All the way to the western border, Lu Zhaozhao never saw anyone other than the two people in front of her.
She slowly stopped walking, and Cheng Sangji and Wen Sheng also stopped and looked at her.
Lu Zhaozhao looked left and right, considered for a moment, and said, "I thought you were going to take me to see Wei Zhanjie."
For the past three years, Wen Sheng had stayed by the lava, and he never left even when messages were occasionally delivered. Therefore, he was unaware of this matter; he had simply followed the two of them all the way here.
Cheng Sangji, who had come specifically to guide the way, seemed to understand the matter.
He looked at Lu Zhaozhao, his eyes conveying a meaning she couldn't understand: "The Demon Lord said he was very happy that you came out of seclusion safely, but it would be unfair to start a fight right away. Therefore, he has set a one-month timeframe. After one month, he will officially issue the challenge. If you are confident, then the time for battle will be one month later. If you are not confident, then he can wait until you are ready."
"He's so kind."
Lu Zhaozhao had some doubts. If she wasn't ready, could Wei Zhanjie really keep waiting?
Cheng Sangji was a little embarrassed. He made a fist and put it to his mouth to cough as if to make a mock cough. He said, "His waiting time should be within the limits of his patience. If you really keep dragging it out, he probably won't agree. Most likely... he'll just drag you into a fight."
Lu Zhaozhao rolled her eyes, thinking to herself, "Just as I thought."
But something is better than nothing. She sighed, said "Alright," waved to the two of them, and headed toward the border.
The challenge isn't due for another month! She could easily go back and inform them in advance, so they can take defensive measures and at least reduce some casualties.
Lu Zhaozhao was making plans in her mind, and she was in high spirits when the moment she stepped out of the western border, the smell of burnt coals hit her nostrils, and the sight before her made her close her eyes.
Beyond the western border lies a small border town of the human race, containing several villages. Though the population is small, the people live a peaceful and contented life, free from worldly strife.
But what lay before them was a desolate wasteland.
The last rays of the setting sun cast a weak glow on the ruins of the village, draping this desolate place in a pale gold, but this gold seemed so indifferent, devoid of any warmth.
The rooftops that once emitted wisps of smoke are now just ruins, like giants forgotten by time, lying there quietly, telling tales of past glory and present desolation.
Walking down the street, the scene before my eyes was shocking. The houses had long been reduced to ruins in the war, and everywhere, the ground was stained red with blood amidst the rubble.
Those children who once laughed and ran are now nowhere to be seen, leaving only their tiny footprints, faintly visible in the blood.
The ground was littered with corpses, some lying down, some reclining, in various postures, but all without exception, lifeless. Some corpses still bore the marks of battle, wounds from swords and arrows, each telling a story of the cruelty and ruthlessness of reality.
Blood gushed from these wounds, pooling into streams that stained the entire village red.
A suffocating and heavy atmosphere filled the air, making it almost impossible to breathe. Lu Zhaozhao felt like she couldn't catch her breath.
Occasionally, a gust of wind would blow by, stirring up dust and fallen leaves on the ground, as well as the soil soaked in blood, as if even nature itself was lamenting the suffering of this land.
Here, there are no cries, no shouts, only deathly silence. The laughter and chatter of the past, the crowing of roosters and barking of dogs, have all vanished. This place seems to have become a corner forgotten by the world.
How tragic!
Lu Zhaozhao was filled with grief and indignation. She finally understood what the unfathomable emotion in Cheng Sangji's eyes was.
The demon race is bloodthirsty and murderous; a challenge is just a formality. How could she possibly believe that Wei Zhanjie hadn't made any progress in the past three years?
But he's a human being too! How could he do this!
It felt as if a mouthful of stagnant blood was stuck inside her, unable to go up or down, making Lu Zhaozhao extremely uncomfortable.
She dared not imagine what kind of devastation would ensue in the world a month from now, when the formal challenge was issued and the war between humans and demons reignited.
Lu Zhaozhao clenched her fists tightly. All she wanted now was to return to the Qinghui Sect immediately. She wanted to question them, she wanted to know, where were the people of the cultivation world? Why hadn't they come to protect the common people?
This scorched earth showed no signs of resistance whatsoever, meaning that not a single cultivator from the cultivation world had ever been here.
Lu Zhaozhao's eyes were red and swollen. She took a deep breath, formed a hand seal, and dust immediately billowed up, covering the land.
