Under the spotlight, Qing Songzi walked onto the stage. He slowly walked past each person and patted them on the shoulder.

No matter how much hardship and danger we've faced along the way, we've finally reached the last step.

With a voice as loud as a bell, the final list of those to be sent to the Golden Terrace for the trial was announced on site.

Emperor Huizong of Qing, Lu Zhaozhao;

Wenyuan Academy, Master Bai Yuan;

Tianyin Gate, Yaotong;

Sword Tomb, Sorrowful Reeds;

And also the wandering monks, and the mulberry grove.

The applause was thunderous and prolonged, bathed in all sorts of gazes—some envious, some jealous—but ultimately it all came down to something real.

Lu Zhaozhao breathed a sigh of relief, but as she relaxed, she felt her hands were a little weak.

She had overexerted herself in this battle, resulting in an unprecedented level of exhaustion, but at this moment, her mind was clearer than ever before.

Looking into the distance, the Golden Terrace hangs atop the high mountain, with thousands of steps leading up to the path to heaven!

The schedule is set for the day after tomorrow. The five disciples who win the selection will be led by Qing Songzi, the head of Wenyuan Academy, to the foot of the Golden Platform to undergo a test. The only one selected will be able to ascend the Heavenly Stairs and reach the sacred place in the hearts of all cultivators.

"Great, it's finally over."

Yao Tong sighed from the bottom of her heart. This trip had completely drained her energy. If Lu Zhaozhao hadn't been supporting her, she probably would have fallen on the stage right there.

Lu Zhaozhao supported her arm, her gaze sweeping across the audience. She saw Ying Che, his eyes filled with tears, and Nian Zhi, her face etched with worry, but Yun Xian was nowhere to be seen.

It's strange. Even if he dislikes her as his disciple, he should still attend this occasion to maintain appearances.

Just as she was wondering, Yaotong gently patted her hand.

"There's a gathering tonight. It's the Golden Palace Banquet, and disciples from all the sects have come. Everyone wants to get together, make friends, and you absolutely must come."

A party? Making friends?

Hearing these words, Lu Zhaozhao inexplicably thought of the social gatherings of student clubs during her university days.

A group of spirited young people may be opponents on the field, but off the field, they can also be close friends who appreciate each other.

“Okay, I will definitely participate,” Lu Zhaozhao replied, she really liked this feeling.

Yao Tong was overjoyed, her tone light and cheerful: "I'll come find you this evening, and we'll go together. I heard it's arranged in the elegant garden of Wenyuan Academy, which is the most tranquil and elegant place."

“Okay.” Lu Zhaozhao readily agreed, listening to Yao Tong continue the conversation.

Ultimately, they are just the younger generation in the cultivation world. Young people should always be thriving and full of vigor.

As dusk fell, led by Yaotong, Lu Zhaozhao carried the candlestick through the secluded path to a courtyard with elegant scenery.

Quite a few people had already arrived, all dressed in various sect attire, yet they huddled together, chattering about topics that interested them.

The appearance of the two female cultivators briefly caused a sensation.

A young hero and a beautiful woman, they would attract attention wherever they went, let alone two beauties who are among the top five in the younger generation.

In the cultivation world, strength is highly valued. Regardless of beauty or ugliness, anyone who can convince others with their strength will be respected.

Although Lu Zhaozhao and Yaotong initially faced skepticism due to their stereotypical appearances, they won over the audience through repeated competitions. Especially in the final match, Yaotong's initial support and subsequent independent performance, coupled with Lu Zhaozhao's consistently brutal and aesthetically pleasing style, were truly admirable.

Someone gave up a seat in the middle, and Yao Tong pulled Lu Zhaozhao to sit there.

As soon as I sat down, someone asked a question out of curiosity.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, you don't look particularly robust, so how do you possess such great strength?"

It was Zhou Xuegu who asked the question. Ever since he was dragged off the field in the final round and woke up, this question had been swirling in his mind. There was no need to say more about the physical skills of the Dragon Bone Cave; he had never doubted their strength. But the feeling he had when the two of them sparred was undeniable; Lu Zhaozhao had the same strength as him.

"Actually, it's not that I'm strong. It's just that I once accidentally cultivated a body-refining technique, which forged my bone marrow and flesh, and that's how I gained the ability to go toe-to-toe with Fellow Daoist Zhou."

"Ah, I get it! So you fought me with the strength of your hands. This, this..." He hesitated for a long time, trying to think of the right word, but he couldn't think of one for a moment. His face turned red before he finally managed to say, "This is so cool."

"Pfft."

Many people around laughed out loud, and those who didn't make a sound covered their mouths with their hands or something else.

