladder of Inquiry." After saying that, Long Qianling also walked towards the Ladder of Inquiry.

Seeing this, Long Zhenzhu quickly followed. She remained silent the entire way, seemingly deep in thought.

Long Qianling noticed her unusual behavior, turned to look at her, and asked, "What's wrong?"

Long Zhenzhu bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Young Master, you've already agreed to them, so why do you still want to go to the Heart-Questioning Ladder in person?"

Long Qianling raised his hand and slapped her head, his tone full of disdain: "Have you gone stupid from practicing formations? I want them to climb the Ladder of Inquiry, so of course I have to go with them. What if something happens? Aren't you stupid!"

"I see..." Long Zhenzhu suddenly realized, then her expression turned strange as if she had thought of something. "Young Master, what kind of fox is it that's worth that white dragon boy paying so much?"

"How would I know? Logically speaking, he's still from the same lineage as you. Why don't you go back and ask around?"

Upon hearing this, Long Zhenzhu immediately shook her head, "Then let's forget about it. I might not even have a chance to inquire when I get back. My father will definitely start urging me to find a partner again."

"Partner? You? Come on, all you do is study your magic arrays all day long. If you actually become a partner with someone, you'll only make them feel bad." Long Qianling said with a look of disgust.

Long Zhenzhu showed no sign of anger. As soon as Long Qianling finished speaking, she immediately nodded in agreement.

"Young Master, you're absolutely right! I'll tell my father that next time!"

"Whatever makes you happy," Long Qianling said, glancing at Long Zhenzhu, then hesitated.

She really is a very filial daughter...

On the other side, Long Ling and Long Qi were already preparing to climb the Ladder of Inquiry.

The Heart-Asking Ladder is one of the tests for recruiting students to the Dragon Clan Academy. Since the Dragon Clan Academy only admits women, the two of them had never climbed the Heart-Asking Ladder before. Unexpectedly, they came to climb the Heart-Asking Ladder today to save a fox.

The two had barely stepped onto the stairs when they instantly realized what was happening: the stairs were actually under the influence of gravity.

Long Ling and Long Qi struggled to walk upwards, each step feeling incredibly heavy.

"This gravity is too strong," Long Qi said through gritted teeth.

"Aqi, why don't you go down?" Long Ling's forehead was covered in fine sweat, and her voice was strained as she spoke.

"I'm fine." Long Qi shook his head stubbornly. "I already said I'd stay with you, how can I give up halfway?"

Hearing Long Qi's words, Long Ling felt a warm current in his heart. He felt that it was a blessing from heaven that he was able to meet someone as loyal and righteous as Long Qi.

"Thank you, Aqi."

"What are you saying? We're good friends." Long Qi glared at Long Ling angrily. Why was she thanking him? It was as if they weren't acquainted.

"Alright, alright, let's hurry up and climb up!"

"good."

After saying that, the two began their arduous climb again.

At the mountaintop, Long Qianling leaned against a stone pillar with his arms crossed, closing his eyes to rest, while Long Zhenzhu stared intently at the scene reflected in the water mirror.

The scene shows Long Ling and Long Qi climbing the stairs.

The two of them had already passed the Heart-Questioning Ladder test and possessed student tokens, so they could use their demonic power to fly to the mountaintop.

Long Zhenzhu frowned, her eyes fixed on the two figures reflected in the water mirror. She noticed Long Ling's footsteps growing heavier, and her heart tightened.

After all, he was also from their White Dragon lineage, and Dragon Pearl was still somewhat worried about him.

"Young Master, can they really climb up here?" Long Zhenzhu couldn't help but ask.

Back then, when she climbed this ladder of self-examination, it took her a lot of effort. The gravity array at the beginning was relatively easy, but the illusion at the end was the most difficult.

It is not the body that is tormented, but the mind; those with an unstable mind will find it very difficult to pass.

I don't know if they can do it...

Long Qianling opened his eyes, glanced at the water mirror, and said calmly, "What's your rush? If you can't climb up, you can't get the Dragon Ball. I just want to see how much that white dragon really wants to save that fox."

"This..." Dragon Pearl didn't know how to answer her, so she shut her mouth.

Long Qianling didn't seem inclined to continue talking to her; his golden eyes were fixed on the scene reflected in the water mirror.

As time passed, Long Ling and Long Qi finally climbed into the illusion array.

Long Qianling raised an eyebrow, gazing at Long Ling, who was already trapped in an illusion in the water mirror, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes.

I wonder if he will be able to escape the illusion successfully.

It is called an illusion, but it is actually the delusions and knots in one's own heart. This is the most difficult and direct hurdle to overcome on the ladder of self-examination.

On the ladder of self-examination.

Long Ling and Long Qi stood straight on the steps with their eyes tightly closed, while Long Qianling and Long Zhenzhu outside could not tell what they were seeing.

Long Qi was the first to open his eyes; he himself did not have many delusions or inner conflicts.

It was nothing more than some petty squabbles between men, so he quickly opened his eyes, looking at Long Ling with a tense expression.

After about half an hour, Long Ling finally opened his eyes.

"He's awake! He's awake!" Long Zhenzhu was so excited when she saw him open his eyes that she almost jumped up.

"I'm not blind." Long Qianling was speechless, almost rolling her eyes.

Dragon Pearl was happy, and Dragon Qi on the stairs was also very happy.

"Ah Ling, you're awake!"