The horrific scenes were slowly covered up, along with those of the innocent people who died as a result of the war.
They deserve to be laid to rest.
As Lu Zhaozhao chanted the Rebirth Mantra, a tear fell from her eye. In times of chaos, the ordinary and humble people are the first to be affected.
Filled with grief and indignation, Lu Zhaozhao rushed back to Emperor Huizong of Qing.
The sect seemed much livelier than before she left, and the disciples' faces were still beaming with smiles, but it was an eyesore no matter how you looked at it.
Fueled by anger, Lu Zhaozhao stormed into the sect, where she was immediately stopped by the gatekeepers who wanted to check her identity token.
This disciple looked unfamiliar; he must have joined the sect during the time she was away, hence his lack of recognition.
"I am Lu Zhaozhao, the acting head of the sect during the reign of Emperor Huizong of Qing. I have been away from the sect for three years and have now returned. Do you have any objections?"
She drew the sword from her waist. Her reputation for rebellion was known throughout the Qing Dynasty, even among newly initiated disciples.
The gatekeeper was terrified and turned pale. Just as he was about to apologize, Lu Zhaozhao rushed in.
Three years had passed, and the sect's decor seemed even more exquisite now. She frowned and walked step by step to the main peak.
Along the way, many disciples saw her, stopped, bent down to look at her, and wanted to speak, but were so frightened by her aura that they couldn't utter a word.
There were voices inside the council hall. The hall doors were tightly closed, and disciples were guarding outside. When they saw Lu Zhaozhao arrive, they tried to stop her, but she scared them off with a single look.
"bump--"
The door was smashed open, and the people inside who were discussing matters looked up in astonishment. They were shocked that someone dared to be so disrespectful in front of them.
But that anger vanished instantly when he saw Lu Zhaozhao's face.
"Zhao Zhao? It really is you!"
Elder Cang Jiong was somewhat surprised, but then pleased. He immediately sent someone to inform Ying Che and Yun Xian, then spoke a few words with the other elders before they prepared to leave.
"Wait." Lu Zhaozhao stopped everyone. Her face was displeased, her expression cold. She asked, "After being away for three years, I have returned to find only scorched earth and ruins. May I ask about the sects and the cultivation world during these three years?"
The people present looked at each other, their faces showing a hint of embarrassment, a fleeting displeasure, and more of annoyance at being publicly criticized by a junior.
Their anger was temporarily suppressed because they could sense that Lu Zhaozhao's cultivation level was now far superior to theirs.
"Well, you've just returned, so there's no rush for any of this. By the way, Yunxian has emerged from seclusion, so you can finally relax and no longer be the sect leader."
Elder Cangjiong tried to smooth things over, but his tone carried a subtle warning.
Lu Zhaozhao scoffed and replied directly, "Is this a case of 'sitting on the sidelines and holding a position without doing anything'? Doesn't the Discipline Hall investigate this? Or are you the one leading the way?"
"How dare you speak to me like that! It's an absolute violation of etiquette!"
Cang Jiong was furious and about to explode, but Lu Zhaozhao was even angrier.
She could picture the horrific scenes she had witnessed along the way as soon as she closed her eyes, and now she could no longer bear it.
A flash of cold light appeared on Niye's face, splitting the table in two. Lu Zhaozhao said in a sinister tone, "Since I am still the acting sect leader, I have this authority. I will investigate this matter to the end and will not let a single one of them go."
She left after saying those words.
Yunxian wanted to see what this chosen one of Heaven had done to cause such widespread suffering in the world.
When she arrived at the back mountain, all the disciples she met looked troubled. At first, Lu Zhaozhao didn't understand, but she understood when she saw Nian Zhi.
Her sword tip was pointed directly at Nian Zhi's neck. Looking at Yun Xian, who was blocking her way, she said sharply, "This woman is a spy of the demon race. Master, are you perhaps bewitched by your own mind to act like this!"
Is this how you talk to your elders?!
"If a teacher doesn't respect his teacher, should his disciple still be expected to show him respect?"
"presumptuous!"
The tension between the two was palpable; a mere spark could ignite a full-blown fight.
Lu Zhaozhao was filled with disappointment. She thought that the entanglement between the two was at most a private matter, but it was obvious that Yun Xian, as the sect leader, was only concerned with his personal feelings. Amidst the flames of war, he brought people with opposing stances into a secret location.
Does such a person deserve to be called the chosen one of Heaven?
Lu Zhaozhao couldn't help but frown.
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