"What are you laughing at? He's really handsome. My body was forged from dragon bones, dragon bones, you know! Her strength is almost the same as mine, isn't that amazing?"

Zhou Xuegu blushed, scratching his head, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"It is indeed astonishing, a fortunate encounter for Lu Daoyou."

When Bai Yuanshi spoke up, everyone echoed his sentiments. Lu Zhaozhao simply responded to each of them.

The topics of conversation on the field were endless, and although the players had competed against each other, they could still enjoy drinks and conversation after the match.

When she was enjoying herself, Yao Tong glanced to the side, immediately stood up, and said to a figure who had unintentionally arrived and was about to leave outside the courtyard, "Fellow Daoist Liao, don't go!"

Sorrowful.

The name caused a brief moment of silence in the room.

If it were merely the identity of the artifact's owner, it would only inspire awe, but they had witnessed Liaochou's true face in her final battle.

His face and eyes were red with blood, making him look truly terrifying. Coupled with his reckless and madman-like fighting style, he was indeed frightening.

Yao Tong and he were talking about something, but Lu Zhaozhao only saw Yao Tong's mouth opening and closing, while Liao Chou's feet did not move an inch.

She said something to the people around her, then got up and walked outside.

"Fellow Daoist Liaochou, this is a gathering of the participants. Everyone is very friendly, so don't worry."

The first voice I heard was Yao Tong's.

"Thank you, but no need."

Liao Chou Hui's reply was brief, and his refusal was decisive.

"Your physical condition is not suitable for being alone. You should spend more time with people to calm your obsession."

Yao Tong earnestly tried to persuade her.

"There's no need."

Liao Chou's answer this time was even more concise.

“Since you really don’t want to, I won’t force you. But to be honest, your body is really close to the limit. You should be able to feel it yourself. It’s getting easier and easier to lose control, and the time it takes to lose control is getting longer and longer.”

Yao Tong straightened her expression and began to speak.

This time, Liao Chou didn't answer, but after a long while, she nodded.

"May I take your pulse?" Yao Tong asked softly.

Lu Zhaozhao noticed the change in Liao Chou's expression; it seemed as if she was momentarily moved, but the feeling vanished quickly, and she immediately rejected him.

"I won't hurt you, really..." Yao Tong was still trying to persuade her, but unfortunately, the person on the other side remained unmoved.

Lu Zhaozhao sighed, thinking that there was probably no one in the entire cultivation world who could make Yao Tong act like this, after all, there were many people willing to line up for her to take their pulse, and some even pretended to be sick when they weren't.

"Fellow Daoist Liao, aren't you going in?"

Lu Zhaozhao walked up to him and asked.

Liao Chou shook his head. With another person around, the discomfort intensified, and he wanted to leave immediately, which is exactly what he did.

"Wait!" Yao Tong grabbed his sleeve. "You can't leave. Your health problem is really serious. If we don't intervene, you'll go crazy!"

Yao Tong's expression was serious and brooked no refusal.

"It's okay..."

"How can it be unrelated!" Before Liao Chou could finish speaking, Yao Tong interrupted her sharply. She couldn't stand anyone belittling life.

"All things in nature are created according to their own destiny. Every life is a gift from heaven, fragile and precious, and therefore should not belittle itself."

With a face like Guanyin and a heart like Bodhi, Yaotong has always been the most open-minded disciple among the younger generation.

Lu Zhaozhao's eyes showed emotion, as did Liao Chou's.

In the end, Liao Chou was the first to give in and agreed to Yao Tong's treatment.

After taking her pulse for a while, Yaotong's brows furrowed more and more tightly.

She immediately pulled Liao Chou aside, her expression serious, and said to Lu Zhaozhao, "I have to go now. Please help me coordinate with everyone, okay?" Then she pulled Liao Chou outside.

Under the moonlight, her face appeared even paler than that of Liao Chou, the patient.

Lu Zhaozhao knew what she had found out, and judging from her appearance, it must have reached a very serious stage.

He sighed and agreed.

After going back and explaining, she also left the table.

The bright moonlight shone on the secluded path, creating a tranquil and lonely atmosphere.

At the end of the road stood a person.

Lu Zhaozhao walked to the end, stopped there, and stood there for a long time.

"Should I address you as Fellow Daoist Sang, or as Cheng Sang Ji?"

She asked the question.

"I thought you would ask me about that illusion first."

This was an open admission of Sang Jie's identity. Lu Zhaozhao chuckled, "Would you tell me if I asked?"

With a scrutinizing look in his eyes, Cheng Sangji straightened his expression and said, "Yes."